Ahead of his second expulsion hearing, Napoleonville Senator Troy Brown announces his resignation from the Louisiana Senate. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty” 

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It’s Coach “O” Day in Lafourche Parish! Emelie Gunn has more on the festivities for LSU’s Head football coach Ed Orgeron…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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It’s NBA All-Star weekend in New Orleans again! Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Today the state House will decide how much, if any, of the rainy day fund to use to close a $304 million budget shortfall. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger says lawmakers passed a budget last year describing what they want to accomplish for the people of Louisiana, and it’s the legislature’s responsibility to meet those promises. He says the best way to accomplish that would be to use 119-million dollars from the rainy day fund.

Cut 4  (10) “rainy day funds”

Leger says the rainy day fund was created for this purpose, to deal with shortfalls. He says some lawmakers have proposed additional cuts without consulting the agencies that would be affected. He says some of the proposals would have major implications for Louisianans.

Cut 5  (09)  “additional reductions”

A bill up for debate today on the House floor would use $74 million from the state’s savings account, but Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds co-authored a bill that would use no rainy day dollars to close the budget gap. He says after some investigating, he found areas in state government that can be cut to reduce the shortfall.

Cut 6 (11) “any of that”

Edmonds’ bill is also up for debate today on the House floor. He says he understands that no cuts are easy, but lawmakers have a responsibility to balance the budget.

Cut 7 (08)  “hurt anyone”‘

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Today is Coach “O” Day in Lafourche Parish to honor LSU’s new head football coach Ed Orgeron. Orgeron is a native of Larose, where an event will be held at the local civic center at 6:00 p.m. Member of the planning committee, Larry Weidel, says Orgeron, better known as BaBa, was a hometown football star back in his day.

Cut 8 (10) “can understand”

Weidel says during the banquet, Orgeron’s high school football jersey will be retired and fellow members of the 1977 South LaFourche High School football team will be recognized for winning the state championship. He says the event has over 90 sponsors and over a thousand tickets were sold.  

Cut 9 (08)  “busy night”

Weidel says the biggest takeaway from Coach “O” Day, is the development of a non-profit organization that will donate all the money collected to charities in Lafourche Parish.

Cut 10 (08) “back home”

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It is once again NBA All-star weekend in the Big Easy. President and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation Jay Cicero says they didn’t have much time to plan because they only found out they were hosting last year. The event was moved from Charlotte, North Carolina, in light of an anti-LGBT law that was enacted last year.

Cut 11 (12) “a chance”

This is the third time in 9 years that New Orleans has hosted all-star game, which is a record return rate. Cicero says the big game takes place on Sunday in the Smoothie King Center, but there will be plenty of festivities all weekend.

Cut 12 (11) “their superstars”

Cicero says there’s also the three-point and dunk contests on Saturday night. He says this event had a $106 million economic impact for the state when New Orleans last hosted in 2014. He says even more important is the media exposure, which could have a tremendous impact on tourism.

Cut 13 (12) “New Orleans”

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After much ado at the state capitol over attempts to expel Napoleonville Senator Troy Brown, he said in a press conference it is with great sadness that he resigns from the Senate. 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, and the embattled senator says it is readily apparent a fair hearing from his peers will not transpire. He says his colleagues rejected the most basic notion of being held to the laws and constitution they were sworn to uphold, most importantly our fundamental due process.

Cut 15 (10) “constitutional rights”

Brown adds that there was pressure from the Senate body for him to resign. He says he did not go to trial for either of his two domestic violence convictions, instead entering no contest pleas, to spare his family from the ordeal of a trial. He says that’s also why he’s resigning from the Senate.

Cut 16 (09) “further embarrassment”

The resignation comes amid hearings on the Senate floor to expel or suspend Brown following his second conviction of domestic abuse.

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A highly anticipated college baseball season gets underway tonight for the second ranked LSU Tigers as they host Air Force at 7 PM. Coach Paul Mainieri brings back a veteran team that will also feature a few freshmen who are expected to do great things. Mainieri says he can’t wait to get it started….

Cut 17 (21)  “excited “

Alex Lange will start on the mound for the Tigers. The junior right-hander will make his first opening day start and he says he’s had butterflies in his stomach all week…

Cut 18 (11) “season again”

LSU’s best power hitter will be in the line-up tonight, even though he had surgery on Sunday to fix a suffered a fracture cheekbone after taking a pitch to his face. Deichmann says he’s good to go, despite missing a few days of practice thsi week…

Cut 19 (16)   “couple days”

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”

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Former LSU star running back Leonard Fournette is now partnering with New Orleans based Life10 Electrolyte water. Michelle Southern has more on his endorsement….

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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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”

Despite budget problems, floods and civil unrest from a police shooting, the governor has maintained a high approval rating. Cross says being well liked helps while raising money.

cut 4  (08) “everybody’s friend”

Edwards’ could face Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry in his 2019 re-election bid. Landry’s campaign finance reports show he’s raised just under $900-thousand with $544-thousand on hand. Cross says as soon as Landry officially enters the race, his fundraising will rise quickly.

Cut 5  (11)  “sitting governor”

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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”

Matey says law enforcement relies heavily on information from the public. She advises parade goers and those celebrating during Mardi Gras or attending All-Star festivities, to come forward and say something to police if you see suspicious activity.

CUT 7 (10)  “know”

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. She also says avoiding excessive alcohol intake is always a good idea…

Cut 8 (09) “safe decisions”

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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”

Yorkmark says through the partnership, Fournette owns a small part of the company. He 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”

Life10 Electrolyte water is filled with calcium, potassium, magnesium, chloride and sodium. Yorkmark says Fournette has great potential to be a wonderful brand ambassador.

cut 11 (09) “very engaging”

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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 a 23 cent tax is a possible solution in coming up with the $700 million; and leaders in the Capitol City are looking at what that money could go to…:

cut 12 (08) “needed”

Carter says they can either bring the measure to raise the gas tax out right to lawmakers, or put it to a vote of the people. He says asking a Republican dominated legislature would likely push back against such a bill…:

Cut 13 (10) “vote of the people“

Carter says these types of proposals would have to be brought during the regular session that begins in April. He says the Baton Rouge delegation wants to see most of that money go to projects including a new Mississippi River Bridge and the widening of I-10…:

cut 14 (08) “we need em bad”

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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 DPSO is working the recovery. He says the biggest challenge is getting to the crash site.

Cut 15 (09) “build roads in here”

Arbuckle says it took over two hours to get to the helicopter yesterday, but they hope to finish the recovery by later today. He says the helicopter belongs to Terry and Pam Bailey of Center, Texas, which is just across the state line from Desoto Parish.

Cut 16  (06)  “are missing”

It’s believed the Baileys were travelling from Shreveport Downtown Airport to Center when the helicopter went down, possibly hitting several trees as there was reportedly a small fire when crews arrived at the scene.

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