Congressman Cedric Richmond says he believes President Trump has committed impeachable offenses, but says he’s waiting for the final results from the Mueller probe before taking action.
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Everyone seems to agree with a proposed 1,000 dollar teacher pay raise, but with a 135 million dollar price tag, how will the state pay for it?
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While last night’s CFP championship game is in the books, New Orleans is already looking forward to 2020. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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Democratic Congressman Cedric Richmond is now the highest ranked member of the Louisiana delegation in House, and says he plans on using his high ranking authority position to highlight, and push for solutions to the state’s most pressing issues. He says Democrats will be pursuing an aggressive climate change and green energy policy, one that can address the state’s coastal, and economic woes.
Richmond was named Assistant to the Majority Whip for the 116th Congress.
The former New Orleans state representative says the first thing that needs to be addressed though is the government shutdown. He puts the blame on the President Trump for holding federal worker’s checks hostage until he gets funding for a wall that was initially promised to be paid for by Mexico. Richmond says the national shutdown is having a very local effect.
The Congressman says he’s aware of the growing interest in impeachment from an animated group of freshman Democratic lawmakers, but cautions that any attempt to do so without indisputable evidence would distract from the parties domestic goals like minimum wage increases and paid family leave.
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The demand for King Cakes is growing as the Bayou State gets into the Mardi Gras season. With a longer carnival season and the Saints playing really well, Bakery director for Rouse’s Market Michelle Knight says the 59 bakeries in Rouse’s will be quite busy between local sales and shipping out orders nationwide.
Knight says there are many variations of the King Cake to choose from with it comes to fillings, but when it comes to the most popular…
Cut 8 (07) “…and then Bavarian.”
With so many choices in King Cakes, Knight says many may find it tricky to pick a favorite.
Cut 9 (07) “…New Orleans girl.″
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Governor John Bel Edwards has made the 1,000 dollar teacher pay raise the cornerstone issue of his 2019 legislative agenda, but questions remain as to how the state will pay for the roughly 135 million dollar proposal. Edwards says he plans to pay for the raise with increased revenue from an improving economy, cuts to other budget items, and new taxes will not be necessary.
The plan also calls for a 500 dollar raise for support personnel like bus drivers, and cafeteria workers.
Many Republicans have signaled their support for the move, but some have suggested the pay raise should be funded with cuts in other areas of the budget. Republican Jennings Senator Blade Morrish says no matter how it gets done, it needs to get done.
Louisiana teacher pay is about 2,000 dollars a year below the southern regional average.
Teachers unions nationwide have won a series of pay raises after striking, and Louisiana unions have indicated their members are seriously considering a work stoppage if the legislature and governor fail to deliver. Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux on Talk Louisiana.
A survey from the Louisiana Federation of Teachers showed 61 percent of their members would strike if a pay raise fails to materialize.
Meaux adds that even though the average pay is around 49,000 a year, that includes upper level positions like principles and superintendents, and likely isnt what the median teacher makes. She says on top of that, teachers have to spend hundreds out of pocket every year to pay for supplies.
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College football’s National Championship game in Santa Clara is now in the books, but New Orleans is already looking forward to next year, as the Mercedes-Benz Superdome welcomes the game in 2020. COO of the Sugar Bowl Jeff Hundley says the finale of the college football playoffs has seen about a $300 million dollar economic impact for the host cities.
Cut 14 (06) “…a destination city.”
Hundley says there will be plenty for fans to experience and he’s excited to put a New Orleans spin on the CFP championship game. And while it is not yet of the same caliber of the Super Bowl…
Hundley says the city is no stranger to hosting college football national championship games.
Cut 16 (09) champion next year.”
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With the wild card settled the Black and Gold set their sights on the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Eagles quarterback Nick Foles finds himself in similar circumstances to last year, taking over for starter Carson Wentz and leading the underdog Eagles to playoff success. Saints Head Coach Sean Payton says Foles evolution as a player cannot be ignored…
The Eagles are on a hot streak boasting a four-game win streak but the Saints hold the best record in the league with only three losses under their belt. The Saints blew out the Eagles earlier this season in a 48-7 victory but Payton says they are taking the matchup very seriously…
Cut 18 (17) “…Super Bowl champions”
Kickoff on Sunday is at 3:40 PM.
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After an eleven-day layoff, The LSU men’s basketball team jumps into SEC play tonight by hosting Alabama. The Tigers haven’t played since December 28th, while Crimson Tide are coming off a 77-75 win over nationally ranked Kentucky. LSU Coach Will Wade says Bama is athletic and big at every position…
So what did the Tigers do during the eleven day break. Wade explains…