The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has received 11 new whooping cranes to be released into the wild in a couple of weeks. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A UNO Philosophy Professor has received a grant to study alternatives to incarceration. Eric Gill reports…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

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Those looking to give hoverboards as a gift this holiday season need to be wary as they’re known to burst into flames.  Jeff Palermo reports…

Cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has received 11 young whooping cranes to be released at White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area. Spokesperson Bo Boehringer says the population will increase to 46 with the addition of 8 females and 3 males. He says they’re working to create a flock that is able to survive in the wild.

cut 4  (10)  “adult birds”

Boehringer says they’ve experienced some hardships since the project began six years ago, like illnesses and birds being illegally shot. But he’s optimistic with hard work the whooping crane population will increase and flourish.

Cut 5  (10)  “success process”

Boehringer says biologists predict that a successful hatch with the whooping cranes is in the near future. He says once the birds start to reproduce on their own, they hope to have over 100 mating pairs.

Cut 6 (08)  “the population”

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A UNO Philosophy Professor has received a grant to study alternatives to incarceration. The US leads the world, on a per capita basis, in incarceration and Louisiana incarcerates more people per capita than any other state in the nation. Professor Chris Suprenant (SIR-pruh-nont) says the grant will help them study America’s approach to punishment…

CUT 7 (06)  “of punishment”

Suprenant says the project will consider under what conditions incarceration is legitimate and should be implemented. He says the goal of punishment is to deter bad behavior from happening again. Suprenant says locking people up doesn’t always achieve the desired goal…

Cut 8  (06)  “as a society”

The grant, from the Charles Koch Foundation, will fund an academic conference and studies related to the topic. Suprenant says they will look at other forms of punishment that are currently being used or have been used historically…

Cut 9 (10) “realizing justice”

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The highly sought after “hoverboard” is on the top of many children’s Christmas wish lists, but these self-balancing, motorized scooters have been known to burst into flames. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says read up on these devices before purchasing one…

Cut 10 (10) “laboratory” 

Browning says in November, a Lafitte resident was harmed by a fire started from an exploding “hoverboard,” but events like this are happening all over the country. He advises buyers to read the operation manual before using the device.

cut 11 (10) “recommendations”

Browning says not all hoverboards are unsafe, because some are properly tested. He says the highest risk of fire is when the device is charging.

Cut 12 (09) “the battery”

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It looks as though a stiff competition is brewing in the race to be Louisiana’s next Speaker of the House. Governor-elect John Bel Edwards is backing New Orlreans Democratic Representative Walt Leger. Conservatives are working to drum up support for Republican Representative Cameron Henry of Metairie to lead the lower chamber. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford:

Cut 13 (13)  “for confrontation”

Some are wondering if this battle could be a sign of what’s to come when lawmakers convene for a special session in February to address the budget issue. Alford says these kinds of leadership struggles always take place in the months leading up to a session, but this time the mainstream media is paying attention…:

Cut 14 (08) “elected”

The election occurs January 11th. Alford says the House votes on their choice for speaker or they end up with a single candidate, but they have
never gone against the governor’s choice…:

Cut 15  (06) “historic” 

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The 20th ranked LSU Tigers will play Texas Tech in the 10th annual Advocare V-100 Texas Bowl on December 29th in Houston. Coach Les Miles is excited about the bowl invite…

Cut 16  (18)  “for us”

The Red Raiders are ranked second nationally in offense, averaging almost 600 yards per game and 47 points a contest. Miles says it will be a good test for the Tigers defense.

Cut 17 (19) “match-up”

LSU’s players will have this week off as they final exams. The coaches are busy recruiting. Miles was asked if offensive coordinator Cam Cameron would return next season and Miles says he’s not contemplating any changes

Cut 18 (14) “…execute it”

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The Saints nearly handed Carolina its first loss of the season, but Panthers quarterback Cam Newton threw five touchdown passes to help the NFC South champs escape the Big Easy with a 41-38 victory. Saints QB Drew Brees threw three touchdown passes in the hard fought defeat…

Cut 19 (15) “that one”

Carolina improved to 12-0 with the win, while the Saints fell to 4-8 as they’ve now lost four straight. With four more games left in the regular season, Brees wants the team to forget about its record….

Cut 20 (21) “playing at”

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards has publicly endorsed New Orleans Democrat Walt Leger as the next state Speaker of the House. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (28)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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The Amite high school football team has been ousted from the playoffs by the LHSAA. Jeff Palermo has more…

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Governor-elect John Bel Edwards has publicly endorsed New Orleans Democrat Walt Leger as the next state Speaker of the House. Edwards spoke about the Speaker position at a joint news conference with Governor Bobby Jindal…

CUT 3 (09)  “young man”

Leger currently serves as Speaker Pro Tempore of the Louisiana House. Current House Speaker, Republican Chuck Kleckley of Lake Charles, is leaving the House due to term limits. The Governor-elect feels Leger has proven his willingness and talent in working with Republicans…

CUT 4 (09)  “in Louisiana”

Although Republicans hold a majority of state House seats, the governor has traditionally played a big role in the selection of the Speaker. Edwards believes Leger’s ability to work across the isle will reinforce the Governor-elect’s bipartisan approach to state government…

CUT 5 (06)  “effective legislature”

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Governor Bobby Jindal says the letter from the White House indicating the state would start getting detailed information about the Syrian refugees resettling in Louisiana, is not good enough. President Obama’s Chief of Staff says a monthly report will be provided to governors with refugees entering their state. Jindal says the response is not up to par…:

CUT 6 (10) “into our state”

The letter also said the federal government’s vetting of refugees is “the most robust screening process for anyone coming into the US.” But Jindal feels the state should get details about those escaping the Syrian civil war before they come to Louisiana to resettle, not after…:

CUT 7 (09)  “being placed here”

Jindal says he’s calling on Congress to stop the Obama Administration from allowing the Syrian refugee operation to continue in the United States…:

CUT 8 (06)  “of our security”

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State Police say a shooting at the Morehouse Parish Courthouse has left one man dead. Trooper Michael Reichardt says 42-year-old Keith Atkins was in court for a hearing when the incident happened…

CUT 9 (06)  “committed suicide”

He says, during a scuffle, Atkins took a bailiff’s gun and committed suicide. It has been reported that Atkins was in jail on kidnapping and drug charges stemming from a February arrest. Reichardt says the situation was over rather quickly…

cut 10 (04)  “that was it”

No one else was injured in the incident. The State Police investigation is ongoing. Reichardt says the public was never in any real danger…

Cut 11 (07) “to the public”

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The Louisiana High School Athletic Association executive committee has removed the Amite football team from the Class 3A playoffs as a result of a benches clearing fight that erupted in a quarterfinal victory over Bogalusa. Tangipahoa School system attorney Chris Moody says they’ve filed a suit and hope a state judge reverses what he calls a “harsh” decision

cut 12 (07)  “next year”

LHSAA’s sportsmanship rules say that players who leave the bench area during a fight are automatically suspended for the next game. But Moody argues many players left the sidelines because the Warriors had just scored a touchdown and the team was preparing to kick the extra point…

cut 13 (06)  “to fight”

If the LHSAA’s ruling stands, St. James advances to the Three-A title game where they’ll play the winner of Friday night’s semifinal contest between West Feliciana and Lutcher. Moody says they believe the LHSAA’s punishment doesn’t fit what happened towards the end of the game

cut 14 (11)  “next game” 

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A recent survey by Morning Consult on Louisiana’s US Senators shows both David Vitter and Bill Cassidy’s job approval ratings in the mid-40s. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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Richland Parish Congressman Ralph Abraham is back from his Thanksgiving trip to visit US troops in Afghanistan. Emelie Gunn has more….

CUT 2 (29)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Governor-elect John Bel Edwards spoke before the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus about the future of higher education in Louisiana. Edwards told the group that it’s important to fight to make sure children all over the state of Louisiana have opportunities to succeed…

CUT 3 (10)  “higher education”

Edwards was the keynote speaker at last weekend’s Bayou Classic Scholarship Jazz Brunch. The Governor-elect says he will begin his term with a focus on education…

CUT 4 (09)  “in Louisiana”

He says proper funding for higher education is a priority. Edwards says it’s imperative that the state’s general fund component for higher education is increased…

CUT 5 (06)  “for me”

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Today is Giving Tuesday and that means it’s your chance to give back to charities. The American Red Cross is participating in their third Giving Tuesday and hopes everyone who can, will give back in a meaningful way. Louisiana Region Spokesperson Nancy Malone says the holiday season is a time of warmth and giving.

CUT 6 (09) “overnight”

Malone says the power of giving in the community can change the lives of so many people in need. She says you can visit Red-Cross-dot-org-slash-gifts (redcross.org/gifts) to donate and see how your dollars can add up, plus you’ll see heartwarming stories from people across the world who have been helped by the Red Cross.

CUT 7 (11)  “look at”

Malone says if you can’t donate monetarily, there are other ways to help out, like donating blood or volunteering. She says their latest program during the holiday season is called Holiday Mail for Heroes.

CUT 8 (10)  “you involved”

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A recent survey on Louisiana’s US Senators shows both David Vitter and Bill Cassidy’s job approval ratings in the mid-40s. The report, by Morning Consult, shows 47-percent of Louisiana voters approve of Vitter’s job performance and Cassidy only gets a 44-percent approval rating. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Cassidy’s low rating is surprising…

CUT 9 (06)  “to Cassidy”

The report shows about 24-percent of respondents didn’t know enough about Cassidy to rate him. Vitter has announced that he will not seek re-election next year which will make Cassidy Louisiana’s senior senator. Cross says this will seriously damage Louisiana’s power in the Senate…

cut 10 (10)  “US Senate”

Cassidy is finishing his first year in the upper chamber. Cross says Cassidy’s involvement in health care issues and public policy will see his stature in the Senate grow in the coming years…

Cut 11 (07) “to posturing”

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Richland Parish Congressman Ralph Abraham is back in Louisiana after spending his Thanksgiving holiday with American soldiers in Afghanistan. Abraham says he was honored to spend time with the people who let us sleep safely every night. He says the men and women are optimistic about their mission of training Afghan soldiers to battle terrorism in their country.

cut 12 (10)  “hostile enviornment”

Abraham spent his trip having lunch with Louisiana soldiers, as well as, meeting with Afghan President Ghani. He says if President Obama will listen to his advisors on the ground in Afghanistan, keeping 9,800 troops in the country will be effective to combating terrorism.

cut 13 (09)  “lead the way”

Abraham says they want to give Afghanistan the democratic type of government that they want. He says it likely won’t entail all the freedoms we see in America, but it will better the country’s current status.

cut 14 (08)  “that’s attainable” 

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