40% of households in Louisiana are considered in poverty and can’t afford day-to-needs, according to a new report by the Louisiana Association of United Ways:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

How the high school football playoffs will be structured is the big issue at this year’s LHSAA convention, which begins today. President Vic Bonnaffee says discussion ramps up as principals and coaches try to reach a consensus before a vote on Friday…
cut 30 (04) “go on”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he understands an increase to the state’s sales tax is not popular, but feels it is needed to avoid major cuts to state government. Edwards says with a $750 million dollar budget shortfall for this fiscal year, and a potential $1.9 billion next year, they aren’t left with many easy options…:
CUT 9 (12) “going forward”
He says a special legislative session will begin February 14th to deal with the budget crisis.

Firefighters in New Orleans are still on the scene of a Wednesday morning, 6 alarm fire downtown that spread to two structures, but say it is now under control. Officials say they are now concerned the badly burned Canal Street building is in great danger of collapsing. They say the cause of the massive blaze, which produced eye-stinging smoke that caused the closure of roads between the CBD and French Quarter, is still under investigation.

40% of households in Louisiana are considered in poverty and struggle to afford day-to-day needs, according to a new report by the Louisiana Association of United Ways. President and CEO Sarah Berthelot says more than 695,000 homes in the state, nicknamed ALICE, can’t afford the cost of living. She says 19% of Louisiana families live in poverty, according to the US level…:
CUT 6 (10) “basic cost of living”
She says they hope the report can serve as a vital tool for lawmakers, to help them confront the challenges they’ll face in the upcoming session.

Officials at the Port of Natchitoches says the massive contained burn chamber that will be used to dispose of the millions of pounds of M6 propellant at Camp Minden, will arrive on February 2nd. The container is 180 feet long and weighs more than 400,000 pounds.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has tapped former state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham to direct Louisiana’s state parks and historic sites. Barham will officially start his new job Monday. Barham says, despite the current budget crisis, taking care of state parks is very important…:
CUT 3 (10) “we’re excited”
Parks and historic sites have seen massive budget cuts in recent years, and Barham says he’ll work hard to maximize the funding he gets.

An Algiers man is under arrest accused of shooting and injuring of a 3-year-old boy. New Orleans cops say Lesean Rozumialski (Rozu-mi-al-ski) claimed he threw the gun onto a table when it went off and struck the child in the stomach. The child is recovering from his injuries at a hospital. Rozumialski is booked with cruelty to a juvenile and aggravated battery.

The deadline to register to vote in Louisiana’s upcoming presidential preference primary is one week from today. Eric Gill reports…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

40% of households in Louisiana are in poverty or fall into a class of working poor, struggling to pay for daily needs. That’s according to a new report from the Louisiana Association of United Ways. Two possible solutions to reducing the number of people who can barely afford the basics to survive outlined in the report are increasing wages and job opportunities.

New Orleans firefighters had a tough time this morning battling a major six-alarm blaze that had smoke covering downtown and caused the closure of the famous Canal Street between the CBD and the French Quarter. It started at one building then spread to another. Officials say there were no reports of injuries, but the risk now is for collapse.

A law that required abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals is struck down by a federal judge in Baton Rouge. Loyola law professor Dan Ciolino says the US Supreme Court will now hear arguments on both sides of the case in March…:
CUT 16 (08) “out of Texas”
Supporters of this law say it’s intended to protect women’s health, while opponents say it will make it very difficult to get an abortion in Louisiana.

Five Tigers scored in double figures as LSU defeated Georgia in SEC play last night 89-85. Ben Simmons led the way for LSU scoring 22 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.

A federal judge in Baton Rouge strikes down a Louisiana law that required abortion clinics to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino says it’s expected Judge John deGravelles will issue a permanent injunction against Louisiana’s abortion law. He says the state will likely appeal the federal’s court decision, but those appeals won’t go far…

cut 18 (09) “for all”

The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association’s annual meeting kicks off today at the Golden Nugget Casino in Lake Charles. Vice President Gifford Briggs says the Edwards Administration’s proposals to tackle the budget deficit include raising taxes on oil and gas businesses, which combined with low oil prices makes their industry situation even more dire…

cut 12 (10) “has to say”

Governor John Bel Edwards is scheduled to speak to the group Thursday.

New Orleans firefighters continue to fight a six-alarm fire that broke out early this morning on Canal Street. The New Orleans Fire Department says they were able to bring the main fire at 1018 Canal under control, but crews discovered that the fire had spread to a second building. There are concerns of collapse of the building that is the site of the primary fire. Officials report no injuries at this time.

The LHSAA convention gets underway today and the big topic is what to do with the high school football playoffs. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

State labor officials say Louisiana’s unemployment rate dropped from 7.2 percent in December 2014 to 6.1 percent last December. Emelie Gunn has more on why…

cut 3 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

An Opelousas Police Department reserve officer has been suspended following his arrest on a charge of cruelty of a juvenile. Shaid Khan Swati has been with the department only a few months before his arrest. Details of what exactly happened have not been released, but the alleged victim is Swati’s son. The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation since the alleged incident occurred at Swati’s home outside the Opelousas city limits.

You have one week to register to vote in Louisiana’s March 5th presidential preference primary. In the closed primary, Democratic voters are only allowed to vote for Democratic presidential candidates and Republican voters for Republicans. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says registered independent voters are not allowed to take part in Louisiana’s presidential primary…

cut 8 (07) “for that purpose”

He says you can register or change your party affiliation at your local registrar of voters office or online at geauxvote-dot-com.

How the football playoffs will be structured is the big issue at this year’s Louisiana High School Athletic Association convention, which begins today. LHSAA president Vic Bonnaffee says discussion ramps up today as principals and coaches try to reach a consensus before a vote on Friday…

cut 5 (04) “go on”

It was learned earlier this month that the association did not use proper procedures in enacting the public-private school split in 2013.

A Louisiana law that required abortion providers to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital has been struck down by a federal judge in Baton Rouge. Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino says the nation’s highest court will likely rule on this matter later this year…

cut 17 (04) “with the issue”

Ciolino says it’s expected Judge John deGravelles will issue a permanent injunction against Louisiana’s abortion law.

The annual meeting of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association begins today in Lake Charles. Vice President Gifford Briggs says they look forward to hearing from Governor John Bel Edwards on the proposals issued as ways to plug the state’s $750 million dollar budget hole…

cut 11 (10) “details from him”

Briggs said presenters will also give the industry perspective on what it will take to keep Louisiana’s oil and gas sector relevant for the future.

Despite a loss of jobs in the oil industry, Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows Louisiana’s unemployment rate fell to 6.1 percent in December. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie anticipates jobs in that sector will start coming back when oil prices begin to rise…

cut 14 (11) “that storm”

The numbers show the state experienced increased employment in education and health services.

The deadline to register to vote in Louisiana’s upcoming presidential preference primary is one week from today. The primary election is March 5th. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says this is Louisiana’s only closed primary…

cut 7 (10) “holds true”

Registered independent voters are not allowed to participate in the primary.

A federal judge in Baton Rouge strikes down a Louisiana law that required abortion clinics to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino says US Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on this very same case in March…

cut 16 (08) “out of Texas”

Supporters of this law say it’s intended to protect women’s health, while opponents say it will make it very difficult to get an abortion in Louisiana.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released data showing Louisiana’s unemployment rate fell to 6.1 percent in December. Executive Director for the Louisiana Workforce Commission Ava Dejoie says despite a decline in oil prices and a loss of jobs in that industry, the state experienced increased employment in education and health services…

cut 13 (05) “ending 2015”

Dejoie says they’re working hard to get those who lost their jobs in the oil industry quickly placed into new positions.

The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association’s annual meeting begins today at the Golden Nugget Casino in Lake Charles. Vice President Gifford Briggs says the market shifted drastically in 2015, and it’s critical that industry professionals stay informed. He says they are optimistic that the sharp cut in the price of oil will rebound…

cut 10 (10) “time will tell”

Speakers Thursday include Governor John Bel Edwards, State Treasurer John Kennedy and Congressman Charles Boustany.

Former north Louisiana TV personality known as Mr. Wonder is in custody in California on allegations he sexually abused juveniles in the 1970s. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s spokesperson, Lt. Tommy Carnline, says the arrest of 76-year-old Frank Selas closes a 37-year-old cold case…
cut 12 (11) “….a location”
Carnline says they believe Selas abused boys during camping weekends in Rapides Parish. Selas fled the area after the allegations became public.

Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy announced he’s running for US Senate this year and will emphasize business and education if elected. He says today’s children could be the first generation of Americans to be worse off than their parents…:
CUT 4 (08) “United States Senate”
Kennedy is seeking David Vitter’s seat, who has decided not to seek re-election.

State labor officials say Louisiana’s unemployment rate dropped from 7.2 percent in December 2014 to 6.1 percent last December. Emelie Gunn has more on why…
voicer 4 (30) “…reporting”

Former LSU basketball star Shaquille O’ Neal said on Monday night during a fundraiser in Los Angeles that he was paid very well during his college years in Baton Rouge and the school can’t get in trouble, because the statue of limitations is up. But Shaq said today he was only joking and he was trying to give a funny response to the questions he was asked during the event.

A man who worked as a popular children’s TV personality in north Louisiana in the 70s has been located and arrested after 37 years on the run and charged with obscene behavior with a juvenile. It’s alleged that 76-year-old Frank Selas invited young children to a camping retreat in 1979 and sexually abused several of them. Rapides Parish Sheriff Office spokesman Tommy Carnline says there could be more victims…:
CUT 14 (11) “tell someone”

A U.S. District Judge Tuesday declined to issue an injunction that would have prevented the city of New Orleans from taking down four Confederate statues. District Judge Carl Barbier denied the appeal after a group of preservationists filed a federal lawsuit.

A Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s deputy is in critical condition after he was shot several times while executing a drug search warrant at a residence in New Orleans. Thirty-five-year-old Steven Arnold is a 12-year veteran of the JPSO.

State Treasurer John Kennedy says he will run for the US Senate this year. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

Authorities in Avoyelles Parish are investigating a human female fetus found at a sewage piping station. Sheriff Doug Anderson says city workers notified the Moreauville Police after discovering the fetus while working in a sewage pond…:
CUT 9 (09) “ongoing”

He says they are still working to determine who the fetus belongs to.

A north Louisiana 1970s children’s TV personality has been arrested of allegedly having sexual conduct with children. Emelie Gunn has more on “Mr. Wonder.”
CUT 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A woman’s burned body was located in a New Iberia home after firefighters extinguished the blaze, according to the State Fire Marshal’s office. First responders arrived at the scene around 5pm Monday, and found the single-wide manufactured home fully engulfed in flames. The lifeless burned body of 45-year-old Amer Callahan was later discovered. The investigation is ongoing.

A human female fetus was located in a sewage piping station in Avoyelles Parish by Moreauville city workers. Avoyelles Sheriff Doug Anderson says they predict the fetus was between 20 to 30 weeks into development, and was a grim discovery…:
CUT 10 (10) “it’s disturbing”
Anderson says they’re working to determine who the fetus belonged to.

A Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s deputy was shot several times early Tuesday while executing a search warrant and remains in critical, but stable condition. Sheriff Newell Normand says 35-year-old Stephen Arnold is a 12 year JPSO veteran. Normand says Arnold is a task force narcotics agent and encountered the suspect inside the home around 6am.:
CUT 6 (05) “task force”
The suspect will be charged with attempted first degree murder.