Governor Edwards provided suggestions on how the state should adresss a one-billion dollar budget deficit. Michelle Southern reports the ideas are from a nonpartisan group that studied the state’s tax code…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

The White House says judicial nominee Matthew Peterson has withdrawn his nomination. Peterson failed to answer basic legal questions when quesioned by Republican Senator John Kennedy. Peterson admitted he never tried a case.

State Representative Chris Broadwater has announced he’s stepping down from the state legislature, so he can spend more time with his family. Broadwater has represented Hammond and parts of Tangipahoa Parish for the last six years. The GOP legislator has a reputation of working with both Republicans and Democrats…..
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We’ve seen a lot of resignations lately because of sexual harassment, but Broadwater says a possible scandal is not why he’s stepping down.

Time is running out to make sure your Christmas packages are there by December 25th. U.S. Postal Service spokesperson Twana Barber says this is their busiest week…
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First class mail needs to be sent by tomorrow, Priority Mail by Wednesday and Priority Express by Friday.

Governor John Bel Edwards gave an update on negotiations with regards to the state’s $1 billion dollar fiscal cliff. He says he plans to unveil a proposal on January 19th that will be balanced and include cuts, but nobody will like the reductions they see…:
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Edwards says he’ll also present a plan that will be revenue neutral, but lawmakers have to come together and negotiate an agreement.

A US District Judge nominee who was grilled and embarrassed by US Senator John Kennedy last week during basic questions of the law has withdrawn. Matthew Peterson, a President Trump nominee, became well known when a video of an exchange between he and Kennedy went viral. Kennedy says he had no idea that Peterson had no litigation experience for the post, and said that’s why the Senate holds hearings.

Today marks the start of the busiest week of the year for the US Postal Service. Spokeswoman Twana Barber says they are seeing about a ten percent increase in the volume of mail being sent this holiday season…:
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She says today is their busiest day of the year.

Penn National Gaming has purchased Pinnacle Entertainment for 2.8 billion dollars. Pinnacle operates the L’auberge in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles, and Boomtown in New Orleans and Bossier City. Wade Duty of the Casino Association of Louisiana says that the buyout won’t lead to big changes for players…:
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He does not anticipate Penn National Gaming expanding their new properties in Louisiana.

Governor John Bel Edwards gave an update today on where they are with discussions and meetings around the state on how to avoid Louisiana’s looming $1 billion dollar fiscal cliff. He says he is willing to be flexible in negotiations, but that does not extend to the 5th penny of the sales tax unless it’s used as a bridge to whatever additional revenue is approved…:
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The governor says he plans to unveil a budget proposal on January 19th, but it will include $1 billion in cuts to fill the gap since no decision will have been made on taxes at that point.

Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater announced his resignation earlier today after six years in the state house. The Republican says the decision was not influenced by any budding scandals, he just felt the time was right for him to leave the legislature…:
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If your children are wanting to make sure Christmas gifts get to your loved ones and on time, Matt Doyle says make sure they are properly addressed and packaged…:
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The ACLU of Louisiana has filed a suit challenging Webster Parish School District’s practice of what the group says subjects students to Christian prayer and other religious rituals.

U-L Lafayette has introduced Billy Nappier as its new football coach. Napier is a former assistant under Nick Saban at Alabama.

Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater announced his resignation earlier today after six years in the state house. He says he’s looking forward to spending more time with his family.
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Broadwater says the decision was not influenced by any budding scandals, and that he felt the time was right for him to leave the legislature. He was known as a lawmaker who worked with both parties to pass legislation.

Today is the busiest day of the year for the U-S Postal Service. Spokesperson Twana Barber….
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If you want your gifts to arrive by Christmas Day, first class mail needs to be sent by December 19th, Priority Mail by December 20th and Priority Express by December 22nd.
The environmental group, the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, plans on putting their bodies in the way of a proposed pipeline that would stretch across south Louisiana. Director Anne Rolfes says the 162-mile long Bayou Bridge Pipeline would run between Lake Charles and St. James…:
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Energy Transfer Partners only needs a couple of permits before they can start construction on the pipeline. They have said they’ll restore any wetlands or land damaged by construction.

Governor John Bel Edwards gives an update at this hour on how state government plans to addres the fiscal cliff, which is a projected one-billion revenue shortfall for next fiscal year.

The Saints turned it over three times yesterday, but still defeated the New York Jets 31-19. The victory improves New Orleans record to 10-4. The Black and Gold remain in a tie for first place in the NFC South, because Carolina also beat Green Bay. Coach Sean Payton hopes his team wasn’t scoreboard watching…
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Tonight the Atlanta Falcons can improve to 9-5, with a win over the Tampa Bay Bucs. New Orleans and the Dirty Birds play each other this Sunday in the Mercedes Benz Superdome.

In LSU football news…reports out of Tennessee say former Tigers general manager Austin Thomas is not accepting the same job at Tennessee. And LSU wide receiver and return specialist DJ Chark will play in the Senior Bowl next month.

U-L Lafayette has introduced Billy Nappier as its new football coach. Napier is a former assistant under Nick Saban at Alabama. In a statement from Saban, he calls Nappier an outstanding coach, terrific recruiter and someone who will work hard to help the players be successful.

Today is considered the biggest day of the year for the US Postal Service. Twana Barber with USPS says there is about 10% more mail moving this holiday season and the projection is for 15 billion total pieces to be sent and delivered between Thanksgiving and New Years Day. She says this week will be busiest week of the year…:
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She says if you are sending something through first class mail, you have until tomorrow to send it to make sure it arrives for Christmas.

A win is a win, but it wasn’t pretty yesterday when the Saints beat the Jets 31-19. New Orleans scored on their first three possessions, but didn’t score just 14 points the rest of the way, Quarterback Drew Brees on the struggles on offense after a quick start…:
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The Saints will now focus on the huge home game against the Falcons on Christmas Eve.

The environmental group, Louisiana Bucket Brigade, is protesting a proposed 162-mile gas pipeline in south Louisiana…:
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State Representative Chris Broadwater of Hammond has resigned his position in state government. Broadwater, a republican was elected in 2011 and his final term was set to be in 2020. He says he wants to focus more on his family and law practice.

Governor John Bel Edwards is slated to speak at this hour to provide an update on the state’s looming fiscal cliff. The state is facing more than a $1 billion dollar shortfall for the year that starts July 1st.

LaPolitics.com is reporting that Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater has resigned from the state House to spend more time with his family and focus on his law practice. This means the Legislature will now have a 10th special election this term.

Penn National Gaming has announced the company will acquire Pinnacle Entertainment in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $2.8 billion. Pinnacle owns L’Auberge Casino Resorts in Lake Charles and Baton Rouge.

The Louisiana Bucket Brigade is opposing the Bayou Bridge Pipeline which is only a couple of permits away from being built by Energy Partners. The environmental group’s Director is Anne Rolfes. She says Energy Transfer Partners has a long history of damaging the environment and shouldn’t be allowed in Louisiana…:
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Energy Transfer Partners says they will restore any wetlands that are damaged by the construction of the pipeline.

An LSU Ag Center researcher believes he’s made a breakthrough when it comes to combating chronic wasting disease, mad cow disease and one which is found in some Alzheimer’s patients. Dr. Frank Bastian says he’s developed a way to grow these bacteria’s which will make it possibly to test and vaccinate against. He says this is important for hunters who have no idea if a deer is ill with chronic wasting disease…:
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A college prep school in St. Martin Parish produces another video of a student learning he’s been accepted to an Ivy League School…:
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The environmental group, the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, plans on putting their bodies in the way of a proposed pipeline that would stretch across south Louisiana. Director Anne Rolfes says the 162-mile long Bayou Bridge Pipeline would run between Lake Charles and St. James…:
Cut 11 (10) “these pipelines”
Energy Transfer Partners only needs a couple of permits before they can start construction on the pipeline.

According to the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, the number of doctors who have applied for permits to dispense medical marijuana is now up to 6. The AP gathered this information via a public records request. They learned three applications have been approved, none denied and the rest pending. LSU, one of two schools allowed to grow medical marijuana, estimates its product will be available by the summer.

It wasn’t pretty, but the Saints pulled off a 31-19 win over the New York Jets on Sunday. Mark Ingram rushed for two touchdowns and had 151 yards from scrimmage. Second-year wide receiver Michael Thomas also had a big game with 9 catches for 93 yards and a touchdown. But Coach Sean Payton was not happy with the rest of his offense…:
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Now the Saints will focus on the Falcons game on Christmas Eve.

The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office is examining cold cases in the parish, and are looking for answers in the 1980 death of 15-year-old Mary Darlene Howard. Sheriff Sam Craft says his department is working with the crime lab in Lake Charles to help crack Howard’s case…:
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The sheriff’s office is also attempting to locate family members of Mary Darlene Howard.

The environmental group Bucket Brigade says they plan a peaceful protest of a planned gas pipeline in south Louisiana…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Power has been restored after an outage at the Atlanta Airport grounded hundreds of flights yesterday and today, affecting many Louisiana residents who are traveling. A tweet early Monday from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport said the security lines are open. Delta was the hardest hit airline and they urge travelers to use its mobile app for booking assistance and updated flight status.

The LSU AgCenter says it’s made a breakthrough in research on chronic wasting disease, mad cow disease and a disorder called C-J-D that leads to dementia. Dr. Frank Bastian says C-J-D develops in persons between 40 and 80 years old, and ninety percent of those infected die with a few weeks to a year…:
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He says they’ve developed a way to grow the bacteria that causes these fatal diseases which will make it possible to develop tests and vaccines.

The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for help finding Mary Darlene Howard’s killer, 37 years later. Sheriff Sam Craft says 15-year-old Howard was found dead April 27th, 1980 in the woods in Leesville close to Fort Polk, and the cold case has been reopened.
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He says in the coming months, they will also reopen other cold cases in Vernon Parish.