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…:
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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 …
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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.

Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater announced his resignation earlier today after six years in the state house. He says 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 scandals, 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 to pass legislation.

Today is the busiest day of the year for the U-S Postal Service. Spokesperson Twana Barber….
cut 4 (09) “…postal service”
If you want your gifts to arrive by Christmas Day, first class mail needs to be sent by December 19th, Priority Mail by December 20th and Priority Express by December 22nd.
The environmental group, the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, plans on putting their bodies in the way of a proposed pipeline that would stretch across south Louisiana. Director Anne Rolfes says the 162-mile long Bayou Bridge Pipeline would run between Lake Charles and St. James…:
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Energy Transfer Partners only needs a couple of permits before they can start construction on the pipeline. They have said they’ll restore any wetlands or land damaged by construction.

Governor John Bel Edwards gives an update at this hour on how state government plans to addres the fiscal cliff, which is a projected one-billion revenue shortfall for next fiscal year.

The Saints turned it over three times yesterday, but still defeated the New York Jets 31-19. The victory improves New Orleans record to 10-4. The Black and Gold remain in a tie for first place in the NFC South, because Carolina also beat Green Bay. Coach Sean Payton hopes his team wasn’t scoreboard watching…
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Tonight the Atlanta Falcons can improve to 9-5, with a win over the Tampa Bay Bucs. New Orleans and the Dirty Birds play each other this Sunday in the Mercedes Benz Superdome.

In LSU football news…reports out of Tennessee say former Tigers general manager Austin Thomas is not accepting the same job at Tennessee. And LSU wide receiver and return specialist DJ Chark will play in the Senior Bowl next month.

U-L Lafayette has introduced Billy Nappier as its new football coach. Napier is a former assistant under Nick Saban at Alabama. In a statement from Saban, he calls Nappier an outstanding coach, terrific recruiter and someone who will work hard to help the players be successful.

Louisiana is one of a few states reporting widespread flu activity. State Health Department flu bug expert, Doctor Frank Welch, says the active flu season can be blamed on the Influenza A strain and the flu vaccine is only 30% effective. But he still strongly suggests getting the flu shot because it helps protect against four different strains of the virus.
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When speaking at UL-Lafayette’s graduation ceremony today, former Governor Kathleen Blanco spoke about her battle against liver cancer. She said even though there are no known treatments to cure the type of melanoma she has, her hope remains alive…:
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It was Blanco’s first public appearance since announcing that her eye cancer had spread to her liver.

Republican US Senator John Kennedy is receiving national attention for how he grilled a President Trump judicial nominee who had trouble answering basic questions regarding the law. Kennedy says he was just doing his job as he will not just blindly support Matthew Peterson, just because a Republican president nominated him….
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A vote has not been taken on Peterson’s confirmation.

Today is the deadline to sign up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. You’ll have until 10:59pm tonight to get enrolled, or face a penalty if you’re not insured. State Director of Navigators for a Healthy Louisiana Brian Burton says premiums have increased, but the government subsides are also up…:
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You can enroll at health care dot gov.