One of the first bills filed for the 2017 regular legislative session seeks to undo penalties put in place by the Affordable Care Act. Covington Representative Paul Hollis says the proposal would no longer require Louisiana residents to pay a fine for not having health insurance…:
CUT 7 (09) “has done”
Hollis says the bill is a response to President Trump’s executive order that allows state departments to waive any provision of the Affordable Care Act “that would impose a fiscal burden on a state.”

State Police is advising that I-20 at mile post 49 in Webster Parish is temporarily closed as a result of road work. Troopers are diverting traffic north onto L-A 531 and then to U-S 80. The repair is expected to take at leaset three hours. Authorities are advising to use caution when traveling through the area and expect delays.

The White House has said that President Donald Trump intends to keep in place an executive order that protects L-G-B-T indiviudals from workplace discrimination in the federal government. Equality Louisiana president Baylor Boyd is cautiously optimistic that Mr. Trump will defend the gay and lesbian commmunity, but it’s hard to believe based on who the President chose to serve in his administration…
cut 14 (09) “….LGBTQ people”

A former employee for the Caddo Parish school board has been arrested as on an allegation that he stole at least 260-thousand dollars in public funds. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Cindy Chadwick…
cut 12 (09) “…school board”
Chadwick says 32-year-old Brandon Lewis used a business credit card to purchase 40-thousand dollars in VISA gift cards. He also allegedly used public money to buy car parts and building materials for his personal gain.

Changes could be coming to the Affordable Care Act in Louisiana under the Trump Administration. A Covington lawmaker wants to remove the mandate that you must have health insurance or you’ll be penalized. Representative Paul Hollis says that just takes money out of people’s pockets and he feels more states will follow suit…:
CUT 9 (10) “bolsters”
He’s filed a bill that would do just that for the upcoming session.

Louisiana is getting high marks for having laws on the books when it comes to highway safety. Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety President Jackie Gillan says while Louisiana has 9 out of 15 recommended traffic safety laws, they’d still like to see more laws that protect young people…:
Cut 6 (11) “go down”
She hopes the legislature will look at their suggestions in the upcoming session.

A gay rights activist group has responded to President Donald Trump’s statement that he will not remove President Obama’s executive order protecting the LGBTQ community from workplace discrimination within the federal government. But Equality Louisiana President Baylor Boyd says that won’t matter if Mr. Trump follows through on other promises…:
CUT 15 (12) “our community”
He says at this point they are cautiously optimistic the president will continue to protect LGBTW people from discrimination in the workplace.

The Internal Revenue Service says tax payers, business owners and others in parishes designated for FEMA Individual Assistance may qualify for federal tax relief. Officials announced the IRS is offering extended deadlines, waived penalties, expedited processing requests and more. Also a reminder that disaster assistance funds are not taxable income.

On the first day lawmakers could file bills for the upcoming legislative session, Covington Representative Paul Hollis produced a measure that would take away penalties under the Affordable Care Act. He says you shouldn’t put a mandate on people to buy a product…:
Cut 8 (11) “one of them”
Hollis expects a great deal of support from the legislature when they convene in April.

Louisiana receives a top rating for its highway safety laws by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. President Jackie Gillan says even though the state received a green rating, that doesn’t mean there isn’t work to be done…:
Cut 5 (07) “age 8”
She says Louisiana has 9 out of 15 recommended traffic safety laws.

Head Coach Ed Orgeron’s first recruiting class at LSU is ranked in the top 10. Jeff Palermo has thoughts from Coach “O”…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A former Caddo Parish School Board employee has been arrested after police say he misappropriated at least $260-thousand in public funds. Cindy Chadwick with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office says 32-year-old Brandon Lewis bought car parts using the School Board’s account..:
CUT 11 (06) “as well”
Lewis is charged with unauthorized use of an access card, felony theft, and forgery.

A recently filed bill would remove the penalties for not having health insurance for Louisiana residents. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The State Fire Marshal’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire in Baton Rouge that claimed the life of a 5 year old girl. They say they will be looking into whether the building was up to code. Tuesday night 5-year-old Treasure Garner perished in the blaze while in an upstairs bedroom watching TV.

Louisiana receives a top rating for its highway safety laws. That’s according to Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. President Jackie Gillan says Louisiana has 9 out of 15 recommended traffic safety laws, including a law that requires everyone in a vehicle to buckle up…:
cut 4 (11) “seat belt law”
Louisiana was one of only five states plus D.C. to earn the highest highway safety rating of green.

A former Caddo Parish School Board employee has been arrested after police say he misappropriated at least $260-thousand in public funds. Cindy Chadwick with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office says 32-year-old Brandon Lewis bought car parts using the School Board’s account…:
Cut 10 (07) “that money”
Lewis is charged with unauthorized use of an access card, felony theft, and forgery.

One of the first bills filed for the 2017 regular legislative session seeks to undo penalties put in place by the Affordable Care Act. Covington Representative Paul Hollis says the proposal would no longer require Louisiana residents to pay a fine for not having health insurance…:
CUT 7 (09) “has done”
He says he filed the legislation on the first day bills could be submitted.

A gay rights activist group has responded to President Donald Trump’s statement that he will not remove President Obama’s executive order protecting the LGBTQ community from workplace discrimination within the federal government. Equality Louisiana President Baylor Boyd says at this point he is cautiously optimistic…:
Cut 13 (10) “can change”

A recently filed bill would remove the penalties for not having health insurance for Louisiana residents. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

According to the football recruiting experts, LSU’s 2017 class is the 7th best in the nation. The Tigers signed 23 players, most of the new additions are on defense.

Louisiana received a top rating when it comes to highway safety laws by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A recently filed bill would remove the penalties for not having health insurance for Louisiana residents. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Head Coach Ed Orgeron’s first recruiting class at LSU is ranked in the top 10. Jeff Palermo has thoughts from Coach “O”…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Louisiana receives a top rating for its highway safety laws by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. President Jackie Gillan says the Bayou State was one of only five states plus the District of Columbia to earn the highest rating of green, because it has 9 out of 15 recommended traffic safety laws, including a law that requires everyone in a vehicle to buckle up…

cut 4  (11) “seat belt law”

Gillan says Louisiana also gets a high rating because it requires all motorcycle riders to wear a seat belt. The most recent data shows in 2015, there were 726 motor vehicle deaths in Louisiana. She says even though the Bayou State received a green rating, that doesn’t mean there isn’t work to be done.

Cut 5  (07)  “age 8”

Gillan says Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety also recommends tightening the state’s minimum age for getting a learners permit to 16 and passing other laws to protect teen drivers…

Cut 6 (11) “go down”

She’s hopeful the legislature can enact their suggested travel laws when the legislature meets for a regular session in April.

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One of the first bills filed for the 2017 regular legislative session seeks to undo penalties put in place by the Affordable Care Act. Covington Representative Paul Hollis says he filed the legislation on the first day bills could be submitted. He says the proposal would no longer require Louisiana residents to pay a fine for not having health insurance.

CUT 7 (09)  “has done”‘

Hollis says the bill comes in response to President Trump’s executive order that allows state departments to waive any provision of the Affordable Care Act “that would impose a fiscal burden on a state.” He says there’s a lot up in the air regarding Obamacare, but it’s clear it’s not what’s right for Louisiana.

Cut 8 (11) “one of them”

Hollis expects a great deal of support from the legislature when they convene in April. He says this legislation keeps money in people’s pockets and government out of healthcare decisions. He expects more states will follow suit.

Cut 9 (10)  “bolsters that”

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A former Caddo Parish School Board employee has been arrested after police say he misappropriated at least $260-thousand in public funds. Cindy Chadwick with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office says 32-year-old Brandon Lewis bought car parts using the School Board’s account.

Cut 10 (07) “that money”

Chadwick says Lewis, who was the board’s transportation buyer, then forged invoices to cover his tracks. She says an investigation by the Caddo-Shreveport Financial Crimes Task Force led to an audit of Lewis’ spending. She says the audit found that Lewis also used the account to purchase other items from vendors.

cut 11 (06) “as well”

Chadwick says Lewis also bought $40-thousand in VISA gift cards, which he used for himself. Lewis is charged with unauthorized use of an access card, felony theft, and forgery. She says the crimes took place for more than a year.

cut 12 (09) “school board”

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A gay rights activist group has responded to President Donald Trump’s statement that he will not remove President Obama’s executive order protecting the LGBTQ community from workplace discrimination within the federal government. Equality Louisiana President Baylor Boyd says at this point he is cautiously optimistic.

Cut 13 (10) “can change”

Boyd says they remember Mr. Trump’s campaign promises to defend members of the LGBTQ community, but they aren’t convinced. He says that’s hard to believe, given the leaders the President has chosen for his administration.

cut 14 (09) “LGBTQ people”

The provision includes measures to protect people from discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation or gender identity. But Boyd says that order won’t matter much if Mr. Trump follows through on his other promises.

Cut 15 (12) “our community”

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According to the football recruiting experts, LSU’s 2017 class is the seventh best in the nation. The Tigers signed 23 players, most of the new additions are on the defensive side of the football. Coach Ed Orgeron says the Tigers did well along I-10 by getting Plaquemine defensive back Todd Harris and a defensive lineman from Lafayette

Cut 16 (17) “Todd Harris”

The new recruits on offense are highlighted by the two quarterbacks in the class. Lowell Narcisse of St. James and Myles Brennan from Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Orgeron has a lot of confidence new offensive coordinator Matt Canada can develop both of them

Cut 17 (16)   “here at LSU”

LSU missed on several big-time prospects. Three of Louisiana’s top five players signed with Alabama, wide receiver Devonta Smith, defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis and linebacker Christopher Allen. Orgeron on keeping in-state talent home

Cut 18 (13) “come here”

It was an up and down day on the recruiting front for the LSU football team on national signing day. They received some commitments, while losing out on other top prospects. But Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says it’s still a strong class, especially on the defensive side of the ball.:
cut 24 (13) “Tyler Taylor”
24-7 sports ranks LSU’s class as the seventh best.

Do you find you’re becoming more stressed out at work? A new survey by Accountemps finds 60% of employees are dealing with stress, and 55% feel worker anxiety is on the rise. Rebecca Green, with the employment agency Robert Half in New Orleans, says technology contributes to this..:
CUT 7 (07) “at work”

The state Fire Marshal’s Office says an unattended pot on a stove led to a fire that took the life of a 5-year-old in Baton Rouge. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Investigators believe a house fire in Shreveport was caused by a hoverboard. Two adults and six children inside the home were able to get out unharmed. But unfortunately a puppy died in the blaze. A fire department spokesperson says owners of hoverboards should check the make and model numbers to see if it has been recalled, because some are considered a fire hazard.

The state Fire Marshal’s Office believes an unattended stove led to a fatal fire at a Baton Rouge apartment complex that took the life of a 5-year-old girl. Chief Deputy Brant Thompson says an 18-year-old was caring for her sister, Treasure Garner, when she left the apartment with a pot of grease on the stove. He says that’s when the fire broke out, and neighbors franticly searched for the little girl.

Cut 9 (12) “upstairs bedroom”

Thompson says they are still trying to determine how long the 18-year-old was out of the apartment.

A Bossier City couple is behind bars after their five children tested positive for marijuana and cocaine. Spokesperson Mark Natale says the children’s ages range from six months to ten-years-old.

Cut 4 (05) “those narcotics”
Natale says 35-year-old Shannon Blake and 30-year-old Victoria Blake are charged with cruelty to juveniles.

An Accountemps survey finds 6 in 10 employees say work stress has increased over the past five years. The report finds 64-percent of millennials are stressed about work. Rebecca Green with the New Orleans employment agency Robert Half attributes this to younger people’s desire to grow and move up in the company.

Cut 8 (10) “supervisor sets”

According to the survey, only 59-percent of older workers reported more work stress.

A Causeway Police Officer has been arrested after evidence went missing. That’s according to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, who says 44-year-old Sgt. William Jones Jr confessed to stealing seized narcotics and $63-hundred from the department’s evidence room. Jones faces charges of felony theft and malfeasance.