Embattled Napoleonville Senator Troy Brown said today in a press conference that it is with great sadness that he submits his resignation. He says for as long as he could remember, he desired to serve his district and the people of Louisiana….
cut 14 (08) “….Louisiana Senate”
Brown was facing an expulsion hearing on Monday for two recent domestic abuse convictions.

Governor Edwards campaign says the Democrat already has 3.2 million dollars in the bank for his re-election efforts in 2019. Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry could be his toughest opposition and he has 544-thousand on hand based on campaign finance reports. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says if Landry officially enters the race, his fundraising will rise quickly…
cut 5 (11) “….sitting governor”

Desoto Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle believes the victims of yesterday’s helicopter crash at Wallace Lake are from Texas, Terry and Pam Bailey…
cut 16 (06) “….are missing”
No word on cause of the crash. The chopper left Shreveport and it was headed to Center, Texas.

Former LSU star running back Leonard Fournette is now partnering with New Orleans based Life10 Electrolyte water. Michelle Southern has more on his endorsement….
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The campaign for Governor John Bel Edwards’ re-election announces he raised $3.6 million in 2016. Halen Doughty has more…
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

At the state capitol today, the House Appropriations Committee rejected Governor John Bel Edwards’ plan that would eliminate a 304 million dollar budget deficit. At issue, is a proposal to use 119 million dollars in rainy day funding. GOP lawmakers would rather make more cuts to state spending.

 
Louisiana State Police is boosting their presence in New Orleans for this weekend’s NBA All-Star game and the 2017 Mardi Gras season. Trooper Melissa Matey says it’s always smart to avoid excessive alcohol intake while partaking in festivities.
Cut 8 (09) “safe decisions”

Matey says it’s a good idea to keep important information and valuables in your front pocket while walking in the French Quarter to deter pickpockets.

Former LSU star running back Leonard Fournette signed an endorsement-partnership deal with New Orleans based Life10 Electrolyte beverage. The sports agency Roc Nation represents Fournette and its President of Branding Michael Yormark says Fournette is happy to support a local product he believes in…
Cut 9 (08) “post workout”

Baton Rouge lawmakers are looking to offer a constitutional amendment that would ask the public if they would be willing to pay an additional 23-cents in gas taxes to fund major highway projects. Representative Steve Carter says the additional revenues from the tax could pay for a new Mississippi River bridge and the widening of I-10….
cut 14 (08) “….we need em bad”
The constitutional amendment would be considered in the regular session that begins in April.

Louisiana State Police is ramping up enforcement in New Orleans for the Carnival season and this weekend’s NBA All-Star Game. Trooper Melissa Matey says they’ll have an additional 165 troopers in the Crescent City…:
Cut 6 (10) “the past”
She says they rely also heavily on the public and encourages folks to let an officer know if you see something suspicious.

DeSoto Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle says crews have recovered two bodies from the site of a helicopter crash at Wallace Lake. He says the FAA and other agencies are investigating the circumstances of the crash itself, while his deputies are working on recovering pieces of the chopper. He says the biggest challenge is getting to the crash site.
Cut 15 (09) “build roads in here”
The victims are believed to be a married couple from Center, Texas.

Former LSU star running back Leonard Fournette is the pitch man for the Life 10 Electroylyte beverage, which is based out of New Orleans. Fournette is represented by the sports agency Roc Nation and its President of Branding Michael Yormark says Fournette has great potential to be a terrific spokesperson for the sports drink…
cut 11 (09) “…very engaging”

Governor John Bel Edwards re-election campaign announces he raised $3.6 million in campaign funds during his first year in office. According to finance reports, the governor ended 2016 with $3.2 million on hand. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says being well liked helps while raising money…:
cut 4 (08) “everybody’s friend”

Louisiana State Police is ramping up enforcement in New Orleans for 2017 Carnival season and this weekend’s NBA All-Star Game. Trooper Melissa Matey encourages revelers to say something to police if you see suspicious activity…:
CUT 7 (10) “know”
She says LSP will send 165 troopers to the Crescent City.

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter says letting the public decide whether to increase the gas tax to raise funds for traffic relief projects would be one option. He says asking a Republican dominated legislature to pass a 23 cent gas tax increase outright would be a tall order..:
Cut 13 (10) “vote of the people“
He says they want most of the program’s money to go to Baton Rouge projects where they are badly needed.

Former LSU star running back Leonard Fournette has signed an endorsement-partnership deal with New Orleans based Life10 Electrolyte beverage. Roc Nation represents Fournette and its branding President Michael Yormark says the all-star athlete could’ve gone with the Gatorades of the world but chose a local brand to promote…:
Cut 10 (08) “the vision”
He says through the partnership, Fournette owns a small part of the company.

The campaign for Governor John Bel Edwards’ re-election announces he raised $3.6 million in 2016. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter says letting the public decide whether to increase the gas tax would be one option to raise funds for traffic relief projects. He says a 23 cent tax is a possible solution in coming up with the $700 million…:
cut 12 (08) “needed”
He says they can either bring the measure out right to the legislature, or put it to a vote of the people.

It’s going to be a busy weekend in New Orleans with all the events surrounding the NBA All-Star game along with Mardi Gras in full swing, and State Police says they will be ready. Trooper Melissa Matey if you’re heading down to party, one of the best ways to stay out of trouble is to avoid drinking yourself silly…:
CUT 8 (09) “safe decisions”
She says if you happen to see something that isn’t on the up-and-up, be sure to let an officer know.

Former LSU star running back Leonard Fournette has signed an endorsement-partnership deal with New Orleans based Life10 Electrolyte beverage. Fournette is represented by sports agency Roc Nation and its President of Branding Michael Yormark says Fournette is excited to support a local product he believes in…
Cut 9 (08) “post workout”

Governor John Bel Edwards re-election campaign announces he raised $3.6 million in campaign funds during his first year in office. According to finance reports, the governor ended 2016 with $3.2 million on hand. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says it’s an impressive haul for Edwards’ first year…:
Cut 3 (12) “in 2019”
He says one of the major things working in Edwards favor is that despite a challenging first year in office, he remains popular.

The House Appropriates Committee is meeting again at this hour to work on budget legislation. Speaker Taylor Baras has a proposal that would take fees from certain agencies to put towards the deficit. But Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne calls the measure a cut to agencies and doesn’t see how it could work. The panel advanced the Rainy Day Fund measures on Wednesday.

Louisiana State Police is ramping up enforcement in New Orleans for 2017 Carnival season and this weekend’s NBA All-Star Game. Trooper Melissa Matey says LSP will send 165 troopers to the Crescent City. She says plain clothes troopers will also be along parade routes looking for individuals with illegal weapons…:
Cut 6 (10) “the past”
She says they rely heavily on the public’s help and encourages folks to let an officer know if you see something suspicious.

the Natchez Democrat is reporting that, for the second time since December, the Police chief of Ferriday has been suspended. Mayor Sherrie Jacobs said the discipline of Arthur Lewis without pay for 30 days is related to administrative issues at the Ferriday Police Department. Jacobs had previous suspended Lewis in December after another incident within the department.

Two budget plans are heading to the House floor that call for more cuts than what the governor has proposed. Covington Representative John Schroder is one of several Republican lawmakers who oppose using 119-million dollars from the state’s savings account to fix a 304-million dollar budget deficit…
cut 15 (09) “…the money”
A vote on these budget proposals will occur on Friday.

Governor John Bel Edwards announces his support for the construction of the Bayou Bridge Pipeline, which would stretch across 11 parishes from Calcasieu to St. James…:
Cut 7 (10) “as well”
Edwards made the comments during his monthly call in radio show.

The National Safety Council finds motor vehicle deaths in 2016 rose 6-percent nationally from last year, and in Louisiana they’ve increased by five-percent since 2014. Ken Kolosh (Koe-lahsh) with the NSC says they blame distracted driving for the increase…
Cut 10 (10) “the concern”

The United Healthcare Community Plan of Louisiana says its 50-thousand dollar grant to the Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana has been very beneficial to teen mothers in the area as it helped them stay in school and receive parenting classes. Allison Young is the CEO at United Healthcare….
cut 6 (09) “…in the nation”
Young says birth outcomes also improved for teen mothers in the program.

A House panel on Wednesday advanced a bill that would use only $74 million from the rainy day fund, instead of the $119 million the governor recommended. The meeting got heated yesterday as Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne argued to Republicans
that this is a midyear $304 million dollar deficit…:
Cut 14 (11) “as much money” (2x)
A bill that uses no rainy day dollars was also approved.

On his monthly call in radio show, Governor John Bel Edwards says he supports the controversial Bayou Bridge Pipeline. He said he doesn’t see a conflict between the pipeline and the state’s coastal restoration masterplan…:
Cut 8 (11) “state law”
He says transporting crude through a pipeline is much safer than by train or truck.

The National Safety Council reports motor vehicle deaths in 2016 increased six-percent from the prior year nationally – in Louisiana crash fatalities up five-percent from 2014. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Teen mothers are seeing better pregnancy and parenting outcomes thanks to a program by Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana. The Jus4Me program was funded by the United Healthcare Community Plan and CEO Allison Young says the program enables teen moms to come together and discuss personal issues and get support…:
Cut 5 (10) “access to”