The woman accused of giving birth in a New Rhodes Wal Mart and leaving the infant in a bathroom has been arrested on charges of attempted second-degree murder, according to authorities. The Department of Children and Families Services says no mother has to take such desperate measures, because of Louisiana’s Safe Haven Law…:
Cut 9 (10) “and walk away”
That’s DCFS Deputy Secretary Terri Ricks. She says the baby is in stable condition at a Baton Rouge Hospital. The woman is identified as 34-year-old Kyandrea Thomas of Baker.

The US Department of Housing says a meeting will be held January 6th to discuss how the $1.2 billion dollars they’ve approved for flood recovery will be handed out. Governor John Bel Edwards says this isn’t everything victims of the devastating March and August events need, but it’s a significant milestone in Louisiana’s recovery.

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

This afternoon in Shreveport, it will be Vanderbilt versus North Carolina State in the Camping World Independence Bowl. Spokesperson Stefan Nolet says the Independence Bowl has a history of close match-ups and this game should add to that tradition as the two squads are coming into the contest on an upswing…:
cut 12 (09) “close out of the year”
Kickoff is at 4:00 PM on ESPN2.

An elderly Catahoula Parish woman is recovering after authorities say she was sexually assaulted, kidnapped and forced into the trunk of her vehicle. Franklin Parish Sheriff Kevin Cobb says the suspect, 32-year-old Jimmy Edward Franklin, is a career criminal…:
cut 15 (11) “drug situation”
He faces at least 11 charges including rape and kidnapping and more are pending.

State Fire Marshal Butch Browning is asking residents that have a real Christmas tree to make sure they are properly watered, because when they dry out, the tree becomes a fire hazard….
cut 7 (11) “a fire”
He says the best way to keep your family safe from a fire is to make sure you have a working smoke alarm.

NORAD is gearing up to track Santa’s journey around the world. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”
Tonight you can help usher in Santa in St. James Parish at the annual lighting of the bonfires along the Mississippi River levee.

Members of the military who can’t be at home this Christmas are sending holiday wishes to their families in Louisiana…:
CUT 9 (15) ““Roanoke, Virginia”

Thousands of people are expected to turnout for St. James Parish’s biggest Christmas Eve tradition- the Festival of Bonfires. Don Molino has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Don Molino”

The mother of the baby that was left in a Wal Mart trash can in New Roads has reportedly been located. Her name is not being released, but detectives are believed to have found the woman at a hospital in Zachary where she went after giving birth inside the bathroom at the store. According to EMS, the baby is currently in critical, but stable condition.

Governor John Bel Edwards says the HUD approval of $1.2 billion dollars in flood relief is a significant milestone in Louisiana’s recovery. He says it’s not everything victims need, but he’s grateful the guidelines were published so quickly. When Congress returns, the governor says he’ll continue to work to bring more help to those in need.

The latest information from the North American Aerospace Defense Command – better known as NORAD – shows elves are busy loading the sleigh ahead of Santa’s around-the-world journey tonight. NORAD’s Lt. Commander Paul Noel says making sure the skies are safe over North America is their mission…:
CUT 11 (08) “Santa’s journey”
You can follow St. Nick with NORAD’s Track Santa app or online at NORADSanta.org.

AAA says $103 million people are traveling this holiday, the most on record. They believe it’s driven mostly by the second cheapest gas prices in nearly a decade.

The Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the case of an hours old infant who was located in a bathroom trashcan at the Wal Mart in New Roads. They say the baby was not responsive at first, but medical personnel stabilized the girl at the hospital. Police do have the name of a person of interest, but have not yet released that name.

Friday the US Department of Housing approved $1.2 billion dollars in aid for flood victims. Louisiana is now in line to receive $1.65 billion for recovery for the devastating March and August events.

More people are going out of town this Holiday period than ever recorded by AAA. Jeff Palermo reports..:
CUT 4 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

More than 100 bonfires are lined up on the Mississippi River levee in St. James Parish, ready to be lit tonight to usher in Christmas. Festival of the Bonfires spokesperson Jason Amato says once again there are some creative wooden structures were built.
cut 5 (10) “…Cajun navy”
Amato says they light the bonfires at 7 p.m. sharp, but he encourages spectators to be there at 5 p.m.

There are many Louisiana soldiers currently serving our country who are not able to be with their families for Christmas. This military family sends a message back home to loved ones in Shreveport from overseas…:
Cut 10 (12) “Merry Christmas Y’all”

Unfortunately, with the holiday season comes flu season. Dr. Frank Welch with LDH says we’re seeing a slight uptick in the number of flu cases in Louisiana…:
cut 24 (08) “1.5 percent”
Welch says illness is more prevalent this time of year because so many people stay indoors, which allows viruses to spread.

Christmas Eve is a time for family traditions, and that means something a little different in St. James Parish- the Festival of Bonfires. Festival spokesperson Jason Amato says they have over 135 bonfires lined up on the levee tomorrow night…:
Cut 3 (11) “Mardi Gras”
He encourages spectators to be there at 5 p.m.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, is gearing up to track Santa’s journey around the world. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 2 (31) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

There are brave men and women who are not home for the holidays with loved ones. But these soldiers took time to send Christmas wishes back home…
cut 9 (18) “…Roanoke, Virginia”

Thousands are making their way to their Christmas destination today where they’ll spend the weekend with family and friends. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says more than 103 million Americans will travel between today and January 2nd…
cut 27 (07) “….smashed that”
Redman say many people are comfortable with hitting the road, because of the second cheapest New Year’s gas prices in nearly a decade.

Authorities say a 75-year-old woman is lucky to be alive after she was kidnapped, sexually assaulted and stuffed in the trunk of her own vehicle. Franklin Parish Sheriff Kevin Cobb says the elderly victim escaped from the trunk in Wisner…
cut 16 (07) “….own live”
Cobb says her attacker, 32-year-old Jimmy Edward Franklin, was taken into custody this morning in Franklin Parish.

Wooden structures are lined up along the Mississippi River levee in St. James Parish where they’ll be set on fire as part of the Festival of Bonfires tomorrow night. Festival spokesperson Jason Amato says once again there are some creative bonfire builders…
cut 5 (10) “…Cajun navy”
Amato says they light the bonfires at 7 p.m. sharp, but he encourages spectators to be there at 5 p.m.

Children are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus tomorrow night. The North American Aerospace Defense Command began tracking Santa’s trip around the world in 1955. Lt. Commaner Paul Noel says there was a misprint in the paper urging children to call and talk to Santa, instead it connected them to the Continental Air Defense Command…..
cut 13 (08) “…that night”
Now you can track Santa’s movements through the NORAD Santa app.