 BY DOUG GRAHAM | Staff writer And they're off: Better roads and bridges. Improved health. Lower car insurance rates. Every Louisiana resident probably has those goals, so when the state Legislature opens its latest session on Monday, lawmakers will have the chance to truly work for the people. Let's see how that goes as things progress. The contentious issues on the front burner promise to bring plenty of debate. And looming in the background is an expected budget shortfall and possible Medicaid cuts. Oh, and Gov. Jeff Landry will want the Legislature to continue to work on tax reform after voters defeated a quartet of state amendments last fall. Read more about why the session could be a roller coaster ride.
School changes coming?: East Baton Rouge Parish Superintendent LaMont Cole has been formulating a plan on how to make the school system more efficient, including possibly closing some schools. Right now, the district has room for 60,000-plus students, but fewer than 40,000 are actually enrolled. Read more about Cole's process and what changes it may produce.
Too soon: The life of former LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy, 24, came to a sudden end Saturday night in Houston from what authorities said was a self-inflicted gunshot wound during a car chase with police. Read about the reactions to his death. | 
