A lot of folks will start the New Year off with a bang, and the State Fire Marshal’s office has safety tips for you before you attempt your amateur pyrotechnics. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue’s first piece of advice for people buying fireworks is: don’t. Instead of risking it in your back yard, go to a public display.

Cut 3 (09) “…around.”

But if you purchase fireworks, make sure they are legal to light in your area.

The Louisiana DOTD had a busy 2019 as the department invested just over $1 billion into nearly 330 infrastructure projects on 942 miles of roadway.  DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says the investment was able to be made in large part because of innovative funding efforts.

Cut 12 (09) “…money this year.” 

A 15-year-old faces first-degree murder for fatally shooting a 74-year-old woman who was in her carport checking on a noise. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (26) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund says 128 officers died in the line of duty over the past year, an 18-percent decrease from 2018. The Fund’s CEO Marcia Ferranto on why we’ve seen a decline in law enforcement officer fatalities…

Cut 10 (09) “…also helped.”

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund says 128 officers died in the line of duty over the past year, an 18-percent decrease from 2018.The Fund’s CEO Marcia Ferranto says there were four officer deaths in Louisiana
Cut 9 (09) “…physical related death”
Shreveport police officer Chateri Payne and Mandeville Police Captain Vincent Liberto were fatally shot. Baton Rouge Police Officer Shane Totty died in a motorcycle accident. Ferranto says shootings and traffic accidents are the reason for most officer deaths while on duty

About 119 people were murdered in New Orleans in 2019. The number isn’t exact because of recent cyberattacking limiting public access to crime data. That number means New Orleans will end the year with the lowest annual murder count in 48 years.

The N-F-L Network reports that if Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale gets a job as a head coach, his top choice as offensive coordinator is LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady. But LSU Coach Ed Orgeron remains confident Brady will stay in Baton Rouge once a new contract is finalized…

Cut 6 (10) “…LSU”

Brady has been named the top assistant in college football.

The Louisiana DOTD had a busy 2019 as the department invested just over $1 billion into infrastructure projects across the state.  DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says DOTD is rolling out new safety measures in response to the death of an employee killed on the job site this year.

Cut 14 (09) “…sure they’re safe.”

Back in June, 49-year-old Johnny Cole was killed after being struck by an 18-wheeler near Ruston. Cole was a sign specialist for the department.

Infrastructure improvement was widespread throughout the state in 2019…

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Tigers are prepping ahead of their January 13^th National Championship clash with Clemson, and know if they want to contain the Tiger’s offense, they’ll have to slow down running back Travis Etienne. Coach Ed Orgeron says when he took over for Les Miles, he tried to recruit Etienne to come to LSU…

Cut 8 (12) “…better job of.”

Etienne has 18 touchdowns on the year.

Four Louisiana officers died in the line of duty in 2019 according to the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund. The Fund’s CEO Marcia Ferranto says 128 died nationally.

Cut 11 (10) “…accidents”

East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy Steven Whitstine died from congestive heart failure before crashing while driving to work. Shreveport police officer Chateri Payne and Mandeville Police Captain Vincent Liberto were fatally shot. Baton Rouge Police Officer Shane Totty died in a motorcycle accident.

 State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says stay safe when lighting up fireworks this year. Only buy them from a liscened vendor, and only shoot them off in an area with a lot of open space…

Cut 5 (12) “…fireworks.”

After the fireworks go off, spray them with a hose, and put them in a disposal bin, where they can be stored away from your home until they are picked up.

LSU senior linebacker Michael Divinity will play in the national championship game against Clemson. Divinity has missed the last six games because he reportedly violated team rules. In five games, Divinity has three sacks and Orgeron expects his role in the title game will be to rush the passer
Cut 7 (12) “…we can”
Many folks will start the New Year off with a bang, and the State Fire Marshal’s office has safety tips for you before you attempt your amateur pyrotechnics. If you are going to be purchasing fireworks, make sure you check to see if fireworks are legal in your area. If they are, Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says make sure you’re buying from a licensed vendor.

Cut 4 (10) “…know.”

Rodrigue says a good rule of thumb is, if you don’t see any fireworks sellers in your area, it’s likely because fireworks are illegal in your jurisdiction.

A 15-year-old faces first-degree murder for fatally shooting a 74-year-old woman who was in her carport checking on a noise. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (26) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The Louisiana DOTD had a busy 2019 as the department invested just over $1 billion into nearly 330 infrastructure projects.  DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says there were unexpected expenses for emergency situations that came up throughout the year.

Cut 13 (13) “…the state well.”

The Louisiana DOTD had a busy 2019 as the department invested just over $1 billion into nearly 330 infrastructure projects on 942 miles of roadway.  DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says the investment was able to be made in large part because of innovative funding efforts.

Cut 12 (09) “…money this year.” 

Among the projects, the widening of various sections of I-10 and the I-10/Loyola Drive interchange improvements.

A lot of folks will start the New Year off with a bang, and the Fire Marshal’s office has some safety tips for you before you attempt your amateur pyrotechnics. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue’s first piece of advice for people buying fireworks is: don’t. Instead of risking it in your back yard, go to a public display.

Cut 3 (09) “…around.”

The N-F-L Network reports that if Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale gets a job as a head coach, his top choice as offensive coordinator is LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady. But LSU Coach Ed Orgeron remains confident Brady will stay in Baton Rouge once a new contract is finalized…

Cut 6 (10) “…LSU”

Brady has been named the top assistant in college football for helping to turn the Tigers offense into one of the best units in the country. Orgeron also says senior linebacker Michael Divinity will play in the National Championship game against Clemson. 

Funeral services have been set for four of the five victims in Saturday’s fatal plane crash in Lafayette. A joint funeral will be held Thursday for Gretchen Vincent and her 15-year-old son Walker in Lafayette. Ian Biggs was the pilot, his funeral will be Saturday in Lafayette and funeral services for sports reporter Carley McCord is set for Saturday in Baton Rouge.

A rash of home fires in north Louisiana has claimed nine lives in December, two of the victims ran back into their burning homes…
cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Crowley police have charged 35-year-old Justin Duhon with Felony Hit and Run. Crowley Police Chief Jimmy Broussard says Duhon’s pickup truck hit a 10-year-old boy who was riding a bike he just received for Christmas…
cut 8 (11) “…split-second”
The child is in critical, but stable condition at a Baton Rouge hospital. Duhon was arrested in New Orleans. That’s where he fled after hitting the child.

Law enforcement will try to avoid investigating crashes involving drunk drivers tonight. Even though the numbers are beginning to dip, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is still pushing an aggressive anti-drunk driving campaign…
cut 11 (11) “…times”
That’s commission executive director Lisa Freeman, who says during last year’s New Year’s Eve holiday period, two people were killed and 74 injured in alcohol-related crashes on Louisiana roads.

The National Transportation Safety Board Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg says they hope to have a preliminary report on last Saturday’s fatal plane crash in Lafayette in about two weeks, but the investigation will last much longer than that…
cut 15 (10) “…we need”
The N-T-S-B has video of the crash and they are asking for anyone with audio of the plane to come forward.

128 officers were killed in the line of duty this year, including four in Louisiana. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund CEO Marcia Ferranto says the 128 is an 18-percent decline from last year…
cut 10 (09) “…also helped”
Shreveport police officer Chateri Payne and Mandeville Police Captain Vincent Liberto were fatally shot. Baton Rouge Police Officer Shane Totty died in a motorcycle accident. E-B-R Sheriff’s Deputy Steven Whitstine died from congestive heart failure before crashing.

Cops will flood the roads tonight ahead of a holiday that is known for late-night celebrating…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Nine people have died from six home fires in north Louisiana this month. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says most of the fatalities followed a similar pattern…
Cut 4 (12) “…unsafely.”
And tonight we are expecting another chilly night, so follow safety precautions when using a space heater.

The investigation into Saturday’s fatal plane crash in Lafayette is in the early stages and investigators are not ruling anything in or ruling anything out as far as a cause. N-T-S-B Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg says the four corners of the plane were found at the crash site…
cut 14 (08) “…mid-air”
He says the flaps were up, which suggests the plane was not preparing to land.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund says 128 officers died in the line of duty over the past year, an 18-percent decrease from 2018.The Fund’s CEO Marcia Ferranto says there were four officer deaths in Louisiana…
cut 9 (09) “…physical related death”
Shreveport police officer Chateri Payne and Mandeville Police Captain Vincent Liberto were fatally shot. Baton Rouge Police Officer Shane Totty died in a motorcycle accident. East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy Steven Whitstine died from congestive heart failure before crashing.

State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says nine people have died in six different home fires in north Louisiana this month. Browning says it’s important to note that these fatal fires have been disproportionately impacting some of society’s most vulnerable…
cut 6 (11) “….community”
If you need help purchasing a smoke alarm, visit l-a-s-f-m-dot-org.

State Police will be out in force tonight hunting drunk drivers on one of the biggest party nights of the year. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Lisa Freeman says drunk driving crashes spike in the 100 hours before New Years, with 74 injuries and two deaths from drunk crashes last year.
Cut 10 (08) “…good thing.”

Funeral services have been set for four of the five victims in Saturday’s fatal plane crash in Lafayette. A joint funeral will be held Thursday for Gretchen Vincent and her 15-year-old son Walker in Lafayette. Ian Biggs was the pilot, his funeral will be Saturday in Lafayette and funeral services for sports reporter Carley McCord is set for Saturday in Baton Rouge.

A rash of home fires in north Louisiana has claimed nine lives in December, two of the victims ran back into their burning homes…
cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Police will be on the look out for drunk drivers on this New Year’s eve. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission executive director Lisa Freeman says the public can help, by reporting to authorities if they see someone driving dangerously…
cut 12 (07) “…the road”
Freeman says impaired drivers that are caught will go to jail.

A 35-year-old Crowley man has been charged with felony hit and run. Crowley Police Chief Jimmy Broussard says they believe Justin Duhon was the driver of the pickup truck that struck a 10-year-old riding his bike and then fled the scene. Broussard says a woman reportedly in the car with Duhon at the time of the incident provided the tip they needed…
cut 9 (06) “…community involvement”
State Police arrested Duhon in New Orleans. At last report the child was in critical but stable condition.

National Transportation Safety Board investigators have security footage of the plane involved in Saturday’s crash that killed five in Lafayette as it was coming down from the clouds. Lead investigator Dr. Jennifer Rodi is asking anyone that may have cameras within the vicinity of the crash to come forward.
Cut 13 (13) “…please reach out.”
N-T-S-B is not ruling out anything when it comes to possible causes into the crash.

A Crowley man, 35-year-old Justin Duhon, is charged with a felony for a Sunday afternoon hit-and-run that put a 10-year-old in a Baton Rouge hospital. Crowley Police Chief Jimmy Broussard…
Cut 7 (08) “…which it did.”
Authorities tracked down Duhon in Orleans Parish.

We are anticipating a chilly New Year’s Eve night which is concerning to State Fire Marshal Butch Browning, who says eight people have died in home fires in north Louisiana over the last three weeks. Two of the fatalities were the result of people running back into their homes after they already escaped. Browning says if you’re lucky enough to get out, stay out…
Cut 5 (06) “…people.”
45-year-old Christy Parker died Christmas Eve in Benton after running back into her home to save her dog.

Law enforcement will try to avoid investigating crashes involving drunk drivers tonight. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is pushing an aggressive anti-drunk driving campaign…
cut 11 (11) “…times”
That’s commission executive director Lisa Freeman, who says during last year’s New Year’s Eve holiday period, two people were killed and 74 injured in alcohol-related crashes on Louisiana roads.