A Baton Rouge woman convicted of poisoning her former live-in boyfriend in 2015 has been sentenced to life in prison. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore…

Cut 10 (09) “…in a verdict.” 
Moore believes money led to Meshell Hale killing Damian Skipper. She’s also been accused of killing her estranged husband, 42-year-old Arthur Noflin. The charred remains of his body were found in a burned-out pickup truck in New Orleans in 2016.

Because people tend to not carry cash on them these days, the Salvation Army is offering additional ways for you to donate to their annual Red Kettle Campaign. Lt. Thomas Johnson with the Salvation Army in Lafayette says now it’s as easy as pulling out your phone to donate when you see a bell ringer.

Cut 13 (08) “…to the site.”

As Congress races to pass a federal spending bill before a government shutdown deadline, Senator Bill Cassidy laments there’s NO money in it for coastal restoration. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Bayou State will begin to feel more like the frozen state tomorrow night. Louisiana is under a deep freeze warning beginning at 9 pm Thursday until 4 am Sunday. Wind chills on Friday are expected to be below zero so make preps for your pipes, plants, and pets today.

A judge has sentenced 54-year-old Meshell Hale of Baton Rouge to life in prison after she was convicted of poisoning her live-in boyfriend 41-year-old Damian Skipper. Authorities also suspect Hale poisoned her estranged husband Arthur Noflin. The charred remains of Noflin’s body were found in New Orleans in a burned out pickup truck in 2016. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore…
cut 12 (10) “…where we are”
Hale has only been convicted for the 2015 death of Skipper.

There are good people in this world and it appears New Orleans attorney Alistar Adkinson is one of them. Adkinson is allowing people to deliver packages to his law office in the lower garden district so porch pirates do not get to them….
cut 5 (08) “….give us call”
Adkinson says it’s the first Christmas they’ve offered this service.

The Salvation Army is making it easier to donate in a variety of ways. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program and the Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Fund will stop accepting applications today at 5 PM. Desiree Honore Thomas is Assistant Commissioner in the Division of Administration.
Cut 23 (05) “..funds left. ”
The programs started to provide assistance for those who lost jobs as a result of COVID.

Efforts to bring more federal funding for coastal restoration, via higher oil & gas royalty payments, are dead for the year. Senator Bill Cassidy says the Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems Act is not a part of the federal spending bill that Congress must pass this week…:
Cut 7 (08) “…not included.”
Cassidy says he’ll try to pass the RISE Act again next year.

54-year-old Meshell Hale has been sentenced to life in prison after she was convicted in the poisoning death of her former live-in boyfriend 41-year-old Damian Skipper. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says when they exhumed Skipper’s body, they found high levels of barium acetate. Moore says money was the likely motive.
Cut 11 (09) “…intent.”

Because fewer people are carrying cash on them, Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign is falling behind. Lt. Thomas Johnson says every year the Salvation Army helps thousands of individuals and families in need….
cut 14 (11) “….come to us”
With five days left before Christmas, the Salvation Army is asking the public to make a physical or online donation today.

By day Alistair Adkinson is a New Orleans attorney and when he’s not practicing law, he’s saving Christmas. After reading about porch pirates stealing packages in their neighborhood, he decided to offer his office as a drop-off site because they have an indoor door.
Cut 4 (08) “…holidays.”
Adkinson and his wife are allowing folks to send packages to their Lower Garden district office so Christmas gifts don’t get swiped.

The U-S Senate is expected to approve a one-point-seven trillion dollar spending bill this week that would avoid a partial government shutdown. But Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy told reporters he will likely vote “No” on the legislation…
cut 9 (13) “…I’m no”
Cassidy is disappointed the legislation does not contain a provision that would result in the state receiving nearly two-billion dollars over ten years to repair its coast.

A Baton Rouge woman convicted of poisoning her former live-in boyfriend in 2015 has been sentenced to life in prison. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore…
cut 10 (09) “….a verdict”
Moore believes money led to Meshell Hale killing Damian Skipper. She’s also been accused of killing her estranged husband, 42-year-old Arthur Noflin. The charred remains of his body was found in a burned out pickup truck in New Orleans in 2016.

Concerned about porch pirates stealing gifts? Brooke Thorington reports a New Orleans attorney is doing his part to save Christmas.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

In a 26-hour period, three separate house fires claimed three lives in Louisiana. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is reminding residents to be aware of the dangers of space heaters if used improperly and spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says to be mindful of holiday decorations also.

Cut 11 (09)  “…outlet.”

The fires happened in New Orleans, Leesville, and Ruston.

The Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program and the Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Fund will stop accepting applications tomorrow. Assistant Commissioner in the Division of Administration, Desiree Honore Thomas says the programs have helped people stay afloat through financial challenges brought about by the pandemic.

Cut 4 (09)  “…few people 

Governor John Bel Edwards is asking the Environmental Protection Agency to have Capitol Lakes declared as a Superfund site. Edwards says the letter he sent last week is the final step to make the long-polluted lakes eligible for federal assistance.

Cut 12 (10) “…by the EPA.”  

Edwards says it could take three to five years before remediation work begins.

The Corps of Engineers has given the green light to the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project to use Mississippi River sediment to rebuild parts of Louisiana’s coast. Bren Haase executive director of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority says it’s a monumental development

Cut 6 (12)  “…first place”

He says the project will also provide more hurricane protection for New Orleans.

With the cold weather in Louisiana comes the horror of house fires. Three people perished in fires within just over 24 hours; one in New Orleans, one in Leesville and one in Ruston. State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says check your smoke detectors and – if they don’t work – replace them now…:

CUT 10(09)      “…us yet.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he wants to the federal government to help clean up the lakes adjacent to the State Capitol; which have been dangerously polluted for 40 years or more. Edwards says unfortunately the state doesn’t have the resources for remediation and he’s asking the EPA for assistance…:

CUT 14(10)      “…immediately.”

He says getting such a project rolling could take a couple years to get started.

The Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program and the Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Fund will stop accepting applications tomorrow. The help was available for folks affected by the pandemic. Assistant Commissioner of Administration Desiree Thomas says the state will continue reviewing applications submitted by the deadline until all funds are expended…:

CUT 05(05)      “…Wednesday at 5.”

To learn more or to apply, go to “lacovidhousing.com”

The Corps of Engineers has given the green light to the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project to use Mississippi River sediment to rebuild parts of Louisiana’s coast. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority director Bren Haase says construction on the project could get underway next spring. He says once its operational, it will be able to build and sustain up to 26,000 acres of wetlands…:

CUT 08(09)      “…vegetation grows.”

In a 26-hour period, three separate house fires claimed three lives in Louisiana. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says it’s tragic especially because they could have been prevented. The fires happened in New Orleans, Leesville, and Ruston…:

CUT 09(11)      “…fire hazards.”

She says working smoke detectors are SO important. Especially this time of year.

Governor John Bel Edwards is asking the Environmental Protection Agency to have Capitol Lakes in Baton Rouge declared as a Superfund site. Edwards says contamination from PCB was detected in the lakes on the north side of the Capitol Complex in 1983..:

CUT 13(12)      “…unacceptable levels.”

Signs warning you NOT to eat fish from the lakes have been posted for over 40 years.

The Corps of Engineers says yes to a huge project to divert Mississippi River sediment to the Barataria Estuary. That money will come from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Golsby.”

A Louisiana man is wanted for a November double murder in Houston, Texas and LEOs say he could be hiding out in Tangipahoa Parish. 18-year-old Bradlyn McKay, aka BAM, is from Ponchatoula. Police ask anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts to call them at 985-386-65-48.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating three separate house fires that claimed three lives in just over one day…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

The man who shot & killed former NFL player Joe McKnight back in 2016 changes his plea to guilty of manslaughter and gets ten years in prison. 61-year-old Ronald Gasser was scheduled for a retrial of his 2018 conviction, due to the state tossing out non-unanimous jury verdicts. He shot McKnight during a road rage incident in Terrytown.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has given the green light to the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project that will use Mississippi River sediment to rebuild parts of Louisiana’s coast. State Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority director Bren Haase says the project will help restore the estuary and provide important hurricane protection for New Orleans…:

CUT 07(07)      “…protection systems.”

The Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program and the Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Fund will stop accepting applications tomorrow. Assistant Commissioner of Administration Desiree Thomas says the state will continue reviewing applications submitted before tomorrow’s deadline until all funds are expended…:

CUT 05(05)      “…at five o’clock.”

Deputies in Ascension Parish seek a pair of women who were naughty and not nice when they stole over $1000 worth of electronics and clothing from a local Walmart. Someone’s getting a lump of coal in their stockings.

In a 26-hour period, three separate house fires claimed three lives in Louisiana. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is reminding residents to be aware of the dangers of space heaters if used improperly and spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says to be mindful of holiday decorations also.

Cut 11 (09)  “…outlet.”

The fires happened in New Orleans, Leesville, and Ruston.

The Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program and the Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Fund will stop accepting applications tomorrow. Assistant Commissioner in the Division of Administration, Desiree Honore Thomas says the programs have helped people stay afloat through financial challenges brought about by the pandemic.

Cut 4 (09)  “…few people 

Governor John Bel Edwards is asking the Environmental Protection Agency to have Capitol Lakes declared as a Superfund site. Edwards says the letter he sent last week is the final step to make the long-polluted lakes eligible for federal assistance.

Cut 12 (10) “…by the EPA.”  

Edwards says it could take three to five years before remediation work begins.

The Corps of Engineers has given the green light to the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project to use Mississippi River sediment to rebuild parts of Louisiana’s coast. Bren Haase executive director of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority says it’s a monumental development

Cut 6 (12)  “…first place”

He says the project will also provide more hurricane protection for New Orleans.

In a 26-hour period, three separate house fires claimed three lives in Louisiana. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says it’s vital to have a working smoke detector, especially with the hard freeze in the forecast.

Cut 10 (09) “… us yet.” 

Rodrigue urges residents to look for fire hazards before using a space heater and Christmas décor. The fires happened in New Orleans, Leesville, and Ruston.

The Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program and the Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Fund will stop accepting applications tomorrow. Desiree Honore Thomas is Assistant Commissioner in the Division of Administration.

Cut 3 (05) “..funds left. ” 

The program has assisted 26 hundred tenants and 62 hundred homeowners since its inception.

The Public Service Commission has delayed a vote on another six-dollar storm recovery surcharge being put on customers’ bills as they look to see if Entergy can pay some of the costs from the 2020 and 2021 storms.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”