Officials in Pointe Coupee Parish say a woman gave birth in a Wal Mart bathroom, then left the infant in the trash can. DCFS is reminding the public about Louisiana’s Safe Haven law which allows mothers to legally relinquish babies under 60 days old to designated facilities. Deputy Director Terri Ricks says the baby is going to pull through and that’s the positive here….:
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The mother, 34-year-old Kyandrea Thomas of Baker, is charged with attempted second degree murder.

2016 was overall a rough year in Louisiana, and the state’s ag industry is feeling it too. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says the March flooding was a 90-million dollar setback, then the August floods in South Louisiana ruined acres of rice, soybean and cotton.:
CUT 7 (12) “our commodities”

Doctors are sending out warnings of Holiday Heart Syndrome; as more heart attacks are reporting in the two weeks following Christmas than any other time of the year. Ochsner Medical Center Cardiologist Dr. Doug Mendoza, says know the early signs of a heart attack..:
CUT 5 (09) “sweating, nausea”
He says folks should avoid high amounts of caffeine and high amounts of alcohol if you’re not used to it.

The Independence Bowl in Shreveport between Vanderbilt and North Carolina State kicks off this afternoon. Both teams are 6-and-6 on the year, and it’s the first bowl game for Vandy since 2013. Bowl Spokesperson Stefan Nolet says Commodore fans are pumped..:
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This is the 41st Independence Bowl and it’s the 11th oldest bowl game in college football.

According to the Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Office, Kyandrea Thomas was arrested on Christmas Eve, accused of giving birth in a New Roads Wal-Mart bathroom where she left her baby. Department of Children and Family Services Deputy Director Terri Ricks wants people to know about Louisiana’s Safe Haven law, because abandoning any child at a random location is a serious crime..:
Cut 10 (06) “it’s illegal”
She says under Safe Haven, anyone can legally bring a child up to 60 days old to an employee at a designated facility, and walk away.

2016 will go down as a difficult year for Louisiana’s agriculture industry. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says farmers were hurt by lower commodity prices and unfavorable weather…:
Cut 6 (10) “and flooding”

The holidays are a great time for celebration and enjoying friends and
family, but it also can bring stress and heart related issues. With the
new year coming, Ochsner Medical Center Cardiologist Dr. Doug Mendoza,
is offering advice on how to get a healthier heart for the holidays..:
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He also says watch what you eat and don’t drink too much alcohol.

The LSU Tigers return from Christmas Break today to continue preparations for Saturday’s game against Louisville in the Citrus Bowl. It’s the first ever meeting between the two teams and the Tigers are a slight favorite to win. LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says they expect a tough game in Orlando…:
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Kick off Saturday is 10am.

The woman accused of giving birth in a New Rhodes Wal Mart and leaving the infant in a bathroom has been arrested on charges of attempted second-degree murder, according to authorities. The Department of Children and Families Services says no mother has to take such desperate measures, because of Louisiana’s Safe Haven Law…:
Cut 9 (10) “and walk away”
That’s DCFS Deputy Secretary Terri Ricks. She says the baby is in stable condition at a Baton Rouge Hospital. The woman is identified as 34-year-old Kyandrea Thomas of Baker.

The US Department of Housing says a meeting will be held January 6th to discuss how the $1.2 billion dollars they’ve approved for flood recovery will be handed out. Governor John Bel Edwards says this isn’t everything victims of the devastating March and August events need, but it’s a significant milestone in Louisiana’s recovery.

2016 will be remembered as a tough year for the state’s ag industry. Don Molino has more…:
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This afternoon in Shreveport, it will be Vanderbilt versus North Carolina State in the Camping World Independence Bowl. Spokesperson Stefan Nolet says the Independence Bowl has a history of close match-ups and this game should add to that tradition as the two squads are coming into the contest on an upswing…:
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Kickoff is at 4:00 PM on ESPN2.

An elderly Catahoula Parish woman is recovering after authorities say she was sexually assaulted, kidnapped and forced into the trunk of her vehicle. Franklin Parish Sheriff Kevin Cobb says the suspect, 32-year-old Jimmy Edward Franklin, is a career criminal…:
cut 15 (11) “drug situation”
He faces at least 11 charges including rape and kidnapping and more are pending.

State Fire Marshal Butch Browning is asking residents that have a real Christmas tree to make sure they are properly watered, because when they dry out, the tree becomes a fire hazard….
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He says the best way to keep your family safe from a fire is to make sure you have a working smoke alarm.

NORAD is gearing up to track Santa’s journey around the world. Halen Doughty has more…:
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Tonight you can help usher in Santa in St. James Parish at the annual lighting of the bonfires along the Mississippi River levee.

Members of the military who can’t be at home this Christmas are sending holiday wishes to their families in Louisiana…:
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Thousands of people are expected to turnout for St. James Parish’s biggest Christmas Eve tradition- the Festival of Bonfires. Don Molino has more…:
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The mother of the baby that was left in a Wal Mart trash can in New Roads has reportedly been located. Her name is not being released, but detectives are believed to have found the woman at a hospital in Zachary where she went after giving birth inside the bathroom at the store. According to EMS, the baby is currently in critical, but stable condition.

Governor John Bel Edwards says the HUD approval of $1.2 billion dollars in flood relief is a significant milestone in Louisiana’s recovery. He says it’s not everything victims need, but he’s grateful the guidelines were published so quickly. When Congress returns, the governor says he’ll continue to work to bring more help to those in need.

The latest information from the North American Aerospace Defense Command – better known as NORAD – shows elves are busy loading the sleigh ahead of Santa’s around-the-world journey tonight. NORAD’s Lt. Commander Paul Noel says making sure the skies are safe over North America is their mission…:
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You can follow St. Nick with NORAD’s Track Santa app or online at NORADSanta.org.

AAA says $103 million people are traveling this holiday, the most on record. They believe it’s driven mostly by the second cheapest gas prices in nearly a decade.

The Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the case of an hours old infant who was located in a bathroom trashcan at the Wal Mart in New Roads. They say the baby was not responsive at first, but medical personnel stabilized the girl at the hospital. Police do have the name of a person of interest, but have not yet released that name.

Friday the US Department of Housing approved $1.2 billion dollars in aid for flood victims. Louisiana is now in line to receive $1.65 billion for recovery for the devastating March and August events.

More people are going out of town this Holiday period than ever recorded by AAA. Jeff Palermo reports..:
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More than 100 bonfires are lined up on the Mississippi River levee in St. James Parish, ready to be lit tonight to usher in Christmas. Festival of the Bonfires spokesperson Jason Amato says once again there are some creative wooden structures were built.
cut 5 (10) “…Cajun navy”
Amato says they light the bonfires at 7 p.m. sharp, but he encourages spectators to be there at 5 p.m.

There are many Louisiana soldiers currently serving our country who are not able to be with their families for Christmas. This military family sends a message back home to loved ones in Shreveport from overseas…:
Cut 10 (12) “Merry Christmas Y’all”

Thousands of people are expected to turnout for St. James Parish’s biggest Christmas Eve tradition- the Festival of Bonfires. Don Molino has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Don Molino”

A Franklin parish man is behind bars following a violent crime spree that ended with the suspect firing shots at officers in a high speed chase. Authorities say 32-year-old Jimmy Franklin kidnapped a 74-year-old woman from Catahoula Parish. Franklin faces multiple charges including kidnapping, rape, theft, and attempted murder.

Children around the country are getting ready to keep track of Santa’s journey, with a little help from the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD. Lt. Commander Paul Noel says making sure the skies are safe over North America is part of NORAD’s mission, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

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Noel says families can monitor Santa’s route through the NORAD Track Santa app or online at NORADSanta.org, and you can call 1-877-HI-NORAD.

Here’s a look at today’s midday commodity prices…

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