Governor Edwards is in Washington DC today touting the success of the state’s new criminal justice reform effort.  Michelle Southern has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern.”

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Five years ago, a sinkhole formed in Bayou Corne resulting in the mandatory evacuation of 350 people. Emelie Gunn has more on a new documentary on the sinkhole’s impact

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Could the trick to losing weight be as close as your kitchen spice rack? The University of Michigan has found an essential oil in cinnamon that attacks fat cells.  Professor at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center Dr. Steven Heymsfield explains the effectiveness of the oil called cinnamaldehyde (cin-na-mal-duh-hide)….

Cut 3 (11) “develop diabetes.”

Heymsfield warns the results of this study are new and more is needed to say that taking cinnamon is the only treatment to combat diabetes…

Cut 4  (10) ” of it.” 

Heymsfield says with continued research, the medical community might be able to develop more potent cinnamon to be used for diabetic patients…

Cut 5  (11)  “something interesting.’”

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Governor John Bel Edwards participated in a criminal justice reform event organized by the Pew Charitable Trusts in Washington DC today.  The Edwards Administration helped passed ten new laws allowing for the early release of non-violent prisoners.  Nearly two-thousand were released last month.  Edwards says he kept his campaign promise to lower the jail population…

Cut 6 (07)  “of progress.”

The new legislation reduced sentences for non-violent offenders and expanded probation and parole opportunities.  Edwards says the cost savings from a lower incarceration rate will allow the state to spend more money on programs to reduce the risk of former prisoners reoffending…

Cut 7 (11)  “crime victim.” 

Senator John Kennedy responded to Edwards visit to Washington by saying the answer to criminal reform isn’t by releasing prisoners, but starts with those who are running the prison system by being above reproach…

Cut 8 (08) “and stealing.”

Kennedy says Edwards criminal justice reform effort isn’t working.  He cites some who were released under the new guidelines are already back in jail…

Cut 9 (10)  “at gunpoint.”

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State Police is investigating the death of a Slidell man whose vehicle was struck by a boat in St. James Parish. Trooper Jesse LaGrange says 20-year-old Jeremiah Allee of St. Amant was driving down LA 18 towing a boat and trailer. He says somehow the trailer detached, crossed the center line and hit 49-year-old David Burvant’s vehicle.

LaGrange reminds drivers towing anything behind a vehicle with a trailer, check and double check to make sure your connections are secure.

Cut 12 (11) “the trailer”

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In August of 2013, a sinkhole in Bayou Corne swallowed swamps and resulted in a mandatory evacuation of 350 residents. The salt mining company, Texas Brine, drilled through a salt dome, which created the sinkhole.  Five years later, film producer Victoria Greene released “The Forgotten Bayou”, a documentary on the lives of those impacted, Texas Brine, and scientists and government officials.

Cut 13 (11)  “the country”

The sinkhole spans over 40 acres in the northern part of Assumption Parish. Greene says “Forgotten Bayou” aired at the Vermillion Center in Lafayette last night and she has plans to host the film in other areas of the state in recent months. She says if there is one message to take away from the documentary it’s….

Cut 14 (11) “and drill”

Greene says she was not commissioned by the state, Texas Brine, or those affected to create her film. She says there was a culture and community to the people who lived in Bayou Corne and other than the 12 to 14 families that still live there, the rest are spread out around Louisiana and some into Mississippi.

Cut 15 (12) “just gone”

A Slidell man faces negligent homicide charges from a fatal hit and run in which investigators say he pulled the victim’s body from his windshield. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A suspect linked to the fatal shootings of four people in Zachary and East Feliciana is in custody. Michelle Southern reports one victim was an ex-girlfriend…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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State Police arrest a Slidell man after he allegedly hit a bicyclist, removed him from his windshield and left the scene.  Trooper Dustin Dwight says 48-year-old Larry Kellett struck 59-year-old Calvin Lefort Jr. of Slidell on US 190 Saturday night…

Cut 3 (08) “a ditch.”

It was fairly easy to find out where Kellett went.  Dwight says all they had to do was follow a fluid trail…

Cut 4  (09) ” negligent homicide.” 

After police found Kellett, Dwight says he offered a breath sample, which showed no alcohol in his system.  Dwight says they are still trying to find out why he left the scene, making more of a problem for himself…

Cut 5  (08)  “right now.’”

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Baton Rouge Police charge a 38-year-old man with cruelty to a juvenile after allegedly beating his son with a belt for getting suspended. Sgt. Don Coppola says Edward Humphrey dropped the child off at his mother’s workplace, who called police about her 11-year-old son’s injuries.

Cut 6 (09)  “upper back”

Coppola says earlier this month, Humphrey was sent to pick up his son from school after being suspended. He says that’s when Humphrey allegedly took the 11-year-old to the teacher’s lounge and whipped him with a belt.

Cut 7 (10)     the child” 

Coppola says it’s unknown if anyone witnessed Humphrey whipping the child, but the discipline went too far…

Cut 8 (10) “extreme injuries”

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State Police are looking for the driver of a pickup truck after a man riding in the bed of the truck, fell out and died in Winn Parish Sunday morning.   Master Trooper Scott Moreau says they believe they know the events leading up to the death of 21-year-old Hunter Thomisee of Montgomery…

Cut 9 (12)  “the scene.”

Troopers are still trying to determine how Thomisee fell out and why he was in the bed of the pickup.  Moreau says while they continue the investigation, they need the public’s help to find the vehicle and it’s driver…

Wisher also suggests avoiding online purchases while using a public wifi network.

Cut 12 (11) “more secure”

Wisher says be on the lookout for look-alike websites. She says there’s a scam out there called cybersquatting.

Cut 13 (06)  “copycat site”

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Authorities say a suspect linked to the fatal shootings of four people in Zachary and East Feliciana was arrested in Alabama. East Feliciana Sheriff Jeff Travis says they responded to a call Sunday around 5pm and located three people deceased inside a home. He says they established Ike Hamilton as the suspect…:

Cut 14 (11) “of Gerald Tate”

Zachary Police Chief David McDavid says they were called to a grocery store Sunday afternoon in reference to a fatal shooting. He says they responded and located the fourth victim, Chris Price, dead…:

Cut 15 (11) “Hamilton”

Hamilton is being charged with multiple counts of 2nd-degree murder. McDavid says they also learned that Hamilton’s mother, Belinda Folse, was responsible for taking her son to Alabama…:

Cut 16  (08)  “after the fact”

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month.  Many may not want to talk about end of life decisions, but experts say there is no better time.  Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The largest oyster reef of it’s kind will be constructed in Calcasieu Lake near Lake Charles.  Kelley Ray has more.

Cut 2 (32) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards voiced his frustration with the low voter turnout for the November 14^th election. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 3  (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”  

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National Hospice and Palliative Care President and CEO Edo Banach (Ban-ick) says about 50 percent of Louisiana Medicare decedents were enrolled in hospice at the time of death. Banach says although it may be difficult to discuss, the holiday season provides an opportunity to discuss advance care planning with loved ones…

Cut 4  (08) “wishes are”

Starting a conversation about a grim subject may be hard to get started.  Banach says remember you’re not talking about death itself, but end of life wishes, which everyone has to consider…

Cut 5  (10)  “wishes are”

Banach says every adult should complete an advance directive and appoint a health care proxy or else your end of life decisions will be taken out of your hands…

Cut 6 (11) “it yourself.”

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Construction begins today on a new oyster reef in Calcasieu Lake near Lake Charles. About 12,500 cubic yards of crushed limestone will be spread on the lake bottom to create 100 acres of artificial oyster reef. Assistant Secretary for Fisheries Patrick Banks says it will increase oyster and seafood production…

Cut 7 (09)  “and fin fish.”

Oyster reefs have been constructed in Calcasieu Lake since 1963.  They were smaller in size, anywhere from 18 to 59 acres. Banks says more money is allowing them to do a much larger project…

Cut 8 (09) “this year.” (2x)

Even though it will take a couple of years to have a fully developed oyster population, Banks says the reef will begin to offer rod and reel fisherman a new place to drop a line…

Cut 9 (11)  “reef structure.”

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On Governor John Bel Edwards’ monthly call in radio show, Ask the Governor, he voiced his frustration with the 13-percent turnout for the November 14^th election. Edwards says there were important elections like the state’s treasurer’s race, New Orleans mayoral runoff and a state representative seat in St. Tammany Parish.

Cut 10 (11)  “very small”

Edwards says everyone has the freedom to vote or not vote, but it’s something you would think residents would do. He says it’s more convenient than ever to vote with seven days of early voting, but still it seems there’s lower turnout than ever.

Cut 11 (09) “to vote”

Edwards says it’s likely voter apathy is keeping residents away from the polls. He says he’s worked with the Secretary of State’s Office to reduce the number of elections, but it doesn’t seem to be helping with turnout.

Cut 12 (06) “increase turnout”

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So now that the regular season is over for the LSU Tigers, what bowl game will they play in? Jerry Palm does bowl projections for CBS Sports and he expects the Tigers will be in Florida on New Year’s Day….

Cut 13 (07) “there again”

Palm says if LSU goes to the Outback Bowl, they’ll play a team from the Big 10…

Cut 14 (11) “committee game”

The bowl season in Louisiana begins with the R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on December 16th. Palm has La Tech versus Troy in that game. He has Southern Miss versus Florida State in the Independence Bowl on December 27th. And the Sugar Bowl is a semifinal contest in the College Football Playoff. Palm says the number one seed will likely be in New Orleans

Cut 15 (09)     number one”

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There was no happy ending in Los Angeles for the Saints, who had their eight-game winning streak snapped by the up and coming Rams. New Orleans had trouble getting its offense going and the defense missed its top two cornerbacks, who are injured. Coach Sean Payton says L-A was the better team in the 26-20 win…

Cut 16  (16)  “good enough”

The Saints were just 3-for-13 on third downs and running back Mark Ingram was held to just to 31 yards. Other than a 74-yard run by rookie Alvin Kamara, New Orleans offense didn’t do much. Payton says penalties made it difficult to sustain drives…

Cut 17 (16)  20 calls”

The loss drops the Saints record to 8-3 and into a first place tie with Carolina for first place in the NFC South. New Orleans and the Panthers meet this Sunday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Saints Quarterback Drew Brees on moving from this loss to a big divisional matchup….

Cut 18 (19) “meaningful game”