A 70-year-old woman and two children died after a train collided with their vehicle in New Iberia. The crash also left two other children and one adult in critical condition. State Police Master Trooper Brooks David says they believe the car came to a stop on the tracks either before or while the crossing gates were activated, but it is unknown why. He says a tragedy like this is heartbreaking for the family, especially at this time of year…:
CUT 8 (07) “out to them”
He says the 70-year-old victim is identified as Phyllis Leblanc.

The flu bug has been quiet this holiday season. According to the CDC’s latest flu count, South Carolina is the only state showing significant flu activity. Over the last three years, doctor offices were very busy with flu cases prior to Christmas. CDC medical officer Fiona Havers says eventually the flu bug will start to spread…:
CUT 9 (04) “pretty soon”
She says this year’s vaccine protects you better from various flu strains.

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot drawing is worth an estimated $227 million dollars. Louisiana Lottery spokeswoman Kimberly Chopin says the prize is the second largest Christmastime jackpot the multi-state game has had in over 10 years. She says more people buy lottery tickets during the holiday season for a couple of reasons…:
CUT 5 (11) “kind of gift”
The jackpot tonight has an estimated cash value of $141 million dollars.

For the first time on record, the American Automobile Association projects that over 100 million holiday travelers will hit the road this year. That’s nearly one in three Americans traveling 50 miles or more for the holidays. AAA says lower gas prices, an improved economy, and holidays falling on the weekend make it much easier for people to travel this holiday season. They say most of the 100 million will be traveling by car.

Three people are dead and three others injured after a train collided with a car in New Iberia. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for several parishes in far northeast Louisiana including Franklin, Madison, Richland, East and West Carroll and Morehouse, until 8pm tonight. Forecasters say this means conditions are favorable for twisters and severe thunderstorms. People in these areas are urged to be on the lookout for threatening weather and listen to radio for possible warnings.

If you still haven’t cleared out your Christmas list, experts say gift cards are always a huge hit with last minute shoppers. More consumers than ever before will purchase gift cards this holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation. LSU Assistant Professor of Marketing Dan Rice says gift cards are more appropriate than some people think…:
CUT 12 (10) “type of gift”
The NRF says gift cards are the most-requested gift for the 8th year in a row.

Saints Coach Sean Payton says quarterback Drew Brees is day to day with a foot injury. It’s been reported that Brees has a torn plantar fascia and is seeking a second opinion from another doctor. Payton didn’t confirm those reports

Three people are dead and three others injured after a train collided with a car stopped on the tracks in New Iberia. State Police Master Trooper Brooks David says they are working to determine why the car was stopped on the tracks. He says investigators did speak to witnesses…

cut 7 (08) “functioning properly”

70-year-old Phyllis Leblanc of New Iberia and two minors were killed in the crash. At last report, the three injured were listed in critical condition.

The search for a three year old child who wandered away from his house near Crowville in Franklin Parish Monday night, ended tragically Tuesday morning. Franklin Parish Sheriff Kevin Cobb says they located the body of the child around 7am Tuesday…

cut 14 (08) “home site”

Cobb says they learned that the child left the residence while everyone was sleeping.

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot is worth an estimated $227 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says since 2009, of the holiday jackpots that were over $100 million dollars, 5 of them were hit during the Christmas drawing…

cut 4 (10) “millionaire”

New Census numbers show Louisiana added nearly 22-thousand residents to its population from July 1st 2014 to July of this year, but demographer Elliot Stonecipher says the state finished with a net loss of 74-hundred residents, when you look at migration totals within the United States. Louisiana lost a Congressional district following the 2010 census, but Stonecipher doesn’t see that happening in 2020, unless there’s a massive loss of jobs in the oil industry, because of low oil prices

cut 12 (07) “four or five years”

State Police say three people are dead and three others injured after a train collided with a car in New Iberia. Master Trooper Brooks David says the vehicle was stopped on the tracks and the train was unable to avoid the crash. He says three occupants of the car were pronounced dead at the scene…

cut 6 (09) “critical condition”

The 70-year-old victim is identified as Phyllis Leblanc of New Iberia. The crash remains under investigation.

Tonight’s Powerball prize is the second largest Christmastime jackpot the multi-state game has had in over 10 years, according to the Louisiana Lottery. Spokeswoman Kimberly Chopin says Wednesday’s drawing is worth an estimated $227 million dollars. She says on Christmas day in 2002, the jackpot was $280 million…

cut 3 (10) “record yet”

The jackpot tonight has an estimated cash value of $141 million dollars.

The American Automobile Association projects a record number of Americans will hit the road this holiday season. Jeff Palermo reports…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor Bobby Jindal and his wife, Supriya, donated almost 300 pounds of food to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank just in time for the holidays. The food was collected from guests visiting the Governor’s Mansion who were asked to bring non-perishable food items. In a statement, Mrs. Jindal thanked those who made a donation and encouraged others to donate to their local food banks this holiday season.

State Police say a train-car collision in New Iberia has left three dead and three others injured. They say the train was unable to avoid a collision with the car that was stopped on the tracks. Three vehicle occupants were pronounced dead at the scene, while three others were transported to a local hospital. At last report, two of the injured were listed in critical condition. Investigators say the crossing arms and lights were working at the intersection and they’re now trying to determine why the car was stopped on the tracks.

Louisiana’s population grew by 22-thousand over the last year based on the latest Census estimates. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The American Automobile Association projects that over 100 million holiday travelers will travel 50 miles or more for the holidays this year. AAA spokesman Don Redman says lower gas prices, an improved economy, and holidays falling on the weekend make it much easier for people to travel this holiday season. Redman says, while airfare is slightly lower this year, there are other travel needs that will cost you a bit more…

cut 9 (08) “increasing slightly”

If traveling by car, Redman suggests getting your car checked before hitting the road for the holiday.

The search for three year old child who wandered away from his home in Franklin Parish Monday night, ended tragically Tuesday morning when his body was found in a canal. Franklin Parish Sheriff Kevin Cobb says this is a horrible tragedy that has rocked their small community…

cut 15 (10) “holiday season”

Cobb says the child apparently drowned in a water filled ditch about 200 yards from his house.

Three people are dead and three others injured after a train collided with a car in New Iberia. State Police say the vehicle, with six occupants, was stopped on the tracks and the train was unable to avoid the crash. Three of the vehicle occupants were pronounced dead at the scene. The three injured were transported to a local hospital where, at last report, two were listed in critical condition. Investigators are working to determine why the car was stopped on the tracks.

Severe weather is expected today over much of Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this warm-humid air mass that’s over the state could produce flash flooding, damaging winds, hail, and tornados. Keim says rain chances will remain high through Christmas Day, but today provides the highest risk for severe storms…

cut 6 (10) “vigilant”

He says the threat of severe weather extends across the entire state.

The body of a three year old child who wandered away from his house Monday night, was found in a canal Tuesday morning by the Franklin Parish Sheriff’s Office…

cut 3 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The American Automobile Association projects that a record 100.5 million travelers will hit the road this holiday season. AAA spokesman Don Redman says this year’s holiday season is the “perfect storm” for people traveling…

cut 8 (06) “since 2009″

Nearly one in three Americans will travel 50 miles or more for the holidays and over 90- percent will do so by car.

State Police say three people are dead and three others injured after a train collided with a car in New Iberia. Officials say the vehicle was stopped on the train tracks and the train was not able to avoid the crash. They say six people were in the car. Three were pronounced dead at the scene. Three others were transported to a local hospital. At last report, two of the injured were listed in critical condition. Investigators say it’s unclear why the car was stopped on the tracks as the crossing arms and lights were working properly.

The body of a three year old child who wandered away from his house Monday night, was found in a canal the following morning by the Franklin Parish Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Kevin Cobb says they were called to the home near Crowville around 4am yesterday and learned that the child left the residence while everyone was sleeping…:

cut 13 (08) “and water”

Cobb says the child succumbed to apparent drowning in the ditch about 200 yards from his home.

Severe weather could impact much of Louisiana today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says higher rainfall totals are anticipated in southeast Louisiana, while the threat of severe weather extends across the entire state…

cut 5 (06) “produce hail”

Keim says rain chances will remain high through Christmas Day, but today provides the highest risk for severe storms.

Louisiana added nearly 22-thousand residents to its population from July 1st 2014 to July of this year according to new census numbers. But Demographer Elliot Stonecipher says the bayou state lost more of its residents to other states than they took in. He says that problem could get worse, if oil prices remain low…

cut 11 (07) “gas industry”

Louisiana’ population is at four-point-six million and since 2010, the state has grown by 137-thousand residents, which is a three-percent increase.

New Census numbers show Louisiana added nearly 22-thousand residents to its population from July 1st 2014 to July of this year. Demographer Elliot Stonecipher says the slight increase is due to more births compared to deaths and an increase in citizens from foreign countries

cut 10 (09) “in migrants”

Stonecipher says Louisiana finished with a net loss of 74-hundred residents, when you look at migration totals within the United States.

Much of the state could experience severe weather today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this warm-humid air mass that’s over the state could produce flash flooding, damaging winds, hail and tornadoes…

cut 4 (07) “out there”

Keim says higher rainfall totals are anticipated in southeast Louisiana.

For the first time on record, the American Automobile Association projects that over 100 million holiday travelers will hit the road this year. That’s nearly one in three Americans traveling 50 miles or more for the holidays. AAA spokesman Don Redman says this is a huge number…

cut 7 (07) “for Thanksgiving”

He says of the expected 100.5 million holiday travelers this year, more than 90-percent will get to their holiday destination by car. He says lower gas prices, an improved economy, and holidays falling on the weekend make it much easier for people to travel this holiday season.

A Prairieville man who friends say leaves behind a fiance and 7-month-old baby was fatally shot outside of a Baton Rouge strip mall in his vehicle Monday night. The victim is identified as 27-year-old George Reusch (Rowsh) Jr. BRPD Lt. Jonny Dunnam says Reusch was found shot in his vehicle and later died at a hospital. He says investigators spoke to several witnesses at the scene…:
CUT 9 (08) “on foot”
A motive for the killing is unclear. Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact authorities.

Now that Blue Bell ice cream has returned to store shelves in Louisiana, can people trust that the product is safe to eat? LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Diseases Professor Dr. Fred Lopez says the FDA has taken steps to decrease the likelihood of something like this happening in the future…:
cut 10 (11) “safety measures”

An investigation is underway into the shooting death of a 32-year-old man by a sheriff’s deputy. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office terminated a jail worker’s employment, and arrested him, saying he struck an inmate in November. Timothy Hooker faces one count of simple battery. The sheriff’s office says an inmate was non-compliant during a meal-time and was removed from the service area. It was during that time authorities say Hooker struck the inmate in the face with his fist.

Now that Blue Bell ice cream has returned to store shelves in Louisiana, can people trust that the product is safe to eat? Eric Gill reports…
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

The office of Governor-elect John Bel Edwards says nearly 11,000 invitations have been sent out for the swearing in ceremony on the steps of the State Capitol on January 11th. But you don’t need an invite to attend. Edwards will officially become our Governor at 12 noon, and the public is encouraged to attend the ceremony which begins that day at 11:30.

State Police say a shooting involving deputies from the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office has left one man dead. The deceased man is identified as 32-year-old Michael Noel of Breaux Bridge. Family members told media that deputies were called to the home because Noel was having a breakdown. Master Trooper Brooks David says that part of the investigation will be handled by the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office…:
CUT 5 (09) “by St. Martin”
He confirms that St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s deputies were involved, at least one shot was fired, and one person is dead.

There are many in Louisiana not happy about these unseasonably warm temperatures this Christmas, but experts say retailers who rely on winter clothing sales are really struggling. Tulane marketing professor Harish Sujan imagines that, for the consumer, some of your biggest sales you’ll see these last shopping days before Christmas will involve winter clothes:
CUT 15 (05) “they can”
He says many stores are welcoming last minute shoppers with major discounts.