Both the U.S. House and Senate have approved separate tax reform bills and will now come together in a committee to iron out the differences. U.S. Representative Clay Higgins of St. Landry Parish says the economy will sky rocket once they pass a bill that cuts corporate and personal income taxes:
Cut 4 (06) “a win”
This would be Congress’ first rewrite of the tax code in nearly 30 years.

A new addiction treatment facility is opening on the Northshore. CEO of the Longbranch Recovery Center, Chris McMahon who has been sober for 17 years, says he wants to do his part in helping those who need it the most…:
Cut 7 (10) “a problem”
The ten-million-dollar inpatient rehab will open around the first of the year in Abita Springs.

There are reports Smoothie King is looking at moving its corporate headquarters from Metairie to Texas, as the company’s five year deal with the state expires this year. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says this would leave about 60 employees out of work…:
Cut 11 (06) “manufacturing operation”
He says they are working with Smoothie King to explore all options to remain in the state.

The Saints regained control of the NFC South with a convincing 31-21 win over Carolina. The Falcons also lost, so now New Orleans has a one-game lead over the Panthers and a two-game lead over the Dirty Birds for the division lead.

LSU Tigers will play in the Citrus Bowl on New Years Day for the second consecutive year. The 9-3 Tigers accepted an invite to the premier bowl game and will face 9-3 Notre Dame at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

Both of Louisiana’s U-S Republican Senators voted for the tax bill that was approved on a 51-49 vote. Senior Senator Bill Cassidy says it will cut taxes for working families in Louisiana. John Kennedy says the non-partisan Tax Foundation says Louisiana will see an increase of 12-thousand jobs and the average family will gain 18-hundred dollars in after-tax income. But Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moller says only the wealthy will get a tax break, while low-income and middle-class Americans would face a tax increase.

A State Police report shows former LSP Superintendent Mike Edmonson allegedly knew about side trips several troopers took on their way to a conference in San Diego last year. Prior to Edmonson’s retirement last March he said the trip was unauthorized. Attempts to reach him for comment have been unsuccessful.

It’s official; Jimbo Fisher has left Florida State to take the head coaching job at Texas A&M, and will not be on the sidelines for FSU’s game against ULM today. So what does this mean for LSU now that he’s in the SEC West? College football analyst Mike Detillier says Fisher knows how to develop quarterbacks…:
Cut 13 (11) “National Football League”
Fisher will reportedly receive 75 million dollars over a 10-year contract.

Could the Ragin Cajuns be looking for a new head football coach after today. UL Lafayette needs to win at Appalachian State to avoid a third straight losing season under coach Mark Hudspeth.

In Houston, Grambling State faces Alcorn State in the SWAC Championship game. A win for Grambling and they advance to play North Carolina A-and-T in the Celebration Bowl on December 16th in Atlanta.

On a 51-49 vote, the US Senate approved a tax plan early this monring that Republicans say will cut taxes for working families. Senior Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the legislation will also create more jobs…
cut 29 (09) “…elsewhere”
But Jan Moller, director of the Louisiana Budget Project, says it’s an irresponsible tax bill that will increase the budget deficit.

A new Food Network series called “Cajun Aces” staring south Louisiana husband and wife chefs, Cody and Samantha Carroll premiers tonight. Cody says they’ve seen the first episode entitled, “Crawfish and Mirliton,” and the camera work capturing the Cajun countryside is incredible…:
Cut 4 (08) “just beautiful”
The first show is tonight at 7.

A report that’s been made public shows the former leader of State Police, Colonel Mike Edmonson, deleted text messages that showed he was communicating with Troopers when they took a taxpayer funded trip to Las Vegas. President of the Metropolitan Crime Commission Rafael Goyeneche says Edmonson’s behavior has been embarrassing for State Police. He says it will take a while to bring reconciliation to the agency…
cut 8 (12) “….and extrenally”
Edmonson has not responded to requests for comment.

Broussard Police say the man that held up the First Community Bank on Monday is now in custody. 29-year-old Jeremi Raymond of New Iberia allegedly wounded one of the bank tellers when he fired his weapon. Broussard Police Chief Brennan Decou says Raymond faces several charges…
cut 10 (08) “…convicted felon”

While most of us were sleeping the U-S Senate approved a major rewrite of the nation’s tax code that Republicans say will benefit people of all incomes. Louisiana’s Senior Senator Bill Cassidy says the legislation also contains provisions to stimulate the economy….
cut 28 (10) “…get better”
But Jan Moller, director of the Louisiana Budget Project, says the tax bill is a costly giveway for the wealthy and corporations at the expense of working families. The differences between the House and Senate tax reform bills must be ironed out, but Republican leaders remain optimistic a final bill will land on the president’s desk by Christmas.

The matchups for the state football championships are set. Ten semifinal games were decided yesterday, Zachary, Hahnville, Lakeshore, Karr, Richwood, Welsh and Kentwood are among the teams to advance.

Shreveport police have arrested a 16-year-old who allegedly threatened to shoot his classmates at Caddo Magnet High School. Investigators say the troubled teen also surfed the internet on how to make bombs and watched vidoes of other school shootings. Authorities seized undisclosed items from his home and the suspect was booked on one count of terrorizing.

A newly released 300-page State Police report shows alleged criminal corruption by former State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

A suspected bank robber is in custody after being on the run this week.  Broussard Police Chief Brannon Decou says 29-year-old Jeremie Raymond of New Iberia allegedly held up the First Community Bank Monday, firing a weapon and injuring a bank teller.  He left on foot after the robbery.  Decou says Raymond was apprehend with help from the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force…

Cut 9 (06)  “was apprehended.”

State Police is still searching for a driver involved in a fatal hit and run which killed a pedestrian in St. John the Baptist Parish last weekend. Senior Trooper Melissa Matey says the vehicle has the Louisiana license plate X-4-4-4-6-6-6. She urges anyone who could’ve seen this vehicle to contact State Police immediately. She says the truck is a light color, possibly silver or gray.

Cut 12 (07) “model”

A new Food Network series called “Cajun Aces” staring two south Louisiana chefs premiers tomorrow night. Husband and wife chefs Cody and Samantha Carroll run the very popular restaurants Hot Tails in New Roads, and Sac a Lait (sack-a-lay) in New Orleans’ Warehouse District. Cody says the cameras follow them around Cajun country, and highlight Louisiana in a huge way…:

Cut 3 (11) “and Mirliton pie”

A Houston TV station is reporting that coach Jimbo Fisher’s deal with Texas A and M is worth $7.5 million dollars annually over what is “likely” a 10-year contract. College football analyst Mike Detillier says a big key for Fisher’s success overall in the SEC is whether or not he can do something about the struggling Aggie defense…:

Cut 14 (11) “figure that out”

A newly released 300-page State Police report provided to the Advocate, shows former LSP Superintendent Mike Edmonson retired last March after learning some troopers were being internally investigated after claiming overtime and expensive hotel stays in Arizona and Nevada on taxpayers money.   President of the Metropolitan Crime Commission Rafael Goyeneche (go-en-nech-che) says Edmonson’s tampering with key evidence could bring felony charges, including obstruction of justice…

Cut 7 (12)  “criminal violation.” 

Former Congressman William Jefferson, who was convicted nearly a decade ago on bribery charges, today had his sentence reduced to time served. The decision came as a joint recommendation by prosecutors and defense attorneys in the aftermath of a Supreme Court ruling that makes it more difficult to convict public officials of bribery.

A new Food Network series called “Cajun Aces” staring two south Louisiana chefs premiers Saturday night. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern.”

It’s official; Jimbo Fisher is leaving Florida State to take the head coaching job at Texas A&M.  So what does this mean for LSU now that he’s back in the SEC? College football analyst Mike Detillier says Fisher is known for developing quarterbacks…:

Cut 13 (11)  “National Football League”