Today in Washington D.C, John Kennedy will be sworn into the 115th Congress of the United States as Louisiana’s newest Senator. Michelle Southern reports…:
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Severe storms across the south killed at least five people, but none in Louisiana. There were strong winds that produced damage in Marksville and in Allen and Beauregard Parishes. Our next major weather event is Friday when snow and ice is in forecast for north and central Louisiana.

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this year in Louisiana politics will be all about the budget. He says we can look forward to another contentious battle over revenue versus spending. He says like last year, we enter the New Year with a massive budget shortfall.
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The regular legislative session begins April 10th.

There are many smokers who will look to quit the habit in 2017. The CEO for the Smoking Cessation Trust, Mike Rogers, says the first step to take when quitting is to set a date to stop smoking and be optimistic….
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Louisiana residents who began smoking prior to September 1st, 1988 can receive free help in quiting through the Smoking Cessation Trust. Visit smoke-free-la-dot-org for more information.