Governor John Bel Edwards will be sworn in today at 11:30 AM for his second term of office on the steps of the Capitol, weather allowing. Advisor to Governor Richard Carbo says attendees will get to hear from Edwards about his plans for the next four years, and enjoy some top-notch Louisiana talent.

Cut 4 (11) “…a treat.”

In Northwest, Louisiana power is being restored and clean-up crews have moved in after an EF-2 tornado swept through the area around 2am Saturday morning. Lt Bill Davis with the Bossier Parish Sheriff office says Swepco has restored power to most of the area.

Cut 3 along well :11

A new state legislature will choose their leaders for the next four years today. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the selection of House Speaker has huge ramifications. It’s between Albany Representative Sherman Mack and Gonzales Representative Clay Schexnayder.

Pisonat says if Mack wins, the governor will not have an ally leading the House…

Cut 10 (10) “…input”

The Senate is expected to elect Lafayette Senator Page Cortez as Senate President.

Ed Orgeron’s hometown of Larose is decked out in purple and gold ready for the big game tonight, Larose attorney and longtime friend of Orgeron, Henry LaFont says having Coach O be a hometown boy adds something special to the National Championship this time.

Cut 13 (10) “…mean it’s unbelievable.”

Severe weather is expected to impact north Louisiana tonight, and southeast Louisiana tomorrow, just in time for the crowds to start packing the Quarter ahead of Monday night’s CFP Championship Game. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser thinks it won’t spoil the fun…

Cut 8 (11) “…good time”

There’s strong opposition in Mandeville over a proposed hotel and conference center at Fontainebleau State Park. A standing-room crowd gathered at the Mandeville Community Center to hear more about the idea by Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, and things got heated quickly. state representative-elect Richard Nelson says those who could not get in, banged on windows and doors to show their opposition.

Cut 10 (10) “…large hostile crowd.”

Nungesser says the plan would generate revenue to improve state parks, but it won’t be implemented unless it has community support.

The LSU Board of Supervisors has called an audible. The board voted today to cancel classes on the Baton Rouge campus Monday and Tuesday because of the national title game. Earlier in the week, the university said classes would take place as scheduled. LSU interim president Thomas Galligan says he respects the board’s decision, but it causes scheduling issues…

Cut 13 (15) “…of class.”

27-year-old Lacey Jordan of Oakdale is thought by police to be behind the fatal hit and run just south of Alexandria that killed Alexandria native, 50-year-old Taurus McQuarn who was bike riding. Trooper Casey Wallace says it’s a tragedy, but also a reminder to practice the best bike safety you can…

Cut 5 (09) “…just always key.”

Routine toxicology tests are pending.

Severe weather is expected in Louisiana tonight and into tomorrow.  This severe weather should be impacting southeast Louisiana just as the crowds pour into the city ahead of the CFP Championship game. State Climatologist Barry Keim says if you’re heading over, be careful.
Cut 16  (10)  …brisk” 
The LSU/Clemson game in the Dome is set to bring tens of millions of dollars in revenue to the city and state, along with immeasurable levels of exposure for the state’s tourism industry, and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says it’s largely thanks to a team full of players with great character, led by Heisman winner Joe Burrow…
Cut 7 (06) “that team.”

Nungesser highlighted Burrow’s Heisman speech where the QB called attention to poverty in his hometown.

There’s strong opposition in Mandeville over a proposed hotel and conference center at Fontainebleau State Park. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the development could also include a zipline and horseback riding, which would generate revenue to fund improvements at other state parks. A standing-room crowd gathered at the Mandeville Community Center to hear more about Nungesser’s proposal. State representative-elect Richard Nelson Nelson says those who could not get in, banged on windows and doors to show their opposition

Cut 10 (10) “…large hostile crowd.”

Nungesser says if there is a lot of opposition, the proposal will not move forward.

27-year-old Lacey Jade of Oakdale has been identified as allegedly being the driver behind a hit and run that killed 50-year-old Taurus McQuarn of Alexandria on US Highway 165. Trooper Casey Wallace says Jordan has not been charged yet…

Cut 4 (08) “…her as well.”

The LSU/Clemson showdown in the Dome Monday night for the CFP National Championship is expected to bring a lot of revenue and national attention to the state.  Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says it’s exposure you just can’t pay for…

Cut 6 (09) “Louisiana”

LSU students can go to New Orleans for the championship game and stay up late that night without worrying about going to school. Kevin Barnhart has the story…

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Severe weather is expected in Louisiana tonight and into tomorrow.  State Climatologist Barry Keim Keim says the number one concern is the possibility for tornadoes and hail because while it’ll be wet, it won’t be dangerously so.

Cut 15 (10) “…issues”

This severe weather should be impacting southeast Louisiana just as the crowds pour into the city ahead of the CFP Championship game.

State Police has identified the driver involved in a fatal hit and run of a bicyclist  Thursday morning just south of Alexandria. Trooper Casey Wallace says 27-year-old Lacey Jade Jordan of Oakdale was behind the wheel of a Chevy Silverado that hit a 50-year-old Taurus McQuarn of Alexandria on US Highway 165.

Cut 3 (08)  “… he became deceased.” 

Wallace says Jordan has not been charged yet as the investigation continues into the intricate details of the crash.

The LSU Board of Supervisors votes to reverse course and cancel LSU classes Monday and Tuesday ahead of Monday night’s showdown with Clemson for the CFP Championship game.  Board member Ronnie Anderson supported the proposal

Cut 12 (14) “…to agree.”

The following Monday is MLK Day, which means some students will be missing two straight weeks of classes as a result.

With that decision in the books students can now start pouring into the city for a three and a half days of pregaming before kickoff. They’ll be joined by tens of thousands of visitors from around the world in the Quarter, which is set to be inundated with rain from a severe weather event Saturday. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says that shouldn’t tamp down the fun, and the bad weather shouldn’t last too long.

Cut 8 (11) “…good time”

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State Police has identified 27-year-old Lacey Jade Jordan of Oakdale as the driver involved in a fatal hit and run of a bicyclist Thursday morning just south of Alexandria. Routine toxicology tests are pending. Trooper Casey Wallace says the crash is a reminder for cyclists to take measures to protect themselves.

Cut 5 (09) “…just always key.”

The victim was 50-year-old Taurus McQuarn of Alexandria.

Mandeville State Representative-elect Richard Nelson was in attendance at a heated meeting involving Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, where area residents opposed a pitch to construct a hotel and conference center in Fontainebleau State Park. Nungesser accused Nelson of getting forceful with him.  Nelson explains his side of the story.

Cut 11 (13) “…is their park.”

The LSU/Clemson CFP National Championship game in the Dome Monday night is set to bring tens of millions of dollars in revenue to the city and state, along with immeasurable levels of exposure for the state’s tourism industry, and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says it’s largely thanks to a team full of players with great character, led by Heisman winner Joe Burrow…

Cut 7 (06) “that team.”

Nungesser highlighted Burrow’s Heisman speech where the QB called attention to poverty in his hometown.

27-year-old Lacey Jade of Oakdale has been identified as allegedly being the driver behind a hit and run that killed 50-year-old Taurus McQuarn of Alexandria on US Highway 165. Trooper Casey Wallace says Jordan has not been charged yet…

Cut 4 (08) “…her as well.”

The possibility of having a hotel and conference center constructed in Fontainbleau State Park is not sitting well with residents in the Mandeville area. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

The LSU/Clemson showdown in the Dome Monday night for the CFP National Championship is expected to bring a lot of money and attention to New Orleans and the state at large. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says events like these can generate tens and even hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue, but even more so than that, it’s exposure…

Cut 6, 9 seconds, Louisiana

The Dome has seen three major games to start the year, the Georgia vs. Baylor Sugar Bowl, the Saints vs. Vikings playoff game, and now Clemson and LSU.

Heads up LSU students, you’ll be expected to be at class Monday and Tuesday despite LSU’s historic game Monday night. LSU Faculty Senate President Dr. Mandi Lopez says losing class time is not an option.

Cut 15 (08) “…planned.”

Spring classes start Monday.

Troopers locate and identify the driver involved in a fatal hit and run of a bicyclist on Thursday morning just south of Alexandria.  Trooper Casey Wallace says the 27-year-old Lacey Jade Jordan of Oakdale was behind the wheel of the southbound Chevy Silverado that hit a 50-year-old Taurus McQuarn of Alexandria on US Highway 165.

Cut 3 (08)  “… he became deceased.” 

Bossier City Senator Barrow Peacock says north Louisiana is chronically underserved by dentists, and the region needs a dental school in the Bossier/Shreveport medical hub to help solve that problem. The Senator says the lack of access is leading to expensive, and dangerous outcomes where people are taking their oral needs to an ER.

Cut 8 (10) “…setting.”

The Senator believes hosting a school in the north would make it more likely those students would stay in the region after graduation.

A state senator want the Board of Regents to OK construction of a new dental school in the Shreveport/Bossier area. Matt Doyle spoke with him about the request…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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The possibility of having a hotel and conference center constructed in Fontainbleau State Park is not sitting well with residents in the Mandeville area. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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LSU students hoping to get Monday or Tuesday off for the National Championship better think again…

Cut 3 (30)  “… I’m Matt Doyle” 

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Northwest Louisiana is could see tornados in the late night hours tonight as forecasters are calling for a moderate risk of severe weather.  National Weather Service Shreveport meteorologist Brandon Thorne says moisture from the gulf clashing with a cold front is to blame.

Cut 4 (08) “…that cold front.”

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness has activated the crisis team in preparation for the storm.

Thorne says the possibility is present for some isolated supercells to develop ahead of the front.

Cut 5 (06) “…of the front.”

A squall line type of a system is expected along the front, producing an extremely strong wind event.

Louisiana is no stranger to tornado outbreaks and Thorne says the timing of the weather’s impact on northwest Louisiana produces an added danger.

Cut 6 (11) “…people being asleep.”

The system will push into southeast Louisiana Saturday morning with an enhanced risk of severe weather.

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Bossier City Senator Barrow Peacock is pushing to have a dental school built in the Shreveport/Bossier area, as the only school currently in the state is in New Orleans.

Peacock says to start, Louisiana really needs another dental school in general. He says our residents suffer from low levels of access to oral healthcare.

Cut 7 (11) “…thousand.”

The issue is being studied thanks to a Legislative request from the last session.

Peacock says north Louisiana, in particular, is underserved, leading to expensive, and dangerous outcomes where people are taking their oral needs to an ER.

Cut 8 (10) “…setting.”

The Senator believes hosting a school in the north would make it more likely those students would stay in the region after graduation.

Peacock says if you’re going to build a new dental school anywhere, it should be in the healthcare hub that is Shreveport/Bossier. Before the Board of Regents agrees to anything though, they have to answer…

Cut 9 (08) “…funded”

The potential dental school would presumably be a part of LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine.

_____________________________

A pitch to construct a hotel and conference center in Fontainbleau State Park in the Mandeville area sees heavy opposition at a meeting organized by Mandeville’s mayor.  Rumors that had circulated about the facility also being a casino, adding more opposition, but Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says those rumors were untrue.

Cut 10 (11) “…pulled that back.”

Nungesser says state park lodging development is something that has been done in 26 other states, with revenue generated going towards nature conservation efforts, but adds if the majority of residents or elected officials are in opposition, nothing will be done.  Nungesser says State Representative-elect Richard Nelson forcefully swiped his microphone when addressing area residents.

Cut 11 (08) “…plans there either.”

Nungesser says if development were to occur, it would be an environmentally friendly facility and that it is important to move slowly and look at every opportunity seriously.

Cut 12 (11) “…parks in Louisiana.”

_____________________________

LSU students will not be getting Monday or Tuesday off to prepare for, or recover from the CFP National Championship game Monday night.

Many students have called for an off-day or two because of the historic contest, but LSU Faculty Senate President Dr. Mandi Lopez says it’s not going to happen.

Cut 13 (11) “…period.”

Those with 8 AM Tuesday classes may shudder to hear it, but Lopez says taking off the first two days of the semester would just end up hurting students in the long run.

Cut 14 (12) “…class days”

Monday and Tuesday mark the start of the new semester, and Lopez says with many classes only meeting once or twice a week, losing that time would be highly detrimental.

Cut 15 (08) “…planned.”

So eat a big meal before the game, drink plenty of water, and have a Gatorade ready to go for your morning classes.

______________________________________________

LSU and Clemson will arrive in New Orleans later today to continue their preparations for Monday’s national championship. Lawrence and the Tigers are looking to repeat as chams

Cut 16  (15)  …to expect” 

With the game being played in the Mercedes Benz Superdome, Lawrence says they’ve prepared like they are playing a road game

Cut 17  (14) “really fun” 

LSU’s defense will have to figure out a way to slow down two-time ACC Offensive Player of the year in Clemson running back Travis Etienne. The junior from Jennings understands he has a unique opportunity in front of him…

cut 18  (09) of business”   

Clemson has won 29 straight. The Tigers last loss was to Alabama in the 2018 Sugar bowl. Etienne was a freshman that season and didn’t play well in that game after taking a big hit on the opening kickoff

cut 19 (16)  my brothers  

A study shows a net 28,000 college educated Louisianans migrated out of the state between 2007 and 2017, with a net 38,000 aged 25-54 leaving for greener pastures. Study author UL Lafayette Professor of Economics Gary Wagner says three-quarters of the migration is heading to just four states.

Cut 4 (09) “…Virginia.”

Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, New York, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania all had net positive migration to Louisiana…

Former LSU athletics director Joe Alleva spoke candidly to Advocate columnist Scott Rabalais about moves made during his tenure. Alleva detailed his support for hiring Coach O over more prominent names like Tom Herman and Jimbo Fisher, and lamented Les Miles failure to utilize his wealth of talent…

Cut 8 (11) “…at Michigan”

President of the Louisiana Association of Educators Dr. Tia Mills says the recent resignation of the state’s education superintendent John White is a welcomed change. Mills says many educators were not thrilled with his administration.

Cut 9 (07) “…across the state.”

White clashed with teacher unions on several issues, including the expansion of the state’s voucher program and student-testing is now a major component of teacher evaluations.

President Donald Trump officially qualifies to appear on the ballot for the April 4th presidential primary in Louisiana. Attorney General Jeff Landry filed the paperwork…

Cut 14 (12) “…Democrat is nominated.”

So far, nine Democrats have qualified in Louisiana for the primary. In November 2016, Donald Trump received one-point-one million votes, the most votes ever in Louisiana history.

A study shows Louisiana lost a net 28,000 college-educated workers to other states in a ten year period starting in 2007. Matt Doyle spoke with the study’s author…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

An I-10 traffic stop near Port Allen by State Police leads to the arrest of a California man accused of human trafficking.  The trooper became suspicious of criminal activity consistent with human trafficking after speaking with the 22 year old female passenger.  The suspect, 44-year old Ruben Delgado was booked into the West Baton Rouge Parish Jail.

President Donald Trump officially qualifies to appear on the Louisiana Republican primary ballot in 2020. Attorney General Jeff Landry filed the paperwork on behalf of the President at the Secretary of State’s office this morning.

Cut 12 (12) “…I happily accepted.”

The primary is April 4th.

Former LSU athletics director Joe Alleva spoke candidly to Advocate columnist Scott Rabalais about moves made during his tenure. Alleva hired Ed Orgeron as head football coach in 2016. But in 2015 there were reports LSU wanted to fire Les Miles and hire then-Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher. In the Rabalais’ column, Alleva said he was not interested in Fisher

Cut 6 (11) “about that”