Governor John Bel Edwards says he understands an increase to the state’s sales tax is not popular, but feels it is needed to avoid major cuts to state government. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

A Livingston Parish Sheriff’s deputy has been fired and arrested for allegedly using excessive force on a female inmate. Authorities say video evidence shows 35-year-old Deputy Karleen Leglue was escorting a handcuffed detainee when she grabbed the inmate and forced her head against a concrete wall.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has tapped former state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham to direct Louisiana’s state parks and historic sites. State parks are facing issues like layoffs, pool closures, and deferred maintenance, while some historic sites are closed with no plans to reopen. He says there are some great people already in the state park system who are determined to make it great…:
CUT 5 (10) “it to be”

A Monroe man convicted of two counts of attempted first degree murder on Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents was sentenced to life in prison today, in Ouachita Parish. 29-year-old Luke Jarrod Hust was found guilty December 3rd for shooting LDWF Sgt. Scott Bullitt and shooting at another agent. LDWF officials say they are thankful Hust got the stiffest penalty of life behind bars so he won’t have the chance to commit another violent crime.

Governor John Bel Edwards describes the proposed one cent sales tax increase as a bridge to get the state to a new, more stable tax structure. He says voters will have an opportunity in the future to repeal the tax hike in favor of a new income tax structure. Edwards believes the $750 million dollar budget deficit is so bad that new revenue is necessary to fix it…:
Cut 11 (10) “Louisianians first”
A special session to address the matter begins February 14th.

A 5-year-old child who sustained life threatening injuries in a West Monroe fire Sunday, has died. The State Fire Marshal’s Office says Prince Halley Owojori passed this morning. His father and mother and 7 month old brother remain on life support but they are not expected to survive. Investigators believe faulty electrical wiring in the attic of their home started the deadly blaze.

Officials at the Port of Natchitoches says the massive contained burn chamber that will be used to dispose of the millions of pounds of M6 propellant at Camp Minden, will arrive on February 2nd, and make it’s way to the Louisiana National Guard center on February 12th. Col. Pete Schneider the chamber is currently traveling on the Mississippi River and will make its way to Camp Minden beginning February 8th…:
cut 13 (07) “Camp Minden”
He says the container is more than 400,000 pounds.

The Department of Health and Hospitals submitted two plans to the Division of Administration today that outline how $131 million in cuts would be spread across the Medicaid program to address the current budget shortfall. They say both options would have a catastrophic impact to those being served and rely on Medicaid, insurance companies who administer the Bayou Health Plan, and hospitals and other providers.

An alarming number of Louisiana households are struggling badly to make ends meet. According to a groundbreaking report from the Louisiana Association of United Ways, more than 695,000 homes in the state or 40%, nicknamed ALICE, work low-paying jobs and have little or no savings. United Way of Louisiana President Sarah Berthelot says the scale of the struggle is alarming…:
CUT 7 (10) “potential crisis”
You can view the full report at launitedway.org.

Raising taxes isn’t popular, but Governor John Bel Edwards says the $750 million dollar immediate and acute shortfalls could be addressed by the proposed one cent increase to the state’s sales tax…:
CUT 10 (08) “shared prosperity”
A special session begins February 14th.

Former Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham is going to direct Louisiana’s state parks and historic sites. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says funding for state parks has been reduced by 50-percent in the past seven years. Barham says this makes his new job challenging, but he’ll work to maximize the funding he gets…:
CUT 4 (10) “we have”
Barham will officially start his new job Monday.

A Monroe man convicted of two counts of attempted first degree murder on Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents was sentenced to life in prison today, in Ouachita Parish. 29-year-old Luke Jarrod Hust was found guilty December 3rd for shooting LDWF Sgt. Scott Bullitt and shooting at another agent. LDWF officials say they are thankful Hust got the stiffest penalty of life behind bars so he won’t have the change to commit another violent crime.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he understands an increase to the state’s sales tax is not popular, but feels it is needed to avoid major cuts to state government. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

The man accused of shooting a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s deputy while serving a warrant during a federal task force has been officially charged. Jarvis Hardy is booked with attempted murder and attempted murder and assault of a federal officer. Deputy Steven Arnold was shot five times and remains in critical condition.

A Livingston Parish Sheriff’s deputy has been fired and arrested for allegedly using excessive force on a female inmate. Authorities say video evidence shows 35-year-old Deputy Karleen Leglue was escorting a handcuffed detainee when she grabbed the inmate and forced her head against a concrete wall. Leglue faces was booked with second degree battery and malfeasance in office and posted a $35,000 bond.

The contained burn chamber that will be used to dispose of 16 million pounds of M6 propellant at Camp Minden is scheduled to arrive at the Part of Natchitoches on February 6th. Col. Pete Schneider with the National Guard says once the burn chamber begins its four day journey from the port and it will arrive at Camp Minden on February 12th…:
cut 12 (10) “receiving it”
Schneider says the chamber is about 180 feet long by 27.5 feet wide and weighs more than 400-thousand pounds.

40% of households in Louisiana are considered in poverty and can’t afford day-to-needs, according to a new report by the Louisiana Association of United Ways:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

How the high school football playoffs will be structured is the big issue at this year’s LHSAA convention, which begins today. President Vic Bonnaffee says discussion ramps up as principals and coaches try to reach a consensus before a vote on Friday…
cut 30 (04) “go on”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he understands an increase to the state’s sales tax is not popular, but feels it is needed to avoid major cuts to state government. Edwards says with a $750 million dollar budget shortfall for this fiscal year, and a potential $1.9 billion next year, they aren’t left with many easy options…:
CUT 9 (12) “going forward”
He says a special legislative session will begin February 14th to deal with the budget crisis.

Firefighters in New Orleans are still on the scene of a Wednesday morning, 6 alarm fire downtown that spread to two structures, but say it is now under control. Officials say they are now concerned the badly burned Canal Street building is in great danger of collapsing. They say the cause of the massive blaze, which produced eye-stinging smoke that caused the closure of roads between the CBD and French Quarter, is still under investigation.

40% of households in Louisiana are considered in poverty and struggle to afford day-to-day needs, according to a new report by the Louisiana Association of United Ways. President and CEO Sarah Berthelot says more than 695,000 homes in the state, nicknamed ALICE, can’t afford the cost of living. She says 19% of Louisiana families live in poverty, according to the US level…:
CUT 6 (10) “basic cost of living”
She says they hope the report can serve as a vital tool for lawmakers, to help them confront the challenges they’ll face in the upcoming session.

Officials at the Port of Natchitoches says the massive contained burn chamber that will be used to dispose of the millions of pounds of M6 propellant at Camp Minden, will arrive on February 2nd. The container is 180 feet long and weighs more than 400,000 pounds.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has tapped former state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham to direct Louisiana’s state parks and historic sites. Barham will officially start his new job Monday. Barham says, despite the current budget crisis, taking care of state parks is very important…:
CUT 3 (10) “we’re excited”
Parks and historic sites have seen massive budget cuts in recent years, and Barham says he’ll work hard to maximize the funding he gets.

An Algiers man is under arrest accused of shooting and injuring of a 3-year-old boy. New Orleans cops say Lesean Rozumialski (Rozu-mi-al-ski) claimed he threw the gun onto a table when it went off and struck the child in the stomach. The child is recovering from his injuries at a hospital. Rozumialski is booked with cruelty to a juvenile and aggravated battery.

The deadline to register to vote in Louisiana’s upcoming presidential preference primary is one week from today. Eric Gill reports…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

40% of households in Louisiana are in poverty or fall into a class of working poor, struggling to pay for daily needs. That’s according to a new report from the Louisiana Association of United Ways. Two possible solutions to reducing the number of people who can barely afford the basics to survive outlined in the report are increasing wages and job opportunities.

New Orleans firefighters had a tough time this morning battling a major six-alarm blaze that had smoke covering downtown and caused the closure of the famous Canal Street between the CBD and the French Quarter. It started at one building then spread to another. Officials say there were no reports of injuries, but the risk now is for collapse.

A law that required abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals is struck down by a federal judge in Baton Rouge. Loyola law professor Dan Ciolino says the US Supreme Court will now hear arguments on both sides of the case in March…:
CUT 16 (08) “out of Texas”
Supporters of this law say it’s intended to protect women’s health, while opponents say it will make it very difficult to get an abortion in Louisiana.

Five Tigers scored in double figures as LSU defeated Georgia in SEC play last night 89-85. Ben Simmons led the way for LSU scoring 22 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.

A federal judge in Baton Rouge strikes down a Louisiana law that required abortion clinics to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino says it’s expected Judge John deGravelles will issue a permanent injunction against Louisiana’s abortion law. He says the state will likely appeal the federal’s court decision, but those appeals won’t go far…

cut 18 (09) “for all”

The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association’s annual meeting kicks off today at the Golden Nugget Casino in Lake Charles. Vice President Gifford Briggs says the Edwards Administration’s proposals to tackle the budget deficit include raising taxes on oil and gas businesses, which combined with low oil prices makes their industry situation even more dire…

cut 12 (10) “has to say”

Governor John Bel Edwards is scheduled to speak to the group Thursday.

New Orleans firefighters continue to fight a six-alarm fire that broke out early this morning on Canal Street. The New Orleans Fire Department says they were able to bring the main fire at 1018 Canal under control, but crews discovered that the fire had spread to a second building. There are concerns of collapse of the building that is the site of the primary fire. Officials report no injuries at this time.

The LHSAA convention gets underway today and the big topic is what to do with the high school football playoffs. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”