![Louisiana Network](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2014/09/lrn.jpg?w=300&q=75)
Louisiana Network
![Louisiana Network](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2014/09/lrn.jpg?w=300&q=75)
![Crime Rate Drops Throughout The State](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2011/06/Jail-Cell11.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Crime Rate Drops Throughout The State
State Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says it’s a testament to recent criminal justice reforms.
![Expectations About Special Session Are Low](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2018/05/Louisiana-State-Capitol.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Expectations About Special Session Are Low
The special session is underway and lawmakers can now replace 1.4 billion dollars in sales taxes that are set to expire June 30th.
![Hundreds Of New High Tech Jobs For Lafayette](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2018/05/IMG_9492.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Hundreds Of New High Tech Jobs For Lafayette
CGI, an international tech company, has announced a big expansion, bringing 400 new jobs to the Lafayette area as part of its IT Center of Excellence. The announcement was made at Gov. Edwards' press conference.
![More Professionals Cannot Fully Disconnect From Office During Vacation](http://townsquare.media/site/34/files/2016/03/GettyImages-102619479.jpg?w=980&q=75)
More Professionals Cannot Fully Disconnect From Office During Vacation
Vacation once held the luxury of being offline, but more workers are admitting they cannot stop checking into the office.
![Intermittent Periods Of Fasting May Drop Blood Pressure & Blood Sugar](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2013/10/57260724.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Intermittent Periods Of Fasting May Drop Blood Pressure & Blood Sugar
A pilot study from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center has shown there are noticeable, positive drop in blood pressure and blood sugar when restricting your eating too early in the day.
![2 Louisiana State Parks Reopening After 2016 Flood Damage](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2016/05/Louisiana-State-Parks.jpg?w=980&q=75)
2 Louisiana State Parks Reopening After 2016 Flood Damage
Overnight facilities at two Louisiana State Parks are reopening after they were damaged by the 2016 floods.
![Special Session On Sales Taxes Begins Today](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2011/09/Louisiana-Capitol-Building.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Special Session On Sales Taxes Begins Today
The special session kicks off today, giving legislators two weeks to come to an agreement on how to handle a $648 million budget shortfall that threatens to potentially devastate healthcare and higher education.
![Teachers Survey Shows Majority Support For Possible Statewide Strike](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2012/09/Chicago-teachers.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Teachers Survey Shows Majority Support For Possible Statewide Strike
A survey from the Louisiana Federation of Teachers indicates that 61 percent of union members support a statewide walkout or strike to accomplish their goals of better school funding and pay raises.
![Iberia Bank Closing 22 Branch Locations](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2018/05/IberiaBank-logo-youtube.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Iberia Bank Closing 22 Branch Locations
Iberia Bank, the largest financial company based in Louisiana, is closing 22 branch locations this year in the state.
![Louisiana’s Longest Serving First Lady Laid To Rest Today](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2018/05/First-Lady-Elaine-Edwards-Wikipedia-Public-Domain.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Louisiana’s Longest Serving First Lady Laid To Rest Today
Today is the funeral service for former First Lady Elaine Edwards, the onetime US Senator, actress, seamstress, and wife of Edwin Edwards.
![Senator Troy Carter Calls For Renewed Focus On Gun Control After Texas Shooting](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2018/05/Texas-High-School-Shooting.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Senator Troy Carter Calls For Renewed Focus On Gun Control After Texas Shooting
The latest school shooting, this time at Santa Fe High School, has reignited the conversation around gun regulations.
![Louisiana Reaches All-time High In Number Of People Employed](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2016/01/Unemployment-Rate-Getty.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Louisiana Reaches All-time High In Number Of People Employed
Latest job numbers show that more Louisiana residents are employed than ever before.
![Political Analyst Looks Back At Regular Session](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2015/08/Louisiana-State-Capitol-Photo-by-Chris-GraythenGetty-Images-280x3001.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Political Analyst Looks Back At Regular Session
The regular session is coming to a close with a special session set for Tuesday.
![Rep. Cameron Henry On Budget: “This Bill Is Law”](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2016/03/Cameron-Henry-2-Facebook-e1458083334526.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Rep. Cameron Henry On Budget: “This Bill Is Law”
The Legislature passed a budget that fully funds the Department of Health, but reduces nine state agencies budgets by 24 percent, slashes higher ed spending, and cuts TOPS to 70 percent coverage.
![Record-breaking Temperatures Across State May Not Indicate Long-term Trends](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2012/06/heat-wave.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Record-breaking Temperatures Across State May Not Indicate Long-term Trends
It’s been a record breaking week of intense heat, that’s turned the usually tolerable Louisiana spring into a hot, soupy mess.
![Riverboat Casinos Now Allowed To Expand Onto Land Due To Recent Legislation](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2015/04/114468606.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Riverboat Casinos Now Allowed To Expand Onto Land Due To Recent Legislation
Riverboat casinos were thrown a lifeline this week as legislation was passed that would allow the water based facilities to expand onto land.
![Two Legislators Involved In Fist Fight Over Legislation (VIDEO)](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2018/05/Stuart-Bishop-at-Louisiana-State-Capitol-youtube.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Two Legislators Involved In Fist Fight Over Legislation (VIDEO)
WATCH Rep. Stuart Bishop apologize for his conduct at the Louisiana State Capitol.
![Harrah’s New Orleans Contract Clears Major Legislative Hurdler](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2015/04/71710629.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Harrah’s New Orleans Contract Clears Major Legislative Hurdler
The Senate approved a bill that would renew the state's contract with Harrah’s New Orleans for at least 20 more years.
![School Prayer Bill Gutted And Heads Back To Senate](http://townsquare.media/site/241/files/2013/04/166932754.jpg?w=980&q=75)
School Prayer Bill Gutted And Heads Back To Senate
A bill that would have allowed teachers to join students in prayer during school hours was gutted by the House after concerns were raised that it violated religious civil rights.
![Riverboat Casino Bill Headed To Governor’s Desk](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2015/04/114468606.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Riverboat Casino Bill Headed To Governor’s Desk
A bill that would allow riverboat casinos to come up out of the water passed is heading to the governor’s desk.