Crest projections for the Mississippi River from the Louisiana-Arkansas line to about Vicksburg, Mississippi are being lowered by the National Weather Service. But Marty Pope, with the NWS in Pearl, MS says they are not changing crest projections for Red River Landing and areas to the south like Baton Rouge and New Orleans. He explains why….

cut 9 (10) “the past”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ decision on whether it will be necessary to open the Bonnet Carré Spillway is expected by Saturday.

The Governor-elect’s advisory panel on transportation is recommending tax increases to provide an additional 75-million dollars a year in transportation funding. Incoming Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says, in the meantime, they’ll look to stop the practice of using gasoline tax money to help pay for state police…

cut 5 (10) “overnight”
It’s very possible we’ll continue to see affordable gas prices in 2016. But Don Redman, with the American Automobile Association, says says be cautious, because tension in the Middle East could create an increase in prices…

cut 14 (10) “the day”

Redman says we could see prices dropping even more before springtime.

There’s a million dollar unclaimed PowerBall prize in Louisiana, and time is running out for the winner to come forward. Kimberly Chopin with the Louisiana Lottery says the prize was won on August 5th from a ticket that was sold in Terrebonne Parish and is set to expire February 1st. She says this doesn’t happen often…

cut 10 (10) “winning ticket”

Chopin says the winning ticket was purchased at Pointe-Aux-Chenes Supermarket on Highway 665 in Montegut.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards’ advisory panel on transportation recommends tax increases to provide an additional 75-million dollars a year in transportation funding. Incoming Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says more dialogue is needed before a decision on where the additional dollars will come from…

cut 4 (09) “for the buck”

A higher gasoline tax, a sales tax on auto repairs, and tolls are some of the suggestions.

Analysts predict we’ll continue to see affordable gas prices in 2016. Don Redman, with the American Automobile Association, says we could see prices dropping even more before springtime…

cut 13 (08) “to decline”

Redman says right now we’re looking at a statewide average of $1.77 for a gallon of regular gasoline compared to $2.06 at this time last year.

The National Weather Service is lowering the projected crest of the Mississippi River from the Louisiana-Arkansas line to about Vicksburg, Mississippi. Marty Pope, with the N-W-S in Pearl, Mississippi, says they’re now expecting a foot and a half drop in the river crest…

cut 7 (10) “the 17th”

He says a drop in these crest projections is good news, especially in Vidalia, where there is a convention center, many hotels and a hospital along the riverfront. But Pope says crest projections are not changing for areas to the south like Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

It’s still a mystery whether Sean Payton will return as the head coach of the New Orleans Saints. Eric Gill has this report….
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Eric Gill.”

Mississippi wildlife officials are investigating a fatal shooting that involved a 16-year-old from Franklinton, Louisiana, who shot his father while hunting in the Delta National Forest on New Year’s Eve. Few details have been released but law enforcement bureau chief Steve Adcock advises hunters to be aware of their target at movement or shadows.

Temperatures across the state are expected to drop to around freezing overnight resulting in frost and a light freeze. State Climatologist Barry Keim says areas north of the I-10/I-12 corridor will have a light freeze Tuesday morning…

CUT 9 (09) “pets and plants”

He says a front passing through Louisiana on Wednesday night will cause warmer temperatures to settle in, but not as warm as we experienced during Christmas.

Lafayette Police have arrested a man in connection with a shooting last week that killed two people. 17-year-old Antonio Means was shot once and passed away at a local hospital. 23-year-old Linton Batiste was shot twice and died a day later. 21-year-old Tavis Jenkins of Alexandria was taken into custody without incident earlier today and his ex-girlfriend was unharmed. Cpl. Paul Mouton says Jenkins faces serious charges…

cut 13 (06) “in the apartment”

State Treasurer John Kennedy calls it a sad day for Louisiana. That’s his reaction to the death of activist and blogger CB Forgotston, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the age of 70. Kennedy says Forgotston was determined to uncover the truth about state government because he loved Louisiana…
cut 4 (08) “….the right course”
Forgotston was famous for pointing out how state officials or state agencies were mishandling taxpayers’ money.

Forecasters are calling for a freeze north of I-10 and I-12 tomorrow morning. State Climatologist Barry Keim says take care of pets and plants tonight, but this cold air shouldn’t stick around long…
cut 10 (08) “….during Christmas”
Keim says we’ve only seen a couple of freezes this year.

Will Sean Payton return as the coach of the Saints in 2016? It’s been reported the Saints could trade Payton to another team for a second-round pick. That’s if Payton wants to coach somewhere else next season. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says that’s a scenario that would not favor the Black and Gold…
cut 7 (06) “….at this stage”
The Saints PR staff says Payton will meet with reporters on Wednesday.

An Alexandria man was arrested today after he allegedly fatally shot two people in Lafayette last week. Lafayette police corporal Paul Mouton says 21-year-old Tavis Jenkins was taken into police custody without incident…
cut 14 (07) “…off the street”
Mouton says Jenkins is accused of killing two men, including a 17-year-old, after he went to ex gilfriend’s apartment in Lafayette. He faces two counts of first-degree murder.

The political community in Louisiana is in shock over the death of political blogger C.B Forgotston. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

Frost and light freezes are in tonight’s forecast throughout Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says areas north of the I-10/I-12 corridor will have a light freeze Tuesday morning, while other areas will have below freezing wind chill. He says things will warm up, but only slightly Wednesday as winter is coming…:
CUT 11 (07) “the winter season”

Lafayette Police announce the arrest of a man wanted in connection with a shooting last week that killed two people. 21-year-old Tavis Jenkins of Alexandria was taken into custody without incident earlier today. Cpl. Paul Mouton says the shooting occurred on December 27th when Jenkins let himself into his ex-girlfriend’s Lafayette apartment and was confronted by 23-year-old Linton Batiste…:
cut 12 (09) “was gunfire”
17-year-old Antonio Means and Batiste were both killed in the incident. Jenkins faces two counts of first degree murder and one count of attempted first degree murder.

LSU quarterback Brandon Harris reportedly had surgery this morning for a sports hernia. It appears Harris had been playing with the injury since the Alabama game and is expected to be recovered in 4-6 weeks in time for spring practice.

There were no Powerball winners in Saturday’s drawing and the prize for Wednesday now goes to an estimated $400 million dollars.

We’ll be getting some chilly temperatures overnight and frost and light freezes could be part of the system. State Climatologist Barry Keim says areas north of the I-10 corridor can expect a light freeze tomorrow morning, and other areas that remain above freezing will still see below freezing wind chill values. He says this won’t last long…:
CUT (07) “during Christmas”

The Louisiana political world is in shock today at the news that blogger CB Forgotston took his own life Sunday. The capitol watcher reportedly left his wife a note while she was sleeping with instructions about where his body could be found. State Treasurer John Kennedy says this is tragic…:
CUT 3 (11) “a favorite son”
Forgoston earned many enemies by regularly skewering elected officials on his blogsite and on Twitter.

A man who was wanted for murder in Texas was found dead in the Jefferson David Parish Jail, according to the sheriff’s office. They say investigators discovered the body of Richard Craig hanging in his cell over the weekend. Craig was wanted for allegedly shooting someone in Harris County Texas and was scheduled for an extradition hearing today.

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis and Coach Sean Payton are meeting today and are likely discussing Payton’s future with the team. Rumors have been swirling that Payton will want to leave New Orleans for another franchise. NFL analyst Mike Detillier doesn’t think this will be a drawn out process…:
CUT 8 (10) “or another”
He says there will need to be some structural changes to the Saints for Payton to remain as head coach.

Nobody won Saturday night’s PowerBall drawing. The estimated jackpot for Wednesday night’s drawing climbs to $400 million.

Temperatures across Louisiana are expected to drop to around freezing overnight resulting in frost and a light freeze. State Climatologist Barry Keim says areas north of the I-10/I-12 corridor will have a light freeze Tuesday morning…:
CUT 9 (09) “pets and plants”
He says a front passing through the state Wednesday night will cause warmer temperatures to settle in, but not as warm as temperatures on Christmas.

Louisiana’s political community is in shock over the apparent suicide of political blogger C.B Forgotston. State Treasurer John Kennedy the 70-year-old capitol watchdog would say what other people were too scared to say. He says Forgotston’s candor, honesty, and goodness will be missed…:
CUT 5 (08) “in Louisiana”
It’s reported that he left his wife a note while she was sleeping indicating where his body could be found.

It’s likely that Coach Sean Payton will be discussing his future with general manager Mickey Loomis during today’s meeting…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

LSU running back Leonard Fournette has been named the state’s top offensive player of the year according to the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. McNeese State’s Wallace Scott was selected as defensive player of the year. And Louisiana Tech quarterback Jeff Driskel earned Newcomer of the Year honors.

A staple in Louisiana political blogging has committed suicide. 70-year-old C.B Forgotston will be remembered by many for his outspoken criticism of Louisiana politics in every facet. State Treasurer John Kennedy says Forgotston was determined to uncover the truth about state government because he loved Louisiana…:
CUT 4 (08) “the right course”
Forgotston became a political watchdog after years of working as a state legislative staffer and business lobbyist.

We’ll have a new governor one week from today. Democrat John Bel Edwards’ deputy chief of staff, Julie Baxter Payer, says in these final days of the transition, they’ve been hearing good feedback about the team the governor-elect is building…:
CUT 13 (10) “it’s just different”

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton meets with general manager Mickey Loomis today and one topic of discussion is sure to be the coach’s future with the team. Rumors have been swirling this season that Payton is looking for another opportunity in the NFL. NFL analyst Mike Detillier believes Payton is looking for some assurances from the team for him to stay on board…:
CUT 6 (10) “and beyond”
It’s been reported that Loomis is expected to give Payton permission to talk to other teams.

A $1 million dollar Powerball prize is out there that still hasn’t been claimed. The Louisiana Lottery says the prize was won on August 5th from a ticket that was sold in Montegut and is set to expire February 1st.

The political community in Louisiana is in shock over the death of political blogger C.B Forgotston. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

Democrat John Bel Edwards will be sworn in as the state’s next governor in one week. The governor-elect’s deputy chief of staff, Julie Baxter Payer, says the new administration plans to keep an open dialogue with the public when it comes to the harsh realities the state faces with its budget situation…:
cut 14 (08) “for Louisiana”

The Corps of Engineers is scheduled to begin emergency operations on the Mississippi River as historically high water levels are expected to crest later this month at Vicksburg and Natchez. Fifth Louisiana Levee District President Reynold Minsky says relief wells were installed, which should reduce flooding…:
cut 7 (09) “2011”
The Mississippi is expected to rise to 60 feet by January 17th, less than two feet short of the record set in 2011.

Will Sean Payton return to coach the Saints again next season? Following New Orleans’ 20-17 victory over the Falcons Sunday, Payton told reporters he didn’t want to talk about his future…:
CUT 18 (14) “be more clear”
ESPN is reporting they will allow Payton to explore his options, as he is under contract with the Saints next season.3

Louisiana’s political community is in shock over the death of outspoken capitol watcher C.B. Forgotston. The 70-year-old political blogger died of an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound Sunday. State Treasurer John Kennedy was says this is a major loss…:
CUT 3 (11) “a favorite son”
Forgotston reportedly left his wife a note while she was sleeping with instructions about where his body could be found.

Arson is reportedly suspected in a deadly Acadia Parish fire. Once firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze at the home near Church Point, a body was discovered near the front door. An autopsy is scheduled to determine the victim’s identity and cause of death. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.

Many are wondering if lawmakers can make up the state’s budget shortfall without raising taxes. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

Many people are kicking off their New Years resolutions today, and experts say it’s easier to make lifestyle changes in slow, small steps. LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Psychologist Dr. Michelle Moore…:
CUT 12 (09) “do that”
She says making a plan and building on it every month will help you reach your goals.