Governor-elect John Bel Edwards says he’s taking a break from the transition for a couple of days to spend Christmas with his family. He says they are gathering at his mothers home in Tangipahoa Parish tonight…:
CUT 10 (11) “gathering there”
Edwards says his transition teams have been busy since the election day working on solutions to improve transportation, education and health care..:
Cut 12 (09) “that opportunity”
Edwards takes office January 11th.

Meanwhile, Governor Bobby Jindal is sending out his Christmas wishes. In an email, Jindal says the last eight years of his life have been filled for unforgettable experiences that their family will cherish forever. He says Louisiana’s future is brighter than ever and it’s been an honor to serve the people of this state.

Candlelight services will be held across the state to celebrate Christmas and the State Fire Marshal’s Office is issuing guidelines to organizations who plan to utilize candles. Marshal Butch Browning says people need to understand that there’s a possibility for tragedy when using open flames in assemblies…:
cut 7 (11) “on fire (2x)”
Browning adds that candles should never be given to young children.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees says he is going to play this Sunday against the Jaguars for New Orleans’ last home game of the season. Brees has a torn plantar fascia in his right foot and he didn’t practice today, but he says he’s making progress everyday and he has ever intention to take the field in the Dome Sunday.

Over 150 soldiers with the Louisiana National Guard are home this Christmas Eve a after 10-month deployment overseas. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards says he’ll be taking a much needed break with family for the Christmas Holidays. He says he will spend a portion of the holiday reflecting on the huge challenge in front of him, one that he embraces…:
cut 11 (10) “priorities”
Edwards takes office January 11th.

PaPa Noel will have the way lit for him tonight along the Mississippi River in St. James Parish with the annual Bonfires on the Levee celebration. Parish President Timothy Roussel this is the perfect event to get families into the Christmas spirit…:
Cut 6 (09) “festive atmosphere”
He says the bonfires along the levee are truly a sight to see.

And you can keep track of where Santa is tonight thanks to The North American Aerospace Defense Command. This year NORAD has “Santa Cams” that will stream videos as St. Nick makes his way around the world. The website is noradsanta.org.

There were no jackpot winners for Wednesday’s massive Powerball drawing so the estimated prize for Saturday goes up to $255 million dollars. That’s a cash value of $158.4 million dollars.

A police officer in Covington was attacked by an owl during patrol early this morning, causing him to crash. Officer Lance Benjamin, who suffered minor scratches, said he ran off the road when an owl flew through the window of his unit. The Covington PD Facebook page has body cam footage.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards takes time from the transition to spend a couple of days celebrating Christmas. Don Molino has the story…:
Cut 2 (23) “I’m Don Molino”

The bonfires along the levee that light the way for PaPa Noel are lit every Christmas Eve in St. James Parish. Parish President Timothy Roussel says this is a time honored tradition…:
CUT 4 (08) “1800s”
For safety reasons, the structures are 15 feet tall instead of 20 feet, as in year’s past.

Expect a moment of silence before Sunday’s final home Saints game to remember Jerry Romig, who was the public address announcer for New Orleans for 44 years. Romig passed away yesterday at his home at the age of 86.

Many “candlelight services” will take place this Christmas and the State Fire Marshal’s Office is issuing guidelines to organizations who plan to utilize candles this season. Marshal Butch Browning says stationery candles should be on a strong base so that they don’t tip over in large crowds…:
cut 8 (08) “could burn”

Louisiana National Guard soldiers are returning home to their families today, just in time for Christmas. 1023rd Engineer Company were on a 10-month deployment overseas. Captain Ross Bethea says none of the soldiers from the 10-23rd were injured or killed during their deployment. He says the experience for everyone involved was tremendous…:
Cut 15 (10) “my life”

Although he knows he has a challenging year in front of him, Governor-elect John Bel Edwards is looking forward to spending some time with family this Christmas. Edwards says tonight his family will gather at his mother’s home in Tangipahoa Parish…

cut 10 (11) “gathering there”

Edwards says his contribution to Christmas dinner will be oyster soup.

In St. James Parish tonight its the annual Bonfires on the Levee celebration. If you plan on attending, it’s recommended that you get into the area before 6PM. St. James Parish President Timothy Roussel says, if you’ve never seen the bonfires before, it is a sight to see…

cut 5 (11) “at 7PM”

The fires are intended to light the way for Papa Noel.

It’s a timely gift for members of the Louisiana National Guard’s 1023rd Engineer Company, as the unit returns home today from a 10-month deployment. Ross Bethea is the Captain of the 10-23rd Engineer Company…

cut 13 (09) “get home”

Over 150 soldiers will arrive in Monroe this afternoon after spending much of 2015 in Kuwait.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is issuing guidelines to organizations who plan to utilize candles this Christmas during candlelight services. Marshal Butch Browning says it just takes one second for a flame to be dropped during a crowded ceremony and somebody’s clothes catch on fire…

cut 9 (10) “from that”

The National Fire Protection Association showed that in all 9,000 religious structure fires from 2007-2011, more than 350 were directly attributed to the use of candles.

Tonight, the annual Bonfires on the Levee celebration takes place in St. James Parish. Jeff Palermo reports…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

There were no jackpot winners in last night’s $227 million Powerball drawing. That means Saturday’s estimated jackpot moves to $255 million with a cash value of $158.4 million. You have until 9PM December 26th to purchase a ticket to get into Saturday night’s drawing.

Members of the Louisiana National Guard’s 1023rd Engineer Company returns home today from a 10-month deployment overseas. Captain Ross Bethea says none of the soldiers from the 10-23rd were injured or killed during their deployment. He says the experience for everyone involved was tremendous…

Cut 15 (10) “my life”

The soldiers will arrive in Monroe this afternoon.

Candlelight services will be held across the state to celebrate Christmas and the State Fire Marshal’s Office is issuing guidelines to organizations who plan to utilize candles. Marshal Butch Browning says people need to understand that there’s a possibility for tragedy when using open flames in assemblies…

cut 7 (11) “on fire (2x)”

Browning adds that candles should never be given to young children.

Over 150 soldiers with the Louisiana National Guard return today after a 10-month deployment overseas. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Zatarain’s is voluntarily recalling 8 ounce boxes of Red Beans and Rice Original due to it possibly containing undeclared dairy ingredients. In a release, the Gretna-based company says the boxes could contain Creamy Parmesan Rice Mix that contains dairy ingredients. The recalled product is stamped “best by July 31 16Z”. Zatarain’s says they have received no reports of illnesses or allergic reactions due to the mislabeled product.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards is looking forward to spending the next couple of days with family for the Christmas holiday, as he has a challenging year in front of him. Edwards says his transition teams have been busy since election day working on solutions to improve transportation, education and health care…

cut 12 (09) “that opportunity”

Edwards says his family will gather at his mother’s home in Tangipahoa Parish tonight.

Tonight is the annual Bonfires on the Levee celebration in St. James Parish. St. James Parish President Timothy Roussel says 133 structures will be set ablaze along the levee. He says this is the perfect event to get anyone into the Christmas spirit…

cut 6 (09) “festive atmosphere”

The fires are scheduled to be lit at 7PM to light the way for Papa Noel.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards takes time from the transition to spend a couple of days celebrating Christmas. Don Molino has the story…

cut 2 (23) “I’m Don Molino”

Longtime New Orleans Saints public address announcer Jerry Romig has died. He was the teams stadium announcer for an incredible 44 seasons beginning in 1969. Romig did cite health problems as one reason for his retirement in 2013. He was replaced in the announce booth by his son Mark. Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Jefferson. Visitation will start at 10AM with a funeral mass to follow. Romig was 86 years-old.

Over 150 soldiers of the Louisiana National Guard’s 1023rd Engineer Company will return today from a 10-month deployment, just in time for Christmas. Captain Ross Bethea says during the course of their deployment they helped strengthen facilities and living conditions for Kuwaiti and ally forces…

cut 14 (09) “wonderful”

The unit will arrive in Monroe this afternoon.

As many churches plan to hold “candlelight services” this Christmas, the State Fire Marshal’s Office is issuing guidelines to organizations who plan to utilize candles. Marshal Butch Browning says it just takes one second for a flame to be dropped during a crowded ceremony and somebody’s clothes catch on fire…

cut 9 (10) “from that”

Browning says there is a possibility for tragedy regarding the use of open flames in assemblies.

It’s a timely gift for members of the Louisiana National Guard’s 1023rd Engineer Company, as the unit returns today from a 10-month deployment. Over 150 soldiers will arrive in Monroe this afternoon after spending much of 2015 in Kuwait. Ross Bethea is the Captain of the 10-23rd Engineer Company…

cut 13 (09) “get home”

Betha says they also completed missions in Iraq, Jordan and Afghanistan.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards is looking forward to spending the next couple of days with family for the Christmas holiday. He says he will spend a portion of the holiday reflecting on the huge challenge in front of him, one that he embraces…

cut 11 (10) “priorities”

He says one of their family Christmas traditions is to watch the black-and-white version of “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

The annual Bonfires on the Levee celebration takes place tonight in St. James Parish. If you plan on heading to the celebration, it’s recommended that you get into the area before 6PM. St. James Parish President Timothy Roussel says, if you’ve never seen the bonfires before, it is a sight to see…

cut 5 (11) “at 7PM”

For safety reasons, the structures are 15 feet tall instead of 20 feet, as in year’s past.

Many “candlelight services” will take place this Christmas and the State Fire Marshal’s Office is issuing guidelines to organizations who plan to utilize candles this season. Marshal Butch Browning says stationery candles should be on a strong base so that they don’t tip over in large crowds…

cut 8 (08) “could burn”

Browning adds that candles should never be issued to young children.