12:30 Newscast, December 16th, 2015

We’re learning more information about the people involved in the double/murder suicide last night at a bar in Tangipahoa Parish. Police say 35-year-old Thomas Ransom entered Angie’s Bar in Independence and shot his estranged wife, April, and 43-year-old Joseph Cormier. He allegedly fired multiple times before turning the gun on himself. April Ransom made a post on Facebook last night that she was looking for something to do, and one of her friends suggested Angie’s Bar.

Drones are being talked about as one of the most popular Christmas gifts this year in Louisiana, but the Federal Aviation Administration wants consumers to know they’ve released new regulations for registering the unmanned aerial vehicles. FAA spokesperson Lynn Lunsford says they think a drone could have taken out a window in a helicopter recently…:
CUT 3 (06) “other stuff”
Any drone weighing between half a pound and 55 pounds must be registered before it can fly.

Entergy Louisiana is reminding residents to beware of scammers during the holiday season. Spokesperson Kacee Kirschvink says they’ve heard reports of people who receiving phone calls telling them they’re payment is late and to pay up or have your services cut off. She says Entergy will never request immediate payment…:
CUT 13 (09) “the phone”
She says if you get a call like this you should immediately contact authorities.

McNeese State Athletics Director Bruce Hemphill has scheduled a press conference this afternoon to give an update on the future of the school’s football program. It’s expected that he will announce that Defensive Coordinator Lance Guidry will be the team’s new head coach. Guidry is reportedly McNeese’s top choice to replace Matt Viator who accepted the head coaching position at ULM.

 

11:40 Sportscast December 16, 2015

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs have arrived in the Crescent City in advance of Saturday’s R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. The 8-4 Bulldogs will face the 9-3 Sunbelt Conference champion Arkansas State Red Wolves. Tech coach Skip Holtz says Arkansas State is a talented team, especially on the defensive side of the ball where they lead the nation in takeaways and interceptions…

cut 8 (09) “they played”

Saturday’s game kicks off at 8PM in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. It will be televised on ESPN.

McNeese State Athletics Director Bruce Hemphill has scheduled a press conference this afternoon to give an update on the future of the school’s football program. It’s expected that he will announce that Defensive Coordinator Lance Guidry will be the team’s new head coach. Guidry is reportedly McNeese’s top choice to replace Matt Viator who accepted the head coaching position at ULM.

In college basketball last night UL-Lafayette lost to number 22 UCLA 89-80, Southern fell to Memphis 72-67, Ole Miss defeated Louisiana Tech 99-80, and Florida A&M edged Southeastern Louisiana 67-64.

Tonight LSU takes on Gardner-Webb, UNO is at UMass, McNeese State hosts LSU-Alexandria, Nicholls State is at number 18 SMU, and Tulane tangles with the 11th ranked North Carolina Tarheels in Chapel Hill.

The Pelicans’ five game road trip continues tonight in Utah. The Jazz pummeled the Pels 101-87 on November 28th, but have since been on a bit of a skid. Utah has dropped six of their last eight and are on a three game losing streak. The Pelicans have not been any better, winning just two of their last seven. Tipoff is at 8PM.

11:30 Newscast, December 16th, 2015

A murder-suicide in Tangipahoa Parish has left three people dead. Independence Police say, when they arrived at the scene, they found three people dead on the floor of a bar. Authorities say that 35-year-old Thomas Ransom walked into the bar and shot both 38-year-old April Ransom and 43-year-old Joseph Cormier before turning the gun on himself. Authorities say no other injuries were reported and their investigation is ongoing.

You may want to think twice about purchasing a drone for a holiday gift as the Federal Aviation Administration released new regulations. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

Entergy Louisiana warns customers to be alert for energy bill scams this holiday season. They say the scam usually begins with a person claiming the customer’s bill is past due and their power will be shut off if payment isn’t made immediately. Entergy reminds customers that their courtesy calls are recorded calls and the company never demands immediate payment. If you believe you are a victim of this scam, you should notify authorities.

The Louisiana Oil and Gas Industry is applauding Congress for wrapping up a deal late Tuesday that included a provision that would lift the four-decade ban on most exports of oil. Congressman Steve Scalise has been a huge supporter of the change and hopes the bill will pass out of both the House and Senate by the end of this week. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Don Briggs says this would make the US more energy independent and create thousands of jobs in the state…:
CUT 7 (06) “would help”
Opponents of lifting the ban say more drilling would harm the environment.

 

10:30 Newscast, December 16th, 2015

Police in Independence tell multiple media outlets that a man shot and killed his estranged wife and another man before killing himself in an apparent “love triangle.” They say the double murder, suicide happened at Angie’s Bar in Tangipahoa Parish just before 10:30 Tuesday night. That’s when, according to police, 35-year-old Thomas Ransom entered the bar shot his 38-year-old wife, April, and 43-year-old Joseph Cormier, multiple times before turning the gun on himself.

Firearm dealers are sending out some notes of caution to consumers who are planning to buy a gun for somebody else for Christmas this year. Federally licensed dealers require background checks for anyone buying a gun — and it’s against the law for customers to purchase a weapon for someone who wouldn’t pass a background check. Blake Boudreaux is the general manager at Lafayette Shooters…:
CUT 15 (09) “in fines”

Congress wrapped up a deal late Tuesday that included a provision that would lift the four-decade ban on most exports of oil. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Don Briggs says this is a huge help to the industry…:
CUT 6 (07) “destiny”
Opponents of lifting the ban say more drilling would harm the environment.

The Louisiana Tech football team has arrived in the Big Easy in advance of Saturday’s R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

 

09:30 Newscast December 16, 2015

Firearm dealers are urging people buying guns as Christmas presents to be cautious. Emelie Gunn has more…

cut 3 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A Prairieville woman has pleaded guilty to collecting Veterans’ Affairs benefits that were intended for her mother who died in 2011. 45-year-old Michelle Akridge confessed to taking more than $77,000. Authorities say Akridge did not report her mother’s death and illegally collected Veterans’ Affairs Dependency and Indemnity Compensation checks for four years.

Disturbing reports that forced labor is being used to shell shrimp being imported from factories in Thailand is raising concerns in the US. Thomas Hymel with the LSU Ag Center Sea Grant program says it’s a shame that the product is coming in from such despicable factories who use practices such as child slave labor — and it appears to be gaining more scrutiny…

cut 6 (10) “half the price”

Hymel says there are many countries who export products to us that engage in slave labor for a bigger profit and, the majority of the time, nobody knows it’s going on.

Entergy Louisiana warns customers to be alert for energy bill scams this holiday season. They say the scam usually begins with a person claiming the customer’s bill is past due and their power will be shut off if payment isn’t made immediately. Entergy reminds customers that their courtesy calls are recorded calls and the company never demands immediate payment. If you believe you are a victim of this scam, you should notify authorities.

08:30 Newscast December 16, 2015

There’s been a big buzz this week over disturbing reports that forced labor is being used for the shelling of shrimp being imported into the US from factories in Thailand…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A murder-suicide in Tangipahoa Parish has left three people dead. Independence Police say, when they arrived at the scene, they found three people dead on the floor of a bar. Authorities say that 35-year-old Thomas Ransom walked into the bar and shot both 38-year-old April Ransom and 43-year-old Joseph Cormier before turning the gun on himself. Authorities say no other injuries were reported and their investigation is ongoing.

Two Louisiana plantations have been nominated by USA Today in the 10 Best Historic Home Tours. Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie and Houmas House Plantation and Gardens in Darrow are among 20 historic houses on the list. Houmas House owner Kevin Kelly says the gardens and seasonal changes bring many people to visit the Darrow plantation more than once…

cut 12 (11) “Houmas House”

Oak Alley Plantation is known as one of the most photographed plantations in Louisiana.

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office says a traffic stop led to the arrest of a Eunice woman on drug charges. They say during the stop, officers noticed the aroma of burnt marijuana. As they were about to search the vehicle, they noticed 36-year-old Jennifer Schaefer shuffling in the back seat. When asked what she was doing, Schaefer replied, “hiding marijuana”. Deputies did find pot in Shaefer’s purse and booked her with second offense possession of marijuana.

07:30 Newscast December 16, 2015

Firearms dealers are urging you to be cautious not to participate in straw purchasing if you’re planning to buy a gun for someone else for Christmas this year. Blake Boudreaux, general manager at Lafayette Shooters, says during the holiday season it’s often hard to discern between a gift buyer and a person purchasing a gun for someone who couldn’t pass a background check…

cut 14 (07) “judgement”

He says people who participate in a straw purchasing face serious consequences.

Concern have been raised over disturbing reports that forced labor is being used to shell shrimp being imported into the US from factories in Thailand. LSU Ag Center Sea Grant program’s Thomas Hymel says, as consumers, we can start paying better attention to where the seafood we buy comes from and make sure that it’s a Louisiana product..

cut 5 (09) “at all”
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs have arrived in the Crescent City in advance of Saturday’s R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. The 8-4 Bulldogs will face the 9-3 Sunbelt Conference champion Arkansas State Red Wolves. Tech coach Skip Holtz says Arkansas State is a talented team, especially on the defensive side of the ball where they lead the nation in creating turnovers and interceptions…

cut 8 (09) “they played”

Saturday’s game kicks off at 8PM in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Houmas House Plantation and Gardens in Darrow and Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie have been nominated for the 10 Best Historic Home Tours by USA Today. Houmas House owner Kevin Kelly believes their variety of unique experiences along with the historic house helped to place them in the top 10…

cut 11 (08) “art collection”

Houmas House is currently ranked number three while Oak Alley Plantation is ranked number 9.

06:45 Sportscast December 16, 2015

The Louisiana Tech football team has arrived in the Big Easy in advance of Saturday’s R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. The 8-4 Bulldogs will face the 9-3 Sun Belt Conference champion Arkansas State Red Wolves in the game that kicks off at 8PM in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Tech head coach Skip Holtz says now that game week is here, the team is ready to get going…

cut 7 (08) “at the end”

A-State comes into the game with an eight game winning streak and a defense that leads the nation in takeaways and interceptions. Saturday’s game will be televised on ESPN.

Willie Fritz has been officially introduced as the new football coach at Tulane. The former Georgia Southern head coach has 193 career victories to his name according to the NCAA and is the 4th winningest active head coach in the FBS.

Tulane’s 2016 home football schedule features two Louisiana schools. The Green Wave will host Southern on September 10th and UL-Lafayette on September 24th.

It was a rough night for Louisiana’s colleges on the hardwood…

Bryce Alford scored a season high 27 points leading the 22nd ranked UCLA Bruins to an 89-80 win over UL-Lafayette. Shawn Long led the way for the Cajuns with 26 points and 16 rebounds.

Ole Miss hands Louisiana Tech their second loss of the season 99-80. The Bulldogs were led by Erik McRee’s 20 points, followed by Alex Hamilton’s 16.

Southern was edged by Memphis 72-67. The Jags’ Jared Sam led all scorers with 26 as Southern falls to 7-3 on the season.

And Southeastern Louisiana hung tight, but couldn’t get past Florida A&M 67-64. Up next for the Lions, a Monday trip to Atlanta to take on Georgia Tech.

Tonight LSU welcomes Gardner-Webb to the P-MAC, UNO plays UMass, McNeese State hosts LSU-Alexandria, Nicholls State is at 18th ranked SMU, and Tulane tangles with number 11 North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

06:30 Newscast December 16, 2015

There’s a big buzz this week over disturbing reports that forced labor is being used for the shelling of shrimp being imported into the US from factories in Thailand. Thomas Hymel with the LSU Ag Center Sea Grant program estimates that more than 90% of our food is imported. He says most of the shrimp and seafood we eat, comes from places like Thailand…

cut 4 (08) “the spotlight”

Hymel says there are many countries who export products to us that engage in slave labor.

Two plantations in Louisiana have been nominated for the 10 Best Historic Home Tours by USA Today. Houmas House Plantation and Gardens in Darrow and Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie are among 20 historic houses on the list. Kevin Kelly is the owner of Houmas House. He says they are thrilled to have been selected…

cut 10 (09) “for me”

You can vote once a day, every day through December 21st online at 10-Best-dot-com.

If you’re planning on buying a gun for someone else for Christmas this year, firearm dealers are urging you to be cautious. Federally licensed sellers are required to perform background checks and customers who purchase a gun for someone who couldn’t pass face serious consequences. Blake Boudreaux, general manager at Lafayette Shooters, advises people to really know the person they’re buying for.

cut 13 (11) “with you”

Boudreaux says the federal government takes the crime of straw purchasing extremely seriously.

**CORRECTION** AM Newscall, December 16th, 2015

There’s been a big buzz this week over disturbing reports that forced labor is being used for the shelling of shrimp being imported into the US from factories in Thailand. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

______________________________________

The Louisiana Tech football team has arrived in the Big Easy in advance of Saturday’s R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. Eric Gill reports…

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

______________________________________

Firearm dealers are urging people buying guns as Christmas presents to be cautious. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

There’s a big buzz this week over disturbing reports that forced labor is being used for the shelling of shrimp being imported into the US from factories in Thailand. Thomas Hymel (EE-Mel) with the LSU Ag Center Sea Grant program estimates that more than 90% of our food is imported. He says most of the shrimp and seafood we eat, comes from places like Thailand

cut 4  (08)  “the spotlight”

Hymel says there are many countries who export products to us that engage in slave labor for a bigger profit and, the majority of the time, nobody knows it’s going on. He says what we as consumers can do is to start paying better attention to where the seafood we buy comes from and make sure that it’s a Louisiana product..:

Cut 5  (09)  “at all”

Hymel says our shrimpers here in Louisiana had extremely low prices at the dock this year because the imported product was coming in so cheap, it was all some locals could do to break even. He says it’s a shame that the product is coming in from such despicable factories who use practices such as child slave labor — and it appears to be gaining more scrutiny…:

Cut 6 (10)  “half the price”

______________________________________

The Louisiana Tech football team has arrived in the Big Easy in advance of Saturday’s R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. The 8-4 Bulldogs will face the 9-3 Arkansas State Red Wolves in the game that kicks off at 8PM in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Tech head coach Skip Holtz says now that game week is here, the team is enthused to get going…

CUT 7 (08)  “at the end”

Arkansas State, the Sun Belt Conference champions, come into the game riding an eight game winning streak. Holtz says the Red Wolves is a talented team, especially on the defensive side of the ball where they lead the nation in creating turnovers and interceptions…

Cut 8  (09)  “they played”

Saturday’s game will be televised on ESPN. Bulldog seniors have the opportunity to win their 31st game as a class for Tech. Holtz says his seniors are ready to hit the field one last time in a Louisiana Tech jersey…

Cut 9 (07) “on the field”

______________________________________

Two plantations in Louisiana have been nominated for the 10 Best Historic Home Tours by USA Today. Houmas House Plantation and Gardens in Darrow and Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie are among 20 historic houses on the list. Kevin Kelly is the owner of Houmas House. He says they are thrilled to have been selected…

Cut 10 (09) “for me” 

You can vote once a day, every day through December 21st online at 10-Best-dot-com (10Best.com). Kelly says Houmas House is ranked number three as of right now and believes their variety of unique experiences along with the historic house helped to place them in the top 10.

cut 11 (08) “art collection”

Oak Alley Plantation, which is currently ranked number 9 on the list, is known as one of the most photographed plantations in Louisiana. The antebellum mansion was built in 1839  and has 28 huge live oak trees leading up to the plantation.

Kelly says the gardens are an ornamental piece of Houmas House and the seasonal changes bring many people to visit the Darrow plantation more than once.

Cut 12 (11) “Houmas House”

_____________________________________

If you’re planning on buying a gun for someone else for Christmas this year, firearm dealers are urging you to be cautious. Federally licensed sellers are required to perform background checks and customers who purchase a gun for someone who couldn’t pass, called straw purchase, face serious consequences. Blake Boudreaux, general manager at Lafayette Shooters, advises people to really know the person they’re buying for.

Cut 13 (11)  “with you”

Boudreaux says the federal government takes the crime of straw purchasing extremely serious. He says during the holiday season it’s often hard to discern between a gift buyer and a person purchasing a gun for someone who couldn’t pass a background check.

Cut 14 (07) “judgement”

Boudreaux encourages folks to take measures to protect yourself if you choose to give the gift of a firearm this Christmas. He says there is a program called “don’t lie for the other guy” to let others know the repercussions of a straw purchase.

Cut 15  (09) “in fines”

 __________________________________