For a third month in a row, House Republican leadership has blocked a revenue forecasting panel from recognizing additional revenue for the state budget, despite suggestions to do so from economists. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the delay could prevents State Police from training a new cadet class.
Cut 10 (10) “retiring troopers.”
House Speaker Taylor Barras says there’s no harm in waiting to raise the forecast to make sure the extra revenue is actually coming in.

State Climatologist Barry Keim says strong storms will move through the state tonight and into tomorrow morning and then you’ll need a heavy jacket..
cut 15 (12) “…uncomfortable”
Low temperatures are expected to get below freezing in central and north Louisiana on Sunday and Monday.

The Southern Republican Leadership Conference kicks off today in Kenner. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

And then Sunday it’s the NFC Championship game between the Saints and Rams. Who Dat Nation is confident…
cut 4 (16) “…24-17”
Kick-off is at 2:05.

It’s a Black and Gold Friday as Who Dats are fired up for Sunday’s NFC Championship game against the L-A Rams. Saints fans are confident their team will advance to the Super Bowl…
voicer 1 (33) “…Super Bowl”

Over two-thousand runners are registered to participate in the Louisiana Marathon in Baton Rouge this weekend. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’ll participate in a 5-K run.

For the third straight month, the Revenue Estimating Conference met and failed to raise revenue projections, despite economists telling the four-member panel the state is projected to collect more money than expected. Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras is blocking the recommendation, because of uncertainty with the state’s economy. But Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says Barras’ decision could impact a budding public health epidemic…
cut 11 (10) “…problems
Dardenne says he’ll call for another Revenue Estimating Conference meeting next month.

The Southern Republican Leadership Conference begins a two-day conference today at the Ponchartrain Center in Kenner. President of the event, Roger Villere, says the two Republican announced candidates in the 2019 governor’s race will be there…
cut 8 (10) “…Republican Leadership Conference”

State climatologist Barry Keim warns Louisiana residents to expect a rapid change in the weather. The first part of that roller coaster starts today, where things may feel fine right now, but are set to take a drastic turn later tonight.
Cut 13 (11) “…rain.”
There’s a marginal risk for severe weather for north and central Louisiana today and artic air hits the state on Saturday, which will result in temperatures dropping like a rock.

Saints Coach Sean Payton is asking Who Dat nation to be loud during Sunday’s NFC Championship game, even when the Rams offense is in the huddle. Bill from Covington is confident Saints fans will bring the noise and the team will do its part…
cut 5 (09) “….stay in Atlanta”
The NFC Championship game is Sunday at 2:05.

At the state capitol, the stalemate continues over an effort by the Edwards’ administration to increase revenue projections based on the forecast provided by economists. Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras says he’s more comfortable with adjusting the revenue forecast closer to end of the fiscal year, based on what happened last year when the state ended up with a surplus after approving a sales tax…
cut 12 (10) “…..or adopt”
Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne accused Barras of playing a game by not recognizing the reality that the state is collecting more dollars than previously projected.

Entergy Louisiana’s one-million customers will receive a small refund credit on their January, February, and March bills.
Cut 9 (08) “of months″
That’s Entergy spokesperson Lee Sabatini, who says these refunds partially resolve an issue over how Entergy Arkansas accounted for power sales made more than 10 years ago.

Louisiana has distributed Febrary food stamps to 337-thousand households. The early issuance is due to the partial federal government shutdown and the department of children and family services is advising food stamp recipients to budget accordingly, because these are not extra benefits. Assistant Deputy Secretary Sammy Guillory says if you recently applied for food stamps, your application is still being processed…
cut 16 (08) “…into February”

An Alexandria Police office went through a scary moment while trying to issue a citation to a 51-year-old bicyclist. Corporal Wade Bourgeois says Vernon Holden became violent with the officer and took his TASER…
cut 4 (08) “….the officer”
Bourgeois says Holden also got a hold of the officer’s gun and put it to his head. He says after making threats, Holden fled and apprehended behind a shed. He faces numerous charges and the officer is okay.

The city of Zachary has been hit with three different companies in the last week announcing lay-offs at their facilities, meaning hundreds in East Baton Rouge will soon be out of a job. Governor John Bel Edwards says the state’s economy is strong and if you’ve been laid off, there are options…
cut 8 (10) “….that done”
IBM is hosting a career fair in Lafayette on Saturday from 9 AM to 2 PM at South Louisiana Community College.

State representative Katrina Jackson, a democrat from Monroe, will speak tomorrow at the National March for Life Rally in Washington D.C. Jackson authored a 2014 law that required abortion clinics to have admitting privileges at a local hospital to operate. Jackson says their aim is the eventual reversal of the Supreme Court case that legalized abortion.
Cut 14 (10) “…women’s health.”
Thousands are expected to be in attendance for the 46th annual march.

The city of Zachary has been hit with three different companies in the last week announcing lay-offs at their facilities, meaning hundreds in East Baton Rouge will soon be out of a job. Governor John Bel Edwards says the state’s economy is strong and if you’ve been laid off, there are options…
cut 8 (10) “….that done”

A 51-year-old bicyclist allegedly assaulted an Alexandria Police officer with the officer’s own TASER, then held a gun to that officer’s head after being stopped for a traffic violation. Corporal Wade Bourgeois says the violent confrontation began when the officer tried to issue a routine citation…
Cut 3 (12) “…confrontation.”
Bourgeois says after making threats against the officer, Vernon Holden fled and was later apprehended behind a shed.

A military jury has convicted Barksdale Air Force airman Isaiah Edwards in the fatal stabbing of his roommate during a deployment to Guam last year. Edwards will be sentenced this afternoon and faces a life sentence. Edwards tried to claim he killed 20-year-old Bradley Hale in self defense.

A democratic state lawmaker from Monroe is set to speak in front of the tens of thousands who will attend the 46th annual March for Life in DC. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Today in Marksville, it’s the funeral for 10-year-old Brieanna Layne Descant. She was one of the five children killed in the fiery crash on a Florida highway as a church van was on its way to Disney World. Family members say Brieanna loved to sing and was always full of life.

Starting at 10 AM at the Mercedes Benz Superdome Box office, concert goers can purchase Rolling Stones tickets for their show on May 2nd during the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Fest. Festival producer Quint Davis…
cut 8 (12) “….to the public”
Fans started lining up for their chance to buy tickets last night.

If you are looking for tickets to Sunday’s NFC Championship game, StubHub has seats ranging as cheap as 280 dollars to 24-hundred dollars in the bunker clubs. StubHub’s Akzhay Khanna says they are also seeing activity from Louisiana customers buying tickets for the Super Bowl in Atlanta…
cut 5 (09) “…make it through”
The Saints are a 3.5 point favorite beat the Rams on Sunday.

Governor Edwards says nearly 6,000 federal workers in the Bayou State are suffering without paychecks as the longest government shutdown in history drags on. Edwards sympathizes with their struggle.
Cut 11 (08) “…paid for”
Edwards says 333 federal workers in Louisiana are applying for unemployment benefits.

Attorney General Jeff Landry says beware of ticket scams if you are trying to buy tickets for Sunday’s NFC Championship game. Landry says make sure the ticket seller belongs to the National Association of Ticket Brokers or has a guarantee policy. And he says if you have tickets…
cut 7 (06) “….dome”
He says scalpers can steal the barcodes and create a counterfeit ticket.

Fans are lining up at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome to purchase tickets for the Rolling Stones who are set to perform at the New Orleans Heritage and Jazz Festival on May 2nd…
voicer 2 (32) “….Kevin Barnhart”

A steel-covered walkway is being installed at the entrance of the 86-year-old state capitol building. It’s to protect visitors from falling pieces of mortar that are breaking off the building and falling to the ground. Currently, the state doesn’t have the money to correct the problem.