Governor-elect John Bel Edwards announced some members of his cabinet and staff during a news conference Wednesday. State Police Col Mike Edmonson will remain at his post, former US Representative Charlie Melancon will be the new Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary, DOTD Cheif of staff Shawn Wilson will now head the agency. Edwards says he’s delivering on his promise to establish a staff that looks like the state…:
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Some others listed Wednesday include retiring state Representative Karen St. Germain who will head the Office of Motor Vehicles and Don Pierson will serve as secretary of Louisiana Economic Development.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association says they’ve completed their Bogalusa Sportsmanship hearing and will submit recommendations to the Executive Director tomorrow. Today’s discussion was about the fight that ended the Lumberjacks’ game at Amite High on November 27.

If you’re gifting a drone for Christmas you should know there are new regulations set for by the Federal Aviation Administration. FAA spokesperson Lynn Lunsford says any drone weighing between half a pound and 55 pounds must be registered before it can fly. He encourages drone operators to learn some basic safety rules before taking flight…:
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You can register your drone online at FAA-dot-gov beginning December 21st.

The Louisiana Oil and Gas Industry is applauding Congress for wrapping up a deal late Tuesday that included a provision that would lift the four-decade ban on most exports of oil. President Don Briggs says this would make the US more energy independent and create thousands of jobs in the state…:
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Opponents of lifting the ban say more drilling would harm the environment.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards announced key personnel during a news conference Wednesday. The revelations included members of his cabinet as well as staff for his term. Among the list is State Police Col Mike Edmonson who will remain at his post. Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary is Charlie Melancon and the head of DOTD will be Shawn Wilson.

Police in Tangipahoa Parish are investigating an apparent “love triangle” double murder/suicide that has shocked the town of Independence. Emelie Gunn reports…:
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The Louisiana Oil and Gas Industry is applauding Congress for wrapping up a deal late Tuesday that included a provision that would lift the four-decade ban on most exports of oil. But Daryl Malek-Wiley with the environmental group Sierra Club says they feel dirty fuels should be left in the ground and the US should focus on transitioning to renewable forms of energy…:
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Entergy Louisiana says scams are going around and is warning residents to make sure you don’t become a victim of theft if you pay bills over the phone. She says often during the holiday season, we get wrapped up in what we need to do that we let our guard down…:
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McNeese State officially announced Defensive Coordinator Lance Guidry will be the next head coach of The Cowboys, taking over for Matt Viator. Guidry served as Viator’s DC since 2013.

Congress wrapped up a deal late Tuesday that included a provision that would lift the four-decade ban on most exports of oil. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Don Briggs says this is a help to the industry…:
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Opponents of lifting the ban say more drilling would harm the environment. Congress hopes to have this bill on the President’s desk by the end of the week.

In an e-mail to supporters, former Republican congressman Joseph Cao (GOW) announced his plans to run for Senator David Vitter’s soon to be vacant seat. Cao joins fellow Republicans Congressmen Charles Boustany and John Fleming and others in announcing their intent to seek the seat. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says you can expect to see many more entering the race…

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If a drone is under your Christmas tree, the Federal Aviation Administration says you should know about some new regulations. Eric Gill reports..:
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A man wanted for the shooting death of a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office sergeant has been arrested in Alabama authorities announced. Tuscaloosa police and U.S. Marshals arrested 48-year-old James Darby yesterday in the death of Sergeant Tracy Marshal. JPSO Sheriff Newell Normand said the two had a rocky relationship years ago.

The Louisiana Oil and Gas Industry is applauding Congress for wrapping up a deal late Tuesday that included a provision that would lift the four-decade ban on most exports of oil. But Daryl Malek-Wiley, the Louisiana spokesman for an environmental group called Sierra Club, says the oppose lifting the ban because exporting oil would cause prices to go up for American consumers…:
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But supporters say the energy sector in Louisiana is in a historic slump, and exporting oil would mean more drilling which would mean more jobs.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says a suspect is in custody in the death of one of their sergeants. Police in Tuscaloosa apprehended 48-year-old James Darby on an unrelated warrant and investigators later found evidence in his vehicle possibly linking him to the murder of JPSO Sergeant Tracey Marshall.

Police in Tangipahoa Parish are investigating an apparent “love triangle” double murder/suicide that has shocked the town of Independence. Authorities believe 38-year-old Thomas Ransom walked into Angie’s Bar Tuesday night and confronted his estranged wife April and another man, 43-year-old Joseph Cormier — shot and killed them, then turned the gun on himself.

Holiday times typically bring about various scams and Entergy Louisiana says one going around is people calling residents demanding money or their power will be cut off. Spokesperson Kacee Kirschvink says you’ll know it’s a scam if the caller transfers you to a third party card…:
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She says Entergy and most utility companies never request immediate payment over the phone and if you think you’re being scammed, let the authorities know.

Police in Tangipahoa Parish are investigating an apparent “love triangle” double murder/suicide that has shocked the town of Independence. Emelie Gunn reports…

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An Ascension Parish woman has pleaded guilty to collecting Veterans’ Affairs benefits that were intended for her mother who died in 2011. 45-year-old Michelle Akridge of Prairieville confessed to taking more than $77,000. Authorities say Akridge did not report her mother’s death and illegally collected the checks for four years.

The Federal Aviation Administration has released new regulations for registering drones. Any drone weighing between half a pound and 55 pounds must now be registered before it can fly. FAA spokesperson Lynn Lunsford says a task force did some mathematical calculations as to how big an aircraft could be to cause damage…

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You can register your drone online at FAA-dot-gov beginning December 21st.

In an e-mail to supporters, former Republican congressman Joseph Cao announced his plans to run for Senator David Vitter’s soon to be vacant seat. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says Cao is no stranger to being an underdog…

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Cao is the first Vietnamese-American to ever serve in Congress.

We’re learning more information about the people involved in the double/murder suicide last night at a bar in Tangipahoa Parish. Police say 35-year-old Thomas Ransom entered Angie’s Bar in Independence and shot his estranged wife, April, and 43-year-old Joseph Cormier. He allegedly fired multiple times before turning the gun on himself. April Ransom made a post on Facebook last night that she was looking for something to do, and one of her friends suggested Angie’s Bar.

Drones are being talked about as one of the most popular Christmas gifts this year in Louisiana, but the Federal Aviation Administration wants consumers to know they’ve released new regulations for registering the unmanned aerial vehicles. FAA spokesperson Lynn Lunsford says they think a drone could have taken out a window in a helicopter recently…:
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Any drone weighing between half a pound and 55 pounds must be registered before it can fly.

Entergy Louisiana is reminding residents to beware of scammers during the holiday season. Spokesperson Kacee Kirschvink says they’ve heard reports of people who receiving phone calls telling them they’re payment is late and to pay up or have your services cut off. She says Entergy will never request immediate payment…:
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She says if you get a call like this you should immediately contact authorities.

McNeese State Athletics Director Bruce Hemphill has scheduled a press conference this afternoon to give an update on the future of the school’s football program. It’s expected that he will announce that Defensive Coordinator Lance Guidry will be the team’s new head coach. Guidry is reportedly McNeese’s top choice to replace Matt Viator who accepted the head coaching position at ULM.

A murder-suicide in Tangipahoa Parish has left three people dead. Independence Police say, when they arrived at the scene, they found three people dead on the floor of a bar. Authorities say that 35-year-old Thomas Ransom walked into the bar and shot both 38-year-old April Ransom and 43-year-old Joseph Cormier before turning the gun on himself. Authorities say no other injuries were reported and their investigation is ongoing.

You may want to think twice about purchasing a drone for a holiday gift as the Federal Aviation Administration released new regulations. Eric Gill reports…:
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Entergy Louisiana warns customers to be alert for energy bill scams this holiday season. They say the scam usually begins with a person claiming the customer’s bill is past due and their power will be shut off if payment isn’t made immediately. Entergy reminds customers that their courtesy calls are recorded calls and the company never demands immediate payment. If you believe you are a victim of this scam, you should notify authorities.

The Louisiana Oil and Gas Industry is applauding Congress for wrapping up a deal late Tuesday that included a provision that would lift the four-decade ban on most exports of oil. Congressman Steve Scalise has been a huge supporter of the change and hopes the bill will pass out of both the House and Senate by the end of this week. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Don Briggs says this would make the US more energy independent and create thousands of jobs in the state…:
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Opponents of lifting the ban say more drilling would harm the environment.

Police in Independence tell multiple media outlets that a man shot and killed his estranged wife and another man before killing himself in an apparent “love triangle.” They say the double murder, suicide happened at Angie’s Bar in Tangipahoa Parish just before 10:30 Tuesday night. That’s when, according to police, 35-year-old Thomas Ransom entered the bar shot his 38-year-old wife, April, and 43-year-old Joseph Cormier, multiple times before turning the gun on himself.

Firearm dealers are sending out some notes of caution to consumers who are planning to buy a gun for somebody else for Christmas this year. Federally licensed dealers require background checks for anyone buying a gun — and it’s against the law for customers to purchase a weapon for someone who wouldn’t pass a background check. Blake Boudreaux is the general manager at Lafayette Shooters…:
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Congress wrapped up a deal late Tuesday that included a provision that would lift the four-decade ban on most exports of oil. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Don Briggs says this is a huge help to the industry…:
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Opponents of lifting the ban say more drilling would harm the environment.

The Louisiana Tech football team has arrived in the Big Easy in advance of Saturday’s R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. Eric Gill reports…:
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Firearm dealers are urging people buying guns as Christmas presents to be cautious. Emelie Gunn has more…

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A Prairieville woman has pleaded guilty to collecting Veterans’ Affairs benefits that were intended for her mother who died in 2011. 45-year-old Michelle Akridge confessed to taking more than $77,000. Authorities say Akridge did not report her mother’s death and illegally collected Veterans’ Affairs Dependency and Indemnity Compensation checks for four years.

Disturbing reports that forced labor is being used to shell shrimp being imported from factories in Thailand is raising concerns in the US. Thomas Hymel with the LSU Ag Center Sea Grant program says it’s a shame that the product is coming in from such despicable factories who use practices such as child slave labor — and it appears to be gaining more scrutiny…

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Hymel says there are many countries who export products to us that engage in slave labor for a bigger profit and, the majority of the time, nobody knows it’s going on.

Entergy Louisiana warns customers to be alert for energy bill scams this holiday season. They say the scam usually begins with a person claiming the customer’s bill is past due and their power will be shut off if payment isn’t made immediately. Entergy reminds customers that their courtesy calls are recorded calls and the company never demands immediate payment. If you believe you are a victim of this scam, you should notify authorities.

There’s been a big buzz this week over disturbing reports that forced labor is being used for the shelling of shrimp being imported into the US from factories in Thailand…

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A murder-suicide in Tangipahoa Parish has left three people dead. Independence Police say, when they arrived at the scene, they found three people dead on the floor of a bar. Authorities say that 35-year-old Thomas Ransom walked into the bar and shot both 38-year-old April Ransom and 43-year-old Joseph Cormier before turning the gun on himself. Authorities say no other injuries were reported and their investigation is ongoing.

Two Louisiana plantations have been nominated by USA Today in the 10 Best Historic Home Tours. Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie and Houmas House Plantation and Gardens in Darrow are among 20 historic houses on the list. Houmas House owner Kevin Kelly says the gardens and seasonal changes bring many people to visit the Darrow plantation more than once…

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Oak Alley Plantation is known as one of the most photographed plantations in Louisiana.

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office says a traffic stop led to the arrest of a Eunice woman on drug charges. They say during the stop, officers noticed the aroma of burnt marijuana. As they were about to search the vehicle, they noticed 36-year-old Jennifer Schaefer shuffling in the back seat. When asked what she was doing, Schaefer replied, “hiding marijuana”. Deputies did find pot in Shaefer’s purse and booked her with second offense possession of marijuana.