Over 150 soldiers with the Louisiana National Guard return today after a 10-month deployment overseas. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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Zatarain’s is voluntarily recalling 8 ounce boxes of Red Beans and Rice Original due to it possibly containing undeclared dairy ingredients. In a release, the Gretna-based company says the boxes could contain Creamy Parmesan Rice Mix that contains dairy ingredients. The recalled product is stamped “best by July 31 16Z”. Zatarain’s says they have received no reports of illnesses or allergic reactions due to the mislabeled product.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards is looking forward to spending the next couple of days with family for the Christmas holiday, as he has a challenging year in front of him. Edwards says his transition teams have been busy since election day working on solutions to improve transportation, education and health care…

cut 12 (09) “that opportunity”

Edwards says his family will gather at his mother’s home in Tangipahoa Parish tonight.

Tonight is the annual Bonfires on the Levee celebration in St. James Parish. St. James Parish President Timothy Roussel says 133 structures will be set ablaze along the levee. He says this is the perfect event to get anyone into the Christmas spirit…

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The fires are scheduled to be lit at 7PM to light the way for Papa Noel.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards takes time from the transition to spend a couple of days celebrating Christmas. Don Molino has the story…

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Longtime New Orleans Saints public address announcer Jerry Romig has died. He was the teams stadium announcer for an incredible 44 seasons beginning in 1969. Romig did cite health problems as one reason for his retirement in 2013. He was replaced in the announce booth by his son Mark. Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Jefferson. Visitation will start at 10AM with a funeral mass to follow. Romig was 86 years-old.

Over 150 soldiers of the Louisiana National Guard’s 1023rd Engineer Company will return today from a 10-month deployment, just in time for Christmas. Captain Ross Bethea says during the course of their deployment they helped strengthen facilities and living conditions for Kuwaiti and ally forces…

cut 14 (09) “wonderful”

The unit will arrive in Monroe this afternoon.

As many churches plan to hold “candlelight services” this Christmas, the State Fire Marshal’s Office is issuing guidelines to organizations who plan to utilize candles. Marshal Butch Browning says it just takes one second for a flame to be dropped during a crowded ceremony and somebody’s clothes catch on fire…

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Browning says there is a possibility for tragedy regarding the use of open flames in assemblies.

It’s a timely gift for members of the Louisiana National Guard’s 1023rd Engineer Company, as the unit returns today from a 10-month deployment. Over 150 soldiers will arrive in Monroe this afternoon after spending much of 2015 in Kuwait. Ross Bethea is the Captain of the 10-23rd Engineer Company…

cut 13 (09) “get home”

Betha says they also completed missions in Iraq, Jordan and Afghanistan.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards is looking forward to spending the next couple of days with family for the Christmas holiday. He says he will spend a portion of the holiday reflecting on the huge challenge in front of him, one that he embraces…

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He says one of their family Christmas traditions is to watch the black-and-white version of “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

The annual Bonfires on the Levee celebration takes place tonight in St. James Parish. If you plan on heading to the celebration, it’s recommended that you get into the area before 6PM. St. James Parish President Timothy Roussel says, if you’ve never seen the bonfires before, it is a sight to see…

cut 5 (11) “at 7PM”

For safety reasons, the structures are 15 feet tall instead of 20 feet, as in year’s past.

Many “candlelight services” will take place this Christmas and the State Fire Marshal’s Office is issuing guidelines to organizations who plan to utilize candles this season. Marshal Butch Browning says stationery candles should be on a strong base so that they don’t tip over in large crowds…

cut 8 (08) “could burn”

Browning adds that candles should never be issued to young children.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards knows he has a challenging year in front of him, but he’s looking forward to spending the next couple of days with family for the Christmas holiday. Edwards says his family will gather at his mother’s home in Tangipahoa Parish tonight…

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Edwards says his contribution to the Christmas dinner is oyster soup.

The annual Bonfires on the Levee celebration takes place in St. James Parish. The fires are scheduled to be lit at 7PM to light the way for Papa Noel. St. James Parish President Timothy Roussel says the lighting of the bonfires is a big deal because it’s tradition…

cut 4 (08) “1800s”

He says thousands of people will descend on the area for tonight’s festivities.

Many religious fellowships throughout the state will engage in “candlelight services” this Christmas, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office is issuing guidelines to organizations who plan to utilize candles. Marshal Butch Browning says folks need to understand that there’s a possibility for tragedy regarding the use of open flames in assemblies..:

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The National Fire Protection Association showed that in all 9,000 religious structure fires from 2007-2011, more than 350 were directly attributed to the use of candles.

A 70-year-old woman and two children died after a train collided with their vehicle in New Iberia. The crash also left two other children and one adult in critical condition. State Police Master Trooper Brooks David says they believe the car came to a stop on the tracks either before or while the crossing gates were activated, but it is unknown why. He says a tragedy like this is heartbreaking for the family, especially at this time of year…:
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He says the 70-year-old victim is identified as Phyllis Leblanc.

State Police say an ATV crash in Bossier Parish claimed the life of a 67-year-old man from Benton. They say around 8:20 this morning, Cornelius McConnell was traveling on the ATV when it exited the right side of the road and struck a DOTD curve warning sign. McConnel was ejected from the ATV and died as a result of his injuries. Impairment is a suspected factor in this crash which remains under investigation.

The NFL has upheld Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Junior’s one game suspension for the rough housing that occurred between him and Panthers cornerback Josh Norman. Beckham’s appeal was heard today, but it wasn’t convincing enough, so the former LSU star will not play this Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.

If you still haven’t cleared out your Christmas list, experts say gift cards are always a huge hit with last minute shoppers. LSU Assistant Professor of Marketing Dan Rice says cash is becoming more taboo, as gifters and giftees feel it’s far too impersonal…:
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The NRF says gift cards are the most-requested gift for the 8th year in a row.

The flu bug has been quiet this holiday season. According to the CDC’s latest flu count, South Carolina is the only state showing significant flu activity. CDC medical officer Fiona Havers says eventually the flu bug will start to spread…
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She says that’s why it’s important to get your flu shot now if you haven’t already.

Three people are dead and three others injured after a train collided with a car stopped on the tracks in New Iberia. State Police Master Trooper Brooks David says they are working to determine why the car was stopped on the tracks. He says investigators did speak to witnesses…:
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70-year-old Phyllis Leblanc of New Iberia and two minors were killed in the crash. At last report, the three injured were listed in critical condition.

Governor Bobby Jindal will be on hand tomorrow to help welcome home soldiers of the 1023rd Vertical Engineer Company at the Monroe Regional Airport — just in time for Christmas. More than 150 Soldiers with the 1023rd, headquartered in Bastrop with detachments in Monroe and Clarks, completed their 10-month deployment to Kuwait, with additional missions in Iraq, Jordan and Afghanistan. They are getting back home tomorrow at 1pm and 2pm.

The flu bug has been quiet this holiday season. CDC medical officer Fiona Havers says you haven’t gotten a flu shot yet, now is the time. She says this year’s vaccine protects you better from the various flu strains that are going around..:
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According to the CDC’s latest flu count, South Carolina is the only state showing significant flu activity.

Tonight’s Powerball prize is the second largest Christmastime jackpot the multi-state game has had in over 10 years, according to the Louisiana Lottery. Spokeswoman Kimberly Chopin says tonight’s drawing is worth an estimated $227 million dollars. She says on Christmas day in 2002, the jackpot was $280 million…:
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Much of the state is dealing with severe weather today as a warm-humid air mass has the potential to produce flash flooding, damaging winds, hail and tornadoes. West Carroll, Richland, Morehouse, Madison, Franklin and East Carrol Parishes are under a tornado watch until this evening. Forcasters urge people to be vigilant as they run around today taking care of that last minute holiday shopping.

A gift card might be an appropriate option if you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of stores in this nasty weather. The National Retail Federation says gift cards are the most-requested gift for the 8th year in a row. LSU Assistant Professor of Marketing Dan Rice says gift cards let the giver feel like they’ve put some effort into which one to select that would fit their friends and relatives passions…:
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More consumers than ever before will purchase gift cards this holiday season, according to the NRF.

Three people are dead and three others injured after a train collided with a car in New Iberia. Eric Gill reports…:
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The CDC says the flu bug has been quiet in Louisiana so far this season, but eventually will start to spread. South Carolina is the only state showing significant flu activity. CDC medical officer Fiona Havers says the slow start to influenza activity gives people more time to get a flu shot, if they haven’t received one already…:
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