We are waiting to see if Governor John Bel Edwards will issue the call today for a special session to begin later this month so legislators can address the fiscal cliff. A one-cent sales tax is set to expire June 30th, which is a big reason why the state is facing a one-billion dollar shortfall in July. Jeremy Alford of La-politics-dot-com, says some republican legislators are interested in renewing at least a portion of that penny, but Democratic lawmakers oppose…
cut 9 (07) “…one penny”

State Police have charged a 27-year-old man from Avoyelles Parish with 80 counts of child pornography. Trooper Scott Moreau says their special victims unit began investigating Dustin Novo of Mansura in January and a search of his home was conducted…
cut 11 (05) “…child pornography”
His bond was set at 100-thousand dollars.
The carnival season ramps up this weekend with parades all across the state. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says New Orleans is the focal point for Mardi Gras, but the entire state benefits from an influx of tourists who want to be a part of the celebration….
cut 3 (09) “….of the state”
Weather will be an issue for the parades that roll tomorrow as some areas of the state could see a couple of inches of rain.

Drax Biomass announces its moving its corporate headquarters from Atlanta to Monroe. Drax operates two wood pellet manufacturing faciliies and a shipping operation in Louisiana. Monroe Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Sue Nicholson says Drax joins CenturyLink as another big company with its headquarters in Monroe….
cut 15 (07) “…diversify”
Drax Biomass says they look forward to being closer to the forests they depend upon.

Today is the deadline for Governor John Bel Edwards to call a February special session to address the looming one billion dollar budget hole resulting in the expiration of sales taxes.  Reports indicate the house GOP caucus may be coming to consensus on a plan to address the budget gap. LAPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says Republican leaders may propose renewing a one cent sales tax that’s set to expire June 30^th.

Cut 8 (07) “tax structures”

A 27-year-old Mansura man was arrested for distribution of child pornography on Wednesday. Dustin Novo is being held on a 100,000 dollar bond.  State Police spokesperson Scott Moreau says is encouraging anyone with information about possible cases of child pornography to report it to authorities.

Cut 12 (08) “child pornography.”

Wet weather will be a part of the final weekend of Mardi Gras.  While southeast Louisiana will see a heavy amount of rain, the forecast may be a little better in Southwest Louisiana, where the front will move through causing greater rain chances earlier in the weekend.  Kent Kuyper from the National Weather Service Lake Charles office…

Cut 5  (06)  “are evolving.”

It will be a warm weekend however.

Drax Biomass is relocating its headquarters from Atlanta to Monroe.  Governor John Bel Edwards calls it another big win for Louisiana’s economy. Drax operates two wood pellet manufacturing facilities and a shipping operation in Louisiana. Monroe Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Sue Nicholson says Drax joins CenturyLink as another large company operating in the area…

Cut 15 (07) “and diversify”

Many Mardi Gras revelers will keep one eye on the parades and one eye on the skies as threatening weather may put a damper on their celebrations.  Danielle Manning with the National Weather Service in Slidell says Saturday and Sunday will be soggy…

Cut 4  (09) “at once.” 

Drax Biomass is relocating its headquarters from Atlanta to Monroe, in what Governor John Bel Edwards is hailing as another big win for Louisiana’s economy. Drax already operates two wood pellet manufacturing facilities and a shipping operation in the state. Monroe Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Sue Nicholson says that means 150 good paying jobs are on the way.

Cut 13 (09)  “management professionals”

Governor John Bel Edwards has set today as the deadline to call a February special session. Matt Doyle talked to LAPolitics.com about what the governor might do.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

A Texas prisoner has confessed to three New Orleans murders.  48-year-old Joseph Brandt confessed to killing the women in 2007 and 2008.  Brandt is serving time on a burglary charge in the Lone Star state.  He agreed to a deal that will spare him the death penalty.    After giving detailed confessions, a judge set his total bail at three-million-dollars.

Governor John Bel Edwards receives an invitation for a White House event to discuss President Donald Trump’s infrastructure plans. Jeff Palermo has story…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A man killed in a stabbing has been identified as a Baton Rouge Marine stationed in California.  21-year-old Dominique Clement was stabbed and killed Monday. The Twentynine Palms Marine Base confirmed Clement was stationed there at the base for two and a half years after a boot camp.

Drax Biomass is relocating its headquarters from Atlanta to Monroe.  Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Sue Nicholson says Monroe’s economy is booming, and having several colleges in the area, companies are provided with a highly educated pool of workers to choose from.

Cut 14 (05) “to grow”

Drax joins CenturyLink as another big company with a headquarters in Monroe.

It’s the big carnival weekend as Mardi Gras celebrates the final weekend for the year.  Temperatures in South Louisiana will be at or above normal, making it feel more like spring in some areas, but it will be soggy as heavy rainfall is expected.   National Weather Service forecaster Danielle Manning says even though it will be warmer, the chances of severe weather are slim…

Cut 6 (10)  “weather risk..”

Former Saints backup quarterback Doug Nussmeier has reportedly been hired as an offensive analyst at LSU. Nussmeier has served as offensive coordinator at Alabama, Michigan and Florida, but his offenses struggled in Ann Arbor and Gainesville. But when at Alabama, the Tide won the BCS national title in 2012.

Saints assistant head coach Dan Campbell reportedly interviewed for the Indianapolis Colts head coaching job. Campbell is 41-years-old and served as an interim coach for the Dolphins for 12 games in 2015. Campbell has been with the Saints since 2016.

Dante Cunningham is no longer with the Pelicans. New Orleans traded the veteran forward to Brooklyn for shooting guard Rashad Vaughn. The deal was completed right before the NBA’s trading deadline. Vaughn is 21-years-old, but he’s only averaged three points a game during his three-year NBA career. New Orleans begins a three-game road trip tonight in Philadelphia.

The Ragin Cajuns are no longer unbeaten in the Sun Belt after losing to Georgia State 106-92. The Panthers shot 54% from the field. UL-Lafayette shot 43-percent and were led by Frank Bartley who had 21 points.

ULM won in overtime over Georgia Southern 66-64. Travis Munnings had a monster game as he had 26 points and 20 rebounds. Senior Sam McDaniel had 23 points and knocked down six 3-pointers.

Tulane lost in overtime as Tulsa knocked off the Green Wave 91-89, despite 20 points from Jordan Cornish.

Louisiana Tech started a four game homestand by beating Charlotte 83-65. Five players scored in double figures for the Bulldogs led by Sophomore Daquan Bracey who had 17 points.

And in the Southland, despite a furious comeback McNeese State lost to Stephen F Austin 99-95. The Cowboys trailed by 24 points at halftime and scored 63 points in the 2^nd half to make it a game.

Today is the deadline for Governor John Bel Edwards to call a February special session to address the looming one billion dollar budget hole resulting in the expiration of sales taxes. The governor said he would not call the session without an agreement in principle on a fiscal cliff deal, but LAPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says the governor is being pushed to call the session.

Cut 7 (09)  “the line.”

Because it’s a revenue issue, the fiscal cliff can only be addressed in a special session.

A 27-year-old Mansura man was arrested for distribution of child pornography on Wednesday. Dustin Novo is being held at the Avoyelles Parish Detention Center on a 100,000 dollar bond. State Police spokesperson Scott Moreau says deputies were tipped off about a month ago.

Cut 10 (07) “some information”

A warrant for Novo’s residence was served, and after a search of the premises, he was arrested and charged.

Will the weather cooperate with the big Mardi Gras celebrations in south Louisiana this weekend?  Michael Farrar spoke with the National Weather Service…

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Michael Farrar.”

Will the weather cooperate with the big Mardi Gras celebrations in south Louisiana this weekend?  Michael Farrar spoke with the National Weather Service…

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Michael Farrar.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards has set today as the deadline to call a February special session. Matt Doyle talked to LAPolitics.com about what the governor might do.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

_______________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards receives an invitation for a White House event to discuss President Donald Trump’s infrastructure plans. Jeff Palermo has story…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Many Mardi Gras revelers will keep one eye on the parades and one eye on the skies as threatening weather may put a damper on their celebrations.  The National Weather Service says rain, heavy at times, is predicted for southeast Louisiana.  Danielle Manning with the National Weather Service in Slidell says Saturday and Sunday will be soggy…

Cut 4  (09) “at once.” 

The forecast may be a little better in Southwest Louisiana, where the front will move through causing greater rain chances earlier in the weekend.  Kent Kuyper from the Lake Charles office…

Cut 5  (06)  “are evolving.”

Temperatures in South Louisiana will be at or above normal, making it feel more like spring in some areas.  Manning says even though it will be warmer, the chances of severe weather are slim…

Cut 6 (10)  “weather risk..”

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Today is the deadline for Governor John Bel Edwards to call a February special session to address the looming one billion dollar budget hole resulting in the expiration of sales taxes. The governor said he would not call the session without an agreement in principle on a fiscal cliff deal, but LAPoltics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says the governor is being pushed to call the session.

Cut 7 (09)  “the line.”

Because it’s a revenue issue, the fiscal cliff can only be addressed in a special session.

Reports indicate the house GOP caucus may be coming to consensus on a plan to address the budget gap. Alford says Republican leaders may propose renewing a one cent sales tax that’s set to expire June 30^th.

Cut 8 (07) “tax structures”

But Alford says that could be a tough sell, as Democratic lawmakers oppose any renewal of the penny tax.

Cut 9 (07)  “one penny”

According to the Tax Foundation, Louisiana’s combined state and local sales tax rate is the highest in the country.

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A 27-year-old Mansura man was arrested for distribution of child pornography on Wednesday. Dustin Novo is being held at the Avoyelles Parish Detention Center on a 100,000 dollar bond. State Police spokesperson Scott Moreau says deputies were tipped off about a month ago.

Cut 10 (07) “some information”

A warrant for Novo’s residence was served, and after a search of the premises, he was arrested and charged.

Cut 11 (05) “child pornography”

A Mandeville lawmaker has filed legislation to make it easier to recall elected officials..
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

House Republicans are looking at renewing at least some or all of the temporary one cent sales tax as a way to address a looming one billion dollar shortfall. Houma Representative Tanner Magee…
Cut 12 (07) “bit longer.”
But the governor says he will not support any plan that maintains the current sales tax rate, which is currently five-cents.

Law enforcement is preparing for the Mardi Gras weekend. An additional 165 state troopers are in New Orleans and they need the public’s help stop criminal behavior. L-S-P spokesperson Melissa Matey says you can report potential problems to a special phone app called “See Send…”
cut 8 (06) “…of lives”

The Humane Society of Louisiana has a facebook page where you can adopt horses that appear in Mardi Gras parades this week. H-S-L Director Jeff Dorson says 19 horses are up for adoption this year after 17 horses were adopted last year, keeping them from heading to a slaughter house…
cut 10 (12) “…tragic endings”
The facebook page is New Orleans Mardi Gras Horses Available for Adoption.

State police is adding extra troopers in New Orleans for the big Mardi Gras’ weekend. Kelley Ray spoke with Senior Trooper Melissa Matey…
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Governor Edwards will be in Washington D-C on Lundi Gras for a White House event to discuss President Trump’s plans to improve infrastructure. Edwards, along with Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson, will participate in a roundtable with federal, state and local leaders.

House Republicans are interested in extending all or some of the one-cent state sales tax that legislators approved in 2016. The revenue from that penny, which is set to expire at the end of June, would help prevent a billion dollar shortfall in July. But Democrat Ted James of Baton Rouge says he can’t support that tax policy….
cut 13 (12) “….we reneged”
We’ll find out tomorrow if Governor Edwards will call a special session to address the fiscal cliff.

Mandeville Representative Paul Hollis has filed legislation that would make it easier for voters to recall their elected officials. Currently, 33 percent of registered voters in districts with more than 100,000 voters must sign the recall petition before a special election is triggered. Hollis says his bill would cut that number down to 20 percent. If adopted, Hollis says it’ll still take a serious effort to unseat an official.
Cut 5 (04) “be imposible”
Hollis had a similar bill that failed in the legislature last year.