The Economic Development Department says 2018 was a strong year for new business taking root in the state and the agency celebrates a year-to-year drop in unemployment rate. The year was headlined by major announcements from foreign firms, and Secretary Don Pierson says capital is flowing in from around the world.
Cut 3 (09) “…dollars.”

Parts of the state are recovering from a nasty night of weather as several inches of rain piled up. Those rains have authorities in St. Tammany Parish keeping an eye on a few rivers in the Covington area, which could affect residents in low lying areas. St. Tammany Emergency Management Director Dexter Accardo says because the storm hit late at night, it was tough to get an idea of exactly how much flooding they had. Then, when folks woke up, the reports started rolling in.
Cut 7 (07) “…the street”

LSU sophomore running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is with the Tigers in Arizona one week after he and walk-on linebacker Jared Small were involved in a fatal shooting in Baton Rouge. Authorities have ruled the shooting justified and Coach Ed Orgeron gave his comments on the situation

Cut 9 (11) “…totally.″

At the Walk-On’s Independence Bowl in Shreveport yesterday, a new record was set for the world’s largest gumbo ever cooked.  Chef John Folse lead a team in putting the gumbo together.  When the gumbo was official weighed, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says it tipped the scales at just over 6800 pounds.

Cut 12 (12)   “…by 1000 pounds.” 

Nungesser says to seal in the record, all of the gumbo had to be eaten.  About 11,000 bowls were served to those in attendance.

Residents in low lying areas near the Tchefunte River are being asked to consider evacuating as river in St. Tammany swell with water from last night’s storm. St. Tammany Emergency Management Director Dexter Accardo says it’s not a parish-wide threat, but folks in the Covington area need to keep an eye on their nearby rivers.

Cut 6 (12) “…and all”

He says the local rivers are expected to crest in different areas between this afternoon and Sunday morning.

The Economic Development Department says 2018 was a strong year for new business taking root in the state and the agency celebrates a year-to-year drop in unemployment rate, But, the state’s median household income still lags 14,000 dollars a year behind the national average. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says they will keep emphasizing growth in high skill sectors that provide higher wages and make sure workers get the necessary training.

Cut 5 (11) “…they need.”

LSU sophomore running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is with the Tigers in Arizona one week after he and walk-on linebacker Jared Small were involved in a fatal shooting in Baton Rouge, and they’ll be joined by Defensive back Kary Vincent Junior, who is also with the team, despite the death of his father, Kary Vincent Senior, who died at the age of 49 after a months-long battle with pneumonia. Coach O says in the face of tragedy these players have shown great character.

Cut 10 (11) “…very well”

At the Walk-On’s Independence Bowl in Shreveport yesterday, a new record was set for the world’s largest gumbo ever cooked. Chef John Folse says they started the process at 10pm the night before the game to have it ready by 9am.  He says onions, celery, garlic and bell pepper alone was 600 lbs, with no shortage of Louisiana seafood and even some gator meat.

Cut 14 (09) “…pounds of roux.”

Proceeds from the sale of the gumbo, just over $50,000, went toward the Fisher House.

The Economic Development Department says 2018 was a strong year when it came to new business taking root in the state, and celebrates the year to year drop in unemployment rate. The year was headlined by major announcements from foreign firms, and Secretary Don Pierson says capital is flowing in from around the world.

Cut 3 (09) “…dollars.”

Parts of the state are recovering from a nasty night of weather as several inches of rain piled up. Those rains have authorities in St. Tammany Parish keeping an eye on a few rivers in the Covington area, which could affect resident’s in low lying zones. St. Tammany Emergency Management Director Dexter Accardo.

Cut 6, 11 seconds, and all

At the Walk-On’s Independence Bowl, a new record was set for the world’s largest gumbo ever cooked.  Chef John Folse lead a team in putting the gumbo together.  When the gumbo was official weighed, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says it tipped the scales at just over 6800 pounds.
Cut 12 (12)   “…by 1000 pounds.” 
Nungesser says to seal in the record, all of the gumbo had to be eaten.  About 11,000 bowls were served to those in attendance.

The government shutdown is now into its seventh day. Senator John Kennedy says negotiations have stalled, and it’s looking increasingly unlikely they’ll have the votes to pass a budget that includes 5.7 billion in border wall funding demanded by the President.

Cut 13 (10) “…Representatives”
The shutdown has impacted an estimated 850,000 federal workers.

With the New Year right around the corner it’s time to start getting your tax ducks in a row. LA Champagne and Company partner Wayne Dussel says the tax reform bill passed at the beginning of the year means less tax work, and the end of middle class folks with straight forward finances having to save their 2018 receipts for expenses and charity to itemize for optimal tax results.

Cut 4 (09) “…forward″

The LSU basketball player who was gunned down in September has a charitable cause named in his memory.  The family of Wayde Sims is establishing the Wayde Forever 44 Emotional Support Dog Fund, which will help students with the costs associated with caring for a support dog.  Senior Director of Development at the LSU Vet School, Tracy Evans, says Sims had his own emotional support dog.

Cut 7 (06) “…his dog Buddha.”

LSU sophomore running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is with the Tigers in Arizona one week after he and walk-on linebacker Jared Small were involved in a fatal shooting in Baton Rouge. Authortities have ruled the shooting justified and Coach Ed Orgeron gave his comments on the situation

Cut 9 (08) “…total of 97.″

The LSU basketball player who was gunned down in September has a charitable cause named in his memory.  The family of Wayde Sims is establishing the Wayde Forever 44 Emotional Support Dog Fund, which will help students with the costs associated with caring for a support dog.  Senior Director of Development at the LSU Vet School, Tracy Evans says the financial impact that students may incur in having an animal may be overwhelming.

Cut 8 (09) “…for their apartment.”

The government shutdown is now into its sixth day. Democrats say they’ll refuse to sign any budget that pays for the President’s border wall. Senator John Kennedy blames the impasse on internal party politics surrounding potential Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

Cut 14 (10) “…yet”

A tax expert says the average worker in Louisiana probably doesn’t need to worry about keeping those 2018 receipts for itemizing on their tax returns…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

And finally, at the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, a new world record was set for the largest gumbo ever cooked.  Chef John Folse lead the team which cooked a 68-hundred pound seafood gumbo, eclipsing the previous record by 1000 pounds.  The pot alone was 1068 pounds and stainless steel, setting another record for the largest cooking pot ever made.  Proceeds from sales of the gumbo, about $50-thousand, went toward charity.

A tax expert says the average worker in Louisiana probably doesn’t need to worry about keeping those 2018 receipts for itemizing on their tax returns…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

____________________________________________

The family of the LSU basketball player that was gunned down in September has a charitable cause in his honor.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

_______________________________

The government shutdown is now nearly a week old, and Senator John Kennedy says the chances of a quick end are getting dimmer by the day…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

___________________________________

With the New Year right around the corner it’s time to start getting your tax ducks in a row. LA Champagne and Company partner Wayne Dussel says the tax reform bill passed at the beginning of the year means less tax work, and the end of middle class folks with straight forward finances having to save their 2018 receipts for expenses and charity to itemize for optimal tax results.

Cut 4 (09) “…forward″

Because of the increased standard deduction, many will no longer see a benefit from reporting tax write offs like donations and mortgage interest for the average home. Dussel says that means a lower tax incentives for those activities.

Cut 5 (09) “…do that.”

And Dussel says the average wage earner hoping for a noticeably bigger return from the 1.5 trillion dollar tax cut is  likely to be disappointed. He says it’s not a middle class tax cut.

Cut 6 (08) “will see”

The IRS will start accepting returns January 29^th.

__________________________________________________

The LSU basketball player who was gunned down in September has a charitable cause named in his memory.  The family of Wayde Sims is establishing the Wayde Forever 44 Emotional Support Dog Fund, which will help students with the costs associated with caring for a support dog.  Senior Director of Development at the LSU Vet School, Tracy Evans, says Sims had his own emotional support dog.

Cut 7 (06) “…his dog Buddha.”

Evans says the financial impact that students may incur in having an animal may be overwhelming.

Cut 8 (09) “…for their apartment.”

Evans says they hope to have enough contributions to get the fund kicked off in time for the fall semester.

Cut 9 (12) “…was December 13th.″

_______________________

According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the number of law enforcement professionals who died in the line of duty nationwide in 2018 increased by 12% over the previous year, a total of 144.  CEO for the organization Chris Floyd says of the four officers killed in Louisiana, one was struck by a vehicle, one in a motorcycle crash, and two died in automobile crashes, making traffic related accidents a great concern.

Cut 10 (08)   “…among officers nationwide.”

The four who died in 2018 were Zachary Police Officer Michael Lawton, Monroe Police Officer Ayriana Michelle Williams, Montgomery Assistant Chief of Police Kirt Roy Ricks III, and Slidell Police Officer Jason Michael Seals.

Floyd says while in previous years traffic fatalities outnumbered gun related deaths, that was not the case this year.

Cut 11 (12) “…deaths among officers.”

While the number of deaths may have increased from last year, compared to the average of the last ten years, the number is slightly below average and the decade over all is seeing lower numbers than were recorded in the 70s.

Cut 12 (12)   “…a 35% drop.”

_______________________________

The government shutdown is now into it’s sixth day. Senator John Kennedy says negotiations have stalled, and it’s looking increasingly unlikely they’ll have the votes to pass a budget that includes 5.7 billion in border wall funding demanded by the President.

Cut 13 (10) “…Representatives”

The shutdown has impacted an estimated 850,000 federal workers. 

Democrats say they’ll refuse to sign any budget that pays for the President’s border wall. Kennedy blames the impasse on internal party politics surrounding potential Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

Cut 14 (10) “…yet”

A bill with wall money narrowly cleared the House, but is stuck in the Senate, where it needs 60 votes for approval. Many conservative advocates have called on Republican leaders to exercise the “nuclear option” that would allow items to pass the Senate with only a 51 vote majority, but…

Cut 15 (11) “…stop them.”

Governor Edwards says the shutdown is shameful, and needs to be solved quickly in a bi-partisan manner.

____________________________________

Even though the Saints have locked up the number one seed in the N-F-C playoffs, there’s still something to play for on Sunday when they take on the Carolina Panthers. A win and the Black and Gold can set the franchise record for most regular wins in a single season. Quarterback Drew Brees says that’s important

Cut 16 (12)  significant yes”

It’s unclear how much Brees will play on Sunday. He can use the game to pad his stats to help boost his M-V-P campaign. Brees needs just eight more passing yards to eclipse 4,000 yards for a 13th consecutive season, but the future Hall of Famer is not worried about individual awards

 cut 17 (17)     get here” 

Veteran backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is expected to see snaps on Sunday as Brees is not expected to play the whole game. Bridgewater was a former starter in Minnesota and has been ready for his chance in New Orleans…

Cut 18 (19)     stay ready” 

Bridgewater led the Vikings to the playoffs in 2015, but suffered a significant knee injury and missed all of 2016 and only played in one game last year. The 26-year-old says he’s hoping to see the field on Sunday

One of the two men being sought for a December 16^th double murder near Lacassine has turned himself in. 21-year-old Jordan Legros is suspected to have participated in the robbery that left Walter and Darlene Gotreaux dead in their home. Jefferson Davis Chief Deputy Chris Ivey says the Gotreauxs were well known in the small community, and were likely targeted because of their property rental business. He says everyone’s hoping for a quick end to the troubling incident.

Cut 8 (10) “…this happen.”
Cops were cracking down on drunk drivers, resulting in 97 DWI arrests in central and northern Louisiana.  State Police spokesperson Trooper Glenn Younger says the state has seen a drop in traffic fatalities.
Cut 11 (09) “…on our way.”

A Texas motorist traveling on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge was arrested yesterday for allegedly performing lewd acts on himself with his two young girls in the car. State Police Sergeant Jared Sandifer says the suspect was stopped by the L-S-P after a dispatcher was informed by another driver with a sharp eye.

Cut 12 (12)   “…traffic stop” 

47-year-old James Toomey of Spring, Texas, has been charged with two counts of Indecent Behavior and Contributing to the Delinquency of Juveniles.

It’s not currently known whether or not Toomey is a registered sex offender, but Sandifer says once the stop was made, the kids were separated from their father, and child welfare specialists were called to take over custody.

And finally, at the Independence Bowl in Shreveport today, Duke scored three touchdowns in the third quarter on their way to a 27-56 win over the Temple Owls.

Southeast Louisiana remains under a tornado watch, and scattered flash flood watches are warnings are in effect until 6 PM tonight. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s nasty, and likely means street flooding.

Cut 3 (12) “…more rainfall.”

One of the two men being sought for a December 16^th double murder near Lacassine has turned himself in. 21-year-old Jordan Legros is suspected to have participated in the robbery/murder. Authorities say 23-year-old Javari Guidry, who allegedly also played a part in the murder/robbery is still in hiding, and Jefferson Davis Chief Deputy Chris Ivey says they’re asking for help from the public.

Cut 7 (09) “…and dangerous.”

The search currently involves agencies in both Louisiana and Texas. The alleged incident left Walter and Darlene Gotreaux dead in their home.

A Texas motorist traveling on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge was arrested yesterday for allegedly performing lewd acts on himself with his two young girls in the car. It’s not currently known whether or not 47-year-old James Toomey of Spring, Texas is a registered sex offender, but State Police Sergeant Jared Sandifer says he been separated from his two daughters.

Cut 13 (11) “…had four victims.”

Toomey was reported by another motorist on I-10.

The effort of law enforcement to focus on highway safety by curbing fatalities caused by impaired drivers has seen many arrests in central and northern Louisiana.  State Police spokesperson Trooper Glenn Younger says  the goal is to have zero DWI fatalities, so anything that can be done to get closer to that goal is a good thing.

Cut 10 (09) “…on our roadways.”

One of the two men being sought for a December 16^th double murder near Lacassine has turned himself in. 21-year-old Jordan Legros is suspected to have participated in the robbery that left Walter and Darlene Gotreaux dead in their home. Jefferson Davis Chief Deputy Chris Ivey says Legros presented himself unannounced to authorities.
Cut 6 (08) “…courthouse.”
Walter was the former president of the Lake Charles Cajun French Music Association.
The effort of law enforcement to focus on highway safety by curbing fatalities caused by impaired drivers has seen many arrests in central and northern Louisiana.  State Police spokesperson Trooper Glenn Younger says in the three troop areas for Bossier City, Monroe, and Alexandria have netted 97 DWI arrests over the Christmas weekend.
Cut 9 (08) “…total of 97.″

State Police arrest a Texas man after a motorist on the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge allegedly saw the suspect performing lewd acts on himself, with kids in the car. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

A Ponchatula woman is dead after a tree fell through the roof of her camper due to severe weather.  First responders who were on scene believe the woman was killed instantly while in her sleep.  The victim has been identified as 58-year-old Roxanne Kliebert.

Much of south Louisiana and the Delta Region of the state are under a tornado watch until 6 PM tonight as a strong line of thunderstorms associated with a cold front moves across the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says along with nasty winds, we’ll be seeing quite a bit of rain.

Cut 5 (12) “…right now.”

One of the two men being sought for a December 16^th double murder near Lacassine has turned himself in. 21-year-old Jordan Legros is suspected to have participated in the robbery that left Walter and Darlene Gotreaux dead in their home. Jefferson Davis Chief Deputy Chris Ivey says Legros presented himself unannounced to authorities.

Cut 6 (08) “…courthouse.”

Authorities say 23-year-old Javari Guidry, who allegedly also played a part in the murder/robbery is still in hiding, and is considered armed and dangerous.

Santa’s sleigh wasn’t the only thing weaving around Louisiana over Christmas weekend as State Police made dozens of DWI arrests.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

and now commodities.