President Trump is set to address the nation tonight at 8PM and lay out his case for increased funding for border security in the midst of a government shutdown over the President’s demand for 5.7 billion in funding for a physical border wall. Republican Congressman Garrett Graves says we may not need another Great Wall, but additional physical structures would decrease illegal border crossings.

Cut 6, 11 seconds, of miles

But Democrats refuse to pass a spending bill that includes border wall funding, calling it wasteful and unnecessary. Democrat and Assistant to the Majority Whip Cedric Richmond says the House will not force tax payers to waste their money on the President’s campaign slogan.

Cut 8 seconds, 10 seconds, of money

Richmond says those funds should go towards social programs, and networks will air a rebuttal from Democrats immediately after the speech.

According to his re-election campaign, Gov. John Bel Edwards raised $3.8 million in 2018 and enters 2019 with $8.3 million in the bank for the race. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says this indicates that any challengers who can’t raise about ten million dollars will not be competitive in the race.

Cut 4 (12) “…the governor has.″

One of Edwards’ announced challengers, Eddie Rispone’s gubernatorial campaign says the Baton Rouge Republican has 5.5 million dollars in his campaign account. No word yet from the other Republican challenger Ralph Abraham.

LSU ends the year ranked 6^th, good for the team’s best finish since 2011.

According to his re-election campaign, Gov. John Bel Edwards has raised $3.8 million in 2018, meaning Edwards enters 2019 with $8.3 million in the bank for the race. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says that’s a significant number for the Governor.
Cut 3 (10) “…get him re-elected.”
Eddie Rispone’s gubernatorial campaign says the Baton Rouge Republican has 5.5 million dollars in his campaign account. No word yet from the other Republican challenger Ralph Abraham.

Governor Edwards has said his top legislative priority is to give teachers a pay raise of at least one-thousand dollars. Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux says that would still leave the average teacher salary below the Southern Regional Average and don’t forget teachers have a lot of out of pocket expenses…
cut 13 (12) “…stappler”

Congressman Cedric Richmond says he believes President Trump has committed impeachable offenses, but says he’s waiting for the final results from the Mueller probe before taking action.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison is leaving the Big Easy to become the next police commissioner for Baltimore, Maryland. According to the N-O-P-D, Baltimore officials are pleased with Harrison’s record of policing reform and violent crime reduction. In 2018, there were 146 murders in New Orleans, lowest number since 1971.

Governor John Bel Edwards has made giving teachers a pay raise of at least 1,000 dollars the cornerstone issue of his 2019 legislative agenda, but questions remain as to how the state will pay for the roughly 135-million dollar proposal. Edwards says he plans to pay for the raise with increased revenue from an improving economy.
Cut 10 (09) “…doing better.”
But House Republican leadership is reluctant to recognize the increased revenues.

Articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump have been re-introduced. New Orleans Congressman and Assistant Majority Whip Cedric Richmond says he’s waiting for Special Counsel Robert Mueller to complete his report before moving forward…
cut 6 (12) “….remove him”

While last night’s College football championship game is in the books, New Orleans is already looking forward to 2020. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 3 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

King Cake season has arrived and for Rouses Markets they are anticipating producing 500-thousand king cakes for local consumption and to ship nationwide. Bakery Director Michelle Knight says there are many variations of King Cake to choose from, but when it comes to the most popular…
cut 8 (07) “…then Bavarian”

Governor Edwards has pledged a teacher pay raise of at least one-thousand dollars this year. But how it gets accomplished is unclear. Many Republicans have signaled their support, but suggest the pay raise should be funded with existing dollars. Senate Education Chairman Blade Morrish says no matter how it gets done, it needs to get done…
cut 11 (10) “….do it”
Teachers unions nationwide have won a series of pay raises after striking, and Louisiana unions have indicated their members are considering a work stoppage if the legislature and governor fail to deliver. Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux was a guest on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster.
Cut 12 (09) “…next year.”
Teacher pay raises are expected to dominate the 2019 legislative session that begins in April.

There’s no end in sight in the partial federal government shutdown. New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond blames President Trump for holding federal workers hostage until he gets funding for a wall, Richmond says was initially promised to be paid for by Mexico. He says the government shutdown is having a local impact….
cut 5 (09) “…abomidable”
President Trump will make his case for a U-S Mexico border wall with a speech from the Oval Office tonight.

King Cake season has arrived and Rouses Markets plans to produce a half-million king cakes at their 59 bakeries. Bakery Director Michelle Knight…
cut 9 (07) “…New Orleans girl”
And we have a breaking story out of New Orleans. Multiple sources say New Orleans Police Chief Michael Harrison is leaving the Big Easy as he’s been hired as the police commissioner in Baltimore, Maryland. New Orleans recorded 146 murders in 2018, it’s lowest number since 1971.

Everyone seems to agree with a proposed teacher pay raise of at least one-thousand dollars, but with a 135 million dollar price tag, how will the state pay for it?
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Hundreds attended a candlelight vigil last night at Marksville High School to remember the five children killed in last week’s fiery crash in Florida. Avoyelles Parish District Attorney Charles Riddle says it was wonderful to see the community come together…
cut 30 (08) “…don’t stop praying”
Funeral arrangements for the five victims are still pending.

Democratic Congressman Cedric Richmond is the highest ranked member of the Louisiana delegation in the U.S. House and plans to use his position to push for solutions to the state’s most pressing issues. He says Democrats will pursue climate change legislation and green energy policy, one that can address the state’s coastal, and economic woes.
Cut 4 (10) “…citizens.”
Richmond is the Assistant to the Majority Whip.

The demand for King Cakes is growing. With a longer carnival season and the Saints in the playoffs, Bakery director for Rouses Markets, Michelle Knight, says their 59 bakeries will be busy between local sales and shipping orders nationwide.
Cut 7 (05) “…in the past.”
Knight says the top-selling King Cake is plain, followed by cream cheese and Bavarian.

Governor John Bel Edwards has made giving teachers a pay raise of at 1,000 dollars the cornerstone issue of his 2019 legislative agenda, but questions remain as to how the state will pay for the roughly 135-million dollar proposal. Edwards says he plans to pay for the raise with increased revenue from an improving economy.
Cut 10 (09) “…doing better.”
But House Republican leadership is reluctant to recognize the increased revenues.

Alabama took a pounding in last night’s national championship game losing to Clemson in Santa Clara, California. Next year the game will be in New Orleans and Chief Operating Officer of the Sugar Bowl Jeff Hundley says they’ll have plenty of events leading up to the big game…
cut 15 (09) “….fans to do”
The national title game is expected to bring a 300-million dollar economic impact to the New Orleans region.

Congressman Cedric Richmond says he believes President Trump has committed impeachable offenses, but is waiting for the final results from the Mueller probe before taking action.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Hixson Brothers Funeral Home will handle the funeral services for the five children in Marksville who were killed in a multi-vehicle crash in Florida last week. Vice president of Hixson Brothers Funeral Homes Joel Swisher says the families of the victims are paying for the funerals, but if the public wants to help with additional expenses like medical and travel costs, they can make donations at stepscenla.org.

Governor Edwards has pledged a teacher pay raise of at least one-thousand dollars this year. But how it gets accomplished is unclear. Many Republicans have signaled their support, but suggest the pay raise should be funded with cuts in other areas of the budget. Senate Education Chairman Blade Morrish says no matter how it gets done, it needs to get done…
cut 11 (10) “….do it”
The average pay for a teacher is just below 50-thousand dollars a year, 22-hundred dollars below the Southern Regional Average. Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux points out that teachers also spend hundreds of dollars out of pocket every year for supplies…
cut 13 (12) “…stappler”

Articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump were re-introduced last week, so we had a chance to talk with Louisiana’s lone Democrat in the state’s Congressional Delegation about whether his colleagues should move to forcibly remove the president from office. Cedric Richmond of New Orleans says he’s waiting for Special Counsel Robert Mueller to complete his report…
cut 6 (12) “….remove him”
President Trump has tweeted out that how can you impeach a president that’s done nothing wrong, had the most successful first two years of any president and is the most popular Republican in party history.

Congressman Cedric Richmond says he believes President Trump has committed impeachable offenses, but says he’s waiting for the final results from the Mueller probe before taking action.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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Everyone seems to agree with a proposed 1,000 dollar teacher pay raise, but with a 135 million dollar price tag, how will the state pay for it?

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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While last night’s CFP championship game is in the books, New Orleans is already looking forward to 2020.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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Democratic Congressman Cedric Richmond is now the highest ranked member of the Louisiana delegation in House, and says he plans on using his high ranking authority position to highlight, and push for solutions to the state’s most pressing issues. He says Democrats will be pursuing an aggressive climate change and green energy policy, one that can address the state’s coastal, and economic woes.

Cut 4 (12) “…citizens.” 

Richmond was named Assistant to the Majority Whip for the 116^th Congress.

The former New Orleans state representative says the first thing that needs to be addressed though is the government shutdown. He puts the blame on the President Trump for holding federal worker’s checks hostage until he gets funding for a wall that was initially promised to be paid for by Mexico. Richmond says the national shutdown is having a very local effect.

Cut 5 (09) “…abomidable.”

The Congressman says he’s aware of the growing interest in impeachment from an animated group of freshman Democratic lawmakers, but cautions that any attempt to do so without indisputable evidence would distract from the parties domestic goals like minimum wage increases and paid family leave.

Cut 6 (12) “…remove him.”

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The demand for King Cakes is growing as the Bayou State gets into the Mardi Gras season.  With a longer carnival season and the Saints playing really well, Bakery director for Rouse’s Market Michelle Knight says the 59 bakeries in Rouse’s will be quite busy between local sales and shipping out orders nationwide.

Cut 7 (05) “…in the past.”

Knight says there are many variations of the King Cake to choose from with it comes to fillings, but when it comes to the most popular…

Cut 8 (07) “…and then Bavarian.”

With so many choices in King Cakes, Knight says many may find it tricky to pick a favorite.

Cut 9 (07) “…New Orleans girl.″

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Governor John Bel Edwards has made the 1,000 dollar teacher pay raise the cornerstone issue of his 2019 legislative agenda, but questions remain as to how the state will pay for the roughly 135 million dollar proposal. Edwards says he plans to pay for the raise with increased revenue from an improving economy, cuts to other budget items, and new taxes will not be necessary.

Cut 10 (09)   “…doing better.”

The plan also calls for a 500 dollar raise for support personnel like bus drivers, and cafeteria workers.

Many Republicans have signaled their support for the move, but some have suggested the pay raise should be funded with cuts in other areas of the budget. Republican Jennings Senator Blade Morrish says no matter how it gets done, it needs to get done.

Cut 11 (10) “…do it”

Louisiana teacher pay is about 2,000 dollars a year below the southern regional average.

Teachers unions nationwide have won a series of pay raises after striking, and Louisiana unions have indicated their members are seriously considering a work stoppage if the legislature and governor fail to deliver. Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux on Talk Louisiana.

Cut 12 (09)   “…next year.”

A survey from the Louisiana Federation of Teachers showed 61 percent of their members would strike if a pay raise fails to materialize.

Meaux adds that even though the average pay is around 49,000 a year, that includes upper level positions like principles and superintendents, and likely isnt what the median teacher makes. She says on top of that, teachers have to spend hundreds out of pocket every year to pay for supplies.

Cut 13 (12) “…stapler.”

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College football’s National Championship game in Santa Clara is now in the books, but New Orleans is already looking forward to next year, as the Mercedes-Benz Superdome welcomes the game in 2020.  COO of the Sugar Bowl Jeff Hundley says the finale of the college football playoffs has seen about a $300 million dollar economic impact for the host cities.

Cut 14 (06) “…a destination city.”

Hundley says there will be plenty for fans to experience and he’s excited to put a New Orleans spin on the CFP championship game.  And while it is not yet of the same caliber of the Super Bowl…

Cut 15 (09) “…fans to do.”

Hundley says the city is no stranger to hosting college football national championship games.

Cut 16 (09)  champion next year.”

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With the wild card settled the Black and Gold set their sights on the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Eagles quarterback Nick Foles finds himself in similar circumstances to last year, taking over for starter Carson Wentz and leading the underdog Eagles to playoff success. Saints Head Coach Sean Payton says Foles evolution as a player cannot be ignored…

 cut 17 (17)   “…we all see” 

The Eagles are on a hot streak boasting a four-game win streak but the Saints hold the best record in the league with only three losses under their belt. The Saints blew out the Eagles earlier this season in a 48-7 victory but Payton says they are taking the matchup very seriously…

Cut 18 (17)   “…Super Bowl champions” 

Kickoff on Sunday is at 3:40 PM.

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After an eleven-day layoff, The LSU men’s basketball team jumps into SEC play tonight by hosting Alabama. The Tigers haven’t played since December 28th, while Crimson Tide are coming off a 77-75 win over nationally ranked Kentucky. LSU Coach Will Wade says Bama is athletic and big at every position…

Cut 19 (20)   “…halfcourt”

So what did the Tigers do during the eleven day break. Wade explains…

Cut 20 (18) “…every day”