Governor John Bel Edwards addresses the Baton Rouge Press Club today as he begins the final year of his current term….
Cut 13 (09) “…should be reelected.”
That’s Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat, who says Edwards’ will tout his administration’s ability to stabilize the budget and his goal to give teachers a pay raise of at least one-thousand dollars this year.

Construction begins today to improve the integrity of the I-210 Prien Lake Bridge in Calcasieu Parish. The 35-million dollar project is expected to take one year to complete. State transportation spokesperson Tammy York says motorists need to be prepared for a slowdown in the area.
Cut 4 (12) “…9PM to 4AM.”
York says motorists should use L-A 12 and US-190 as alternative routes.

The U.S. Surgeon General says a record 2.1 million American teenagers vape. Matt Doyle spoke with a local health expert about this epidemic.
Voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Five children from Louisiana died in a tragic multi vehicle wreck near Gainseville, Florida on Thursday as they traveled to Disney World.

Witnesses to Thursday’s smoldering crash say the explosion occurred when the two semi-trucks collided. The drivers of the two big rigs were killed.

The passenger van from the Avoyelles House of Mercy church was swept up in the accident.

Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Patrick Riordan expects a lengthy investigation into the cause of the crash…

Cut 4 (13) “…this magnitude″

The United Pentecostal Church says 12 people were in the van, including Karen Descant, the pastor’s wife.  Two other adults were also in the van, they all survived, including a pregnant woman who gave birth after the wreck.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell of New Orleans is crediting the protective vest that a city police officer wore with saving his life on Friday night.

Around 10 pm, New Orleans Police responded to a reported suicide attempt in the Treme neighborhood.

A shooter fired at the officers who returned fire.  The suspected shooter died.

Although one officer was struck by two shots the chest, his protective vest made a critical difference.

Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins says the first day of the new Democratic controlled House set the tone for the next two years in the chamber.

Cut 2 (28) “Im Matt Doyle”

With the start of the new year, young outdoor sports hunters can now take aim at being named the Youth Hunter of the Year for 2018.

The contest is open to girls and boys in Louisiana under the age of 16 and one female and one male hunter will be honored as a Louisiana Hunter of the Year.

Submissions should include a written account of their meaningful hunting experience of 2018, a photo, and the registration form.

The Youth Hunter of the Year registration form can be downloaded at the LDWF website.

Shots rang out in the Treme neighborhood of New Orleans in a gun fire exchange between four city police officers and a shooter on Friday after 10 pm leaving the suspected shooter dead.

Officers were responding to a report of a suicide attempt when they were fired upon. One the officers was struck two times by shots in the chest of his protective vest.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell spoke to the media to say, “Having worn that vest, it saved his life.”

The N-O-P-D says they are reviewing body camera footage and Mayor Cantrell told the media the incident is under a full investigation.

The truck driver at the center of the multi-vehicle wreck near Gainsville, Florida that killed five Louisiana minors had multiple traffic tickets in at least five different states.

59 year old Steve Holland had violations including speeding, driving an overloaded vehicle, failing to carry proof of insurance and driving and unsafe vehicle.

The tragic Louisiana connection is that five Louisiana children from the Marksville area died in the wreck on Interstate 75 on Thursday.

The reported child fatalities were: 14-year-old Joel Cloud, 14-year-old Jeremiah Warren, 9 year old Cierra Boredelan, 10-year-old Brieanna Bordelan, and 13-year-old Cara Descant.

The two big rig truckers involved in the wreck also died.

The Lafayette Public Library has agreed to lift a ban on groups hoping to organize Drag Queen Story Time events after a lawsuit from the ACLU.

After legal action from an anti-Story Time group, visitors hoping to hold events had to sign a form promising not to do a Drag event at the library.

ACLU Louisiana Legal Director Katie Schwartzmann says the form was unconstitutional.
Cut 9 (10) “…their viewpoint″

The New Orleans live music club known as Tipitina’s opened the new year under new ownership.

Members of the New Orleans funk jam band called Galactic purchased the venue at the end of November.

Located near the Mississippi river, Tipitina’s got its name in 1977 from a song written by the legendary New Orleans piano player, Professor Longhair.

For over four decades, the Tipitina’s club featured great live shows along with some financial woes for previous owners.

Galactic marked the start of 2019 by taking the club’s stage to perform the New Year’s Eve show as the new owners of Tipitina’s.

Five Louisiana children from the Marksville area on their way to Disney World were killed in a multi-vehicle wreck on Interstate 75 in north Florida on Thursday.

The reported fatalities were: 14-year-old Joel Cloud, 14-year-old Jeremiah Warren, 9 year old Cierra Boredelan, 10-year-old Brieanna Bordelan, and 13-year-old Cara Descant.

Jeff Palermo has more details.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The St. Landry’s Veterans Memorial in Opelousas has been defaced by vandals. Project organizer of the memorial, Pat Mason-Guillory says the area is covered in racial slurs, other derogatory language, as well as damaged lighting and signs.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she won’t rule out impeaching President Donald Trump if the Special Counsel, or other investigators, uncover damning evidence linking the president to criminal behavior involving his business or foreign countries.

Republican Congressman Clay Higgins says expect a lot more of that sentiment over the next two years in the lower chamber.

Cut 12 (11) “…Congress.”

The Senate remains controlled by the GOP.

A gun battle erupted Friday night between New Orleans police officers and a suspected shooter in the Treme neighborhood.

A New Orleans police officer responding to a suicide attempt was shot on Friday just after 10 pm.

WWL TV reported that four officers responded to the shots with gunfire. The suspect in the shooting died.

Although the officer struck two times, the shots were on front of his protective vest which resulted in only bruising.

The N-O-P-D says they are reviewing body camera footage.

The officer was listed in good condition at University Medical Hospital.

Five Louisiana children from a Marskville church on their way to Disney World are among the seven dead in a fiery crash on Interstate 75 in north Florida on Thursday. Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Patrick Riordan says the five vehicle wreck started when a big rig and passenger car heading north collided

Cut 3 (12) “…semi truck.”

The five victims are

14-year-old Joel Cloud,

14-year-old Jeremiah Warren,

9 year old Cierra Boredelan, and

10-year-old Brieanna, and 13-year-old Cara Descant, who are related to the church’s pastor.

Seven other passengers are currently in serious condition.

45-year-old Amy Joffiron of Mansura,

30-year-old Ali Laborde of Marksville, 14-year-old Noah Joffrion of Mansura,

11-year-old Chelsea Laborde of Marksville,

9-year-old Trinity Woodward of Hessmer,

9-year-old Chance Bernard of Hessmer,

and 50-year-old Karen Descant, the church pastor’s wife.

___________________________________

Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins says the first day of the new Democratic controlled House set the tone for the next two years in the chamber…

Cut 2 (28) “Im Matt Doyle”  

The Lafayette Public Library has agreed to lift a ban on groups hoping to organize Drag Queen Story Time events after a lawsuit from the ACLU. After legal action from an anti-Story Time group, visitors hoping to hold events had to sign a form promising not to do a Drag event at the library. ACLU Louisiana Legal Director Katie Schwartzmann.

Cut 9 (10) “…their viewpoint″

The Saints get to enjoy the weekend off, as their first playoff game is not until January 13th. The Black and Gold will face either Dallas, Seattle or possibly the Eagles, if Philadelphia can topple the 3rd seed Chicago Bears. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says with the former champ’s backup QB back in the captain’s chair, anything is possible.
Cut 15 (10) “…could happen”
Kickoff in that game is Sunday at 3:40, and the Bears are favored by six.

Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas is a member of the All Pro first team. The third year wide out from Ohio State caught 125 passes in the regular season for 1,405 yards and nine touchdowns.

Quarterback Drew brees, defensive end Cameron Jordan and offensive tackles Terron Armstead and Ryan Ramczyk are second-team selections by the Associated Press.

The New Orleans Pelicans have a chance to pick up a road win Saturday night when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs have the worst record in the NBA, while the Pels are in 14th place in the Western Conference at 17-and-22.

What will ULM’s Daishon Smith do in his second Sun Belt game. Smith scored 42 points in the conference opener on Thursday as the Warhawks flew past Little Rock 97-84. The 42 points is the sixth highest in school history. ULM hosts Arkansas State at 2 PM on Saturday.

The Ragin Cajuns dropped its Sun Belt opener to Arkansas State on Thursday night and will try again on Saturday when they host Little Rock.

Louisiana Tech’s seven-game winning streak ended on Thursday with a 63-59 loss at North Texas. The Bulldogs are a Rice on Sunday. Tech has won eight of their last nine against the Owls.

SWAC play tips off tomorrow, Grambling is at Alabama State, while Southern hosts Prairie View. Also, Northwestern State hosts McNeese. Tip off is at 3 PM.

Five Louisiana children from the Marksville area heading to Disney World were killed in a multi-vehicle wreck on Interstate 75 in north Florida on Thursday. Jeff Palermo has the latest…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The St. Landry’s Veterans Memorial in Opelousas has been defaced with racial slurs and other profanities by vandals and investigators are looking for the culprits.  Project organizer of the memorial, Pat Mason-Guillory says the community has reached out to assist in the cleanup effort.

Cut 8 (05) “…come and help.”

St. Landry Detectives are working the case.

The Lafayette Public Library has agreed to lift a ban on groups hoping to organize Drag Queen Story Time events after a lawsuit from the ACLU. After legal action from an anti-Story Time group, visitors hoping to hold events had to sign a form promising not to do a Drag event at the library, and ACLU Louisiana Legal Director Katie Schwartzmann says that same group has a history of attacking Story Times.

Cut 10 (10) “…these events”

Democrats have settled into control of the Lower Chamber, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and it’s the first time a new Congress has arrived to a government shutdown, and the Congressional split means any plan to re-open will have to be a bi-partisan agreement. Congressman Clay Higgins says Republicans are sticking to their guns over border wall funding.

Cut 14 (10) “…barrier”

President Trump says he won’t sign any funding that re-opens the government unless it includes 5.7 billion in border wall funding.

Five Louisiana children from the Marskville area on their way to Disney World are among the seven dead in a fiery crash on Interstate 75 in north Florida on Thursday.

The five vehicle wreck started when a big rig and passenger car heading north collided, and then smashed through the guardrails and into the southbound lane, where the van carrying the children was driving, ejecting many of the victims from the van. Witnesses say when two semi-trucks collided an explosion occurred, and afterwards a truck sped through the fiery wreckage, striking the ejected passengers.

Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Patrick Riordan says the investigation will include homicide detectives…

Cut 5 (12) “…transpired.”

The passenger van was from the Avoyelles House of Mercy, and 12 total people are thought to have been riding in it.

The St. Landry’s Veterans Memorial in Opelousas has been defaced by vandals and investigators are looking for the culprits. Since the project’s completion, a wall was erected to include the names of parish combatants who died in battle and the names of their family members. Pat Mason-Guillory says a walkway containing 3300 bricks commemorates vets from the parish who served actively from World War I up to current conflicts.

Cut 7 (11) “…those who served.”

The vandalism featured racial slurs.

There’s a change of the guard in the House of Representatives as Democrats have taken over, and that likely means a big shift in legislative priorities for the lower chamber. Republican Congressman Clay Higgins says he’s concerned about the new direction.

Cut 13 (8) “…the Preisdent.”

Five Louisiana children from the Marksville area, on their way to Disney World, were killed in a fiery crash in Florida. The drivers of two big rigs also died in the massive wreck on I-75 near Gainesville. The children that died were among 12 traveling in a van that belonged to the Avoyelles House of Mercy a pentecostal church. Florida Highway Patrol Lt Patrick Riordan expects a lengthy investigation into the cause of the crash…
cut 4 (13) “….this magnitude”
Riordan says the tragic chain of events started when a passenger car and a semi-truck collided and then went through the guard rails into the southbound lanes, hitting the church van.

The United Pentecostal Church says four children survived the crash and so did three adults, including a pregnant woman, who had to give birth to a child. Mom and newborn are said to be ok.

Lafayette Public Library officials are no longer requiring the public to fill out a form pledging they will not use their meeting rooms for drag queen story time events. The library implemented the form policy after hit with a federal lawsuit that sought to prevent the library from sanctioning a Drag Queen story time event, like the one they tried to hold in October. ACLU Louisiana legal director Katie Schwartzmann says the library’s policy is now back to its former, pre-story time state…
cut 11 (11) “…the room”

The St. Landry’s Veterans Memorial in Opelousas has been defaced by vandals and investigators are looking for the culprits. Project organizer of the memorial, Pat Mason-Guillory says the area is covered in racial slurs, other derogatory language, as well as damaged lighting and signs.
Cut 6 (12) “…loss for words.”
The St. Landry’s Sheriff’s office says they are actively working the case.