Officials cut the ribbon today on the first of three phases in the 183 million dollar I-10 widening project. State Department of Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says they widened a stretch from LA 347 at the intersection of I-10 all the way to the Atchafalaya Basin to three lanes.

Cut 6 (11) “..stretch”

The project also included two roundabouts and drainage improvements on LA 347.

New Iberia Police are investigating a double homicide that claimed the lives of two 16-year-olds. Sgt Daesha Hughes says when police arrived, they found the two males lying in the roadway with gunshot wounds on Sunday night.

Cut 3 (09)  “…for both.”

Both were pronounced dead on the scene and their identities have not been released.

Republicans are asking Senate Democrats to cancel President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, citing the fact it isn’t set to happen until after Trump leaves office. House Minority Whip and Metairie Congressman Steve Scalise voted against impeachment in the House and says the trial would be a distraction…

Cut 11 (09) “.country”

If the trial is held Trump will be the first President to ever be taken to an impeachment trial after he leaves office, and the only President to be impeached twice.

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has completed repair work and upgrades to one and a quarter miles of levee and beach in Grand Isle that was destroyed last year by hurricanes. CPRA Chief Engineer Rudy Simoneaux says the work created 30 acres of beach that sits 4.5 feet above sea level…

Cut 15 (11)“…today.”

New Iberia Police are investigating a double homicide that claimed the lives of two 16-year-olds New Iberia Police Sgt Daesha Hughes says when police arrived they found the two teens lying in the roadway Sunday night.

Cut 24 for both :09

Both were pronounced dead on the scene and their identities have not been released.

Republicans are asking Senate Democrats to cancel President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial because Trump will have already left office by the time the trial begins. House Minority Whip and Metairie Congressman Steve Scalise says Congress needs to be investigating how the January 6^th attack on Capitol Hill went so far, and whether Congressional leaders turned down additional security that day…

Cut 13 (10) “….it did”

The Biden Administration will push to implement a federal minimum wage of 15 dollars an hour, up from the current federal minimum of 7.25 an hour. Louisiana is one of five states to not raise its minimum above the federal. The National Employment Law Project reports 27 states and municipalities have increased their minimum to 15 an hour. Louisiana Budget Project head Jan Moller says it hasn’t resulted in overall job losses…

Cut 9 (11) “…economy.”

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry opposes the increase. VP of Governmental Relations Jim Patterson says it would result in lost jobs and increasing the minimum wage would hurt American companies’ ability to compete internationally, thus result in higher prices for goods and services.

Cut 10 (04) “…of it”

It is likely the increase would be phased in over a number of years, but an exact timeline has not yet been revealed.

President Donald Trump’s Senate impeachment trial is set to take place after he leaves office, the first time that’s ever happened. Matt Doyle spoke with a leading Republican who opposes the effect…

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

A weekend shooting claims the lives of two 16-year-olds in New Iberia. New Iberia Police Sgt Daesha Hughes says the teens reportedly were shooting at each other close range simultaneously Sunday night. Hughes says they found the bodies of the two teens lying in the roadway and both were pronounced dead on the scene. Their identities have not been released.

LSU Board of Supervisors member Collis Temple Junior says the university should look at ending its relationship with Rouses Supermarkets because of co-owner Donald Rouse’s participation in a pro-Trump rally before the riot on the U-S Capitol. It’s unclear if LSU will end its business relationship with the grocery store chain. Temple believes not doing so would send the wrong message…

Cut 6 (10) “…..social fabric”

Donald Rouse says he attended the rally but was in his hotel when Capitol was stormed.

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority completes repair work and upgrades to one and a quarter-mile of levee and beach in Grand Isle that was destroyed last year by hurricanes. CPRA Chief Engineer Rudy Simoneaux says it was a big project.

Cut 16 (11) “…beach”

Their work created 30 acres of beach that sits 4.5 feet above sea level

An LSU Board of Supervisors member believes the school should end its sponsorship agreement with Rouses supermarket. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards will attend the inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden in DC tomorrow.  Edwards issued a statement saying he’s grateful to all of the people working to keep the Inauguration safe, from law enforcement to members of the National Guard, and especially the 174 members of Louisiana’s National Guard who volunteered to protect our nation’s capital to ensure the peaceful transfer of power. They are our nation’s unsung heroes and real patriots.

Republicans are asking Senate Democrats to cancel President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, citing that Trump will already be out of office when the trial begins. House Minority Whip and Metairie Congressman Steve Scalise says the trial would be poking fingers in the eyes of millions of Americans who oppose the impeachment of President Trump at a time when leaders should be toning down the rhetoric.

Cut 12 (06) “.put out.”

Scalise says Congress needs to be investigating how the January 6^th attack on Capitol Hill went so far.

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has completed repair work and upgrades to one and a quarter-mile of levee and beach in Grand Isle that was destroyed last year by hurricanes. CPRA Chief Engineer Rudy Simoneaux says the work created 30 acres of beach that sits 4.5 feet above sea level…

Cut 15 (11)“…today.”

The Biden Administration will push to implement a federal minimum wage of 15 dollars an hour, up from the current federal minimum of 7.25 an hour. Louisiana is one of five states to not raise its minimum above the federal. Louisiana Budget Project head Jan Moller says the minimum hasn’t increased in 12 years and we’re past due for 15 dollars an hour…

Cut 7 (12)  “…over.”

Moller says the increase to 15 dollars an hour will result in a raise for roughly half of all Louisiana workers if you account for the pay bump that would likely occur for people at or just over 15 now. The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry opposes the increase. VP of Governmental Relations Jim Patterson says it would result in lost jobs.

Cut 8 (09) “…work.”

It is likely the increase would be phased in over a number of years, but an exact timeline has not yet been revealed.

LSU Board of Supervisors member Collis Temple Junior says the university should look at ending its relationship with Rouses Supermarkets because of co-owner Donald Rouse’s attendance at the pro-Trump in DC on January 6^th.  Donald Rouse said he attended the rally to protest election results but was at his hotel room when the Capitol was stormed. Temple says he’s concerned about the image of a business executive from a major advertiser being at that rally…

Cut 5 (11) “…its sponsors.”

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority has completed repair work and upgrades to one and a quarter-mile of levee and beach in Grand Isle that was destroyed last year by hurricanes. CPRA Chairman Chip Kline….

Cut 14 (10) “…2020.” 

With Drew Brees expected to retire, who will be the Saints starting quarterback in 2021? Coach Sean Payton has previously said that he believes the next starting quarterback for the Saints is already on the roster. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says we’ll find out if that’s the case…
cut 18 (22) “…winning quarterback”

LSU’s next defensive coordinator is apparently on the Saints coaching staff. The school is reportedly trying to finalize a deal with New Orleans defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen, but there are reports the Saints say Nielsen’s contract does not allow him to take a job in the college ranks.

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The LSU men’s basketball will welcome the 18th ranked Alabama Crimson Tide to the PMAC Tonight. The Crimson Tide are in first place in the SEC at 6-0 and they’ve won seven in a row overall. Coach Will Wade says Bama is playing as well as anyone in the country…
cut 19 (19) “…for us”
Alabama has won its six games in the SEC by an average margin of victory of 16 po9nts. Tip-off is at 8 PM.

Southern hit the century mark yesterday as the Jaguars clobbered Mississippi Valley State 102-61 to improve to 3-0 in league play. And Grambling lost to Prairie View A-and-M 59-50.

Governor John Bel Edwards will be attending the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and VP-elect Kamala Harris tomorrow. Edwards issued a statement that he renews his commitment to his fellow Louisianans and Americans to continue to work with the White House and new President and Vice President to improve our state and nation.  The event begins tomorrow morning at 10:30.

President-elect Joe Biden says he will push Congress to increase the minimum wage to fifteen dollars an hour. Matt Doyle has reactions from advocates from both sides of the issue…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

Republicans are asking Senate Democrats to cancel President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, citing the fact it isn’t set to happen until after Trump leaves office. House Minority Whip and Metairie Congressman Steve Scalise voted against impeachment in the House and says the trial would be a distraction…

Cut 11 (09) “.country”

LSU Board of Supervisors member Collis Temple Junior says the university should look at ending its relationship with Rouses Supermarkets because of co-owner Donald Rouse’s participation in a pro-Trump rally before the riot on the U-S Capitol. Temple says Rouses presence at the rally reflects poorly on LSU…

Cut 4 (12) “…world view”

It’s unclear if LSU will end its business relationship with the grocery store chain.

Drew Brees likely threw his last NFL pass last night as the Saints playoff journey ends after a 30-20 loss in the Dome to Tom Brady’s Buccaneers. It was a rough year for the 42-year-old future Hall of Famer, who missed four games with multiple rib fractures and a punctured lung. But he has no regrets.

Cut 8 (12) “…absolutely”

Brees threw three picks on the night.

25,000 Guardsmen will be in D.C. for Joe Biden’s inauguration, among them 174 Louisiana soldiers and airmen who volunteered for the deployment. Sargent Denis Ricou says the Guard flew out of Alexandria airport Saturday and they are scheduled to return Thursday, assuming nothing happens between now and then.

Cut 13 (06)“.support”

State Senator Troy Carter receives an endorsement from outgoing Congressman Cedric Richmond as his replacement in the 2^nd congressional district, while Carter’s primary opponent State Senator Karen Carter Peterson was endorsed by Democratic Party celebrity Stacy Abrams last week. Despite the big national names wading into this contest Political Analyst Clancy Dubos expects voter turnout will still be quite low…

Cut 5  (12) “…March 20th” 

The 2^nd covers most of New Orleans, the River Parishes, and north Baton Rouge.

 Louisiana received 308 million dollars for rental assistance as part of a new round of COVID relief passed in late December. Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center spokesperson Maxwell Ciardullo says it’s a good start, but not enough…

Cut 9 (10) “..since then”