The Pelicans fell 112-104 in a massively hyped matchup against the Los Angeles LeBrons. Earlier this week, Lebron James, Lakers superstar forward indicated that he would love to play with Anthony Davis in the future, sending the rumor mill into overdrive that the Lakers were looking to make a move that would pry New Orleans’s most iconic player out of the Big Easy. Davis threw some water on that fire saying he wasn’t thinking about that and was committed to franchise. But it certainly doesn’t look good considering the brow dropped 30 points, 20 rebounds and 5 assists, and still couldn’t keep his team close as everyone else seemed to struggle. Meanwhile the perennial MVP, Lebron James, put up a 22/12/14 triple double. The Pelicans are now 3 games under .500.

And in college basketball, the Tiger dropped number 24 Furman 75-57, bringing their season to 9-3. It was a quality team effort, led by Tremont Water’s 20 points 7 assists and 5 boards, and Kavell BigBy-Williams 10/10 double double. The Tigers take on Monroe next Friday.

The Saints can lock up home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with a win over Pittsburgh on Sunday. The Black and Gold and the Steelers only play each other once every four years, but Quarterback Drew Brees says the Steel Curtain defense is playing like you expect them to play…

 cut 17 (17) “prepared for”

The Saints have only scored 50 points in their last three games. Brees says they have to cut down on the mistakes that are stalling drives…

Cut 18 (19) in a win“

President Donald Trump is warning the government could be shut down, starting at midnight, “for a very long time” if Congress does not include 5.7 billion dollars for a border wall in its end of the year spending bill. Senator Bill Cassidy says they had the votes for an extension to February 8^th, but…

Cut 3 (06) “…about it.”

A quarter of the government would close in the event of a shutdown, meaning furloughs for hundreds of thousands of federal workers, and mandatory, unpaid work time for those deemed “essential”.

Louisiana’s longest-serving Supreme Court justice has died.  Former Chief Justice Pascal Calogero was 87.  He was first elected to the state’s highest court in 1972, serving for nearly 36 years.  For 18 years, he was chief justice, before retiring in 2008.  Clancy DuBos, who once served as clerk for Calogero, says he had a tremendous impact on the judicial system.

Cut 6 (08) “…almost 45 years.”

The holidays aren’t always cheery for everyone. Studies show depression increases during holiday seasons, and Office of Behavior Health Medical Director Dr. James Hussey says weight gain from winter celebrations, increased holiday workplace demands and deadlines, and social isolation can to spiraling in depression prone people.

Cut 9 (09) “…of friends″

He says depression can lead to people shutting themselves in, when the best thing they could be doing is getting out and helping others who may be struggling by volunteering.

The National Retail Federation says they are seeing procrastination in holiday shopping and expect around 61% of holiday shoppers to wrap up with gift buying this week leading up to Christmas. NRF spokesperson Katherine Cullen says this year, people are putting things off a little bit more than normal for the final Saturday before Christmas known as “Super Saturday.”

Cut 13 (09) “…about 126 million.”

We are getting closer to a partial federal government shutdown as Republicans and Democrats can’t agree on funding for a U-S Mexico border wall. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy blames the Democrats for not willing to spend five billion dollars on a border wall…
cut 4 (05) “….come from”
New York Senator Charles Schumer said on the Senate floor today the President will not get his wall.

This is a festive time of year for many, but there are others who battle the holiday blues, which can lead to depression. State Office of Behavior Health Medical Director Doctor James Hussey encourages those who are feeling down to get out and help others who may be struggling…
cut 10 (11) “…yourself”
Hussey says if you’re feeling a lot of pressure to hit certain holiday deadlines, understand some of those deadlines are not real and you are the reason for feeling the extra pressure.

The National Retail Federation expects 134-million people will do some holiday shopping tomorrow and N-R-F spokesperson Katherine Cullen says the last weekend of shopping before Christmas is usually when see more men in the stores….
cut 14 (10) “…in time”
Seven-percent of the shoppers they surveyed said they’ll be shopping on Christmas Eve.

Louisiana’s longest-serving Supreme Court justice, Pascal Calogero has died at 87. He was elected to the state’s highest court in 1972 and served for nearly 36 years. He was the chief justice for 18 years. Clancy DuBos, who once served as clerk for Calogero, says Calogero cared deeply about the job, reading every word submitted to the court, and considered his role as his duty and calling to the judicial system.
Cut 8 (06) “….great intergrity”

A federal government shutdown tonight is becoming more likely as the President draws a line in the sand over border wall funding…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_____________________________________________

The National Retail Federation says procrastination in holiday shopping is up this year as about 134 million are expected to shop Saturday.  Kevin Barnhart has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

_____________________________________________

President Donald Trump is warning the government could be shut down, starting at midnight, “for a very long time” if Congress does not include 5.7 billion dollars for a border wall in its end of the year spending bill. Senator Bill Cassidy says they had the votes for an extension to February 8^th, but…

Cut 3 (06) “…about it.”

A quarter of the government would close in the event of a shutdown, meaning furloughs for hundreds of thousands of federal workers, and mandatory, unpaid work time for those deemed “essential”.

Cassidy blames Democrats for the budget hold-up, and says a fully funded government bill would be possible if they would accept the border wall funding. He says it’s part of Democrats refusal to work with the President.

Cut 4 (05) “…come from.″

An original compromise bill with 1 billion in border security funding passed the Senate, but was publicly rejected by the President.

The Senator says he’s optimistic that the shutdown will not prevent an extension of the National Flood Insurance Program from keeping homes insured through February 8^th.

Cut 5 (07) “…be ok”

_________________________________________

Louisiana’s longest-serving Supreme Court justice has died.  Former Chief Justice Pascal Calogero was 87.  He was first elected to the state’s highest court in 1972, serving for nearly 36 years.  For 18 years, he was chief justice, before retiring in 2008.  Clancy DuBos, who once served as clerk for Calogero, says he had a tremendous impact on the judicial system.

Cut 6 (08) “…almost 45 years.”

DuBos says knowing Calogero for over four decades, he was always of calm temperament.

Cut 7 (10) “…in the room.”

DuBos says Calogero cared deeply about the job, reading every word submitted to the court, and considered his role as his duty and calling to the judicial system.

Cut 8 (06) “…great integrity.”

_______________________

The holidays aren’t always cheery for everyone. Studies show depression increases during holiday seasons, and Office of Behavior Health Medical Director Dr. James Hussey says weight gain from winter celebrations, increased holiday workplace demands and deadlines, and social isolation can to spiraling in depression prone people.

Cut 9 (09) “…of friends″

But Hussey says the holiday pressures don’t have to be crippling. He says depression can lead to people shutting themselves in, when the best thing they could be doing is getting out and helping others who may be struggling.

Cut 10 (11) “…yourself”

And the doctor says keep in mind that a lot of those demands you feel have been placed on you around the holidays may just be your mind playing tricks on you.

Cut 11 (08) “…yourself”

_____________________________

The National Retail Federation says they are seeing procrastination in holiday shopping and expect around 61% of holiday shoppers to wrap up with gift buying this week leading up to Christmas. NRF spokesperson Katherine Cullen says it’s a big number that are getting looped into the last minute shopping.

Cut 12 (09)   “…and over Sunday.” 

Cullen says every year, the NRF sees the trend of people procrastinating and saving up their holiday shopping for this week, but this year, people are putting things off a little bit more than normal for the final Saturday before Christmas known as “Super Saturday.”

Cut 13 (09) “…about 126 million.”

Cullen says the main reason people are putting off the shopping is that they are still trying to figure out what to purchase.  She adds men are most likely to put off shopping until the last minute.

Cut 14 (10) “…done in time.”

_______________________________________________

The National Retail Federation says procrastination in holiday shopping is up this year as about 134 million are expected to shop tomorrow. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

It will not feel like Christmas this weekend as warmer temperatures arrive in Louisiana on Saturday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says warm gulf air will replace the chilly air we’ve seen this week
Cut 15 (10) “…the 60s”

We could see a partial shutdown of the federal government at midnight tonight as President Donald Trump is not relenting in his push for money to pay for a border wall between the United States and Mexico. The National Flood Insurance Program also expires today, but Senator Bill Cassidy is confident a short-term extension will be approved…
cut 5 (07) “…be ok”
Cassidy says he’s with the President on money for a border wall.

Louisiana’s longest-serving Supreme Court justice, Pascal Calogero, has died at the age of 87. He was elected to the state’s highest court in 1972 and served on the bench for 36 years. Political analyst Clancy DuBos once served as a clerk for the former justice and was always impressed with Caloger’s calm temperament…
cut 7 (10) “….in the room”

A federal government shutdown tonight is becoming more likely as the President draws a line in the sand over border wall funding…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

It’s the first day of Winter, but we’ll see warmer afternoon highs this weekend and State Climatologist Barry Keim says the mild weather will stay in place through Christmas Day…
cut 16 (06) “…warmer temperatures”

The National Retail Federation finds that 134-million people will shop tomorrow as consumers try to complete their gift buying list. That’s 56-percent of all holiday shoppers, according to N-R-F spokesperson Katherine cullen…
cut 12 (09) “…over Sunday”
Gifts fo experience are growing in popularity.

The governor’s office announces Diversified Foods and Seasonings near Madisonville will spend 12-million dollars to expand and upgrade their manufacturing facility. The company will also add 44 jobs to their St. Tammany Parish plant, which makes the red beans sold at Popeyes.

President Donald Trump is warning the government could be shut down, starting at midnight, “for a very long time” if Congress does not include 5.7 billion dollars for a border wall in its end of the year spending bill. Senator Bill Cassidy says they had the votes for an extension to February 8^th, but…

Cut 3, 6 seconds, about it

A quarter of the government would close in the event of a shutdown, meaning furloughs for hundreds of thousands of federal workers, and mandatory, unpaid work time for those deemed “essential”.

Louisiana’s START K12 saving program has launched that now allows for funds to be used on the beneficiary in covering tuition related expenses between kindergarten and 12^th grade.  Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says he’s excited about the plan that could see parents use up to $10,000 annually on private school tuition.

Cut 10 (11)   “…college savings plan.”

A dispute over the use of inflatable dragons in a holiday display at a Mandeville home is garnering worldwide attention after going viral on social media.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

Bayou Country Super Fest is returning to Baton Rouge after two years in the Big Easy, with a report citing a one million dollar package of incentives offered for it’s return to the capital. The major country music festival will be held in Tiger Stadium in May for it’s 10^th anniversary celebration. The show is set for a two day Memorial Day weekend run. The lineup has yet to be announced.

Saints legend and ALS advocate Steve Gleason will be honored with the Congressional Gold Medal., Gleason played for the Saints from 2000 to 2007, memorably blocking a punt for a touchdown against the Falcons in the Saints first game back in the dome after Katrina. Senator Bill Cassidy says it’s the highest honor Congress can bestow.

Cut 4 (07) “…our country″
Louisiana personal income growth tanked in the third quarter, down to 2.3 percent, good for 48^th in the nation. That’s down from 4.8 and 6.6 percent in the second and first quarters respectively. Governor John Bel Edwards says we’re just now feeling the effects of the full tariffs. But Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says it’s more complicated than just the tariffs. While they hurt farmers, there was also a lot of nasty, heavy rains that hit just as harvest time had rolled around.

Cut 15 (10) “…plowed under”

Louisiana’s START K12 saving program has launched that now allows for funds to be used on the beneficiary in covering tuition-related expenses between kindergarten and 12^th grade.  Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says the idea stemmed from the college START saving program already in place and when the federal tax plan was done in Congress last year, a provision was put in saying those with a college savings plan can use the funds toward a tax break on tuition expenses for K through 12.
Cut 11 (11) “…they are born.”

A dispute over a holiday display in the front yard of a Mandeville home has taken over social media.  An anonymous note was sent to the home of Diana Rowland, saying her use of three inflatable dragons as decorations was inappropriate at Christmas and made her neighbors wonder if she was involved in a demonic cult.  While Rowland added two more dragons and has had offers for more, she insists she likely won’t be adding any more to the display.

Cut 9 (10)  “…over the top.”