A special session to address the state’s huge budget issues starts on Sunday. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A 42-year-old man from Crowley is facing serious charges for allegedly stabbing two Acadia Parish Sheriff’s deputies as they were trying to arrest him. They say the officers were called out to a disturbance at a store in Church Point when they attempted to take Jason Broussard into custody, but were stabbed and cut by the suspect as he tried to flee. Broussard was arrested and the officers have been released from medical care.

The massive burn chamber that was built to dispose 16 million pounds of explosives at Camp Minden begins its slow trek through four parishes in northwest Louisiana today. DOTD Spokesperson Cindy Dorfner says the chamber is going by truck through Natchitoches, Red River and Bossier and they ask folks not to stop and watch…:
CUT 12 (10) “the traffic”
She says the chamber should reach Camp Minden on Thursday.

Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham introduces legislation which seeks to implement tax reform that helps farmers. The FAME act makes a simple adjustment to the tax code to shorten the depreciation schedule on farm equipment to five years rather than seven…:
cut 4 (10) “businesses”
He says often times farm equipment breaks down and stops working before seven years.

New Orleans native Peyton Manning is a Super Bowl champion for a second time as Manning helped the Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50. Peyton now has as many Super Bowl rings as his younger brother Eli, but that doesn’t matter in the Manning household…
cut 30 (06) “…do that”
Social media is having fun with Eli Manning, Eli didn’t look happy at one point in the game, even though his brother’s team was winning.

The massive burn chamber built to destroy millions of pounds of explosives at Camp Minden begins traveling along highways through four northwest Louisiana parishes today. DOTD spokesperson Cindy Dorfner says traffic will be impacted, because the truck transporting the chamber can only go 15 miles per hour…
cut 10 (09) “….just humongous”
Check the DOTD’s website for the chamber’s travel schedule.

A special session will start on Sunday where Governor John Bel Edwards will ask legislators to make cuts to state government and raise taxes as a way to address a huge budget shortfall. But Jeremy Alford, with la-politics-dot-com, says Republicans will go into the session looking for ways to reduce spending…
cut 8 (11) “…..the day”
It will take a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate to approve any tax measure.

US Representative Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish has filed legislation to reduce the number of years farmers have to pay taxes on certain farm equipment. Abraham says this will help put money in the farmers’ pocket…
cut 5 (10) “…at all”
Abraham’s legislation lowers the tax depreciation schedule from seven to five years. He expects the bill will receive biparisan support.

A huge burn chamber that was built to destroy 16-million pounds of M6 propellent at Camp Minden begins a four-day journey from the Port of Natchitoches to Webster Parish today. State department of transportation spokesperson Cindy Dorfner says transporting the burn chamber will create some traffic delays…
cut 11 (08) “….not possible”
You can find the chamber’s travel schedule on DOTD’s website.

Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump will stop in Baton Rouge on Thursday night as the billionaire will hold a campaign rally at the River Center, starting at seven PM. Tickets for the event are free and available at trump-baton-rouge-dot-event-brite-dot-com.

Senator Marco Rubio, who is battling Trump for the Republican nomination has named his Louisiana campaign team. State senator Bodi White of Central is the chairman.

Sunday is Valentine’s Day, but state lawmakers will be busy that day starting a special session that’s been called by Governor Edwards to address the state’s huge budget shortfall for this fiscal year and next. Jeremy Alford, with la-politics-dot-com, says in the call for the session, Edwards gives legislators the option to raise several different taxes, but republicans are not pleased…
cut 7 (10) “…of requests”
It will take a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate to approve any tax proposal.

Now that Super Bowl 50 is over, fans can begin the countdown to the start of the 2016 season. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says fixing the defense should be the Saints first priority…
cut 13 (12) “…three years”
Detillier says the Saints will look to add a pass rusher, a run stuffing defensive tackle and a cornerback.

Lawmakers will be in Baton Rouge this Sunday for a special session where they will be asked to raise taxes to help the state cover up a massive shortfall. Jeremy Alford of la-politics-dot-com says the governor’s tax proposals are expected to have a hard time getting the 70 votes needed to pass….
cut 9 (10) “…next week”
The special session is expected to last three and a half weeks.

US Representative Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish introduces legisaltion that reduces the amount of the years farmers would pay taxes on farm equipment they buy. Abraham says the legislation already has eight co-sponsors…
cut 6 (09) “…win-win”
Abraham says his bill shortens the deprectiation schedule on farm equipment from seven to five years.

It’s a chilly and windy Lundi Gras as high tempeatures will be around 50-degrees and the entire state is under a wind advisory as we could see wind gusts of up to 30 miles per hour. The National Weather Service in Shreveport says the high winds increase the chances of wildfires in northwest Louisiana.

The massive burn chamber that was built to dispose 16 million pounds of explosives at Camp Minden begins its slow trek through four parishes in northwest Louisiana today. Emelie Gunn has more…
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

Governor John Bel Edwards and state lawmakers are planning for a special session that’s slated to start on Valentine’s Day and last for three-and-half weeks. Edwards has asked legislators to make cuts to state government and raise taxes as a way to address a 750-million dollar shortfall this fiscal year and a 1-point-9 billion dollar shortfall next fiscal year. Jeremy Alford, with la-politics-dot-com, says Republicans will go into the session looking for ways to reduce spending…
cut 8 (11) “…..the day”

Two narcotic agents from Acadia Parish are recovering from stab wounds they suffered while trying to arrest a 42-year-old Crowley man. Acadia Sheriff Wayne Melancon says his deputies were called to a disturbance at a grocery store on Saturday night and eventually encountered Jason Broussard, who allegedly stabbed the deputies as he tried to flee. Broussard was arrested and the officers have been released from medical care.

The entire state is under a wind advisory as sustained winds of 20 to 25 miles per hour are expected and wind gusts could reach up to 30 miles per hour. Highs today will be in the low to the mid 50s.

US Representative Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish introduces legislation to help out farmers. Michelle Southern has more…
voicer 3 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

Chevron North America has notified the Louisiana Workforce Commission about the possibility of layoffs at five office locations in Covington and Lafayette. Eric Gill has more…
CUT 2 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

Governor John Bel Edwards has issued the call for a special legislative session to deal with a 750-million dollar budget shortfall for this fiscal year. During the session, which starts Febraury 14th and ends March 9th, lawmakers will debate budget cuts and tax increases. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s listened to legislators and has drafted a call allow flexibility to consider both cuts and raising money for the state.

It’s Mardi Gras weekend around Louisiana and State Police want everyone celebrating to be safe. Trooper Melissa Matey says with all the drinking and festivities make sure to have a sober driver behind the wheel. Matey says they are also asking the public to take advantage of the see something, send something app in case you see something that doesn’t seem right…
cut 14 (11) “immediately”

Negotiations have begun about forming another high school athletic association. This is in response to a vote by member principals of the LHSAA who chose to expand the championship split to basketball, baseball and softball. Former commissioner of administration, Paul Rainwater, planned a meeting with several high school principals and A-D’s to address what it would take to form a new organization…
CUT 9 (06) “with a budget”

Discussions have begun about forming a new organization to rival the Louisiana High School Athletic Association. Jeff Palermo has more…
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards issued the call for a special legislative session to confront this fiscal year’s 750-million dollar budget shortfall. The session starts February 14th and lawmakers will discuss tax increases and budget cuts. The call gives limitations on what they can do during the session. Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras of New Iberia released a statement wishing this session allowed more budget reform initiatives to reduce state funding…

It’s a big Mardi Gras weekend around Louisiana and State Police want it to be a safe. Trooper Melissa Matey says they don’t tolerate drinking and driving, so make sure you have a sober driver. She says if you are enjoying the parades with your kids, have a plan in case you get separated from your children..
cut 13 (10) “was wearing”

Chevron North America notified the Louisiana Workforce Commission of layoffs at five office locations in Covington and Lafayette. Eric Smith, Associate Director at the Tulane Energy Institute, says the low oil prices originally impacted independent oil producers, but now big companies are feeling the effects…The company says they’ll work to help laid-off employees find jobs in other Chevron locations and offer severance packages to those unable to find one. Smith believes even more layoffs are coming…
CUT 8 (07) “count on, today”

It’s Mardi Gras weekend across Louisiana and State Police want you to have a safe one, especially on our roadways. Trooper Melissa Matey says they have zero tolerance for drinking and driving, so make sure there’s a sober driver at the wheel…
cut 12 (10) “in festivities”

Matey says if you are enjoying the parades with your children, have a plan in place in case you get separated from your kids…

Governor John Bel Edwards issued the call for a special legislative session to tackle this fiscal year’s massive 750-million dollar budget shortfall and the 1.9 billion dollar shortfall for next year. The session begins on February 14th and will last about three and a half weeks. During this time lawmakers will discuss budget cuts and tax increases. The Governor’s call sets boundaries on what can be done during the session. Raising the state’s sales tax, increasing cigarette and alcohol taxes and changing personal income tax brackets will all be addressed during the session.

Louisiana State Police say a 23-year-old Addis woman is dead after her husband accidentally shot her while cleaning his gun. The woman’s husband is a reserve Addis Police Officer. She was taken to the hospital shortly after the shooting but later died.

Chevron North America has notified the Louisiana Workforce Commission that layoffs are possible at five office locations in Covington and Lafayette. 385 employees could be affected, 340 at the office locations and 45 offshore workers. Chevron says these cuts could start April 4th and will be complete by June 7th. Eric Smith, Associate Director at the Tulane Energy Institute believes the layoffs are mainly coming in upstream business, which is what they call the process of drilling and operations in getting oil out of the ground…
CUT 7 (10) “pretty well”

Governor John Bel Edwards has issued the call for a special legislative session to address a 750 million dollar budget shortfall. The session will start on February 14th and for three and a half weeks lawmakers will have a chance to debate various cuts to the budget and tax increases like the sales tax by a penny, higher cigarette and alcohol taxes and changes to person income tax brackets.

It’s a big Mardi Gras party weekend and cops are urging revelers to play it safe. State Police Trooper Melissa Matey says there is a no tolerance policy for drunk driving and please be mindful of where your kidsa are at all times. She says they are also asking the public to take advantage of the see something, send something app in case you spot something that doesn’t seem right…:
cut 14 (11) “immediately”

Chevron announces 385 possible layoffs are coming to five offices in Covington and Lafayette. Eric Smith, Associate Director at the Tulane Energy Institute, says the low oil prices initially impacted independent oil producers, but now major companies are feeling the affects…:
CUT 6 (10) “some cutbacks”
Chevron says the cuts will begin April 4th. Alcoa has also told the state it is laying off up to 37 employees at a plant in Lake Charles.

New Orleans attorney Caroline Fayard is the first Democrat to enter Louisiana’s US Senate race. Fayard has never held political office, but did run for Lt. Governor in 2010. Fayard says she’s running for the Senate because she doesn’t want the rest of the country to take Louisiana for granted and that starts in Washington, D.C….
cut 3 (10) “to the table”

Chevron North America has informed the Louisiana Workforce Commission about possible layoffs at five office locations in Covington and Lafayette. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

The preservationists have lost another step in their fight to keep the Confederate monuments up in New Orleans as a civil district court judge rules against an effort to stop the removal of the statues. A similar challenge was shot down in federal court lat month. The preservationists say they would appeal.

Discussions have started about forming another high school athletic association. It’s in response to a vote by member principals of the LHSAA who decided to expand the championship split to other sports. Former commissioner of administration, Paul Rainwater, organized a meeting with several high school principals and A-D’s to discuss what it would take to form a new organization…:
CUT 9 (06) “with a budget”
He plans to have a constitution and structure ready to present to interested schools in May.

Folks all over the state will be participating in Mardi Gras celebrations this weekend and State Police are urging you to be safe. Trooper Melissa Matey says if you are enjoying the parades with your children, have a plan in place in case you get separated from your kids…:
cut 13 (10) “was wearing”
She says they have zero tolerance for drunk drivers and the drive sober or get pulled over continues throughout Mardi Gras.