Governor John Bel Edwards says President Trump’s tariffs on certain imports are hurting Louisiana’s economy. Edwards blames tariffs for the reason why Louisiana’s personal income growth dropped to two-point-three percent in the third quarter, one of the lowest rates in the nation. AG and the oil and gas industries were the hardest hit. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says it’s just not tariffs, wet weather has dragged commodity prices down and oil prices have also dropped…
cut 16 (09) “….70-cents”

Congress has passed legislation to award former Saints football player Steve Gleason the Congressional Gold Medal, which is the highest civilian award given out by Congress. Senator Bill Cassidy says it’s a deserving award for Gleason who has done a lot to improve the quality of life for those who suffer from A-L-S…
cut 5 (10) “….vocal chords”
Gleason was diagnosed with A-L-S in 2011.

A dispute over the use of inflatable dragons in a holiday display at a Mandeville home is garnering worldwide attention after going viral on social media. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Congress has passed legislation awarding Saints hero and ALS advocate Steve Gleason the Congressional Gold Medal…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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A dispute over the use of inflatable dragons in a holiday display at a Mandeville home is garnering worldwide attention after going viral on social media.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

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Louisiana parents with children enrolled in private schools now have the ability to take advantage of the new START K12 saving program.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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Saints legend and ALS advocate Steve Gleason will be honored with the Congressional Gold Medal., Gleason played for the Saints from 2000 to 2007, memorably blocking a punt for a touchdown against the Falcons in the Saints first game back in the dome after Katrina. Senator Bill Cassidy says it’s the highest honor Congress can bestow.

Cut 4 (07) “…our country″

The bill passed nearly unanimously in both chambers of Congress.

Gleason was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2011, and has since fought to raise awareness of the condition, and improve the quality of life for those who suffer from the fatal disease that results in the slow degradation of motor functions. Cassidy says his accomplishments are remarkable.

Cut 5 (10) “…vocal chords.”

The bill was pushed largely by the Louisiana, and Washington delegations. Gleason is a Washington state native.

Cassidy says he’s the first disabled American to receive the award, and is a model for those who suffer with disabilities that their lives can have meaning, and be fulfilling. Cassidy says Congress is sending a message with the honor.

Cut 6 (12) “momentous.”

The bill awaits the President’s signature.

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A dispute over a holiday display in the front yard of a Mandeville home has taken over social media.  An anonymous note was sent to the home of Diana Rowland, by what Rowland calls a “Judgy McJudgeface” neighbor, saying her use of three inflatable dragons as decorations was inappropriate at Christmas and made her neighbors wonder if she was involved in a demonic cult.  It’s Rowland’s response that has gotten plenty of attention on the web.

Cut 7 (07) “…at Home Depot.”

Rowland says she doesn’t suspect it’s a nearby neighbor, or it’s someone new to the area as she’s put the dragons up in the past without incident.

Cut 8 (09) “…the dragons better.″

While Rowland says she’s gotten offers for additional Christmas decorations in an effort to further anger the person, she insists she likely won’t be adding any more to the display.

Cut 9 (10)  “…over the top.” 

Rowland adds the social media buzz has even captured the attention of Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling.

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Louisiana’s START K12 saving program has launched that now allows for funds to be used on the beneficiary in covering tuition related expenses between kindergarten and 12^th grade.  Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says he’s excited about the plan that could see parents use up to $10,000 annually on private school tuition.

Cut 10 (11)   “…college savings plan.”

Foil says the idea stemmed from the college START saving program already in place and when the federal tax plan was done in congress last year, a provision was put in saying those with a college savings plan can use the funds toward a tax break on tuition expenses for K through 12.

Cut 11 (11) “…they are born.”

Foil says the program is a big win, even if a child does not attend private school.

Cut 12 (08)   “…for college tuition.”

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Louisiana personal income growth tanked in the third quarter, down to 2.3 percent, good for 48^th in the nation. That’s down from 4.8 and 6.6 percent in the second and first quarters respectively. Governor John Bel Edwards says we’re just now feeling the effects of the full tariffs, which he credited with a 101 million dollar drop in farm earnings that quarter.

Cut 13 (08) “…their product”

Edwards highlighted a Forbes report that detailed how Louisiana was most at risk of economic penalties related to tariffs.

Edwards, one of the few prominent national Democrats who maintains a working relationship with the President, has sent a letter to Trump, asking the Commander in Chief to back out of the escalating trade war with China.

Cut 14 (10) “…as possible.”

But Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says it’s more complicated than just the tariffs. While they hurt farmers, there was also a lot of nasty, heavy rains that hit just as harvest time had rolled around.

Cut 15 (10) “…plowed under”

And Strain says it’s not just farmers that took a huge hit this quarter. With the price at the pump at a remarkable low, the oil industry is on its back heels again, and suffering noticeable losses.

Cut 16 (09)  70 cents”

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The Saints can lock up home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with a win over Pittsburgh on Sunday. The Black and Gold and the Steelers only play each other once every four years, but Quarterback Drew Brees says the Steel Curtain defense is playing like you expect them to play…

 cut 17 (17) “prepared for”

The Saints have only scored 50 points in their last three games. Brees says they have to cut down on the mistakes that are stalling drives…

Cut 18 (19) in a win“

Some would say Sunday’s game is match-up between future hall of fame quarterbacks, Drew Brees versus Ben Roethlisberger, who has won two Super Bowls. But defensive end Cam Jordan says Roethlisberger is not even one of top five quarterbacks of this era

Cut 19 (18)   “…okay”

A Bossier City police officer has been arrested and charged with 40 counts of sexual abuse of an animal. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

A Monroe man is facing one count of solicitation for murder after he allegedly tried to pay a man to kill his estranged wife. Detectives say 47-year-old Michael Faubion asked his roommate, who has a criminal history, if he can contact people in jail that would be willing to execute a hit on his wife. But now Faubion is the one in jail on a one-million dollar bond.

President Trump says he will veto a resolution that would fund the government through February 8^th because it did not include five billion dollars in funding for a proposed border wall. Senator John Kennedy says we may be looking at a government shutdown.

Cut 9 (05) “…with it″

Democrats have refused to pass any bill that includes the five billion dollars for the Mexican border wall that’s being sought by the White House.
Governor John Bel Edwards says 2018 was a successful year for Louisiana as the state continues to move in the right direction. Edwards says stabilizing the budget was his top accomplishment. He says the budget deal fully funded higher education, without raising taxes…

Cut 12 (08)   “…600-million dollars.” 

Edwards also highlighted that Louisiana shed its title as having the largest incarceration rate in the world.

President Trump says he will veto a resolution that would fund the government through February 8^th because it did not include five billion dollars in funding for a proposed border wall. Democrats have refused to pass any bill that includes the five billion dollars for the Mexican border wall that’s being sought by the White House, and Senator John Kennedy says because of that, we may be looking at a shutdown.

Cut 11 (10) “…the issue”

A Bossier City patrol cop has been arrested and charged with over three dozen animal sexual abuse related charges. The State Police Special Victims Unit busted 38-year-old Terry Yetman with possession of animal pornography. LSP spokesperson Glen Younger says it’s a horrific crime.

Cut 3 (07) “…applause.”

Yetman was honored in October for his work against domestic violence. The LSP investigation began in August.

A new study out of Sweden finds the risk of having a heart attack rises nearly 40 percent on Christmas Eve.  Cardiologist Dr. Frank Smart at LSU Health New Orleans says that if someone suspects they are having a heart attack, the earlier they get to the hospital, the better, but they should not drive themselves to the hospital.

Cut 8 (08) “…waiting for you.”

The study observed the timing of 283,000 heart attacks over 15 years.  Smart says the research indicates that the peak timing of heart attacks on Christmas Eve is around 10 pm.

Governor John Bel Edwards says 2018 was a successful year for Louisiana as the state continues to move in the right direction. Edwards says stabilizing the budget was his top accomplishment. He says he’s proud to announce the state set a record in 2018 for the number of adoptions from their foster care system, with 912 children being adopted by over 600 families

Cut 14 (11) “…548 families.”

President Trump says he will veto a resolution that would fund the government through February 8^th, and extend the flood insurance program, because it did not include funding for a proposed border wall. Senator John Kennedy says we may be looking at a government shutdown and insurance lapse.

Cut 9 (05) “…with it″

A Bossier City patrol cop has been arrested and charged with over three dozen animal sexual abuse related charges. The State Police Special Victims Unit busted 38-year-old Terry Yetman with possession of animal pornography. LSP spokesperson Glen Younger says says police continue to look into the alleged misdeeds.

Cut 5 (12) “…after football”

Sexual Abuse of an Animal was a charge that became available to law enforcement May 25th after Governor Edwards signed a stricter bestiality law into effect. The bill received national attention after it was opposed by religious groups for its relation to sodomy laws.

A new study shows the risk for a heart attack rises nearly 40 percent on Christmas Eve.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart

Personal income growth in Louisiana for the third quarter was 48^th worst in the nation, at 2.3 percent. That’s down from 4.8 percent in the second quarter, and 6.6 percent in the first quarter. Governor John Bel Edwards attributed this drop to the tariffs, which he says were largely responsible for a 101 million dollar drop in farm earnings. Edwards has requested an end to the trade war with China.

A Bossier City police officer has been arrested and charged with 40 counts of sexual abuse of an animal. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A Monroe man is facing one count of solicitation for murder after he allegedly tried to pay a man to kill his estranged wife. Detectives say 47-year-old Michael Faubion asked his roommate, who has a criminal history, if he can contact people in jail that would be willing to execute a hit on his wife. But now Faubion is the one in jail on a one-million dollar bond.

Governor John Bel Edwards held an end of the year press conference today where he hit on some of state’s accomplishments during 2018. He says the state has finally shed its title as having the largest incarceration rate in the world. Edwards that’s the result of criminal justice reform legislation approved in 2017 and it saved the state 12-million dollars in its first full year in effect…
cut 13 (12) “…victims of crime”

The lack of money for a massive wall along the U-S and Mexico border could result in a federal government shutdown tomorrow night. President Donald Trump is demanding that the money be put in a funding bill that he can sign before the Christmas holiday. Senator John Kennedy says the stop gap funding bill also needs to include money for flood insurance…
cut 10 (09) “….February 8th”

Governor John Bel Edwards says 2018 was a successful year for Louisiana as the state continues to move in the right direction. Edwards says stabilizing the budget was his top accomplishment. He says the tax deal fully fund higher education, without raising taxes…
cut 12 (08) “….600-million dollars”
Edwards says his biggest legislative priority in 2019 is a pay raise for teachers.

Bossier City police have put one of their own officers on administrative leave after he was arrested on animal sexual abuse charges. State Police Trooper Glenn Younger says once enough evidence was collected, 38-year-old Terry Yetman voluntarily surrendered…
cut 4 (05) “…good too”
Yetman was honored in October for his work against domestic violence. The LSP investigation began in August.

In Washington D-C, we could be heading to a federal government shutdown at midnight Friday as President Donald Trump reportedly will not sign a stop-gap funding bill that was approved by the Senate. Senator John Kennedy says the President is digging in on his request for money to build a border wall…
cut 11 (10) “…the issue”
The stop-gap funding bill also funds the National Flood Insurance Program for another six weeks.

Researchers in Sweden have found that the risk of having a heart attack on Christmas Eve increases nearly 40-percent. The study observed the timing of 283,000 heart attacks over 15 years. Cardiologist Doctor Frank Smart at LSU Health New Orleans says the research indicates the peak timing of heart attacks on Christmas Eve is around 10pm, but he says it usually isn’t caused by overeating for a few days…
Cut 7 (05) “…or two days.”

A Bossier City patrol cop has been arrested and charged with over three dozen animal sexual abuse related charges. State Police SVU say they busted 38-year-old Terry Yetman with possession of animal pornography, and LSP spokesperson Glen Younger says it’s pretty horrific.

Cut 3 (07) “…applause.”

Yetman was honored in October for his work against domestic violence. The LSP investigation began in August, and Bossier City was informed in November.

The Senate voted to continue funding the government and extend flood insurance coverage through February 8^th, without the inclusion of additional border wall funding sought by the President. Senator John Kennedy says he expects the House will pass the same resolution, but says that doesn’t mean it’ll be signed by President Trump.

Cut 9 (09) “…with it″

A new study shows the risk for a heart attack rises nearly 40 percent on Christmas Eve.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A new study from Sweden has found the risk of having a heart attack rises nearly 40 percent on Christmas Eve.  Cardiologist Dr. Frank Smart at LSU Health New Orleans says the research shows that coupled with the cold weather of the winter months which causes arteries to spasm, emotions and other influences can make a cardiovascular impact.

Cut 6 (09) “…or see family.”
The study observed the timing of 283,000 heart attacks over 15 years.  Smart says the research indicates that the peak timing of heart attacks on Christmas Eve is around 10pm.
While many internet transactions are already seeing sales taxes collected for the state, as of January 1, all purchases from out of state internet retailers will be subject to a flat 8.45 percent tax.  Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says some of the bigger retailers have already been collecting the tax.

Cut 4 (05) “…a year now.″

AAA projects over 1/3 of the nation’s population will be on the move during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday. Spokesperson Don Redman says it’s important that travelers practice patience and give themselves a little extra time to get where they need to go, as there is a notable jump in travelers compared to last year.

Cut 8 (07) “…number of people.″
The state GOP is calling for a return to closed primaries that only let party members vote for party candidates. Currently voters are free to vote for whoever in the primary, and the top two candidate’s progress to the general election. Most states have closed primaries, but on Ask the Governor, Governor Edwards says closed primaries would foster a political culture that’s closer to the one we see in Washington DC.

Cut 15 (09) “…two parties”

AAA predicts you could see more traffic than normal today, as over one-third of Americans are expected to travel for the holidays. And more Americans will travel by car this holiday season than ever before. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says gas prices along the Gulf Coast are relatively low…
cut 9 (10) “….higher than Louisiana”
If you’re renting a car, Redman says car rental costs have reached a 10-year high.

Louisiana Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says they are seeing more and more out of state retailers cooperating with the state’s effort to collect sales taxes on internet purchases made by Louisiana consumers. Robinson says all internet vendors have received guidance on what to do…
cut 5 (06) “…to start collecting”
Robinson says internet purchases are subject to an 8.45 percent sales tax.

The US Senate has approved a bipartisan federal criminal justice reform bill and Louisiana’s John Kennedy was one of 12 to vote against it. In a conference call with Louisiana reporters, Kennedy explained his “no” vote…
cut 12 (11) “….and one”
But Pelican Institute CEO Daniel Erspamer applaud the legislation, and says like Louisiana’s 2017 criminal justice reform legislation, it will help bring down crime and save taxpayer dollars.
Cut 11 (11) “…worst offenders”
Senior Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy voted for the legislation and it awaits House approval before heading to President Trump’s desk. He’s expected to sign the legislation.