Much colder weather is arriving in time for Christmas.  Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The names of two people killed in a house fire in Bastop have been released.  The victims are56-year-old Margene Williams and her grandson, 8-year-old Samarion Galvin.  The fire started in the living room, but there were no working smoke detectors in the home at the time.  Two others inside the home escaped, were treated at a hospital and released.

There’s an extra special bonfire to be lit this Christmas Eve along the Mississippi River levee in St. John the Baptist Parish that’s getting national attention.  A massive alligator snapping turtle that actually moves was created by Josh Weidert of Garyville.   He’s been building bonfires since he was 11-years-old and says the tradition has been a long standing one in his family. It fascinated him as a kid to watch the the smoke and fog fill the river and watch out for Papa Noel…:

Cut 5  (12)  “jungle juice.”

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says his department is responsible for making sure all animals brought into the state don’t pose any health threats to other animals in Louisiana.  Strain says he has the privilege of permitting a very special herd of animals in the state this holiday season…

Cut 14 (12) “Santa Claus.”

Governor John Bel Edwards is looking forward to the holiday break.  It’s a time for reflection of what happened in 2017 and looking ahead to 2018.  He says Louisiana’s brightest days are coming up and major changes are on the horizon that will move the state into a new era of prosperity…:

Cut 11 (08) “in Louisiana”

The recent unemployment number is 4.7 percent.  It’s been nearly ten years since the figure was that low.

With holiday parties and shindigs in full swing, food borne illnesses become more frequent.  Thawing food outside of a refrigerator at room temperature is dangerous and can cause bacteria to grow.  Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says allow enough time to defrost any meat and poultry…

Cut 13 (08)  “the refrigerator.”

There’s an extra special bonfire to be lit this Christmas Eve along the Mississippi River levee in St. John the Baptist Parish that’s getting national attention. Matt Doyle Reports…:

Cut 1 (31) “Matt Doyle”

A lawyer for a vet who allegedly killed her neighbor’s dog says there isn’t any evidence against his client.  Bob Garrity representing 35-year-old Kelly Folse tells the Advocate deputies tried to force a confession out of the River Ridge vet.  Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says Folse was arrested after finding probable cause in the shooting of the dog “Bruiser” after she became upset with his constant barking…

It’s official.  One of the top high school prospects in the nation has committed to LSU.  Parkway High School standout wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. shed a few tears as he donned the purple and gold baseball cap.  With Marshall, LSU should have a top ten recruiting class this spring.  Alabama, Florida State, Texas and Texas A&M were the other schools Marshall considered.

The Saints can qualify for a playoff spot with a win against Atlanta or a Carolina loss this weekend.  Wideout Michael Thomas is having a stellar year, catching 94 passes for nearly 11-hundred yards.  He’s on course for catching 109 passes for the season.  Quarterback Drew Brees says he’s never seen an athlete do what last year’s second round pickup is able to accomplish on the field…

CUT 18 (08) “do that.”

The game kicks off Sunday at 12 noon on FOX.

The Pelicans have a chance to snap their two-game losing streak tonight when they visit the Orlando Magic. New Orleans lost to the Magic earlier this season 115 to 99. Orlando is currently on a six-game losing streak and they have the third worst record in the Eastern Conference.

The LSU basketball team hosts North Florida tonight at the PMAC. U-N-F will start four sophomores and a freshman tonight as they bring a 5-and-9 record to the PMAC. The 7-and-3 Tigers are coming off a 22-point win over Sam Houston State.

Funeral servies are today for Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer Charlie Hennigan, who still holds two NFL receiving records. Hennigan starred for the Houston Oilers in the 1960s after a standout career at Northwestern State, where he excelled in both football and track. He still holds NFL records with three games of at least 200 yards receiving in a season and he also had seven straight games of at least 100 yards receiving in 1961.

Much colder weather is arriving in time for Christmas.  Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Bart Thompson has been hired as the new LSU Police Chief.   Thompson has served as interim chief since June.  He didn’t have a college degree, which was a requirement for the job, but LSU dropped the degree requirement, allowing Thompson eligible to apply.  26 people applied for the position.

Governor John Bel Edwards released a statement about the latest unemployment number ahead of the holiday weekend; noting that the last time it was just 4.7 percent was in May of 2008. He says this is great news heading into 2018 where he’s optimistic about seeing compromise on the state’s budget woes…:

Cut 10 (10) “of prosperity”

With holiday parties and shindigs in full swing, food borne illnesses become more frequent.  There are several ways people could become sick.  Louisiana Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says sometime people forget to use separate cutting boards, but he says it’s vital to make sure you stay well…

Cut 12 (09) “cheese etcerta.”

Strain also says to refrigerate leftover food within two hours after serving.

There’s an extra special bonfire to be lit this Christmas Eve along the Mississippi River levee in St. John Parish that’s getting national attention.  Dozens of bonfire structures are lit every year on December 24th, to light the way for the Cajun Santa: Papa Noel. Josh Weidert says  the 22 foot long, 7 feet tall snapping turtle was inspired by drones that fly over the levees and take pictures and videos from every angle:

Cut 4  (09) “ingenuity.” 

It will feel a lot like Christmas as a cold front will bring more seasonable temperatures to Louisiana.  After experiencing highs near 80 in parts of the state, state Climatologist Barry Keim says a strong cold front will usher in colder air starting Saturday…

Cut 6 (10)  “and 60s.”

Governor John Bel Edwards is wishing residents across the state a very Merry Christmas…:

Cut 9 (09)  “of Louisiana”

Edwards says Louisiana’s brightest days are ahead, and major changes are on the horizon that will move the state into a new era of prosperity in 2018.

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says his department is responsible for making sure all animals brought into the state don’t pose any health threats to other animals in Louisiana.  But Strain says a very special herd of animals will be allowed in the state this holiday season…

Cut 14 (12) “Santa Claus.”

Much of the state is seeing record high temperatures in the 80s today, but thankfully a big cool down is expected just in time for Christmas Day. No White Christmas is in store for the Bayou State, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says there is a slight chance we could see spotty severe weather:
Cut 8 (08) “marginal risk”
The front will bring in some rain tonight through tomorrow, but Keim says skies should become partly sunny Sunday, with breezy and eventually cooler conditions on the way for St. Nick.

Employees at Monroe-based CenturyLink were reportedly told this week that they won’t be getting a holiday bonus as they have before. Yahoo Finance reports that CenturyLink CEO Glen Post sent out an email to the company and said they still have to make progress in stabilizing and growing cash flow, because overall operating results this year were well below expectations. Yahoo reports CenturyLink declined to comment.

There’s an extra special bonfire to be lit this Christmas Eve along the Mississippi River levee in St. John Parish that’s getting national attention. Matt Doyle Reports…:
Cut 1 (30) “Matt Doyle”

Governor John Bel Edwards is wishing residents across the state a very Merry Christmas. He says Louisiana’s brightest days are ahead, and major changes are on the horizon that will move the state into a new era of prosperity…:
Cut 11 (08) “in Louisiana”

Much colder weather is arriving in time for Christmas…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards is wishing residents across the state a very Merry Christmas…:
CUT 9 (09) “of Louisiana”
Edwards released a statement about the latest unemployment number ahead of the holiday weekend; noting that the last time it was just 4.7 percent was in May of 2008.

AAA says more than 107 million people will take planes, trains, cars and other modes of transport between December 23rd and New Year’s Day. Spokesman Don Redman says they’ve seen these huge travel numbers all year…:
CUT 25 (13) “their own budget”

With holiday parties and shindigs in full swing, food borne illnesses become more frequent. There are several ways people could become sick. Louisiana Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says sometime people forget to use separate cutting boards, but he says it’s vital to make sure you stay well…:
Cut 12 (09) “cheese etc.”
Strain says you should always allow enough time to defrost any meat and poultry.