We will get more details today on how Governor John Bel Edwards plans to expand Medicaid. Jeff Palermo has the story….

cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana’s Congressional Delegation has sent a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to declare a federal emergency in Louisiana due to flooding along major rivers in the state. The letter supports a previous request from then-Governor Bobby Jindal for a Presidential Emergency Declaration for Louisiana. The declaration would secure federal funds to protect Louisianians from the flooding.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says they plan to lay out options to overcome Louisiana’s monumental financial problems. Dardenne says the shortfall for next fiscal year, when taking into account falling oil prices, could be close to $2 billion dollars if permanent changes to the budget aren’t made. He says despite the tough task at hand, the new administration remains optimistic…

cut 12 (12) “fix those”

Edwards is expected to call a special legislative session to address these issues.

New Lt. Governor Republican Billy Nungesser enters office facing tremendous budget challenges. He says it’s hard to ask for money for tourism when we’re facing cuts to education and other critical needs…

cut 14 (09) “long term fix”

Nungesser says it will take some creativity and working with the legislature to change laws to create more money within tourism.

Many wonder whether or not Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards and the GOP controlled state House of Representatives will be able to work together. Edwards says he wants to invest more money into education, lower the state’s poverty rate, and stabilize the budget. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says it remains to be seen if the Republican controlled House will go with Edwards’ plan or come up with their own…

cut 8 (07) “his agenda”

House Republicans handed Edwards his first political defeat yesterday by electing New Iberia Representative Taylor Barras as House Speaker.

The Governor’s Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says they plan to overcome Louisiana’s monumental financial problems responsibly. Governor Edwards says he is going to start today by accepting federal funding to expand Medicaid in Louisiana. Dardenne says they’ll be working on how to implement this in an efficient way…

cut 11 (07) “happens right”

Dardenne estimates the deficit in this year’s budget, which ends July 30th, is between $700-$750 million dollars.

According to the US Army Corp. of Engineers the Morganza spillway will not be opened to divert water from the Mississippi River into the Atchafalaya Basin, at this time. Spokesperson Ricky Boyett says this is good news for the people who live along the Morganza and the Atchafalaya, but they still expect some flooding in the area…

cut 5 (10) “be prepared”

He says the river is expected to only meet one trigger, which means the spillway won’t have to be used.

As Louisiana has sworn in a new governor, we also have a new Lt. Governor. Republican Billy Nungesser also has budget issues to face. He says it will take creativity and working with the legislature to change laws to create more money within tourism…

cut 13 (10) “welcome centers”

Nungesser says it’s hard to ask for money for tourism when education and other critical needs are being cut.

It didn’t take long for Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards to have his first political defeat. Conservatives in the House mustered enough votes to elect New Iberia Republican Taylor Barras as the Speaker of the House over Edwards’ choice of Democrat Walt Leger. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says this could be a bad sign for Edwards…

cut 7 (12) “governor”

The US Army Corp. of Engineers has decided at this time not to open the Morganza spillway to divert water from the Mississippi River into the Atchafalaya Basin. Spokesperson Ricky Boyett says the current forecast doesn’t show them hitting enough triggers required to open up the spillway, which means the Morganza won’t have to be used…

cut 4 (07) “per second”

Boyett says the actual flow that’s in the Mississippi River can be safely passed through the main stem of the river.

Governor John Bel Edwards Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says Louisiana has monumental financial problems to overcome, but they plan to lay out options and govern responsibly. He says there will be some tough budget decisions that have to be made, but there are many things on the table…

cut 10 (11) “fiscal year”

Dardenne estimates the deficit in this year’s budget, which ends July 30th, is between $700-$750 million dollars. Edwards is expected to call a special legislative session in mid-February to address these issues.

Democrat John Bel Edwards was sworn in as Louisiana’s governor today and announced his plans to improve health care opportunities for the state’s working poor…
cut 9 (12) “…to healthcare”
Edwards has called a 1:30 press conference on Tuesday to provide more details.

Edwards’ choice for Speaker of the House was not selected in a vote by House members , which goes down as a political defeat for the new governor. Edwards wanted New Orleans Democrat Walt Leger House Speaker, but the lower chamber selected a conservative legislator from New Iberia, Taylor Barras…
cuut 7 (06) “…future of Louisiana”
New Orleans Republican John Alraio was elected again as Senate President.

The Louisiana National Guard has mobilized almost 300 personnel to build protective barriers against approaching flood waters from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers. Eric Gill reports…
voicer 1 (29) “..I’m Eric Gill”

Lifeshare Blood Centers, which has locations across the state, say they are in the need of blood donations as their supply is less than two days for most blood types. Spokesperson Tina Hooper says if you’re eligible to donate, please do…
cut 14 (08) “….try to give”
Hooper says low blood donor turnout in December and last week led to a critically low supply of blood on hand.

Democrat John Bel Edwards laid out some of his priorities for the next four years as he was sworn in as the state’s 56th governor. Edwards says he’ll seek to expand Medicaid, increase the minimum wage and he’ll support efforts to make higher education more affordable…
cut 11 (14) “…tuition and fees”
Edwards says his top priority is fixing the state’s massive budget problems.

Before the inauguration ceremony, Edwards suffered a political defeat when the House voted for New Iberia Representative Taylor Barras, instead of Edwards choice, New Orleans Democrat Walt Leger…
cut 8 (12) “….of Representatives”
New Orleans Republican John Alario remains Senate president.

The Louisiana National Guard has mobilized almost 300 personnel to build protective barriers against approaching flood waters from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers. Lt. Rebekah Malone says protective levees are being constructed in St. Landry Parish and St. Mary Parish. Malone says 120 guardsmen are in St. Mary to build the levee…
CUT 3 (10) “that’s approaching”
But the US Army Corps of Engineers announced today that there is not a need to open the Morganza Spillway, which will lessen the flood threat in St. Landry.

A 96-year-old driver plowed into the Mandeville community center, injuring four people inside. The accident happend around nine o’ clock this morning, authorities say the driver stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake as she was pulling up to the building. The injuries to the people inside are not considered life threatening.

Democrat John Bel Edwards was sworn in today as Louisiana’s 56th governor. Michelle Southern has more…
cut 2 (34) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

Before Edwards spoke at his inauguration, the House selected New Iberia Representative Taylor Barras as the new Speaker of the House. It’a political defeat for Edwards, who backed New Orleans Representative Walt Leger. New Orleans republican John Alario remains the Senate President.

The US Army Corps of Engineers says at this time, there is no need to use the Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupee Parish to divert Mississippi River water before it reaches the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas. Meanwhile, the Louisiana National Guard has activated almost 300 soldiers, many of them are building protective levees to hold back the rising Mississippi River…
cut 5 (10) “…walls installed”
That’s Lt. Rebekah Malone.

LifeShare Blood Centers says they are low on blood supply and they need your help. Spokesperson Tina Hooper says their blood centers have a supply of less than two days for most types and that’s not good news for those who need blood…
cut 13 (09) “…many of those”
Hooper encourages people who are eligible to donate blood to please do so.

Governor John Bel Edwards outlined his pledges today in his first address after taking the oath of office on the steps of the State Capitol. The Democratic governor says he’s going to accept federal funds to expand Medicaid beginning tomorrow. He addressed the importance of improving Louisiana’s education system…:
cut 10 (13) “must change”
Edwards says we need a modest, but meaningful increase to the minimum wage.

President Barack Obama will speak at McKinley High during his visit to Baton Rouge on Thursday. The White House says Mr. Obama’s speech will begin at 9:45am. The president’s visit will come two days after his final State of the Union address.

Nearly 300 Louisiana National Guard personnel have been mobilized to help build barriers against approaching flood waters from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers. Lt. Rebekah Malone says protective levees are being built in Krotz Springs and Avoca Island. She says this has worked well in the past…:
CUT 4 (07) “backwater flooding”
The US Army Corps of Engineers opened the Bonnet Carre Spillway Sunday, but today said the operations of the Morganza Spillway reliefs are not needed as the latest high water projections show the river crest can safely pass through Louisiana without opening the Morganza.

A 96-year-old woman mistakenly hit the gas instead of the break when parking at the Mandeville community center, and as a result crashed her vehicle through a glass wall causing 4 people to be injured. Mandeville Police identify the driver as Rita Williams. The four injuries were not believed to be life threatening. It is unknown if Williams will face charges in the crash.

John Bel Edwards was sworn in today as Louisiana’s 56th governor. In his first address, the new Democratic governor said the structural budget deficit needs a major overhaul before any of our other problems can be fixed. He says we must make it possible for all Louisiana citizens to be healthy and prosperous…:
CUT 9 (12) “to healthcare”
Edwards also says double-digit tuition hikes need to come to an end, and the state should should support higher education institutions.

Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz is in Louisiana today. The US Senator from Texas is expected to draw a big crowd at a rally in Baton Rouge today, before heading off to New Orleans for another event tonight. Louisiana’s presidential primary is scheduled for March 5.

Republican New Iberia Representative Taylor Barras is Louisiana’s new Speaker of the House. Barras was nominated for the post by Lafayette Republican Representative Stuart Bishop…:
CUT 7 (06) “of Louisiana”
Barras defeated Governor John Bel Edwards’ candidate, New Orleans Democrat Walt Leger, in a runoff.

LifeShare Blood Centers is reporting that the blood supply has dropped to critically low levels. Spokesperson Tina Hooper says they unfortunately saw very low blood donor turnout throughout December and into early January. She says, unfortunately, patients use hundreds of units of blood everyday throughout the state…:
cut 12 (08) “most blood types”
The largest use of donated blood is for cancer patients undergoing treatment, but Hooper says it’s needed for so much more.

We have a new Governor. John Bel Edwards, Louisiana’s 56th governor, was sworn in today on the steps of the state capitol…:
CUT 1 (48) “applause”
Six other statewide elected officials were also sworn in today.

The White House announces President Barack Obama will speak at McKinley High when he makes his first presidential visit to Baton Rouge on Thursday. Tickets to the speech, which begins at 9:45am, are free and open to the public and are being distributed today on a first come first serve basis.

Louisiana’s new Speaker of the House is Republican New Iberia Representative Taylor Barras (BAR-rah). Barras defeated Governor John Bel Edwards’ candidate, New Orleans Democrat Walt Leger, in a runoff. Barras was nominated for the post by Lafayette Republican Representative Stuart Bishop…:
CUT 6 (07) “of Louisiana”
The Senate kept Republican John Alario as president of the upper chamber.

Louisiana’s new Speaker of the House is Representative Taylor Barras, a Republican from New Iberia. Governor John Bel Edwards’ pick was New Orleans Democrat Walt Leger, but in a runoff between the two, the Republican majority house voted for Barras. The vote was 56-49. Leger was selected to be Speaker Pro Tempore.

John Bel Edwards is being sworn in as Louisiana’s next governor at this hour on the steps of the state capitol. So what can we expect out of the new administration? Political analyst Clancy Dubos says Edwards plans to immediately expand Medicaid and he is going to call a special session to deal with all the fiscal issues in the state..:
Cut 13 (09) “in place”

A 96 year old woman plowed her car into the Mandeville Community center this morning, causing at least four people to be injured according to police. They believe the woman accidentally hit the gas instead of the break causing her to jump the curve and crash through the front plate glass.

The Louisiana National Guard has mobilized almost 300 personnel to build protective barriers against approaching flood waters from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers. Eric Gill reports..:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

The massive Powerball prize is now worth an estimated $1.4 billion dollars for Wednesday night’s drawing. Nobody won the big prize Saturday which caused the pot to roll to $1.3 billion in what’s being called the largest jackpot in the world. Lottery officials announced mid-morning the new prize of $1.4 billion with a cash value of $868 million.