24 states raise their minimum wage today, and Louisiana is not one of them. Matt Doyle spoke the Louisiana Budget Project about the odds of an increase for 2020…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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The state will see an abundance of rain starting tonight and running through Friday. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

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Minimum wage increases go into effect today in 24 states, but Louisiana is not one of them and remains one of a handful who’ve kept the federal minimum of 7.25 an hour.

Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moller says Legislative hostility to raising the wage runs counter to public opinion on the issue.

Cut 3 (10)  measure” 

81 percent of respondents in the 2019 Louisiana Survey supported a raise to 8.50 an hour, and 59 percent backed an increase to 15 dollars an hour.

Most of the rest of the country has embraced increases, including our neighbors in Arkansas. The new more heavily conservative Legislature appears unlikely to support any raises, but Moller is optimistic…

Cut 4 (10) “…issue.”

An effort to raise the minimum to nine dollars an hour last year died on the Senate floor. An effort to allow local governments to raise the minimum wage was also killed in a House committee.

The Governor renewed his call to raise the minimum to nine dollars an hour during his reelection night speech. Moller says it would be a start, but still below an adequate living wage for a full-time worker.

Cut 5 (10) “…15”

State business lobbying groups such as LABI and NFIB say an increase in the minimum wage would hurt many company’s bottom lines, and kill jobs.

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A storm system is churning in the Gulf of Mexico that will ultimately bring rain to the state.  By late tonight and into tomorrow morning, a warm front will begin moving in from the south.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says not only will this bring in wet conditions, but some very warm temps for this time of year.

Cut 6 (08) “…to increase overnight.”

Keim says later on into Thursday and then into Friday, a cold front will then sweep across the state.

Cut 7 (06) “…24 to 36 hours.”

Keim says the rain potential is anywhere from about a half-inch up to perhaps three inches.

Cut 8 (10) “…to Friday morning.”

Once the cold front sweeps through, it is going to usher out the rain and bring in some cold, clear conditions to Louisiana for Friday and through the weekend.
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Georgia takes on Baylor tonight in the Superdome for the Sugar Bowl, with kickoff set for 7:45 PM.

The matchup between number five and number seven has seen ticket prices drop as low as the single digits. Sugar Bowl Chief Executive Officer Jeff Hundley says there’s no way to sugar coat it; attendance will be lower than usual…

Cut 9 (09) “Line up”

He adds the game is also overshadowed by the National Championship game between LSU and Clemson just a week later at the same location.

No matter who shows up, the party will still be rolling. Hundley says last night they started things off with two big-time musical acts…

Cut 10 (09) “…Usher.”

If you’re going, it’s highly recommended you Uber into the Quarter, as parking on New Year’s day is going to be a nightmare.

And tonight you’ll want to arrive early to the game and set up shop right outside the Dome…

Cut 11 (09) “…Superdome”

Georgia are 5.5 point favorites.

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About a quarter of Louisiana SNAP recipients will see a decrease in their benefits as a result of a Social Security cost of living benefit increase.

DCFS Secretary for Family Support Sammy Guillory says SSI and veteran’s benefits recipients have received a 1.6 percent COLA increase for 2020.

Cut 12 (09) “…dollars” 

The COLA increase will also push 226 cases out of SNAP due to income eligibility.

Guillory says the reason for the decrease is that SSI benefits are viewed as income, and the higher a person’s income, the lower their SNAP benefits. For example…

Cut 13 (10) “…SNAP”

Guillory says the good news is those SNAP recipients are still coming out ahead this year when you balance SSI increases against their SNAP benefit decreases…

Cut 14 (06) “…benefits.”

The change is effective today and will be noticed on recipients’ first benefits of the new year.

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Law enforcement deaths are down 18 percent in 2019 according to theThe National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund who says 128 officers died in the line of duty over the past year. CEO Marcia Ferranto says there were four officer deaths in Louisiana

Cut 9 (09) “…physical related death”

Shreveport police officer Chateri Payne, Mandeville Police Captain Vincent Liberto, Baton Rouge Police Officer Shane Totty, and East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy Steven Whitstine died while on duty this year.

The N-F-L Network reports LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady is being eyed for an offensive coordinator job in the NFL if Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale gets a job as a head coach. LSU Coach Ed Orgeron remains confident Brady will stay in Baton Rouge…

Cut 6 (10) “…LSU”

Fireworks will light up the night sky for the New Year, and the State Fire Marshal would prefer you not do the lighting yourself, and instead head to a public display. If you chose to shoot off in your own backyard, spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says make sure they are legal to light in your area. If they are, Rodrigue says buy from a licensed vendor.

Cut 4 (10) “…know.”

The Louisiana DOTD had a busy 2019 as the department invested just over $1 billion into nearly 330 infrastructure projects on 942 miles of roadway. Back in June, 49-year-old sign specialist Johnny Cole was killed after being struck by an 18-wheeler near Ruston.  DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says as a result DOTD is rolling out new safety measures in response.

Cut 14 (09) “…sure they’re safe.”

A lot of folks will start the New Year off with a bang, and the State Fire Marshal’s office has safety tips for you before you attempt your amateur pyrotechnics. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue’s first piece of advice for people buying fireworks is: don’t. Instead of risking it in your back yard, go to a public display.

Cut 3 (09) “…around.”

But if you purchase fireworks, make sure they are legal to light in your area.

The Louisiana DOTD had a busy 2019 as the department invested just over $1 billion into nearly 330 infrastructure projects on 942 miles of roadway.  DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says the investment was able to be made in large part because of innovative funding efforts.

Cut 12 (09) “…money this year.” 

A 15-year-old faces first-degree murder for fatally shooting a 74-year-old woman who was in her carport checking on a noise. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (26) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund says 128 officers died in the line of duty over the past year, an 18-percent decrease from 2018. The Fund’s CEO Marcia Ferranto on why we’ve seen a decline in law enforcement officer fatalities…

Cut 10 (09) “…also helped.”

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund says 128 officers died in the line of duty over the past year, an 18-percent decrease from 2018.The Fund’s CEO Marcia Ferranto says there were four officer deaths in Louisiana
Cut 9 (09) “…physical related death”
Shreveport police officer Chateri Payne and Mandeville Police Captain Vincent Liberto were fatally shot. Baton Rouge Police Officer Shane Totty died in a motorcycle accident. Ferranto says shootings and traffic accidents are the reason for most officer deaths while on duty

About 119 people were murdered in New Orleans in 2019. The number isn’t exact because of recent cyberattacking limiting public access to crime data. That number means New Orleans will end the year with the lowest annual murder count in 48 years.

The N-F-L Network reports that if Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale gets a job as a head coach, his top choice as offensive coordinator is LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady. But LSU Coach Ed Orgeron remains confident Brady will stay in Baton Rouge once a new contract is finalized…

Cut 6 (10) “…LSU”

Brady has been named the top assistant in college football.

The Louisiana DOTD had a busy 2019 as the department invested just over $1 billion into infrastructure projects across the state.  DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says DOTD is rolling out new safety measures in response to the death of an employee killed on the job site this year.

Cut 14 (09) “…sure they’re safe.”

Back in June, 49-year-old Johnny Cole was killed after being struck by an 18-wheeler near Ruston. Cole was a sign specialist for the department.

Infrastructure improvement was widespread throughout the state in 2019…

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Tigers are prepping ahead of their January 13^th National Championship clash with Clemson, and know if they want to contain the Tiger’s offense, they’ll have to slow down running back Travis Etienne. Coach Ed Orgeron says when he took over for Les Miles, he tried to recruit Etienne to come to LSU…

Cut 8 (12) “…better job of.”

Etienne has 18 touchdowns on the year.

Four Louisiana officers died in the line of duty in 2019 according to the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund. The Fund’s CEO Marcia Ferranto says 128 died nationally.

Cut 11 (10) “…accidents”

East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy Steven Whitstine died from congestive heart failure before crashing while driving to work. Shreveport police officer Chateri Payne and Mandeville Police Captain Vincent Liberto were fatally shot. Baton Rouge Police Officer Shane Totty died in a motorcycle accident.

 State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says stay safe when lighting up fireworks this year. Only buy them from a liscened vendor, and only shoot them off in an area with a lot of open space…

Cut 5 (12) “…fireworks.”

After the fireworks go off, spray them with a hose, and put them in a disposal bin, where they can be stored away from your home until they are picked up.

LSU senior linebacker Michael Divinity will play in the national championship game against Clemson. Divinity has missed the last six games because he reportedly violated team rules. In five games, Divinity has three sacks and Orgeron expects his role in the title game will be to rush the passer
Cut 7 (12) “…we can”
Many folks will start the New Year off with a bang, and the State Fire Marshal’s office has safety tips for you before you attempt your amateur pyrotechnics. If you are going to be purchasing fireworks, make sure you check to see if fireworks are legal in your area. If they are, Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says make sure you’re buying from a licensed vendor.

Cut 4 (10) “…know.”

Rodrigue says a good rule of thumb is, if you don’t see any fireworks sellers in your area, it’s likely because fireworks are illegal in your jurisdiction.

A 15-year-old faces first-degree murder for fatally shooting a 74-year-old woman who was in her carport checking on a noise. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (26) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The Louisiana DOTD had a busy 2019 as the department invested just over $1 billion into nearly 330 infrastructure projects.  DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says there were unexpected expenses for emergency situations that came up throughout the year.

Cut 13 (13) “…the state well.”

The Louisiana DOTD had a busy 2019 as the department invested just over $1 billion into nearly 330 infrastructure projects on 942 miles of roadway.  DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says the investment was able to be made in large part because of innovative funding efforts.

Cut 12 (09) “…money this year.” 

Among the projects, the widening of various sections of I-10 and the I-10/Loyola Drive interchange improvements.

A lot of folks will start the New Year off with a bang, and the Fire Marshal’s office has some safety tips for you before you attempt your amateur pyrotechnics. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue’s first piece of advice for people buying fireworks is: don’t. Instead of risking it in your back yard, go to a public display.

Cut 3 (09) “…around.”

The N-F-L Network reports that if Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale gets a job as a head coach, his top choice as offensive coordinator is LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady. But LSU Coach Ed Orgeron remains confident Brady will stay in Baton Rouge once a new contract is finalized…

Cut 6 (10) “…LSU”

Brady has been named the top assistant in college football for helping to turn the Tigers offense into one of the best units in the country. Orgeron also says senior linebacker Michael Divinity will play in the National Championship game against Clemson. 

Funeral services have been set for four of the five victims in Saturday’s fatal plane crash in Lafayette. A joint funeral will be held Thursday for Gretchen Vincent and her 15-year-old son Walker in Lafayette. Ian Biggs was the pilot, his funeral will be Saturday in Lafayette and funeral services for sports reporter Carley McCord is set for Saturday in Baton Rouge.

A rash of home fires in north Louisiana has claimed nine lives in December, two of the victims ran back into their burning homes…
cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Crowley police have charged 35-year-old Justin Duhon with Felony Hit and Run. Crowley Police Chief Jimmy Broussard says Duhon’s pickup truck hit a 10-year-old boy who was riding a bike he just received for Christmas…
cut 8 (11) “…split-second”
The child is in critical, but stable condition at a Baton Rouge hospital. Duhon was arrested in New Orleans. That’s where he fled after hitting the child.

Law enforcement will try to avoid investigating crashes involving drunk drivers tonight. Even though the numbers are beginning to dip, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is still pushing an aggressive anti-drunk driving campaign…
cut 11 (11) “…times”
That’s commission executive director Lisa Freeman, who says during last year’s New Year’s Eve holiday period, two people were killed and 74 injured in alcohol-related crashes on Louisiana roads.