It’s Christmas Day and State Police wants safety to be on the minds of motorists as they travel to visit family and friends. Scott Carwile reports…:
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A man who was shopping at a suburban New Orleans mall on Christmas Eve was shot to death at close range and a suspect was in custody, police said. The incident happened around 4:20 p.m. Wednesday at the Oakwood Center mall in Gretna. The victim has been identified as 24-year-old James Vaughn of Harvey and 25-year-old Gary Francois has been arrested according to authorities.

The 2014 year in Louisiana politics will be one for the history books. Among the notable points — the Republican party finished its return to dominance, Mary Landrieu lost her US-Senate seat and former Governor Edwin Edwards finally ends his hopes of being in public office again. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says there were many careers that ended this year and he’d consider 2014 a year of closure in Louisiana politics….:
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Hunting is a big activity on Christmas Day across Louisiana and there is now a mobile app for hunters. HuntSoft’s developer, Randal Nachman, says hunters could create a map of their property, enter game log data, and more. He says hunting is an extremely social activity and that’s why this app also serves as a hunter-focused social network…:
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HuntSoft is now available for free in the Apple App Store.

2014 was definitely an interesting year in Louisiana politics. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says it’s his feeling that Edwin Edwards political career was over when he went to federal prison. He says the fact that the former Governor made the runoff had nothing to do with his popularity, but that there was no other significant Democratic candidate in the 6th District race…

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Other notable points are the Republican party finishing its return to dominance, Mary Landrieu losing her US-Senate seat, and 5th District Kissing Congressman Vance McAllister.

Many Louisianians who are serving our country won’t be home with their families this Christmas. U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Adam Nguyen is stationed at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska…

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Hunting is a big Christmas Day activity across Louisiana and now there’s a mobile app for hunters. HuntSoft, the App for Hunters, is now available for free in the Apple App Store. Developer Randal Nachman says this app allows hunters to quickly enter in-the-field data the moment it happens…

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Nachman says you can even track and enter your information on the app without an internet connection.

State Police are urging motorists to be extra careful on the road this Christmas Day. Sgt. Nick Manale says, unfortunately, they see an increase in serious injury and fatality crashes around the holiday season. He says troopers do what they can to help drivers be safe, but motorists need to do their part, as well. He says it’s important to make smart decisions behind the wheel…

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Manale says troopers will be out patrolling Louisiana highways and interstates today.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says the suspect in yesterday’s deadly shooting at the Oakwood Center Mall in Gretna has been taken into custody. 25-year-old Gary Francois has been arrested in the death of 24-year-old James Vaughn. Authorities say Vaughn had just made a purchase and turned to walk away when the suspect approached and fired three shots at him.

The 2014 year in Louisiana politics will be one for the history books. Michelle Southern reports…

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Many people will be on Louisiana roadways today visiting friends and family for Christmas and State Police are urging motorists to be extra careful on the road. Sgt. Nick Manale says troopers will be out patrolling Louisiana highways and interstates today…

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Manale says the easiest things you can do to stay safe on the roadways is to make sure you and everyone in your vehicle are properly restrained and, of course, never drink and drive.

There are many Louisiana soldiers serving overseas who will not be home with their families today for Christmas, and they’d like to send a message home. Tech Sgt James Lewis sends holiday greeting to his friends and family in Acadiana…:

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The 2014 year in Louisiana politics will be one for the history books. Among the notable points — the Republican party finished its return to dominance, Mary Landrieu lost her US-Senate seat and former Governor Edwin Edwards finally ends his hopes of being in public office again. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says then there’s the 5th District Kissing Congressman Vance McAllister…

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Dubos says it’s his feeling that Edwin Edwards political career was over when he went to federal prison.

It’s Christmas Day and State Police are urging motorists to be extra careful on the road. Many people will be on Louisiana roadways today visiting friends and family. Sgt. Nick Manale says they want this to be a safe time of year for everybody…

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He also says you should never drink and drive.

Hunting is a big activity on Christmas Day across Louisiana and there is now a mobile app for hunters. HuntSoft, the App for Hunters, developer Randal Nachman, says this started as a website app where hunters could create a map of their property, enter game log data, and more…

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HuntSoft’s available for free in the Apple App Store.

Many Louisianians are serving our country overseas who will not be home with their families for Christmas and they’d like to send a message home. Here’s Tech Sgt. Craig Reed who is sending his love to St. Landry Parish…

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A near-record number of drivers are out on Louisiana roads for holiday travel, and the Louisiana Department of Transportation reminds drivers they have some resources available to help out…
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The National Weather Service confirms there was a tornado that touched down in Tangipahoa Parish near Amite on Tuesday knocked down trees, power lines, and producing severe damage to nearly 20 homes. Jeff McKneely, with the Tangipahoa Parish Emergency management team, says thankfully no one was hurt.

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is offering up to a $7,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the illegal killing of a black bear found in Avoyelles Parish on December 5th. Spokesman Adam Einck says if you know something about this case, call the LDWF hotline…
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Officials at NORAD are actively watching their radar and satellite imagery to keep track of Santa Claus and reindeer tonight. Spokesperson Major Beth Smith estimates Santa’s sleigh entering Louisiana airspace between 10 pm and midnight, but remember he knows when you are sleeping and awake…
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You can track Santa by calling 1-877-Hi-NORAD to inquire about Santa’s whereabouts or go online to noradsanta-dot-org.

Here on Christmas Eve, many last-minute shoppers have been purchasing gift cards for presents this year, and Tucker Group Financial Educator Jeanette Tucker says it’s best to make sure there is a toll-free number on the back so the card, so the receipient can know how much money is on there and how much is left when they use it….
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And gift cards make great AFTER Christmas gifts.

With holiday travel underway on Louisiana roads, State Police have increased their patrol numbers, reminding everyone to buckle up, keep your hands on the wheel; off your phone, and your eyes on the road, paying attention to the highway message boards…
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That’s DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett.

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Louisiana State Police are investigating a late-night crash around 10:30 last night, that involved a stopped 18 wheeler on the shoulder of I-20, and a GMC truck that drifted over from the road, crashing into the truck. The driver- 73 year-old Charles Dillard – survived, but his passenger-56 year-old Regina Dillard of west Monroe died at the scene.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command has already started tracking Ole Saint Nick…:
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A lot of Louisianians will be hitting the roadways to visit friends, family and loved ones this Christmas. Louisiana Department of Transportation spokesman Rodney Mallett says there are some resources to help with heavy traffic, like the “Way to Geaux” app, which is available for your smart phone…
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Today is Christmas Eve and one of the most sought after items here at the VERY last minute is a gift card. Tucker Group Financial Educator Jeanette Tucker says it’s best not to rush your decision, and to use a card direct from a vendor instead of the rack at a store, because sometimes they could have been used fraudently and returned to the rack empty…
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She says make sure the gift card is good for 5 years.

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A Baker man has been arrested on training dogs for dog fighting and possession of a firearm by a convicted fellon. Forty-nine year old Eugene Bernard Grayer-who reportedly had over a dozen pitbulls in his possession- was arrested by Baker police.

A thief with a heart three sizes too small is behind bars in Washington Parish, after a tip on the location of Mr. Grinch…
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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is offering up to a $7,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the illegal killing of a black bear found in Avoyelles Parish. Spokesman Adam Einck says they were first contacted about the incident on December 5th…:
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Einck says anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to call their Operation Game Thief hotline.

Today on Christmas Eve by far one of the most sought after items here at the VERY last minute is a gift card. Tucker Group Financial Educator Jeanette Tucker it’s best not to rush your decision because you want to make sure you’re getting a card that will actually be used by the person you’re buying it for…:
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She says if you get a card make sure you use it up even if you just have a couple of dollars left on it.

Entergy is reporting over 300 customers are still without power in Tangipahoa Parish in the aftermath of a tornado that damaged several homes in Amite. The company doesn’t know when they can get everybody back up. There were no injuries in the storm.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command has already started tracking Ole Saint Nick on his equipped present delivering journey around the world. NORAD spokeswoman Major Beth Smith says the NORAD military command is well equipped to track anything that travels in the sky including Santa…:
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Smith says trackers can call 1-877-Hi-NORAD to inquire about Santa’s whereabouts or go to www.noradsanta.org.