Governor Edwards was inaugurated today, and used his speech to lay down the three big focuses of his second term in office. The biggest focus will be education, specifically early childhood, followed by workforce development, and finally coastal restoration.  He says the state is finally starting to get ahead of our decades of losses…

Cut 11 (09) “…to lose”

In Northwest Louisiana, power is being restored and clean up crews have moved in after an EF-2 tornado swept through the area around 2 am Saturday morning. Bossier Parish Sheriff Lt Bill Davis says at least 50 homes have been destroyed in the Bossier Parish area.

Cut 4 (11) “…homes effected.”

79-year old Jerry Franks, and 65-year-old Mary Sue Franks were killed in Haughton and in Caddo Parish 75-year-old Raymond Holden was killed in Oil City during the storm.

Lafayette Senator Page Cortez is unanimously elected Senate President for the next four-year term. Senators Sharon Hewitt of Slidell and Rick Ward of Iberville were reportedly in the running or considering running for the position. Cortez thanked his competitors in the race, and looked ahead…

Cut 13 (11) “LIghtly.

Gonzales Representative Clay Schexnayder won a contentious race for Speaker.

LSU’s record-breaking offense gets its biggest challenge yet tonight going up Clemson’s stingy defense in tonight’s national championship game. Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables is one of the best in the nation. LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow….

Cut 14 (11) “…lightly”

LSU has the highest-scoring offense in the country at 49 points per game. But Clemson is right up there, averaging 45 a contest.

Governor Edwards was sworn in today for a second time and highlighted his biggest focuses for the upcoming term.  His first and biggest focus for the next four years is education. His second focus was workforce development…

Cut 10 (11) “…labor.”

He touched on equal pay for equal work, increased funding for higher ed, and a goal for 60 percent of Louisiana workers to have a degree or credential by 2030.

The more moderate Republican, Clay Schexnayder was elected as House Speaker over the more conservative Sherman Mack. After the election, the new speaker laid out his priorities…
Cut 7 (09) “legacy.”

Schexnayder was handed the gavel by the previous Speaker, Taylor Barras.

In Northwest Louisiana, power is being restored and clean up crews have moved in after an EF-2 tornado swept through the area around 2 am Saturday morning. In Benton, the middle school was heavily damaged and classes are canceled today. Lt Bill Davis describes the scene at Benton Middle School

Cut 5 (11) “…damage inside.”

Crews are cleaning up debris and students are expected to attend class tomorrow.

LSU’s record-breaking offense gets its biggest challenge yet tonight going up Clemson’s stingy defense in tonight’s national championship game. Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables is one of the best in the nation. Tigers linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson says Clemson has great skill position players

Cut 15 (12) “…all that”

Kick-off is at 7:15 in the dome.

Most analysts are expecting a high scoring game in tonight’s national championship game between LSU and Clemson. LSU has the highest-scoring offense in the country at 49 points per game. But Clemson is right up there, averaging 45 a contest. Tigers linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson says Clemson has great skill position players
Cut 15 (12) “…all that”
Chaisson has been playing well as of late. He has 6.5 sacks. Linebacker Michael Divinity also returns for this game after missing several games as a result of a suspension.

Offensive guard Damien Lewis is healthy after getting banged up in the Peach Bowl. Coach Ed Orgeron says Lewis is expected to play tonight. Terrace Marshall also got nicked up in the win over Oklahoma, but he’s ready to go. LSU is healthy as it’s been all season.

Major League Baseball brought the hammer down on the Astros today after its investigation revealed the team used video to steal signs during its 2017 World Series championship season. Manager A-J Hinch and general Jeff Luhnow were suspended for a year and they have since been fired by Astros owner Jim Crane. Houston is also losing its first and second round draft picks in 2020 and 2021 and the organiziation was fined five-million dollars.

Saints Coach Sean Payton served as a guest analyst on ESPN’s NFL Countdown and said he expects quarterback Drew Brees to be on the field for the Black and Gold in 2020. It’s been reported that one network has reached out to Brees about becoming a TV game analyst.

Not sure how many people from Louisiana will be watching, but the Pelicans are in Detroit tonight to face the Pistons. New Orleans is trying to finish a three-game road trip with a 2-and-1 record. Brandon Ingram is quesitonable with a knee injury.

Governor John Bel Edwards was sworn in today to begin his second term on a rainy day in Baton Rouge. Edwards says education will be a top priority during his next four years and that means more funding for pre-K.
cut 9 (12) “…our state”
Early childhood education advocates are calling for an 80 million dollar upfront investment, with increased yearly funding so that eventually there is universal access into pre-K.

Edwards scored a political victory on the first day of his second term and that was Gonzales Representative Clay Schexnayder being elected as House Speaker over Albany Representative Sherman Mack. Political Analysts say Schexnayder is the better choice for Edwards, but Schexnayder says the People’s House will speak for itself…
Cut 6 (11) “citizen”

Cleanup continues in northwest Louisiana from a tornado that claimed three lives over the weekend. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

We are getting closer to kickoff for tonight’s national championship game between a pair of undefeated heavyweights, LSU and Clemson. The Bayou Bengals are 14-0 for the first time ever, but Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire says the job is not done…
cut 16 (12) “….dominate

About an hour ago Governor John Bell Edwards was sworn into his second term as governor of Louisiana.

Cut 30 :15 clapping

In the Legislature Gonzales, Republican Representative Clay Schexnayder wins the Speaker vote 60-45 over Albany Republican Sherman Mack. Senator John Kennedy and AG Jeff Landry pushed Republicans to unify behind whoever received the most Republican support, but that didn’t happen, and Schexnayder won with a majority of his votes coming from Democrats…

Cut 8 (12) “…important”

The House is two members shy of a Republican Supermajority.

In Northwest Louisiana, power is being restored and cleanup crews have moved in after an EF-2 tornado swept through the area around 2 am Saturday morning. Lt Bill Davis with the Bossier Parish Sheriff office says Swepco has restored power to most of the area.

Cut 3 (11)  “…along well.” 

LSU’s record-breaking offense gets its biggest challenge yet tonight going up against Clemson’s stingy defense in tonight’s national championship game. Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables is one of the best in the nation. LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow….

Cut 14 (11) “…lightly”

Kick-off is at 7:15 in the dome.

Current and former statewide elected officials are gathered on the steps of the State Capitol for today’s inauguration ceremony. Governor John Bel Edwards gets sworn in for a second term and he’s already picked up a legislative win. The more moderate Republican, Clay Schexnayder was elected as House Speaker over the more conservative Sherman Mack. After the election, the new speaker laid out his priorities…
cut 7 (09) “…legacy”

Lafayette Senator Page Cortez was unanimously elected as Senate President for the new four-year term. Cortez will lead an Upper Chamber that has a supermajority of Republicans in it…
ut 12 (13) “…Louisiana.”

No classes at Benton Middle School in Bossier Parish today. An early Saturday morning tornado ripped part of the school’s roof off. Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Lieutenant Bill Davis describes the scene…
cut 5 (11) “…damage inside”
Crews are cleaning up debris and students are expected to attend class tomorrow.

It was an E-F two tornado that swept through through the region, killing two people in Haughton and third a person in Oil City in Caddo Parish. At least 50 homes sustained damage in Bossier Parish.

Governor John Bel Edwards is set to be sworn in for his second term and he’s already won a legislative battle. Gonzales Republican Representative Clay Schexnayder has been elected as Speaker of the House over Albany Representative Sherman Mack. Schexnayder was backed by a coalition of Democrats and moderate Republicans and is thought to be a more friendly choice for Edwards, but he says the People’s House will speak for itself…
Cut 6 (11) “citizen”
Lafayette Republican Page Cortez was elected Senate President.

In Bossier Parish, cleanup continues from Saturday morning’s EF-2 tornado that killed three people in northwest Louisiana. BPSO lieutenant Bill Davis says at least 50 homes sustained damage in Bossier Parish…
cut 4 (11) “…homes effected”
Classes were canceled today at Benton Middle School as a tornado ripped part of the school’s roof off.

Coach O’s hometown of Larose in Lafourche Parish has special electricity in the air as the LSU Tigers are at the doorstep of a national championship.
Cut 3 (29) “… I’m Kevin Barnhart”

In his final press conference before tonight’s game, Orgeron said he kept the preparation for this game close to what they’ve done all year
Cut 14 (14) “…antsy too”

Governor John Bel Edwards will be sworn in today at 11:30 AM for his second term of office on the steps of the Capitol, weather allowing. Advisor to Governor Richard Carbo says attendees will get to hear from Edwards about his plans for the next four years, and enjoy some top-notch Louisiana talent.

Cut 4 (11) “…a treat.”

In Northwest, Louisiana power is being restored and clean-up crews have moved in after an EF-2 tornado swept through the area around 2am Saturday morning. Lt Bill Davis with the Bossier Parish Sheriff office says Swepco has restored power to most of the area.

Cut 3 along well :11

A new state legislature will choose their leaders for the next four years today. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the selection of House Speaker has huge ramifications. It’s between Albany Representative Sherman Mack and Gonzales Representative Clay Schexnayder.

Pisonat says if Mack wins, the governor will not have an ally leading the House…

Cut 10 (10) “…input”

The Senate is expected to elect Lafayette Senator Page Cortez as Senate President.

Ed Orgeron’s hometown of Larose is decked out in purple and gold ready for the big game tonight, Larose attorney and longtime friend of Orgeron, Henry LaFont says having Coach O be a hometown boy adds something special to the National Championship this time.

Cut 13 (10) “…mean it’s unbelievable.”

Governor John Bel Edwards will be sworn in for a second term at 11:30 this morning. Matt Doyle has a preview….
voicer 1 (31) “….I’m Matt Doyle”

A new legislature also gets sworn in today and Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says there’s a close race for House Speaker, between Republican state representatives Sherman Mack and Clay Schexnayder…
cut 8 (10) “…Democrats”

Larose has it’s purple and gold ready for the big game tonight. The Lafourche Parish town is Coach O’s hometown. Larose attorney and longtime friend of Orgeron Henry LaFont says there is a surreal feeling, because everyone knows about the long path it took for Orgeron to lead the LSU football program to the doorstep of a championship.
Cut 11 (08) “…happen this quick.”
LSU is seeking its fourth national title in program history, while Clemson can win its third championship in four years. Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney says the focus is not trying to become college football’s next great dynasty…
Cut 15 (14) “…get ready”
Kick-off tonight is at 7:15.

After a long 15-day layoff since winning the Peach Bowl, LSU and Clemson strap on the helmets tonight in college football’s national championship game. Coach Ed Orgeron says he’s tried to keep the preparation for this game close to what they’ve done all year
Cut 14 (14) “…antsy too”
Coach O took over the team on an interim basis in 2016 before being named the permanent head coach. In the time since Orgeron’s good friend and Larose attorney Henry LaFont says he has been most impressed with the way Orgeron has treated his players and his staff.
Cut 12 (09) “…second to them.”
Kick-off is at 7:15.

It’s inauguration day at the State Capitol and it’s unclear who will be the House Speaker as a new legislature convenes at 10 AM….
voicer 2 (31) “….I’m Matt Doyle”

U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says there’s a supermajority of Republicans in the Senate and a near supermajority in the House, which will likely tank Governor Edwards long-running campaign promise of a minimum wage hike, so he’ll have to focus on other issues…
cut 7 (08) “…like that”