The US Army Corp of Engineers is preparing to possibly open the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish next weekend because of high river levels on the Mississippi River. Corps spokesperson Ricky Boyett says they are closely monitoring crest projections…

cut 12 (09) “we’ll move forward”

2011 was the last time the spillway was opened.

Oil prices in the US fell 30-percent in 2015, so what could we expect in 2016? Executive director at LSU’s Center for Energy Studies David Dismukes says there needs to be an increase in demand for oil for prices to go back up, but doesn’t see that happening anytime soon…

cut 6 (10) “rebound in 16”

Saturday’s estimated Powerball jackpot climbs to an whopping $334 million with a cash value of $205 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says we haven’t seen a Powerball jackpot at this level in a while.

cut 3 (10) “at that time”

She says this jackpot has been growing since November 4th.

The Smoking Cessation Trust is offering tips to Louisiana smokers to help them quit in 2016. Spokesperson Jim Pittman says any resident that began smoking before September 1, 1988 is eligible for free programs and services, including cessation medication, nicotine replacement therapy, and counseling. He says there are also several other recommendations for those who want to quit…

cut 9 (09) “about you”

With a new year, a handful of laws go into effect. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Residents and visitors to the Big Easy will have to pay more to park on some busy New Orleans streets in the new year. In some high traffic areas, including the French Quarter and Central Business District, parking meter rates will double from $1.50 an hour to $3 an hour. In other areas of the city, the rate will increase to $2 an hour. Enforcement hours will also be extended an hour to 7PM. The changes take effect January 11.

2015 saw US oil prices plummet, so what could we expect in 2016? David Dismukes, executive director at LSU’s Center for Energy Studies, says the motoring public is enjoying the low gas prices, but companies in the oil industry have been forced to layoff thousands of workers. Dismukes says we might not see as many job losses in 2016…

cut 8 (11) “they do”

Dismukes says there needs to be an increase in demand for oil for prices to go back up, but he doesn’t see that happening anytime soon.

Tomorrow night’s estimated Powerball jackpot rises to an amazing $334 million with a cash value of $205 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin reminds players that it only takes one ticket to win, so play responsibly. Chopin also says you shouldn’t be too quick toss your ticket if you don’t hit the jackpot…

cut 5 (05) “winning numbers”

The deadline to purchase tickets for the next drawing is Saturday at 9PM.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, a barrel of oil is going for just 37-dollars, so what could we expect in the new year? Some are concerned that oil prices could approach 20-dollars in 2016, but David Dismukes, executive director at LSU’s Center for Energy Studies, says if it does reach that level, it won’t last long…

cut 7 (10) “for awhile”

The motoring public enjoys the low oil prices, because it’s led to the lowest gas prices in nearly seven years.

The jackpot for Saturday night’s PowerBall drawing has climbed to $334 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says when jackpots rise, more and more people play Powerball…

cut 4 (09) “play responsibly”

Saturday’s jackpot has a cash value of $205 million.

The Smoking Cessation Trust is offering tips to help Louisiana smokers kick the habit in 2016. Spokesperson Jim Pittman says feel free to contact the Smoking Cessation Trust to get more information and to see if you qualify for free treatment…

cut 11 (11) “6346”

Resident who began smoking before September 1, 1988 are eligible for free programs and services, including cessation medication, nicotine replacement therapy, and counseling.

High river levels on the Mississippi River has the US Army Corps of Engineers preparing to possibly open the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish next weekend. Corps spokesperson Ricky Boyett says if they open the Bonnet Carre, it takes the pressure off Louisiana’s levee system and allows water to flow out of harm’s way…

cut 14 (06) “Lake Ponchatrain”

Boyett says they are closely monitoring crest projections.

Will 2016 result in a rise in oil prices? Don Molino spoke with an analyst…

cut 1 (31) “I’m Don Molino”

State Police say a two vehicle crash in Rapides Parish has claimed the life of a young woman. They say 21-year-old Kristi Mayfield of Lecompte was traveling down a roadway when she collided with the rear of a tractor trailer. Mayfield was transported to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. The driver of the 18-wheeler, 58-year-old Travis Highbaugh, was uninjured. The investigation is ongoing.

The US Army Corps of Engineers is preparing to possibly open the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish next weekend because of high river levels on the Mississippi River. Corps spokesperson Ricky Boyett says when the spillway is opened, it helps to prevent a rising Mississippi River from spilling over its banks, causing damage to homes and businesses…

cut 13 (05) “certain rate”

Mississippi River flooding in the Midwest is resulting in numerous homes and businesses taking flood waters.

Louisiana residents looking to quit smoking in 2016 can get help from the Smoking Cessation Trust. Spokesperson Jim Pittman says to plan for challenges when you’re trying to quit because you’re going to have cravings…

cut 10 (08) “like that”

Pittman advises smokers to chat with their doctor about nicotine replacement therapy or a prescription medication to stop. Free programs and services are available for residents who began smoking before September 1, 1988.

US oil prices fell 30-percent in 2015, so what could we expect in 2016? David Dismukes is the executive director at LSU’s Center for Energy Studies and he says there needs to be an increase in demand for oil for prices to go back up, but he doesn’t see that happening anytime soon…

cut 6 (10) “rebound in 16”

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, a barrel of oil is going for 37-dollars, a far cry from 2014 when oil was trading for 100-dollars a barrel.

Because of high river levels on the Mississippi River, the US Army Corps of Engineers is preparing to possibly open the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish next weekend. Corps spokesperson Ricky Boyett says they are closely monitoring crest projections…

cut 12 (09) “we’ll move forward”

2011 was the last time the flood control structure was opened.

Saturday’s estimated Powerball jackpot climbs to an amazing $334 million with a cash value of $205 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says it’s been a while since we’ve seen a Powerball jackpot at this level…

cut 3 (10) “at that time”

She says this jackpot has been growing since November 4th.

The Smoking Cessation Trust is offering tips to Louisiana smokers to help them quit in 2016. Spokesperson Jim Pittman says any resident that started smoking before September 1, 1988 is eligible for free programs and services, including cessation medication, nicotine replacement therapy, and counseling. He says there are also several other recommendations for those who want to quit…

cut 9 (09) “about you”

We say goodbye to 2015 tonight. One of the biggest stories in the state this year was the mass shooting at a Lafayette movie theater that killed three, including the gunman, and injured nine others. Here’s one man who survived the attack…
cut 3 (06) “…right at people”
At the state capitol, the budget was the big story. On two occasions, students from public colleges protested on the steps of the capitol over proposed cuts in state funding to higher education…
cut 5 (11) “….cheers”
Public colleges were able to avoid cuts in state funding.

Hoverboards will not be allowed on the LSU campus or in campus-run housing when the new year begins. The university has told students that the self-balancing scooters are a potential fire hazard when they are being charged.

State Police reminds everyone ringing in the New Year with alcohol, not to drink and drive. Sgt. Nick Manale says to make sure you have a plan in place to get home safely before you start drinking, because once alcohol enters the body, your judgement becomes impaired…
cut 10 (10) “ride home”
Manale says State Police will be out in full force tonight.

Officials in northwest Louisiana are not expecting a repeat of the widespread flooding that took place in June when the Red River crested well above flood stage. It’s above flood stage again and it’s projected to crest at 31.5 feet in the Shreveport area on Saturday. Robert Jump, with the Caddo office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says they don’t expect any water in homes or businesses…
cut 14 (09) “…be effected”

2015 comes to a close tonight. Don Molino looks back at an eventful year in Louisiana…
cut 1 (30) “…I’m Don Molino”

With a new year, a handful of laws go into effect. One new measure creates stricter marriage license requirements in order to prevent illegal immigrants from getting married in Louisiana. There’s also new legislation designed to prevent fraud with the state’s film tax credit program. Both laws were approved by lawmakers earlier this year.

It’s New Year’s Eve and State Police urges motorists not to drink and drive. Sgt. Nick Manale says they will have additional troopers on the highways to get drunk drivers off the road. He says if you suspect an impaired driver, notify L-S-P…
cut 11 (09) “that vehicle”
Manale says, if you’re going to drink, make sure you have a plan in place to get home safely.

One of the most popular gifts this holiday season is the hoverboard. But it’s also sending people to the hospital. Dr. Russell Russo, a New Orleans Orthopedic Surgeon, says he’s seen a spike in hoverboard injuries in the past few weeks…
cut 7 (10) “hoverboard injuries”
Russo feels the problem with hoverboards is that people jump on them and assume they’re just going to learn to ride with no issues.

Law enforcement is asking those who plan on celebrating New Year’s away from home to avoid driving home drunk. State Police Sergeant Nick Manale…
cut 12 (08) “…these holidays safe”
Manale says they’ll have extra troopers on the highways tonight looking to arrest those who are impaired behind the wheel.

The hoverboard looks fun, but it also can be painful. New Orleans Orthopedic Surgeon Russell Russo says he’s seen up to 10 injuries from hoverboard accidents in the past couple of weeks, compared to 6 in the previous four months. Russo says most hoverboard injuries occur when people try to step off the device…
cut 8 (09) “coming from”
Russo says take it slow when you first learn to ride a hoverboard and try to do it in a padded area or have someone close by to help in case you fall.

One of the big stories in Louisiana for 2015 was the election of Democrat John Bel Edwards as the state’s next governor. Here’s what Edwards had to say on election night…
cut 6 (08) “…others”
Edwards will be sworn in on January 11th.

The governor-elect has been involved in meetings with emergency prepardness officials regarding the rising Mississippi River and the Red River. The Red River is expected to crest above flood stage on Saturday in the Shreveport-Bossier area. Caddo Office of Homeland Secrurity and Emergency Preparedness deputy director, Robert Jump, says they learned valuable lessons from the June floods when the Red River busted out fo its banks…
cut 15 (11) “….pumps running”
Jump says they are not anticipating any flooding to homes and businesses with this latest event.

As 2015 comes to a close Don Molino looks back at an eventful year in Louisiana…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

State Police is reminding people ringing in the New Year with alcohol to not drink and drive. LSP will be out in full force across the state with DWI checkpoints and proactive patrols looking to get impaired drivers off the roads. They urge revelers to make sure you have a plan in place to get home safely before you start drinking.

===================================

Dr. Russell Russo, a New Orleans Orthopedic Surgeon, says he has seen a spike in hoverboard injuries this holiday season. He feels the problem with hoverboards is that people jump on them and assume they’re just going to learn to ride with no issues. Russo says if you’ve received a hoverboard, it would be best if you learned how to properly ride it…

cut 9 (09) “jump on them”

He says most hoverboard injuries occur when people try to dismount the device

The Red River in the Shreveport-Bossier City area is expected to crest at 31.5 feet on Saturday, but officials are not expecting a huge impact to the public. Robert Jump, Caddo Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness deputy director, says they don’t predict the rising waters will cause any flood damage to businesses or homes…

cut 13 (10) “flaws are”

Jump says their largest impact right now is agriculture in the southern part of the parish

One of the top news stories in the state this year happened at the state capitol where a huge budget shortfall dominated the discussion. On two separate occasions, students from public colleges protested on the steps of the capitol over proposed cuts in state funding to higher education…

cut 5 (11) “cheers”

The state’s budget problems will also be a big story in 2016.

It’s New Year’s Eve and State Police is urging motorists not to drink and drive. Sgt. Nick Manale says State Police will be out in full force with DWI checkpoints, as well as, proactive patrols looking to get drunk drivers off the road. He says if you suspect an impaired driver, notify L-S-P…

cut 11 (09) “that vehicle”

Manale says, if you’re going to drink, make sure you have a plan in place to get home safely.

There seems to be a spike in hoverboard injuries during the holiday season. Jeff Palermo reports…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Today is Burl Cain’s final day as warden at Angola State Penitentiary. Cain tendered his resignation after The Advocate newspaper published articles questioning whether his real estate deals with relatives and friends of inmates violated Department of Corrections rules. Cain has gained world-wide recognition for his efforts in reforming the prison and is the longest serving warden in Angola history.