16:45 LRN Sportscast December 22

Tonight in the Maravich Center, the LSU men’s basketball team goes after its third straight victory as they host American University, which has a two and eight record. The Tigers are coming off a 100-77 win over Oral Roberts. Keith Hornsby is averaging nearly 20 points a game since he returned three games ago from a knee injury.

In other action tonight…Louisiana Tech is at Florida Gulf Coast. The Bulldogs are 9-2 and led by Alex Hamilton and Erik McCree, who each are averaging 17 points a game.

McNeese State is at UCLA and earlier today…Nicholls State beat Hampton 84-81. The Colonels were led by Ja’Dante Frye who had 21 points, while T-J Carpenter added 19 points.

Last night…UL Lafayette beat UNO 79-69 to improve to 4-0 at home. Georgia Tech thumped Southeastern Louisiana 75-62 and the Lady Tigers lost to top ranked UCONN 86-40.

The Saints were off today following their 35-27 loss to Detroit. New Orleans dropped to 5-9 on the season. Quarterback Drew Brees reportedly had an MRI on his foot, which he injured in last night’s game. The resultsare not known. The Saints host the Jaguars this Sunday at 3:05.

LSU is ranked seventh by Collegiate Baseball in the first preseason poll. Their incoming recruiting class is also ranked as the seventh best. Coach Paul Mainieri says they’ll count on a couple of those players right away…
cut 18 (17) “….our league”
UL Lafayette is ranked sixth in the Collegiate Baseball preseason poll, the highest ever ranking to start a season for the Cajuns, who return most of their players from the team that reached the super regionals last season.

LRN PM Newcall December 22nd updated

Now that Blue Bell ice cream has returned to store shelves in Louisiana, can people trust that the product is safe to eat? Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (29)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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An investigation is underway into the shooting death of a 32-year-old man  by a sheriff’s deputy. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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State Police say a shooting involving deputies from the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office has left one man dead. Master Trooper Brooks David says LSP was contacted by the sheriff’s office last night about the shooting near Breaux Bridge…

CUT 3 (10)  “shot was fired”

He confirms that St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s deputies were involved, at least one shot was fired, and one person is dead. David says this is an active investigation and information is limited at this time…

CUT 4 (05)  “last night”

The man shot by deputies has been identified as 32-year-old Michael Noel of Breaux Bridge. David says it’s unclear why deputies were called to the residence, but that part of the investigation will be handled by the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office…

CUT 5 (09)  “by St. Martin”

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A 19-year-old was found on the side of the road dead from multiple gunshot wounds in Jennings. Deputy Chief Danny Semmes says Trey Gant of Jennings was rushed to a local hospital after they arrived on the scene around 11:30 last night…

CUT 6 (09) “to his injuries”

Semmes says they are searching for 29-year-old Thomas Segura, but he’s not considered a suspect just yet

CUT 7 (11) “person of interest” 

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A Prarieville man succumbed to his injuries at a hospital after being shot in a Baton Rouge strip mall parking lot, and authorities are searching for the suspects. BRPD Lt. Jonny Dunnam says they were called to the scene after receiving reports that a black SUV had driven through a fence between the parking lot and College Dr. before crashing into a truck in the road:

CUT 8 (10) “medical attention”

BRPD identified the victim as 27-year-old George Reusch (Rowsh) Jr. and, according to friends on Facebook, he leaves behind a fiance and 7-month-old baby. Dunnam says a motive for the shooting or possible suspects are unknown at this time. He says investigators spoke to several witnesses at the scene…:

CUT 9 (08)  “on foot”

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Now that Blue Bell ice cream has returned to store shelves in Louisiana, can people trust that the product is safe to eat? The company was forced to take their ice cream off the shelves last spring due to a listeria outbreak which resulted in three deaths. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Diseases Professor Dr. Fred Lopez says the FDA has taken steps to decrease the likelihood of something like this happening in the future…

cut 10 (11)  “safety measures”

Lopez says, in light of these new rules by the FDA, he believes food safety has improved as a whole. He says, from a safety standpoint, it’s probably safer now to eat Blue Bell than any time ever…

Cut 11 (11) “ever happening”

He says information on what Blue Bell has done to upgrade procedures and employee training is on their website. Lopez says he would feel absolutely safe eating Blue Bell. He says they have even added an additional step to their process to ensure safety…

cut 12 (09) “ice cream”

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There’s only a couple of more shopping days left before Christmas and stores are advertising deep discounts to help consumers purchase those last minute gifts. Tulane marketing professor Harish Sujan warns against buying items, just because it’s 50-percent off

cut 13 (10)  “regret this”

Sujan says if you’re still looking for a gift for a person or loved one, don’t purchase an item just because it’s on sale…

cut 14 (08)  “for them” 

There’s been reports that retailers are having trouble moving winter clothes, because of the warm temperatures outside. Sujan imagines that some of your biggest sales involve winter clothing…

cut 15 (05)  “they can”

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11:40 LRN Sportscast December 22nd

The Saints are now 5-9 on the season after losing to the Detroit Lions 35-27 on Monday night football. New Orleans played an ugly first half and found themselves down 21-3 at halftime. New Orleans made it a game in the second half, as Drew Brees threw three touchdown passes. But the Saints defense was just not good enough again. They allowed the league’s worst rushing attack to rush for 150 yards and Lions QB Matthew Stafford completed 22 of 25 passes for 254 yards and three touchdowns.

Saints Hall of Fame linebacker Rickey Jackson has told a New Orleans TV station that he is recovering from prostate cancer. Jackson says he’s doing ok and is now cancer free. He had 128 sacks during his hall of fame career.

In recruiting news…Parkway quarterback Keondre Wudtee has reportedly de-committed from Louisiana Tech. Wudtee tweeted over the weekend that he received an offer from Oklahoma State.

In the first college baseball preseason poll, LSU is ranked seventh, one spot behind UL Lafayette. The Tigers beat the Cajuns in the super regionals last year to advance to the College World Series. The Tigers return one of the top pitchers in the country in Alex Lange. Coach Paul Mainieri says he’s excited that Lange and veteran left hander Jared Poche will anchor their pitching staff in 2016…
cut 17 (12) “…kind of a let down”
LSU’s first game is February 19th against Cincinnati.

In college basketball last night…UL Lafayette defeated UNO 79-69. Georgia Tech topped Southeastern Louisiana 75-62 and Southern upended North Carolina Central 68-63. Tonight…LSU hosts American University. Louisiana Tech is at Florida Gulf Coast and McNeese State is at UCLA.

LRN AM Newscall December 22nd

Today is the first full day of winter. Don Molino has more on what you can expect weather-wise this season…

CUT 1 (23) “I’m Don Molino”

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Fewer people are choosing to hook up costly broadband to their homes for internet and are instead only using their smartphones. Jeff Palermo reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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An alcoholic version of the famous Abita Root Beer is hitting stores this week. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Today is the first full day of winter. Winter officially began at 10:49PM last night with the winter solstice. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the seasonal forecast is kind of gloomy…

cut 4  (06)  “an El Nino”

He says this winter will bring cooler and wetter than normal conditions to Louisiana. Keim says, despite a forecast for cooler temperatures, you shouldn’t expect a lot of freezes across Louisiana this winter…

Cut 5  (10)  “months or so”

He says those who enjoy the cold during this time of year will be disappointed for much of the season. Keim says El Nino will keep many arctic air intrusions into Louisiana at bay, but not all of them…

Cut 6 (06)  “less than normal”

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Fewer people are choosing to hook up costly broadband to their homes for internet and are instead only using their smartphones. That’s according to a recent study by the Pew Research Center on home broadband adoption between 2013-2015. Senior Researcher John Horrigan says, today, 67% of Americans have broadband at home…:

CUT 7 (10)  “couple of years”

Horrigan says while fewer people are getting internet for their homes, more consumers are becoming “smartphone only” — mainly because residential broadband service is becoming more expensive. He says smartphone only people rely solely on their cellular devices for online access…:

Cut 8  (09)  “2015”

Horrigan says they are seeing this happening mostly among low income Americans, but they also found a number of incidents of this pattern among lower-middle income users…:

Cut 9 (10) “as well”

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Governor elect John Bel Edwards is taking steps so low-income adults do not lose food stamp benefits in January. The Jindal administration took action to prevent certain able bodied adults from receiving food stamps. But Julie Baxter Payer, spokesperson for Governor-elect Edwards, says he will seek to remove the work requirement, so an estimated 31-thousand adults can still access food stamps

Cut 10 (08) “that back” 

Payer says Edwards wants to provide food stamp benefits for abled bodied adults for at least one-year, until they improve state worker training programs. She says until that time, these individuals should continue to receive this federal assistance…

cut 11 (10) “to employment”

Governor Jindal’s spokesperson, Mike Reed, says the best way to break the cycle of poverty is for individuals to get a job and get off of government assistance. But Payer says Edwards believes these adults face significant barriers to employment and they’ll look to extend a waiver that Jindal allowed to expire

Cut 12 (11) “our intention”

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An alcoholic version of the famous Abita Root Beer arrives in stores this week. Abita Brewing Company Brewmaster Mark Wilson says the hard root beer will be the first product in its line of “Bayou Bootlegger” hard sodas. He says it only made sense to come up with an adult take on the same old-fashioned Abita Root Beer recipe made with pure Louisiana cane sugar…:

Cut 13 (09)  “of that process”

Wilson says fans of Abita Root Beer have been asking for an alcoholic version and now is the time to give it to them. He says the flavors in the Abita Root Beer deliver aromas of wintergreen, vanilla, sassafras with hints of close and anise…:

Cut 14 (07) “version of it”

Wilson says the Bayou Bootlegger Hard Root Beer is brewed to achieve a 5.9 percent alcohol by volume and is all natural and gluten free. He says they hope the hard root beer is eventually as popular as the original…:

Cut 15  (10) “that would be great”

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Three Louisiana college baseball teams are ranked in the first preseason poll. Collegiate Baseball has UL Lafayette ranked sixth, LSU is ranked seventh and Tulane is ranked 19th. Tigers Coach Paul Mainieri says it’s nice to see his team ranked in the top ten

Cut 16  (11)  “everyday players”

LSU reached the College World Series last season and return one of the top pitchers in the country in Alex Lange. However, they must replace eight of nine everyday starters from last season’s batting order. Mainieri says he’s excited that Lange and veteran left hander Jared Poche will anchor their pitching staff in 2016…

Cut 17 (12) “let down”

LSU’s incoming class was ranked seventh nationally by Collegiate Baseball. Mainieri says they’ll count on a couple of those players right away….

Cut 18 (17) “our league”

LRN Sportscast 16:45 December 21

The Saints and Lions meet tonight in Monday night football even though neither team has a chance to make the playoffs. New Orleans is listed as a three-point favorite as they usually play well at home in primetimes. They’ve won 16 of their last 17 games played at the dome at night. Kick-off tonight is at 7:15.

Former LSU Tiger Odell Beckham Junior has been suspended for one game for his actions against Carolina cornerback Josh Norman. Beckham was flagged three times for unnecessary roughness. Beckham was reportedly upset that a member of the Panthers was walking around on the field with a bat in his hands before the game. The Giants star wideout plans to appeal the suspension.

Bad news for fans of the Honey Badger. Former LSU star Tyrann Mathieu will miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL. Mathieu suffered an injury while intercepting a pass in the Cardinals win over the Eagles last night. Mathieu was up for defensive player of the year honors.

Former LSU Tiger Zach Mettenberger will have a chance to start the final two games of the season for the Titans. That’s because Tennesse starter Marcus Mariota will reportedly miss the rest of the year with an MCL sprain. Mettenberger replaced Mariota yesterday and threw for 242 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in a loss to New England.

Parkway quarterback Keondre Wudtee has decommitted from Louisiana Tech. The three star prospect reportedly plans to visit Oklahoma State and TCU, before making a decision.

Three Louisiana college baseball teams are ranked in the first preseason college baseball poll. UL Lafayette comes in at number six, followed by LSU and then Tulane is ranked 19th by Collegiate Baseball’s poll.

In college hoops tonight…UL Lafayette hosts UNO. Both teams are 3-6 on the season. Southeastern Louisiana is at Georgia Tech and the LSU Lady Tigers will visit top ranked UCONN at six PM.

LRN PM Newscall December 21st

A Bossier Parish man faces two counts of attempted first-degree murder for allegedly trying to blow up a home in Benton. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 1 (28)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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As the fall shrimp season comes to a close, many shrimpers and seafood dealers say this has been a terrible year for the industry. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 2 (29)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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A maintenance worker at a horse farm in Bossier Parish is in jail after he allegedly set off a bomb underneath a home located at that same horse farm. Bossier Parish Sheriff’s spokesperson, Lt. Bill Davis, says 54-year-old Douglas Holley of Benton was employed at the horse farm for four months and was apparently upset with a veterinarian who lived on the property

CUT 3 (10)  “it exploded”

No one was seriously injured. Holley is facing two counts of attempted first degree murder and one count of manufacturing a bomb. Davis says investigators found bomb making materials at Holley’s home…

CUT 4 (08)  “explosive scene”

Unless he bonds out, Holley will spend Christmas at the Bossier Maximum Security Facility. Davis says the two victims are counting their blessings, because the bomb caused damage to their pier-and-beam house…

CUT 5 (08)  “radical explosion”

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State Climatologist Barry Keim says Louisiana should brace for wet weather conditions leading up to Christmas. He says the rain is due to a slow moving cold front settling over the state today. Keim says this front is expected to stall before ever passing through the state…

CUT 6 (10) “southeastern Louisiana”

He says the entire state is vulnerable to heavy rainfall up to Christmas Eve. Keim adds that this weather system will also bring the potential of damaging winds, tornados, and flash flooding. This is a very busy week for many and Keim urges every one to exercise caution during inclement weather…

CUT 7 (09) “umbrellas handy” 

He says up to five inches of rain could fall in areas across the state over the next three days, especially in southeast Louisiana. Keim says these weather conditions should start to clear Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is looking pretty good…

CUT 8 (07) “this year”

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As the fall shrimp season comes to a close, many shrimpers and seafood dealers say this has been a terrible year for the industry. Louisiana Shrimp Association President Clint Guidry says a resurgence of imported shrimp led to some of the lowest prices ever seen at the dock…

CUT 9 (08)  “white shrimp season”

But he says the federal government has recently passed legislation to better control the importing of shrimp into the US. Guidry says new FDA guidelines calling for 100% screening of imported shrimp before it enters the country will even the playing field between imported and domestic shrimp…

cut 10 (10)  “traded unfairly”

Guidry says he’s looking forward to working with the new legislature and governor in enacting legislation to help the industry. He says a good sign going into 2016 is that shrimp prices were beginning to pick up toward the end of the fall season…

Cut 11 (07) “in mid-September”

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17 arrest warrants have been issued in an attempt to stop criminal activity by the Gremlins Gang. State Police spokesperson Brooks David says many involved with this criminal organization live in Abbeville and they are suspected of engaging in drug and violent crime activity throughout four parishes in south Central Louisiana

cut 12 (07) “criminal gang activity”

David says 10 members of the Gremlins gang are in custody and they are searching for seven others. He says all of them face several charges, including racketeering, which carries a long prison sentence if convicted…

cut 13 (05)  “in prison”

David says Abbeville and the surrounding parishes around Vermilion are safer with these individuals off the streets. He says several agencies cooperated in this year-long investigation

cut 14 (11)  “feels safe” 

 

LRN Sportscast 11:40 December 21

The Saints and Lions will not be in the playoffs this year, but yet they’ll meet on Monday night football tonight. Even though New Orleans failed to make the playoffs for a second straight year, Quarterback Drew Brees says the players have not given up on the season…
cut 17 (11) “…to work”
Brees is 173 passing yards away from becoming the fourth QB to reach 60-thousand for his career. If Brees throws for more than 206 yards, he’ll extend his NFL record streak of consecutive 4,000 yard seasons to 10.

New York receiver Odell Beckham’s emotional play got the best of him yesterday as the Giants lost to Carolina 38-35. Beckham was flagged three times for personal foul penalties as he battled with Panthers cornerback Josh Norman. There are reports the former LSU Tiger could be suspended for a one game, because of his action.

The Louisiana Tech football team is back in Ruston after an impressive performance in the R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. The Bulldogs beat Arkansas State 47-28. Kenneth Dixon scored four touchdowns and is now the NCAA’s career touchdown scorer.

Three Louisiana college baseball teams are ranked in the top 20 in Collegiate Baseball’s preseason poll. UL Lafayette is ranked sixth, LSU is ranked 7th and Tulane is ranked 19th. Southeastern Louisiana is receiving votes and they are ranked 42nd. Florida is ranked number one.

After losing to the Suns on Friday, Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry demanded better effort from his players. He got it last night as New Orleans closed out a five-game road trip with a 130 to 125 win over Denver. Anthony Davis was battling an illness and needed IV fluids during the game, but still scored 27 points. Tyreke Evans and Jrue Holiday each had 21 points.

In college basketball tonight…UL Lafayette hosts UNO.

LRN AM Newscall December 21

Blue Bell lovers in Louisiana are rejoicing as the ice cream is coming back to stores today across the state right in time for the holidays. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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These low gas prices are a nice Christmas gift for motorists, but how long will it last? Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The FDA plans to ban tanning beds for anyone under 18.Jeff Palermohas more on the proposed regulations

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Blue Bell lovers get an early Christmas present today as the ice cream makes it way back on shelves in Louisiana. Blue Bell Spokesperson Joe Robertson says seven different flavors will be available after originally thinking only four different kinds would make it to grocery stores.

cut 4  (09)  “peppermint”

Robertson says as production capacity increases, they’re going to keep adding in new flavors until all are returned to shelves. Blue Bell was forced to take their ice cream off the shelves last spring because its products were linked to 10 listeria cases, including three deaths in Kansas. He says they’ve made huge changes to ensure that listeria is never a problem again in Blue Bell ice cream.

Cut 5  (10)  “proven safe”

Robertson says this is phase four of the five phase rollout and so far everything is going well. He says Blue Bell is excited to continue releasing ice cream until grocery stores are completely restocked.

Cut 6 (09)  “another phase”

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Many will travel on Louisiana highways during this holiday season and they’ll see the price at the pump around a $1.80 for a gallon of regular gasoline. Gas-Buddy-dot-com (gasbuddy.com) spokesperson Gregg Laskoski says prices haven’t been this low since March 2009. And He says gas prices are 50 cents lower than this time last year.

CUT 7 (09)  “last year”

Laskoski says the downward pressure of the price of crude oil is what’s driving gas prices down. He says we can expect to see gas this low into the first month of the new year.

Cut 8  (11)  “new year”

Laskoski says some locations across the state are advertising gas prices as low as $1.57 a gallon.

Cut 9 (09) “in Kansas”

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The Food and Drug Administration plans to ban anyone younger than 18 from using indoor tanning beds or sunlamps. LSU Associate Clinical Professor and Dermatologist Dr. Sarah Jackson says the American Academy of Dermatology is in full support of these regulations. Jackson says about 1.6 million minors use tanning beds every year.

Cut 10 (09) “lifetime” 

Jackson says there are countless cases of skin cancer related to tanning bed use. She says they’ve seen an increase in the amount of young women with melanoma since tanning beds became popular, but action is being taken….

cut 11 (09) “indoor tanning”

Louisiana passed a law last year that prohibits anyone under 18 from using a commercial tanning bed. Jackson says this FDA regulation, which is up for public comment, also requires adult tanning bed users to sign a consent form every six months. She says there will also be adjustments to the beds themselves.

Cut 12 (09) “bulbs”

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Democrat John Bel Edwards is three weeks away from being sworn in as the state’s next governor. Edwards says the budget will be one of his biggest challenges. He says a revenue shortfall of one-point-two to one-point-six million dollars is possible next year and there’s no easy solutions…

Cut 13 (05)  “significant”

Edwards says tough budget decisions will be made and there are a lot of options on the table. He says one option not available is the continued reduction of state dollars for higher education…

Cut 14 (10) “going forward”

Another priority for the incoming administration is the expansion of the Medicaid program. Edwards says this will result in additional federal tax dollars flowing into the state, helping Louisiana with its health care needs. He says without federal assistance, hospitals will close

Cut 15  (09) “for everybody”

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The Saints face the Detroit Lions tonight at the Mercedes Benz Superdome in a battle of two teams with losing records. New Orleans is 5-8 on the year, but coming off one of its best performances of the season when they beat Tampa Bay last week. Quarterback Drew Brees says they want to build on that performance…

Cut 16  (19)  “we are”

The Saints were eliminated from playoff contention for a second straight year when Seattle and Minnesota won yesterday. Even though the Saints have fallen short of reaching their goals, Brees says the players have not given up on the season…

Cut 17 (11) “to work”

10:30 LRN Newscast December 19

Expanding the medicaid program remains a top priority for incoming governor John Bel Edwards. Edwards says this will result in additional federal tax dollars flowing into the state, helping Louisiana with its health care needs. He says without federal assistance, hospitals will close…
cut 15 (09) “..for everybody”
Edwards is sworn in on January 11th.

State authorities are looking into possible wrongdoing by outgoing Angola Warden Burl Cain. There’s been reports Cain violated department rules in real estate transactions with relatives of inmates, but officials say there are other allegations as well. Corrections Secretary James Leblanc wouldn’t elaborate…
cut 14 (11) :…that way”
Cain has said he’s done nothing wrong.

The latest installment of Star Wars is in theaters across Louisiana and the hype is everywhere you go…
cut 2 (30) “…reporting”

Louisiana Tech faces Arkansas State tonight in the New Orleans Bowl. Bulldogs head coach Skip Holtz is looking forward to seeing a healthy Kenneth Dixon. Holtz says his star running back was limited in the second half of the season by a high ankle sprain…
cut 30 (08) “…of the season’
Kickoff is at 8 PM.

09:30 LRN Newscast December 19

This is the last Christmas shopping weekend and folks are flocking to the mall. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says reports show consumers are spending a little less this year, but it’s not because there are less shoppers, it’s because they are paying lower prices…:
Cut 26 (10) “purchase basis”
He says online shopping gets bigger every year, but this weekend more people will head to the brick and mortar stores to ensure they have gifts in hand by Christmas.

State Police say stepped up patrols are underway in an effort to keep drunk drivers off the road this holiday. Sgt. Nick Manale says over the Thanksgiving holiday they saw a high number of traffic fatalities and want to prevent that from happening again…:
CUT 27 (09) “all safe”
During the 2014 holiday season, there were 671 fatal and injury crashes and 99 involved alcohol.

A former investigator with the DA’s Office in Washington Parish has been indicted by a grand jury amidst allegations he used his position to force women to have sex with him. Chief Deputy Mike Haley says 66-year-old Michael Cotton of Bogalusa allegedly threatened a female drug offender to obtain sex. He says the victims assisted in the investigation…:
CUT 3 (10) “Mr. Cotton”
He says Cotton is being held with $75,000 bond on an extortion charge and $25,000 for public bribery.

The Star Wars craze has spread across Louisiana and we spoke with this fan who said he’s been waiting for years to see The Force Awakens…:
CUT 11 (11) “kinda crazy”
For it’s preview showings alone, “The Force Awakens” brought in a record breaking $57 million dollars at box offices in the US.