Louisiana Radio Network is looking back at top stories from 2017. One of the most gripping which made national headlines was the death of LSU pledge Max Gruver on September 14th. LSU Officials said Gruver died during an alleged hazing incident, and a month later East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark said the student had a blood alcohol level of .495…:
Cut 10 (03) “with death”
Other big stories this year include the Confederate monuments debate in the legislature, and the shooting and injuring of Jefferson Parish House Majority Whip Steve Scalise.

Louisiana also had a rare Powerball jackpot winner this year from a 191 million dollar ticket sold in the small town of Eunice. Could we see another? Both the Powerball and Mega Millions prizes are over $300 million dollars, and Louisiana Lottery spokesman Dustin Annison is hoping to see another big prize awarded here..:
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Mega Millions drawing is tonight, Powerball tomorrow.

Three people lost their lives in a fire in New Orleans East this morning. The New Orleans Fire Department says the victims are a three-year-old boy, a 70-year-old man and a 69-year-old woman.

Louisiana State Parks are looking to help get 2018 off to a healthy start by participating in America’s State Parks’ First Day Hikes. It gives individuals an opportunity to connect with the outdoors by taking a hike for health in one of the state’s 21 state parks on Monday, January 1st. Office of State Parks spokesperson Sharon Broussard…:
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Broussard says There is no set time for First Day Hikes at most parks, you can just show up and enjoy the beauty of the state.

LSU is in Orlando ahead of Monday’s Citrus Bowl against Notre Dame. Rumors have been swirling about offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s departure from the team following the New Years Day contest. He and Defensive Coordinator Dave Aranda will hold a news conference this morning at 8am our time.

Some food stamp recipients will see a decrease in benefits because of a federal cost of living adjustment for 2018. Sam Guillory with the State Department of Children and Family Services says about 86-thousand of the 410-thousand Louisiana households which receive SNAP benefits will see an average monthly reduction of $6.50..:
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One of every five Louisiana households receiving food stamps will be affected.

Powerball and Mega Millions are currently sitting at a combined six hundred ninety million dollars. Mega Millions’ Friday night drawing is worth 306-million, while Saturday night’s Powerball drawing is at 384-million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison on how rare this is…:
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The cash values of Mega Millions and Powerball are 191 million and 239 million respectively.

Louisiana Radio Network looks back at our biggest stories in 2017…:
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Louisiana State Parks are encouraging people to celebrate the new year with outdoor activities.  Kelley Ray has more…

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Louisiana Radio Network looks back at our biggest stories in 2017. Jeff Palermo reports…:

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Both Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots are over 300 million dollars for the draws this weekend. Matt Doyle has more.

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Powerball and Mega Millions are sitting at a combined six hundred ninety million dollars for the drawings that start tomorrow night. Mega Millions, drawing Friday night, sits at 306-million, while Saturday night’s Powerball drawing is at 384-million.  LA lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says the numbers are historic…

Cut 4  (05) “same time.” 

Powerball usually runs higher, but Annison says Mega Millions made a big change earlier this year to bring jackpots in line with its competitor…

Cut 5  (07)  “increase jackpots.”

Louisiana is no stranger to lotto winners, with a 191 million dollar Powerball winner from Eunice back in October. Annison says he’s hoping to see a repeat win for the state…

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Louisiana State Parks are looking to help get 2018 off to a healthy start by participating in America’s State Parks’ First Day Hikes.  It gives individuals an opportunity to connect with the outdoors by taking a hike for health in one of the state’s 21 state parks on Monday, January 1^st. Office of State Parks spokesperson Sharon Broussard says…

Cut 7 (07)  “state park.”

Broussard says even though it’s exceptionally cold right now, it’s still a great time to visit…

Cut 8 (09) “light jacket.”

There are three state parks that will have specific activities on Monday, Bouge Chitto, Fontainebleau and Lake D’ Arbonne.  But Broussard says you can attend any of the state parks…

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Louisiana Radio Network looks back at our biggest stories in 2017. One of the most gripping which made national headlines was the death of LSU pledge Max Gruver on September 14th. LSU Officials said Gruver died during an alleged hazing incident, and a month later East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark said the student had a blood alcohol level of .495…:

Cut 10 (03) “with death”

10 current and former LSU students were formally charged with hazing — and one of them, Matthew Alexander Naquin, with negligent homicide in Gruver’s death.

Also this year the legislature got involved in the Confederate monuments debate; but two bills aimed at protecting the statues never made it out of a Senate committee. Jenna Bernstein got passionate during the hearing in support of the statues, and went back and forth with Committee Chairman Karen Carter Peterson who was against the legislation…:

Cut 11 (10) “no you don’t”

In New Orleans, four monuments to Confederate-era figures were removed this year.

On June 14th in Virginia, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana was shot while practicing for the annual Congressional Baseball Game. He underwent surgery and three months of rehab, and returned to the House Floor on September 28th. Scalise was greeted with a roaring ovation from colleagues and House Speaker Paul Ryan…:

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The gunman died after a shootout with the police.

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Some SNAP recipients, also known as food stamps, will see a decrease in benefits because of a federal cost of living adjustment for 2018.  Sam Guillory from the State Department of Children and Family Services says about 86-thousand of the 410-thousand Louisiana households who receive food stamps will see an average monthly reduction of $6.50…

Cut 13 (07)  “all exists.”

But Guillory says food stamp recipients could see extra money when it comes to Social Security or veterans benefits…

Cut 14 (13) “less SNAP.”

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The Saints are in the playoffs, but who they will play remains a question. If the Saints beat Tampa Bay Sunday, they are guaranteed a playoff game at the Dome.  Saints Radio Network sideline reporter Kristan Garic says if they end up at home next weekend they’ll likely be favored against either Atlanta, Carolina or Seattle…

Cut 15 (11) “at home.”

Who would be the best matchup for the Saints next weekend?  Garic says it could be dangerous to face either Atlanta or Carolina for a third time this season.  He says Seattle may be the Saints best bet…

Cut 16 (15) “up facing.”

Kickoff Sunday is at 3:25pm on FOX.

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LSU is in Orlando getting ready to play Notre Dame in Monday’s Citrus Bowl. All the buzz is about Tigers offensive coordinator Matt Canada, who will likely leave the program after the game. Meanwhile on defense, LSU will face one of the top offensive lines in the country. Defensive end Christian Lacouture says the Fighting Irish like to run the football with 225-pound ball carrier Josh Adams

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Adams has rushed for 1,386 yards and nine touchdowns this season. LaCouture says they’ll need to gang tackle Adams…

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The number of officers killed in the line of duty in Louisiana and around the country in 2017 dropped from 2016.  Louisiana saw five killed this year, while nine were killed last year.  National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund President and CEO Craig Floyd says the decrease in fatalities is linked to better communication between police and citizens and more transparency…

Cut 4  (12) “and professionally.” 

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Department says the suspect in an officer involved shooting early yesterday is identified as 36-year-old Dusty L. Sanders of Bastrop.  A deputy stopped to assist a stalled vehicle in Monroe when shots were fired and Sanders was struck.  He’s charged with attempted 1^st degree murder of a police officer and possession of Schedule II narcotics.  He remains in the hospital.

A Christmas eve fatal shooting initially ruled an accident, is now classified as a homicide. Kenner police charged 29-year-old Dominque Wix with manslaughter in the death of 25-year-old Akoya Skeith.  Wix told officers Skeith had accidentally fired the weapon but after a second interview Lieutenant Brian McGregor says Wix told officers she discharged the gun.

Cut 15 (10) “shot him.”

The Citrus Bowl will reportedly be Matt Canada’s last game with the Tigers after an inconsistent first year leading LSU’s offense under head coach Ed Orgeron.  Glen Guilbeau, who covers LSU for the USA Today Network says Orgeron wasn’t a fan of Canada’s offense that featured pre snap shifts and motion…

Cut 7 (09)  “for the split.”

A Christmas eve fatal shooting initially ruled an accident, is now claissified as a homicide. Kenner police charged 29-year-old Dominque Wix with manslaughter in the death of 25-year-old Akoya Skeith. Initially, Wix told officers Skeith had accidentally fired the weapon while holding it, but Lieutenant Brian McGregor says the autopsy indicated that the death was not accidental. McGregor says it appears that after the shooting, that Wix sought aid…

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One person is dead and another is in critical condition after a head on collision in Desoto Parish. The collision caused one of the vehicles to burst into flames, and officers still aren’t certain why. Master Trooper Glen Younger says the reason for the crash is still under investigation…

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One juvenile sustained minor injuries in the crash.

 On duty police deaths dropped between 2017 and 2016 nationwide, and in Louisiana. Five Louisiana officers were killed this year, while nine were killed last year. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund President and CEO Craig Floyd says police are carrying fewer lethal weapons and are now better equipped and trained, increasing the safety of both officers and the public…

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Four of the officers killed in Louisiana in 2016 died from gunfire and one was killed in a traffic accident.

An arrest has been made in the St. James Christmas Eve bonfire altercation that left two black minors in the hospital. Jordan Hitt, a 21-year-old white male, was arrested and charged with aggravated second degree battery. One of the victim’s mothers, La’Quesha Scott, says the attack was racially motivated, and that he son and his cousin were surrounded by several white males after talking to a nearby woman. Sheriff Willy Martin Jr. says the department cannot confirm whether the incident was racially motivated.

The Citrus Bowl will reportedly be Matt Canada’s last game with the Tigers after an inconsistent first year leading LSU’s offense under head coach Ed Orgeron. Glen Guilbeau, who covers LSU for the USA Today Network, says Canada and Orgeron butt heads throughout the year…

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Police are continuing to investigate a fight between juveniles in St. James Parish at a Christmas Eve bonfire celebration on the Mississippi river levee in Gramercy. Sheriff Willy martin Jr. says two white males and two black males got in a fight injuring an unidentified 15-year-old and 17-year-old Shannon Dumas Jr. He says it’s been slow to reconstruct what happened since police didn’t interview anyone at the scene…

Cut 11 (10) “…the fight”

The Number of officers killed in the line of duty in Louisiana and around the country in 2017 dropped from 2016. Louisiana saw five killed this year, while nine were killed last year. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund President and CEO Craig Floyd says even though 124 have died nationwide, it’s a number that is trending lower across the country and in Louisiana…

Cut 5 (10) “…all want”

A Christmas eve shooting death that was initially ruled an accident, has now been deemed a homicide by Kenner Police. Dominque Wix was charged with Manslaughter in the shooting death of Akoya Skeith. Initially, Wix told officers that Skeith had accidentally fired the weapon while holding it, but Lieutenant Brian McGregor says the autopsy indicated that the death was not accidental.

Cut 14 (08) “…that weapon”

A common New Years Resolution is to diet and exercise, but those are often hard for people to keep. Kelley Ray reports on alternatives…:
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Governor John Bel Edwards says one of his goals in 2018 is to get more people employed and covered under an employer sponsored health care plan:
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Edwards is celebrating the fact that the state will not have to make mid-year cuts for the first time in nearly a decade.

New Orleans is in for a big weekend as Alabama and Clemson fans are in town for the Sugar Bowl Monday, and once again ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin Eve will be in The Big Easy to count down in the Central Time Zone. Kristian Sonnier is with the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau Imagine Dragons and Walk the Moon will be part of the countdown show..:
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He says the Sugar Bowl is sold out and the city is near capacity for the weekend.

The LSU football team leaves for Orlando today for the New Years Day Citrus Bowl against Notre Dame. But the big story today is the reports that offensive coordinator Matt Canada will leave LSU soon after the game. Rumors of tension between he and Head Coach Ed Orgeron have been swirling since the Tigers upset loss to Troy this season. Canada is the highest paid offensive coordinator in college football.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s proud of the growth in the state’s economy over the last year. Unemployment is down, and two sectors, healthcare and construction saw record levels of employment. Edwards says the state’s economic recovery under his first two years has been strong…:
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The governor credited the growth to a reinvestment in higher education.

A Southern Media and Opinion Research Poll finds voters are evenly divided between Edwards and Republican legislators on budget cuts. 46-percent agree with the governor and are opposed to reductions, but the same amount side with the GOP who say the state has a spending problem. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat on what this means for an anticipated February special session..:
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New Orleans is prepping for a busy weekend as football fans pour into the city for the Sugar Bowl. Matt Doyle has more…:
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It’s being reported that LSU offensive coordinator will part ways with LSU following the Tigers game Monday against Notre Dame in the Citrus Bowl. The team is leaving for Orlando today.

Computers at Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles locations across the state went down Wednesday, although it’s unclear just how many offices were affected.

Governor John Bel Edwards is celebrating the fact that the state will not have to make mid-year cuts for the first time in nearly a decade.
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Rather than join a gym and risk wasting a membership if you abandon a New Years Resolution to become healthier as most people do, Rebecca Guidroz with the Louisiana Department of Health’s Well Ahead Program says it’s better to incorporate activities you would enjoy in the long run…:
Cut 12 (09) “your goals”

Could LSU be parting ways with offensive coordinator Matt Canada soon after Monday’s Citrus Bowl? A report surfaced Wednesday night that the school has been working on an agreement since the Texas A&M game to let Canada go. A reporter asked Coach O about his relationship with Canada Wednesday and if it was true that he wanted to do something in the Troy loss that Canada didn’t want to do…:
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The Tigers leave today for Orlando where they will face Notre Dame New Years Day.

Meanwhile New Orleans is gearing up for a huge New Years weekend with holiday celebrations, and Alabama and Clemson fans in town for the Sugar Bowl Monday. Kristian Sonnier is with the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau..:
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ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin Eve will be in New Orleans for a second straight year to count down to the New Year in the Central Time Zone.