Governor-elect John Bel Edwards is sworn into office today and Jeff Palermo looks at the obstacles he faces…:
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Edwards will take the oath of office at noon.

This Wednesday night’s Powerball jackpot is worth an estimated $1.3 billion, the largest ever in the world, according to lottery officials. 25 people matched 5 numbers in Saturday’s drawing which carries a prize of $1 million dollars. The next drawing has a cash value of an estimated $806 million.

Republican White House hopeful Ted Cruz is in Louisiana today for a presidential campaign a rally this afternoon in Baton Rouge at the Marriott’s Grand Ballroom. Louisiana’s presidential primary is scheduled March 5.

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 Krotz Springs in St. Landry Parish and Avoca Island in St. Mary Parish. Malone says 120 guardsmen are in St. Mary to build the levee…
CUT 3 (10) “that’s approaching”
More than 60 engineers are working to build protective levees in Krotz Springs. Malone says the Guard learned a lot of lessons from the flood of 2011 and are utilizing that knowledge now. She says the protective levee being built on Avoca Island worked very well in the past.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards will be sworn in as Louisiana’s governor during the inauguration ceremony beginning at 11:30AM today at the state capital. Edwards’ communications director, Richard Carbo, says the governor-elect is going to urge both Democrats and Republicans to be engaged in the process and contribute ideas to help the state…

cut 12 (10) “be like”

He believes Edwards will be optimistic about the future Louisiana in his inauguration speech.

The US Army Corps of Engineers opened the Bonnet Carre Spillway Sunday morning and Corps spokesman Ricky Boyett says the Morganza Spillway could be opened as early as Thursday. Boyett says they plan to slowly open the Morganza to reduce the impact to the black bear population living in the floodway…

cut 6 (09) “of harm’s way”

Opening the spillways alleviate the threat of floods along the Mississippi River.

The Louisiana House and Senate meet this morning to select their leaders ahead of today’s inauguration ceremony. It is expected that the state Senate will stay with Republican Senator John Alario as Senate president. The state House is expected to have a rare contested vote for Speaker. Governor-elect John Bel Edwards backs New Orleans Democratic Representative Walt Leger. Republican leaders support GOP Representative Cameron Henry of Metairie.

Bakeries from throughout the state are getting involved in the boudin king cake craze that originated in Acadiana. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards has a full day in store as he will become the 56th governor of Louisiana at noon…

cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Shreveport Police say a family argument over the weekend left one man dead. Authorities say 43-year-old Charles Ray Acklen and his father, Charles Wayne Acklen, were involved in a dispute when Charles Ray pulled a gun and threatened to shoot his father. Charles Wayne grabbed the gun, shooting his son in the upper body several times. Charles Ray was pronounced dead at the scene. Charles Wayne was questioned by police, then released. No charges have been filed at this time.

So what can Louisiana residents expect from Democrat John Bel Edwards once he is sworn in as governor? Political analyst Clancy Dubos says most people want to see more state funding for higher education, healthcare and highways. But he says that will be hard to do, as the state’s budget is in bad shape…

cut 15 (10) “tax rates”

He says Edwards plans to call a special session of the legislature to deal with all the fiscal issues in the state.

The boudin king cake is becoming one of the most sought after pastries during carnival season. UL-Lafayette Professor Bob Carriker, who invented the delicacy, says people have started calling it the most Cajun food ever…

cut 8 (11) “together”

Carriker says he’s been contacted by bakeries all over the state and the nation asking permission to use the concept and get some tips.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards will be sworn in as Louisiana’s 56th governor today. Edwards’ communications director, Richard Carbo, says the swearing in will happen right at noon and then Governor Edwards will make his inauguration address on the steps of the Capitol. He says there is a surprise planned for the new governor…

cut 11 (10) “real treat”

Carbo believes Edwards will be optimistic about the days ahead for Louisiana in his inauguration speech.

So what can we expect from Edwards once he takes office? Political analyst Clancy Dubos believes the democratic governor will have a fairly easy time with the Senate, but the challenge will be in the House…

cut 14 (09) “every matter”

He says Edwards plans to immediately expand Medicaid and will call a special legislative session to deal with all the fiscal issues in the state.

The Bonnet Carre Spillway was opened Sunday morning to alleviate the flood threat of the Mississippi River in New Orleans. US Army Corps of Engineers spokesman Ricky Boyett says the Bonnet Carre diverts Mississippi River waters to Lake Pontchartrain and into the Gulf to protect New Orleans. Boyett says, if river levels get too high, the Morganza Spillway protects Baton Rouge in much the same way…

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The Morganza could be opened as early as Thursday.

The boudin king cake is quickly becoming one of the most popular pastries to get your hands on during carnival season. Bob Carriker is a UL-Lafayette professor and he used his food blogging sites, boudinlink.com and kingcaker.com, to introduce his invention to Louisiana. It took off…

cut 7 (08) “it’s incredible”

The boudin king cake uses bread that is savory, stuffed with boudin, topped with Steen’s cane syrup then sprinkled with cracklins.

Today is inauguration day and Governor-elect John Bel Edwards will start out today with his family at St. Joseph’s cathedral in Baton Rouge before the ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Richard Carbo, Edwards’ communication director, says the voice of LSU, Jim Hawthorne, will be the master of ceremonies of the inauguration. ..

cut 10 (11) “have died”

Carbo says the swearing in will happen right at noon.

So what can we expect from Democrat John Bel Edwards once he is sworn in as governor? 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”

Dubos says right after the special session ends, Edwards will jump right into a regular session to deal with issues not regarding the budget.

The US Army Corps of Engineers opened the Bonnet Carre Spillway Sunday morning to alleviate the flood threat of the Mississippi River in New Orleans. Corps spokesman Ricky Boyett says the spillway is an amazing structure…

cut 4 (09) “an entire river”

This is the 11th time the spillway has been opened since its completion in 1931. The Morganza Spillway could be opened as early as Thursday.

For the first time in history the PowerBall jackpot has hit 10 digits. The estimated value for Wednesday night’s jackpot is $1.3 billion.

The biggest lottery jackpot in US history just got bigger. The Powerball prize for tonight’s drawing is now $900 million dollars. You have until 9 tonight get the $2 tickets. UNO Mathematics chair, Dr. Tumulesh (Too-muh-lesh) Solanky (soe-LAWN-key), says the odds of one person winning the jackpot are astronomical. The cash value is 558 million, and Metairie CPA Jennifer Bored says if you happen to hit the big prize, there is no financial incentive if you take the lump sum or the annuity…:
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The US Army Corps of Engineers now say the Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupee Parish will not open before Wednesday. It’s the second time they’ve delayed due to the new Mississippi River forecast suggesting the triggers that open the gates won’t be met until January 13th. If the pattern continues, the Army Corps says they may not have to open the Morganza at all.

The White House announces that President Barack Obama will make his first trip to Baton Rouge as president on Thursday, January 14th. Eric Gill reports…:
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An Ascension Parish man who was linked by DNA to a murder that took place over 25 years ago, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and second-degree kidnapping charges. 50-year-old Kenneth Lavigne of St. Amant admitted Friday to taking a 38-year-old woman from her home in 1990, and sexually assaulting her before killing her. The case remained cold until officials matched DNA from the victim to Lavigne.

President Barack Obama will make his first trip to Baton Rouge as president next week on Thursday, January 14th, two days after his State of the Union address. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says it’s not uncommon for the president to hit the road after the State of the Union…:
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Hogan believes Mr. Obama will likely praise Democrats for working to get John Bel Edwards elected governor and highlight Edwards’ support of Medicaid expansion.

More people than ever are purchasing Powerball tickets for tonight’s estimated $800 million dollar jackpot — and dreaming about what they’d do with what amounts to a $496 million cash payout. Jennifer Bordes, a CPA in Metairie, reminds players that winnings are still taxed…:
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The US Army Corps of Engineers says the Bonnet Carre spillway will open tomorrow at 10am, and the Morganza gates relieved not before Wednesday. Flooding is imminent on the Mississippi and the Atchafalaya Rivers. Corps spokesperson Rickey Boyett…:
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Residents are urged to have a game plan in place.

Tulane has now joined four other state colleges in implementing a hoverboard ban on campus. LSU, Nicholls State, Southeastern and UL-Lafayette have also prohibited the self balancing, 2 wheeled motorized scooters amid reports that they blow up while charging and cause serious injuries to inexperienced owners. SLU spokesperson Rene Abadie says they don’t want hoverboards in dorms…:
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Folks are rushing to get their Powerball tickets ahead of tonight’s drawing worth an estimated $800 million dollars. UNO Mathematics chair, Dr. Tumulesh (Too-muh-lesh) Solanky (soe-LAWN-key), says the odds of one person winning the jackpot is about one in 292-million. He reminds players that certain numbers aren’t luckier than others…:
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Ticket sales are cut off at 9pm.

For the second day in a row, the US Army Corps of Engineers have issued a delay in the tentative opening of the Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupee Parish — they now say it would not happen before Wednesday, January 13th. Spillways are released to alleviate flood threats due to rising water levels on the Mississippi River. New river forecasts suggest that triggers for opening the Morganza gates will be met Wednesday instead of Tuesday. The Bonnet Carre Spillway, which controls the river coming into New Orleans, will open at 10am tomorrow.

An LSU professor was arrested and booked on 98 charges including public payroll fraud, theft, forgery and malfeasance in office for allegedly faking travel vouchers in order to obtain funds. 45-year-old Todd Shupe of Baton Rouge is accused of collecting reimbursements by forging multiple students’ signatures in an amount totalling $16,478. Shupe worked at the Louisiana Forest Products Development Center at the LSU AgCenter. He posted $98,000 bond.

President Barack Obama will be visiting Baton Rouge Thursday for the first time as commander-in-chief. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says the recent election of Democrat John Bel Edwards in the governor’s race could have played a role in the president scheduling a visit to the capital city…:
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Edwards will be sworn in as governor at noon on Monday.

President Barack Obama will speak in Baton Rouge on Thursday. Eric Gill has more…
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Powerball retailers are busy spitting out tickets in advance of Saturday night’s record 800-million dollar jackpot. If you are lucky enough to win, Metairie CPA Jennifer Bordes says there is no financial incentive if you take the lump sum or payments over several decades…:
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The cash value of the jackpot is 496-million dollars.

We’re now up to five universities across Louisiana that have told students not to bring their hoverboards to campus. It’s because the electric skateboards have been known to burst into flames while charging. Southeastern Louisiana University spokesperson Rene Abadie….
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LSU, UL Lafayette, and Nicholls are other univerisities who have banned hoverboards.

Governor Bobby Jindal, along with Governor-elect John Bel Edwards participated in a Unified Command Group meeting to get an update on the imminent flooding of the Mississippi and the Atchafalaya Rivers. US Army Corps of Engineers spokesperson Ricky Boyett says the Bonnet Carre spillway will open Sunday at 10am, and the Morganza possibly on Tuesday…
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Jindal stressed the need for residents in the Morganza Spillway to have a game plan in place.

The rising Mississippi River has led to the US Army Corps of Engineers to open the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish on Sunday 10 AM. Corps spokesperson Ricky Boyett says this will prevent major flooding in New Orleans…
cut 3 (10) “…in New Orleans”
Boyett says it looks like the Morganza Spillway will also have to be opened, but Tuesday is the earliest that will happen.

President Barack Obama will be in Louisiana on Thursday as he’s planning to speak in Baton Rouge two days after he delivers the State of the Union….
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That’s LSU political science professor Robert Hogan. A spokesperson for John Bel Edwards says the new governor is hoping to have a face-to-face meeting with the commander in chief.

Bobby Jindal’s two terms as governor ends on Monday as Governor-elect John Bel Edwards is sworn in. U-L-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says one of Jindal’s lasting legacies will be his education reforms…
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But Cross says Jindal leaves office with low approval ratings, because of budget cuts to higher ed and a failed run for President that had him out of the state for much of 2015.

If you win the 800-million dollar Powerball tomorrow, you’ll probably leave the country for awhile for a nice vacation. But what’s your odds of winning this massive prize. UNO Mathematics chair Doctor Tumules (Too-muh-lesh) Solanky (soe-LAWN-key) says its 1 in 292 million. But your odds do improve, if you buy more tickets…
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The cash value of the jackpot is 496-million.