The state House votes for the first time today on proposals to close the 304-million dollar budget deficit. The two measures up for debate today call for cuts to higher education, public schools and prisons. State Representative Walt Leger, a democrat from New Orleans, believes the legislature should follow the governor’s plan and use 119-million dollars from the rainy day fund…
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Republican Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds has a proposal today that would not use any rainy day funding, instead it calls for spending reductions to eliminate the 304-million dollar midyear deficit…
cut 7 (08) “….hurt anyone”
The legislature must approve a budget cutting plan by Wednesday night.

It’s Coach “O” day in LaFourche Parish. Emelie Gunn has more on the fesitivies for LSU’s Head Football Coach Ed Orgeron…
voicer 2 (30) “….I’m Emelie Gunn”

It’s NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans. Jay Cicero, CEO and president of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, it’s another great opportunity to market the city and state….
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Cicero says the economic impact of hosting the All-Star game is around 100-million dollars.

Troy Brown has resigned from the state senate ahead of a second hearing on his expulsion. He was under fire from the body due to domestic violence convictions. Brown said he wanted to spare the Senate from having to go through this process which is one reason he’s stepping down…:
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A special election will be called in Brown’s district to replace him.

Today the full state House will take up two measures on whether to use the Rainy Day Fund to help close the budget gap. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds co-authored a bill that would use no rainy day dollars because he says there are areas in state government that need to be cut in order to reduce the shortfall..:
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But others argue it’s the middle of the budget year and now is not the time to be cutting more than necessary.

Today is Coach “O” Day in Lafourche Parish to honor LSU’s new head football coach Ed Orgeron. Orgeron is a native of Larose, where an event will be held at the local civic center at 6:00 p.m. Organizer Larry Weidel says the event has over 90 sponsors and 1,000 tickets were sold…:
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During the banquet Orgeron’s high school football jersey will be retired.

It is once again NBA All-star weekend in the Big Easy. President and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation Jay Cicero says the event was moved from Charlotte, North Carolina, in light of an anti-LGBT law that was enacted there last year..:
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This is the third time in 9 years that New Orleans has hosted an all-star game, which is a record return rate.

State Senator Troy Brown announces he’s stepping down amid calls for his resignation due to his domestic violence convictions. The Napoleonville lawmaker said it was clear a fair and impartial hearing among his peers would not transpire…:
Cut 15 (10) “constitutional rights”
A special election will be called in Brown’s district to replace him.

Lawmakers will continue their focus on the budget deficit today. In the House, a measure on whether to use the Rainy Day Fund will be heard, or to just tap into a portion of it. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger supports using the savings account as opposed to some devastating cuts Republicans are proposing…:
Cut 5 (09) “additional reductions”
But others say the state needs to be more fiscally responsible and now is the time to move in that direction.

Today his hometown will celebrate LSU head Coach Ed Orgeron. Coach O is a native of Larose, and tonight an event will be held at the local civic center at 6pm to honor the Tigers new coach. Planning committee spokesman Larry Weidel says BaBa, was a football star back in the day…:
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He says during the banquet, Orgeron’s high school football jersey will be retired.

This weekend is a big one for the Big Easy, highlighted by the NBA All-Star game and events. President and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation Jay Cicero says festivities are taking place all weekend…:
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He says this event had a $106 million economic impact for the state when New Orleans last hosted in 2014.

Ahead of his second expulsion hearing, Napoleonville Senator Troy Brown announces his resignation…:
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The House takes up bills today on using some of the Rainy Day Fund, and whether to use it at all to help close a $304 million dollar deficit. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds doesn’t want to touch it. He says cuts aren’t easy, but they have to balance this budget once and for all…:
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But Democrats say this is why the savings account was created.

Its what flood victims have been waiting for; in part. Governor John Bel Edwards says HUD has approved just the first installment of federal flood aid, more than 6 months later. That’s the $438 million dollars the governor secured just weeks after the historically devastating event. A second appropriation for assistance of $1.2 billion was granted in December 2016 and is still awaiting HUD approval.

It’s NBA All-Star weekend in New Orleans again! Jeff Palermo has more…:
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Today the state House will decide how much, if any, of the rainy day fund to use to close a $304 million budget shortfall. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger, a Democrat, says lawmakers passed a budget last year describing what they want to accomplish for the people of Louisiana, and it’s the legislature’s responsibility to keep those promises. He says the best way to accomplish that would be to use 119-million dollars from the state’s savings account…:
Cut 4 (10) “rainy day funds”
But Republicans are standing firm that instead the state has to reduce its spending instead of kicking the can down the road.

After much discussion at the state capitol over attempts to expel Senator Troy Brown, the Napoleonville lawmaker has resigned….:
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The resignation comes amid hearings on the Senate floor to expel or suspend Brown following his second conviction of domestic abuse.

It’s Coach “O” Day in Lafourche Parish! Emelie Gunn has more on the festivities for LSU’s Head football coach Ed Orgeron…:
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The Powerball jackpot is up to $349 million dollars for tomorrow night’s drawing. There has yet to be a big winner so far in 2017.

Ahead of his second expulsion hearing on Monday, Napoleonville Senator Troy Brown announced his resignation today. The embattled senator says it is readily apparent a fair hearing from his peers will not transpire.

Cut 15 (10) “constitutional rights”

The expulsion hearing comes after Brown was convicted on two separate domestic abuse charges.

Governor John Bel Edwards re-election campaign raised $3.6 million during his first year in office. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says it’s an impressive haul for Edwards’ first year.

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According to finance reports, the governor ended 2016 with $3.2 million on hand.

Louisiana State Police is ramping up enforcement in New Orleans for the 2017 carnival season and this weekend’s NBA All-Star Game. Trooper Melissa Matey encourages everyone to say something to police if you see suspicious activity.

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She says LSP will send 165 troopers to the Crescent City.

Former LSU star running back Leonard Fournette has signed an endorsement-partnership deal with New Orleans based Life10 Electrolyte beverage. Roc Nation branding President Michael Yormark says the all-star athlete could’ve gone with the Gatorades of the world but chose a local brand to promote.

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He says through the partnership, Fournette owns a small part of the company.

Ahead of his second expulsion hearing, Napoleonville Senator Troy Brown announces his resignation . Halen Doughty has more…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Tomorrow on the House floor, legislators will debate two different proposals to eliminate the 304-million dollar deficit, but both plans call for more cuts than the governor recommends. A plan to use 119-million dollars from the rainy day fund, was rejected by a House committee today.

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter says letting the public decide whether to increase the gas tax would be one option to raise funds for traffic relief projects. He says a 23 cent tax is a possible solution in coming up with the $700 million…:
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Carter says a higher gasoline tax proposal could come up in the regular sesssion which starts in April.

Governor John Bel Edwards re-election campaign announces he raised $3.6 million in campaign funds during his first year in office. According to finance reports, the governor ended 2016 with $3.2 million on hand. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says being well liked helps while raising money…:
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Embattled Napoleonville Senator Troy Brown said today in a press conference that it is with great sadness that he submits his resignation. He says for as long as he could remember, he desired to serve his district and the people of Louisiana….
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Brown was facing an expulsion hearing on Monday for two recent domestic abuse convictions.

Governor Edwards campaign says the Democrat already has 3.2 million dollars in the bank for his re-election efforts in 2019. Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry could be his toughest opposition and he has 544-thousand on hand based on campaign finance reports. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says if Landry officially enters the race, his fundraising will rise quickly…
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Desoto Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle believes the victims of yesterday’s helicopter crash at Wallace Lake are from Texas, Terry and Pam Bailey…
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No word on cause of the crash. The chopper left Shreveport and it was headed to Center, Texas.

Former LSU star running back Leonard Fournette is now partnering with New Orleans based Life10 Electrolyte water. Michelle Southern has more on his endorsement….
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The campaign for Governor John Bel Edwards’ re-election announces he raised $3.6 million in 2016. Halen Doughty has more…
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At the state capitol today, the House Appropriations Committee rejected Governor John Bel Edwards’ plan that would eliminate a 304 million dollar budget deficit. At issue, is a proposal to use 119 million dollars in rainy day funding. GOP lawmakers would rather make more cuts to state spending.

 
Louisiana State Police is boosting their presence in New Orleans for this weekend’s NBA All-Star game and the 2017 Mardi Gras season. Trooper Melissa Matey says it’s always smart to avoid excessive alcohol intake while partaking in festivities.
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Matey says it’s a good idea to keep important information and valuables in your front pocket while walking in the French Quarter to deter pickpockets.

Former LSU star running back Leonard Fournette signed an endorsement-partnership deal with New Orleans based Life10 Electrolyte beverage. The sports agency Roc Nation represents Fournette and its President of Branding Michael Yormark says Fournette is happy to support a local product he believes in…
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Baton Rouge lawmakers are looking to offer a constitutional amendment that would ask the public if they would be willing to pay an additional 23-cents in gas taxes to fund major highway projects. Representative Steve Carter says the additional revenues from the tax could pay for a new Mississippi River bridge and the widening of I-10….
cut 14 (08) “….we need em bad”
The constitutional amendment would be considered in the regular session that begins in April.

Louisiana State Police is ramping up enforcement in New Orleans for the Carnival season and this weekend’s NBA All-Star Game. Trooper Melissa Matey says they’ll have an additional 165 troopers in the Crescent City…:
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She says they rely also heavily on the public and encourages folks to let an officer know if you see something suspicious.

DeSoto Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle says crews have recovered two bodies from the site of a helicopter crash at Wallace Lake. He says the FAA and other agencies are investigating the circumstances of the crash itself, while his deputies are working on recovering pieces of the chopper. He says the biggest challenge is getting to the crash site.
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The victims are believed to be a married couple from Center, Texas.

Former LSU star running back Leonard Fournette is the pitch man for the Life 10 Electroylyte beverage, which is based out of New Orleans. Fournette is represented by the sports agency Roc Nation and its President of Branding Michael Yormark says Fournette has great potential to be a terrific spokesperson for the sports drink…
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