The federal government was reopened after a tense three day negotiation that resulted in an agreement to hold a vote on the Dream Act before the legislation expires in March. The legislation provides temporary legal status to people who were brought to the U.S. as children. A proposed deal would see funding for President Trump’s wall in exchange for a Dreamer resolution, and Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s identified a way to fund it:
Cut 12 (11) “Mexican Cartel”

The state Department of Health is offering free flu shots at more than 55 Parish Health Units across the state on Wednesday, January 31. They said Louisiana is on track to meet and even exceed the most severe flu seasons which cause about 700 deaths and nearly 8,000 hospitalizations. Officials highly recommend everyone get vaccinated this season if they haven’t already.

New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees has been with the team now for 12 seasons and remains without a contract as NFL free agency approaches. Saints GM Mickey Loomis says there’s no panic in the Saints camp…:
Cut 9 (07) “continue that”
There could be concerns due to Brees’ age which is 39.

A new study out of Tulane finds that Louisiana is making slow progress in electing minorities and women to judgeships. Professor of Political Science Sally Kenney says another concern is that Louisiana’s minorities and women judges are serving in certain areas, like Orleans…:
Cut 7 (09) “would show”
She says minorities are 36% of the state’s population, but non-white judges were only at 22 percent. Women judges comprised less than 32 percent of all state and federal judges in Louisiana. But 51% of the state is female.

A new study out of Tulane finds that Louisiana is making slow progress in electing minorities and women to judgeships. Professor of Political Science Sally Kenney says racial minorities are 36% of the state’s population, but non-white judges were only at 22 percent. She says women judges comprised less than 32 percent of all state and federal judges in Louisiana…:
CUT 6 (03) “as women”
She says there has been a gradual increase, but it’s up to citizens to commit to equal justice under law and keep vigilant that this progress is not reversed.

LSU’s all-time leading rusher and three time Super Bowl Champion Kevin Faulk has been named as the Director of Player Development for the LSU football program. He believes his life experiences will help develop these players not only for football but for whatever else life may present them…:
Cut 5 (04) “that’s all”
Faulk played for the Patriots for 13 years.

The state’s unemployment rate has dropped again to level we haven’t seen in nearly ten years. Kelley Ray has more…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray”

The State Department of Health announced today that flu shots will be offered at no cost at 55 Parish Health Units across the state on January 31st.

LSU’s all-time leading rusher and three time Super Bowl Champion Kevin Faulk has been named as the Director of Player Development for the LSU football program. Faulk says he will help the players not only on the field, but away from the game as well…:
Cut 3 (09) “long time”
Faulk says his life experiences will help develop these players not only for football but for whatever else life may present them.

The state keeps riding the wave of positive job news, as the latest unemployment rate dropped to 4.6 in December — the lowest in nearly a decade. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie says many jobs were added in the leisure and hospitality industry…:
cut 13 (10) “two-point-eight-percent”
Over 2.1 million Louisianans are currently working.

Movers and shakers from across Louisiana are in DC for Washington Mardi Gras this week. Matt Doyle spoke with LAPolitcs..:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The American Lung Association gives Louisiana an F in four key categories on its annual State Of Tobacco Control report…:
Cut 25 (11) “Tobacco 21″
Regional Director of Health Promotion for ALA Amy Ellis says 23 percent of Louisiana residents are current smokers.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says unemployment dropped again to it’s lowest level in 10 years to 4.6 percent in December.  Executive Director for the Louisiana Workforce Commission Ava Dejoie says they hope to push that number lower in the future.  They’re are facilitating a statewide search to fill some two-thousand positions for DXE Technologies in New Orleans…

Cut 14 (11) “Orleans region.”

Governor John Bel Edwards’ worst-case-scenario budget calls for a 76 million dollar cut in state funding for the Department of Corrections.  Corrections Secretary James Leblanc says the state has not built a new prison since the late 80s and these funding cuts will strain an already crumbling prison infrastructure.

Cut 9 (11)  “about it”

Movers and shakers from across the Bayou State are headed to DC for Washington Mardi Gras this week. Matt Doyle talked to LAPolitcs about the annual tradition…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor John Bel Edwards is calling out football coaches saying their salaries are obscene.  During a meeting with the Advocate Editorial Board, he said salaries have gotten out of control.   He’s thankful the money is not taxpayers dollars, but is calling for universities to place a salary cap on coaches. LSU’s football staff salaries alone are nine point four million dollars.

Louisiana’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has declined for the eighth straight month to 4.6 percent in December, the lowest in nearly a decade. Executive Director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission Ava Dejoie says Houma’s job numbers were unchanged, but that translates to good news:
Cut 15 (12) “of it”
Baton Rouge saw 12 straight over the year increases, while Lake Charles has 78.

The American Lung Association has released their “State of Tobacco Control” and shows Louisiana lags behind the nation in reducing tobacco use. The report card gives the state “F”s in four out of five key categories, including Tabacco 21 which raises the age to buy smokes from 18 to 21..:
Cut 5 (08) “some lives”
22.8 percent of Louisiana residents are current smokers, the 6th highest in the country.

Governor John Bel Edwards, Louisiana’s Congressional delegation, state legislators, and lobbyists, are in DC this week for the annual Washington Mardi Gras. LAPolitics publisher Jeremy Alford says the epicenter of the mini Carnival is ten minutes down the road from the White House…:
Cut 11 (11) “Mardi Gras”
Alford says much of the chit chat is centering around which Republicans will be challenging John Bel Edwards for governor.

Louisiana’s fall shrimp season is closing in remaining state inside waters and a portion of state outside waters effective Friday at official sunset. Those waters include Chef Menteur and Rigolets Passes, Lake Borgne, Mississippi Sound, Mississippi River Gulf Outlet and a section of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway in Orleans Parish.

The state’s unemployment rate has dropped again to a level not seen in nearly ten years…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Governor John Bel Edwards, and other politicos are in DC this week for the annual Washington Mardi Gras. Jeremy Alford with LaPolitics.com says this will give legislators a final chance to relax before getting to work:
Cut 12 (10) “special session”

Governor John Bel Edwards’ worst-case-scenario budget calls for a 76 million dollar cut in state funding for the Department of Corrections. Secretary James Leblanc says state prisons are full, and if local sheriffs cannot afford to house them, it could lead to an inmate housing nightmare…:
Cut 8 (09) “our department”
The cuts are a combination of attrition, canceling of infrastructure repairs, and the lowering of per diems paid to local sheriffs who house state inmates.

The American Lung Association gives Louisiana an F in four key categories on its annual State Of Tobacco Control report. Regional Director of Health Promotion for ALA Amy Ellis says 23 percent of Louisiana residents are current smokers, the 6th highest in the country…:
Cut 6 (11) “Tobacco 21″

Governor John Bel Edwards revealed a “Doomsday” budget that calls for 76 million dollars in cuts for the Department of Corrections..:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Retired State Police Superintendent Mike Edmondson’s attorney has responded to a legislative audit that found evidence of misconduct and tax evasion throughout his nine year tenure. The letter touted Edmonson’s character and leadership, but didn’t respond to most of the allegations of misconduct.

A Who’s Who among Louisiana’s political circle are in DC this week for Washington Mardi Gras. LAPolitics publisher Jeremy Alford says it’s one of the hottest tickets in town…:
Cut 10 (08) “empty handed”
Governor John Bel Edwards and other Louisiana politicians are in Washington to bring Mardi Gras festivities to the District.

The American Lung Association gives Louisiana an F in four key categories on its annual State Of Tobacco Control report. Regional Director of Health Promotion for ALA Amy Ellis hopes the legislature will step up and pass a law to strengthen the state’s existing smokefree air law…:
Cut 4 (11) “the state”
22.8 percent of Louisiana residents are current smokers, the 6th highest in the country.

The state keeps riding the wave of positive job news, as the latest unemployment rate dropped to 4.6 in December — the lowest in nearly a decade. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie says many jobs were added in the leisure and hospitality industry…:
Cut 13 (10) “two-point-eight-percent”
Over 2.1 million Louisianans are currently working.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ worst-case-scenario budget calls for a 76 million dollar cut in state funding for the Department of Corrections. Secretary James Leblanc says the per diem cut to local sheriffs who house state inmates in particular is dangerous…:
Cut 7 (11) “state inmates”
He says the funding cuts will strain an already crumbling prison infrastructure.

Movers and shakers from across Louisiana are in DC for Washington Mardi Gras this week. Matt Doyle spoke with LAPolitcs about the annual tradition..:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor John Bel Edwards revealed a “Doomsday” budget that calls for 76 million dollars in cuts for the Department of Corrections. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Movers and shakers from across the bayou are headed to DC for Washington Mardi Gras this week. Matt Doyle talked to LAPolitcs about the annual tradition…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

______________________________________________

The state’s unemployment rate has dropped again to level we haven’t seen in nearly ten years.  Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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The American Lung Association has released their “State of Tobacco Control” and shows Louisiana lags behind the nation in reducing tobacco use.  The report card gives the state “F”s in four out of five key categories.  Regional Director of Health Promotion for ALA Amy Ellis says it’s time for the state legislature to stand up and pass a law to strengthen the state’s existing smokefree air law…

Cut 4  (11) “the state.” 

The report finds Louisiana youth are emerging as one of the fastest growing tobacco users.  Ellis says the Tobacco 21 initiative, raising the legal age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21, has worked well in other state’s discouraging youth to start smoking and hopes to see it come to Louisiana…

Cut 5  (08)  “some lives.”

The report estimates that 72-hundred deaths in Louisiana are directly related to smoking with 23 percent of residents who regularly use tobacco, making it the 6^th highest in the country.  Ellis says the report card paints a grim picture of smoking habits in the state…

Cut 6 (11)  “Tobacco 21.”

One “B” was given for the Strength of Smokefree Workplace laws.  It’s against state law to smoke in most public places, but bars and casino’s still allow smoking in most of the state.

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Governor John Bel Edwards’ worst-case-scenario budget calls for a 76 million dollar cut in state funding for the Department of Corrections. The cuts are a combination of attrition, canceling of infrastructure repairs, and the lowering of per diems paid to local sheriffs who house state inmates.  Corrections Secretary James Leblanc says the per diem cut in particular is dangerous.

Cut 7 (11)  “state inmates”

Leblanc says state prisons are full, and if local sheriffs cannot afford to house them, it could lead to an inmate housing nightmare.

Cut 8 (09) “our department”

Leblanc says the state has not built a new prison since the late 80s. He says the funding cuts will strain an already crumbling prison infrastructure.

Cut 9 (11)  “about it”

Leblanc says the cuts could lead to unsafe conditions for both inmates and corrections officers.

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Governor John Bel Edwards, Louisiana’s Congressional delegation, state legislators, and lobbyists, are in DC this week for the annual Washington Mardi Gras. It’s a tradition that sees movers and shakers from the state throw a miniature Mardi Gras in the heart of the nation’s capital. LAPolitics publisher Jeremy Alford says it’s one of the hottest tickets in town.

Cut 10 (08) “empty handed.”

The events sees Louisiana politicians flood the capital to network and build a donor base for future elections. Alford says the epicenter is ten minutes down the road from the White House.

The ex-leader of State Police did not respond to the more serious allegations of misconduct in an audit produced by the state legislative auditor’s office. An attorney representing Mike Edmonson issued a response today that says he does not have the type of resources needed to respond to the allegations outlined. One accusation is using a state facility for housing and not reporting it on his taxes. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says defending that accusation will be difficult…
cut 14 (07) “…case here”

A fire in Hammond claimed the life of a 60-year-old man living in a travel trailer. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says it appears the victim used an outdoor cooking burner to heat the trailer. Browning says there were no smoke detectors either…:
cut 9 (07) “smoke alarms”
The victim’s name has not been released.
Deaf students have filed a discrimination suit against the Louisiana community college System, alleging they struggled in school because they couldn’t get interpreters and other accommodations for their disability. Plaintiffs’ attorney Andrew Bizer believes Delgado Community College violated the Americans with Disabilities Act…:
Cut 3 (08) “everybody else”
The System would not comment on the pending case but said they take the issue of accessibility for its students very seriously.

No running water in Tallulah because of a power failure at the town’s water treatment plant. The mayor says power has been restored, but more repairs are needed, so it will be until tomorrow before the plant is functioning again and water can start flowing in homes and businesses. In the meantime, Yvonne Lewis, with the city of Tallulah, is asking for help…
cut 8 (10) “…0694″