Do your best to get used to this cold weather, because it will be around all week. Jeff Palermo has more from the National Weather Service…
voicer 1 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Are you looking to save money in 2018. Baton Rouge CPA Layne McDaniel on what you should put into some sort of a savings account in 2018….
cut 12 (07) “…start with”
McDaniel says if you plan on making a big purchase, give it 24 hours, before making a decision on if it’s a wise investment.

In 2018, some major road construction projects will be completed. State transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson…
cut 9 (10) “…late 18″
Wilson says motorists will see work on I-10 between Lafayette and Ascension Parish this year.

Many find it hard to be motivated at work after taking time off for the holidays. And with the extended cold snap, it may be challenging to get out and go back to work. But once you get there, CEO of Mid-America Careers Nick Murphy says do not be too hard on yourself as you get back into “work mode”…
Cut 6 (10) “back into it.”
There may be a large backlog of work that needs to completed that has stacked up. Murphy says don’t feel as though everything needs to be done right away.

Louisiana craft brewers are getting a sizable tax cut as a result of the GOP tax bill passed in Congress. Cary Koch, director of the Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild, says the excise tax has been cut in half on the first 60-thousand barrels produced…cut 14 (09) “…more workers’

There are about 40 breweries in the state.

State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says 2018 will see major work on Interstate 10. A widening project between Lafayette and the Atchafalya Basin will ramp up and they are breaking ground on another widening project in East Baton Rouge and Ascension Parishes. Wilson says both projects could lead to delays, so motorists need to be aware…
cut 8 (10) “…two lanes”
L-A 318 overpass and the Albertson’s Parkway overpass in Lafayette will be completed this year and so will I-49 north in Caddo Parish.

Do you want to save more money this year? Kelley Ray spoke with a CPA to get some tips on how to make that possible…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Tough start to 2018 for LSU fans as the Fighting Tigers couldn’t hold on to a late 17-14 lead and lost to Notre Dame 21-17. Meanwhile, Alabama is back in the national championship game after a dominating win over Clemson in last night’s Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. The Crimson Tide will play Georgia in the national title game.

2018 is off to a very cold start. Lows this morning were in the teens to low lows 20s and wind chills were in the single digits in some areas. Phil Grigsby, with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says this artic air mass is not going away…
cut 3 (10) “…weekend”
A hard freezing warning is in effect for tonight into tomorrow morning

It’s cold for those who work outside, but State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says several major construction projects will take place in 2018. He says major work will be done on I-10, west of the Basin Bridge to Lafayette. They will also break ground on the widening of the highly traveled interstate between Highland Road in Baton Rouge to La 73.:
Cut 7 (10) “Baton Rouge.”
Wilson says I-49 north will also be completed in Caddo Parish.

The number of Craft Breweries in Louisiana has more than doubled in the last five years and as a result of the tax reform legislation passed by Congress, we could see a few more. Executive Director of the Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild Cary Koch…
Cut 13 (08) “its been.”
Koch says the state’s craft brewing industry is worth about 740-million dollars a year.

Many people will attempt to quit smoking as one of their New Year’s resolutions. Louisiana is 47th out of 50 states for tobacco use, as over 22-percent of adults light up. Smoking Cessation Trust CEO Mike Rogers says one of the main reasons people don’t succeed is they try to go it alone
Cut 4 (10) “people do.”
Rogers advises smokers who plan to quit to remove cigarettes and other tobacco products from your home, car and work.

Another frigid morning in Louisiana. We are seeing temperatures in the low 20s in south Louisiana and upper teens in north Louisiana. Factor in the wind chill and the real feel tempeature is in the single digits. We’ll experience below freezing temperatures the rest of the week.

Craft Breweries are getting a big tax break as a result of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 3 (30) “Im Matt Doyle.”

Managing your money is a popular New Year’s Resolution. Baton Rouge CPA Layne McDaniel says if you really want to make an expensive purchase, give yourself time before plopping down your hard earned money….
cut 11 (10) “…it already”
McDaniel says putting 10-to-15 percent of your paycheck into some sort of savings account is a realistic goal if you want to save more money in 2018.

Many smokers will try to use the new year as another opportunity to quit smoking. Smoking Cessation Trust CEO Mike Rogers says an important tip is to get rid of anything that may tempt you…
cut 5 (10) “….light up”
Nearly 23-percent of Louisiana’s adult population smokes. If you started smoking before September 1st, 1988, the Smoking Cessation Trust can provide free cessation services.

A new year can mean the start of several new things, including how to handle your finances. Keeping your financial house in order can be tough, if you are not aware of where you spend your money. Baton Rouge CPA Layne McDaniel says knowing how you spend is very important…
Cut 10 (10) “you want.”

Louisiana’s craft brewery industry has the opportunity to grow this year, thanks to the recently approved GOP tax bill, because it cut in half the excise tax on beer for many producers. Cary Koch, director of the Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild, says Louisiana ranks 48th in the country for the number of breweries per capita and this tax cut can help grow this industry….
cut 15 (09) “…kinda plateau”

State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson looks ahead to road projects coming and continuing into 2018. Michelle Southern reports…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern.”

Another very cold start to the morning, with wind chills in some areas reaching the single digits. but it will be a tad warmer this afternoon.

Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Shawn Wilson looks ahead to road projects coming and continuing into 2018. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern.”

Do you want to save more money this year?  Kelley Ray spoke with a CPA to get some easy ways to make that possible…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Craft Breweries are getting a big tax break as a result of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 3 (30) “Im Matt Doyle.”

Many people make quitting smoking one of their New Year’s resolutions.  Louisiana is 47^th out of 50 states for tobacco use, with over 22-percent of adults light up, one of the highest percentages in the nation.  Smoking Cessation Trust CEO Mike Rogers says one of the main reasons people don’t succeed is they try to go it alone

Cut 4  (10) “people do.” 

If people want to succeed, Rogers says to get rid of anything that may tempt you to light up…

Cut 5  (10)  “light up.”

Rogers says the high rate of smoking in Louisiana can be linked directly to the tobacco companies themselves and the way they fabricate what they do…

Cut 6 (05)  “cigarette company.”

He adds if you don’t succeed this time, to keep trying.  An average person quits at least eight times before succeeding…

Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Shawn Wilson looks ahead to road projects coming and continuing into 2018. He says major progress will take place on the work being done on I-10, west of the Basin Bridge to Lafayette. They will also break ground on the widening of the highly traveled interstate between Highland Road in Baton Rouge to La 73.:

Cut 7 (10)  “Baton Rouge.”

Wilson says there is a major construction boom happening in Southeast Louisiana this year where over 100,000 people pass through each day, so motorists need to expect delays for at least the entire year. He says people need to really understand what’s happening with traffic…:

Cut 8 (10) “two lanes.”

Wilson says there are a few projects that will be wrapping up this year…:

Cut 9 (10)  “late 18.”

A new year can mean the start of several new things, including how you handle your finances.  Trying to keep your financial house in order can be tough, if you are not aware of where you are spending your money.  Baton Rouge CPA Layne McDaniel says one way to try to squeeze a little more out of your budget is knowing how you spend…

Cut 10 (10) “you want.”

Another way to save money, is simply don’t spend it.  McDaniel says if you really want that shiny new item, give yourself some time before plopping down your hard earned money…

A tough finish to the 2017 season for the LSU Tigers as Notre Dame backup Quarterback Ian Book connected with Miles Boykin on a 55-yard touchdown pass play to give Notre Dame a 21-17 victory over the Bayou Bengals. Boykin made a spectacular catch with two LSU defenders near him, but he broke away from Donte Jackson and John Battle and walked into the end zone.

Book came off the bench and completed 14 of 19 passes for 164 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

In his final game as an LSU Tiger, Danny Etling was 19-of-33 for 229 yards and threw two touchdown passes to Derrius Guice. Guice also rushed for 98 yards on the ground.

LSU missed two field goals in the first half and that is one of the reasons the Tigers finish the year 9-4, instead of 10-and-3.

The Tigers next game on the gridiron, will be September 2^nd against Miami in Dallas.

The Saints are preparing to host the Carolina Panthers in an NFC playoff game this Sunday. New Orleans offense hasn’t played great the last two weeks. Coach Sean Payton says the postseason is great opportunity to get the offense back on track….

Cut 17 (10) “….at home”

New Orleans will host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday at 3:40 in the Mercedes Benz Superdome.

Tonight at the Dome, it will be Alabama versus Clemson in the semifinals of the College Football Playoffs. Clemson beat Bama in the national championship game last year.

Earlier today in bowl game action, UCF completed an undefeated season by beating Auburn 34-27 as quarterback McKenzie Milton accounted for three touchdowns in the Peach Bowl.

And in the Outback Bowl, Michigan had five turnovers in the second half and blew a 16-point lead to South Carolina as the Gamecocks rallied for a 26-19 win.

LRN News, I’m Matt Doyle

Parts of the state will be enduring below freezing temperatures, and wind chills as low as single digits to start out 2018. This time of year, temperatures are usually about 20 degrees higher. Donald Jones, with the National Weather Service says residents can expect some surprisingly chilly mornings…

Cut 8 (06) “unusual.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says his administration is working to maintain economic momentum heading into the new year.  However, a big challenge for the governor in 2018 is the expiration of a one cent sales tax that’s been keeping state finances afloat. The expiration will create a one billion dollar gap in the budget. Edwards says he doesn’t want budget cuts, but is against renewing the sales tax…

Cut 11 (06) “of taxation”

LRN

The Saints lost to Tampa Bay 31-24, but walked away with the NFC South title. They’ll host Carolina for a playoff game this weekend. The offense only scored two touchdowns despite a ball hawking defense that grabbed three interceptions. Sean Peyton says the post season is a great opportunity to get the offense back on track…

Cut 17 (10) “at home”

The Saints will play the Carolina Panthers on Sunday at 3:40 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Governor Edwards touted the state’s progress in getting a bipartisan criminal justice reform package passed, aimed at lowering the state’s prison population by reducing sentences for non-violent, non-sexual offenders. Edwards says the effort mirrors that of other, conservative leaning southern states, and is being considered at a national level.

Cut 10 (05) “that effort”

LRN News, I’m Matt Doyle

LRN News, I’m Matt Doyle

The Saints went down in the last seconds to Tampa Bay, but still managed to snag the NFC South title, and 4^th seed. Coach Sean Peyton says the offense won’t have a lot of time to clean up the mistakes…

Cut 15, 9 seconds, right now

the top three teams NFC South Teams all made the playoffs.

It’s going to be a freezing cold first week of the year. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1, 27 seconds, Jeff Palermo

LRN

Governor John Bel Edwards wrapped up 2017 saying he believes Louisiana can continue making progress in the areas of employment and criminal justice reform. The state’s unemployment rate is it’s lowest since 2008, with record numbers of employment in healthcare and construction.  He says there should be more job opportunities this year…

Cut 9 (08)  “

With temperatures in the teens in some parts of the state, many Louisianans are turning to unconventional sources to heat their house.  State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the increase in fire deaths over the last few weeks is reminder for people to check their fire alarms…

Cut 3 (10) “smoke alarm.”

He says homes without a working fire alarm are unsafe, and should not be slept in until the equipment is up and working.

Matt Doyle, Louisiana radio network news.