Clean-up and recovery will take place today in Tangipahoa Parish near Amite where a tornado touched down yesterday afternoon causing damage to nearly 20 homes. Jeff McKneely, spokesperson for Tangipahoa Parish Emergency management, says thankfully no one was hurt…

cut 13 (05) “severe damage”

The twister also knocked down trees and power lines, causing power outages in the area. In a statement, Governor Bobby Jindal says the state stands ready to assist the people of Tangipahoa Parish.

State Climatologist Barry Keim says now that we have the nasty conditions behind us we can expect to have some nice weather for Christmas in Louisiana. He says colder temperatures are now descending upon the state…

cut 4 (09) “bottom line”

He says Christmas morning is when the real cold weather is going to settle in with highs on Thursday in the 50s…

The annual Bonfires on the Levee takes place tonight in St. James Parish. Rhonda Lee, President of the Festival of the Bonfires, says this is a tradition in the parish dating back more than 100 years. She says, this year, 130 bonfires will be lit…

cut 7 (09) “along the levee”

Lee says the popularity of the Christmas Eve bonfires has been growing steadily over the last 25 years or so and expects the levees to be packed tonight. If you plan on heading to the Bonfires on the Levee celebration, it’s recommended that you get into the area before 6PM. The fires will be lit around 7 o’clock.

Around one hundred officers from different agencies involved in the search of a Baton Rouge preschooler made a sad discovery last night, as the body of 4-year-old Jassiah Clark was found in a deep hole less than 10 yards from his home. BRPD Sgt. Mary Ann Godawa (ga-DOW-ah) says it’s been tough…
CUT 11 (08) Q: “real tragic ending”
This afternoon the coroner’s report listed the preliminary cause of death is drowning with hyperthermia.

Even though Christmas Eve is tomorrow, there are many people who will be getting out in the crowds to get those final Christmas gifts…
cut 13 (09) “on Christmas Day”
That’s the Chairman of the Louisiana Tech Marketing Department Barry Babin.
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With the lighting of the Christmas Eve bonfires along the river tomorrow night, there is one in St. John Parish called the “Hands Up” bonfire in reaction to the Ferguson, Missouri police controversy. It’s being built across from Harold LaGrange’s home in Lucy…
CUT 7 (09) Q: “educating them at home”
The fire is scheduled to be lit at 7 pm tomorrow night.

State Police have arrested a Texas man during a traffic stop near Hammond for transporting a large amount of narcotics. State PoliceTrooper Greg Marchand says 37 year-old Matthew Llanas began acting suspiciously, and that’s when they called out the K-9 unit.
CUT 4 (08) “is marijuana”
Marchand says Llanas was booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail in Amite.

Most of the state is under a tornado watch this afternoon until 6 pm. The lines of heavy rains in advance of am approaching front have already produced high winds, golf ball-sized hail, and several power outages in some areas. All of the rains should exit the state by midnight tonight.

Baton Rouge Police say the search for 4-year-old came to a sad ending last night when the body of little Jassiah Clark was found in a deep hole less than 10 yards from his home. Eric Gill reports…
CUT 2 (31) “reporting”

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A Texas man has been arrested during a traffic stop near Hammond for transporting about $200 thousand dollars of illegal narcotics. When police saw the driver acting suspious, they called out the K-9 unit. State Police Trooper Greg Marchand says it’s an example of their proactive enforcement to target drug trafficking organizations…
CUT 5 (06) Q: “constant commitment”
Thirty-seven year-old Matthew Llanas is charged with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana.

Time is running out to get your Christmas shopping done. For many last minute shoppers, gift cards are the way to go. But Chair of the Louisiana Tech Marketing Department, Barry Babin, says some people feel obligated to use a gift card, even if it can be somewhat of a pain to receive…
cut 12 (09) “they really need”

Christmas Eve is tomorrow and Lutcher residents are putting the final touches on their holiday bonfires, which line the levees of the Mississippi River for Papa Noel to see his way down the river. They are set to be lit at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve.

There’s group of people in St. John Parish have constructed a “Hands up!” bonfire on the Mississippi River West Bank in response to the Fergerson, Missouri situation. Here’s Michelle Southern with more…
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

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The search for 4-year-old Jassiah Clark came to a sad ending last night when the boy’s body was found in a deep hole less than 10 yards from his home in Baton Rouge. BRPD Sgt. Mary Ann Godawa (ga-DOW-wa) says they found the body of little Jassiah Clark was found in a deep hole, which was filled with dirt and water…
CUT 10 (08) “a muddy area”
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch until 6 pm for most of Louisiana because of some rather intense storms in advance of a cold front. Some of the storms could also include heavy rains, frequent lightening and damaging hail.

Baton Rouge Police say the search for 4-year-old Jassiah Clark came to a tragic ending last night when the boy’s body was found in a deep hole that was filled with dirt and water less than 10 yards from his home. Sgt. Mary Ann Godawa says officers were looking in the area where the Jassiah was last seen…:
CUT 9 (11) “body of Jassiah”
She says they will know more about what happened pending the results of an autopsy today.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for the majority of Louisiana until 6pm this evening. The entire state should be aware there is a risk for severe weather all day today which could bring in damaging winds, lots of rain so a flash flood potential, thunderstorms and lightning.

A group of people in St. John Parish have constructed a “Hands up!” bonfire on the Mississippi River West Bank. The structure, which is a reaction to a grand jury’s decision not to indict the cop in Ferguson who shot and killed Michael Brown, is built across from Harold LaGrange’s home in Lucy. He says they construct a creative bonfire every Christmas Eve..:
CUT 6 (08) “really trending right now”
He says this is NOT a protest against police in anyway. They will light the bonfire tomorrow around 7pm.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s office says two men are under arrest accused of selling weed out of their snoball stand. Sgt. Clay Higgins says they had been getting complaints from the community about the T&E Soul Food and Sno-Ball stand in Opelousas. He says the narcotics enforcement team gathered enough evidence to obtain a search warrant…:
CUT 13 (08) “each man”
Under arrest are 37-year-old Jermaine Doucet and 32-year-old Bryant Fields, both from Opelousas.

According to the American Automobile Association, a record 98.6 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more away from home over the next two weeks. Scott Carwile reports…:
CUT 1 (27) “reporting”

The majority of the state is under a tornado watch which is in effect until 6pm this evening with the exception, currently, of portions of north west Louisiana. The National Weather Service says the entire state is at risk for heavy rain today, thunderstorms, damaging winds and golf-ball size hail is already being reported in parts of southeast Louisiana.

A traffic stop near Hammond lead State Police to arrest a Texas man for transporting illegal narcotics to Atlanta. Trooper Greg Marchand says while 37-year-old Matthew Llanas was stopped for a traffic violation, he began to act nervous. He says officers requested a K9 unit to assist…:
CUT 3 (10) “200-thousand dollars”
He says Llanas was booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail in Amite.

The flu outbreak in Louisiana that was already bad, is becoming even more widespread and just in time for the Holidays. Dr. Frank Welch, medical director of the Louisiana Office of Public Health, says this is one of the worst seasons for influenza he has ever seen…:
CUT 10 (08) “in the thick of it”
Welch says nobody wants to give the gift of the flu this Christmas so if you get sick stay home.

Louisiana’s flu outbreak is becoming even more widespread, just in time for the Holidays. Medical Director of the Louisiana Office of Public Health, Dr. Frank Welch, says one of the reasons we’re seeing such a bad outbreak is because the H3N2 strain that’s going around is not covered in this year’s flu shot. He says that should not discourage you from getting the flu shot because it’s still better than no protection at all. Welch says nobody wants to give the gift of the flu this Christmas…

cut 12 (05) “don’t wanna do that”

Welch says a whopping six out of every 100 doctor visits in Louisiana are because of flu-like symptoms.

State Climatologist Barry Keim says Louisiana is in for a bout of severe weather today. He says a cold front is tracking across Louisiana that could dump up to three inches of rain on some portions of the state. But Keim says the good news is that all of this nasty weather will be out of the way for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but it will be much colder outside…

cut 6 (11) “Christmas Day”

A Franklin Parish woman faces 28-years in jail after pleading guilty to throwing her 20-month old daughter from a moving vehicle in June. 24-year-old LaSasha Allen pleaded guilty to second-degree cruelty to a juvenile. The Franklin Parish Sheriff’s Office says Allen placed her daughter unrestrained in a car and opened the car’s door as she rounded a curve, causing the little girl to be ejected from the vehicle. The child sustained multiple injuries including a broken arm and skull fracture. Allen will be sentenced on March 18.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s office says two men are under arrest accused of selling weed out of their snoball stand…

cut 3 (30) “reporting”

The flu outbreak in Louisiana that was already bad, is becoming even more widespread and just in time for the Holidays. Michelle Southern reports.

cut 2 (25) “reporting”

A Vernon Parish grand jury has formally indicted Rosepine Police Chief James “Dennis” Parrot on malfeasance and felony stalking charges. Parrot was arrested in August, accused of stalking his estranged wife and using the police department database to illegally check a license plate number. Parrot, who recently won re-election, was booked into the Vernon Parish Jail and later released after posting bond.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested two men accused of selling weed out of the T&E Soul Food and Sno-Ball stand in Opelousas. Sgt. Clay Higgins says 37-year-old Jermaine Doucet and 32-year-old Bryant Fields, both from Opelousas, were caught selling a side dish of “Hydro” marijuana to customers…

cut 14 (07) “grown and cultivated”

The charges on each man include possessing marijuana and transaction involving proceeds from drug offenses.

A record 98.6 million Americans will hit the road during the year-end holiday period, according to the American Automobile Association. The year-end holiday period is defined as today through Sunday, January 4th. AAA spokesman Don Redman says the calendar is definitely playing a role in the increased holiday travel this year…

cut 9 (09) “they’re utilizing it”

He says nearly 91-percent of travelers will take a road trip to celebrate the holidays and they’ll pay the lowest gas prices seen since 2009.