According to federal health officials, more than 56-thousand Louisiana residents have selected health insurance plans during the first month of enrollment under what is commonly called “Obamacare.” Doctor Karen DeSalvo, with the US Department of Health and Human Services, says it’s worth noting that most of those who are choosing a health insurance plan through the Marketplace are not having to pay the full cost of the premiums..

cut 7 (09) “health insurance”

The open enrollment period ends February 15th.

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is hoping to avoid a repeat of last year where eight people were killed on Louisiana roadways during the New Year’s holiday. Executive Director, Lt. Col. John LeBlanc, says if you do plan on ringing in the new year with alcohol, do it responsibly…

cut 4 (10) “an impaired driver”

He says law enforcement will be out in force tonight, putting in extra effort to remove impaired drivers from the road.

This is a big tourism week for New Orleans with tomorrow’s Sugar Bowl matchup between Ohio State and Alabama. But New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau Communications Director Lauren Cason says there’s more going on in the Big Easy than the game. She says New Orleans has been named one of the best places to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the nation…

cut 9 (08) “New Year’s Eve”

Cason says the Sugar Bowl’s added importance as one of the College Football National Championship semi-final games is bringing an extra dose of excitement to the city.

New figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics show an increase in nonfarm jobs for seven of Louisiana’s eight metro areas for the year ending November 30. Baton Rouge lead the state with 7,500 new jobs, followed by New Orleans with 5,200 additional jobs. In all, Louisiana added 18,700 new jobs, which is an overall 0.9 percent increase.

Highway Safety officials are hoping to avoid a repeat of last year where eight people were killed on Louisiana roadways during the New Year’s holiday. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director, Lt. Col. John LeBlanc, says historically and statistically the New Year’s holiday is one of the deadliest times to be on the road…

cut 3 (09) “over these holidays”

LeBlanc says all of the fatalities that occurred on state roadways during last year’s New Year’s holiday were alcohol related.

Federal health officials say more than 56-thousand Louisiana residents have selected health insurance plans during the first month of enrollment under what is commonly called “Obamacare.” Doctor Karen DeSalvo, with the US Department of Health and Human Services, says that’s encouraging to see…

cut 6 (11) “this year”

Almost 102-thousand people in Louisiana purchased health insurance through the federal marketplace in 2014.

It’s New Years’ Eve and many across the state will celebrate by shooting fireworks tonight and State Fire Marshal Butch Browning encourages everyone to be safe. Scott Carwile reports…

cut 1 (30) “reporting”

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office says a Chackbay resident was shot and killed at his home Tuesday night. 22-year-old Rashaud Gasery was struck by a single round that traveled through his arm and into his chest. Gasery was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The shooting was reported as accidental; however, police are investigating. No further details are available at this time.

Elmer Chocolate announces a 40 million dollar expansion. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 3 (29) “reporting”

New numbers from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics show that nonfarm job totals for seven of Louisiana’s eight metro areas increased for the year ending November 30. Baton Rouge lead the way with 7,500 new jobs over the last 12 months, followed by New Orleans with 5,200 additional jobs. In all, Louisiana had an overall 0.9 percent increase which equals 18,700 new jobs.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announce that fourteen juvenile whooping cranes have been released into the White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area in Gueydan. Wildlife Biologist Sara 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…

cut 9 (13) “thing to swallow”

Zimorski says even with some set backs, the birds are doing well in this environment.

Reports indicate that defensive coordinator John Chavis will leave LSU for the same job at Texas A-and-M. During the post-game press conference at the Music City Bowl yesterday, Coach Les Miles spoke about Chavis in the past tense…

cut 14 (13) “to say”

Chavis made one-point-three million dollars this past season, and LSU has offered him a new contract.

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.