Governor John Bel Edwards officially launched his re-election campaign today with a video message to voters. The main theme is that he says Louisiana is better now, than when he took office in 2016. Edwards is facing two announced GOP challengers, Congressman Ralph Abraham and Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone. Edwards expects his opponents and out of state interest groups to spend millions of dollars attacking his record…
Cut 5 (07) “…our working families.”
The St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s office has ruled Sunday’s Burglary on the Bayou as a homicide. Dr. Chuck Preston says the criminal intent was clear in the Saints loss in the NFC Championship.

Cut 12 (11) “…for this year.”
Three people are dead after a pickup truck ran off the road into Bayou Lafourche in Golden Meadow. State Police Senior Trooper Jesse LaGrange says it happened shortly after midnight last night on LA 308 and the driver, 37-year-old Michael Barthelemy of Galliano overcorrected. Two-year-old Trisha Barthelemy of Galliano and 17-year-old Zackary Cheramie of Golden Meadow also died in the crash. LaGrange says impairment is unknown as a factor in the crash…
Cut 7 (08) “…under investigation”
A Barksdale Air Force Base airman has been sentenced to 35 years in prison by a military jury for killing his roommate during a deployment to Guam in March. 22-year-old Airman Isaiah Edwards stabbed 20-year-old Airman Bradley Hale in there quarters while on deployment, claiming self-defence, but prosecutors said the attack was unprovoked. Edwards will be eligible for parole after serving a third of his sentence. The victim’s father says he is not satisfied with the sentence.

In November a town voted a convicted felon into office, and and now he’s being disqualified from holding the office due to an amendment that was on that same ballot…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

____________________________

According to la-politics-dot-com, former 4th District congressman John Fleming is considering a run at the governor’s mansion.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

_______________________________

If you’re feeling down about the Saints getting robbed and need a sugar pick-me-up, Haydel’s Bakery in New Orleans has a cookie you might want to sink your teeth into…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

__________________________________

Pecan farmers are losing crops due to bad weather, and losing lots of profits too. This year marks the fifth consecutive year growers are seeing weather take its toll on the industry.  Ouachita Parish grower Abraham Lincoln Fowler says in years past, the blame has fallen on lack of rain, mistimed rain, but this year, it’s been the abundance of rain to hurt growers.

Cut 4 (09) “…soured and ruined.”

Fowler says the five year stretch is the longest stretch of bad weather his family business has scene in it’s history.

Cut 5 (08) “…been this bad.”

Fowler says there isn’t much that can be done when there is so much rain, as bringing out equipment with ground saturation would result in long lasting damage to the orchards.

Cut 6 (07) “…too much rain.”

Fowler says all he can do is continue to wait for better weather.

___________________________________________________

The man who was elected mayor of the Town of Ball last fall, and then disqualified from serving due to his criminal conviction when a new amendment went into effect, is challenging that decision in appellate court. Roy Hebron, who was convicted for FEMA Fraud in 2011, unseated the incumbent. Loyola Law Professor Dane Cioino says even though he ran before the amendment went into effect…

Cut 7 (09) “…public office.”

A majority of voters, approved an amendment in November barring convicted felons from running for, or holding office for five years after their sentence.

The mayor’s race and felon amendment were on the same ballot, and Hebron is arguing he should keep the seat because he ran and won, and had the results certified under the previous law, before the amendment went into effect in December. Ciolino says the district court disagreed…

Cut 8 (08) “…an argument”

The suit against Hebron was filed by the outgoing Mayor Neil Kavanaugh.

It’s an interesting question, made all the more interesting by the fact that Hebron, a convicted felon, scored 56 percent in a three way race, while every precinct in the Town of Ball voted for the convicted felon restriction by comfortable to overwhelming margins. Ciolino says the timing is interesting, but…

Cut 9 (12) “…hold office″

Ball is just north of Alexandria.

_________________________________

A former 4th District congressman is considering jumping into the race for governor.  According to several sources, John Fleming, who currently serves the deputy assistant secretary of health information technology reform, has not given a timetable for making a final decision.  LSU Shreveport Poli Sci Professor Jeff Sadow says the news is surprising considering the timing of the news.

Cut 10 (06) “going to run.”

Sadow says Fleming has been out of Congress for four years.  While his current position is viewed as a big deal in Washington, Sadow doesn’t foresee the position as being viewed in the same light to Louisiana voters.

Cut 11 (12) “…for the Republicans.”

Sadow says you may see some minor candidates hop into the race, but he says the likelihood of any other major candidates is probably low.

Cut 12 (06) “…to say Abraham.”

Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone and Congressman Ralph Abraham are still the only two candidates to have officially entered the race.

___________________________

Haydel’s Bakery in New Orleans is helping Saints fan mourn their stolen season with the  “no ref” cookie that puts the Saints/Rams head referee’s face on a sugary treat that you can take a bite out of. While grieving the loss yesterday, co-owner David Haydel says they decided to express their frustration with a little creativity in the oven…

Cut 13 (11) “…to get them.”

Head ref Bill Vinovich is displayed prominently on the front of the confection, and Haydel say’s taking that first bite might make you feel a bit better about the Bayou Burglary.

Cut 14 (07) “…vengeance there”

The baker says it’s similar to another highly popular cookie option at the Bakery, the seasonally available Alabama/LSU game treat…

Cut 15 (09) “…cookies”

___________________________

The Saints are beginning the process of trying to move on from a disappointing finish to the 2018 season. It seemed like New Orleans was destined to play in the franchise’s second Super Bowl only to see those dreams fall apart with an overtime loss to the Rams in the NFC Championship game. Cornerback PJ Williams says they have to look forward and not back…

Cut 16 (16)  “..its over

Saints owner Gayle Benson says she’s throughly disappointed by the no call on the pass interference the NFL says should have been called against the Rams in the final two minutes of regulation. But Williams says they can’t blame the result of the game entirely on the officials…

 cut 17 (18)   “..better so” 

Sunday’s lost in the NFC Divisional Round last season in heart breaking fashion on a last second touchdown pass against the Vikings. Linebacker Craig Robertson says this team knows how to bounce back…

Cut 18 (11)   even more” 

Saints linebacker DeMario Davis says they need to process the end of this season the right away in order to make another run at a Super Bowl next season…

Cut 19 (19)   “…be better”

_______________________________

Cut 20 (18) “…every day”

The NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell could call for a re-do of Sunday’s NFC Championship game. Jeff Palermo reports the league’s rule book…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
Saints owner Gayle Benson has released a statement saying, “I have been in touch with the NFL regarding yesterday’s events and will aggressively pursue changes in NFL policies to ensure no team and fan base is ever put in a similar position again. It is a disservice to our coaches, players, employees and, most importantly, the fans who make our game possible.”

A Covington optometrist has seen a social media post spread like wildfire after yesterday’s bayou burglary.  The eye doctor made the post offering free eye exams to NFL refs before the start of next season. Dr. Jeff Anastasio says although initially posted in jest, the offer still stands, but he doesn’t seem to believe too many will take him up on the offer.
Cut 4 (07) “…of next season.″

Can we expect the use of replay expanded in the NFL after the league admits the refs missed a pass interference call in the final two minutes of regulation in Sunday’s NFC Championship game?  According to the Washington Post, the NFL competition committee will look to make pass interference reviewable when it meets this offseason. But NFL Analyst Mike Detillier is not expecting a quick change to the rule book…

Cut 7 (12) “…the NFL”

A Covington optometrist has seen a social media post spread like wildfire after yesterday’s bayou burglary.  The eye doctor made the post following the controversy that cost the black and gold a chance at the Super Bowl.  Dr. Jeff Anastasio says he initially did it to get a few laughs.
Cut 3 (11) “…going through now.”
Anastasio says although initially posted in jest, the offer still stands for NFL referees, but he doesn’t seem to believe too many will take him up on the offer.
The belief among many in the Bayou State is that the Saints had to beat the Rams and refs to win the NFC Championship game. Before the controversial no call, it appeared wide receiver Ted Ginn Junior made a catch to set up the Saints for a game winning score. Ginn says he gets no solace that the NFL has admitted it blew the call

Cut 13 (07) “…what is is.”

Can we expect the use of replay expanded in the NFL after the league admits the refs missed a pass interference call in the final two minutes of regulation in Sunday’s NFC Championship game? NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says using instant replay to review penalties will be discussed by the league’s owners, but how much to expand could be a sticking point
Cut 6 (08) “…on a play.”

President Donald Trump is offering three years of legal protection for immigrants brought to America as children in exchange for 5.7 billion dollars in wall funding, in the latest bid to end the month long government shutdown. Democrats refused the deal, citing their opposition to the border wall expansion, but Senator John Kennedy, who backs the border wall construction, says it’s a deal he supports, and if enough Democrats get on board, he’d vote for it and end the shutdown.
Cut 10 (06) “…progress.

The bayou burglary during the NFC Championship game has resulted in a Covington eye doctor’s social media post going viral. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

And he’s not the only one who feels strongly about the egregious refereeing during the tragic last two minutes of the game. Haydel’s Bakery co-owner David Haydel says while grieving the loss, they were inspired to make “no ref” cookies that feature the head of head referee Bill Vinovich, a California native, with a big red line over it. A social media post featuring the cookies blew up, and Haydel says the Bakery has been swamped with fans looking to cure their depression with cookies.

That missed pass interference call has fans and analysts alike clamoring for off-season rules changes that would allow teams to potentially challenge blown calls. A report says the competition committee will be considering it. Saints quarterback Drew Brees said after Sunday’s devastating loss that he doesn’t know how far the potential expanded use of instant replay should go…

Cut 8 (11) “…that was P-I.”

The refs also missed a clear face mask penalty on Rams QB Jared Goff that would have set LA up on goal line and likely resulted in a 4^th quarter touchdown.

The belief among many in the Bayou State is that the Saints had to beat the Rams and refs to win the NFC Championship game. The non-pass interference call in the final two minutes of regulation goes down as one of the worst no calls in sports. Saints defensive end Cam Jordan says he’s used to not getting the calls

Cut 12 (11)   “…the Saints”

The NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell could call for a re-do of Sunday’s NFC Championship game. Jeff Palermo reports the league’s rule book…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
Harry Connick, Jr. has written an open letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell threatening to boycott the Super Bowl over the NFC title game controversy.  Connick stated in the letter “I love the game of football so much – the NFL gives me such great joy and has for many years. To not call the pass interference/helmet-to-helmet penalties at the end of the game was one of the most disgraceful no-calls I have ever seen.”

A Covington optometrist has seen a social media post spread like wildfire after yesterday’s bayou burglary, saying he’s offering free eye exams to all NFL referees ahead of next football season.  The eye doctor made the post following the controversy that cost the black and gold a chance at the Super Bowl. Dr. Jeff Anastasio says while initially the post was made in jest, the offer still stands and says other than yesterday’s fiasco, he still believes overall the refs do a decent job.
Cut 5 (12) “…it was blatant.”
President Donald Trump is offering three years of legal protection for immigrants brought to America as children in exchange for 5.7 billion dollars in wall funding, in the latest bid to end the month long government shutdown. Democrats refused the deal, citing their opposition to the border wall expansion, but Senator John Kennedy says that item is non-negotiable.

Cut 9 (08) “oclock″

Can we expect the use of replay expanded in the NFL after the league admits the refs missed a pass interference call in the final two minutes of regulation in Sunday’s NFC Championship game? NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says using instant replay to review penalties will be discussed by the league’s owners, but how much to expand could be a sticking point

Cut 6 (08) “…on a play.”

A Covington optometrist has seen a social media post spread like wildfire after yesterday’s bayou burglary.  The eye doctor made the post following the controversy that cost the black and gold a chance at the Super Bowl.  Dr. Jeff Anastasio says he initially did it to get a few laughs.

Cut 3 (11) “…going through now.”

Anastasio says although initially posted in jest, the offer still stands for NFL referees, but he doesn’t seem to believe any officials will take him up on the offer.

And with the Rams heading to Atlanta, Super Bowl ratings are bound to tank in the Gulf South as fans are likely not happy at all with a heartbreaking loss, in large part due to highly suspicious officiating. Saints fans say they won’t be forgetting this one for awhile…

Cut 16 (11)  “..in our house”

President Donald Trump is offering three years of legal protection for immigrants brought to America as children in exchange for 5.7 billion dollars in wall funding, in the latest bid to end the month long government shutdown. Democrats refused the deal, citing their opposition to the border wall expansion, but Senator John Kennedy says that item is non-negotiable.

Cut 9, 8 seconds, as 4 o clock.

In September of 2017, the President rescinded legal protections for those “DREAMers” implemented by the Obama Administration.

The Saints Super Bowl hopes were dashed inside a stunned Superdome on Sunday by a miss pass interference call and a 57-yard field goal in O-T to give the Rams a 26-23 win over the Black and Gold. New Orleans had a chance to win in regulation, but thanks to a missed pass interference call, L-A was able to tie the game. Coach Sean Payton says the league office has told him, the refs blew the call
Cut 10 (11) “to swallow.”
Quarterback Drew Brees said after the game he plans on being back next season to make another run at the Super Bowl, but says this loss will be tough to get over and part of the reason why is that missed P-I call
Cut 12 (12) “…tough”

Louisiana now has 15 straight months of employment gains, and added 21,900 jobs from December of 2017 to December of 2018, putting the state’s unemployment rate at 4.9 percent.

Workforce Commission chief economist Ali Bustamante says more than half of those gains came from one market.
Cut 4 (6) “…manufacturing.”

New Orleans added 12,600 jobs from 17 to 18, and Baton Rouge added 5,200.

The hearse that carried Martin Luther King Jr. to his final resting place is now on display in Baton Rouge as part of the Carrying on the Dream exhibit at Capitol Park Museum and will be on display for the next year.  Raising Cane’s founder and CEO Todd Graves recently acquired the 1966 Cadillac 616 Superior Coach. The exhibit will also feature many pieces and photos from King’s era. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says it’s great to have an important piece of history on display in Baton Rouge as Louisiana gets ready to put together a civil rights trail along

with other southern states.
Cut 8 (08) “…a perfect timing.”

Could a campaign promise from 2014 come back to haunt Congressman Ralph Abraham as he runs for Governor?  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

Abraham’s campaign responded with a press release, saying it was a first term promise that he kept, and that the Advocate’s report was “fake news”.

And the Saints are scratching the bottom of the barrel to find anyone who can catch a pass on Sunday as both tight end Ben Watson and receiver Keith Kirkwood, who caught a TD pass last Sunday, have been ruled out against the Rams. LA had zero players on their injury watch list for the week.

Now may be a good time to check old lottery tickets you’ve been in possession of. No one has stepped forward to claim a Powerball ticket worth one million dollars that is getting close to expiration.   Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says if you find the ticket, give them a call so you can collect your winnings.

Cut 8 (06) “…claim your prize.”

The winning ticket matched up the five white balls of the drawing on August 25, 2018, and the ticket was sold in New Orleans.

Pro bowl pride of Monroe, and former West Monroe High, LSU, and now Rams offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth is hoping to secure only his second playoff win since being drafted into the NFL in 2006.  He says last week’s win over Dallas was special…

Cut 5 (11) “…get there.”

Kickoff is set for 2PM Sunday.

During his 2014 congressional campaign, Ralph Abraham made a vow to not accept his salary if elected.  However, the Advocate newspaper reports that campaign promise only last for his first two year term. Now, Abraham is running for governor, and his rival, Governor Edwards, is blasting him for it, but ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says it’s likely Abraham’s intentions were good when he initially made the promise.

Cut 10 (10) “…a public servant.”

Abraham says it was a first term promise, and he did keep it for that term.

Now may be a good time to check old lottery tickets you’ve been in possession of. No one has stepped forward to claim a Powerball ticket worth one million dollars that is getting close to expiration. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says although unclaimed prizes do happen from time to time, one of this magnitude is rare.

Cut 7 (06) “…the bigger ones.”

Monroe born and raised Rams offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth is excited to be back home for what is the biggest game of his illustrious, pro-bowl career. Whitworth won three state championships in the Dome, and a 2003 BCS national championship under Nick Saban’s LSU before being drafted by the Bengals in 06, And he knows just how raucous that dome crowd can get, but he says LA is ready for the crowd, and has a lot of experience dealing with the loudest fields in football.

Cut 4 (08) “…the league″

And one of those cheering voices in the crowd will be Governor John Bel Edwards, who will be on hand again to hopefully see the Saints get the win for the second week in a row. Edwards says the Saints are an easy team to root for because of how quarterback Drew Brees conducts himself on and off the field…

Cut 14 (11) “…the Saints”

Kickoff is set for 2PM Sunday. Receiver Keith Kirkwood, who caught a TD last game, has been ruled out for the contest.