An Independence Police Officer has been arrested for stealing money from non-English speaking men during traffic stops. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (27)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Louisiana’s budget problems are worse than previously thought. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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LSU running back Leonard Fournette put on an impressive performance in the Tigers 56-27 win over Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl. The sophomore from New Orleans rushed for 212 yards and scored five touchdowns. Coach Les Miles is not surprised by Fournette’s showing

CUT 3 (10)  “special back”

Fournette finished 47 yards away from eclipsing 2,000 rushing yards on the season. The win gives LSU a 9-3 record for 2015. Miles hopes the victory over the Red Raiders is the sign of things to come in 2016

CUT 4 (12)  “bountiful way”

Will Kevin Steele return as LSU’s defensive coordinator in 2016. There’s reports he may take the same job at Auburn. It’s also being reported that LSU is working to keep Steele in Baton Rouge. Miles is impressed with what Steele did last night as LSU’s defense produced six sacks

CUT 5 (08)  “certain things”

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The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office has charged a Labadieville teenager with negligent homicide in an accidental shooting death. Sheriff Mike Waguespak says 18-year-old Jamal Starks and several friends were playing with a handgun when it discharged, shooting 17-year-old Dronald Washington in the head. Waguespack says they originally investigated the incident as a self-inflicted shooting…

CUT 6 (10) “next to him”

He says their investigation determined that Starks was handling the gun when it went off, striking Washington. Waguespack says it is now up to a grand jury to determine how they will move forward with this case…

CUT 7 (05) “all around” 

Bail for Starks has been set at $125,000. Waguespack says this is a prime example of why no one should ever play with guns…

CUT 8 (06) “killed his friend”

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An Independence Police Officer is now behind bars after he allegedly used his position to steal currency from non-English speaking Hispanic males during traffic stops. State Police spokesperson Dustin Dwight says 25-year-old Laquinton Banks is facing several charges

CUT 9 (08)  “1,600 dollars”

Banks served on the Independence Police Department for five months prior to his arrest. Dwight says Banks was arrested for three felony charges, theft, malfeasance in office and a hate crime.

cut 10 (06)  “hate crime”

Dwight says the investigation is on-going and urges any other victims out there to contact Louisiana State Police.

Cut 11 (08) “any allegation”

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The state’s fiscal situation is worse than previously thought. Jay Dardenne, who is the budget architect for Governor-elect John Bel Edwards, says the revenue shortfall for this fiscal year has grown to 750-million dollars, thanks to a drop in oil prices and a slump in collections from sales taxes and corporate income taxes

cut 12 (08) “calendar year”

Dardenne says these factors push the state’s budget shortfall for next fiscal year an additional 600-million dollars to 1-point-9 billion dollars. Dardenne says the state’s fiscal outlook is more dire than they thought and hard work is needed to resolve…

cut 13 (12)  “year to year”

Edwards plans to call a special session after he’s sworn in on January 11th to address the state’s budget problems. Dardenne says tax increases could be needed, but they’ve yet come up with a plan to propose to lawmakers

cut 14 (05)  “answers today” 

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Tonight, the annual Bonfires on the Levee celebration takes place in St. James Parish.  Jeff Palermo reports…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Governor-elect John Bel Edwards takes time from the transition to spend a couple of days celebrating Christmas. Don Molino has the story…

Cut 2 (23) “I’m Don Molino”

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Over 150 soldiers with the Louisiana National Guard return today after 10-month deployment overseas. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Tonight, the annual Bonfires on the Levee celebration takes place in St. James Parish. The fires are scheduled to be lit at 7PM to light the way for Papa Noel. St. James Parish President Timothy Roussel says the lighting of the bonfires is a big deal because it’s tradition…

cut 4  (08)  “1800s”

He says thousands of people will descend on the area for tonight’s festivities. If you plan on heading to the Bonfires on the Levee celebration, it’s recommended that you get into the area before 6PM. Roussel says, if you’ve never seen the bonfires before, it is a sight to see…

Cut 5  (11)  “at 7PM”

He says 133 structures will be set ablaze along the levee tonight. For safety reasons, the structures are 15 feet tall instead of 20 feet, as in year’s past.  Roussel says this is the perfect event to get anyone into the Christmas spirit…

Cut 6 (09)  “festive atmosphere”

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Many religious fellowships throughout the state will engage in “candlelight services” this Christmas, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office is issuing guidelines to organizations who plan to utilize candles this season. Marshal Butch Browning says folks need to understand that there’s a possibility for tragedy regarding the use of open flames in assemblies..:

CUT 7 (11)  “on fire (2x)”

The National Fire Protection Association showed that in all 9,000 religious structure fires from 2007-2011, more than 350 were directly attributed to the use of candles. Browning says stationary candles should be on a strong base so that they don’t tip over in large crowds…:

Cut 8  (08)  “could burn”

Browning says candles should never be issued to young children. He says it just takes one second for a flame to be dropped during a crowded ceremony and somebody’s clothes catch on fire…:

Cut 9 (10)  “from that”

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Governor-elect John Bel Edwards knows he has a challenging year in front of him, but he’s looking forward to spending the next couple of days with family for the Christmas holiday. Edwards says his family gathering at his mother’s home in Tangipahoa Parish tonight…

Cut 10 (11) “gathering there” 

Edwards says his contribution to the Christmas dinner is oyster soup. He says another family tradition is to watch the black-and-white version of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” He says he’ll also spend the Christmas holiday reflecting on the huge challenge in front of him, one that he embraces

cut 11 (10) “priorities”

Edwards says his transition teams have been busy since the election day working on solutions to improve transportation, education and health care…

Cut 12 (09) “that opportunity”

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It’s a timely gift for members of the Louisiana National Guard’s 1023rd Engineer Company, as the unit returns today from a 10-month deployment. Over 150 soldiers will arrive in Monroe this afternoon after spending much of 2015 in Kuwait. Ross Bethea is the Captain of the 10-23rd Engineer Company

Cut 13 (09)  “get home”

Betha says they also completed missions in Iraq, Jordan and Afghanistan. He says during the course of their deployment they helped strengthen facilities and living conditions for Kuwaiti and ally forces

Cut 14 (09) “wonderful”

Betha says none of the soldiers from the 10-23rd were injured or killed during their deployment. He says the experience for everyone involved was tremendous…

Cut 15  (10) “my life”

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Three people are dead and three others injured after a train collided with a car in New Iberia. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (29)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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If you still haven’t cleared out your Christmas list, experts say gift cards are always a huge hit with last minute shoppers. Jeff Palermo reports…:

CUT 2 (29)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Tonight’s Powerball prize is the second largest Christmastime jackpot the multi-state game has had in over 10 years, according to the Louisiana Lottery. Spokeswoman Kimberly Chopin says tonight’s drawing is worth an estimated $227 million dollars. She says on Christmas day in 2002, the jackpot was $280 million…

CUT 3 (10)  “record yet”

The jackpot tonight has an estimated cash value of $141 million dollars. Chopin says since 2009, of the Holiday jackpots that were over $100 million dollars, 5 of them were hit during the Christmas drawing…

CUT 4 (10)  “millionaire”

She says you must purchase your Powerball ticket before 9PM to get into tonight’s drawing. Chopin says you often find larger jackpots around Christmas because more people tend to purchase lottery during the holiday season. She feels there are a couple of reasons for that…

CUT 5 (11)  “kind of gift”

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Three people are dead and three others injured after a train collided with a car in New Iberia. State Police Master Trooper Brooks David says the vehicle was stopped on the tracks and the train was unable to avoid the crash. He says three occupants of the car were pronounced dead at the scene…

CUT 6 (09) “critical condition”

He says the 70-year-old victim is identified as Phyllis Leblanc of New Iberia. The names of the two minors killed have not been released. At last report, the three injured were listed in critical condition. David says they are working to determine why the car was stopped on the tracks. He says investigators did speak to witnesses…

CUT 7 (08) “functioning properly” 

David says the warning devices at the crossing were working properly at the time. He says they believe the car came to a stop on the tracks either before or while the lights and crossing gates were activated. David says a tragedy like this is heartbreaking for the family, especially at this time of year…

CUT 8 (07) “out to them”

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The flu bug has been quiet this holiday season. According to the CDC’s latest flu count, South Carolina is the only state showing significant flu activity. Over the last three years, doctor offices were very busy with flu cases prior to Christmas. CDC medical officer Fiona Havers says eventually the flu bug will start to spread…

CUT 9 (04)  “pretty soon”

Havers says the slow start to influenza activity gives people more time to get a flu shot, if they haven’t received one already..

cut 10 (11)  “now”

Experts are not sure why previous flu seasons started prior to Christmas. Havers says they do know that this year’s vaccine protects you better from the various flu strains that are going around

Cut 11 (10) “vaccine”

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If you still haven’t cleared out your Christmas list, experts say gift cards are always a huge hit with last minute shoppers. More consumers than ever before will purchase gift cards this holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation. LSU Assistant Professor of Marketing Dan Rice says gift cards are more appropriate than some people think…:

cut 12 (10) “type of gift”

The NRF says gift cards are the most-requested gift for the 8th year in a row. Rice says gift cards let the giver feel like they’ve put some effort into which one to select that would fit their friends and relatives passions…:

cut 13 (10)  “Best Buy”

CardHub’s list of the most popular choices this year include Visa gift cards, Amazon and American Express. Starbucks loaded $5.1 billion dollars onto cards between October 2014 and September 2015, according to the company. Rice says cash is becoming more taboo,as gifters and giftees feel it’s far too impersonal…:

cut 14 (07)  “at one point” 

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