Governor John Bel Edwards says 2018 was a successful year for Louisiana as the state continues to move in the right direction. Edwards says stabilizing the budget was his top accomplishment. He says the tax deal fully fund higher education, without raising taxes…
cut 12 (08) “….600-million dollars”
Edwards says his biggest legislative priority in 2019 is a pay raise for teachers.

Bossier City police have put one of their own officers on administrative leave after he was arrested on animal sexual abuse charges. State Police Trooper Glenn Younger says once enough evidence was collected, 38-year-old Terry Yetman voluntarily surrendered…
cut 4 (05) “…good too”
Yetman was honored in October for his work against domestic violence. The LSP investigation began in August.

In Washington D-C, we could be heading to a federal government shutdown at midnight Friday as President Donald Trump reportedly will not sign a stop-gap funding bill that was approved by the Senate. Senator John Kennedy says the President is digging in on his request for money to build a border wall…
cut 11 (10) “…the issue”
The stop-gap funding bill also funds the National Flood Insurance Program for another six weeks.

Researchers in Sweden have found that the risk of having a heart attack on Christmas Eve increases nearly 40-percent. The study observed the timing of 283,000 heart attacks over 15 years. Cardiologist Doctor Frank Smart at LSU Health New Orleans says the research indicates the peak timing of heart attacks on Christmas Eve is around 10pm, but he says it usually isn’t caused by overeating for a few days…
Cut 7 (05) “…or two days.”

A Bossier City patrol cop has been arrested and charged with over three dozen animal sexual abuse related charges. State Police SVU say they busted 38-year-old Terry Yetman with possession of animal pornography, and LSP spokesperson Glen Younger says it’s pretty horrific.

Cut 3 (07) “…applause.”

Yetman was honored in October for his work against domestic violence. The LSP investigation began in August, and Bossier City was informed in November.

The Senate voted to continue funding the government and extend flood insurance coverage through February 8^th, without the inclusion of additional border wall funding sought by the President. Senator John Kennedy says he expects the House will pass the same resolution, but says that doesn’t mean it’ll be signed by President Trump.

Cut 9 (09) “…with it″

A new study shows the risk for a heart attack rises nearly 40 percent on Christmas Eve.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A new study from Sweden has found the risk of having a heart attack rises nearly 40 percent on Christmas Eve.  Cardiologist Dr. Frank Smart at LSU Health New Orleans says the research shows that coupled with the cold weather of the winter months which causes arteries to spasm, emotions and other influences can make a cardiovascular impact.

Cut 6 (09) “…or see family.”
The study observed the timing of 283,000 heart attacks over 15 years.  Smart says the research indicates that the peak timing of heart attacks on Christmas Eve is around 10pm.
While many internet transactions are already seeing sales taxes collected for the state, as of January 1, all purchases from out of state internet retailers will be subject to a flat 8.45 percent tax.  Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says some of the bigger retailers have already been collecting the tax.

Cut 4 (05) “…a year now.″

AAA projects over 1/3 of the nation’s population will be on the move during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday. Spokesperson Don Redman says it’s important that travelers practice patience and give themselves a little extra time to get where they need to go, as there is a notable jump in travelers compared to last year.

Cut 8 (07) “…number of people.″
The state GOP is calling for a return to closed primaries that only let party members vote for party candidates. Currently voters are free to vote for whoever in the primary, and the top two candidate’s progress to the general election. Most states have closed primaries, but on Ask the Governor, Governor Edwards says closed primaries would foster a political culture that’s closer to the one we see in Washington DC.

Cut 15 (09) “…two parties”

AAA predicts you could see more traffic than normal today, as over one-third of Americans are expected to travel for the holidays. And more Americans will travel by car this holiday season than ever before. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says gas prices along the Gulf Coast are relatively low…
cut 9 (10) “….higher than Louisiana”
If you’re renting a car, Redman says car rental costs have reached a 10-year high.

Louisiana Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says they are seeing more and more out of state retailers cooperating with the state’s effort to collect sales taxes on internet purchases made by Louisiana consumers. Robinson says all internet vendors have received guidance on what to do…
cut 5 (06) “…to start collecting”
Robinson says internet purchases are subject to an 8.45 percent sales tax.

The US Senate has approved a bipartisan federal criminal justice reform bill and Louisiana’s John Kennedy was one of 12 to vote against it. In a conference call with Louisiana reporters, Kennedy explained his “no” vote…
cut 12 (11) “….and one”
But Pelican Institute CEO Daniel Erspamer applaud the legislation, and says like Louisiana’s 2017 criminal justice reform legislation, it will help bring down crime and save taxpayer dollars.
Cut 11 (11) “…worst offenders”
Senior Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy voted for the legislation and it awaits House approval before heading to President Trump’s desk. He’s expected to sign the legislation.

Senator John Kennedy was one of 12 to vote against President Trump’s criminal justice reform bill in the Senate. Matt Doyle has more…
voicer 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

A south Louisiana man on work release allegedly forced his way into a Lacombe home where his wife and child were staying and shoved his wife to the floor. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office says 33-year-old Keith Bickham allegedly took his employer’s pickup truck in Livingston Parish and drove to Lacombe. Bickham faces additional charges.

State GOP chairman Louis Gurvuich has expressed a desire to move to closed primaries that only party members vote for party candidates. Currently, voters are free to vote for whoever is in the primary, and the top two candidates advance to the general election. Most states have closed primaries and Governor Edwards says in this case, its ok to stand out…
cut 14 (05) “….other states”

The Louisiana Department of Revenue is gearing up to begin collecting sales taxes on internet purchases made with out of state vendors. Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says businesses that do not have a physical presence in Louisiana have been instructed to collect 8.45-percent sales tax and four-percent of that tax will go to local governments…
cut 6 (09) “…sales tax rate”

Senator John Kennedy was one of 12 Republican Senators to vote against President Trump’s criminal justice reform bill in Congress. The legislation aims to reduce sentences for non-violent offenders and reduce recidivism, but Kennedy says it lets potentially dangerous people back into society too soon.
Cut 10 (11) “…is justice”
But Pelican Institute CEO Daniel Erspamer says those criticisms are not accurate and based on the success of similar legislation on the state level, it will improve public safety.
Cut 13 (12) “…of dollars”
Louisiana’s Senior Senator Bill Cassidy voted for it. The House is also expected to approve the reform bill that’s also backed by President Trump.

AAA projects over 1/3 of the nation’s population will be on the move during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday. Spokesperson Don Redman says they’ve never seen travel numbers like this….
Cut 7 (10) “…the record books.”
Redman says six-point-seven million will fly to their winter holiday destination, the highest number in 15 years.

There’s talk among party leaders to move Louisiana elections to a closed party primary. GOP state chairman Louis Gurvuich says the Jungle Primary system hurts Republicans when there are a large field of candidates and the state Democratic Party has indicated they could support a closed party primary for federal races. But Governor John Bel Edwards says he’ll oppose any efforts to change how we elect our politicians…
cut 16 (09) “…that system”

While many internet transactions are already seeing sales taxes collected for the state, as of January 1, all purchases from out of state internet retailers will be subject to a flat 8.45 percent tax. Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says some of the bigger retailers have already been collecting the tax.
Cut 4 (05) “…a year now.″
Robinson says her office has provided out of state internet vendors with guidance on collecting sales tax from purchases made by Louisiana consumers and are expected to do so after January 1st.

State Republican Party Chairman Louis Gurvuich has indicated he would like to see an end to Louisiana’s Jungle Primary system. He says it creates issues for Republicans when there’s a large field of candidates running for office. But on his “Ask the Governor” show, Edwards said closed primaries would foster a political culture closer to the one in Washington D-C…
cut 15 (09) “….two parties”

AAA expects a record 112-million people will travel for the Christmas and New Year’s holiday….
cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

After the first day of the early college football signing period, LSU’s class ranks as the fourth best in the country according to 24-7 sports-dot-com. The top three schools ahead of them, Alabama, Georgia and Texas A-and-M.

Internet retailers based outside of Louisiana will soon have to start collecting sales tax on transactions coming from the Bayou State.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

____________________________________________

AAA expects a record 112-million people will travel for the Christmas and New Year’s holiday.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

_______________________________

Senator Kennedy was one of 12 to vote against the bi-partisan criminal justice reform bill in the Senate. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_____________________________________________

While many internet transactions are already seeing sales taxes collected for the state, as of January 1, all purchases from out of state internet retailers will be subject to a flat 8.45 percent tax.  Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says some of the bigger retailers have already been collecting the tax.

Cut 4 (05) “…a year now.″

Robinson says the idea behind the tax is to have level playing field between internet retailers and brick and mortar stores and adds all the internet vendors who are new to collecting the tax have been waiting to receive additional guidance that they now have received.

Cut 5 (06) “…to start collecting.”

Robinson says of the 8.45 percent sales tax rate collected, 4 percent of that will go to local government.

Cut 6 (09) “…local sales tax rate.”

__________________________________________________

AAA projects over 1/3 of the nation’s population will  be on the move during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday. Spokesperson Don Redman says for as long as AAA has looked at holiday travel numbers, they’ve never seen anything like this.

Cut 7 (10) “…the record books.”

Redman says it’s important that travelers practice patience and give themselves a little extra time to get where they need to go, as there is a notable jump in travelers compared to last year.

Cut 8 (07) “…number of people.″

Redman says travelers can expect gas prices along the Gulf Coast to be relatively low.

Cut 9 (10)  “…higher than Louisiana.” 

_______________________

Senator John Kennedy was one of 12 Republican Senators to vote against the national criminal justice reform bill in Congress. The legislation aims to reduce sentences for non-violent offenders and reduce recidivism, but Kennedy says it lets potentially dangerous people back into society too soon.

Cut 10 (11)   “…is justice”

But criminal justice reform advocates like Pelican Institute CEO Daniel Erspamer applauded the vote, and say like that effort in Louisiana in 2016, the legislation will likely be a major success that brings down crime and saves money.

Cut 11 (11) “…worst offenders”

But Senator Kennedy disagrees, and says the classification of “non-violent” includes a lot nastier crimes than most folks would think.

Cut 12 (11)   “…and on”

Erspamer says those criticisms are not accurate and based in facts, and a careful analysis of the success of such legislation in other states indicates it will be a substantial success.

Cut 13 (12) “…of dollars”

The bill has the backing of the President and will likely be signed into law.  The bill was backed by Sen. Bill Cassidy.

_________________________

The state GOP is calling for a return to closed primaries that only let party members vote for party candidates. Currently voters are free to vote for whoever in the primary, and the top two candidate’s progress to the general election. Most states have closed primaries, but on Ask the Governor, Governor Edwards said in this case its ok to stand out.

Cut 14 (05) “…other states.”

The call was made by GOP State Chairman Louis Gurvuich, who says the “Jungle Primary” creates issues for Republicans when they have large fields of candidates.

But John Bel Edwards says closed primaries would foster a political culture that’s closer to the one we see in Washington DC.

Cut 15 (09) “…two parties”

The state Democratic Party has not formally endorsed the plan, but according to The Advocate has supported plans that would move federal races to a closed party primary. Edwards says he will likely oppose any efforts to make that change.

Cut 16 (09)  that system”

_______________________________

LSU signed 19 players on the first day of college football’s early signing period as they work towards securing a top five recruiting class. Three of the players that signed on Wednesday are 5-star prospects and all from Louisiana, Derek Stingley, John Emery and Kardell Thomas. Coach Ed Orgeron likes the diversity of the class…

 cut 17 (21) “for us”

LSU still has room to sign a half dozen more players and many of those signees will come in February. Orgeron says he will not sign anymore running backs. He likes the two he got on Wednesday, Southern Lab’s Tyrion Davis and Destrehan’s John Emery. Coach O on how he got Emery to de-commit from Georgia and come to LSU

Cut 18 (14) for us“

Orgeron says five-star offensive lineman Kardell Thomas from Southern Lab is the type of student-athlete they like to bring to LSU…

Cut 19 (17)   “…great parents”