Governor John Bel Edwards holds a press conference today to review the challenges and successes the state has seen in 2016. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says based on his latest Southern Media and Opinion Research survey, Edwards approval rating is at 64-percent. But Pinsonat says the governor faces a number of challenges in 2017, which will impact his popularity going forward….
cut 9 (08) “….houses fixed”
Edwards had a meeting with Senator-elect John Kennedy and US Representatives-elect Mike Johnson and Clay Higgins to discuss flood recovery efforts and asked them to push the Housing and Urban Development Department to approve rules on how the state can spend the second installment of federal recovery dollars.

A student at Northshore High School in Slidell has died after a car he was riding in ended up submerged in water in the Salt Bayou area. He’s been identified as Tyler Levy.

The latest data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics finds women earn on average 76-percent of the salary men make in Louisiana. Tulane business professor Dr. Mark Rosa says typically, women spend more time caring for families, and being out of the office could affect earnings, especially in commissioned jobs.
Cut 3 (07) “better pay”
In Louisiana, there’s been a push for several years to pass an Equal Pay Bill requiring companies to pay women the same salary as men for equal work.

The Southern Rail Commission has provided cash to Baton Rouge and a couple of other cities to help develop a passenger rail service that connects Baton Rouge with New Orleans. John Spain is with the commission and the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, he says there’s also talk of passenger trail service between New Orleans and Orlando….
cut 11 (09) “…seven days a week”

The ACLU of Louisiana is suing the City of Slidell to block an ordinance that requires panhandlers to have a permit. Executive Director Marjorie Esman says Slidell residents have a constitutional right to ask for money, without being forced to get a free permit…:
cut 11 (12) “to speak”
Slidell has yet to enforce the ordinance, which was passed in October. A spokesperson says they are waiting for the newly elected police chief and mayor to decide how to proceed.

Governor John Bel Edwards met with Senator-elect John Kennedy, along with Congressmen-elect Mike Johnson and Clay Higgins to discuss flood recovery efforts. Edwards says he’s asked the entire Louisiana Congressional delegation to press the Housing and Urban Development department to publish guidelines on how the second round of federal dollars can be used by the state.

Nearly $277 million in cuts go into effect today across state agencies. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says they were glad that this round higher ed was spared a dramatic cut…:
CUT 9 (10) “very painful”
The full budget picture will be known when the Revenue Estimating Conference meets again next month.

A man from Walker is facing attempted murder charges after he allegedly shot several times at a man in a road rage incident. Walker Police Captain John Sharp says 35-year-old Johnny Franz shot at 31-year-old Bradley Deville’s vehicle. He says cops noticed bullet holes in Franz’ vehicle after both men were pulled over..:
CUT 4 (10) “open container”
Deville faces several charges including attempted 2nd degree murder, illegal use of a firearm, and possession of an open container.

State agencies are implementing budget cuts for the current fiscal year today. It’s to the tune of about $277 million dollars, according to Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne. But he says another round of cuts might be necessary and we’ll find out more when the Revenue Estimating Conference meets on January 17th…:
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The Department of Health is taking the biggest hit this round, but these are across the board reductions that also hit State Police and Higher Ed.

The state’s revenues will likely get a boost with the news that Amazon will begin collecting state and local sales taxes on purchases made by Louisiana consumers, starting January 1st. State Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson hopes other online retailiers follow Amazon’s new policy. It’s a state law that taxes must be paid on internet purchases, but it’s up to the consumer to self report.

The ACLU of Louisiana is suing the City of Slidell because of an ordinance that requires a permit to panhandle. Halen Doughty has more..:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A Livingston Parish man is charged with attempted murder following a road rage incident. Walker Police Captain John Sharp says 35-year-old Johnny Franz and 31-year-old Bradley Deville got into a heated exchange over tailgating. He says the two stopped and Franz invited Deville to get out of his car…:
CUT 3 (09) “man’s car”
Sharp says in addition to attempted murder, Deville is charged with illegal use of a firearm, and possession of an open container.

The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit on behalf of three panhandlers in Slidell, over an ordinance that requires them to get a permit in order to beg for money on city streets. Louisiana ACLU executive director Marjorie Esman says the city of Slidell’s requirement violates the panhandlers First Amendment Rights….
cut 12 (11) “…this country”
Slidell city attorney Brian Haggerty says they have no comment on the lawsuit.

Beginning January 1, Amazon will collect sales taxes on purchases made by Louisiana residents. State department of revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says both state and local sales taxes will be added to purchase totals…:
Cut 6 (07) “address”
State department make cuts to their respective agencies today as $277 million dollars has been carved from the state’s operating budget. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says these cuts are being made through attrition – by not hiring people to fill vacant positions…:
CUT 8 (10) “current fiscal year”
Dardenne says more cuts this fiscal year are likely and we should know more when the Revenue Estimating Conference meets again in January.

A Walker man has been charged with attempted second-degree murder as a result of a road rage incident. Walker Police Captain John Sharp says 31-year-old Bradley Deville fired a nine milimeter gun into the side of a vehicle driven by 35-year-old Johnny Franz….
cut 5 (08) “…Mr Franz”
Sharp says Franz tailgaiting Deville sparked an argument between the two men, which ended up leading to shots fired, but no injuries.

All eight of Louisiana’s electors voted for Donald Trump as the President-elect received 301 elector votes nationwide to secure the presidency. Halen Doughty has reaction from the state G-O-P….
voicer 5 (31) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

Shoppers who use Amazon.com can expect to start paying sales taxes on items purchased on their website, after January first. That’s according to a spokesperson for the Louisiana Department of Revenue.

Thirteen parishes in Louisiana have been declared a natural disaster area by the US Department of Agriculture because on drought conditions during 2016. The parishes under the designation are in north and central Louisiana. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain….
cut 6 (06) “…agency office”
Farmers in eligible areas have eight months from the disaster declaration date to apply for the emergency loans.

Three people in Washington Parish are facing charges after a home invasion that led to the stealing of firearms and the sexual assault of a woman in her 50s. Chief Deputy Mike Haley says 48-year-old Robert Lester was the mastermind of the crime and that 17-year-old Deonta Miller of Franklinton executed the break-in…
cut 12 (12) “…the weapons”
Authorities also believe Miller sexually assaulted the female homeowner after taking her from her home.

All of Louisiana’s 8 electors selected Donald Trump for president, and Mike Pence for vice president. Lloyd Harsch spoke following the vote and told reporters he’d received over 90,000 emails and several hundred letters from people urging him not to vote for Mr. Trump. He says he considered every candidate and all of their options…:
CUT 12 (09) “to change my vote”
The vote took place in the Senate chambers at the State Capitol. There were a few outside, urging the electors not to vote for Trump, because they are concerned about the country’s future…
cut 15 (08) “…anymore war”
Trump did receive the necessary 270 votes from the electoral college. The vote will be officially read when Congress convenes next month.

Following the declaration of a public health emergency in St. Joseph, Governor John Bel Edwards visited the Tensas Parish town today. Michelle Southern has more…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

It’s a cold night in Louisiana, but warmer weather is on the way….
cut 5 (07) “….on Wednesday”
That’s Matt Hemingway with the National Weather Service, who says expect another cold start to the day tomorrow with low temperatures ranging from the mid 20s to the low 30s.