Congressman Steve Scalise of Metairie says the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is already having a positive impact on families. Scalise lists over 100 businesses on his House Majority Whip website that have given bonuses, pay raises or made new investments as a result of the federal tax overhaul. Scalise says local businesses in southeast Louisiana are following suit:
Cut 14 (12) “bonuses”

Governor John Bel Edwards is asking the president not to interfere with Louisiana’s medical marijuana law. Attorney General Jeff Sessions recently said plans were in place to tackle state’s legal medical marijuana policies. Senator Fred Mills authored the 2016 law authorizing the regulation of cannabis treatment here and says it would be a horrible step back for people that need this medication for the feds to stand in the way…:
Cut 10 (03) “not humane”

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index is at an all time high heading into 2018…:
Cut 2 (30) “Matt Doyle”

LSU is reportedly close to naming Steve Ensminger as the Tigers new offensive coordinator. Ensminger has been the Tigers tight ends coach for a number of years and served as interim offensive coordinator in 2016 after Les Miles and Cam Cameron were fired. LSU averaged 41 points a game in six victories with Ensminger calling plays, but didn’t do much in losses versus to Alabama and Florida.

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter says he has a better plan to raise money to fix roads in bridges in Louisiana…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Small Business Optimism is at an all-time high as we enter 2018. Louisiana NFIB Director Dawn Starns credits the Trump Administration’s promise of regulatory rollback and tax cuts…:
Cut 6 (07) “in 2017″

Governor John Bel Edwards has sent a letter to President Trump asking him to defend Louisiana’s ability to offer medical marijuana. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has requested a federal mandate that protects a state’s legal medical marijuana activity be reversed. Senator Fred Mills authored the 2016 law authorizing the regulation of cannabis treatment here…:
CUT 9 (07) “for clients”
Recent polling in Louisiana indicates that there is broad support for the availability of medical marijuana treatment for those in need.

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Jefferson Parish says he’ll need another surgery tomorrow as part of his ongoing recovery process. Scalise was shot and injured during a Congressional Baseball practice over the summer.

After failing last year to raise Louisiana’s gas tax for road improvements, Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter has a different idea this year. He plans to file a constitutional amendment that would would eventually allow a region of the state to decide if they want a higher gas tax for their area. Carter says there’s not enough support for a statewide gas tax increase…
Cut 3 (07) “any help.”

Governor John Bel Edwards outlined his legislative agenda during an appearance at the Baton Rouge Press Club, and once again said he will push to raise the minimum wage. The Governor believes $7.25 an hour is not enough for hard working Louisiana families…:
Cut 10 (10) “support themselves”
The regular session convenes on March 12th.

A USA article has stoked fears we could face a global chocolate shortage by 2050, saying research shows a surging demand from former third world countries. But CEO of Elmer’s Chocolate in Ponchatoula, Rob Nelson, believes the commerce will be able to handle supply…:
Cut 8 (07) “demand”
The article cited a 2016 study from NOAA and discussed how the makers of M&Ms, was investing a billion dollars into sustainability projects.

Saints fans heading to the away playoff game against the Vikings this weekend will experience temperatures in the single digits. Explore Minnesota Spokesperson Erica Wacker says locals have a different way of thinking about the cold..:
Cut 13 (09) “bad clothing”
The game kicks off at 3:40 our time Sunday.

Governor John Bel Edwards will not push for changes to the TOPS scholarship program. Jeff Palermo has the story…
voicer 2 (31) “…reporting”

An article in USA Today has stoked fears of a global chocolate shortage by 2050. The article cited a 2016 study from NOAA and discussed how the makers of M&Ms invested a billion dollars into sustainability projects. But the CEO of Elmer’s Chocolate in Ponchatoula, Rob Nelson, says…
Cut 7 (04) “misleading.”
A state legislative audit finds the former police chief of Killian in Livingston Parish may have violated state law by billing the town for overtime work and using the town credit card for personal purchases. State Auditor Greg Clapinski says they also found the town improperly purchased diving equipment by following the public bid the process…
cut 6 (11) “….question that”
Hill was fired in June and the Livingston Parish District Attorney plans to review the auditor’s findings.

You can bet some Saints fans will make the trip to Minnesota for Sunday’s N-F-C playoff game between New Orleans and the Vikings. Explore Minnesota spokesperson Erica Wacker encourages Who Dat Nation to partake in their local beers with the famous Jucy Lucy….
cut 14 (11) “…oozes out”
If you are heading to Minnesota, dress warm, the high on Sunday will be five-degrees, but the game will be played indoors.

Governor John Bel Edwards says one of the items he’ll be pushing in the March regular legislative session is to reduce the state’s 71 licensing boards. He says doing so would help start-up small businesses in Louisiana…:
Cut 12 (11) “the board”
Edwards also told the Baton Rouge Press Club Monday he does not favor making changes to the TOPS scholarship program.

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Jefferson Parish says he’ll need another surgery tomorrow as part of his ongoing recovery process. Scalise was shot and injured during a Congressional Baseball practice over the summer. He says he is receiving great care from his medical team and will remain fully engaged in work as he heals from the procedure. He hopes to return to Congress in the coming weeks.

Scientists say we may be entering a global chocolate shortage by 2050, blaming things like climate change, disease and declining crop quality in cacao producing countries. But Rob Nelson, CEO of Elmer’s Chocolate in Ponchatoula, says they are working on sustainability efforts…:
Cut 9 (11) “long term”
He says there’s still time to save cacao.

Even though Louisiana just had a bitter cold snap, Saints fans traveling to the playoff game in Minnesota this weekend will be dealing with a high of one degree. Explore Minnesota Spokesperson Erica Wacker says the great north offers man activities Louisianians would love including interesting fishing opportunities…:
Cut 15 (11) “frozen lake”
The game starts 3:40pm Sunday.

Governor John Bel Edwards outlined his legislative agenda during Baton Rouge Press Club Monday, and once again said he’d be pushing to raise the minimum wage. The Governor believes $7.25 an hour is not enough for hard working Louisiana families…:
Cut 10 (10) “support themselves”
The regular session is slated to convene March 12th.

A state audit finds that the former Police Chief for the Town of Killian in Livingston Parish was paid for time he did not work, received excessive compensation and used work credit cards for personal use. Investigative Audit Manager Greg Clapinski says they found that Dennis Hill submitted time sheets for overtime that he did not work…:
Cut 4 (09) “on the clock”
Clapinski says they have turned findings over to the DA.

Calling Minnesota’s winter weather frigid would be understatement, and Matt Doyle has more about what Saints fans making the trip this Sunday should expect…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Two Angola sergeants have been arrested amid allegations they brought cell phones and drugs into the prison, and another booked for sexual malfeasance. Officials say contraband brought into the Louisiana State Penitentiary included mojo, ecstasy pills, cocaine and pot. The investigation further found that 23-year-old Diamond Nicholson of Natchez had sex on several occasions with an inmate.

Governor John Bel Edwards will not push for changes to the TOPS scholarship program. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The former Police Chief for the Town of Killian was paid for time he did not work, received excessive compensation and used work credit cards for personal use, according to a recent state audit. Investigative Audit Manager Greg Clapinski…:
Cut 5 (07) “personal purchase”
Clapinski says they have turned findings over to the DA.

A USA article stoked fears that we could be facing a global chocolate shortage by 2050, saying research shows a surging demand from former third world countries. Chairman and CEO of Elmer’s Chocolate in Ponchatoula Rob Nelson believes the commerce will be able to handle supply…:
Cut 8 (07) “demand”
The article cited a 2016 study from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and discussed how Mars Co, makers of M&Ms, was investing a billion dollars into sustainability projects.

Saints fans are loving a video making the rounds on social media showing the team and even coach Sean Payton dancing around the in the locker room following New Orleans playoff victory over Carolina on Sunday. Linebacker Manti Te’o says it was a great moment…:
Cut 26 (11) “good team win”
New Orleans will face the Vikings on Sunday at 3:40 pm in the NFC divisional playoffs.

Governor John Bel Edwards has several items he would like to accomplish in the 2018 regular legislative session when it convenes March 12th. Among them, Edwards says he’ll seek legislative support to close the gender pay gap in private businesses…:
Cut 11 (11) “same job”
The Governor also said Monday he doesn’t want to tweak the popular TOPS program.

Saints fans going to watch the away playoff game against the Vikings this weekend will be lucky if they experience temperatures above zero. Explore Minnesota Spokesperson Erica Wacker says locals have a different way of thinking about the cold..:
Cut 13 (09) “bad clothing”
The game kicks off at 3:40 our time Sunday.

A legislative audit finds the former Killian Police Chief in Livingston Parish misappropriated funds for personal use…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Alabama ended up creeping back up on Georgia in the College Football Playoff national championship game last night, and rallied to a 26-23 win after Amite grad Devonta Smith caught the winning pass for the Crimson Tide in overtime.