Now that Blue Bell ice cream has returned to store shelves in Louisiana, can people trust that the product is safe to eat? The company was forced to take their ice cream off the shelves last spring due to a listeria outbreak which resulted in three deaths. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Diseases Professor Dr. Fred Lopez says the FDA has taken steps to decrease the likelihood of something like this happening in the future…:
cut 10 (11) “safety measures”
He says, from a safety standpoint, it’s probably safer now to eat Blue Bell than any time ever.

A 17-year-old who suffered an apparent accidental gunshot wound to the head has been pronounced clinically deceased, according to the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office. They say a 911 report came in over the weekend with a caller stating Dronald Washington was playing with a .38 caliber revolver when it went off. They say this is an ongoing investigation as questions surrounding the incident remain unanswered.

There’s only a couple of more shopping days left before Christmas and stores are advertising deep discounts to help consumers purchase those last minute gifts. Tulane marketing professor Harish Sujan says if you’re still looking for a gift for a person or loved one, don’t purchase an item just because it’s on sale…:
cut 14 (08) “for them”
He imagines some of the biggest sales right now are on winter clothes as retailers look to offload merchandise that isn’t selling because it’s been so warm outside.

Prices at the pump continue to fall. GasBuddy.com reports that the current statewide average for a gallon of regular in Louisiana stands at $1.78.

A Prarieville man succumbed to his injuries at a hospital after being shot in a Baton Rouge strip mall parking lot, and cops are searching for the suspects. BRPD Lt. Jonny Dunnam says they were called to the scene after receiving reports that a black SUV had driven through a fence between the parking lot and College Dr. before crashing into a truck in the road:
CUT 8 (10) “medical attention”
He says witnesses reported seeing two black males fleeing the scene. Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact police.

It doesn’t at all feel like it, but today is the first full day of winter. The season officially began at 10:49 last night with the winter solstice.
State Climatologist Barry Keim says the seasonal forecast is a gloomy one:
cut 1 (06) “an El Nino”
He says expect lots of clouds, rain and dreary conditions.

A 19-year-old was found on the side of the road dead from multiple gunshot wounds in Jefferson Davis Parish. Deputy Chief Danny Semmes says Trey Gant of Jennings was rushed to a local hospital around 11:30 last night…:
CUT 6 (09) “to his injuries”
Semmes says they are searching for 29-year-old Thomas Segura, but he’s not considered a suspect just yet.

Governor elect John Bel Edwards is taking steps so low-income adults do not lose food stamp benefits in January. The Jindal administration took action to prevent certain able bodied adults from receiving food stamps. But Julie Baxter Payer, spokesperson for Governor-elect Edwards, says he will seek to remove the work requirement, so an estimated 31-thousand adults can still access food stamps…:
Cut 10 (08) “that back”

State Police say a shooting involving deputies from the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office has left one man dead. Master Trooper Brooks David says LSP was contacted by the sheriff’s office last night about the shooting near Breaux Bridge…

cut 3 (10) “shot was fired”

No names of those involved have been released at this time.

The Abita Brewing Company is releasing an alcoholic version of their famous Abita Root Beer. Brewmaster Mark Wilson says says the hard root beer will be the first product in its line of “Bayou Bootlegger” hard sodas. He says they hope the hard root beer is eventually as popular as the original…

cut 15 (10) “that would be great”

Bayou Bootlegger Hard Root Beer arrives in stores this week.

Baton Rouge Police have identified the man shot to death last night in a parking lot near Hooters on Corporate Boulevard. They say 27-year-old George Reusch, Jr. of Prairieville was shot inside his SUV. His vehicle then went through a fence and struck another vehicle before coming to a stop on College Drive. Reusch succumbed to his injuries while in route to a local hospital. Two men believed to have been involved in the shooting fled the scene shortly after the incident. Police are on the lookout for two black men, one thin and the other heavyset.

Today is the first full day of winter. Don Molino has more on what you can expect weather-wise this season…

cut 1 (23) “I’m Don Molino”

Governor elect John Bel Edwards is taking steps to ensure that low-income adults do not lose food stamp benefits in January. The Jindal administration took action to prevent certain able bodied adults from receiving food stamps. But Edwards’ spokesperson Julie Baxter Payer says Edwards believes these adults face significant barriers to employment and they’ll look to extend a waiver that Jindal allowed to expire…

cut 12 (11) “our intention”

She says Edwards will seek to remove the work requirement, so an estimated 31-thousand adults can still access food stamps.

Today is the first full day of winter. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the seasonal forecast calls for cooler and wetter than normal conditions in Louisiana. He says El Nino will keep many arctic air intrusions into Louisiana at bay, but not all of them…

cut 6 (06) “less than normal”

Keim says those who enjoy the cold during this time of year will be disappointed for much of the season.

State Police is investigating an officer involved shooting in Breaux Bridge that left one man dead. They say St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s deputies were responding to a call Monday night when the shooting occurred. Authorities are uncertain why officers were called to the home and their investigation into what led to the shooting is ongoing. Officials have not released the name of the victim.

Fewer people are choosing to hook up costly broadband to their homes for internet and are instead only using their smartphones. Jeff Palermo reports…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A recent Pew Research Center study finds more people are choosing to use their smartphones for internet access at home instead of hooking up costly broadband services. Senior Researcher John Horrigan says they are seeing this happen mostly among low income Americans, but they also found a number of incidents of this pattern among lower-middle income users…

cut 9 (10) “as well”

The study looked at home broadband adoption between 2013 and 2015.

Winter has officially arrived. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this winter will bring cooler and wetter than normal conditions to Louisiana. Keim says, despite a forecast for cooler temperatures, you shouldn’t expect a lot of freezes across Louisiana this winter…

cut 5 (10) “months or so”

Keim says El Nino will keep many arctic air intrusions into Louisiana at bay this winter.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the fatal fire of a camper trailer in Pineville. They say fire fighters found the body of the trailer’s owner, 58-year-old Neida Reeves in the bedroom. A second occupant, 56-year-old Kenneth Ashworth, was transported to an area hospital with second and third degree burns to two-thirds of his body. At last report, Ashworth was listed in critical condition. Investigators believe the fire began in the bedroom where Reeves was found. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

An alcoholic version of the famous Abita Root Beer is hitting stores this week. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 3 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards is taking steps so low-income adults do not lose food stamp benefits in January. Edwards spokesperson Julie Baxter Payer says Edwards wants to provide food stamp benefits for abled bodied adults for at least one-year, until they improve state worker training programs. She says until that time, these individuals should continue to receive this federal assistance…

cut 11 (10) “to employment”

Governor Jindal’s spokesperson, Mike Reed, says the best way to break the cycle of poverty is for individuals to get a job and get off of government assistance.

Today is the first full day of winter. Winter officially began at 10:49PM last night with the winter solstice. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the seasonal forecast is kind of gloomy…

cut 4 (06) “an El Nino”

But he says those who enjoy frigid temperatures during this time of year will be disappointed for much of the season.

Fewer people are choosing to hook up costly broadband to their homes for internet and are instead only using their smartphones, according to a recent study by the Pew Research Center. Senior Researcher John Horrigan says smartphone only people rely solely on their cellular devices for online access…

cut 8 (09) “2015″

Horrigan says more consumers are becoming “smartphone only” mainly because residential broadband service is becoming more expensive.

The Abita Brewing Company is releasing Bayou Bootlegger Hard Root Beer in stores this week. Brewmaster Mark Wilson says the flavors in the Abita Root Beer deliver aromas of wintergreen, vanilla, and sassafras with hints of clove and anise…

cut 14 (07) “version of it”

He says the hard root beer will be the first product in its line of “Bayou Bootlegger” hard sodas.

Governor elect John Bel Edwards is taking steps so low-income adults do not lose food stamp benefits in January. The Jindal administration took action to prevent certain able bodied adults from receiving food stamps. But Julie Baxter Payer, spokesperson for Governor-elect Edwards, says he will seek to remove the work requirement, so an estimated 31-thousand adults can still access food stamps…

cut 10 (08) “that back”

According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, fewer people are choosing to hook up costly broadband to their homes for internet and are instead only using their smartphones. Senior Researcher John Horrigan says, today, 67% of Americans have broadband at home…

cut 7 (10) “couple of years”

An alcoholic version of the famous Abita Root Beer arrives in stores this week. Abita Brewing Company Brewmaster Mark Wilson says the hard root beer will be the first product in its line of “Bayou Bootlegger” hard sodas. He says it only made sense to come up with an adult take on the same old-fashioned Abita Root Beer recipe made with pure Louisiana cane sugar…

cut 13 (09) “of that process”

Wilson says the Bayou Bootlegger Hard Root Beer is brewed to achieve a 5.9 percent alcohol by volume and is all natural and gluten free.