AM Newscall, December 25th, 2017

It’s a chilly Christmas Day in Louisiana. Don Molino chats with State Climatologist Barry Keim…:

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An analysis finds upgrading National Parks in Louisiana could create 110 jobs.  Matt Doyle talked with the Pew Charitable Trusts about what it would mean for the parks and the economy…

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It’s a chilly Christmas Day in Louisiana, as State Climatologist Barry Keim says there is a light freeze across northern parishes, and temps in the 30s across most of the state. He says the high this December 25th will only get to the low 40s to mid 50s…:

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Keim says it’s also very breezy out today with this cold air that’s filtering in from Canada…:

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Keim says while it may become milder late next week, another chill down is expected for the last weekend of 2017. But in the meantime it’s going to be cold like this for the next several days…:

Cut 5  (08)  “across Louisiana”

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An analysis commissioned by the Pew Charitable Trusts shows that investing in national parks in Louisiana could create over 110 new jobs.  Eight sites in the Bayou State that would benefit.  Director of the Restore America Parks Campaign, Marsha Argust, says most of the work needs to be done on permanent structures in these parks…

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Argust says the analysis shows there would be several job skills that would be needed to make the parks safer and positively impact visitor access…

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The National Park System passed an important milestone celebrating their 100th anniversary last year.  Argust says it’s sad that many of the parks are showing their age, since there hasn’t been a complete rehabilitation of the sites in over 60 years.  Declining financial support has been a problem…

Cut 8 (12) “those assets.”

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ December Aerial Waterfowl Survey shows a major migration of birds, over three million compared to just over one a half million last month.  Waterfowl Program Manager Larry Reynolds says the increase may not be so good for hunters…

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The extremes in weather in Louisiana this past month with temperatures approaching 80 degrees and then a freak snowstorm that dumped as much as six inches in Southeast Louisiana had an effect on the waterfowl population.  Reynolds says it makes ducks more migratory than usual…

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Typically, waterfowl enjoy the mild Louisiana weather.  He says if the weather levels out, ducks will remain for quite a while…

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Duck hunting season will go on through mid January in the coastal areas of Louisiana…

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As we’re all celebrating this morning and unwrapping presents with family and friends, there are many Louisianians overseas who can’t be home this Christmas. These service members are sending a big “Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,” back home to their kin in The Bayou State…:

Soldiers from the across the state, like these, are sending love to The Bayou State this Christmas…:

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These military members send holiday greetings home to Louisiana…:

Cut 14 (23) “while I’m here”

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