Louisiana Casino Association Executive Director Wade Duty says they are looking forward to task force report outlining new options for casinos to move their operations to nearby riverfronts. Kelley Ray reports…:

Cut 1 (30) “Kelley Ray”

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The state has entered into negotiations to purchase a 515 acre sugar cane farm near Thibodaux where it hopes to relocate residents of an island that is disappearing in extreme coastal Terrebonne Parish. Don Molino reports..:

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Don Molino”

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A study out of MIT shows that drivers who tailgate are actually causing traffic delays and lengthening commutes during peak hours.

Cut 3 (30) “Matt Doyle reporting”

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The Louisiana Casino Association hopes they can help riverboat casinos get more solid footing if a task force recommends they are allowed to move to nearby land.  The casinos have been on riverboats since they were approved in 1991.  Executive Director Wade Duty says gamblers will not need to worry if their favorite casino is moving…

Cut 4  (12) “presently are.” 

Duty says the task force will report back to the legislature before they begin their regular session this spring.  He says reforms are needed if Louisiana is to keep up with other nearby states such as Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas.  Most of the Louisiana casinos have remained in their original location and they are at a crossroads whether to renovate or keep their funds for future investments…

Cut 5  (08)  “the water.”

Duty knows there will be some who are concerned about approving legislation to allow the casinos to move to land, but this task force is not looking at adding more casinos to Louisiana…

Cut 6 (10)  “still 15.”

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The state has entered into negotiations to purchase a 515 acre sugar cane farm near Thibodaux where it hopes to relocate residents of an island that is disappearing in extreme coastal Terrebonne Parish. Division of Administration spokesman Jacques Berry says Isle de Jean Charles has been slowly sinking into the Gulf for a long time…:

Cut 7 (10)  “area”

Most of the people who live there are members of the Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw tribe, and Berry says they’ve been gradually leaving. He says there are about 100 residents left on the island…:

Cut 8 (09) “the new location”

Berry says funds from the purchase are coming from a $48 million dollar grant the state received in 2016 to help relocate and resettle the tribe. He says they’ve held many community meetings with the residents to find out what was important to them when it came to finding a new place to live…:

Cut 9 (10)  “themselves”

Berry says there are a lot of different theories as to why the land is disappearing, but the state is concerned about finding a new place for the residents to live.

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A study out of MIT shows that drivers who tailgate are actually causing traffic delays and lengthening commutes during peak hours.  Traffic Engineer Laurence Lambert of Vectura Consulting says the closer you drive, the more erratic your reactions become…:

Cut 10 (08) “process is”

The study modeled traffic during peak hours to determine the effects of various driving decisions and determined that aggressive driving does not get you home faster. Lambert says the study shows that tailgating actually causes previously non-existent traffic jams…:

Cut 11 (04) “nothing there”

Lambert says that new technology has potential to alleviate the problem…:

Cut 12 (07) “their study”

Researchers suggest the best course of action is to maintain an equal distance from both the car in front of you and the car behind you.

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The Florida State Seminoles are just hours away from kicking off against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles in the Walk-On’s Independence Bowl in Shreveport.   This is the first year Walk-On’s to sponsor the game.  Director of public and media relations Stefan Nolet says the sports bar is ready to expand in several areas, including a number in Louisiana…

Cut 13 (10)  “their demographic.”

Kickoff is slated for 12:30pm this afternoon.  Nolet says there are plenty of activities for fans beforehand…

Cut 14 (11) “gonna have.”

The selection of the teams was a great choice according to Nolet.  A regional team and a perennial powerhouse in Florida State.  There are quite a few local fans excited to see a team of the caliber of the Seminoles…

Cut 15 (08) “State here.”

The Louisiana Office of Community Development says they are now encouraging flood victims who have already filled out the Restore Louisiana survey, to complete a formal application for aid. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 1 (30) “Michelle Southern”

A Monroe teen is arrested for his alleged involvement in a Christmas Day murder.  Monroe Police says Isaiah Jaylone Smart is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of a male.  The shooting happened Christmas evening at an apartment.  The victims’ identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Only 36% of Louisianans feel that the state is moving in the right direction according to a southern media and opinion research poll conducted in November. 45%, and a majority of republican voters disagree. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says the numbers show a huge divide…:

Cut 12 (10) “Trumpism”

It’s another big shopping day as stores view after-Christmas sales the final round of the 2017 retail rush. LSU Marketing professor Dan Rice says today is a great day to stock up on Christmas decorations and wrapping paper which are dramatically reduced in price as shops look to unload the inventory. He says it’s also a big day for returns and exchanges…:

Cut 6 (10)  “for those”

A southern media and opinion research poll shows a majority of Louisianans disagree with the direction the state is going. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “Matt Doyle reporting.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he came into office looking to end the yearly cuts to education, and secure funding for the TOPS scholarship program. As Edwards looks back on the year, he’s proud to say Louisiana’s public colleges did not receive a cut in state funding…

Cut 9 (06)  “previous year”

The Louisiana Office of Community Development says they are now encouraging flood victims who have already filled out the Restore Louisiana survey, to complete a formal application for aid.  The process is in two parts so homeowners won’t be forced to stop repairs on their home while applying for aid.  OCD Executive Director Pat Forbes says over 38-thousand have been invited to apply for aid…

Cut 4  (08) “and see” 

There is a major competition underway for playoff spots in the NFC South, and the NFL wants to make sure all of the drama goes down at the same time. The league has moved the Saints game against the Buccaneers to the 3:25 pm time slot for Week 17. The Panthers and Falcons game has also moved to the same time.

The Louisiana Office of Community Development says they are now encouraging flood victims who have already filled out the Restore Louisiana survey, to complete a formal application for aid. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 1 (30) “Michelle Southern”

It’s another big day for shoppers for after Christmas sales.  LSU Marketing professor Dan Rice says the 2017 holiday shopping season will go down as a huge one for retailers, but it remains to be seen if it’s because people actually have more money in their pockets…:

Cut 8 (04) “better pay”

In November, Governor John Bel Edwards announced DXC Technology would employ two-thousand workers in New Orleans as part of an expansion effort by the global tech company. Edwards says his decision to maintain higher ed funding earlier this year was critical in DXC’s decision to do business in Louisiana…

Cut 11 (12) ” such project”

Edwards adds this will be a great boon to New Orleans’ economy in 2018…

Not many Louisiana’s feel the state is moving in the right direction.  Only 36 percent agreed in a southern media and opinion research pool conducted last month.  Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says the low numbers are due to negative media coverage…

CUT 14 (07) “in Louisiana.”

Day after Christmas shopping is another big one for retailers, as folks hit the stores with gift cards, returns or exchanges, or just to seek out a great bargain. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says retailers are looking at the shelves and considering how easy will it be to hold on to that stock or not, and that’s where the sales come in…:
Cut 7 (08) “future”
He says today is a great day to stock up on Christmas decorations for next year.

36 percent of Louisianians feel the state is headed in the right direction, while 45 percent disagreed in the latest Southern Media and Opinion Research survey. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says the trickle down from a hostile national political environment is even damaging typically safe state republicans…:
Cut 13 (09) “very popular”
He says the criticism of the Trump Administration is impacting how Louisiana voters feel about the state’s future.

When reflecting on the past year, and looking head to 2018, Governor John Bel Edwards says he came into office looking to end yearly cuts to education and securing the future of the TOPS program. He says they were glad to restore funding for TOPS which lead to a record level of enrollment in applications for state colleges in 2018…:
Cut 10 (08) “rate education”
He also says higher education was saved cuts from cuts relative to the previous year for the first time in a decade.

The Louisiana Office of Community Development says they are now encouraging flood victims who have already filled out the Restore Louisiana survey, to complete a formal application for aid. OCD Executive Director Pat Forbes says they are now serving every phase of the process…:
Cut 5 (10) “more applications”
$122 million dollars has been awarded so far to 4200 applicants.

Only 36% of Louisianans feel that the state is moving in the right direction, according to a Southern Media & Opinion Research poll. 45%, and a majority of Republican voters disagree. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says the criticism of the Trump Administration is impacting how Louisiana voters feel about the state’s future…:
Cut 12 (10) “Trumpism”
19% percent of those surveyed said they were not sure about the state’s direction.

The NFL is shuffling up some game times for Week 17. The Saints will now play the Bucs on Sunday at 3:25pm; as there is a lot going on in the competitive NFC South Division and the league wants it to all go down at the same time. The game between the Panthers and Falcons has moved to the same time. The Saints win the division by beating Tampa Bay. Carolina wins if they beat Atlanta and if New Orleans loses or ties.

The Louisiana Office of Community Development says they are now encouraging flood victims who have already filled out the Restore Louisiana survey, to complete a formal application for aid. OCD Executive Director Pat Forbes says they know that about 38,400 homeowners have been extended invitations to apply for aid…:
Cut 4 (08) “and see”
Find out more online at Restore.La.Gov.

When reflecting on the past year, and looking head to 2018, Governor John Bel Edwards says he came into office looking to end yearly cuts to education and securing the future of the TOPS program. He says he’s proud to say Louisiana’s public colleges did not receive a cut in state funding this year:
Cut 9 (06) “previous year”
Edwards says they were able to fully fund TOPS this year and it led to a record level of enrollment in applications for state colleges in 2018.

The Louisiana Office of Community Development says they are now encouraging flood victims who have already filled out the Restore Louisiana survey, to complete a formal application for aid. OCD Executive Director Pat Forbes says they’ve received about 46,300 survey submissions…:
Cut 3 (10) “an application”
The homeowner assistance program so far has offered grant awards totaling $122 million dollars to 4200 applicants. Find out more online at Restore.La.Gov.

It’s another big shopping day as stores view after-Christmas sales the final round of the 2017 retail rush. LSU Marketing professor Dan Rice says it’s a big day for returns and exchanges…:
Cut 6 (10) “for those”

A Southern Media and Opinion Research poll shows a majority of Louisianans disagree with the direction the state is going. Matt Doyle has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A woman is facing multiple felony charges after crashing into a mother and her baby on Christmas Eve in Tickfaw, killing them both, while fleeing the scene of an earlier crash. State Police believe 36-year-old Jillian Pamela Ramsay of Loranger was impaired when she collided with the car 19-year-old Shelly Mulkey, and her 7-month-old son, Ryan McCollum Jr., were passengers in.

The Louisiana Office of Community Development says they are now encouraging flood victims who have already filled out the Restore Louisiana survey, to complete a formal application for aid. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 1 (30) “Michelle Southern”

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A southern media and opinion research poll shows a majority of Louisianans disagree with the direction the state is going. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “Matt Doyle reporting.”

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The Louisiana Office of Community Development says they are now encouraging flood victims who have already filled out the Restore Louisiana survey, to complete a formal application for aid. OCD Executive Director Pat Forbes says they’ve received about 46,300 survey submissions…:

Cut 3 (10) “an application”

Restore Louisiana’s process is in two parts so that homeowners wouldn’t be forced to stop repairs on their home while they applied for aid. Forbes says they know that about 38,400 homeowners have been extended invitations to apply for aid…:

Cut 4  (08) “and see” 

Find out more online at Restore.La.Gov. The homeowner assistance program so far has offered grant awards totaling $122 million dollars to 4200 applicants. Forbes says they are now serving every phase of the process to get people the help they need…:

Cut 5  (10)  “more applications”

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It’s another big shopping day as stores view after-Christmas sales the final round of the 2017 retail rush. LSU Marketing professor Dan Rice says today is a great day to stock up on Christmas decorations and wrapping paper which are dramatically reduced in price as shops look to unload the inventory. He says it’s also a big day for returns and exchanges…:

Cut 6 (10)  “for those”

Whether you’re looking for items that were in short supply before the holiday, or simply out to treat yourself with special bargains, Rice says post-Christmas deals feature all kinds of savings. He says retailers are looking at the shelves and considering how easy will it be to hold on to that stock or not, and that’s where the sales come in…:

Cut 7 (08)  “future”

Rice says the 2017 holiday shopping season will go down as a huge one for retailers, but it remains to be seen if it’s because people actually have more money in their pockets…:

Cut 8 (04) “better pay”

________________________________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards says he came into office looking to end the yearly cuts to education, and secure funding for the TOPS scholarship program. As Edwards looks back on the year, he’s proud to say Louisiana’s public colleges did not receive a cut in state funding…

Cut 9 (06)  “previous year”

During the governor’s first year in office, state funding to TOPS was reduced and recipients had to pay a portion of their tuition for the first time in the program’s history. Edwards says they were able to fully fund the tuition assistance program this year and it led to a record level of enrollment in applications for state colleges in 2018…

Cut 10 (08) “rate education”

A mother and her seven month old child were killed in an accident near Tickfaw in Tangipahoa Parish Christmas Eve.  State Police say the vehicle 19-year-old Shelly Mulkey was in was hit by 36-year-old Jillian Pamela Ramsey of Loranger.  The impact ruptured the gas tank in Mulkey’s vehicle and caused both vehicles to catch on fire.   Mulkey was pulled from the vehicle and witnesses tried CPR, however the baby remained inside the vehicle as it burned.  Troopers allege Ramsey was impaired and fleeing the scene of an earlier accident when she hit the Mulkey was in.   Ramsey is charged with two counts of vehicular homicide, hit and run and careless operation.

Shreveport Police are looking for a suspect or suspects involved in an early Christmas morning shooting.  Three people were injured with a male adult suffering from potentially life threatening injuries.  All three, including a female adult and a teenager were transported to University hospital.  Police believe the assailant may have pulled up in a vehicle outside of the home and fired multiple shots at the house.

An analysis commissioned by the Pew Charitable Trusts shows that investing in national parks in Louisiana could create over 110 new jobs.  Director of the Restore America Parks Campaign, Marsha Argust says even though The National Park System passed an important milestone celebrating their 100^th anniversary last year but there hasn’t been a complete rehabilitation of the sites in over 60 years…

Cut 8 (12) “those assets.”

Louisiana Soldiers serving overseas like these, are sending love to The Bayou State this Christmas…:

Cut 13 (23)  “Merry Christmas”