Governor John Bel Edwards was a surprise visitor at today’s House Republican delegation retreat in New Orleans. Edwards says he spoke to legislators about the looming fiscal cliff as the state is facing a one-point-one billion dollar budget deficit. The governor says the state can make up that revenue by removing dozens of sales tax exemptions….
cut 9 (08) “…the problem”
Edwards says it’s his goal not to raise taxes, but some republican legislators say eliminating tax breaks is a tax increase.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office is trying to figure out how two bodies ended up in Lake Dubbisson near Ville Platte. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says they are working with Alexandria Police, because they believe 30-year-old Anthony Michael Murray of Rapides Parish kidnapped 21-year-old Lia Ali Kazan in a motel parking lot…
Cut 3 (05) “it together.”
Autopsies on the bodies will be conducted tomorrow.

The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office says they’ve arrested and fired one of their deputies after he allegedly wrecked his patrol car while driving intoxicated early this morning. Commander Lonny Cavalier says authorities responded to calls of a vehicle in a ditch and it turned out to be 22-year-old Deputy Joseph Edward Repp of Pierre Part.
Cut 11 (11) “careless operation”
Cavalier says Repp blew a .09 on the breath test, which is just above the legal limit.

A Boutte (Boo-tee) man says his dog saved his life from a house fire over the weekend. Calvin Baldwin says he was exhausted after coming home from the High School Football State Championship games in New Orleans and fell asleep on his couch.
Cut 6 (12) “the house”
He says the fired started as a result of an electrical spark.

The National Federation of Independent Business reports small business optimism is at a 34-year high. N-F-I-B state director Dawn Starns credits the push for tax reform on Capitol Hill. Starns says most small business owners will say taxes are their biggest problem, followed by finding qualified workers. She says there is a clear expectation that Congress and the President will address the taxes problem, but finding good employees is a persistent problem
Cut 9 (11) “coming out”

Grambling State is working to become the first university to offer a cybersecurity degree program. President Rick Gallot says it will compliment Grambling’s current technology training programs…
cut 14 (10) “…science department”
Gallot says an estimated two million cybersecurity workers will be needed by 2019.

The latest series of sexual harassment allegations has hit the NFL Network as three analysts with ties to Louisiana have been suspended for alleged inappropriate behavior with a former warddrobe sytlist. Professor of Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans, Michelle Many, says more women are now encouraged they will be believed, when making these accusations…
cut 12 (10) “…the individual”
Marshall Faulk, Heath Evans and Ike Taylor are among the analysts who have been accused of sexual harrassment in a lawsuit.

Abita Brewing has a new beer to celebrate New Orleans’ 300th birthday. It’s called Maison Blanc. Brewmaster Mark Wilson….
cut 6 (09) “…as well”
Wilson says Maison Blanc combines everything sought after by wine and beer drinkers alike.

A Lafayette attorney has claimed the 190-million dollar Powerball jackpot on behalf of the winners of the lottery ticket sold in Eunice in October. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin…
cut 14 (09) “…good on”
The family partnership opted for the 119-million dollar lump payment. They plan to travel, may even upgrade, but prefer not to be treated as celebrities.

Congressman Ralph Abraham responds to reports about him running for governor in 2019 and says he’s considering the option. He says he would love to bring to the state level what they are working towards on Capitol Hill which is less government oversight, and more money and more authority to citizens…:
Cut 10 (06) “I’m for”
Abraham says he plans on making a decision about governor next year and also plans to run for re-election for his U-S Representative seat next year.

A Saints season ticket holder has filed a lawsuit in an effot to receive a refund for his tickets over National Anthem player protests. Lee Dragna of Morgan City says he and his family can no longer enjoy the games. He claims the rowdy, angry reaction of fans around his seats during the protests have made his tickets unusable. Dragna told the Advocate the Saints created this behavior by condoning it.

In order to address the state’s high rates for teen pregnancy and STDs, the Louisiana Public Health Institute has new campaign to promote comprehensive sex ed in public schools and at home. Associate Director Kristie Bardell says parents, students, teachers and legislators can log on to geaux-talk-dot-org to receive tips on how to have informed conversations about the value of sexual health. She says this is important…:
Cut 6 (11) “sexual education”

A Lafayette attorney has claimed the $191 million dollar Powerball prize on behalf of a three-member family partnership from the winning ticket in the October 25th drawing sold in Eunice. Louisiana Lottery spokeswoman Kimberly Chopin says the group opted for the cash prize…:
CUT 12 (05) “119.4 million dollars”
She says the family wants to remain anonymous but released a statement saying they are obviously elated.

There’s buzz about the possibility of Congressman Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish running for governor in 2019. He says it’s an option he’s considering, but will run for re-election in the 5th Congressional District next year…:
Cut 11 (08) “of that”
He says he’d run for governor because he’d like to see less government oversight on a state level.

Renew LSU wants to change the names of two prominent buildings on campus, including the Parker Coliseum. Spokesperson Savanah Dickinson says former governor John Parker lynched 11 Sicilian immigrants who were allegedly involved in the murder of a New Orleans Police Chief; and did not apologize. She says changing these names is the right thing to do…:
Cut 5 (09) “it stops”
She says Parker and Murphy J. Foster are not worthy of such high profile recognition on the LSU campus.

There’s a new website to help combat the high rate of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections in the state. It’s called Geaux Talk and Kriste Bardell, with the Louisiana Public Health Institute, says if parents are not happy with the sex education their child is getting, she urges them to discuss it further with school administrators…
Cut 8 (10) “within schools.”
For more information go to geaux talk-dot-org.

A Lafayette attorney has claimed the 190-million dollar Powerball jackpot on behalf of the winners of the lottery ticket sold in Eunice in October. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin…
cut 14 (09) “…good on”
The family partnership opted for the 119-million dollar lump payment. They plan to travel, may even upgrade, but prefer not to be treated as celebrities.

A group called Renew LSU wants two buildings on campus to have their name changed, Parker Colisuem and Foster Hall. Renew LSU spokesperson Savanah Dickinson says both buildings are named after former governors, one helped disenfranchise minority voters and the other refused to apologize for taking part in the lynching of Sicilian immigrants. Dickinson says they hope to rename Foster Hall in honor of Dr Pinkie Gordon Lane…
cut 4 (09) “…poet laureate”

Is Congressman Ralph Abraham planning to run for governor in 2019? Michelle Southern spoke with the Richland Parish physician…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The Louisiana Public Health Institute launches a website called “Geaux Talk” which provides tips for parents on how to talk to their children about sex education. Kristie Bardell says there’s a real need for this in Lousiaina….
cut 7 (09) “…teen pregnancy”
The website again is Geaux-talk-dot-org.