New statistics show that New Orleans is on track for having the highest homicide rate in the U.S. this year; over 70 homicides per 100 thousand residents, which tops any other city. Rafael Goyeneche with the Metropolitan Crime Commission says lack of cops is the reason. Because so many cops have left the force, the homicide rate is up 132 percent since 2019…:

Cut 8 (09)  “…are up 21%.”

He says the city council finally agreed to pay cops more, offer signing and retention bonuses, and hire more police.

In 2021 the Louisiana Office of Tourism says 41 million people visited the Bayou State, not quite the pre-pandemic levels of 53 million in 2019. But Lt Governor Billy Nungesser is optimistic numbers this year’s numbers.

Cut 3 record-breaking numbers:07

Five people, four adults, and a juvenile have been arrested following the death of an infant in Winnfield. Jeff Palermo has the troubling details…

Cut 1(30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

New statistics show that New Orleans is on track for having the highest homicide rate in the U.S. this year; over 70 homicides per 100-thousand residents, which tops any other city. Rafael Goyeneche with the Metropolitan Crime Commission says a lack of cops is the reason. Because so many cops have left the force, the homicide rate is up 132-percent since 2019…:
cut 28 (09) “…are up 21-percent.”

A 98-year-old mother and her 69-year-old daughter from Alexandria were killed in a two-vehicle wreck on U-S 190 in Pointe Coupee Parish on Thursday. State Police Trooper Christian Reed says their S-U-V slammed into a parked 18-wheeler on the side of the road. He calls it a tragic incident…
cut 14 (10) “…fatal crash”
The victims have been identified as 69-year-old Barbara Dobard Rigby and 98-year-old Maynette Dobard of Alexandria

For some finding a new job in 2023 is a personal goal. UNO professor of Economics and Finance Mark Rosa advises you not to leave a job, just to have a different job. He says to choose your job move wisely because your current employer will get along without you…
cut 12 (06) “…everybody loses”
Rosa says look at the skills and knowledge you’ve acquired as an investment in your career and livelihood; not just a way to pay the bills.

If you are going to celebrate the New Year with fireworks, the state Fire Marshal’s office says keep them at least 200 feet away from houses or anything else that can catch fire. Spokeswoman Ashley Rodrigue says the embers can start fires.
Cut 6 (10) “…of wind.”
She says don’t handle fireworks if you are impaired, and keep a close eye on young children.

One of the new laws taking effect New Year’s Day requires carbon monoxide detectors in one or two-family homes sold or newly leased in Louisiana….
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

The state fire marshal’s office says two people died in a house fire in Winnsboro yesterday. The victims are an elderly male and a middle-aged woman. Investigators are looking into unattended cooking as a potential cause of the deadly fire.

The U-S Coast Guard has suspended its search for four individuals who were on a helicopter that crashed into the Gulf of Mexico ten miles off of Southwest Pass, Louisiana.

2022 ends with New Orleans as America’s Murder Capital with the most killings per capita. Violent crime in the Crescent City has reached levels not seen in more than 25 years. Morale with the New Orleans Police Department is low and the number of cops has fallen below 900. Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says low pay has been an issue…
cut 9 (08) “…police department”

A 98-year-old mother from Alexandria and her 69-year-old daughter were killed in a two-vehicle crash on U-S 190 in Pointe Coupee Parish on Thursday morning. State Police Trooper Christian Reed says the victims were traveling in a S-U-V that slammed into the back of a parked tractor-trailer on the side of the road…
cut 13 (09) “…at the scene”
The victims have been identified as 69-year-old Barbara Dobard Rigby and 98-year-old Maynette Dobard of Alexandria.

Federal crime statistics place New Orleans at the top of the list for homicides in the country. Whitney Thomas reports on the Murder Capital of the USA…:

CUT 02  (32)        “…Thomas.”

A shocking story out of Winn Parish; a 5-month-old baby girl who died last week was determined to be a murder victim…and the suspect is the child’s 11-year-old sibling. The baby died of blunt force to the head and body. The pre-teen was taken into custody. Four adults in the Winnfield home were also charged with cruelty to a juvenile. More as this story develops.

A new law taking effect January 1^st requires carbon monoxide detectors in one or two-family homes sold or newly leased in Louisiana. Metairie State Representative Stephanie Hilferty is the law’s author. She says she brought the bill after a close call with CO fumes following Hurricane Ida. She says CO detectors are simple to install and don’t cost a lot…:

CUT 06  (05)        “…sort of thing.”

Hilferty says one can even find combination CO AND smoke detectors at almost ANY home improvement or hardware store.

With the New Year may come the resolution to find a new job. UNO economics professor Mark Rosa says before you make an impulsive move, ask yourself “am I moving JUST to make the move?” He says choose your job move wisely because your current employer will get along without you…:

CUT 12(06)      “…like everybody loses.”

Rosa says make the move if it means better income, furthering your chosen profession or moving INTO a profession you prefer.

After searching for more than 8 hours yesterday the Coast Guard suspended the search for four men who went down in the Gulf when a helicopter crashed about 10 miles offshore. The chopper was en route from an offshore rig to land. The search for survivors of that crash resumes this morning. This is the third chopper crash in the Gulf in 2022.

Some may have a New Year’s Resolution to find a new job in 2023. Brooke Thorington seeks some tips on doing that…:

CUT 03(31)      “…Thorington.”

A shocking story out of Winn Parish; a 5-month-old baby girl who died last week was determine to be a murder victim…and the suspect is the child’s 11-year-old sibling. The baby died of blunt force to the head and body. The pre-teen was taken into custody. Four adults in the Winnfield home were also charged with cruelty to a juvenile. More as this story develops.

Starting January 1^st, all one-and-two family homes sold or leased in Louisiana MUST have working carbon monoxide detectors. The state health department says six people in Louisiana died from carbon monoxide poisoning after Hurricane Ida, and nine after Laura. Metairie state lawmaker Stephanie Hilferty sponsored the bill – which passed the legislature last spring – after her own close call with CO fumes. She says it can cause fatigue, headaches and more…:

CUT 05  (11)        “…monoxide poisoning”

The law does not apply to your already-owned home, but she says it’s a good idea to get a CO detector anyway.

New statistics show that New Orleans is on track for having the highest homicide rate in the U.S. this year; over 70 homicide per 100-thousand residents, which tops any other city. Rafael Goyeneche with the Metropolitan Crime Commission says lack of cops is the reason. Because so many cops have left the force, the homicide rate is up 132-percent since 2019…:

CUT 08(09)      “…are up 21-percent.”

He says the city council finally agreed to pay cops more, offer signing and retention bonuses and to hire more police.

The heavy rains we say yesterday will persist into part of today across Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says go ahead make those outdoor plans for celebrating New Year’s Eve…:

CUT 14(09)      “…mild temperatures.”

Have a safe and Happy New Year…

A new law taking effect January 1^st requires carbon monoxide detectors in one or two-family homes sold, or newly-leased in Louisiana. Metairie State Representative Stephanie Hilferty, who authored the law passed last spring, says she has personal experience with the matter. When she and other family members were staying in her mother-in-law’s home after Hurricane Ida, her portable carbon monoxide detector went off…:

CUT 04(09)      “…have happened.”

This law will affect any home that is sold or leased after the first of the year. Hilferty recommends everyone get working CO detectors for their homes.

With the New Year may come the resolution to move to a new job. UNO professor of Economics & Finance Mark Rosa has some tips. First, make sure your resume is up to date and truthfully reflects your work history. Rosa says employers are eager to hire new talent right now…:

CUT 10(11)      “…a buyer’s market.”

Rosa says don’t make a move JUST to move. Make sure the move will help advance your career and your earnings potential.

One of the new laws taking effect New Year’s Day requires carbon monoxide detectors in one or two-family homes sold or newly leased in Louisiana. Marsanne Golsby has more…:

CUT 1   (29)      “…Golsby.”

Someone in the Shreveport area spent a great deal of holiday time to leave anti-Semitic flyers all over a number of neighborhoods. The flyers – left on car windshields, door jambs and on door steps – blame Jewish people for everything from abortion, to rising crime to “taking Christ out of Christmas.” Shreveport Police are aware and looking into it.

The National Weather Service issues a Flash Flood Watch for all of northwestern Louisiana. The area covers everything north of Natchitoches and west of Monroe. Areas of the state have the potential for severe weather today as a cold front enters the state from the west. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the storm prediction center has us in a marginal category, which is a one out of five of a severe weather threat…:

CUT 13(07)      “…two inches.”

New Year’s Day should be mostly sunny and warm-ish.

New statistics show that New Orleans is on track for having the highest homicide rate in the U.S. this year. Rafael Goyeneche with the Metropolitan Crime Commission says the city has lost over 150 police officers this year…:

CUT 07(08)      “…900 police officers.”

New Orleans had an average of over 70 homicides per 100-thousand persons in 2022. Goyeneche says city officials have responded by funding police raises, bonuses and money to hire more cops.

One of the new laws taking effect New Year’s Day requires carbon monoxide detectors in one or two-family homes sold or newly leased in Louisiana. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

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New Orleans is seeing astronomical crime rates and is considered to be the nation’s murder capital. Whitney Thomas reports

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Whitney Thomas .”

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Some may have a New Year’s Resolution to find a new job in 2023. Brooke Thorington seeks some tips on doing that…:

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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A new law taking effect January 1^st requires carbon monoxide detectors in one or two-family homes sold or newly leased in Louisiana.  Metairie State Representative Stephanie Hilferty authored the law. She says she and other family members were staying in her mother-in-law’s home after Hurricane Ida when her portable carbon monoxide detector went off.

Cut 4 (09)  “…have  happened.”

The state health department says six people in Louisiana died from carbon monoxide poisoning after Hurricane Ida, and nine after Laura. Hilferty says she knows from experience you can’t smell, taste, or see carbon monoxide, but it does cause fatigue and headaches.

Cut 5 (11) “…poisoning. ”

This law will affect any home that is sold or leased after the first of the year. Hilferty says she offered to sponsor the bill after her family’s experience.

Cut 6 (05)  “..sort of thing.” 

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New statistics show that New Orleans is on track for having the highest homicide rate in the U.S. this year. Rafael Goyeneche with the Metropolitan Crime Commission says the city has lost over 150 police officers this year.

Cut 7 (08) “…900 police officers.”

Goyeneche says since 2019 the homicide rate has increased by 132%

Cut 8 (09)  “…are up 21%.”

Goyeneche says political officials are now responding to the issue by providing officers with the resources they need.

Cut 9 (08)  “… police department.”

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With the New Year may come the resolution to move to a new job. UNO professor of Economics & Finance Mark Rosa has some tips. First, make sure your resume is up to date and truthfully reflects your work history. Rosa says employers are eager to hire new talent right now…:

Cut 10 (11) “…a buyer’s market.” 

Rosa says to ask yourself why you want to change jobs. Is it the pay? Is it the people? Make sure you’re not forsaking a profession in which you’ve gained useful work experience…:

Cut 11 (09)  “…worth having.”

Rosa advises you not to leave a job, just to have a different job. He says to look at the skills and knowledge you’ve acquired up to this point as an investment in your career and livelihood; not just a way to pay the bills. He says to choose your job move wisely because your current employer will get along without you…:

Cut 12 (06) “…like everybody loses.”

Rosa says it may be better to negotiate a raise, rather than leave your job.

______________________________________________

Some rain and thunderstorms linger over Louisiana as we approach the New Year’s holiday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the storm prediction center has us in a marginal category, which is a one out of five of a severe weather threat.

Cut 13 (07) “…two inches.”

Keim says by Saturday rain from the cold front will have moved out of the state. Compared to the Artic cold front that we just thawed out from this particular front will leave us with mild temperatures.

Cut 14 (09)  “…mild temperatures.”

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The Pelicans moved back into first in the Western Conference with their 119-118 win over the Timberwolves Wednesday night and a Nuggets loss. The Pels are 22-12 on the season ahead of tonight’s game against Philadelphia. This time last year the team was 12-22. All-star Forward Zion Williamson credits the team’s improvement to the work they put in after last year’s surprise resurgence…

Cut 15 (20)  “…something special.”

Williamson scored a career-high 43 points in the win Wednesday night and has been the leading scorer on the team in Brandon Ingram’s absence. Without Ingram, Williamson has led the Pels to an 8-4 record in games he’s played in. Williamson who is emerging as one of the NBA’s young stars and potential future MVP candidate says he just wants to win…

Cut  16 (16)  “…getting the win.” 

Tip-off in the Blender tonight is at 7:30

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The LSU Men’s basketball team is 12-1 on the season and is now 1-0 in Sec play after upsetting ninth-ranked Arkansas. First-year Coach Matt McMahon has insisted the team is still a work in progress improving each week, but the Tigers are still looking to shake up a loaded Southeastern Conference…

Cut 17 (20) “…build on.” 

One player who’s shown improvement in McMahon’s program is guard Trae Hannibal. Hannibal spent his first two years at South Carolina before transferring to Murray State last year. He followed his coach to Baton Rouge this year, and after 19 point performance, McMahon says he can be a key piece in this LSU team…

Cut 18 (23) “…moving forward.” 

The Tigers will face 19th-ranked Kentucky next Tuesday in Lexington

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Cut 19 (27) “…take of business”

Cut 20 (23)     ….of the year” 

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UPDATED – USCG calls off search

The US Coast Guard has called off the search for four people that were in a helicopter that crashed this morning after it left an oil platform. Family members were told the oil rig company would start recovery efforts Friday at daylight. The helicopter with three passengers and a pilot crashed about 10 miles off the coast of Plaquemines Parish. According to Fox 8 in New Orleans, one of the passengers is 36-year-old David Scarborough of Mississippi. Scarborough was reportedly on his way home to his pregnant wife Lacy and the couple lost a child to drowning in March.

Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (BOO-tee) changes his mind and enters the NFL draft. The New Iberia native made the announcement hours after LSU said Boutte would not play in Monday’s Citrus Bowl but was enrolled for the spring semester. Hunt Palmer of the LSU Sports Radio Network and ESPN Radio in Baton Rouge has this reaction…

Cut 12 (07) “…for a championship.”  

The National Weather Service issues a Flash Flood Watch for all of northwestern Louisiana. The watch area covers everything north of Natchitoches and west of Monroe. Areas of the state have the potential for severe weather today and tomorrow as a cold front enters the state from the west. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the storm prediction center has us in a marginal category, which is a one out of five of a severe weather threat.

Cut 15 (10) “… southeastern Louisiana.”

The Department of Transportation and Development has been awarded a $150 million Mega Grant from the federal government to go towards the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge project. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says it’s the largest discretionary grand they’ve ever received. He also thanked Senator Bill Cassidy and Congressman Troy Carter for their support of the Biden Administration’s Infrastructure Act.

Cut 11 (12)  “…those dollars.”

Louisiana’s been awarded a $150 million Mega Grant from the federal government to go towards the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge project. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says this particular allotment is significant and he also thanked Senator Bill Cassidy and Congressman Troy Carter for their support of the President’s Infrastructure Act.

Cut 11 (12)  “…those dollars.”

Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (BOO-tee) changes his mind and enters the NFL draft. The New Iberia native made the announcement hours after LSU said Boutte would not play in Monday’s Citrus. Hunt Palmer of the LSU Sports Radio Network and ESPN Radio in Baton Rouge says it’s unclear what led to the abrupt ending of Boutte’s career at LSU…

Cut 13 (07) “…college sports.”  

A single-vehicle crash in Terrebonne Parish claims the life of 29 years old Steven English of Houma. State Trooper Ross Brennan says English was traveling at a high rate of speed on LA- Highway 15 when he went off the road, flipped, and hit a tree. Toxicology is pending; however, Brennan says investigators believe impairment is possible…:

CUT 07(05)      “…particular crash.”

The Coast Guard is searching for 4 people aboard a downed helicopter in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 10 miles offshore of Southwest Pass. The helicopter reportedly was in the process of departing an oil platform when it crashed.

Smoke-free Louisiana coalition says there was an eight-percent increase in Quitline calls during the year by individuals looking to stop using tobacco products.. Spokesperson Randy Hayden says a good New Year’s resolution for smokers would be to kick the habit…

cut 5 (09) “…in the year”
The number to call is 1-800-Quit-Now