A cold front approaches Louisiana bringing the possibility for severe weather today and tomorrow. State Climatologist Barry Keim says most of the state is under the threat of tornadoes, hail and damaging winds..:
Cut 7 (11) “south”
He says Sunday looks to be the pick day of the weekend with mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies and highs in the mid 80s.

Energy companies are showing more interest in deepwater drilling, as evidenced by an uptick in bidding for spots in the Gulf. President of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association Chris John says the sale price of $275 million for over 900-thousand acres is significantly higher than they saw last March….:
Cut 4 (08) “last year”
He says a lease sale in New Orleans drew 163 bids from 28 companies.

Abita Springs becomes the first Louisiana city to commit to 100 percent renewable energy. Mayor Greg Lemons says renewable energy, in particular solar energy, just makes sense from an economic and environmental standpoint…:
Cut 10 (12) “Abita Springs”
He says it’s the town’s goal to achieve 100 percent renewable energy by 2030.

It’s the final day in a career that has lasted 37 years. State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson is retiring. Maj. Kevin Reeves, who commands a state police quick reaction force, will start the interim job Saturday.

Lt. Shawn Anderson, the fallen East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy, has been laid to rest. His wife Becky Anderson told mourners about the day they met and how the Lieutenant loved his job and coworkers.

Cut 15 (11) “brothers in SWAT”

Anderson was fatally shot last Saturday while investigating a reported rape.

A wounded Crowley police officer is back home after being treated for a gunshot wound he incurred responding to a call where 41-year-old Katina Stevens was reportedly found dead at the scene. A suspect later died after exchanging gunfire with the officer, killing his K9. Master Trooper Brooks David with State Police says it’s a tragedy the dog was killed.

Cut 5 (05) “his partner”

Licenses have been revoked and funding terminated for Kidzone Preschool in Mandeville after a toddler wandered out of the play yard and into traffic. The child was walking toward the highway when a concerned driver picked him up and took him back to the day care. No one at the learning center knew the 3-year-old was missing until the driver brought him back.

The Walker Police Sergeant accused of hanging a noose in the squad room has resigned. Capt. John Sharp says the resignation comes ahead of the city council meeting where the allegations against the officer would be discussed.

Cut 9 (10) “be necessary”

The noose was discovered on February 24, and the sergeant was later suspended for three days without pay.

A trade association representing the oil industry says there’s an increased interest in Gulf oil drilling. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The first town in Louisiana to commit to 100 percent renewable energy is Abita Springs. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The Department of Transportation confirms the Jimmie Davis Bridge project is moving forward without delay. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Energy companies are showing more interest in deepwater drilling, as evidenced by an uptick in bidding for spots in the Gulf. A lease sale in New Orleans drew 163 bids from 28 companies. President of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association Chris John says the sale price of $275 million for over 900-thousand acres is significantly higher than they saw last March.

Cut 4  (08) “last year”

Oil prices are seeing a slow uptick, as oil is trading at just over $48 a barrel in the US. But John says that’s not the only factor in the industry. He says a lot plays into the increased sense of optimism among oil and gas companies.

Cut 5  (08)  “to roll back”

Coastal cities in Louisiana have seen job loss as a result of the slowdown in drilling. But John hopes to see more job creation as these projects get up and running in the Gulf. He says one new job in the industry can cause a ripple effect for more hires.

Cut 6 (11) “are created”

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A cold front approaches Louisiana bringing the possibility for severe weather today and tomorrow. State Climatologist Barry Keim says most of the state is under the threat of tornadoes, hail and damaging winds.

Cut 7 (11)  “south”

Keim says the storm will start in the Shreveport and Monroe areas on Friday and will shift towards southeastern Louisiana on Saturday.

Cut 8 (10) “on it”

Keim says the front is relatively slow moving but it won’t bring much cold air with it.

Cut 9 (08)  “like that”

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Abita Springs becomes the first Louisiana city to commit to 100 percent renewable energy. Mayor Greg Lemons says renewable energy, in particular solar energy, just makes sense from an economic and environmental standpoint.

Cut 10 (12) “Abita Springs”

Lemons says achieving this goal is like eating an elephant, you take one bite at a time. He says one of the first steps the city has taken is replacing old lighting in the Town Hall with low energy lights and replacing old window seals and insulations to cut energy costs by 20 percent. But he says they have a long way to go.

Cut 11 (10) “list stations”

Lemons says they’re also looking at installing electric vehicle charges in town. He says it’s the town’s goal to achieve 100 percent renewable energy by 2030. He says they’re trying to achieve a balance of environmental ethics and good business.

Cut 12 (12) “best we can”

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There is no delay in plans to move forward with the construction of a four lane bridge and converting the current Jimmie Davis Bridge into a pedestrian cross over in Shreveport and Bossier City.  That’s the word from DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallett who says there was some confusion, as the original proposal was to rehab the original bridge.

Cut 13 (11) “lane bridge”

The new bridge will be constructed to the north of the pedestrian bridge. Mallett says they are in the process of undergoing an environmental assessment and creating new designs for both bridges. He says there have been reports of a toll, but it is too early to determine if one will be installed.

Cut 14 (09) “maintain it”

The old Jimmie Davis Bridge that will be converted into a pedestrian walkway will connect the Clyde Fant Parkway to the Arthur Ray Teague Parkway. Mallett says a date for construction to begin on both structures has not been set because public meetings have yet to be scheduled to get community input.

Cut 15 (09) “public meetings”

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The 4th ranked LSU Baseball team begins a three-game series against Florida tonight in Gainesville. The Tigers swept Georgia last weekend to begin SEC play, while the 11th ranked Gators were swept by Auburn. Junior right-hander Alex Lange starts on the mound tonight for LSU and knows Florida will be ready to play tonight…

Cut 16 (14) “they got”

The last time LSU went to Gainesville, Florida swpet the Tigers in a three-game series in 2014. Lange says it’s never easy playing on the road in the Southeastern Conference…

Cut 17 (18)  “to it”

The pitching match-up for tonight is Lange versus Florida right-hander Alex Faedo. Both are considered top prospects in this year’s Major League Baseball draft. LSU right fielder Greg Deichmann says runs will probably be at a premium tonight…

Cut 18 (09)      “…be a blowout“

Fallen East Baton Rouge Deputy Lt. Shawn Anderson has been laid to rest. Mourners gathered to say their final goodbyes, and his wife Becky Anderson spoke about his love for his two children, but says the family will do their best to carry on without him.

Cut 16 (08) “some rain”

Anderson was fatally shot last Saturday while confronting a rape suspect in Baton Rouge.

The Walker Police Sergeant accused of hanging a noose in the department’s squad room has resigned. Capt. John Sharp says the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the February 24 incident, and it will be up to the DA to decide whether or not to file criminal charges.

Cut 10 (11) “of people”

One of the victims in the Crowley shooting has been identified as 41-year-old Katina Stevens. Her cousin, Johnathan LaFleur, told the Advocate he and some friends were watching the news at Stevens house when a man knocked on the door and shot her. That’s when police showed up and exchanged fire, resulting in the death of the suspect and a police K9 and wounding one of the officers. The officer has been released from the hospital after being treated for a gunshot wound to the thigh.

Louisiana is seeing more people move out than in, according to the latest census data. Demographer Greg Rigamer says more people left New Orleans for other cities for the first time since Hurricane Katrina. He blames the lack of high paying jobs.

Cut 7 (09) “people want”

He says East Baton Rouge Parish remains the largest in the state with nearly 450-thousand residents.

Mourners gathered at the Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge to say their final good-byes to a fallen East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputy. During the touching funeral service, Becky Anderson spoke fondly of her husband Lt Shawn Anderson, who was fatally shot on Saturday night
Cut 14 (09) “do it again”
Becky says Lt Anderson once said he’s not afraid of dying, but he’s afraid of leaving behind wife and two children.

The Walker Police Sergeant accused of hanging a noose in the squad room has resigned. Walker Police Captain John Sharp says this resignation was best for the department…
cut 11 (11) “…suggest racism”
Criminal charges are still possible in the case.

A vigil takes place tonight in Crowley to remember the three people and police K-9 that were killed in an officer-involved shooting last night. Master Trooper Brooks David says an officer was called to a home last night at 10:30 where shots had been fired…
cut 3 (10) “…and killed
The officer has reportedly been released from the hospital and authorities found a second female dead at another location and they believe the deceased man is responsible for both of their deaths.

New census numbers find Louisiana’s population was 4.6 million in 2016, only a slight increase from the previous year. The state also saw a continuing pattern of out migration with nearly 12-thousand more people moving out of the state than coming in. Demographer Greg Rigamer says many citizens leave to follow the money…:
Cut 6 (10) “with that”
Data also shows more people left New Orleans for other cities around the country than moved in for the first time since Hurricane Katrina.

Lt. Shawn Anderson, the fallen East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy, is being taken to his final resting place. During his eulogy, his wife Becky Anderson talked about the day they met and how the Lieutenant loved his job and coworkers.

Cut 15 (11) “brothers in SWAT”

Anderson was investigating a reported rape when he was fatally shot by the suspect Brandon Wiley, who was also killed in the shootout.

A Crowley police officer has been released from the hospital after he was wounded responding a call of shots fired. A woman was reportedly found dead at the scene, and a suspect died after exchanging gunfire with the officer, killing his K9. Master Trooper Brooks David with State Police says it’s a tragedy the dog was killed.

Cut 5 (05) “his partner”

The latest census data finds Louisiana is showing a pattern of out migration with 12-thousand more people leaving the state than coming in. Emelie Gunn has more…

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A learning center in St. Tammany Parish has had their licenses revoked and public funding terminated after a toddler escaped the play yard and wandered into traffic. The child got three blocks away from Kidzone Preschool in Mandeville before a concerned driver took him back to the day care. Until that moment, no one at the center knew the 3-year-old was missing.

Three people and a police K9 are dead and an officer is wounded following an officer involved shooting in Crowley. Michelle Southern has more…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

In Baton Rouge, a somber service took place for East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy Sergeant Shawn Anderson who was gunned down while on duty Saturday night. His wife, Becky, says their family will do their best to move on without him…
cut 16 (08) “….some rain”
Anderson leaves behind a wife and two children.

Detectives are trying to find out who is responsible for extensive criminal damage that took place during the overnight hours at Tioga High School and Tioga Junior high. Captain Tommy Carnline with the Rapides Sheriff’s office, says they believe the break-ins are connected…
cut 13 (10) “…this time”
Carnline says there were damage done in offices, trophy cases and other school property.

Based on the latest Census data, St. Tammany has surprassed Caddo as the fourth largest populated parish with 253-thousand residents. Demographer Greg Rigamer says the quality of life is good in St. Tammany…
cut 8 (10) “….stands out”
East Baton Rouge, Jefferson and Orleans are the three biggest parishes population wise, but for the first time since Katrina, more people are moving out of New Orleans than moving in.

Services for slain East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Shawn Anderson is being held in Baton Rouge at this hour, and a massive procession in his honor will follow. Anderson was shot and killed while conducting an investigation at a barber shop last weekend. He will be laid to rest following the funeral in Pine Grove, Louisiana.

Maj. Kevin Reeves has been named interim superintendent of Louisiana State Police. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

New census numbers find Louisiana’s population was 4.6 million residents in 2016, only growing but 0.3-percent from the previous year. Data also shows more people left New Orleans for other cities around the country than moved in for the first time since Hurricane Katrina. Demographer Greg Rigamer says the Crescent City continues to lack high paying jobs…:
Cut 7 (09) “people want”
Rigamer says East Parish Rouge Parish remains the largest in the state with 447-thousand people.

Authorities in Rapides Parish are investigating two break ins this morning at Tioga High School and Jr. High where extensive damage was done to school property. Capt. Tommy Carnline with the Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to a call at around 5:15 this morning when a janitor reported the destruction…:
Cut 12 (10) “were destroyed”
Carnline says they are following up on leads but no arrests have been made at this time.