The winter storm moving through Louisiana is impacting most of the state with snow, ice, freezing rain and extremely cold temperatures. National Weather Service Meteorologist Matt Hemmingway says it will remain below freezing which will keep the snow and ice around for a while…:
Cut 7 (09) “at freezing”

State Police Troopers are working hard to keep drivers safe today. Portions of Interstates 20, 49 and 220 are shut down in the Shreveport-Bossier City area which saw up to four inches of snow. Senior Trooper Michael Reichardt says many roads are icy…:
Cut 10 (11) “stay home”
If you do find yourself in an accident and need the assistance, Reichardt says it could take a while for law enforcement to reach you which is another good reason to stay home.

The State Department of Revenue says online retailers which delivered goods or services to Louisiana addresses will soon notify shoppers about purchases that are subject to state use tax. This requirement is due to a law passed by the legislature in 2016. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says online orders aren’t tax exempt…:
Cut 3 (10) “time of purchase”
He says shoppers shouldn’t have to worry about Amazon purchases, as the online giant began charging sales tax after the bill was passed.

All state offices are closed tomorrow due to icy road conditions and schools and many other businesses are joining the closure list for Wednesday.

Much of the top half of the state is covered in snow right now, with bone chilling temperatures forecast through Thursday. The wintry mix is on its way to South Louisiana. Alek Krautman with the National Weather Service in Slidell says as the day moves along, the storm will impact commuters going home from work…:
Cut 8 (10) “evening hours”
Glen Springfield with the Sheriff’s Office in Ouachita Parish says it’s been snowing since just before daylight, with just a little accumulation. He says ice has caused the closure of I-20 interstate ramps and some overpasses…:
CUT 13 (10) “ice on it”
Forecasters say temperatures will remain at or below freezing for the next couple of days in many areas of Louisiana, which will refreeze any snow and water remaining on the ground.

Governor John Bel Edwards is making a final push to negotiate a fiscal cliff deal before a self-imposed January 19th deadline…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The State Department of Revenue says online retailers which delivered goods or services to Louisiana addresses will soon notify shoppers about purchases that are subject to state use tax. This is now a requirement under a law passed by the legislature in 2016. The annual notices must be mailed by January 31 each year.

The snow is falling from Monroe to south of Alexandria and there’s mixed precipitation just north of Lafayette. The snow has stopped falling in northwest Louisiana , but they’ve already seen several inches. Matt Hemingway is with the National Weather Service in Shreveport….
cut 6 (10) “….interstate of 20”
While the snow may look pretty, it’s creating a mess on the roadways. Both lanes of I-49 in the Shreveport area are closed and so are sections of I-20 and I-220. State Police report numerous crashes on the interstates and surface roads.

After the precipitation stops falling, cold weather settles in. Kent Kuyper is with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles….
cut 14 (09) “…the coast”
If GOP House leaders and the governor can’t come together to address the fiscal cliff, TOPS could be on the chopping block. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor John Bel Edwards continues to press House Republican leaders to get behind a plan to address the looming fiscal cliff. Edwards wants to have a special session in February to pass tax reform legislation. He’s looking for more stable revenues as a temporary one-cent sales tax is set to expire June 30th….
cut 11 (07) “…it done”

A strong cold front has moved through north Louisiana into central Louisiana this morning, and hitting the bottom half of the state this afternoon. Kent Kuyper with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says the winter weather has been crazy this season…:
Cut 15 (10) “at us”

Shreveport has already seen about three inches of snow in some areas. The cold sleet, freezing rain and wintry mix is expected to move south throughout the day.

The Department of Transportation says there is ice over many roads in North Louisiana, and I-49 is closed, so is I-220, and many bridges in the Shreveport area. There are several overpasses closed on I-20 in northeast Louisiana. Officials encourage those who have to travel the state today to check 511la.org for a complete and updated list of road closures or blockages. Winter Weather Advisories are posted for the entire state.

Governor John Bel Edwards is making a final push to negotiate a fiscal cliff deal before a self-imposed January 19th deadline…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

163 employees at CB and I in Livingston Parish are losing their jobs. The pipe fabrication facility in Walker says they are cutting costs due to a lack of available work. The Business Report says the decision was made after the company announced a six billion dollar merger with McDermott International. The layoffs go into effect February 19th.

A strong winter cold front is making it’s way down Louisiana…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray”

The State Department of Revenue says online retailers which delivered goods or services to Louisiana addresses will soon notify shoppers about purchases that are subject to state use tax. This is now a requirement under a law passed by the legislature in 2016. The annual notices must be mailed by January 31 each year.

LAPolitics Publisher Jeremy Alford is reporting that the governor will present a budget to lawmakers Friday that will include a 100-percent cut to TOPS to illustrate what would happen if the one billion dollar shortfall remains in place July 1. But he says the governor’s office is also preparing
something else to show the legislature…:
Cut 5 (11) “he wanted”
Edwards set a January 19th deadline for negotiations for a deal in principle on repairing the fiscal cliff.

Don Briggs’ 26 year run as the President of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association is coming to an end. In reflecting on his tenure, he recalls that after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, LOGA raised over a million dollars to provide housing, fuel and transportation for storm victims…:
Cut 8 (10) “other hurricanes”
Briggs will be succeeded by Vice President Gifford Briggs.

Snow is falling in Shreveport as an extreme winter weather event enters the state and is expected to head south throughout the day and into tonight. Kent Kuyper with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says once the event passes today, it will leave us with a bitter cold Wednesday…:
Cut 14 (09) “the coast”
Already, snows and a wintry mix are occurring over northern and central Louisiana with generally light rain over the Acadiana region. South Louisiana is expected to see similar impacts by this afternoon and through the evening hours. Road closures over northern Louisiana include I-49 and I-220. DOTD encourages those who have to travel the state today to check 511la.org for a complete and updated list of road closures or blockages.

Governor Edwards will reportedly present a budget to lawmakers on Friday that includes a 100-percent cut to TOPS. The budget is a representation of what would happen if the GOP led House and Edwards do not find a solution to the loss of one billion dollars in revenue on July 1st. LAPolitics Publisher Jeremy Alford…:
Cut 4 (08) “and policy”
Alford says negotiations have stalled, and he doesn’t expect a February special session to address the cliff at this point.

The GOP is requesting a budget with less spending, while the governor wants to replace the sales tax by eliminating certain business tax breaks. Edwards says a key piece of these negotiations is getting his tax reform plan passed…:
Cut 12 (08) “tax type”
Edwards set a Friday deadline for coming to a fiscal cliff agreement.

The entire state is under some sort of winter weather advisory, and it’s already started snowing in north Louisiana. An arctic blast has hit the state, and National Weather Service meteorologist Kent Kuyper says as the front heads south, the chances of freezing precipitation continue…:
Cut 13 (09) “and sleet”
A more than 25 mile stretch of I-49 is closed. This includes the section in the Shreveport city limits; and the new stretch just north of town between MLK up to north Caddo Parish.

In South Louisiana, a light wintry mix of sleet and snow is expected this afternoon and evening. The National Weather Service says total accumulations of a trace to less than an inch are expected. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from noon today, to midnight tonight.

There are many offices and schools also closed today throughout the state, as officials believe it’s best if folks just stay off deteriorating road conditions while this system moves through.

It appears unlikely House legislators and Governor John Bel Edwards will come to a fiscal cliff agreement before a Friday deadline. The deadline was set by the Governor, who was hoping to enter a February special session with a deal in principle to fill a one-billion dollar budget shortfall. Edwards says delaying the fiscal cliff decision could be damaging…:
Cut 10 (11) “already have”
The GOP is requesting a budget with less spending, while the governor wants to replace the sales tax by eliminating certain business tax breaks.

After 26 years, Don Briggs has announced that he is stepping down as president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association. He says he’ll be pursuing other ventures aimed at helping to promote Louisiana’s oil and gas industry. He hopes it can soon operate without so many regulations..:
Cut 9 (10) “not happening”
Briggs will be succeeded by Vice President Gifford Briggs.

If GOP House leaders and the governor can’t come together to address the fiscal cliff, TOPS could be on the chopping block. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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It’s a very wet and cold morning across north Louisiana.  Kelley Ray says it’s just the start.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards is making a final push to negotiate a fiscal cliff deal before a self-imposed January 19^th deadline. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Governor Edwards will reportedly present a budget to lawmakers on Friday that includes a 100-percent cut to TOPS. The budget is a representation of what would happen if the GOP led House and Edwards do not find a solution to the loss of one billion dollars in revenue on July 1^st.  LAPolitics Publisher Jeremy Alford…

Cut 4  (08) “and policy” 

The governor is constitutionally required to propose a balanced budget, and the spending plan presented on Friday would reflect what would happen if the state does not replace the money generated by an expiring one-cent sales tax. Alford says the governor’s office is also preparing a budget that would show how the state would spend its money, if the billion dollar shortfall is resolved.

Cut 5  (11)  “he wanted.”

Edwards set a January 19^th deadline for negotiations for a deal in principle on fixing the fiscal cliff. The legislature has a regular session scheduled for March, but Alford says the fiscal cliff can only be addressed in a special session that the governor would like to call in February.

Cut 6 (09)  “one after”

Alford says negotiations have stalled, and he doesn’t expect a February special session to address the cliff at this point.

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Don Briggs’ 26 year run as the President of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association is coming to an end.  Briggs says he’ll remain active, because he is concerned about the lost jobs in the industry. He blames Governor Edwards for support lawsuits the oil companies for their role in damaging the state’s wetlands.  Briggs said several investors from New York were ready to invest…

Cut 7 (11)  “south Louisiana.”

Briggs reflects on his time as LOGA President with fondness.  He says the industry has made contributions to Louisiana.  Briggs says after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, they raised over a million dollars to provide housing, fuel and transportation for hurricane victims…

Cut 8 (10) “other hurricanes.”

Briggs hopes there will be changes so the oil industry can operate without so many regulations that will encourage jobs growth in Louisiana…

Cut 9 (10)  “not happening.”

Briggs’ son Gifford Briggs will officially become president during LOGA’s annual meeting in March.

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It appears unlikely House legislators and Governor John Bel Edwards will come to a fiscal cliff agreement before a Friday deadline. The deadline was set by the Governor, who was hoping to enter into a February special session with an agreement in principle to fill a one-billion dollar budget shortfall.  Edwards says delaying the fiscal cliff decision could be damaging…

Cut 10 (11) “already have.”

The shortfall is due to the expiration of a one-cent sales tax passed two years ago to salvage the budget. Edwards says the sales tax increase was not a long term fix…