A small Jefferson Davis Parish town is in a predicament, torn between their allegiance to the Bayou Bengals and a hometown football star. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

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LSU Astronomers predict an unusually bright star is set to join the night sky. Matt Doyle spoke with Professor Juhan Frank  (You-han Fronck) about the massive cosmic event…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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Saints QB Drew Brees is going undercover tonight on the season premiere of CBS’s Undercover Boss. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “… Kevin Barnhart” 

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If you drive through the small town of Jennings right now, you might feel as if you’re in an episode of the Twilight Zone because the town is split on which Tiger to pull for Monday. Seeing as the Clemson Tigers stand out running back Travis Etienne hails from the Jefferson Davis Parish town it’s understandable why some, like Jennings Mayor Henry Guinn, are conflicted.

Cut 4 (10) “…alama mater.”

Etienne graduated from Jennings High School in 2017 and will play for his second college football national championship on Monday. Guinn says they are extremely happy for the ACC Player of Year and it just worked out that Clemson is playing LSU for the Championship this year.

Cut 5 (11) “…anywhere else.”

Mayor Guinn says despite the city being split, the trash talk hasn’t gotten out of hand and the town supports their standout player no matter what.

Cut 6 (11) “…here in Jennings.”

His senior year at Jennings High School, Etienne rushed for 2,459 yards with 39 touchdowns.

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LSU Astronomers have predicted a massive cosmic explosion will provide stargazers something special to look at for a few weeks… in 2083.

Professor Juhan Frank says a white dwarf and a star three times the size of the sun are spiraling closer to one another 7,700 lightyears away, and it’s set to end with a bang.

Cut 7 (13) “…explosion.”

That explosion will leave the currently faint star, V Sagittae, as one of the brightest stars in the night sky.

And because it’s 7,700 light-years away…

Cut 8 (10) “…stone age.”

Frank says it’s a good thing it’s that far away. A similar explosion nearby would be catastrophic.

The Professor says the explosion, and the decades-long dance the two stars will do beforehand, are a fantastic educational opportunity.

Cut 9 (12) “…phenomenon”

The findings were first shared at the 235^th annual American Astronomical Society meeting in Hawaii.

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Walk On’s restaurants will be showcased on national television with the season premiere of Undercover Boss on CBS tonight.  Co-Founder Brandon Landry and investor Drew Brees will be disguised to work with the staff at some of the locations throughout the chain.  Landry says the CBS makeup team had a big challenge cloaking Brees.

Cut 10 (10) “…not get that.”

The episode was filmed last June.  Landry says Brees was only available for one day of production at the location near the Superdome, but Brees got plenty of work done that day.

Cut 11 (08) “…pretty special episode.”

Landry says they are holding watch parties at all 33 locations with food and drink specials, as well as giveaways.

Cut 12 (10) “…things like that.”

The episode airs tonight at 7.
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100 people, all Clemson and LSU alumni, coaches, and school personnel are getting together Saturday before the CFP Championship Game to help out the hungry.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana spokesperson Jay Vise says they just recently received two tons of rice courtesy of Falcon Rice of Crowley…

Cut 13 (11) “…kitchens.”

The rice will then be distributed across 23 southern Louisiana parishes.

Vise says they fully expect there to be a little competitive spirit Saturday as the teams try to out bag the other, but…

Cut 14 (12) “…volunteers”

Both LSU and the Clemson alumni associations have done this kind of volunteer work at previous bowl games, and Vise says they couldn’t wait to do it for the big dance.

Cut 15 (09) “…absolutely.”

They’ll be bagging the rice at Second Harvest Food Bank in Harahan.

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With Saints quarterback Drew Brees set to become a free agent in March, it’s a question mark on whether the soon to be 41-year-old will back with the Black and Gold next season. Coach Sean Payton would not give a definitive answer Tuesday, but he doesn’t see why Brees wouldn’t be his starting Q-B again next season

Cut 16  (25)  …as well 

2019 was a record-breaking season for Michael Thomas as he set the NFL record for most catches in a season. But some would say the Black and Gold have been lacking a second quality wide receiver target. Payton says they’ll look to address that in the offseason…

Cut 17  (25) “right player” 

The Saints have been one of the best teams in the NFL over the last three seasons, but they have not able to win a Super Bowl. Payton on making a run at a fourth straight postseason appearance

cut 18  (25) tournament”  

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After a couple of days off, LSU begins game week practices today for Monday night’s national championship matchup with Clemson. Tigers Center Lloyd Cushenberry says the time off gave them a chance to reflect a little bit on what they’ve done so far…

cut 19 (16)  come the 13th  

So far no one has been able to stop LSU’s record-breaking offense. But Clemson could provide the Tigers their toughest test as they are allowing just 12 points a game, which leads the nation. Clemson’s defensive coordinator is one of the best in the country in Brent Venables. Cushenberry expects a battle on Monday night

cut 20 (19) “  by the 13th   ”    

21-year-old Kentrell Baham is facing second degree murder charges in the fatal shooting of a Walmart employee last night in the Gentilly based store. New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson says the incident was ended by an officer working a detail…

Cut 4 (07) “…this business”

A second victim was hit in the foot.

Ricky Lincoln Sr. and Jr., a father-son duo out of Terrytown, were arrested for allegedly robbing and murdering an 82-year-old Gretna man outside the bar he worked at New Years Eve. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says the two were taken into custody and are now at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center.

Cut 10 (11) “…of that cellphone.”

Robert James was the victim.

Those wanting to be at the Superdome Monday night to cheer on the LSU Tigers in the CFP National Championship game will need to shell out some serious coin.  Stubhub spokesperson Adam Budelli says even the cheapest priced ticket to get into the game is currently $840. Budelli says compared to other years, this game is on pace to be one of the biggest selling National Championship games On StubHub.
Cut 14 (12) “…at Levi’s Stadium.”

Roughly 4000 tickets are currently up for grabs on Stubhub.

A federal law is now in effect banning the sale of tobacco and e-cig products to those under 21, but state law still allows those 18 and up to purchase, a situation that’s creating some confusion. Louisiana ATC Commissioner Juana Marine-Lombard says if you’re a retailer that is contemplating selling those products to someone 18-21, here’s the deal…

Cut 6 (10) “…law”

She adds there are now federal agencies actively enforcing that law.

The National Transportation Safety Board issues its preliminary report on the recent Lafayette plane crash that claimed five lives and injured four others.  There are no rulings, explanations or theories within the report that pointed to the cause of the plane crash.  A final report is not expected for at least another year.  Only one of the six passengers survived.

Monday’s clash between LSU and Clemson in the Superdome is proving to be a coveted ticket. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

New Orleans Police say 21-year-old Kentrell Baham faces a second-degree murder charge after fatally shooting a Walmart employee last night inside the store. A second victim was shot in the foot.  NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson describes what happened inside the Walmart located in Gentilly

Cut 3 (11) “expired”

Today the store is closed and grief counselors are available for employees.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s investigators have arrested a father and son duo for the New Year’s Eve robbery and murder of 82-year-old Robert James of Gretna.  The victim was taking out the trash at the Terrytown bar he worked at when the robbery occurred.  Sheriff Joe Lopinto says media coverage helped to get tips.

Cut 9 (09) “…persons of interest.”

There’s some confusion as to whether or not retailers can sell tobacco products to 18 year olds in Louisiana after a federal law raised the age to 21. Louisiana ATC Commissioner Juana Lombard says it’s legal under state law, but you could be busted by the feds for doing so, and she hopes we can get a more clarity from the FDA so retailers can know their rights…

Cut 8 (12) “…written.”

The lack of FDA guidance also leaves questions about potential exemptions for military members or others unclear.

New Orleans Police say 21-year-old Kentrell Baham faces a second-degree murder charge after fatally shooting a Walmart employee last night inside the store. NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson did not provide a motive on what led to the shooting

Cut 5 (12) “…harm”

A second victim was shot in the foot.

Those wanting to be at the Superdome Monday night to cheer on the LSU Tigers in the CFP National Championship game will need to shell out some serious coin.  Stubhub spokesperson Adam Budelli says even the cheapest priced ticket to get into the game is currently $840.

Cut 12 (08) “…a massive game.” 

Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s investigators have arrested a father and son duo for the New Year’s Eve robbery and murder of 82-year-old Robert James of Gretna. Sheriff Joe Lopinto was grateful for the public’s help in identifying the two.

Cut 11 (09) “…our detective bureau.”

The suspects, 40-year-old Ricky Lincoln Senior and 21-year-old Ricky Lincoln Junior were identified through surveillance footage and now face charges of second-degree murder, simple robbery, and obstruction of justice.

Federal law now bans the sale of tobacco and e-cig products to those under 21, but it’s still to sell to 18-year-olds under state law. Louisiana ATC Commissioner Juana Lombard says the disconnect stems from a lack of guidance from the FDA, who put the law into effect before answering key questions about how it would work.

Cut 7 (10) “immediately.”

The initial legislation signed by the President that made the change had a 180 day grace period, but for reasons unknown, the FDA put it into effect immediately.

21-year-old Kentrell Baham is facing second degree murder charges in the fatal shooting of a Walmart employee last night in the Gentilly based store. New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson says the incident was ended by an officer working a detail…

Cut 4 (07) “…this business”

A second victim was hit in the foot.

Ricky Lincoln Sr. and Jr., a father-son duo out of Terrytown, were arrested for allegedly robbing and murdering an 82-year-old Gretna man outside the bar he worked at New Years Eve. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says the two were taken into custody and are now at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center.

Cut 10 (11) “…of that cellphone.”

Robert James was the victim.

Those wanting to be at the Superdome Monday night to cheer on the LSU Tigers in the CFP National Championship game will need to shell out a lot of money. Stubhub spokesperson Adam Budelli says the get-in price has remained relatively flat, and is expected to either remain flat or see a rise closer to kickoff. Tickets have been purchased in Canada, the UK, and Australia and from over 20 different states domestically.

Cut 13 (07) “…state of Louisiana.”

it’ll cost you atleast 800 dollars to get in the door.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s investigators have arrested a father and son duo for the New Year’s Eve robbery and murder of 82-year-old Robert James of Gretna.  The victim was taking out the trash at the Terrytown bar he worked at when the robbery occurred.  Sheriff Joe Lopinto says media coverage helped to get tips.

Cut 9 (09) “…persons of interest.”

The C-D-C estimates that from October 1st to December 28th there have been six-point-four million flu cases nationwide and at least 29-hundred deaths. Louisiana Office of Public Health Assistant Secretary Doctor Alex Billioux says there’s still a long way to go in this flu season…

cut 12 (11) “…peak”

Billioux says a B flu strain made the rounds in the fall, now they are seeing more patients diagnosed with the A strain of the flu.

The federal age to buy tobacco and e-cig products was raised to 21, but the state age remains 18. Matt Doyle spoke with Louisiana ATC Commissioner Juana Lombard about the conflicting laws…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

A 25-year-old Darell Lamont Bell, of Shreveport has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for killing a man in a 2017 drive-by shooting. Bell was sentenced Monday on a charge of manslaughter. He had originally been charged with second-degree murder in the death but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge as part of a deal.  The victim, 18-year-old Kendarrius Henderson, was shot in the head while sitting in a car.

A federal law is now in effect banning the sale of tobacco and e-cig products to those under 21, but state law still allows those 18 and up to purchase, a situation that’s creating some confusion. Louisiana ATC Commissioner Juana Lombard says if you’re a retailer that is contemplating selling those products to someone 18-21, here’s the deal…

Cut 6 (10) “…law”

She adds there are now federal agencies actively enforcing that law.

Louisiana’s population declined by nearly 11,000 residents from 2018 to 2019 according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. Demographer Greg Rigamer says a lack of good-paying jobs is the number one factor driving people out of the state.

Cut 8 (11) “…difference.”

There are concerns Louisiana could see a second peak in the flu season sometime in late January/early February as cases continue to climb. Office of Public Health Assistant Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says if we do get hit with another peak, it’ll likely be because a new strain of flu is beginning to pick up steam in Louisiana.

Cut 10 (09) “…peak”

Whether we ever even left the first peak that began in late fall of 2019 is unknown, due to a lack of data resulting from a ransomware attack on state computers.

The DASH diet has been ranked as one of the top popular diets by US News and World Report. The diet was developed by researchers at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Chief of dietary assessment Catherine Champagne says the diet calls for people to eat more greens and berries…

Cut 14 (11) “…your cardiovascular risk.”