2015 promises to be another interesting year in Louisiana politics. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
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Gas prices dropped yet another 2 cents overnight as the fast decline continues into the new year. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular now stands at $2.07 which is over 11 cents less than this time last week and down $1.08 from the start of last year.

Just over 20 new state laws went into effect with the start of the new year. That includes changes to Louisana’s DWI laws. Jefferson Parish assistant district attorney Norma Broussard says the changes will make it easier for everyone to understand the penalties of driving under the influence…:
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Another new state law prohibits smoking within 25 feet of an entrance to a state office building.

With a New Year underway, many people strive to live a healthier lifestyle and try to lose weight. Melissa Martin with the State Department of Health and Hospitals says in order to keep your New Years resolution you can start with keeping it simple and realistic…:
CUT 13 (12) “and convenient”
Martin says drinking water is very important to staying on track because the number one symptom of dehydration is hunger.

A busy year in politics is anticipated in 2015. We’ll have statewide elections and that means voters will choose a new governor. And current Governor Bobby Jindal is expected to announce he’s running for President this year. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s unclear how involved Jindal will be with state matters in his final year in office…
cut 6 (08) “….the budget’
Pinsonat says another story line to watch is the budget as lawmakers will once again have to deal with a revenue deficit.

Three people were killed on New Year’s eve night in a two-vehicle crash in Livingston Parish. State Police trooper Jared Sandifer says 24-year-old Trinity Kiger of Satsuma hit another vehicle near Walker, killing himself and two others inside the other vehicle….
cut 12 (05) “…not wearing the seatbelt”
The two victims in the other vehicle were a mother and daugther from Denham Springs.

Louisiana’s Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret is anticipating significant job growth in 2015. Scott Carwile has more…
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Sad Alabama fans are leaving Louisiana today. They watched the Crimson Tide lose last night in the Sugar Bowl as Ohio State pulled off the upset with a 42-35 victory in the Mercedes Benz Superdome. The win for the Buckeyes puts them in the national championship game against Oregon on January 12th. That game will be played in Dallas.

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret anticipates the state’s economy will experience significant job growth in 2015. Moret says in 2014, Louisiana announced dozens of company expansions or re-locations, which will result in 25-thousand new jobs…
cut 8 (10) “….nice growth”

If your New Year’s resolution is to live a healthier lifestyle, here are some tips. Emelie Gunn has more…
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Three people were killed in a New Year’s eve crash in Livingston Parish, including an 11-year-old girl. State Police trooper Jared Sandifer says alcohol is not suspected in the two-vehicle wreck that happened around 8:15 on Wednesday night near Walker…
cut 10 (11) “…another one”
The 11-year-old girl that died in the crash has been identified as Hannah Chisholm of Denham Springs.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office has arrested two men from Slidell for allegedly stealing 19 cases of commercial-grade fireworks. Authorities say the fireworks were intended to be used New Year’s eve night for a show in Bossier City. Detectives believe 22-year-old Marcus Stewart and 30-year-old Donald Armlin Junior stole the fireworks between December 23rd and 29th.

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret anticipates significant job growth in 2015 and beyond. Moret says the growth will also spread out among various industry sectors…
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For instance I-B-M is hiring eight-hundred workers for its new facility in Baton Rouge

A Denham Springs family is the mourning the loss of a 37-year-old mother and her 11-year-old daugther. They were killed in a two-vehicle wreck on New Year’s Eve in Livingston Parish. The crash also claimed the life of the other driver that was involved. State Police Troooper Jared Sandifer says the 11-year-old victim was in the rear middle seat, wearing a seatbelt, but the vehicle was equipped with a lap belt only…
cut 11 (10) “…option”
Sandifer says they do not believe alcohol played a role in this crash.

With statewide elections taking place this year and the possibility of Governor Bobby Jindal announcing a run for President, 2015 expects to be another wild year in Louisiana politics. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Republican US Senator David Vitter is the front-runner in the governor’s race, but there are other strong candidates…
cut 4 (12) “….uncertainty”
An announcement is expected early this year on whether Jindal will run for President.

If living a healthier lifestyle is one of your New Year’s Resolutions for 2015, Melissa Martin, director of the department of health and hospitals Well-Ahead initative, says their are apps on your smart phone that can help you stay accountable and aware of the decisions you make…
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2015 is expected to be another busy year in Louisiana politics. It’s anticipated Governor Bobby Jindal will announce that he’s running for President. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says that announcment could come sooner than originally planned, because of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush’s entrance into the race…
cut 5 (06) “….too far ahead”
Jindal is expected back in Iowa next week to meet with religious leaders.

Many people start the new year making a resolution to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle. Melissa Martin, director of the state department health and hospitals well-ahead program, says watching your alcohol consumption can make a difference when it comes to following through with your resolutions…
cut 15 (11) “…intake”
Martin says drinking water is also important, because staying hydrated helps curb hunger.

Louisiana’s Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret anticipates significant growth in 2015 as a result of the new projects they announced last year. Moret says a lot of that growth will occur in the high tech and the software development industry…
cut 7 (04) “…in Louisiana”
Moret says in 2014, Louisiana announced dozens of company expansions or relocations, which will result in 25-thousand new jobs.

Several new state laws went into effect with the new year. 16-year-olds can now register to vote, but they still can’t vote until their 18. You may have the option to get a sport university logo on your driver’s license. And smoking is now prohibited within 25 feet of an entrance to a state office building.

It’s January first, and today 21 states have officially raised the minimum wage, but Louisiana is not one of them. Critics of a higher wage say it forces some businesses to reduce their work force, But Tulane Business professor Mark Rosa says government can minimize the impact, by raising it slightly, or index it to inflation.
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The CDC is reporting the flu has now reached the epidemic level in the U.S. and the State Department of Health and Hospitals says its going to get worse before it gets better here in the Bayou State.
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Medical director for the immunization program, Dr. Frank Welch, who says get a flu shot.

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is now accepting applications to become a wildlife and fisheries field agent. Emelie Gunn has more…
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New Year’s Day has turned out to be a wet, dreary and chilly one for most of north and central Louisiana, keeping most people inside. For the rest of the state…
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That’s Marty Mayeaux, with the National Weather Service Office in Shreveport.

Even though the minimum wage is going up in 21 states today, here in Louisiana the minimum hourly wage stays at $7.25. But Tulane Business Professor Mark Rosa says with nearly half of the states acting on their own, it will spur more talk about raising the federal minimum wage
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Arkansas is one of the few states in the south that has raised the minimum wage.

If you’re looking for a new job in 2015, and you love the outdoors, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has some new openings for enforcement officials…
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That’s LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck.

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The Centers for Disease Control says the flu has now reached epidemic levels in the U.S. and here in Louisiana, DHH says its going to get worse before it gets better….
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Shreveport Police are asking for your help in locating a missing teen-ager who who reportedly ran away from home. Fifteen year-old Daigerria Morrow (who is 5 foot 4, and 110 pounds) has been missing since Christmas Day. If you have any information, call CrimeStoppers.

No winner last night for the $120 million Powerball jackpot, which means the prize goes to an estimated $131 million for Saturday’s drawing.

There were several crashes reported from New Years Eve, including a deadly two-car accident in Livingston Parish that killed the driver of one vehicle and two passengers in the other on Louisiana 447 South of I-12. State Police say one driver, 24 year-old Trinity Kiger of Satsuma died after striking another car in the opposite lane, driven my Ronald Chisolm of Denham Springs. His 37 year-old wife Shannon died, along with his 11 year-old daughter Hannah.

Health officials are saying the flu has now reached epidemic levels in the U.S. and DHH says its getting bad in Louisiana. Medical director for the immunization program, Dr. Frank Welch, says this year’s flu shot is not perfect, but it’s your best protection…
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He says right now, seven out of every 100 doctor visits in the state are for flu-like symptoms.
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2015 is off to a dreary start weather-wise in north Louisiana. Marty Mayeaux, with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says cold and rainy conditions will keep people inside….
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There’s also a good chance of rain in southwest Louisiana today and those rain chances increase across most of South Louisiana over the weekend.

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get a new job, The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is now accepting applications from those who are interested in becoming an enforcement agent.
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That’s LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says more information can be found on the state’s civil service website. He adds this is a great job if you love the outdoors.