Amazon’s new policy of collecting sales tax in Louisiana has upset a lot of Louisiana residents, including Senator-elect John Kennedy. He says many state lawmakers are dancing at the Capitol because they’ll have more money to spend, at the expense of Louisiana taxpayers.
Cut 10 (07) “taxpayers pockets”
It’s estimated once the policy goes into effect on January 1, it will bring in an additional $30 million a year for Louisiana.

A major story in 2016 was the shooting death of Alton Sterling, a black man, who was killed after a confrontation with two white police officers. Governor John Bel Edwards says since then police departments have been asked to re-evaluate how they train officers…
cut 8 (10) “…law enforcement officers”

2016 was another hectic year for Louisiana politics. Lapolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the first interesting twist was when Republican Taylor Barras was elected as speaker of the House rather than Governor Edwards’ pick of Democrat Representative Walt Leger. Alford it’s the first time in modern history the governor did not hand select the speaker…

cut 4 (08) “…the house”

Alford says Edwards and House Republican leaders will likely continue to butt heads in 2017.

It’s been another warm day across Louisiana. But Robert Ricks with the National Weather Service says we’ll see a brief cool down later this week…
cut 14 (08) “…the weekend”
For motorists in south Louisiana, be prepared to see foggy conditions tonight into tomorrow morning and a dense fog advisory has been issued for the entire southern half of the state.

A Denham Springs woman has been arrested for allegedly selling fake driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. Denham Springs Police Chief Shannon Womack says the investigation began after an illegal alien was pulled over in a traffic stop on December 20th.
Cut 3 (10) “got it from”
Womack says he got it from 59-year-old Criselda Meraz and after executing a search warrant, she was found to be in possession of over 60 fake IDs.

Environmental groups are raising concerns about a proposed pipeline that would stretch from Calcasieu Parish to St. James Parish and through the Atchafalaya Basin. Director of the Bucket Brigade, Anne Rolfes, says running another pipeline through a senstitive area will negatively affect our drinking water and crawfish harvest…
cut 8 (06) “….stand up”
A public hearing on the pipeline’s application is set for January 12th.

A Houston man was arrested in Jefferson Davis Parish after a road rage incident where he pointed a hand gun at another driver. Chief Deputy Christopher Ivey says officers responded to a call reporting the incident and pulled over 29-year-old Michael Banks on I-10. He says Banks admitted to having a gun but denied pointing it at anyone…:
Cut 9 (10) “the weapon”
Banks was booked on drug and gun possession charges.

Cops in Denham Springs arrest a woman for allegedly selling fake drivers licenses to illegal immigrants. Police Chief Shannon Womack says an investigation led them to the business of 59-year-old Criselda Meraz.:
cut 4 (04) “driver’s licenses”
Womack says they also discovered material and equipment to make more fake IDs. Meraz’ charges include forgery.

The weather has been hard to keep up with lately in Louisiana. Halen Doughty has more on what we can expect in the coming days…
Cut 2 (26) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Jefferson Davis Sheriff’s Office says they’ve arrested a Houston man after he pointed a gun at another driver on I-10. Chief Deputy Chris Ivey says they also booked 29-year-old Michael Banks on drug possession charges after deputies found marijuana in a package that was wrapped like a Christmas present….
cut 11 (04) “…the month”
Ivey says Banks told deputies he was heading to New Orleans.

The Caddo Parish Coroner’s office has identified a body that was found in the Red River, south of the I-20 bridge. Authorities believe 51-year-old Shelton Audrees of Shreveport was in the water for several days, before a pedestrian spotted his body yesterday.

And the search continues for 75-year-old Howard Poche of Jeanerette. The elderly man has been missing since Christmas morning and foul play is suspected. Officials say blood and a bloody knife were found in his home.

2016 goes down as a rough year for Louisiana’s agriculture industry. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says producers had to deal with two significant flood events and low commodity prices.
cut 8 (12) “…our producers”
Guidry says making the recovery more difficult from the floods is that major crops like corn and soybeans are not going for a high price on the market. He says it’s important for producers to have good yields, because prices are not expected to rebound.

Authorities have identified the 57-year-old woman who was struck and killed by a train in DeSoto Parish on Christmas eve. Her name is Kimberly Anne Stonedale. She’s originally from New Orleans, but moved to Zwolle about a month ago. State Police say the woman walked on the tracks near a church and never looked up, even though the engineer said he sounded the horn.

Pointe Coupee Parish officials say a woman gave birth in a Wal Mart bathroom, then left the infant in a trash can. DCFS is reminding the public about Louisiana’s Safe Haven law which allows mothers to legally relinquish babies under 60 days old to designated facilities. Deputy Director Terri Ricks says the baby will pull through and that’s the positive here….:
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The mother, 34-year-old Kyandrea Thomas of Baker, is charged with attempted second degree murder.

Doctors are sending out warnings of Holiday Heart Syndrome; as more heart attacks are reported in the two weeks following Christmas than any other time of the year. Ochsner Medical Center Cardiologist Dr. Doug Mendoza, says know the early signs of a heart attack..:
CUT 5 (09) “sweating, nausea”
He says avoid high amounts of caffeine and alcohol.

According to the Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Office, Kyandrea Thomas was arrested on Christmas Eve, accused of giving birth in a New Roads Wal-Mart bathroom where she left her baby. Department of Children and Family Services Deputy Director Terri Ricks wants people to know about Louisiana’s Safe Haven law, because abandoning any child at a random location is a serious crime..:
Cut 10 (06) “it’s illegal”
She says under Safe Haven, anyone can legally bring a child up to 60 days old to an employee at a designated facility, and walk away.

A 14-year-old is recovering from a serious gunshot wound in Shreveport, while a 19-year-old has been booked on a charge of illegal use of a weapon. The shooting happened on Christmas Eve. Police say Jarrett Thigpen originally told authorities that someone broke into the home and shot the 14-year-old, but detectives later learned that several males were playing with a hand gun when it discharged and struck the victim.

2016 will be remembered as a tough year for the state’s ag industry. Don Molino has more…:
Voicer 1 (29) “I’m Don Molino”

The holidays are a great time for celebration, but it also can bring stress and heart related issues. With the new year coming, Ochsner Medical Center Cardiologist Dr. Doug Mendoza, is offering advice on how to get a healthier heart for the holidays..:
Cut 3 (10) “in depression”
He also says watch what you eat and don’t drink too much alcohol.

Following the case of a mother who left an infant in a Wal Mart trash can, the state is reminding the public about Louisiana’s Safe Haven law. Michelle Southern reports…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A family dispute led to the fatal shooting in Jefferson Davis Parish on Christmas Day. Lake Arthur Police say a fight over family property resulted in 41-year-old Ray Brister shooting his 41-year-old cousin, Shaft Francis, in the chest. Francis died at the scene and Brister was charged with manslaughter.

Health professionals say more people have heart attacks in December and January than at any other time of the year due to excessive alcohol, lack of exercise and food consumption. Ochsner Medical Center Cardiologist Doctor Doug Mendoza says increased fluid retention can occur with higher salt content in holiday foods and this can lead to shortness of breath…
cut 4 (10) “…heart attack”
Mendoza says don’t ignore symptoms that may indicate a heart attack—hospitals appreciate false alarms over mortalities.

The LSU Tigers resumed their preparations today for its matchup against Louisville in the Citrus Bowl. Stopping Heisman Trophy winner and Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson should be priority number one. Junior linebacker Donnie Alexander…
cut 15 (12) “…make a play”