SLB announces plans to expand its technology center at the former GM assembly plant in Shreveport resulting in hundreds of new jobs. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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LSU’s Frank Wilson will be the interim head coach for the Tigers in the Texas Bowl, but his future with LSU is uncertain after the bowl game. Andre Champagne has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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Senator Bill Cassidy is speaking out after a CDC panel voted to change the recommendation for the Hepatitis B vaccine. Since 1991, it had been recommended for all babies immediately after birth; last week, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to change that recommendation to include only babies born to mothers who test positive for the virus. Cassidy says decisions like these ought to be about protecting children’s health.

Cut 3 (06) “…a personal prejudice.”

Cassidy says since the vaccine had been recommended, insurance providers had covered it. But now, with the change in recommendation, that’s now in limbo.

Cut 4 (12) “…to be assured.”

Cassidy says there is no doubt as to the effectiveness of the Hepatitis B vaccine.

Cut 5 (10) “…20 a year.”

Hepatitis B can lead to a serious liver infection.

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SLB, a global technology company, will expand its operations in Shreveport, resulting in hundreds of new jobs. Their technology center in Shreveport is located at the former GM plant and SLB’s Data Centers Director Andrew Johnston says it will soon become the largest SLB facility in the world…

Cut 6 (13) “…world” (clapping)

SLB currently employs 660 employees at its Shreveport site, but Johnston says they plan to nearly double their footprint…

Cut 7 (14) “…create.” (golf clap)

Plans are in place to increase staffing through 2027 as additional areas of the site begin operating.

To secure the project the state of Louisiana offered SLB an incentives package that included assistance with workforce development and a six-million-dollar performance-based grant for utility and infrastructure improvements.

Chief Development Officer for the Louisiana Department of Economic Development Paige Carter says S-L-G could have expanded anywhere, but chose northwest Louisiana…

Cut 8 (14) “…doubling down.”

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LSU running backs coach Frank Wilson will serve as the interim head coach for the Tigers when they play Houston in the Texas Bowl on December 27th. But Wilson’s future with the program is uncertain as he did not provide any clarity when speaking with reporters Tuesday morning…

Cut 9 (13)  “…in that regard.”

Wilson has led the Tigers to a 2-2 record since the firing of Brian Kelly. LSU has played a majority of those games without top players like quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, linebacker Whit Weeks and receiver Aaron Anderson. Wilson says they will not play in the bowl game either, along with their top cornerback Mansoor Delane (MAHN-soor duh-LANE)…

Cut 10 (10) “…Whit Weeks will be out.”

With Nussmeier not playing that means Michael Van Buren will make his fourth consecutive start at quarterback for Tigers.

Most of LSU’s assistant coaches on the defensive side of the football are returning, including defensive coordinator Blake Baker and secondary coach Corey Raymond. But coaches on the offensive side of the football will most likely not be retained. Wilson says this transition period within the coaching staff has been smooth…

Cut 11 (05) “…pulling for LSU.”

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The holiday season can be a stressful time for many people. Louisiana Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham is urging you to reach out if you’re struggling. 

Cut 12 (07) “…somebody who cares.”

(If you’re not okay, that’s okay — call 988 and talk to somebody who cares.) Dr. Abraham says there are many reasons why people get stressed, especially during the holiday season.

Cut 13 (09)  “…to handle sometimes.”

Holly Howatt, the interim assistant secretary of the Office of Behavioral Health, says the office operates two 988 call centers – one in North Louisiana and one in New Orleans.

Cut 14 (09) “…within the state.”

Haynesville High School is looking for its 18^th state championship in football, while North DeSoto is looking for its first. Jeff Palermo has more on these two northwest Louisiana schools as they prepare for the Prep Classic…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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One escapee from last week’s South Louisiana jailbreaks remains on the loose. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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As Operation Catahoula Crunch continues in the greater New Orleans area, people may be wondering what exactly the law says about these enhanced immigration sweeps – what the Border Patrol agents can and can’t do under the law. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says in order for agents to detain anyone, they need a good reason to do so.

Cut 3 (11) “…the federal government.”

As such, Ciolino says if there are no reasonable grounds, you’re under no obligation to talk to any federal agent. However, if there is reasonable suspicion, that’s a different story. 

Cut 4 (14) “…their basic questions.”

Otherwise, the agent can hold you and gather further evidence; and if that indicates that you’re in the country illegally, you can be detained for a long period of time.

Last week, New Orleans City Councilman J.P. Morrell stated that Louisiana is an open carry state and has a robust stand-your-ground law; and if a masked federal agent tries detaining a U.S. citizen who’s legally carrying a weapon, that citizen can defend him or herself. Ciolino points out, as Morrell did, that the officer’s only line of defense in a stand-your-ground shooting is by fully identifying oneself as a law enforcement officer.

Cut 5 (11) “…along those lines.”

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Two public schools in northwest Louisiana are preparing for a trip to New Orleans to play in the Prep Classic. North DeSoto, who is seeking its first state championship in football and will play Iowa on Friday at noon. Griffins coach Dennis Dunn believes his team will be well prepared…

Cut 6 (06) “…for them.”

North DeSoto is the top seed in Division Two non-select, and the Griffins are a perfect 13-0. Dunn says a selfless attitude has helped his team get to this point…

Cut 7 (07) “…all of that.”

Haynesville is looking for its 18th state championship in football when they face Mangham in the Division Four non-select state title game on Thursday at noon. This is the third year in a row Coach David Franklin and the Golden Tornado have made it to the state title game, but the last two years they cam up short…

Cut 8 (07) “…go and win.”

Haynesville is led by four-year starter Isaiah Washington, who has signed to play college football at LSU. Washington starts at quarterback and is a defensive back and Franklin says he’s their leader…

Cut 9 (05)  “…great personality.”

Haynesville’s last state championship was in 2014 when they beat Mangham.

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One escapee from a pair of South Louisiana jailbreaks remains on the loose. 24-year-old Keith Eli escaped from the St. Landry Parish Jail last Wednesday, along with two others. Major Mark LeBlanc with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office says investigators are going to great lengths to find him.

Cut 10 (14) “…of our agency.”

On Friday, deputies captured 24-year-old Johnathan Joseph. Major LeBlanc says tips and information led detectives to a home in Opelousas.

Cut 11 (09) “…surrendered to officers.”

The day before, the third escapee, 26-year-old Joseph Arrington, shot himself to death during a standoff with Port Barre Police. LeBlanc says while the St. Landry Parish government is working to fortify the jail to prevent another escape, the sheriff’s office is beefing up staffing there.

Cut 12 (11) “…of the facility.”

Meanwhile, the inmate who escaped from the Vermilion Parish Jail, 23-year-old Gavin Garnica, was captured Friday in Rayne following a high-speed chase.

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Louisiana Tech is heading back to Shreveport as the Bulldogs will play Coastal Carolina in the 49^th edition of the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl. Missy Setters is the executive director of the Independence Bowl on what the game means for northwest Louisiana…

Cut 13 (13)  “…during December.”

Tech played in the Independence Bowl last year and lost to Army. It’s the seventh time the Bulldogs have played in the Indy Bowl. It’s the first  time for Coastal Carolina.

The game will kick-off at 1 PM on December 30^th and Setters says there are several fan and community events the night before…

Cut 14 (12) “…hurricane alley.”

The Independence Bowl has been around for 50 years, but because of its placement among the bowl game structure, they usually get teams that either have a .500 record or barely have a winning record. Setters says she sees the complaints on social media, but she would rather focus on the positive…

Cut 15 (13) “…all the time.”