Former State Police Col Mike Edmondon’s attorney has issued a response to the scathing audit which suggested his client abused taxpayer dollars while serving as the head of LSP. The response only addressed two of the auditors observations…one saying that Edmonson lived on State Police grounds because he was asked and expected to by the governor. The other that Edmonson didn’t approve all overtime for a side trip some troopers took.

Deaf students have filed a discrimination suit against the Louisiana Community College System, alleging Delgado Community College denied sign language interpreters and other accommodations. Plaintiffs’ attorney Andrew Bizer says the discrimination directly led to a loss of financial aid…:
Cut 4 (10) “the class”
The System would not comment on the pending case but said they take the issue of accessibility for its students very seriously.

A house fire in Hammond, on Gorman Road, claimed the life of one man. Fire Marshals preliminary findings indicate the blaze was a result of the resident using an outdoor cooking burner to heat the trailer. No smoke alarm was found, according to Fire Marshal Butch Browning…:
Cut 9 (07) “smoke alarms”
The man’s name has not yet been released.

A study from Pennington Biomedical Research finds walking just ten minutes a day brings great health benefits. Jeff Palermo spoke with Dr. Tim Church:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Deaf students are suing the Louisiana Community College System, alleging a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Matt Doyle talked to the plaintiffs’ attorney Andrew Bizer…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The attorney for retired State Police Col Mike Edmonson has issued a response to claims that his client was wasteful with taxpayer dollars while he was serving as superintendent. In a letter, the attorney says Edmonson was told by governors to live on state police grounds; one of the questions raised in a scathing audit. The statement also says that Edmonson doesn’t have time or resources to respond to other observations made by the auditors.

Tallulah has been struggling with water issues and now an electrical failure has left the city without any water. Hard freezes hampered the system earlier this month, and Administrative Assistant to the Mayor Yvonne Lewis says they had just gotten the water back on Tuesday when…:
Cut 6 (11) “storage tanks”
There is no estimated time of restoration.

Some good news on the job front. Louisiana’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.6 percent in December. It’s been nearly ten years since the rate was that low.

Deaf students have filed a discrimination suit against the Louisiana community college System, alleging they struggled in school because they couldn’t get interpreters and other accommodations for their disability. Plaintiffs’ attorney Andrew Bizer believes Delgado Community College violated the Americans with Disabilities Act…:
Cut 3 (08) “everybody else”
The System would not comment on the pending case but said they take the issue of accessibility for its students very seriously.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ worst-case-scenario budget is making waves across the state. The plan comes as the result of the expiration of a billion dollars in sales taxes this summer, and Edwards says the revenue will need to be replaced to avoid the deep cuts. Republican State Treasurer John Schroder says people don’t want to pay more taxes…:
Cut 25 (10) “more money”
The state has until July 1st to address the fiscal cliff.

Louisiana has a new tourism slogan…:
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Kelley Ray”

The Causeway headed into New Orleans was closed by crews after a truck flew off the bridge overnight into Lake Pontchartrain. Officials say the Coast Guard, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office are searching with a boat and helicopter, but have thus far only been able to recover the truck, not the driver. More on this as it develops.

Governor John Bel Edward’s worst-case-scenario budget is making waves across the state, from both inside, and outside government. The budget is the result of the expiration of a billion dollars in sales taxes this summer, and Edwards says the revenue will need to be replaced to avoid the deep cuts. State Treasurer John Schroder says he doesn’t think the public is willing to pay more taxes…

Cut 4  (10) “more money ” 

Some good news on the unemployment front.  Louisiana’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.6 percent in December.  It’s been nearly ten years since the rate was that low.  It’s a one-point-four-percent decrease from December 2016.  The biggest job gains came in construction, manufacturing, leisure and hospitality and education and health services.

“Feed Your Soul” is the new brand Louisiana will use to promote tourism.  Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they’re taking the slogan on the road in Atlanta, Houston, Dallas and Washington D.C. on Mardi Gras Day Feb. 13^th…

Cut 10 (08) “four areas.”

The new slogan replaces Pick Your Passion the state has used for the last seven years.

It’s been five years since New Orleans last hosted a Super Bowl.  Since then, the city has put in attractive bids to host the game for 2018 and 19, but lost to Minneapolis and Atlanta, with their new stadiums.  President and CEO of the New Orleans Sports Foundation Jay Cicero says they’re not sure what the NFL will be looking for when they ask for bids for Super Bowl 57 in 2023…

Cut 15 (08) “new stadium”

Governor John Bel Edward’s worst-case-scenario budget is making waves across the state. The budget is the result of the expiration of a billion dollars in sales taxes this summer, and Edwards says the revenue will need to be replaced to avoid the deep cuts. President of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Stephen Waguespack, says the governor is using scare tactics..:
Cut 7 (07) “about politics”
The state has until July 1st to address the fiscal cliff.

Super Bowl 52 in Minneapolis is right around the corner, so when will New Orleans host it’s 11th NFL Championship Game? President and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, Jay Cicero, hopes The Big Easy will get to land one after 2022…:
Cut 16 (11) “to be determined”

A study from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research finds walking just ten minutes a day brings great health benefits. Jeff Palermo spoke with Dr. Tim Church:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Tulane Law School graduate Wendy Vitter was nominated by President Donald Trump Tuesday to fill a federal judgeship in New Orleans. Vitter was the campaign manager for her husband David Vitter’s three US House elections, and has served as general counsel for the Archdiocese of New Orleans since 2012.

Reaction to Governor John Bel Edwards’ worst-case budget proposal is rolling in. The Administration presented a plan to lawmakers showing deep cuts in order to fill a one billion dollar shortfall coming this summer as a one-cent sales tax falls off the books. Edwards suggested the plan is what would happen if lawmakers don’t increase tax revenues. State Treasurer John Schroder says before Louisiana raises anymore taxes on the public, it should show exactly how its spending money…:
Cut 5 (10) “wouldn’t happen”
Schroder says Louisiana needs to get its spending under control, but recognizes it won’t be easy to do.

A thirty-three-year-old Livingston Parish teacher was arrested Monday and charged with three counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Ashley Meyer is an Albany High School teacher, and has been placed on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation.

Louisiana’s new tourism slogan is Feed Your Soul. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they found that in this state, you’re always in the moment, which is why they chose that one…:
Cut 9 (11) “in Louisiana”
Nungesser says the new brand will roll out on Mardi Gras with a food truck serving Louisiana food throughout the country.

A study from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center finds that walking, even if only ten minutes per day, can be beneficial. That’s according to Dr. Tim Church, an exercise and obesity research physician…:
Cut 12 (08) “of walking”
He says that 10 minute walk a day is a great place to start if you’re trying to lose weight.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ budget proposal is coming under heavy fire from GOP and business leaders across the state. Matt Doyle has the story…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”
The governor made clear that the proposal was not one he wanted to present if lawmakers couldn’t come to an agreement on how to avoid the fiscal cliff.

The wife of former US Senator David Vitter, Wendy Vitter, was formally nominated by President Donald Trump to be a federal judge in New Orleans. Mrs. Vitter will need the US Senate’s approval to take the bench, and if confirmed, she will be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the state’s Eastern District.

Super Bowl 52 in Minneapolis is right around the corner, so when will New Orleans host it’s 11th NFL Championship Game? President and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, Jay Cicero, says Super Bowl host sites are booked through 2022, but New Orleans would like to host the game in 2023…:
Cut 14 (10) “to bid”
The next few years will see Atlanta, Miami, Tampa, and Los Angeles host.

“Feed Your Soul” is the new brand Louisiana will use to promote tourism. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser unveiled the slogan Tuesday:
Cut 8 (10) “other options”
Feed Your Soul replaces Pick Your Passion.

Governor John Bel Edward’s worst-case-scenario budget is making waves across the state. The plan comes as the result of the expiration of a billion dollars in sales taxes this summer, and Edwards says the revenue will need to be replaced to avoid the deep cuts. Republican State Treasurer John Schroder says people don’t want to pay more taxes…:
Cut 4 (10) “more money”
President of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Stephen Waguespack, believes the governor isn’t considering spending changes…:
Cut 6 (06) “only solution”
Edwards says he is under a constitutional obligation to present a balanced budget, and this proposal represents the will of legislators who refuse to compromise on how to avoid the fiscal cliff.

Louisiana has a new tourism slogan…:
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Kelley Ray”

A study from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center finds that walking, even if only ten minutes per day, can be beneficial. Dr. Tim Church says a group of 464 women who walked for 72 minutes a week for six months improved their heart health and fitness…:
Cut 11 (12) “energy levels”