CRCL.org is the place to go for Louisianans looking to responsibly recycle their Christmas trees. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

After a continued investigation into two homicides that took place on Christmas Day, the Alexandria Police can confirm there is a connection between them.  The investigations are ongoing and more physical evidence from both crime scenes will be processed and examined that may reveal further links and possible motives for the crimes.

Rain is in the forecast today, but the possibility of severe weather exists for tomorrow. C-S Ross with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says a strong line of thunderstorms will enter northwest Louisiana early tomorrow morning

Cut 3 (06) “…as well.”
Ross says large hail is also possible…

Cut 4 (06) “…northern Louisiana.″

Two juveniles were killed this morning in a mobile home fire in the Claiborne Parish town of Homer. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the ages on the victims are 16 and 4-years-old

Cut 15 (07) “…the home”

Rodrigue says the home did not have working smoking detectors and says four people were able to escape.

The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana has a new webpage that compiles information about parish efforts to collect and responsibly recycle or dispose of Christmas trees. CRCL spokesperson Jimmy Frederick says CRCL.org makes it easy to know when the trucks will be by to pick up your holiday evergreens.

Cut 6 (10) “…you need.”

The website notes the dates for pickups, along with drop-off deadlines.

Two people are dead following a quadruple shooting in St. James Parish.  Authorities were dispatched on Christmas Eve to the Neighborhood Lounge on Main Street in Lutcher.  One of the four that was hit died at the scene, while another died at a hospital.  Sheriff Willy Martin described the scene as chaotic.

Cut 12 (13)   “…on the road.” 

A strong cold front is heading towards Louisiana that will bring the potential for severe weather and the end to our mild temperatures. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

It could be a hectic shopping week as the National Retail Federation says of the nearly 7,000 people surveyed, 51% say they’ll be out and about shopping through the end of the year. Spokesperson Katherine Cullen says the primary reason appears to be bargain hunters on a post-Christmas binge.

Cut 10 (12) “…gift card buck.”

The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana has a new webpage that compiles information about parish efforts to collect and responsibly recycle or dispose of Christmas trees. Five parishes are collecting trees for coastal restoration efforts, a program that CRCL spokesperson Jimmy Frederick says dates back to 1989 when a Dutch LSU grad student studied flood prevention efforts in Holland. He says once planted into the bayou, the trees trap sediment, rebuilding the marsh.

Cut 7 (08) “…some land.”

Visit CRCL.org for more information.

Rain is in the forecast today, but the possibility of severe weather exists for tomorrow. C-S Ross with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says north Louisiana is in for a rough ride, but much of the state is under a marginal risk of severe weather on Thursday as the storms move south and to the east…

Cut 5 (08) “…northeast Louisiana.”

Two people are dead following a quadruple shooting in St. James Parish.  Authorities were dispatched on Christmas Eve to the Neighborhood Lounge on Main Street in Lutcher.  Sheriff Willy Martin says investigators are looking into several suspects, but in the chaos, the shooters got away.

Cut 13 (11) “…had four victims.”

The deceased are identified as 20-year-old Thaddeus Watis and 23-year-old Dedrick Paul Green, Jr., both of Convent, Louisiana.

The National Retail Federation says expect heavy crowds at shopping centers  through the weekend.  Of the nearly 7,000 people surveyed, 51% say they’ll be out and about through the end of the year.  NRF spokesperson Katherine Cullen says a big chunk of that crowd is shopping today.

Cut 9 (08) “…after Christmas ends.″

A strong cold front is heading towards Louisiana that will bring the potential for severe weather and the end to our mild temperatures. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

_____________________________________________

CRCL.org is the place to go for Louisianans looking to responsibly recycle their Christmas trees. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

_____________________________________________

Rain is in the forecast today, but the possibility of severe weather exists for tomorrow. C-S Ross with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says a strong line of thunderstorms will enter northwest Louisiana early tomorrow morning

Cut 3 (06) “…as well.”

Ross says large hail is also possible…

Cut 4 (06) “…northern Louisiana.″

Ross says the Climate Prediction Center has Caddo, Bossier, DeSoto and Sabine parishes listed as parishes that could see severe weather tomorrow morning before the sun rises. He says much of the state is under a marginal risk of severe weather on Thursday as the storms move south and to the east…

Cut 5 (08) “…northeast Louisiana.”

_________________________________________

The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana has a new webpage that compiles information about parish efforts to collect and responsibly recycle or dispose of Christmas trees. CRCL spokesperson Jimmy Frederick says CRCL.org makes it easy to know when the trucks will be by to pick up your holiday evergreens.

Cut 6 (10) “…you need.”

The website notes the dates for pickups, along with drop-off deadlines.

Five parishes are collecting trees for coastal restoration efforts, a program that Frederick says dates back to 1989 when a Dutch LSU grad student studied flood prevention efforts in Holland. He says once planted into the bayou, the trees trap sediment, rebuilding the marsh.

Cut 7 (08) “…some land.”

Jefferson, Orleans, St. John, Tangipahoa, and Terrebone Parishes all collect trees for coastal restoration.

Frederick says responsible Christmas tree recycling isn’t just for coastal issues. He notes several other parishes participate in programs that use the trees for positive good, and encourages non-coastal residents to donate their firs to those efforts.

Cut 8 (11) “…other things.”

_______________________

The National Retail Federation says expect heavy crowds at shopping centers  through the weekend.  Of the nearly 7,000 people surveyed, 51% say they’ll be out and about through the end of the year.  NRF spokesperson Katherine Cullen says a big chunk of that crowd is shopping today.

Cut 9 (08) “…after Christmas ends.″

Cullen says the primary reason appears to be bargain hunters on a post-Christmas binge.

Cut 10 (12) “…gift card buck.”

Cullen says the combination of shoppers looking for a bargain and those exchanging items may result in heavy crowds at the stores, but that shouldn’t be a problem as retailers are prepared for the crush.

Cut 11 (10) “…spirit of the season.”

_____________________________

Two people are dead following a quadruple shooting in St. James Parish.  Authorities were dispatched on Christmas Eve to the Neighborhood Lounge on Main Street in Lutcher.  One of the four that was hit died at the scene, while another died at a hospital.  Sheriff Willy Martin described the scene as chaotic.

Cut 12 (13)   “…on the road.” 

Martin says investigators are looking into several suspects, but in the chaos, the shooters got away.

Cut 13 (11) “…had four victims.”

Martin says with the shooting happening during the holiday, it has complicated the investigation.

Cut 14 (13) “…give us some leads.”
Crimestoppers is offering $5000 for information that leads to the arrest.

The deceased are identified as 20-year-old Thaddeus Watis and 23-year-old Dedrick Paul Green, Jr., both of Convent, Louisiana.  The two others transported to the hospital were 25-year-old Jerrell Moody and a 15-year-old male.  No motive is known for the shooting at this time.

_______________________________________________

The National Retail Federation says expect heavy crowds at shopping centers starting today and running through the weekend.  Of the nearly 7000 people surveyed by the National Retail Federation, 51% say they’ll be out and about through the end of the year. NRF director of retail and consumer insights Katherine Cullen says the primary reason appears to be bargain hunters on a post-Christmas binge.

Cut 10 (12) “…gift card buck.”

Two people are dead following a quadruple shooting in St. James Parish.  Authorities were dispatched on Christmas Eve to the Neighborhood Lounge on Main Street in Lutcher.  One of the four hit died at the scene, while another died at a hospital.  Sheriff Willy Martin described the scene as chaotic.

Cut 12 (13)   “…on the road.” 

Police are still searching for the suspect, or suspects.

A strong cold front is heading towards Louisiana that will bring the potential for severe weather and the end to our mild temperatures. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

There’s a 2,500 dollar reward for information that leads to the arrest of a person who murdered a mother and son in Independence on Sunday. Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards is asking anyone with information to call CrimeStoppers.

And now commodities.

The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana has a new webpage that compiles information about parish efforts to collect and responsibly recycle or dispose of Christmas trees. CRCL spokesperson Jimmy Frederick says CRCL.org makes it easy to know when the trucks will be by to pick up your holiday evergreens.

Cut 6 (10) “…you need.”

Jefferson, Orleans, St. John, Tangipahoa, and Terrebone Parishes all collect trees for coastal restoration. Other Parishes offer curbside pickup services for other recycling purposes.

There’s a chance for rain today, but the possibility of severe weather exists tomorrow across Louisiana. C-S Ross with the National Weather Service in Shreveport a strong line of thunderstorms will enter northwest Louisiana early tomorrow morning

Cut 3 (06) “…as well.”

In the week following Christmas, it is expected that many people will find themselves doing some shopping.  Of the nearly 7000 people surveyed by the National Retail Federation, 51% in the week following Christmas.  NRF director of retail and consumer insights Katherine Cullen says a big chunk of that crowd is shopping today.

Cut 9 (08) “…after Christmas ends.″

She says expect heavier than normal crowds to run through the weekend.

With the first seed, and a bye week in hand, history is on the Saints side as home teams have won 64.7 percent of their games in the playoffs since 1990. Linebacker Demario Davis says they knew they had a strong team to start the year, and the first seed had been the ultimate goal since the beginning.

Cut 15 (11) “…the NFL”

Sean Peyton would not commit to resting the starters against the Panthers Sunday. A win would set a franchise record with 14 on the year.

The ACLU of Louisiana has filed a lawsuit challenging the Lafayette Public Library’s ban on Drag Queen Story Time.  As the result of a lawsuit from a group called “Warriors for Christ”, the library now requires anyone who wants to use space at the library to sign a form saying they are not holding a drag queen event.  ACLU legal director Katie Schwartzmann says that’s got to go.

Cut 12 (08)   “…signing a form.”

With the first seed, and a bye week in hand, history is on the Saints side as home teams have won 64.7 percent of their games in the playoffs since 1990. There aren’t many players left from that legendary 2009 season, but young guys like wide receiver Mike Thomas say the vets let them know just how important that first seed is.

Cut 14 (12) “…our position.”

Louisiana could see harsher penalties for those found guilty of animal cruelty.  The group In Defense of Animals is working with State Senator Neil Riser to put the penalties into law, and spokesperon Doll Stanley says it is important legislation as she says studies indicate there is a connection between people who act violently toward animals and humans.

Cut 9 (06)  “…violent are violent.” 

Research out of LSU indicates those with ADHD may have highly desirable traits when it comes to starting a business. The research isolated what’s generally considered to be an undesirable trait often found in those with ADHD, impulsivity, and studied how it effects success in business. Business Professor Reginald Tucker says the results indicate those who favor action speed over action accuracy may have an edge in the competitive entrepreneurial world.

Cut 5 (10) “…a company.”

The research was published in the Journal of Business Venturing.

An LSU Professor says people with ADHD and ADHD like symptoms are more likely to be geared towards entrepreneurship. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

____________________________________________

Harsher penalties for those found guilty of animal cruelty could be coming soon.  Kevin Barnhart has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

_______________________________

The Lafayette Public Library has caught the attention of the ACLU for it’s ban on Drag Queen Story Time events, saying the ban is a First Amendment violation.  Kevin Barnhart has more.

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

___________________________________

Research out of LSU indicates those with ADHD may have highly desirable traits when it comes to starting a business. The article by LSU Assistant Business Professor Reginald Tucker indicates while hyperactivity can be detrimental in many fields, it’s common for entrepreneurs. Tucker says ADHD is often labeled “dysfunctional”, but…

Cut 4 (07) “…ideation″

The research isolated what’s generally considered to be an undesirable trait often found in those with ADHD, impulsivity, and studied how it effects success in business. Tucker says the results indicate those who favor action speed over action accuracy may have an edge in the competitive entrepreneurial world.

Cut 5 (10) “…a company.”

He says business owners looking for new ideas, departments, or services at their company should consider putting those with ADHD, or ADHD like symptoms, on the task.

Tucker says his research indicates that higher education should begin moving away from a stigmatization of the disease, and consider pushing students with ADHD to enter career fields that suit their attributes, because one size does not fit all.

Cut 6 (10) “level.”

The article was published in the Journal of Business Venturing.

__________________________________________________

Louisiana could see harsher penalties for those found guilty of animal cruelty.  The group In Defense of Animals is working with State Senator Neil Riser to put the penalties into law.  Spokesperson for the group, Doll Stanley says the inspiration for the action came from several animal cruelty cases in the state that have resulted in judges handing out lenient sentences, including the killing of a dog posted to SnapChat.

Cut 7 (10) “…it to probation.”

Stanley says the goal is to get acts of aggravated animal cruelty to be considered crimes of violence and…

Cut 8 (10) “…incarceration without probate.″

Stanley says it is important legislation as she says studies indicate there is a connection between people who act violently toward animals and humans.

Cut 9 (06)  “…violent are violent.” 

_______________________

The ACLU of Louisiana has filed a lawsuit challenging the Lafayette Public Library’s ban on Drag Queen Story Time.  As the result of a lawsuit from a group called “Warriors for Christ”, the library now requires anyone who wants to use space at the library to sign a form saying they are not holding a drag queen event at the library.  ACLU legal director Katie Schwartzmann says it’s a violation of constitutional rights.

Cut 10 (08)   “…the first amendment.”

Schwartzmann says the goal is not to force the library to hold a drag queen story time event.

Cut 11 (06) “…the public facility.”

Schwartzmann says the form that makes people agree to not hold drag queen events has got to go.

Cut 12 (08)   “…signing a form.”

_______________________________

With the first seed, and a bye week in hand, history is on the Saints side as home teams have won 64.7 percent of their games in the playoffs since 1990. The last time the Black and Gold had the top seed they beat two hall of fame quarterbacks to seal the NFC. Defensive end Cam Jordan says everyone knows how potent the New Orleans crowd can be.

Cut 13 (06) “…is real”

That playoff run saw the team knock off Kurt Warner’s Cardinals, Brett Favre’s Vikings, and Peyton Manning’s Colts.

There aren’t many players left from that legendary 2009 season, but young guys like wide receiver Mike Thomas say the vets let them know just how important that first seed is.

Cut 14 (12) “…our position.”

This week the Rams and Bears games will determine who gets the 2^nd and 3^rd seeds, with the 4^th seed going to Dallas, the 5^th seed going to Seattle, and the Vikings and Eagles fighting it out for the 6^th and final slot.

Linebacker Demario Thomas says they knew they had a strong team to start the year, and the first seed had been the ultimate goal since the beginning.

Cut 15 (11) “…the NFL”

44 of the last 56 Super Bowl teams had a first round bye.

Several Angola inmates are celebrating the holidays with new Seminary degrees through the Leavell College of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.  The college conferred 64 Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Christian Ministry.  Department of Corrections spokesperson Gary Young says currently twelve other states are modeling the Angola Seminary Program.

Cut 5 (04) “…that we have.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has stocked over 8 million fish into 59 waterbodies around the state this year.  The fish are stocked in an effort to enhance the angling experiences with bigger bass from Florida.  While 7.3 million of the fish were Florida largemouth bass, LDWF inland fisheries operations manager Alex Perret there have been many other varieties introduced into the state’s waters that also make for great fishing experiences.

Cut 8 (11) “…great integrity.”

Senator John Kennedy says he hasn’t picked horse in the 2019 governor’s race yet. That’s after he bowed out of the competition early this month, citing his desire to continue serving his Senate term that runs through 2022. Currently Businessman Eddie Rispone and Congressman Ralph Abraham are the only Republicans in the race.  Kennedy says he hasn’t spoken to Rispone yet, but Abraham gave him a call the night before he announced he was joining the race. Analysts have noted that the state rarely elects governors from the northern parishes, but Kennedy isn’t buying that.

Cut 13 (09) “natural lives.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says his number one legislative priority for 2019 is getting Louisiana teachers a 1,000 dollar pay raise, and school support workers a 500 dollar pay raise. Bayou State educators are paid noticeably less than their southern counterparts, and Edwards says we need to start catching up.

Cut 9 (09) “…below that″

Several Angola inmates are celebrating the holidays with new Seminary degrees through the Leavell College of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.  The college conferred 64 Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Christian Ministry.  Department of Corrections spokesperson Gary Young says the graduates have become very important to the facility in working with fellow inmates.

Cut 3 (07) “…those same capacities.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has stocked over 8 million fish into 59 waterbodies around the state this year.  The fish are stocked in an effort to enhance the angling experiences with bigger bass from Florida.  LDWF inland fisheries operations manager Alex Perret says not all of the waterways prove to be a good fit for the addition of the genetics of some of the fish, so the agency has become selective with distribution.

Cut 7 (05) “…seen the results.”

Senator John Kennedy says he hasn’t picked horse in the 2019 governor’s race yet. That’s after he bowed out of the competition early this month, citing his desire to continue serving his Senate term that runs through 2022. Currently Businessman Eddie Rispone and Congressman Ralph Abraham are the only Republicans in the race, but Kennedy says don’t be shocked if the field gets more crowded.

Cut 12 (11)   “moral good” 

A person of interest is wanted in connection with the Christmas Eve Acadiana Mall shooting night that put one person in the hospital with a non-life-threatening injury. The shooting occurred around 430PM yesterday, striking one victim and shutting down the mall until tomorrow. A picture of that person of interest is now available online and police are asking anyone with information related to the incident to call the Lafayette Crime Stoppers.