Governor John Bel Edwards has issued the call for a special legislative session to address a 750 million dollar budget shortfall. The session will start on February 14th and for three and a half weeks lawmakers will have a chance to debate various cuts to the budget and tax increases like the sales tax by a penny, higher cigarette and alcohol taxes and changes to person income tax brackets.

It’s a big Mardi Gras party weekend and cops are urging revelers to play it safe. State Police Trooper Melissa Matey says there is a no tolerance policy for drunk driving and please be mindful of where your kidsa are at all times. She says they are also asking the public to take advantage of the see something, send something app in case you spot something that doesn’t seem right…:
cut 14 (11) “immediately”

Chevron announces 385 possible layoffs are coming to five offices in Covington and Lafayette. Eric Smith, Associate Director at the Tulane Energy Institute, says the low oil prices initially impacted independent oil producers, but now major companies are feeling the affects…:
CUT 6 (10) “some cutbacks”
Chevron says the cuts will begin April 4th. Alcoa has also told the state it is laying off up to 37 employees at a plant in Lake Charles.

New Orleans attorney Caroline Fayard is the first Democrat to enter Louisiana’s US Senate race. Fayard has never held political office, but did run for Lt. Governor in 2010. Fayard says she’s running for the Senate because she doesn’t want the rest of the country to take Louisiana for granted and that starts in Washington, D.C….
cut 3 (10) “to the table”

Chevron North America has informed the Louisiana Workforce Commission about possible layoffs at five office locations in Covington and Lafayette. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

The preservationists have lost another step in their fight to keep the Confederate monuments up in New Orleans as a civil district court judge rules against an effort to stop the removal of the statues. A similar challenge was shot down in federal court lat month. The preservationists say they would appeal.

Discussions have started about forming another high school athletic association. It’s in response to a vote by member principals of the LHSAA who decided to expand the championship split to other sports. Former commissioner of administration, Paul Rainwater, organized a meeting with several high school principals and A-D’s to discuss what it would take to form a new organization…:
CUT 9 (06) “with a budget”
He plans to have a constitution and structure ready to present to interested schools in May.

Folks all over the state will be participating in Mardi Gras celebrations this weekend and State Police are urging you to be safe. Trooper Melissa Matey says if you are enjoying the parades with your children, have a plan in place in case you get separated from your kids…:
cut 13 (10) “was wearing”
She says they have zero tolerance for drunk drivers and the drive sober or get pulled over continues throughout Mardi Gras.

Historic low oil prices aren’t expected to rebound anytime soon and the layoffs keep coming. Chevron announced today that they plan to cut 385 people starting in April at locations in Lafayette and Covington. Eric Smith, Associate Director at the Tulane Energy Institute, believes the layoffs are primarily coming in upstream business, which is what they call the process of drilling and operations in getting oil out of the ground:
CUT 7 (10) “pretty well”
The company says they will help laid-off employees find other Chevron jobs.

KPLC in Lake Chares is reporting a former Catholic priest in Calcasieu Parish has been found guilty of molesting and raping alter boys. 60-year-old Mark Anthony Broussard was convicted of aggravated rape, molestation of a juvenile, aggravated oral sexual battery and aggravated rape. Broussard was accused of sexually abusing two boys while a priest in the 1980s and 90s.

Discussions are underway about forming a new organiziation to rival the Louisiana High School Athletic Association. Jeff Palermo has the story..:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

It’s a big Mardi Gras weekend across Louisiana and State Police want it to be a safe one, especially on our highways. Trooper Melissa Matey says they have zero tolerance for drunk drivers, so make sure there’s a sober driver at the wheel…:
cut 12 (10) “in festivities”

New Orleans attorney Caroline Fayard is the first Democrat to enter Louisiana’s US Senate race. Political pundits have said that Fayard’s chances of winning would be greatly increased if she remains the only major Democrat in the race. She says she welcomes competition…:
CUT 5 (08) “as a country”
Fayard has never held political office, but did run for Lt. Governor in 2010.

Chevron North America has informed the Louisiana Workforce Commission about possible layoffs at five office locations in Covington and Lafayette. A total of 385 employees could be affected, 340 at the office locations and 45 offshore workers. Eric Smith, Associate Director at the Tulane Energy Institute, says with historic low oil prices, expect more layoffs…:
CUT 8 (07) “count on, today”
Chevron says the cuts will begin April 4th and should be complete by June 7th.

Discussions have started about forming another high school athletic association. It’s in response to a vote by member principals of the LHSAA who decided to expand the championship split to basketball, baseball and softball. Former commissioner of administration, Paul Rainwater, plans to have a constitution and structure ready to present to interested schools in May…:
Cut 11 (08) “use of money”
He organized a meeting with several high school principals and A-D’s to discuss what it would take to form a new organization.

In his hometown of New Orleans, there will be plenty of people cheering for Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50. It’s been a tough year for Manning, as he suffered through some poor play, an injury and accusations of HGH use, but here he is in his 4th Super Bowl. His former teammate at Newman and now head coach of the Greenies, Nelson Stewart, says they are very excited for Sunday’s game…
cut 18 (05) “…even more”

Chevron North America has informed the Louisiana Workforce Commission about possible layoffs at five office locations in Covington and Lafayette. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

State Police arrest a man on vehicular homicide charges after a passenger in his minivan died in an overnight crash in East Baton Rouge Parish. Investigators said they determined 33-year-old Sean Hopkins was speeding when the minivan veered off the road and struck a guardrail and tree line. Hopkins suffered serious injuries. His passenger, 32-year-old Christopher Holeman of Baton Rouge, died. Impairment is a suspected factor.

Discussions have started about forming another high school athletic association. One possible hurdle is that the National Federation of State High School Associations recognizes just one high school association in each state and that’s currently the LHSAA. Former commissioner of administration, Paul Rainwater, says that’s a challenge they can overcome…:
cut 10 (10) “sort of process”
This is in response to a vote by member principals of the LHSAA who decided to expand the championship split to basketball, baseball and softball.

A judge in New Orleans refused to stop the removal of Confederate monuments in the city. In December the New Orleans City Council declared the Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, P.G.T. Beauregard and Liberty monuments as city nuisances. The judge said there wasn’t evidence that a constitutional right that had been violated as the plaintiffs were arguing. They say they plan to appeal.

Chevron North America has informed the Louisiana Workforce Commission about possible layoffs at five office locations in Covington and Lafayette. A total of 385 employees could be affected, 340 at the office locations and 45 offshore workers. Eric Smith, Associate Director at the Tulane Energy Institute, says the low oil prices initially impacted independent oil producers, but now major companies are feeling the affects…:
CUT 6 (10) “some cutbacks”
Chevron says the cuts will begin April 4th.

The 16th Judicial District Attorney’s Office says no criminal charges will be filed in connection with the incident that resulted in the death of Victor White III while in the custody of the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office on March 3rd, 2014. They say an examination of all evidence from state police and the FBI determined there was no prosecutable violation.

New Orleans attorney Caroline Fayard becomes the first Democrat to enter this year’s US Senate race in Louisiana. Senator David Vitter is leaving the position at the end of his term. A campaign release describes Fayard as a “pro-life, pro-business Democrat.” She believes there are too many career politicians in Congress and voters are upset with the level of service they’re getting from their government…:
CUT 4 (07) “American families”

A New Orleans judge this morning refused to block the city of New Orleans from removing statues of Confederate leaders. The preservationists say they plan to appeal.

The Republican Party of Louisiana has launched their “Red to the Roots” campaign. Eric Gill has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

As many as 385 Chevron employees in Covington and Lafayette could be without a job soon as the energy corporation announces possible layoffs in five office locations. Chevron says they are forced to cut costs amid a major downturn in oil prices and to prioritize projects in the Gulf of Mexico.
They say the job cuts will start April 4th and should be complete by June 7th.

Discussions have started about forming another high school athletic association. It’s in response to a vote by member principals of the LHSAA who decided to expand the championship split to basketball, baseball and softball. Former commissioner of administration, Paul Rainwater, organized a meeting with several high school principals and A-D’s to discuss what it would take to form a new organization…:
CUT 9 (06) “with a budget”
He plans to have a constitution and structure ready to present to interested schools in May.

You can be sure there are plenty of fans in Louisiana who will be cheering on New Orleans native Peyton Manning and the Broncos in the Super Bowl Sunday. Isidore Newman High School football coach Nelson Stewart played with Manning for the Greenies from 1991-1993. He’s not surprised the 39-year-old is playing for his fourth Super Bowl, even though it was a difficult season:
Cut 16 (08) “challenge”
The big game between the Broncos and the Panthers kicks off at 5:30 Sunday.

New Orleans attorney Caroline Fayard is the first Democrat to enter Louisiana’s US Senate race. Fayard has never held political office, but did run for Lt. Governor in 2010. Fayard says she’s running for the Senate because she doesn’t want the rest of the country to take Louisiana for granted and that starts in Washington, D.C….

cut 3 (10) “to the table”

A release from her campaign describes Fayard as a “pro-life, pro-business Democrat.”

The Republican Party of Louisiana’s “Red to the Roots” campaign is an effort to identify, engage, and register new conservative voters across Louisiana. Executive Director Jason Dore says although the number of Republicans registering to vote is increasing, they’re not comfortable with some recent trends in voter registration…

cut 7 (07) “for granted”

He says it’s important to the Republican Party to have as many conservative voters registered in the state as possible.

In figures released Thursday, over 214,000 Louisiana residents signed up for health care coverage this year under the Affordable Care Act. That’s an increase of about 28,000 from last year. The open enrollment period ended Sunday. Nationwide, approximately 12.7 million people signed up or renewed their health insurance this year through the federal insurance marketplace.

Of course, Mardi Gras festivities are huge in New Orleans, but southwest Louisiana has some great celebrations of their own. Meghan Hartman with the Lake Charles Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau says every year the festivities get bigger and bigger in the region. She says, this Mardi Gras, the Society of American Travel Writers is coming in for a convention and to join in the celebrations…

cut 12 (07) “festivities”

She says they’re proud of the fact their parades are family friendly and people travel from all over to attend.

Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to issue the call for a special legislative session today. Republican legislators have expressed interest in making cuts that go beyond what Governor Edwards has suggested to close the state’s budget deficit. But LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says many lawmakers also realize that higher taxes are inevitable…

cut 6 (11) “spending reforms”

A three-and-a-half week special session is expected to start on February 14th.

The first Democrat has entered Louisiana’s US Senate race. New Orleans lawyer Caroline Fayard has announced her plans to run for Senator David Vitter’s soon-to-be vacant seat. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Fayard will need a little help from the Republican candidates in the race…

cut 15 (08) “becoming governor”

Pinsonat says we’ll have wait to see if other Democrats jump in the race.

Southwest Louisiana kicks off Mardi Gras this week with a variety of parades and events. Emelie Gunn has more…

cut 3 (26) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Many football fans in Louisiana will be cheering on New Orleans native Peyton Manning and the Broncos in the Super Bowl Sunday. Newman High School football coach Nelson Stewart, who played with Manning for the Greenies, says their entire school is getting together for a massive pep rally at 10 where they’ll be cheering and passing out orange and blue beads…

cut 18 (05) “even more”

The Super Bowl kicks off at 5:30 Sunday.

New Orleans lawyer Caroline Fayard is the first Democrat to get in Louisiana’s US Senate race…

cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The state Fire Marshal’s Office says a six-year-old girl is dead after a mobile home fire in Rapides Parish. They say 6-year-old Jocelyn Ruiz was unable to escape the fire in her Deville home. A 12-year-old sister, who suffered second and third degree burns, was transported to an area hospital. The child’s mother, 35-year-old Patricia Ruiz, and another 8-year-old sister were not seriously hurt. It has been determined that a space heater near a sofa played a factor in the fire.

New Orleans is not the only place to celebrate Mardi Gras in the state. Southwest Louisiana has some great celebrations of their own. Meghan Hartman with the Lake Charles Southwest Convention and Visitors Bureau says people travel from all over to attend Mardi Gras celebrations there.

cut 11 (09) “entry fees”

This weekend in Lake Charles there’s a Cajun gumbo cook-off, a community zydeco dance, The Krewe of Barkus Parade, and a children’s parade.

The Republican Party of Louisiana’s “Red to the Roots” campaign is an effort to identify, engage, and register new conservative voters across Louisiana. Executive Director Jason Dore says it’s important to the party to have as many conservative voters registered in the state as possible…

cut 9 (10) “talking to”

He says the campaign will put permanent boots on the ground in Louisiana with a primary focus of registering conservative voters.