Sweeping tax reform legislation is set to become federal law. Matt Doyle has local reaction…:
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The package needs another procedural vote in the House before final passage.

A Jefferson Parish veterinarian has been arrested on animal cruelty and drug charges after reportedly shooting and killing a neighbor’s dog. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says 35-year-old Kelly Folse said she killed the 15-month-old American Bulldog due to excessive barking.

According to Trust for America’s Health, Louisiana achieved only four out of ten indicators for public health preparedness. CEO John Auerbach says the state has not joined the US Climate Alliance to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions which he cites as a concern because global warming puts the coast in jeopardy:
Cut 9 (09) “as well”
The criteria is based on weather related events, flu vaccination rate, paid sick leave and other benchmarks.

Ochsner Health System has tentatively agreed to take over state safety-net hospitals in north Louisiana. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the move aims to end years of disputes over operations of the Shreveport and Monroe facilities…:
Cut 11 (11) “north Louisiana”

After midnight, the US Senate narrowly passed the most substantial tax reform package since the Reagan administration on a party-line 51-48 vote.
All of Louisiana’s Republican congressional delegation voted for the bill, which has an estimated cost of 1.5 trillion dollars. Representative Ralph Abraham says it’ll mean more money in people’s pockets…:
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But Executive Director of the Louisiana Budget Project Jan Moller says the bill takes money from the working class and gives it to the richest Americans…:
Cut 6 (10) “and corporations”
There were three provisions in the bill that violated Senate rules, so the massive legislation has to head back to the House again for another vote today before it heads to the president’s desk.

According to Trust for America’s Health, Louisiana achieved only four out of ten indicators for public health preparedness. The criteria is based on weather related events, flu vaccination rate, paid sick leave and other benchmarks. CEO John Auerbach says Louisiana’s flu vaccine rate is the seventh lowest in the nation…:
Cut 8 (12) “42 percent”
Auerbach says it’s also a concern that Louisiana has not joined the U-S Climate Alliance to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Today, Governor John Bel Edwards will hold an end of the year news conference to deliver remarks reflecting on the challenges and successes Louisiana has seen during 2017. He will then host his statewide, monthly call-in radio show, “Ask the Governor,” beginning at 2pm. You can hear the show on certain affiliates of the Louisiana Radio Network.

Sweeping tax reform legislation is set to become federal law. Matt Doyle has local reaction.

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ULM led a study of the Ouachita River and it’s economic impact on North Louisiana.  Kelley Ray looks at what it means to the region…

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Today marks the first ever signing period for college football. Jeff Palermo has more on the recruits that LSU football might reel in over the next three days…

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Congress is expected to pass the most substantial tax reform package since the Reagan administration. All of Louisiana’s republican congressional delegation voted for the bill, which has an estimated cost of 1.5 trillion dollars. Representative Ralph Abraham says it’ll mean more money in people’s pockets…

Cut 4  (07) “United States” 

Abraham says Louisianans will see the benefits of the significant cuts to the business tax rate…

Cut 5  (09)  “employment come down”

But Executive Director of the Louisiana Budget Project Jan Moller says the bill takes money from the working class and gives it to the richest Americans…

Cut 6 (10)  “and corporations”

And Moller says that Republican’s claims about the bill paying for itself are false…

Cut 7 (09)  “United States.”

The bill is expected to be signed by the President.

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According to Trust for America’s Health, Louisiana achieved only four out of ten indicators for public health preparedness. The criteria is based on weather related events, flu vaccination rate, paid sick leave and other benchmarks.  CEO John Auerbach says Louisiana’s flu vaccine rate is the seventh lowest in the nation…

Cut 8 (12) “42 percent.”

Auerbach says it’s also a concern that Louisiana has not joined the U-S Climate Alliance to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He says global warming puts Louisiana’s coastline in jeopardy.

Cut 9 (09)  “as well.”

Auerbach says if the state focused on improving the flu vaccine rate, climate change and getting hospital standards to meet the antibiotic stewardship credentials to prevent superbugs and antibiotic resistance, Louisiana would be better prepared against emergencies…

Dardenne says he hopes that this agreement will reassure the community that the hospitals are here to stay…

Cut 13 (11)  “present location.”

The Edwards administration cautioned that the official contract could take a few months to complete.

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According to an ULM economic impact study released, commercial use of the Ouachita River produces billions in revenue and several thousand jobs in North Louisiana. Dr. Bob Eisenstadt of the ULM Center for Business and Economic Research says the nearly year long study revealed how important the river is.

Cut 14 (11) “equivalent jobs.”

Barge traffic on the river is managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. But, the Corps has reduced servicing four locks and dams and dredging on the Ouachita resulting in less barge traffic. Ouachita River Valley Association President Randy Denmon says they will be able to use this study to ask the federal government to keep the river open and navigable.

Cut 15 (11) “lock service.”

ULM President Dr. Nick Bruno says a minimum maintained water level of the Ouachita is vital to keep river traffic flowing in North Louisiana.

Cut 16  (12)  “appropriate depth.”

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Louisiana Tech can finish with a winning record for the 2017 season if it can beat SMU in the Frisco Bowl. It’s been an up and down season for the Bulldogs, who fell short of playing for the Conference USA title. But Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says finishing 2017 with a three-game winning streak would be great…

Cut 17 (11) “ball game”

This is the third time in four years La Tech has played a bowl game in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. They won the previous two, a victory over Navy in last year’s Armed Forces Bowl and three years ago the Bulldogs beat Illinois in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. Holtz anticipates another great game tonight…

Cut 18 (15) “one more time”

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LSU is expected to sign nearly 20 players over the next three days as part of college football new early signing period. In the past recruits had to wait until February to sign, now they can do so in December. The state’s top prospect is Parkway wide receiver Terrace Marshall and 24-7 recruiting analyst Shea Dixon says he expects Marshall to sign with LSU on Friday…

Cut 19 (16)   “about things”

Dixon expects 19 players will sign and over half of them will be on the offensive and defensive lines. He says o-line was decimated by injuries and attrition this year, but they’ll have good depth next season, based on the guys they’ll sign

Cut 20 (15) “Damien Lewis”

Louisiana’s GOP Congressional delegation voted for the tax bill today and the Senate is expected to pass it tonight.   New Orleans Democrat Cedric Richmond voted against it. Richmond says this legislation will only give tax breaks to the top one-percent of income earners. Whip Majority Leader Steve Scalise disagrees and says the measure will also simplify the tax code…

Cut 16  (07)  “makes the code”

A Shreveport man was arrested, and his wife is facing charges after Caddo Parish deputies responded to a call alleging child abuse against a six month old toddler.  Authorities believe the parents Seth and Beia Sepulvado left the child alone a few months ago, which was discovered during the investigation.  Sheriff’s spokesman Cindy Chadwick says Seth is charged with cruelty…

Cut 14 (07) “her diaper”

The child is in protective custody…

A report from the University of Kansas showed 7% decrease in the use of ambulances in cities that have the ride service Uber. Matt Doyle has more.

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A River Ridge vet has been arrested after allegedly shooting her neighbor’s dog.  35-year-old Kelly Folse says she killed the dog due to excessive barking and was aggressive.   Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says the dog died a day after being shot.  Authorities say they didn’t find evidence the dog was aggressive.  Folse is charged with aggravated cruelty to animals and possession of narcotics.

The U-S House approves a one-point-five trillion dollar tax package that supporters say will provide tax relief for working families, but opponents say only the rich will see tax breaks. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana says on average, families will see over two-thousand dollars more in their paychecks every year that will benefit them directly…

Cut 15 (06) “tuition account”

A university of Kansas study says Uber customers are increasingly choosing the ride service for trips to the emergency room, over an ambulance. Chief of Emergency Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans, Dr. Keith Van Meter says sometimes people feel their illness is not that significant and just need an Uber driver to get them to the hospital, but that could be a mistake…

Cut 7 (11)  “have oxygen”

Governor Edwards revealed his plan to help cover a one-billion-dollar deficit. It includes taxing services such as cable TV, but also reducing the state sales tax from five to four percent.  Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says the House Republican delegation is still discussing the best options to address the fiscal cliff…

Cut 3 (08) “the floor.”

Edwards plans on calling a special session in February to consider his tax proposals.

Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director James Waskom says they plan to work towards having the state officially partner with the Cajun Navy for future disasters. Waskom says it would be beneficial for GOHSEP to know who these people are, and where they are being dispatched to during an emergency..:

Cut 10 (08) “they may incur”

The U-S House approves a one-point-five trillion dollar tax package that supporters say will provide tax relief for working families, but opponents say only the rich will see tax breaks.  Louisiana’s GOP Congressional delegation voted for the tax bill, while New Orleans Democrat Cedric Richmond voted against it, saying it only gives tax breaks to the top one-percent of income earners. Congressman Steve Scalise disagrees…

Cut 16  (07)  “makes the code”

On average, families will see over two-thousand dollars more in their paychecks every year.

A university of Kansas study finds Uber customers are increasingly using the ride service for trips to the emergency room, instead of an ambulance. Chief of Emergency Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans, Dr. Keith Van Meter, sympathizes with a desire to save money, but warns there are some things an Uber can’t do…

Cut 6 (10)  “a triage”

Governor Edwards revealed his plan to help cover a one-billion-dollar deficit. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says right now they know one-point-one billion dollars in tax revenues will be going away on July 1^st, but thinks the deficit could be lowered based on the tax reform package Congress is debating…

Cut 5  (06)  “million dollars.”

The US House approved the reform and the Senate is expected to approve it tonight.

Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director James Waskom says they plan to work towards having the state officially partner with the Cajun Navy for future disasters. He told the Baton Rouge Press Club they are working on legislation that would establish some type of credibility for the citizen groups…

Cut 9 (10)  “interest in”

Governor Edwards plans to call a special session in February to tackle the fiscal cliff. Kelley Ray gets reaction from the head of the House Republican Delegation…
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

A study from the University of Kansas has found more people are using Uber, instead of an ambulance to get to the hospital for a health emergency. Chief of Emergency Medicine at LSU Health new Orleans, Doctor Keith Van Mater, advises against that…
cut 7 (11) “…have oxygen”

Caddo Parish deputies responding to a call allegeging child abuse arrest both the mother and father. Seth Sepulvado was charged with child desertion and cruelty to juveniles, and Beia Sepulvado was charged with child desertion. Caddo Sheriff’s spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says…
Cut 12 (11) “six months old”
Chadwick says deputies later learned the couple also left their child at the age of three-months old alone in their home while the husband took the wife to work.

The Cajun Navy has been vital in efforts to rescue individuals from flood waters. The director of the Governor’s office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Jim Waskom, says he wants to see legislation passed to certify them, so they can partner with the volunteer group…
cut 11 (10) “…assist us”

The U-S House approves a one-point-five trillion dollar tax reform package. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana says on average, families will see over two-thousand dollars more in their paychecks every year…
Cut 15 (06) “tuition account”
New Orleans Democrat Cedric Richmond voted against the legislation, because he says it will only give tax breaks to the top one-percent of income earners.

Governor Edwards has laid out his plans on how the state should handle a one-billion dollar budget deficit that will occur when a temporary one-cent sales tax expires on June 30th. Chairman of the House Republican delegation, Representative Lance Harris, is non-committal on these plans, but they are worthy of discussion…
cut 4 (07) “…February”
A special session is expected in February.

The director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, James Waskom, will ask the legislature next year to approve legislation so they can partner with the volunteer group, the Cajun Navy. Waskom says it would be beneficial for GOHSEP to know who these peopoe are and where they are dispatched to rescue people during emergencies….
cut 10 (08) “…they may incur”
The Cajun Navy has put their own boats in the water during times of catastrophic flooding to perform rescues.

A Shreveport couple is accused of child desertion. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says the investigation started when deputies went to the home on a complaint that the father struck the six-month-old baby and detectives happened to learn…
cut 13 (06) “…to work”
The child is now in protective services, while the parents Seth and Beia Sepulvado face charges and Seth was also booked on a charge of cruetly to juveniles.