President Donald Trump is warning the government could be shut down, starting at midnight, “for a very long time” if Congress does not include 5.7 billion dollars for a border wall in its end of the year spending bill. Senator Bill Cassidy says they had the votes for an extension to February 8^th, but…

Cut 3, 6 seconds, about it

A quarter of the government would close in the event of a shutdown, meaning furloughs for hundreds of thousands of federal workers, and mandatory, unpaid work time for those deemed “essential”.

Louisiana’s START K12 saving program has launched that now allows for funds to be used on the beneficiary in covering tuition related expenses between kindergarten and 12^th grade.  Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says he’s excited about the plan that could see parents use up to $10,000 annually on private school tuition.

Cut 10 (11)   “…college savings plan.”

A dispute over the use of inflatable dragons in a holiday display at a Mandeville home is garnering worldwide attention after going viral on social media.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

Bayou Country Super Fest is returning to Baton Rouge after two years in the Big Easy, with a report citing a one million dollar package of incentives offered for it’s return to the capital. The major country music festival will be held in Tiger Stadium in May for it’s 10^th anniversary celebration. The show is set for a two day Memorial Day weekend run. The lineup has yet to be announced.

Saints legend and ALS advocate Steve Gleason will be honored with the Congressional Gold Medal., Gleason played for the Saints from 2000 to 2007, memorably blocking a punt for a touchdown against the Falcons in the Saints first game back in the dome after Katrina. Senator Bill Cassidy says it’s the highest honor Congress can bestow.

Cut 4 (07) “…our country″
Louisiana personal income growth tanked in the third quarter, down to 2.3 percent, good for 48^th in the nation. That’s down from 4.8 and 6.6 percent in the second and first quarters respectively. Governor John Bel Edwards says we’re just now feeling the effects of the full tariffs. But Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says it’s more complicated than just the tariffs. While they hurt farmers, there was also a lot of nasty, heavy rains that hit just as harvest time had rolled around.

Cut 15 (10) “…plowed under”

Louisiana’s START K12 saving program has launched that now allows for funds to be used on the beneficiary in covering tuition-related expenses between kindergarten and 12^th grade.  Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says the idea stemmed from the college START saving program already in place and when the federal tax plan was done in Congress last year, a provision was put in saying those with a college savings plan can use the funds toward a tax break on tuition expenses for K through 12.
Cut 11 (11) “…they are born.”

A dispute over a holiday display in the front yard of a Mandeville home has taken over social media.  An anonymous note was sent to the home of Diana Rowland, saying her use of three inflatable dragons as decorations was inappropriate at Christmas and made her neighbors wonder if she was involved in a demonic cult.  While Rowland added two more dragons and has had offers for more, she insists she likely won’t be adding any more to the display.

Cut 9 (10)  “…over the top.” 

Congress has passed legislation awarding Saints hero and ALS advocate Steve Gleason the Congressional Gold Medal…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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A dispute over the use of inflatable dragons in a holiday display at a Mandeville home is garnering worldwide attention after going viral on social media.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

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Louisiana parents with children enrolled in private schools now have the ability to take advantage of the new START K12 saving program.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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Saints legend and ALS advocate Steve Gleason will be honored with the Congressional Gold Medal., Gleason played for the Saints from 2000 to 2007, memorably blocking a punt for a touchdown against the Falcons in the Saints first game back in the dome after Katrina. Senator Bill Cassidy says it’s the highest honor Congress can bestow.

Cut 4 (07) “…our country″

The bill passed nearly unanimously in both chambers of Congress.

Gleason was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2011, and has since fought to raise awareness of the condition, and improve the quality of life for those who suffer from the fatal disease that results in the slow degradation of motor functions. Cassidy says his accomplishments are remarkable.

Cut 5 (10) “…vocal chords.”

The bill was pushed largely by the Louisiana, and Washington delegations. Gleason is a Washington state native.

Cassidy says he’s the first disabled American to receive the award, and is a model for those who suffer with disabilities that their lives can have meaning, and be fulfilling. Cassidy says Congress is sending a message with the honor.

Cut 6 (12) “momentous.”

The bill awaits the President’s signature.

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A dispute over a holiday display in the front yard of a Mandeville home has taken over social media.  An anonymous note was sent to the home of Diana Rowland, by what Rowland calls a “Judgy McJudgeface” neighbor, saying her use of three inflatable dragons as decorations was inappropriate at Christmas and made her neighbors wonder if she was involved in a demonic cult.  It’s Rowland’s response that has gotten plenty of attention on the web.

Cut 7 (07) “…at Home Depot.”

Rowland says she doesn’t suspect it’s a nearby neighbor, or it’s someone new to the area as she’s put the dragons up in the past without incident.

Cut 8 (09) “…the dragons better.″

While Rowland says she’s gotten offers for additional Christmas decorations in an effort to further anger the person, she insists she likely won’t be adding any more to the display.

Cut 9 (10)  “…over the top.” 

Rowland adds the social media buzz has even captured the attention of Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling.

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Louisiana’s START K12 saving program has launched that now allows for funds to be used on the beneficiary in covering tuition related expenses between kindergarten and 12^th grade.  Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says he’s excited about the plan that could see parents use up to $10,000 annually on private school tuition.

Cut 10 (11)   “…college savings plan.”

Foil says the idea stemmed from the college START saving program already in place and when the federal tax plan was done in congress last year, a provision was put in saying those with a college savings plan can use the funds toward a tax break on tuition expenses for K through 12.

Cut 11 (11) “…they are born.”

Foil says the program is a big win, even if a child does not attend private school.

Cut 12 (08)   “…for college tuition.”

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Louisiana personal income growth tanked in the third quarter, down to 2.3 percent, good for 48^th in the nation. That’s down from 4.8 and 6.6 percent in the second and first quarters respectively. Governor John Bel Edwards says we’re just now feeling the effects of the full tariffs, which he credited with a 101 million dollar drop in farm earnings that quarter.

Cut 13 (08) “…their product”

Edwards highlighted a Forbes report that detailed how Louisiana was most at risk of economic penalties related to tariffs.

Edwards, one of the few prominent national Democrats who maintains a working relationship with the President, has sent a letter to Trump, asking the Commander in Chief to back out of the escalating trade war with China.

Cut 14 (10) “…as possible.”

But Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says it’s more complicated than just the tariffs. While they hurt farmers, there was also a lot of nasty, heavy rains that hit just as harvest time had rolled around.

Cut 15 (10) “…plowed under”

And Strain says it’s not just farmers that took a huge hit this quarter. With the price at the pump at a remarkable low, the oil industry is on its back heels again, and suffering noticeable losses.

Cut 16 (09)  70 cents”

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The Saints can lock up home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with a win over Pittsburgh on Sunday. The Black and Gold and the Steelers only play each other once every four years, but Quarterback Drew Brees says the Steel Curtain defense is playing like you expect them to play…

 cut 17 (17) “prepared for”

The Saints have only scored 50 points in their last three games. Brees says they have to cut down on the mistakes that are stalling drives…

Cut 18 (19) in a win“

Some would say Sunday’s game is match-up between future hall of fame quarterbacks, Drew Brees versus Ben Roethlisberger, who has won two Super Bowls. But defensive end Cam Jordan says Roethlisberger is not even one of top five quarterbacks of this era

Cut 19 (18)   “…okay”

A Bossier City police officer has been arrested and charged with 40 counts of sexual abuse of an animal. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

A Monroe man is facing one count of solicitation for murder after he allegedly tried to pay a man to kill his estranged wife. Detectives say 47-year-old Michael Faubion asked his roommate, who has a criminal history, if he can contact people in jail that would be willing to execute a hit on his wife. But now Faubion is the one in jail on a one-million dollar bond.

President Trump says he will veto a resolution that would fund the government through February 8^th because it did not include five billion dollars in funding for a proposed border wall. Senator John Kennedy says we may be looking at a government shutdown.

Cut 9 (05) “…with it″

Democrats have refused to pass any bill that includes the five billion dollars for the Mexican border wall that’s being sought by the White House.
Governor John Bel Edwards says 2018 was a successful year for Louisiana as the state continues to move in the right direction. Edwards says stabilizing the budget was his top accomplishment. He says the budget deal fully funded higher education, without raising taxes…

Cut 12 (08)   “…600-million dollars.” 

Edwards also highlighted that Louisiana shed its title as having the largest incarceration rate in the world.

President Trump says he will veto a resolution that would fund the government through February 8^th because it did not include five billion dollars in funding for a proposed border wall. Democrats have refused to pass any bill that includes the five billion dollars for the Mexican border wall that’s being sought by the White House, and Senator John Kennedy says because of that, we may be looking at a shutdown.

Cut 11 (10) “…the issue”

A Bossier City patrol cop has been arrested and charged with over three dozen animal sexual abuse related charges. The State Police Special Victims Unit busted 38-year-old Terry Yetman with possession of animal pornography. LSP spokesperson Glen Younger says it’s a horrific crime.

Cut 3 (07) “…applause.”

Yetman was honored in October for his work against domestic violence. The LSP investigation began in August.

A new study out of Sweden finds the risk of having a heart attack rises nearly 40 percent on Christmas Eve.  Cardiologist Dr. Frank Smart at LSU Health New Orleans says that if someone suspects they are having a heart attack, the earlier they get to the hospital, the better, but they should not drive themselves to the hospital.

Cut 8 (08) “…waiting for you.”

The study observed the timing of 283,000 heart attacks over 15 years.  Smart says the research indicates that the peak timing of heart attacks on Christmas Eve is around 10 pm.

Governor John Bel Edwards says 2018 was a successful year for Louisiana as the state continues to move in the right direction. Edwards says stabilizing the budget was his top accomplishment. He says he’s proud to announce the state set a record in 2018 for the number of adoptions from their foster care system, with 912 children being adopted by over 600 families

Cut 14 (11) “…548 families.”

President Trump says he will veto a resolution that would fund the government through February 8^th, and extend the flood insurance program, because it did not include funding for a proposed border wall. Senator John Kennedy says we may be looking at a government shutdown and insurance lapse.

Cut 9 (05) “…with it″

A Bossier City patrol cop has been arrested and charged with over three dozen animal sexual abuse related charges. The State Police Special Victims Unit busted 38-year-old Terry Yetman with possession of animal pornography. LSP spokesperson Glen Younger says says police continue to look into the alleged misdeeds.

Cut 5 (12) “…after football”

Sexual Abuse of an Animal was a charge that became available to law enforcement May 25th after Governor Edwards signed a stricter bestiality law into effect. The bill received national attention after it was opposed by religious groups for its relation to sodomy laws.

A new study shows the risk for a heart attack rises nearly 40 percent on Christmas Eve.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart

Personal income growth in Louisiana for the third quarter was 48^th worst in the nation, at 2.3 percent. That’s down from 4.8 percent in the second quarter, and 6.6 percent in the first quarter. Governor John Bel Edwards attributed this drop to the tariffs, which he says were largely responsible for a 101 million dollar drop in farm earnings. Edwards has requested an end to the trade war with China.

A Bossier City patrol cop has been arrested and charged with over three dozen animal sexual abuse related charges. State Police SVU say they busted 38-year-old Terry Yetman with possession of animal pornography, and LSP spokesperson Glen Younger says it’s pretty horrific.

Cut 3 (07) “…applause.”

Yetman was honored in October for his work against domestic violence. The LSP investigation began in August, and Bossier City was informed in November.

The Senate voted to continue funding the government and extend flood insurance coverage through February 8^th, without the inclusion of additional border wall funding sought by the President. Senator John Kennedy says he expects the House will pass the same resolution, but says that doesn’t mean it’ll be signed by President Trump.

Cut 9 (09) “…with it″

A new study shows the risk for a heart attack rises nearly 40 percent on Christmas Eve.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A new study from Sweden has found the risk of having a heart attack rises nearly 40 percent on Christmas Eve.  Cardiologist Dr. Frank Smart at LSU Health New Orleans says the research shows that coupled with the cold weather of the winter months which causes arteries to spasm, emotions and other influences can make a cardiovascular impact.

Cut 6 (09) “…or see family.”
The study observed the timing of 283,000 heart attacks over 15 years.  Smart says the research indicates that the peak timing of heart attacks on Christmas Eve is around 10pm.
While many internet transactions are already seeing sales taxes collected for the state, as of January 1, all purchases from out of state internet retailers will be subject to a flat 8.45 percent tax.  Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says some of the bigger retailers have already been collecting the tax.

Cut 4 (05) “…a year now.″

AAA projects over 1/3 of the nation’s population will be on the move during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday. Spokesperson Don Redman says it’s important that travelers practice patience and give themselves a little extra time to get where they need to go, as there is a notable jump in travelers compared to last year.

Cut 8 (07) “…number of people.″
The state GOP is calling for a return to closed primaries that only let party members vote for party candidates. Currently voters are free to vote for whoever in the primary, and the top two candidate’s progress to the general election. Most states have closed primaries, but on Ask the Governor, Governor Edwards says closed primaries would foster a political culture that’s closer to the one we see in Washington DC.

Cut 15 (09) “…two parties”

Internet retailers based outside of Louisiana will soon have to start collecting sales tax on transactions coming from the Bayou State.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

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AAA expects a record 112-million people will travel for the Christmas and New Year’s holiday.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

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Senator Kennedy was one of 12 to vote against the bi-partisan criminal justice reform bill in the Senate. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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While many internet transactions are already seeing sales taxes collected for the state, as of January 1, all purchases from out of state internet retailers will be subject to a flat 8.45 percent tax.  Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says some of the bigger retailers have already been collecting the tax.

Cut 4 (05) “…a year now.″

Robinson says the idea behind the tax is to have level playing field between internet retailers and brick and mortar stores and adds all the internet vendors who are new to collecting the tax have been waiting to receive additional guidance that they now have received.

Cut 5 (06) “…to start collecting.”

Robinson says of the 8.45 percent sales tax rate collected, 4 percent of that will go to local government.

Cut 6 (09) “…local sales tax rate.”

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AAA projects over 1/3 of the nation’s population will  be on the move during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday. Spokesperson Don Redman says for as long as AAA has looked at holiday travel numbers, they’ve never seen anything like this.

Cut 7 (10) “…the record books.”

Redman says it’s important that travelers practice patience and give themselves a little extra time to get where they need to go, as there is a notable jump in travelers compared to last year.

Cut 8 (07) “…number of people.″

Redman says travelers can expect gas prices along the Gulf Coast to be relatively low.

Cut 9 (10)  “…higher than Louisiana.” 

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Senator John Kennedy was one of 12 Republican Senators to vote against the national criminal justice reform bill in Congress. The legislation aims to reduce sentences for non-violent offenders and reduce recidivism, but Kennedy says it lets potentially dangerous people back into society too soon.

Cut 10 (11)   “…is justice”

But criminal justice reform advocates like Pelican Institute CEO Daniel Erspamer applauded the vote, and say like that effort in Louisiana in 2016, the legislation will likely be a major success that brings down crime and saves money.

Cut 11 (11) “…worst offenders”

But Senator Kennedy disagrees, and says the classification of “non-violent” includes a lot nastier crimes than most folks would think.

Cut 12 (11)   “…and on”

Erspamer says those criticisms are not accurate and based in facts, and a careful analysis of the success of such legislation in other states indicates it will be a substantial success.

Cut 13 (12) “…of dollars”

The bill has the backing of the President and will likely be signed into law.  The bill was backed by Sen. Bill Cassidy.

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The state GOP is calling for a return to closed primaries that only let party members vote for party candidates. Currently voters are free to vote for whoever in the primary, and the top two candidate’s progress to the general election. Most states have closed primaries, but on Ask the Governor, Governor Edwards said in this case its ok to stand out.

Cut 14 (05) “…other states.”

The call was made by GOP State Chairman Louis Gurvuich, who says the “Jungle Primary” creates issues for Republicans when they have large fields of candidates.

But John Bel Edwards says closed primaries would foster a political culture that’s closer to the one we see in Washington DC.

Cut 15 (09) “…two parties”

The state Democratic Party has not formally endorsed the plan, but according to The Advocate has supported plans that would move federal races to a closed party primary. Edwards says he will likely oppose any efforts to make that change.

Cut 16 (09)  that system”

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LSU signed 19 players on the first day of college football’s early signing period as they work towards securing a top five recruiting class. Three of the players that signed on Wednesday are 5-star prospects and all from Louisiana, Derek Stingley, John Emery and Kardell Thomas. Coach Ed Orgeron likes the diversity of the class…

 cut 17 (21) “for us”

LSU still has room to sign a half dozen more players and many of those signees will come in February. Orgeron says he will not sign anymore running backs. He likes the two he got on Wednesday, Southern Lab’s Tyrion Davis and Destrehan’s John Emery. Coach O on how he got Emery to de-commit from Georgia and come to LSU

Cut 18 (14) for us“

Orgeron says five-star offensive lineman Kardell Thomas from Southern Lab is the type of student-athlete they like to bring to LSU…

Cut 19 (17)   “…great parents”

According to  the US Census Bureau, Louisiana is among nine states that has seen a loss of population, with a decrease by nearly 11,000 in the time between July 2017 and July 2018.  Demographer Greg Rigamer says it’s not a good sign and a reflection upon the state’s economy.

Cut 6 (08) “…and states have.”

Since 2010, Louisiana’s population has only increased by 115,000, compared to Texas who has seen an increase of 3.5 million and Florida with 2.5 million.

A report from VivintSource says Louisiana has the 7^th highest number of holiday time thefts of any state in the nation. The highest theft states tend to be clustered in the southeast and west, and PR Specialist Hilary Bird says Louisiana ranked poorly in one particular area…

Cut 12 (10)   “…season.” 

The nation’s number one prospect according to Rivals-dot-com is officially an LSU Tiger on the first day of college football’s early signing period. Derek Stingley Jr. signed his national letter of intent in front of classmates at Dunham High School. Based on who signed with LSU today and who might possibly sign in February, the Tigers could land a top 5 recruiting class. Stingley says he chose LSU, because it will benefit him after his playing days are over…

Cut 5 (12) “…after football”

Bossier City will see 80 jobs, and Baton Rouge 160 as the result of two new YoungWilliams customer service call centers. The contract to process calls for the Department of Children and Family Services will run for five years. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says it’s a prominent company, with a good background.

Cut 9 (11) “…the US″