The reward has been doubled to 25-hundred dollars for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for killing a woman and her 13-year-old son on Sunday in the town of Independence. Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards believes the shooter knew the mother and son.

Harsher penalties for those found guilty of animal cruelty could be coming soon. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Research out of LSU indicates those with ADHD may have highly desirable traits when it comes to starting a business. The report by LSU Assistant Business Professor Reginald Tucker indicates while hyperactivity can be detrimental in many fields, it’s common for entrepreneurs…
Cut 4 (07) “…ideation″
Tucker says the results imply that individuals with A-D-H-D symptoms may be empowered to craft their own jobs to fit their special needs.

The Lafayette Public Library has been requiring individuals who are seeking to use a room in the library to sign a form saying they will not use that room to host an event where men dressed up in drag will read stories to children. The Louisiana ACLU has filed a lawsuit in response…
cut 11 (06) “….the public facility”
That’s the ACLU’s Katie Schwartzman, who says the library began requiring this form ever since the library was sued to block its planned Drag Queen Story Time Event.

The ACLU of Louisiana has filed a lawsuit challenging the Lafayette Public Library’s ban on Drag Queen Story Time. The library requires anyone who wants to use space at the library to sign a form saying they are not holding a drag queen event at the library. ACLU legal director Katie Schwartzmann says it’s a violation of constitutional rights…
cut 10 (08) “…the first amendment”
There has been no response from the library on the lawsuit.

A group called In Defense of Animals is working to put together stronger animal cruely penalties into the law. Spokesperson Doll Stanley says there been several animal cruelty cases in the state that have resulted in lenient sentences, including the killing of a dog posted to SnapChat…
cut 7 (10) “…to probation”
Stanley says the goal is to get acts of aggravated animal cruelty to be considered crimes of violence.

There’s a slight chance Caddo, Bossier, DeSoto and Sabine parishes could see severe weather tomorrow morning. The National Weather Service says there’s the potential for damaging winds, localized flooding, tornadoes and large hail for these parishes.

After a break for Christmas, the Saints return to the practice field to get ready for Sunday’s regular season finale against Carolina. New Orleans has already locked up the number one seed in the NFC playoffs, and wide receiver Michael Thomas says the younger guys on the team understand the importance of having the number one seed…
cut 14 (12) “….our position”

An LSU Professor says people with ADHD and ADHD like symptoms are more likely to be geared towards entrepreneurship. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

____________________________________________

Harsher penalties for those found guilty of animal cruelty could be coming soon.  Kevin Barnhart has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

_______________________________

The Lafayette Public Library has caught the attention of the ACLU for it’s ban on Drag Queen Story Time events, saying the ban is a First Amendment violation.  Kevin Barnhart has more.

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

___________________________________

Research out of LSU indicates those with ADHD may have highly desirable traits when it comes to starting a business. The article by LSU Assistant Business Professor Reginald Tucker indicates while hyperactivity can be detrimental in many fields, it’s common for entrepreneurs. Tucker says ADHD is often labeled “dysfunctional”, but…

Cut 4 (07) “…ideation″

The research isolated what’s generally considered to be an undesirable trait often found in those with ADHD, impulsivity, and studied how it effects success in business. Tucker says the results indicate those who favor action speed over action accuracy may have an edge in the competitive entrepreneurial world.

Cut 5 (10) “…a company.”

He says business owners looking for new ideas, departments, or services at their company should consider putting those with ADHD, or ADHD like symptoms, on the task.

Tucker says his research indicates that higher education should begin moving away from a stigmatization of the disease, and consider pushing students with ADHD to enter career fields that suit their attributes, because one size does not fit all.

Cut 6 (10) “level.”

The article was published in the Journal of Business Venturing.

__________________________________________________

Louisiana could see harsher penalties for those found guilty of animal cruelty.  The group In Defense of Animals is working with State Senator Neil Riser to put the penalties into law.  Spokesperson for the group, Doll Stanley says the inspiration for the action came from several animal cruelty cases in the state that have resulted in judges handing out lenient sentences, including the killing of a dog posted to SnapChat.

Cut 7 (10) “…it to probation.”

Stanley says the goal is to get acts of aggravated animal cruelty to be considered crimes of violence and…

Cut 8 (10) “…incarceration without probate.″

Stanley says it is important legislation as she says studies indicate there is a connection between people who act violently toward animals and humans.

Cut 9 (06)  “…violent are violent.” 

_______________________

The ACLU of Louisiana has filed a lawsuit challenging the Lafayette Public Library’s ban on Drag Queen Story Time.  As the result of a lawsuit from a group called “Warriors for Christ”, the library now requires anyone who wants to use space at the library to sign a form saying they are not holding a drag queen event at the library.  ACLU legal director Katie Schwartzmann says it’s a violation of constitutional rights.

Cut 10 (08)   “…the first amendment.”

Schwartzmann says the goal is not to force the library to hold a drag queen story time event.

Cut 11 (06) “…the public facility.”

Schwartzmann says the form that makes people agree to not hold drag queen events has got to go.

Cut 12 (08)   “…signing a form.”

_______________________________

With the first seed, and a bye week in hand, history is on the Saints side as home teams have won 64.7 percent of their games in the playoffs since 1990. The last time the Black and Gold had the top seed they beat two hall of fame quarterbacks to seal the NFC. Defensive end Cam Jordan says everyone knows how potent the New Orleans crowd can be.

Cut 13 (06) “…is real”

That playoff run saw the team knock off Kurt Warner’s Cardinals, Brett Favre’s Vikings, and Peyton Manning’s Colts.

There aren’t many players left from that legendary 2009 season, but young guys like wide receiver Mike Thomas say the vets let them know just how important that first seed is.

Cut 14 (12) “…our position.”

This week the Rams and Bears games will determine who gets the 2^nd and 3^rd seeds, with the 4^th seed going to Dallas, the 5^th seed going to Seattle, and the Vikings and Eagles fighting it out for the 6^th and final slot.

Linebacker Demario Thomas says they knew they had a strong team to start the year, and the first seed had been the ultimate goal since the beginning.

Cut 15 (11) “…the NFL”

44 of the last 56 Super Bowl teams had a first round bye.

Several Angola inmates are celebrating the holidays with new Seminary degrees through the Leavell College of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.  The college conferred 64 Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Christian Ministry.  Department of Corrections spokesperson Gary Young says currently twelve other states are modeling the Angola Seminary Program.

Cut 5 (04) “…that we have.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has stocked over 8 million fish into 59 waterbodies around the state this year.  The fish are stocked in an effort to enhance the angling experiences with bigger bass from Florida.  While 7.3 million of the fish were Florida largemouth bass, LDWF inland fisheries operations manager Alex Perret there have been many other varieties introduced into the state’s waters that also make for great fishing experiences.

Cut 8 (11) “…great integrity.”

Senator John Kennedy says he hasn’t picked horse in the 2019 governor’s race yet. That’s after he bowed out of the competition early this month, citing his desire to continue serving his Senate term that runs through 2022. Currently Businessman Eddie Rispone and Congressman Ralph Abraham are the only Republicans in the race.  Kennedy says he hasn’t spoken to Rispone yet, but Abraham gave him a call the night before he announced he was joining the race. Analysts have noted that the state rarely elects governors from the northern parishes, but Kennedy isn’t buying that.

Cut 13 (09) “natural lives.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says his number one legislative priority for 2019 is getting Louisiana teachers a 1,000 dollar pay raise, and school support workers a 500 dollar pay raise. Bayou State educators are paid noticeably less than their southern counterparts, and Edwards says we need to start catching up.

Cut 9 (09) “…below that″

Several Angola inmates are celebrating the holidays with new Seminary degrees through the Leavell College of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.  The college conferred 64 Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Christian Ministry.  Department of Corrections spokesperson Gary Young says the graduates have become very important to the facility in working with fellow inmates.

Cut 3 (07) “…those same capacities.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has stocked over 8 million fish into 59 waterbodies around the state this year.  The fish are stocked in an effort to enhance the angling experiences with bigger bass from Florida.  LDWF inland fisheries operations manager Alex Perret says not all of the waterways prove to be a good fit for the addition of the genetics of some of the fish, so the agency has become selective with distribution.

Cut 7 (05) “…seen the results.”

Senator John Kennedy says he hasn’t picked horse in the 2019 governor’s race yet. That’s after he bowed out of the competition early this month, citing his desire to continue serving his Senate term that runs through 2022. Currently Businessman Eddie Rispone and Congressman Ralph Abraham are the only Republicans in the race, but Kennedy says don’t be shocked if the field gets more crowded.

Cut 12 (11)   “moral good” 

A person of interest is wanted in connection with the Christmas Eve Acadiana Mall shooting night that put one person in the hospital with a non-life-threatening injury. The shooting occurred around 430PM yesterday, striking one victim and shutting down the mall until tomorrow. A picture of that person of interest is now available online and police are asking anyone with information related to the incident to call the Lafayette Crime Stoppers.

Governor John Bel Edwards says his early New Year’s resolution is a teacher pay raise…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  
Two people are dead following a quadruple shooting in St. James Parish.  According to authorities, the incident took place last night in the 21-hundred block of Main Street in Lutcher.  One of the four hit died at the scene, while another died at a hospital.   The two others are in guarded condition.  Crimestoppers is offering a $5000 for information that leads to an arrest.

Several Angola inmates are celebrating the holidays with new Seminary degrees through the Leavell College of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.  The college conferred 64 Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Christian Ministry.  Department of Corrections spokesperson Gary Young says they are seeing a lower recidivism rate among the released inmates who have participated in the program.

Cut 4 (09) “…changed so much.″
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has stocked over 8 million fish into 59 waterbodies around the state this year.  The fish are stocked in an effort to enhancing the angling experiences of those casting a line in Louisiana.  LDWF inland fisheries operations manager Alex Perret says among the fish brought in, over 7.3 million were Florida largemouth bass, in an effort to introduce its genetics into area waters.

Cut 6 (09) “…bit bigger bass.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says his number one legislative priority for 2019 is getting Louisiana teachers a 1,000 dollar pay raise, and school support workers a 500 dollar pay raise. Edwards says he plans to pay for the raise with increased revenue from an improving economy, but those plans have been stalled after House Speaker Taylor Barras blocked a revenue forecast increase. Barras says he supports the raise, and Edwards believes he’s not trying to block the raise, but says paying for the raise without an increase forecast would be difficult.

Cut 11 (12) “…difficult”

61 percent of Louisiana teachers in a recent survey said that would support a strike for better pay.

A person of interest is wanted in connection with the Christmas Eve Acadiana Mall shooting night that put one person in the hospital with a non-life-threatening injury. The shooting occurred around 430PM yesterday, striking one victim and shutting down the mall until tomorrow. A picture of that person of interest is now available online and police are asking anyone with information related to the incident to call the Lafayette Crime Stoppers.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has stocked over 8 million fish into 59 waterbodies around the state this year. LDWF inland fisheries operations manager Alex Perret says there have been many other varieties introduced into the state’s waters that also make for great fishing experiences.

Cut 8 (11) “…great integrity.”

7.3 million of the fish were Florida largemouth bass.

Several Angola inmates are celebrating the holidays with new Seminary degrees through the Leavell College of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Department of Corrections spokesperson Gary Young says currently twelve other states are modeling the Angola Seminary Program.

Cut 5 (04) “…that we have.”

The college conferred 64 Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Christian Ministry.

Several Angola inmates are celebrating the holidays with new Seminary degrees through the Leavell College of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A person of interest is wanted in connection with the Christmas Eve Acadiana Mall shooting night that put one person in the hospital with a non-life-threatening injury. The shooting occurred around 430PM yesterday, striking one victim and shutting down the mall until tomorrow. A picture of that person of interest is now available online and police are asking anyone with information related to the incident to call the Lafayette Crime Stoppers.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has stocked over 8 million fish into 59 waterbodies around the state this year. LDWF inland fisheries operations manager Alex Perret says not all of the waterways prove to be a good fit for the Florida variety of bass, so the agency has become selective with distribution.

Cut 7 (05) “…seen the results.”

over 7.3 million Florida largemouth bass were introduced.

Senator John Kennedy says he hasn’t picked horse in the 2019 governor’s race yet, but Congressman Ralph Abraham gave him a call the night before he announced he was joining the race. Analysts have noted that the state rarely elects governors from the northern parishes, but Kennedy isn’t buying that.

Cut 13 (09) “natural lives.”

Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone is the only other Republican in the race.

An 18-year-old man died over the weekend after a shooting involving two LSU football players in the Scotlandville area of Baton Rouge.  The incident happened just after noon on Saturday as the two players went to meet with 18-year-old Kobe Johnson to sell him an electronic item posted for sale online.  Baton Rouge Police Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says it appears one of the athletes shot Johnson out of self-defense.

Cut 7 (07) “…of their belongings.”

The two student athletes, RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire and LB Jared Small, were detained, but not arrested, and were released upon a deeper investigation of the incident

And the first round of the College Football Playoffs could feature a noticeably weaker Clemson after three of their players, Defensive Tackle Dexter Lawrence, backup lineman Zach Giella, and tight end Braden Galloway failed drug tests ahead of the big first round showdown with Notre Dame. The school is appealing the tests, and plans to submit a second sample that will be tested ahead of the showdown. Clemson are 12 and a half point favorites for the contest.

The road to the Superbowl runs through New Orleans in the NFC, and the last time that happened right years ago, the Black and Gold took home the trophy in a memorable 31-17 upset win over the Peyton Manning’s colts. And if you thought a gauranteed first round bye meant they’ll be benching the starters Sunday against the Panthers, you’d be wrong. The team says they’ll be playing it just like any other game.

In the rest of the NFC, The Rams can lock up the two seed with a win this weekend, which would put the Bears at 3. The Cowboys take home the 4, the Seahawks at 5, and Minnesota at 6.

Louisiana Tech’s Jaylon Ferguson breaks Terrel Sugg’s NCAA sack record in a 31-14 win over Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl. Ferguson, a fifth year senior defensive end ends his year with 17.5 sacks,

Governor John Bel Edwards says his number one legislative priority for 2019 is getting Louisiana teachers a 1,000 dollar pay raise, and school support workers a 500 dollar pay raise. Bayou State educators are paid noticeably less than their southern counterparts, and Edwards says we need to start catching up.

Cut 9 (09) “…below that″

The average pay in 2015-1016 for a teacher in Louisiana was 49,900 dollars. The national average is 58,000.

Senator John Kennedy says he hasn’t picked horse in the 2019 governor’s race yet. That’s after he bowed out of the competition early this month, citing his desire to continue serving his Senate term that runs through 2022. Currently Businessman Eddie Rispone and Congressman Ralph Abraham are the only Republicans in the race, but Kennedy says don’t be shocked if the field gets more crowded.

Cut 12 (11)   “moral good” 

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has stocked over 8 million fish into 59 waterbodies around the state this year.  The fish are stocked in an effort to enhancing the angling experiences of those casting a line in Louisiana.  LDWF inland fisheries operations manager Alex Perret says among the fish brought in, over 7.3 million were Florida largemouth bass, in an effort to introduce its genetics into area waters.

Cut 6 (09) “…bit bigger bass.”

Perret says not all of the waterways prove to be a good fit for the Florida variety of bass, so the agency has become selective with distribution.

Several Angola inmates are celebrating the holidays with new Seminary degrees through the Leavell College of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.  The college conferred 64 Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Christian Ministry.  Department of Corrections spokesperson Gary Young says the graduates have become very important to the facility in working with fellow inmates.

Cut 3 (07) “…those same capacities.”