On the 34th day of the federal government shutdown, the U-S Senate is expected to consider competing proposals to re-open the government. Louisiana Republican Senator John Kennedy says the Democrat’s proposal would re-open the government through February eighth, but it doesn’t contain border wall funding…
cut 6 (11) “…support it”
The GOP proposal contains 5-point-7 billion dollars to expand walls and fencing along the Southern border. Both proposals are expected to fail.

Some fans believe the NFL preferred the Rams over the Saints in the Super Bowl and that’s why the refs failed to throw a flag for pass interference against L-A in the final two minutes of the NFC title game. But Saints G-M Mickey Loomis doesn’t buy the conspiracy theory…
cut 15 (06) “…I believe so”

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety are praising Louisiana’s highway safety laws, ranking them 7th best in the nation…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Interstate 10 eastbound in Lafayette has been re-opened after a fatal overnight crash had the highway shutdown for several hours. State Police say two-people were killed in a five-vehicle wreck.

State Police say a Bossier Parish Sheriff’s deputy was seriously injured this morning while directing traffic in front of a school in Haughton today. The victim reportedly has a broken leg and head injuries.

The U-S Senate is expected to vote today on competing proposals to reopen the government. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

The Saints are trying to move past Sunday’s heart breaking loss in the NFC Title game. General Manager Mickey Loomis is in Mobile, scouting players at the Senior Bowl and understands the hurt Saints fans are feeling…
cut 14 (11) “…right now”

DeRidder insurance industry veteran Tim Temple is running against incumbent Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon in this year’s fall election that features a slate of statewide races, including governor. Both men are Republicans. Temple says he was inspired to run after hearing repeated complaints from Louisianans about one thing in particular…
Cut 7 (10) “…national average.”
Insure-dot-com says Louisiana has the second-highest auto insurance rates in the nation and a task force has been formed looking for possible recommendations on how to lower auto insurance rates.

Louisiana ranks seventh for the quality of highway safety traffic laws on the books. Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety President Kathy Chase says Louisiana has excellent seat belt laws and require motorcycle riders to wear helmets, but there are areas of concern…
cut 11 (07) “…our report”
The report notes the annual economic cost of US crashes is 242-billion dollars.

The U-S Senate is expected to vote today on competing proposals to end the longest government shutdown in US history. The GOP proposal funds a border wall and provides temporary protections for some immigrants. Republican Senator John Kennedy says for it to pass, it will take votes from his colleagues across the aisle.
Cut 4 (11) “…government back open.”
D-C observers say the votes are not there to pass either measure today.

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety say Louisiana ranks seventh for best highway safety laws on the books. The Bayou State is lauded for having nine of the organization’s recommended safety laws. President Kathy Chase says Louisiana’s laws excel at protecting more than just the driver.
Cut 10 (10) “helmet law.”

Saints G-M Mickey Loomis says the Black and Gold will bounce back from the tough loss in the NFC Championship game. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell or the league office still has not publicly commented on the infamous missed pass inference call. New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond wants to hear from Goodell and he’s spoken with some of his colleagues about having the commissioner appear in front of a House subcommittee.

And the get in ticket prices for Super Bowl 53 are falling on the secondary market. That probably would not happen if the Saints were in the game.

The U-S Senate is expected to vote today on dueling proposals that would open the federal government, but they are not expected to get the 60 votes needed for approval. Republican Louisiana Senator John Kennedy blames Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the stalemate…
cut 5 (09) “….not middle ground”
One of the proposals up for vote today is the President’s plan for border wall funding, the other measure supported by Democrats, would re-open the government through February 8th.

Saints fans continue to mourn over Sunday’s heart breaking loss in the NFC Championship game, but General Manager Mickey Loomis says the franchise is moving forward…
Cut 13 (12) “…win the game.” (2x)

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety are praising Louisiana’s highway safety laws, ranking them 7th best in the nation…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

State Police has issued an endangered-missing child advisory for 11-year-old Tia Myshell McFarland of Monroe. She’s a four-foot-10 black female with long black hair and is said to have family on the south side of Monroe.

Governor John Bel Edwards re-election effort is officially underway as he made two campaign stops today in Lafayette. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says despite good approval ratings it’s not a sure thing that Edwards will be re-elected..
Cut 6 (10) “…Louisiana.”
Meanwhile, Republican challenger and Congressman Ralph Abraham held a lunchtime fundraiser in Lake Providence today.

Governor Edwards has fired off a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell urging him and the owners to change the rules so that another team doesn’t get robbed at its chance of playing in a Super Bowl…
cut 5 (11) “…problem is”
The NFL competition committee will reportedly discuss whether instant replay should be expanded to look at pass interference calls.

Starting next week, Louisiana abortion clinics will be legally compelled to have admitting privileges at a local hospital. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Get ready for a cold night, especially in north Louisiana, as Shreveport, Monroe and Natchitoches can all see morning lows that get below 30-degrees. Chris Nuttall is with the National Weather Service in Shreveport…
Cut 12 (09) “…tonight.”

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says starting Monday the state can enforce a new law that would require physicians who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. Landry says a federal appeals court has decided not to reconsider a legal challenge to the 2014 law, so now the law can go into effect….
cut 10 (10) “…of Health”
The Center for Reproductive Rights says there are only three abortion clinics left in Louisiana.

There’s been speculation former Louisiana Congressman John Fleming of Minden may enter the governor’s race. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says that would not be good for G-O-P Congressman Ralph Abraham, who is already in the race…
cut 8 (10 “…north Louisiana”
Abraham held a lunchtime fundraiser in Lake Providence today.

Governor John Bel Edwards has sent a letter to Roger Goodell urging the NFL Commish to make sure another team is not robbed of going to the Super Bowl. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Former LSU Tiger and West Monroe star Andrew Whitworth says the complaining over the no-call on pass interference is just an excuse. The Rams offensive tackle says on the possession before, the refs missed a face mask penalty on quarterback Jared Goff. Whitworth also points out the Saints had the ball first in O-T and didn’t score.