This is the busiest week of the year for the United States Postal Service. USPS spokesperson Sean O’Neill says two big deadlines are coming up to make sure your mail and packages arrive before before Christmas Day…
Cut 4 (12) “…priority mail express.″
During this week alone, the Postal Service expects to process and deliver nearly three billion pieces of First-Class Mail, including greeting cards.

Louisiana Congressman Cedric Richmond introduces legislation that’s intended to reduce rent costs and provide greater access to home ownership through first-time homebuyer payment assistance. Executive Director of HousingNOLA Andreanecia Morris says the legislation can also provide an economic stimulus…
cut 8 (09) “…exists”
A similar bill has also been filed in the Senate, but it’s unclear if there’s enough support to get the legislation through Congress.

The holidays can be a dangerous time on the roadways so law enforcement is stepping up patrols as part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Deputy Director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Dortha Cummins says in the last five years, 139 people have died during the Christmas and New Year’s Eve holiday period.
Cut 10 (08) “…happened involved alcohol.”
Cummins says during the holiday season, the ride-sharing service Lyft will provide five-dollars off for those who drink too much and don’t want to drive home. Use the code “Ride Smart LA” when you order a Lyft.

Duson Police in Acadia Parish arrested a 29-year-old Youngsville man for using counterfeit 100-dollar bills. Authorities say during a traffic stop, cops also found a printer and printer cartridges and other items used to produce counterfeit money in a vehicle belonging to Stephen Young. Police say when Young was put in the back of a police car, he tried to hide another six fake 100-dollar bills.

A week from today is Christmas eve, so this is a busy week for the U-S Post Office. U-S Postal Service spokesperson Sean O’ Neil says if you are dropping items off at the post office, he recommends using the “click and ship” service at USPS.com to pay for postage ahead of time.
Cut 5 (08) “…done and done.”
The deadline to make sure first-class mail and packages get to their destination before Christmas Day is December 20th.

Congressman Cedric Richmond has filed legislation that will create over 30-thousand affordable housing opportunities in New Orleans alone. Executive Director of Housing NOLA Andreanecia Morris says if taxpayers have to spend less money on housing that means more money can go into the economy…
cut 9 (10) “….other things’
It’s unclear whether the legislation has a chance at approval.

Law enforcement is stepping up patrols this holiday season to keep the roads safe. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

This morning, the northern half of the state is under a dense fog advisory until 10 AM.

A federal judge in Texas declares the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional, because of the federal mandate that requires Americans to buy health insurance or face an additional tax if they do not comply. Judge Reed O’ Connor says now that Congress has removed the penalty for not having coverage, the individual mandate is unconstitutional.

Governor Edwards is disappointed. He says hundreds of thousands of Louisianans could lose their health insurance, if the ruling stands through the appeals process. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry applauds the decision and says he’ll work with the state legislature to make sure those with pre-existing conditions can obtain coverage.

Today is the final day to sign up for coverage through the A-C-A and the law remains in place despite last night’s ruling. Fewer people are signing up and Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon credits an improving economy…
cut 4 (10) “…uninusred”

The holidays can be a dangerous time on the roadways so law enforcement is stepping up patrols as part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Deputy Director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Dortha Cummins says in the last five years, 139 people have died during the Christmas and New Year’s Eve holiday period.
Cut 10 (08) “…happened involved alcohol.”
Cummins says if you use Lyft during the holidays and type in the promo code Ride Smart LA, you can receive 5-dollars off on your ride home.

On Monday night, the Saints will face a struggling Carolina Panthers team. New Orleans has won back-to-back NFC South titles, but Carolina quarterback Cam Newton hints that the Saints franchise is more known for its losing…
cut 24 (13) “…own too”
Kick-off Monday is at 7:15.

A federal judge in Texas rules that Obamacare is unconstitutional and Governor John Bel Edwards says it creates uncertainty for nearly 850-thousand Louisianans with a pre-existing health condition as they could lose their health insurance. But Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says this case is about federal overreach and patients should come first in health care, not a bureaucracy. Landry says if this ruling stands through the appeal process, he’ll work with the legislature to make sure those with pre-existing conditions obtain coverage.
Today is the deadline to sign up for health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act. There are fewer people signing up as last year Congress approved legislation that removes the penalty for not having health insurance….
cut 5 (09) “….those penalties”
That’s Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon.

Former state superintendent of education Paul Pastorek will lead an investigation into allegations that T-M Landry College Prep in Breaux Breaux falsified college applications so their students can attend Ivy league schools. The New York Times reports one of the co founders of the school, Michael Landry, also abused some of the children. State Police is looking into the abuse claims.

A Houston-based natural gas company moved a step closer to receiving a one-billion dollar plus property tax break as a result of a vote by the Louisiana board of Commerce and Industry…
cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Today is the deadline to enroll or re-enroll for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Matt Doyle reports fewer people are signing up…
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A federal judge in Texas has ruled the Affordable Care Act is “invalid” but the nation’s health care law will remain in place during the appeals process. Judge Reed O’ Conner says when Congress eliminated the penalty for not having coverage, it knocked the constitutional foundation from under “Obamacare.” It’s a lawsuit Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry supports.

Tax season is right around the corner and that means tax refunds. The financial technology company, SmartAsset, says just over 1.5 million taxpayers in the state will receive a refund, with the average being right around $3,300. VP of Financial Education at SmartAsset AJ Smith says you may be losing out on opportunities to make money on the money that is being withheld. If you want to make adjustments to your withholdings, you should speak with someone in HR at your job.
Cut 11 (07) “…throughout the year.”

Governor John Bel Edwards was the commencement speaker at graduation ceremonies at UL Lafayette and UNO yesterday. Edwards says these graduates are now equipped with the diverse set of skills that will be necessary to navigate the five or more different jobs many of them will have throughout their life.
Cut 13 (11) “…your success”

Despite lower premiums, Obamacare individual market signups are down 10 percent in Louisiana on the eve of the December 15th deadline for enrollment. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says proponents of Obamacare are pointing towards a lower investment in advertising for the service, but he thinks locally there’s a more obvious answer.

Cut 3 (09) “.policies”

Advocates are concerned the market will de-stabilize if the pool of enrollees shrinks.

The state Board of Commerce and Industry agrees to give a developer planning to build a massive liquefied natural gas export facility in Calcasieu Parish a tax break that could eventually reach two-billion dollars. The advocacy group, Together Louisiana, objected. Broderick Bagert says local government taxing bodies did not give residents enough information about the project

Cut 6 (08) “…asking for.

Tax season is right around the corner and that means tax refunds.  According to research by financial technology company SmartAsset, just over 1.5 million taxpayers in the state will be owed a refund, with the average being right around $3,300.  VP of Financial Education at SmartAsset AJ Smith says refunds are based on allowances and how much someone is claiming throughout the year.

Cut 9 (11) “…tax time″

Governor John Bel Edwards gave the commencement address at the UL Lafayette graduation ceremony earlier today, celebrating the hard work of the Ragin Cajun class of 2019. The Governor, who is up for re-election in 2019, highlighted higher education funding as the primary reason he ran for office in 2015, and says the success of this class of students is a reminder of why the state needs to maintain appropriate funding levels.

Cut 14 (11) “…that future”

Students from 26 different countries were part of the class.

According to research by financial technology company SmartAsset, just over 1.5 million taxpayers in the state will be owed a refund, with the average being right around $3,300. SmartAsset’s AJ Smith says the research results presents taxpayers with a better idea on how their tax money is to be handled.

Cut 10 (12) “…make some changes.”

Governor John Bel Edwards gave the commencement address at the UL Lafayette graduation ceremony earlier today, celebrating the hard work of the Ragin Cajun class of 2019 that featured students from 29 different states and 26 different countries. Edwards celebrated the storied institution.

Cut 12 (11)   “…from them”

The state Board of Commerce and Industry agrees to give a developer planning to build a massive liquefied natural gas export facility in Calcasieu Parish a tax break that could eventually reach two-billion dollars. Houma Senator Norby Chabert, sits on the Board, and calls the project a heck of a deal and Calcasieu Parish taxpayers are aware of its impact…

Cut 7 (11) “…this project”

Despite lower premiums, Obamacare individual market signups are down 10 percent in Louisiana on the eve of the December 15th deadline for enrollment. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says it’s likely not just one cause either. The unemployment rate is down several percent in the past few years thanks to an improving economy, and the Commissioner says as more people find work, there’s less of a need for them to buy personal insurance plans.
Cut 4 (10) “…uninsured″