Governor John Bel Edwards outlined his pledges today in his first address after taking the oath of office on the steps of the State Capitol. The Democratic governor says he’s going to accept federal funds to expand Medicaid beginning tomorrow. He addressed the importance of improving Louisiana’s education system…:
cut 10 (13) “must change”
Edwards says we need a modest, but meaningful increase to the minimum wage.

President Barack Obama will speak at McKinley High during his visit to Baton Rouge on Thursday. The White House says Mr. Obama’s speech will begin at 9:45am. The president’s visit will come two days after his final State of the Union address.

Nearly 300 Louisiana National Guard personnel have been mobilized to help build barriers against approaching flood waters from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers. Lt. Rebekah Malone says protective levees are being built in Krotz Springs and Avoca Island. She says this has worked well in the past…:
CUT 4 (07) “backwater flooding”
The US Army Corps of Engineers opened the Bonnet Carre Spillway Sunday, but today said the operations of the Morganza Spillway reliefs are not needed as the latest high water projections show the river crest can safely pass through Louisiana without opening the Morganza.

A 96-year-old woman mistakenly hit the gas instead of the break when parking at the Mandeville community center, and as a result crashed her vehicle through a glass wall causing 4 people to be injured. Mandeville Police identify the driver as Rita Williams. The four injuries were not believed to be life threatening. It is unknown if Williams will face charges in the crash.

John Bel Edwards was sworn in today as Louisiana’s 56th governor. In his first address, the new Democratic governor said the structural budget deficit needs a major overhaul before any of our other problems can be fixed. He says we must make it possible for all Louisiana citizens to be healthy and prosperous…:
CUT 9 (12) “to healthcare”
Edwards also says double-digit tuition hikes need to come to an end, and the state should should support higher education institutions.

Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz is in Louisiana today. The US Senator from Texas is expected to draw a big crowd at a rally in Baton Rouge today, before heading off to New Orleans for another event tonight. Louisiana’s presidential primary is scheduled for March 5.

Republican New Iberia Representative Taylor Barras is Louisiana’s new Speaker of the House. Barras was nominated for the post by Lafayette Republican Representative Stuart Bishop…:
CUT 7 (06) “of Louisiana”
Barras defeated Governor John Bel Edwards’ candidate, New Orleans Democrat Walt Leger, in a runoff.

LifeShare Blood Centers is reporting that the blood supply has dropped to critically low levels. Spokesperson Tina Hooper says they unfortunately saw very low blood donor turnout throughout December and into early January. She says, unfortunately, patients use hundreds of units of blood everyday throughout the state…:
cut 12 (08) “most blood types”
The largest use of donated blood is for cancer patients undergoing treatment, but Hooper says it’s needed for so much more.

We have a new Governor. John Bel Edwards, Louisiana’s 56th governor, was sworn in today on the steps of the state capitol…:
CUT 1 (48) “applause”
Six other statewide elected officials were also sworn in today.

The White House announces President Barack Obama will speak at McKinley High when he makes his first presidential visit to Baton Rouge on Thursday. Tickets to the speech, which begins at 9:45am, are free and open to the public and are being distributed today on a first come first serve basis.

Louisiana’s new Speaker of the House is Republican New Iberia Representative Taylor Barras (BAR-rah). Barras defeated Governor John Bel Edwards’ candidate, New Orleans Democrat Walt Leger, in a runoff. Barras was nominated for the post by Lafayette Republican Representative Stuart Bishop…:
CUT 6 (07) “of Louisiana”
The Senate kept Republican John Alario as president of the upper chamber.

Louisiana’s new Speaker of the House is Representative Taylor Barras, a Republican from New Iberia. Governor John Bel Edwards’ pick was New Orleans Democrat Walt Leger, but in a runoff between the two, the Republican majority house voted for Barras. The vote was 56-49. Leger was selected to be Speaker Pro Tempore.

John Bel Edwards is being sworn in as Louisiana’s next governor at this hour on the steps of the state capitol. So what can we expect out of the new administration? Political analyst Clancy Dubos says Edwards plans to immediately expand Medicaid and he is going to call a special session to deal with all the fiscal issues in the state..:
Cut 13 (09) “in place”

A 96 year old woman plowed her car into the Mandeville Community center this morning, causing at least four people to be injured according to police. They believe the woman accidentally hit the gas instead of the break causing her to jump the curve and crash through the front plate glass.

The Louisiana National Guard has mobilized almost 300 personnel to build protective barriers against approaching flood waters from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers. Eric Gill reports..:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

The massive Powerball prize is now worth an estimated $1.4 billion dollars for Wednesday night’s drawing. Nobody won the big prize Saturday which caused the pot to roll to $1.3 billion in what’s being called the largest jackpot in the world. Lottery officials announced mid-morning the new prize of $1.4 billion with a cash value of $868 million.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards is sworn into office today and Jeff Palermo looks at the obstacles he faces…:
Cut 3 (25) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
Edwards will take the oath of office at noon.

This Wednesday night’s Powerball jackpot is worth an estimated $1.3 billion, the largest ever in the world, according to lottery officials. 25 people matched 5 numbers in Saturday’s drawing which carries a prize of $1 million dollars. The next drawing has a cash value of an estimated $806 million.

Republican White House hopeful Ted Cruz is in Louisiana today for a presidential campaign a rally this afternoon in Baton Rouge at the Marriott’s Grand Ballroom. Louisiana’s presidential primary is scheduled March 5.

The Louisiana National Guard has mobilized almost 300 personnel to build protective barriers against approaching flood waters from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers. Lt. Rebekah Malone says protective levees are being constructed in Krotz Springs in St. Landry Parish and Avoca Island in St. Mary Parish. Malone says 120 guardsmen are in St. Mary to build the levee…
CUT 3 (10) “that’s approaching”
More than 60 engineers are working to build protective levees in Krotz Springs. Malone says the Guard learned a lot of lessons from the flood of 2011 and are utilizing that knowledge now. She says the protective levee being built on Avoca Island worked very well in the past.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards will be sworn in as Louisiana’s governor during the inauguration ceremony beginning at 11:30AM today at the state capital. Edwards’ communications director, Richard Carbo, says the governor-elect is going to urge both Democrats and Republicans to be engaged in the process and contribute ideas to help the state…

cut 12 (10) “be like”

He believes Edwards will be optimistic about the future Louisiana in his inauguration speech.

The US Army Corps of Engineers opened the Bonnet Carre Spillway Sunday morning and Corps spokesman Ricky Boyett says the Morganza Spillway could be opened as early as Thursday. Boyett says they plan to slowly open the Morganza to reduce the impact to the black bear population living in the floodway…

cut 6 (09) “of harm’s way”

Opening the spillways alleviate the threat of floods along the Mississippi River.

The Louisiana House and Senate meet this morning to select their leaders ahead of today’s inauguration ceremony. It is expected that the state Senate will stay with Republican Senator John Alario as Senate president. The state House is expected to have a rare contested vote for Speaker. Governor-elect John Bel Edwards backs New Orleans Democratic Representative Walt Leger. Republican leaders support GOP Representative Cameron Henry of Metairie.

Bakeries from throughout the state are getting involved in the boudin king cake craze that originated in Acadiana. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards has a full day in store as he will become the 56th governor of Louisiana at noon…

cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Shreveport Police say a family argument over the weekend left one man dead. Authorities say 43-year-old Charles Ray Acklen and his father, Charles Wayne Acklen, were involved in a dispute when Charles Ray pulled a gun and threatened to shoot his father. Charles Wayne grabbed the gun, shooting his son in the upper body several times. Charles Ray was pronounced dead at the scene. Charles Wayne was questioned by police, then released. No charges have been filed at this time.

So what can Louisiana residents expect from Democrat John Bel Edwards once he is sworn in as governor? Political analyst Clancy Dubos says most people want to see more state funding for higher education, healthcare and highways. But he says that will be hard to do, as the state’s budget is in bad shape…

cut 15 (10) “tax rates”

He says Edwards plans to call a special session of the legislature to deal with all the fiscal issues in the state.

The boudin king cake is becoming one of the most sought after pastries during carnival season. UL-Lafayette Professor Bob Carriker, who invented the delicacy, says people have started calling it the most Cajun food ever…

cut 8 (11) “together”

Carriker says he’s been contacted by bakeries all over the state and the nation asking permission to use the concept and get some tips.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards will be sworn in as Louisiana’s 56th governor today. Edwards’ communications director, Richard Carbo, says the swearing in will happen right at noon and then Governor Edwards will make his inauguration address on the steps of the Capitol. He says there is a surprise planned for the new governor…

cut 11 (10) “real treat”

Carbo believes Edwards will be optimistic about the days ahead for Louisiana in his inauguration speech.

So what can we expect from Edwards once he takes office? Political analyst Clancy Dubos believes the democratic governor will have a fairly easy time with the Senate, but the challenge will be in the House…

cut 14 (09) “every matter”

He says Edwards plans to immediately expand Medicaid and will call a special legislative session to deal with all the fiscal issues in the state.

The Bonnet Carre Spillway was opened Sunday morning to alleviate the flood threat of the Mississippi River in New Orleans. US Army Corps of Engineers spokesman Ricky Boyett says the Bonnet Carre diverts Mississippi River waters to Lake Pontchartrain and into the Gulf to protect New Orleans. Boyett says, if river levels get too high, the Morganza Spillway protects Baton Rouge in much the same way…

cut 5 (05) “the Atchafalaya”

The Morganza could be opened as early as Thursday.

The boudin king cake is quickly becoming one of the most popular pastries to get your hands on during carnival season. Bob Carriker is a UL-Lafayette professor and he used his food blogging sites, boudinlink.com and kingcaker.com, to introduce his invention to Louisiana. It took off…

cut 7 (08) “it’s incredible”

The boudin king cake uses bread that is savory, stuffed with boudin, topped with Steen’s cane syrup then sprinkled with cracklins.