The Restore Louisiana Task Force meets today to discuss plans to spend federal flood relief dollars. In the weeks after the August flood, the state secured 438-million and then another 1.2 billion was appropriated in December. Pat Forbes, executive director of the State Office of Community Development, says today they’ll discuss plans for the initial payment to go to the state’s most vulnerable population…:
cut 4 (11) “for everybody”

The meeting will be held in Livingston Parish today where two cities, Denham Springs and Walker, have filed a lawsuit against the state alleging a concrete wall on the interstate contributed to the flooding. While the suit doesn’t seen monetary damages, it asks DOTD to either remove or replace the barrier along I-12.

Winter weather advisories and freeze watches/warnings are posted throughout the state today as temperatures dip to a point where sleet, and in some cases snow, could cause slippery roads mainly on bridges and overpasses. Today’s weather could also impact pipes, pets and plants.

Donald Trump supporters in Louisiana are rallying to drum up support for the president-elect’s agenda during his first 100 days in office.Co-chair of the Donald Trump for Louisiana campaign Brian Trascher says one of the first orders of business is to make sure Louisiana’s Congressional delegation support Mr. Trump’s cabinet picks…:
CUT 13 (08) “these nominees”
Trascher says the team plans to create a special fund that will be used to run ads so that people can get the full story on what the president-elect hopes to do.

It’s reported that former LSU head coach Les Miles met with University of Minnesota officials about the Golden Gophers’ coaching vacancy.

Today the Restore Louisiana Task Force will meet to discuss how the state plans to spend $1.2 billion dollars federal flood relief. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

There are freeze watches and warnings throughout much of the state today as forecasters say light rain will begin to change to a mix of freezing
precipitation and sleet during the morning hours into the afternoon. State climatologist Barry Keim says the region north of the I-10 corridor will likely see a wintry mix…:
CUT 7 (12) “snow event”‘

Many people set New Year’s resolutions to become healthier for 2017 but nutritionists are cautioning people about the dangers of fad diets. Registered Dietitian with the LSU AgCenter Sandra May says she sees the popularity of these name brand diets ramp up at the beginning of each year. She urges consumers to eat a balanced diet…:
Cut 10 (11) “food groups”
She says juicing or detoxing can be very dangerous, especially if you have a medical condition like diabetes.

The Saints have made major changes with their coaching staff. Five assistant coaches were let go including long-time assistant head coach Joe Vitt.

Precipitation is moving into Louisiana over the next 24 hours bringing in the possibility of light snow. That’s according to Patrick Omundson with the National Weather Service in Shreveport who says Louisiana likely won’t see any snow accumulation and the majority will fall along the Arkansas state line. He says the snow will start mid-day tomorrow.

Cut 6 (09) “mid-evening”

Omundson says south of I-20 can expect a sleet mix, but no freezing rain.

Tonight in New Orleans, Louisiana residents are meeting to discuss the possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Jeanie Donovan from Loyola’s Social Research Institute says the forum is a call to action to get people in touch with their elected officials so they can voice how a repeal would impact Louisianans.

Cut 13 (09) “coverage”

Quite a few stores in the Bayou State are closing their doors for good this year. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Saints have made major changes with their coaching staff. Five assistant coaches were let go, including long-time assistant head coach Joe Vitt. Vitt and James Willis both coached the linebackers and they were let go. Defensive line coach Bill Johnson will also not be back, and special teams assistant Stan Kwan and special teams coordinator Greg McMahon were also let go.

Precipitation is moving into the Bayou State over the next 24 hours, bringing the possibility of snow north of I-20. Patrick Omundson with the National Weather Service says south of I-20 can expect a sleet mix, but no freezing rain. He doesn’t expect ravel issues, but…

Cut 7 (10) “Saturday morning”

He says a cold rain is in the forecast for south Louisiana.

Four workers on a Renaissance Offshore platform were forced into the water early this morning, when a fire broke out on the platform. US Coast Guard Petty Officer Travis Magee says they received reports of a fire on a platform 80 miles off the coast of Grand Isle.

Cut 9 (11) “the situation”

The workers were reportedly taken to Terrebonne General Medical Center for observation.

Louisiana residents are meeting in New Orleans tonight to voice their concerns about repealing the Affordable Care Act. Jeanie Donovan with Loyola’s Social Research Institute says not only would this impact coverage, it would also affect the state budget.

Cut 14 (08) “is repealed”

She says unless Republicans come up with a plan to reduce premiums, repealing Obamacare isn’t a wise decision.

Kmart and Sears announces they are closing two locations in south Louisiana by April. LSU marketing professor Dan Rice says Sears may have looked at places where there’s overlap, like in Baton Rouge.

Cut 3 (12) “those consumers”

Kmart is closing in Gonzales and Jefferson Parish, while Sears will shut down in Gretna and Cortana Mall.

A storm is approaching that could bring sleet and possibly light snow north of Interstate 20. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

Walker and Denham Springs have filed a class action suit against the state and all of the contractors infolved in the I-12 widening project. The Livingston Parish towns claim the concrete barrier wall on the interstate made the flooding worse in August, because it prevented water from draining out.

A community forum takes place tonight in New Orleans where residents can voice their concerns about repealing the Affordable Care Act without a replacement. Jeanie Donovan from Loyola’s Jesuit Social Research Institute says over a half a million Louisianans will lose health insurance coverage if the Republican Congress repeals Obamacare…
cut 12 (10) “the state”
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy says he wants to repeal and replace Obamacare, with something that’s more affordable and more efffective.

An oil platform 80 milexs off the coast of Grand Isle caught on fire early this morning. U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Third Class Travis Magee says there were people working on the platform when the blaze started…
cut 10 (10) “…reported injuries”
The four workers were reportedly taken to Terrebonne General Hospital for observation.

A community forum takes place tonight in New Orleans to begin the possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Jeanie Donovan from Loyola’s Jesuit Social Research Institute says the forum is a call to action to get people in touch with their elected officials so they can voice how a repeal would impact Louisianans…..
cut 13 (09) “…coverage”
Newly elected US Senator John Kennedy has said, at least on the Senate side, he doesn’t believe that Congress will want to repeal Obamacare without having something else in place.

The annual Quality counts report from Education Week gives Louisiana a D-plus for public education. According to the study, the state performed poorly when it comes to K-12 achievement and funding for public schools. Louisiana finished 46th out of the 50 states.

Louisiana is bracing for the possibility of wintry mix for some parts of the state tomorrow, mainly northern half. Cold temperatures are also coming. Patrick Omundson, with the National Weather Service, says it will be a cold day tomorrow and the wind will make feel even colder…
cut 8 (06) “….chill too”
Below freezing temperatures are expected for the weekend.

A blaze on an oil production platform in the Gulf of Mexico has been extinguished. Four workers were forced to evacuate early this morning, about 80-miles off the coast of Grand Isle. U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Third Class Travis Magee says the cause of the fire is not known….
cut 11 (11) “…the situation”
The four workers were taken to Terrebonne General Hospital for observation.

Early this morning, a fire broke out on an oil production platform in the Gulf of Mexico, sending four workers into the water. U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Third Class Travis Magee says around 2:30 am they received reports of a fire on a Renaissance Offshore platform about 80 miles off the coast of Grand Isle.
Cut 9 (11) “the situation”
Magee says the blaze is now extinguished and the four workers who were on the platform were recovered by an offshore supply vessel and then flown to Terrebonne General Medical Center.

A severed human arm was found near a canal in St. John the Baptist Parish. It was discovered near the Reserve Canal by I-10 eastbound near mile marker 202.9. The sheriff’s office says detectives are still trying to determine how the body part ended up in the waterway.

Several stores have announced they are closing their doors soon. K-Mart and Sears are shutting down two of their locations in south Louisiana and a Macys in Kenner is also closing. LSU marketing professor Dan Rice says many times when large stores like these close, it takes awhile to find a business to take its place….
cut 5 (12) “….jump in there”

Tonight a community forum will take place in New Orleans for those who are concerned about the possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Jeanie Donovan with Loyola’s Social Research Institute says not only will half-a-million Louisiana residents lose their coverage, but the state’s budget would take a hit…
cut 14 (08) “….is repealed”
U.S. Senator John Kennedy says Republicans are interested in replacing Obamacare with something better.