Today marks one year in office for Governor John Bel Edwards. After such a tumultuous start, it begs the question as to what the coming year will hold. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says like his first year, one of the governor’s biggest challenges in year two is the budget…:
CUT 7 (08) “new budget”
Cross says some of the governor’s goals, like raising more revenue for transportation needs, will face tough pushback from the legislature.

A study from LSU Health New Orleans finds a parent’s concern about neighborhood safety will result in less play time outside. Research Professor Dr. Melinda Sothern says they questioned parents in neighborhoods with high crime rates and didn’t let their kids out often
Cut 10 (08) “and diabetes”
Researchers recommend if parents have safety concerns about letting their kids play outside, take them to a park or playground.

A new political party has been established in the Bayou State, as the official paperwork has been submitted by the Louisiana Independent Party. Party Treasurer Bill Bryan says this is more of a movement than a political action. He says often times, people vote for a party, not a person, and party affiliations can make it difficult for people to have open, honest discussions about candidates…:
cut 4 (11) “civil discussions”
There are currently 56-thousand Independent voters registered in the party.

The Baker Police Department says a 16-year-old is in custody accused of shooting an 11-year-old in the hand. The suspect is charged with negligent injuring. The child was transported to the hospital and is in stable condition.

Students who attend poorly performing schools can begin applying for vouchers today. President of the Louisiana Federation for Children, Ann Duplesis says about 10-thousand families apply every year, and students from all over the state can apply.

Cut 4 (06) “be educated”

Duplesis says students already enrolled in the program do not need to reapply.

WWE’s WrestleMania is returning to New Orleans next year. Governor John Bel Edwards says when the event came to the Big Easy in 2014, over 75-thousand fans came from around the world, bringing an economic impact of $142 million.

Cut 10 (09) “billion dollars”

Edwards says this is the quickest the event has ever returned to a previous host city.

Small business optimism skyrocketed last month, according to the National Federation for Independent Business. State Director Dawn Starns says it’s because business owners are anticipating better economic conditions under the new administration.

Cut 7 (09) “increase then”

The NFIB says small business optimism is at its highest level since 2004.

150-thousand Louisiana residents have signed up for health coverage through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Christen Young with the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services says financial assistance is a key driver, as 82-percent of Louisiana consumers have qualified for tax credits.

Cut 12 (08) “a year”

Young says most people can find a plan for less than $75 per month.

WWE’s Wrestlemania will return to New Orleans in April of 2018. Michelle Southern has more on the big announcement…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu is looking into new permanent security measures for Bourbon Street. The proposed $30 million plan would include blocking off the road to vehicles during most hours, setting up a command center to monitor a network of cameras, and taking measures to allow police to respond to emergencies with force more quickly.

Today students at failing schools can begin applying for the Louisiana Scholarship Program, which pays for low-income students to attend a private school. President of the Louisiana Federation for Children, Ann Duplessis, says 65-hundred students currently receive taxpayer funded vouchers.

Cut 3 (11) “in the future”

123 schools in 31 school districts around the state participate in the voucher program.

Small business optimism skyrocketed last month, according to the National Federation of Independent Business. NFIB state director Dawn Starns says optimism has been on the rise since the November election, and Louisiana businesses are feeling the positive outlook.

Cut 6 (10) “new jobs”

The final college football rankings are out and LSU finished 13th in the AP Top 25 and 14th in the coaches poll. The Tigers ended the year fifth in the country in scoring defense, allowing just under 16 points a game and no team gave up fewer touchdowns as LSU allowed 22. But LSU’s pass offense ranked 101st in the country.

Louisiana Tech’s Trent Taylor led all FBS players in receiving yards with 1,803, while fellow Bulldog Carlos Henderson was fifth with 1,535 yards.

This weekend, it’s the NFL divisional round playoffs. On Sunday, the Cowboys will host Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Dallas Owner Jerry Jones said today that former LSU Tiger and cornerback Morris Claiborne will be available. Claiborne missed the final nine regular season games with a groin injury.

The Pelicans are off tonight, getting a chance to enjoy a night in New York. New Orleans faces the Nets in Brooklyn on Thursday. Last night, the Pels beat the New York Knicks 110-96. Anthony Davis had 40 points and 18 rebounds. The victory ended a three-game losing streak and the Birds find themselves one game back of Portland for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

New Orleans will host Wrestlemania in 2018; the quickest the WWE event returns to a host city ever. That’s according to Governor John Bel Edwards who says when Wrestlemania last came to The Big Easy in 2014, over 75,000 fans came from around the world – and it produced an economic impact of $142 million dollars for the city…:
CUT 10 (10) “1 billion dollars”

An LSU student has died after being hit by a train in Tuscaloosa. Authorities say 20-year-old Katie Keough was struck by a train on railroad track behind a dorm at the University of Alabama around 11:30 last night. Keough was reportedly crossing the tracks on foot as the train approached, and witnesses performed CPR until EMS arrived at the scene.

A survey from the National Federation of Independent Business finds small business optimism has skyrocketed in December. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The federal government announces more than 150-thousand Louisianans are insured through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace. Counselor to the Secretary at Health and Human Services, Avida Aron-Dine, says lawmakers have made claims the ACA is in a death spiral, but the facts show that’s not the case.

Cut 13 (11) “claims dead”

The report finds there are over 23-thousand new Louisiana consumers in the Marketplace.

WWE’s WrestleMania is returning to New Orleans in 2018. Governor John Bel Edwards was on hand for the announcement and says it’s just another huge occasion to celebrate the City of New Orleans’ 300th birthday.

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Professional wrestling’s biggest event will be held in the Big Easy on Sunday, April 8th of next year.

A National Federation of Independent Business survey finds small business optimism is at its highest level since 2004. N-F-IB state director, Dawn Starns, says when small business owners feel good about the economy, they are more likely to increase business activity…
cut 8 (10) “…business owners”
Starns says small business optimism has been rising since the November election.

WWE’s wrestlemania will return to New Orleans in April 2018. The Big Easy hosted professional wrestling’s biggest event in 2014 and WWE’s Chief Brand officer, Stephanie McMahon, detailed the pitch made to bring it back to the Superdome…
cut 11 (11) “…Krewe of Muses”
The federal government says 150-thousand Louisiana residents have signed up for health coverage through the Marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act. Christen Young, with the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services says one key driver of affordability in the marketplace is financial assistance and 82-percent of Louisiana consumers signed up so far, have qualified for tax credits…
cut 12 (08) “a year”
Young says most people can find a plan for less than $75 per month.

And the application period started today for low income parents who wish to receive a taxpayer funded voucher so their children at a poorly performing school can attend a private school. President of the Louisiana Federation for Children, Ann Duplessis, says 65-hundred students are currently in the scholarship program…
cut 3 (11) “…in the future”

A federal report finds that 150-thousand Louisiana residents have signed up for health insurance through the Marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act. Senior Counselor to the Secretary at Health and Human Services, Avida Aron-Dine says that’s a strong number, considering the talk of repealing Obamacare. She expects the A-C-A will only get better and we will not see a huge spike in premiums going forward…
cut 14 (10) “…reinsurance program”

According to the national federation of independent businesses, optimism of small business owners is at its highest level since 2004….
cut 7 (09) “….increase then”
That’s Dawn Starns, state director of N-F-I-B and she says that strong sense of optimism can be felt in Louisiana too.

The Grant Parish Sheriff’s office has arrested a 31-year-old man after he allegedly beat up his grandparents with a baseball bat. Derrick Henderson of Georgetown has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and home invasion. The elderly victims received severe injuries.

WWE’s Wrestlemania will return to New Orleans in April of 2018. Michelle Southern has more on the big announcement…:
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

Small business optimism has skyrocketed in December, according to a survey from the National Federation of Independent Businesses. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office says one of their deputies was involved in a shooting with a man apparently trying to kill himself. They say 19-year-old Austin Rackley of Sulphur was located fighting with a family member and he had a gun. They said he refused to put it down when he was ordered to and deputies fired striking him in the neck – injuring him. The investigation is ongoing.

New Orleans will host Wrestlemania in 2018; the quickest the WWE event returns to a host city ever. That’s according to Governor John Bel Edwards who says when Wrestlemania last came to The Big Easy in 2014, over 75,000 fans came from around the world – which had an economic impact of $142 million dollars for the city…:
CUT 10 (10) “1 billion dollars”
He says it’s just another huge occasion to laud the 300th year of the founding of New Orleans.

Enrollment for Louisiana’s public school scholarship program is now open. It’s for low-income students in poor performing schools to go to private schools. President of the Louisiana Federation for Children, Ann Duplessis, says test scores have demonstrated voucher students are making academic strides…:
Cut 5 (09) “last year”
She says 65-hundred students currently receive taxpayer funded vouchers.

WWE’s Wrestlemania will be returning to New Orleans in April of 2018. Governor John Bel Edwards was on hand for the announcement and says it’s just another huge occasion to laud the 300th year of the founding of New Orleans…:
CUT 9 (10) “exciting time”
Edwards says when Wrestlemania came to New Orleans in 2014, it had an economic impact of $142 million dollars for the city.

Today is the start of the application period for the Louisiana Scholarship Program, which pays for low-income students at poorly graded public schools to attend a private school. President of the Louisiana Federation for Children, Ann Duplessis..:
cut 4 (06) “be educated”
She says every year, about 10-thousand families apply; and anyone in Louisiana can do so.

A survey from the National Federation of Independent Business finds small business optimism increased substantially in December. NFIB state director Dawn Starns credits the positive outlook to the November election which is also felt by Louisiana business in a huge way…:
Cut 6 (10) “new jobs”
The NFIB says small business optimism is at its highest level since 2004.

Officials in Alabama say a 20-year-old LSU student has died in Tuscaloosa after being struck by a train. They say Katie Keogh was walking with others after the college title game when she failed to make it across the tracks in time and died at the scene.

Discussions about what to do about the cost of the TOPS program are ongoing, and the state’s top higher education policy making board is looking at options. Higher Ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says one proposed change would require those getting the award to take 30 credit hours a year instead of 24. He says right now just 40 percent of TOPS students graduate in 4 years…:
CUT 8 (11) “a paycheck”
Any changes to the program would not take effect until 2018.

State and New Orleans City officials announced today that WWE’s Wrestlemania is once again returning to the Big Easy. Governor John Bel Edwards, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu were all on hand for this morning’s announcement that the premier wrestling event will be back in Louisiana in 2018.

For the first time since closing its doors following Hurricane Katrina, the state is going to clean out Charity Hospital in New Orleans. Jerry Jones withe LSU Heath New Orleans’ Facility Planning says this has been 10 years coming…:
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He says the facilities contain asbestos, mold, chemicals, and other hazardous materials, and the process should take about 180 days.

Many plants and vegetation were affected by this weekend’s freeze and Emelie Gunn explains they may not be destroyed…:
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