Governor John Bel Edwards says one of the items he’ll be pushing in the March regular legislative session is to reduce the state’s 71 licensing boards. He says doing so would help start-up small businesses in Louisiana…:
Cut 12 (11) “the board”
Edwards also told the Baton Rouge Press Club Monday he does not favor making changes to the TOPS scholarship program.

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Jefferson Parish says he’ll need another surgery tomorrow as part of his ongoing recovery process. Scalise was shot and injured during a Congressional Baseball practice over the summer. He says he is receiving great care from his medical team and will remain fully engaged in work as he heals from the procedure. He hopes to return to Congress in the coming weeks.

Scientists say we may be entering a global chocolate shortage by 2050, blaming things like climate change, disease and declining crop quality in cacao producing countries. But Rob Nelson, CEO of Elmer’s Chocolate in Ponchatoula, says they are working on sustainability efforts…:
Cut 9 (11) “long term”
He says there’s still time to save cacao.

Even though Louisiana just had a bitter cold snap, Saints fans traveling to the playoff game in Minnesota this weekend will be dealing with a high of one degree. Explore Minnesota Spokesperson Erica Wacker says the great north offers man activities Louisianians would love including interesting fishing opportunities…:
Cut 15 (11) “frozen lake”
The game starts 3:40pm Sunday.