There is a new North Louisiana Crime Lab operating in Shreveport, serving 29 north Louisiana parishes. Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator says the planning for the North Louisiana Forensic Sciences started over 12 years ago with construction beginning in 2013 at a cost of

26-million-dollars. Prator says the new lab will also partner with the LSU Medical School in Shreveport.

Cut 8 (10) “Louisiana community.”

As we’ve seen an excess number of wrecks this week. The state Department of Transportation reports there were 2,423 crashes on Interstate 10 between Exit 100 in Lafayette and the Baton Rouge Mississippi River Bridge from January 1^st of 2014 to the end of 2016. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson….

Cut 4  (11) “pay attention”

Today is the Great American Smokeout, the day tobacco users are encouraged to quit smoking, chewing tobacco or using other tobacco related products.  The latest parish to ban public smoking is East Baton Rouge.  Lance Barbour with the American Cancer Society they will recognize that with a press conference today…

Cut 14 (12) “their face.”

Governor Edwards and Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain continue their listening tour with farmers today with stops in Ferriday and Slaughter.  Edwards says soybean farmers are asking for funding so the Red River can be dredged in northwest Louisiana to help with shipping costs.

Cut 11 (11) “and Bossier”

As we’ve seen an excess number of wrecks this week between Baton Rouge and Lafayette, the state Department of Transportation reports there were 2,423 crashes on that stretch of I-10 from 2014 through 2016. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says one thing that has helped is cable barriers:
Cut 6 (11) “we can”
He says of all those crashes, 19 were fatal and 20 people died mostly due to tailgating and distractions.

Today is the Great American Smokeout, a day every year that tobacco users are encouraged to quit. Lance Barbour with the American Cancer Society says they offer tips on their website on how to drop the habit…:
Cut 15 (08) “smoke free”
He says 22% of adults smoke in Louisiana, and 1/3 of cancers here are the direct result of tobacco use.

The steady increase in gas prices is continuing. AAA says there is still strong fall demand for gasoline and it’s chipping away at inventory. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is now $2.34, up almost 10 cents over the past month.

Governor Edwards and Ag Commissioner Mike Strain continue their listening tour with farmers today in Ferriday and Slaughter. The tour started earlier this week in Mooringsport and Bastrop as a way to hear about concerns within the agriculture industry. Edwards says producers are worried that state budget cuts impact ag research at LSU and Southern.:
Cut 10 (05) “those operations”
The tour will end tomorrow with stops in Ville Platte and Arnaudville.

According to the Associated Press, Governor Edwards recent trip to Puerto Rico to discuss ongoing hurricane recovery cost taxpayers 51-hundred dollars. Much of the cost went towards security detail.

Louisianians are being encouraged to quit smoking during the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout today…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A man’s 2011 road-rage related vehicular homicide conviction over the crash that killed five people on I-10 in Baton Rouge, was reduced by an appeals court to negligent homicide. The three-judge panel said there was nothing that pointed to David Leger’s intoxication as a contributing factor in the crash. DA Hillar Moore says his office will appeal.

There have been many wrecks recently between Lafayette and Baton Rouge on I-10, and DOTD says there were over 2400 from 2014 through 2016. Secretary Shawn Wilson says the majority are caused by tailgating or distractions:
Cut 5 (11) “their life”
He says 55-percent of these crashes happened when a car rear-ended another, and 22-percent when a vehicle runs off the interstate.

Law enforcement in the top half of the state has a new crime fighting tool: the North Louisiana Forensic Sciences Center in Shreveport. Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator says the ability to conduct DNA tests in the new facility will save time and money in investigations…:
Cut 9 (07) “less expensive”
The lab will serve 29 parishes.

Between 2014 and 2016, there were over 2,000 crashes on I-10 between Baton Rouge and Lafayette. Emelie Gunn reports…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Just yesterday in Baton Rouge, an 18-wheeler was exiting the Mississippi River Bridge when it stopped quickly, and cases of beer spilled all over the road.

The New Orleans Police Department has launched a new online crime reporting tool called NOPD Online. The system will enable citizens to file non-emergency police reports quickly and easily over the internet. Visit nola.gov/nopdonline for details.

Governor Edwards and Ag Commissioner Mike Strain continue their listening tour with farmers today in Ferriday and Slaughter. Edwards says he’s learning farmers have many challenges that go way beyond whether there’s enough rain to grow their crops…:
Cut 12 (11) “as well”
The tour started earlier this week as the two elected officials held meetings in Mooringsport and Bastrop to hear about concerns within the agriculture industry.

There is a new Crime Lab operating in Shreveport, serving 29 north Louisiana Parishes. Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator says the state of the art 86-thousand-square foot North Louisiana Forensic Sciences Center should help them solve D-N-A cases much faster…:
Cut 7 (08) “crime fighting”
Construction began in 2013.

As we’ve seen an excess number of wrecks this week, the state Department of Transportation reports there were 2,423 crashes on Interstate 10 between Exit 100 in Lafayette and the Baton Rouge Mississippi River Bridge from January 1st of 2014 to the end of 2016. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson:
Cut 4 (11) “pay attention”
Of those crashes, 19 were fatal and 20 people died.

Today is the Great American Smokeout, the day tobacco users are encouraged to quit smoking, chewing tobacco or using other tobacco related products. Lance Barbour with the American Cancer Society says Louisiana ranks among the highest in the number of smokers and smoking related illness…:
Cut 13 (12) “tobacco use”
Barbour says research shows that those who quit smoking will experience health benefits.

A new crime lab has opened in Shreveport to assist 29 north Louisiana parishes. Kelley Ray tells us about this crime fighting tool…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray”

According to 24/7 Wall Street’s list of America’s 25 Murder Capitals, Louisiana had three cities rank. New Orleans came in at number 4, Shreveport ranked 18 and Baton Rouge came in at number 22 for most murders.

On I-10 between Lafayette and the Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, there were over two-thousand crashes from the January 2014 to the end of 2016. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A new crime lab has opened in Shreveport to assist 29 north Louisiana parishes.  Kelley Ray tells us about this crime fighting tool.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray”

______________________________________

Today is the Great American Smokeout, the day millions of Americans try to quit the habit of smoking.  Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3  (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

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As we’ve seen an excess number of wrecks this week, the state Department of Transportation reports there were 2,423 crashes on Interstate 10 between Exit 100 in Lafayette and the Baton Rouge Mississippi River Bridge from January 1^st of 2014 to the end of 2016. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson….

Cut 4  (11) “pay attention”

Of those crashes, 19 were fatal and 20 people died. Wilson says the majority of these wrecks are a result of tailgating or distracted driving.

Cut 5  (11)  “their life”

Numbers from DOTD show 55-percent of these accidents happened when a car rear-ended another, 22-percent happened when a car ran off the interstate. Wilson says they have increased the number of rumble strips on the roadway to try alert drivers who may be drifting off the road or into another lane. He says the installment of cable barriers has also helped to stop drivers from running off the road.

Cut 6 (11) “we can”

________________________________________________________

There is a new North Louisiana Crime Lab operating in Shreveport, serving 29 north Louisiana parishes. Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator says the state of the art 86-thousand-square foot North Louisiana Forensic Sciences Center should help them solve D-N-A cases much faster.

Cut 7 (08)  “crime fighting.”

The planning started over 12 years ago with construction beginning in 2013 at a cost of 26-million-dollars. Prator says the new lab will also partner with the LSU Medical School in Shreveport.

Cut 8 (10) “Louisiana community.”

Prator says real life crime work takes much longer than what is seen during television shows. He says the ability to conduct DNA tests in the new facility will save time and money in investigations.

Cut 9 (07)  “less expensive.”

________________________________________________________

Governor Edwards and Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain continue their listening tour with farmers today with stops in Ferriday and Slaughter. The tour started earlier this week as the two elected officials held meetings in Mooringsport and Bastrop to hear about concerns within the agriculture industry. Edwards says producers are worried that state budget cuts are impacting agriculture research at LSU and Southern.

Cut 10 (05)  “those operations”

Edwards says soybean farmers are also pushing for funding so the Red River can be dredged in northwest Louisiana to help with shipping costs.

Cut 11 (11) “and Bossier”

The tour will end tomorrow with stops in Ville Platte and Arnaudville. Edwards says he’s learning farmers have many challenges that go way beyond whether there’s enough rain to grow their crops.

Cut 12 (11) “as well”

________________________________________________________

Today is the Great American Smokeout, the day tobacco users are encouraged to quit smoking, chewing tobacco or using other tobacco related products.  Lance Barbour with the American Cancer Society says Louisiana ranks among the highest in the number of smokers and smoking related illness…

Cut 13 (12) “tobacco use.”

Several local governments in the last couple of years have banned smoking in all public places including bars and casinos.  The latest to do so is East Baton Rouge Parish and Barbour says they will recognize this new ordinance that goes into effect January 1^st with a press conference today…

Cut 14 (12) “their face.”

Barbour says research shows that those who quit smoking will experience health benefits.  He says the American Cancer Society’s has an 800 number and tips on their website on how to drop the habit…

Cut 15 (08) “everyday lives.”

65-year-old Wilbert Jones became a free man today after serving over 45 years in jail in connection with a 1971 rape and kidnapping of a Baton Rouge nurse. State District Judge Richard Anderson threw his conviction out, because he determined the case against Jones was weak and the prosecution withheld evidence. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino…:
Cut 6 (10) “prosecutional misconduct”
The Innocence Project worked for 15 years to free Jones.

The TSA has put in a new policy for those who fly out of Baton Rouge or New Orleans. Effective immediately, any electronic larger than a cellphone must be taken out of a carry-on bag when going through security. TSA Spokesperson Sari Koshetz says if your traveling with an I-Pad or lab top, take it out of the bag and place it into its own bin to help the security checkpoint run efficiently…
Cut 10 (10) “through again”

State officials are gradually introducing 23 juvenile whooping cranes from Wisconsin, Maryland and Canada to the wild in Louisiana as part of the state’s effort to grow the population of the rare, endangered birds. State Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologist Sara Zimorski says 12 of the birds were brought to Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge on the southwest Louisiana coast where three cranes recently hatched…
cut 14 (10) “…the parents”

The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine says Mike Seven, the school’s live mascot that arrived on campus in August, has added 100 pounds of weight during his first three months in Baton Rouge. The 14-month old Tiger now weighs about 270 pounds and the Bengal-Siberian mix is expected to keep growing until he’s about four or five years old.

Sixty-five-year-old Wilbert Jones, who spent almost 46 years in prison was set free today after his conviction for kidnapping and raping a Baton Rouge nurse was recently overturned. A judge said there was evidence withheld by the prosecution that could have exonerated him. The group the Innocence Project worked for 15 years to free Jones. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says prosecutors approach these type of cases without much merit and Jones is fortunate to be released after so long…:
Cut 7 (09) “justice system”

The U.S. House has legislation to overhaul the National Flood Insurance Program, but it does not have the full support of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation. Representative Ralph Abraham from Richland Parish says the measure doesn’t help with rising premiums and he’s concerned…
Cut 4 (08) “to happen”
Abraham hpes the Senate passes a better bill.

The holiday season is approaching and many will take to the skies to visit family. Emelie Gunn has more on new rules from the TSA….
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

According to the Associated Press, Governor John Bel Edwards recent trip to Puerto Rico to discuss ongoing hurricane recovery cost taxpayers 51-hundred dollars. Much of the cost went towards security detail.

The governor attended a ribbon cutting ceremony today for a new emergency room in north Baton Rouge. It cost the state over five-million dollars to build the facility.

A Baton Rouge man who has been behind bars for almost 50 years had his conviction overturned, and is now a free man. Michelle Southern reports…:
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s successfully added an amendment to the Senate’s tax reform legislation that would provide 200-million dollars in tax relief for thousands of Louisiana residents who were impacted by last year’s August flood. The legislation still needs approval from the entire Senate and House.

Members of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation are not happy about a bill the House passed to overhaul the National Flood Insurance Program. Richland Parish Representative Ralph Abraham says the measure would mean higher premiums and doesn’t make strong enough reforms to mitigate flood risk. He hopes the Senate has a better bill…:
Cut 5 (07) “and foremost”
The state has added 23 juvenile whooping cranes to the Louisiana flock as part of an effort to re-grow the population, after the large white birds disappeared from the Bayou state in 1950. Louisiana Department of Wildlife Fisheries Wildlife Biologist Sara Zimorski says these young birds join 49 other cranes. She says they re-introduced whooping cranes to Louisiana to 2011.
Cut 12 (10) “big step”
Zimorski says last year, for the first time, a young pair of birds hatched and raised a chick.