07:30 Sportscast January 2, 2016

It did not take long for LSU to hire a new defensive coordinator. Less than 72 hours after Kevin Steele announced he was leaving Baton Rouge to take the defensive coordinator at Auburn, the Tigers announce that Wisconsin’s Dave Arnada will lead the LSU defense next season. Under Arnada, the Badgers led the FBS in scoring defense, allowing less than 14 points per game. In fact, in five major defensive categories the Wisconsin defense ranks in the top seven nationally. In a twist of fate, LSU opens their 2016 football season against Wisconsin.

Former Neville High standout John Diarse is transferring from LSU. Diarse was a reserve wide receiver this past season and caught 13 passes for 137 yards, including a season-high 45 receiving yards in the Tigers’ win over Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl. Diarse graduated from LSU last month and can continue his college career somewhere else.

12th ranked Ole Miss scored 24 points in the second quarter on their way to a 48-20 win over number 16 Oklahoma State in last night’s Sugar Bowl in the Mercedes Benz-Superdome. Rebel quarterback Chad Kelly threw for 302 yards and four touchdowns as Ole Miss won their first Sugar Bowl since 1970. With the win, the SEC improves to 6-2 this bowl season.

Today in college basketball…LSU begins SEC play as it visits Vanderbilt for a game that can be seen on ESPN Two at eight o’ clock. The Tigers have been up and down in their pre-conference schedule and they enter league play with a 7-5 record.

Louisiana Tech opens their Conference USA schedule hosting Southern Miss.

In the Southland Conference, Northwestern State takes on Houston Baptist, Nicholls State Hosts Lamar, and McNeese State travels to Nacogdoches to face Stephen F. Austin.

In the SWAC, Grambling hosts Alabama A&M and Southern will face Texas Southern in Houston.

In the Sun Belt, UL-Lafayette plays Appalachian State in the Cajundome.

And Tulane hosts UConn in an American Conference matchup.

17:30 Newscast January1,2015

With a new year, a handful of laws go into effect. Jeff Palermo has the story…
cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Firefighters in Scott are warning people of the dangers of fireworks after an incident that left one person with second degree burns. At around 12:30, firefighters responded to a car accident. Officials say a firecracker was lit inside of a moving car with five people inside. The victim tried to throw it out the window of the car but winds pushed it back inside the vehicle where it then exploded. The driver wrecked into a fence trying to help the victim.

 
2015 saw oil prices in the US drop , so what could we expect in 2016? David Dismukes, executive director at LSU’s Center for Energy Studies, says the driving public is enjoying the drop in gas prices, but companies in the oil industry have been forced to layoff thousands of workers. Dismukes says we likely won’t see as many job losses in 2016…
cut 8 (11) “they do”

Saturday night’s Powerball jackpot rises to $334 million with a cash value of $205 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin reminds players that it only takes one ticket to win, so play responsibly. Chopin also says you shouldn’t be too quick to throw out your ticket if you don’t hit the big jackpot…
cut 5 (05) “winning numbers”

16:30 Newscast January 1,2016

A barrel of oil is going for just 37-dollars on the New York Mercantile Exchange, so what could we expect in the New Year? Some are worried that oil prices could approach 20-dollars in 2016, but executive director at LSU’s Center for Energy Studies David Dismuke’s  says if it does reach that level, it won’t be for long.

cut 7 (10) “for awhile”

Saturday night’s PowerBall jackpot has reached $335 million. Louisiana Lottery Spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says when the jackpots rise, more people want to play Powerball…

cut 4 (09) “play responsibly”

Saturday’s jackpot has a cash value of $205 million.

 

The Smoking Cessation Trust is offering tips to help Louisiana smokers quit 2016. Spokesperson Jim Pittman says feel free to contact the Smoking Cessation Trust to get more information and to see if you qualify for free treatment…

cut 11 (11) “6346”

The US Army Corps of Engineers is preparing to possibly open the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish next weekend because of high river levels on the Mississippi River. Corps spokesperson Ricky Boyett says if they open the spillway, it will help to take pressure off of the levee system and allow water to flow out of harm’s way…

cut 14 (06) “Lake Ponchatrain”

15:30 Newscast January 1,2016

Will 2016 result in a rise in oil prices? Don Molino has more…
cut 1 (31) “I’m Don Molino”

State Police say a two vehicle crash in Rapides Parish has claimed the life of a woman. They say 21-year-old Kristi Mayfield of Lecompte was driving down a roadway when she collided with the rear of a tractor trailer. Mayfield was taken to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. The driver of the 18-wheeler, 58-year-old Travis Highbaugh, was uninjured. The investigation is currently ongoing.
The US Army Corps of Engineers is preparing to possibly open the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish next weekend due to high river levels on the Mississippi River. Corps spokesperson Ricky Boyett says when the spillway is opened, it helps to prevent a rising Mississippi River from spilling over its banks, causing damage to homes and businesses…
cut 13 (05) “certain rate”

The last time the spillway was opened was in 2011. Mississippi River flooding in the Midwest is resulting in numerous homes and businesses taking flood waters.

Louisiana residents who are setting a New Year’s resolution to quit smoking in 2016 can get help from the Smoking Cessation Trust. Spokesperson Jim Pittman says make sure to plan for challenges when you’re trying to quit because you’re going to have cravings…
cut 10 (08) “like that”

 

14:30 Newscast January 1,2016

The US Army Corp of Engineers is preparing to possibly open the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish next weekend because of high river levels on the Mississippi River. Corps spokesperson Ricky Boyett says they are closely monitoring crest projections…

cut 12 (09) “we’ll move forward”

2011 was the last time the spillway was opened.

Oil prices in the US fell 30-percent in 2015, so what could we expect in 2016? Executive director at LSU’s Center for Energy Studies David Dismukes says there needs to be an increase in demand for oil for prices to go back up, but doesn’t see that happening anytime soon…

cut 6 (10) “rebound in 16”

 

Saturday’s estimated Powerball jackpot climbs to an whopping $334 million with a cash value of $205 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says we haven’t seen a Powerball jackpot at this level in a while.

cut 3 (10) “at that time”

She says this jackpot has been growing since November 4th.

The Smoking Cessation Trust is offering tips to Louisiana smokers to help them quit in 2016. Spokesperson Jim Pittman says any resident that began smoking before September 1, 1988 is eligible for free programs and services, including cessation medication, nicotine replacement therapy, and counseling. He says there are also several other recommendations for those who want to quit…

cut 9 (09) “about you”

09:30 Newscast January 1, 2016

With a new year, a handful of laws go into effect. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Residents and visitors to the Big Easy will have to pay more to park on some busy New Orleans streets in the new year. In some high traffic areas, including the French Quarter and Central Business District, parking meter rates will double from $1.50 an hour to $3 an hour. In other areas of the city, the rate will increase to $2 an hour. Enforcement hours will also be extended an hour to 7PM. The changes take effect January 11.

2015 saw US oil prices plummet, so what could we expect in 2016? David Dismukes, executive director at LSU’s Center for Energy Studies, says the motoring public is enjoying the low gas prices, but companies in the oil industry have been forced to layoff thousands of workers. Dismukes says we might not see as many job losses in 2016…

cut 8 (11) “they do”

Dismukes says there needs to be an increase in demand for oil for prices to go back up, but he doesn’t see that happening anytime soon.

Tomorrow night’s estimated Powerball jackpot rises to an amazing $334 million with a cash value of $205 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin reminds players that it only takes one ticket to win, so play responsibly. Chopin also says you shouldn’t be too quick toss your ticket if you don’t hit the jackpot…

cut 5 (05) “winning numbers”

The deadline to purchase tickets for the next drawing is Saturday at 9PM.

08:30 Newscast January 1, 2016

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, a barrel of oil is going for just 37-dollars, so what could we expect in the new year? Some are concerned that oil prices could approach 20-dollars in 2016, but David Dismukes, executive director at LSU’s Center for Energy Studies, says if it does reach that level, it won’t last long…

cut 7 (10) “for awhile”

The motoring public enjoys the low oil prices, because it’s led to the lowest gas prices in nearly seven years.

The jackpot for Saturday night’s PowerBall drawing has climbed to $334 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says when jackpots rise, more and more people play Powerball…

cut 4 (09) “play responsibly”

Saturday’s jackpot has a cash value of $205 million.

The Smoking Cessation Trust is offering tips to help Louisiana smokers kick the habit in 2016. Spokesperson Jim Pittman says feel free to contact the Smoking Cessation Trust to get more information and to see if you qualify for free treatment…

cut 11 (11) “6346”

Resident who began smoking before September 1, 1988 are eligible for free programs and services, including cessation medication, nicotine replacement therapy, and counseling.

High river levels on the Mississippi River has the US Army Corps of Engineers preparing to possibly open the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish next weekend. Corps spokesperson Ricky Boyett says if they open the Bonnet Carre, it takes the pressure off Louisiana’s levee system and allows water to flow out of harm’s way…

cut 14 (06) “Lake Ponchatrain”

Boyett says they are closely monitoring crest projections.

07:30 Newscast January 1, 2016

Will 2016 result in a rise in oil prices? Don Molino spoke with an analyst…

cut 1 (31) “I’m Don Molino”

State Police say a two vehicle crash in Rapides Parish has claimed the life of a young woman. They say 21-year-old Kristi Mayfield of Lecompte was traveling down a roadway when she collided with the rear of a tractor trailer. Mayfield was transported to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. The driver of the 18-wheeler, 58-year-old Travis Highbaugh, was uninjured. The investigation is ongoing.

The US Army Corps of Engineers is preparing to possibly open the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish next weekend because of high river levels on the Mississippi River. Corps spokesperson Ricky Boyett says when the spillway is opened, it helps to prevent a rising Mississippi River from spilling over its banks, causing damage to homes and businesses…

cut 13 (05) “certain rate”

Mississippi River flooding in the Midwest is resulting in numerous homes and businesses taking flood waters.

Louisiana residents looking to quit smoking in 2016 can get help from the Smoking Cessation Trust. Spokesperson Jim Pittman says to plan for challenges when you’re trying to quit because you’re going to have cravings…

cut 10 (08) “like that”

Pittman advises smokers to chat with their doctor about nicotine replacement therapy or a prescription medication to stop. Free programs and services are available for residents who began smoking before September 1, 1988.

06:45 Sportscast January 1, 2016

The matchup has been decided for the College Football Playoff national championship game. Number one Clemson scored 21 unanswered second half points to blow past number four Oklahoma 37-17 in the Orange Bowl. And second ranked Alabama dominated number three Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl 38-0. Clemson and Alabama will meet January 11th in the CFP National Championship Game at Glendale, Arizona.

Louisiana Tech has promoted Tim Rattay from outside receivers coach to quarterbacks coach. Rattay has been a Bulldog assistant the last three years after a record-setting career as a quarterback for Tech in the late 1990s. Rattay was promoted after offensive coordinator Tony Peterson left La Tech for the same job at East Carolina University. No word on who the Bulldogs will hire to direct their offense.

In college basketball, Majok Deng scored 18 to lead ULM to a 72-56 win over Appalachian State. The win improves the Warhawks to 6-7 and a perfect 2-0 in Sun Belt Conference play.

A high school football prospect in northwest Louisiana has been arrested for a second time in the last several weeks. It’s being reported that Devin White was charged with careless operation of a motor vehicle and flight from an officer. White, who had a stellar career at North Webster, was charged with carnal knowledge of a juvenile in November. He’s being recruited by LSU.

The Clippers ended the Pels three game home winning streak last night defeating them 95-89. JJ Reddick pumped in 26 for Los Angeles to end an unbeaten 5 game road trip. Six Pelicans scored in double figures in the defeat led by Ryan Anderson’s 17 followed by Jrue Holiday with 15. The Pels are now 10-22 and are looking to get a “W” this Saturday at Dallas.

The Saints are looking to close out the regular season on a two game winning streak when they face the Atlanta Falcons. Although they’re guaranteed a second straight losing season, a win would let New Orleans finish the season with a 7-9 record. Sunday’s kickoff is at noon.

06:30 Newscast January 1, 2016

US oil prices fell 30-percent in 2015, so what could we expect in 2016? David Dismukes is the executive director at LSU’s Center for Energy Studies and he says there needs to be an increase in demand for oil for prices to go back up, but he doesn’t see that happening anytime soon…

cut 6 (10) “rebound in 16”

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, a barrel of oil is going for 37-dollars, a far cry from 2014 when oil was trading for 100-dollars a barrel.

Because of high river levels on the Mississippi River, the US Army Corps of Engineers is preparing to possibly open the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish next weekend. Corps spokesperson Ricky Boyett says they are closely monitoring crest projections…

cut 12 (09) “we’ll move forward”

2011 was the last time the flood control structure was opened.

Saturday’s estimated Powerball jackpot climbs to an amazing $334 million with a cash value of $205 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says it’s been a while since we’ve seen a Powerball jackpot at this level…

cut 3 (10) “at that time”

She says this jackpot has been growing since November 4th.

The Smoking Cessation Trust is offering tips to Louisiana smokers to help them quit in 2016. Spokesperson Jim Pittman says any resident that started smoking before September 1, 1988 is eligible for free programs and services, including cessation medication, nicotine replacement therapy, and counseling. He says there are also several other recommendations for those who want to quit…

cut 9 (09) “about you”