PM-Newscall December 24th, 2014

The Louisiana Department of Transportation has a few resources drivers can use to check on traffic and road conditions on Louisiana roadways for their holiday travel. Eric Gill has more…

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The North American Aerospace Defense Command has already started tracking Ole Saint Nick on his present delivering journey around the world. Michelle Southern reports…:

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Many Louisianians will be hitting the roadways to visit family and loved ones this Christmas. Louisiana Department of Transportation spokesman Rodney Mallett says there are many different resources drivers can use to check on traffic and road conditions on Louisiana roadways. He says you can plan your travel through their 511LA-dot-org website…

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Mallet says another resource for drivers is their “Way to Geaux” app, which is available for your smart phone. He says you won’t have to worry about constantly looking at your phone for information with this app…

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Mallett reminds motorists to be patient and courteous on the road this Christmas weekend as roadways will see increased traffic. He says drivers can also get up to date road conditions by paying attention to the message boards set up across the state…

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The North American Aerospace Defense Command has already started tracking Ole Saint Nick on his equipped present delivering journey around the world. NORAD spokeswoman Major Beth Smith says making sure the skies are safe is part of their mission and they began tracking Santa in 1955 when a number for the jolly guy was misprinted in the media and instead kids were calling their center

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Smith says the reindeer journey looks smooth so far and they don’t anticipate there being any disturbances in St. Nick’s path this year. She says the NORAD military command is well equipped to track anything that travels in the sky including Santa…:

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Smith says trackers can call 1-877-Hi-NORAD to inquire about Santa’s whereabouts or go to www.noradsanta.org. She says he should be arriving in Louisiana sometime tonight likely between 10 and midnight and he does know when you’re sleeping and when you’re awake…:

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Today on Christmas Eve by far one of the most sought after items here at the VERY last minute is a gift card. Tucker Group Financial Educator Jeanette Tucker it’s best not to rush your decision because you want to make sure you’re getting a card that will actually be used by the person you’re buying it for…:

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Tucker says it’s always better to purchase your card directly from the vendor rather than from a rack at a grocery store. She says sometimes those cards can be drained fraudulently then returned to the rack…:

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Tucker says you should make sure the gift card is valid for 5 years and has a number on the back so consumers can call and check the balance. She says if you get a gift card for Christmas, use it up…:

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is offering up to a $7,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the illegal killing of a black bear found in Avoyelles Parish. Spokesman Adam Einck says they were first contacted about the incident on December 5th…

cut 12 (09) “they really need”

Authorities say the bear was shot with a bullet that went through the abdomen and was dead for over a week before it was found. An examination of the 70 pound bear suggests the animal was a juvenile. Einck says anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to call their Operation Game Thief hotline… (1-800-442-2511)

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The bear was found in the woods in the Lake Ophelia National Wildlife Refuge. Einck says the LDWF is working to raise the black bear population in Louisiana. He says those efforts are increasing the hunter-black bear contacts in the wild…

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