An active shooter training in Ascenion Parish today will be as realistic as possible so attendees can put their new skills to the test. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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New legislation introduced by Senator Bill Cassidy aims to incentivize Medicare Part D recipients to choose cheaper generic prescriptions when available. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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Democrats reveal an Impeachment vote will be held on the grounds the President abused his office, and committed obstruction. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 3 (30) “ I’m Matt Doyle.”

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This week in Ascension Parish, LSU is holding an Active Threat Integrated Response Course for their LSU National Center for Biomedical Research and Training/Academy of Counter Terrorist Education Instructors. These instructors work with local law enforcement and first responders on how to provide care during active shooter incidents. NCBRT/ACE Public Affairs Manager Kris Wartelle.

Cut 4 (09) “…shooting event.”

Wartelle says by cross training police with medical skills they are able to potentially save more lives when a mass shooting events happen, especially when a hostage event is taking place. Before each responder focused only on their specific training.

Cut 5 (12) “…get in there.”

Law enforcement officers and medical personnel are able to test out their new skills from the course during an active training exercise.

Cut 6 (08) “…role of the injured.”

Since 2018, the course has provided thousands of law enforcement officers and emergency personnel valuable skills to use in mass shooting situations.

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Senator Bill Cassidy introduces new legislation aimed at incentivizing Medicare Part D recipients to choose generic prescriptions when available.  Cassidy says if the Medicare program can save money with the use of lower cost drugs that are just as effective by enticing them with a cut of the savings, it gives patients a reason to care.

Cut 7 (07) “…the Medicare program.”

Cassidy says a patient is just as well off using cheaper generic drugs compared to the more expensive name brand drugs and adds if someone has been on a specific name brand medication for years, there is a good chance it is available as a generic now.

Cut 8 (10) “…lot of money.”

Cassidy says he’d like to keep things simple in how the incentive paid out to patients.

Cut 9 (09) “…will choose this.”

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Two Articles of Impeachment were revealed yesterday, one accusing the President of abusing the power of his office, and the other accusing him of obstruction of justice.

Senator John Kennedy says despite some of the earlier claims of Democrats casting a wide impeachment net…

Cut 10 (10) “yet”

Impeachment has spent the week in House Judiciary, home to Louisiana Congressmen Cedric Richmond and Mike Johnson.

Kennedy expects Democrats to vote within the week on Impeachment, and he expects the vote to clear the House. Afterward the Senate will take up a full trial on removing the President from office.

Cut 11 (10) “yet”

Kennedy says the trial will take a minimum of two weeks, with it possibly lasting as long as five to six weeks.

The Senator says he’s been troubled by the process so far, saying unleashing the partisan nuclear option of Impeachment will backfire on a potential future Democratic President…

Cut  12 (12) “…Impeachment” 

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A Webster Parish inmate was shot after allegedly stealing a vehicle and escaping while on work detail at the Webster Parish school board. Webster Parish Sheriff Gary Sexton says after an all-night search, authorities located 40-year-old Norman Guthrie, then he lead officers on a high-speed chase in Bossier City.

Cut 13 (08) “…not life-threatening.”

Sexton says Guthrie was set to be released in March after serving time for aggravated battery, theft of a motor vehicle, and failure to appear charges.

Cut 14 (06) “…messed his self up.”

Sexton says a motive for the attempted escape is unclear.

Cut 15 (05) “…than that.”

Guthrie now faces charges of vehicle theft, simple escape, traffic violations from the pursuit, plus he may be facing attempted murder charges for trying to use a vehicle as a weapon against police.

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Joe Burrow’s seemingly inevitable march to winning LSU’s first Heisman got a boost this week thanks to former Purple and Gold legend, cornerback Tyrann Mathieu. The former Heisman finalist narrates a new hype video produced by the school celebrating Burrow’s status as an icon…

Cut 16  (14)  …forever” 

Joe Brady, the Tiger’s passing game coordinator who helped craft the Burrow run, record-breaking offense this year took home the Broyles Award for best assistant coach in the nation yesterday.

The NFL’s leading candidate for MVP, Ravens QB and former Heisman winner Lamar Jackson is also in Burrow’s corner. When asked who should take home the award…

Cut 17  (13) “to me” 

The award will be handed out Saturday night in New York.

New Orleans Police have arrested two suspects in connection with shooting of a dozen people on Canal Street December first. Police Chief Shaun Ferguson says they executed search warrants this morning in St Mary’s Parish and arrested 21-year-old Stafford Starks, on eight counts of attempted murder. Also arrested, 22-year-old LaBryson Polidore, on 10 counts of attempted murder.

A new trade deal with Mexico and Canada looks to now have the votes to pass Congress. Matt Doyle spoke with Ag Commissioner Mike Strain about what that means for Louisiana.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Senator John Kennedy and Attorney General Jeff Landry warn Republicans not to allow Democrats any influence in the selection of the next Speaker of the Louisiana House. The letter says the move is aimed at guaranteeing a more conservative Speaker takes office January 13^th when the election is held. ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says it’s a highly partisan demand.

Cut 12 (11) “to see” 

If you caught the halftime show during the SEC Championship game you saw Baton Rouge native Andrea Gathercole win a $100,000 scholarship after throwing the most footballs through an oversized Dr. Pepper can. Gathercole says the extra cash will help her at Baylor before graduating December 2020.

Cut 8 (08) “…of medical school.”

Gathercole has already ruled out transferring to LSU to fill the void left by QB Joe Burrow next season.

New Orleans police announced a pair of suspects in the December 1st Canal Street shooting. NOLA Police Chief Shaun Ferguson said 21 year old Stafford Starks is under arrest for eight counts of attempted murder.

Starks was also among those shot during the incident.A warrant has been issued for the other suspect, the 22 year old, LaBryson Polidore who currently faces ten counts of attempted murder.

The investigation links the early Sunday morning shooting to a feud in St. Mary parish.

The odds of a new trade agreement among Canada, the United States and Mexico just get better as the House Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced support for the package.

If the U-S-M-C-A replaces NAFTA, Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says experts believe it could generate up to 75 billion dollars more a year for the American economy.

Strain says this deal will open up the Mexican market to new items like Louisiana poultry, and expand the market for old mainstays like…

Cut 4 (11) “…Lake Charles”

Mexico is second only to China as a U-S trading partner.

Baton Rouge native Andrea Gathercole showed that Joe Burrow wasn’t the only person capable of throwing a football at the SEC Championship. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

The Deepwater Horizon Open Ocean Trustees released a final Open Ocean restoration plan with projects totaling almost $226 million dollars.

The goals of the 18 projects include helping restore the habitats for natural gulf habitats.

NOAA Deepwater Horizon Program Manager Rachel
Sweeney says there are projects to increase our understanding of deep sea coral habitats.

Cut 11 (10) “…deep-sea coral habitats.”

Some of plans will work with commercial fishing operations to reduce the accidental catching of sea turtles as well.

The Saints are still reeling from a close loss to San Fran in the Dome Sunday, but so are the Saints fan, one of whom let it be known to coach Sean Peyton yesterday. Coach was at Whole Foods grabbing a few steaks when the butcher shot him a snide comment about Peyton’s decision to go for two points early in the contest. That 2 point attempt failed, and played a big role in San Fran being able to win the game on a last-second field goal.

Peyton wasn’t having it, shooting back at the butcher “Hey, your steaks don’t look too good right now. Worry about your freaking meat.” Peyton says the post game commentary on his decision has been driving him crazy.

Peyton explained his thoughts behind the 2 point attempt, saying they were spotted at the one yard line thanks to a foul, and he figured the team could punch it in.

The Pelicans miserable season continued last night with a ninth straight loss, this time a 105-103 heart breaker to Detroit. At least offseason acquisition Brandon Ingram continued his tear, putting up 31 points in the loss.

LSU’s new passing game coordinator Joe Brady wins the Broyles award for the nation’s top assistant coach in the nation. Brady was instrumental in implementing LSU’s recording breaking spread offense after coming over from the Saints.

Joe Burrow’s seemingly inevitable march to winning LSU’s first Heisman got a boost this week thanks to former Purple and Gold legend, cornerback Tyrann Mathieu. The former Heisman finalist narrates a new hype video produced by the school celebrating Burrow’s status as an icon…

Cut 16, 14 seconds, forever

The award will be handed out Saturday night in New York.

A new trade deal with Mexico and Canada looks to now have the votes to pass Congress. Matt Doyle spoke with Ag Commissioner Mike Strain about what that means for Louisiana’s economy…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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Baton Rouge native Andrea Gathercole showed that Joe Burrow wasn’t the only person capable of throwing a football at the SEC Championship. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut  2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”    

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Speaker Nancy Pelosi announces Democrats in the House will vote to support the President’s sought after renegotiated trade deal with Canada and Mexico.

The USMCA will replace NAFTA, and Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the deal will be a major lift for Louisiana’s agriculture exports.

Cut 3 (11) “…deal”

Strain says expert estimates show the deal may generate as much as 67 to 75 billion dollars more a year for the American economy.

Mexico is Louisiana’s number two trading partner behind China, and Strain says this deal will open up the Mexican market to new items like Louisiana poultry, and expand the market for old mainstays like…

Cut 4 (11) “…Lake Charles”

Louisiana currently exports 8.3 billion dollars’ worth of agriculture products per year.

The deal requires partners to relax import restrictions on American products, mandates Mexico adopt better labor standards, and provides legal avenues for settling intellectual property disputes.

Cut 5 (08) “…countries”

Strain also notes a new trade deal with Japan appears to be imminent as well.

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Anyone who watched the SEC Championship saw a masterclass is throwing. That showcase came during halftime as Baton Rouge native Andrea Gathercole won a $100,000 scholarship after throwing the most footballs through an oversized Dr. Pepper can.   Gathercole says she practiced her throw every day for three weeks.

Cut 6 (11) “…the real thing.”

Gathercole says Louisiana’s wild weather influenced her career path of wanting to help others.

Cut 7 (09) “…to go into.”

Gathercole says the extra cash will help her fund her remaining time between now and her December 2020 graduation from Baylor.

Cut 8 (08) “…of medical school.”

Gathercole has already ruled out transferring to LSU to fill the void left by QB Joe Burrow next season.

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The Deepwater Horizon Open Ocean Trustees releases a final Open Ocean restoration plan, selecting 18 projects totaling almost $226 million to help restore fish, sea turtles, marine mammals and deep-seas coral habitat injured by the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.  NOAA Deepwater Horizon Program Manager Rachel Sweeney…

Cut 9 (10) “…Mexico to date.”

Sweeney says projects will also identify opportunities to partner with commercial fishermen to reduce the risk of sea turtle bycatch and to work to protect sea turtle nesting habitats.

Cut 10 (11) “…a natural disasters.”

Sweeney says there are also projects that will increase or understanding of deep sea coral habitats.

Cut 11 (10) “…deep-sea coral habitats.”

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Senator John Kennedy and Attorney General Jeff Landry warn Republicans not to allow Democrats any influence in the selection of the next Speaker of the Louisiana House.

The letter says the move is aimed at guaranteeing a more conservative Speaker takes office January 13^th when the election is held. ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says it’s a highly partisan demand.

Cut 12 (11) “to see” 

The Senate Presidency is reportedly close to being wrapped up, with Lafayette’s Page Cortez the favorite.

Stockley says such a demand bucks decades of bipartisan precedent, and erodes the Governor’s Legislative influence, a shift that began to take shape in 2015, but…

Cut 13 (10) “…from now.”

Stockley says the order places a lot of pressure on the caucus’s freshman and moderate representatives…

Cut 14 (09) “together.”

The Kennedy/Landry coalition had a lot of success in the last elections, even knocking off moderate Republicans in favor of conservatives.

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Cut 15 (12) “…faculty.”

Cut 16  (10)  …bargain.” 

Senator John Kennedy and Attorney General Jeff Landry signed on to a letter to advise Republicans not to listen to any Democrats as they go about selecting of the next Speaker of the Louisiana House.

The Louisiana Senate Presidency is reportedly going to be Lafayette’s Page Cortez in favor to be chosen. ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley thinks it may be a strategic move for Kennedy or Laundry’s future political ambitions.

Cut 13 (08) “…you gotta score.”

The posts will be chosen on January 13th.

Democrats in the House will vote to support the USMCA trade deal which President has worked to get in place to revamp U.S. with Canada and Mexico.

The USMCA will replace NAFTA, and Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the deal will be a major lift for Louisiana’s agriculture exports.

Cut 3 (11) “…deal”

Strain says expert estimates show the deal may generate as much as 67 to 75 billion dollars more a year for the American economy.

Almost 226 million dollars is set to help restore habitats for fish, sea turtles, marine mammals and deep-seas coral in the Gulf of Mexico damaged by the 2010 oil spill.

An Open Ocean restoration plan from the Deepwater Horizon Open Ocean Trustees chose 18 projects.

Once of those Projects will identify opportunities to partner with commercial fishermen to reduce the risk of sea turtle bycatch and protect sea turtle nesting habitats. NOAA Deepwater Horizon Program Manager Rachel Sweeney says…

Cut 10 (11) “…a natural disasters.”

SEC Championship broadcast featured a halftime competition for a 100,000 dollar scholarship and as and Andrea Gathercole won it by throwing the most footballs through an oversized Dr. Pepper can.

Gathercole, a Baton Rouge native currently attending Baylor university says Louisiana’s extreme weather events influenced her career desire to help others.

Cut 7 (09) “…to go into.”

Three weeks of practicing in the Gathercole family backyard throwing footballs really paid off.

Senator John Kennedy and Attorney General Jeff Landry warn Republicans not to allow Democrats any influence in the selection of the next Speaker of the Louisiana House.

The letter says the move is aimed at guaranteeing a more conservative Speaker takes office January 13th when the election is held. ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says it’s a highly partisan demand.

Cut 12 (11) “to see”

In Washington DC, House Democrats will support a new U.S. Mexican and Canadian trade agreement which could mean passage of the USMCA to replace NAFTA agreement.

The new deal requires partners to relax import restrictions on American products, mandates Mexico adopt better labor standards, and provides legal avenues for settling intellectual property disputes.

Cut 5 (08) “…countries”

Strain also notes a new trade deal with Japan appears to be imminent as well.

The Deepwater Horizon Open Ocean Trustees releases a final Open Ocean restoration plan, selecting 18 projects totaling almost $226 million to help restore fish, sea turtles, marine mammals and deep-seas coral habitat injured by the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

NOAA Deepwater Horizon Program Manager Rachel Sweeney…

Cut 9 (10) “…Mexico to date.”

The SEC Championship showed an amazing level of physical prowess including a half time competition to throw the highest number of footballs through an oversized Dr. Pepper soda can.

The winner of the 100,000 dollar scholarship prize is Baton Rouge native Andrea Gathercole. The Baylor university student says she practiced every day for three weeks.

Cut 6 (11) “…the real thing.”

Gathercole plans to put the 100,000 dollar scholarship toward finishing her Baylor degree with anything left over going toward her plans to attend medical school.

Although China is Louisiana’s number one trading partner, Mexico is number two and worth billions of trade dollars.

The USMCA trade deal now has the support of House Democrats and appears likely to replace the NAFTA trade deal.

Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says this deal will open up the Mexican market to new items like Louisiana poultry, and expand the market for old mainstays like…

Cut 4 (11) “…Lake Charles”

Louisiana currently exports 8.3 billion dollars’ worth of agriculture products per year.

Under the pressure of competing for a $100,000 scholarship on live television with millions of people watching, Baton Rouge native Andrea Gathercole was the winner.

She threw the most number of footballs through an oversized Dr. Pepper can during the SEC Champion game TV broadcast.

Gathercole says the extra cash will help her fund her remaining time between now and her December 2020 graduation from Baylor.

Cut 8 (08) “…of medical school.”

Gathecole plans to study emergency medicine when she goes to medical school.

The Department of Justice handed out 376 million dollars nationwide in grants to help fund crime-fighting efforts.

Here in Louisiana, the City of Shreveport was the biggest recipient, receiving 127,000 dollars.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office was awarded 82,000 dollars and Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Offices received 72,000 dollars in the DOJ grant awards.

Western District United States Attorney David Joseph says these grants are a recognition by the feds that certain crime-fighting programs in a jurisdiction have established a provable record of success.

Cut 14 (10) “at large.”

Louisiana was named the state with the most violent crime in the nation per capita according to FBI crime stats.

The Heisman Trophy finalists are now official and Joe Burrow is one step closer to being the only the second LSU player to accomplish that feat.

The only other being Billy Cannon 60 years ago.

Because of LSU’s schedule, multiple wins over top ten teams, and Burrow’s consistent performance, many believe Burrow will take the Heisman trophy home with him.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi announces Democrats in the House will vote to support the President’s sought after renegotiated trade deal with Canada and Mexico.

The USMCA will replace NAFTA, and Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the deal will be a major lift for Louisiana’s agriculture exports.

Cut 3 (11) “…deal”

Mexico is Louisiana’s number two trading partner.

Promise of Justice Attorney Jamila Johnson says the incoming class of lawmakers should consider implementing sentencing reforms proposed by the Justice Reinvestment Taskforce. She says inmates need…

Cut 12 (12) “…the way”

Louisiana had the highest in the nation percentage of inmates in prison for life without parole.

Baton Rouge native Andrea Gathercole won a $100,000 scholarship after throwing the most footballs through an oversized Dr. Pepper can during the SEC Champion game television broadcast.

Gathercole is studying at Baylor right now and wants to work in emergency medical care. She says Louisiana’s major weather events influenced her to choose a career path to help others.

Cut 7 (09) “…to go into.”

Despite her amazing throwing skills, Gathercole does not intend to pursue a sports career.

And now here’s a look at commodity prices.

Cut: Mini Pig

Advocates are pushing the upcoming class of lawmakers to build on the 2017 Criminal Justice Reform by taking on sentencing reform for life without parole. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “ I’m Matt Doyle.”

Following 7.5 hours of impeachment proceedings yesterday, Judiciary Committee member and Congressman Mike Johnson spoke during yesterday’s hearing saying they’ve been operating under haphazardly drawn special parameters for the hearings.

Cut 4 (09) “…violations of due process.”

Impeachment proceedings continue In the House Judiciary Committee today in the nation’s Capitol.

Because of LSU’s schedule, multiple wins over top ten teams, and Joe Burrow’s consistent performance, USA Today LSU writer and Heisman voter Glenn Guilbeau believes it is a huge gap between Burrow and any other contenders for the Heisman trophy.

Cut 9 (11) “…votes in history.”

Other finalists include Sooners’ QB Jalen Hurts and Buckeyes’ defensive end Chase Young and quarterback Justin Fields.

The trophy presentation takes place this Saturday in New York City.

Louisiana was named the state with the most violent crime in the nation per capita according to FBI crime stats.

Western District United States Attorney David Joseph says that makes us particularly likely to win these kinds of grants the the Department of Justice awarded.

Cut 15 (06) “…problem”

The Western District of Louisiana that received one million dollars of those DOJ grants.