Several new state laws go into effect on this first day of 2019. Serious felony crimes committed now require an unanimous jury verdict for a conviction, instead of 10 of 12 jurors. Families can install video cameras in nursing home rooms to keep an eye on loved ones and boat registration fees are nine dollars higher.

State Representative Chad Brown wants to make sure Louisianans get to keep some of the popular aspects of Obamacare, even if a pending federal court case undoes the law…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Nature Conservancy would like to see strides made in 2019 to improve oyster harvests, which have taken a hit since the 2010 BP spill. The conservancy’s director of coastal and marine conservation, Seth Blitch, says the decline of oysters in the Gulf has had profound human and ecological impacts…
cut 11 (10) “…crabs and shrimp”
Blitch says the Nature Conservancy would like to see more BP money used to build up oyster reefs along the Gulf Coast.

LSU and UCF will face off today in the Fiesta Bowl. The Golden Band from Tigerland are also in Arizona to perform and support the team. LSU videographer and former band member Steven Miley says in the old days, band members were handed a sheet of paper telling them where to go for each song during their halftime performance, now its all on an app…
cut 5 (11) “..smart phone”

Governor John Bel Edwards says pay issues for minimum wage workers and the gender wage gap are among his big concerns to spearhead in 2019. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Two dozen new state laws take effect with the start of the new year. Serious felony crimes committed from this date forward will take a unanimous jury verdict to secure a conviction. Families can now install video cameras in nursing home rooms and new sexual harassment policies go into effect for state government.

A state representative plans to bring legislation in the upcoming session that would lock in health care protections for Louisianans with pre-existing conditions and allow dependents to stay on their parents’ plan until 26, even if a pending court case strikes down Obamacare. Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown….
Cut 12 (10) “…coverage”
A federal judge in Texas has declared the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. The case is expected to be heard next in the New Orleans based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.

The LSU Tigers face Central Florida this afternoon in Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl. There are over 300 members from the Golden Band from Tigerland that will perform at halftime and before the game with the Tigers opponent…
cut 4 (07) “….two bands”
That’s LSU videographer and former band member Steven Miley.

Governor John Bel Edwards says pay issues for minimum wage workers and the gender wage gap are among his big concerns to spearhead in 2019.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

____________________________________________

Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown wants to make sure Louisianans get to keep some of the most popular aspects of Obamacare, even if a pending court case undoes the law…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

_______________________________

324 members of the Golden Band from Tigerland are in Glendale today for the Fiesta Bowl game, joining the Fighting Tigers in representing LSU in Arizona. LSU Videographer and former band member Steven Miley, on Talk Louisiana, said when the band takes a big trip like this, it’s all business.

Cut 3 (12) “band trip.”

And for those of you tuning in early, or at the game against Central Florida, Miley says there’s quite a treat waiting for you, as the band has been practice since Saturday in Arizona for the game.

Cut 4 (07) “   two bands” 

Miley says it’s a different world these days, as technology has made it easier than ever for band members to stay synchronized. He says in the old days, players were handed a sheet of paper telling them where to go for each song, but now it’s all on an app…

Cut 5 (11) “…smart phone”

Kickoff is at 12PM

_________________________________

Looking back on 2018, Governor John Bel Edwards says one of the issues Louisiana came up short with and hopes to make a priority in 2019 is issues with wages.  Currently, the minimum wage in Louisiana is set at $7.25 an hour.  Edwards says the last time Congress addressed a minimum wage increase was in 2009 and now the current rate just isn’t a meaningful wage a decade later.

Cut 6 (06) “right thing to do.”

Edwards says the gender wage gap in Louisiana is also a major concern as women earn about 66 cents on the dollar compared to men performing a similar job.  He estimates women of color are at about 50 cents on the dollar.

Cut 7 (09) “…the same work.”

Edwards says although it’s a letdown nothing has changed with wage issues since taking office, the push will continue in 2019.

Cut 8 (13) “…get that done.”

__________________________________
A new report indicates the oyster population continues to struggle along the Gulf Coast.  Coastal and marine conservation director at the Nature Conservatory Seth Blitch says the industry connected with oysters in all gulf coast states has struggled in the time since the 2010 oil spill.

Cut 9 (10) “…like to be.″

Blitch says several factors have contributed to the decline in the population such as the oil spill, hurricanes, and a lack of dynamic salinity levels in the water.

Cut 10 (10)   “…to the coast.”

Blitch says the oyster population’s importance extends beyond just the business side of the harvesting the shell fish.

Cut 11 (10) “…crabs and shrimp.”

__________________________________

A representative is bringing legislation in the upcoming session that would lock in protections for Louisianans with pre-existing conditions and allow dependents to stay on their parent’s plans until 26, even if a pending court case strikes down Obamacare. Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown says it’s a vital bill.

Cut 12 (10)   “…coverage”

A Judge in Texas declared the entire ACA unconstitutional. The case is set to be heard next in the New Orleans based 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals. Brown says he’s confident they could replace federal laws with state protections if Obamacare is struck down.

Cut 13 (10) “…the states”

Brown is confident the legislation would pass, due to the outpouring of bipartisan support for the two issues it addresses.

Cut 14 (11) “…coverage.”

A recent Facebook post by the Harahan Police Department is encouraging anyone who has purchased meth in Louisiana to have it tested for the Zika virus.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The State Fire Marshal’s Office has issued cease and desist orders to eight fireworks stands in five parishes for illegal fireworks sales over the holiday weekend.  Investigators confirmed the unlawful sales were taking place at stands in Sabine, Lafayette, Acadia, St. Martin, and Iberia Parishes.  A large warehouse in Acadia Parish found to be storing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of illegal fireworks was also shut down and cited.

A new year begins tomorrow, which means new laws will go into effect, including one that allows you to set up a camera to monitor your elderly loved ones in their nursing home room. The legislation was inspired by a case of suspected abuse of an elderly person by nursing home workers, and River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says he’s gotten a lot of positive feedback about the opportunity now available to families. As for the nursing homes…
Cut 11 (11) “…matter what.”
Only one person in Louisiana was sentenced to death this year, David Brown of Lafourche Parish, who was convinced of sexually assaulting, then murdering a mother and her two daughters, and setting their house on fire in 2012. Death Penalty Information Center Executive Director Robert Durham notes that more than half of all death sentences come from 2 percent of counties, or parishes, in the US. He says there’s two parishes in Louisiana that stand out when it comes to the number of death penalties issued.
Cut 8 (08) “…in Louisiana”
Louisiana has not performed an execution since 2010.

After weeks of preparation, LSU and U-C-F will finally play each other tomorrow in the Fiesta Bowl. The Knights bring a 25-game winning streak into the contest and an offense that averages 44 points a game. Last year, U-C-F upset Auburn in the Peach Bowl 34-27. Some say Auburn wasn’t ready to play after losing in the SEC Title game. Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron says his guys are focused and desperately want to win

Cut 13 (12) “…be battle.”

LSU enters the game with a 9-3 record.

And it’s been a busy day of college football, with 6 games on deck today. Earlier Cincinnati beat Virginia Tech 35 to 31. For SEC watchers, you’ll want to catch 19^th Texas A&M play NC State tonight.

Tomorrows New Year’s bowl games start with Mississippi State and Iowa at 11AM, LSU and UCF at 12PM, Kentucky and Penn at 12PM, Washington and Ohio State at 4pm, and Texas and Georgia at 745PM.

The Saints did not look great Sunday, falling 33 to 14 against the Panthers in a game where roughly two thirds of the team either wasn’t suited up, or took the field and didn’t play. But, there was one guy who you could tell was taking it seriously, and that was, wide receiver Mike Thomas, who was chasing history, and setting records. In the fourth quarterThomas caught a six-yard pass to break Joe Horn’s single-season franchise record for receiving yards. Coach Payton says it was nice to see, but it’s overshadowed by the loss…

Cut 18 (15)    winning though” 

Thomas also ends the season with 125 catches, which leads the league. It’s the first time a Saints has led the league in that category since 1969. He also ends with 1,405 yards, good for 4^th in the NFL, and nine TDs.

The Harahan Police Department’s recent offer to screen methamphetamine for the Zika virus has captured the attention of social media and news outlets across the globe.  In a Facebook post, the department encouraged meth users to bring all of their drug to police for free testing.  Police Chief Tim Walker admits there is no meth actually contaminated with the Zika virus.  But has anyone been gullible enough to take him up on the offer of testing meth?
Cut 5 (06) “…would surprise me.”
Only one person in Louisiana was sentenced to death this year, David Brown of Lafourche Parish, who was convinced of sexually assaulting, then murdering a mother and her two daughters, and setting their house on fire in 2012. Death Penalty Information Center Executive Director Robert Durham attributes the decline in support for the death penalty, even in Bayou State, to public awareness of the extensive legal costs, the difficulty of finding chemicals for lethal injection, and the 11 exonerations for death row inmates in Louisiana since 1900.

Cut 7 (06) “…the country”

A new year begins tomorrow, which means new laws will go into effect, including one that allows you to set up a camera to monitor your elderly loved ones in their nursing home room. Since you can’t use the facility’s Wi-Fi, you’ll have to purchase a data plan from a cellular provider that will support the device.  River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says it’s for a good reason.
Cut 10 (11) “…of communication”
After weeks of preparation, LSU and U-C-F will finally play each other tomorrow in the Fiesta Bowl. The Knights bring a 25-game winning streak into the contest and an offense that averages 44 points a game. LSU enters the game with a 9-3 record. LSU Coash Ed Orgeron says the seven overtime loss to Texas A-and-M in the regular season finale also serves as motivation in this game…

Cut 14 (11) “…to approach it.”

The Harahan Police Department’s recent offer to screen methamphetamine for the Zika virus has captured the attention of social media and news outlets across the globe.  In a Facebook post, the department encouraged meth users to bring all of their drug to police for free testing.  Police Chief Tim Walker acknowledged the post was a stunt to bring attention to the issue of drug use.

Cut 3 (08) “…their free time.”

Only one person in Louisiana was sentenced to death this year, David Brown of Lafourche Parish, who was convinced of sexually assaulting, then murdering a mother and her two daughters, and setting their house on fire in 2012. Death Penalty Information Center Executive Director Robert Dunham says that follows a nationwide trend of an 85 percent decline in death sentences.

Cut 6 (08) “…the country”

A new year begins tomorrow, which means new laws will go into effect, including one that allows you to set up a camera to monitor your elderly loved ones in their nursing home room. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says the families must pay for the device and installation, cannot use the facility’s Wi-Fi, and…

Cut 9 (06) “…roommate″

After weeks of preparation, LSU and U-C-F will finally play each other tomorrow in the Fiesta Bowl. The Knights bring a 25-game winning streak into the contest and an offense that averages 44 points a game. Last year, U-C-F upset Auburn in the Peach Bowl 34-27. Some say Auburn wasn’t ready to play after losing in the SEC Title game. But LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says his guys are focused and desperately want to win

Cut 13 (12) “…be battle.”

A recent Facebook post by the Harahan Police Department is encouraging anyone who has purchased meth in Louisiana to have it tested for the Zika virus.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The State Fire Marshal’s Office has issued cease and desist orders to eight fireworks stands in five parishes for illegal fireworks sales over the holiday weekend.  Investigators confirmed the unlawful sales were taking place at stands in Sabine, Lafayette, Acadia, St. Martin, and Iberia Parishes.  A large warehouse in Acadia Parish found to be storing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of illegal fireworks was also shut down and cited.

A new year begins tomorrow, which means new laws will go into effect, including one that allows you to set up a camera to monitor your elderly loved ones in their nursing home room. The legislation was inspired by a case of suspected abuse of an elderly person by nursing home workers, and River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says he’s gotten a lot of positive feedback about the opportunity now available to families. As for the nursing homes…
Cut 11 (11) “…matter what.”
Only one person in Louisiana was sentenced to death this year, David Brown of Lafourche Parish, who was convinced of sexually assaulting, then murdering a mother and her two daughters, and setting their house on fire in 2012. Death Penalty Information Center Executive Director Robert Durham notes that more than half of all death sentences come from 2 percent of counties, or parishes, in the US. He says there’s two parishes in Louisiana that stand out when it comes to the number of death penalties issued.
Cut 8 (08) “…in Louisiana”
Louisiana has not performed an execution since 2010.

The Harahan Police Department’s recent offer to screen methamphetamine for the Zika virus has captured the attention of social media and news outlets across the globe.  In a Facebook post, the department encouraged meth users to bring all of their drug to police for free testing.  Police Chief Tim Walker admits there is no meth actually contaminated with the Zika virus.  But has anyone been gullible enough to take him up on the offer of testing meth?
Cut 5 (06) “…would surprise me.”
Only one person in Louisiana was sentenced to death this year, David Brown of Lafourche Parish, who was convinced of sexually assaulting, then murdering a mother and her two daughters, and setting their house on fire in 2012. Death Penalty Information Center Executive Director Robert Durham attributes the decline in support for the death penalty, even in Bayou State, to public awareness of the extensive legal costs, the difficulty of finding chemicals for lethal injection, and the 11 exonerations for death row inmates in Louisiana since 1900.

Cut 7 (06) “…the country”

A new year begins tomorrow, which means new laws will go into effect, including one that allows you to set up a camera to monitor your elderly loved ones in their nursing home room. Since you can’t use the facility’s Wi-Fi, you’ll have to purchase a data plan from a cellular provider that will support the device.  River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says it’s for a good reason.
Cut 10 (11) “…of communication”
After weeks of preparation, LSU and U-C-F will finally play each other tomorrow in the Fiesta Bowl. The Knights bring a 25-game winning streak into the contest and an offense that averages 44 points a game. But Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron says you can’t overlook U-C-F’s defense led by defensive coordinator Randy Shannon

Cut 12 (12)   “…60 minutes.”