06:45 Sportscast, January 17th, 2017

LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva fired football coach Les Miles mid-season, could we see another coach let go? The LSU men’s basketball team is 1-4 in the SEC. They’ve lost three in a row and all three defeats have been by double digits. Glen Guilbeau covers LSU hoops for the USA Today Network and says as the losses mount, Alleva might make a change.:
Cut 13 (11) “look good”
Johnny Jones is in his fifth season in Baton Rouge. His record as LSU’s head coach is 89-58, 41-35 in the SEC.

To make matters worse for the Tigers, Jones said that leading scorer sophomore guard Antonio Blakeney’s status for tomorrow night’s game against Auburn won’t be determined until later today. Blakeney went down with an injured right ankle in the final minute of Saturday’s loss to Alabama.

In college hoops last night, ULM fought to the end against Sun Belt Conference leader Georgia Southern, but came up just short falling 62-60 to the Eagles in Monroe. The Warhawks remain winless in the conference.

Georgia State shot past UL-Lafayette 101-86 at home. Louisiana is now 2-3 in the SBC, 12-6 overall.

In the SWAC, Southern held on to beat Mississippi Valley State 87-81. Grambling fell to Prairie View 94-82.

In the NBA, Anthony Davis went down injured in the 98-95 loss at the Pacers. The Pels are sure to be glad that their rough five game road trip is now over.

Former LSU QB Anthony Jennings’ college football career is over after the NCAA rejected his appeal for another year of eligibility. Jennings played for UL-Lafayette last year as a graduate transfer. He filed for an extension of eligibility, but the waiver was denied according to Cajun Coach Mark Hudspeth.

In other football news, former Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has reportedly interviewed with the Washington Redskins.

 

06:30 Newscast, January 17th, 2017

A Gallup poll finds President-elect Donald Trump has a 42-percent approval rating, the lowest since George W. Bush, who had 59-percent. ULM Political Science Professor Dr. John Sutherlin on Mr. Trump’s likely reaction…:
Cut 10 (09) “majority wants”
The president-elect will be sworn into office on Friday.

More LSU students are seeking Sugar Daddies to help pay for their education. That’s according to to the controversial site SeekingArangment.com, which saw 35 LSU students enroll in 2016. Spokesperson Brook Urick says that’s a substantial increase over the previous year….:
CUT 7 (10) “more accepted”
The average monthly allowance for a Sugar Baby is around $24-hundred.

Amazon shoppers in Louisiana aren’t paying as much in sales taxes as you may think. Jeff Palermo has more on what is and isn’t being taxed…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Abbeville Police say a child that was injured during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade Monday, has died. They said the unidentified child was struck by a float. No other information has been released at this time.

 

18:30 Newscast January 16,2017

On this Martin Luther King Junior Day, the personal-finance website Wallet Hub issues a report that finds Louisiana ranks 10th among states for making the most progress on race relations. Jeff Palermo has more…

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An Abbeville child has died after being hit by a parade float earlier today. The Abbeville Police Department has not released the child’s age or name. The child was struck during the Martin Luther King Day parade.

 

A recent poll commissioned by Restore the Mississippi River Delta finds more than half of Louisianans polled believe coastal land loss is at a crisis. Jimmy Frederick with the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana says this shows the topic is important to residents here…:
cut 4 (06) “the future”
He says that’s why a master plan on coastal restoration is being proposed to the legislature for approval this year.

AT&T Louisiana has donated $150-thousand to the Louisiana Jobs for America’s Graduates program, which helps young people who face difficult challenges earn a high school diploma, complete college, and find employment. Governor John Bel Edwards says this program is critically important to our state.

Cut 9 (11) a skill”

15:30 Newscast Jan 16

On this Martin Luther King Junior Day, the personal-finance website Wallet Hub issues a report that finds Louisiana ranks 10th among states making the most progress on race relations. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

State Police are searching for a driver who pulled a hit and run on a Trooper yesterday on Old Hammond Hwy in Baton Rouge. Trooper Bryan Lee urges anyone with information to contact authorities.

Cut 14 (07) “public safety”

A survey by Applied Technology Research Corporation shows half of Louisiana voters believe coastal land loss is a crisis, and 62-percent are in favor of the state’s Coastal Restoration Master Plan. Jimmy Frederick with the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana says this survey shows Louisiana residents want major coastal projects completed.

Cut 5 (10) “have in mind”

The state’s coastal Master plan would cost 50-billion dollars.

AT&T Louisiana has donated $150-thousand to the Louisiana Jobs for America’s Graduates program, which helps young people who face difficult challenges earn a high school diploma, complete college, and find employment. Governor John Bel Edwards says this program is critically important to our state.

Cut 9 (11) a skill”

13:30 Newscast, January 16th, 2017

Today is Martin Luther King Jr Day, and Wallet Hub has issued a report on race relations which indicates Louisiana is among the top 10 for making the most progress. We’re among a handful of other southern states in WalletHub’s rankings of racial progress, and spokeswoman Jill Gonzales says there is a bit of the “nowhere to go but up” factor at play…:
Cut 8 (09) “deep south states”
She says Louisiana’s biggest improvement areas over time were health care, education and civil engagement.

A homeowner in Slidell shot and killed a man early Monday morning, according to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. They say deputies were called to a disturbance where the resident told investigators that he confronted a subject who was acting erratically in the front yard of his residence; so he fatally shot the man. No arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing.

A recent poll commissioned by Restore the Mississippi River Delta finds over half of Louisianans polled believe coastal land loss is at a crisis. Jimmy Frederick with the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana says this shows the topic is important to residents here…:
cut 4 (06) “the future”
He says that’s why a master plan on coastal restoration is being proposed to the legislature for approval this year.

A special session could kick off as early as next month so that lawmakers can decide how to deal with the state’s $313 million dollar budget shortfall. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the legislature raised nearly $2 billion in taxes last year, but it just wasn’t enough to balance the budget…:
Cut 15 (12) “wants to do”
Dardenne says they plan to use money from the rainy day fund to close some of the gap, but that still leaves about another 200 million dollars in possible cuts.

 

 

12:30 Newscast, January 16th, 2017

Louisiana is 10th best in the nation for race relation improvements. According to a new survey by WalletHub, the state made the most progress in healthcare, education and civic engagement. WalletHub spokesperson Jill Gonzales says even though there was a lot of growth shown here on racial matters, there are still areas that are struggling…:
CUT 7 (11) “percentage point”
She says there is also a large imbalance of workplace participation among blacks and whites in Louisiana.

A Houma high-school that was for black students only during segregation will reopen next month as a museum celebrating African-American history in St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes. Dedication will be held on February 4th for the schoolhouse that was once called The Academy.

A recent poll commissioned by Restore the Mississippi River Delta finds over half of Louisianans surveyed believe coastal land loss is at a crisis, while 96-percent said it needs attention. Jimmy Frederick with the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana says saving the coast isn’t just about protecting coastal cities. He says it’s important for the entire state…:
Cut 3 (09) “other things”
He says that’s why a master plan on coastal restoration is being proposed to the legislature for approval this year.

Pro Football Focus has released its top 10 Heisman Trophy candidates to watch out for in 2017, and it includes running back Derrius Guice. Guice carried the ball 183 times for 1387 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2016. He also caught nine passes for 106 yards and a touchdown.

 

11:30 Newscast, January 16th, 2017

State lawmakers are gearing up for another special session. The Revenue Estimating Conference said Louisiana has a $313 million dollar hole in the budget. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne…:
cut 13 (12) “right now”
The special session could begin next month.

Today is Martin Luther King Jr Day, and Wallet Hub has issued a report on race relations which indicates Louisiana is among the top 10 for making the most progress. Spokesperson Jill Gonzales says the report measured the gaps between blacks and whites in 16 key indicators that put the state right at number 10…:
CUT 6 (08) “the most progress”
She says Louisiana is still struggling in areas of white/black business ownership, and average income.

State Rep. Jack Montoucet of Crowley takes over as Louisiana’s new Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary. Emelie Gunn has more.:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

State Police are looking for the driver involved in a three vehicle hit and run in Baton Rouge that injured a Trooper who was in his patrol car. They say Sunday afternoon an unknown vehicle rear-ended a fully marked LSP unit and another truck, then fled the scene. The Trooper sustained minor injuries. Investigators believe that the suspect vehicle is a red/maroon Chrysler PT Cruiser or Chevrolet HHR.

09:30 Newscast, January 16th, 2017

Louisiana is facing yet another mid-year budget shortfall, this time $313 million dollars. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says they’ll have to look at cuts or revenue raising measures in a special session; and the picture of what could happen is grim..:
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A special session could happen next month.

Crowley Representative Jack Montoucet begins his duties today as the new Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. He says there are plans for how to deal with the controversial spending under former Secretary Robert Barham revealed in an audit…:
CUT 6 (08) “talked about”
He also says he plans to resolve issues with recreational fishermen over red snapper management; where former Secretary Charlie Melancon crashed.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has released new guidelines on kids’ media use. They say children 2-5 years shouldn’t be on TV, computers or tablets more than one hour per day. Ochsner Health Center Zachary Pediatrician Dr. Myriam Ortiz says parents of kids who are older than 6 should keep the media restrictions steady…:
Cut 8 (10) “type of media”
She says children younger than 18 months shouldn’t be exposed to digital media at all.

Three museums in Shreveport that were slated to be closed at the end of last year will still be around a few more weeks. State funding for the sites was supposed to be cut off December 31st due to budget constraints, but they’ve been grated approval to stay open through February. They are the Spring Street Museum; the Shreveport Water Works museum; and the Shreveport Railroad Museum.

 

08:30 Newscast, January 16th, 2017

Napoleonville Senator Troy Brown says he will not resign, even after being convicted of his second domestic abuse charge in four months. Jeff Palermo has more…:
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It’s believed man in Baton Rouge was lighting a cigarette when the trailer he was in exploded due to a suspected propane leak. That’s according to fire officials. They said they man was living in the travel unit while his flood damaged home was being repaired. The resident suffered severe burns, and is being treated at a local hospital.

Acadiana lawmaker and alligator farmer Jack Montoucet will begin his duties as the new state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary on Monday. He says one of his plans while serving is to come up with ways to get more residents involved in outdoor activities…:
cut 4 (10) “being concerned”
Montoucet was appointed by Governor Edwards.

A special session could kick off as early as next month so that lawmakers can decide how to deal with the state’s $313 million dollar budget shortfall. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the legislature raised nearly $2 billion in taxes last year, but it just wasn’t enough to balance the budget…:
Cut 15 (12) “wants to do”
Dardenne says they plan to use money from the rainy day fund to close some of the gap, but that still leaves about another 200 million dollars in possible cuts.

 

07:30 Newscast, January 16th, 2017

State lawmakers are once again getting ready to enter a special session as Louisiana faces a $313 million budget deficit…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

State Police are looking for the driver involved in a three vehicle hit and run in Baton Rouge that injured a Trooper who was in his patrol car. They say Sunday afternoon an unknown vehicle rear-ended a fully marked LSP unit and another truck, then fled the scene. The Trooper sustained minor injuries. Investigators believe that the suspect vehicle is a red/maroon Chrysler PT Cruiser or Chevrolet HHR.

Despite of calls for his resignation due to 2 domestic violence convictions, Napoleonville Senator Troy Brown says he won’t step down. But Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor says what Brown did is not acceptable.:
CUT 11 (10) “that’s okay”
The Senate can expel Brown from the body but the Democratic lawmaker says if that happens he’s going to explore legal options.

A local doctor advises parents to limit their children’s screen time each day because too much time looking at a TV, computer or tablet can be bad for a child’s health. Ochsner Health Center-Zachary Pediatrician Dr. Myriam Ortiz says children younger than 18 months shouldn’t be exposed to digital media at all. She says of children up to 2 years..:
CUT 7 (07) “they’re seeing”‘
She says while it is essential to limit a child’s media time, technology isn’t entirely bad for children.