The U-S House approves a one-point-five trillion dollar tax reform package. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana says on average, families will see over two-thousand dollars more in their paychecks every year…
Cut 15 (06) “tuition account”
New Orleans Democrat Cedric Richmond voted against the legislation, because he says it will only give tax breaks to the top one-percent of income earners.

Governor Edwards has laid out his plans on how the state should handle a one-billion dollar budget deficit that will occur when a temporary one-cent sales tax expires on June 30th. Chairman of the House Republican delegation, Representative Lance Harris, is non-committal on these plans, but they are worthy of discussion…
cut 4 (07) “…February”
A special session is expected in February.

The director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, James Waskom, will ask the legislature next year to approve legislation so they can partner with the volunteer group, the Cajun Navy. Waskom says it would be beneficial for GOHSEP to know who these peopoe are and where they are dispatched to rescue people during emergencies….
cut 10 (08) “…they may incur”
The Cajun Navy has put their own boats in the water during times of catastrophic flooding to perform rescues.

A Shreveport couple is accused of child desertion. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says the investigation started when deputies went to the home on a complaint that the father struck the six-month-old baby and detectives happened to learn…
cut 13 (06) “…to work”
The child is now in protective services, while the parents Seth and Beia Sepulvado face charges and Seth was also booked on a charge of cruetly to juveniles.

A University of Kansas study finds Uber customers are increasingly using the ride service for trips to the emergency room, instead of an ambulance. Chief of Emergency Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans, Dr. Keith Van Meter, sympathizes with the desire to save money, but warns there are some things an Uber just can’t do….
cut 6 (10) “…a triage”

The ACLU of Louisiana has filed a suit challenging the Webster Parish School District’s alleged practice of subjecting students to Christian prayer and other religious rituals. ACLU attorney Bruce Hamilton says the district is violating students First Amendment rights…:
Cut 10 (09) “school officials”
Webster Parish School Superintendent Johnny Rowland is not commenting on the suit.

Hundreds are still living in FEMA trailers in the wake of the 2016 floods, and volunteer efforts are underway to get them back into their homes:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

It’s further proof that The Cajun Navy isn’t going anywhere, and as GOHSEP Director James Waskom said Monday, the state might as well partner with them. Speaking before the Baton Rouge Press Club, Waskom said work is underway on legislation to certify The Cajun Navy for assistance with the state on future rescue efforts.

A mother has sued the Webster Parish School District claiming they are promoting Christitanity in its public schools. ACLU attorney Bruce Hamilton says the lawsuit provides over 30 examples of unconstitutional use of religion in schools…
cut 12 (09) “…fairy tale”
Webster School Superintendent Johnny Rowland says the lawsuit will be turned over to their legal counsel.

Hunger Free America has found 14-percent of working adults in Louisiana suffered from food insecurity at some point between 2014 and 2016, which is the second highest percentage in the country. Hunger Free American spokesperson Magen Allen says all ages are impacted, including senior citizens…
cut 9 (05) “…enough food”
Food insecurity is defined as “when a person is without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.”

A state Legislative audit finds Louisiana’s cancer research center has never achieved national recognition in the 15 years of it’s existence. Kelley Ray has more…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray .”

Governor Edwards will be at the LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport this afternoon where he is expected to announce that Ochsner will will take over management of safety-net hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe. B-R-F was contracted in 2013 to handle those duties, but LSU has not been happy with them.

Governor John Bel Edwards outlined his proposals for closing a $1 billion dollar budget gap, also known as the fiscal cliff. The governor proposes higher sales taxes on utilities that businesses pay, new sales taxes on various services like cable TV and changes to individual income tax brackets. He does not support the renewal of a one-cent temporary sales tax that will expire on June 30th…:
cut 12 (08) “and go away”
The governor says he plans to unveil a budget proposal on January 19th, but it will include $1 billion in cuts, since no decision on tax reform will be made until an anticipated February special session.

The White House says judicial nominee Matthew Peterson has withdrawn his nomination. Peterson failed to answer basic legal questions when quesioned by Republican Senator John Kennedy. Kennedy says he had no idea that Peterson had no litigation experience, and said that’s why the Senate holds hearings.

State Representative Chris Broadwater has announced he’s stepping down from the state legislature, so he can spend more time with his family. Broadwater has represented Hammond and parts of Tangipahoa Parish for the last six years. The GOP legislator has a reputation of working with both Republicans and Democrats…..
cut 8 (09) “….my constituents”
We’ve seen a lot of resignations lately because of sexual harassment, but Broadwater says a possible scandal is not why he’s stepping down.

Penn National Gaming has purchased Pinnacle Entertainment for 2.8 billion dollars. Pinnacle operates the L’auberge in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles, and Boomtown in New Orleans and Bossier City. Wade Duty of the Casino Association of Louisiana says that the buyout won’t lead to big changes for players…:
Cut 9 (07) “the players”
He does not anticipate Penn National Gaming expanding their new properties in Louisiana.

Governor Edwards unveiled his proposals on how to solve a looming 1-billion dollar budget gap. He calls for a removal of sales tax exemptions and credits, broadening the sales tax base and changes to income tax brackets. Edwards says next month he’ll present a budget to legislators and they won’t like what they see, if they do nothing to address the fiscal cliff.…
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Edwards plans to call a February special session to vote on these tax proposals.

Penn National Gaming has purchased Pinnacle Entertainment for two-point-eight billion dollars, which means four Louisiana riverboat casinos will change ownership. Casino Association of Louisiana executive director Wade Duty doesn’t expect Penn to expand their new Louisiana properties…
cut 11(08) “…high taxes”

Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater is stepping down after six years in the state house. The Republican says the decision was not influenced by any budding scandals, he just felt the time was right to spend more time with family…:
Cut 7 (07) “job I did”

To make sure Christmas gifts get to loved ones on time, Matt Doyle reports make sure they are properly addressed and packaged…:
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor John Bel Edwards provided his plan on how the state should address a looming one-billion dollar budget deficit. Edwards says he’s not calling for any new taxes, but believes they can make up the revenue by reducing tax credits, removing sales tax exemptions and expanding the state’s sales tax to particular services, like cable T-V. Edwards says a special session will be needed in February to pass these proposals, unless legislators are not willing to work towards a compromise …
cut 14 (10) “…of calling one”

Today is the busiest day of the year for the U-S Postal Service. Spokesperson Twana Barber….
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If you want your gifts to arrive by Christmas Day, the deadline for first class mail is tomorrow.

Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater announced his resignation today after six years in the state house. He’s looking forward to spending more time with his family.
Cut 6 (07) “home more”
Broadwater says the decision was not influenced by any budding scandal, and that he felt the time was right for him to leave the legislature. He was known as a lawmaker who worked with both parties.

Four Louisiana casinos owned by Pinnacle Entertainment will soon be owned by Penn National Gaming as part of a two-point-eight billion dollar deal between the two companies. Wade Duty of the Casino Association of Louisiana says operation of the casinos in Louisiana did not force the deal….
cut 10 (09) “…fairly flat”
The four casinos are L’auberge in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles and Boomtown in New Orleans and Bossier City.

Governor Edwards provided suggestions on how the state should adresss a one-billion dollar budget deficit. Michelle Southern reports the ideas are from a nonpartisan group that studied the state’s tax code…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

The White House says judicial nominee Matthew Peterson has withdrawn his nomination. Peterson failed to answer basic legal questions when quesioned by Republican Senator John Kennedy. Peterson admitted he never tried a case.

State Representative Chris Broadwater has announced he’s stepping down from the state legislature, so he can spend more time with his family. Broadwater has represented Hammond and parts of Tangipahoa Parish for the last six years. The GOP legislator has a reputation of working with both Republicans and Democrats…..
cut 8 (09) “….my constituents”
We’ve seen a lot of resignations lately because of sexual harassment, but Broadwater says a possible scandal is not why he’s stepping down.

Time is running out to make sure your Christmas packages are there by December 25th. U.S. Postal Service spokesperson Twana Barber says this is their busiest week…
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First class mail needs to be sent by tomorrow, Priority Mail by Wednesday and Priority Express by Friday.