Based on records released by the Division of Administration the state paid out one-point-three million dollars since mid-2009 to settle sexual harrassment claims involving state officials and employees. There were 27 payouts ranging from 55-hundred dollars to 150-thousand dollars. University professors, judges, employees in the state prison system were among the ones accused in the settlement cases.

The Advocate reports LSU has paid Matt Canada one-point-seven million dollars as part of contract buyout to end his time as the Tigers offensive coordinator. Head Coach Ed Orgeron says the search is on for a new offensive coordinator and he says they are looking for a coach with a wealth of experience that’s committed to the vision of the program.

It’s a chilly start to the morning, but we’ll see high temperatures today in the mid to upper 50s. Rain is in the forecast for Sunday and Monday.

Since Christmas, Louisiana has seen 16 people die in home fires. That’s according to State Fire Marshal Butch Browning, who says many of the fires started because of misusing space heaters. He says some outlets can’t handle a space heater and another electricial item plugged into them…
cut 5 (12) “….connection fail”
Browning says space heaters should also not be plugged into an extension cord.

Louisiana’s U-S Senators strongly support President Donald Trump’s proposal to expand offshore drilling. Republican Bill Cassidy says for decades past administrations have handcuffed American energy manufacturers….
cut 6 (10) “…American jobs”
Environmental groups are raising concerns about the President’s proposal.

Republican U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says the Trump’s administration plan to expand offshore oil and gas production to areas currently restricted would mean hundreds of thousands jobs….
cut 7 (10) “…by 2035″
Cassidy says the job growth for Louisiana would be 31-thousand. But Democrats and environmental groups are pushing against the plan, because of possible negative impacts to the environment.

The state of Louisiana has paid one-point-three million dollars since mid-2009 to settle over two dozen sexual harassment claims. The allegations were made against college professors, judges and a former state lawmaker. A 150-thousand claim was against a New Orleans judge and 50-thousand dollars settled a claim against a Baton Rouge area lawmaker who resigned in 2013.

The frigid weather leaves the state this weekend and we can expect more seasonable temperatures for at least the next week. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this week’s run of very cold weather was not expected this winter….
cut 15 (10) “…anything but”
Keim says rain returns to the forecast on Sunday.

Saints fans are gearing up for Sunday’s big playoff game against Carolina. Pam Randazzo says her Black and Gold shop in Metairie has been seeing good business. Randazzo says there’s one particular jersey that’s in high demand…
cut 11 (12) “….get produced”
Kick-off on Sunday is at 3:40.

The Trump administration is proposing an end to the thirty year moratorium on offshore drilling in most of the country. Matt Doyle has more…
Voicer 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Sunday is the Saints first home playoff game in six years, and fans are keeping retailers busy by buying jerseys, banners, party plates, and everything else black and gold. Black and Gold Shop’s Pam Randazzo says the weather has also played role…
Cut 9 (06) “winter gear”

East Baton Rouge sheriff deputies arrested a 29-year-old man after he allegedly stabbed his wife of 12 years and three children with scissors. Sheriff’s office spokesperson Casey Rayborn Hicks says Dung Tran faces several charges…
Cut 14 (05) “child endangerment”
Hicks says Tran also stabbed himself and was arrested without incident. She says Tran confessed to the stabbing and admitted he tried to kill himself.

State wildlife and fisheries says we could see fish kills throughout coastal Lousiaina as a result of the artic blast that produced freezing water temperatures. Biologists say many fish that may have been killed by the freeze would still be on the bottom of water bodies and may not be visible for a week or more.

Tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot is 450-million dollars. And if you can’t buy your ticket before tonight’s 10:00 drawing, tomorrow night’s Powerball jackpot is worth an estimated 570-million dollars.

Three people were killed in a home fire in Baton Rouge this morning. Kelley Ray has more…
voicer 1 (30) “…Kelley Ray”

East Baton Rouge sheriff deputies arrested a 29-year-old man after he allegedly stabbed his wife and three children with scissors. Sheriff’s office spokesperson Casey Rayborn Hicks says the victims fled and told neighbors to call 9-1-1
Cut 12 (07) “non-life threatening”
The suspect is in police custody.

A state of emergency has been called in the city of Tallulah and Madison Parish because residents are without drinking water as a result of busting pipes from the cold weather. Local leaders anticipated that bottled water would arrive in Tallulah this afternoon and a water buffalo was also heading to the Tallulah Madison Community Center.

State Police is asking for the public’s help to find 17-year-old Teondre Wright, who escpaed from the Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe on Tuesday night. They believe he’s in the New Orleans and considered to be possibly armed and dangerous.

Who Dat nation is gearing up for the Saints first home playoff game in six years as Drew Brees and company will host Carolina on Sunday. Pam Randazzo at the Black and Gold Shop says they have customers coming in buying supplies for watch parties…
cut 10 (08) “..plates and hats”
Randazzo says their winter gear clothing has been a big seller this week.

State Fire Marshal Butch Browning is asking all residents to be extra careful with space heaters after another home fire in Baton Rouge killed three people early this morning….
cut 4 (10) “…space heater” (2x)
Browning says a space heater should not be plugged into an extension cord and it should be the only source of energy into an outlet. Browning says 16 people have died statewide in house fires since Christmas. Space heaters and no smoke detectors have been factors in most of these deaths.

According to the Associated Press, Governor John Bel Edwards and House Speaker Taylor Barras are set to meet on Monday to continue budget negotiations. Edwards has called for a January 19th deadline with House Republican leaders on a plan to address a looming one-billion dollar budget deficit.

President Donald Trump is proposing to open most U-S Coastal waters to oil and gas drilling. The plan is receiving criticism from Democrats and environmental groups who fear the expansion could lead to another disaster like the 2010 BP oil spill. But Republican U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says the concerns are unfounded…
cut 8 (11) “…for decades”
A coalition of coastal governors, including Florida’s Rick Scott, has requested an immediate meeting with Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke.

Saints fans are gearing up for Sunday’s big playoff game against Carolina on Sunday. Pam Randazzo says her Black and Gold shop in Metairie has been seeing good business. Randazzo says there’s one particular jersey that’s in high demand…
cut 11 (12) “….get produced”
Kick-off on Sunday is at 3:40.

A grandmother and two children were killed in a deadly home fire this morning in Baton Rouge. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says 16 people have died in home fires since Christmas. He says some outlets can’t handle a space heater and another electrical item plugged into them…
cut 5 (12) “…connection fail”
Browning says space heaters should also not be plugged into an extension cord.

East Baton Rouge sheriff deputies arrested a 29-year-old man after he allegedly stabbed his wife and three children with a knife. Sheriff’s office spokesperson Casey Rayborn Hicks says the victims were able to flee their attacker and get the neighbors to call 9-1-1
Cut 12 (07) “non-life threatening”
The suspect has been identified as Dung Van Tran and he’s in police custody.

Republican U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says the Trump’s administration plan to expand offshore oil and gas production to areas currently restricted would mean hundreds of thousands jobs….
cut 7 (10) “…by 2035”
Cassidy says the job growth for Louisiana would by 31-thousand. But Democrats and environmental groups are pushing against the plan, because of possible negative impacts to the environment.

Who Dat nation is gearing up for the Saints first home playoff game in six years as Drew Brees and company will host Carolina on Sunday. Pam Randazzo at the Black and Gold Shop says they have customers coming in buying supplies for watch parties…
cut 10 (08) “..plates and hats”
Randazzo says their winter gear clothing has been a big seller this week.

A mother and her three children have survived an attack by a man with a knife who stabbed the four victims and also turned the knife on himself. East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office spokesperson Casey Rayborn Hicks says they arrested 29-year-old Dung Van Tran…
cut 13 (06) “…knife on himself”
Hicks says all of the stabbing wounds are non-life threatening.

There’s been another fatal fire in Baton Rouge. Kelley Ray has more on the rash of deadly fires…
voicer 1 (30) “…Kelley Ray”

Louisiana’s U-S Senators strongly support President Donald Trump’s propoosal to expand offshore drilling. The Trump administration would like to see drilling occur from the Atlantic to the Artic oceans. Republican Bill Cassidy says for decades past administrations have handcuffed American energy manufacturers….
cut 6 (10) “…American jobs”
Cassidy says if more areas are open to oil and gas production, it will create 31-thousand jobs in Louisiana. Environmental groups are raising concerns about the President’s proposal.