Governor John Bel Edwards will be sworn in today at 11:30 AM for his second term of office on the steps of the Capitol, weather allowing. Advisor to Governor Richard Carbo says attendees will get to hear from Edwards about his plans for the next four years, and enjoy some top-notch Louisiana talent.

Cut 4 (11) “…a treat.”

In Northwest, Louisiana power is being restored and clean-up crews have moved in after an EF-2 tornado swept through the area around 2am Saturday morning. Lt Bill Davis with the Bossier Parish Sheriff office says Swepco has restored power to most of the area.

Cut 3 along well :11

A new state legislature will choose their leaders for the next four years today. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the selection of House Speaker has huge ramifications. It’s between Albany Representative Sherman Mack and Gonzales Representative Clay Schexnayder.

Pisonat says if Mack wins, the governor will not have an ally leading the House…

Cut 10 (10) “…input”

The Senate is expected to elect Lafayette Senator Page Cortez as Senate President.

Ed Orgeron’s hometown of Larose is decked out in purple and gold ready for the big game tonight, Larose attorney and longtime friend of Orgeron, Henry LaFont says having Coach O be a hometown boy adds something special to the National Championship this time.

Cut 13 (10) “…mean it’s unbelievable.”

Governor John Bel Edwards will be sworn in for a second term at 11:30 this morning. Matt Doyle has a preview….
voicer 1 (31) “….I’m Matt Doyle”

A new legislature also gets sworn in today and Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says there’s a close race for House Speaker, between Republican state representatives Sherman Mack and Clay Schexnayder…
cut 8 (10) “…Democrats”

Larose has it’s purple and gold ready for the big game tonight. The Lafourche Parish town is Coach O’s hometown. Larose attorney and longtime friend of Orgeron Henry LaFont says there is a surreal feeling, because everyone knows about the long path it took for Orgeron to lead the LSU football program to the doorstep of a championship.
Cut 11 (08) “…happen this quick.”
LSU is seeking its fourth national title in program history, while Clemson can win its third championship in four years. Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney says the focus is not trying to become college football’s next great dynasty…
Cut 15 (14) “…get ready”
Kick-off tonight is at 7:15.

After a long 15-day layoff since winning the Peach Bowl, LSU and Clemson strap on the helmets tonight in college football’s national championship game. Coach Ed Orgeron says he’s tried to keep the preparation for this game close to what they’ve done all year
Cut 14 (14) “…antsy too”
Coach O took over the team on an interim basis in 2016 before being named the permanent head coach. In the time since Orgeron’s good friend and Larose attorney Henry LaFont says he has been most impressed with the way Orgeron has treated his players and his staff.
Cut 12 (09) “…second to them.”
Kick-off is at 7:15.

It’s inauguration day at the State Capitol and it’s unclear who will be the House Speaker as a new legislature convenes at 10 AM….
voicer 2 (31) “….I’m Matt Doyle”

U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says there’s a supermajority of Republicans in the Senate and a near supermajority in the House, which will likely tank Governor Edwards long-running campaign promise of a minimum wage hike, so he’ll have to focus on other issues…
cut 7 (08) “…like that”

Governor John Bel Edwards will be sworn in for his second term as the 56th Governor of Louisiana at 11:30 AM. Second term celebrations tend to be smaller than they were for the first term, but an advisor to the governor, Richard Carbo still expects a good number of supporters to attend.
Cut 5 (11) “…crowd.”
The big question is whether the inauguration festivities will take place outside on the steps of the State Capitol or will rain move the proceedings into the House.

The House will elect a new Speaker of the House this morning. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Albany Representative Sherman Mack is the favorite but…
cut 9 (05) “…Republicans”
Gonzales Representative Clay Schexnayder is the other candidate to be House Speaker.

LSU is a 5.5 point favorite to beat Clemson in tonight’s college football national championship game. Tigers coach Ed Orgeron says the team that makes the best in-game adjustments will win and he says the Tigers have the quarterback to do it…
cut 16 (10) “…let them play”
There will be dozens of watch parties in the Lafourche Parish town of Larose tonight. That’s the hometown of Coach O. Longtime friend and attorney Henry LaFont …
cut 13 (10) “….it’s unbelievable”
Kick-off is at 7:15.

No classes at Benton Middle School in Bossier Parish today. An early Saturday morning tornado ripped part of the roof off at the school damaging classrooms, books and supplies. Three people died in the stormy weather.

Coach O’s hometown of Larose in Lafourche Parish has special electricity in the air as the LSU Tigers are at the doorstep of a national championship.
Cut 3 (29) “… I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Many around the country poke fun at Coach O’s accent and Orgeron has used that to his advantage…
cut 17 (10) “…my career”
Kick-off between LSU and Clemson tonight is at 7:15.

Before tonight’s national championship game, inauguration ceremonies for Louisiana’s statewide elected officials will take place at 11 AM at the state capitol. Governor John Bel Edwards will be sworn in at 11:30 for a second term. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the mood will be celebratory, but it won’t last long…
cut 6 (12) “….the House”
A new state legislature convenes at 10 AM. The first order of business is electing new House and Senate leaders. Lafayette Senator Page Cortez is expected to be sworn in as Senate President and Albany Representative Sherman Mack and Gonzales Representative Clay Schexnayder are up for House Speaker.

State leaders of all stripes will gather today at the foot of the State Capitol for Governor Edwards 11:30 AM swearing-in. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Two Republicans square off today for Speaker of the House, and political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the result could have massive Legislative implications…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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Coach O’s hometown of Larose in Lafourche Parish has a special electricity in the air as the LSU Tigers are at the doorstep of a national championship.

Cut 3 (29)  “… I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

____________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards will be sworn in today at 11:30 AM for his second term of office on the steps of the Capitol, weather permitting.

Advisor to the Governor Richard Carbo says attendees will get to hear from Edwards about his plans for the next four years, and enjoy some top-notch Louisiana talent.

Cut 4 (11) “…a treat.”

The Governor’s Ball is traditionally held the night of the inauguration, but it’s been canceled to allow state dignitaries to head down to New Orleans for the CFP National Championship.

Second term celebrations tend to be a bit smaller than they were for the first term, but Carbo still expects a good number of supporters of both Edwards and the new Legislative class to attend.

Cut 5 (11) “…crowd.”

The House and Senate convene at 10 AM, before the ceremony.

The mood will be celebratory, but UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says it won’t last long…

Cut 6 (12) “…the House.”

Cross says that’ll likely continue to tank his long-running campaign promise of a minimum wage hike. Instead, he’ll have to find some issues where there’s broad Legislative consensus.

Cut 7 (08) “like that”

_____________________________

A new state legislature will choose their leaders for the next four years today. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Lafayette Senator Page Cortez is expected to be picked as Senate President, but it’s a battle for House Speaker, between Albany Representative Sherman Mack and Gonzales Representative Clay Schexnayder…

Cut 8 (10) “…Democrats.”

Mack represents the conservative wing of the near supermajority of Republicans in the House. Pinsonat says Mack has the backing of US Senator John Kennedy and Attorney General Jeff Landry…

Cut 9 (06) “…Republicans”

Kennedy and Landry co-signed an open letter telling Republicans to back whichever candidate receives the most Republican support, to keep Democrats from having any influence on the Speaker selection.

Pinsonat says the selection of House Speaker has huge ramifications. If Mack wins, the governor will not have an ally leading the House….

Cut 10 (10) “…input”

The Louisiana Legislature convenes at 10 AM.

____________________

Larose has it’s purple and gold ready for the big game tonight. The Lafourche Parish town is where Coach O grew up. Larose attorney and longtime friend of Orgeron Henry LaFont says there is a surreal feeling in the town following his long path to get to the helm of LSU’s football program and at the doorstep of a championship.

Cut 11 (08) “…happen this quick.”

Coach O took over the team on an interim basis in 2016 before being named the permanent head coach. In the time since, LaFont says he has been most impressed with the way he has treated his players and his staff.

Cut 12 (09) “…second to them.”

LSU has played for a national championship before, but LaFont says having Coach O be a hometown boy adds something special to the situation.

Cut 13 (10) “…mean it’s unbelievable.”

_____________________________

After a long 15-day layoff since winning the Peach Bowl, LSU and Clemson strap on the helmets tonight in college football’s national championship game. Coach Ed Orgeron says he’s tried to keep the preparation for this game close to what they’ve done all year

Cut 14 (14) “…antsy too”

LSU is seeking its fourth national title in program history, while Clemson can win its third championship in four years. Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney says the focus is not trying to become college football’s next great dynasty…

Cut 15 (14) “…get ready”

Orgeron says after studying Clemson for two weeks, they are prepared for what they’ll try to do tonight, but he knows they’ll get some different looks. He says the team that makes the best in game adjustments will win

Cut 16  (10)  …let them play” 

Orgeron not only goes into this game representing LSU, he’s also representing Cajuns. Many around the country poke fun at Coach O’s accent and the coach has used that to his advantage

Cut 17  (10) “my career” 

The powerful storm system that moved through Louisiana has claimed three lives. The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s office says two people died in the Haughton area when strong winds possibly associated with a tornado moved a home 200 feet away from its foundation, killing the two people inside. Three dogs inside the home are also unaccounated for. A preliminary report says at least 50 homes damaged in the area.

Another death has been reported in Caddo Parish. Authorities say a large tree fell on a home in Oil City killing an elderly man inside. His wife was not injured.

Thousands are without power across the state because of the high winds associated with the strong squall line. About 35-thousand Entergy customers are without electricity. Cleco reported earlier this morning that 12-thousand of its customers were without power. SWEPCO’s latest update says 22-thousand of its customers are in the dark.

Coach O’s hometown of Larose in Lafourche Parish has a special electricity in the air as the LSU Tigers are at the doorstep of a national championship.
Cut 3 (29) “… I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The LSU/Clemson showdown in the Dome Monday night is expected to bring a lot of revenue and national attention to the state. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says it’s exposure you just can’t pay for…
Cut 6 (09) “Louisiana”
LSU students at the Baton Rouge campus do not have to worry about school on Monday and Tuesday, classes have been canceled both days.

A strong line of storms has claimed the lives of three people in northwest Louisiana, two in Bossier Parish and one in Caddo Parish. Lt. Bill Davis with the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s office confirms two fatalities in the Haughton area. Strong winds demolished the victims’ trailer home. Bossier Parish deputies also report there’s been roof damage to Benton Middle School that’s led to many flooded rooms.

In Caddo Parish, an elderly man died when a large tree fell on his home in Oil City. His wife survived the terrifying incident.

Storm debris has led to road closures and there are scattered power outages across the state. Entergy reports that close to 24-thousand of their customers are without power. Cleco has about 12-thousand customers in the dark. The hardest-hit parishes for Cleco are Avoyelles, Iberia, and Rapides.

The strong squall line is moving through metro New Orleans at this hour.

LSU students can go to New Orleans for the championship game and stay up late that night without worrying about going to school. Kevin Barnhart has the story…
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The LSU/Clemson game is bringing tourism dollars and great exposure to the state. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says a lot of the country is rooting for LSU, because it’s a team full of players with great character, led by Heisman winner Joe Burrow…
Cut 7 (06) “that team.”

The intense line of storms moving through Louisiana is responsible for at least three deaths in northwest Louisiana. Bossier Parish sheriff deputies found an elderly couple dead early this morning near their demolished trailer just west of Highway 157. An elderly man also died in Caddo Parish. Deputies say a large tree fell on his home in Oil City. His wife thankfully was uninjured.

The National Weather Service in Shreveport says they will send storm survey teams to Haughton, Bossier City, Oil City and Webster Parish.

Numerous trees and power lines are down across the state. Cleco says as of 8 AM 12-thousand customers were without power.

The Bayou State is not out danger yet from severe weather. A strong line of storms is moving through southeast Louisiana and approaching, Houma, Hammond and New Orleans.

The LSU football team is in New Orleans getting ready for Monday night’s national championship game against Clemson. Larose native and LSU football coach Ed Orgeron says it’s a dream come true to play for a title in the purple and gold…
cut 30 (19) “…to the community”
Orgeron and the Tigers will face a Clemson squad that has won 29 in a row. The Tigers last loss was to Alabama in the 2018 Sugar bowl. Jennings native and Clemson running back Travis Etienne was a freshman that season and didn’t play well after taking a big hit on the opening kickoff
cut 19 (16) my brothers
Clemson is a 5.5 point underdog.