70% of Louisiana contractors plan to hire workers in 2017, according to a report by the Associated General Contractors of America. Chief Economist Ken Simonson says the strongest category is with new hospitals going up, but the industry is expecting plenty of work in other areas:
Cut 3 (12) “port activity”
He says the AGC poll found just 10 percent of companies forecast a drop in workers.

A new political party has been established in the state: The Louisiana Independent Party. The paperwork was filed with the Secretary of State’s Office in part by its treasurer, Bill Bryan. He feels the two party system doesn’t serve the wide spectrum of views held by voters:
Cut 25 (09) “for themselves”
There are currently 56-thousand Independent voters registered in the party.

Congress has started laying out committee assignments. 4th District Representative Mike Johnson has been invited to sit on the House Judiciary Committee. 5th District Congressman Ralph Abraham was already appointed to the House Armed Services committee and he believes military men and women will be highly regarded in the new administration…:
cUT 15 (10) “to continue”
Additional committee assignments are expected to be announced this week.

Governor Edwards will make himself available for questions once again today on his monthly call-in radio show, Ask The Governor. The broadcast begins shortly after 2pm and can be heard on affiliate stations of the Louisiana Radio Network. Anyone can call 877-217-5757 to take part in the show. It will stream live online at louisianaradionetwork.com. Following the show the governor will hold a news conference to talk about his first year in office.

Today marks one year in office for Governor John Bel Edwards. After such a tumultuous start, it begs the question as to what the coming year will hold. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says like his first year, one of the governor’s biggest challenges in year two is the budget…:
CUT 7 (08) “new budget”
Edwards has said if the revenue shortfall gets to a certain point, another special session may be needed.

Tired of the Republican and Democratic Party, well you can now register at the Secretary of State’s office with the Independent Party of Louisiana. Party Treasurer Bill Bryan says they hope their party will result in honest discussions about the issues that impact us…
cut 4 (11) “…civil discussions”

5th District Congressman Ralph Abraham has been assigned to serve on the House Armed Services Committee….
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

A new study from LSU finds for the first time that parents are more likely to restrict a child’s play outside, if the neighborhood has high rates of crime, blight and graffiti. Senior author Melinda Sothern says nearly 60-percent of the children in their study were either obese or overweight and a lack of physical activity is a reason why…
cut 22 (05) ”’health”

Governor John Bel Edwards has officially been in office one year today, and what a year it’s been. From floods, to police shootings to a historic budget deficit, the governor’s job was anything but easy in 2016. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says this year could be better…:
Cut 9 (11) “anything can happen”
He says the governor’s biggest challenge in year two is the budget.

The Louisiana Independent Party has been newly formed and officially recognized. Its treasurer, Bill Bryan, says their goal is to publish unbiased facts about policies and social issues. He says voters so often just see partisan information…:
CUT 6 (10) “one or the other”
There are currently 56-thousand Independent voters registered in the party.

A study from LSU Health New Orleans finds a parent’s concern about neighborhood safety could limit their kids outside play time. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

State Police is mourning the loss of a trooper who died Tuesday afternoon of a heart attack while at work. They say 51-year-old Tracy Morgan was at the Capital One Tower in Lake Charles when he collapsed as he walked into the parking garage. Morgan was assigned to the Gaming Enforcement Division and had been with Louisiana State Police since 1994.

Today marks the one-year anniversary of when the governor was sworn into office. Jeff Palermo looks at what year two of his administration might bring…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor Edwards will make himself available for questions once again today on his monthly call-in radio show, Ask The Governor. The broadcast begins shortly after 2pm and can be heard on affiliate stations of the Louisiana Radio Network. Anyone can call 877-217-5757 to take part in the show. It will stream live online at louisianaradionetwork.com.

A new political party has been established in the state: The Louisiana Independent Party. The paperwork was filed with the Secretary of State’s Office in part by its treasurer, Bill Bryan. He says the current-two party system doesn’t serve the wide spectrum of views held by voters, as evidenced by the most recent election…:
Cut 5 (09) “for themselves”
There are currently 56-thousand Independent voters registered in the party.

5th District Congressman Ralph Abraham has been appointed to the House Armed Services Committee, which he says is a critically important position for him when it comes to Louisiana. He expects the state’s military bases to be vital in the ongoing fight against domestic and international tourism…:
CUT 14 (12) “those bases also”
The Bayou State is home to Barksdale Air Force Base, Fort Polk, and the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in New Orleans.

Governor John Bel Edwards was inaugurated a year ago today, on an extremely frigid January 11th, 2016. So what does year two have in store for the governor? UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says Edwards is sure to face a lot of pushback on proposals seeking to raise revenue, but not everything will be tough:
CUT 8 (10) “at that”
Edwards will speak today on his first year in office during a 4pm news conference, following his monthly call-in radio show; Ask the Governor at 2pm.

5th District Congressman Ralph Abraham will have a chance to set military policy for the United States as he’s been appointed to the House Armed Services Committee. Abraham says his top priority will be looking out for the men and women who serve our country…;
Cut 13 (08) “a family”

Researchers at LSU-Health New Orleans are the first to demonstrate that parents who are concerned about their neighborhoods restrict their children’s outdoor play. Leading the study, Dr. Melinda Sothern, says they asked parents about how they felt about their community…
cut 11 (10) “play outdoors”
She says this research is an important first step to identifying targets for community-based programs that seek to facilitate trust and control among neighbors.

Authorities in Alabama say an LSU student died after she was hit by a train Monday night in Tuscaloosa following the college football title game. They say 20-year-old Katie Keogh was trying to beat the train near the University of Alabama; but was struck and killed. Her sorority is hosting a memorial tonight.

A new study by Smart Growth America that examined pedestrian deaths nationwide from 2005 to 2014, put Louisiana as third most dangerous on the list.

Today marks one year in office for Governor John Bel Edwards. After such a tumultuous start, it begs the question as to what the coming year will hold. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says like his first year, one of the governor’s biggest challenges in year two is the budget…:
CUT 7 (08) “new budget”
Cross says some of the governor’s goals, like raising more revenue for transportation needs, will face tough pushback from the legislature.

A study from LSU Health New Orleans finds a parent’s concern about neighborhood safety will result in less play time outside. Research Professor Dr. Melinda Sothern says they questioned parents in neighborhoods with high crime rates and didn’t let their kids out often
Cut 10 (08) “and diabetes”
Researchers recommend if parents have safety concerns about letting their kids play outside, take them to a park or playground.

A new political party has been established in the Bayou State, as the official paperwork has been submitted by the Louisiana Independent Party. Party Treasurer Bill Bryan says this is more of a movement than a political action. He says often times, people vote for a party, not a person, and party affiliations can make it difficult for people to have open, honest discussions about candidates…:
cut 4 (11) “civil discussions”
There are currently 56-thousand Independent voters registered in the party.

The Baker Police Department says a 16-year-old is in custody accused of shooting an 11-year-old in the hand. The suspect is charged with negligent injuring. The child was transported to the hospital and is in stable condition.

Students who attend poorly performing schools can begin applying for vouchers today. President of the Louisiana Federation for Children, Ann Duplesis says about 10-thousand families apply every year, and students from all over the state can apply.

Cut 4 (06) “be educated”

Duplesis says students already enrolled in the program do not need to reapply.

WWE’s WrestleMania is returning to New Orleans next year. Governor John Bel Edwards says when the event came to the Big Easy in 2014, over 75-thousand fans came from around the world, bringing an economic impact of $142 million.

Cut 10 (09) “billion dollars”

Edwards says this is the quickest the event has ever returned to a previous host city.

Small business optimism skyrocketed last month, according to the National Federation for Independent Business. State Director Dawn Starns says it’s because business owners are anticipating better economic conditions under the new administration.

Cut 7 (09) “increase then”

The NFIB says small business optimism is at its highest level since 2004.

150-thousand Louisiana residents have signed up for health coverage through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Christen Young with the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services says financial assistance is a key driver, as 82-percent of Louisiana consumers have qualified for tax credits.

Cut 12 (08) “a year”

Young says most people can find a plan for less than $75 per month.

WWE’s Wrestlemania will return to New Orleans in April of 2018. Michelle Southern has more on the big announcement…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu is looking into new permanent security measures for Bourbon Street. The proposed $30 million plan would include blocking off the road to vehicles during most hours, setting up a command center to monitor a network of cameras, and taking measures to allow police to respond to emergencies with force more quickly.

Today students at failing schools can begin applying for the Louisiana Scholarship Program, which pays for low-income students to attend a private school. President of the Louisiana Federation for Children, Ann Duplessis, says 65-hundred students currently receive taxpayer funded vouchers.

Cut 3 (11) “in the future”

123 schools in 31 school districts around the state participate in the voucher program.

Small business optimism skyrocketed last month, according to the National Federation of Independent Business. NFIB state director Dawn Starns says optimism has been on the rise since the November election, and Louisiana businesses are feeling the positive outlook.

Cut 6 (10) “new jobs”