Governor John Bel Edwards remains optimistic an agreement can be reached with the GOP lawmakers on solving a looming one-billion-dollar deficit.  I’m Jeff Palermo.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A Legislative Audit finds former Killian police chief Dennis Hill received overtime pay for hours he didn’t work, used a city’s credit card for personal purchases and didn’t send traffic citations to the town clerk.  Daryl Purpera says auditors found he was paid nearly 1000 dollars in overtime pay while out of town.  He is also accused of buying clothes and gas on the city’s credit card.

State Police say an officer with the Monroe Police Department died in a crash on Sunday. Trooper Michael Reichardt says 26-year-old Officer Christopher Beaudion (Boo-Dwan) was in his unit shortly before 3am in Monroe.  The cause of the crash is under investigation, and routine toxicology and autopsy results are pending.  Reichardt says Beaudion leaves behind a wife and two children..:

Cut 9 (09)  “and prayers”

He had been with the department since August 2016…

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is warning the public about fish kills as a result of last week’s freezing temperatures. Biologist Alex Perret says it’s uncommon, but not unheard of…

Cut 11 (12) “fish mortality”

Talks continued today between Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards and Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras on how the state should reform its tax code to address a looming one-billion dollar budget deficit. Edwards says Republican legislators should be aware of the different options….
cut 15 (12) “…a plan”
Edwards has proposed changing income tax brackets and removing sales tax exemptions for businesses as a way to make up the budget deficit. He also wants to see the state sales tax lowered from five to four cents to offset any tax increases.

One person is dead, two others injured after a home invasion in Madison parish that happened last night an apartment complex. Authorities have yet to make an arrest and they have not identified the victims. Investigators believe it was a random murder.

The freezing cold temperatures of last week could lead to fish kills. Matt Doyle spoke with a Wildlife and Fisheries biologist.
Cut 2 (30) “Matt Doyle Reporting”

Carnival season means King cake season, and this year’s compressed schedule, coupled with the Saints in the playoffs, means this tradition is kicking into overdrive. Haydel’s Bakery’s Dave Haydel says the last time the Saints made the Super Bowl, black and gold king cakes flew off the shelves…
Cut 3 (08) “of the Super Bowl.”

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards met with Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras again today to discuss solutions to a looming one-billion dollar budget deficit. Edwards would like to call a special session in February to pass a revenue-neutral tax plan to address the fiscal cliff, but only will do so if he can reacn an agreement in principle with House leaders on a tax reform bill. In the meantime, the governor is planning to propose a budget that reflects a billion dollar cut in state spending…
cut 13 (07) “…will be devasating”
The proposed budget for next fiscal year will be presented to legislators on January 19th.

The Madison Parish Sheriff’s office is investigating a fatal home invasion in Tallulah that resulted in one death and two others injured. Investigator Brandon Wiltcher says this crime appears to be random and this doesn’t happen in Tallulah often…
cut 7 (08) “….this matter”
No arrests have been made yet.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says we may see fish kills as a result of last week’s cold temperatures. Biologist Alex Perret says if you do find a fish kill, contact L-D-W-F and provide basic information such as the location and size of the kill. Perret says it’s a public safety interest…
cut 12 (09) “…fish kill”

And it’s King Cake time as the Canrival season officially started over the weekend. It’s generally accepted that a traditional king cake is a twisted dough covered with icing, but after three centuries, the variations are nearly limitless. Dave Haydel of Hayde’s Bakery says there’s a few other varieties he’s noticed are in high demand.
Cut 5 (13) “fillings too.”
Carnival season wraps up Tuesday, February 13th.

Louisiana is recovering from a week of hard freezes that shut down production in some of our most popular industries. Fish in particular took the week off, burrowing deep into the mud and away from anglers hooks. Wildlife and Fisheries biologist Alex Perret says it’s best to wait for the cold to pass:
Cut 10 (11) “front comes”
If the water remains below 40 degrees for more than a day, Perret says you should probably anticipate a tougher day of fishing.

It’s officially king cake season and this year’s compressed schedule means this 300-year-old tradition is kicking into overdrive. Haydel’s Bakery’s Dave Haydel says it’s a short season so they are keeping busy…:
Cut 4 (09) “so short” (2x)
Carnival season wraps up Tuesday, February 13th.

The Saints are moving on in the NFC playoffs after beating the Carolina Panthers 31-26 in front of a raucous Superdome crowd. Head Coach Sean Payton on sending their division rival home for the winter…:
Cut 17 (12) “completely different”
The Saints will now head to Minnesota Sunday to take on the Vikings for a trip to the NFC Championship.

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards is meeting with Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras today to continue negotiations centered on the looming fiscal cliff. The governor has said he wants a revenue neutral tax plan, but Barras wants to reduce state spending. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat doesn’t see either side budging much…:
Cut 25 (10) “spending cuts”
Edwards set a January 19th deadline to come up with an agreement in principle.

Carnival season means king cake season, and this year’s compressed schedule, coupled with the Saints storming into the playoffs means the 300-year-old tradition is kicking into overdrive. The traditional purple, green, and gold is being challenged in popularity by the black and gold, according to Haydel’s Bakery’s Dave Haydel…:
Cut 3 (08) “of the Super Bowl”
Carnival season wraps up Tuesday, February 13th.

The Madison Parish Sheriff’s Office says one person was killed another two were injured in what they believe was a home invasion in Tallulah. Investigator Brandon Wiltcher says someone allegedly tried to break in to an apartment at Country Meadows…:
CUT 6 (09) “to the hospital”
The investigation is ongoing.

State Police say an officer with the Monroe Police Department died in a crash on Sunday. Trooper Michale Reichardt says 26-year-old Officer Christopher Beaudion (Boo-Dwan) was in his unit shortly before 3am yesterday on South 2nd near Winnsboro Rod in Monroe…:
CUT 8 (05) “and struck a tree”
Reichardt says Beaudion has been with the department since August of 2016 and leaves behind a wife and two children. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Taxpayers in Louisiana can begin filing their 2017 state returns on January 29th. The state Department of Revenue said today it would start accepting taxes the same day the IRS starts taking federal returns.

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards will meet with Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras today to continue negotiations centered on the looming fiscal cliff. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat on the governor’s goal…:
Cut 10 (09) “reduce spending”
Edwards set a January 19th deadline to come up with an agreement in principle on a plan to address a one billion dollar shortfall.

The search is on for a new offensive coordinator at LSU, as the athletics department has reportedly paid 1.7 million dollars to buyout the final two years of Matt Canada’s contract. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says this is a very important hire for Coach Ed Orgeron, because if he misfires again, it could mean the end of his tenure at LSU…:
Cut 6 (05) “third chance”
Canada’s modern motion offense was expected to bring big results, but ended up flat lining in big games.

A new Baton Rouge police chief will have his share of challenges after he’s sworn in today…:
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

State Police say an officer with the Monroe Police Department has died following a Sunday wreck. They say 26-year-old Chris Beaudion was involved in a single-vehicle crash while on duty in the early morning hours. Investigators believe the officer was in his patrol unit when he traveled into the opposite lane of traffic and hit a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Ouachita Parish Coroner’s Office, and his body was sent for an autopsy.

The Louisiana House Speaker and Governor are set to meet today to continue working towards a resolution to the fiscal cliff. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana State Police say a Monroe police officer was killed in a single vehicle accident early Sunday morning.  26-year-old Christopher Beaudion was driving, when for unknown reason his car veered to the left traveled across both northbound lane and struck a tree.   He was pronounced dead at the scene.  A toxicology report will be submitted.

New Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul will be sworn in today with a huge task ahead, trying to reduce crime in the city.  LSU Sociology Professor Matthew Valsik says Paul needs to decrease crime by mimicking some of the steps New York City did.  But there’s one big difference…

(CUT 8) (11) “do that.”

The recent extended cold snap and snow from last month has raised fears that the state’s berry crop could be at risk.  Ponchatoula strawberry farmer Dale Carona says he has tried to protect his berries by bundling them up…

(CUT 14) (12) “good shape.”

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards will meet with Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras today to continue negotiations centered on the looming fiscal cliff. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat is skeptical a deal can be reached by the governor’s hoped January 19th deadline…:
Cut 11 (10) “same page”
If an agreement isn’t reached, the administration would have to cut about a billion dollars in state spending.

LSU athletics reportedly paid 1.7 million dollars to buyout the final two years of Matt Canada’s contract, So the search is on for a new offensive coordinator. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham believes LSU is willing to spend a lot on a new play caller…:
Cut 4 (09) “your coordinators”
Worsham says this is a very important hire for Orgeron, because his job could be in jeopardy if he misfires again.

Strawberry farmers had to put the brakes on this year’s harvest as a result of the polar vortex…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Saints have advanced to the divisional round of the NFL playoffs after a 31-26 victory over the Carolina Panthers Sunday. Head Coach Sean Payton gives credit to the extremely loud Superdome crowd…:
Cut 18 (19) “formations”