Governor John Bel Edwards took time today to reflect on what he says has been a rewarding but challenging year as well. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor Edwards also appeared with State Police Col Mike Edmonson today to announce that Louisiana will become the first state in the nation to supply all state troopers with body cameras. Edmonson says they plan to roll out the cameras in the French Quarter next year and expand from there. He adds the cost will be about $5.3 million over the next five years with money from the existing budget.

A trail camera in Morehouse Parish captured a pic of a live wild cougar, and it’s been authenticated by the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Maria Davidson is LDWF’s Large Carnivore Program Manager. She says they got the picture in November and it’s not likely that this animal is still in Northeast Louisiana…:
CUT 7 (09) “the same place”
She says they encourage people to report any physical evidence of cougar sightings.

Many people don’t know that when they buy an item online from a retailer that doesn’t tack on state and local sales taxes, consumers are responsible for reporting the purchase. Amazon is going to begin automatically adding the taxes in January according to Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson…:
CUT 13 (09) “on me”
She says the state should see an improvement in collections as a result of this.

Governor John Bel Edwards calls 2016 a challenging year, but also very rewarding and positive as well. Edwards says he entered office and immediately addressed an unprecedented budget deficit by making cuts and raising revenues through tax increases…:
Cut 9 (09) “myself in”
He say the most difficult day was when he learned of the police officer shootings in Baton Rouge on July 17th. The governor is now with State Police to announce that Louisiana will become the first state in a nation to supply all state troopers with body cameras.

Today is the first day of winter, but State climatologist Barry Keim says the forecast is calling for warmer and drier than normal conditions for the next three months…:
cut (09) “with precipitation”
He says Louisianians can expect temperatures in the 70s Christmas weekend.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries confirms the first sighting of a wild cougar in the state since 2011. It said a trail camera picture sent to the department in November out of Morehouse Parish is authentic. Maria Davidson is LDWF’s Large Carnivore Program Manager. She says this is unusual as there is no cougar population here:
CUT 6 (10) “thousands of miles”
She says they move so fast that there is little chance the cougar would still be in Northeast Louisiana.

An assistant warden at Angola was reportedly arrested Tuesday on rape charges in an incident he allegedly committed at his home which is on prison property. The suspect is identified as 34-year-old Barrett Boeker.

Governor John Bel Edwards is at this hour remarking to reporters on the good and the bad of Louisiana in 2016. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the governor inherited a historic budget deficit when he took office on January 11th, which took up most of his time during the first half of the year…:
CUT 7 (09) “on that”
He says Edwards was able to raise over $1.5 billion in revenues this year, but there are still challenges ahead in 2017.

There’s been a lot of talk about the news that Amazon will begin charging state and local sales taxes at the start of the year. State Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says the online retailer has gone forward with voluntary compliance…:
cut 14 (08) “about it”
She says Louisiana law has always required consumers to pay taxes on items they purchase online.

Louisiana women earned about 76% of what their male counterparts earned from 2014-2015, according to the Us Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s a 1.4% decline from the prior year. Tulane business professor Dr. Mark Rosa says almost no one would argue that women and men should be paid the same, but there are a lot of labor intensive jobs in Louisiana..:
CUT 4 (09) “welding job”
The statistics show women in Louisaina had a median weekly income of $630 to $828 for men.

Gov. John Bel Edwards and Venture Global LNG announced today the company will invest $8.5 billion to develop a natural gas liquefaction facility and export terminal in Plaquemines Parish. They say Plaquemines LNG will create 250 new direct jobs at an average annual salary of $70,000 per year, plus benefits. Full operations are expected to begin in 2022.

Today Governor John Bel Edwards will deliver remarks at an end of the year news conference on a review of 2016 in Louisiana. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the governor had some victories in his first year, like getting federal funding for flood victims and raising over 1.5 billion dollars during two special sessions…:
Cut 8 (09) “his popularity”
A survey last month found that 64-percent approve of the governor’s job performance.

What does Amazon’s new sales tax collecting policy mean for customers? Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says consumers are supposed to be paying these taxes for online purchases anyway and now brick and mortar stores will have a fair advantage and this should benefit the economy too…:
CUT 15 (11) “of this”
She says Amazon will begin adding the taxes on January 1st.

It’s the first day of winter, but we might not see many cold days over the next three months. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A man has been arrested in connection with a suspected arson at the University of Louisiana at Monroe ski house. ULM Police were dispatched to the fire Tuesday afternoon and contained it using water from Bayou Desiard before the fire department arrived. The suspect is identified as 36 year-old Michael Daquilla of Centreville, Mississippi. No word on why this man allegedly tried to set the ski house on fire.

Governor John Bel Edwards meets with reporters today to look back on his first year in office. Don Molino has more on the governor’s challenges and successes in 2016…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

It’s the first day of winter, but we might not see many cold days over the next three months. State climatologist says a drier and warmer than normal season is predicted, but that does’t mean we won’t see some cold air…:
CUT 6 (08) “next three months”

Could a rail service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans become a reality in the future. The Capitol City has received a quarter of a million dollars to start planning for the commuter train. John Spain with the Southern Rail Commission says he’s optimistic the legislature will allocate funds for the project in the next session…:
cut 12 (07) “in place”
Spain says this commuter rail would hopefully be part of a larger route that stretches from Baton Rouge to Orlando, Florida.

Many people don’t know that when they buy an item online from a retailer that doesn’t tack on state and local sales taxes, consumers are responsible for reporting the purchase. Amazon is going to begin automatically adding the taxes in January according to Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson…:
CUT 13 (09) “on me”
She says the state should see an improvement in collections as a result of this.

Governor John Bel Edwards is set to meet with reporters today to look back at the challenges and successes Louisiana has seen during 2016. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Edwards inherited an historic budget deficit when he took office on January 11th, which took up most of his time during the first half of the year…:
CUT 7 (09) “on that”
The Governor’s monthly call in radio show airs today at 2pm.

Today is the official first day of winter, so what can we expect over the next 3 months? State Climatologist Barry Keim says you may not be bundling up too much or needing the umbrella often thanks to the weak La Nina currently in place…:
Cut 5 (10) “includes Louisiana”
Winter Solstice officially began at 4:44 this morning.

Online shoppers in Louisiana are asking how Amazon’s announcement that it will collect Louisiana sales taxes next year will affect them. Halen Doughty has the answer…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

An assistant warden at Angola was reportedly arrested Tuesday on rape charges in an incident he allegedly committed at his home which is on prison property. 34-year-old Barrett Boeker was being held Tuesday at the West Feliciana Parish jail after turning himself in, and his bond set at $200,000.

Winter Solstice officially began at 4:44 this morning, according to State climatologist Barry Keim. He says we’ve been experiencing some cold temperatures this week, but the Climate Prediction Center is calling for warmer and drier than normal conditions for the next three months…:
cut 4 (09) “with precipitation”
Keim says don’t expect a white Christmas in Louisiana, as temperatures are slated to be in the 70s this weekend.

It’s a busy day for Governor John Bel Edwards. He is making an economic development announcement this morning in West Pointe-a-la-Hache. He will then hold an end of the year news conference to remark on the challenges and successes Louisiana has seen during 2016. That’s at 11:30 this morning and right after the governor will make an announcement with State Police. The “Ask the Governor” radio show is this afternoon at 2pm on affiliates of the Louisiana Radio Network and online at LouisianaRadioNetwork.com.

Baton Rouge has received funding to start plans for a commuter train between the Capitol City and New Orleans. John Spain with the Southern Rail Commission says the city received quarter of a million dollars to start planning for a new train station in downtown Baton Rouge, and the city has agreed to match the federal investment…:
Cut 10 (10) “be successful”
He is optimistic the legislature will allocate funds for the project in the next session.

There’s been a lot of talk about Amazon charging state and local sales taxes at the start of the year. State Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says the online retailer has gone forward with voluntary compliance…:
cut 14 (08) “about it”

Governor John Bel Edwards meets with reporters today to look back on his first year in office. Don Molino has more on the governor’s challenges and successes in 2016…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

______________________________________

Online shoppers in Louisiana are asking how Amazon’s announcement that it will collect Louisiana sales taxes next year will affect them. Halen Doughty has the answer…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________

It’s the first day of winter, but we might not see many cold days over the next three months. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

_____________________________________________

Winter Solstice officially began at 4:44 this morning, according to State climatologist Barry Keim. He says we’ve been experiencing some cold temperatures this week, but the Climate Prediction Center is calling for warmer and drier than normal conditions for the next three months…:

cut 4  (09) “with precipitation”

Keim says this forecast is based partly because of the weak La Nina conditions currently in place…:

Cut 5  (10)  “includes Louisiana”

Keim says the chance of having a white Christmas in Louisiana this year is basically nill. He says this prediction doesn’t mean we won’t see some cold air intrusions this winter…:

Cut 6 (08) “next three months”

___________________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards is set to meet with reporters today to look back at the challenges and successes Louisiana has seen during 2016. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Edwards inherited an historic budget deficit when he took office on January 11th, which took up most of his time during the first half of the year.

CUT 7 (09)  “on that”

Pinsonat says Edwards had some victories in his first year, like getting federal funding for flood victims and raising over 1.5 billion dollars in revenues during two special sessions.

Cut 8 (09) “his popularity”

Pinsonat conducted several independent polls during 2016 measuring the governor’s approval rating. A survey last month found that 64-percent approve of the governor’s job performance. The pollster says Edwards faces a number of challenges in 2017, which will impact his popularity going forward.

Cut 9 (08)  “houses fixed”

________________________________________

Baton Rouge has received funding to start plans for a commuter train between the Capitol City and New Orleans. John Spain with the Southern Rail Commission says the city received quarter of a million dollars to start planning for a new train station in downtown Baton Rouge, and the city has agreed to match the federal investment.

Cut 10 (10) “be successful”

Spain says this commuter rail would hopefully be part of a larger route that stretches from Baton Rouge to Orlando, Florida. He says a passenger train used to run that route, but parts of it were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. He adds there were problems because the line started in California, which meant it was often late and did not run daily.

cut 11 (09) “7 days a week”

Spain says this Gulf South route would have tourism and economic development benefits for Louisiana, as people could ride the train to and from the New Orleans International Airport. He is optimistic the legislature will allocate funds for the project in the next session.

cut 12 (07) “in place”

________________________________________

What does Amazon’s new sales tax collecting policy mean for customers? State Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says not much will change. She says even though customers haven’t seen the taxes on their purchase totals, Louisiana law has always required consumers to pay taxes on items they purchase online.

Cut 13 (09) “on me”

Robinson says people are supposed to self-report sales taxes on their online purchases. She says lawmakers put in place methods to collect online sales taxes beginning in July of 2017. But she says Amazon has gone forward with voluntary compliance.

cut 14 (08) “about it”

The mega online retailer announced earlier this week it will collect sales taxes on purchases made in Louisiana beginning January 1st. Robinson says this means a level playing field for in-store retailers, who have been collecting state sales taxes for decades. She says it’s also good news for the state budget.

Cut 15 (11) “of this”

_________________________________________________

LSU wide receiver Malachi Dupre says he has not made a decision on whether to enter the NFL draft and forgo his senior season. Dupre says his focus is on the December 31st bowl game matchup against Louisville…

Cut 16 (15) “have left”

It was reported last week Dupre would make himself eligible for the draft following the bowl game, but the New Orleans native says he’s not sure who the source was for that report…

Cut 17 (09)    “decision yet”

Dupre was expected to have a big junior season, but he started off slow and had a couple of key drops. The former John Curtis star finished the regular season 34 catches and three touchdown receptions. He says he’s not leaning one way or the other on what he might do…

Cut 18 (15) “going to work”

Beginning January 1, Amazon will collect sales taxes on purchases made by Louisiana residents. State department of revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says both state and local sales taxes will be added to purchase totals.

Cut 6 (07) “address”

The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit on behalf of three panhandlers in Slidell, over an ordinance that requires them to get a permit in order to beg for money on city streets. Louisiana ACLU executive director Marjorie Esman says the city of Slidell’s requirement violates the panhandlers First Amendment Rights.

Cut 12 (11) “this country”
Slidell city attorney Brian Haggerty says they have no comment on the lawsuit.

A Walker man has been charged with attempted second-degree murder following a road rage incident. Walker Police Capt. John Sharp says 31-year-old Bradley Deville fired a 9mm pistol into the side of 35-year-old Johnny Franz’ vehicle.

Cut 5 (08) “Mr. Franz”

Sharp says the incident began when Franz tailgated Deville and the two began arguing at an intersection.

State department are making cuts to their respective agencies today, as $277 million has been carved from the state budget. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says these cuts are being made by not hiring new people to fill vacant positions.

Cut 8 (10) “fiscal year”

Dardenne says we’ll get the full budget picture when the Revenue Estimating Conference meets again in January.