Governor John Bel Edwards is celebrating the fact that the state will not have to make mid-year cuts for the first time in nearly a decade. Jeff Palermo has more.
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New Orleans is prepping for a busy weekend as football fans pour into the city for the Sugar Bowl. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (29) “Matt Doyle Reporting”
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If dieting and exercise are your New Years resolutions, it can be hard to keep if you fail to reach your goals. Kelley Ray says think about making lifestyle changes instead.
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Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s proud of the growth in the state’s economy over the last year. Unemployment is down, and two sectors, healthcare and construction saw record levels of employment. Edwards says the state’s economic recovery under his first two years has been strong…
Because the governor expanded the Medicaid program, there’s been a huge increase in individuals receiving government-sponsored health care. But the governor says it’s his goal to get more people employed and covered under an employer sponsored health care plan…
The state has seen growth in many large metro areas, including an agreement with DXC technology for a two thousand person facility in New Orleans, but the governor acknowledged that other regions of Louisiana are still facing sluggish growth…
The governor credited the growth to a reinvestment in higher education.
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This year, the Sugar bowl and New Year’s festivities are merging into one weekend long celebration in the Big Easy. Alabama and Clemson face off for the third year in a row Monday night, and New Orleans is expected to be at near full capacity for a series of parades, rallies, and live shows that will take place starting Saturday. Kristian Sonnier is with the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau…
ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin Eve will be in New Orleans for a second straight year to count down to the New Year in the Central Time Zone. Sonnier says rock bands Imagine Dragons and Walk the Moon will be part of the festivities
Sugar Bowl Chief Operating Officer, Jeff Hundley, says Allstate is hosting New Year’s Eve Mardi Grad Parade on Sunday afternoon that will travel through the French Quarter and end up on Canal Street
Hundley says the Allstate Fan Fest is back for its 12th year. He says it starts Saturday in the Jax Brewery parking lot off of Decatur Street. He says this is where school pep rallies will take place, interactive games and other festivities….
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With 2018 right around the corner, you may be wanting to commit yourself to New Year’s resolutions that involve losing weight and being healthier. However, most resolutions are usually abandoned within the first week of the year. Rebecca Guidroz with the Louisiana Department of Health’s Well Ahead Program says it’s better to focus on lifestyle changes you can do on a daily basis…
Cut 11 (07) “realistic goals.”
In an attempt to reach their weight loss goals, some decide to get a gym membership. However, Guidroz says the use of those drops off sharply by early spring. She says it’s better to incorporate activities you would enjoy in the long run…
Guidroz says if cheating on a diet tends to be easy, especially when eating out, she has this idea to help you succeed…
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A Southern Media and Opinion Research Poll finds voters are evenly divided between Governor Edwards and Republican legislators on budget cuts. 46-percent agree with Governor Edwards who is opposed to reductions which would dramatically affect services. But, the same amount side with Republican legislators who say the budget can be cut without affecting state services. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says since the poll shows why Republicans are staunch in their position to reduce state spending…
Pinsonat figures the pre-session poll about the budget shows Edwards’ 65-percent approval rating in November will be short lived…
Cut 15 (11) “legislative sessions.”
Another issue pollsters are divided on is the renewal of the one-cent sales tax set to expire June 30th. Nearly 25-percent agree to renew it with no spending reductions, just over 30-percent agree to renew it only if spending is reduced and 38-percent say don’t renew the tax and cut the budget. Pinsonat says the poll reflects comprise will be needed during the February special session…
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The LSU Tigers leave today for Orlando where they’ll play Notre Dame in the Citrus Bowl on January 1st. Before leaving Baton Rouge, head coach Ed Orgeron spoke about his relationship with offensive coordinator Matt Canada. It appeared there was tension between the two after the upset loss to Troy, but Orgeron says the offense has been fantastic
LSU will be without three defensive starters for the bowl game against Notre Dame. Donnie Alexander, Arden Key and Corey Thompson are injured, so K’Lavon Chaisson, Michael Divinity and Tyler Taylor will take their spots. Orgeron says they’ll have to step up…
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After a clinching a playoff berth last week in a win over the Falcons, the Saints are now focusing on Sunday’s regular season finale against Tampa Bay. A win for the Black and Gold and they will win the NFC South. Quarterback Drew Brees says it’s good to be playing for something with the playoffs starting in two weeks…
The Saints head into the final game of the year, ranked second in the NFL in total yards per game. They are averaging nearly 400 yards a contest. Brees on their success this season…