The fiscal cliff is smaller, as the state’s Revenue Estimating Conference has lowered the budget shortfall from 994-million to 648-million-dollars. Jeff Palermo has more…
Voicer 1 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Senator John Kennedy says he’s seriously considering a run at governor next year. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Kennedy has sure been acting like a candidate….
cut 28 (10) “…to run”
A woman was killed and her son wounded in a gun fight with Winn Parish Sheriff deputies yesterday afternoon. State Police Trooper Scott Moreau says they arrived at the home attempting to serve a civil warrant on 50-year-old Kendall Lemoine. Moreau says both Kendall and 71-year-old Betty Lemoine were armed with guns….
cut 4 (12) “…critical condition”
None of the deputies at the scene were injured.

Former Saints special teams standout Steve Gleason is under considering for the Congressional Gold Medal. Gleason is battling A-L-S and has been a leader on efforts to develop and provide technology for those suffering from Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Louisiana’s revenue shortfall has declined from 994-million to 648-million-dollars, as a result of the state collecting more income taxes due to the federal tax overhaul. House Speaker Taylor Barras says the extra money would likely go to higher ed and TOPS….
Cut 5 (13) “dollar range”
But based on this new revenue projection, the state would still have to make 648-million dollars in cuts.

We are 18 months away from the gubernatorial primary. Pollster Berinie Pinsonat says if U-S Senator John Kennedy decides to run against Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards, Kennedy will be the main GOP challenger….
cut 10 (09) “….raise money”
Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham is also thinking about running.

Winn Parish Sheriff’s deputies were met with gun fire when they were trying to serve a civil warrant in the small community of the Chee Chee Dam area yesterday afternoon. 71-year-old Betty Lemoine was killed by deputies who had just driven up to their home. State Police is also investigating, Trooper Scott Moreau.
Cut 3 (:13) “With fire arms”
Shots fired shortly afterwards, and Betty Lemoine was killed, while Kendall Lemoine was seriously injured. None of the deputies were hurt.

A Tulane study finds grade school students can benefit from yoga classes to help them manage stress and anxiety. Principal author Alessandra Bazzano (Ba-zon-no) says the New Orleans based third grade class was picked for the study since it is a crucial time of transition for them when academic expectations increase…
Cut 11 (11) “those tests”

In Washington, the announcement of House Speaker Paul Ryan decision not to seek re-election has sparked debate over who might be the next Speaker. New Orleans area Congressman Steve Scalise’s name has popped up for consideration. Political analyst Clancy DuBos says if it were up to President Trump, Scalise would have the job.
Cut 4 (10) “will decide.”
Scalise told the Associated Press that now is not the time for people to talk about what titles they want.

The House Criminal Justice Committee voted down a bill seeking to end the death penalty in Louisiana. Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews says there needs to be severe consequences for first-degree murder and raping children under the age of 13….
cut 13 (10) “…to be expected”
The vote failed on a 10-8 vote, but a similiar bill is still alive in the Senate.

The House Criminal Justice Committee approves legislation that would allow fantasy sports players in Louisiana to collect money if they win contests hosted by groups like Fan Duel and Draft Kings. Gretna Representative Joseph Marino says each parish will have a chance to decide if they want to authorize fantasy sports wagering
Cut 9 (11) “its allowed”
Louisiana Baptist office spokesperson Doctor Will Hall says legalizing fantasy sports betting is an expansion of gambling and it will create more problem gamblers….
Cut 12 (12) “problem gambling”
The measure heads to the House floor for more debate.

Chicago has decided not to match the Saints offer for wide receiver Cameron Meredith, which means the free-agent will join the Black and Gold on a two-year deal worth 10 million dollars.

An effort to abolish the death penalty suffered a major defeat today as the House Criminal Justice Committee voted against legislation that would prohibit lethal injections in Louisiana. New Iberia Representative Terry Landry marched a dozen religious groups to testify in favor of his bill.
Cut 14 (08) “tough decisions”
But Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews didn’t agree with Landry’s bill, because he believes severe punishment should be on the books, if a person commits a first-degree murder or rape…
Cut 15 (11) “that are taken”
A similar bill is still alive in the senate, but if approved by the upper chamber, it would go before the same committee in the House.

Legislation to legalize fantasy sports betting in Louisiana is heading to the House floor. Jeff Palermo has the story….
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The state Senate unanimously approved legislation requiring public schools to display “In God We Trust” in their buildings. The proposal also calls for educators to teach students about the motto. Schools would be required to have the motto displayed by the 2019-2020 school year. The measure heads to the House next.

In Washington House Speaker Paul Ryan’s announcement that he will not seek re-election has sparked debate who will be the next House leader. Jim Shannon has more.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

The Advocate newspaper reports the state Ethics Board has cleared four State Police troopers who were disciplined for taking a side trip to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon when they drove to a conference in San Diego. The ethics board says it was former State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson who told them to make the over night stops.

The House Criminal Justice Committee approves legislation that would allow fantasy sports players in Louisiana to collect money if they win contests hosted by groups like Fan Duel and Draft Kings. Gretna Representative Joseph Marino says each parish will have a chance to decide if they want to authorize fantasy sports wagering
Cut 9 (11) “its allowed”
Louisiana Baptist office spokesperson Doctor Will Hall says legalizing fantasy sports betting is an expansion of gambling and it will create more problem gamblers….
Cut 12 (12) “problem gambling”
The measure heads to the House floor for more debate.

Not heading to the House floor is a bill that would abolish the death penalty, it was killed in the House Criminal Justice committee.

An effort to abolish the death penalty suffered a major defeat today as the House Criminal Justice Committee voted against legislation that would prohibit lethal injections in Louisiana. New Iberia Representative Terry Landry marched a dozen religious groups to testify in favor of his bill.
Cut 14 (08) “tough decisions”
But Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews didn’t agree with Landry’s bill, because he believes severe punishment should be on the books, if a person commits a first-degree murder or rape…
Cut 15 (11) “that are taken”
A similar bill is still alive in the senate, but if approved by the upper chamber, it would go before the same committee in the House.

Legislation to legalize fantasy sports betting in Louisiana is heading to the House floor. Jeff Palermo has the story….
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Republican Louisiana Senator John Kennedy has made national headlines for his harsh criticism of Facebook’s user agreement. Kennedy says the company needs to make it clear what information they collect and share…
cut 8 (11) “….Facebook punchbowl”

The House Criminal Justice Committee voted down a bill seeking to end the death penalty in Louisiana. Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews says there needs to be severe consequences for first-degree murder and raping children under the age of 13….
cut 13 (10) “…to be expected”
The vote failed on a 10-8 vote, but a similiar bill is still alive in the Senate.

On a 10-to-4 vote, the House Criminal Justice Commitee approved a bill that would give each parish the opportunity to decide if they want to legalize fantasy sports betting. It has Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle’s support…
cut 11 (09) “…from them”
If approved, Louisiana would have the opportunity to tax the businesses that run fantasy sports contests like Fan Duel and Draft Kings.
A bill by New Orleans Democratic Senator Troy Carter to ban the sale of assault rifles to people under 21 was overwhelmingly defeated on the Senate floor. Carter believes his legislation is necessary as a result of the recent mass shootings. But Central Senator Bodie White says the bill is not strong enough to stop the bad guys, who want to cause a lot of harm….
Cut 15 (12) “are insane”
The vote was 26 to 9 against.
Louisiana U-S Senator John Kennedy says he does not want to regulate Facebook, but he’ll vote to do so, if the social media site doesn’t do more to make sure users personal data is protected. Kennedy also says it’s fine if Facebook is as a place to gain information, but it shouldn’t have political bias….
cut 7 (12) “…completely neutral”