The impeachment trial is over as the Senate voted to acquit President Donald Trump on two charges, abuse of power and obstruction of justice. Both Louisiana Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy voted against removal. Kennedy says House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tried to turn impeachment into a routine political weapon….
Cut 10 (09) “…control”
Democrats say that if the president remains unchecked he’ll continue to abuse the power of his office for political gain.

Governor John Bel Edwards has a warning for local governments, makes sure you are protected from a cyberattack and have important data behind a firewall…
cut 15 (09) “….successfully attack”
That’s Edwards speaking at a Louisiana Municipal Association meeting.

Some Louisiana conservatives are rethinking capital punishment with the formation of Louisiana Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The House Criminal Justice Committee will be headed up by a Baton Rouge Democrat who will take on some of the session’s most controversial topics. Matt Doyle spoke with Ted James…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana’s U-S Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy are expected to vote with fellow Republican Senators in acquitting President Donald Trump on two articles of impeachment. The Advocate reports the senators have received thousands of emails and phone calls from constituents voicing their opinions.

During the State of the Union, President Trump endorsed Senator Bill Cassidy’s legislation that would allow parents in the private workforce to have an extended absence from work through the help of tax credits. The president also says he wants to put an end to surprise medical billing. Cassidy says legislation like this can help sooth the bitter partisan divide…
cut 9 (10) “…start”

The LSU-Alexandria Foundation has received a 460-thousand dollar financial gift from six community partners that will be used to admit an additional 40 nursing students per year at L-S-U-A. Foundation director Melinda Anderson says the positive impact will reach beyond the students, it will lead to an increased number of registered nurses in cenLa…
cut 15 (10) “….public-private partnerships”

In last night’s State of the Union, President Donald Trump endorsed a bipartisan bill supported by Senator Bill Cassidy that would allow parents to receive a larger child tax credit in their child’s first year after birth or adoption. He says it’s a favorite of the President’s daughter…
Cut 7 (08) “…mandates.”
The legislation would be paid for by drawing from a parent’s future child tax credits.

Baton Rouge Democrat Ted James has been named House Criminal Justice Committee Chairman and he hopes to build on the bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation approved in 2017 which significantly reduced the state’s prison population…
Cut 4 (12) “…crimes.”
Louisiana retook the title of the nation’s highest per capita incarcerator last year after briefly dropping to 49th.

Homicide is the leading cause of death for pregnant women in Louisiana according to a joint study from Tulane and LSU. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

LSU has confirmed five students living off-campus have come down with the mumps. LSU officials advise students to seek treatment if they have swollen and tender glands under their ears or jaw.

The Louisiana Health Department is looking into dozens of reported stomach-related illness from individuals who attended a Mardi Gras Ball at L’auberge Casino in Lake Charles. State health officials want to make sure there is not a further threat to the public.

In Louisiana, the death rate for pregnant women is twice the national average and the leading cause of death for expectant mothers is homicide, that’s according to a joint study between Tulane and LSU. These numbers come as no surprise to Mariah Wineski Executive Director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Cut 10 (09) “…also preventable”
Of the 119 pregnancy-related deaths in Louisiana from January 2016 to December 2017, 13-percent were homicides.

During the State of the Union, President Trump endorsed Senator Bill Cassidy’s legislation that would allow parents in the private workforce to have an extended absence from work through the help of tax credits. The president also says he wants to put an end to surprise medical billing. Cassidy says legislation like this can help sooth the bitter partisan divide…
cut 9 (10) “…start”

The LSU Alexandria Foundation receives a $460,000 contribution to fund the expansion of its nursing program. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Today is national signing day and LSU has the ability to add six more players to a 2020 recruiting class that’s ranked by Rivals and 24-7 sports as the fourth-best int he country. The Tigers are hoping to sign five-star defensive tackle Jordan Burch, who is committed to South Carolina but has shown a lot of interest in LSU.

LSU and Tulane researchers have found that out of the 119 pregnancy-related deaths in Louisiana from January 2016 to December 2017, 13-percent were the result of a homicide. Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence executive director Mariah Wineski says more needs to be done to protect pregnant women who are in a dangerous situation…
cut 11 (11) “….can play”
Domestic violence victims can seek help by calling the Louisiana Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-888-411-1333.

In last night’s State of the Union, President Trump said patients should never be blindsided by medical bills. Louisiana Senior Senator Bill Cassidy has been pushing legislation to end surprise medical billing…
cut 8 (13) “…network”
The president also called on Congress to pass a plan to lower prescription drug prices.

Baton Rouge Representative Ted James is one of five Democrats that will serve as a chairman in the Louisiana Legislature this year. James says he plans to file a marijuana decriminalization bill …
cut 5 (09) “…areas”
Possession of marijuana has been decriminalized in New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

The LSU Alexandria Foundation receives a $460,000 contribution from six community partners to fund the expansion of its nursing program. Foundation director Melinda Anderson says this helps combat the nursing shortage in Central Louisiana.
Cut 13 (10) “…some more nurses.”
The 460-thousand dollar commitment will allow them to admit an additional 40 nursing students per year.

In last night’s State of the Union, President Donald Trump endorsed a bipartisan bill supported by Senator Bill Cassidy that would allow parents to receive a larger child tax credit in their child’s first year after birth or adoption. He says it’s a favorite of the President’s daughter…
Cut 7 (08) “…mandates.”
The legislation would be paid for by drawing from a parent’s future child tax credits.

The LSU-Alexandria Foundation receives a 460-thousand dollar gift that would allow them to train more registered nurses that could be added to the central Louisiana workforce. LSU-A foundation director Melinda Anderson says the money will fund scholarships as well as the salary and benefits of an additional faculty member…
cut 14 (07) “….students every year”

Republican lawmakers in the House will chair the financial and redistricting panels, but Democrats have chairmanships over five committees. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James is the new chairman of House Criminal Justice Committee and he plans to hold an extensive public hearing on repealing the death penalty…
cut 6 (12) “…crime”
It’s been ten years since Louisiana carried out an execution.

A good portion of the state is under a slight risk for severe weather. The heightened severe weather threat stretches from northeast Louisiana through most of central Louisiana and most of south Louisiana. Damaging winds and flooding are possible.