2016 was a difficult year for Baton Rouge law enforcement. Emelie Gunn has more on their struggles…
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Not much is expected to change in Louisiana’s economy next year. Jeff Palermo has more…
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The baby that was found in a trashcan in New Roads will remain in state care, according to the Department of Children and Family Services. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”
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It was a trying year for law enforcement in Baton Rouge. East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says 2016 will be a year that he’ll never forget….
Gautreaux was sworn into office in 2007 and the worst day of his career came on July 17th when three law enforcement officers were killed and three more were injured by a gunman who set out to ambush first responders…
Gautreaux says he is proud with the way law enforcement handled the protests after the Alton Sterling shooting and the way the community came together to heal. He says Baton Rouge didn’t see riots, fires or overturned cars after the shooting of Sterling…
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Tiger fans are gearing up for the Citrus Bowl against the Louisville Cardinals. Vice President of Development for the LSU Alumni Association Rhett Butler says they’ll have a contingent of fans arriving in Orlando on Friday and that includes a large group of Tigers fans who live in Florida. Butler says there are several reasons why there is interest in this game.
Butler says fans traveling with the Alumni Association will be greeted with a tailgate party on Friday evening. He says the plan is to get everyone to Camping World Stadium in Orlando early in the morning for the 11 AM eastern time kickoff on Saturday
Butler expects fans who attend the game to get out and enjoy the festivities in the Orlando area to ring in 2017. He says a win at the Citrus Bowl will put everyone in high spirits for next football season.
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Louisiana’s economy isn’t expected to change much in 2017. LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott says some areas will continue to do better than others. Scott says Baton Rouge and Lake Charles have a number of industrial projects that will get underway next year, but oil-dependent areas won’t be so lucky.
Scott says for the offshore oil industry to pick back up, the price of oil will need to reach at least $60 a barrel and the price of crude is currently trading at $54. But he says companies that produce natural gas are doing well, because it’s cheaper here, than in other parts of the world. He says that’s why areas in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles could see more job growth next year.
One exciting prospect in 2017 for Louisiana is that Exxon Mobil and Saudi Basic Industries Corporation is considering building a petrochemical plant in either Louisiana or Texas. Sites in Ascension and St. James Parish are under consideration. Scott says this would be a huge get for the Bayou State.
cut 12 (08) “high paying job” 2x
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The Department of Children and Family Services says the baby who was discovered in a Walmart trashcan will remain in state care. DCFS Secretary Marketa (Mar-kee-tah) Garner Walters says baby Oliva will be placed in foster care for the time being, while they assess family members who could provide long term care for the child.
Walters says they are also trying to locate Olivia’s father. The child’s mother, 34-year-old Kyandrea Thomas, is incarcerated on a charge of attempted second degree murder, after she allegedly gave birth in the bathroom of the Walmart in New Roads and left the baby in a trashcan. Walters says in spite of her unconventional birth, baby Olivia is doing fine.
Walters says Olivia is still recovering in the hospital, and she’ll be placed in foster care once she’s released. She says sometime in the next 45 days or so, they will go to court again to decide on the next step for Olivia.
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The Saints will look to finish 2016 on a three-game winning streak as they close out the regular season on Sunday against Atlanta. Quarterback Drew Brees on the state of the team heading into week 17….
Cut 16 (20) “builds confidence”
A victory for New Orleans would mean they would avoid a third straight 7-and-9 season and Brees says finishing .500 is a big deal to this team…
Brees says even though the team has missed out on the playoffs for a third consecutive year, spirits are high around the team…