Governor John Bel Edwards is in Washington participating in a criminal justice reform event by the Pew Charitable Trusts. His Administration helped pass laws last June allowing for the early release of nearly two-thousand non-violent prisoners. The governor said he is committed to lowering jail population and hopes to see improvement quickly…:
Cut 6 (07) “of progress”
Louisiana US Senator John Kennedy responded to Edwards’ remarks saying the answer to criminal reform isn’t releasing prisoners, but it starts with addressing corruption within the corrections system..:
Cut 8 (08) “and stealing”
Edwards says the cost savings from a lower incarceration rate will allow the state to spend more money on programs to reduce the risk of former prisoners to re-offend.

In August of 2013, a sinkhole in Bayou Corne swallowed swamps and resulted in a mandatory evacuation of 350 residents. Texas Brine drilled through a salt dome which caused the disaster. Now, film producer Victoria Greene released “The Forgotten Bayou”, a documentary on the lives of those impacted, Texas Brine, scientists and government officials…:
Cut 13 (11) “the country”
Greene says “The Forgotten Bayou” aired at the Vermillion Center in Lafayette last night and she has plans to host the film in other areas of the state soon.

State Police is investigating the death of a Slidell man whose vehicle was struck by a boat in St. James Parish on a roadway. Trooper Jesse LaGrange says 20-year-old Jeremiah Allee of St. Amant was driving down LA 18 towing a boat and trailer. He says somehow the trailer detached, crossed the center line and hit 49-year-old David Burvant’s vehicle…:
Cut 10 (11) “later died”
The crash is under investigation that needs more research.

The trick to losing weight may be as close as your spice rack. The University of Michigan has found an essential oil in cinnamon that attacks fat cells. Professor at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center Dr. Steven Heymsfield explains..:
Cut 3 (11) “develop diabetes”
But he says this is a very new finding.

The suspected killer accused in the random shooting deaths of three people has pleaded not guilty to two of the murders which occurred in East Feliciana Parish. 36-year-old Ryan Sharpe entered two pleas there this morning and requested a public defender. Sharpe also allegedly shot and killed a man in East Baton Rouge Parish.

Three out of the four fatal crashes that took place during the Thanksgiving weekend were hit and runs. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

LSU will rename multiple streets on its Baton Rouge campus, including one after a Confederate office. Raphael Semmes Road will change to Veterans Drive. LSU Mass Communications Professor Bob Mann says in reality, Semmes had almost no association with the university.
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The school says the new names are part of a “modernization effort” to add physical addresses to campus buildings.

Beginning this week, nearly 500 Louisiana teachers will begin training to become mentors to future educators. Assistant Superintendent for Talent Hannah Dietsch says mentors will receive professional training on how to train new teachers who will participate in a year long residency program so they are better equipped to handle their own classroom.
Cut 14 (07) “continue teaching”

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, State Police investigated four fatal wrecks. Sgt. Jared Sandifer says out of the four, three of the deadly crashes were hit and runs. He says on Friday night, a pedestrian was hit in St. John the Baptist Parish while walking across US 61 and police are still investigating.
Cut 11 (10) “State Police”

The Louisiana Association of Non Profit Organizations will hold 24 hour campaigns in Baton Rouge and Acadiana encouraging people to donate to their favorite non-profit organization during Giving Tuesday. LANO’s Director of Business Development Emilie McBride says it’s easy for anyone to become involved.
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She says it’s open to any non-profit agency that is in good standing with the Secretary of State’s Office.

LSU has renamed a street on campus from one after a Confederate admiral to one honoring military vets. LSU Mass Communication professor Bob Mann says Raphael Semmes was only on the school’s facility for a few months after the Civil War…:
Cut 5 (08) “in Alabama”
Raphael Semmes Road changed to Veterans Drive. LSU says this was the only Confederate street renamed out of 28 others that changed. The school says the new names are part of a “modernization effort” to add physical addresses to campus buildings.

A 49-year-old Slidell man was killed when his vehicle was struck by a boat that detached from a pickup and trailer in St. James Parish. State Police say 20-year-old Jeremiah Allee of St. Amant was towing a boat while 49-year-old David Burvant was traveling in the opposite direction. As the two vehicles approached, the boat detached, crossed the center line and struck Burvant’s vehicle on the passenger side. Burvant was later pronounced dead.

Nearly 500 Louisiana educators will become the first mentors in a program designed to train new educators. Kelley Ray has more…:
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Today Governor John Bel Edwards announced a series of regional summits on human trafficking. He says these meetings will highlight pertinent information from key stakeholders regarding the existing services, protocols and community response to trafficking victims.

Former LSU coach Les Miles has purchased a home in Baton Rouge for about $1.3 million, according to documents filed with the Clerk of Court.

LSU will rename several streets on campus, including Raphael Semmes Road, which was named after a Confederate officer. Emelie Gunn has more..:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

You may have done a lot of Holiday shopping over the last several days, and today is Giving Tuesday; a day to give back. Emilie McBride with the Louisiana Association of Non Profit Organizations says it’s easy to take part:
CUT 25 (05) “to you”

State Police say four fatal crashes were investigated over the Thanksgiving break, and three were hit and runs. Sgt. Jared Sandifer says sadly this is becoming a growing trend that irresponsible drivers will not get away with…:
Cut 12 (10) “those crashes”
He says they are still looking for two of the drivers involved in the fatal hit and runs in St. John the Baptist and Winn Parishes.

Nearly 500 Louisiana educators will begin training to become mentors to future teachers starting this week. Assistant Superintendent for Talent Hannah Dietsch says they picked participants with a track record of proven success to become a mentor representing 68 school systems statewide..:
Cut 15 (11) “this year”
Training sessions will be held in several locations, including Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lafayette and Shreveport.

Three out of the four fatal crashes that took place during the Thanksgiving weekend were hit and runs. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Today Governor John Bel Edwards is traveling to Washington, D.C. to participate in a criminal justice reform event. He is slated to speak at the Pew Charitable Trusts’ event with Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc to discuss the state’s efforts to lessen Louisiana’s highest-in-the-nation incarceration rate.

We’ve got Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday — but today it’s time to give back, as it’s Giving Tuesday. The Louisiana Association of Non Profit Organizations is holding campaigns all day to urge folks to consider those who are less fortunate…:
Cut 8 (10) “to them”
That’s LANO’s Director of Business Development Emilie McBride.

Starting this week, nearly 500 Louisiana educators will begin training to become mentors to future teachers. Assistant Superintendent for Talent Hannah Dietsch says these veteran teachers were nominated by their local school systems to participate in the mentor training program…:
Cut 13 (09) “the class”
This is the first step in a three-year effort to train at least 25-hundred public school teachers.

The Louisiana Association of Non Profit Organizations will hold 24 hour campaigns in Baton Rouge and Acadiana urging people to give to their favorite non-profit organization during Giving Tuesday. LANO’s Director of Business Development Emilie McBride says their hope is that people open their hearts and donate…:
Cut 7 (07) “their comminity”
Give Baton Rouge raised over 53-thousand-dollars for 96 non-profits in its inaugural year.

LSU will rename multiple streets on campus, including Raphael Semmes Road, which was named after a Confederate officer. LSU Mass Communication professor Bob Mann says his students looked at street names and buildings that should be changed…:
Cut 4 (10) “the name”
Raphael Semmes Road will be changed to Veterans Drive.

During the Thanksgiving weekend, State Police investigated four fatal crashes, the same number as last year. Sgt. Jared Sandifer says typically fatal crashes around this time are a result of drunk driving or not wearing a seat belt but this year it seemed like the common theme was hit and runs…:
Cut 10 (09) “those crashes”

LSU’s Devin White made history Monday as he became the first player to be named SEC Defensive Player of the Week for a fourth time in one season. After recording 13 tackles in the win over Texas A-and-M, White received SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors.