Governor John Bel Edwards speaks at the Baton Rouge press club today. He’s expected to talk about his plan on giving teachers a pay raise of at least one-thousand dollars a year…
cut 15 (10) “…of the question”
That’s political analyst Bernie Pinsonat. Edwards has said increased revenues could be one way to get teacher salaries closer to the Southern Regional Average.

A recent report found that 10-point-seven million kids between the ages of 12 and 17 tried an e-cigarette, and Assistant state health officer, Doctor Joseph Kanter, says even worse, two-thirds of them were not aware that e-cigs are harmful to their health. Kanter says it took decades to crush teen smoking, and this new trend could see it come back.
Cut 11 (10) “…we’ve seen”

The I-210 bridge in Calcasieu Parish is down to one lane in both directions as a result of repair work. State transportation department spokesperson Tammy York recommends drivers find another route to avoid the area…
cut 6 (09) “…higher traffic volume”
Starting tomorrow, I-210 westbound will be closed from 9 PM until 4 AM Monday through Thursday nights.

Twenty-three-year-old Phillip Cavins is starting his term as mayor of Turkey Creek and it’s believed he’s the youngest mayor in Louisiana’s history…
cut 9 (12) “….the same time”
Cavins ran unopposed and hopes to bring more businesses to the Evangeline Parish town. He also needs to appoint a new police chief.

Governor Edwards will address the Press Club today. Kevin Barnhart speaks with political analyst Bernie Pinsonat on what we’ll hear.
voicer 3 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Marksville continues to mourn the tragic deaths of five children who were killed in a multi-vehicle wreck on a Florida highway Thursday. A candelight vigil is scheduled for tonight at 5:30 on the football field at Marksville High School. Several religious leaders are expected to speak.

The U.S. Surgeon General has declared teen vaping an epidemic as an estimated 2.1 million middle and high school students use the electronic cigarettes. Assistant State Health Officer, Dr. Joseph Kanter, says just because it’s not a traditional cigarette, doesn’t mean it’s good for your health, particularly if you’re young.
Cut 10 (12) “…and younger.”
Kanter says it’s also troubling to see e-cigarette companies target young people in their advertising.

Twenty-three-year-old Phllip Cavins is believed to be the youngest mayor in the history of the state as he holds the top government spot in the Evangeline Parish town of Turkey Creek…
cut 8 (09) “….take this step”
Cavins says his goal is to bring more businesses to Turkey Creek and he also has to appoint a new police chief.

Governor John Bel Edwards addresses the Baton Rouge Press Club today as he begins the final year of his current term….
Cut 13 (09) “…should be reelected.”
That’s Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat, who says Edwards’ will tout his administration’s ability to stabilize the budget and his goal to give teachers a pay raise of at least one-thousand dollars this year.

Construction begins today to improve the integrity of the I-210 Prien Lake Bridge in Calcasieu Parish. The 35-million dollar project is expected to take one year to complete. State transportation spokesperson Tammy York says motorists need to be prepared for a slowdown in the area.
Cut 4 (12) “…9PM to 4AM.”
York says motorists should use L-A 12 and US-190 as alternative routes.

The U.S. Surgeon General says a record 2.1 million American teenagers vape. Matt Doyle spoke with a local health expert about this epidemic.
Voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Saints get to enjoy the weekend off, as their first playoff game is not until January 13th. The Black and Gold will face either Dallas, Seattle or possibly the Eagles, if Philadelphia can topple the 3rd seed Chicago Bears. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says with the former champ’s backup QB back in the captain’s chair, anything is possible.
Cut 15 (10) “…could happen”
Kickoff in that game is Sunday at 3:40, and the Bears are favored by six.

Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas is a member of the All Pro first team. The third year wide out from Ohio State caught 125 passes in the regular season for 1,405 yards and nine touchdowns.

Quarterback Drew brees, defensive end Cameron Jordan and offensive tackles Terron Armstead and Ryan Ramczyk are second-team selections by the Associated Press.

The New Orleans Pelicans have a chance to pick up a road win Saturday night when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs have the worst record in the NBA, while the Pels are in 14th place in the Western Conference at 17-and-22.

What will ULM’s Daishon Smith do in his second Sun Belt game. Smith scored 42 points in the conference opener on Thursday as the Warhawks flew past Little Rock 97-84. The 42 points is the sixth highest in school history. ULM hosts Arkansas State at 2 PM on Saturday.

The Ragin Cajuns dropped its Sun Belt opener to Arkansas State on Thursday night and will try again on Saturday when they host Little Rock.

Louisiana Tech’s seven-game winning streak ended on Thursday with a 63-59 loss at North Texas. The Bulldogs are a Rice on Sunday. Tech has won eight of their last nine against the Owls.

SWAC play tips off tomorrow, Grambling is at Alabama State, while Southern hosts Prairie View. Also, Northwestern State hosts McNeese. Tip off is at 3 PM.

Five Louisiana children from the Marksville area, on their way to Disney World, were killed in a fiery crash in Florida. The drivers of two big rigs also died in the massive wreck on I-75 near Gainesville. The children that died were among 12 traveling in a van that belonged to the Avoyelles House of Mercy a pentecostal church. Florida Highway Patrol Lt Patrick Riordan expects a lengthy investigation into the cause of the crash…
cut 4 (13) “….this magnitude”
Riordan says the tragic chain of events started when a passenger car and a semi-truck collided and then went through the guard rails into the southbound lanes, hitting the church van.

The United Pentecostal Church says four children survived the crash and so did three adults, including a pregnant woman, who had to give birth to a child. Mom and newborn are said to be ok.

Lafayette Public Library officials are no longer requiring the public to fill out a form pledging they will not use their meeting rooms for drag queen story time events. The library implemented the form policy after hit with a federal lawsuit that sought to prevent the library from sanctioning a Drag Queen story time event, like the one they tried to hold in October. ACLU Louisiana legal director Katie Schwartzmann says the library’s policy is now back to its former, pre-story time state…
cut 11 (11) “…the room”

The St. Landry’s Veterans Memorial in Opelousas has been defaced by vandals and investigators are looking for the culprits. Project organizer of the memorial, Pat Mason-Guillory says the area is covered in racial slurs, other derogatory language, as well as damaged lighting and signs.
Cut 6 (12) “…loss for words.”
The St. Landry’s Sheriff’s office says they are actively working the case.

A church van from Louisiana heading to Disney World was involved in a fiery crash in north Florida that resulted in the deaths of five children from the Marksville area….
cut 4 (09)”….in that”
That’s Lt. Patrick Riordan with the Florida Highway Patrol, who says two semi-truck drivers were also killed and several others injured. Reports say the children were members of the Avoyelles House of Mercy.

Seven people have been booked into the Orleans Justice Center for allegedly staging a motor vehicle crash and making false insurance claims for injuries and property loss. State Police Trooper Melissa Matey says a confession from one of the suspects was the big break in the case…
cut 11 (08) “…New Orleans”
The suspects face several different charges.

Congressman Clay Higgins says the first day of the new Democratic controlled House set the tone for the next two years in the chamber…
Cut 2 (28) “Im Matt Doyle”

President Trump has signed legislation that paves the way for Saints legend and A-L-S activist Steve Gleason to receive a Congressional Gold Medal. The 41-year-old has spearheaded efforts to help A-L-S patients live longer and a more fulfilling life.

Five Louisiana children from the Marskville area on their way to Disney World are among the seven dead in a fiery crash on Interstate 75 in north Florida on Thursday. Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Patrick Riordan says the five vehicle wreck started when a big rig and passenger car heading north collided
Cut 3 (12) “…semi truck.”
Riordan says the van from Louisiana was heading south and there was as many as a dozen people inside of it. Reports out of central Louisiana says the van belonged to a Marksville Church, called the Avoyelles House of Mercy.

Authorities says the ages of the deceased are as young as eight-years-old, up to teenagers. The drivers of the two big rigs were also killed. There’s another six to eight people injured.

The state department of corrections is bringing back its New Beginnings program thanks to a 750-thousand dollar federal grant. Assistant Corrections Secretary Rhett Covington says when the program was previously in place, it reduced the recidivism rate for released inmates that deal with mental illness and substance addictions…
cut 9 (09) “…program in place’
Corrections officials hope to keep the program running with state dollars, once the federal money runs out.

We will find out this weekend who the Saints will play on January 13th in the divisional round of the N-F-L Playoffs. If the Seawhawks beat the Cowboys in Dallas on Saturday, Seattle could head to New Orleans. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says the Hawks are playing well…
cut 14 (11) “….NFC”
If the Eagles upset the Bears on Sunday, then the Super Bowl champs will face the Black and Gold next week.