The polar vortex is wreaking havoc across Louisiana, and is suspected as the reason behind a Baton Rouge house fire that resulted in the death of an elderly couple Tuesday morning. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says his office has seen a substantial uptick in the number of fires…
Cut 6 (10) “related to weather.”
So far, investigators are attributing many of the fires to people taking big risks to keep their homes warm, so be cautious with portable space heaters.

It will feel a little warmer outside this afternon. Alek Krautman with the National Weather Service in Slidell says high temperatures will get into the low 40s…
cut 4 (07) “…night tonight”
Krautman says another hard freeze warning is in effect for tonight into tomorrow morning.

Louisiana Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere is blasting Governor John Bel Edwards for the options he’s presented towards solving a looming one-billion dollar budget deficit….
cut 11 (05) “…shortfall”
But Edwards says he’s asking the legislature to approve a revenue neutral plan that would reduce the state sales tax to four-cents, but remove sales tax exemptions for businesses. He plans to call a special session in February to pass a tax reform package, but he wants to have a deal in place with House Republican leadership by January 19th to make sure the special session will not be a waste of time…
cut 13 (12) “…from leadership”
The governor and House Republican leaders have butted heads over budget issues.

Parts of coastal Southeast Louisiana saw snow early this morning. Measurable snow fell in Grand Isle and areas of south Plaquemines Parish. Alek Krautman with the National Weather Service in Slidell says the last time snow stuck to the ground in that area was December 1989…
Cut 3 (11) “Boothville-Venice area”
Highs will be in the low 40s today, but be prepared for another cold night.

LSU economist Doctor Loren Scott says we need to take a wait and see approach before we determine the impact of the GOP tax bill approved by Congress. The complex tax restructuring hit people in some states such as California and New York particularly hard, but Scott says Louisiana is different…
Cut 6 (09) “get hammered.”
So what it is in store for politics in Louisiana in 2018? UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the fiscal cliff will be the first big issue, as the state must address a one-billion dollar budget deficit in next fiscal year’s budget….
cut 7 (08) “….the budget
Cross says political manuevering by candidates seeking to run against Governor John Bel Edwards in 2019 will also be worth watching this year.

Governor Edwards has set a deadline of January 19th to address the fiscal cliff. That deadline was set with the hope legislative leaders would agree on a framework for a deal to address the budget shortfall. State Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere is not happy with the deadline…
Cut 10 (12) “of Louisiana.”
Edwards says will not call a special session in February if there’s no agreement.

Residents in coastal parishes in southeast Louisiana are making minature snowmen as a rare snowfall is covering the ground in coastal towns like Grand Isle and Empire. It will be a little warmer today as high temperatures should get in the 40s, but another hard freeze is expected tonight and into tomorrow morning.

The top Republican party official disagrees with Governor Edwards approach of a January 19th deadline for a deal in principle on solving the fiscal cliff. Matt Doyle has more…
voicer 3 (3) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

2018 is a mid-term election year in Congress. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross believes third district Congressmen Clay Higgins will face the most compeititon….
cut 9 (10) “…do it”
Cross believes the rest of Louisiana’s House delegation will be re-elected rather easily.

The toll rate on the Louisiana Highway 1 bridge at Leeville in LaFourche Parish went up as much as 25 percent on January 1st for vehicles to access Port Fourchon and Grand Isle areas. The scheduled increased is mandated as part of the bond agreement when the bridge was constructed in 2009. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson explains…
Cut 14 (11) “see today.”

It is not as cold as yesterday morning but that doesn’t mean we are done with freezing temperatures. Another hard freeze warning is in effect tonight and into tomorrow morning. And along the coast in southeast Louisiana, folks woke up to a light dusting of snow on the ground.

So what can we expect in state politics for 2018. Kelley Ray spoke with a political analyst….
voicer 2 (31) “…I’m Kelley Ray”

LSU Economist Doctor Loren Scott says the GOP tax bill could be good news for Louisiana businesses. Republicans say the bill will help maintain the current three percent growth in GDP, and Scott says if that happens, it would be a big boost to the Louisiana economy…
cut 5 (09) “…economy grows”
The toll rate on the L-A 1 bridge in south Lafourche Parish increased as much as 25 percent for some vehicles as of January 1st. The increase is mandated as part of the bond agreement. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the tolls have paid for a better L-A One bridge and it’s something to keep in mind for motorists who want better roads….
cut 16 (12) “…as well”

Coastal parishes in southeast Louisiana experienced a rare snowfall during the overnight hours. Just enough to cover the ground and make some roads slick. It is a little warmer this morning and highs today we’ll get in the 40s, but another hard freeze is expected tonight and into tomorrow morning.

What kind of impact will the GOP tax bill approved at the end of 2017 have on Louisiana businesses. Matt Doyle spoke with LSU economic Doctor Loren Scott..
cut 1 (30) “…I’m Don Molino”

State Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere says the governor’s appetite for spending is out of control by only calling a special session if legislative leaders agree to tax increases to deal with a one-billion dollar budget deficit. But Governor Edwards says he’s proposing a revenue neutral plan…
cut 12 (13) “…over time”
Edwards has asked for an agreement in principle with House Republican leaders by January 19th before calling a special session.

The toll rate on the L-A One bridge in LaFourche Parish increased as much as 25-percent for some vehicles as of January first. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson….
cut 15 (14) “…18 dollars”

A few national corporations have announced bonuses for employees as a result of the GOP tax bill, but on a local level the response has been somewhat more muted. LSU economist Loren Scott says Louisiana businesses are still analyzing the thousand page tax bill…
Cut 4 (10) “in Louisiana”
Republicans say the bill will help maintain the current three percent growth in GDP, and Scott says if that happens, it would be a big boost to the Louisiana economy.

Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere is blasting Governor John Bel Edwards for the options he’s presented towards solving a looming one-billion dollar budget deficit….
cut 11 (05) “…shortfall”
But Edwards says he’s asking the legislature to approve a revenue neutral plan that would reduce the state sales tax to four-cents, but removing sales tax exemptions for businesses.

No major statewide elections in Louisiana in 2018, but UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says a lot of moves will be made this year to get ready for the 2019 governor’s race….
cut 8 (12) “….2019″
Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham has already expressed interest in running for governor and there’s speculation Republican U-S Senator John Kennedy will also challenge Governor Edwards.

Qualifying for Louisiana’s spring municipal elections begins today. In West Monroe, the state’s longest serving Mayor Dave Norris says he plans on seeking an 11th term, but could face a challenge from state senator Mike Walsworth.

LSU economist Loren Scott discusses his early analysis of the GOP’s 1.5 trillion dollar tax bill. Don Molino has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino.”

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It could be an interesting 2018 in Louisiana politics.  Kelley Ray has more.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray”

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Top Republicans and the governor are sparring ahead of a January 19^th deadline for a deal on the fiscal cliff. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “Im Matt Doyle.”

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A few national corporations announced they’d be giving holiday bonuses last week as a result of the GOP tax bill, but on a local level the response has been somewhat more muted. LSU economist Loren Scott says Louisiana business are still analyzing the thousand page tax bill, and it’s too early to predict exactly how it will play out back home…

Cut 4  (10) “in Louisiana” 

The bill is a substantial reduction in corporate and business taxes, and is aimed at enticing foreign businesses to relocate to the USA, and inspiring domestic businesses to expand. Republicans say the bill will help maintain the current three percent growth in GDP, and Scott says if that happens, it would be a big boost to the Louisiana economy…

Cut 5  (09)  “economy grows.”

On the individual level, the bill capped state and local tax deductions and a number of other personal deductions, while lowering tax brackets and doubling the standard deduction. The complex restructuring hit people in some states such as California and New York particularly hard, but Scott says Louisiana is a different tax environment…

Cut 6 (09)  “get hammered.”

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2018 could be a volatile year in Louisiana politics.  It’s a somewhat quiet year for elections, but UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the Legislature and Governor John Bel Edwards have a long road facing them after the one cent sales tax falls off the books June 30^th, leaving Louisiana with a one-billion-dollar deficit…

Cut 7 (08)  “the budget.”

Even though the Governor’s election is nearly two years in the future, there has already been talk of possible opponents against Governor Edwards.  Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham has already said he’s thinking about it and other potential GOP challengers including John Kennedy, Jeff Landry and Garret Graves as well.  Cross says some want to see changes in the top state office…

Cut 8 (12) “2019 race.”

The Louisiana Congressional delegation appears to be solid going into the mid-term elections this year.  Cross feels 3^rd District Congressman Clay Higgins faces the most opposition…

Cut 9 (10)  “do it.”

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The looming fiscal cliff has party leaders preparing for a series of tense negotiations ahead of a January 19^th deadline imposed by Governor John Bel Edwards. That deadline was set with the hope that legislative leaders would have the framework for a deal to address an imminent one billion dollar shortfall. State Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere is not happy with the governor’s deadline…

Cut 10 (12) “of Louisiana.”

Edwards wants a deal in principle by January 19^th so he can call a special session in February to pass new tax laws to address the budget deficit. The Governor says he wants a revenue neutral plan, but Villere says Edwards is really calling for a tax hike.

2018 is off to a very cold start. Lows this morning were in the teens to low 20s and wind chills were in the single digits in some areas. Phil Grigsby, with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says this arctic air mass is not going away.  We’ll have to wait until this weekend before the Bayou State can finally thaw out…

Cut 5  (10)  “night time hours”

A hard freeze warning is in effect tonight into tomorrow morning.

Fourth District Congressman Mike Johnson and Attorney General Jeff Landry have released the “Louisiana Student Rights Review”.   Johnson says the resource was created to answer many legal questions and to clear up misconceptions about religion on school campuses.

Cut 9 (08)  “public schools.”

Johnson says the publication is available for download at his website mike-johnson-for-louisiana-dot-com.

Was it hard for you to be motivated to return to work today after taking time off for the holidays? CEO of Mid-America Careers Nick Murphy says many fear the large backlog of work that stacked up, but he says don’t feel as though everything needs to be done right away…

Cut 7 (11) “stay dilligent.”

The arctic blast keeping Louisianans indoors is threatening this year’s crawfish harvest.  Louisiana Crawfish Promotion Board President David Savoy says the sudden freeze could end up making crawfish a hard find in time for an earlier than usual carnival season. Temperatures are set to return to winter norms next week.  He says that’s the earliest he expects fishermen to be able to start trawling again.

Cut 14 (10) “next week.”