Governor John Bel Edwards announces Maj. Kevin Reeves will act as interim superintendent of Louisiana State Police after Col Mike Edmonson retires tomorrow. Reeves said he would stay on as the permanent guy for the job if the governor asked him too. He says it’s an honor to serve as interim:
CUT 12 (09) “had in me”
Edmonson’s retirement comes amid multiple ongoing investigations into the department’s travel spending after troopers made taxpayer funded side trips on their way to a training conference. Reeves says he looks forward to addressing these issues.

The defense is presenting its case today in the Derrick Stafford trial.
He’s one of the two city marshals charged with the murder of 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis. The prosecution wrapped up Wednesday after a witness told jurors that three of the four bullets in the boy’s body came from Stafford’s issued gun. The fourth bullet could not be identified.

Governor John Bel Edwards and the CEO of Monster Moto, Alex Keechle, on Wednesday toured and saluted the company’s new facility in Ruston where it produces minibikes, go-carts and other vehicles. Keechle says Louisiana Tech engineering seniors are helping them design new testing models. He says the university has been a huge benefit to the company..:
Cut 15 (09) “north Louisiana”

A 10 year old girl in north Louisiana is making big waves on a national level with her Bear Share initiative which donates stuffed animals to law enforcement. The toys are then given to children in traumatic situations where cops respond. Julianna Gouthiere (Go-thee-ay) donated 150 stuffed animals to the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office. Lt. Bill Davis…:
Cut 8 (11) “those children”
To learn more about Julianna’s Bear Share visit her website at GeauxShowLove.org.

The man tapped to take over as head of state police, at least on a temporary basis, says he hopes the travel scandal under Col Mike Edmonson doesn’t cast a shadow over the incredible work troopers’ do everyday..:
Cut 11 (08) “these issues”
That’s Major Kevin Reeves who will serve as interim superintendent of State Police when Edmonson retires tomorrow.

Officers have a certain protocol they have to follow during a traffic stop, and there’s an expectation of motorists behavior as well — so a state lawmaker wants that etiquette to be taught in drivers ed…:
Cut 5 (11) “them respect”
Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti has pre-filed a bill in the upcoming session that would require traffic stop etiquette training for drivers.

The Walker Police officer who placed a noose inside the squad room of the department has resigned. The high-ranking sergeant was slated to face disciplinary action in a meeting on Wednesday, but it was cancelled after he decided to step down. The noose was found last week with a cookie tied to it.

The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office gets a special donation from a little girl with a big heart. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A bill has been filed for the legislative session to require traffic stop etiquette training in driver’s education. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Governor John Bel Edwards’ choice for interim State Police Col, Major Kevin Reeves, says working for LSP has always been his passion:
CUT 10 (10) “to serve in”
Reeves will take over as interim superintendent when Col. Mike Edmonson retires Friday amid controversy.

Monster Motor, the popular manufacturer of mini-bikes and go-karts for kids, has officially dedicated grounds in Ruston where they are relocating its national headquarters. CEO Alex Keechle says when searching for a new facility, they fell in love with north Louisiana…:
CUT 13 (08) “they do it”
The company is currently headquartered in China and sold 20,000 units last year.

A 10-year-old girl has presented 150 brand new stuffed animals to the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office so that deputies can give them to children involved in traumatic situations. Julianna Gouthiere (Go-thee-ay) says she got the idea when her mom told her about an accident she’d been in more than 25 years ago…:
Cut 7 (08) “do that”
Julianna has been collecting stuffed animals for her “Bear Share” the past four years, and she’s donated over 12-thousand in more than 6 states.

Failure is not an option. Those are the words of new LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade. He says he will bring an enthusiastic approach to the job and he will ask his players to get after it every day…:
Cut 17 (15) “to be”
Wade said he’s always felt that LSU was a sleeping giant and he’s ready to get after it hard.

Wade threw out the first pitch last night at Alex Box Stadium before LSU defeated Southeastern 8-2. Freshman third baseman Josh Smith and junior rightfielder Greg Deichmann combined to go 6-for-7 at the plate, accounting for a total of seven RBI for the Tigers. Freshman right-hander Zack Hess tossed 4 innings and allowed only one run on two hits. The Lions’ lone offense came on solo home runs by junior Taylor Schwaner and senior Carson Crites.

More around the diamond Wednesday, Nicholls State blew a six run lead in the ninth against Southern, but ended up barely defeating the Jaguars 10-9 on a walk-off wild pitch. It’s the 4th in a row for the Colonels and second victory on a walk-off wild pitch.

Tulane started strong and ended up defeating No. 15 host UL-Lafayette 6-4. It’s the third win in a row for the Green Wave. The loss marks the first time the Ragin’ Cajuns have fallen in consecutive games this season.

The Saints have announced the signing of linebacker Mati Te’o to a two-year deal. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says if Te’o stays healthy, it’s a good signing for the Black and Gold…:
Cut 19 (18) “time to time”
Te’o starred at Notre Dame and was a runner-up for the 2012 Heisman Trophy.

Maj. Kevin Reeves has been named interim superintendent of Louisiana State Police. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Two people died, a Crowley Police Officer was shot and K-9 cop killed in an officer-involved shooting last night. KATC reports Crowley PD responded to a scene where a man had apparently shot and killed a woman then turned the gun on officers. That’s when the K-9 was killed and human officer injured. More on this as it develops.

A pre-filed bill would require driver’s ed courses to provide training on how a motorist should respond when stopped by a police officer. The measure is by Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti…:
Cut 4 (09) “involved”
He says since people have anxiety when they are pulled over, it’s a good idea to have had training on how you and the officer should behave.

New LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade says failure is not an option as he begins the difficult task of making the Tigers a consistent winner on the hardwood…:
Cut 16 (17) “anything you do”

A bill has been filed for the legislative session to require traffic stop etiquette training in driver’s education. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office gets a special donation from a little girl with a big heart. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Maj. Kevin Reeves has been named interim superintendent of Louisiana State Police. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A measure has been filed for the legislative session that would require driver’s education courses to provide training on how a driver should act when stopped by a police officer. Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti says he was approached by former NFL star Demetric Evans, of Haynesville,  to file the measure after brainstorming the idea to add a driver courtesy component to driver’s education.

Cut 4  (09) “involved”

Gatti says the issue of anxiety when being pulled over is one everyone faces. He says it’s best to know how to properly handle the situation so both the driver and law enforcement officer stay safe.

Cut 5  (11)  “them respect”

Gatti says the etiquette component would add a few hours to the course to demonstrate how both the motorist and officer should act during a traffic stop.

Cut 6 (08) “students”

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A little girl with a big heart is spreading love in Bossier Parish with her Geaux Show Love initiative. Ten-year-old Julianna Gouthiere (Go-thee-ay) donated 150 stuffed animals to the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office so patrol deputies can give them to children coping with traumatic events. She says she got the idea when her mom told her about an accident she’d been in more than 25 years ago.

Cut 7 (08)  “do that”

Julianna has been collecting stuffed animals for her “Bear Share” for the past four years, and she’s donated over 12-thousand in more than 6 states. Lt. Bill Davis with the Sheriff’s Office says she’s donated to organizations like fire stations and hospitals, but in this case she wanted to give to law enforcement.

Cut 8 (11) “those children”

Davis says when you get this kind of community support, it really uplifts your spirit. That’s why Sheriff Julian Whittington offered the Viking Drive Substation as a drop off location for new and slightly used stuffed animals. Davis says Julianna is the epitome of the generosity in the community.

Cut 9 (07)  “pretty awesome”

To learn more about Julianna’s Bear Share visit her website at GeauxShowLove.org.

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Governor John Bel Edwards announces Maj. Kevin Reeves will act as interim superintendent of Louisiana State Police. Reeves says his goal is to earn the trust and confidence of his peers, as well as their public safety partners and the citizens. Reeves has more than 26 years of service at LSP, and he says working for State Police has been his life’s passion.

Cut 10 (10) “to serve in”

Reeves will take over as interim superintendent when Col. Mike Edmonson retires Friday. The retirement comes amid multiple ongoing investigations into the department’s travel spending after troopers made taxpayer funded side trips on their way to a training conference. Reeves hopes this scandal doesn’t cast a shadow on the incredible work troopers do every day.

Cut 11 (08) “these issues”

Reeves says he would stay on as the permanent superintendent if the governor asked him to. He says through his career in law enforcement, this is a place he never thought he’d be. He says he is grateful the governor asked him to act as interim.

Cut 12 (09) “had in me”

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Monster Moto unveils its new facility in Ruston after the company relocated from Dallas, Texas. CEO Alex Keechle says they wanted to move their assembly plant from overseas and house it at their new headquarters in the US. He says during the nationwide search, they saw some good offers in other states, but fell in love with north Louisiana.

Cut 13 (08) “they do it”

Keechle says when they started, they made 200 minibikes in a day in the 100-thousand square foot facility, and now those same men and women can make that many by lunchtime. He says that doesn’t happen without a passionate workforce that cares about getting it done right.

Cut 14 (09) “300 jobs”

Keechle says they are on track to do more than 70-thousand unit sales this year, and they’re planning to release three new vehicles this year. He says Louisiana Tech engineering seniors are helping them design new testing models. He says the university has been a huge benefit to the company.

Cut 15 (09) “north Louisiana”

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New LSU men’s basketball Will Wade says failure is not an option as he begins the difficult task of making the Tigers a consistent winner on the hardwood. Wade says his first priority is to change the culture…

Cut 16 (17) “anything you do”

Wade says he will bring an enthusiastic approach to the job and he will ask his players to get after it every day….

Cut 17 (15)  “to be”

LSU’s leading scorer from a season ago was Antonio Blakeney. The sophomore averaged 17 points a game and he leave college early and enter the NBA draft. Wade says he looks forward to talking with Blakeney about his plans….

Cut 18 (23) “for him”

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The Saints have announced the signing of linebacker Mati Te’o to a two-year deal. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says if Te’o stays healthy, it’s a good signing for the Black and Gold…

Cut 19 (18)   “time to time”

Te’o starred at Notre Dame and was a runner-up for the 2012 Heisman Trophy. He was drafted by the Chargers in the second round and appeared in 38 games in four seasons. Detillier says the Saints new linebackers coach Mike Nolan, was an assistant in San Diego and coached Te’o in 2015….

Cut 20 (16)   “Te’o”

Maj. Kevin Reeves has been named interim superintendent of Louisiana State Police. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The widow of one of the officers killed in the Baton Rouge police ambush has given birth to his son. Dechia Gerald was the wife of BRPD Officer Matthew Gerald, and yesterday afternoon she delivered a healthy 6 pound 8 ounce baby named Falyn Matthew Gerald. He’s already taken on his father’s nickname Buttons, as people are calling Falyn Baby Buttons.

A study by LSU finds Louisiana could face huge economic losses if nothing is done to protect our vanishing coast. But researcher Stephen Barnes says if the state follows through with its coastal restoration masterplan, it will create jobs and boost the economy.

Cut 8 (10) “jobs”

Without that investment, Louisiana stands to lose $8 billion in wages and consumer spending along with the coast.

LSU officially introduces Will Wade as the new men’s head basketball coach. Wade had an overall coaching record of 91-45 and led VCU to the NCAA tournament the last two years. He says he’ll do whatever it takes to make the LSU team the best it can be.

Cut 13 (10) “first class fashion”

A Medicaid program that serves mentally ill children will remain intact after the Senate Health and Welfare Committee rejects a proposal to eliminate it. The administration proposed cutting the program by April 1 to save the state $2.2 million because of cuts made to the Department of Health in the special session. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns is frustrated lawmakers didn’t use more rainy day dollars to avoid this..:
Cut 9 (08) “be here today”

Today, LSU officially introduced its new basketball coach, Will Wade. The 34-year-old got a crowd at the student union fired up when he said he knows LSU can have a successful basketball program…
cut 12 (11) “”…no option to fail”
This will be Wade’s third head coaching stop.

Louisiana could lose 3.6 billion dollars in infrastructure and business if no action is taken to stop shoreline erosion. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The defense will present its case tomorrow in the Derrick Stafford trial. He’s the former Marksville City Marshal who is accused of fatally shooting a six-year-old autistic boy during a chase in 2015. Jurors heard today from a ballistics expert who said three of the four bullets in the boy’s body came from Stafford’s issued gun.

New LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade was introduced to the public today and the 34-year-old says he can make the Tigers a consistent winner. Wade says it will take a complete team effort from the administration to the student body…
cut 14 (12) “…it work”
Wade says you can expect to see an aggressive style of basketball on the floor next season.

The NFL announces plans to reduce down time during football games. Commissioner Roger Goodell says they’ll ask owners to give their approval to an idea that would have centralized video reviews, no more sideline booth for the referee. Goodell says he’s also working with their TV partners to have fewer commerical breaks, but they would last longer. Instead of five breaks per quarter, having only four.

Fourth ranked LSU faces Southeastern Louisiana at Alex Box Stadium tonight. The Tigers have won 21 of the last 22 games between the two schools, but Coach Paul Mainieri says it’s been a compeititive series…
cut 30 (05) “…with em”
The Lions have won 10 of their last 11. First pitch is at 6:30.

There are two other intra-state match-ups tonight. UL-Lafayette hosts Tulane. The Cajuns were shutout by Houston last night, while the Green Wave beat McNeese State. And Southern visits Nicholls. The Colonels are looking for their fourth straight win.

Tonight it’s the World Baseball Classic Championship game as the United States plays Puerto Rick at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Former Parkway and Centenary pitcher Seth Lugo is the starting pitcher for Puerto Rico.

What a game for DeMarcus Cousins last night. Boogie had 41 points and 17 rebounds in a 95-82 win over the Memphis Grizzilies.The Pels are 3.5 games back from the eighth seed.

A senate committee said no to an Edwards administration plan to close a Medicaid program that provides mental health services to over 47-thousand children. The program was on the chopping block as part of the budget cuts approved in last month’s special session. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says there must be other ways to cut spending without eliminating such a vital service…
cut 11 (12) “….to govern”
With the program now restored, L-D-H still has to make 10-million dollars in cuts.

A federal judge has blocked a state law that requires a birth certificate in order to get married in Louisiana. A suit was filed on behalf of a man who didn’t have proof of birth because he was born in an Indonesian camp, but has lived in Louisiana his entire life.

Louisiana could lose 3.6 billion dollars in homes, businesses, and infrastructure over the next 50 years if the state doesn’t follow through with its coastal protection and restoration master plan. That’s according to Researcher Stephen Barnes with the LSU Economics and Policy Research Group…:
Cut 6 (09) “stake here”
The study has determined economic losses between 390-million to 600-million dollars for cities like Lafayette and Baton Rouge if nothing is done.

The widow of one of the officers who was killed last summer in Baton Rouge during an ambush has given birth to their son. Matthew Gerald was one of the officers fatally shot in the attack and his wife, Dechia Gerald, gave birth to Falyn Matthew Gerald. She’s called Baby Buttons, because other officers called Matthew “Buttons.”