Efforts to bring more federal funding for coastal restoration, via higher oil & gas royalty payments, are dead for the year. Senator Bill Cassidy says the Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems Act is not a part of the federal spending bill that Congress must pass this week…:
Cut 7 (08) “…not included.”
Cassidy says he’ll try to pass the RISE Act again next year.

54-year-old Meshell Hale has been sentenced to life in prison after she was convicted in the poisoning death of her former live-in boyfriend 41-year-old Damian Skipper. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says when they exhumed Skipper’s body, they found high levels of barium acetate. Moore says money was the likely motive.
Cut 11 (09) “…intent.”

Because fewer people are carrying cash on them, Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign is falling behind. Lt. Thomas Johnson says every year the Salvation Army helps thousands of individuals and families in need….
cut 14 (11) “….come to us”
With five days left before Christmas, the Salvation Army is asking the public to make a physical or online donation today.

By day Alistair Adkinson is a New Orleans attorney and when he’s not practicing law, he’s saving Christmas. After reading about porch pirates stealing packages in their neighborhood, he decided to offer his office as a drop-off site because they have an indoor door.
Cut 4 (08) “…holidays.”
Adkinson and his wife are allowing folks to send packages to their Lower Garden district office so Christmas gifts don’t get swiped.