As we’ve seen an excess number of wrecks this week, the state Department of Transportation reports there were 2,423 crashes on Interstate 10 between Exit 100 in Lafayette and the Baton Rouge Mississippi River Bridge from January 1st of 2014 to the end of 2016. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson:
Cut 4 (11) “pay attention”
Of those crashes, 19 were fatal and 20 people died.

Today is the Great American Smokeout, the day tobacco users are encouraged to quit smoking, chewing tobacco or using other tobacco related products. Lance Barbour with the American Cancer Society says Louisiana ranks among the highest in the number of smokers and smoking related illness…:
Cut 13 (12) “tobacco use”
Barbour says research shows that those who quit smoking will experience health benefits.

A new crime lab has opened in Shreveport to assist 29 north Louisiana parishes. Kelley Ray tells us about this crime fighting tool…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray”

According to 24/7 Wall Street’s list of America’s 25 Murder Capitals, Louisiana had three cities rank. New Orleans came in at number 4, Shreveport ranked 18 and Baton Rouge came in at number 22 for most murders.

On I-10 between Lafayette and the Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, there were over two-thousand crashes from the January 2014 to the end of 2016. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A new crime lab has opened in Shreveport to assist 29 north Louisiana parishes.  Kelley Ray tells us about this crime fighting tool.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray”

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Today is the Great American Smokeout, the day millions of Americans try to quit the habit of smoking.  Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3  (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

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As we’ve seen an excess number of wrecks this week, the state Department of Transportation reports there were 2,423 crashes on Interstate 10 between Exit 100 in Lafayette and the Baton Rouge Mississippi River Bridge from January 1^st of 2014 to the end of 2016. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson….

Cut 4  (11) “pay attention”

Of those crashes, 19 were fatal and 20 people died. Wilson says the majority of these wrecks are a result of tailgating or distracted driving.

Cut 5  (11)  “their life”

Numbers from DOTD show 55-percent of these accidents happened when a car rear-ended another, 22-percent happened when a car ran off the interstate. Wilson says they have increased the number of rumble strips on the roadway to try alert drivers who may be drifting off the road or into another lane. He says the installment of cable barriers has also helped to stop drivers from running off the road.

Cut 6 (11) “we can”

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There is a new North Louisiana Crime Lab operating in Shreveport, serving 29 north Louisiana parishes. Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator says the state of the art 86-thousand-square foot North Louisiana Forensic Sciences Center should help them solve D-N-A cases much faster.

Cut 7 (08)  “crime fighting.”

The planning started over 12 years ago with construction beginning in 2013 at a cost of 26-million-dollars. Prator says the new lab will also partner with the LSU Medical School in Shreveport.

Cut 8 (10) “Louisiana community.”

Prator says real life crime work takes much longer than what is seen during television shows. He says the ability to conduct DNA tests in the new facility will save time and money in investigations.

Cut 9 (07)  “less expensive.”

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Governor Edwards and Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain continue their listening tour with farmers today with stops in Ferriday and Slaughter. The tour started earlier this week as the two elected officials held meetings in Mooringsport and Bastrop to hear about concerns within the agriculture industry. Edwards says producers are worried that state budget cuts are impacting agriculture research at LSU and Southern.

Cut 10 (05)  “those operations”

Edwards says soybean farmers are also pushing for funding so the Red River can be dredged in northwest Louisiana to help with shipping costs.

Cut 11 (11) “and Bossier”

The tour will end tomorrow with stops in Ville Platte and Arnaudville. Edwards says he’s learning farmers have many challenges that go way beyond whether there’s enough rain to grow their crops.

Cut 12 (11) “as well”

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Today is the Great American Smokeout, the day tobacco users are encouraged to quit smoking, chewing tobacco or using other tobacco related products.  Lance Barbour with the American Cancer Society says Louisiana ranks among the highest in the number of smokers and smoking related illness…

Cut 13 (12) “tobacco use.”

Several local governments in the last couple of years have banned smoking in all public places including bars and casinos.  The latest to do so is East Baton Rouge Parish and Barbour says they will recognize this new ordinance that goes into effect January 1^st with a press conference today…

Cut 14 (12) “their face.”

Barbour says research shows that those who quit smoking will experience health benefits.  He says the American Cancer Society’s has an 800 number and tips on their website on how to drop the habit…

Cut 15 (08) “everyday lives.”

65-year-old Wilbert Jones became a free man today after serving over 45 years in jail in connection with a 1971 rape and kidnapping of a Baton Rouge nurse. State District Judge Richard Anderson threw his conviction out, because he determined the case against Jones was weak and the prosecution withheld evidence. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino…:
Cut 6 (10) “prosecutional misconduct”
The Innocence Project worked for 15 years to free Jones.

The TSA has put in a new policy for those who fly out of Baton Rouge or New Orleans. Effective immediately, any electronic larger than a cellphone must be taken out of a carry-on bag when going through security. TSA Spokesperson Sari Koshetz says if your traveling with an I-Pad or lab top, take it out of the bag and place it into its own bin to help the security checkpoint run efficiently…
Cut 10 (10) “through again”

State officials are gradually introducing 23 juvenile whooping cranes from Wisconsin, Maryland and Canada to the wild in Louisiana as part of the state’s effort to grow the population of the rare, endangered birds. State Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologist Sara Zimorski says 12 of the birds were brought to Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge on the southwest Louisiana coast where three cranes recently hatched…
cut 14 (10) “…the parents”

The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine says Mike Seven, the school’s live mascot that arrived on campus in August, has added 100 pounds of weight during his first three months in Baton Rouge. The 14-month old Tiger now weighs about 270 pounds and the Bengal-Siberian mix is expected to keep growing until he’s about four or five years old.

Sixty-five-year-old Wilbert Jones, who spent almost 46 years in prison was set free today after his conviction for kidnapping and raping a Baton Rouge nurse was recently overturned. A judge said there was evidence withheld by the prosecution that could have exonerated him. The group the Innocence Project worked for 15 years to free Jones. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says prosecutors approach these type of cases without much merit and Jones is fortunate to be released after so long…:
Cut 7 (09) “justice system”

The U.S. House has legislation to overhaul the National Flood Insurance Program, but it does not have the full support of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation. Representative Ralph Abraham from Richland Parish says the measure doesn’t help with rising premiums and he’s concerned…
Cut 4 (08) “to happen”
Abraham hpes the Senate passes a better bill.

The holiday season is approaching and many will take to the skies to visit family. Emelie Gunn has more on new rules from the TSA….
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

According to the Associated Press, Governor John Bel Edwards recent trip to Puerto Rico to discuss ongoing hurricane recovery cost taxpayers 51-hundred dollars. Much of the cost went towards security detail.

The governor attended a ribbon cutting ceremony today for a new emergency room in north Baton Rouge. It cost the state over five-million dollars to build the facility.

A Baton Rouge man who has been behind bars for almost 50 years had his conviction overturned, and is now a free man. Michelle Southern reports…:
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s successfully added an amendment to the Senate’s tax reform legislation that would provide 200-million dollars in tax relief for thousands of Louisiana residents who were impacted by last year’s August flood. The legislation still needs approval from the entire Senate and House.

Members of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation are not happy about a bill the House passed to overhaul the National Flood Insurance Program. Richland Parish Representative Ralph Abraham says the measure would mean higher premiums and doesn’t make strong enough reforms to mitigate flood risk. He hopes the Senate has a better bill…:
Cut 5 (07) “and foremost”
The state has added 23 juvenile whooping cranes to the Louisiana flock as part of an effort to re-grow the population, after the large white birds disappeared from the Bayou state in 1950. Louisiana Department of Wildlife Fisheries Wildlife Biologist Sara Zimorski says these young birds join 49 other cranes. She says they re-introduced whooping cranes to Louisiana to 2011.
Cut 12 (10) “big step”
Zimorski says last year, for the first time, a young pair of birds hatched and raised a chick.

Wilbert Jones walked out of prison today, a free man after spending nearly 46 years behind bars for a conviction that was thrown out by a Baton Rouge judge because the prosecution hid evidence that could have exonerated him. There is a law that allows wrongly convicted individuals to receive compensation, but Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says Jones’ case may not qualify…
cut 8 (12) “….is innocent”

The U-S House has voted to renew the flood insurance program, but Congressman Ralph Abraham voted against it, because it will lead to higher flood insurance premiums for many property owners…
cut 3 (10) “…more than that”
Abraham hopes the U-S Senate will make changes to the legislation, so homeowners are not hit with double digit premium increases.

The busy holiday travel season starts next week and the Transportation Security Administration is asking passengers to make sure they don’t pack guns in their carry-on travel bags. T-S-A spokesperson Sari Koshetz says so far this year, six guns have been confiscated at the Baton Rouge Metro Airport and 52 from Louis Armstrong in New Orleans….
cut 11 (11) “…unloaded”

Twenty-three juvenile whooping cranes have been added to the Louisiana flock as part of the state’s effort to reestablish the population of the large white bird. LDWF Biologist Sara Zimorski says some of the new birds are the result of donations from the Audubon Nature Institute and Chevron…
cut 13 (11) “…few years’

A Baton Rouge man who has been behind bars for almost 50 years had his conviction overturned, and is now a free man. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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It’s the holiday season and many will take to the skies to visit family. Emelie Gunn has more with some new rules from TSA….

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The U.S. House passed a bill to overhaul the National Flood Insurance Program, allowing it to operate another five years and to update flood mapping requirements.  But Representative Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish says he voted against the bill, because he’s concerned about double digit premium increases…

Cut 3 (10) “than that.”

Abraham says the proposal will hurt economic growth in Louisiana, since many residents and business owners alike are in flood prone areas…

Cut 4  (08) “to happen.” 

Congressman Garret Graves called the higher premiums a tax increase and agrees with Abraham.  However Congressman Steve Scalise says the bill has good reforms for taxpayers, giving real certainty to policyholders.  Abraham hopes the U.S. Senate can pass a better bill…

Cut 5  (07)  “and foremost.”

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65-year-old Wilbert Jones is a free man after serving over 45 years in jail for the 1971 rape and kidnapping of a Baton Rouge nurse.  State District Judge Richard Anderson threw his conviction out, because he determined the case against Jones was weak and the prosecution withheld evidence. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino.

Cut 6 (10)  “prosecutional misconduct.”

The group the Innocence Project worked for 15 years to free Jones.  However, Ciolino says prosecutors approach these type of cases without much merit and Jones is fortunate to be released after so long.

Cut 7 (09) “justice system.”

State law does allow for wrongly convicted individuals to receive compensation but Ciolino says this case doesn’t qualify.

Cut 8 (12) “is innocent.”

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Many people will travel to visit with friends and family this holiday season but TSA reminds those flying out of Baton Rouge or New Orleans that any electronic larger than a cellphone must be taken out of a carryon when going through security. TSA Spokesperson Sari Koshetz says this is just another step in stopping terrorists.

Cut 9 (10)  “electronic devices”

Koshetz says these bigger electronics need to be in a bin without anything under or over the item. She says this will create a more efficient screening through security and allow passengers to get on their planes quicker.

Cut 10 (10) “through again”

Liquids and aerosols still can be no bigger than 3 ounces and must fit into a quart sized bag. Koshetz says they have discovered knives inside the handles of brushes and stun guns disguised as cellphones. She says so far this year, TSA has confiscated 6 guns in Baton Rouge and 52 in New Orleans.

Cut 11 (11) “unloaded”

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The state has added 23 juvenile whooping cranes to the Louisiana flock as part of an effort to re-grow the population, after the large white birds disappeared from the Bayou state in 1950. Louisiana Department of Wildlife Fisheries Wildlife Biologist Sara Zimorski says these young birds join 49 other cranes. She says they re-introduced whooping cranes to Louisiana to 2011.

Cut 12 (10) “big step”

LDWF along with Audubon Nature Institute and Chevron have partnered to save the whooping cranes from extinction. Zimorski says these generous donors have allowed them to achieve measurable conservation results and impact the future of the species.

Cut 13 (11)  “few years”

Zimorski says last year, for the first time, a young pair of birds hatched and raised a chick. She says 2017 has also been successful with new baby whooping cranes.

Cut 14 (10)”the parents”

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The U.S. House passed a bill Tuesday to overhaul the National Flood Insurance Program, allowing it to operate another five years and to update flood mapping requirements. Richland Parish Representative Ralph Abraham says the proposal will hurt economic growth in Louisiana, since many residents and business owners alike are in flood prone areas…:
Cut 4 (08) “to happen”

A Baton Rouge man who has been behind bars almost a decade had his conviction overturned, and is now a free man. A judge said there was evidence in the case of 65-year-old Wilbert Jones which could have exonerated him. The group the Innocence Project has worked for 15 years to free Jones. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says prosecutors approach these type of cases without much merit and Jones is fortunate to be released after so long…:
Cut 7 (09) “justice system”

Many people will travel to visit with friends and family this holiday season but TSA reminds those flying out of Baton Rouge or New Orleans that any electronic larger than a cellphone must be taken out of a carry-on when going through security. TSA Spokesperson Sari Koshetz says this will create a more efficient screening through security and allow passengers to get on their planes quicker…
Cut 10 (10) “through again”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser wants people to think of Louisiana as a great golf destination. His office is promoting the 15 courses dubbed the Audubon Golf Trail, and bragging about the mild climate we have here in Sportsman’s Paradise…:
Cut 12 (10) “in Louisiana”
To learn more about The Audubon Golf Trail visit LouisianaTravel.com.

Many people will travel to visit with friends and family this holiday season, and TSA reminds those flying out of Baton Rouge or New Orleans that any electronic larger than a cellphone must be taken out when going through security. TSA Spokesperson Sari Koshetz…:
Cut 9 (10) “electronic devices”
Liquids and aerosols still can be no bigger than 3 ounces and must fit into a quart sized bag.

Members of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation are not happy about a bill the House passed to overhaul the National Flood Insurance Program. Richland Parish Representative Ralph Abraham says the measure would mean higher premiums and doesn’t make strong enough reforms tom mitigate flood risk. He hopes the Senate has a better bill…:
Cut 5 (07) “and foremost”
Currently the NFIP is set to expire on December 8th.

65-year-old Wilbert Jones is walking away as a free man after serving over 45 years in jail in connection with a 1971 rape and kidnapping of a Baton Rouge nurse. State District Judge Richard Anderson threw his conviction out, because he determined the case against Jones was weak and the prosecution withheld evidence. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino…:
Cut 6 (10) “prosecutional misconduct”
The group the Innocence Project has worked for 15 years to free Jones.