Authorities in Baton Rouge arrested a 26-year-old man for the 2015 double murder that claimed the lives of two Texas women. BRPD Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says Jonathan Robertson faces two counts of first degree murder in the deaths of 23-year-olds Brandi Gilbert and Corrine Rayford. He says it’s unknown what happened leading up to the attacks on the victims.
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The state Department of Environmental Equality is reminding Louisianans to recycle because more waste is produced in December than any other month. Jean Kelly with DEQ says in East Baton Rouge you can find information on brgov.com/recycle about seasonal pickups
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With New Year’s Eve on our heels, State Fire Marshal Butch Browning is reminding people to be cautious when lighting fireworks. Browning says never repackage fireworks like taping bunches together. He also advises people to make purchases from licensed dealers and report people selling suspiciously.
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Browning says every season, an average of nine people are hurt due to fireworks.

Water testing results are back from over 400 residents in St. Joseph and 90 came back positive for levels of lead not safe for consumption. State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says in many cases they found the level was coming from pipes outside the home. He says they’re offering more tests to ensure there aren’t any other sources of lead in those homes that kids could be exposed to.
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It’s going to be a wet New Years weekend across the Bayou State, and forecasters expect several inches of rain to fall throughout South Louisiana. Alek Krautmann with the National Weather Service in Slidell says the three day event lasts Saturday into Monday…:
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He says New Orleans could see 3-4 inches, Baton Rouge 4-5 inches, and Lafayette 4-6 inches.

Tomorrow night, Governor John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna Edwards will participate in “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2017” from New Orleans on ABC. The governor and first lady will discuss Louisiana’s culture and the resiliency of the people of the state following a challenging year. They will be interviewed by Lucy Hale of Pretty Little Liars.

Louisiana produces more garbage in December than any other month, according to the state’s Department of Environmental Quality. Jean Kelly with DEQ says some parishes have drop off sites for recycling, as well as pickups for all those packages and wrapping paper..:
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Other recycling ideas are at www.deq.louisiana.gov.

A Rayville man is facing one count of negligent homicide after he allegedly shot and killed his cousin when being careless with a gun. They say 34 year old Bryant Silk is accused of pointing the weapon at the victim as a joke when the two were smoking weed and drinking. This is apparently when the gun went off by accident. Bond was set at $25,000 for Silk.

Water testing results from more than 400 residences in the town of St. Joseph showed that at least 90 came back positive for levels of lead not safe for consumption. That’s according to State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry who continues to advise everyone in the small town not to drink the water even they didn’t test positive for high levels of lead…:
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St. Joe has experienced water problems for years due to the poorly maintained distribution system.

An arrest has been made in a brutal 2015 double slaying in Baton Rouge that claimed the lives of two young women from Texas. BRPD Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says 26-year-old Jonathan Robertson was already in jail when they got his weapon during the arrest…:
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Robertson faces two counts of first degree murder in the deaths of two 23-year-old women.

It’s expected to be a wet New Years weekend across the Bayou State, and forecasters expect several inches of rain to fall throughout South Louisiana. They say Some areas could see up to 6 inches over the three day event beginning tomorrow.

State Fire Marshal Butch Browning is reminding everyone ringing in the New Year to be careful when lighting off fireworks. Don Molino has more.:
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2016 was a tough year for Louisiana. Halen Doughty has more on this year’s biggest stories…:
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Governor John Bel Edwards has appointed Crowley state Rep. Jack Montoucet as secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The governor’s office said Montoucet will take over as the head of LDWF mid January. Charlie Melancon, the former secretary of LDWF, stepped down on Dec. 14 on the heels of a state audit showing some problems under his predecessor.

New Year’s Eve is tomorrow and fireworks are the main attraction but State Fire Marshal Butch Browning is reminding people to always be cautious. He reminds everyone to make sure and follow a few simple guidelines when lighting the devices…:
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Browning says every season, an average of nine people are injured due to fireworks.

The state Department of Environmental Quality is reminding the public to recycle after the holidays because more waste is produced in December than any other month. Jean Kelly with DEQ says almost everything is recyclable in one way or another…:
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Other recycling ideas are at www.deq.louisiana.gov.

2016 was a tough year for Louisiana, but nothing compares to the July 17, when a gunman from Kansas City shot and killed three Baton Rouge police officers and wounded three more. Governor John Bel Edwards spoke about the deaths of Matthew Gerald, Brad Garafola, and Montrell Jackson.

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The ambush was in response to the shooting death of Alton Sterling.

Today in New Orleans more than 100 Princess Leias will march through the French Quarter in honor of the late Carrie Fisher. Elizabeth Pearce is a member of the Princess Leia themed dance crew the Leijorettes, which is part of the Krewe of Chewbacchus. She says they’re raising money to cover the cost of the parade.

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For the first time ever, New Orleans will be showcased on Dick Clark’s New Years Rocking Eve. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says this is a great holiday to show people how much fun we have in Louisiana.

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This is the first time the production will do a Central Time Zone countdown.

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is reminding people to have a safe and happy New Year’s because they see more crashes when the holiday falls on a weekend. Executive Director Dr. Katara Williams encourages people to be cautious while ringing in the New Year.

Cut 4 (10) “drink responsibly”

Last year, more than 340 people were injured in crashes during the New Year’s holiday.

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission wants citizens to have a safe, fun New Years Holiday weekend. Executive Director Katara Williams says during the 2015 New Year’s holiday, 341 people were hurt in car crashes in the state and 44 were alcohol related. She says always plan ahead..:
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Williams suggests taking an Uber or calling a cab to secure a safe ride home.

2016 was loaded with heavy news stories, from cop killings, racially charged protests and historic flooding. In August, more than 30 inches of rain fell in just 2 days causing the worst US natural disaster since Hurricane Sandy in south Louisiana. East Feliciana Parish OEP Deputy Director Jim Parker said they were doing everything they could to keep people safe as the flood waters rose…:
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Months later, flood victims are still trying to recover.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they are thrilled to kick off 2017 by nationally showcasing our amazing culture through New Orleans during this year’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.” He says it’s a great way to kickoff a great tourism year where he’s proud to see people working together throughout the state to attract visitors and make things safer…:
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New Orleans will be a part of the first NYE Central Time Zone Countdown airing at 7pm our time on ABC.

Injured East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy Nick Tullier was able to write his mother a handwritten letter for her birthday, according to his dad. “The best birthday present Mary could get,” James Tullier shared on his public Facebook page. “This was written today by Nick with Mary watching.” – The note said, “Happy Birthday Mom.” Doctors at TIRR Memorial in Houston said Tuillier is able to see, hear and is aware.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they are thrilled to kick off 2017 with New Orleans being showcased in Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. Don Molino reports…:
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And state officials want you to keep safety in mind if you’re gonna be driving this New Years Weekend. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Dr. Katara Williams says take Uber, or make other arrangements if you’re going to be drinking for the sake of your passengers and everyone else on the road..:
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To honor the late Carrie Fisher, more than one hundred Princess Leia super fans will be dancing in the French Quarter in memorandum this afternoon in New Orleans. Elizabeth Pearce is a member of the Leijorettes. She says no two dancers look exactly alike because, but they all wear the classic white dress with side buns…:
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The memorial march takes place with the Krewe of Chewbacchus beginning at 3pm.

LSU and Louisville kickoff tomorrow at 10am in the Camping World Stadium. Tigers’ sideline reporter Gordy Rush says obviously the key in this Citrus Bowl contest is for LSU to stop the Heisman trophy winner Lamar Jackson. Rush says the D has bring a lot of pressure to the QB like other teams that have beaten the Cardinals have been able to do.:
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The game will be televised on ABC.

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is urging drivers to be extra careful on the roads over the New Year’s holiday weekend. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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There will be a huge party in New Orleans tomorrow night before an audience of 40-50 million people as the first ever Central Time Zone NYE countdown hits Dick Clark’s New Years Rockin Eve. Lt Governor Billy Nungesser says this is part of a three year deal..:
CUT 8 (10) “around the state”

2016 news in Louisiana was loaded with huge stories. In Baton Rouge, protests reputed after the shooting death of a black man, Alton Sterling, during a confrontation with white police officers. Baton Rouge NAACP President Michael McClanahan said someone should lose their job over Sterling’s death…:
Cut 13 (07) “the guts”
Also dominating the headlines this year were the deaths of three cops in an ambush, and the flooding which in Livingston Parish the August event became the worst natural disaster to strike the US since Hurricane Sandy.

More than one hundred Princess Leias will march through New Orleans Friday in honor of the late Carrie Fisher. Elizabeth Pearce is a member of the Leijorettes, a Princess Leia themed dance line that’s part of the Krewe of Chewbacchus. Pearce says the Princess of Alderaan was a role model to her and the rest of the dancers…:
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Pearce says the Krewe of Chewbacchus will begin lining up at 3 pm just outside the French Quarter.

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission wants to remind motorists to be extra careful while driving over the New Year’s holiday weekend. Executive Director Dr. Katara Williams says often times when New Year’s falls on a weekend, it can result in more crashes than during the week. She hopes people are more cautious of their actions while ringing in 2017…:
cut 4 (10) “drink responsibly”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they are thrilled to kick off 2017 by nationally showcasing our amazing culture through New Orleans during this year’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.” It’s the first time the production will do a Central Time Zone Countdown. He says it’s a great holiday to show people how much fun we have in Louisiana…:
CUT 7 (09) “tourism industry”
The countdown show begins at 7pm tomorrow on ABC.

2016 was a tough year for Louisiana. Halen Doughty has more on this year’s biggest stories…:
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The Baton Rouge Police Department arrests a man accused in the 2015 slayings of two 23 year old women from Texas. They say 26-year-old Jonathan Robertson is a menace to society that they are glad to have behind bars on two counts of first degree murder.

Louisiana ranks third for police officers killed in line of duty in 2016. That’s according to President of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Craig Floyd. He blames a growing disrespect for the rule of law for the increase in officer deaths. He says police are visible, vulnerable symbols of law and authority.

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Floyd says too often, the service and sacrifice of police officers is taken for granted.

District 8 ADA Tony Clayton believes the sad case about a mother dumping her baby in a trash can at a New Roads Walmart exposes a problem with Louisiana law. He says Louisiana should factor in the mental state of the defendant.

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34-year-old Kyandrea Thomas is charged with attempted second degree murder.

An infant was killed and another injured in a drunk driving accident in Alexandria. Police say two other children were also injured in the two vehicle crash. 25-year-old Keaton Spurlin was reportedly driving while impaired when he crashed into the back of 44-year-old Thaddyeus Dixon’s vehicle. Spurlin is charged with a DWI, negiligent injury, and careless operation, and police say more charges are pending.

In the wake of Debbie Reynolds death just one day after her daughter, Carrie Fisher, passed away, doctors say you really can die from a broken heart. Michelle Southern has more…

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