Weather events in Louisiana caused a lot of destruction in 2016. Jeff Palermo looks back…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The woman who was killed by a train in the Sabine Parish town of Zwolle has been identified as 57-year-old Kimberly Stonedale of New Orleans. Officials say they obtained surveillance video from the train which showed Stonedale walking towards it with her hands up holding a beer can. Toxicology reports are pending.

The working year ends on Friday and some employees are finding themselves with vacation days they didn’t use so they will lose. According to BankRate.com, 52-percent of Americans do not use all of their paid time off. Melissa Elliot is the owner of Express Employment Professionals says this study shows people love what they do…:
CUT 15 (08) “what they want”
She also says sometimes it’s just hard to get away.

There are more designer drugs making the rounds online that have the potential to be deadly. East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark says this time it’s Synthetic opiod and the chemists that create the substance have no regard for public safety…:
CUT 5 (08) “these drugs”
Clark says these drugs are not new, but they are deadly chemical compounds of other drugs designed to exploit temporary loopholes in current laws.

2016 will be remembered for two significant flood events, one in north Louisiana and the other in south Louisiana, which killed 13 people in August. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the state experienced an unprecedented rain event. He says the largest rainfall total was in Livingston parish…:
cut 11 (09) “in Louisiana”
He says the north Louisiana flood event occured after 15-25 inches fell.

Officials are once again warning the public about more designer drugs that are making the rounds with a high potential of overdose. East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark says a recent death as been confirmed to be directly related to the use of “Novel Psychoactive or Synthetic Opiod Substances…:
cut 4 (09) “one dose”
He wants people to know these substances exist, and to stay away.

A study from Bankrate-dot-com finds 52-percent of Americans do not plan on using all of their vacation days this year. Melissa Elliot is the owner of Express Employment Professionals and she says it’s not easy for some people to get away…:
Cut 13 (08) “what they do”
The report also notes that most of the workers who are not taking all of their vacation days, will have five days or more unused.

Officials are reporting that the newborn found in the New Roads Walmart trashcan is in good, stable condition and eating. The mother of the baby, 34-year-old Kyandrea Thomas, is booked on attempted second degree murder charges.

2016 goes down as a rough year for Louisiana’s agriculture industry. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says producers had to deal with two significant flood events and low commodity prices.
cut 8 (12) “…our producers”
Guidry says making the recovery more difficult from the floods is that major crops like corn and soybeans are not going for a high price on the market. He says it’s important for producers to have good yields, because prices are not expected to rebound.

Authorities have identified the 57-year-old woman who was struck and killed by a train in DeSoto Parish on Christmas eve. Her name is Kimberly Anne Stonedale. She’s originally from New Orleans, but moved to Zwolle about a month ago. State Police say the woman walked on the tracks near a church and never looked up, even though the engineer said he sounded the horn.

Pointe Coupee Parish officials say a woman gave birth in a Wal Mart bathroom, then left the infant in a trash can. DCFS is reminding the public about Louisiana’s Safe Haven law which allows mothers to legally relinquish babies under 60 days old to designated facilities. Deputy Director Terri Ricks says the baby will pull through and that’s the positive here….:
CUT 11 (06) “good news story”
The mother, 34-year-old Kyandrea Thomas of Baker, is charged with attempted second degree murder.

Doctors are sending out warnings of Holiday Heart Syndrome; as more heart attacks are reported in the two weeks following Christmas than any other time of the year. Ochsner Medical Center Cardiologist Dr. Doug Mendoza, says know the early signs of a heart attack..:
CUT 5 (09) “sweating, nausea”
He says avoid high amounts of caffeine and alcohol.

According to the Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Office, Kyandrea Thomas was arrested on Christmas Eve, accused of giving birth in a New Roads Wal-Mart bathroom where she left her baby. Department of Children and Family Services Deputy Director Terri Ricks wants people to know about Louisiana’s Safe Haven law, because abandoning any child at a random location is a serious crime..:
Cut 10 (06) “it’s illegal”
She says under Safe Haven, anyone can legally bring a child up to 60 days old to an employee at a designated facility, and walk away.

A 14-year-old is recovering from a serious gunshot wound in Shreveport, while a 19-year-old has been booked on a charge of illegal use of a weapon. The shooting happened on Christmas Eve. Police say Jarrett Thigpen originally told authorities that someone broke into the home and shot the 14-year-old, but detectives later learned that several males were playing with a hand gun when it discharged and struck the victim.

2016 will be remembered as a tough year for the state’s ag industry. Don Molino has more…:
Voicer 1 (29) “I’m Don Molino”

The holidays are a great time for celebration, but it also can bring stress and heart related issues. With the new year coming, Ochsner Medical Center Cardiologist Dr. Doug Mendoza, is offering advice on how to get a healthier heart for the holidays..:
Cut 3 (10) “in depression”
He also says watch what you eat and don’t drink too much alcohol.

Following the case of a mother who left an infant in a Wal Mart trash can, the state is reminding the public about Louisiana’s Safe Haven law. Michelle Southern reports…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A family dispute led to the fatal shooting in Jefferson Davis Parish on Christmas Day. Lake Arthur Police say a fight over family property resulted in 41-year-old Ray Brister shooting his 41-year-old cousin, Shaft Francis, in the chest. Francis died at the scene and Brister was charged with manslaughter.

Health professionals say more people have heart attacks in December and January than at any other time of the year due to excessive alcohol, lack of exercise and food consumption. Ochsner Medical Center Cardiologist Doctor Doug Mendoza says increased fluid retention can occur with higher salt content in holiday foods and this can lead to shortness of breath…
cut 4 (10) “…heart attack”
Mendoza says don’t ignore symptoms that may indicate a heart attack—hospitals appreciate false alarms over mortalities.

The LSU Tigers resumed their preparations today for its matchup against Louisville in the Citrus Bowl. Stopping Heisman Trophy winner and Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson should be priority number one. Junior linebacker Donnie Alexander…
cut 15 (12) “…make a play”

Officials in Pointe Coupee Parish say a woman gave birth in a Wal Mart bathroom, then left the infant in the trash can. DCFS is reminding the public about Louisiana’s Safe Haven law which allows mothers to legally relinquish babies under 60 days old to designated facilities. Deputy Director Terri Ricks says the baby is going to pull through and that’s the positive here….:
CUT 11 (06) “good news story”
The mother, 34-year-old Kyandrea Thomas of Baker, is charged with attempted second degree murder.

2016 was overall a rough year in Louisiana, and the state’s ag industry is feeling it too. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says the March flooding was a 90-million dollar setback, then the August floods in South Louisiana ruined acres of rice, soybean and cotton.:
CUT 7 (12) “our commodities”

Doctors are sending out warnings of Holiday Heart Syndrome; as more heart attacks are reporting in the two weeks following Christmas than any other time of the year. Ochsner Medical Center Cardiologist Dr. Doug Mendoza, says know the early signs of a heart attack..:
CUT 5 (09) “sweating, nausea”
He says folks should avoid high amounts of caffeine and high amounts of alcohol if you’re not used to it.

The Independence Bowl in Shreveport between Vanderbilt and North Carolina State kicks off this afternoon. Both teams are 6-and-6 on the year, and it’s the first bowl game for Vandy since 2013. Bowl Spokesperson Stefan Nolet says Commodore fans are pumped..:
cut 13 (12) “we’re excited”
This is the 41st Independence Bowl and it’s the 11th oldest bowl game in college football.

According to the Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Office, Kyandrea Thomas was arrested on Christmas Eve, accused of giving birth in a New Roads Wal-Mart bathroom where she left her baby. Department of Children and Family Services Deputy Director Terri Ricks wants people to know about Louisiana’s Safe Haven law, because abandoning any child at a random location is a serious crime..:
Cut 10 (06) “it’s illegal”
She says under Safe Haven, anyone can legally bring a child up to 60 days old to an employee at a designated facility, and walk away.

2016 will go down as a difficult year for Louisiana’s agriculture industry. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says farmers were hurt by lower commodity prices and unfavorable weather…:
Cut 6 (10) “and flooding”

The holidays are a great time for celebration and enjoying friends and
family, but it also can bring stress and heart related issues. With the
new year coming, Ochsner Medical Center Cardiologist Dr. Doug Mendoza,
is offering advice on how to get a healthier heart for the holidays..:
Cut 3 (10) “in depression”
He also says watch what you eat and don’t drink too much alcohol.

The LSU Tigers return from Christmas Break today to continue preparations for Saturday’s game against Louisville in the Citrus Bowl. It’s the first ever meeting between the two teams and the Tigers are a slight favorite to win. LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says they expect a tough game in Orlando…:
cut 14 (11) “ready to go”
Kick off Saturday is 10am.