President Donald Trump delivers his first State of the Union speech tonight:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray”

This winter’s extremely cold weather in Louisiana has stunted or even killed many of the tropical plants that normally flourish in Louisiana. But Horticulture expert Dan Gill with the LSU Ag Center says they could rebound…:
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Governor John Bel Edwards’ “Doomsday Budget” proposal has state agencies scrambling to shore up state funding, with LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Center looking at a potential 600,000 dollar cut. Executive Director John Kirwan says it’s a pressing issue for the world renowned research center…:
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Kirwan says Pennington is the world’s largest nutritional research center, responsible for over 400 Louisiana jobs.

Coach Will Wade has dismissed freshmen Mayan Kiir and Galen Alexander from LSU’s basketball team and suspended freshman Brandon Rachal and sophomore Wayde Sims. Wade said Kiir would take “a leave of absence” from the program until the end of the season, with a chance to be re-instated to the team. Alexander will not return to the program, while Sims and Rachal will serve one-game suspensions for violating team policies.

President Donald Trump delivers his first State of the Union speech tonight. Kelley Ray finds out from a local political analyst on what we might hear…

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The man who founded the Cajun Navy will be in attendance for tonight’s State of the Union. Matt Doyle has more.

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The recent cold weather has put stress on tropical plants that normally flourish all year long in Louisiana.  Jeff Palermo spoke with LSU horticulturalist Dan Gill…

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President Trump’s first official State of the Union address is tonight.  It is believed the President will stress bi-partisanship with Mr. Trump himself calling it an “important speech.”  Senior Administration officials have been quoted saying it will be an “optimistic speech.”  LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan believes we will not see Mr. Trump fly off the handle as he does in some situations…

Cut 4  (10) “that way.” 

It’s been the custom of Presidents to talk about the strengths of their Administration and Hogan expects no less of Mr. Trump tonight…

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The speech is also important for the Republican led Congress.  Hogan says how they respond to the President’s agenda tonight could factor in their hopes to remain in office with this year’s mid-term election…

Cut 6 (11)  “his proposals.”

Many believe Mr. Trump will stress immigration issues since revealing his plans last week.  However, Hogan says don’t expect to hear anything on the Russian investigation involving possible meddling in the 2016 election.

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Governor John Bel Edwards’ “Doomsday Budget” proposal has state agencies scrambling to shore up state funding, with LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Center looking at a potential 600,000 dollar cut. John Kirwan, who was named executive director last month, says it’s a pressing issue for the world renowned research center.

Cut 7 (11)  “and recruit”

Kirwan says the budget issues threaten to drive off talented researchers…

Cut 8 (10) “this or that”

Kirwan says Pennington is the world’s largest nutritional research center, responsible for over 400 Louisiana jobs. He says even with uncertainty surrounding the budget, he hopes the center can draw in the best and brightest.

Cut 9 (10)  “moving forward”

Kirwan says the budget cuts threaten Pennington’s groundbreaking research on diabetes and pre-diabetes, which he says effects nearly 50 percent of the state’s population.

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President Donald Trump invited a very special guest to his first State of the Union address tonight. Cajun Navy founder Jon Bridgers will be in attendance along with a section of 15 other special guests. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says Bridgers’ volunteer group has been credited with rescuing thousands of people during Hurricane Harvey and the 2016 floods.

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Graves says praising the Cajun Navy’s heroics is one of the few things everyone can agree on.

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New Orleans Police say several French Quarter strip clubs lost their liquor licenses because of criminal activity including prostitution. Michelle Southern reports…:
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Two people died after their Ford F-250 work truck slammed into an 18-wheeler this morning in Madison Parish. It happened on US Highway 65 near the Tensas Parish line. The two people inside the work truck were killed, 38-year-old Michael Shayne Butler of Jonesville and 36-year-old Richard Hudnall of Jena.

Tax filing season began today. There are several ways to file, including using a tax preparer. If you decide to use a tax preparer to file your return, state department of revenue spokesperson Bryon Henderson says it’s important to find a reputable preparer…
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Your federal tax return is due April 17, state returns are due May 15.

Officials cut the ribbon today on the new LSU Center for River Studies, which has a state of art model of the Mississippi River. Director Clint Willson says it gives coastal scientists a powerful tool on how sediment diversion can help in the fight against coastal erosion…:
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The project is the result of a collaboration between LSU and the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.

The head of Louisiana’s Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control says they’ve suspended the liquor licenses for eight French Quarter strip clubs, because they found evidence of prostitution, drug sales and lewd acts. New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison says the investigation’s target was not prostitutes, but human traffickers. He says no one has been charged with human trafficking, but the investigation continues…
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Hearings are scheduled in Februay to see if the clubs who had their liquor licenses suspended will get them back.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue began accepting state income tax returns today. Spokesperson Bryon Henderson says make sure your personal information is up to date with LDR…:
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The state return deadline is May 15th.

The two adults who died when their pontoon boat capsized in a hunting accident in Woodville, Mississippi have been identified. They are Darrin Vince and Madaline Hemba. A child also drowned. Woodville Police Chief Jessie Stewart says the bodies were recovered around 3 PM yesterday and thankfully a fourth person survived….
cut 12 (07) “….notified authorities”

The Slidell Police Department arrests two Gulfport men for allegedly trying to sell fake flat-screen televisions. Detective Daniel Seuzeneau says they got a report about the suspects’ activities taking place at a gas station near a Mardi Gras parade route. He says cops moved in to check the serial numbers on the TVs, and quickly learned they weren’t stolen…:
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The two men have been charged with theft by fraud.

Louisiana Radio Network News, I’m Matt Doyle

Several strip clubs on Bourbon Street have had their alcohol licenses pulled by the ATC after investigators say they found multiple instances of prostitution, lewd acts and, in some cases, illegal drug activity. NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison says they had been getting complaints from citizens.

Cut 10 (10) “undercover operatives”

Three hunters from West Feliciana Parish lost their lives in the Buffalo River area in Wilkinson County, Mississippi after their pontoon boat capsized.  Their boat capsized after they stepped on it and the victims were trapped underneath. Woodville Police Chief Jessie Stewart says the river’s cold temperatures didn’t help their chances of survival.

Cut 13 (05) “foul play.”

Two adults and a child were among the bodies recovered from the chilly water Sunday afternoon.

LRN

Officials cut the ribbon today on the LSU Center for River Studies, which features a 747 sized model of the bottom tip of the Mississippi River. Jeff Palermo spoke to a scientist on why it’s important.

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The founder of the Cajun Navy will be in attendance at tomorrow night’s state of the union address. Jon Bridgers helped organize and mobilize the citizen boat rescue operations that worked to save hundreds during the 2016 floods, and has since expanded operations as far as Texas during the Houston floods. Bridgers was invited by President Donald Trump.

Louisiana Radio Network News

Several French Quarter strip clubs lost their liquor licenses because of criminal activity including prostitution…:
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Tax season is underway as the state department of revenue has begun accepting income tax returns. L-D-R spokesperson Byron Henderson encourages you to file electronically…
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The two adults who died when their pontoon boat capsized in a hunting accident in Woodville, Mississippi have been identified. They are Darrin Vince and Madaline Hemba. A child also drowned. Woodville Police Chief Jessie Stewart says the bodies were recovered around 3 PM yesterday and thankfully a fourth person survived….
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The tragic incident happened on the Buffalo River in the Fort Adams area.

Governor John Bel Edwards was on hand to cut the ribbon on the new LSU Center for River Studies. It has a large-scale physical model of the lower Mississippi River. LSU River Studies Director Clint Willson says they will use this interactive model to help identify and hone solutions to protect and restore our coast…
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The LSU Center for River Studies is the latest facility to open on the new Water Campus.

Louisianans can begin filing state taxes today.  There are several ways to file, including using a tax preparer.  If you decide to use a tax preparer to file your return, LDR spokesperson Bryon Henderson says it’s important to find a reputable preparer.  Before signing, Henderson urges you to double check your information and meet with the taxpayer in person…

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Federal tax filing also begins today.

Three hunters from West Feliciana Parish lost their lives in the Buffalo River area in Wilkinson County, Mississippi after their pontoon boat capsized. Officials believe the hunters were using the pontoon boat as a duck blind, it capsized after they stepped on it and the victims were trapped underneath. Woodville Police Chief Jessie Stewart says the river’s cold temperatures didn’t help their chances of survival…

Cut 13 (05) “foul play.”

Officials cut the ribbon today on the new LSU Center for River Studies.  It has a large-scale physical model of the lower Mississippi River, which will keep researchers with coastal restoration and river management.  Director Clint Willson says the massive model will also help the next generation get interested in protecting the bayou…

Cut 7 (11)  “coastal issues.”

Slidell Police say two persons are under arrest after they were caught allegedly selling phony televisions.  47-year-old Clover Sims and 44-year-old Lloyd Bradley are charged with theft by fraud.  Det. Daniel Seuzeneau says they believe the men have scammed several individuals…:

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Officials cut the ribbon today on the LSU Center for River Studies, which features a 747 sized model of the bottom tip of the Mississippi river..:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”.

Three hunters…two adults and a child…from West Feliciana Parish are dead after the pontoon boat they were on capsized near the Buffalo River area in Wilkinson County. The pontoon boat was being utilized as a duck blind. One of the deceased has been identified, Madaline Hemba, who worked for the city of Zachary.

The Slidell Police Department arrests two Gulfport men for allegedly trying to sell fake flat-screen televisions. Detective Daniel Seuzeneau says they got a report about the suspects’ activities taking place at a gas station near a Mardi Gras parade route. He says cops moved in to check the serial numbers on the TVs, and quickly learned that they weren’t stolen…:
Cut 14 (10) “inside the boxes”
47-year-old Clover Sims and 44-year-old Lloyd Bradley are charged with theft by fraud.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue begins accepting state income tax returns today. Spokesperson Bryon Henderson says make sure your personal information is up to date with LDR…:
Cut 5 (10) “contact information”
The state return deadline is May 15th.