2018 will be remembered as a year where Louisiana achieved budget stability by renewing a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax which allowed the state to fully fund the TOPS scholarship program, public colleges and higher education.

In 2018, the state also lost its title as incarceration capital of the world as a result of criminal justice reform efforts approved in 2017.

The MeToo movement hit the Secretary of State’s office, which led to the resignation of Secretary Tom Schedler. Dawn Ross, spoke with LRN, and said she was the victim of sexually suggestive charged emails, gifts and advances since 2007 from Schedler. Ross says her boss also stalked her and bought a town home in her complex…
Cut 7 (15) “…back there.”

The Alllstate Sugar Bowl Fan Fest in New Orleans will once again be part of “Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve” on ABC as the nation ushers in 2019…
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

The rain should be out of the state tonight when many will head outside to light fireworks. But the state fire marshal’s office has this message for those who plan to use more than just fireworks…
cut 12 (07) “….entertain people”
That’s State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue.

With no Drew Brees, the Saints stumbled in the regular season finale, falling to the Carolina Panthers 33-14. The loss doesn’t hurt the Black and Gold as they already have the number one seed in the NFC playoffs. But Coach Sean Payton didn’t like what he saw on Sunday
Cut 16 (12) ready to play”
The Saints will have a first round bye in the NFC playoffs and they’ll either host Philadelphia, Dallas, or Seattle on January 13th.

The state fire marshal’s office says before you slap down the cash for fireworks today, make sure the retailer is licensed…
Cut 10 (06) “from us.”
State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says over the weekend their office issued cease and desist orders to eight fireworks stands in five parishes, Sabine, Lafayette, Acadia, St. Martin and Iberia parishes. A large warehouse in Acadia Parish was also shut down.

One of the most significant pieces of legislation approved in 2018 was the constitutional amendment that will require unanimous jury verdicts for a conviction in serious felony convictions. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell argued the standard of needing only 10 of 12 jurors to secure a conviction is not what our founders envisioned…
cut 6 (08) “….unanimous juries”
Louisiana lost a couple of legendary figures in 2018. LSU’s only Heisman trophy winner Billy Cannon passed away in May at the age of 80. And Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson died in March. He was 90. Benson’s wife, Gayle, has taken over the two professional sports franchises and plans to keep the teams in new Orleans…
Cut 9 (10) “…big family.″

Today is the final day of 2018, so let’s look at the biggest stories of the year in Louisiana. The first half of the year was all budget talk as the state faced another massive budget shortfall. It took three special sessions, but Governor John Bel Edwards was pleased with the final budget deal…
Cut 4 (06) “ compromise is”
The sales tax plan approved in June fully funded the TOPS scholarship program, public colleges, and health care. But many Republicans were not happy about a state sales tax rate of 4.45 percent. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says it’s needed to pay for a bloated Medicaid expansion program…
Cut 5 (11) “…important priorities.”
Another big story in 2018 was the resignation of Secretary of State Tom Schedler as a result of sexual harassment allegations.

New Orleans will be part of “Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve” broadcast on ABC tonight. It will feature live performances by country artists Maren Morris and Grammy-nominated Florida Georgia Line. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says it’s great exposure for the Big Easy.
Cut 13 (08) “…vacation next year.”
Nungesser says 30-million people watched Dick Clark’s Rockin New Year’s Eve last year.

Not a good end to the regular season for the Saints and as they lost to Carolina 33-14 to finish with a record of 13-and-3. Several starters like Drew Brees and Alvin Kamara did not play. Now the team gets ready to host playoff game on January 13th.

55 years ago today Saints head coach Sean Payton was born. Long before putting on his coaching visor to become the most victorious coach in the team’s history,

Payton was a college quarterback. He began his post college football career in the lesser known Arena Football League.

However, Payton’s NLF debut came courtesy of the 1987 NFL players’ strike, when he played briefly as a replacement player for the Chicago Bears.

He took up coaching in 1988. Happy birthday to Saints head coach Sean Payton and good luck to the team in Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers.

LSU sophomore running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is with the Tigers in Arizona after he, and walk-on linebacker Jared Small were involved in a fatal shooting in Baton Rouge.

Authorities have ruled the shooting justified and Coach Ed Orgeron gave his comments on the situation.

Cut 9 (11) “…totally.″

The LSU Tigers will take on the University of Central Florida Knights in the Fiesta Bowl in Arizona on Sunday afternoon.

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy said FEMA was mistaken when it said it could not issue or renew National Flood Insurance Program policies during a partial government shutdown.

FEMA released a statement on Friday changing their policy from a previous announcement earlier this week. Cassidy issued a statement assuring that FEMA will start selling flood insurance policies again.

Over half a million homeowners in Louisiana currently have flood insurance through the program.

The holiday season had many nativity displays portraying the birth of Jesus in a stable surrounded by animals.

But one nativity scene in Louisiana had an actual living camel. The Tiger Truck in Grosse Tete added Casper the Camel from Texas for visitors to see over the summer.

With the holiday season, Tiger Truck Stop owner Mike Sandal installed nativity figures adjacent to the camel’s enclosure along Interstate 10 between Lafayette and Baton Rouge.

Casper the Camel will continue to be an attraction for motorists into the foreseeable future although the nativity statues may be stored away until the next holiday season.

A FEMA announcement regarding the partial government shutdown sparked concerns for homeowners and real estate professionals over funding for the National Flood Insurance Program.

However, Senator Bill Cassidy said FEMA made an error as he assured flood insurance policy holders that FEMA will maintain the government supported flood insurance program.

FEMA reversed course on Friday announcing a change to their policy from a previous announcement earlier in the week.

Thousands of homeowners in Louisiana currently have the flood insurance through the program.

The New Orleans Saints have a notable birthday as head coach Sean Payton turns 55 years old today.

His coaching career began in 1988 after playing quarterback in college and a short career in the Arena Football League. Payton did manage to play three NFL games as a Chicago Bear as a replacement player during the 1987 NFL players strike.

But he found greater success off of the field as a coach for various teams. Payton’s first NFL head coaching job was for the Saints beginning in 2006.

To date, he has more victories than any other Saints coach in the team’s history including a 2010 Super Bowl victory.

Authorities in St. Tammany Parish keeping an eye on river levels in the Covington area, which could affect residents in low lying areas.

Heavy rainfall on Thursday has portions of the state monitoring waterways including St. Tammany parish. St. Tammany Emergency Management Director Dexter Accardo.

Cut 8 (09) “…Clinton area.”

The Louisiana penitentiary at Angola has a program for inmates to train service dogs to benefit military veterans.

The “Prisoners Assisting Warriors Service” or PAWS for short, prepares canines to serve former military service members dealing with physical or mental challenges according to the Advocate newspaper.

The program began in July of 2017 and has placed three service dogs with veterans thus far.

Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlance describes the program as a unique opportunity that’s a “win-win.”

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy said FEMA was mistaken when it said it could not issue or renew National Flood Insurance Program policies during a partial government shutdown.

FEMA released a statement on Friday changing their policy from a previous announcement earlier this week.

Cassidy issued a statement assuring that FEMA will start selling flood insurance policies again.

Over half a million homeowners in Louisiana currently have the flood insurance through the program.

The state’s median household income still lags 14,000 dollars a year behind the national average.

To combat this, the Economic Development Department is emphasizing growth in high skill sectors that provide higher wages.

Secretary Don Pierson says workers should get the necessary training to qualify for those higher income jobs.

Cut 5 (11) “…they need.”

More information on workforce training programs, visit laworks.net.

A new world record was set in Shreveport for the largest gumbo ever cooked, all in celebration of the Walk-On’s Independence Bowl. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Three people are under arrest in connection with a Christmas day murder in Bastrop.

39-year-old Shwanda Robinson was murdered in her apartment around 3:30 that morning.

Now 34-year-old Tiffany Coleman, 36-year-old Anthony Walker, and 18-year-old Markeice Ethridge are facing second degree murder charges.

The Economic Development Department says 2018 was a strong year for new business taking root in the state and the agency celebrates a year-to-year drop in unemployment rate. The highlight of 2017 was DXC Technology’s announcement of 2,000 high paying tech jobs in New Orleans, and Secretary Don Pierson says 2018 was another year of substantial gains in the tech and software sectors.

Cut 4 (12) “…grow″

LSU sophomore running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is with the Tigers in Arizona one week after he and walk-on linebacker Jared Small were involved in a fatal shooting in Baton Rouge, along with Defensive back Kary Vincent Junior who is returning to the team following the death of his father, Greedy Williams and Ed Alexander are skipping the bowl game to get ready for the NFL draft. The make up for the defensive lack of depth, Coach O plans on spicing up the offense.

Cut 11 (11) “…run game.”

A new world record was set in Shreveport for the largest gumbo ever cooked, all in celebration of the Walk-On’s Independence Bowl.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

Three people are under arrest in connection with a Christmas day murder in Bastrop. 39-year-old Shwanda Robinson was murdered in her apartment around 3:30 that morning, and 34-year-old Tiffany Coleman, 36-year-old Anthony Walker, and 18-year-old Markeice Ethridge are now facing seconds degree murder.

Teddy Bridgewater will start at quarterback for the Saints on Sunday against the Panthers, despite Drew only needing eight more passing yards to eclipse 4,000 yards for a 13th consecutive season. The future Hall of Famer is not worried about individual awards.

 cut 17 (17)     get he” 

Brees is thought to be in a tight MVP race with Kansas City QB Pat Mahomes, who’s on pace to be the first quarterback since Payton Manning in 2013 to throw for 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns.

Teddy joined the Saints in pre-season after an impressive off-season in New York. He previously started in Minnesota before a career threatening 2016 practice injury.

A win would also set a franchise record for wins in a season at 14-2 on the year.

LSU sophomore running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is with the Tigers in Arizona one week after he and walk-on linebacker Jared Small were involved in a fatal shooting in Baton Rouge, and will be joined in the locker room by Defensive back Kary Vincent Junior is also with the team despite recently losing his father to a month’s long battle with pneumonia. Head Coach Ed O says he’s proud of his team, and their character in the face of tragedy.

Cut 10 (11) “…very well”

The Tigers basketball team takes on ULM tonight in Baton Rouge. The Warhawks are 7-4 on the year, and have won their last four games. Southern takes on Marquette at 7pm. Southeastern and UL-Lafayette go at it 4pm tomorrow.

Duke trashed Temple 56-27 at the Independence Bowl in Shreveport yesterday, and at the game Chef John Folse served up the now official biggest bowl of gumbo ever made, at 6,800 pounds

Cut 14 (09) “…pounds of roux.”

The Economic Development Department says 2018 was a strong year for new business taking root in the state and the agency celebrates a year-to-year drop in unemployment rate. The year was headlined by major announcements from foreign firms, and Secretary Don Pierson says capital is flowing in from around the world.
Cut 3 (09) “…dollars.”

Parts of the state are recovering from a nasty night of weather as several inches of rain piled up. Those rains have authorities in St. Tammany Parish keeping an eye on a few rivers in the Covington area, which could affect residents in low lying areas. St. Tammany Emergency Management Director Dexter Accardo says because the storm hit late at night, it was tough to get an idea of exactly how much flooding they had. Then, when folks woke up, the reports started rolling in.
Cut 7 (07) “…the street”

LSU sophomore running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is with the Tigers in Arizona one week after he and walk-on linebacker Jared Small were involved in a fatal shooting in Baton Rouge. Authorities have ruled the shooting justified and Coach Ed Orgeron gave his comments on the situation

Cut 9 (11) “…totally.″

At the Walk-On’s Independence Bowl in Shreveport yesterday, a new record was set for the world’s largest gumbo ever cooked.  Chef John Folse lead a team in putting the gumbo together.  When the gumbo was official weighed, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says it tipped the scales at just over 6800 pounds.

Cut 12 (12)   “…by 1000 pounds.” 

Nungesser says to seal in the record, all of the gumbo had to be eaten.  About 11,000 bowls were served to those in attendance.

Residents in low lying areas near the Tchefunte River are being asked to consider evacuating as river in St. Tammany swell with water from last night’s storm. St. Tammany Emergency Management Director Dexter Accardo says it’s not a parish-wide threat, but folks in the Covington area need to keep an eye on their nearby rivers.

Cut 6 (12) “…and all”

He says the local rivers are expected to crest in different areas between this afternoon and Sunday morning.

The Economic Development Department says 2018 was a strong year for new business taking root in the state and the agency celebrates a year-to-year drop in unemployment rate, But, the state’s median household income still lags 14,000 dollars a year behind the national average. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says they will keep emphasizing growth in high skill sectors that provide higher wages and make sure workers get the necessary training.

Cut 5 (11) “…they need.”

LSU sophomore running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is with the Tigers in Arizona one week after he and walk-on linebacker Jared Small were involved in a fatal shooting in Baton Rouge, and they’ll be joined by Defensive back Kary Vincent Junior, who is also with the team, despite the death of his father, Kary Vincent Senior, who died at the age of 49 after a months-long battle with pneumonia. Coach O says in the face of tragedy these players have shown great character.

Cut 10 (11) “…very well”

At the Walk-On’s Independence Bowl in Shreveport yesterday, a new record was set for the world’s largest gumbo ever cooked. Chef John Folse says they started the process at 10pm the night before the game to have it ready by 9am.  He says onions, celery, garlic and bell pepper alone was 600 lbs, with no shortage of Louisiana seafood and even some gator meat.

Cut 14 (09) “…pounds of roux.”

Proceeds from the sale of the gumbo, just over $50,000, went toward the Fisher House.