The Harahan Police Department’s recent offer to screen methamphetamine for the Zika virus has captured the attention of social media and news outlets across the globe.  In a Facebook post, the department encouraged meth users to bring all of their drug to police for free testing.  Police Chief Tim Walker acknowledges it was a ruse and says the social media post has already received over 500,000 views in the two days since it was posted.

Cut 4 (06) “…world its interesting.″
Only one person in Louisiana was sentenced to death this year, David Brown of Lafourche Parish, who was convinced of sexually assaulting, then murdering a mother and her two daughters, and setting their house on fire in 2012. Executive Director Death Penalty Information Center Executive Director Robert Dunham says that follows a nationwide trend of an 85 percent decline in death sentences.
Cut 6 (08) “…the country”

Tomorrow it will be legal to have cameras installed in your loved one’s nursing home room to keep an eye on them. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

2018 will be remembered as a year where Louisiana achieved budget stability by renewing a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax which allowed the state to fully fund the TOPS scholarship program, public colleges and higher education.

In 2018, the state also lost its title as incarceration capital of the world as a result of criminal justice reform efforts approved in 2017.

The MeToo movement hit the Secretary of State’s office, which led to the resignation of Secretary Tom Schedler. Dawn Ross, spoke with LRN, and said she was the victim of sexually suggestive charged emails, gifts and advances since 2007 from Schedler. Ross says her boss also stalked her and bought a town home in her complex…
Cut 7 (15) “…back there.”

The Harahan Police Department’s recent offer to screen methamphetamine for the Zika virus has captured the attention of social media and news outlets across the globe. In a Facebook post, the department encouraged meth users to bring all of their drug to police for free testing. Police Chief Tim Walker acknowledged the post was a stunt to bring attention to the issue of drug use….
Cut 3 (08) “…their free time.”
Walker admits there is no meth actually contaminated with the Zika virus.

A new year begins tomorrow, which means new laws go into effect, including one that allows you to set up a camera to monitor elderly loved ones in their nursing home room. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says the families must pay for the device and installation, cannot use the facility’s Wi-Fi, and…
Cut 9 (06) “…roommate″
The legislation was inspired by a case of suspected abuse of an elderly person by nursing home workers.

It was an interesting year in state politics. Matt Doyle looks back at 2018…
Cut 1 (53) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Alllstate Sugar Bowl Fan Fest in New Orleans will once again be part of “Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve” on ABC as the nation ushers in 2019. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

If you are celebrating at home tonight and plan to light off a few fireworks, state fire marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue has this advice…
cut 11 (09) “…alcohol”

The search for a nine-year-old autistic boy in Evangeline Parish resulted in the arrest of the child’s parents on a charge of cruelty to juveniles. Dozens of people searched all day Saturday for nine-year-old Bryson Thibodeaux. He was eventually found in a safe location. But authorities decided to book Paul and Minette Thibodeaux because Bryson and his sister appeared malnourished and they lived in filthy conditions.

One of the more dramatic news days in 2018 was when Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry announced in March the state would not pursue criminal charges against the two white Baton Rouge Police officers who were involved in the 2016 fatal shooting of Alton Sterling, who ws black. Sterling’s relatives are still seeking justice against officers Howie Lake and Blane Salamoni….
cut 8 (05) “…a killer”
A civil lawsuit against the police department, the officers involved and the city-parish remains unsettled heading into 2019.

The state Fire Marshal’s Office has advice for New Year’s Eve amateur pyro technicians…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin Eve will once again show how New Orleans rings in a new year. Country music sensations Florida Georgia Line and Maren Morris will perform near Jax Brewery and A-B-C will show portions of the concert. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says it’s good exposure for the state’s tourism industry…
cut 15 (11) “….watched the Grammys”
For those interested in attending the Allstate Fan Fest, it’s free and gates for all the activities open at noon at the Jax Brewery parking lot.

2018 will be remembered as a year where Louisiana achieved budget stability by renewing a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax which allowed the state to fully fund the TOPS scholarship program, public colleges and higher education.

In 2018, the state also lost its title as incarceration capital of the world as a result of criminal justice reform efforts approved in 2017.

The MeToo movement hit the Secretary of State’s office, which led to the resignation of Secretary Tom Schedler. Dawn Ross, spoke with LRN, and said she was the victim of sexually suggestive charged emails, gifts and advances since 2007 from Schedler. Ross says her boss also stalked her and bought a town home in her complex…
Cut 7 (15) “…back there.”

The Alllstate Sugar Bowl Fan Fest in New Orleans will once again be part of “Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve” on ABC as the nation ushers in 2019…
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

The rain should be out of the state tonight when many will head outside to light fireworks. But the state fire marshal’s office has this message for those who plan to use more than just fireworks…
cut 12 (07) “….entertain people”
That’s State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue.

With no Drew Brees, the Saints stumbled in the regular season finale, falling to the Carolina Panthers 33-14. The loss doesn’t hurt the Black and Gold as they already have the number one seed in the NFC playoffs. But Coach Sean Payton didn’t like what he saw on Sunday
Cut 16 (12) ready to play”
The Saints will have a first round bye in the NFC playoffs and they’ll either host Philadelphia, Dallas, or Seattle on January 13th.

The state fire marshal’s office says before you slap down the cash for fireworks today, make sure the retailer is licensed…
Cut 10 (06) “from us.”
State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says over the weekend their office issued cease and desist orders to eight fireworks stands in five parishes, Sabine, Lafayette, Acadia, St. Martin and Iberia parishes. A large warehouse in Acadia Parish was also shut down.

One of the most significant pieces of legislation approved in 2018 was the constitutional amendment that will require unanimous jury verdicts for a conviction in serious felony convictions. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell argued the standard of needing only 10 of 12 jurors to secure a conviction is not what our founders envisioned…
cut 6 (08) “….unanimous juries”
Louisiana lost a couple of legendary figures in 2018. LSU’s only Heisman trophy winner Billy Cannon passed away in May at the age of 80. And Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson died in March. He was 90. Benson’s wife, Gayle, has taken over the two professional sports franchises and plans to keep the teams in new Orleans…
Cut 9 (10) “…big family.″

Today is the final day of 2018, so let’s look at the biggest stories of the year in Louisiana. The first half of the year was all budget talk as the state faced another massive budget shortfall. It took three special sessions, but Governor John Bel Edwards was pleased with the final budget deal…
Cut 4 (06) “ compromise is”
The sales tax plan approved in June fully funded the TOPS scholarship program, public colleges, and health care. But many Republicans were not happy about a state sales tax rate of 4.45 percent. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says it’s needed to pay for a bloated Medicaid expansion program…
Cut 5 (11) “…important priorities.”
Another big story in 2018 was the resignation of Secretary of State Tom Schedler as a result of sexual harassment allegations.

New Orleans will be part of “Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve” broadcast on ABC tonight. It will feature live performances by country artists Maren Morris and Grammy-nominated Florida Georgia Line. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says it’s great exposure for the Big Easy.
Cut 13 (08) “…vacation next year.”
Nungesser says 30-million people watched Dick Clark’s Rockin New Year’s Eve last year.

Not a good end to the regular season for the Saints and as they lost to Carolina 33-14 to finish with a record of 13-and-3. Several starters like Drew Brees and Alvin Kamara did not play. Now the team gets ready to host playoff game on January 13th.