Today marks the one-year anniversary of when the governor was sworn into office. Jeff Palermo looks at what year two of his administration might bring…:
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Governor Edwards will make himself available for questions once again today on his monthly call-in radio show, Ask The Governor. The broadcast begins shortly after 2pm and can be heard on affiliate stations of the Louisiana Radio Network. Anyone can call 877-217-5757 to take part in the show. It will stream live online at louisianaradionetwork.com.

A new political party has been established in the state: The Louisiana Independent Party. The paperwork was filed with the Secretary of State’s Office in part by its treasurer, Bill Bryan. He says the current-two party system doesn’t serve the wide spectrum of views held by voters, as evidenced by the most recent election…:
Cut 5 (09) “for themselves”
There are currently 56-thousand Independent voters registered in the party.

5th District Congressman Ralph Abraham has been appointed to the House Armed Services Committee, which he says is a critically important position for him when it comes to Louisiana. He expects the state’s military bases to be vital in the ongoing fight against domestic and international tourism…:
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The Bayou State is home to Barksdale Air Force Base, Fort Polk, and the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in New Orleans.

Governor John Bel Edwards was inaugurated a year ago today, on an extremely frigid January 11th, 2016. So what does year two have in store for the governor? UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says Edwards is sure to face a lot of pushback on proposals seeking to raise revenue, but not everything will be tough:
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Edwards will speak today on his first year in office during a 4pm news conference, following his monthly call-in radio show; Ask the Governor at 2pm.

5th District Congressman Ralph Abraham will have a chance to set military policy for the United States as he’s been appointed to the House Armed Services Committee. Abraham says his top priority will be looking out for the men and women who serve our country…;
Cut 13 (08) “a family”

Researchers at LSU-Health New Orleans are the first to demonstrate that parents who are concerned about their neighborhoods restrict their children’s outdoor play. Leading the study, Dr. Melinda Sothern, says they asked parents about how they felt about their community…
cut 11 (10) “play outdoors”
She says this research is an important first step to identifying targets for community-based programs that seek to facilitate trust and control among neighbors.

Authorities in Alabama say an LSU student died after she was hit by a train Monday night in Tuscaloosa following the college football title game. They say 20-year-old Katie Keogh was trying to beat the train near the University of Alabama; but was struck and killed. Her sorority is hosting a memorial tonight.

A new study by Smart Growth America that examined pedestrian deaths nationwide from 2005 to 2014, put Louisiana as third most dangerous on the list.

Today marks one year in office for Governor John Bel Edwards. After such a tumultuous start, it begs the question as to what the coming year will hold. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says like his first year, one of the governor’s biggest challenges in year two is the budget…:
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Cross says some of the governor’s goals, like raising more revenue for transportation needs, will face tough pushback from the legislature.

A study from LSU Health New Orleans finds a parent’s concern about neighborhood safety will result in less play time outside. Research Professor Dr. Melinda Sothern says they questioned parents in neighborhoods with high crime rates and didn’t let their kids out often
Cut 10 (08) “and diabetes”
Researchers recommend if parents have safety concerns about letting their kids play outside, take them to a park or playground.

A new political party has been established in the Bayou State, as the official paperwork has been submitted by the Louisiana Independent Party. Party Treasurer Bill Bryan says this is more of a movement than a political action. He says often times, people vote for a party, not a person, and party affiliations can make it difficult for people to have open, honest discussions about candidates…:
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There are currently 56-thousand Independent voters registered in the party.

The Baker Police Department says a 16-year-old is in custody accused of shooting an 11-year-old in the hand. The suspect is charged with negligent injuring. The child was transported to the hospital and is in stable condition.

Students who attend poorly performing schools can begin applying for vouchers today. President of the Louisiana Federation for Children, Ann Duplesis says about 10-thousand families apply every year, and students from all over the state can apply.

Cut 4 (06) “be educated”

Duplesis says students already enrolled in the program do not need to reapply.

WWE’s WrestleMania is returning to New Orleans next year. Governor John Bel Edwards says when the event came to the Big Easy in 2014, over 75-thousand fans came from around the world, bringing an economic impact of $142 million.

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Edwards says this is the quickest the event has ever returned to a previous host city.

Small business optimism skyrocketed last month, according to the National Federation for Independent Business. State Director Dawn Starns says it’s because business owners are anticipating better economic conditions under the new administration.

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The NFIB says small business optimism is at its highest level since 2004.

150-thousand Louisiana residents have signed up for health coverage through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Christen Young with the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services says financial assistance is a key driver, as 82-percent of Louisiana consumers have qualified for tax credits.

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Young says most people can find a plan for less than $75 per month.

WWE’s Wrestlemania will return to New Orleans in April of 2018. Michelle Southern has more on the big announcement…:

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New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu is looking into new permanent security measures for Bourbon Street. The proposed $30 million plan would include blocking off the road to vehicles during most hours, setting up a command center to monitor a network of cameras, and taking measures to allow police to respond to emergencies with force more quickly.

Today students at failing schools can begin applying for the Louisiana Scholarship Program, which pays for low-income students to attend a private school. President of the Louisiana Federation for Children, Ann Duplessis, says 65-hundred students currently receive taxpayer funded vouchers.

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123 schools in 31 school districts around the state participate in the voucher program.

Small business optimism skyrocketed last month, according to the National Federation of Independent Business. NFIB state director Dawn Starns says optimism has been on the rise since the November election, and Louisiana businesses are feeling the positive outlook.

Cut 6 (10) “new jobs”

The final college football rankings are out and LSU finished 13th in the AP Top 25 and 14th in the coaches poll. The Tigers ended the year fifth in the country in scoring defense, allowing just under 16 points a game and no team gave up fewer touchdowns as LSU allowed 22. But LSU’s pass offense ranked 101st in the country.

Louisiana Tech’s Trent Taylor led all FBS players in receiving yards with 1,803, while fellow Bulldog Carlos Henderson was fifth with 1,535 yards.

This weekend, it’s the NFL divisional round playoffs. On Sunday, the Cowboys will host Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Dallas Owner Jerry Jones said today that former LSU Tiger and cornerback Morris Claiborne will be available. Claiborne missed the final nine regular season games with a groin injury.

The Pelicans are off tonight, getting a chance to enjoy a night in New York. New Orleans faces the Nets in Brooklyn on Thursday. Last night, the Pels beat the New York Knicks 110-96. Anthony Davis had 40 points and 18 rebounds. The victory ended a three-game losing streak and the Birds find themselves one game back of Portland for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

New Orleans will host Wrestlemania in 2018; the quickest the WWE event returns to a host city ever. That’s according to Governor John Bel Edwards who says when Wrestlemania last came to The Big Easy in 2014, over 75,000 fans came from around the world – and it produced an economic impact of $142 million dollars for the city…:
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An LSU student has died after being hit by a train in Tuscaloosa. Authorities say 20-year-old Katie Keough was struck by a train on railroad track behind a dorm at the University of Alabama around 11:30 last night. Keough was reportedly crossing the tracks on foot as the train approached, and witnesses performed CPR until EMS arrived at the scene.

A survey from the National Federation of Independent Business finds small business optimism has skyrocketed in December. Emelie Gunn has more…

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The federal government announces more than 150-thousand Louisianans are insured through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace. Counselor to the Secretary at Health and Human Services, Avida Aron-Dine, says lawmakers have made claims the ACA is in a death spiral, but the facts show that’s not the case.

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The report finds there are over 23-thousand new Louisiana consumers in the Marketplace.

WWE’s WrestleMania is returning to New Orleans in 2018. Governor John Bel Edwards was on hand for the announcement and says it’s just another huge occasion to celebrate the City of New Orleans’ 300th birthday.

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Professional wrestling’s biggest event will be held in the Big Easy on Sunday, April 8th of next year.

A National Federation of Independent Business survey finds small business optimism is at its highest level since 2004. N-F-IB state director, Dawn Starns, says when small business owners feel good about the economy, they are more likely to increase business activity…
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Starns says small business optimism has been rising since the November election.

WWE’s wrestlemania will return to New Orleans in April 2018. The Big Easy hosted professional wrestling’s biggest event in 2014 and WWE’s Chief Brand officer, Stephanie McMahon, detailed the pitch made to bring it back to the Superdome…
cut 11 (11) “…Krewe of Muses”
The federal government says 150-thousand Louisiana residents have signed up for health coverage through the Marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act. Christen Young, with the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services says one key driver of affordability in the marketplace is financial assistance and 82-percent of Louisiana consumers signed up so far, have qualified for tax credits…
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Young says most people can find a plan for less than $75 per month.

And the application period started today for low income parents who wish to receive a taxpayer funded voucher so their children at a poorly performing school can attend a private school. President of the Louisiana Federation for Children, Ann Duplessis, says 65-hundred students are currently in the scholarship program…
cut 3 (11) “…in the future”