14:30 Newscast, December 23rd, 2015

An elderly woman and two children lost their lives in New Iberia after a train collided with the car they were in. State Police Master Trooper Brooks David says the vehicle was stopped on the tracks and the train was unable to avoid the crash. He says three occupants of the car were pronounced dead at the scene…:
CUT 6 (09) “critical condition”
He says they don’t know why the car stopped on the tracks.

Two tornadoes touched down in central Louisiana last night and a man was injured when his travel trailer flipped over, according to the National weather Service in Lake Charles. Forecasters say both twisters were EF-1 with maximum winds of 95 miles per hour. Homes and cars were damaged and trees were uprooted. Most of the state is at risk for severe thunderstorms today fed by unseasonably warm, humid air. There are tornado watches posted in parishes in northeast Louisiana through 8pm.

If you still haven’t cleared out your Christmas list, experts say gift cards are always a huge hit with last minute shoppers. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot is worth an estimated $227 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says since 2009, of the holiday jackpots that were over $100 million dollars, 5 of them were hit during the Christmas drawing…:
cut 4 (10) “millionaire”

 

LRN PM Newscall December 23rd

Three people are dead and three others injured after a train collided with a car in New Iberia. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (29)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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If you still haven’t cleared out your Christmas list, experts say gift cards are always a huge hit with last minute shoppers. Jeff Palermo reports…:

CUT 2 (29)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

===================

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…

CUT 3 (10)  “record yet”

The jackpot tonight has an estimated cash value of $141 million dollars. Chopin says since 2009, of the Holiday jackpots that were over $100 million dollars, 5 of them were hit during the Christmas drawing…

CUT 4 (10)  “millionaire”

She says you must purchase your Powerball ticket before 9PM to get into tonight’s drawing. Chopin says you often find larger jackpots around Christmas because more people tend to purchase lottery during the holiday season. She feels there are a couple of reasons for that…

CUT 5 (11)  “kind of gift”

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Three people are dead and three others injured after a train collided with a car in New Iberia. State Police Master Trooper Brooks David says the vehicle was stopped on the tracks and the train was unable to avoid the crash. He says three occupants of the car were pronounced dead at the scene…

CUT 6 (09) “critical condition”

He says the 70-year-old victim is identified as Phyllis Leblanc of New Iberia. The names of the two minors killed have not been released. At last report, the three injured were listed in critical condition. David says they are working to determine why the car was stopped on the tracks. He says investigators did speak to witnesses…

CUT 7 (08) “functioning properly” 

David says the warning devices at the crossing were working properly at the time. He says they believe the car came to a stop on the tracks either before or while the lights and crossing gates were activated. David says a tragedy like this is heartbreaking for the family, especially at this time of year…

CUT 8 (07) “out to them”

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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. Over the last three years, doctor offices were very busy with flu cases prior to Christmas. CDC medical officer Fiona Havers says eventually the flu bug will start to spread…

CUT 9 (04)  “pretty soon”

Havers says the slow start to influenza activity gives people more time to get a flu shot, if they haven’t received one already..

cut 10 (11)  “now”

Experts are not sure why previous flu seasons started prior to Christmas. Havers says they do know that this year’s vaccine protects you better from the various flu strains that are going around

Cut 11 (10) “vaccine”

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If you still haven’t cleared out your Christmas list, experts say gift cards are always a huge hit with last minute shoppers. More consumers than ever before will purchase gift cards this holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation. LSU Assistant Professor of Marketing Dan Rice says gift cards are more appropriate than some people think…:

cut 12 (10) “type of gift”

The NRF says gift cards are the most-requested gift for the 8th year in a row. 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…:

cut 13 (10)  “Best Buy”

CardHub’s list of the most popular choices this year include Visa gift cards, Amazon and American Express. Starbucks loaded $5.1 billion dollars onto cards between October 2014 and September 2015, according to the company. Rice says cash is becoming more taboo,as gifters and giftees feel it’s far too impersonal…:

cut 14 (07)  “at one point” 

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13:30 Newscast, December 23rd, 2015

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…:
CUT 8 (07) “out to them”
He says the 70-year-old victim is identified as Phyllis Leblanc.

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. Over the last three years, doctor offices were very busy with flu cases prior to Christmas. CDC medical officer Fiona Havers says eventually the flu bug will start to spread…:
CUT 9 (04) “pretty soon”
She says this year’s vaccine protects you better from various flu strains.

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot drawing is worth an estimated $227 million dollars. Louisiana Lottery spokeswoman Kimberly Chopin says the prize is the second largest Christmastime jackpot the multi-state game has had in over 10 years. She says more people buy lottery tickets during the holiday season for a couple of reasons…:
CUT 5 (11) “kind of gift”
The jackpot tonight has an estimated cash value of $141 million dollars.

For the first time on record, the American Automobile Association projects that over 100 million holiday travelers will hit the road this year. That’s nearly one in three Americans traveling 50 miles or more for the holidays. AAA says lower gas prices, an improved economy, and holidays falling on the weekend make it much easier for people to travel this holiday season. They say most of the 100 million will be traveling by car.

 

12:30 Newscast, December 23rd, 2015

Three people are dead and three others injured after a train collided with a car in New Iberia. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for several parishes in far northeast Louisiana including Franklin, Madison, Richland, East and West Carroll and Morehouse, until 8pm tonight. Forecasters say this means conditions are favorable for twisters and severe thunderstorms. People in these areas are urged to be on the lookout for threatening weather and listen to radio for possible warnings.

If you still haven’t cleared out your Christmas list, experts say gift cards are always a huge hit with last minute shoppers. More consumers than ever before will purchase gift cards this holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation. LSU Assistant Professor of Marketing Dan Rice says gift cards are more appropriate than some people think…:
CUT 12 (10) “type of gift”
The NRF says gift cards are the most-requested gift for the 8th year in a row.

Saints Coach Sean Payton says quarterback Drew Brees is day to day with a foot injury. It’s been reported that Brees has a torn plantar fascia and is seeking a second opinion from another doctor. Payton didn’t confirm those reports

 

11:30 Newscast December 23, 2015

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…

cut 7 (08) “functioning properly”

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.

The search for a three year old child who wandered away from his house near Crowville in Franklin Parish Monday night, ended tragically Tuesday morning. Franklin Parish Sheriff Kevin Cobb says they located the body of the child around 7am Tuesday…

cut 14 (08) “home site”

Cobb says they learned that the child left the residence while everyone was sleeping.

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot is worth an estimated $227 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says since 2009, of the holiday jackpots that were over $100 million dollars, 5 of them were hit during the Christmas drawing…

cut 4 (10) “millionaire”

New Census numbers show Louisiana added nearly 22-thousand residents to its population from July 1st 2014 to July of this year, but demographer Elliot Stonecipher says the state finished with a net loss of 74-hundred residents, when you look at migration totals within the United States. Louisiana lost a Congressional district following the 2010 census, but Stonecipher doesn’t see that happening in 2020, unless there’s a massive loss of jobs in the oil industry, because of low oil prices

cut 12 (07) “four or five years”

LRN Sportscast 11:40 December 23rd

Saints Coach Sean Payton says quarterback Drew Brees is day to day with a foot injury. It’s been reported that Brees has a torn plantar fascia and is seeking a second opinion from another doctor. Payton didn’t confirm those reports while addressing reporters this morning. Brees suffered the injury in the first half of Monday night’s loss to Detroit. Saints sideline reporter Kristian Garic expects Brees will do all he can to make sure he’s on the field this Sunday when the Saints host Jacksonville…
cut 17 (16) “…going to play”
If Brees doesn’t play, than rookie Garrett Grayson or former LSU Tiger Matt Flynn would start.

For the first time since 2007, no one from the Saints was named to the Pro Bowl team.
The LSU men’s basketball team started off slow, but eventually took control and beat American University 79-51 last night. It’s the third consecutive win for the Tigers. Ben Simmons had 23 points.

ULM was involved in a wild game last night but ended up losing to Canisus 108 to 96 in triple overtime. ULM had six players finish in double figures led by Majok Deng who had 21 points. It was a game the Warhawks should have won, but they let a 13-point lead slip away in the final two minutes of regulation.

Louisiana Tech picked up a big win on the road as the Bulldogs defeated Florida Gulf Coast 66-63. Florida native Alex Hamilton scored 26 points as the Bulldogs outscored F-G-C-U 34-27 in the second half.

One other score from last night…UCLA beat McNeese State 67-53.

In the NBA…the Pelicans holst Portland tonight. Both teams are last place in their respective divisions in the Western Conference.

10:30 Newscast December 23, 2015

State Police say three people are dead and three others injured after a train collided with a car in New Iberia. Master Trooper Brooks David says the vehicle was stopped on the tracks and the train was unable to avoid the crash. He says three occupants of the car were pronounced dead at the scene…

cut 6 (09) “critical condition”

The 70-year-old victim is identified as Phyllis Leblanc of New Iberia. The crash remains under investigation.

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 Wednesday’s drawing is worth an estimated $227 million dollars. She says on Christmas day in 2002, the jackpot was $280 million…

cut 3 (10) “record yet”

The jackpot tonight has an estimated cash value of $141 million dollars.

The American Automobile Association projects a record number of Americans will hit the road this holiday season. Jeff Palermo reports…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor Bobby Jindal and his wife, Supriya, donated almost 300 pounds of food to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank just in time for the holidays. The food was collected from guests visiting the Governor’s Mansion who were asked to bring non-perishable food items. In a statement, Mrs. Jindal thanked those who made a donation and encouraged others to donate to their local food banks this holiday season.

09:30 Newscast December 23, 2015

State Police say a train-car collision in New Iberia has left three dead and three others injured. They say the train was unable to avoid a collision with the car that was stopped on the tracks. Three vehicle occupants were pronounced dead at the scene, while three others were transported to a local hospital. At last report, two of the injured were listed in critical condition. Investigators say the crossing arms and lights were working at the intersection and they’re now trying to determine why the car was stopped on the tracks.

Louisiana’s population grew by 22-thousand over the last year based on the latest Census estimates. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The American Automobile Association projects that over 100 million holiday travelers will travel 50 miles or more for the holidays this year. AAA spokesman Don Redman says lower gas prices, an improved economy, and holidays falling on the weekend make it much easier for people to travel this holiday season. Redman says, while airfare is slightly lower this year, there are other travel needs that will cost you a bit more…

cut 9 (08) “increasing slightly”

If traveling by car, Redman suggests getting your car checked before hitting the road for the holiday.

The search for three year old child who wandered away from his home in Franklin Parish Monday night, ended tragically Tuesday morning when his body was found in a canal. Franklin Parish Sheriff Kevin Cobb says this is a horrible tragedy that has rocked their small community…

cut 15 (10) “holiday season”

Cobb says the child apparently drowned in a water filled ditch about 200 yards from his house.

08:30 Newscast December 23, 2015

Three people are dead and three others injured after a train collided with a car in New Iberia. State Police say the vehicle, with six occupants, was stopped on the tracks and the train was unable to avoid the crash. Three of the vehicle occupants were pronounced dead at the scene. The three injured were transported to a local hospital where, at last report, two were listed in critical condition. Investigators are working to determine why the car was stopped on the tracks.

Severe weather is expected today over much of Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this warm-humid air mass that’s over the state could produce flash flooding, damaging winds, hail, and tornados. Keim says rain chances will remain high through Christmas Day, but today provides the highest risk for severe storms…

cut 6 (10) “vigilant”

He says the threat of severe weather extends across the entire state.

The body of a three year old child who wandered away from his house Monday night, was found in a canal Tuesday morning by the Franklin Parish Sheriff’s Office…

cut 3 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The American Automobile Association projects that a record 100.5 million travelers will hit the road this holiday season. AAA spokesman Don Redman says this year’s holiday season is the “perfect storm” for people traveling…

cut 8 (06) “since 2009″

Nearly one in three Americans will travel 50 miles or more for the holidays and over 90- percent will do so by car.

07:30 Newscast December 23, 2015

State Police say three people are dead and three others injured after a train collided with a car in New Iberia. Officials say the vehicle was stopped on the train tracks and the train was not able to avoid the crash. They say six people were in the car. Three were pronounced dead at the scene. Three others were transported to a local hospital. At last report, two of the injured were listed in critical condition. Investigators say it’s unclear why the car was stopped on the tracks as the crossing arms and lights were working properly.

The body of a three year old child who wandered away from his house Monday night, was found in a canal the following morning by the Franklin Parish Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Kevin Cobb says they were called to the home near Crowville around 4am yesterday and learned that the child left the residence while everyone was sleeping…:

cut 13 (08) “and water”

Cobb says the child succumbed to apparent drowning in the ditch about 200 yards from his home.

Severe weather could impact much of Louisiana today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says higher rainfall totals are anticipated in southeast Louisiana, while the threat of severe weather extends across the entire state…

cut 5 (06) “produce hail”

Keim says rain chances will remain high through Christmas Day, but today provides the highest risk for severe storms.

Louisiana added nearly 22-thousand residents to its population from July 1st 2014 to July of this year according to new census numbers. But Demographer Elliot Stonecipher says the bayou state lost more of its residents to other states than they took in. He says that problem could get worse, if oil prices remain low…

cut 11 (07) “gas industry”

Louisiana’ population is at four-point-six million and since 2010, the state has grown by 137-thousand residents, which is a three-percent increase.