Winter Solstice officially began at 4:44 this morning, according to State climatologist Barry Keim. He says we’ve been experiencing some cold temperatures this week, but the Climate Prediction Center is calling for warmer and drier than normal conditions for the next three months…:
cut 4 (09) “with precipitation”
Keim says don’t expect a white Christmas in Louisiana, as temperatures are slated to be in the 70s this weekend.

It’s a busy day for Governor John Bel Edwards. He is making an economic development announcement this morning in West Pointe-a-la-Hache. He will then hold an end of the year news conference to remark on the challenges and successes Louisiana has seen during 2016. That’s at 11:30 this morning and right after the governor will make an announcement with State Police. The “Ask the Governor” radio show is this afternoon at 2pm on affiliates of the Louisiana Radio Network and online at LouisianaRadioNetwork.com.

Baton Rouge has received funding to start plans for a commuter train between the Capitol City and New Orleans. John Spain with the Southern Rail Commission says the city received quarter of a million dollars to start planning for a new train station in downtown Baton Rouge, and the city has agreed to match the federal investment…:
Cut 10 (10) “be successful”
He is optimistic the legislature will allocate funds for the project in the next session.

There’s been a lot of talk about Amazon charging state and local sales taxes at the start of the year. State Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says the online retailer has gone forward with voluntary compliance…:
cut 14 (08) “about it”