Governor John Bel Edwards is defending his brother, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards, whose office was raided by FBI agents last week. The feds said the searches were court ordered related to a drug investigation. The governor insists his brother had nothing to do with any crimes that may have taken place within the departments..:
cut 4 (09) “much less illegal”
Two suspects who worked for the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office are reportedly facing federal charges.

The Webster Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau is dealing with the ramifications of a nude video that was accidentally uploaded to the bureau’s Instagram account. Webster CVB Chairman Jerry Madden says the video was posted by the CVB’s Executive Director, 61-year-old Lynn Dorsey….:
Cut 8 (09) “our parish”
He says Dorsey has apologized.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette has received criticism from fans and those in the national media for deciding not to play in the Citrus Bowl. Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron came to Fournette’s defense today by saying Leonard would still be with the team today, if his ankle was not injured…:
cut 11 (10) “no question”
He said Fournette’s choice to heal up before the NFL draft is what’s best for him and his family.

Many Entergy Louisiana customers will see a refund on their January
bills. Company spokesperson Mike Burns …:
cut 14 (09) “rate decrease”
He says it amounts to about a $40 refund in January, and 43 cent decrease in monthly rates after. The refund was approved by the Public Service Commission
Wednesday.

Governor John Bel Edwards defends his brother Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards following FBI raids at both the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Hammond Police Department. An FBI spokesperson says they were carrying out court ordered actions during the December 15 raids. But Edwards says he doesn’t know what the federal agents were looking for.

Cut 3 (11) “…my brother Daniel”

FBI agents seized computers, cellphones, and case files from both agencies in an investigation that reportedly stems from mishandling of evidence by a drug task force.

An employee at the Webster Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau accidentally uploaded a risqué video to the bureau’s Instagram account, according to the Minden Press Herald. 61-year-old Lynn Dorsey is the Executive Director of the Webster CVB, and she says “It was a horrible, honest mistake” when she posted the video from a Baton Rouge hotel room.

The latest census data shows little change in Louisiana’s population over the last year. Demographer Greg Rigamer says job loss could be pushing some working people out of the state. He says while Louisiana saw a small growth, Mississippi’s population decreased slightly.

Cut 5 (08) “great surprise”

The data shows Louisiana’s population has increased by about 12-thousand residents since 2015.

Many Entergy Louisiana customers will see a refund of about $40 on their January bills. Spokesperson Mike Burns says the refund allocates the $140 million cost for replacing steam generators at the Waterford 3 nuclear plant in St. Charles Parish.

Cut 16 (06) “customer groups”

Burns says customers will also see an ongoing rate decrease of 43-cents.

Governor John Bel Edwards says hopefully by March or April they will begin being able to help make permanent repairs to people’s flood damaged homes. He says in the meantime the Shelter at Home program helped more than 10,000 people move back during the rebuilding process; but some didn’t understand that this was not a permanent solution…:
CUT 9 (09) “would prefer”
He says they are working extremely hard to get federal funds and have made great progress, but the red tape has been an issue.

Louisiana’s population is growing at a very slow rate according to the latest census data. The Bayou State say about a 3% increase from 2010-2016, compared to the southern region as a whole which saw a 6.5% change. Demographer Greg Rigamer says at this point it seems Louisiana’s population is in a holding pattern…:
Cut 6 (08) “that we are”

The ACLU of Louisiana has a problem with the nativity scene in front of the Grant Parish Courthouse. Executive Director Marjorie Esman says the public display should be more inclusive…:
CUT 12 (11) “other faiths”
Grant Parish District Attorney Jay Lemoine says they’re happy to discuss anyone’s concerns, but this matter wasn’t brought up civilly…:
CUT 13 (10) “quite hostile”
He says the courthouse has always been decorated with both secular and religious symbols.

In his last news conference before the holiday, LSU head Coach Ed Orgeron says they stand by Leonard Fournette’s decision not to play in the Citrus Bowl. Coach O said the running back isn’t 100% well and if he were then he would absolutely be expected to play. He said Fournette’s choice to heal up before the NFL draft is what’s best for him and his family.

Governor John Bel Edwards says his heart breaks for those families who are still unable to be in their flood damaged homes for Christmas. Congress approved $438 million for flood recovery in September, and an additional $1.2 billion was allocated in December. The governor says hopefully things will get moving soon…:
CUT 8 (09) “with FEMA”
Edwards says thanks to the Shelter At Home program, more than 10-thousand families were able to move back into their homes while repairs continue.

He made the comments Wednesday and an end of the year news conference where he also defended his brother, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards, whose office was raided by FBI agents last week. The governor said he isn’t sure what exactly agents were looking for, but he’s confident that his brother did not engage in anything improper or illegal. The Hammond Police Department was also searched by the feds amid a federal drug probe.

Grant Parish officials are defending their nativity scene outside of the parish courthouse after the ACLU of Louisiana sent a letter to the parish police jury. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Most Entergy Louisiana customers will be getting a refund on next month’s bill; then a small ongoing rate decrease. Company spokesperson Mike Burns says it’s the result of an agreement reached between Entergy and the PSC…:
Cut 15 (08) “43-cents”

With Christmas this weekend, there are still thousands of flood victims that are still not in their homes. Governor John Bel Edwards says his heart breaks for those families and promises they are doing what they can to get people back as quickly as possible…:
CUT 7 (10) “happened before”
He says the federal red tape is the biggest problem right now.

Many Entergy Louisiana customers will see a refund on their January bills. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The ACLU of Louisiana has sent a letter to the Grant Parish Police Jury in regards to a nativity scene set up in front of the parish courthouse. Executive Director Marjorie Esman says the display only caters to one faith….:
Cut 10 (09) “different faiths”
Grant Parish District Attorney Jay Lemoine says the courthouse has been decorated for years with both religious and secular symbols. He says the nativity scene isn’t the only holiday decoration on display…:
cut 11 (10) “secular symbols”
Lemoine believes the complaint came from someone out of town who chose not to handle his concerns in a civilized manner.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says the father accused of kidnapping his infant baby has been located and arrested. The suspect is identified as 24-year-old Cameron Davis.

Governor John Bel Edwards says his heart breaks for flood victims who
are still displaced during the holidays. Jeff Palermo has more on the
ongoing flood recovery efforts…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Many Entergy Louisiana customers will see a refund on their January
bills. Company spokesperson Mike Burns …:
cut 14 (09) “rate decrease”
Burns says the refund was approved by the Public Service Commission
Wednesday.

Louisiana’s population has grown very little, according to the latest
census data. Demographer Greg Rigamer says the nation as a whole changed
more than 4-percent from 2010 to 2016, while the southern region changed
about 6.5-percent. He says Louisiana saw a 3-percent change over the
same period…:
cut 4 (12) “in the state”
The census data shows the state’s population has increased by about 12-
thousand residents since 2015.

Louisiana’s wildlife and fisheries secretary sent a letter to Governor
John Bel Edwards indicating he is resigning immedialtly saying some in
his department have been making the cleanup of the agency’s money
problems difficult. Charlie Melancon has clashed with LDWF employees and
it was announced he’d leave in February, but he’s decided to quit now.

State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson announces that troopers will begin wearing body cameras next year. Edmonson says law enforcement around the state are changing their training methods to better prepare officers for the field, and the footage from these cameras will help improve their methods…
cut 13 (11) ‘…look at”
The cameras will be paid for through existing dollars in the State Police budget.

Governor John Bel Edwards met with reporters today and outlined his goals for 2017. Edwards says his administration also plans on tackling criminal justice reform…
cut 11 (09) “…saved money”
He says addressing long-term structural budget reform is also a top priority.

State wildlife biologists have determined that a picture of a four-legged animal taken in Morehouse Parish is that of a cougar. It’s the first time the state has been able to verify a cougar sighting since 2011. Maria Davidson says cougars are known to travel hundreds of miles, so it’s likely the animal is no longer in Louisiana, but they encourage the public to report any physical evidence of cougar sightings…
cut 8 (09) “…orginated from”

There’s a new report that shows women earn on average 76-percent of the salary men make in Louisiana. Tulane Business Professor Mark Rosa says business owners agree with the concept of equal pay for equal work, but it’s hard to make it a reality when job duties are diffferent…
cut 5 (07) “…to pay”

Governor John Bel Edwards says his heart breaks for flood victims who are still displaced during the holidays. Jeff Palermo has more on the ongoing flood recovery efforts…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

Grant Parish officials are defending their nativity scene outside of the parish courthouse after the ACLU of Louisiana sent a letter to the parish police jury. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

Many Entergy Louisiana customers will see a refund on their January bills. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

_____________________________________________

Louisiana’s population has grown very little, according to the latest census data. Demographer Greg Rigamer says the nation as a whole changed more than 4-percent from 2010 to 2016, while the southern region changed about 6.5-percent. He says Louisiana saw a 3-percent change over the same period.

cut 4  (12) “in the state”

Rigamer says in 2010, Louisiana ranked 25^th in the nation for population, and we still rank 25^th today. He says job loss could be pushing some working people out of the state. He says while Louisiana saw a small growth, Mississippi’s population decreased slightly.

Cut 5  (08)  “great surprise”

The census data shows the state’s population has increased by about 12-thousand residents since 2015. Rigamer says at this point it seems Louisiana’s population is in a holding pattern.

Cut 6 (08) “that we are”

___________________________________________________

With Christmas this weekend, there are still thousands of flood victims that are still not in their homes, and Governor John Bel Edwards says his heart breaks for families that are displaced during the holidays. He says they are doing what they can to get them back home as quickly as possible.

CUT 7 (10)  “happened before”

Congress approved $438 million for flood recovery in September, and an additional $1.2 billion was allocated in December. Edwards says the biggest challenge with getting federal funds into the hands of those that need it, is all the federal red tape. But he says hopefully the wait is almost over for displaced flood victims.

Cut 8 (09) “with FEMA”

Edwards says thanks to the Shelter At Home program, more than 10-thousand families were able to move back into their homes while repairs continue. He says only 400 homes in the program are left to be repaired. He says the biggest challenge they faced with the program is communicating with the public so homeowners had realistic expectations.

Cut 9 (09)  “would prefer”

________________________________________

The ACLU of Louisiana has sent a letter to the Grant Parish Police Jury in regards to a nativity scene set up in front of the parish courthouse. Executive Director Marjorie Esman says the display only caters to one faith.

Cut 10 (09) “different faiths”

Grant Parish District Attorney Jay Lemoine says the court house has been decorated for years with both religious and secular symbols. He says the nativity scene in front of the courthouse isn’t the only holiday decorations on display.

cut 11 (10) “secular symbols”

Esman says while they aren’t recommending any specific changes to the decorations, there are several ways the parish can make the display more inclusive.

cut 12 (11) “other faiths”

Esman says the ACLU received a complaint from someone who sent a picture of the scene. Lemoine says they are happy to discuss the decorations in a civilized manner with anyone who has concerns, but that’s not what happened.

Cut 13 (10) “quite hostile”

________________________________________

Many Entergy Louisiana customers will see a refund on their January bills. Entergy Louisiana spokesperson Mike Burns says this is good news for everyone, as it comes just in time for the cold weather when customers will be using energy to heat their homes.

cut 14 (09) “rate decrease”

Burns says the refund of about $40 is based on an average customer who uses about a thousand kilowatts a month. He says the refunds will appear on Entergy Louisiana customers’ January bills.

Cut 15 (08) “43-cents”

Entergy customers in north Louisiana and those who live in southeast Louisiana, but not the city itself, will get the refund and the small rate reduction. Burns says the refund was approved by the Public Service Commission Wednesday. He says it allocates the $140 million cost for replacing steam generators at the Waterford 3 nuclear plant in St. Charles Parish.

Cut 16 (06) “customer groups”