Optimism is high among small business owners following the election, based on a survey of small business owners around the country. N-F-I-B state director Dawn Starns says the survey finds small business job creation plans have increased from nine to 23 percent since October. Starns says business owners felt bogged down recently by government regulations….
cut 25 (07) “….businesses growing”
Following a fatal train crash in Tangipahoa Parish, State Police reminds drivers not to race trains. Trooper Dustin Dwight says yesterday 23-year-olds Colton Williams and Justin Long were in the vehicle at a railroad crossing when they went around the downed cross rail.
Cut 6 (09) “on impact”
Dwight says the impact pushed the vehicle about 125 yards away from the point of impact.

The personal finance website, Wallethub, ranks three Louisiana cities as the most sinful. Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Shreveport are all ranked in the top 20, with Baton Rouge the highest at eighth. These three cities also rank in the top ten as the laziest. Jill Gonzales explains why….
cut 29 (12) “….dropouts”

The Zika virus remains a threat even at this time of the year. That’s according to Doctor James Diaz, with LSU Health New Orleans, who is a director of environmental and occupational health sciences. He says most reported cases in the U.S. are travel related, but local transmission remains a big concern….
cut 12 (11) “….not infected”

The National Federation for Independent Business says small business owners have been much happier since the election. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Health officials say it’s still important to protect yourself from mosquitoes, even in the winter as Zika is still a real threat. Dr. James Diaz with LSU Health New Orleans says using mosquito repellent with DEET is best…:
cut 11 (08) “very effective”
He says the eggs of mosquitoes carrying Zika can survive even when it’s cold.

President-elect Donald Trump has chosen former-Texas Governor Rick Perry as the Secretary for the Department of Energy. So what does that mean for Louisiana’s oil and gas industry? Louisiana Oil and Gas Association acting president wants to see costly regulations loosened up…:
CUT 15 (11) “break even point”
He says at this point they are cautiously optimistic about the Trump Administration.

State Police say two Tickfaw residents were killed in a train crash as the driver was attempting to go around cross arms with flashing red lights. They say 23-year-old Colton Williams approached the crossing and ran directly into the path of an Amtrack passenger train in Natalbany, causing his vehicle to be pushed about 125 yards. Williams and his passenger, 23-year-old Justin Long were killed on scene. None of the 68 passengers on the train were injured.

Even during this time of year, the Zika virus is still a threat. Don Molino has more…:
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Don Molino”

LSU confirms Matt Canada will be the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Tigers. Canada was the offensive coordinator at Pitt last season, where he averaged 42 points per game. He will try to bring that same kind of fire power to the Coach O’s Tigers next season. He will be officially introduced at 1:30 this afternoon.

Louisiana Oil and Gas Association acting president Gifford Briggs says he’s hopeful President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet choices will help the struggling industry in Louisana. He says at this point they are cautiously optimistic…:
CUT 14 (12) “unpredictable”
Mr. Trump chose former-Texas Governor Rick Perry as the Secretary for the Department of Energy, Scott Pruitt to run the EPA and Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson as future Secretary of State.

Louisiana has three cities that are named in the top 20 most sinful in the nation, according to Wallet Hub. Baton Rouge is number 8, New Orleans #10 and Shreveport number 20. Wallet Hub Spokesperson Jill Gonzales
Cut 8 (10) “lust ranking”
The report found that New Orleans came in second for excessive drinking, while Baton Rouge came in 12.

Former-Texas Governor Rick Perry is President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for Energy Secretary. Halen Doughty has more on what that means for Louisiana’s oil and gas industry…:
Cut 3 (26) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Small business optimism has skyrocketed since the election of Donald Trump, according the National Federation of Independent Business. NFIB state director Dawn Starns says business owners are now excited about the future:
cut 4 (10) “branches”

The Transportation Task Force approved recommendations to send to the Governor on Tuesday that includes a plan to raise $700 million dollars per year to repair the state’s roads and bridges. Governor John Bel Edwards will now the new revenue should be raised during the 2017 legislative session.

There was less progress down the hall at the State Capitol on Tuesday as the state’s budget estimating group decided to hold off one month on finding out what type of deficit Louisiana faces in the financial year that ends June 30th. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne called the delay irresponsible saying the time is now to acknowledge a harsh reality that Louisiana’s budget picture is dismal.

Louisiana is home to three of the most sinful cities in the country, according to WalletHub. Baton Rouge came in at number 8 on the list, New Orleans is number 10, and Shreveport cracked the top 20. Jill Gonzales with WalletHub says they looked at a variety of metrics to determine which cities were the most sinful…:
CUT 7 (10) “per capita”

The Zika virus is still a threat even this time of year. Dr. James Diaz with LSU Health New Orleans says in Louisiana the temperatures fluctuate during the winter and the eggs of the mosquitoes carrying Zika can survive even when it’s cold outside…:
Cut 10 (08) “blood meal”
He says while most Zika cases are travel related, local transmission is the biggest scare.

State Police say two Tickfaw residents were killed in a train crash as the driver was attempting to go around cross arms with flashing red lights. They say 23-year-old Colton Williams approached the crossing and ran directly into the path of an Amtrack passenger train in Natalbany, causing his vehicle to be pushed about 125 yards. The Williams and his passenger, 23-year-old Justin Long were killed on scene. None of the 68 passengers on the train were injured.

President-elect Donald Trump has chosen former-Texas Governor Rick Perry as the Secretary for the Department of Energy. So what does that mean for Louisiana’s oil and gas industry?…:
Cut 13 (13) “those barriers”
That’s acting president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association, Gifford Briggs.

The lawyer of the father accused of causing the death of his 4-year-old son while the two were “play fighting” says his client is innocent. 25-year-old Kristopher Carter was charged with negligent homicide, but his counsel says once they present their side of the story to the DA he’s confident the father will be cleared of the accusations.

Governor John Bel Edwards sent a letter to Senator-elect John Kennedy after Kennedy told USA Today the governor hasn’t done enough to secure funding for flood recovery. The governor’s communications director, Richard Carbo says they will be working closely with Kennedy when the now-State Treasurer takes his new office next year.

Cut 8 (10) “with him”

Carbo says the letter outlined the efforts made by the administration.

A Baton Rouge father has been arrested after allegedly killing his 4-year-old while play fighting. Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Don Coppola says witnesses report the preschooler had no signs of illness before being with the father, Kristopher Carter.

Cut 11 (08) “sad story”

Carter’s attorney says he is innocent because their investigation shows something different led to Marcel’s death.

Public meetings are being held in flood impacted areas of the state to update flood victims on the ongoing recovery efforts. Office of Community Development Executive Director, Pat Forbes says the action plan for allocating the federal fundsstill has to go through the bureaucratic process.

Cut 4 (11) “or reply”

The first round of money will go to low income families who are not in a flood plain and don’t have flood insurance.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards is in the hospital being treated for pneumonia. The 89-year-old frequently suffers from the illness and his wife Trina says hopefully they’ll be able to go home soon.

Cut 13 (07) “this weekend”

Trina says her husband comes down with pneumonia every year around this time.

In response to Senator-elect John Kennedy’s comment that the governor hasn’t done enough to secure federal flood aid, Governor John Bel Edwards sent a letter to Kennedy, bringing him up to speed. The Governor’s Communications Director Richard Carbo says the first round of aid was approved with unprecedented speed, but they understand Kennedy is new to this.

Cut 7 (10) “flood recovery”
Carbo says the letter outlined the efforts made by the administration, as well as the process by which federal funds are approved.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards is in the hospital with another bout of pneumonia. His wife Trina says the 89-year-old has been having trouble with this infection for a while. She says it seems every winter about this time Edwards comes down with it.

Cut 12 (07) “it was”
The state’s income forecasting panel has decided to delay the state’s reduced budget outlook for this fiscal year. The income projections were expected to be dismal, and Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the delay is irresponsible.

Cut 15 (11) “to cut”

The latest estimates show the state is facing a shortfall of more than $600 million. Dardenne says the wait gives agencies less time to deal with inevitable cuts.

The mental healthcare reform bill by US Senator Bill Cassidy has been signed into law by the president. The 21^st Century Cures Act seeks to give mentally ill individuals more access to treatment, as well as giving family members more access to their loved ones doctors. Cassidy says this new law marks the beginning of serious mental health reform and it will help millions of people affected by mental illness become whole.

Public meetings are being held in flood impacted areas of the state to update flood victims on the ongoing recovery efforts. Executive Director for the Office of Community Development, Pat Forbes says the task force wanted to make sure that everybody had a chance to weigh on how dollars will be distributed.

Cut 3 (10) “those things”

A Baton Rouge father has been arrested after allegedly killing his 4-year-old while play fighting. Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Don Coppola says on November 30th, Kristopher Carter brought his unconscious son, Marcel, to the hospital, hours after the incident because his son did not want to go.

Cut 9 (10) “abdomen area”

Carter’s attorney released a statement saying their investigation results draw a different conclusion to what may have caused Marcel’s death.

The Revenue Estimating Committee has decided to delay the state’s reduced budget outlook for this fiscal year. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the wait gives agencies less time to deal with inevitable cuts.

Cut 16 (11) “to reality”

Higher than estimated revenue would mean a large portion of the budget could get funding the state can’t afford, leaving higher ed and health care to face more mid-year cuts.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards is in the hospital with pneumonia. His wife Trina says her husband has a spot in one of his lungs that he keeps getting pneumonia in every year and doctors are working on a way to treat that so it doesn’t continue to recur. She says the state’s only four term governor is still in good spirits.

Cut 14 (05) “doing that”

Mrs. Edwards says hopefully her husband will be discharged soon.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards is in the hospital with another bout of pneumonia. Michelle Southern speaks with his wife Trina…:

Cut 2 (24) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A train collision just north of Hammond killed two people this afternoon. WWL-TV reports a southbound Amtrak train crashed into a vehicle at a railroad crossing in Natalbany, when both passengers in the vehicle were killed. There were reportedly 68 passengers on the train at the time of the crash, and WWL-TV reports they are all okay.

Governor John Bel Edwards sent a letter to Senator-elect John Kennedy after Kennedy told USA Today the governor hasn’t done enough to secure funding for flood recovery. The governor’s communications director, Richard Carbo says they will be working closely with Kennedy when the now-State Treasurer takes his new office next year.

Cut 8 (10) “with him”

Carbo says the letter outlined the efforts made by the administration.

Public meetings are being held in flood impacted parishes to update flood victims on the recovery efforts. Former-Denham Springs mayor Jimmy Durbin sits on the Restore Louisiana Task Force and says they’re moving about 60 days ahead of the normal timeline, and they hope to have the money in the hands of those who need it most soon.

Cut 5 (09) “housing rehab”

Former Governor Edwin Edwards is in the hospital being treated for pneumonia. The 89-year-old frequently suffers from the illness and his wife Trina says hopefully they’ll be able to go home soon…:
CUT 13 (07) “this weekend”
Trina says just about every year around this time her husband comes down with pneumonia.

A Baton Rouge father has been arrested after allegedly killing his 4-year-old while play fighting. Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Don Coppola says Kristopher Carter apparently was punching his son and asking him to punch back. He says witnesses report the preschooler had no signs of illness before being with the father; and his death was ruled a homicide…:
CUT 11 (08) “sad story”
Carter’s lawyer says they have a different story for the DA and his client is innocent.

Governor John Bel Edwards has sent a letter to Senator-elect John Kennedy to bring him up to speed on the efforts to get more federal aid for flood recovery. The letter comes after Kennedy told USA today that the governor hasn’t done enough to secure federal funding. Edwards’ Communications Director, Richard Carbo, says Kennedy’s statements just weren’t based in reality….:
Cut 6 (11) “his remarks”

Public meetings are being held in flood impacted areas of the state to update flood victims on the ongoing recovery efforts. The first round of money will go to elderly and disabled low income families who are not in a flood plain and don’t have flood insurance first. Executive Director for the Office of Community Development, Pat Forbes says the action plan still has to go through the bureaucratic process…:
cut 4 (11) “or reply”