A 40 million dollar expansion has been announced for the Elmer Chocolate factory in Ponchatoula. CEO Robert Nelson says this addition is necessary to stay in business for the long haul. He says the state is assisting through their fast start program which will help Elmer employees learn new job skills.

cut 12 (10) “coming in”

Nelson says the 70 thousand square foot addition will allow the plant to do everything more efficiently.

It’s New Years’ Eve and that means fireworks. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning is encouraging everyone to keep safety in mind. He admits that accidents do happen and in the unfortunate incident that you are burned by fireworks, you should remain calm…

cut 6 (07) “medical attention”

He says you should always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and you should never shoot fireworks while drinking alcohol.

New young whooping cranes have been released into the Wetlands Conservation Area in Gueydan. Emelie Gunn has the story….

cut 2 (32) “a little bit”

In Ascension Parish, State Police arrested a Denham Springs man on seventh-offense DWI. 46-year-old Efremzimbalist Randle was pulled over after making an illegal U-turn. Authorities say Randle blew above the legal limit on a brethalyzer and failed a field sobriety test. He was booked into the Ascension Parish Jail on numerous charges.

Many across the state will celebrate New Years’ Eve by shooting fireworks and State Fire Marshal Butch Browning encourages everyone to be safe. He says you should never light fireworks in your hand. Browning says his office investigated 12 serious firework related injuries during the 4th of July season this year…

cut 5 (11) “injuries occur”

He says you should always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Elmer Chocolate announces a 40 million dollar expansion to their Ponchatoula factory. CEO Robert Nelson says this addition will create a variety of new jobs at Elmer. He says they look at this expansion as a model for other U.S. manufactures to follow.

cut 11 (10) “at Elmer”

Nelson says this addition is necessary to stay in business for the long haul.

The Hammond Police Department says a 58-year-old man was struck by a train and killed Tuesday. They say 58-year-old Ernest Watts was hearing and speech impaired and believe he did not hear the train as it approached. Authorities say that witnesses yelled out to warn Watts, but he apparently did not hear them. Investigators are trying to determine why Watts was on the tracks.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announce that fourteen juvenile whooping cranes have been released into White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area. Wildlife Biologist Sara Zimorski says says even with some set backs, the birds are doing well in this environment. She says last year a young pair of birds nested twice with unfertilized eggs but took the proper steps to incubate…

cut 8 (11) “really positive steps”

Zimorski says a total of 64 whooping cranes have been released since they started to regrow the population in Louisiana and 40 birds are still alive.

Elmer Chocolate announces they will undergo a 40 million dollar expansion to their Ponchatoula factory. CEO Robert Nelson says the 70 thousand square foot addition will allow the plant to do everything more efficiently…

cut 10 (10) “core business”

Nelson says this addition is necessary to stay in business for the long haul and will create a variety of new jobs at Elmer.

It’s New Years’ Eve and many across the state will celebrate by shooting fireworks tonight. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning encourages everyone to follow a few rules so you can enjoy your fireworks safely. He says you should always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations…

cut 4 (09) “that’ll burn”

He also suggests that you have an ample water supply nearby to douse spent or misfired fireworks and you should never light fireworks in your hand.

Fourteen juvenile whooping cranes have been released into White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area. Wildlife Biologist with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sara Zimorski says the young birds join 26 adults already being monitored by wildlife officials…

cut 7 (12) “a little faster”

Zimorski says the birds were delivered in early December from the U.S. Geological Survey.

Kyle Brindza’s 32-yard field goal as time expired lifted Notre Dame to a 31-28 victory over LSU in yesterday’s Music City Bowl in Nashville. LSU ends their season with an 8-5 record.

US Representative Steve Scalise admits to speaking to a white supremacist group while serving in the Louisiana legislature in 2002, but the Republican from Jefferson Parish says he detests any kind of hate group. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this story shouldn’t hurt his influence on the rest of the US House of Representatives…

cut 8 (10) “leadership post”

Scalise serves as the House Majority Whip.

LSU’s football season ended today with a 31-28 loss to Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl. The Fighting Irish won with a 32-yard field goal in the final seconds. The loss spoiled a great effort from Leonard Fournette who had 3 touchdowns, including a 100-yard kick-off return for a touchdown. But LSU’s defense gave up 449 total yards, 263 on the ground.

As the state’s industrial boom continues, Louisiana’s largest utility company finds itself needing to generate more power to meet demand. Entergy will likely build new power plants, to the tune of $1 billion apiece, which their customers will be expected to pay for. But spokesperson Mike Burns says the company believes they will still be able to keep customers electricity costs among the lowest in the nation…

cut 5 (10) “on our customers”

Pineville police have arrested an Alexandria couple who allegedly called in bomb threats at a Wal-Mart as part of a scheme to steal merchandise from the store. Police Chief Donald Weatherford says 57-year-old Hardtner Greenhoward and 33-year-old LaShonda Anderson made the threats on December 21st and 26th…

cut 9 (10) “be done”

Weatherford says Greenhoward and Anderson were charged with felony theft, two counts of terrorizing and criminal conspiracy.

Louisiana 1st District Congressman Steve Scalise is making national headlines, after he admits to speaking at an event organized by a white supremacist group in 2002…
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

A Baton Rouge mother of a two year-old has been charged with the death of her child, after she allegedly shoved her into a shower wall. Twenty-one year old Candance Shanee Smith has been charged with second degree Cruelty to a Juvenile. Other charges may be pending.

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A boom in Louisiana industry is showing the need for more power to keep up with the growth. Entergy-the state’s largest utility company-says they’re making their plans right now…
CUT 4 (07) Q: ‘that we have’
That’s Entergy spokesman Mike Burns. The new power plants that need building will have about a billion dollar price tag.

The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested two teen-agers for allegedly stealing a limousine from a Napoleonville funeral home. Deputy Robert Martin says 18-year-old Trey Hebert and 17-year-old Brandon Morris were at a hospital where one of them was being treated for a fight he was in earlier that morning. They didn’t have a ride home and began hitchhiking…
cut 12 (08) “to Pierre Part”
Each are charged with felony theft.

Republican Congressman Steve Scalise (scah LEASE) from Jefferson Parish has admitted to speaking to a white supremacist group while in the Louisiana legislature in 2002. In a statement from Scalise’s office, he said he spoke only about conservative fiscal policies, and did not endorse the group. Even though it looks bad now, U-L-L Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says…
CUT 7 (08) Q: “story”

The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested two teen-aged hitchhikers for allegedly stealing a limousine from a Napoleonville funeral home. Deputy Robert Martin says 18-year-old Trey Hebert and 17-year-old Brandon Morris were arrested at an area hospital where one of them was being treated for a fight injury that morning…
CUT 14 (04) Q: “a felony”
Deputies first got the tip about a limo driving recklessly.
======================
Pineville police have arrested an Alexandria couple who allegedly called in holiday bomb threats at a Wal-Mart as part of a scheme to steal merchandise….
CUT 10 (08) Q: “large television”
That’s Pineville Police Chief Donald Weatherford who says 57-year-old Hardtner Greenhoward and 33-year-old LaShonda Anderson were charged with felony theft, two counts of terrorizing and criminal conspiracy.

As Louisiana’s industrial boom continues, Entergy is saying the company will need to be able to generate more power to meet the demand. Spokesperson Mike Burns says…
CUT 3 (09) “continuing to grow”
Entergy has already bought a power plant in El Dorado, Arkansas to make electricity and a new unit in Westwego will go online soon.

Our industrial boom shows no sign of letting up, and the Louisiana’s largest utility company is saying they need more generation of power to keep up…
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

It’s another big company expansion annnounced today, as Elmer Chocolate will be making a $40 million dollar manufacturing expansion in Pontchatoula. This will place the total workforce number close to 200 employees, a dozen indirect jobs and about 130 contruction jobs.

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US Representative Steve Scalise admits to speaking to a white supremacist group while serving in the Louisiana legislature in 2002, but the Republican from Jefferson Parish says he detests any kind of hate group. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the controversy surrounding him will likely not end his political career…
CUT 6 (07) “quite awhile”
He will be serving as the House Majority Whip when Congress convenes in 2015.

An Alexandria couple who allegedly called in bomb threats at a Wal-Mart as part of a scheme to create a distraction in order to steal merchandise has been arrested…
CUT 11 (04) Q: ‘a theft”
That’s Pineville Police Chief Donald Weatherford who says 57-year-old Hardtner Greenhoward and 33-year-old LaShonda Anderson were charged with felony theft, two counts of terrorizing and criminal conspiracy.