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…:
Cut 8 (10) “regulation”
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…:
CUT 7 (11) “its neck”
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…:
Cut 10 (10) “record”
One of the reported candidates is William Pryor of Alabama, who is a graduate Tulane and ULM.

For the first time in the state’s history, Louisiana’s transportation department is looking to see if a private company wants to help pay for highway projects to alleviate congestion along the I-10 corridor in the Baton Rouge area. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says investors have until March 31st to submit their proposals…:
cut 4 (11) “want to do”
Wilson says private firms that step up to the plate and help finance highway improvements would receive long-term financial contributions from the state.

A man from Zachary is under arrest for allegedly breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s house, robbing and murdering her father before setting the house on fire — according to the East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff’s Office. State Police identified the victim as 54-year-old David Allen. 34-year-old James Rivers faces a host of charges in the December 2016 incident, including first degree murder, second degree robbery, false imprisonment and simple Arson.

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”

Today Governor John Bel Edwards will speak at an economic development announcement with Entergy in St. Charles Parish. The news conference in Montz begins at 1:30pm.

President Trump’s travel ban is widely supported by members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A second person has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder of an off-duty Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s deputy. Prosecutors say 21-year-old Baylon Taylor was one of two men involved in the fatal shooting of Allen Bares who confronted Quintylan Richard and Taylor about a residential burglary in June of 2014.

With a 304 million dollar budget deficit and a special session coming up next month, does that mean more cuts to healthcare services? Angela Lorio, co-founder of Trach Mommas of Louisiana, hopes families of elderly and disabled people are prioritized as they are stressed enough
CUT 7 (09) “unconscionable”
She says tapping into the rainy day fund is a no-brainer.

The state health Department and the Louisiana Restaurant Association have teamed up to encourage dining establishments to offer more healthy dishes. Well-ahead Louisiana director Melissa Martin says this inititive includes healthier children’s menus…
cut 10 (10) “…fried meats available.
Visit Well ahead Louisiana’s website for more information.

A majority of Louisiana’s congressional delegation supports President Donald Trump’s travel ban executive order. US Representative Ralph Abraham represents the state’s 5th district…
cut 14 (11) “….that stuff”
Congressman Cedric Richmond the lone Democrat in the delegation opposes it, while GOP Senator Bill Cassidy wants it refined so that doctors from the countries named in the order can still travel in and out of the country.

4-year-old Isiah Winfrey of Metairie was hit and killed while walking with his mother along a highway in Jefferson Parish last night. State Police Trooper Melissa Matey…
CUT 5 (08) “as possible”
She says the driver has not been cited, since the boy ran into the path of the S-U-V.

Restaurants have teamed up with the Well Ahead initiative to offer healthier options on their menu. Well-Ahead Louisiana director Melissa Martin says the partnership will help restaurant goers make smarter food choices. And She says healthy food can still taste great…
cut 11 (09) “some of those calories”
To learn more about the initiative visit well-ahead-la.com.

Two weeks from today, a special session will likely begin to address a 304-million dollar budget shortfall. Health care services are on the chopping block, which is why Angela Lorio, who has a three-year-old son who uses a feeding tube, is demanding legislators use money from the Rainy Day fund to prevent deep cuts to health care…
cut 8 (11) “…Day fund”

A majority of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation supports President Donald Trump’s executive order placing travel bans on people from seven Middle Eastern countries. U.S. Senator John Kennedy supports the President’s order and says unlike former President Barack Obama, the Trump administration is enforcing America’s immigration laws…:
cut 12 (11) “of origin”
Democratic Congressman Cedric Richmond opposes the order and tweeted that the Christian Right is wrong for being silent on this issue. It’s the silence of good people that allows evil to persist.

But Republican US Representative Ralph Abraham of the 5th district says the President is just trying to protect our borders.
Cut 15 (09) “his administration”

State Police say a 4 year old boy was run over and killed in Metairie, while he and his mother were walking along Airline Highway last night. She says they believe the child ran in front of the vehicle and the driver has not been charged…:
cut 4 (09) “the crash”
The child is identified as 4-year-old Isiah Winfrey of Metairie.

The state Department of Health and the Louisiana Restaurant Association have teamed up to encourage dining establishments to offer more healthy options on their menus. It’s part of the state’s ongoing Well-Ahead initiative. Well-Ahead Louisiana director Melissa Martin says they’ve developed a set of health and wellness benchmarks for restaurants..:
CUT 9 (10) “sodium content”
To find out what establishments meet these healthy standards, visit well-ahead-la.com.