The state is trying to dry out today after yesterday’s drenching rain. About a foot of rain fell in Washington Parish, which has St. Tammany emergency management director Dexter Accardo concerned about river flooding…
cut 8 (09) “…Covington area”
More rain is in the forecast for this weekend.

The state economic development department is calling 2018 another successful year for new jobs. At the end of 2017, DTX Technology announced plans to bring two-thousand high tech jobs to new Orleans and Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says 2018 was another year of substantial gains in the tech and software sectors…
cut 4 (12) “…grow”

A new world record has been set in Shreveport for the largest gumbo ever cooked, all in celebration of the Walk-On’s Independence Bowl. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The LSU football team is holding its first practice in Arizona today as it gets ready for its Fiesta Bowl matchup with Central Florida. Coach Ed Orgeron says they’ve tried to improve the offense during the bowl practices…
cut 11 (11) “…run game”

Unemployment is down from last year, and state Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson credits more foreign investment and tech jobs…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

FEMA announces it will not issue or renew flood insurance policies during the partial federal government shut down. This impacts those individuals selling or buying a home that’s required to have flood insurance. The governor’s office says over 501-thousand Louisiana homes depend on flood insurance.

Thursday’s heavy rain event resulted in several homes taking in water. St. Charles Parish President Larry Cochran says about 30 homes expeirenced flooding in Norco, Montz, Destrehan and New Sarpy. About a foot of rain fell in Washington Parish, which resulted in some property damage and in St. Tammany, parish emergency management director Dexter Accardo says low lying roads are covered by water…
cut 7 (07) “…the street”

Louisiana Chef John Folse and a team of cooks set a Guiness world record for the largest pot of gumbo, 68-hundred pounds. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser was in Shreveport to witness it and he says it contained 983 pounds of shrimp, 590 pounds of catfish and hundreds of pounds of crab, alligator and oysters, plus rice spices and broth…
cut 13 (10) record books”:
The previous record was 58-hundred pounds.

The Economic Development Department says 2018 was a strong year when it came to new business taking root in the state, and celebrates the year to year drop in unemployment rate. The year was headlined by major announcements from foreign firms, and Secretary Don Pierson says capital is flowing in from around the world.

Cut 3 (09) “…dollars.”

Parts of the state are recovering from a nasty night of weather as several inches of rain piled up. Those rains have authorities in St. Tammany Parish keeping an eye on a few rivers in the Covington area, which could affect resident’s in low lying zones. St. Tammany Emergency Management Director Dexter Accardo.

Cut 6, 11 seconds, and all

At the Walk-On’s Independence Bowl, a new record was set for the world’s largest gumbo ever cooked.  Chef John Folse lead a team in putting the gumbo together.  When the gumbo was official weighed, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says it tipped the scales at just over 6800 pounds.
Cut 12 (12)   “…by 1000 pounds.” 
Nungesser says to seal in the record, all of the gumbo had to be eaten.  About 11,000 bowls were served to those in attendance.

The government shutdown is now into its seventh day. Senator John Kennedy says negotiations have stalled, and it’s looking increasingly unlikely they’ll have the votes to pass a budget that includes 5.7 billion in border wall funding demanded by the President.

Cut 13 (10) “…Representatives”
The shutdown has impacted an estimated 850,000 federal workers.

With the New Year right around the corner it’s time to start getting your tax ducks in a row. LA Champagne and Company partner Wayne Dussel says the tax reform bill passed at the beginning of the year means less tax work, and the end of middle class folks with straight forward finances having to save their 2018 receipts for expenses and charity to itemize for optimal tax results.

Cut 4 (09) “…forward″

The LSU basketball player who was gunned down in September has a charitable cause named in his memory.  The family of Wayde Sims is establishing the Wayde Forever 44 Emotional Support Dog Fund, which will help students with the costs associated with caring for a support dog.  Senior Director of Development at the LSU Vet School, Tracy Evans, says Sims had his own emotional support dog.

Cut 7 (06) “…his dog Buddha.”

LSU sophomore running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is with the Tigers in Arizona one week after he and walk-on linebacker Jared Small were involved in a fatal shooting in Baton Rouge. Authortities have ruled the shooting justified and Coach Ed Orgeron gave his comments on the situation

Cut 9 (08) “…total of 97.″

The LSU basketball player who was gunned down in September has a charitable cause named in his memory.  The family of Wayde Sims is establishing the Wayde Forever 44 Emotional Support Dog Fund, which will help students with the costs associated with caring for a support dog.  Senior Director of Development at the LSU Vet School, Tracy Evans says the financial impact that students may incur in having an animal may be overwhelming.

Cut 8 (09) “…for their apartment.”

The government shutdown is now into its sixth day. Democrats say they’ll refuse to sign any budget that pays for the President’s border wall. Senator John Kennedy blames the impasse on internal party politics surrounding potential Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

Cut 14 (10) “…yet”

A tax expert says the average worker in Louisiana probably doesn’t need to worry about keeping those 2018 receipts for itemizing on their tax returns…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

And finally, at the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, a new world record was set for the largest gumbo ever cooked.  Chef John Folse lead the team which cooked a 68-hundred pound seafood gumbo, eclipsing the previous record by 1000 pounds.  The pot alone was 1068 pounds and stainless steel, setting another record for the largest cooking pot ever made.  Proceeds from sales of the gumbo, about $50-thousand, went toward charity.

The government shutdown is now a week old. GOP U-S Senator John Kennedy says negotiations have stalled over funding for a border wall sought by President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers…
Cut 13 (10) “…Representatives”
Kennedy blames Democratic Congressman Nancy Pelosi for not negotiating in good faith. Meanwhile, FEMA has announced that insurers cannot issue new flood insurance polices or renew policies during the shutdown.

In one month, the I-R-S will begin accepting 2018 tax returns. So what will middle class wage earners see as far as a tax break as a result of the tax reform legislation approved by Congress a year ago. Wayne Dussel is with the Louisiana C-P-A Society…
cut 6 (08) “…will see”

A charitable fund has been created to help LSU students who need an emotional support dog pay for those costs. The fund was started in honor of former LSU basketball player Wayde Sims, who was killed in a shooting in September and had an emotional support dog. Tracy Evans at the LSU Vet School says donations are pouring in…
cut 9 (12) “….was December 13th”
To donate, look up the Wayde Forever 44 Emotional Support Dog Fund and find a link to donate.

According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the number of law enforcement professionals who died in the line of duty nationwide in 2018 increased by 12% over the previous year, a total of 144. CEO for the organization Chris Floyd says four officers were killed in Louisiana….
Cut 10 (08) “…among officers nationwide.”

The partial government shutdown is nearing a week old and there’s no end in sight. The 60 votes needed in the Senate to fund a border wall are not there. Many conservative advocates say Republican leaders should exercise the “nuclear option” which would allow items to pass the Senate with only a 51 vote majority, but Senator John Kennedy says that’s risky…
Cut 15 (11) “…stop them.”

Four Louisiana officers were killed in the line of duty in 2018. All of them died in traffic related incidents. Nationwide, there were 144 law enforcement officer fatalities and firearm-related deaths led the way, which is a concern to National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund CEO Craig Floyd…
cut 11 (12) “…deaths among officers”

The Jefferson Davis Sheriff’s office says the second suspect wanted in connection with the double homicide of an elderly couple near Lacassine has turned himself in. 23-year-old Javari Guidry of Houston was booked on first-degree murder and aggravated burglary charges. 21-year-old Jordan Legros turned himself in on Wednesday night.

The family of the LSU basketball player Wayde Sims, who was killed by gunfire in September, has started a charitable cause in his honor to help LSU students who need an emotional support dog. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

The partial government shutdown is now nearly a week old, and Senator John Kennedy says the chances of a quick end are getting dimmer…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

FEMA announces it will not issue or renew flood insurance policies during the government shut down. This impacts those individuals trying to sell or buy home that’s required to have flood insurance. The governor’s office says over 501-thousand Louisiana homes depend on flood insurance.

Four Louisiana police officers were killed during the line of duty in 2018 and nationwide there have been 144 law enforcement fatalities this year. A 12-percent increase over last year. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund CEO Craig Floyd says in the 1970s the number was much higher…
cut 12 (12) “….a 35-percent drop”

The family of former LSU basketball player Wayde Sims, who was killed by gunfire in September, has established the Wayde Forever 44 Emotional Support Dog Fund, which will help LSUstudents with the costs associated with caring for a support dog. Senior Director of Development at the LSU Vet School, Tracy Evans, says Sims had an emotional support dog.
Cut 7 (06) “…his dog Buddha.”
Look for information on the Wayde Forever 44 Fund on the internet for a link to make a donation.

LSU arrived in Arizona last night, but freshman cornerback Kelvin Jospeh is not with the team because he violated a team rule. So that means Kary Vincent and Terrence Alexander will start at cornerback for the Tigers against U-C-F on New Year’s Day. Coach Ed Orgeron said running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire will play. Six days ago Edwards-Helaire and walk-on Jared Small were involved in a fatal shooting that authorities have determined was a justifiable homicide.

Duke Head Coach David Cutcliffe improved to 4-0 in the Independence Bowl as the Blue Devils topped the Temple Owls 56-27 in Shreveport yesterday. Daniel Jones threw for 423 yards and five touchdowns.

In basketball…the Pelicans begin a three-game homestand tonight against Dallas. The Mavericks beat New Orleans in Big D on Wednesday night 122 to 119.

and LSU hosts ULM in the final non-conference game for both teams.

Even though the Saints have locked up the number one seed in the N-F-C playoffs, there’s still something to play for on Sunday when they take on the Carolina Panthers. A win and the Black and Gold can set the franchise record for most regular wins in a single season. Quarterback Drew Brees says that’s important
Cut 16 (12) significant yes”
Veteran Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is expected to play Sunday. He led the Vikings to the playoffs in 2015, but suffered a significant knee injury and missed all of 2016 and only played in one game last year. The 26-year-old says he’s anxious for his chance…
Cut 19 (13) “…one day at a time”
And Saints tight end Ben Watson says he’ll retire after the season, ending a 15-year career.

There are no signs that the partial federal government shutdown will end any time soon. Democrats in Washington oppose a funding bill that would pay for President Trump’s border wall. Republican US Senator John Kennedy blames the impasse on internal party politics surrounding potential House Speaker Nancy Pelosi…
cut 14 (10) “…yet”
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards says the shutdown is shameful and needs to be solved quickly.

There are many who make end of the year donations, but because of new tax rules it will be more difficult to get a deduction for your donations, because the standard deduction has been doubled. Wayne Dussel is with the Louisiana C-P-A Society…
cut 5 (09) “…do that”

According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the number of law enforcement professionals who died in the line of duty nationwide in 2018 increased by 12% over the previous year, a total of 144. CEO for the organization Chris Floyd says four officers were killed in Louisiana, one struck by a vehicle, one died in a motorcycle crash, and two were killed in automobile crashes….
Cut 10 (08) “…among officers nationwide.”
The four who died in 2018 were Zachary Police Officer Michael Lawton, Monroe Police Officer Ayriana Michelle Williams, Montgomery Assistant Chief of Police Kirt Roy Ricks III, and Slidell Police Officer Jason Michael Seals.