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.

Based on records released by the Division of Administration the state paid out one-point-three million dollars since mid-2009 to settle sexual harrassment claims involving state officials and employees. There were 27 payouts ranging from 55-hundred dollars to 150-thousand dollars. University professors, judges, employees in the state prison system were among the ones accused in the settlement cases.

The Advocate reports LSU has paid Matt Canada one-point-seven million dollars as part of contract buyout to end his time as the Tigers offensive coordinator. Head Coach Ed Orgeron says the search is on for a new offensive coordinator and he says they are looking for a coach with a wealth of experience that’s committed to the vision of the program.

It’s a chilly start to the morning, but we’ll see high temperatures today in the mid to upper 50s. Rain is in the forecast for Sunday and Monday.

Since Christmas, Louisiana has seen 16 people die in home fires. That’s according to State Fire Marshal Butch Browning, who says many of the fires started because of misusing space heaters. He says some outlets can’t handle a space heater and another electricial item plugged into them…
cut 5 (12) “….connection fail”
Browning says space heaters should also not be plugged into an extension cord.

Louisiana’s U-S Senators strongly support President Donald Trump’s proposal to expand offshore drilling. Republican Bill Cassidy says for decades past administrations have handcuffed American energy manufacturers….
cut 6 (10) “…American jobs”
Environmental groups are raising concerns about the President’s proposal.

Republican U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says the Trump’s administration plan to expand offshore oil and gas production to areas currently restricted would mean hundreds of thousands jobs….
cut 7 (10) “…by 2035″
Cassidy says the job growth for Louisiana would be 31-thousand. But Democrats and environmental groups are pushing against the plan, because of possible negative impacts to the environment.

The state of Louisiana has paid one-point-three million dollars since mid-2009 to settle over two dozen sexual harassment claims. The allegations were made against college professors, judges and a former state lawmaker. A 150-thousand claim was against a New Orleans judge and 50-thousand dollars settled a claim against a Baton Rouge area lawmaker who resigned in 2013.

The frigid weather leaves the state this weekend and we can expect more seasonable temperatures for at least the next week. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this week’s run of very cold weather was not expected this winter….
cut 15 (10) “…anything but”
Keim says rain returns to the forecast on Sunday.

Saints fans are gearing up for Sunday’s big playoff game against Carolina. Pam Randazzo says her Black and Gold shop in Metairie has been seeing good business. Randazzo says there’s one particular jersey that’s in high demand…
cut 11 (12) “….get produced”
Kick-off on Sunday is at 3:40.

The Trump administration is proposing an end to the thirty year moratorium on offshore drilling in most of the country. Matt Doyle has more…
Voicer 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Sunday is the Saints first home playoff game in six years, and fans are keeping retailers busy by buying jerseys, banners, party plates, and everything else black and gold. Black and Gold Shop’s Pam Randazzo says the weather has also played role…
Cut 9 (06) “winter gear”

East Baton Rouge sheriff deputies arrested a 29-year-old man after he allegedly stabbed his wife of 12 years and three children with scissors. Sheriff’s office spokesperson Casey Rayborn Hicks says Dung Tran faces several charges…
Cut 14 (05) “child endangerment”
Hicks says Tran also stabbed himself and was arrested without incident. She says Tran confessed to the stabbing and admitted he tried to kill himself.

State wildlife and fisheries says we could see fish kills throughout coastal Lousiaina as a result of the artic blast that produced freezing water temperatures. Biologists say many fish that may have been killed by the freeze would still be on the bottom of water bodies and may not be visible for a week or more.

Tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot is 450-million dollars. And if you can’t buy your ticket before tonight’s 10:00 drawing, tomorrow night’s Powerball jackpot is worth an estimated 570-million dollars.