Governor John Bel Edwards has offered options to the legislature to address the state’s budget crisis. Eric Gill has a look at what Republicans think about it…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

The second former Marksville officer accused in the death of a 6-year-old boy and injuring of his father, is reportedly expected to bond out of prison by week’s end. Apparently the family of 32-year-old Derrick Stafford put up the $1 million dollar property bond, but a paperwork issue is holding things up. Stafford and Norris Greenhouse Jr, who has already bonded out, are accused of shooting and killing 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis.

Some legal experts feel New Orleans Police were too quick to arrest the grandmother whose gun allegedly went off from under her pillow and killed her 3-year-old grandson during the night. NOPD says 43-year-old Deonca Kennedy did not cooperate with investigators and was charged with negligent homicide and second degree cruelty to a juvenile. Legal analyst Tim Meche says, in New Orleans, having a loaded gun in your home is not uncommon…:
CUT 11 (11) “the crime”
The investigation is ongoing.

How much pressure is on the state legislature to go along with Governor John Bel Edwards budget proposals which include raising taxes? Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says lawmakers will look to their folks back home to see how they feel about the options…:
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The question about Governor John Bel Edwards budget fix proposals is whether or not the legislature will get on board. In the face of a current $750 million dollar shortfall, Edwards laid out options including raising sales taxes by a penny. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Edwards is tasked with convincing voters across Louisiana that we need this much revenue…:
cut 13 (10) “back home”
Pinsonat says former Governor Bobby Jindal was heavily criticized for leaving office with such a big deficit by moving money around, but one thing he didn’t do was raise taxes.

A man continues to recover from a bullet wound after he accidentally shot himself while he was raking leaves. The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office says they responded and located 52-year-old Ricky Bolton of Mora suffering from a gunshot wound to his thigh. He told deputies that while he was raking leaves, a .22 Magnum revolver in his pocket discharged and hit him in the upper thigh. He was transported to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The New Orleans Police Department arrests the grandmother of a 3-year-old who was killed after a gun discharged from under a pillow while he was sleeping. 43-year-old Deonca Kennedy, who didn’t cooperate with police, is charged with negligent homicide and second degree cruelty to a juvenile. Legal Analyst Tim Meche says a variety of tests will be conducted to find out how the gun was fired:
cut 10 (09) “the gun”
The investigation is ongoing.

The late West Monroe football coach Don Shows along with baseball star Todd Walker highlight the seven member class that will be inducted in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame this year. Shows is fourth on Louisiana’s all-time wins list and won eight state titles at West Monroe. Walker was a three-sport star at Airline High School, but baseball was is his main sport and ended up playing 12 years in the Big Leagues.

Governor John Bel Edwards proposes raising taxes to the state legislature as one of several options to address the state’s budget crisis. House Majority Leader, Republican Lance Harris of Alexandria, believes all lawmakers and the Edwards administration are committed to repairing the deficit problem. He says it’s still early in the process and a lot is up in the air, right now…:
CUT 5 (11) “for everybody”
He says House Republicans will work on their own plan to deal with the fiscal mess in the coming weeks.

Edwards met with education leaders today from around Louisiana to discuss how the budget matters would impact colleges and universities. The administration says they are looking to get input from higher ed leaders about the changes he’s proposed and future steps which could help soften a potentially devastating blow from more midyear cuts.

A New Orleans woman has been arrested in connection with the deadly shooting of her 3-year-old grandchild. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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This is not good news for our state. The price of US oil today closed at $26.55 a barrel, down 6.7% and the biggest single day loss since September. Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moeller says the massive drop in oil prices is a very serious problem across the board in Louisiana…:
CUT 8 (09) “stay afloat”

How much pressure is on the state legislature to go along with Governor John Bel Edwards budget repair proposals which include raising taxes? Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says with elections a few years down the road, right now lawmakers are more concerned about the thoughts of the constituents back in their districts…:
cut 12 (10) “conservative districts”
Pinsonat says Edwards is tasked with convincing voters across Louisiana that we need this much revenue.

An app developed in Lake Charles that provides delivery from local restaurants to customers is starting to launch in areas throughout the state. It’s called, “Waitr” (W-A-I-T-R), and for a $5 delivery fee, you can order what you want from participating restaurants who normally don’t bring food to your door. It’s available in Baton Rouge as of this week and later this year is targeted for New Orleans, Alexandria, Shreveport and Monroe.

A New Orleans woman has been arrested in connection with the deadly shooting of her 3-year-old grandson, according to cops. 43-year-old Deonca Kennedy first told NOPD that the gun was under her pillow and went off hitting the child in the chest. She then refused to cooperate. Legal Analyst Tim Meche says cops should’ve done more testing before arresting this traumatized woman.
CUT 9 (08) “have waited”
Kennedy has been charged with negligent homicide and second degree cruelty to a juvenile.

This morning the price of crude oil dropped below $27 a barrel, and this is wreaking havoc on the state’s budget. Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moeller says not only are shrinking mineral revenues hurting the budget, oil field layoffs are as well…:
CUT 7 (08) “sales tax collections”
He says budget projections have already had to be adjusted twice due to declining oil prices.

Governor John Bel Edwards has offered a plan to the state legislature to address the state’s budget crisis. Eric Gill has a look at what Republicans think about it…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

New Orleans Police arrest a grandmother in the death of her 3-year-old grandson. Investigators say 42-year-old Deonca Kennedy told them she sleeps with a gun under her pillow, and it discharged early this morning striking the child in the chest. During questioning, Kennedy refused to give a statement or cooperate with detectives. She is charged with Negligent Homicide, Second Degree Cruelty to a Juvenile and Child Desertion.

The current, sharp drop in the price of oil is having an adverse effect on the state’s budget. This morning the price of crude dropped below $27 a barrel, sending the Dow diving 500 points. Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moeller says diminishing mineral revenues are doing a real number on the budget…:
CUT 6 (11) “dropped again”
He says a massive drop in oil prices is an extremely serious problem across the board in Louisiana.

The declines are also lowering the price at the pump. GasBuddy.com says the current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $1.66, with some areas in south Louisiana below $1.40.

Governor John Bel Edwards has offered several options to the state legislature to address the state’s budget crisis, including a one cent sales tax increase. House Majority Leader, Republican Lance Harris of Alexandria, says the delegation is still studying the governor’s plan. He says House Republicans will work on their own plan to deal with the fiscal mess in the coming weeks…:
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Harris says he appreciates the governor being so candid about the budget numbers.

The New Orleans Police Department arrests the grandmother of a 3-year-old who was killed after a gun discharged from under a pillow while he was sleeping. Cops say 42-year-old Deonca Kennedy claimed she sleeps with the weapon and it went off striking the child in the chest early this morning. An NOPD news release indicates Kennedy was not cooperative with investigators and she was subsequently charged with Negligent Homicide, Second Degree Cruelty to a Juvenile and Child Desertion.

Slidell Police say a man was killed this morning after being struck by a train. Authorities say the unidentified victim was walking along the railroad traks when he was struck by a southbound freight train. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The police investigation is in its initial stages.

A cop who worked with the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office is facing charges and was fired from his job for allegedly using a department fuel card on a non-police vehicle. 32-year-old Keith Carroll of LaPlace was charged with theft under $750 and malfeasance in office.

According to the personal finance website WalletHub, it costs less to smoke in Louisiana than in any other state. The report, The True Cost of Smoking By State, finds one resident in Louisiana spends about $24,000 a year in smoking-related costs. WalletHub spokeswoman Jill Gonzalez says it’s based on societal and economic factors…:
cut 7 (05) “on cigarettes”

In the face of massive budget woes, the Edwards administration has proposed short term and long term actions, including raising the state sales tax by one penny starting in April. Edwards says he will also give lawmakers other options to raise revenue quickly to plug the $750 million dollar shortfall this fiscal year, including higher telephone and cigarette taxes…:
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Edwards says this is not how he wanted to start his second week in office.

Congressman Ralph Abraham is not happy about the Department of Veteran Affair’s choice to lead health care operations in Louisiana and Mississippi. He says Skye McDougall is linked VA scandals and this highlights the necessity for legislation to reform the office of Veterans Affairs…:
Cut 15 (10) “entrenched bureaucrats”
VA officials have defended McDougall.

A man was run over and killed on I-10 in Slidell as he was crossing the interstate in search of a tire that had separated from his Jeep, according to State Police. Investigators determined the vehicle driven by 51-year-old Jay Ouder of Slidell had a mechanical failure which caused a wheel to pop off into the median while he was driving. Ouder went to retrive the tire and was hit as he was running back to his Jeep accross I-10. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.

With Valentine’s Day approaching, the Louisiana Family Forum is searching for Louisiana’s longest married couple. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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Governor John Bel Edwards proposes a one-cent hike to the state’s existing four-cent sales tax as a way to address a 750-million dollar budget shortfall for this fiscal year. Republican lawmakers will likely oppose plans for higher taxes and instead call for more cuts to the budget. Edwards says he’s willing to discuss that issue…

cut 6 (12) “those cuts”

Edwards plans to call a three-week special legislative session starting on February 14th.

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, the Louisiana Family Forum is searching for the state’s “Longest Married Couple”. President Gene Mills says finding the longest married couple encourages others that marriage and family is a lasting and rewarding endeavor…

cut 12 (10) “and marriage”

The deadline to enter a couple married for over 70 years is February 5th.

According to an analysis by the personal finance website WalletHub, it costs less to smoke in Louisiana than in any other state. Michelle Southern reports…:

cut 2 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A former Louisiana State Trooper has been sentenced to one year in jail for taking confiscated drugs and selling them. Ronald Thomas faced up to 20 years in prison on payroll fraud and drug charges. However, a judge reduced the sentence to one year with five years probation and 240 hours of community service. Although some are unhappy with the judge’s decision, an appeal of the sentence appears to be unlikely.

In order to address a 750-million dollar budget shortfall for this fiscal year, Governor John Bel Edwards proposes adding one-cent to the state’s existing four-cent sales tax. Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says another option for legislators to consider is legislation to require internet sales tax collection…

cut 5 (10) “sales tax free”

It will take a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate to pass any tax increase.

US Congressman Ralph Abraham is upset with the Department of Veteran Affair’s choice of Skye McDougall to lead health care operations in Louisiana and Mississippi. Abraham says McDougall provided false testimony about four day wait times at V-A centers in Los Angeles…

cut 13 (08) “50 days”

Abraham believes the new director should be someone that is not involved in this scandal.

The Louisiana Family Forum is searching for the state’s “Longest Married Couple” to share their story. President Gene Mills says last year, Lawrence and Varrie Player of Benton were recognized as the longest known married couple in the state at 80 years together. He says when talking to the Player’s you’re dealing with authentic Louisiana history…

cut 11 (08) “to capture”

To enter a couple married for over 70 years contact the LFF before February 5th.

A WalletHub study shows that it costs less to smoke in Louisiana than in any other state. Their report finds one resident in Louisiana spends about $24,000 a year in smoking-related costs. Spokeswoman Jill Gonzalez says the main reason it costs less to be a smoker in Louisiana is because they don’t have to dig too deep in their wallets at the store…

cut 9 (10) “to none”

They found the total cost over a lifetime per smoker in Louisiana is about $1.2 million dollars.

Governor John Bel Edwards calls for a higher state sales tax as one way to close a 750-million dollar shortfall for this fiscal year. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

New Orleans Police say a 3-year-old boy was shot and killed after his grandmother’s gun discharged while the two were sleeping. They say the grandmother works as a security guard and her gun was underneath a pillow on the bed. The child suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. He was rushed to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Authorities are questioning the 45-year-old woman. No charges have been filed at this time.

According to the personal finance website WalletHub, the total cost over a lifetime per smoker in Louisiana amounts to about $1.2 million dollars. Spokeswoman Jill Gonzalez says the out of pocket expense for a smoker in Louisiana who picks up a pack a day is about $1700 a year…

cut 8 (09) “per day”

The report shows it costs less to smoke in Louisiana than in any other state.

With Valentine’s Day approaching, the Louisiana Family Forum is searching for the state’s “Longest Married Couple” to share their story and commitment of marriage. President Gene Mills says it’s a great honor to meet these couples who have survived the test of time. He says it’s not every day you meet people together for 70 plus years…

cut 10 (10) “involved”

Mills says last year, Lawrence and Varrie Player of Benton were recognized as the longest known married couple in the state at 80 years together.