A special session is set to begin February 13th to address a 304-million dollar budget shortfall. Governor Edwards recommends a combination of cuts and Rainy Day dollars to eliminate the deficit. But Democratic Shreveport senator Greg Tarver says he’s against using the rainy day fund and suggests cuts to eliminate the shortfall…
cut 11 (09) “…these credits’

There’s been a lot of criticism on social media and nightly news shows over President Donald Trump’s immigration order. But there are public opinion polls, including one from Rasmussen that finds strong public support for the travel ban. But LSU Political Communications Chair Martin Johnson says Rasmusson surveys tend to support consertative candidates and issues…
cut 5 (05) “…policies’

The National Human Trafficking Hotline says they saw an increase in the number of reports of human trafficking in Louisiana in 2016. Of the more than 100 cases reported last year, 74 were of sex trafficking and 21 for labor trafficking. It’s an issue State Police takes very seriously and Colonel Mike Edmonson says he’s talked to victims who felt like this was the only life that they were going to ever have…:
cut 14 (09) “…somebody else”
Louisiana ranked 20th in the nation for the most human trafficking cases reported in 2016.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office announces they’ve arrested 14 individuals and they are still seeking three men from Alexandria who were involved in a string of residential burglaries where jewelry, guns and body armour were taken. In each case, the suspects forced their way into the home. Some of the stolen items have been recovered.

Many Republican state lawmakers do not want to use the Rainy Day Fund to solve the 304 million dollar budget deficit and there is also a Democrat opposed to it, as well. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Cardell Hayes, the man convicted of killing former Saints star Will Smith has had his sentencing delayed until March 27th. Prosecutors believe Hayes should be sentenced to prison for 60 years. He was convicted last month of manslaughter and attempted manslaughter; and was originally slated to be sentenced mid-February.

State Police Col Mike Edmonson credits a strong awareness campaign as the reason more human trafficking victims than ever are reaching out for help. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 104 cases of human trafficking were called in last year, compared to 75 in 2015. Edmonson says getting victims to come forward begins with compassion..:
Cut 13 (08) “the things you’re doing”
Louisiana ranked 20th in the nation for the most human trafficking cases reported in 2016.

Entergy Louisiana broke ground today on an 869-million dollar power plant in St. Charles Parish. Michael Burns with Entergy says this new power station will be one of the cleanest and most efficient..:
Cut 6 (10) “for customers”
Burns says the plant will begin operations in June of 2019.

Case data has recently been released on the number of human trafficking reports received in Louisiana in 2016 and it shows a significant increase. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 104 cases of human trafficking were called in last year, compared to 75 in 2015. State Police Col Mike Edmonson credits a strong awareness campaign…:
cut 12 (09) “listen to us”
The Polaris data indicates that more victims than ever are reaching out for help.

Several Republicans in the state legislature oppose using money from the Rainy Day Fund to solve a 304 million dollar budget deficit, but there is at least one Democrat who also doesn’t think it’s a good idea. Shreveport Senator Greg Tarver made the comments to News Radio 7-10 KEEL
Cut 9 (06) “that money”
A special session will likely begin on February 13th to address the budget shortfall.

Despite media reports to the contrary, several polls indicate that many people support President Donald Trump’s controversial travel man to some Middle Eastern countries. A survey by Rasmussen finds 57-percent of people polled support the ban but LSU Political Communications Chair Martin Johnson says that data was from landlines only…:
CUT 4 (08) “you have”
Johnson believes a lot of the outcry comes from how quickly the ban was issued bringing a lot of confusion.

Governor John Bel Edwards is on hand today as Entergy breaks ground on the massive new plant in St. Charles Parish. The construction project will require some 700 workers, and the plant will have 27 permanent workers once operational in mid-2019, Entergy said.

Although most main stream media outlets have produced critical reports of President Donald Trump’s travel ban, multiple polls released show quite a bit of support for the executive order. LSU Political Communications Chair Martin Johnson says he expected this, especially with Louisianans…:
Cut 3 (09) “the policy”
A survey from the University of Quinnipiac finds between 42 and 48-percent of people support the order.

The man convicted of killing former Saints player Will Smith will learn how much time he’ll spend in jail for the crime on March 27th. A judge in New Orleans today agreed to delay the sentencing. Hayes was convicted on December 11th of manslaughter and attempted manslaughter in connection with the fatal shooting of Smith and the wounding of his wife in an apparent road rage incident.

The National Federation of Independent Business is waiting to see which regulations President Donald Trump has cut in an executive order. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Human trafficking data compiled from the National Human Trafficking Hotline finds Louisiana saw a significant jump in reported cases in 2016. It shows 104 instances of human trafficking were called in to the hotline last year, which included 74 cases of sex trafficking and 21 cases of labor trafficking. In 2015, 75 human trafficking cases were reported according to the data.

Louisiana is looking for private investors to help improve the congestion along the I-10 corridor in the Baton Rouge area. The state has a 13-billion dollar transportation backlog, because of the lack of state dollars. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says private investment is an innovative way to secure dollars to fund highway construction….
cut 6 (06) “…deliverying today”
Wilson says they’ll spend the next two months talking with firms who might be interested.

President Donald Trump will announce his Supreme Court nomination tonight. The U.S. Senate will then have to confirm the choice, we asked LSU Political Science Professor James Stoner if the 60 votes are there to avoid a filibuster by the Democrats….
cut 12 (07) “…is proposed”
Tulane and ULM graduate William Pryor has been mentioned as someone Mr. Trump will nominate.

A Louisiana small business group organiziation applauds President Donald Trump’s decision to cut federal regulations on small business owners. National Federation of Independent Business State Director Dawn Starns says they are still awaiting more information on this executive order, but they hopes the cost of compliance for small business drops and the complexity of law they are required to follow are simplified….
cut 9 (08) “…first step”
The Louisiana Heath Hospital in St. Tammany Parish announces it will close it’s doors within a month and file for bankruptcy under Chapter 11. The medical facility opened in 2003 and it has 134 beds. The CEO of Louisiana Heart Hospital cites financial challenges.

Cardell Hayes, the man convicted of killing former Saints star Will Smith has had his sentencing delayed until March 27th. Prosecutors believe Hayes should be sentenced to prison for 60 years.

For the first time in the state’s history, Louisiana is willing to partner with private companies in the construction of roads. Don Molino has the story…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Don Molino”

The Zachary man suspected of killing his ex-girlfriend’s father and then burning the victim’s house down has been arrested by the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office. Officials believe the suspect was upset because he was dumped which could be a motive in the killing. At the end of December, 34 year old James Henry Rivers allegedly broke into the victim’s home, bound him with wire, robbed him of his phone and dog and then caused injuries that killed him. Rivers faces many charges.

President Donald Trump will announce who he plans to nominate for Supreme Court Justice tonight to replace the late Antonin Scalia. One of the reported candidates is William Pryor of Alabama, who is a graduate Tulane and ULM. LSU Political Science Professor James Stoner says he would be an interesting choice because he didn’t go to Yale or Harvard:
cut 11 (12) “or Yale”
Stoner believes the nominee will be a young Republican with a strong conservative voice.

President Trump has ordered a controversial travel ban to seven Middle Eastern countries. Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins says under the 8-year Obama administration, the threat of radical Islamic terror was ignored…:
Cut 15 (09) “called for”
The Archdiocese of New Orleans has publicly stated the travel ban goes against Catholic principles.

President Donald Trump announces tonight who he will nominate to replace the late Supreme Court Justice, Antonin Scalia. Jeff Palermo has more.:
Cut 3 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The big national news story is Mr. Trump’s controversial travel ban to several Middle Eastern Countries. Louisiana Republican Congressman Clay Higgins says many are overreacting to something imposed to keep Americans safe…:
CUT 13 (10) “decisions”
The president has removed the acting attorney general for refusing to defend the travel order in court.

Human trafficking data compiled from the National Human Trafficking Hotline finds Louisiana saw a significant jump in cases in 2016. It shows 104 instances of human trafficking were reported to the hotline last year, which included 74 cases of sex trafficking and 21 cases of labor trafficking. In 2015, 75 human trafficking cases were reported according to the data.

The National Federation of Independent Business is thrilled about President Trump’s executive order that reduces regulations on small businesses. State Director Dawn Starns says they are still learning exactly what will be included in this order because the Obama administration placed so many restrictions on small businesses…:
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The NFIB says the president’s order is a good first step on the long road toward eliminating ball-and-chain regulations so small businesses can create jobs and expand the economy.

President Donald Trump is receiving backlash for imposing a travel ban to seven Middle Eastern countries. Louisiana Republican Congressman Clay Higgins says it’s necessary to take a temporary pause in immigration from these countries while we ramp up our vetting process…:
cut 14 (09) “very reasonable”
On this matter the big news nationally is that Mr. Trump fired acting attorney general Sally Yates for saying she’d refuse to defend the travel ban in court.

The I-10 corridor in the Baton Rouge area has been pegged as one of the biggest travel problems in the state, and for the first time in Louisiana’s history DOTD plans to ask for private donor help. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says public-private construction partnerships like this attract companies who are part of the global market…:
Cut 5 (04) “major interchanges”
Wilson says private investment is an innovative way in getting the cash necessary to fund construction.

President Trump has signed an executive order to reduce regulations on small businesses. National Federation of Independent Business’ State Director Dawn Starns says this order can only help business owners run and grow their businesses…:
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Mr. Trump said earlier Monday that he wants to eliminate “a little more than 75 percent” of the regulations now on the books.

The President will tonight announce who he plans to nominate for Supreme Court Justice to replace the late Antonin Scalia. LSU Political Science Professor James Stoner expects Mr. Trump will appoint a strong Republican voice to sit on the nation’s highest court for at least the next couple of decades…:
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One of the reported candidates is William Pryor of Alabama, who is a graduate Tulane and ULM.