As of this morning, there hasn’t been a homicide in New Orleans this month and violent crime is also down.  Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Tis the season for traveling as Triple-A forecasts an additional two million travelers this Christmas and New Year’s holiday compared to last year. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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As of this morning, the City of New Orleans has not reported a homicide for December. In September the Crescent City went 12 days without a murder. President of the Metropolitan Crime Commission Rafael Goyeneche…

Cut 3 (12) “…about 19%.”

However, he’s quick to point out that homicides for 2022 were among the highest for the last three decades and this year’s murder rate is still higher than those from 2019 to 2021.

MCC says shootings are down 22-percent, carjackings down 46-percent, and armed robbery has declined 34-percent from this time last year.

Even with a sizable loss of law enforcement officers, down approximately 25-percent since 2018, Goyeneche credits the NOPD’s return to proactive policing for the reduction in violent crime…

Cut 4 (10) “…several years.”

He says the pandemic limited proactive policing.

Goyeneche says prioritizing arrests of those carrying weapons illegally and/or drugs is reflected in the reduction of violent crime because they are not out on the streets.

Cut 5 (10) “ …drug offenses.”  

In 2018 NOPD had approximately 1,200 officers in 2023 the number had dwindled to 900.

Goyeneche is also hopeful the partnership with Republican Governor-elect Jeff Landry and Democrat Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams will continue the crime reduction.

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AAA predicts 115 million people will be on the move over the Christmas and New Year’s holiday, the second highest year-end holiday travel recorded. Spokesperson Don Redman says that’s a two percent increase over last year and most will travel by vehicle

Cut 6 (13) “…the road”

Redman says the national average for a gallon of gas was $3.26 and this year its $3.14 a gallon for regular gasoline. He says travelers can expect cheaper gas prices in the Gulf South

Cut 7 (08) “.. seventy-one.” 

Redman says triple A is reporting a record even point five million Americans will travel by air for the holidays, so be prepared for packed airports

Cut 8 (12) “…winter” 

As for train, bus, and cruise travel, he says travel is expected to increase by nearly four percent.

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Caddo Parish Sheriff candidate Henry Whitehorn loses his appeal as the election drama continues. The 2^nd Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s ruling granting Republican John Nickelson another election after he lost to Whitehorn by one vote in November.  Political analyst Scott Hughes says it was a split three-two decision.

Cut 9 (05) “…hear it.” 

For the case to advance, Hughes says you have to have to prove a new argument because this case mirrors the precedent set in the 1999 Red River Parish Sheriff’s race.

Cut 10 (06) “…previous decisions.”

And filing a challenge to the state’s highest court, Hughes says won’t be cheap for Whitehorn…

Cut 11 (12) “…a mistake.”

If filed Hughes expects the Supreme Court to render an answer sooner than later.

A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agent receives North America’s highest honor for civilian heroism, the Carnegie Medal. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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LSU Health Shreveport has opened the doors to a new 79 million dollar state-of-the-art medical facility. Teiko Foxx has more…

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A serious canine respiratory illness has now spread to 16 states. Colleen Crain has the story.

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A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agent receives North America’s highest honor for civilian heroism, the Carnegie Medal. In 2022, Sergeant Stephen Rhodes saved nine people including a seven-year-old girl when their boat capsized. He says he didn’t hesitate, removed his gear, and jumped in the water.

Cut 4 (08) “…and fixed.”

And after two rounds of CPR, Rhodes says she began to show signs of life. The young girl was airlifted to a New Orleans hospital and made a full recovery.

Rhodes says he began May 7, 2022, on a boat patrol in Golden Meadow when he received a call about a possible shrimp violation on Grand Isle. He was nearby writing up a ticket when the boat flipped.

Cut 5 (05) “…right time.”

Sixteen individuals have been honored with the Carnegie Medal this year and more than 10,000 since its inception in 1904. As a first responder, Rhodes says he doesn’t necessarily like the title hero…

Cut 6 (11) “… inescapable.”

Rhodes, a 16-year veteran of LDWF who lives in Houma, was nominated for the award by his mother and presented with the honor by Governor John Bel Edwards.

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After nearly three years of construction, LSU Health Shreveport has unveiled its $79 million Center for Medical Education. Dr. David Lewis Dean of the School of Medicine says the center brings innovative learning techniques to north Louisiana seen at major universities nationwide…

Cut 7 (12) “…future leaders.”

The new center’s 155-square-foot structure also includes teaching spaces, a 500-seat auditorium, and a Wellness Center.

While the center received more than 26 million dollars from the Louisiana Legislature last year, Lewis says more than a third of the cost was supported by partnerships and the community.

Cut 8 (12) “…large donations.” 

An important component of the building is the more than 11 thousand square foot Center for Emerging Viral Threats research, education, and training facility. The research space will help in advanced research on viral pathogens and molecular testing for different viruses.

Lewis says this facility gives Shreveport advantage to compete for top-tier students from both near and far.

Cut 9 (12)  “…our citizens.”

The four-story structure is the first new building on campus in 15 years.

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A serious canine respiratory illness is now in 16 states. Though no cases of Atypical Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex have been reported in Louisiana, Ginger Guttner with the LSU Vet School wants you to know what it is and when to be concerned…

Cut 10 (10) “…the veterinarian.”

As the illness spreads to other states and holiday travel increases, Guttner says it’s important to call ahead and ask questions before boarding your dog…

Cut 11 (08) “…sick dogs.” 

Guttner says it’s also important to know about the facility’s cleaning protocols.

It’s okay to walk your dog with dogs you already know but Guttner says it’s not the time to introduce your dog to a new population of dogs. When the Vet School first posted information about this Canine illness, it was seen in 14 states. At last check, it was up to 16.

Cut 12 (08) “…in Florida.” 

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The Top Ten 2023 baby names for Louisiana are out. Baton Rouge General Communications Manager Katie Johnston says the name Ivy for a girl grew in popularity, from 37th the year before to 13th in the state and it’s the fifth most popular in the capital city.

Cut 13 (08) “…speculation.”

Ivy is the name of a Taylor Swift song on the album Evermore. Johnston says pop culture has an impact on baby names. Last year Maverick was a popular boy name after the release of Top Gun: Maverick.

Cut 14 (07) “…after year.”

Among the staples for boys are Liam and Noah, and for girls, Olivia and Amelia.

A growing trend in the Red Stick for boy names is Jalen. Johnston says they’ve seen multiple spellings, and they expect a similar name will make its mark in 2024.

Cut 15 (06) “…next year.”

The Top Ten Names for 2022 in Louisiana are Liam, Elijah, Noah, Luke, James, Levi, John, William, Oliver, and Asher.

For girls, it’s Olivia, Amelia, Ava, Charlotte, Harper, Emma, Isabella, Mia, Avery, and Evelyn.

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It’s game week for the Ragin Cajuns as they will play Jacksonville State on Saturday in the New Orleans Bowl. U-L Lafayette will make its seventh New Orleans Bowl appearance on Saturday and Coach Michael Desormeaux says the players are excited

Cut 16 (20) “…this game”

The demolition of the west side of Cajun Field began Monday. The school will replace the west side with 34 suites, 40 loge boxes, 524 club-level seats, and an expanded chairback section. The 65-million-dollar project is expected to be completed in time for the 2025 season. Desormeaux says it’s an exciting time for the program…

Cut 17 (20) “…all about”

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It certainly was not Saints quarterback Derek Carr’s best day as he only threw for 119 yards in New Orleans 28 to 6 win over Carolina. Carr has had multiple concussions and rib fractures this season and Coach Dennis Allen was asked Monday if injuries contributed to Carr’s performance against the Panthers…

Cut 18 (18)  “…ready for New York.” 

The Saints once again had trouble stopping the run on Sunday. The Panthers rushed for 215 yards and New Orleans is one of five teams who has allowed more than 17-hundred yards rushing on the season. Allen says open-field tackling has been an issue…

 Cut 19 (19) “…explosive plays.” 

The Saints will face a good running back this Sunday when Saquon Barkley and the Giants visit the Dome.