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.

One week from today, Democrat John Bel Edwards will be sworn in as the state’s 56th governor. Incoming Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne has pegged the budget shortfall for this fiscal year at 750-million dollars and one-point-nine billion dollars next fiscal year. The governor-elect’s deputy chief of staff, Julie Baxter Payer, says they seek the public’s help in solving these budget issues…

cut 15 (06) “from everyone”

Payer says they’re hearing good feedback about the team Edwards is building.

The Corps of Engineers is scheduled to begin emergency operations on the Mississippi River as river levels are expected to crest later this month at near record high levels at Vicksburg and Natchez. Fifth Louisiana Levee District President Reynold Minsky says hesco baskets, which are filled with sand that serve as temporary levees, will be used again to protect businesses in downtown Vidalia…

cut 9 (07) “go to today”

He says relief wells were also installed, which should reduce flooding.

Many people set New Year’s resolutions to live a healthier lifestyle in 2016. Emelie Gunn spoke with a doctor who has some tips to keep them….

cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Louisiana’s political community is in shock over the death of political blogger C.B Forgotston. Forgotston became a political watchdog after years of working as a state legislative staffer and business lobbyist. He earned many enemies by regularly skewering elected officials on his blogsite and on Twitter. Forgotston died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 70-years-old.

We’re a week away from the swearing-in of Democrat John Bel Edwards as the state’s next governor. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Monroe Police have arrested a man following a stabbing Sunday morning. They say 30-year-old Daniel Walters and another man were involved in a physical altercation when the stabbing occurred. Authorities say Walters admitted to fearing for his life when he pulled a pocket knife and stabbed the other man five times in self defense. The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment of his injuries. Walters is charged with attempted second degree murder.

We learned last week that Louisiana is facing a $750 million deficit this fiscal year and another $1.9 billion next fiscal year. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says it seems almost inevitable that the legislature will have to raise some new revenues to tackle the deficit. Erwin says the legislature should take a broad-based approach in finding a permanent solution to the budget problems…

cut 6 (08) “a little bit” 4X

He says lawmakers have a lot of options when it comes to raising revenues, like raising sales, income, gasoline, and “sin” taxes.

As river levels are expected to crest later this month at a historically high level for the winter months at Vicksburg and Natchez, the Corps of Engineers is scheduled to begin emergency operations on the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River reached an all-time high water level in 2011 and Fifth Louisiana Levee District President Reynold Minsky says they learned a lot from that event, which is helping them this time around…

cut 8 (10) “this flood”

One week from today, Democrat John Bel Edwards will be sworn in as the state’s next governor. Since the election, Edwards has been appointing officials to serve in his administration. The governor-elect’s deputy chief of staff, Julie Baxter Payer, says they’re hearing good feedback about the team Edwards is building…

cut 13 (10) “it’s just different”

She says the new administration plans to keep an open dialogue with the public.

A lot of people are making New Year’s resolutions to live a healthier lifestyle in 2016 but that’s often easier said than done. LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Psychologist Dr. Michelle Moore says your resolutions should be something that carry on throughout all of 2016, not just the start of the year…

cut 10 (09) “manageable”

Moore says many people have good intentions, but often fall off by the end of January.

Many wonder if lawmakers can make up the state’s budget shortfall without raising taxes. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin doesn’t think so, but he says legislators will look at other alternatives first…

cut 4 (11) “things like that”

It was announced last week that Louisiana is facing a $750 million deficit this fiscal year and another $1.9 billion next fiscal year.

The Corps of Engineers is scheduled to begin emergency operations on the Mississippi River as river levels are expected to crest later this month at a historically high level for the winter months 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.

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”

Incoming Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne has pegged the shortfall for this fiscal year at 750-million dollars and one-point-nine billion dollars next fiscal year.

Can lawmakers can make up this budget shortfall without raising taxes? Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says it seems almost inevitable that the legislature will have to raise some new revenues. Erwin says an increase in the state sales tax is one possible area lawmakers may target…

cut 5 (08) “in some way”

He says lawmakers could also raise income, gasoline, and “sin” taxes.

With the new year, many make resolutions to live a healthier lifestyle. LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Psychologist Dr. Michelle Moore says many people have good intentions to live a better lifestyle at the start of the new year, but often fall off by the end of January. She says giving yourself a plan and building on it every month will help you to keep up with your resolution…

cut 11 (10) “the diet”

She says not to make dramatic resolutions right off the bat because they are hard to keep.

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

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.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of fatally stabbing his 14-year-old nephew and injuring another nephew and his own elderly mother. Information is limited, but authorities believe 58-year-old Tyrone Dorsey stabbed all three during during some sort of altercation. The victims were transported to a local hospital, where the 14-year-old died from his injuries. The 21-year-old male and 79-year-old female suffered non-life threatening injuries. Police have yet to determine a motive for the stabbings.

The estimated jackpot for tonight’s PowerBall lottery has hit an incredible $334 million with a cash value of $205 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says this is the largest PowerBall jackpot since February of 2015’s $564 million jackpot. Chopin says when jackpots rise, more and more people play PowerBall…

cut 4 (09) “play responsibly”

The deadline to purchase tickets for tonight’s drawing is 9PM.

Less than 72 hours after Kevin Steele announced he was leaving Baton Rouge to take the defensive coordinator position at Auburn, LSU announces Wisconsin’s Dave Arnada as the Tigers’ new defensive coordinator. Under Arnada, the Badger defense ranks in the top seven nationally in five major defensive categories. In a bit of irony, LSU opens their 2016 football season against Wisconsin.

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

cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Department says a Bridge City man was shot and killed in Avondale on New Year’s Day. They say 32-year-old Joseph Washington was talking to a friend outside her car when two men walked up to Washington and shot him multiple times. The two men then fled the scene. The woman Washington was speaking with was not injured. The police investigation is ongoing.

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”

Boyett says if they open the Bonnet Carre, it takes the pressure off Louisiana’s levee system and allows the waters to flow out of harm’s way.

Hoverboards were among the most popular gifts this holiday season, but LSU students who received one are urged to leave them at home when they return to campus from the winter break. The school has issued a temporary ban on hoverboards on campus due to safety risks. There have been several reports of hoverboard batteries bursting into flame, especially while they are being charged. LSU says the ban will stay in place until safety standards for all hoverboards are implemented.