Governor John Bel Edwards participated in a criminal justice reform event organized by the Pew Charitable Trusts in Washington DC today. He talked about the new legislation reducing sentences for non-violent offenders and expanding probation and parole opportunities.  Edwards says the cost savings from a lower incarceration rate will allow the state to spend more money on programs to reduce the risk of former prisoners reoffending…

Cut 7 (11)  “crime victim.” 

Senator John Kennedy responded to the visit by saying the answer to criminal reform isn’t by releasing prisoners, but starts with those who are running the prison system by being above reproach…

Cut 8 (08) “and stealing.”

Nearly 2,000 non-violent prisoners were released as part of the reform program.

State Police is investigating the death of a Slidell man whose vehicle was struck by a boat in St. James Parish. Trooper Jesse LaGrange says 20-year-old Jeremiah Allee was driving down LA 18 towing a boat and trailer, when it detached, crossed the center line and hit 49-year-old David Burvant’s vehicle.  LaGrange says they are trying to determine how the boat and trailer became detached…

Cut 11 (09) “from Slidell”

The University of Michigan says an essential oil found in cinnamon could help you lose weight.  Professor at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center Dr. Steven Heymsfield says with continued research, the medical community might be able to develop a more potent cinnamon to be used to treat diabetics…

Cut 5  (11)  “something interesting.’”

Governor John Bel Edwards participated in a criminal justice reform event organized by the Pew Charitable Trusts in Washington DC today. The Edwards Administration helped passed ten new laws allowing for the early release of nearly two-thousand non-violent prisoners. Nearly two-thousand were released last month. Edwards says he kept his campaign promise to lower the jail population…
cut 6 (07) “…of progress”
But Republican U-S Senator John Kennedy says some of the career criminals released are already back in jail…
cut 9 (10) “…at gunpoint”
Kennedy goes on to say that inmates were released, even though a state audit found the department of corrections is having a hard time keeping proper tabs on where inmates are located.

State Police say a 49-year-old Slidell man was killed when a boat struck his vehicle while he was traveling in St. James Parish. Trooper Jesse LaGrange says the boat trailer detached from a vehicle that was towing it, striking David Burvant’s vehicle. Burvant died from his injuries. LaGrange reminds reminds drivers towing a boat, double check to make sure your connections are secure…
cut 12 (11) “…the trailer”

Film producer Victoria Greene has released a documentary called “The Forgotten Bayou” which is about the 2013 sinkhole that formed in Bayou Corne in Assumption Parish as a result of a drilling mishap. 350 residents were forced to re-locate permanently. Greene on the docementary’s message…
cut 14 (11) “…and drill”

Governor Edwards is in Washington DC today touting the success of the state’s new criminal justice reform effort….
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern.”

A 17-year-old, who was on the football team at North Webster High School in Springhill, was fatally shot Monday night and police are searching for the gunman. Police say a 45-caliber pistol was used to shoot Jaylen Thomas. 16 shots were fired and police say they have a person of interest.

Research from the University of Michigan suggests an oil contained in cinnamon can be used to help with weight loss, because it attacks fat cells. But Doctor Steven Heymsfield, a professor at LSU’s Pennington Research Center, says more studies are needed before cinnamon can be used as a true weapon in the battle against obesity….
cut 4 (10) “…of it”

Film producer Victoria Greene has released a documentary that examines the impact of the Bayou Corne Sinkhole, which forced hundred of residents to move from their homes in northern Assumption Parish…..
cut 15 (12) “…just gone”
The documentary is called “Forgotten Bayou” and it also looks at Texas Brine’s role. They are the salt mining company blamed for creating the sink hole.

Governor John Bel Edwards is in Washington D.C. today and spoke at a summit on criminal justice reform about legislation passed in the last session. He says cost savings from a lower incarceration rate will allow the state to spend more money on programs to reduce recidivism…:
Cut 7 (11) “crime victim”
But US Senator John Kennedy says the legislation is not working because some who have been released are already back in jail.

A study out of Michigan finds cinnamon could actually help you lose weight or even prevent diabetes. Professor at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center Dr. Steven Heymsfield says the possibilities with cinnamon could be far reaching for diabetics…:
Cut 5 (11) “something interesting”
He says the conducted a study where mice who had cinnamon didn’t gain weight as expected on a high fat diet.

Five years ago, a sinkhole formed in Bayou Corne resulting in the mandatory evacuation of 350 people. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The suspected killer accused in the random shooting deaths of three people has pleaded not guilty to two of the murders which occurred in East Feliciana Parish. 36-year-old Ryan Sharpe entered two pleas there this morning and requested a public defender. Sharpe also allegedly shot and killed a man in East Baton Rouge Parish.

Governor John Bel Edwards is in Washington participating in a criminal justice reform event by the Pew Charitable Trusts. His Administration helped pass laws last June allowing for the early release of nearly two-thousand non-violent prisoners. The governor said he is committed to lowering jail population and hopes to see improvement quickly…:
Cut 6 (07) “of progress”
Louisiana US Senator John Kennedy responded to Edwards’ remarks saying the answer to criminal reform isn’t releasing prisoners, but it starts with addressing corruption within the corrections system..:
Cut 8 (08) “and stealing”
Edwards says the cost savings from a lower incarceration rate will allow the state to spend more money on programs to reduce the risk of former prisoners to re-offend.

In August of 2013, a sinkhole in Bayou Corne swallowed swamps and resulted in a mandatory evacuation of 350 residents. Texas Brine drilled through a salt dome which caused the disaster. Now, film producer Victoria Greene released “The Forgotten Bayou”, a documentary on the lives of those impacted, Texas Brine, scientists and government officials…:
Cut 13 (11) “the country”
Greene says “The Forgotten Bayou” aired at the Vermillion Center in Lafayette last night and she has plans to host the film in other areas of the state soon.

State Police is investigating the death of a Slidell man whose vehicle was struck by a boat in St. James Parish on a roadway. Trooper Jesse LaGrange says 20-year-old Jeremiah Allee of St. Amant was driving down LA 18 towing a boat and trailer. He says somehow the trailer detached, crossed the center line and hit 49-year-old David Burvant’s vehicle…:
Cut 10 (11) “later died”
The crash is under investigation that needs more research.

The trick to losing weight may be as close as your spice rack. The University of Michigan has found an essential oil in cinnamon that attacks fat cells. Professor at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center Dr. Steven Heymsfield explains..:
Cut 3 (11) “develop diabetes”
But he says this is a very new finding.

The suspected killer accused in the random shooting deaths of three people has pleaded not guilty to two of the murders which occurred in East Feliciana Parish. 36-year-old Ryan Sharpe entered two pleas there this morning and requested a public defender. Sharpe also allegedly shot and killed a man in East Baton Rouge Parish.

Three out of the four fatal crashes that took place during the Thanksgiving weekend were hit and runs. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

LSU will rename multiple streets on its Baton Rouge campus, including one after a Confederate office. Raphael Semmes Road will change to Veterans Drive. LSU Mass Communications Professor Bob Mann says in reality, Semmes had almost no association with the university.
Cut 6 (10) “LSU campus”
The school says the new names are part of a “modernization effort” to add physical addresses to campus buildings.

Beginning this week, nearly 500 Louisiana teachers will begin training to become mentors to future educators. Assistant Superintendent for Talent Hannah Dietsch says mentors will receive professional training on how to train new teachers who will participate in a year long residency program so they are better equipped to handle their own classroom.
Cut 14 (07) “continue teaching”

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, State Police investigated four fatal wrecks. Sgt. Jared Sandifer says out of the four, three of the deadly crashes were hit and runs. He says on Friday night, a pedestrian was hit in St. John the Baptist Parish while walking across US 61 and police are still investigating.
Cut 11 (10) “State Police”

The Louisiana Association of Non Profit Organizations will hold 24 hour campaigns in Baton Rouge and Acadiana encouraging people to donate to their favorite non-profit organization during Giving Tuesday. LANO’s Director of Business Development Emilie McBride says it’s easy for anyone to become involved.
Cut 9 (06) “acadiana.org”
She says it’s open to any non-profit agency that is in good standing with the Secretary of State’s Office.

LSU has renamed a street on campus from one after a Confederate admiral to one honoring military vets. LSU Mass Communication professor Bob Mann says Raphael Semmes was only on the school’s facility for a few months after the Civil War…:
Cut 5 (08) “in Alabama”
Raphael Semmes Road changed to Veterans Drive. LSU says this was the only Confederate street renamed out of 28 others that changed. The school says the new names are part of a “modernization effort” to add physical addresses to campus buildings.

A 49-year-old Slidell man was killed when his vehicle was struck by a boat that detached from a pickup and trailer in St. James Parish. State Police say 20-year-old Jeremiah Allee of St. Amant was towing a boat while 49-year-old David Burvant was traveling in the opposite direction. As the two vehicles approached, the boat detached, crossed the center line and struck Burvant’s vehicle on the passenger side. Burvant was later pronounced dead.

Nearly 500 Louisiana educators will become the first mentors in a program designed to train new educators. Kelley Ray has more…:
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Today Governor John Bel Edwards announced a series of regional summits on human trafficking. He says these meetings will highlight pertinent information from key stakeholders regarding the existing services, protocols and community response to trafficking victims.

Former LSU coach Les Miles has purchased a home in Baton Rouge for about $1.3 million, according to documents filed with the Clerk of Court.