The U-S House voted last night to impeach President Donald Trump on two charges, abuse of power and obstruction of justice. Democrats say the president pushed Ukraine to investigate a political rival. The Senate will now hold a trial on the articles of impeachment, which could take two weeks or up to nearly two months. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy hopes the Upper Chamber will not linger on the issue…
cut 12 (05) “…fantasy”
There is also the chance that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will outright reject the trial.

A National Student Clearing House report shows Louisiana was one of 15 states to see college enrollment increases when comparing this fall semester to last year’s. National enrollment numbers fell 1.3 percent, and Louisiana Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says that’s in part because of a large demographic shift.
Cut 4 (07) “seen that”
Enrollment at Louisiana colleges increased by half a percent over the year.

Governor John Bel Edwards goals for 2020 will be to increase funding for colleges, early childhood education and getting teacher salaries to the Southern Regional Average. But will Republican lawmakers go along with these initiatives? There’s a concern among G-O-P legislators that the state doesn’t have the money to spend on these initiatives. Edwards battled with House leadership in his first term and he’s already been meeting with prospective legislative leaders for his second term. His message to them is to value people over party…
cut 8 (12) “…in Louisiana”
Edwards and a new legislature will be sworn in on January 13th.

Louisiana sees a point six percent increase in higher ed enrollment when comparing this fall to last, one of the few states in the nation to do so…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Mike Farrar”

________________________________________

President Donald Trump has been impeached on two Articles, Obstruction of Justice, and Abuse of Power. Matt Doyle has reaction from Senator Bill Cassidy…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

____________________________________________

Louisiana CASA is seeking to diversify it’s volunteer base that’s predominately older, white, and female…

Cut 3 (31) “ I’m connor ferrill”

__________________________________________________

A National Student Clearing House report shows Louisiana was one of 15 states to see college enrollment increases when comparing this fall semester to last year’s.

National enrollment numbers fell 1.3 percent, and Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed says that’s in part because of a large demographic shift.

Cut 4 (07) “seen that”

The report notes total post-secondary enrollment has declined two million students over the decade.

While demographics play a part in the trend, Reed notes that the problem has been compounded by an economy that’s providing less short term incentive for people to pursue higher education.

Cut 5 (11) “…system”

Louisiana saw a .6 percent increase in enrollment, but Reed says the state will need to see a much larger increase to meet it’s end of decade goals.

Cut 6 (10) “…percent.”

Utah, New Hampshire, and Arizona led the nation in enrollment increases, while Alaska, Florida, and Arkansas saw the largest decreases.

________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s already met twice with Albany Representative Sherman Mack, who could be the next House Speaker. Edwards had numerous battles with House Republican leadership in the first term and he’s hoping for less friction in his second four years

Cut 7 (09) “…step forward.”

Mack has the support of a majority of House Republicans to be the next Speaker, which will be voted on by the full House on January 13th. The Republicans have a near supermajority in the House, but Edwards hopes the lower chamber will value people over party

Cut 8 (12) “…in Louisiana.”

Edwards says he’s fine with legislative independence, but he just doesn’t want to see a group of lawmakers become obstructionists

Cut 9 (10) “…through that”

__________________________________________________

The House voted to impeach President Donald Trump last night, and the Senate will take up a removal trial the first week of January.

Senator Bill Cassidy says the Senate is preparing to take up the issue, but so far the only motive for impeachment he has seen is strictly partisan.

Cut 10 (08) “…hated him”

The House vote was strictly along party lines last night, and a potential Senate vote will likely be the same, but Cassidy says he expects a fair and impartial trial to be held.

Cut 11 (10) “…facts.”

A two-thirds vote is required to remove the President from office, a barrier that is highly unlikely to be met in the Republican-controlled Senate.

Trial time estimates range anywhere from two weeks to nearly two months, but Cassidy hopes the Upper Chamber will not linger on the issue.

Cut  12 (05) “fantasy” 

There is also the chance that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will outright reject the trial.

__________________________________________________

Louisiana Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children is pushing to attract more African American and male volunteers in an attempt to diversify it’s volunteer base.

CASA Louisiana Executive Director Kathleen Stewart Richey says nearly 60 percent of the children who get court-appointed volunteers are minorities, but most of their volunteers are white women.

Cut 13 (09) “…males.”

Stewart also adds that the average CASA volunteer is either retired, or near retirement, and while they need more young people to join the ranks…

Cut 14 (07) “…monthly.”

Stewart says the program needs to have more volunteers, seeing as 7,900 children are in foster care annually, but only 3,600 receive CASA agents.

Cut 15 (09) “…statewide”

Stewart made the comments on Talk Louisiana.

______________________________________________

LSU signed 19 players on the first day of the early signing period, including two five-star recruits, tight end Arik Gilbert and cornerback Elias Ricks. The recruiting class also features in-state stars like defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy and wide receiver Kayshson Boutte. The Tigers missed out on a couple of highly recruited receivers, but Coach Ed Orgeron still likes what he has

Cut 16  (16)  …outstanding class” 

There’s some bad news involving LSU star running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Orgeron says the Baton Rouge product suffered a hamstring injury during practice…

Cut 17  (12) “could not practice” 

It’s unclear if Edwards-Helaire will play in the semifinal matchup against Oklahoma. Orgeron says it may take the three other running backs on the roster collectively, Tyrion Davis-Price, John Emery and Chris Curry, fill the shoes of Clyde…

cut 18  (20)    can’t go”  

__________________________________________________

New Saints cornerback Janoris Jenkins is glad to be in New Orleans. The Giants released the veteran after he called a fan on Twitter a “retard.” On Wednesday, Jenkins apologized if he offended anyone for his choice of words and now he’s ready to help the Saints win a championship…

cut 19 (10)  to it ”  

Jenkins is 31-years-old and went to the Pro Bowl in 2016. This year he has four interceptions. It’s unclear if Jenkins will start Sunday versus the Titans or if he’ll be a nickel corner or line up on the outside…

cut 20 (07) “my abilities”    

Members of Louisiana’s House delegation have voiced their support and opposition over tonight’s expected vote to impeach President Donald Trump. New Orleans Democrat Cedric Richmond says Trump abused his power by pressuring Ukraine into investigating a political rival in exchange for military aid
Cut 13 (07) “…to justice.”
But Republican Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson from Benton says it’s the House Democrats who are abusing their power
Cut 14 (13) “…due process.”
The House is expected to vote to impeach President Trump. But Senator John Kennedy says the votes are not there in the Senate to convict and he says the issue is as dead as fried chicken in the Senate.

The National Weather Service reports a deadly tornado that tore through central Louisiana was a highly powerful EF-3.
Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle

Governor John Bel Edwards held a press conference today to tout his administration’s accomplishments during 2019. He says the greatest achievement was a teacher pay raise and additional investments into education….
cut 11 (10) “…in a decade”

A spirited debate is ongoing on the House floor today ahead of tonight’s vote to impeach President Donald Trump. New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond is the lone member of Louisiana’s House delegation who supports removing President Trump out of office because he’s doing irreparable harm to our country…

Cut 12 (11) “…Donald Trump” 

While the rest of Louisiana’s delegation disagrees with Congressman Richmond’s position, It still appears it’s a lock for the House to vote to impeach. A Senate trial is expected to start sometime in the first week of January, and Senator John Kennedy says once it arrives in the Senate it’s dead as fried chicken.

Cut 4 (11) “…as well”

An AP poll of House Representatives shows Democratic defections on impeachment in the House will be in the low single digits.

Governor Edwards celebrated the state’s progress over the past year at his end of year press conference. The governor says they continue to see positive results from the expansion of the Medicaid program, which is providing insurance to 466-thousand residents. Edwards says a recent Tulane study found more people are going to the doctor and taking their necessary medication

Cut 10 (07) “…our goal”

Edwards touted economic development projects like the retaining of CenturyLink’s corporate headquarters in Monroe through 2025.

A tornado that flattened parts of central Louisiana during it’s 62 mile trip from DeRidder to Alexandria is confirmed to have peaked at EF-3, with winds of 140 to 160 miles per hour. National Weather Service Forecaster Kent Kuyper says it’s the biggest tornado he’s seen strike the region in his 20 years out of Lake Charles…

Cut 7 (08) “…EF-2”

The U-S House has been debating the impeachment of President Donald Trump today. A vote on two articles is expected to pass, but Louisiana Senator John Kennedy doesn’t see upper chamber convicting the President of abusing his power or obstruction of Congress…
cut 4 (11) “…as well”
Once the House votes to impeach, Kennedy says the Senate will take up the issue in the first week of the New Year.

A tornado that left a path of destruction during its 62 mile trip from DeRidder to Alexandria is confirmed to have peaked at EF-3, with winds of 140 to 160 miles per hour. National Weather Service forecaster Kent Kuyper says at its peak, the twister was 400 yards wide, but varied widley depending on where it was….
Cut 6 (07) “…strength.”
Kuyper says it’s the biggest tornado he’s seen in Louisiana in 20 years.

Governor Edwards highlights the success of his administration during 2019, the final year of his first term. Jeff Palermo has the story…
voicer 2 (31) “….I’m Jeff Palermo”

Erath Representative Blake Miguez has been elected as chairman of the House Republican Caucus. Miguez on what G-O-P legislators would like to tackle in the next term…
cut 12 (09) “….successful”
Miguez replaces Alexandria Representative Lance Harris as House GOP chairman.

At his end of the year press conference, Governor John Bel Edwards said it’s a good time to be a Louisianan right now. Edwards says not only can the state say it’s home to LSU and the Saints, but Louisiana’s economy continues to grow

Cut 9 (13) “…in Lousiana”

Edwards says one of the big economic development wins this year was the retaining of CenturyLink’s corporate headquarters in Monroe through 2025.

Erath Representative Blake Miguez has a new political role to play as the new House Republican Caucus Chairman. Miguez expects the House to put forth conservative legislation, but hopes that Democratic Governor Edwards won’t obstruct his efforts with the Governor’s power to veto legislation.

Cut 11 (09) “…priorities.”

Edwards will appear on the monthly “Ask The Governor” radio show which allows people to call into the program to question the Governor at 2 pm today on stations that carry the show.

Senator John Kennedy says Democrats may support Impeachment in the House, but there’s next to no shot the Senate will vote to remove the President.

Kennedy says House Democrats failed to prove the President tried to withhold military aid to Ukraine in exchange for an investigation into the Bidens.

Cut 3 (07) “…fried chicken.”

An AP poll of House Representatives shows Democratic defections on Impeachment in the House will be in the low single digits.

A quick look at the calendar shows one week from today is Christmas Day. Shopping expert Claudia Lombana says for those who still need to ship gifts, the deadline to ship is Saturday so they arrive by Christmas…

cut 14 (12) “…there on time”

The National Weather Service has confirmed it was an EF 3 tornado that started in DeRidder and skipped along to Alexandria on Monday with winds between 140 and 160 miles per hour. Governor John Bel Edwards has toured the storm damage in Rapides Parish and says preliminary assessments have begun for both public and private assistance…
cut 7 (08) “…will be met”
Edwards says about 100 homes in Rapides Parish were impacted by the twister.

Erath Representative Blake Miguez has been elected as chairman of the House Republican Caucus. Miguez on what G-O-P legislators would like to tackle in the next term…
cut 12 (09) “….successful”
Miguez is entering his second term and replaces Alexandria Representative Lance Harris as House GOP caucus chairman.

Procrastination may pay off for shoppers looking for a deal. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (31) “ I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Today begins the early signing period for college football and the LSU Tigers are in a position to bring home a top-four recruiting class. So far, the Tigers have also signed two quarterbacks today, Ponchatoula’s T-J Finley and Max Johnson from Georgia. But five-star wide receiver Rakim Jarrett has decided not to sign with LSU, instead he’s going to Maryland.