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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.
Saints Coach Sean Payton said on his coach’s show last night that he definitely plans to be back next season. There’s been reports that the Saints and Los Angeles Rams are considering a trade that would send Payton to the West Coast and the Saints would receive draft or player compensation in return. But Payton said last night he plans on honoring the five-year contract he signed in 2016.
Quarterback Drew Brees has said that reports of Payton leaving have been completely made up and said it comes with the territory when you don’t make the playoffs…
cut 16 (14) “…speculation”
And Brees says his plan going forward is to play out the contract he signed in September that keeps him with the Black and Gold through 2017.
LSU has lost a verbal commitment from a linebacker out of Alabama. Three-star prospect Monty Rice now plans on attending Georgia as a mid-year enrolee.
Last night in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, Oklahoma defeated Auburn 35-19 as the Sooners won their 10th straight. The SEC is 6-and-6 in bowl games this year and Alabama still has to play Clemson in the national championship.
The Pelicans took on the World Champs last night as Cleveland upended New Orleans 90-82. LeBron James had 26 points for the Cavs, who have won 13 of their last 15. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for New Orleans. Anthony Davis had 20 points and 17 rebonds in a losing effort.
UL Lafayette looked good on ESPN Two last nigh as the Cajuns rocked Little Rock 69-52. Justin Miller had 15 points
Elsewhere…ULM fell to Arkansas State 76-45. In the Southland, Nicholls, McNeese State and Southeastern Lousiiana were all winners.
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 Saints take on the Atlanta Falcons in the regular season finale for the Black and Gold on Sunday. Sunday’s game means a lot for Atlanta. A Falcons win and they secure a first round bye in the NFC playoffs. But running back Mark Ingram says it’s an important game for the Saints too, even though there are no postseason implications for New Orleans….
cut 18 (19) “…a rival”
Fullback John Kuhn and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe did not practice for the Saints. Center Max Unger and linebacker Craig Robertson were listed as limited on the practice report.
The LSU Tigers had their first practice in Orlando today. According to the Baton Rouge Advocate, defensive backs Kristian Fulton and Ed Paris were getting snaps with the first-team.
Southern Lab linebacker Chris Allen was named Defensive Player of the Year in Louisiana by the USA Today. The six-foot-four, 235 pounder had 82 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss and six sacks as he helped the Kittens win back-to-back division four titles.
One of the top running backs in the country has decided to play for Florida State, instead of LSU. Cam Akers from Clinton, Mississippi, gave his verbal commitment to the Seminoles.
Louisiana Tech fans will miss wide receiver Carlos Henderson. He’s decided to leave school early and enter the NFL draft after catching 19 touchdown passes this season.
The Pelicans host the Los Angeles Clippers tonight at the Smoothie King Center at 7 PM. New Orleans is attempting to win its third game in a row.
Tonight in college hoops…ULM hosts Grambling State. Both teams are 5-7 on the year.
Southeastern Louisiana is at Southern. The Jaguars beat the Lions last year with a three-pointer at the buzzer. Tulane begins American Athletic Conference play by hosting Central Florida.
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.
Senator-elect John Kennedy isn’t happy that Amazon will begin collecting Louisiana sales taxes. Halen Doughty has more…
Voicer 5 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”
After record breaking heat this week, we’ll finally see a cold front. Roger Erickson with the National Weather Service says the front will give us more seasonable temperatures tomorrow. But he says this cool air will not last long.
cut 11 (08) “…our east”
2016 had its share of bizarre stories in Louisiana. Last June, the valedictorian at Amite High School was not able to attend graduation with the rest of his classmates, because he refused to shave his facial hair. Andrew Jones had his own special ceremony and Pastor Roosevelt Wright helped set up the event…
cut 10 (11) “…a baby”
Jones was one of several students that were asked to shave before they could attend the school’s graduation ceremonies.
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says there’s been an uptick in the number of flood insurance policies after the state was hit with two historic floods. Donelon says it’s a very wise investment for a property owner…
cut 5 (10) “….building itself”
Donelon says there are 29-thousand more policies now than in July.
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces more Louisiana residents are purchasing flood insurance since the two devastating floods Louisiana endured this year. Don Molino has more…
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2016 was filled with bizarre stories in Louisiana. Halen Doughty has some of the highlights…
Cut 2 (26) “I’m Halen Doughty”
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More Louisiana residents are buying flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program after two historic floods devastated Louisiana this year. That’s according to Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, who says flood insurance is the best purchase a property owner can make, even if you don’t live in a flood zone.
The NFIP has issued more than $2 billion in payments as a result of the August flood. Donelon says there were 451-thousand policies in place in July. He says that has grown to 480-thousand policies. He says they saw the biggest spike in areas in south Louisiana that were affected by the August flooding.
cut 4 (10) “East Baton Rouge Parish”
Ascension, Lafayette, and Tangipahoa parishes saw similar hikes in policies. Donelon says even he himself increased his flood coverage after the August flood. He says it’s important to make sure the contents of your home are covered as well, not just the structure.
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A 23-year-old Jeanerette man has been arrested in connection with the disappearance and death of 75-year-old Howard Poche. The elderly man was reported missing on Christmas day and the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s office says a significant amount of blood was found in his home. Capt. Richard Fleming says Jeffery Marks was taken into custody this morning.
Marks was booked into the Iberia Parish Jail and no bond has been set. The sheriff’s office says Poche’s body has also been located, but Fleming says they are not providing any other details…
CUT 7 (10) “the investigation”
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Louisiana saw it’s share of bizarre stories in 2016. Jackson Representative Kenny Havard proposed an amendment to a sex trafficking bill that suggested strippers must be younger than 28 and weigh less than 160 pounds. Even after an uproar from female legislators calling the joke sexist, Havard refused to apologize for the amendment, saying he never mentioned women.
Perhaps even more bizarre was when Pamela Anderson suggested that prisoners at Angola should be fed a vegetarian diet. Spokesperson for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Dan Matthews, said not only is a vegetarian diet healthier for the inmates, it could also save the state money.
This year a special graduation ceremony was also held for a high school senior who was not allowed to walk in his school’s ceremony because he refused to shave his facial hair. Co-organizer of the event, Pastor Roosevelt Wright said Andrew Jones was the valedictorian at Amite High School, and it was incomprehensible that he was denied this privilege because of his beard.
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After record breaking heat this week, we’ll finally see a cold front. Roger Erickson with the National Weather Service says the front will give us more seasonable temperatures tomorrow, with temps in the upper 50s to low 60s . But he says this cool air will not last long.
Erickson says warm weather will return this weekend and there is also a chance of severe weather.
Erickson says this quick cold front will likely help ease the dense fog we’ve been experiencing the last several days.
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