One week from today, Democrat John Bel Edwards will be sworn in as the state’s 56th governor. Incoming Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne has pegged the budget shortfall for this fiscal year at 750-million dollars and one-point-nine billion dollars next fiscal year. The governor-elect’s deputy chief of staff, Julie Baxter Payer, says they seek the public’s help in solving these budget issues…

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Payer says they’re hearing good feedback about the team Edwards is building.

The Corps of Engineers is scheduled to begin emergency operations on the Mississippi River as river levels are expected to crest later this month at near record high levels at Vicksburg and Natchez. Fifth Louisiana Levee District President Reynold Minsky says hesco baskets, which are filled with sand that serve as temporary levees, will be used again to protect businesses in downtown Vidalia…

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He says relief wells were also installed, which should reduce flooding.

Many people set New Year’s resolutions to live a healthier lifestyle in 2016. Emelie Gunn spoke with a doctor who has some tips to keep them….

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Louisiana’s political community is in shock over the death of political blogger C.B Forgotston. Forgotston became a political watchdog after years of working as a state legislative staffer and business lobbyist. He earned many enemies by regularly skewering elected officials on his blogsite and on Twitter. Forgotston died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 70-years-old.