Not much is expected to change in Louisiana’s economy next year. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

It was a trying year for law enforcement in Baton Rouge. East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says 2016 will be a year that he’ll never forget…:
cut 4 (10) “the flood”
He adds that he’s proud of the way officers and the community handled these trying times.

The Department of Children and Family Services says the baby who was discovered in a Walmart trashcan will remain in state care. DCFS Secretary Marketa (Mar-kee-tah) Garner Walters says baby Oliva is in foster care until they find an adoptive family…:
Cut 13 (12) “of trauma”
The child’s mother, 34-year-old Kyandrea Thomas, is incarcerated on a charge of attempted second degree murder.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the recent picture that purported a second cougar had been spotted in the state is not real. They said the picture circling claiming the animal had been in Tangipahoa Parish ended up being a photoshopped hoax. LDWF made a Facebook post saying they determined this is the same image of a cougar posted on the internet that was originally taken from a trail cam in Oklahoma.

After enduring two historic floods this year, more Louisianans are buying flood insurance. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says in July, there were 451-thousand policies in place, and now there are more than 480-thousand. He says the biggest spikes were in areas affected by the August flood.

Cut 4 (10) “East Baton Rouge Parish”

Ascension, Lafayette, and Tangipahoa parishes saw similar hikes in policies.

A cold front will move across the state tonight, bringing more seasonable temperatures tomorrow. But Roger Erickson with the National Weather Service says warmer weather will return this weekend and there’s also a chance of severe weather.

Cut 12 (08) “as well”
Erickson says the cooler air will east the dense fog that’s developed over the last few days.

A Jeanerette man has been arrested in connection with the death of 75-year-old man who went missing on Christmas day. Capt. Richard Fleming with the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s office says Howard Poche’s body was located on his property, but they are not providing any other details.

Cut 7 (10) “the investigation”

Jeffery Marks was booked into the Iberia Parish Jail on a charge of first degree murder.

Louisiana had plenty of bizarre stories in 2016. The Amite High School valedictorian was not able to attend graduation because of his facial hair. Pastor Roosevelt Wright helped organize a special ceremony for Andrew Jones, but said it was incomprehensible that he was denied that privilege at his school.

Cut 10 (11) a baby”

2016 was a difficult year for Baton Rouge law enforcement. Emelie Gunn has more on their struggles…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Not much is expected to change in Louisiana’s economy next year. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The baby that was found in a trashcan in New Roads will remain in state care, according to the Department of Children and Family Services. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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It was a trying year for law enforcement in Baton Rouge. East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says 2016 will be a year that he’ll never forget….

cut 4  (10) “the flood”

Gautreaux was sworn into office in 2007 and the worst day of his career came on July 17^th when three law enforcement officers were killed and three more were injured by a gunman who set out to ambush first responders…

Cut 5  (09)  “the last”

Gautreaux says he is proud with the way law enforcement handled the protests after the Alton Sterling shooting and the way the community came together to heal. He says Baton Rouge didn’t see riots, fires or overturned cars after the shooting of Sterling…

Cut 6 (10) “peaceful manner”

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Tiger fans are gearing up for the Citrus Bowl against the Louisville Cardinals. Vice President of Development for the LSU Alumni Association Rhett Butler says they’ll have a contingent of fans arriving in Orlando on Friday and that includes a large group of Tigers fans who live in Florida.  Butler says there are several reasons why there is interest in this game.

CUT 7 (08)  “big draw”

Butler says fans traveling with the Alumni Association will be greeted with a tailgate party on Friday evening. He says the plan is to get everyone to Camping World Stadium in Orlando early in the morning for the 11 AM eastern time kickoff on Saturday

Cut 8 (08) “as well”

Butler expects fans who attend the game to get out and enjoy the festivities in the Orlando area to ring in 2017. He says a win at the Citrus Bowl will put everyone in high spirits for next football season.

Cut 9 (09)  “quarterback”

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Louisiana’s economy isn’t expected to change much in 2017. LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott says some areas will continue to do better than others. Scott says Baton Rouge and Lake Charles have a number of industrial projects that will get underway next year, but oil-dependent areas won’t be so lucky.

Cut 10 (08) “in Houma”

Scott says for the offshore oil industry to pick back up, the price of oil will need to reach at least $60 a barrel and the price of crude is currently trading at $54. But he says companies that produce natural gas are doing well, because it’s cheaper here, than in other parts of the world. He says that’s why areas in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles could see more job growth next year.

cut 11 (09) “existing plants”

One exciting prospect in 2017 for Louisiana is that Exxon Mobil and Saudi Basic Industries Corporation is considering building a petrochemical plant in either Louisiana or Texas. Sites in Ascension and St. James Parish are under consideration. Scott says this would be a huge get for the Bayou State.

cut 12 (08) “high paying job” 2x

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The Department of Children and Family Services says the baby who was discovered in a Walmart trashcan will remain in state care. DCFS Secretary Marketa (Mar-kee-tah) Garner Walters says baby Oliva will be placed in foster care for the time being, while they assess family members who could provide long term care for the child.

Cut 13 (12) “of trauma”

Walters says they are also trying to locate Olivia’s father. The child’s mother, 34-year-old Kyandrea Thomas, is incarcerated on a charge of attempted second degree murder, after she allegedly gave birth in the bathroom of the Walmart in New Roads and left the baby in a trashcan. Walters says in spite of her unconventional birth, baby Olivia is doing fine.

cut 14 (08) “we need”

Walters says Olivia is still recovering in the hospital, and she’ll be placed in foster care once she’s released. She says sometime in the next 45 days or so, they will go to court again to decide on the next step for Olivia.

Cut 15 (07) “for her”

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The Saints will look to finish 2016 on a three-game winning streak as they close out the regular season on Sunday against Atlanta. Quarterback Drew Brees on the state of the team heading into week 17….

Cut 16 (20) “builds confidence”

A victory for New Orleans would mean they would avoid a third straight 7-and-9 season and Brees says finishing .500 is a big deal to this team…

Cut 17 (12)    “want to go”

Brees says even though the team has missed out on the playoffs for a third consecutive year, spirits are high around the team…

Cut 18 (19) “every  team changes”

The Great Flood of 2016 has led more Louisiana residents to purchase flood insurance. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says flood insurance is the best purchase a Louisiana homeowner can make, whether or not you live in a flood zone.

Cut 3 (11) “low risk areas”

The NFIP has paid out more than $2 billion in claims as a result of the August flood.

After days of record breaking heat, a cold snap is on its way to Louisiana. Roger Erickson with the National Weather Service says while a front will bring cooler temperatures tomorrow, it won’t last long.

Cut 11 (08) “our east”

But he says warm weather will return for the weekend.

A Jeanerette man is behind bars in connection with the death of 75-year-old Howard Poche, who went missing on Christmas Day. Cat. Richard Fleming with the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office says 23-year-old Jeffery Marks was taken into custody this morning.

Cut 6 (11) “murder”

Poche’s body was discovered in a trashcan outside of his home.

From unprecedented budget deficits to historic floods, 2016 was a tough year for Louisiana. But even more bizarre was the time Pamela Anderson suggested Louisiana prisoners should become vegetarians. PETA spokesperson Dan Matthews said removing meat from the menu at Angola could save the state a lot of money.

Cut 9 (08) “this proposal”

The Department of Children and Family Services says Baby Oliva, who was found abandoned in a trashcan at the Walmart in New Roads, will remain in state custody for the time being. DCFS officials say Olivia will be placed with a foster family, while they assess family members who could provide long term care for the child.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces more Louisiana residents are purchasing flood insurance after the two devastating floods Louisiana endured this year. Don Molino has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

Winter weather is heading back to the Bayou State, but just for a little while. Roger Erickson with the National Weather Service says this quick cold front will likely help ease the dense fog we’ve been experiencing the last several days.

Cut 13 (04) “drop out”

Erickson says warm weather will return by the weekend, bringing with it the chance for severe weather.

Louisiana saw a lot of strange stories in 2016, but it will be hard to top the time Jackson Representative Kenny Havard proposed an amendment to a sex trafficking bill that suggested strippers must be young and skinny. Even after an uproar from female legislators, Havard refused to admit to making a sexist joke.

Cut 8 (08) “160 pounds”

Havard’s proposal suggested that strippers should be younger than 28 and weigh less than 160 pounds.

Like many Louisiana residents, U.S. Senator-elect John Kennedy is not happy that Amazon will begin collecting state and local sales taxes from Louisiana customers on January 1. Kennedy says when you start talking about the internet and taxes, you’re taking the first step down a very slippery slope.

Cut 23 (09) sooner or later”

After Louisiana saw two historic floods this year, more people are buying flood insurance. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says there were 451-thousand policies in place in July, and that has grown to 480-thousand. He says they saw the biggest spike in areas that were affected by the August flooding.

Cut 4 (10) “East Baton Rouge Parish”

Ascension, Lafayette, and Tangipahoa parishes saw similar hikes in policies.

A 23-year-old from Jeanerette is behind bars in connection with the disappearance of 75-year-old Howard Poche, who went missing on Christmas day. The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s office says Poche’s body has also been located, but Capt. Richard Fleming says they are not providing any other details.

Cut 7 (10) “the investigation”

Jeffery Marks was booked into the Iberia Parish Jail on a charge of first degree murder.

2016 was full of bizarre stories in Louisiana, like when Pamela Anderson suggested that prisoners at Angola should be fed a vegetarian diet. Spokesperson for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Dan Matthews, said not only is a vegetarian diet healthier for the inmates, it could also save the state money.

Cut 9 (08) “this proposal”

Environmental groups are not happy about a proposal to build an underground pipeline through the Atchafalaya Basin. Director of the Bucket Brigade, Anne Rolfes says Louisiana needs to stop seeing the oil and gas sectors as the only economic engine, as the renewable energy business is booming.

Cut 6 (08) “cleaner jobs”

Supporters of the Bayou Bridge Pipeline say it would improve safety because there is a greater chance for a spill when transporting oil on a truck or train.

After a brief cold snap last week, Robert Ricks with the National Weather Service says once again, warm air has settled over the Bayou State.

Cut 12 (11) “this far south”

Ricks says the pattern of hot then cold weather will continue for the next month or so.

A Houston man is facing drug charges after he brandished a gun at a driver in Jefferson Davis Parish. Chief Deputy Christopher Ivey says deputies found marijuana wrapped up like a Christmas present when they pulled over 29-year-old Michael Banks on I-10.

Cut 10 (08) “New Orleans”

Ivey says Banks faces charges of aggravated assault with a firearm and possession of marijuana with intent.

A Denham Springs woman has been arrested for forgery after she allegedly sold fake IDs to illegal immigrants. Denham Springs Police Chief Shannon Womack says when they executed a search warrant on 59-year-old Criselda Meraz, they discovered 60 fake driver’s licenses and $30-thousand in cash.

Cut 5 (07) “police department”

Womack says they also found material and equipment to make more fake IDs.

A proposed pipeline that would go through the Atchafalaya Basin from Calcasieu to St. James Parish is upsetting many environmental groups in the state. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Police say the newborn baby found abandoned in a Walmart trash can in New Roads last week is doing fine. New Roads Police Chief Kevin McDonald says the infant girl is in stable condition and eating. He says the baby’s mother, 34-year-old Kyandrea Thomas of Baker faces a charge of attempted second-degree murder.

A Denham Springs woman has been arrested for allegedly selling fake driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. Denham Springs Police Chief Shannon Womack says the investigation began after an illegal alien was pulled over in a traffic stop last week.

Cut 3 (10) “got it from”

Womack says the investigation led them to 59-year-old Criselda Meraz, who has been charged with forgery.

It doesn’t feel much like winter in the Bayou State. Robert Ricks with the National Weather Service says unfortunately, these warm temperatures often come with fog. He says much of south Louisiana has been covered with fog in the mornings.

Cut 13 (09) “lot of fog”

A dense fog advisory has been issued for the entire southern half of the state.