In a 26-hour period, three separate house fires claimed three lives in Louisiana. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says it’s tragic especially because they could have been prevented. The fires happened in New Orleans, Leesville, and Ruston…:

CUT 09(11)      “…fire hazards.”

She says working smoke detectors are SO important. Especially this time of year.

Governor John Bel Edwards is asking the Environmental Protection Agency to have Capitol Lakes in Baton Rouge declared as a Superfund site. Edwards says contamination from PCB was detected in the lakes on the north side of the Capitol Complex in 1983..:

CUT 13(12)      “…unacceptable levels.”

Signs warning you NOT to eat fish from the lakes have been posted for over 40 years.

The Corps of Engineers says yes to a huge project to divert Mississippi River sediment to the Barataria Estuary. That money will come from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Golsby.”

A Louisiana man is wanted for a November double murder in Houston, Texas and LEOs say he could be hiding out in Tangipahoa Parish. 18-year-old Bradlyn McKay, aka BAM, is from Ponchatoula. Police ask anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts to call them at 985-386-65-48.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating three separate house fires that claimed three lives in just over one day…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

The man who shot & killed former NFL player Joe McKnight back in 2016 changes his plea to guilty of manslaughter and gets ten years in prison. 61-year-old Ronald Gasser was scheduled for a retrial of his 2018 conviction, due to the state tossing out non-unanimous jury verdicts. He shot McKnight during a road rage incident in Terrytown.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has given the green light to the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project that will use Mississippi River sediment to rebuild parts of Louisiana’s coast. State Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority director Bren Haase says the project will help restore the estuary and provide important hurricane protection for New Orleans…:

CUT 07(07)      “…protection systems.”

The Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program and the Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Fund will stop accepting applications tomorrow. Assistant Commissioner of Administration Desiree Thomas says the state will continue reviewing applications submitted before tomorrow’s deadline until all funds are expended…:

CUT 05(05)      “…at five o’clock.”

Deputies in Ascension Parish seek a pair of women who were naughty and not nice when they stole over $1000 worth of electronics and clothing from a local Walmart. Someone’s getting a lump of coal in their stockings.

Governor John Bel Edwards will hold his annual year-end press conference today. U.L.-Monroe political science professor Pearson Cross says he expects Edawrds to avoid talking about the recent failures and staff shake-ups at the Department of Children & Family Services. Likewise the State Police / Ronald Greene roadside death case. As for what to expect in his last year in office Cross says Edwards will do what he can to leave his mark despite his lame-duck status…:

CUT 12(08)      “…somewhat less.”

Cross feels Edwards will be judged overall as a good governor.

Illegal street racers were out again over the weekend in Baton Rouge. Videos posted online show them and their muscle cars blocking parts of Interstate 10 and doing burnouts and donuts in parking lots. In one case, they actually set the pavement in a parking lot on fire. Police issued a few tickets, but arrested no one.

It’s Christmas week and it’s just not Santa that’s coming to the Bayou State from the North Pole this week. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 03(31)      “…Palermo.”

The New Orleans Saints may be having a lousy season, but at least they beat the Atlanta Falcons Sunday – for a second time. The Black & Gold held on the win 21-18. QB Andy Dalton threw two touchdown passes, and Taysom Hill threw a long 68-yard TD. The Saints are at Cleveland Christmas Eve.

In 2023, most Louisiana residents on Social Security will see a big increase in their benefits. However, there is a downside for some; that increase could make some SNAP food stamp recipients ineligible. DCFS Assistant Secretary Monica Brown says about 14-hundred SNAP recipients will be affected…:

CUT 05(10)      “…an effect.”

For more information, visit “dcfs.la.gov”

Get ready for a big blast of frigid air for the Christmas weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Friday morning will bring hard freezes for the northern parishes, milder freezes for central and southern Louisiana…and near-freezing temperatures close to the coast. This cold air will not bring us a White Christmas but Keim says you might want to ask to Santa for flannel PJ’s…:

CUT 15(10)      “…below normal.”

A new survey from Tulane University shows the traditional office environment is making a bit of a post-pandemic comeback; especially among smaller businesses. The survey asked over 150 startups and small businesses across a 10-parish region about staffing and plans to lease office space. Emily Egan, with Tulane’s Freeman School of Business, says nearly 70-percent plan to add employees and the number planning to lease space rose by 6-percent…:

CUT 07(12)      “…primary office.”

Governor Edwards will host his annual end-of-the-year press conference this morning. UL-Monroe political science professor Pearson Cross feels the governor will avoid mentioning the Ronald Greene – State Police roadside death case. Cross says the real question is what did Edwards know and when did he know it..?

CUT 11(07)      “…on this.”

A major arctic blast is heading Louisiana’s way. State Climatologist Barry Keim says you’ll need the heavy coats and gloves later this week, as temperatures dip to near or below freezing. He says morning lows on Friday will be in the teens in north Louisiana…:

CUT 14(07)      “…in New Orleans.”

A White Christmas coming? Keim says wintery precipitation is not in the forecast, so…probably not.

Governor Edwards will host his annual end-of-the-year press conference this morning. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross expects Edwards to tout the budget surplus that’s allowed him to make critical investments in roads and bridges and teacher pay raises…:

CUT 10(09)      “…historic low.”

The Governor’s last “Ask The Governor” radio program of the year airs Wednesday afternoon here on the Louisiana Radio Network.

Is the office making a post-pandemic comeback? Data from Tulane University shows Louisiana small businesses and startups planning more hiring and leasing office space…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Thorington.”

A New Orleans woman pleads guilty to stealing mail she handled while employed with the Post Office. 38-year-old Keishan Wilson was taking items while working as a mail processor. She faces up to five  years in prison at sentencing, plus stiff fines.

Governor Edwards will host his annual end-of-the-year press conference this morning. Brooke Thorington has more on what he’s expected to highlight…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Thorington.”

The “street racers” – for lack of a better term – are back in Baton Rouge. Saturday night, a group actually set fire to a parking lot with their burnouts and donuts. The muscle car drivers were stopped by Baton Rouge cops, who issued tickets to a handful of them. Locals say police response must be harsh or they will continue.

A major arctic blast is heading Louisiana’s way. State Climatologist Barry Keim says you’ll need the heavy coats and gloves later this week…:

CUT 13(10)      “…below normal.”

Keim says morning lows on Friday will be in the teens in north Louisiana. This cold air will likely NOT bring us a White Christmas, as precipitation is not in the weekend forecast.

In 2023, most Louisiana residents on Social Security will see a big increase in their benefits. Deputy Assistant Secretary for family support at D-C-F-S, Monica Brown, says it’s the largest increase in 40 years and veterans benefits will also go up next year…:

CUT 04(08)      “…to be great.”

For more information about SNAP, visit www.dcfs.la.gov/SNAP.

A Union Parish Grand Jury indicts five LEO’s in connection with the death of Ronald Greene. The most serious charge is negligent homicide…:

CUT 01(36)      “…Thorington.”

Police in New Orleans say someone shot a 15-year-old boy while he was driving on I-10 Wednesday. The boy died at a local hospital. Police seek a white Honda Accord and ask someone to come forward with a tip that catches the guilty party.

The state has approved a deal that will mean the long-shuttered Diamond Jack’s Casino in Bossier City re-opening. Mississippi-based Foundation Gaming has been approved to purchase and renovate the property, with a $200-million budget. Foundation’s Les McMackin says they will bring something new and different to Bossier…:

CUT 12  (09)        “…into the property.”

They hope to re-open within two years, after a major rebuilding project.

Louisiana State Parks are offering special holiday events at their facilities. State Parks director Brandon Burris says Santa is making appearances throughout the park system. Oakley House at the Audubon Historic site near St. Francisville is conducting ongoing guided tours and more…:

CUT 04(07)      “…going on.”

Tomorrow there are Christmas celebrations at Fort Jessup Historic Site at and at Fort St. John Baptiste Historic Site at Natchitoches.

An update on this week’s officer-involved shooting at the St. Mary Parish courthouse. State Police identify the man killed as 34-year-old inmate Chad Williams of Berwick. During a scuffle with a parish corrections officer, Williams got the deputy’s handgun and shot himself in the head. The investigation is ongoing. Once complete it will be handed over to the parish D.A. for review.

November marked the sixth straight month of record-breaking unemployment in the state…:

CUT 02(29)      “…Golsby.”

The mother of Ronald Greene made remarks Thursday evening after indictments were handed down against five law enforcement officers who were at the scene when her son was beaten and tasered by cops before he died in May of 2019. Mona Hardin had harsh words for state leaders for allowing state police to continue their behavior and mistreatment of people of color…:

CUT 08(12)      “…clean up.”

Legal Analyst Tim Meche says the grand jury failed to charge the officers with murder or even manslaughter. Only one is charged with negligent homicide, which carries a maximum sentence of five years. The charges are Malfeasance in Office and/or Obstruction of Justice. Meche feels the charges don’t match the crime…:

CUT 09(09)      “…young man.”

A Union Parish Grand Jury indicts five law enforcement officers in connection with the 2019 death of Ronald Greene. However, no one is charged with murder or manslaughter…:

CUT 01(36)      “…Thorington.”

A Baton Rouge woman has been found guilty of the poisoning of her husband AND a boyfriend. A jury convicted Meshell Hale of killing the men in 2015 and in 2016 for insurance money. Hale’s sentencing is next week. She’s expected to get life.

Louisiana’s Gaming Control Board has approved the sale of the abandoned Diamond Jacks Casino in Bossier City to Foundation Gaming, a Mississippi-based company. Foundation’s marketing operator Les McMackin says plans for the project feature new construction on a 47,000-square-foot casino, renovation of the 405-room hotel, at least three new restaurants, and…:

CUT 11(11)      “…and live.”

Target date for the grand opening is Christmastime 2024.

New federal labor numbers show Louisiana continues to add jobs, as the jobless rate declines.  Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates says November’s unemployment rate of 3.3% marked the sixth straight month of record lows…:

CUT 13(12)      “…from there.”

Cates says jobs are being added in all corners of the state and in all parts of the economy.

The United Way of Southeast Louisiana is encouraging donations to its Tornado Relief Fund to help families impacted by yesterday’s tornadoes. Heavy storm damage was reported in Marrero, and parts of St Bernard Parish, including Arabi. A woman was killed when a twister hit the St. Charles Parish town of Killona. United Way of SELA president Mike Williamson says they are waiting to get an exact count of how many people lost their homes…:

CUT 04(13)      “…purchased.”

To donate or to volunteer, go to “UnitedWaySELA.org/TornadoRelief”

After 17 years as a member to the state Public Service Commission, District 3 Commissioner Lambert Boissiere said farewell today colleagues. Boissiere was defeated in the December runoff election by Davante Lewis, but Boissiere says he’s not sore at voters…:’

CUT 11(08)      “…I get it.”

December tornado outbreaks seem to be more common lately. He says there were twenty one reports of tornadoes in Louisiana over two days this week. What’s causing them…?

CUT 02(30)      “…Golsby.”

Deputies in East Baton Rouge Parish arrest a Zachary man, after being tipped off by Snapchat that 24-year-old Owen Randall was uploading videos of children being sexually assaulted. An investigation and search of his home yielded more such video and photographs, plus some guns and marijuana plants. He faces a long list of charges and in is custody.