Two former governors have some advice for Governor-elect John Bel Edwards before he takes office. Democrat Kathleen Blanco, who was governor of Louisiana from 2004 to 2008, says Edwards has a tough road ahead with all the budget issues our state faces. She says dealing with the legislators to balance the budget will not be easy…

cut 7 (09) “the boys”

Former Republican governor Mike Foster says he had some rules to live by while in office and advises governor-elect Edwards to tell his staff to forget politics. He says to do what you think is the best for the state of Louisiana…

cut 9 (10) “do it”

Edwards will be sworn into office Monday.

Louisiana ranks 49th in the US in public academic achievement for the second year in a row according to the 20th edition of Quality Counts, a study compiled by Education Week magazine. The report shows the Bayou State ranking 47th in both fourth-grade math proficiency and reading, 50th in eighth-grade math, and 48th in eighth grade reading. New Mexico and Mississippi were the only states to rank lower than Louisiana.

The coach that guided the Saints to their only Super Bowl victory is not ready to leave the Big Easy. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 3 (23) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards takes office on Monday and two former governors have some advice for Edwards. Emelie Gunn has more…

cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Despite weeks of speculation that he may want to coach for another NFL team, Sean Payton remains the head coach of the Saints. At a press conference Wednesday, Payton stated tha he couldn’t envision himself coaching for any other club. Payton has led the Black & Gold to the playoffs five times since becoming head coach in 2006.

Small businesses in Louisiana aren’t too optimistic about 2016. Dawn Starns, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says owners haven’t changed their negative outlook in quite some time. She says things were more upbeat a couple of years ago, but now businesses have much lower expectations…

cut 11 (09) “with the economy”

Starns feels many Louisiana businesses are in “wait and see” mode with the a brand new administration moving in beginning Monday.

Sean Payton is remaining as the head coach of the Saints, despite weeks of speculation that he may want to coach for another NFL team. Payton spoke with reporters for about an hour talking about his love for the fans, the franchise and the city, despite all of its faults…
cut 14 (12) “….it is home”
Payton says he hopes Drew Brees is his quarterback in New Orleans for many years to come. Brees has one year left on his current contract.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards reappoints Jimmy LeBlanc as secretary of corrections. LeBlanc says he and Edwards are on the same page when it comes to reducing Louisiana’s prison population and progress has been made…:
CUT 6 (08) “big prisons”
LeBlanc is the lone cabinet secretary holdover from the Jindal Administration.

Trial dates have been set for the two deputy Marksville city marshals charged with the shooting death of a 6-year-old boy. 32-year-old Derrick Stafford and 24-year-old Norris Greenhouse entered pleas of not guilty and will be tried separately in the death of Jeremy Mardis. Legal analyst Tim Meche says it’s not a surprise that the two men will be tried separately…:
CUT 3 (10) “as well”
Stafford’s trial is set to begin September 26th, while Greenhouse’s trial will start November 28th.

A second person has been arrested in the murder of 31-year-old Shontel Joseph of Opelousas, who was found in a burned out home in Church Point this past weekend. Deputy Chief Brant Thompson with the State Fire Marshal’s office says 33-year-old Nicholas Dupuis was charged with first-degree murder and arson and more arrests are possible…
cut 11 (09) “….as well”
Twenty-two-year-old Kantarise Lazaro of Church Point has also been arrested.

Coach Sean Payton ended weeks of speculation about his future by announcing he’s staying in New Orleans and can’t imagine coaching anywhere else. Payton added that he’s eager to continue working with Quarterback Drew Brees.

Governor Jindal announced he’s granted clemency for 21 people who have been convicted of crimes. That brings the total number of pardons during his two terms to 83, which is well below the hundreds granted by former governors Kathleen Blanco and Mike Foster.

A judge has set trial dates in the fall for The two former Marksville deputy marshals accused in the murder of 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Derrick Stafford will be eager to get his trial underway since he hasn’t posted the $1 million dollar bond…:
CUT 4 (09) “goes to trial”
Stafford’s trial is set to begin September 26th, while Norris Greenhouse’s trial will start November 28th.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards reappoints Jimmy LeBlanc as secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. The two say they are on the same page when it comes to reducing Louisiana’s prison population — the highest in the world. LeBlanc says solving the state’s prison problem is not something that can happen overnight…

CUT 7 (09) “to the plate”
LeBlanc is the lone cabinet secretary holdover from the Jindal Administration.

Tonight’s Powerball drawing — a whopping $500 million dollars — is now the 6th largest in the history of lottery jackpots in North America. We asked these folks what they would do if they won…
cut 13 (04) “….of myself’
You have until 9 tonight to get your $2 ticket. The cash value of tonight’s half a billion dollar prize is $306 million.

Saints head coach Sean Payton says he can’t imagine coaching anywhere else, despite rumors that he could be leaving New Orleans. He says there were some who may have speculated that he should leave the Saints while he was ahead…:
CUT 15 (11) “wagon out of town”
Payton still has two years left on his current deal and said any talk of a contract extension will take care of itself.

Jimmy LeBlanc will remain secretary of the Department of Corrections. He’s a friend and business associate of former Angola warden Burl Cain, who is being investigated for possible rules violations. Governor-elect John Bel Edwards is assured that LeBlanc took no part in any of those activities…:
CUT 8 (09) “on the team”
LeBlanc says he and Edwards are on the same page when it comes to reducing Louisiana’s prison population.

A Crowley man is under arrest for allegedly killing his girlfriend then trying to burn her body then her home. The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office charged 33-year-old Nicholas Dupuis with first degree murder and arson. Deputy Chief Fire Marshal Brant Thompson says 22-year-old Kantarise Lazaro of Church point told authorities he followed Dupuis to a location where they tried to burn the body…:
CUT 10 (08) “this case”
He says there are three crime scenes, one where the victim was shot, one where she was burned and the other where her home was set ablaze.

Half a billion dollars is up for grabs tonight with the Powerball drawing. Lottery officials raised it for the second time since Saturday and now it’s the 6th largest jackpot offered in North America in history. These Louisianians we spoke with said the thought of winning $500 million is just too much to comprehend. Others say they would want to help those less fortunate…:
cut 13 (04) “of myself”

Sean Payton will remain head coach of the New Orleans Saints. Payton said today, going forward, even though it was a disappointing season in many ways, there were a lot of good things that happened. He says he’s up to the challenge and isn’t going anywhere…:
CUT 1 (10) “any other club”
Payton says he will be with the Saints for as long as they will have him. He says he will never take for granted the fan base and how supportive they’ve been.

Tonight’s PowerBall jackpot has jumped to $500 million. The lottery prize is the 6th largest jackpot in history offered in North America. The thought of winning half a billion dollars has many people dreaming of what they would do with the money. Some people say they would definitely take care of family…:

cut 12 (11) “she wants”
The cash value of tonight’s Powerball prize is an estimated $306 million.

State Fire Marshal investigators and the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office have arrested a man for allegedly killing his girlfriend and trying to burn her body. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Fire officials in Bastrop have rescued a man who was stuck inside a water tower. They say the unidentified worker was cleaning the take, couldn’t climb out when he tried to exit Tuesday night. He was removed from the tower around 1:45am and was treated for exhaustion.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards has reappointed Jimmy LeBlanc as secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Eric Gill reports…
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

A now former police officer in Plaqumine has been arrested by the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office for allegedly attacking and kidnapping his estranged wife. Authorities says the victim claimed 28-year-old Justin Bush had taken her without her will over the weekend and assaulted her. Deputies believed there was enough evidence to arrest Bush for aggravated kidnapping, battery assault and malfeasance. He was fired from his job.

Trial dates have been set for the two former deputy Marksville city marshals charged with the shooting death of a 6-year-old boy in November. 32-year-old Derrick Stafford and 24-year-old Norris Greenhouse entered pleas of not guilty to murder and attempted murder Tuesday. This case has garnered a lot of media attention and legal analyst Tim Meche says it’ll be up to the defendants as to whether or not they’ll try to move their trials…:
CUT 5 (10) “Avoyelles Parish”

Today is Twelfth Nigh — the official kickoff of the carnival season and King Cake time. Sam Scelfo, owner of Gambino’s Bakery, says because this Mardi Gras season is so short, they’re going to be extra busy. He expects happy customers has they’re introducing some new flavors this season that they’ve never had before…:
Cut 13 (08) “always offered”
Fat Tuesday falls on February 9th.

Authorities have arrested a Crowley man for allegedly killing his girlfriend and burning her body in an Acadia Parish home. 33-year-old Nicholas Dupuis is charged with first degree murder and arson. Deputy Chief Fire Marshal Brant Thompson says Dupuis posted about the crime on social media…:
CUT 9 (11) “officers”
He expects additional arrests will be made throughout the course of the investigation.

After being raised once already since Saturday, Lottery officials have increased tonight’s Powerball jackpot to $500 million dollars. Louisiana Lottery spokeswoman Kimberly Chopin says sales for this run have been through the roof…:
CUT 1 (07) “for that drawing”
The cash value of tonight’s Powerball prize is an estimated $306 million.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards has reappointed Jimmy LeBlanc as secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. LeBlanc says he and Edwards are on the same page when it comes to reducing Louisiana’s prison population. He says progress has been made in reducing the state’s incarceration rate…:
CUT 6 (08) “big prisons”
LeBlanc is the lone cabinet level holdover from the Jindal Administration.

The two men accused in the murder of a 6-year-old boy while working as Marksville deputies have each pleaded not guilty to the crime and will be tried separately. 32-year-old Derrick Stafford and 24-year-old Norris Greenhouse allegedly opened fire on 25-year-old Chris Few’s vehicle in November, injuring him and killing his son, Jeremy Mardis.

Trial dates have been set for the two deputy Marksville city marshals charged with the shooting death of a 6-year-old boy in November. 32-year-old Derrick Stafford and 24-year-old Norris Greenhouse entered pleas of not guilty and will be tried separately in the death of Jeremy Mardis. Legal analyst Tim Meche says it’s not a surprise that the two men will be tried separately…:
CUT 3 (10) “as well”
Stafford’s trial is set to begin September 26th, while Greenhouse’s trial will start November 28th.

Lottery officials have once again raised tonight’s Powerball jackpot. The prize is now an estimated half a billion dollars which is the largest since the $564.1 million that was hit by three people last February. The jackpot was first increased on Tuesday from $400 million to $450 million. Tonight’s drawing carries a cash value of $306 million.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards names Doctor Rebekah Gee as his secretary for the department of health and hospitals. Jeff Palermo has more…”
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Deputies in Iberville Parish have arrested a now former Plaquemine Police officer on charges related to the attack and kidnapping of his estranged wife. They say 28-year-old Office Justin Bush is booked with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery, aggravated assault and malfeasance. Bush was fired from the Plaquemine Police Department.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards announced a host of appointments to his cabinet and staff Tuesday including the new DHH Secretary, Dr. Rebekah Gee. She’ll oversee the state’s Medicaid expansion as part of Edwards’ campaign commitment. Gee says it would benefit thousands of poor working adults:
CUT 7 (12) “health insurance”
Edwards takes office on Monday.

The two former Marksville deputies accused in the shooting death of a 6-year-old and injuring of his father in November, have pleaded not guilty. 32-year-old Derrick Stafford and 24-year-old Norris Greenhouse were indicted by an Avoyelles Parish grand jury on one count each of second degree murder and attempted second degree murder in December. The two will be tried separately later this year. They allegedly opened fire on 25-year-old Chris Few’s vehicle, injuring him and killing his son, Jeremy Mardis.

Mardi Gras season kicks off today with King’s Day and bakeries all over the state will be busy cooking up king cakes. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The LSU men’s basketball team put on an impressive performance last night against No. 9 Kentucky in the PMAC. The Tigers came away with an 85-67 victory which ended the Wildcats 22-game SEC win streak. Contributing to LSU’s three double-doubles were Tim Quarterman, Craig Victor II and Ben Simmons. The Tigers continue league play this Saturday at Florida.