Governor John Bel Edwards has sent a letter to President Donald Trump seeking his support for an additional two-billion dollars in federal flood aid. Congress has already approved one-point-six billion dollars in grant money, but Edwards says another two-billion is needed to rebuild homes, assist those who lived in apartments that are now flooded and provide protection from future flooding.

NRG Stadium in Houston is hosting its second ever Super Bowl this weekend, so when next will it be New Orleans turn to get the big game? Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office will be featured on A&E’s “Live PD” in the coming weeks. Spokesperson Capt. Daniel Seuzeneau says it’s kind of like Cops, except live with an 8 minutes delay. He says the camera crews are professionals, and so are the officers.

Cut 4 (08) “crew there”
Seuzeneau says the first show will air two to three weeks from now.

Saturday is World Cancer Day. Director of the Louisiana Cancer and Prevention Programs with LSU Health New Orleans, Donna Williams, says the goal of World Cancer Day is to raise awareness about cancer prevention methods. She says they want to share a very important message.

Cut 6 (08) “from cancer”

Williams says more than half of cancers can be detected early and cured.

Governor John Bel Edwards has issued the call for the third special session of his term, as lawmakers are once again facing a midyear budget deficit. Legislators will not be able to raise taxes, but they can propose to increase fees. The session begins on Monday, February 13 and must end by midnight on February 22.

Saturday is World Cancer Day, and people are raising awareness about how to reduce the risk for cancer. Jeff Palermo has more…

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A national shortage of paramedics is also affecting the Bayou State. Justin Cox with Acadian Ambulance says starting paramedics make about $42-thousand a year, and they’re offering signing bonuses for new hires to lure people to the industry.

Cut 13 (12) “coming up”

Cox says they’re also recruiting in high schools and offering to pay back tuition for people who come to work.

New Orleans has hosted 10 Super Bowls, but when will they get a chance to host another one. Jay Cicero, president of the greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says the last two times they’ve bid to host the huge sporting event, they lost to cities who have a new or renovated stadiums.

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Cicero says they hope to learn in May that New Orleans will have a chance to bid for the Super Bowl in 2023.

Governor John Bel Edwards has issued the call for a special session to address a 304-million dollar budget shortfall for this fiscal year. It will begin Monday night on February 13th and it must conclude by midnight February 22nd. The governor is proposing to use rainy day dollars and cuts to various areas of state government, including the department of health and he’s asking legislators to minimize cuts to higher education.

There’s a shortage of paramedics around the country, and it’s being felt in the Bayou State too. Justin Cox with Acadian Ambulance says they are short 30 paramedics, which puts a serious strain on others. Cox says turnover for paramedics is high, because it’s a demanding job..:
cut 12 (08) “and mentally”
He says they are offering a 15-thousand dollar signing bonus for new hires.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office will be featured on A&E’s “Live PD” in the coming weeks.Capt. Daniel Seuzeneau says given the tensions rising between law enforcement and the public, this show will give people a better idea of what cops deal with…:
Cut 3 (11) “to embrace it” (2x)
Seuzeneau says “Live PD” is similar to the TV show Cops, except this is live with an 8 minute delay.

It’s Super Bowl weekend and the big event is happening in Houston, but when will New Orleans host the game for an 11th time. Jay Cicero, with the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says the NFL knows the Big Easy as a lot to offer…
cut 11 (10) “…hotels”
Cicero says they hope to host the Super Bowl again in 2023 and they’ll find out in May if they are one of the cities that can bid.

Governor John Bel Edwards has sent a letter to President Donald Trump seeking his support for an additional two-billion dollars in federal flood aid. Congress has already approved one-point-six billion dollars in grant money, but Edwards says another two-billion is needed to rebuild homes, assist those who lived in apartments that are now flooded and provide protection from future flooding.

It’s Super Bowl weekend, so when will New Orleans get a chance to host the big game again? Michelle Southern has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

Tomorrow is World Cancer Day a major killer of Louisiana residents. Donna Williams is a professor at LSU Health New Orleans and she says there’s plenty of ways you can reduce your risk for various cancers…
cut 8 (10) “…that mammogram”
Williams says there’s evidence we are winning the fight against cancer. She says look at the dramatic reduction of deaths as a result of cervical cancer.

Ambulance companies are facing a shortage for qualified paramedics. Acadian Ambulance says they are short 30 paramedics and they are offering tuiition payment for those who complete the two-year training program and come to work…
cut 14 (09) “…as well”
He says starting paramedics make about 42-thousand dollars a year.

Two defense attorneys have told the Associated Press that the fatal shooting of former NFL running back Joe McKnight was in self-defense. Matthew Goetz and Gerard Archer are representing 55-year-old Ronald Gasser of Terrytown. Gasser has been indicted on a charge of second-degree murder. But in an email to the A-P, Gasser’s lawyers say McKnight attempted to enter Gasser’s vehicle and he shot McKnight because he feared for his safety.

There is a shortage of paramedics around the country and that problem persists in Louisiana too. Acadian Ambulance says they could use 30 more paramedics and they are offering a 15-thousand dollar signing bonus for new hires in an effort lure more people to their industry…
cut 13 (12) “…coming up”
Cox says it takes two years to complete rigrourous course work to become a paramedic.

Tomorrow is World Cancer Day and health professionals are urging older adults to make sure they get annually checked for certain cancers. Donna Williams, with LSU Health New Orleans says strides in the medical field have greatly reduced the risk of cervical cancer….
cut 7 (10) “…have plummeted”
Williams says more than half of cancers can be detected early and cured.

A-and-E’s “Live P-D” is coming to St. Tammany Parish. The Friday night television show is like “Cops” but it shows police activity live at departments around the country on a Friday night, unfettered and unfiltered. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson, Captain Daniel Seuzeneau says the show will likely show their deputies catching crooks, but you’ll see plenty of good guys too…
cut 5 (12) “…the parish”

Saturday is World Cancer Day, and people are raising awareness about how to reduce the risk for cancer. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The lawyer for the man indicted on second degree murder charges for allegedly shooting and killing former NFL player Joe McKnight, says his client acted in self defense. The charges against Ronald Gasser were upgraded Thursday, and his attorneys told the AP that their client took action when McKnight was threatening to crawl into the car window.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office will be featured on A&E’s “Live PD” in the coming weeks. Spokesperson Capt. Daniel Seuzeneau says it’s kind of like cops, except live with only minutes long delay. He says the camera crews are professionals, and so are the officers…:
cut 4 (08) “crew there”
Seuzeneau says the first show will air two to three weeks from now.

There’s a shortage of paramedics around the country, and it’s being felt in the Bayou State too. Justin Cox with Acadian Ambulance says they are short 30 paramedics, which puts a serious strain on others. Cox says turnover for paramedics is high, because it’s a demanding job..:
cut 12 (08) “and mentally”
He says they are offering a 15-thousand dollar signing bonus for new hires in an effort to lure people to their industry.

Saturday is World Cancer Day. Director of the Louisiana Cancer and Prevention Programs with LSU Health New Orleans, Donna Williams, says the goal of World Cancer Day is to raise awareness about cancer prevention methods….:
Cut 6 (08) “from cancer”
She says World Cancer Day is a way for people to help speed up progress in the fight against cancer.

NRG Stadium in Houston is hosting its second ever Super Bowl this weekend, so when next will it be New Orleans turn to get the big game? Jay Cicero with the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation says the Super Bowl is already awarded through 2021. He says, if New Orleans is selected to bid to host for an 11th time, they would next be eligible in 2023:
CUT 9 (10) “to New Orleans”
He says they’ll find out if they’ll be invited to big on 2023 in May.

It’s expected Governor Edwards will issue today the call for a budget re-balancing special session to begin on February 13th. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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Authorities say three teenagers have been arrested in connection with the burglary of a Louisiana state trooper’s unmarked car. A rifle was stolen from the Louisiana State Police car in Madisonville and authorities suspect the gun was later used in an aggravated burglary.

It’s expected Governor Edwards will issue today the call for a budget re-balancing special session to begin on February 13th. Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com says Republican lawmakers will likely propose large cuts to the state health department after a recent audit found the state agency has mismanaged millions of dollars…:
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The legislature must close a $304 million dollar mid-year gap.

Meanwhile the governor announced Thursday that his chief of staff, Ben Nevers, is retiring after a year with the administration. The 70-year-old former state lawmaker from Bogalusa will be replaced by one-time homeland security secretary, Mark Cooper. Nevers leaves at the end of the month, following the special session.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office will be featured on A&E’s “Live PD” in the coming weeks. Spokesperson Capt. Daniel Seuzeneau says given the tensions rising between law enforcement and the public, they hope this show will give people a better idea of what cops deal with…:
Cut 3 (11) “to embrace it” (2x)
Seuzeneau says “Live PD” is similar to the long-running TV show Cops, except this is live with an 8 minute delay.

A man and a woman have been arrested in St. Charles Parish for possession of drugs after cops say narcotics were found in their second grader’s book sack at school. The home of 25-year-old Christina Cherry and Kevin Richardson was searched and the two were booked on numerous charges. The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office believes the child took the drugs wrapped up in a Kleenex without realizing what was inside when he put it in his school bag.

Today, Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to issue the call for a rebalancing the budget special session that would begin February 13th. Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com says the governor will push the use of 119 million dollars from the Rainy Day Fund to address the $304 million dollar budget gap…:
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He says other items in the call will allow legislators to make cuts throughout the budget.

Governor Edwards has announced changes within his administration. Longtime legislator and current chief of staff Ben Nevers will retire at the end of the month and Mark Cooper will take his place. Cooper was former Governor Bobby Jindal’s homeland security secretary.

And former U.S. Senator David Vitter has a new job. He’s been hired by Washington D-C lobbying firm Mercury Public affairs.

When watching football on Sunday look for the Louisiana Clydesdales that will be shown for about a second in a Budweiser Super Bowl Commerical. Clay Harper of Pearl River owns those horses and they shot the commercial over a several day period in New Orleans last month…
cut 9 (10) “…kind of thing”
Harper says the clydesdales are shown just before the 40-second mark of the 60-second ad.

According to Value Penguin, the St. Mary Parish town of Patterson is the the safest place to live and work in Louisiana. Associate Editor Andrew Pentis says it’s the second year in a row Patterson has received their top ranking…
cut 6 (09) “…both years”
St. Gabriel and Minden are also ranked in the top five and Pentis says they use FBI crime statistics to come up with their rankings.

A grand jury has indicted the man accused of fatally shooting former-NFL star Joe McKnight on a charge of second-degree murder. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

It’s expected that Governor John Bel Edwards will issue the call for a special session to close a $304 million dollar budget gap today. Jeremy Alford at LaPolitics.com says a big part of it will be about tapping in to the Rainy Day Fund, but also allowing cuts…:
CUT 11 (10) “New Orleans”

It’s reported that LSU will owe about $1 million dollars to the football coaches that were released from the team by Coach Ed Orgeron, one day after signing day. Coach O fired receivers coach/recruiting coordinator Dameyune Craig, and reassigned running backs coach Jabbar Juluke. LSU says it will begin an immediate search for their replacements.

According to Value Penguin’s 2016 Safest Places in Louisiana list, Patterson in St. Mary Parish got the top spot. Associate Editor Andrew Pentis says, to compile the safest city data, they looked at FBI crime reports, and graded cities based on that…:
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Harahan, St. Gabriel, Mandeville, and Minden round out the top 5 on the safest cities list.

Governor John Bel Edwards announced Thursday the retirement of his Chief of Staff, former State Senator Ben Nevers. The governor wishes Nevers a happy, relaxing and well-deserved retirement.