In his first public comments since election night, Governor Edwards says he’s not daunted by the near supermajority Republicans will have in the new Legislature. The GOP is two seats shy in the House from overriding governor vetoes. Edwards says he’s worked with both sides of the aisle before, and just because the Capitol is red and he’s blue, doesn’t mean they can’t move the state forward.
Cut 7 (11) “…do that.”
Edwards will be sworn in on January 13th.

That’s the same day as the college football playoff championship game in New Orleans. Louisiana native Tim McGraw is one of several musical acts who will perform for free that weekend in Woldenberg Park…
cut 10 (10) “….have game tickets”
Lafayette native Lauren Daigle will sing the national anthem before the game. For more information go to college-foot-ball-playoff-dot-com.

Louisiana scores an A on Shared Hope International’s yearly child sex trafficking legal report card, but founder Linda Smith says we have one glaring problem that needs to be fixed…
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

A jury from East Baton Rouge Parish will now get an opportunity to decide if Grover Cannon should be sentenced to death for the 2015 killing Shreveport police officer Thomas LaValley. The 12-person panel came to a first-degree murder verdict last night after six days of testimony. Cannon took the stand in his own defense and said he was framed by police.

It’s been Twitter silence from President Donald Trump after Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards won re-election, but Edwards said on his monthly call-in radio show that he received a call from the president earlier this week…
cut 9 (10) “…good Governor”
He added that Mr. Trump said he looks forward to resuming their working relationship.

Shared Hope International says Louisiana needs to change its laws so children who are victims of sex trafficking can not be charged with prostitution. Founder Linda Smith says the state scored an A on their yearly legal report card on all other child sex trafficking issues, but one relic from the past keeps us from a perfect score…
Cut 13 (11) “the law.”

Governor John Bel Edwards was a topic during last night’s Democratic presidential debate. The candidates were asked if there is room in the party for a prolife Demorat. During his four years in office, Edwards has signed several anti-abortion bills into law.

Music’s biggest names descend on New Orleans in celebration of the College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 13th. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Governor Edwards will hold his first post-election press conference at 10:30 today to discuss what he would like to accomplish in his second term. Edwards says he will continue his push for a higher minimum wage, even though the makeup of the legislature is more conservative than the one he worked with during his first four years in office…
cut 8 (11) “….to do”
The minimum wage is currently $7.25 an hour.

Former LSU student and fraternity member Matthew Naquin faced five years in prison for the hazing death of Max Gruver, while the judge sentenced him to five years, 2.5 of those years are suspended. Naquin was ordered to perform one-thousand hours of community service. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino….
cut 5 (06) “…criminal justice proceedings”

Louisiana gets an “A” for its laws to combat domestic minor sex trafficking, but Shared Hope International founder Linda Smith says the state could receive a perfect score if it didn’t have laws that allow minors to be charged with prostitution, even if they were forced into it by sex traffickers…
cut 15 (12) “….services”

The musical acts are set for the days leading up to the College Football National Championship game in New Orleans on January 13th. Country music superstar Tim McGraw headlines a group of musicians who will perform on Saturday and Sunday. Lafayette native Lauren Daigle will sing the National Anthem. Host Committee Executive Director Jeff Hundley says it will be a great weekend that will be even better if LSU is in the title game…
cut 12 (10) “…seem only natural”

Governor Edwards touched on hopes for his second term and a Presidential congratulations on his first Ask The Governor radio show since reelection…
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Office of Motor Vehicles locations remain closed today as a result of the attempted ransomware attack on state computer servers on Monday. O-M-V officials say all hands are on deck in trying to get the computer system up and going. Edwards is optimistic O-M-V offices will re-open sometime today.

Former LSU student and ex-Phi Delta Theta member Matthew Naquin is out on bond pending his appeal after he was sentenced to 5-years-in prison, 2.5 years of the sentence are suspended for his role in the alcohol poisoning death of pledge Max Gruver. Naquin must also perform one-thousand hours of community service. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino…
cut 6 (05) “…judge’s discretion”
The judge also ordered Naquin to write an apology letter to Gruver’s parents and give nine separate one-hour anti-hazing talks to high school students.

Shared Hope International has given Louisiana an “A” grade for its laws to combat minor sex trafficking. But Shared Hope International Founder, Linda Smith, says the state no longer has the top score because child sex trafficking victims are not fully protected from criminalization for prostitution, which she says is physiologically damaging to the child…
cut 14 (10) “….the crime”

Governor Edwards touched on hopes for his second term and a Presidential congratulations on his first Ask The Governor since reelection…

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Music’s biggest names descend on New Orleans in celebration of the College Football Playoff National Championship game this January.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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Louisiana scores an A on Shared Hope International’s yearly child sex trafficking legal report card, but founder Linda Smith says we have one glaring problem that needs to be fixed…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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Former LSU frat member Matthew Naquin is facing 2.5 years behind bars in his future for his role in the 2017 hazing death of Max Gruver.  Loyola of New Orleans University law professor Dane Ciolino says it is a stiff sentence, but it is a serious crime.

Cut 4 (09) “…not a surprise.”

Naquin also received three years of probation.  Ciolino says given the severity of harm, it does not come as a surprise that Naquin has been required to perform a heavy amount of community service.

Cut 5 (06) “…criminal justice proceedings.”

As part of the community service, Naquin is expected to speak to high school students about hazing, but the Gruver family has already said they do not see Naquin as the right person to lead an anti-hazing campaign.

Cut 6 (05) “…the judge’s discretion.”

Naquin is currently out on bond and he’s appealing his negligent homicide conviction.

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Governor Edwards says he’s not daunted by Republicans near supermajority in the Legislature. The GOP came two seats in the House shy of being able to override vetoes after the run-off.

Edwards says he’s built a career in politics working with both sides of the aisle, and just because the Capitol is red and he’s blue, doesn’t mean they get some major accomplishments passed.

Cut 7 (11) “…do that.”

Republicans already held a supermajority in the Senate, but many GOP members in the Upper Chamber are considered more moderate than their Lower Chamber brethren.

Analysts note the increased Republican presence in Baton Rouge will likely doom many of the Governor’s pushes for campaign promises like an increased minimum wage, but…

Cut 8 (11) “…to do”

The minimum wage is 7.25 an hour in Louisiana. Edwards is backing an effort to raise it to nine dollars an hour over two years.

Edwards made the comments on his first Ask The Governor since winning reelection. Early in the program, he recounted how he got a call from the President, who campaigned against him…

Cut 9 (10) “…Governor”

He added Trump mentioned he was looking forward to resuming their working relationship.

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Tim McGraw, Meghan Trainor, Bastille and others are coming to New Orleans to put on a free concert as part of the celebration around the College Football Playoff National Championship game.  Host Committee Executive Director Jeff Hundley says the fun starts Saturday, January 11^th, at the Woldenberg Park.

Cut 10 (10) “…have game tickets.”

Also on the bill, Grammy winner H.E.R., hip hop icon Nas, as well as Louisiana natives Trombone Shorty & the Orleans Avenue.  Hundley says there is a wide variety of genres being represented.

Cut 11 (07) “…your favorite artist”

Lafayette native Lauren Daigle will perform the National Anthem prior to the game. Hundley, who is also the CEO of the Allstate Sugar Bowl, says anytime the Bayou Bengals compete in the Superdome, it’s a great time and if the top-ranked LSU Tigers manage to compete in the big game, the excitement will be off the charts around the festivities.

Cut  12 (10) “…seem only natural.” 

More info can be found at collegefootballplayoff.com.
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Shared Hope International says Louisiana needs to address laws allowing children who’ve been sex trafficked to still be charged with prostitution.

Founder Linda Smith says the state scored an A on their yearly legal report card on all other child sex trafficking issues, but one relic from the past keeps us from a perfect score…

Cut 13 (11) “the law.”

Smith says allowing children who’ve been trafficked to be charged with prostitution creates is physiologically damaging to the child and potentially deprives them of much-needed services.

Cut 14 (10) “…the crime” 

Smith says this needs to be addressed immediately so that children who are abused and manipulated through trafficking aren’t then victimized by the legal system.

Cut 15 (12) “…services”
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The Saints will host Carolina on Sunday. The Panthers have lost two in a row to drop their record to 5-and-5. But running back Christian McCaffrey is playing like an MVP candidate with over 1,000 yards rushing and 59 catches. Coach Sean Payton says McCraffrey is no longer an offensive weapon who comes on the field for passing downs

Cut 16  (24)  …passing game.  

Payton says protecting Quarterback Drew Brees will be a priority on Sunday…

Cut 17  (11)  at a high level” 

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Southeastern Louisiana hosts Nicholls tonight in the regular-season finale for both teams and the winner will earn at least a share of the Southland Conference Championship and a berth into the F-C-S playoffs. Lions Coach Frank Scelfo says it’s no surprise that Colonels have a chance at repeating as Southland champs…

cut 18  (20)  play well” 

Southeastern Louisiana leads the Southland in total offense, while the Colonels lead the league in rushing offense, averaging 189 yards a game. Scelfo anticipates a physical game…

cut 19 (23),   to play”    

cut 20 (19) “ that play”    

Former LSU frat member Matthew Naquin now knows his fate for his role in the 2017 hazing death of Max Gruver. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut  2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”    

A 14-year-old is in jail, accused of stabbing his 50-year-old father to death with a spear inside their Terrytown home. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says they received a call this morning from a teen who said he stabbed his father multiple times.

Cut 13 (06) “…scene.”

Over a million dollars worth of drugs were seized during a bust in Shreveport thanks to K-9 cop named Mingo who sniffed out the narcotic filled shipping container.  Shreveport Police Chief Ben Raymond says they seized 24 pounds of THC wax, 2028 grams of THC gummies, 2,910 doses of THC oil, and…

Cut 10 (12) “blunts.”

The container was found in a vehicle at a home on the 100 block of Kayla Street.  Arrests are expected to follow soon.

Louisiana’s unemployment rate fell nearly a half a percent year-to-year for October, having added 3,600 seasonally adjusted non-farm jobs. The state’s unemployment rate now sits at 4.5 percent, up from 4.3 percent last month, but Workforce Commission Chief Economist Ali Bustamante says the trend is still towards growth.

Cut 3 (06)   “months” 

New Orleans lost 500 jobs over the last month, but has still gained 8,600 year to year. The state also remains in “Full Employment”.

The former LSU frat member at the center of the hazing death of fraternity pledge Maxwell Gruver receives a five-year prison sentence, half of the sentence is suspended, so Matthew Naquin is set to serve two and half years. Max’s mom, Rae Ann Gruver, says Naquin showed no remorse when he addressed the court

Cut 6 (06) “…he said today.”

Naquin was found guilty in July of negligent homicide. He was also sentenced to one-thousand hours of community service and three years probation. Naquin’s attorney John McLindon says not enough blame has been put on Gruver who had a history of heavy drinking.

Cut 9 (10) “…responsibility in this.″
Naquin bonded out this afternoon and will be free until he’s exhausted his appeals.

The state added 3,600 seasonally adjusted non-farm jobs over the year, pulling the unemployment rate down about half a percent over that period. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

A 14-year-old is in jail after allegedly stabbing his 50-year-old father to death with a spear inside their Terrytown home. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says it was a shocking discovery and a tragedy.

Cut 15 (12) “…too far.”

Former LSU frat member Matthew Naquin, who was at the center of the Max Gruver hazing death, is sentenced to five years, with two and a half of them suspended. Naquin’s attorney John McLindon says it’s not fair that his client suffered such a stiffer penalty than the other frat members involved…

Cut 8 (12) “   …under the bus.”

Judge Beau Higginbotham handed down the sentence.

A 14-year-old is under arrest after allegedly stabbing his 50-year-old father to death with a spear inside their Terrytown home.  Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says they aren’t sure what provoked the outburst this morning, but they suspect the son may have a mental illness.

Cut 14 (12) “…case.”

Unemployment is up .2 percent from September to October, but still down nearly a half a percent from the same time last year. Workforce Commission Chief Economist Ali Bustamante says a lot of the gains are thanks to development along the I-12 in Baton Rouge and Hammond, particularly in the professional business services sector.

Cut 4 (08) “…industry”

That sector gained 3,200 jobs from this time last year.

Over a million dollars worth of drugs were seized during a bust in Shreveport thanks to K-9 cop named Mingo who sniffed out the narcotic filled shipping container. Shreveport Police Chief Ben Raymond says most of the bust was THC related, and…

Cut 12 (09) “…safer.” 

The container was recovered from a car parked in front of a Shreveport residence.