President Trump addresses the nation tonight to lay out his case for increased funding for border security in the midst of a government shutdown a dispute about border wall funding. Republican Congressman Garret Graves says additional border security is necessary due to the presence of Central American cartels on the Mexican side that he says are responsible for the vast majority of opioids in America, and other criminal activity.

Cut 7 (07) “occurring”

The dispute has centered on the President’s demand for 5.7 billion in additional border wall construction.

The President says building the wall would make America safer, but Democratic New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond says those claims just aren’t true, and utilizing modern methods, like those called for by the Department of Homeland Security, would be a better border plan.

Cut 9 (09) “…technology″

Graves agreed that a border security plan should also lean on modern technology over thousands of miles of wall.

According to his re-election campaign, Gov. John Bel Edwards raised $3.8 million in 2018 and enters 2019 with $8.3 million in the bank for the race. A report from the campaign indicates that 87% of the money came from in-state donors. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says Edwards will remain active on the campaign fundraising trail.

Cut 5 (08) “…for this race.”

One of Edwards’ announced challengers, Eddie Rispone’s gubernatorial campaign says the Baton Rouge Republican has 5.5 million dollars in his campaign account. No word yet from the other Republican challenger Ralph Abraham.

A candlelight vigil was held yesterday at Marksville High School as the Avoyelles Parish community came together to mourn those affected by the deadly wreck in Florida that claimed the lives of five children last week. Edwards spoke about the wreck at the Baton Rouge Press Club yesterday.

Cut 12 (12)   “…community in Marksville.” 

President Trump will address the nation at 8PM to lay out his case for increased funding for border security in the midst of a government shutdown over the President’s demand for 5.7 billion in funding for a physical border wall. Republican Congressman Garret Graves says we do not need another Great Wall, but additional physical structures would decrease illegal border crossings.

Cut 6 (11) “…of miles”

Democratic New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond says with illegal immigration at decades long low, the wall would be a waste of money.

After rising through the ranks for 28 years in the New Orleans Police Department, Superintendent Michael Harrison is leaving for Baltimore to take the reins as its Police Commissioner. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says replacing him will be a major priority for Mayor Cantrell in the coming weeks.

Cut 15 (07) “…chief Harrison”

2018 was a significant year in fundraising for the re-election campaign of Governor John Bel Edwards, raising $3.8 million, bringing his total campaign account to over $8.3 million.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Tangipahoa Sherriff Daniel Edwards has increased the reward for information related to a December 23^rd double murder that claimed the lives of a mother and son in their Independence Home. The office is now offering 10,000 dollars, and Crime Stoppers have increased their offering to 2,500 dollars. The Sheriff is asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers, and your identity will be concealed.

President Trump speaks to the nation tonight about border security. Matt Doyle has reaction from a Republican and a Democrat.

Cut 2 (30) “Im Matt Doyle”  

The Monroe Police are investigating the death of a United States Postal worker that was electrocuted this afternoon.  The incident happened outside of the Shannon Street Post Office in Monroe.   According to investigators, 47-year-old Paul Wesley Gammill was electrocuted while changing a lightbulb in a light pole.

A candlelight vigil was held yesterday at Marksville High School as the Avoyelles Parish community came together to mourn those affected by the deadly wreck in Florida that claimed the lives of five children last week.  Avoyelles House of Mercy Pastor Eric Descant called into the gathering from Florida to address those in attendance.

Cut 10 (11) “…and compassionate people.”

According to his re-election campaign, Gov. John Bel Edwards raised $3.8 million in 2018 and enters 2019 with $8.3 million in the bank for the race. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says this indicates that any challengers who can’t raise about ten million dollars will not be competitive in the race.

Cut 4 (12) “…the governor has.″

President Trump will address the nation at 8PM to lay out his case for increased funding for border security in the midst of a government shutdown over the President’s demand for 5.7 billion in funding for a physical border wall. Republican Congressman Garret Graves says additional border security is necessary due to the presence of Central American cartels on the Mexican side that he says are responsible for the vast majority of opioids in America, and other criminal activity.

Cut 7 (07) “occurring”

But Democrats refuse to pass a spending bill that includes border wall funding, calling it wasteful and unnecessary. Democratic New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond says the House will not force taxpayers to waste their money on the President’s campaign slogan.

Cut 8 (10) “…of money.”

Richmond says those funds should go towards social programs like paid maternity leave.

According to his re-election campaign, Gov. John Bel Edwards raised $3.8 million in 2018 and enters 2019 with $8.3 million in the bank for the race. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says that’s a significant number for the Governor.

Cut 3 (10) “…get him re-elected.”

A report from the campaign indicates that 87% of the money came from in-state donors.

After rising through the ranks for 28 years in the New Orleans Police Department, Superintendent Michael Harrison is leaving for Baltimore to take the reins as its Police Commissioner. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says because of Harrison’s many years of service with the N-O-P-D, he had the backing of rank-and-file officers and city leaders…

Cut 14 (12) “… with it”

New Orleans only recorded 146 murders in 2018, the lowest  since 1971.

President Donald Trump will make his case for a U-S Mexico border wall with a speech from the Oval Office tonight. The President says building the wall would make America safer, but New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond says utilizing modern methods, like those called for by the US Department of Homeland Security, would be a better border plan.
Cut 9 (09) “…technology″

After rising through the ranks for 28 years in the New Orleans Police Department, Superintendent Michael Harrison is leaving for Baltimore to take the reins as its Police Commissioner. New Orleans only recorded 146 murders in 2018, the lowest number of murders since 1971. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says Harrison’s departure is a loss for the city but…
Cut 13 (06) “…job”
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says plans to announce a replacement soon.

Governor John Bel Edwards re-election campaign announces it has 8-point-three million dollars in the bank after raising three-point-eight million dollars during 2018. The campaign says 87-percent of the money came from in-state donors. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Edwards will remain hot on the campaign fundraising trail…
cut 5 (08) “…for this race”
One of Edwards’ announced challengers, Eddie Rispone’s gubernatorial campaign says the Baton Rouge Republican has 5.5 million dollars in his campaign account. No word yet from the other Republican challenger Ralph Abraham.

Meanwhile, Governor Edwards is asking Louisiana residents to support the Marksville families who lost five children in a fiery crash in north Florida last week…
cut 12 (12) “…Marksville”
Funeral arrangements for the children are pending.

President Trump is set to address the nation tonight at 8PM and lay out his case for increased funding for border security in the midst of a government shutdown over the President’s demand for 5.7 billion in funding for a physical border wall. Republican Congressman Garrett Graves says we may not need another Great Wall, but additional physical structures would decrease illegal border crossings.

Cut 6, 11 seconds, of miles

But Democrats refuse to pass a spending bill that includes border wall funding, calling it wasteful and unnecessary. Democrat and Assistant to the Majority Whip Cedric Richmond says the House will not force tax payers to waste their money on the President’s campaign slogan.

Cut 8 seconds, 10 seconds, of money

Richmond says those funds should go towards social programs, and networks will air a rebuttal from Democrats immediately after the speech.

According to his re-election campaign, Gov. John Bel Edwards raised $3.8 million in 2018 and enters 2019 with $8.3 million in the bank for the race. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says this indicates that any challengers who can’t raise about ten million dollars will not be competitive in the race.

Cut 4 (12) “…the governor has.″

One of Edwards’ announced challengers, Eddie Rispone’s gubernatorial campaign says the Baton Rouge Republican has 5.5 million dollars in his campaign account. No word yet from the other Republican challenger Ralph Abraham.

LSU ends the year ranked 6^th, good for the team’s best finish since 2011.

According to his re-election campaign, Gov. John Bel Edwards has raised $3.8 million in 2018, meaning Edwards enters 2019 with $8.3 million in the bank for the race. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says that’s a significant number for the Governor.
Cut 3 (10) “…get him re-elected.”
Eddie Rispone’s gubernatorial campaign says the Baton Rouge Republican has 5.5 million dollars in his campaign account. No word yet from the other Republican challenger Ralph Abraham.

Governor Edwards has said his top legislative priority is to give teachers a pay raise of at least one-thousand dollars. Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux says that would still leave the average teacher salary below the Southern Regional Average and don’t forget teachers have a lot of out of pocket expenses…
cut 13 (12) “…stappler”

Congressman Cedric Richmond says he believes President Trump has committed impeachable offenses, but says he’s waiting for the final results from the Mueller probe before taking action.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison is leaving the Big Easy to become the next police commissioner for Baltimore, Maryland. According to the N-O-P-D, Baltimore officials are pleased with Harrison’s record of policing reform and violent crime reduction. In 2018, there were 146 murders in New Orleans, lowest number since 1971.

Governor John Bel Edwards has made giving teachers a pay raise of at least 1,000 dollars the cornerstone issue of his 2019 legislative agenda, but questions remain as to how the state will pay for the roughly 135-million dollar proposal. Edwards says he plans to pay for the raise with increased revenue from an improving economy.
Cut 10 (09) “…doing better.”
But House Republican leadership is reluctant to recognize the increased revenues.

Articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump have been re-introduced. New Orleans Congressman and Assistant Majority Whip Cedric Richmond says he’s waiting for Special Counsel Robert Mueller to complete his report before moving forward…
cut 6 (12) “….remove him”

While last night’s College football championship game is in the books, New Orleans is already looking forward to 2020. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 3 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

King Cake season has arrived and for Rouses Markets they are anticipating producing 500-thousand king cakes for local consumption and to ship nationwide. Bakery Director Michelle Knight says there are many variations of King Cake to choose from, but when it comes to the most popular…
cut 8 (07) “…then Bavarian”

Governor Edwards has pledged a teacher pay raise of at least one-thousand dollars this year. But how it gets accomplished is unclear. Many Republicans have signaled their support, but suggest the pay raise should be funded with existing dollars. Senate Education Chairman Blade Morrish says no matter how it gets done, it needs to get done…
cut 11 (10) “….do it”
Teachers unions nationwide have won a series of pay raises after striking, and Louisiana unions have indicated their members are considering a work stoppage if the legislature and governor fail to deliver. Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux was a guest on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster.
Cut 12 (09) “…next year.”
Teacher pay raises are expected to dominate the 2019 legislative session that begins in April.

There’s no end in sight in the partial federal government shutdown. New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond blames President Trump for holding federal workers hostage until he gets funding for a wall, Richmond says was initially promised to be paid for by Mexico. He says the government shutdown is having a local impact….
cut 5 (09) “…abomidable”
President Trump will make his case for a U-S Mexico border wall with a speech from the Oval Office tonight.

King Cake season has arrived and Rouses Markets plans to produce a half-million king cakes at their 59 bakeries. Bakery Director Michelle Knight…
cut 9 (07) “…New Orleans girl”
And we have a breaking story out of New Orleans. Multiple sources say New Orleans Police Chief Michael Harrison is leaving the Big Easy as he’s been hired as the police commissioner in Baltimore, Maryland. New Orleans recorded 146 murders in 2018, it’s lowest number since 1971.

Everyone seems to agree with a proposed teacher pay raise of at least one-thousand dollars, but with a 135 million dollar price tag, how will the state pay for it?
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Hundreds attended a candlelight vigil last night at Marksville High School to remember the five children killed in last week’s fiery crash in Florida. Avoyelles Parish District Attorney Charles Riddle says it was wonderful to see the community come together…
cut 30 (08) “…don’t stop praying”
Funeral arrangements for the five victims are still pending.

Democratic Congressman Cedric Richmond is the highest ranked member of the Louisiana delegation in the U.S. House and plans to use his position to push for solutions to the state’s most pressing issues. He says Democrats will pursue climate change legislation and green energy policy, one that can address the state’s coastal, and economic woes.
Cut 4 (10) “…citizens.”
Richmond is the Assistant to the Majority Whip.

The demand for King Cakes is growing. With a longer carnival season and the Saints in the playoffs, Bakery director for Rouses Markets, Michelle Knight, says their 59 bakeries will be busy between local sales and shipping orders nationwide.
Cut 7 (05) “…in the past.”
Knight says the top-selling King Cake is plain, followed by cream cheese and Bavarian.