US Representative Steve Scalise admits to speaking to a white supremacist group while serving in the Louisiana legislature in 2002, but the Republican from Jefferson Parish says he detests any kind of hate group. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this story shouldn’t hurt his influence on the rest of the US House of Representatives…

cut 8 (10) “leadership post”

Scalise serves as the House Majority Whip.

LSU’s football season ended today with a 31-28 loss to Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl. The Fighting Irish won with a 32-yard field goal in the final seconds. The loss spoiled a great effort from Leonard Fournette who had 3 touchdowns, including a 100-yard kick-off return for a touchdown. But LSU’s defense gave up 449 total yards, 263 on the ground.

As the state’s industrial boom continues, Louisiana’s largest utility company finds itself needing to generate more power to meet demand. Entergy will likely build new power plants, to the tune of $1 billion apiece, which their customers will be expected to pay for. But spokesperson Mike Burns says the company believes they will still be able to keep customers electricity costs among the lowest in the nation…

cut 5 (10) “on our customers”

Pineville police have arrested an Alexandria couple who allegedly called in bomb threats at a Wal-Mart as part of a scheme to steal merchandise from the store. Police Chief Donald Weatherford says 57-year-old Hardtner Greenhoward and 33-year-old LaShonda Anderson made the threats on December 21st and 26th…

cut 9 (10) “be done”

Weatherford says Greenhoward and Anderson were charged with felony theft, two counts of terrorizing and criminal conspiracy.

A near-record number of drivers are out on Louisiana roads for holiday travel, and the Louisiana Department of Transportation reminds drivers they have some resources available to help out…
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

The National Weather Service confirms there was a tornado that touched down in Tangipahoa Parish near Amite on Tuesday knocked down trees, power lines, and producing severe damage to nearly 20 homes. Jeff McKneely, with the Tangipahoa Parish Emergency management team, says thankfully no one was hurt.

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is offering up to a $7,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the illegal killing of a black bear found in Avoyelles Parish on December 5th. Spokesman Adam Einck says if you know something about this case, call the LDWF hotline…
cut 13 (09) Q: “Apple App store”

Officials at NORAD are actively watching their radar and satellite imagery to keep track of Santa Claus and reindeer tonight. Spokesperson Major Beth Smith estimates Santa’s sleigh entering Louisiana airspace between 10 pm and midnight, but remember he knows when you are sleeping and awake…
CUT 8 (03) Q: “Santa will show up”
You can track Santa by calling 1-877-Hi-NORAD to inquire about Santa’s whereabouts or go online to noradsanta-dot-org.

Here on Christmas Eve, many last-minute shoppers have been purchasing gift cards for presents this year, and Tucker Group Financial Educator Jeanette Tucker says it’s best to make sure there is a toll-free number on the back so the card, so the receipient can know how much money is on there and how much is left when they use it….
CUT 11 (10) Q: “particular vendor”
And gift cards make great AFTER Christmas gifts.

With holiday travel underway on Louisiana roads, State Police have increased their patrol numbers, reminding everyone to buckle up, keep your hands on the wheel; off your phone, and your eyes on the road, paying attention to the highway message boards…
CUT 5 (06) Q: “through Louisiana”
That’s DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett.

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Louisiana State Police are investigating a late-night crash around 10:30 last night, that involved a stopped 18 wheeler on the shoulder of I-20, and a GMC truck that drifted over from the road, crashing into the truck. The driver- 73 year-old Charles Dillard – survived, but his passenger-56 year-old Regina Dillard of west Monroe died at the scene.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command has already started tracking Ole Saint Nick…:
CUT 2 (32) “reporting”

A lot of Louisianians will be hitting the roadways to visit friends, family and loved ones this Christmas. Louisiana Department of Transportation spokesman Rodney Mallett says there are some resources to help with heavy traffic, like the “Way to Geaux” app, which is available for your smart phone…
CUT 4 (12) Q: “alternate route”

Today is Christmas Eve and one of the most sought after items here at the VERY last minute is a gift card. Tucker Group Financial Educator Jeanette Tucker says it’s best not to rush your decision, and to use a card direct from a vendor instead of the rack at a store, because sometimes they could have been used fraudently and returned to the rack empty…
CUT 10 (05) Q: ‘invalid card’
She says make sure the gift card is good for 5 years.

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A Baker man has been arrested on training dogs for dog fighting and possession of a firearm by a convicted fellon. Forty-nine year old Eugene Bernard Grayer-who reportedly had over a dozen pitbulls in his possession- was arrested by Baker police.

A thief with a heart three sizes too small is behind bars in Washington Parish, after a tip on the location of Mr. Grinch…
CUT 3 (32) Q: “reporting”

East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner, Doctor Beau Clark, has determined the cause of death for a four-year-old child found in a water filled hole near his home last night. Doctor Clark says says Jassiah Clark drowned to death, with hypothermia as a contributing factor.

Severe weather has impacted much of the state today. We’ve had reports of hail across south Louisiana and portions of the northern half of the state as well. The National Weather Service says a tornado touchdowed down in Tangipahoa Parish, damaging several homes near Amite. At least one house had its roof torn off, but no injuries.

State Police say a West Monroe woman was killed this morning in a two-vehicle wreck in Ouachita Parish. Troopers say the victim, 30-year-old Jennifer Hale was ejected from her vehicle after losing control of her Nissan Versa and striking a Dodge Challenger. Hale was pronounced dead at the scene, the driver of the other vehicle had minor injuries.

A group of people in St. John Parish have a constructed a “Hands up!” bonfire on the Mississippi River West Bank. Michelle Southern reports…
cut 1 (31) “….reporting”

If you like fighting the crowds in the final hours of Christmas shopping, the Chairman of the Louisiana Tech Marketing Department Barry Babin says you can still get some great deals, since many retailers have already started their post-Christmas sales…
cut 14 (08) “they don’t like”
He says gift cards are very popular here at the last minute.

The National Weather Service says a tornado touched down this afternoon in Tangiphoa Parish near Amite. The twister knocked down trees and power lines in the area and damaged between 15 to 20 homes. In one case, a roof was torn off a home. No injuries have been reported.

Baton Rouge Police say the search for four-year-old Jassiah Clark came to a sad end last night when the boy’s body was found in a deep hole less than ten yards from his home. Eric Gill reports…
cut 5 (27) “….reporting’
The coroner has ruled Jassiah’s death a drowning with hypothermia as a contributing factor.

Time is running out to get your Christmas shopping done. For many last minute shoppers, gift cards are the way to go. Chair of the Louisiana Tech Marketing Department, Barry Babin, says some gifts cards are very useful for the recipient…
cut 22 (08) “….really need”

Tomorrow night, about 130 bonfires will be lit up on the levee of the Mississippi River in St. James Parish. One of the bonfires was structured as a person, with its arms up, in recognition of Michael Brown, who was shot to death by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. Harold LaGrange built that bonfire and hopes it results in positive discussion about what happened…
cut 28 (07) “…about being negative”