Governor John Bel Edwards defends the living arrangements of the former State Police leader who is accused of legal wrongdoing in a state audit. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Honda confirms a Baton Rouge man’s death is linked to a faulty air bag.  It’s the 20^th death nationwide connected to a faulty Takata air bag system.  George Sharp was killed in a wreck while driving a 2004 Honda Civic on Jefferson Highway.  The coroner Sharp died from blunt force trauma due to an exploding air bag…

The head of the Tiger Athletic Foundation is waiting to see what kind of impact the federal tax reform legislation will have on college athletics. TAF President Rick Perry says fans will receive tax breaks elsewhere but it remains to be seen on how it will impact donators ability to buy season tickets…

Cut 11 (12) “stand now.”

Before the changes, donators could deduct much as 80 percent of their gift.  LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva has said tax reform could mean a loss of 50 million dollars for the athletic program.

Lottery tickets may seem like a great Christmas gift with adults buying them for children as stocking stuffers. But Quinetta Womack, director of Problem Gambling Services, says it gives the juvenile a false sense of dreams and ideas that can lead to gambling addiction, because in reality…

Cut 5  (06)  “of winning.”

Governor John Bel Edwards plans on having a February special session to address the looming fiscal cliff, but only there is an agreement with House Republican leaders on a plan to address the one billion dollar shortfall. The governor set a January 19th deadline for the agreement…;
CUT 9 (09) “the cliff”
He says failure to come to an agreement would have dire consequences for the state.

A River Ridge vet has been arrested for allegedly shooting and killing her neighbor’s dog, because of excessive barking. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says it’s unbelievable that 35-year-old Kelly Folse, who is supposed to take care of animals, would go to this length…:
Cut 8 (10) “techs do”
Folse faces felony cruelty to animals charges.

It appears this could be a record breaking sugar cane crop in Louisiana. The great crop means the grinding season could continue until mid January. LSU Ag Center sugarcane specialist Kenneth Gravois says the bumper crop can be attributed to favorable weather conditions…:
Cut 12 (11) “dry harvest”
2012 as of now remains the record breaking year for the industry with more than 84-hundred pounds per acre harvested.

The selections for the 2018 Pro Bowl were announced Tuesday night and they include six New Orleans Saints. Quarterback Drew Brees, defensive end Cameron Jordan, receiver Michael Thomas, cornerback Marshon Lattimore and running backs Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara have been named to the team.

The Louisiana Republican Delegation supports the tax reforms Congress has sending to the president. U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is good for Louisiana in part because it preserves the Historical Tax Credit, which has helped facilitate nearly 800 reconstruction projects:
Cut 4 (06) “38,000 jobs”
He says the legislation also allows victims of last year’s floods in North and South Louisiana to deduct all of their personal casualty losses from their taxable income.

Governor John Bel Edwards held an end of year news conference today to discuss the successes and challenges Louisiana faced during 2017. On former Col of State Police Mike Edmonson, Edwards says the allegations of misuse of state dollars and abuse of power are troubling…:
CUT 25 (10) “in March”
Looking ahead to next year, Edwards says he has high hopes for 2018.

A vet is under arrest for shockingly killing a dog. Kelley Ray has more on this troubling incident…
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Kelley Ray”

LSU is expected to sign nearly 20 players over the next three days as part of college football new early signing period. In the past recruits, had to wait until February to sign, now they can do so in December.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was approved by the Senate early this morning and has far reaching effects for Louisiana. U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says not only will it cut taxes, but it also creates nearly 100-million dollars in additional funding for coastal restoration projects in Louisiana…
Cut 5 (08) “coastal erosion”
The house has to re-vote on a few minor procedural issues the Senate made to the bill.

A River Ridge vet has been arrested for allegedly shooting and killing her neighbor’s dog, because of excessive barking. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says 35-year-old Kelly Folse is facing animal cruelty and also unrelated drug charges. He says this is a disturbing case…:
Cut 7 (06) “the top”
Folse has also been fired from her job at the vet hospital.

The future of two major safety-net hospitals in north Louisiana are close to being secured. Ochsner Health Systems signed a non-binding agreement to take control of the facilities from BRF. The hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe are set to enter into a public-private partnership between LSU and Ochsner, after years of criticism over BRF’s practices. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne…:
Cut 11 (11) “north Louisiana”

According to a recent ULM economic impact study, commercial use of the Ouachita River produces billions in revenue and several thousand jobs in North Louisiana. Dr. Bob Eisenstadt of the ULM Center for Business and Economic Research says the nearly yearlong study revealed how important the river is…:
Cut 14 (11) “equivalent jobs”

Sweeping tax reform across the US is on the brink of final passage after the Senate voted to advance the bill on party lines just after midnight. All of Louisiana’s Republican delegation support the package saying it will put more money in people’s pockets. But Executive Director of the Louisiana Budget Project Jan Moller says claims that the bill pays for itself are false
CUT 7 (09) “United States”
The bill has an estimated cost of 1.5 trillion dollars.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff says a Harahan veterinarian has been arrested in connection with the December 13th shooting death of a family’s pet. 35-year-old Kelly Folse, who worked at the Abadie Vet Hospital and with animal rescue organizations, faces aggravated cruelty to animals and illegal discharge of a weapon near a school – both felonies, and unrelated drug charges. Officials believe Folse shot the dog out of irritation over his barking.

Today marks the first ever signing period for college football. Jeff Palermo has more on the recruits that LSU football might reel in over the next three days…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A recent economic impact study out of ULM found commercial use of the Ouachita River produces billions in revenue…:
Cut 15 (11) “lock service”
That’s Ouachita River Valley Association President Randy Denmon.

Congress is sending President Trump the most substantial tax reform package since the Reagan administration. All of Louisiana’s republican congressional delegation voted for the bill, which has an estimated cost of 1.5 trillion dollars. Congressman Ralph Abraham says Louisianans will see the benefits of the significant cuts to the business tax rate…:
Cut 5 (09) “employment come down”
Democrats calls the bill a giveaway to corporations and the wealthy.

Management of the state-owned safety-net hospitals in north Louisiana could soon be changing hands. Southeast Louisiana-based Ochsner Health Systems signed a non-binding agreement to take control of the facilities after years of criticism over BRF’s practices. State Health Secretary Rebekah Gee there is a huge need for quality healthcare in northeast Louisiana..:
Cut 12 (08) “greatest challenges”

A recent economic impact study out of ULM found commercial use of the Ouachita River produces billions in revenue and several thousand jobs in North Louisiana. Dr. Bob Eisenstadt of the ULM Center for Business and Economic Research says the nearly year long study revealed how important the river is:
Cut 14 (11) “equivalent jobs”
He says they will be able to use this study to ask the federal government to keep the river open and navigable.

LSU is expected to sign nearly 20 players over the next three days as part of college football new early signing period. In the past recruits had to wait until February to sign, now they can do so in December. The first player to sign with the Tigers for the class of 2018 was tight end, Zach Sheffer from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. The state’s top prospect is Parkway wide receiver Terrace Marshall and 24-7 Sports expects he will sign with LSU on Friday.

Sweeping tax reform legislation is set to become federal law. Matt Doyle has local reaction…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”
The package needs another procedural vote in the House before final passage.

A Jefferson Parish veterinarian has been arrested on animal cruelty and drug charges after reportedly shooting and killing a neighbor’s dog. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says 35-year-old Kelly Folse said she killed the 15-month-old American Bulldog due to excessive barking.

According to Trust for America’s Health, Louisiana achieved only four out of ten indicators for public health preparedness. CEO John Auerbach says the state has not joined the US Climate Alliance to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions which he cites as a concern because global warming puts the coast in jeopardy:
Cut 9 (09) “as well”
The criteria is based on weather related events, flu vaccination rate, paid sick leave and other benchmarks.

Ochsner Health System has tentatively agreed to take over state safety-net hospitals in north Louisiana. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the move aims to end years of disputes over operations of the Shreveport and Monroe facilities…:
Cut 11 (11) “north Louisiana”

After midnight, the US Senate narrowly passed the most substantial tax reform package since the Reagan administration on a party-line 51-48 vote.
All of Louisiana’s Republican congressional delegation voted for the bill, which has an estimated cost of 1.5 trillion dollars. Representative Ralph Abraham says it’ll mean more money in people’s pockets…:
Cut 4 (07) “United States”
But Executive Director of the Louisiana Budget Project Jan Moller says the bill takes money from the working class and gives it to the richest Americans…:
Cut 6 (10) “and corporations”
There were three provisions in the bill that violated Senate rules, so the massive legislation has to head back to the House again for another vote today before it heads to the president’s desk.

According to Trust for America’s Health, Louisiana achieved only four out of ten indicators for public health preparedness. The criteria is based on weather related events, flu vaccination rate, paid sick leave and other benchmarks. CEO John Auerbach says Louisiana’s flu vaccine rate is the seventh lowest in the nation…:
Cut 8 (12) “42 percent”
Auerbach says it’s also a concern that Louisiana has not joined the U-S Climate Alliance to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Today, Governor John Bel Edwards will hold an end of the year news conference to deliver remarks reflecting on the challenges and successes Louisiana has seen during 2017. He will then host his statewide, monthly call-in radio show, “Ask the Governor,” beginning at 2pm. You can hear the show on certain affiliates of the Louisiana Radio Network.

Louisiana’s GOP Congressional delegation voted for the tax bill today and the Senate is expected to pass it tonight.   New Orleans Democrat Cedric Richmond voted against it. Richmond says this legislation will only give tax breaks to the top one-percent of income earners. Whip Majority Leader Steve Scalise disagrees and says the measure will also simplify the tax code…

Cut 16  (07)  “makes the code”

A Shreveport man was arrested, and his wife is facing charges after Caddo Parish deputies responded to a call alleging child abuse against a six month old toddler.  Authorities believe the parents Seth and Beia Sepulvado left the child alone a few months ago, which was discovered during the investigation.  Sheriff’s spokesman Cindy Chadwick says Seth is charged with cruelty…

Cut 14 (07) “her diaper”

The child is in protective custody…

A report from the University of Kansas showed 7% decrease in the use of ambulances in cities that have the ride service Uber. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (26) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A River Ridge vet has been arrested after allegedly shooting her neighbor’s dog.  35-year-old Kelly Folse says she killed the dog due to excessive barking and was aggressive.   Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says the dog died a day after being shot.  Authorities say they didn’t find evidence the dog was aggressive.  Folse is charged with aggravated cruelty to animals and possession of narcotics.