On Inauguration Day, Governor John Bel Edwards says a modest, but meaningful increase needs to be made to the minimum wage in Louisiana. So what would that mean for workers and businesses? LSU Economist Jim Richardson says a wage hike would not be “free money” as it currently belongs to someone..:
CUT 5 (10) “to spend it”
Richardson says he’s heard talk of raising the state’s minimum wage to $8.50 to $10.10 per hour.

Edwards also wants to expand Medicaid and is set to announce those plans this hour.

The Powerball jackpot for tomorrow’s drawing was raised to $1.5 billion dollars. Legal analyst Tim Meche says it’s more important than ever to make sure you sign the back of your ticket:
CUT 8 (08) “your ticket”

A Homer man has been arrested in connection with the murder of a 68-year-old Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office employee. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A Baton Rouge doctor is under arrest for allegedly prescribing medication illegally. BRPD says 57-year-old Dr. Randy LaMartiniere is accused of handing out over 3200 doses of Schedule II narcotics, 44 of Schedule III and 333 of Schedule IV while he was suspended by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners. He faces 31 counts of illegal distribution.

The body of a woman who worked for the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office was found in a shallow grave near her home in Homer, and a man has been arrested in connection with her murder. 68 year-old Sulyn (SOOH’ lihn) Prince was reported missing by her daughter on Monday, according to Webster Parish Sheriff Gary Sexton…:
CUT 9 (09) “something wrong”
He says K-9s located Prince’s remains in woods near her residence. 35-year-old Jermaine Johnson is charged with second degree murder. The investigation is ongoing.

As the Powerball jackpot is now up to 1.5 billion dollars, many people are teaming up to buy tickets in bulk. Legal analyst Tim Meche says it’s not illegal to pool money to purchase several tickets, but you should make sure the person in charge is someone you trust…:
CUT 6 (09) “no agreement”

The UL-Lafayette football team has been placed on two years probation and will lose three scholarships for each of the next two seasons. The NCAA accepted the university’s self-imposed sanctions regarding a former UL assistant coach alleged to have violated rules by arranging fake entrance exam scores for five prospects. Voice of the Ragin Cajuns Jay Walker says the NCAA’s penalties could have been worse…:
CUT 12 (08) “in a bowl”
UL-Lafayette must also vacate wins from the 2011 season.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette is the first player in LSU history to lead the nation in rushing, with an average of 162.8 yards per game. Fournette is also the first running back from the SEC to be declared rushing champion since 1949.

In his inaugural address, Governor John Bel Edwards spoke of raising the minimum wage in Louisiana. Many wonder what kind of affect this would have on business and workers. LSU Economist Jim Richardson says it really depends on how much the increase in the minimum wage would be…:
CUT 3 (06) “on the workers”
Louisiana’s current minimum wage is the federally mandated wage of $7.25 per hour.

Also in his inaugural address, the Governor said he would begin accepting the federal funds to expand Medicaid starting today. He has called a 1:30pm news conference to announce those plans.

President Barack Obama will speak at McKinley High Thursday at 9:45am, and all of the public tickets available for the event are reportedly sold out. Tickets were free but limited, and they were handed out beginning at 9 this morning, and were gone by 10:15.

Lottery officials announce the estimated Powerball jackpot is now $1.5 billion, with an estimated cash value of $930 million. The odds of matching all 6 numbers for Wednesday’s drawing are one in 292.2 million.

As Louisiana has sworn in a new governor, we also have a new Lt. Governor, Republican Billy Nungesser. He 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.

In the final NCAA AP poll, LSU is ranked 16th, while running back Leonard Fournette is the nation’s leading rusher as he averaged 163 yards a game.

Governor John Bel Edwards has called a press conference for 1:30 this afternoon to announce his plans for Medicaid expansion in Louisiana. Edwards has stated that he hopes to increase Medicaid access to Louisianians by July 1st. Louisiana would join 30 other states that have expanded Medicaid access. It is unsure if the Republican led Louisiana Legislature will try to slow down the governor’s plans.

The US Army Corp. of Engineers has decided not to open the Morganza spillway at this time. Emelie Gunn has more on the rising Mississippi River levels….

cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

New Republican Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is focusing on ways to bring new tourists to Louisiana. Nungesser says he plans to promote horse shows and the state’s vast hunting and fishing opportunities. He says focusing on these areas will help tourism in smaller towns throughout the state…

cut 15 (07) “in Louisiana”

He says we need to create a plan to put our best foot forward in Louisiana so when people come to visit they see what a great state we really are.

The state House of Representatives handed Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards his first political defeat yesterday. House conservatives gathered 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”

Governor John Bel Edwards has called a 1:30 press conference this afternoon to discuss his plans to expand Medicaid in Louisiana. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says it will take money to do this and Louisiana already has big financial troubles…

cut 9 (09) “be enough”

Edwards has said that he hopes to increase Medicaid access to Louisianians by July 1st.

The US Army Corps of Engineers has decided not to open the Morganza spillway, but work continues on the Bonnet Carre Spillway. Spokesperson Ricky Boyett says 20 bays were opened on Sunday and 18 Monday. He says they will continue to monitor to see if more need to be opened…

cut 6 (08) “to open”

Boyett says the current forecast doesn’t show them meeting the triggers required to open up the Morganza.

Republican Billy Nungesser is now the Lt. Governor of Louisiana and has plans to increase tourism revenue. Michelle Southern has more…

cut 3 (27) “I’m Michelle Southern”

President Barack Obama will speak at McKinley High during his visit to Baton Rouge on Thursday. According to The White House, the president’s speech will begin at 9:45AM. Tickets are free and open to the public, but only a limited number of tickets will be distributed. The president’s visit to the Capital City will come two days after his final State of the Union address, which you can watch tonight beginning at 8PM.

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.