House Majority Whip Steve Scalise undergoes another surgery today as he continues his recovery from a gunshot wound sustained while practicing for a charity baseball game. The bullet struck several of the Congressman’s internal organs. LSU Health Level One Trauma Center’s Medical Director Dr. John Hunt says it’s common for shooting victims with serious injuries to undergo another surgery…
Cut 4 (08) “cleaned up.”
Scalise says this latest procedure has been scheduled for more than a month.

Dense fog advisory is in effect until nine A-M this morning in southeast Lousiaina. State Police Trooper Glen Younger reminds motorists they should not be using their high beams…
cut 16 (09) “…headlights”
Younger says on some newer cars, the high-beams are automatically operated, but again don’t use them in dense conditions.

U-S Senator John Kennedy opposes a bill designed to strengthen the federal background check system. Matt Doyle explains why…
voicer 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Authorities say the suspect wanted in a drive-by shooting that killed triple people on Mother’s Day in Monroe has been arrested in Portland, Oregon. Deaundrey Cole is a suspect in a hit and run accident in Portland, but will soon be brought back to Monroe.

Governor John Bel Edwards has sent a letter to President Trump asking him to defend Louisiana’s ability to offer medical marijuana. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is ending a federal mandate that kept federal authorities from cracking down on legalized pot. St. Martinville Senator Fred Mills authored the law authorizing the regulation of cannabis treatment in Louisiana…:
CUT 9 (07) “for clients”
The state Board of Pharmacy plans on issuing permits soon for nine selected pharmacies around the state that will be able to dispense the medical cannibas.

Officials say they will not press charges against a Vermilion Parish middle school teacher who was removed and then handcuffed after she spoke out during a school board meeting last night. English teacher Deyshia Hargrave opposed a pay raise for the superintendent. After asking several questions, Hargrave was led out by a marshal.
Congressman Steve Scalise of Metairie says there’s already evidence the recently approved Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is benefiting the economy. Scalise says he recently visited a local brewery in Hammond called Gnarley Barley. He says a husband and wife run the six-person operation and couldn’t provide health insurance for their workers until now…
cut 15 (10) “…this bill”

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index is the highest it’s ever been to start off 2018. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says the federal tax reform legislation, de-regulation of businesses and the defeat of U-S Labor Department overtime rule have led to the high optimism rating…
Cut 7, (12) hourly and their managers
The rule would have required businesses to pay overtime to millions of workers.

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter says he has a better plan to raise money to fix roads and bridges in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo spoke with Carter…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A video posted by a Lafayette television station that shows a teacher being escorted and then handcuffed out of a Vermilion Parish School Board meeting has gone viral. Middle-school English teacher Deyshia Hargrave was quetioning the school superintendent’s salary versus teacher pay.
Congressman Steve Scalise of Metairie says there’s already evidence the recently approved Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is benefiting the economy. Scalise says he recently visited a local brewery in Hammond called Gnarley Barley. He says a husband and wife run the six-person operation and couldn’t provide health insurance for their workers until now…
cut 15 (10) “…this bill”

According to the National Federation of Independent Business, optimism among small business owners is at an all-time high. NFIB state director Dawn Starns credits the federal tax reform bill and regulatory relief provided by the Trump administration. But Starns says there are still some challenges…
cut 8 (09) “…across the nation”

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.