After failing last year to raise Louisiana’s gas tax for road improvements, Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter has a different idea this year. He plans to file a constitutional amendment that would would eventually allow a region of the state to decide if they want a higher gas tax for their area. Carter says there’s not enough support for a statewide gas tax increase…
Cut 3 (07) “any help.”

Governor John Bel Edwards outlined his legislative agenda during an appearance at the Baton Rouge Press Club, and once again said he will push to raise the minimum wage. The Governor believes $7.25 an hour is not enough for hard working Louisiana families…:
Cut 10 (10) “support themselves”
The regular session convenes on March 12th.

A USA article has stoked fears we could face a global chocolate shortage by 2050, saying research shows a surging demand from former third world countries. But CEO of Elmer’s Chocolate in Ponchatoula, Rob Nelson, believes the commerce will be able to handle supply…:
Cut 8 (07) “demand”
The article cited a 2016 study from NOAA and discussed how the makers of M&Ms, was investing a billion dollars into sustainability projects.

Saints fans heading to the away playoff game against the Vikings this weekend will experience temperatures in the single digits. Explore Minnesota Spokesperson Erica Wacker says locals have a different way of thinking about the cold..:
Cut 13 (09) “bad clothing”
The game kicks off at 3:40 our time Sunday.

Governor John Bel Edwards will not push for changes to the TOPS scholarship program. Jeff Palermo has the story…
voicer 2 (31) “…reporting”

An article in USA Today has stoked fears of a global chocolate shortage by 2050. The article cited a 2016 study from NOAA and discussed how the makers of M&Ms invested a billion dollars into sustainability projects. But the CEO of Elmer’s Chocolate in Ponchatoula, Rob Nelson, says…
Cut 7 (04) “misleading.”
A state legislative audit finds the former police chief of Killian in Livingston Parish may have violated state law by billing the town for overtime work and using the town credit card for personal purchases. State Auditor Greg Clapinski says they also found the town improperly purchased diving equipment by following the public bid the process…
cut 6 (11) “….question that”
Hill was fired in June and the Livingston Parish District Attorney plans to review the auditor’s findings.

You can bet some Saints fans will make the trip to Minnesota for Sunday’s N-F-C playoff game between New Orleans and the Vikings. Explore Minnesota spokesperson Erica Wacker encourages Who Dat Nation to partake in their local beers with the famous Jucy Lucy….
cut 14 (11) “…oozes out”
If you are heading to Minnesota, dress warm, the high on Sunday will be five-degrees, but the game will be played indoors.

Governor John Bel Edwards has said he wants an agreement by January 19th with House Republican lawmakers on a plan to close a one-billion dollar budget deficit for next fiscal eyar. Edwards said at the Baton Rouge Press Club today he’s willing to extend the deadline….
cut 14 (08) “…logistical reasons”
Edwards is proposing a special session in February to change state tax laws to fix the looming deficit.

State Police say an officer with the Monroe Police Department died in a crash on Sunday. Trooper Michale Reichardt says 26-year-old Officer Christopher Beaudion (Boo-Dwan) was in his unit shortly before 3am yesterday on South 2nd near Winnsboro Rod in Monroe…:
CUT 8 (05) “and struck a tree”
Beaudion joined the M-P-D in August of 2016 and leaves behind a wife and two children. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Louisiana is recovering from a week of hard freezes that shut down production in some of our most popular industries. Fish in particular took the week off, burrowing deep into the mud and away from anglers hooks. Wildlife and Fisheries biologist Alex Perret says it’s best to wait for the cold to pass:
Cut 10 (11) “front comes”
If the water remains below 40 degrees for more than a day, Perret says you should probably anticipate a tougher day of fishing.

It’s officially king cake season and this year’s compressed schedule means this 300-year-old tradition is kicking into overdrive. Haydel’s Bakery’s Dave Haydel says it’s a short season so they are keeping busy…:
Cut 4 (09) “so short” (2x)
Carnival season wraps up Tuesday, February 13th.

Talks continued today between Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards and Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras on how the state should reform its tax code to address a looming one-billion dollar budget deficit. Edwards says Republican legislators should be aware of the different options….
cut 15 (12) “…a plan”
Edwards has proposed changing income tax brackets and removing sales tax exemptions for businesses as a way to make up the budget deficit. He also wants to see the state sales tax lowered from five to four cents to offset any tax increases.

One person is dead, two others injured after a home invasion in Madison parish that happened last night an apartment complex. Authorities have yet to make an arrest and they have not identified the victims. Investigators believe it was a random murder.

The freezing cold temperatures of last week could lead to fish kills. Matt Doyle spoke with a Wildlife and Fisheries biologist.
Cut 2 (30) “Matt Doyle Reporting”

Carnival season means King cake season, and this year’s compressed schedule, coupled with the Saints in the playoffs, means this tradition is kicking into overdrive. Haydel’s Bakery’s Dave Haydel says the last time the Saints made the Super Bowl, black and gold king cakes flew off the shelves…
Cut 3 (08) “of the Super Bowl.”

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards met with Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras again today to discuss solutions to a looming one-billion dollar budget deficit. Edwards would like to call a special session in February to pass a revenue-neutral tax plan to address the fiscal cliff, but only will do so if he can reacn an agreement in principle with House leaders on a tax reform bill. In the meantime, the governor is planning to propose a budget that reflects a billion dollar cut in state spending…
cut 13 (07) “…will be devasating”
The proposed budget for next fiscal year will be presented to legislators on January 19th.

The Madison Parish Sheriff’s office is investigating a fatal home invasion in Tallulah that resulted in one death and two others injured. Investigator Brandon Wiltcher says this crime appears to be random and this doesn’t happen in Tallulah often…
cut 7 (08) “….this matter”
No arrests have been made yet.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says we may see fish kills as a result of last week’s cold temperatures. Biologist Alex Perret says if you do find a fish kill, contact L-D-W-F and provide basic information such as the location and size of the kill. Perret says it’s a public safety interest…
cut 12 (09) “…fish kill”

And it’s King Cake time as the Canrival season officially started over the weekend. It’s generally accepted that a traditional king cake is a twisted dough covered with icing, but after three centuries, the variations are nearly limitless. Dave Haydel of Hayde’s Bakery says there’s a few other varieties he’s noticed are in high demand.
Cut 5 (13) “fillings too.”
Carnival season wraps up Tuesday, February 13th.

LSU athletics reportedly paid 1.7 million dollars to buyout the final two years of Matt Canada’s contract. So the search is on for a new offensive coordinator. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham believes Athletics Director Joe Alleva is willing to spend a lot on a new play caller…
Cut 4 (09) “your coordinators.”
Worsham says finding Canada’s replacement will be very important for Orgeron, because if he misfires again, it could mean the end of his tenure at LSU.

A mother and her three children survived an attack by a man with scissors who stabbed the four victims and also attempted to take his own life. East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office spokesperson Casey Rayborn Hicks says they arrested 29-year-old Dung Van Tran…
cut 13 (06) “…knife on himself”
Hicks says all of the stabbing wounds are non-life threatening.

The Trump administration is proposing to vastly expand offshore drilling off the coast of the United States. Matt Doyle reports the proposal has the support of Louisiana Congressional delegation…
Voicer 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana House Speaker Taylor Barras told the Associated Press the legislature is still waiting on more specifics about Governor Edwards plan to address a looming one-billion dollar budget deficit. Edwards has said he wants to stabilize the budget with a revenue neutral tax plan, but Barras says he also wants to reduce state spending.

State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says 16 people have died in Louisiana since Christmas in home fires. Kelley Ray reports if you need a smoke detector call the State Fire Mashal…
voicer 1 (26) “…I’m Kelley Ray”

Water has been distributed to residents in Tallulah as a state of emergency has been declared in Madison Parish because many residents are without water. Numerous pipes have busted because of the cold weather. Tallulah Mayor Payton Branch says the city’s water plant is 70 years old and they plan to rebuild it this year.

A ticket purchased in Florida matched the six winning numbers in last night’s 450-million dollar Mega Millions drawing. But lottery players still have another chance to win an insane amount of cash. Tonight’s Powerball jackpot is 570-million dollars.

Matt Canada will receive a reported 1.7 million dollars to no longer coach at LSU. Head Coach Ed Orgeron announced last night they are moving in a different direction and they’ll look to bring in an offensive coordinator that builds on the team’s identity in the run game and is adaptable to the talent on the field in the passing game.

Who Dat nation is gearing up for tomorrow’s playoff game against Carolina. Pam Randazzo says her Black and Gold shop in Metairie has seen good business. Randazzo says one particular jersey is in high demand…
cut 11 (12) “….get produced”
Kick-off on Sunday is at 3:40.