A big story in 2019 will be Louisiana’s governor’s race. The gubernatorial primary is October 12th. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the race will likely need the November 16th runoff and the winner that night will claim the governor’s mansion by a slim margin…
cut 11 (10) “….for a Democrat”
Congressman Ralph Abraham and Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone are the two main Republican challengers.

There is no talk of a national championship at U-C-F. LSU ended the Knights 25-game winning streak with a 40-32 win in the Fiesta Bowl. Quarterback Joe Burrow bounced back from an early pick six and crushing hit to throw for 394 yards and four touchdowns…..
cut 15 (10) “….keep working”
LSU finishes 10-3. It’s first ten-win season since 2013.

Unanimous jury verdicts are now required in serious felony cases in Louisiana.
voicer 2 (30) “….I’m Matt Doyle”

A flash flood watch is posted for much of Louisiana for Lake Charles, Alexandria, Natchitoches and Monroe. About three to four inches of rain could fall across central Louisiana.

In a wild game that featured several big plays, ejections and four touchdown passes from quarterback Joe Burrow, the 11th ranked LSU Tigers ended UCF’s 25-game winning streak with a 40-32 victory. It was Burrow’s best game as an LSU Tiger, despite throwing a pick six in the 1st quarter that gave UCF a 14-3 lead in the first quarter.

Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown wants to make sure Louisianans get to keep some of the most popular aspects of Obamacare, even if a pending court case undoes the law…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

Looking back on 2018, Governor John Bel Edwards says one of the issues Louisiana came up short with and hopes to make a priority in 2019 is issues with wages.  Edwards says the gender wage gap in Louisiana is a major concern as women earn about 66 cents on the dollar compared to men performing a similar job.

Cut 7 (09) “…the same work.”

A new report indicates the oyster population continues to struggle along the Gulf Coast.  Coastal and marine conservation director at the Nature Conservatory Seth Blitch says the industry connected with oysters in all gulf coast states has struggled in the time since the 2010 oil spill.

Cut 9 (10) “…like to be.″

324 members of the Golden Band from Tigerland are in Glendale today for the Fiesta Bowl game, joining the Fighting Tigers in representing LSU in Arizona. LSU Videographer and former band member Steven Miley, on Talk Louisiana, said when the band takes a big trip like this, it’s all business.

Cut 3 (12) “band trip.”

Looking back on 2018, Governor John Bel Edwards says one of the issues Louisiana came up short with and hopes to make a priority in 2019 is issues with wages.  Currently, the minimum wage in Louisiana is set at $7.25 an hour.  Edwards says the last time Congress addressed a minimum wage increase was in 2009 and now the current rate just isn’t a meaningful wage a decade later.

Cut 6 (06) “right thing to do.”

A new report indicates the oyster population continues to struggle along the Gulf Coast.  Coastal and marine conservation director at the Nature Conservatory Seth Blitch says several factors have contributed to the decline in the population such as the oil spill, hurricanes, and a lack of dynamic salinity levels in the water.

Cut 10 (10)   “…to the coast.”

A representative is bringing legislation in the upcoming session that would lock in protections for Louisianans with pre-existing conditions and allow dependents to stay on their parent’s plans until 26, even if a pending court case strikes down Obamacare. A Judge in Texas declared the entire ACA unconstitutional. The case is set to be heard next in the New Orleans based 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals. Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown says he’s confident they could replace federal laws with state protections if Obamacare is struck down.

Cut 13 (10) “…the states”

324 members of the Golden Band from Tigerland are in Glendale today for the Fiesta Bowl game, joining the Fighting Tigers in representing LSU in Arizona. LSU Videographer and former band member Steven Miley says the band has been practice since Saturday in Arizona for the game, as the LSU band performed alongside the UCF band as part of today’s gameday festivities.

Looking back on 2018, Governor John Bel Edwards says one of the issues Louisiana came up short with and hopes to make a priority in 2019 is issues with wages.  Currently, the minimum wage in Louisiana is set at $7.25 an hour.  Edwards says although it’s a letdown nothing has changed with wage issues since taking office, the push will continue in 2019.

Cut 8 (13) “…get that done.”

A new report indicates the oyster population continues to struggle along the Gulf Coast.  Coastal and marine conservation director at the Nature Conservatory Seth Blitch says the oyster population’s importance extends beyond just the business side of the harvesting the shell fish.

Cut 11 (10) “…crabs and shrimp.”

A representative is bringing legislation in the upcoming session that would lock in protections for Louisianans with pre-existing conditions and allow dependents to stay on their parent’s plans until 26, even if a pending court case strikes down Obamacare. Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown says it’s a vital bill.

Cut 12 (10)   “…coverage”

Governor John Bel Edwards has said his top priorities for 2019 are to give teachers a pay raise, increase the minimum wage and close the gender pay gap. Edwards says women earn about 66 cents on the dollar compared to men performing a similar job…
Cut 7 (09) “…the same work.”
Edwards made it a campaign promise to raise the minimum wage and close the gender wage gap.

A new report indicates the oyster population continues to struggle along the Gulf Coast. Coastal and marine conservation director at the Nature Conservancy Seth Blitch says the industry has struggled since the 2010 oil spill.
Cut 9 (10) “…like to be.″
Blitch believes more BP oil money needs to be spent on building up oyster reefs.

It’s the first day of 2019, but let’s take one look back at the year in state politics in 2018. Matt Doyle has more…
voicer 1 (53) “…reporting”

Twenty states have minimum wage increases taking effect today, while the minimum wage in Louisiana remains set by the federal government, $7.25 an hour and it’s been that way since 2009. Governor John Bel Edwards will attempt once again this year to raise that minimum wage…

cut 6 (06) “…right thing to do”
Previous attempts to raise the wage have faced resistance from groups who say it will increase the costs of running a business.

324 members of the Golden Band from Tigerland are in Glendale today for the Fiesta Bowl, joining the Fighting Tigers in representing LSU in Arizona. LSU Videographer and former band member Steven Miley, on Talk Louisiana, said when the band takes a big trip like this, it’s all business.
Cut 3 (12) “band trip.”
Kick-off today is at noon.

A story to watch in 2019 is what happens with a federal lawsuit that’s already won one court battle in its attempt to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. Louisiana Democrats want to see legislation passed to make sure key provisions of Obamacare are protected. Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown…
cut 13 (10) “….the states”
Brown says he’ll file legislation this year that would allow children to stay on their parents’ health insurance until the age of 26 and make sure people with pre-existing conditions are protected, if Obamacare is ruled unconstitutional.

The Gulf Coast oyster population remains on the decline since the 2010 BP Oil spill. That’s according to coastal and marine conservation director for the Nature conservancy, Seth Blitch, says hurricanes and a lack of salinity levels in the water are other factors in the decline…
cut 10 (10) “…the coast”
The Nature Conservancy wants to see more BP funds used on building up oyster reefs.

Several new state laws go into effect on this first day of 2019. Serious felony crimes committed now require an unanimous jury verdict for a conviction, instead of 10 of 12 jurors. Families can install video cameras in nursing home rooms to keep an eye on loved ones and boat registration fees are nine dollars higher.

State Representative Chad Brown wants to make sure Louisianans get to keep some of the popular aspects of Obamacare, even if a pending federal court case undoes the law…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Nature Conservancy would like to see strides made in 2019 to improve oyster harvests, which have taken a hit since the 2010 BP spill. The conservancy’s director of coastal and marine conservation, Seth Blitch, says the decline of oysters in the Gulf has had profound human and ecological impacts…
cut 11 (10) “…crabs and shrimp”
Blitch says the Nature Conservancy would like to see more BP money used to build up oyster reefs along the Gulf Coast.

LSU and UCF will face off today in the Fiesta Bowl. The Golden Band from Tigerland are also in Arizona to perform and support the team. LSU videographer and former band member Steven Miley says in the old days, band members were handed a sheet of paper telling them where to go for each song during their halftime performance, now its all on an app…
cut 5 (11) “..smart phone”

Governor John Bel Edwards says pay issues for minimum wage workers and the gender wage gap are among his big concerns to spearhead in 2019. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Two dozen new state laws take effect with the start of the new year. Serious felony crimes committed from this date forward will take a unanimous jury verdict to secure a conviction. Families can now install video cameras in nursing home rooms and new sexual harassment policies go into effect for state government.

A state representative plans to bring legislation in the upcoming session that would lock in health care protections for Louisianans with pre-existing conditions and allow dependents to stay on their parents’ plan until 26, even if a pending court case strikes down Obamacare. Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown….
Cut 12 (10) “…coverage”
A federal judge in Texas has declared the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. The case is expected to be heard next in the New Orleans based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.

The LSU Tigers face Central Florida this afternoon in Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl. There are over 300 members from the Golden Band from Tigerland that will perform at halftime and before the game with the Tigers opponent…
cut 4 (07) “….two bands”
That’s LSU videographer and former band member Steven Miley.

Governor John Bel Edwards says pay issues for minimum wage workers and the gender wage gap are among his big concerns to spearhead in 2019.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

____________________________________________

Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown wants to make sure Louisianans get to keep some of the most popular aspects of Obamacare, even if a pending court case undoes the law…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

_______________________________

324 members of the Golden Band from Tigerland are in Glendale today for the Fiesta Bowl game, joining the Fighting Tigers in representing LSU in Arizona. LSU Videographer and former band member Steven Miley, on Talk Louisiana, said when the band takes a big trip like this, it’s all business.

Cut 3 (12) “band trip.”

And for those of you tuning in early, or at the game against Central Florida, Miley says there’s quite a treat waiting for you, as the band has been practice since Saturday in Arizona for the game.

Cut 4 (07) “   two bands” 

Miley says it’s a different world these days, as technology has made it easier than ever for band members to stay synchronized. He says in the old days, players were handed a sheet of paper telling them where to go for each song, but now it’s all on an app…

Cut 5 (11) “…smart phone”

Kickoff is at 12PM

_________________________________

Looking back on 2018, Governor John Bel Edwards says one of the issues Louisiana came up short with and hopes to make a priority in 2019 is issues with wages.  Currently, the minimum wage in Louisiana is set at $7.25 an hour.  Edwards says the last time Congress addressed a minimum wage increase was in 2009 and now the current rate just isn’t a meaningful wage a decade later.

Cut 6 (06) “right thing to do.”

Edwards says the gender wage gap in Louisiana is also a major concern as women earn about 66 cents on the dollar compared to men performing a similar job.  He estimates women of color are at about 50 cents on the dollar.

Cut 7 (09) “…the same work.”

Edwards says although it’s a letdown nothing has changed with wage issues since taking office, the push will continue in 2019.

Cut 8 (13) “…get that done.”

__________________________________
A new report indicates the oyster population continues to struggle along the Gulf Coast.  Coastal and marine conservation director at the Nature Conservatory Seth Blitch says the industry connected with oysters in all gulf coast states has struggled in the time since the 2010 oil spill.

Cut 9 (10) “…like to be.″

Blitch says several factors have contributed to the decline in the population such as the oil spill, hurricanes, and a lack of dynamic salinity levels in the water.

Cut 10 (10)   “…to the coast.”

Blitch says the oyster population’s importance extends beyond just the business side of the harvesting the shell fish.

Cut 11 (10) “…crabs and shrimp.”

__________________________________

A representative is bringing legislation in the upcoming session that would lock in protections for Louisianans with pre-existing conditions and allow dependents to stay on their parent’s plans until 26, even if a pending court case strikes down Obamacare. Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown says it’s a vital bill.

Cut 12 (10)   “…coverage”

A Judge in Texas declared the entire ACA unconstitutional. The case is set to be heard next in the New Orleans based 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals. Brown says he’s confident they could replace federal laws with state protections if Obamacare is struck down.

Cut 13 (10) “…the states”

Brown is confident the legislation would pass, due to the outpouring of bipartisan support for the two issues it addresses.

Cut 14 (11) “…coverage.”

A recent Facebook post by the Harahan Police Department is encouraging anyone who has purchased meth in Louisiana to have it tested for the Zika virus.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The State Fire Marshal’s Office has issued cease and desist orders to eight fireworks stands in five parishes for illegal fireworks sales over the holiday weekend.  Investigators confirmed the unlawful sales were taking place at stands in Sabine, Lafayette, Acadia, St. Martin, and Iberia Parishes.  A large warehouse in Acadia Parish found to be storing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of illegal fireworks was also shut down and cited.

A new year begins tomorrow, which means new laws will go into effect, including one that allows you to set up a camera to monitor your elderly loved ones in their nursing home room. The legislation was inspired by a case of suspected abuse of an elderly person by nursing home workers, and River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says he’s gotten a lot of positive feedback about the opportunity now available to families. As for the nursing homes…
Cut 11 (11) “…matter what.”
Only one person in Louisiana was sentenced to death this year, David Brown of Lafourche Parish, who was convinced of sexually assaulting, then murdering a mother and her two daughters, and setting their house on fire in 2012. Death Penalty Information Center Executive Director Robert Durham notes that more than half of all death sentences come from 2 percent of counties, or parishes, in the US. He says there’s two parishes in Louisiana that stand out when it comes to the number of death penalties issued.
Cut 8 (08) “…in Louisiana”
Louisiana has not performed an execution since 2010.