The state Legislative Auditor’s office lists allegations in a report released this afternoon that provide evidence of possible illegal use of taxpayer dollars by retired State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson. The audit found that Edmonson’s family lived in a state-owned home without paying rent, had troopers running personal errands and used the Governor’s mansion dry cleaning service for free.

A grand jury began meeting today to look at the evidence collected in the suspected hazing death of LSU freshman Maxwell Gruver who died from alcohol poisioning. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says prosecutors may use a grand jury to get more information on a case….
cut 5 (07) “…of something”
Ten frat members are facing a charge of hazing and one of the accused is also charged with negligent homicide.

A prank that went awry in Iberville Parish caused a scare at the Math, Science and Arts Academy-West campus in Plaquemine when a snap chat picture of a student holding a semi-automatic rifle was altered to say kids should not to go to school. Sheriff Brett Stassi says the original photo shows a student wearing a bandana holding a rifle.
cut 6 (10) “…terrorism”
Stassi says they took the guns away from the student in the photo, but no charges have been filed.

The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over law enforcement campaign is underway. Doctor Katara Williams with the Lousiaina Highway Safety Commission says grant money is used so more law enforcement can be on the roads to conduct D-W-I checkpoints….
cut 14 (11) “…our roadways’

A grand jury began hearing evidence today in the suspected hazing death of 18-year-old Maxwell Gruver. He’s the LSU freshman who based on toxicology reports drank himself to death in September at the Phil Delta Theta house. Ten fraternity members face a charge of hazing and one of them has also been charged with negligent homicide. Loyola Univeristy Law Professor Dane Ciolino on why the District Attorney assembled a grand jury…
cut 4 (10) “…that decision”

The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is underway. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Katara Williams says there are ways to celebrate the holidays responsibly.
Cut 12 (10) “and celebrate

The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s office has confiscated an eighth-grader’s guns as a result of a threatening Instagram post. Sheriff Brett Stassi says the student admits to taking the picture, but did not write the text that had parents and law enforcement concerned. Stassi says the Math, Science and Arts Academy campus was open today, once they realized there was not a threat…
cut 8 (09) “…the school”
Stassi says this appears to be a prank that went awry.

Today is the last day to ship those Christmas packages using the U-S Post Office’s Ground service, if you want that present to get their by December 25th. U-S Poastal Service spokesperson Twana Barber says when you ship your gift, make sure it is sturdy…
cut 11 (12) “…doing so”

U-S Senator John Kennedy believes the Louisiana Department of Revenue should collect taxes from former State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson for “fringe benefts” he received while serving as a cabinet secretary. Kennedy says a yet to be released state audit has found Edmonson received taxpayer funded perks that include housing, cable TV, dry cleaning and meals.

Governor John Bel Edwards…
cut 10 (10) “…some degree”
The governor’s office also says why is Kennedy speaking up now about Colonel Edmonson’s benefits. Kennedy could have done so when he served as a state treasurer.

A parole hearing takes place today for a 71-year-old inmate who was convicted of fatally shooting a sheriff’s deputy when he was 17-years-old. A Supreme Court ruling paved the way for Henry Montgomery of Baton Rouge chance at freedom.

Louisiana ranks 49th in the United Health Foundation’s health rankings. Only Mississippi is worse. But United Health Care of Louisiana CEO Joe Ochipinti says obesity and premature death rates have decreased over the last year. Ochipinti says another good factor is the number of uninsured in Louisiana has seen a substantial decrease…
cut 5 (08) “….people coverage”
But he says Louisiana has seen an increase in cardiovascular deaths, with smoking a main factor.

A “Report Card on Efforts to Improve Financial Literacy in High Schools” gives Louisiana a “D”, down from a “B” grade two years ago. Minden Representative Gene Reynolds authored a 2016 law that requires financial literacy to be taught in high schools, but it appears some schools only teach personal finance as another existing course of study…
Cut 14 (04) “gets taught.”
Reynolds plans to discuss the issue with BESE.

U-S Senator John Kennedy believes former State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson owes the state back taxes, because of a yet to be released state audit discovered he lived rent free and used prisoners to cook, clean and walk his dog…..
cut 13 (12) “…pay them”
Governor John Bel Edwards says when the report from the auditor is final, he will address all findings. In the meantime, the governor says the state should continue to have confidence in the L-S-P….
cut 11 (11) “…difficult circumstances”
Edmonson retired in March after it was learned four state troopers had taxpayers fund a trip to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon.

Louisiana is near the bottom in state health rankings. Kelley Ray has more on the United Health Foundation’s report…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Cut 30 …students cheering”
That’s the reaction of students at T-M Landry College Preparatory after 16-year-old Ayrton Little of Breaux Bridge learned he was accepted to Harvard. The viral video shows Little and his classmates sitting around a computer and when he gets the notification, the room goes nuts.

U-S Senator John Kennedy believes former State Police leader Mike Edmonson owes the state back taxes for free housing and other benefits. Emelie Gunn has more…
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The parents of the LSU fraternity pledge who died during an alleged hazing incident appeared on A-B-C’s Good Morning America today. Maxwell Gruver’s mother, Rae, says she hopes her son’s death will force underage college students to not feel scared to call authorities immediately if someone has too much to drink.

A Tulane researcher has received a 414-thousand-dollar grant from the National Institutes of Health to study why males have more impulse control issues than females. Director of the Tulane University Brain Institute Jill Daniel says if they are able to determine why males are more vulnerable to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and addiction, it will lead to better treatment…
Cut 7 (05) “that behavior.”
She says their study will look at how the prefrontal cortex of the brain produces undesired behavior.

A report gives Louisiana a “D” grade on efforts to improve financial literacy in high schools. Minden Representative Gene Reynolds passed a law in 2016 on this subject and he plans to discuss with the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to make sure students are receiving adequate financial literacy education….
cut 16 (12) “…of the process”

U.S. Senator John Kennedy has sent a letter to the Department of Revenue urging the state to seek back tax payments from Mike Edmonson after an audit found he lived rent free for the nine years when he served as Superintendent of State Police. Kennedy says the audit shows Edmonson received over 400-thousand dollars of freebees.
Cut 12 (11) “all that”
The governor’s office says Kennedy is seeking headlines again and point out that he did nothing about Edmonson’s arrangement when he served as state treasurer.

CEO of the United Health Care of Lousiiana Joe Ochipinti says the state has seen a decrease in obesity, premature death rates and the number who are uninsured, but Louisiana still ranks 49th in their annual health rankings…
cut 6 (09) “…to see”
Ochipinti says this should serve as a call of action to make changes in our lifestyles.

A Tulane researcher has landed a 414-thousand dollar federal grant to study why males are more vulnerable to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and addiction. Director of the Tulane University Brain Institute Jill Daniel says their study will look at how the prefrontal cortex of the brain produces undesired behavior…
cut 8 (11) “…organized differently”
Daniel says if they can see how the brain produces more impulse control issues for males over females, it can lead to better treatment.

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke with House Republicans today about the state’s looming one-point-one billion dollar budget deficit. Edwards told conservative lawmakers he would like to close the budget gap by using the recommendations developed by a budget and tax task force
Cut 8 (10) “those recommendations.”
Edwards plans on calling a special session in February to address the so-called fiscal cliff.

State Police is trying to figure out who fired gunshots at the state Department of Transportation headquarters building in Baton Rouge. It’s located very close to the Governor’s mansion. Senior Trooper Bryan Lee says…
Cut 14 (08) “the incident”
Windows on the east side of the building received damage from the gunshots.

Autopsies will be conducted tomorrow on two bodies found in a St. Landry Parish lake. Jeff Palermo has more on this complex investigation…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A white man accused in two racially motivated murders in Baton Rouge pleaded not guilty today to all charges against him. Kenneth James Gleason allegedly fatally shot two black men in September and also fired shots into a home that was occupied by a black family. A trial date has not been set. Prosecutors can seek the death penalty in this case.