U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act approved by the Senate does more than just cut taxes for working families. Cassidy says the legislation also allows victims of last year’s floods in North and South Louisiana to deduct all of their personal casualty losses from their taxable income, which could means thousands of dollars…
cut 3 (08) “…recovery costs”
Cassidy says the bill also doubles the Child Tax Credit to two-thousand dollars.

A River Ridge vet has been arrested for allegedly shooting and killing her neighbor’s dog, because of excessive barking. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says 35-year-old Kelly Folse shot “Bruiser” last week and the dog died the following day. Lopinto says Folse has not been happy with the barking dog for awhile…
Cut 6 (10) “with it.”
Folse was booked on several charges.

Ochsner Health System has reached a non-binding agreement to work with LSU and the state to operate safety net hospitals in north Louisiana. There have been rumors the LSU medical school in Shreveport might close. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says….
cut 13 (11) “….present location”
The medical school chancelllor says the school has immense potential because of this new partnership.

A University of Louisiana at Monroe study has found the Ouachita River is worth five-point-seven billion dollars. University president Nick Bruno says they will turn over the results of this study to the U-S Army Corps of Engineers to show that’s it’s vita they keep water levels appropriate for river traffic….
cut 16 (12) “…apppropriate depth”
Bruno says if the locks are not managed properly, the Ouachita River would be as big as a ditch.

Sweeping tax reform legislation is set to become federal law. Matt Doyle has local reaction.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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ULM led a study of the Ouachita River and it’s economic impact on North Louisiana.  Kelley Ray looks at what it means to the region…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray”

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Today marks the first ever signing period for college football. Jeff Palermo has more on the recruits that LSU football might reel in over the next three days…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Congress is expected to pass the most substantial tax reform package since the Reagan administration. All of Louisiana’s republican congressional delegation voted for the bill, which has an estimated cost of 1.5 trillion dollars. Representative Ralph Abraham says it’ll mean more money in people’s pockets…

Cut 4  (07) “United States” 

Abraham says Louisianans will see the benefits of the significant cuts to the business tax rate…

Cut 5  (09)  “employment come down”

But Executive Director of the Louisiana Budget Project Jan Moller says the bill takes money from the working class and gives it to the richest Americans…

Cut 6 (10)  “and corporations”

And Moller says that Republican’s claims about the bill paying for itself are false…

Cut 7 (09)  “United States.”

The bill is expected to be signed by the President.

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According to Trust for America’s Health, Louisiana achieved only four out of ten indicators for public health preparedness. The criteria is based on weather related events, flu vaccination rate, paid sick leave and other benchmarks.  CEO John Auerbach says Louisiana’s flu vaccine rate is the seventh lowest in the nation…

Cut 8 (12) “42 percent.”

Auerbach says it’s also a concern that Louisiana has not joined the U-S Climate Alliance to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He says global warming puts Louisiana’s coastline in jeopardy.

Cut 9 (09)  “as well.”

Auerbach says if the state focused on improving the flu vaccine rate, climate change and getting hospital standards to meet the antibiotic stewardship credentials to prevent superbugs and antibiotic resistance, Louisiana would be better prepared against emergencies…

Dardenne says he hopes that this agreement will reassure the community that the hospitals are here to stay…

Cut 13 (11)  “present location.”

The Edwards administration cautioned that the official contract could take a few months to complete.

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According to an ULM economic impact study released, commercial use of the Ouachita River produces billions in revenue and several thousand jobs in North Louisiana. Dr. Bob Eisenstadt of the ULM Center for Business and Economic Research says the nearly year long study revealed how important the river is.

Cut 14 (11) “equivalent jobs.”

Barge traffic on the river is managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. But, the Corps has reduced servicing four locks and dams and dredging on the Ouachita resulting in less barge traffic. Ouachita River Valley Association President Randy Denmon says they will be able to use this study to ask the federal government to keep the river open and navigable.

Cut 15 (11) “lock service.”

ULM President Dr. Nick Bruno says a minimum maintained water level of the Ouachita is vital to keep river traffic flowing in North Louisiana.

Cut 16  (12)  “appropriate depth.”

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Louisiana Tech can finish with a winning record for the 2017 season if it can beat SMU in the Frisco Bowl. It’s been an up and down season for the Bulldogs, who fell short of playing for the Conference USA title. But Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says finishing 2017 with a three-game winning streak would be great…

Cut 17 (11) “ball game”

This is the third time in four years La Tech has played a bowl game in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. They won the previous two, a victory over Navy in last year’s Armed Forces Bowl and three years ago the Bulldogs beat Illinois in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. Holtz anticipates another great game tonight…

Cut 18 (15) “one more time”

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LSU is expected to sign nearly 20 players over the next three days as part of college football new early signing period. In the past recruits had to wait until February to sign, now they can do so in December. The state’s top prospect is Parkway wide receiver Terrace Marshall and 24-7 recruiting analyst Shea Dixon says he expects Marshall to sign with LSU on Friday…

Cut 19 (16)   “about things”

Dixon expects 19 players will sign and over half of them will be on the offensive and defensive lines. He says o-line was decimated by injuries and attrition this year, but they’ll have good depth next season, based on the guys they’ll sign

Cut 20 (15) “Damien Lewis”

Governor Edwards plans to call a special session in February to tackle the fiscal cliff. Kelley Ray gets reaction from the head of the House Republican Delegation…
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

A study from the University of Kansas has found more people are using Uber, instead of an ambulance to get to the hospital for a health emergency. Chief of Emergency Medicine at LSU Health new Orleans, Doctor Keith Van Mater, advises against that…
cut 7 (11) “…have oxygen”

Caddo Parish deputies responding to a call allegeging child abuse arrest both the mother and father. Seth Sepulvado was charged with child desertion and cruelty to juveniles, and Beia Sepulvado was charged with child desertion. Caddo Sheriff’s spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says…
Cut 12 (11) “six months old”
Chadwick says deputies later learned the couple also left their child at the age of three-months old alone in their home while the husband took the wife to work.

The Cajun Navy has been vital in efforts to rescue individuals from flood waters. The director of the Governor’s office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Jim Waskom, says he wants to see legislation passed to certify them, so they can partner with the volunteer group…
cut 11 (10) “…assist us”

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.