Governor John Bel Edwards will not push for changes to the TOPS scholarship program. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The former Police Chief for the Town of Killian was paid for time he did not work, received excessive compensation and used work credit cards for personal use, according to a recent state audit. Investigative Audit Manager Greg Clapinski…:
Cut 5 (07) “personal purchase”
Clapinski says they have turned findings over to the DA.

A USA article stoked fears that we could be facing a global chocolate shortage by 2050, saying research shows a surging demand from former third world countries. Chairman and CEO of Elmer’s Chocolate in Ponchatoula Rob Nelson believes the commerce will be able to handle supply…:
Cut 8 (07) “demand”
The article cited a 2016 study from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and discussed how Mars Co, makers of M&Ms, was investing a billion dollars into sustainability projects.

Saints fans are loving a video making the rounds on social media showing the team and even coach Sean Payton dancing around the in the locker room following New Orleans playoff victory over Carolina on Sunday. Linebacker Manti Te’o says it was a great moment…:
Cut 26 (11) “good team win”
New Orleans will face the Vikings on Sunday at 3:40 pm in the NFC divisional playoffs.

Governor John Bel Edwards has several items he would like to accomplish in the 2018 regular legislative session when it convenes March 12th. Among them, Edwards says he’ll seek legislative support to close the gender pay gap in private businesses…:
Cut 11 (11) “same job”
The Governor also said Monday he doesn’t want to tweak the popular TOPS program.

Saints fans going to watch the away playoff game against the Vikings this weekend will be lucky if they experience temperatures above zero. Explore Minnesota Spokesperson Erica Wacker says locals have a different way of thinking about the cold..:
Cut 13 (09) “bad clothing”
The game kicks off at 3:40 our time Sunday.

A legislative audit finds the former Killian Police Chief in Livingston Parish misappropriated funds for personal use…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Alabama ended up creeping back up on Georgia in the College Football Playoff national championship game last night, and rallied to a 26-23 win after Amite grad Devonta Smith caught the winning pass for the Crimson Tide in overtime.

A legislative audit finds the former Killian Police Chief misappropriated funds for personal use.  Kelley Ray has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards will not push for changes to the TOPS scholarship program. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Calling Minnesota’s winter weather frigid would be understatement, and Matt Doyle has more about what Saints fans making the trip this Sunday should expect.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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The former Police Chief for the Town of Killian was paid for time he did not work, received excessive compensation and used work credit cards for personal use, according to a recent state audit. Investigative Audit Manager Greg Clapinski says they found that Dennis Hill submitted time sheets for overtime that he did not work…:

Cut 4  (09) “on the clock” 

The Livingston Sheriff’s Office requested the audit last May, once Hill was terminated over possible misappropriation of town funds. Clapinski says they found through town records Hill used the department’s fuel card to buy gas while on vacation and not working. He says Hill also charged personal items to Killian…:

Cut 5  (07)  “personal purchase”

Clapinski says they also found that the town improperly purchased diving equipment from the police department’s dive team manager and did not publicly bid the process…:

Cut 6 (11)  “question that”

Clapinski says they have turned findings over to the DA.

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An article in USA Today stoked fears that we could be facing a global chocolate shortage by 2050. The article cited a 2016 study from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and discussed how Mars Co, makers of M&Ms, was investing a billion dollars into sustainability projects. Chairman and CEO of Elmer’s Chocolate Rob Nelson says the headline was off…

Cut 7 (04)  “misleading.”

The study citied research that shows a combination of surging demand from formerly third world countries combining climate change to create a rough environment for chocolate lovers. Nelson says the industry is working to keep pace with the growing desire for chocolate…

Cut 8 (08) “demand”

The billion dollars from Mars will go towards sustainability efforts, and developing new seeds that could weather a future where increased temperatures potentially lower humidity in the West African nations that are home to major coca production. Nelson says the industry is focused on that effort…

Cut 9 (11)  “long term.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards has several items he would like to accomplish in the 2018 regular legislative session when it convenes March 12^th.   Edwards will once again ask legislators to increase the minimum wage.  18 states increased their minimum wage January 1^st.  He says $7.25 an hour is not enough for  hard working Louisiana families…

Cut 10 (10) “support themselves.”

Edwards says he’ll also seek legislative support to close the gender pay gap that exists in private businesses…

Governor John Bel Edwards met with House Speaker Taylor Barras again today to discuss solutions to a looming one-billion dollar budget deficit. Edwards would like to call a special session in February to pass a revenue-neutral tax plan to address the fiscal cliff.  The governor is working on proposing a budget that reflects a billion dollars in cuts, if he can’t reach an agreement with legislators on a tax plan…

Cut 13 (07)  “be devastating.”

In a twitter post, Governor Edwards outlined for the GOP what he would like to see accomplished.

The former Police Chief for the Town of Killian was paid for time he did not work, received excessive compensation and used work credit cards for personal use, according to a recent state audit. Investigative Audit Manager Greg Clapinski says they found that Dennis Hill submited time sheets for overtime that he did not work…:

Cut 4  (09) “on the clock” 

Last week’s hard freezes will have an impact on fishing. You might find a fish kill and Wildlife and Fisheries asks that you contact them and provide basic information such as the location and size of the kill. Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist Alex Perret says it’s a public safety interest…

Cut 12 (09) “fish kill”

It’s King Cake season.  It’s generally accepted that a traditional king cake is a twisted dough covered cake with icing, but after three centuries, the variations are nearly limitless. Haydel’s Bakery’s Dave Haydel says there’s a few other varieties he’s noticed are in high demand this year.

Cut 5  (13)  “fillings too.”

Carnival season wraps up Tuesday, February 13^th.

Governor John Bel Edwards has said he wants an agreement by January 19th with House Republican lawmakers on a plan to close a one-billion dollar budget deficit for next fiscal eyar. Edwards said at the Baton Rouge Press Club today he’s willing to extend the deadline….
cut 14 (08) “…logistical reasons”
Edwards is proposing a special session in February to change state tax laws to fix the looming deficit.

State Police say an officer with the Monroe Police Department died in a crash on Sunday. Trooper Michale Reichardt says 26-year-old Officer Christopher Beaudion (Boo-Dwan) was in his unit shortly before 3am yesterday on South 2nd near Winnsboro Rod in Monroe…:
CUT 8 (05) “and struck a tree”
Beaudion joined the M-P-D in August of 2016 and leaves behind a wife and two children. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Louisiana is recovering from a week of hard freezes that shut down production in some of our most popular industries. Fish in particular took the week off, burrowing deep into the mud and away from anglers hooks. Wildlife and Fisheries biologist Alex Perret says it’s best to wait for the cold to pass:
Cut 10 (11) “front comes”
If the water remains below 40 degrees for more than a day, Perret says you should probably anticipate a tougher day of fishing.

It’s officially king cake season and this year’s compressed schedule means this 300-year-old tradition is kicking into overdrive. Haydel’s Bakery’s Dave Haydel says it’s a short season so they are keeping busy…:
Cut 4 (09) “so short” (2x)
Carnival season wraps up Tuesday, February 13th.

Governor John Bel Edwards remains optimistic an agreement can be reached with the GOP lawmakers on solving a looming one-billion-dollar deficit.  I’m Jeff Palermo.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A Legislative Audit finds former Killian police chief Dennis Hill received overtime pay for hours he didn’t work, used a city’s credit card for personal purchases and didn’t send traffic citations to the town clerk.  Daryl Purpera says auditors found he was paid nearly 1000 dollars in overtime pay while out of town.  He is also accused of buying clothes and gas on the city’s credit card.

State Police say an officer with the Monroe Police Department died in a crash on Sunday. Trooper Michael Reichardt says 26-year-old Officer Christopher Beaudion (Boo-Dwan) was in his unit shortly before 3am in Monroe.  The cause of the crash is under investigation, and routine toxicology and autopsy results are pending.  Reichardt says Beaudion leaves behind a wife and two children..:

Cut 9 (09)  “and prayers”

He had been with the department since August 2016…

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is warning the public about fish kills as a result of last week’s freezing temperatures. Biologist Alex Perret says it’s uncommon, but not unheard of…

Cut 11 (12) “fish mortality”

Talks continued today between Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards and Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras on how the state should reform its tax code to address a looming one-billion dollar budget deficit. Edwards says Republican legislators should be aware of the different options….
cut 15 (12) “…a plan”
Edwards has proposed changing income tax brackets and removing sales tax exemptions for businesses as a way to make up the budget deficit. He also wants to see the state sales tax lowered from five to four cents to offset any tax increases.

One person is dead, two others injured after a home invasion in Madison parish that happened last night an apartment complex. Authorities have yet to make an arrest and they have not identified the victims. Investigators believe it was a random murder.

The freezing cold temperatures of last week could lead to fish kills. Matt Doyle spoke with a Wildlife and Fisheries biologist.
Cut 2 (30) “Matt Doyle Reporting”

Carnival season means King cake season, and this year’s compressed schedule, coupled with the Saints in the playoffs, means this tradition is kicking into overdrive. Haydel’s Bakery’s Dave Haydel says the last time the Saints made the Super Bowl, black and gold king cakes flew off the shelves…
Cut 3 (08) “of the Super Bowl.”

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards met with Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras again today to discuss solutions to a looming one-billion dollar budget deficit. Edwards would like to call a special session in February to pass a revenue-neutral tax plan to address the fiscal cliff, but only will do so if he can reacn an agreement in principle with House leaders on a tax reform bill. In the meantime, the governor is planning to propose a budget that reflects a billion dollar cut in state spending…
cut 13 (07) “…will be devasating”
The proposed budget for next fiscal year will be presented to legislators on January 19th.

The Madison Parish Sheriff’s office is investigating a fatal home invasion in Tallulah that resulted in one death and two others injured. Investigator Brandon Wiltcher says this crime appears to be random and this doesn’t happen in Tallulah often…
cut 7 (08) “….this matter”
No arrests have been made yet.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says we may see fish kills as a result of last week’s cold temperatures. Biologist Alex Perret says if you do find a fish kill, contact L-D-W-F and provide basic information such as the location and size of the kill. Perret says it’s a public safety interest…
cut 12 (09) “…fish kill”

And it’s King Cake time as the Canrival season officially started over the weekend. It’s generally accepted that a traditional king cake is a twisted dough covered with icing, but after three centuries, the variations are nearly limitless. Dave Haydel of Hayde’s Bakery says there’s a few other varieties he’s noticed are in high demand.
Cut 5 (13) “fillings too.”
Carnival season wraps up Tuesday, February 13th.