Flu cases are on the rise as four out of every 100 people visiting the doctor in Louisiana is diagnosed with Influenza. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A Shreveport man has been charged with second degree murder in connection with the death of an 11-month-old boy. Halen Doughty reports…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The Revenue Estimating Conference meets today, and their findings could determine whether or not Governor John Bel Edwards will call another special session. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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In the past week, Louisiana has seen an increase in the number of flu cases around the state. That’s according to Medical Director for the state Immunization Program Dr. Frank Welch who says four out of every 100 people who visit the doctor have the flu. He says if you got the flu shot, you should be protected.

cut 4  (10) “this year”

Welch says it’s rare, but if you do contract the flu virus after getting a shot, it’s usually a very mild case. But he says if someone at risk, like a pregnant woman, catches the flu, it can be very dangerous and even life threatening.

Cut 5  (10)  “disability”

Welch says mid-20-year-olds are most frequently being diagnosed with the flu. He says elderly people should also consider getting the pneumonia vaccine, as many seniors contract this infection after catching the flu.

Cut 6 (09) “shot”

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Even after a crazy year of weather in 2016, the crawfish crop seems to be doing just fine. LSU AgCenter Aquaculture Specialist Mark Shirely says the sizes of the mud bugs vary but the harvest is coming along fairly well. He says even though we aren’t seeing as great of a crop as last year, we’re still on par with the long term average.

CUT 7 (07)  “to enjoy”‘

Shirely says how the crawfish crop looks the rest of the season depends a lot on the weather and warm temperatures.

Cut 8 (10) “bit more”

Shirely says since it’s early in the season, the price per pound for mud bugs will be more expansive than later in the season. But he says the price will drop depending on supply and demand.

Cut 9 (08)  “Louisiana crawfish”

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A Shreveport man is behind bars facing a murder charge after police say an 11-year-old boy sustained fatal injuries in his care on Monday. Marcus Hines with Shreveport Police says 44-year-old Frederick Clark was initially charged with second-degree cruelty to a juvenile.

Cut 10 (10) “the child off”

Hines says Clark dropped off Mar’sharrd Ross with relatives, who later had to rush the infant to the hospital because he wasn’t breathing. He says the child died in the hospital later that day.

cut 11 (12) “Mr. Clark”

Hines says Clark is not related to the child, but he has some kind of relationship with the infant’s mother. He says they are not releasing the details of the child’s injuries because the investigation is ongoing.

cut 12 (09) “the child died”

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We’ll get better idea today whether or not Governor John Bel Edwards intends to call another special session to address looming budget shortfalls. The Revenue Estimating Conference meets today and the panel will determine the exact size of a revenue shortfall for this fiscal year. Edwards says the size of the deficit will determine if a special session is needed.

Cut 13 (12) “extremely painful”

Edwards estimates a shortfall greater than $300 million would require a special session to resolve. He says even if the legislature takes $119 million from the rainy day fund, the state will still be short of a balanced budget.

cut 14 (09) “special session”

But Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says talk of another special session is premature. He expects the shortfall would need to surpass $400 million to necessitate a special session. He is confident the governor can make the necessary budget cuts on his own.

Cut 15 (11) “as well”

Henry says everyone knew that there would be another deficit, and state agencies should have been preparing for more cuts. He says after raising 1.5 billion dollars during the last two special sessions, there’s not an appetite at the Capitol to raise any more revenue anywhere, but they do have a plan.

Cut 16 (08) “at this point”

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The criticism is mounting against the LSU men’s basketball program. The Tigers are 1-3 in the SEC and in all three losses, LSU has allowed 90 or more points. Fans are demanding better on social media and message boards, but fifth year head coach Coach Johnny Jones believes in what he’s doing…

Cut 17 (13)   “I do”

LSU hosts Alabama on Saturday and Jones says there’s still plenty of time left in the season to move up the SEC standings…

Cut 18 (22) “better position”

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Haughton native Dak Prescott makes his first postseason start at quarterback when the Cowboys host the red hot Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon. Prescott led Dallas to the best record in the NFC and the rookie looks to carry their regular season success into the playoffs

Cut 19 (09)   “we’ll be ready”

Dallas beat Green Bay 30-16 back on October 16th. Prescott threw three touchdowns in that game and hopes to use that experience to benefit him on Sunday….

cut 20 (09)   “as a team”

A public hearing is scheduled tonight in Baton Rouge to discuss the proposed Bayou Bridge Pipeline, which will go through 11 parishes from Calcasieu to St. James. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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So what’s next for Napoleonville Senator Troy Brown now that he’s gotten jail time amid allegations he abused his wife? Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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A public hearing is scheduled for tonight to discuss the proposed Bayou Bridge Pipeline, which would run across 11 parishes spanning from Calcasieu to St. James. The hearing takes place at 6 p.m. in the Department of Environmental Quality building in Baton Rouge. Director of the Bucket Brigade, Anne Rolfes, says crawfisherman are concerned running a pipeline through this area will hurt their business.

Cut 3 (09) “the water”

But Acting President for the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association Gifford Briggs supports the pipeline and says Louisiana is in the middle of the oil and gas renaissance. He says the pipeline will bring in jobs that are greatly needed in Louisiana.

cut 4  (10) “gas industry”

The pipeline will cost about 670 million dollars. Rolfes says the oil and gas sector claims pipelines are safer than transportation by rail or truck, but the industry is extremely out of touch with their own operations. She says pipelines are not a safer alternative, as they pose a risk for frequent leaks.

Cut 5  (07)  “response center”

Briggs says if the pipeline wasn’t safe, companies would not propose the construction. He says they are committed to safety to protect their workers and the environment.

Cut 6 (07) “for that”

The U.S Army Corps of Engineers will have the final say on whether the pipeline will be built.

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During his monthly call-in radio show, Governor John Bel Edwards defends himself amid questions about whether he’s pushing higher taxes to solve the state’s budget problems. Edwards says while lawmakers raised $1.5 billion in taxes during last year’s sessions, they also cut $850 million from the state budget.

CUT 7 (09)  “to do it” 

Edwards adds more cuts are coming and possibly another special session to resolve a looming $300 million shortfall. He says while cutting the budget sounds like an easy fix, it’s painful for the state agencies and the people they serve.

Cut 8 (11) “deliver education”

Edwards says there isn’t an overnight solution for the state’s budget problems. He says it will take comprehensive tax reform, more spending cuts, and yes, the possibility of raising more revenue. He says he’s committed to taking a balanced approach to resolve Louisiana’s financial issues.

Cut 9 (12)  “pursuing both”

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Louisiana will receive about $18 million as a result of a $4.3 billion Volkswagen settlement, after the company pleaded guilty to cheating on air emissions tests. Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Chuck Brown says the money has to be used to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.

Cut 10 (11) “tugs and ferries”

Brown says he is considering using the money to replace diesel engines in school buses with engines that burn cleaner fuel.  But he says no definite decision has been reached yet because other state agencies are also weighing in on the plan.

cut 11 (12) “their ferries”

Brown says DEQ is set to split the money with DOTD and the Department of Natural Resources, leaving each agency with $6 million to spend. He says DEQ is leaning towards replacing school bus engines with its share, but how many buses that money would cover depends on how the state goes about it.

cut 12 (12) “dollar range” 

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Some state lawmakers are calling for Napoleonville Senator Troy Brown to resign immediately after he entered a plea of no contest to domestic violence charges. Senate President John Alario says Brown was suspended from serving on committees when he was arrested in July, and that suspension has been extended until the Senate reviews the case and makes a decision. He says the Senate has the power to remove Brown from office.

Cut 13 (07) “would decide”

This is the second time the state legislator has pleaded no contest to domestic abuse charges in four months. Governor John Bel Edwards called for Brown to resign after the July arrest, but Brown said he has no intention of leaving office. Alario says Brown was suspended from serving on committees when he was arrested.

cut 14 (09) “to take”

It’s been ten years this month since Louisiana banned smoking in public buildings, schools, and places of employment through the Smoke-Free Air Act. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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A report by Smart Growth America ranks Louisiana the third most dangerous state for pedestrians. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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After a challenging first year in office, Governor John Bel Edwards will also have a lot on his plate in year two. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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January marks the 10 year anniversary of the Louisiana Smoke-Free Air Act, which prohibited smoking in public buildings and places of employment- most significantly restaurants. Director for the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living, Tonya Moore, says the law has improved public health and it’s been good for the state’s economy.

cut 4  (10) “this passage”

Moore says unfortunately, the ban did not include bars and casinos. But she says the Smoke-Free Air Act approved by the state legislature a decade ago has opened the door for stronger anti-smoking measurers locally.

Cut 5  (08)  “air policies”

Former-state Senator Robert Marionneaux authored Senate Bill 742 in 2006. He says the passage of this bill is one of the better things that’s happened at the state capitol in a long time. He says it’s one of the most memorable pieces of legislation he was involved in because it’s saving lives.

Cut 6 (11) “Louisiana lives”

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Louisiana is the third most dangerous state for pedestrians, according to a report by Smart Growth America. Director the National Complete Streets Coalition Emiko (EM-mee-koh) Atherton says this means Louisiana has a lot of work to do to increase pedestrian safety. She says many of these deaths are preventable…

CUT 7 (07)  “street lighting”‘

Atherton says state and local transportation officials can add features to certain roadways in order to improve pedestrian safety.

Cut 8 (10) “the road”

Florida and Alabama came in first and second for the most dangerous states for pedestrians. Atherton says a possible reason the top three states rank this high is due to the age of the roads and many of them were built for just a vehicle….

Cut 9 (07)  “of transportation”

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A Luling man has been arrested in connection with an armed robbery gone wrong. St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne says 31-year-old Jerel Smith encountered the victim, Ryan Dubuc of Metairie, on Monday morning at a gas station, where he got into the victim’s truck.

Cut 10 (10) “helps people”

Champagne says at some point, police believe Smith shot Dubuc multiple times in the head at close range, before dumping his body on the side of the road. Authorities say Dubuc was robbed for about $80. He says Smith faces multiple charges in this case.

cut 11 (08) “armed robbery”

Champagne says they believe Smith was involved in another armed robbery attempt at the same gas station on December 29. He says eyewitness testimony led to Smith’s arrest in that incident, as well as Dubuc’s murder.

cut 12 (12) “came forward”

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Stabilizing the budget, flood recovery, criminal justice reform and coastal restoration are among John Bel Edwards’ goals as he begins his second year in the governor’s office. Edwards says last year he tackled a historic budget deficit with 850-million dollars in cuts and urging the legislature to raise taxes to protect higher education and health care. He says comprehensive tax reform is needed this year.

Cut 13 (10) “in April”

Edwards says he’ll continue to push for adequate funding for healthcare, higher ed, and TOPS. He says another big concern in year two of his term will be helping flood victims put their lives back together. He says he’s planning more trips to Washington to secure additional funds for Louisianans affected by the Great Flood of 2016.

cut 14 (10) “on their feet”

Edwards says Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate in the nation, and there’s no good reason for that because we don’t have the safest streets, and we don’t have the lowest recidivism rate. He says that’s way criminal justice reform will be another key item on his 2017 agenda.

Cut 15 (09) “come back in”

Coastal restoration will be a big issue for the governor this year. Edwards says it’s critically important that we protect and restore our vanishing coastline. He says this year the state will finalize a revised coastal restoration masterplan.

Cut 16 (07) “our buck”

A survey by the Associated General Contractors of America finds 70% of Louisiana contractors anticipate hiring more workers in 2017. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 1 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The U-S Energy Information Administration calls for an average price of 52-dollars per barrel for crude oil in 2017. Michelle Southern looks at what this means for Louisiana…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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2017 is looking good for construction workers in Louisiana, as the Associated General Contractors of America finds 70-percent of Louisiana contractors anticipate hiring workers this year. Chief Economist with AGC, Ken Simonson, says the strongest category appears to be hospital construction, but the industry is expecting plenty of work in other sectors as well.

Cut 3 (12) “port activity”

But he says not everyone will be building this year, as there’s little work forecasted for public schools, higher education, and public buildings. The report also found that 60-percent of the 30 companies polled expect to increase their workforce by up to 25-percent in 2017. But Simonson says they might have a hard time finding qualified workers.

cut 4  (10) “anytime soon”

Simonson says that’s why companies are investing more in training and development to train new employees who do not have construction experience. He says some are even boosting incentives to bring more former-construction workers back to the industry.

Cut 5  (11)  “a job”

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The U.S. Energy Information Administration says the average price of crude oil in 2017 should be 52 dollars and 50 cents per barrel, so what does that mean for Louisiana? Associate Director of the Tulane Energy Institute Eric Smith says this is a nine dollar improvement from last year but likely not enough to support new deep water activity.

Cut 6 (12) “exploration”

Smith says this uptick in the price of crude oil could put a halt to onshore job losses in the industry.

CUT 7 (08)  “type positions” 

The U.S. Energy Information predicts crude oil to be $55.18 in 2018. But Smith says the offshore oil industry would need to see prices in the low 60s to commit to new projects.

Cut 8 (09) “$62”

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The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office announces the arrest of five people in connection with the murder of a man who was killed during an apparent drug deal gone bad. Sheriff Randy Smith says it all started shortly after two groups of three met up for the deal…:

Cut 9 (06)  “could go bad”

Smith says shots fired by both groups left 19-year-old Javonte Donaldson dead, allegedly at the hands of Christover Davis. It’s the first murder in St. Tammany Parish in 2017. Smith says he wants to send a strong message….:

Cut 10 (06) “not tolerate it”

Davis is charged with first degree murder. The other four are booked with principal to murder and obstruction. Smith said the entire shooting was over a total of about $300 worth of pot. He says those involved were not part of an organized gang…:

cut 11 (09) “six individuals”

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A 27-year-old mother was shot multiple times, while answering the door of her home in Scotlandville last night, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department. Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says Robyn Hale was transported to a local hospital, where she died overnight. He says Hale was not home alone…

cut 12 (07) “has happened” 

The children were not harmed during the incident. McKneely says detectives are still searching for a suspect. He says it doesn’t appear that the home was robbed and they’re working to determine a motive.

Cut 13 (10) “the shooting”

McKneely says this seems to be an isolated incident and Hale was targeted. He asks anyone with information about the case to call BRPD.

cut 14 (09) “a suspect”

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New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond urged members of the Senate Judiciary Committee today not to confirm Republican U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama as the next United States Attorney General. Richmond says Sessions’ beliefs are discriminatory and so are his actions…

Cut 15 (11) “shared history”

Newly elected U.S. Senator John Kennedy is on the committee and has voiced his support for Sessions. But Richmond, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Sessions’ is someone who has opposed updating the Voting Rights Act and rejected bipartisan criminal justice reform efforts…

Cut 16  (06)  “others today”

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5^th District Congressman Ralph Abraham has been selected to serve on the House Armed Services Committee. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Today marks the one-year anniversary of when the governor was sworn into office. Jeff Palermo looks at what year two of his administration might bring…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A study from LSU Health New Orleans finds parent’s concern about neighborhood safety will limit a child’s outside play time. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A new political party has been established in the Bayou State, as the official paperwork has been submitted by the Louisiana Independent Party. Party Treasurer Bill Bryan says this is more of a movement than a political action. He says often times, people vote for a party, not a person, and party affiliations can make it difficult for people to have open, honest discussions about candidates.

cut 4  (11) “civil discussions”

There are currently 56-thousand Independent voters registered in the party. Bryan says the current-two party system doesn’t serve the wide spectrum of views held by voters, as evidenced by the most recent election.

Cut 5  (09)  “for themselves”

Bryan says especially for social issues, it can be hard for voters to get accurate information to make an informed decision, because the information they’re receiving is partisan. He says one goal of the new party will be to publish the unbiased facts of these issues.

Cut 6 (10) “one or the other”

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Today marks one year in office for Governor John Bel Edwards, and what a year it’s been. After such a tumultuous start, it begs the question as to what the next year will hold. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says like his first year, one of the governor’s biggest challenges in year two is the budget.

CUT 7 (08)  “new budget”‘

Cross says some of the governor’s goals, like raising more revenue for transportation needs, will face tough pushback from the legislature. But he says not every item on the governor’s agenda will be an uphill battle.

Cut 8 (10) “at that”

Cross says perhaps the biggest difficulty with the governor’s job is never knowing what’s on the horizon. He says Edwards certainly wouldn’t have guessed a year ago that the first year of his term would hold two historic floods and a police ambush.

Cut 9 (11)  “anything can happen”

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A study from LSU Health New Orleans finds a parent’s concern about neighborhood safety will result in less play time outside. Research Professor Dr. Melinda Sothern says they questioned parents in neighborhoods with high crime rates along with graffiti and blighted neighborhoods and found they restricted their children’s outdoor play, which means less physical activity for those children…

Cut 10 (08) “and diabetes”

Sothern says the most intriguing finding was what parents thought of their own communities and if they trusted their neighbors.

cut 11 (10) “play outdoors”

Sothern urges parents to talk with policy makers to ensure making neighborhood safety is a priority. She also tells moms and dads to put in the effort to play outside with their kids or take them to a safe area on the weekends so they can do outdoor activities.

cut 12 (09) “health”

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5^th District Congressman Ralph Abraham will have a chance to set military policy for the United States as he’s been appointed to the House Armed Services Committee. Abraham says his top priority will be looking out for the men and women who serve our country.

Cut 13 (08) “a family”

Abraham says it’s critically important for a member of Louisiana’s delegation to sit on the committee because the Bayou State is home to Barksdale Air Force Base, Fort Polk, and the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in New Orleans. He expects Louisiana’s military bases to be vital in the ongoing fight against domestic and international tourism.

cut 14 (12) “those bases also”

Abraham says President-elect Donald Trump has indicated that has great respect and gratitude for military men and women. He expects that to be evident in the policies laid out under the new administration.

Cut 15 (10) “to continue”

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The LSU men’s basketball team is in College Station tonight to take on the Texas A&M Aggies. The Bayou Bengals are 1-and-2 in league play and they’ve played poorly on the defensive end. In LSU’s last three losses, they are allowing 100 points a game. Coach Johnny Jones says he needs to see more from his players on that end of the court….

Cut 16 (17) “winning and losing”

In recent games, teams have had a lot of success from beyond the three point stripe against LSU. They allowed 16 three-pointers in losses to wake Forest and Vanderbilt and Mississippi State hit 11 three-pointers against the Tigers on Saturday. LSU freshman guard Skylar Mays they are making it too easy for opposing shooters…

Cut 17 (10)   “grinding at it”

LSU will face an Aggies team tonight that was predicted to finish third in the SEC, but they are off to an 0-3 start in league play. But Jones says A&M is one of the better shooting teams in the conference…

Cut 18 (20) “they play”

Small business optimism has skyrocketed in December, according to a survey from the National Federation of Independent Businesses. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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WWE’s Wrestlemania will return to New Orleans in April of 2018. Michelle Southern has more on the big announcement…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Today is the start of the application period for the Louisiana Scholarship Program, which pays for low-income students at a poorly graded public school to attend a private school. President of the Louisiana Federation for Children, Ann Duplessis, says 65-hundred students currently receive taxpayer funded vouchers.

Cut 3 (11) “in the future”

Duplessis says students already enrolled in the program do not need to reapply. She says every year, about 10-thousand families apply and students from all over Louisiana can apply.

cut 4  (06) “be educated”

One hundred twenty-three schools in 31 school districts around the state participate in the voucher program. And Duplessis says test scores have demonstrated voucher students are making academic strides.

Cut 5  (09)  “last year”

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A survey from the National Federation of Independent Business finds small business optimism increased substantially in December. NFIB state director Dawn Starns says optimism has been skyrocketing since the November election and the positive outlook is felt here in Louisiana too.

Cut 6 (10) “new jobs”

The NFIB says small business optimism is at its highest level since 2004. Starns says it’s because business owners are anticipating better economic conditions with Donald Trump in office and a Republican controlled Congress.

CUT 7 (09)  “increase then” 

Starns says when small businesses are feeling good about the economy, they are more likely to increase business activity.

Cut 8 (10) “business owners”

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WWE’s Wrestlemania will return to New Orleans in 2018. Governor John Bel Edwards was on hand for the announcement that the Big Easy will host professional wrestling’s biggest event on Sunday, April 8th of next year. He says it’s just another huge occasion to laud the 300th year of the founding of New Orleans…:

Cut 9 (11)  “exciting time”

Wrestlemania last came to New Orleans in 2014, and Edwards says over 75,000 fans came from around the world – which had an economic impact of $142 million dollars for the city…:

Cut 10 (09) “1 billion dollars”

Edwards says this is the quickest that Wrestlemania has returned to a previous host city ever. Stephanie McMahon, WWE’s Chief Brand Officer, was also on hand this morning for the announcement. She says the pitch to the organization was incredible; and in addition to the passion behind it — featured some of New Orleans’ most soulful attributes…:

cut 11 (11) “Krewe of Muses”

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The federal government says 150-thousand Louisiana residents have signed up for health coverage through the Marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act. Christen Young, with the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services says one key driver of affordability in the marketplace is financial assistance and 82-percent of Louisiana consumers signed up so far, have qualified for tax credits.

cut 12 (08) “a year” 

Young says most people can find a plan for less than $75 per month. Senior Counselor to the Secretary at Health and Human Services, Avida Aron-Dine, says lawmakers have made claims that the Affordable Care Act is in a death spiral. But she says the facts show that’s absolutely not the case.

Cut 13 (11) “claims dead”

The report finds there are over 23-thousand new Louisiana consumers in the Marketplace, despite talk of repealing and replacing Obamacare. Aron-Dine says the data shows the Marketplace is poised for continued success, without policy interference. And she also expects we will not seek see huge spikes in premiums going forward.

cut 14 (10) “reinsurance program”

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Many plants were affected by this weekend’s freeze and Emelie Gunn has tips on how to treat the damaged plants…

CUT 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The staff of the Louisiana Board of Regents is recommending several changes to the TOPS scholarship program that will need legislative approval. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Clean-up officially begins today for the old Charity Hospital building in New Orleans after being abandoned since Hurricane Katrina. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palmero”

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The cold weather over the weekend damaged many plants and it has some wondering what to do next. LSU AgCenter Horticulturist Dan Gill recommends waiting a while to see if the plant is actually dead, even if it appears to have damage.

cut 4  (10) “seven days”

Gill says once you determine if parts of your plant have been damaged, it’s time to prune the affected areas, but tropical plants should be treated differently than woody plants. He says with the herbaceous tropical plants, remove oozy, mushy, and foul smelling damaged tissue.

Cut 5  (11)  “not sprouting”

Gill says a technique to immediately determine if a woody plant is damaged, is to scratch the bark with your thumb nail and if the tissue is green, it’s still alive and if it’s brown underneath, it’s dead. He also says do not get discouraged if a covered a plant and still received damage…

Cut 6 (10) “tropical again”

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The staff of the Louisiana Board of Regents is proposing several changes to the TOPS scholarship program. Higher Ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says the board is reviewing their report, and the final recommendations will be made in February. He says they are looking at a variety of ways to change how the scholarship is awarded, after the state failed to fully fund the program for the first time this year.

CUT 7 (09)  “at LSU”‘

The report also suggests freshmen TOPS recipients would have 80-percent of their total tuition covered, sophomores 90-percent and juniors and seniors 100-percent. Rallo says another proposed change would require TOPS students to take 30 credit hours a year, rather than 24. He says the goal of the switch would be to encourage students to graduate more quickly. He says currently less than 40-percent of TOPS students graduate in 4 years.

Cut 8 (11) “a paycheck”

Rallo says they are also looking into selling the naming rights of the scholarship program. He says TOPS students are the state’s best and brightest, and companies may be willing to help fund those students’ education.

Cut 9 (12)  “to come in”

The proposals come after cuts to higher ed and TOPS meant scholarship recipients were forced to pay more than 50-percent of their spring semester tuition. Any changes to the program would not take effect until 2018, and it will need legislative approval.

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The clean-up process for Charity Hospital in New Orleans begins today. The historic building has been out of commission since Hurricane Katrina. LSU Health New Orleans Health Care Services Division Director of Facility Planning Jerry Jones says this project will cost over 6.4 million dollars. He says everything inside the building has been there since 2005.

Cut 10 (10) “that’s moveable”

The process is expected to take around 180 days. Jones says all the equipment is rusted and not usable, so it will have to be stripped and used as scrap metal.

cut 11 (09) “disposed of”

The facilities contain asbestos, mold, chemicals, and other hazardous materials and the building is not safe for immediate occupancy. Jones says FEMA will pay for the cleanup. He says they’ve been waiting to finally clean out the facility for over 10 years.

cut 12 (09) “reuse”

It’s unclear what will happen with the 78 year old structure once it’s cleaned out.

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A 39-year-old Pierre Part man has been arrested for allegedly accidently texting an Assumption Parish Sheriff’s deputy about a potential drug deal. Commander Lonny Cavalier says on Friday night, Dwayne Hebert sent a text stating his crystal meth product was ready for delivery.

Cut 13 (09) “arrested him”

Cavalier says no bond has been set for Hebert. He says Hebert was also arrested with two firearms along with the crystal meth.

cut 14 (10) “substances”

Cavalier says Hebert was arrested with two firearms along with the crystal meth. He says this really is an unusual case.

Cut 15 (08) “his part”

Governor John Bel Edwards is heading back to Washington next month to seek more federal assistance for Louisiana’s flood recovery. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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In north Louisiana, law enforcement from around the state gave an update on the shooting and injuring of LDWF Senior Agent Tyler Wheeler. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Governor John Bel Edwards says he will go back to Washington in February in an effort to secure more federal funds for flood recovery. Since the August flood, he has visited D.C. five times to advocate for flood recovery dollars, but Louisiana is still $2 billion short for a full, robust recovery.

Cut 3 (12) “recovery efforts”

Edwards is confident President-elect Donald Trump is willing to help flood victims. So far, Congress has allocated $1.6 billion for Louisiana’s flood recovery. The first $438 million will got to moderate income homeowners who are elderly or disabled, while the additional $1.2 will go to other homeowners. But Edwards says no homeowners who had flood insurance will be eligible for any of the $1.6 billion Louisiana has secured so far.

cut 4  (09) “housing recovery alone”

Edwards says helping homeowners isn’t the only flood recovery need in the state. He says federal dollars are also needed for flood mitigation projects and for rebuilding infrastructure.

Cut 5  (11)  “to Congress”

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We just got over a historic election cycle, but there is another big race kicking off in Louisiana for state treasurer as John Kennedy exits for US Senate. Today, Covington Representative John Schroder announced his candidacy for the job. Political Analyst Clancy Dubos says the Republican lawmaker is likely the first of many to get into this race:

Cut 6 (11) “fiscal posture”

The special election to replace Kennedy won’t occur until October, the same day as the New Orleans mayoral election. Dubos says this means voters in The Big Easy will play a major role in this race…:

CUT 7 (07)  “term limited” 

Kennedy’s deputy treasurer, Ron Henson, will serve as interim treasurer for most of 2017 and during budget talks in the legislature. Dubos says this race is wide open and it’s hard to predict the direction it will take…:

Cut 8 (07) “be a front runner”

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agent who was shot multiple times in Morehouse Parish is in stable condition. That’s according to State Police Col. Mike Edmonson, who says it’s a miracle 25-year-old Tyler Wheeler is doing so well, after being shot in the head, neck, and arm early Saturday morning.

Cut 9 (11)  “in control”

Edmonson says Wheeler cannot speak yet, but they know when he can that the two and a half year LDWF veteran will have a lot to say. He says officials are still trying to figure out exactly what happened when Wheeler encountered 31-year-old Amethyst Baird of Monroe along Highway 165.

Cut 10 (09) “side of the road”

Baird has been arrested on one count of attempted first degree murder of a police officer, and 34-year-old Jeremy Gullette has been charged with accessory after the fact. Edmonson says the investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are possible as the case unfolds.

cut 11 (08) “into this”

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The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says two people are behind bars amid allegations children in their care tested positive for drugs. Captain Tommy Carnline says the complaint originally came in from the Department of Children and Family Services in regards in a November incident..:

cut 12 (10) “for the parents” 

Carnline says 19-year-old Stephan Deshon Matthews and 22-year-old Katie Meshell Bordelon each face 2nd degree cruelty to juveniles…:

Cut 13 (10) “bond each”

Carnline says they are not releasing information on how the narcotics got into the systems of the children…:

cut 14 (09) “their day in court”

King Cake season is in full swing, and a lot of people don’t know that the filled Mardi Gras pastry is actually a Mississippi tradition. Jeff Palermo reports…:

CUT 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Transportation Task Force put together by the governor releases its final report and it calls for $700 million more a year to improve roads and bridges. Don Molino has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Don Molino”

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Governor John Bel Edwards sent a letter to Congress urging federal lawmakers not to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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King Cake season is in full swing, and a lot of people don’t know that the filled Mardi Gras pastry is actually a Mississippi tradition. It all started with Paul’s Pastry Shop out of Picayune in 1972, when bakers decided to spice king cakes up a bit. Sherri Thigpen is the current owner of the establishment. She says they had some learning to do…:

cut 4  (10) “dough recipe”

Thigpen says they were already known for making birthday cakes, wedding cakes and even cheese breads that were filled, so they developed a similar recipe for the king cakes…:

Cut 5  (11)  “over cream cheese”

Thigpen says with over 40 to choose from, including the option to create your own combination, Paul’s Pastry Shop offers the largest selection of flavors at a single bakery. She says at first, the recipe was not being recognized as a King Cake by bakery organizations because of the fillings…:

Cut 6 (10) “about everything”

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Monroe is a top contender for a new Graphic Packaging facility. Senior Manager of Corporate Communications, Sue Appleyard, says while they are still looking at other potential locations, the company reached a conceptual agreement with the local union to build the facility in the Monroe area.

CUT 7 (08)  “works out”‘

Appleyard expects a final decision to come in the next few months. She says there won’t be any impact on their current paper mill, which employs the bulk of their 400 workers in West Monroe, but the two other facilities would be consolidated. She says there would be a slight decrease in the number of jobs for the area, but the overall impact won’t be hugely significant.

Cut 8 (10) “anyway”

Appleyard says this new 70-million facility will be Graphic Packaging’s first brand new plant in 10 years. She says they’re excited about the possibility of bringing this new state of the art facility to a town where Graphic Packaging has become a household name.

Cut 9 (07)  “stay there”

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The Transportation Task Force has released their final report on how to improve the state’s transportation infrastructure, and of course, funding is number one. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says the state needs to increase its investment in transportation by $700 million a year. But he says they haven’t decided how those dollars will be raised.

Cut 10 (09) “commercial vehicles”

Wilson says they’re also looking into tolls and public-private partnerships as a means of funding. He says something has to be done to address the $13 billion backlog of transportation projects, as well as address the $16 billion in new projects, like a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. He says policy reform could be needed.

cut 11 (11) “the country”

Revenue raising proposals to fund transportations needs will be considered during the regular legislative session that begins April 10^th. It’s unclear what specific proposals Governor John Bel Edwards will back but Wilson expects a lot of discussion.

cut 12 (09) “conditions”

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Governor John Bel Edwards has sent a letter to Congress urging national leaders not to repeal the Affordable Care Act. But US Senator Bill Cassidy says Obamacare isn’t working for everyone. He says when premiums and deductibles cost thousands of dollars, that’s anything but affordable.

Cut 13 (09) “deductible”

Cassidy has proposed the Patient Freedom Act, which gives states the option to choose whether or not to keep Obamacare. He says the bill would repeal the ACA on a federal level, including the individual and employer mandates, and it would prevent the federal government from forcing people to pay penalties for not having insurance. He says states could then decide their own plan of action.

cut 14 (10) “other states”

But Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee urges federal lawmakers not to fix what isn’t broken. While she admits Obamacare is causing premiums to go up nationwide, she is adamant that the Medicaid expansion has been a godsend.

Cut 15 (08) “gotten care”

Gee says she and the governor look forward to working with Congress to find a suitable replacement for Obamacare. She says their top priority is maintaining coverage for Louisiana residents. She says repealing the ACA without a replacement would have drastic consequences for Louisiana.

Cut 16 (08) “goes up”

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King Cake season is in full swing, and a lot of people don’t know that the filled Mardi Gras pastry is actually a Mississippi tradition. Jeff Palermo reports…:

CUT 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

The Transportation Task Force put together by the governor releases its final report and it calls for $700 million more a year to improve roads and bridges. Don Molino has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Don Molino”

______________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards sent a letter to Congress urging federal lawmakers not to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________

King Cake season is in full swing, and a lot of people don’t know that the filled Mardi Gras pastry is actually a Mississippi tradition. It all started with Paul’s Pastry Shop out of Picayune in 1972, when bakers decided to spice king cakes up a bit. Sherri Thigpen is the current owner of the establishment. She says they had some learning to do…:

cut 4  (10) “dough recipe”

Thigpen says they were already known for making birthday cakes, wedding cakes and even cheese breads that were filled, so they developed a similar recipe for the king cakes…:

Cut 5  (11)  “over cream cheese”

Thigpen says with over 40 to choose from, including the option to create your own combination, Paul’s Pastry Shop offers the largest selection of flavors at a single bakery. She says at first, the recipe was not being recognized as a King Cake by bakery organizations because of the fillings…:

Cut 6 (10) “about everything”

______________________________________

Monroe is a top contender for a new Graphic Packaging facility. Senior Manager of Corporate Communications, Sue Appleyard, says while they are still looking at other potential locations, the company reached a conceptual agreement with the local union to build the facility in the Monroe area.

CUT 7 (08)  “works out”‘

Appleyard expects a final decision to come in the next few months. She says there won’t be any impact on their current paper mill, which employs the bulk of their 400 workers in West Monroe, but the two other facilities would be consolidated. She says there would be a slight decrease in the number of jobs for the area, but the overall impact won’t be hugely significant.

Cut 8 (10) “anyway”

Appleyard says this new 70-million facility will be Graphic Packaging’s first brand new plant in 10 years. She says they’re excited about the possibility of bringing this new state of the art facility to a town where Graphic Packaging has become a household name.

Cut 9 (07)  “stay there”

________________________________________

The Transportation Task Force has released their final report on how to improve the state’s transportation infrastructure, and of course, funding is number one. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says the state needs to increase its investment in transportation by $700 million a year. But he says they haven’t decided how those dollars will be raised.

Cut 10 (09) “commercial vehicles”

Wilson says they’re also looking into tolls and public-private partnerships as a means of funding. He says something has to be done to address the $13 billion backlog of transportation projects, as well as address the $16 billion in new projects, like a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. He says policy reform could be needed.

cut 11 (11) “the country”

Revenue raising proposals to fund transportations needs will be considered during the regular legislative session that begins April 10^th. It’s unclear what specific proposals Governor John Bel Edwards will back but Wilson expects a lot of discussion.

cut 12 (09) “conditions”

_______________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards has sent a letter to Congress urging national leaders not to repeal the Affordable Care Act. But US Senator Bill Cassidy says Obamacare isn’t working for everyone. He says when premiums and deductibles cost thousands of dollars, that’s anything but affordable.

Cut 13 (09) “deductible”

Cassidy has proposed the Patient Freedom Act, which gives states the option to choose whether or not to keep Obamacare. He says the bill would repeal the ACA on a federal level, including the individual and employer mandates, and it would prevent the federal government from forcing people to pay penalties for not having insurance. He says states could then decide their own plan of action.

cut 14 (10) “other states”

But Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee urges federal lawmakers not to fix what isn’t broken. While she admits Obamacare is causing premiums to go up nationwide, she is adamant that the Medicaid expansion has been a godsend.

Cut 15 (08) “gotten care”

Gee says she and the governor look forward to working with Congress to find a suitable replacement for Obamacare. She says their top priority is maintaining coverage for Louisiana residents. She says repealing the ACA without a replacement would have drastic consequences for Louisiana.

Cut 16 (08) “goes up”