Flood warning: The National Weather Service Slidell has included East Baton Rouge Parish in the Slight Risk of Severe Weather forecast for later today. The main threat is predicted to be heavy rainfall; however, hail, tornadoes and high wind gusts are also possible. Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and The Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness are closely monitoring the latest weather forecasts. As a precaution, public safety personnel have pre-deployed barricades into intersections and areas that have the potential to retain water in sustained rains.
Off to the races: Republican state Rep. Lance Harris of Alexandria announced this morning he has entered the race to replace Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham, who is retiring after serving three terms, The News Star reports. Harris joins Ouachita Police Juror Scotty Robinson, a Republican, and Democrat “Candy” Christophe of Alexandria in the race. Abraham’s chief of staff, Luke Letlow, is expected to announce his candidacy later this week. Read the full story.
The significance: The Federal Reserve’s surprise decision Tuesday to slash interest rates by 0.5 points has startled even the most informed spectators. It’s the biggest one-day move since 2008, and it comes on a day when the Fed wasn’t even supposed to meet. A new feature from The Washington Post breaks down past decisions by the Fed, and how they played out. Read the story here.
