Small business owners like what they see happening in Washington D.C. with regards to tax reform legislation and it’s showing on the Index. The National Federation of Independent Business says small business optimism nationwide is near a record high. State Director Dawn Starns says the discussion about lowering rates and making it easier for small business owners to comply with the tax code has a direct impact on how they feel about growing…:
Cut 8 (09) “lowering”
She says this is the second-highest reading in the 44-year history of the Index.

Abita Brewery has created a new brew for New Orleans’ Tricentennial next year called Maison Blanc. Brewmaster Mark Wilson says the recipe combines the best of wine and beer, making it into one delicious recipe…:
Cut 5 (08) “white wine”
They expect to have Maison Blanc available statewide by the first of the year.

It’s estimated two-million cybersecurity employees will be needed by 2019, so Grambling State plans to offers a cybersecurity degree:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

The NFL Network has suspended Marshall Faulk, Ike Taylor and Health Evans over allegations of sexual harassment and assault. The accusations are spelled out in a lawsuit by a former NFL Network employee Jami Cantor, who worked as a wardrobe stylist. Cantor claims Faulk, who is a New Orleans native, groped her breasts and her behind and asked deeply personal questions about her sex life.

Small business optimism nationwide is near a record high, according to the National Federation of Independent Business. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says we haven’t seen this kind of optimism in 34 years, and credits the push for tax reform in Washington D.C…:
Cut 7 (09) “their operations”
The Index gained 3.7 points in November, a sharp increase over what was already a near-record performance the previous month.

The Louisiana Board of Regents has given Grambling State University the green light to proceed with plans to establish the first cybersecurity degree program in the state. Grambling State University President Rick Gallot says an estimated two million cybersecurity workers will be needed by 2019…
Cut 13 (10) “other intruders”
He says cybersecurity education presents a great opportunity for students throughout the state.

The NFL Network suspends three former football players with ties to Louisiana amid allegations of sexual harassment and assault. Jeff Palermo has more:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A doctor from Baton Rouge has won on Jeopardy now for two days in a row. Dr. LaKendra Pam finished Monday with $24,801 — winning by more than 20 grand. Yesterday she won again with $7,999. Dr. Pam, an OB/GYN at Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, is expected to return to the show once again this afternoon.

Small business optimism is near a record high according to the National Federation of Independent Business. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A Saints season ticket holder has filed a lawsuit in an effort to receive a refund for his tickets over National Anthem player protests. Lee Dragna of Morgan City says he and his family can no longer enjoy the games. He claims the rowdy, angry reaction of fans around his seats during the protests have made his tickets unusable. Dragna told the Advocate the Saints created this behavior by condoning it.

The NFL Network has suspended Marshall Faulk, Ike Taylor and Heath Evans over allegations of sexual harassment and assault. Professor of Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans Michelle Many says the individuals accused have a lot of power and control…:
Cut 10 (11) “confront them”
The accusations are spelled out in a lawsuit by a former NFL Network wardrobe stylist Jami Cantor.

Louisiana’s Abita Brewing Company is helping to celebrate New Orleans’ Tricentennial next year with a new beer called Maison Blanc. Brewmaster Mark Wilson says the concept comes from the area’s long standing history with French culture and lifestyles…:
cut 4 (10) “grape juice”
They expect to have the new brew available statewide by the first of the year.

It’s estimated two-million cybersecurity employees will be needed by 2019, so Grambling State plans to offers a cybersecurity degree.  Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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Small business optimism is near a record high according to the National Federation of Independent Business. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The NFL Network suspends three former football players with ties to Louisiana amid allegations of sexual harassment and assault. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo .”

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Louisiana’s original craft brewery Abita Brewing Company is helping to celebrate New Orleans’ Tricentennial next year with a new brew called Maison Blanc.  Brewmaster Mark Wilson says the concept comes from the area’s long standing history with French culture and lifestyles…

Cut 4  (10) “grape juice.” 

They expect to have the new brew available statewide by the first of the year.  He says Maison Blanc is combining the best of wine and beer, making it into one delicious recipe…

Cut 5  (08)  “white wine.”

Abita Brewing Company produces 11 year round beers and was ranked 20^th on the Brewers Association Top 50 U.S. Craft Brewing Companies in 2016.  Wilson says even with all their success, they remember where they are based and rely on their roots to bring out the distinctive flavors they produce…

Cut 6 (09)  “as well.”

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Small business optimism nationwide is near a record high, according to the National Federation of Independent Business. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says we haven’t seen this kind of optimism in 34 years, when the economy was booming during the Reagan administration. Starns credits the positivity to the push for tax reform in Washington D.C.

Cut 7 (09)  “their operations”

Starns says the discussion about lowering rates and making it easier for small business owners to comply with the tax code has a direct impact on how they feel about growing their business.

Cut 8 (09) “lowering”

Starns says most small business owners will say taxes are their biggest problem, followed by finding qualified workers. She says there is a clear expectation that Congress and the President will address the taxes problem, but finding good employees is a persistent problem

Cut 9 (11)  “coming out”

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The NFL Network has suspended Marshall Faulk, Ike Taylor and Heath Evans over allegations of sexual harassment and assault. The accusations are spelled out in a lawsuit by a former NFL Network wardrobe stylist Jami Cantor. Professor of Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans Michelle Many says the individuals accused have a lot of power and control.

Cut 12 (10) “the individual “

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The Louisiana Board of Regents has given Grambling State University the green light to proceed with plans to establish the first cybersecurity degree program in the state. Grambling State University President Rick Gallot says an estimated two million cybersecurity workers will be needed by 2019…

Cut 13 (10)  “other intruders.”

Once the components are in place, the university will have to go back to the Regents for final approval of the new degree program.  Gallot says the school has been successful with their technology programs and by adding the cybersecurity degree program it will compliment Grambling’s current technology training programs…

Cut 14 (10) “science department.”

Cybersecurity is an important part of the university’s effort to strengthen its academic offerings and provide cutting edge, relevant professional opportunities for students.  Gallot says this will prove true especially in their geographical area, with companies such as Monroe-based CenturyLink…

Cut 15 (12) “that space.”

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College football’s first ever early signing period begins a week from today. From December 20th to 22nd, schools can sign high school prospects to national letters of intent. The next signing day will be February 7th. LSU has 20 commitments and Coach Ed Orgeron says it’s their anticipation they’ll sign most of their verbal pledges next week…

Cut 16  (14)  “signed yet”

Orgeron says over half of their commitments are linemen…

Cut 17 (16) “tremendous job”

LSU has started its preparations for the New Year’s Day bowl game against Notre Dame. Orgeron says linebacker Arden Key is questionable as he’s battled injuries for most of the season, but he expects running back Derius Guice to play. Coach O is also holding out hope, this isn’t Guice’s last game in purple and gold…

Cut 18 (11) “we’ll see”

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LSU hosts Houston at the PMAC tonight in the Tigers first big test since the Maui Invitational. The Bayou Bengals are coming off a 97-84 win over UNC-Wilmington. LSU shot 59-percent from the field and had 48 points in the paint. Coach Will Wade says the Cougars will make it more difficult to score around the rim…

Cut 19 (17)   “the ball”

Houston is 8-1 on the season and they are led by Rob Gray, who is averaging 22 points a game. But Wade says the Cougars have three other double digit scorers…

Cut 20 (10) “good players”

Is Congressman Ralph Abraham planning to run for governor in 2019? Michelle Southern spoke with the Richland Parish physician…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Police have identified the woman found in a lake in St. Landry Parish.  21-year-old Lia Ali Kazan was reported kidnapped over the weekend while visiting Alexandria.  Authorities say a white man’s body was also found Tuesday in the 2007 Ford Taurus that was pulled from Lake Dubuisson. (du-bah-son). The St. Landry Sheriff’s Office says he appears to be in his late 20s to early 30s.  His identity is unknown.

A coalition of student groups called Renew LSU is pushing for university leaders to rename two prominent buildings on campus, Murphy J. Foster Hall and the John M. Parker Agriculture Coliseum.  Parker served as governor, but participated in an 1891 lynching of 11 Sicilian immigrants who were allegedly involved in the murder of a New Orleans Police Chief.  The group’s spokesperson Savanah Dickinson says because of his actions, they want to rename it in honor of Dr. Pinkie Gordon Lane.

Cut 4  (09) “poet laureate.” 

Since Louisiana has some of the highest rates for teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections in the county, the Louisiana Public Health Institute has started a new campaign called “Geaux Talk”.  Associate Director Kristie Bardell says the numbers show the current education programs are not working…

Cut 7 (09)  “teen pregnancy.”

A coalition of student groups called Renew LSU is pushing for university leaders to rename two prominent buildings on campus, Murphy J. Foster Hall and the John M. Parker Agriculture Coliseum. The group’s spokesperson Savanah Dickinson says former Governor Foster created voter registration requirements that disenfranchised a majority of the Bayou State in the 1890s.

Cut 3 (10) “lynch mob.”

A Saints season ticket holder is asking for a refund due to the National Anthem protests.  Lee Dragna of Morgan City is seeking a refund for the tickets and attorney fees.  He says he and his family are not able to enjoy the games due to players not standing for the National Anthem.  He claims the rowdy, angry reaction of the people around his seats during the protests have made the tickets unusable.

There’s buzz about Congressman Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish running for governor in 2019. He would join other potential GOP candidates going up against Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards such as US Senator John Kennedy, AG Jeff Landry and Congressman Garret Graves. Abraham says he’s considering the option…:

Cut 9 (07)  “look at it closely”

If he decides not to run for the state’s highest position, he still plans to run for re-election in the 5th congressional district next year.

An Lafayette attorney has claimed the $191 million dollar Powerball that was won in Eunice in October. Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says the winning family wishes to remain anonymous, but obviously they are elated…:

Cut 13 (10)  “a little bit”

The payout represents the largest single prize ever won in the Louisiana Lottery’s 26-year history.

An attorney from Lafayette has claimed the $191.1 million dollar Powerball prize on behalf of a three-member family partnership from the winning ticket in the October 25th drawing sold in Eunice. Louisiana Lottery spokeswoman Kimberly Chopin says the group opted for the cash prize…:
CUT 12 (05) “119.4 million dollars”
She says the family wants to remain anonymous but released a statement saying they are obviously elated.

There’s been some buzz of late about the possibility of Congressman Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish running for governor in 2019. He says it’s an option they’re considering, but he still plans to run for re-election in the 5th Congressinoal District next year…:
Cut 11 (08) “of that”
He says he’d run for governor because he’d like to see less government oversight on a state level the way they are working towards in Washington.

A coalition of student groups at LSU wants to change the names on two of the more prominent buildings on campus, including Parker Coliseum. Renew LSU spokesperson Savanah Dickinson says former governor John M. Parker lynched 11 Sicilian immigrants who were allegedly involved in the murder of a New Orleans Police Chief; and he did not apologize. She says changing these names is the right thing to do…:
Cut 5 (09) “it stops”
She says Parker and Murphy J. Foster are not worthy of such high profile recognition on the LSU campus.

A bi-partisan group of 12 governors, including Governor John Bel Edwards, is urging Congress to reauthorize funding for a popular children’s health insurance program as soon as possible. Fresh funding for the $14 billion CHIP program ran out Octover 1st. In a letter the governor’s say resources are nearly exhausted and some states already have begun to inform families that their children’s coverage may end on January 31.

A coalition of student groups called Renew LSU is urging university officials to change the names of two prominent buildings on campus…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Congressman Ralph Abraham responds to reports about him running for governor in 2019 and says he’s considering the option. He says he would love to bring to the state level what they are working towards on Capitol Hill which is less government oversight, and more money and more authority to citizens…:
Cut 10 (06) “I’m for”

In order to address the state’s high rates for teen pregnancy and STDs, the Louisiana Public Health Institute has started a new campaign to promote comprehensive sex ed in public schools and at home. Associate Director Kristie Bardell says parents, students, teachers and legislators can log on to geaux-talk-dot-org to receive tips on how to have informed conversations about the value of sexual health. She says this is important…:
Cut 6 (11) “sexual education”
She says a recent study shows 84 percent of Louisiana parents and caregivers believe sex ed is an important part of their students’ curriculum.