It is not as cold as yesterday morning but that doesn’t mean we are done with freezing temperatures. Another hard freeze warning is in effect tonight and into tomorrow morning. And along the coast in southeast Louisiana, folks woke up to a light dusting of snow on the ground.

So what can we expect in state politics for 2018. Kelley Ray spoke with a political analyst….
voicer 2 (31) “…I’m Kelley Ray”

LSU Economist Doctor Loren Scott says the GOP tax bill could be good news for Louisiana businesses. Republicans say the bill will help maintain the current three percent growth in GDP, and Scott says if that happens, it would be a big boost to the Louisiana economy…
cut 5 (09) “…economy grows”
The toll rate on the L-A 1 bridge in south Lafourche Parish increased as much as 25 percent for some vehicles as of January 1st. The increase is mandated as part of the bond agreement. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the tolls have paid for a better L-A One bridge and it’s something to keep in mind for motorists who want better roads….
cut 16 (12) “…as well”

Coastal parishes in southeast Louisiana experienced a rare snowfall during the overnight hours. Just enough to cover the ground and make some roads slick. It is a little warmer this morning and highs today we’ll get in the 40s, but another hard freeze is expected tonight and into tomorrow morning.

What kind of impact will the GOP tax bill approved at the end of 2017 have on Louisiana businesses. Matt Doyle spoke with LSU economic Doctor Loren Scott..
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State Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere says the governor’s appetite for spending is out of control by only calling a special session if legislative leaders agree to tax increases to deal with a one-billion dollar budget deficit. But Governor Edwards says he’s proposing a revenue neutral plan…
cut 12 (13) “…over time”
Edwards has asked for an agreement in principle with House Republican leaders by January 19th before calling a special session.

The toll rate on the L-A One bridge in LaFourche Parish increased as much as 25-percent for some vehicles as of January first. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson….
cut 15 (14) “…18 dollars”

A few national corporations have announced bonuses for employees as a result of the GOP tax bill, but on a local level the response has been somewhat more muted. LSU economist Loren Scott says Louisiana businesses are still analyzing the thousand page tax bill…
Cut 4 (10) “in Louisiana”
Republicans say the bill will help maintain the current three percent growth in GDP, and Scott says if that happens, it would be a big boost to the Louisiana economy.

Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere is blasting Governor John Bel Edwards for the options he’s presented towards solving a looming one-billion dollar budget deficit….
cut 11 (05) “…shortfall”
But Edwards says he’s asking the legislature to approve a revenue neutral plan that would reduce the state sales tax to four-cents, but removing sales tax exemptions for businesses.

No major statewide elections in Louisiana in 2018, but UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says a lot of moves will be made this year to get ready for the 2019 governor’s race….
cut 8 (12) “….2019”
Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham has already expressed interest in running for governor and there’s speculation Republican U-S Senator John Kennedy will also challenge Governor Edwards.

Qualifying for Louisiana’s spring municipal elections begins today. In West Monroe, the state’s longest serving Mayor Dave Norris says he plans on seeking an 11th term, but could face a challenge from state senator Mike Walsworth.

LSU economist Loren Scott discusses his early analysis of the GOP’s 1.5 trillion dollar tax bill. Don Molino has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino.”

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It could be an interesting 2018 in Louisiana politics.  Kelley Ray has more.

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Top Republicans and the governor are sparring ahead of a January 19^th deadline for a deal on the fiscal cliff. Matt Doyle has more.

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A few national corporations announced they’d be giving holiday bonuses last week as a result of the GOP tax bill, but on a local level the response has been somewhat more muted. LSU economist Loren Scott says Louisiana business are still analyzing the thousand page tax bill, and it’s too early to predict exactly how it will play out back home…

Cut 4  (10) “in Louisiana” 

The bill is a substantial reduction in corporate and business taxes, and is aimed at enticing foreign businesses to relocate to the USA, and inspiring domestic businesses to expand. Republicans say the bill will help maintain the current three percent growth in GDP, and Scott says if that happens, it would be a big boost to the Louisiana economy…

Cut 5  (09)  “economy grows.”

On the individual level, the bill capped state and local tax deductions and a number of other personal deductions, while lowering tax brackets and doubling the standard deduction. The complex restructuring hit people in some states such as California and New York particularly hard, but Scott says Louisiana is a different tax environment…

Cut 6 (09)  “get hammered.”

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2018 could be a volatile year in Louisiana politics.  It’s a somewhat quiet year for elections, but UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the Legislature and Governor John Bel Edwards have a long road facing them after the one cent sales tax falls off the books June 30^th, leaving Louisiana with a one-billion-dollar deficit…

Cut 7 (08)  “the budget.”

Even though the Governor’s election is nearly two years in the future, there has already been talk of possible opponents against Governor Edwards.  Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham has already said he’s thinking about it and other potential GOP challengers including John Kennedy, Jeff Landry and Garret Graves as well.  Cross says some want to see changes in the top state office…

Cut 8 (12) “2019 race.”

The Louisiana Congressional delegation appears to be solid going into the mid-term elections this year.  Cross feels 3^rd District Congressman Clay Higgins faces the most opposition…

Cut 9 (10)  “do it.”

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The looming fiscal cliff has party leaders preparing for a series of tense negotiations ahead of a January 19^th deadline imposed by Governor John Bel Edwards. That deadline was set with the hope that legislative leaders would have the framework for a deal to address an imminent one billion dollar shortfall. State Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere is not happy with the governor’s deadline…

Cut 10 (12) “of Louisiana.”

Edwards wants a deal in principle by January 19^th so he can call a special session in February to pass new tax laws to address the budget deficit. The Governor says he wants a revenue neutral plan, but Villere says Edwards is really calling for a tax hike.

2018 is off to a very cold start. Lows this morning were in the teens to low 20s and wind chills were in the single digits in some areas. Phil Grigsby, with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says this arctic air mass is not going away.  We’ll have to wait until this weekend before the Bayou State can finally thaw out…

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A hard freeze warning is in effect tonight into tomorrow morning.

Fourth District Congressman Mike Johnson and Attorney General Jeff Landry have released the “Louisiana Student Rights Review”.   Johnson says the resource was created to answer many legal questions and to clear up misconceptions about religion on school campuses.

Cut 9 (08)  “public schools.”

Johnson says the publication is available for download at his website mike-johnson-for-louisiana-dot-com.

Was it hard for you to be motivated to return to work today after taking time off for the holidays? CEO of Mid-America Careers Nick Murphy says many fear the large backlog of work that stacked up, but he says don’t feel as though everything needs to be done right away…

Cut 7 (11) “stay dilligent.”

The arctic blast keeping Louisianans indoors is threatening this year’s crawfish harvest.  Louisiana Crawfish Promotion Board President David Savoy says the sudden freeze could end up making crawfish a hard find in time for an earlier than usual carnival season. Temperatures are set to return to winter norms next week.  He says that’s the earliest he expects fishermen to be able to start trawling again.

Cut 14 (10) “next week.”

The cold weather is a big threat to this year’s crawfish harvest. Matt Doyle has more.

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It was so cold today in fact that snow fell in parts of Southeast Louisiana today in the areas of Morgan City, Houma, Grand Isle and Raceland. The entire state is under a hard freeze warning tonight and into tomorrow morning.  Temperatures will remain well below normal state wide through at least the end of this work week.

Fourth District Congressman Mike Johnson and Attorney General Jeff Landry have released the “Louisiana Student Rights Review”.   Johnson says the resource was created to answer many legal questions and to clear up misconceptions about religion on school campuses. Johnson says the publication is available for download from his website and he hopes everyone involved in the education system can benefit.

Cut 11 (09) “exercise them.”

Many find it hard to be motivated at work after taking time off for the holidays..  But CEO of Mid-America Careers Nick Murphy says if you are in a job that you truly are not happy with, it may be a good time to make a change at the start of the new year, Just don’t make too quick of a jump…

Cut 8 (09) “equally miserable”

Still no word on if Matt Canada is done at LSU after one season as the Tigers offensive coordinator. Head Coach Ed Orgeron refused to comment about Canada’s future following the loss to Notre Dame yesterday. Coach O did talk about replacing two of the team’s best wide receivers with the incoming recruiting class…
cut 19 (15) “…on offense”
And LSU running back Derius Guice says he still has to talk with Coach Orgeron about his future. Guice is thinking about returning for his senior season, but if he enters the NFL draft, he’ll likely be a first round pick.

Guice’s former position coach, Jabbar Juluke, has been named the running backs coach and assistant head coach at UL Lafayette. Juluke spent last season with Texas Tech and the former head coach at Karr also previously served as an assistant at Louisiana Tech.

The SEC will crown its 9th national champion in football in 12 years when Georgia and Alabama meet for the national title on Monday night in Atlanta. Nick Saban will go after his sixth national championship…
cut 30 (09) “…we can”
Alabama dominated Clemson 24-6 last night in New Orleans in the Sugar Bowl, while Georgia rallied to beat Oklahoma 54-48 in double overtime.

For the Saints to advance in the NFC playoffs, they’ll have to beat Carolina for a third time this season. The Panthers and Black and Gold meet in the Dome on Sunday afternoon at 3:40. 13 out of 20 times since the league merged in 1970, the team that won twice in the regular season also went on to win the playoff game. Carolina tight end Greg Olsen did not play in the first two games and he’s back from injury and usually plays well against New Orleans.

Louisiana Radio Network News, I’m Matt Doyle

There’s no escaping the frigid temperatures this week in Louisiana, Jeff Palermo has the story…

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Two people were found dead today at the site of a house fire in Baton Rouge, bringing the total to over seven houses fire across the state in just 24 hours. The Baton Rouge fire department arrived on the scene just after four a.m. in the 2300 block of 78^th avenue. State Fire Marshals are warning Louisianans to not use irregular heating devices in the face of this unusually cold winter weather, and to make sure you check your fire alarms before going to sleep tonight.

LRN

Congressman Mike Johnson and Attorney General Jeff Landry put out their “Louisiana Student Rights Review”. Recently a Webster Parish school came under fire for utilizing religious ceremony during mandatory attendance events. Johnson says the school was within its rights to broadcast religious content…

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He says the resource was created to clear up legal questions relating to the use of religion in schools.

It can be tough to get back on the horse after an extended weekend full of holiday festivities, and this cold weather probably isn’t helping. CEO of Mid America Careers Nick Murphy says there’s no need to go zero to sixty when returning to work…

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Murphy says along with easing yourself back into a good workflow, that a new year can be a good time to look for a better job.

LRN News, Im Matt Doyle

There are reports of snow falling just off of Louisiana’s coast and there’s a possibilty for some accumulation in the areas of Morgan City, Houma, Grand Isle, Raceland and possiby into metro New Orleans. The entire state is under a hard freeze warning tonight and into tomorrow morning.

The cold weather is a big threat to this year’s crawfish harvest. Matt Doyle has more.
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Fourth District Congressman Mike Johnson and Attorney General Jeff Landry have released the “Louisiana Student Rights Review.” Johnson says the publication found at mike-johnson-for-Louisiana-dot-com answers legal questions and clears up misconceptions about religious expression on school campuses.
Cut 9 (08) “public schools.”
Johnson says the Constitution protects the rights of students to live out their faith in a public school.

Was it hard for you to be motivated to return to work today after taking time off for the holidays? CEO of Mid-America Careers Nick Murphy says many fear the large backlog of work that stacked up, but he says don’t feel as though everything needs to be done right away…
Cut 7 (11) “stay dilligent.”

Another hard freeze warning is in effect for tonight into tomorrow morning for most of Louisiana. But Phil Grigsby with the National Weather Service in Slidell says there is some good news.  The winds will die down and that will make it feel a little warmer outside…

Cut 4  (09) “out there” 

Meanwhile, the arctic blast is keeping Louisianans indoors and is threatening this year’s crawfish harvest. The state’s winters are usually wet and mild, perfect conditions for breeding plenty of big crawfish, but the near record lows have halted production.  Last year’s crop came with a low profit margin and Louisiana Crawfish Promotion Board President David Savoy says expect much smaller crawfish…

Cut 13 (05)  “small size.”

Fourth District Congressman Mike Johnson and Attorney General Jeff Landry have released the “Louisiana Student Rights Review”. Recently a school in Johnson’s Congressional District came under fire after a teacher allegedly conducted open prayer with students.  And a mother filed suit against a Webster Parish school after claiming all school events, including graduations, had a degree of religious ceremonies.  Johnson feels in view of this review, the schools are not in the wrong…

Cut 10 (06) “the case.”

You may be back at work today after the long holiday period and it might be hard to get back into the swing of things.  But if you’re in a job you’re not happy with, CEO of Mid America Careers Nick Murphy says it may be a good time to make a change at the start of the new year.  Many employers are starting to hire with new budgets in place, but he warns not to make too quick of a jump…

Cut 8 (09) “equally miserable”