President Donald Trump will make his case for a U-S Mexico border wall with a speech from the Oval Office tonight. The President says building the wall would make America safer, but New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond says utilizing modern methods, like those called for by the US Department of Homeland Security, would be a better border plan.
Cut 9 (09) “…technology″

After rising through the ranks for 28 years in the New Orleans Police Department, Superintendent Michael Harrison is leaving for Baltimore to take the reins as its Police Commissioner. New Orleans only recorded 146 murders in 2018, the lowest number of murders since 1971. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says Harrison’s departure is a loss for the city but…
Cut 13 (06) “…job”
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says plans to announce a replacement soon.

Governor John Bel Edwards re-election campaign announces it has 8-point-three million dollars in the bank after raising three-point-eight million dollars during 2018. The campaign says 87-percent of the money came from in-state donors. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Edwards will remain hot on the campaign fundraising trail…
cut 5 (08) “…for this race”
One of Edwards’ announced challengers, Eddie Rispone’s gubernatorial campaign says the Baton Rouge Republican has 5.5 million dollars in his campaign account. No word yet from the other Republican challenger Ralph Abraham.

Meanwhile, Governor Edwards is asking Louisiana residents to support the Marksville families who lost five children in a fiery crash in north Florida last week…
cut 12 (12) “…Marksville”
Funeral arrangements for the children are pending.

According to his re-election campaign, Gov. John Bel Edwards has raised $3.8 million in 2018, meaning Edwards enters 2019 with $8.3 million in the bank for the race. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says that’s a significant number for the Governor.
Cut 3 (10) “…get him re-elected.”
Eddie Rispone’s gubernatorial campaign says the Baton Rouge Republican has 5.5 million dollars in his campaign account. No word yet from the other Republican challenger Ralph Abraham.

Governor Edwards has said his top legislative priority is to give teachers a pay raise of at least one-thousand dollars. Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux says that would still leave the average teacher salary below the Southern Regional Average and don’t forget teachers have a lot of out of pocket expenses…
cut 13 (12) “…stappler”

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.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison is leaving the Big Easy to become the next police commissioner for Baltimore, Maryland. According to the N-O-P-D, Baltimore officials are pleased with Harrison’s record of policing reform and violent crime reduction. In 2018, there were 146 murders in New Orleans, lowest number since 1971.

Governor John Bel Edwards has made giving teachers a pay raise of at least 1,000 dollars 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.
Cut 10 (09) “…doing better.”
But House Republican leadership is reluctant to recognize the increased revenues.

Articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump have been re-introduced. New Orleans Congressman and Assistant Majority Whip Cedric Richmond says he’s waiting for Special Counsel Robert Mueller to complete his report before moving forward…
cut 6 (12) “….remove him”

While last night’s College football championship game is in the books, New Orleans is already looking forward to 2020. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 3 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

King Cake season has arrived and for Rouses Markets they are anticipating producing 500-thousand king cakes for local consumption and to ship nationwide. Bakery Director Michelle Knight says there are many variations of King Cake to choose from, but when it comes to the most popular…
cut 8 (07) “…then Bavarian”

Governor Edwards has pledged a teacher pay raise of at least one-thousand dollars this year. But how it gets accomplished is unclear. Many Republicans have signaled their support, but suggest the pay raise should be funded with existing dollars. Senate Education Chairman Blade Morrish says no matter how it gets done, it needs to get done…
cut 11 (10) “….do it”
Teachers unions nationwide have won a series of pay raises after striking, and Louisiana unions have indicated their members are considering a work stoppage if the legislature and governor fail to deliver. Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux was a guest on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster.
Cut 12 (09) “…next year.”
Teacher pay raises are expected to dominate the 2019 legislative session that begins in April.

There’s no end in sight in the partial federal government shutdown. New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond blames President Trump for holding federal workers hostage until he gets funding for a wall, Richmond says was initially promised to be paid for by Mexico. He says the government shutdown is having a local impact….
cut 5 (09) “…abomidable”
President Trump will make his case for a U-S Mexico border wall with a speech from the Oval Office tonight.

King Cake season has arrived and Rouses Markets plans to produce a half-million king cakes at their 59 bakeries. Bakery Director Michelle Knight…
cut 9 (07) “…New Orleans girl”
And we have a breaking story out of New Orleans. Multiple sources say New Orleans Police Chief Michael Harrison is leaving the Big Easy as he’s been hired as the police commissioner in Baltimore, Maryland. New Orleans recorded 146 murders in 2018, it’s lowest number since 1971.

Everyone seems to agree with a proposed teacher pay raise of at least one-thousand dollars, but with a 135 million dollar price tag, how will the state pay for it?
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Hundreds attended a candlelight vigil last night at Marksville High School to remember the five children killed in last week’s fiery crash in Florida. Avoyelles Parish District Attorney Charles Riddle says it was wonderful to see the community come together…
cut 30 (08) “…don’t stop praying”
Funeral arrangements for the five victims are still pending.

Democratic Congressman Cedric Richmond is the highest ranked member of the Louisiana delegation in the U.S. House and plans to use his position to push for solutions to the state’s most pressing issues. He says Democrats will pursue climate change legislation and green energy policy, one that can address the state’s coastal, and economic woes.
Cut 4 (10) “…citizens.”
Richmond is the Assistant to the Majority Whip.

The demand for King Cakes is growing. With a longer carnival season and the Saints in the playoffs, Bakery director for Rouses Markets, Michelle Knight, says their 59 bakeries will be busy between local sales and shipping orders nationwide.
Cut 7 (05) “…in the past.”
Knight says the top-selling King Cake is plain, followed by cream cheese and Bavarian.

Governor John Bel Edwards has made giving teachers a pay raise of at 1,000 dollars 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.
Cut 10 (09) “…doing better.”
But House Republican leadership is reluctant to recognize the increased revenues.

Alabama took a pounding in last night’s national championship game losing to Clemson in Santa Clara, California. Next year the game will be in New Orleans and Chief Operating Officer of the Sugar Bowl Jeff Hundley says they’ll have plenty of events leading up to the big game…
cut 15 (09) “….fans to do”
The national title game is expected to bring a 300-million dollar economic impact to the New Orleans region.

Congressman Cedric Richmond says he believes President Trump has committed impeachable offenses, but is waiting for the final results from the Mueller probe before taking action.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Hixson Brothers Funeral Home will handle the funeral services for the five children in Marksville who were killed in a multi-vehicle crash in Florida last week. Vice president of Hixson Brothers Funeral Homes Joel Swisher says the families of the victims are paying for the funerals, but if the public wants to help with additional expenses like medical and travel costs, they can make donations at stepscenla.org.

Governor Edwards has pledged a teacher pay raise of at least one-thousand dollars this year. But how it gets accomplished is unclear. Many Republicans have signaled their support, but suggest the pay raise should be funded with cuts in other areas of the budget. Senate Education Chairman Blade Morrish says no matter how it gets done, it needs to get done…
cut 11 (10) “….do it”
The average pay for a teacher is just below 50-thousand dollars a year, 22-hundred dollars below the Southern Regional Average. Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux points out that teachers also spend hundreds of dollars out of pocket every year for supplies…
cut 13 (12) “…stappler”

Articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump were re-introduced last week, so we had a chance to talk with Louisiana’s lone Democrat in the state’s Congressional Delegation about whether his colleagues should move to forcibly remove the president from office. Cedric Richmond of New Orleans says he’s waiting for Special Counsel Robert Mueller to complete his report…
cut 6 (12) “….remove him”
President Trump has tweeted out that how can you impeach a president that’s done nothing wrong, had the most successful first two years of any president and is the most popular Republican in party history.

The Eagles will fly into New Orleans on Sunday for their NFC playoff matchup with the Saints. It will be the second meeting of the year between the two teams. New Orleans smashed Philly 48-7 in the Superdome in November. Eagles coach Doug Pederson expects a much closer contest this time…
Cut 18 (13) great atmosphere”
Saints Coach Sean Payton says the Eagles are a different team since they last plaed them. Payton was asked during a tele-conference with local media about how different New Orleans is since that Week 11 Blowout win…
cut 30 (12) “…sense of urgence”
The Saints are an 8.5 point favorite. Kick-off on Sunday is at 3:40.

Former Haughton star and Sulphur native Dak Prescott won his first NFL playoff game on Saturday as the Cowboys defeated the Seahawks 24-22. Prescott threw for 226 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for a touchdown as Dallas moves on to play the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday
Cut 16 (16) keep going”
The Rams and Cowboys are set for a 7:15 kick off on Saturday night.

The Pelicans are looking to start a winning streak tonight when they host Memphis. The Grizzlies have lost five in a row and New Orleans is coming off a 133-98 win over Cleveland on Saturday night.

Southern and Grambling lost their SWAC openers on Saturday. They are both in action tonight. Grambling is at Alabama A-and-M, while Southern hosts Texas Southern.