Retired State Police Col. Mike Edmondson’s attorney has responded to a legislative audit that alleges Edmondson abused his position. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A Lafayette tv station reports the person who fell off a Carnival Cruise Line near Mexico has been identified as 44-year-old Juwanna Brooks.  KLFY interviewed the mother Marilyn Winfrey who says the cruise was a Christmas gift from Brooks’ husband.  Mexican officials are still looking for Brooks but haven’t found any evidence since she fell off the cruise ship on Sunday.

There is still no water in Tallulah, but the Mayor says service should be operational by tomorrow. Entergy crews restored power in about 2 hours. Crews need to replace a control panel for the water plant before putting it back online.  School was in session today, but spokesperson Yvonne Lewis says they still need to fill the water tower, which could take up to ten more hours…

Cut 7 (09)  “or not.”

A mobile trailer fire in Hammond, on Gorman Road has claimed the life of one man. Preliminary findings from the state fire marshal’s office indicates the deadly blaze was a result of the resident using an outdoor cooking burner to heat the trailer.  State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says there’s a noticeable spike in fire fatalities in the last 30 days…

Cut 10 (12) “heating homes.”

An attorney representing Mike Edmonson, the former leader of State Police, did not address many of the allegations made against him in a response to a scathing audit released in December. The state audit claims Edmonson used his position of authority to violate state law. In the two-page response, Edmonson’s attorney said the retired superintendent does not have the type of resources to respond, because a draft report was released early.

Deaf students have filed a lawsuit against Louisiana’s community college system allegeding they did not accomodiate for their disability by providing interpreters. Attorney Andrew Bizer says he hopes the suit will force the state to overhaul its treamtent of disabled students…
cut 5 (09) “…civil rights law”
A spokesperson for the community college system could not comment on pending litigation, but said they always do everything they can to provide proper access to their students.

There is no running water in Tallulah because of a power failure at the town’s water treatment plant. The mayor says power has been restored, but more repairs are needed, so it will be until tomorrow before the water plant is functioning again and water can start flowing again in homes and businesses. In the meantime, Yvonne Leiws, with the city of Tallulah, is asking for help…
cut 8 (10) “…0694”

Another person has died in a house fire in Louisiana. Officials say a mobile trailer ignited when the resident used an outdoor cooking burner to heat the trailer. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says many of the deaths are related to people finding unconventional ways to keep warm….
cut 11 (08) “…around cooking”
Browning the home also did not have working smoke detectors.

Former State Police Col Mike Edmondon’s attorney has issued a response to the scathing audit which suggested his client abused taxpayer dollars while serving as the head of LSP. The response only addressed two of the auditors observations…one saying that Edmonson lived on State Police grounds because he was asked and expected to by the governor. The other that Edmonson didn’t approve all overtime for a side trip some troopers took.

Deaf students have filed a discrimination suit against the Louisiana Community College System, alleging Delgado Community College denied sign language interpreters and other accommodations. Plaintiffs’ attorney Andrew Bizer says the discrimination directly led to a loss of financial aid…:
Cut 4 (10) “the class”
The System would not comment on the pending case but said they take the issue of accessibility for its students very seriously.

A house fire in Hammond, on Gorman Road, claimed the life of one man. Fire Marshals preliminary findings indicate the blaze was a result of the resident using an outdoor cooking burner to heat the trailer. No smoke alarm was found, according to Fire Marshal Butch Browning…:
Cut 9 (07) “smoke alarms”
The man’s name has not yet been released.

A study from Pennington Biomedical Research finds walking just ten minutes a day brings great health benefits. Jeff Palermo spoke with Dr. Tim Church:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Deaf students are suing the Louisiana Community College System, alleging a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Matt Doyle talked to the plaintiffs’ attorney Andrew Bizer…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The attorney for retired State Police Col Mike Edmonson has issued a response to claims that his client was wasteful with taxpayer dollars while he was serving as superintendent. In a letter, the attorney says Edmonson was told by governors to live on state police grounds; one of the questions raised in a scathing audit. The statement also says that Edmonson doesn’t have time or resources to respond to other observations made by the auditors.

Tallulah has been struggling with water issues and now an electrical failure has left the city without any water. Hard freezes hampered the system earlier this month, and Administrative Assistant to the Mayor Yvonne Lewis says they had just gotten the water back on Tuesday when…:
Cut 6 (11) “storage tanks”
There is no estimated time of restoration.

Some good news on the job front. Louisiana’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.6 percent in December. It’s been nearly ten years since the rate was that low.

Deaf students have filed a discrimination suit against the Louisiana community college System, alleging they struggled in school because they couldn’t get interpreters and other accommodations for their disability. Plaintiffs’ attorney Andrew Bizer believes Delgado Community College violated the Americans with Disabilities Act…:
Cut 3 (08) “everybody else”
The System would not comment on the pending case but said they take the issue of accessibility for its students very seriously.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ worst-case-scenario budget is making waves across the state. The plan comes as the result of the expiration of a billion dollars in sales taxes this summer, and Edwards says the revenue will need to be replaced to avoid the deep cuts. Republican State Treasurer John Schroder says people don’t want to pay more taxes…:
Cut 25 (10) “more money”
The state has until July 1st to address the fiscal cliff.

Louisiana has a new tourism slogan…:
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Kelley Ray”

The Causeway headed into New Orleans was closed by crews after a truck flew off the bridge overnight into Lake Pontchartrain. Officials say the Coast Guard, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office are searching with a boat and helicopter, but have thus far only been able to recover the truck, not the driver. More on this as it develops.

Governor John Bel Edward’s worst-case-scenario budget is making waves across the state, from both inside, and outside government. The budget is the result of the expiration of a billion dollars in sales taxes this summer, and Edwards says the revenue will need to be replaced to avoid the deep cuts. State Treasurer John Schroder says he doesn’t think the public is willing to pay more taxes…

Cut 4  (10) “more money ” 

Some good news on the unemployment front.  Louisiana’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.6 percent in December.  It’s been nearly ten years since the rate was that low.  It’s a one-point-four-percent decrease from December 2016.  The biggest job gains came in construction, manufacturing, leisure and hospitality and education and health services.

“Feed Your Soul” is the new brand Louisiana will use to promote tourism.  Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they’re taking the slogan on the road in Atlanta, Houston, Dallas and Washington D.C. on Mardi Gras Day Feb. 13^th…

Cut 10 (08) “four areas.”

The new slogan replaces Pick Your Passion the state has used for the last seven years.

It’s been five years since New Orleans last hosted a Super Bowl.  Since then, the city has put in attractive bids to host the game for 2018 and 19, but lost to Minneapolis and Atlanta, with their new stadiums.  President and CEO of the New Orleans Sports Foundation Jay Cicero says they’re not sure what the NFL will be looking for when they ask for bids for Super Bowl 57 in 2023…

Cut 15 (08) “new stadium”

Governor John Bel Edward’s worst-case-scenario budget is making waves across the state. The budget is the result of the expiration of a billion dollars in sales taxes this summer, and Edwards says the revenue will need to be replaced to avoid the deep cuts. President of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Stephen Waguespack, says the governor is using scare tactics..:
Cut 7 (07) “about politics”
The state has until July 1st to address the fiscal cliff.

Super Bowl 52 in Minneapolis is right around the corner, so when will New Orleans host it’s 11th NFL Championship Game? President and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, Jay Cicero, hopes The Big Easy will get to land one after 2022…:
Cut 16 (11) “to be determined”

A study from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research finds walking just ten minutes a day brings great health benefits. Jeff Palermo spoke with Dr. Tim Church:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Tulane Law School graduate Wendy Vitter was nominated by President Donald Trump Tuesday to fill a federal judgeship in New Orleans. Vitter was the campaign manager for her husband David Vitter’s three US House elections, and has served as general counsel for the Archdiocese of New Orleans since 2012.

Reaction to Governor John Bel Edwards’ worst-case budget proposal is rolling in. The Administration presented a plan to lawmakers showing deep cuts in order to fill a one billion dollar shortfall coming this summer as a one-cent sales tax falls off the books. Edwards suggested the plan is what would happen if lawmakers don’t increase tax revenues. State Treasurer John Schroder says before Louisiana raises anymore taxes on the public, it should show exactly how its spending money…:
Cut 5 (10) “wouldn’t happen”
Schroder says Louisiana needs to get its spending under control, but recognizes it won’t be easy to do.

A thirty-three-year-old Livingston Parish teacher was arrested Monday and charged with three counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Ashley Meyer is an Albany High School teacher, and has been placed on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation.

Louisiana’s new tourism slogan is Feed Your Soul. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they found that in this state, you’re always in the moment, which is why they chose that one…:
Cut 9 (11) “in Louisiana”
Nungesser says the new brand will roll out on Mardi Gras with a food truck serving Louisiana food throughout the country.

A study from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center finds that walking, even if only ten minutes per day, can be beneficial. That’s according to Dr. Tim Church, an exercise and obesity research physician…:
Cut 12 (08) “of walking”
He says that 10 minute walk a day is a great place to start if you’re trying to lose weight.