Today in Washington D.C, John Kennedy will be sworn into the 115th Congress of the United States as Louisiana’s newest Senator. Michelle Southern reports…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Severe storms across the south killed at least five people, but none in Louisiana. There were strong winds that produced damage in Marksville and in Allen and Beauregard Parishes. Our next major weather event is Friday when snow and ice is in forecast for north and central Louisiana.

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this year in Louisiana politics will be all about the budget. He says we can look forward to another contentious battle over revenue versus spending. He says like last year, we enter the New Year with a massive budget shortfall.
cut 4 (10) “sales taxes”
The regular legislative session begins April 10th.

There are many smokers who will look to quit the habit in 2017. The CEO for the Smoking Cessation Trust, Mike Rogers, says the first step to take when quitting is to set a date to stop smoking and be optimistic….
cut 14 (09) “…to be”
Louisiana residents who began smoking prior to September 1st, 1988 can receive free help in quiting through the Smoking Cessation Trust. Visit smoke-free-la-dot-org for more information.

So what can we expect this year in Louisiana politics? Halen Doughty reports the budget will once again be the primary focus…
voicer 1 (27) “….I’m Halen Doughty”

In Washington D-C today, Kennedy will be sworn into the 115th Congress of the United States. The Republican says he will hit the ground running….
cut 7 (10) “…lowering taxes”
Kennedy says replacing Obamacare will also be a top priority.

Louisiana avoided any fatalities or major injuries from yesterday’s round of severe weather. But a possible twister caused considerable damage near a Wal-Mart in Marksville. Strong winds also damaged homes and vehicles in the Allen Parish town of Reeves.

The Smoking Cessation Trust has tips for smokers who are looking to kick their habit in 2017. Don Molino has more…
Voicer 3 (25) “I’m Don Molino”

A former LSU football player living in Shreveport says someone broke into his house over the Christmas Break and stole his SEC championship ring and Outback Bowl ring, along with a BCS National championship watch. Walk-on Seth Fruge played on special teams and was a member of the Tigers from 2009 to 2013.

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Republican U-S Senator John Kennedy will be sworn into office today. Kennedy says one of the biggest things he will try to do is get flood relief here quickly….
cut 9 (09) “…still affordable”
Kennedy also expects a push by Republicans to repeal Obamacare and replace it with what he believes is a better health care system.

Once Kennedy is sworn in, he will step down as the state’s treasurer. There will be an election in the fall to fill the remainder of his term. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it will be our only statewide election this year and there will be several people who will run…
cut 6 (10) “…made Kennedy popular”
Governor John Bel Edwards will have to name interim Treasurer until an election is held.

Louisiana was able to avoid fatalities or major injuries from yesterday’s round of severe weather. A Wal-Mart in Marksville suffered roof damage. There were also damage reports in Allen and Beauregard Parishes. Reeves Police Chief Waylon Bertrand says several homes and vehicles sustained damage as a result of strong winds. Five people were killed across the South from the severe storms.

Southeastern Louisiana University is collecting discarded Christmas trees to help build up the Pass Manchac marsh land that has been impacted by coastal erosion. Rob Moreau is managing the program and he says they are collecting trees at several places in Tangipahoa Parish…
cut 11(11)….restaurants”
He says they believe the old Christmas trees can protect against shoreline erosion, build up the land and provide new habitats for plants and animals.

A new Congress is sworn-in in Washington-DC today and that includes Senator-elect John Kennedy. The republican says you can bet a major topic will be how to go about getting rid of Obamacare…
cut 8 (09) “…sure doesn’t”
Kennedy believes the US Senate won’t let the current federal health care system lapse without having something new to take its place.

Governor John Bel Edwards enters 2017 with a high favorability rating. That’s according to Southern Media and Opinion Research pollster Bernie Pinsonat. But Pinsonat says Edwards faces many challenges that could impact his popularity…
cut 5 (10) “…plummet again”
Pinsonat says there’s the possibility of yet another special session to address a $600 million deficit.

Southeastern Louisiana University is urging people to donate their Christmas trees to help save the state’s coast rather than throwing them in the trash. Rob Moreau, manager of SLU’s Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station, says when you put recycled trees into the marsh it can help the shoreline in many ways…
cut 10 (08) “…landfills”
For more information, visit southeastern-dot-edu-backslash-turtle-cove.

It’s the start of a new year, which means many of us have made New Year’s resolutions. Many smokers, will look to quit the habit…
cut 15 (06) “….do it”
That’s Mike Rogers, who is the CEO of the Smoking Cessation Trust and they offer a free program to help people quit smoking if they started before September 1st, 1988.

Today in Washington D.C, John Kennedy will be sworn into the 115th Congress of the United States as Louisiana’s newest Senator. Michelle Southern reports…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A dense fog advisory is in effect for much of south Louisiana this morning. Yesterday, strong storms caused a bunch of damage at a Wal-Mart in Marksville. 18-wheelers were knocked over, a fireworks stand was mangled and strong winds also punched out holes in Wal-Mart’s roof. No injuries were reported.

2016 was certainly an unusual year for Louisiana politics, so what can we expect in 2017? Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this year will be all about the budget. He says we can look forward to another contentious battle over revenue versus spending. He says like last year, we enter the New Year with a massive budget shortfall.
cut 4 (10) “sales taxes”
The regular legislative session begins April 10th.

The Smoking Cessation Trust is offering tips to help smokers quit for the New Year. CEO Mike Rogers says this is a great resolution for people to push for. He says many smokers who try to quit cold turkey are unsuccessful but they have a great program to help…
Cut 13 (09) “medication”
Visit smokefreela.org for more information.

There are reports Saints Coach Sean Payton could leave after a third consecutive 7-and-9 season, but Payton declined to answer questions about those reports today. Payton said it would be silly to respond to such speculation every time it comes up. The NFL Network has said there’s a mutual interest between Payton and the Los Angeles Rams. Payton signed a five-year contract that pays him over 9-million dollars a season last year.

It will also be interesting to see if defensive tackle Nick Fairley returns. He’s coming off a career best season and NFL analyst Mike Detillier says the Saints defense needs as many impact players that it can get…
cut 13 (13) “…huge question mark”

The Saints finished 2016 27th in total defense.
Tonight at the Mercedes Benz Superdome, it’s 17th ranked Auburn versus seventh ranked oklahoma in the AllState Sugarbowl. The key match-up in this one, is the Sooners explosive offense led by quarterback Baker Mayfield against an Auburn defense that’s only allowing 16 points a game. Chief Operating Officer for the SugarBowl, Jeff Hundley, says they are thrilled to have two college powerhouses competing in the 2016 Sugar Bowl…
cut 11 (09) “….to watch”
Kick-off is at 7:30.

The Pelicans take on the World Champs tonight, the Cleveland Cavaliers. New Orleans is coming off a 4-and-1 homestand that put them back into the playoff picture in the Western Conference. New Orleans is now one of four teams within one game of the eighth and final playoff spot. The Cavaliers are the top team in the East and they are 17-2 at home.

The body of a missing 75-year-old Jeanerette man was found today and the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s office also made an arrest in connection with his death. Twenty-three-year-old Jeffery Lee Marks was charged with first degree murder. A motive has not been released by authorities.

2016 was filled with bizarre stories in Louisiana. Halen Doughty has some of the highlights….
voicer 2 (31) “….I’m Halen Doughty”

A cold front will move across the state tonight, bringing us more seasonable temperatures tomorrow. But Roger Erickson with the National Weather Service says warmer weather will return this weekend and there’s also a chance of severe weather….
cut 12 (08) “…as well”
Erickson says the dense fog that’s developed over the last few days will go away for at least a day, because of the cooler air.

It’s end of the year and Metairie tax preparer Gina Rachel says many will give to charities over the next couple of days so they can receive a deduction on their 2016 returns. Rachel says there are some moves you can do after January 1st that can also lessen your tax bill…
cut 15 (09) “…that as well”
And the state will begin accepting tax returns on January 23rd.