President Barack Obama announces an executive order requiring background checks in order to purchase guns at flea markets, websites, and other informal settings. The hope is to expand the number of gun sales subject to background checks. President of the Louisiana Shooting Association, Dan Zelenka, doesn’t think increasing the number of background checks will have much effect on gun crime…:
CUT 3 (10) “background checks” 2X
The current law states that only federally licensed gun dealers are required to conduct background checks on buyers, but those who sell in informal settings do not have to register as dealers.

$450 million dollars is now the new jackpot estimate for tomorrow night’s Powerball drawing, up from $400 million. Lottery Association officials increased the prize because of fast sales for the largest jackpot in nearly a year.

Louisiana State Police is investigating an officer involved shooting in Ragley, about 20 miles north of Lake Charles, that left one man and a dog dead. Sgt. James Anderson says they began looking into the Monday night incident after a request from the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office…:
CUT 9 (09) “the residence”
Authorities have declined requests for further details, including the name of the deceased.

LSU’s new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda says he’s blessed and humbled to have the opportunity to coach for the Tigers. Aranda comes to Baton Rouge after guiding one of the top defenses in the country at Wisconsin. He describes his defense as smart aggression…:
CUt 6 (08) “intelligent”
Coach Les Miles said today they are also working on extending offensive coordinator Cam Cameron’s contract.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards advisory panel on transportation recommends tax increases to provide an additional 75-million dollars a year in transportation funding. A higher gasoline tax, a sales tax on auto repairs and tolls are some of the suggestions. Incoming Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says more dialogue is needed before a decision on where the additional dollars will come from…
cut 4 (09) “for the buck”

WABF is reporting Baton Rouge Police said a man was stabbed during a fight inside a bar early Tuesday morning. LSU officials say the man stabbed has been identified as LSU football player Dillon Gordon. Officials with the Baton Rouge Police Department say 22-year-old Gordon has been hospitalized with multiple lacerations and cuts after an incident at a bar near the LSU campus.

Speculation continues over whether Sean Payton will go or stay the head coach of the Saints in 2016. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

LSU officially introduced its new defensive coordinator this morning. Dave Aranda says he’s blessed and humbled to coach at LSU, as it’s been his dream to coach in the SEC. He described his style of defense as smart aggression. Aranda comes to LSU from Wisconsin where he coached a Badger defense that combined to rank among the top 5 in the nation in scoring, total yards, passing yards and rushing yards.

With a backlog of state highway projects at nearly 13-billion dollars, Governor-elect John Bel Edwards is looking for solutions to increase transportation funding. Incoming Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the new administration is also looking to develop light rail service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans and in north Louisiana…

cut 6 (08) “process moving”

A higher gasoline tax, a sales tax on auto repairs and tolls are some suggestions to increase funding.

A million dollar unclaimed PowerBall prize in Louisiana is set to expire February 1st. Kimberly Chopin with the Louisiana Lottery says in all draw style games, including PowerBall, winners have 180 days from the date of the drawing in which to claim their prize…

cut 11 (10) “scratch off games”

She says the August 5th winning ticket was purchased at Pointe-Aux-Chenes Supermarket on Highway 665 in Montegut.

Analysts believe we’ll continue to see affordable gas prices in Louisiana during 2016. Emelie Gunn has more…

cut 3 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards says he plans to have most of his cabinet in place before he officially takes office Monday. Edwards says the “vast majority” of his agency chiefs will be in place before his inauguration, but says a few department secretaries may be named after January 11th. Secretaries for the health, labor, and social services departments have yet to be announced. Edwards is expected to make his latest staff announcements this afternoon.

With the state looking at about a 13-billion dollar transportation backlog, Governor-elect John Bel Edwards is looking at funding solutions…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says a brief police chase ended with an armed suspect dead. They say an off-duty officer saw a suspicious person and when he tried to approach, the suspect pointed a gun at the officer and fired. A chase ensued that came to an end when the unidentified suspect turned his gun on himself and committed suicide. The investigation is ongoing.

The National Weather Service is lowering the projected crest of the Mississippi River from the Louisiana-Arkansas line to about Vicksburg, Mississippi. Marty Pope, with the N-W-S in Pearl, Mississippi, says a drop in these crest projections is good news, especially in Vidalia, where there is a convention center, hotels, and a hospital along the riverfront. He is hopeful these river estimates will hold up…

cut 8 (08) “the area”

He says they’re now expecting a foot and a half drop in the river crest.

Don Redman, with the American Automobile Association, predicts we’ll continue to see affordable gas prices in 2016. Redman says we’ll probably see the highest prices of the calendar year during March through May because of the switch to summer grade gasoline…

cut 15 (08) “not dramatically”

Redman says right now we’re looking at a statewide average of $1.77 for a gallon of regular gasoline.

Crest projections for the Mississippi River from the Louisiana-Arkansas line to about Vicksburg, Mississippi are being lowered by the National Weather Service. But Marty Pope, with the NWS in Pearl, MS says they are not changing crest projections for Red River Landing and areas to the south like Baton Rouge and New Orleans. He explains why….

cut 9 (10) “the past”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ decision on whether it will be necessary to open the Bonnet Carré Spillway is expected by Saturday.

The Governor-elect’s advisory panel on transportation is recommending tax increases to provide an additional 75-million dollars a year in transportation funding. Incoming Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says, in the meantime, they’ll look to stop the practice of using gasoline tax money to help pay for state police…

cut 5 (10) “overnight”
It’s very possible we’ll continue to see affordable gas prices in 2016. But Don Redman, with the American Automobile Association, says says be cautious, because tension in the Middle East could create an increase in prices…

cut 14 (10) “the day”

Redman says we could see prices dropping even more before springtime.

There’s a million dollar unclaimed PowerBall prize in Louisiana, and time is running out for the winner to come forward. Kimberly Chopin with the Louisiana Lottery says the prize was won on August 5th from a ticket that was sold in Terrebonne Parish and is set to expire February 1st. She says this doesn’t happen often…

cut 10 (10) “winning ticket”

Chopin says the winning ticket was purchased at Pointe-Aux-Chenes Supermarket on Highway 665 in Montegut.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards’ advisory panel on transportation recommends tax increases to provide an additional 75-million dollars a year in transportation funding. Incoming Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says more dialogue is needed before a decision on where the additional dollars will come from…

cut 4 (09) “for the buck”

A higher gasoline tax, a sales tax on auto repairs, and tolls are some of the suggestions.

Analysts predict we’ll continue to see affordable gas prices in 2016. Don Redman, with the American Automobile Association, says we could see prices dropping even more before springtime…

cut 13 (08) “to decline”

Redman says right now we’re looking at a statewide average of $1.77 for a gallon of regular gasoline compared to $2.06 at this time last year.

The National Weather Service is lowering the projected crest of the Mississippi River from the Louisiana-Arkansas line to about Vicksburg, Mississippi. Marty Pope, with the N-W-S in Pearl, Mississippi, says they’re now expecting a foot and a half drop in the river crest…

cut 7 (10) “the 17th”

He says a drop in these crest projections is good news, especially in Vidalia, where there is a convention center, many hotels and a hospital along the riverfront. But Pope says crest projections are not changing for areas to the south like Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

It’s still a mystery whether Sean Payton will return as the head coach of the New Orleans Saints. Eric Gill has this report….
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Eric Gill.”

Mississippi wildlife officials are investigating a fatal shooting that involved a 16-year-old from Franklinton, Louisiana, who shot his father while hunting in the Delta National Forest on New Year’s Eve. Few details have been released but law enforcement bureau chief Steve Adcock advises hunters to be aware of their target at movement or shadows.

Temperatures across the state are expected to drop to around freezing overnight resulting in frost and a light freeze. State Climatologist Barry Keim says areas north of the I-10/I-12 corridor will have a light freeze Tuesday morning…

CUT 9 (09) “pets and plants”

He says a front passing through Louisiana on Wednesday night will cause warmer temperatures to settle in, but not as warm as we experienced during Christmas.

Lafayette Police have arrested a man in connection with a shooting last week that killed two people. 17-year-old Antonio Means was shot once and passed away at a local hospital. 23-year-old Linton Batiste was shot twice and died a day later. 21-year-old Tavis Jenkins of Alexandria was taken into custody without incident earlier today and his ex-girlfriend was unharmed. Cpl. Paul Mouton says Jenkins faces serious charges…

cut 13 (06) “in the apartment”

State Treasurer John Kennedy calls it a sad day for Louisiana. That’s his reaction to the death of activist and blogger CB Forgotston, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the age of 70. Kennedy says Forgotston was determined to uncover the truth about state government because he loved Louisiana…
cut 4 (08) “….the right course”
Forgotston was famous for pointing out how state officials or state agencies were mishandling taxpayers’ money.

Forecasters are calling for a freeze north of I-10 and I-12 tomorrow morning. State Climatologist Barry Keim says take care of pets and plants tonight, but this cold air shouldn’t stick around long…
cut 10 (08) “….during Christmas”
Keim says we’ve only seen a couple of freezes this year.

Will Sean Payton return as the coach of the Saints in 2016? It’s been reported the Saints could trade Payton to another team for a second-round pick. That’s if Payton wants to coach somewhere else next season. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says that’s a scenario that would not favor the Black and Gold…
cut 7 (06) “….at this stage”
The Saints PR staff says Payton will meet with reporters on Wednesday.

An Alexandria man was arrested today after he allegedly fatally shot two people in Lafayette last week. Lafayette police corporal Paul Mouton says 21-year-old Tavis Jenkins was taken into police custody without incident…
cut 14 (07) “…off the street”
Mouton says Jenkins is accused of killing two men, including a 17-year-old, after he went to ex gilfriend’s apartment in Lafayette. He faces two counts of first-degree murder.