Louisiana’s 2015 tax amnesty program ends tomorrow, December 31st. Kizzy Payton with the State Department of Revenue says this is the time to call the Department to set up a payment arrangement or agreement to settle your delinquent tax debts. She says Louisianians won’t get this opportunity again for a while…

cut 13 (10) “until 2025”

Payton says eligible tax payers can make their payments online at www-dot-ldrtaxamnesty-dot-com.

PowerBall jackpot has reached a whopping 300 million dollars with a cash value of 184 million dollars. Kimberly Chopin with the Louisiana Lottery says we’ve already had smaller PowerBall winners throughout Louisiana because of the recent changes to their matrix…

cut 4 (06) “in PowerBall”

Chopin says this PowerBall jackpot is one of the largest we’ve seen in the last 10 years.

Louisiana had more law enforcement officers shot and killed in the line of duty this year than any other state in the nation. A report by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund revealed 9 total officers were killed in the line of duty this year, triple the number from 2014. Chairman Craig Floyd says five officers were shot and murdered while on the job in 2015….

cut 10 (10) “officer died”

Floyd says there are now laws in all 50 states that say drivers must slow down and move over when you see an emergency vehicle on the side of the road to give officers an added margin of safety.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is closely monitoring levels along the Red and Mississippi Rivers due to rising water levels. Eric Gill reports..:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Eric Gill”

Two employees at the Office of Motor Vehicles allegedly stole more than $200,000 in cash over three years while working in the customer payments department, according to a legislative audit. Heather Prather and Angelle Temple were arrested and fired earlier this year. The auditor recommends the OMV change its cash handling procedures.

The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office says a child custody situation in Stonewall has left the grandfather murdered. Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle believes the incident stemmed from a dispute involving 36-year-old Donovan Carman’s taking the two-year-old child. The victim tried to intervene when he was killed. Arbuckle says formal first degree murder charges will be filed against Carman as soon as they take custody of the suspect…:
CUT 5 (07) “DeSoto Parish”
The victim, 67-year-old Bobby Nichols, was transported to an area hospital where he later died.

LSU star running back Leonard Fournette needs 259 yards tonight in the Texas Bowl to reach 2,000 on the season. The Tigers and Red Raiders are battling it out in NRG Stadium. Fournette told reporters in Houston that he didn’t set any goals for this season…:
cut 12 (13) “to the limit”
The game officially sold out.

There’s a potential we could see some major flooding to start the New Year on Louisiana’s rivers due to increasing water levels from all the rain we’ve been having. Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Kevin Davis says they’re working with the US Army Corps of Engineers and the National Weather Service to keep an eye on river levels…:
CUT 6 (07) “several weeks”
The Red is expected to crest at 31 feet, one foot above flood stage, in Shreveport and remain below flood stage in Alexandria. Mississippi River levels are expected to crest 9 to 12 feet above flood stage in Vicksburg, Natchez, and Baton Rouge.

A species of bird that has never been recorded in Louisiana was found by a Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologist in Jeff Davis Parish. A pyrrhuloxia (pear-a-lucksia), a desert cardinal which is normally only found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, will bring the official list of birds of Louisiana to 480 species.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette could become the first SEC back to reach 2,000 rushing yards in a season if gets 259 yards on the ground tonight in the Texas Bowl. LSU is facing Texas Tech in NRG Stadium. When asked by reporters in Houston if there was any truth to rumor that he’d sit out next season ahead of the 2017 NFL Draft, Fournette said no…:
CUT 14 (05) “doing that”
The Red Raiders defense is allowing more than 270 yards per game on the ground.

Suspected drunk drivers in Acadiana could be ordered by a judge to provide a blood or urine sample to determine if they are impaired and refuse a breathalyzer test. State Police Troop I Spokesman Brooks David says the “No Refusal” campaign takes place today and tomorrow. He urges adults to make smart choices after drinking and to never get behind the wheel…:
cut 10 (09) “arrest you”

A man shot and killed the grandfather of his 2-year-old son in Stonewall over a custody dispute according to the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle believes 36-year-old Donovan Carman had broken up with the mother of the child, and was trying to leave with the 2-year-old. He says apparently the victim, 67-year-old Bobby NIchols, tried to thwart Carman’s efforts to take the child…:
CUT 4 (10) “Caddo Parish Sheriffs”
The child was unharmed in the incident. Carman will be charged with first degree murder.

The crazy storms yesterday morning in Louisiana brought behind them much cooler temperatures today. South Louisiana could see more rain tonight and tomorrow, according to the National Weather Service, but not as severe as Monday’s. The rain Tuesday and Wednesday is forecast to be steady, with embedded thunderstorms.

Theirs potential for flooding along rivers in Louisiana and state officials are keeping a close eye on the water levels as they rise. Mississippi River levels are expected to crest 9 to 12 feet above flood stage in Vicksburg, Natchez, and Baton Rouge. GOHSEP Director Kevin Davis says they’re coordinating with parish officials along both rivers to ensure they’re prepared…:
CUT 8 (07) “and monitoring”
The Red is expected to crest at 31 feet, one foot above flood stage, in Shreveport and remain below flood stage in Alexandria.

State Police are starting to put up No Refusal checkpoints for the New Years week. There are at least two popping in the Acadiana region and Troop I spokesman Brooks David warns suspected drunk drivers of the consequences of not taking the breathalyzer test…:
CUT 9 (10) “of impairment”

State authorities are watching river levels in Louisiana as recent rains have caused the water to rise to the potential for flooding. Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Executive Director Kevin Davis says we could see Mississippi River levels top flood stage in just a couple of weeks..:
CUT 7 (07) “New Orleans area”
Davis says they’re coordinating with parish officials along both rivers to ensure they’re prepared.

LSU star running back Leonard Fournette says he didn’t know he needed 259 yards to become the first SEC back to reach 2,000 rushing yards tonight in the Texas Bowl. The Red Raiders defense is allowing more than 270 yards per game on the ground. Fournette says this has been a wild season…:
cut 13 (11) “thank God”
The game kicks off at 8.

State Police in Acadiana are implementing “No Refusal” checkpoints during the New Year’s week. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A woman in Bossier City was conned out of $400 from someone in WalMart, and cops are looking for the suspect. The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office says the victim said the man told her he was a relative of someone she knew and that he needed the money to fix his car in the parking lot. The woman loaned the suspect the monmey and never heard from him again. Detectives are describing the suspect as a black male, who is approximately 6 feet tall and weighs about 170 pounds.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is closely monitoring levels along the Red and Mississippi Rivers due to rising water levels. Eric Gill reports..:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Eric Gill”

Some suspected drunk drivers in Acadiana will be ordered by a judge to provide a blood or urine sample to determine if they are drunk if they refuse a breathalyzer test. State Police Troop I Spokesman Brooks David:
CUT 11 (09) “that vehicle”

LSU star running back Leonard Fournette needs 259 yards tonight in the Texas Bowl to reach 2,000 on the season. The Tigers and Red Raiders battle tonight at 8pm in NRG Stadium. Fournette told reporters in Houston that he didn’t set any goals for this season…:
cut 12 (13) “to the limit”
Lone Star Sports & Entertainment said the Texas Bowl isn’t officially sold yet, but is expected to be by game time.

A Simmesport man is under arrest accused of the shooting death of his estranged wife who was a nurse at the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office. Simmesport Police say 59-year-old Faron Gaspard shot 65-year-old Verna Gaspard multiple times at close range with a shotgun Sunday night. Faron then fled the scene. Authorities found Faron Monday at his mother’s house in Markesville. They were able to force him out of the house and take him into custody. Faron is charged with first degree murder.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is closely monitoring levels along the Red and Mississippi Rivers due to rising water levels. Executive Director Kevin Davis says they’re working with the US Army Corps of Engineers and the National Weather Service to keep an eye on river levels…:
CUT 6 (07) “several weeks”
Davis expects more issues with the Mississippi River than the Red River. Mississippi River levels are expected to crest 9 to 12 feet above flood stage in Vicksburg, Natchez, and Baton Rouge.

A Bossier Parish man died when he crashed an ATV he was riding with another person. State Police say 37-year-old Brandon Severance of Bossier City failed to make a turn on the roadway, causing the ATV to exit the road and crash into a tree. He died from his injuries after being ejected, his passenger, 34-year-old Amanda Mitchell of Haughton, sustained serious injuries but survived. The crash remains under investigation.

Some suspected drunk drivers in Acadiana will be ordered by a judge to provide a blood or urine sample to determine if they are drunk if they refuse a breathalyzer test. State Police Troop I Spokesman Brooks David says the “No Refusal” campaign takes place today and tomorrow. He urges adults to make smart choices after drinking and to never get behind the wheel…:
cut 10 (09) “arrest you”
David says they’ll be out in full force to make sure no family has to face the loss of a loved one during the holiday season.

State Police is participating in “No Refusal” DWI checkpoints today and tomorrow. Lafayette Parish will have two checkpoints and Troop I spokesman Brooks David warns drivers of the dangers of not taking the breathalyzer test…:
CUT 9 (10) “of impairment”

The 8-3 LSU Tigers and the 7-5 Texas Tech Red Raiders face off tonight in the Texas Bowl in NRG Stadium in Houston. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor James Moran says you can expect this to be a high scoring game with lots of offense…
cut 14 (12) “a little bit”
The game has an 8PM kickoff and you can watch on ESPN.

A domestic situation in Stonewall has claimed the life of a 67-year-old man, according to the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle believes the incident stemmed from a custody dispute involving 36-year-old Donovan Carman’s two-year-old child. Arbuckle says they responded to a call of someone being shot Monday afternoon…:
CUT 3 (11) “the residence”
The victim, Bobby Nichols, is the grandfather of the child. He died at a local hospital and Carman is charged with first degree murder.

Two employees at the Office of Motor Vehicles allegedly stole more than $200,000 in cash over three years while working in the customer payments department, according to a legislative audit. Heather Prather and Angelle Temple were arrested and fired earlier this year. The auditor recommends the OMV change its cash handling procedures.

Louisiana’s future first lady, Donna Edwards, says she plans to stress the importance of keeping art and music in public schools. Eric Gill has more…
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

Police in Gonzales are still working to identify a body that was found on the side of the road over the weekend. They say they believe the man was a victim of homicide, but there were no obvious signs off how he died. East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Beau Clark has performed an autopsy and will be releasing the findings soon. Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact authorities.

How would you feel about voting on an iPad? Secretary of State Tom Schedler says he plans to ask Governor-elect John Bel Edwards to help him get the transition off the ground over the next 3-4 years. He says voting machines need to be replaced and while iPads are expensive, it’s a cheaper alternative than getting all new machines….:
cut 4 (09) “a unit”
Schedler says by changing to iPads, they’ll be able to open more precincts.

LSU and Texas Tech face off tonight in the Texas Bowl. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor James Moran says the play style of each team is extremely different but neither the Tigers or Red Raiders have a stellar defense so expect a high scoring game. He says if LSU sticks to the running game they should be able to come away with the win…:
CUT 15 (14) “talented team”
The contest wil be televised by ESPN and kickoff at 8pm.

U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says John Bel Edwards’ victory in the governor’s election is the top political story in Louisiana for 2015. He says Senator Vitter’s decision not to return to the US Senate was almost as surprising as Edwards’ victory over him in the governor’s race. Cross says Vitter’s loss has created an enormous vacuum in the race for his senate seat…

cut 9 (06) “David Vitter”

Cross says no one predicted a democrat would become governor of Louisiana.

As the state’s first lady, Governor-elect John Bel Edwards’ wife Donna Edwards says she plans to stress the importance of teaching art and music in public schools. Slidell Junior High Music Teacher Emily Wright says students who take dance, art or music classes are more likely to stay in school…

cut 12 (08) “people want”

Wright says keeping art and music courses in public schools is important because there is a direct correlation with other subjects.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler plans to switch to iPad voting over the next few elections. Emelie Gunn has more…

cut 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A Simmesport man is under arrest accused of the shooting death of his estranged wife. Simmesport Police say 59-year-old Faron Gaspard shot 65-year-old Verna Gaspard multiple times at close range with a shotgun Sunday night. Faron then fled the scene. Authorities found Faron Monday at his mother’s house in Markesville. They were able to force him out of the house and take him into custody. Faron is charged with first degree murder.