Louisiana employers are only slightly less optimistic about staffing for the first quarter of 2016 than they were the prior year. Michael Doyle is the Vice President at the Manpower Group covering the southeast US. He says their Quarter One 2016 Employment Outlook Survey for Louisiana shows about 18% of companies polled do plan to hire during that time…

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Doyle says 76% of businesses taking part in the survey said they plan to keep the employees that they already have.

As we kick off the final week of 2015, there are several things you might want to consider when it comes to saving money on your taxes. Baton Rouge CPA Bill Potter says if you itemize your deductions, you’ll want to maximize those before the new year…

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Potter says he always recommends that people have all of their information ready to go so they can file as soon as possible.

As 2015 is coming to an end, State Climatologist Barry Keim has put together a list of the top weather events in Louisiana for the year. Keim picks El Nino as the state’s top weather event of 2015. He says El Nino kicked in in March and will probably continue to build as we get deeper into winter…

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He says he picked El Nino because of its duration and intensity. Keim’s number two pick is the squall line that moved across the state on April 27th. Number three is the drought conditions the state suffered in 2015.

It’s another day of muggy humid conditions in Louisiana as some areas reach high temperatures at levels that haven’t been seen in decades. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front will bring drier and more seasonable weather to Louisiana on Monday. But he says for the next couple of days we’ll have to deal with more of this warm and humid air…:
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But those loving these temperatures include crawfish and crawfish lovers. Fisherman harvesting from ponds credit the warm weather and abundant rainfall for what looks to be an incredible crawfish season. They say the demand for mudbugs is high as the balmy outdoor conditions have people thinking about crawfish.

If you’re out and about today you might want to pick up a Powerball ticket as tonight’s jackpot is a whopping $255 million dollars. The cash value for the Saturday drawing is worth an estimated $158 million dollars.

A 13-year-old boy died in a suspected electrocution, according to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office. They say deputies responded to a medical emergency involving a juevnile who had fallen into a water filled ditch, then tried to get out by grabbing a metal pipe that appeared to have an electrial wire running through it. Attempts to revive the teen were not sucessful and was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The American Automobile Association says the current statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $1.78 cents. That leaves lots of room for holiday shopping money as last year we were paying $2.18 according to AAA.

There are lots of folks out shopping today as stores are offering major deals, especially this season according to experts. LSU Assistant Professor of Marketing Dan Rice says retailers want sell off excess inventory fast and appeal to shoppers who are making returns…:
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Today is one of the biggest shopping days of the year and retailers are offering massive discounts this season. Don Molino reports…:
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A bicyclist died in a crash on Christmas Day in Livingston Parish, according to State Police. They say 21-year-old Justin Murray of Hammond was on his bike westbound on LA 42 in Springfield at the same time a truck was going by in the same direction. Investigators believe Murray traveled across the the road into the path of the vehicle driven by 63-year-old Keith Jones of Livingston. Murray succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.

A suspect was shot by Franklin Parish deputies after a pursuit on US 425 south of Winnsboro, according to State Police. They say the suspect refused to stop as he drove in the direction of deputies — and, fearing for their lives, the deputies opened fire. The suspect was shot while inside the vehicle and died. The investigation is ongoing.

There are two historic connections to the Camping World Independence Bowl happening in Shreveport today. Tulsa played in the inaugural I-Bowl in 1976 and also came back in 1989. Independence Bowl spokesman Stefan Nolet says Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer coached his first bowl game in Shreveport…:
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This will also be the last game of Beamer’s coaching career, as he announced his retirement at the end of the season. The contest between the Golden Hurricanes and Hokies kicks off at 4:45 and will be televised by ESPN..

If you’re going to be returning a gift today, the local Better Business Bureau says you should make sure you know the store’s refund policy before you head out so you don’t waste time in long customer service lines. It’s going to be a busy day today as stores try to sell off excess inventory to appeal to those shoppers making returns, according to LSU Assistant Professor of Marketing Dan Rice…:
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He says another reason stores are offering such deep discounts today is because holiday spending was lower than what they were expecting.

A fourth person, a 12-year-old child, has died as the result of a train crash in New Iberia earlier this week. Cops say a car carrying six people was stopped on the train tracks for unknown reasons on Tuesday when it was hit by a train. 70-year-old Phyllis LeBlanc, the driver, was killed along with two other 12-year-old children. Another 12-year-old died Friday. Two others remain in critical condition.

Today is another warm day in Louisiana with highs in the upper 70s and low 80s. Showers and thunderstorms will be likely by tomorrow into the evening hours, according to State Climatologist Barry Keim. He says the humidity we’ve been experiencing over Christmastime will continue today and tomorrow…:
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He says temperatures to start the week will be considerably cooler, but only dropping to the normal values for the end of December.

The Baton Rouge Police Department is looking for the suspected gunman and have arrested two others in connection to the shooting death of a Prairieville man in a Baton Rouge parking lot last week. They say 25 year old Gabrielle Rogers of Port Allen and 23-year-old D’mon Spears were booked for principal to first-degree murder for allegedly being in the vehicle with the suspected killer, 27-year-old Glenn Spears. Cops are working to locate Glenn Spears in the death of 27-year-old George Reusch.

Hard to believe it’s Christmas Day with this hot muggy weather. State Climatologist Barry Keim says you’ll need your t-shirts and shorts if you’re gonna be out and about this weekend…:
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Tomorrow is going to be a huge shopping day for retailers and consumers as folks hit the stores to return gifts. LSU Assistant Professor of Marketing Dan Rice says post-Christmas apparel sales will likely be even more substantial this year as retailers struggle to get rid of winter clothing with short shelf life due to unseasonably balmy weather…:
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Rice says some stores are even opening as early as 5am tomorrow as they seek to clear the shelves to make room for new products in the new year.

The Camping World Independence Bowl takes place tomorrow in Shreveport I-Bowl spokesman Stefan Nolet says there will be many events surrounding Independence Stadium leading up to the game. He feels this year’s kickoff time will give fans the opportunity to truly have a gameday experience…:
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The game kicks off at 4:45 and it will be televised on ESPN.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees says despite his torn plantar fascia in his right foot should be good to go when then face the Jaguars in the dome Sunday. Brees suffered the injury early in the Saints’ loss to the Detroit Lions on Monday. He says he’s taking it easy because right now it hurts to walk…:
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The game kicks off at 3pm Sunday and will be televised by CBS.

Lots of folks will be out shopping tomorrow and the stores will be ready with major deals, especially this season according to experts. LSU Assistant Professor of Marketing Dan Rice says retailers want sell off excess inventory fast and appeal to shoppers who are making returns…:
Cut 3 (10) “after Christmas”
He says spending was expected to be way up this season because gas prices are so low, but that hasn’t really happened yet.

Hundreds of friends and family members gathered at the Monroe Regional Airport on Christmas Eve with signs, flags and balloons to welcome home the more than 150 soldiers of the Louisiana National Guard’s 1023rd Engineer Company. The troops returned home from a 10-month deployment to Kuwait with additional missions in Iraq, Jordan and Afghanistan. The 1023rd is headquartered in Bastrop with detachments in Monroe and Clarks. Home just in time for Christmas.

If you’re sick of this holiday heat, hang in there. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front will bring drier and more seasonable weather to Louisiana on Monday. But he says for the next couple of days we’ll have to deal with more of this warm and humid air…:
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He says this is really unusual for December 25th.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees says he is going to play this Sunday against the Jaguars for New Orleans’ last home game of the season. Brees has a torn plantar fascia in his right foot and he didn’t practice Thursday, but he says he’s making progress every day and he has every intention to take the field in the Dome Sunday…:
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It’s a hot and humid Christmas in Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says temperatures are in the low 80s in some places and this is highly unusual for December 25th…:
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Keim says a cold front will bring drier and more seasonable weather to Louisiana on Monday.

The Baton Rouge Police Department has identified the suspected gunman who allegedly shot and killed a man in a parking lot at a strip mall last week. They say 27-year-old Glenn Spears of Baton Rouge shot and killed 27-year-old George Reusch of Prairiville. He is wanted on charges of first degree murder and illegal use of a weapon. Two others were arrested on charges of principal to first degree murder. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Spears is asked to call Crimestoppers.

Investigators said a woman died after she was hit by a car as she walked on a dark highway late Thursday night on LA 38 near Kentwood. Louisiana State Police identified the victim as Kristi Allen, 35, of Kenner.

Some of the best deals of the year fall the day after Christmas, and experts say you can expect even steeper discounts this season. Don Molino reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

Saturday’s Camping World Independence Bowl in Shreveport will pit the Tulsa Hurricanes against the Virginia Tech Hokies. Independence Bowl spokesman Stefan Nolet says this year’s matchup is full of history. He says Tulsa played in the first I-Bowl in 1976 and Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer coached his first bowl game in Shreveport…
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It’s Christmas Day, but the weather outside feels more like spring. Michelle Southern has the story…

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State Police is investigating a deadly officer involved shooting in Franklin Parish. They say the incident occurred when sheriff’s deputies were pursuing a reckless driver just south of Winnsboro. Authorities say the unidentified man drove toward a road block that had been set up and refused to stop. Fearing for their lives, deputies opened fire and struck the driver, who later died. The names of the deceased and the officers involved have not been release.

LSU Assistant Professor of Marketing Dan Rice says the day after Christmas will be a great day to find fantastic deals in stores, as retailers try to make room for new products in the new year. He says spending was expected to be way up this season because of low gas prices, but that hasn’t really happened yet…

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With December 26th falling on a Saturday, retailers are expected to be ready with sales.

Despite a torn plantar fascia in his right foot, Saints Quarterback Drew Brees says he intends to play Sunday against the Jaguars. He says stiffness was an issue on Thursday and whether or not he’ll practice today will depend on how he’s feeling…

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The Saints have two games left and won’t make the playoffs, but Brees says he wants to play for the team.

It feels more like spring than Christmas across Louisiana today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says you won’t need a sweater at all this Christmas weekend as we are staying warm and humid for the next few days…

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There’s a potential that a few record highs could be broken as temperatures will reach around 80-degrees.

Quarterback Drew Brees says he is going to play this Sunday against the Jaguars for the Saints’ last home game of the season. Brees suffered a torn plantar fascia in his right foot in Monday’s loss to Detroit. He says he’s taking it easy because right now it hurts to walk…

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He says he’s making progress every day and he has every intention to take the field in the Dome Sunday.

Savvy shoppers know that some of the best deals of the year fall the day after Christmas and LSU Assistant Professor of Marketing Dan Rice says retailers will be ready with sales. He says post-Christmas apparel sales will likely be even more substantial this year as retailers struggle to get rid of winter clothing due to unseasonably warm weather…

cut 4 (11) “this year”

He says stores will attempt to sell off excess inventory to make room for new products in the new year.

The Virginia Tech Hokies face the Tulsa Hurricanes in Saturday’s Camping World Independence Bowl in Shreveport in what will be Hokies’ head coach Frank Beamer’s final game. Independence Bowl spokesman Stefan Nolet says they are honored to host coach Beamer in the last game of his career…

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Beamer announced he will retire at the end of the season.

Some of the best shopping deals of the year fall the day after Christmas, and experts say you can expect even steeper discounts this season…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says an officer involved shooting has left a 54-year-old Pride man dead. They say deputies responded to a disturbance call at the home of Gregory Sanders. Authorities say Sanders was threatening to harm himself and then walked outside and pointed a high-powered rifle at the deputies. One of the officers fired and killed Sanders. The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave. The investigation is ongoing.

It’s Christmas Day, but the weather outside feels more like spring with afternoon highs approaching 80 degrees. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’ll have to deal with this warm and humid air for at least the next couple of days…

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Keim says a cold front will bring more seasonable weather to Louisiana on Monday.

The Tulsa Hurricanes will face the Virginia Tech Hokies in Saturday’s Camping World Independence Bowl in Shreveport. Independence Bowl spokesman Stefan Nolet says there will be many events surrounding Independence Stadium leading up to the game. He feels this year’s kickoff time will give fans the opportunity to truly have a gameday experience…

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The Independence Bowl is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.