An investigation by the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office results in the arrest of a married couple in Opelousas. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

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Senator Cassidy introduces a bill, side-by-side with Democrats, that will allow parents to receive a much larger child tax credit in their first year of child-rearing. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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New work requirement changes for food stamp recipients could impact nearly 50,000 Louisiana residents coming up in April. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “   I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

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Meth, Heroin, Cocaine, Marijuana and stolen guns made up some of the findings of an executed search warrant by the St. Landry SWAT team at the Opelousas home of 35-year-old Kelonda Thibodeaux  and her husband 30-year-old Brandon Thibodeaux.  Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says the total value of the drugs is nearly six-figures.

Cut 4 (09) “…two different parishes.”

All the guns seized still have serial numbers, so investigators are going through ATF to get info as to who they belong to.  Guidroz says the operation was a long term investigation.

Cut 5 (10) “…seeing it growing.”

Guidroz says many late nights of surveillance, intel from the street, and help from the public contributes to the success of this bust and that public tips are always welcomed.

Cut 6 (06) “…on these cases.”

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Senator Bill Cassidy introduces bipartisan legislation that will allow parents to receive a larger child tax credit in their year after they have a kid, or adopt.

The child tax credit is currently 2,000 dollars a year, and Cassidy says this bill would allow them to borrow against the next six years of tax credits and receive 5,000 dollars in the child’s first year.

Cut 7 (10) “childcare”

The Legislation does not call for increased taxes to fund the program, or for people to dip into their Social Security.

The legislation is a form of paid leave, and Cassidy says it will help parents when they need it most, in that expensive first year of child-rearing.

Cut 8 (08) “…goes up”

Other proposals push for mandatory paid parental leave from US companies. America is one of the only western nations not to have legally required paid parental leave for employees.

The bill comes at a time when Capitol Hill is fiercely divided on impeachment, but Cassidy says his proposal is proof Congress can still get major accomplishments in this highly partisan era.

Cut 9 (08) “…something”

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The House Judicial Committee held it’s first impeachment hearings, with Louisiana’s lone Democrat stating the case for impeachment while questioning the panel’s legal experts.

Democrats released a compilation of revelations from Intelligence Committee hearings into the Ukraine Scandal Tuesday, and New Orleans Representative Cedric Richmond says it’s damning.

Cut 10 (11) “rivals”

Richmond reiterated Democratic accusations that the Ukrainian “Quid Pro Quo” was no only unethical, it endangered national security.

Cut 11 (09) “aggression”

Richmond was one of many Congressmen, including Northwest Louisiana Republican Representative Mike Johnson, to question the two experts called by Democrats, and the one called by Republicans.

Richmond, a co-chair for former VP Joe Biden’s Presidential campaign, says he and other Democrats on the committee feel there is plenty enough evidence to continue the hearings…

Cut  12 (11) “…easy” 

Republicans on the panel called yesterday’s hearings a partisan witch-hunt.

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Nearly 50,000 Louisiana residents could be impacted by the Trump administration’s new work requirement changes for food stamp recipients. DCFS Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Division of Family Support Sammy Guillorie he major change would change the criteria for states to request a waiver of the three-month time limit of receiving SNAP benefits within a 36-month period for able-bodied adults without dependents.

Cut 13 (13) “…since that time.”

Louisiana has a statewide waiver that will remain in effect through March 31, 2020, so recipients do not need to worry about losing their food assistance during the holidays because of this rule change. Guillorie says the when April rolls around, DCFS will be working on a case-by-case basis to see if a recipient meets an exemption.

Cut 14 (09) “…the time limit.” 

Guillorie says officials have their hands full in doing a full analysis of the changes.

Cut 15 (11) “…for three months.”

Estimates show the changes could result in roughly 700,000 losing SNAP benefits nationwide.

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LSU’s high-powered offense will go up against a defense that ranks among the top five nationally in all major categories when they face Georgia in the SEC Championship game. Tigers center Lloyd Cushenberry says they do all of the little things right

Cut 16  (10)  …for us” 

Cushenberry says it will take a complete team effort to beat Georgia…

Cut 17  (12)  worried about ” 

LSU is in its first SEC title game since 2011. The Tigers will leave later today for Atlanta and practice at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium tomorrow. Cushenberry says he can’t wait…

cut 18  (12)  this week 

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Two of the top teams in the N-F-C square off on Sunday in the Superdome as the Saints host the 49ers. San Francisco leads the NFL in total defense, but on offense the 49ers lead the conference in rushing, averaging 148 yards a game. Coach Sean Payton on defending San Fran’s run game…

cut 19 (22)   come from it ”  

One reason for San Francisco’s resurgence this season is the play of rookie defensive end Nick Bosa, who has eight sacks on the season. Payton says Bosa is tough to block…

cut 20 (17) “ fantastic season”    

Governor John Bel Edwards is set to be sworn in for a second-term on January 13th, but there will not be an inaugural ball that night because of a football game. Don Molino has more…

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Don Molino”    

Open enrollment for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act will close on December 15th. C-M-S administrator Seema Verma says if you need to change your current health plan or find a new one, time is running out

Cut 12 (08) “price deductible” 

LSU remains second in the latest college football rankings, right behind Ohio State. The final rankings will be unveiled on Sunday. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says the Tigers can regain the top spot if LSU wins in the SEC Championship game and Ohio State doesn’t play well in the Big 10 title game…

Cut 9 (07) “…good debate.”

LSU faces Georgia in the SEC title game on Saturday

According to Credit Cards-dot-com, Louisianans have the second-highest credit card debt burden in the nation.  Credit Cards-dot-com analyst Ted Rossman says one way to get out of debt is to dedicate 15% of your monthly income to paying off your and there’s a good chance you’ll be debt-free in a year and a half.

Cut 5 (10) “…every month”

New Mexico ranked first, West Virginia third, followed by Arkansas and Mississippi.

32-year-old Mark Ebarb, a Dutchtown High teacher has turned himself into after being indicted on charges of Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile. The investigation began after police received a complaint about Ebarb’s sharing inappropriate messages and pictures with students back in October, and 23^rd District Court spokesperson Tyler Cavalier says so far it appears the contact was not widespread.
Cut 7 (10) “…this time.”
The investigation was handled by the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office.

LSU remains second in the latest college football rankings, right behind Ohio State. The final rankings will be unveiled on Sunday. LSU faces Georgia in the SEC title game on Saturday, while Ohio State takes on Wisconsin in the Big 10 title game that night. If the top three doesn’t change when the new rankings come out on Sunday, then LSU will play defending national champion Clemson in the semi-finals. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says that will be a tough game….

Cut 10 (08) “…great athletes”

According to Credit Cards-dot-com, Louisianans have the second-highest credit card debt burden in the nation.  Credit Cards-dot-com analyst Ted Rossman says when you compare states by just the average amount of credit card debt, Louisiana is tied for 21^st with the average household carrying $8,364 of credit card debt.

Cut 4 (10) “…that debt.”

Rossman recommends balance transfer cards if you carry high credit card debt.

Open enrollment for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act will close on December 15th. C-M-S administrator Seema Verma says when choosing a policy through health-care-dot-gov, you’ll notice the different plans have star ratings next to them

Cut 13 (07) “…decision making.”

Louisiana is second in the nation and leads the southeast in credit card debt burden. Jeff Palermo spoke with an expert on what to do if you need help.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Open enrollment for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act will close on December 15th. C-M-S administrator Seema Verma says if you need to change your current health plan or find a new one, time is running out

Cut 12 (08) “price deductible” 

32-year-old Mark Ebarb, a Dutchtown High teacher has turned himself into after being indicted on charges of Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile. 23^rd District Court spokesperson Tyler Cavalier says an investigation uncovered evidence that Ebarb had been sharing inappropriate messages and pictures with students for several years.

Cut 6 (07) “time frame”

At this point, only two students have been linked to Ebarb. Ebarb remains employed, but a spokesperson for the school system says they are reviewing their options at this time.

LSU remains second in the latest college football rankings, right behind Ohio State. The final rankings will be unveiled on Sunday. If LSU is upset on Saturday by the Georgia Bulldogs, most college football analysts say the Tigers will still get into the four-team college football playoff. But Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says LSU does not want to back into the playoffs…

Cut 11 (09) “…this game.”

You might want to watch your spending limit on gifts this year, according to CreditCards-dot-com Louisianians have the second highest credit card debt burden in the nation.  CreditCards-dot-com analyst Ted Rossman says the typical Louisiana household carries $8,364 in credit card debt.

Cut 3 (06) “…your income.”

The report says Louisiana’s median annual household income is just $48,000, which is the fourth-lowest in the country.

32-year-old Mark Ebarb, a Dutchtown High teacher has turned himself into after being indicted on charges of Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile, after years of allegedly sending inappropriate photos and messages to two students. 23^rd District Court spokesperson Tyler Cavalier says a conviction would surely end Mr. Ebarb’s career, and carry a hefty sentence.

Cut 8 (09) “…predator”

Governor John Bel Edwards is set to be sworn in for a second-term on January 13th, but there will not be an inugurual ball that night because of a football game. Don Molino has more…

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Don Molino”    

LSU has seen the line on the SEC Championship game tick up to 7.5 points over the past few days after Vegas bettors piled onto the Tigers, expecting another explosive offensive outing despite Georgia’s number two in the nation defensive rating. LSU started as just four point favorites in the game that will be hosted in front of a largely hostile Atlanta crowd that Stub Hub says is comprised of a clear majority of ticket holders from the state of Georgia. A win this Saturday is the Tiger’s best chance of dodging Clemson in the first round of the CFP.

32-year-old Mark Ebarb, a Dutchtown High teacher has turned himself into after being indicted on charges of Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile. The investigation began after police received a complaint about Ebarb’s behavior back in October, and 23^rd District Court spokesperson Tyler Cavalier says so far it appears the contact was not widespread.

Cut 7 (10) “…this time.”

The investigation was handled by the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office.

According to Credit Cards-dot-com, Louisianans have the second-highest credit card debt burden in the nation.  Credit Cards-dot-com analyst Ted Rossman says one way to get out of debt is to dedicate 15% of your monthly income to paying off your and there’s a good chance you’ll be debt-free in a year and a half.

Cut 5 (10) “…every month”

LSU remains second in the latest college football rankings, right behind Ohio State. The final rankings will be unveiled on Sunday. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says the Tigers can regain the top spot if LSU wins in the SEC Championship game and Ohio State doesn’t play well in the Big 10 title game…

Cut 9 (07) “…good debate.”

LSU faces Georgia in the SEC title game on Saturday afternoon, while Ohio State takes on Wisconsin in the Big 10 title game that night.

Inauguration activities to swear-in Governor Edwards and statewide elected officials will take place on Monday, January 13, at 11:30 a.m. on the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge. Due to the College Football National Championship game being held in New Orleans that night, an inauguration ball will not be happening.  However, plans are tentatively being made for a “Governor’s Ball” in New Orleans in late 2020.

According to Credit Cards-dot-com, Louisianans have the second-highest credit card debt burden in the nation.  Credit Cards-dot-com analyst Ted Rossman says when you compare states by just the average amount of credit card debt, Louisiana is tied for 21^st with the average household carrying $8,364 of credit card debt.

Cut 4 (10) “…that debt.”

Rossman recommends balance transfer cards if you carry high credit card debt.

32-year-old Mark Ebarb, a Dutchtown High teacher has turned himself into after being indicted on charges of Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile. 23^rd District Court spokesperson Tyler Cavalier says an investigation uncovered evidence that Ebarb had been sharing inappropriate messages and pictures with students for several years.

Cut 6 (07) “time frame”

At this point, only two students have been linked to Ebarb.

Louisiana residents eligible for Medicaid can now use an app called Healthy Lousiana to enroll into the program, compare health plans, find in-network doctors and more. Medicaid Deputy Director Jen Katzman says its the first Medicaid enrollment app in the country….
cut 9 (10) “….the app”
So far the app is popular with users, garnering a 4.5-star rating.

Three men are behind bars, accused of burglarizing numerous vehicles in Livingston Parish. With the help of Baton Rouge Police Department, a search warrant was obtained of the suspects’ home, recovering stolen items such as key fobs, clothing and ID cards.