There are mixed feelings about a proposal to build an underground pipeline through the Atchafalaya Basin. Proponents of the Bayou Bridge Pipeline say it would improve safety, as there is a greater chance for a spill when transporting oil on a truck or train. But Director of the environmental group, The Bucket Brigade, Anne Rolfes says these improved safety claims are bogus.

Cut 7 (10) “about accidents”

The pipeline would run across 11 parishes spanning from Calcasieu to St. James Parish.

It’s a warm winter day in the Bayou State, and Robert Ricks with the National Weather Service says unfortunately, these unseasonably warm temperatures often come with fog.

Cut 13 (09) “lot of fog”

Ricks says it should start to cool down later in the week.

A Houston man is facing drug charges after he pulled a gun on a driver on I-10. Chief Deputy Christopher Ivey with the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office says when deputies pulled over 29-year-old Michael Banks, they found marijuana wrapped up like a Christmas present.

Cut 10 (08) “New Orleans”

Ivey says Banks faces charges of aggravated assault with a firearm and possession of marijuana with intent.

A Denham Springs woman is behind bars for allegedly selling fake IDs to illegal immigrants. Denham Springs Police Chief Shannon Womack says they discovered 60 fake driver’s licenses and $30-thousand in cash when they executed a search warrant on 59-year-old Criselda Meraz.

Cut 5 (07) “police department”

Womack says the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are possible.

A proposed pipeline that would go through the Atchafalaya Basin from Calcasieu to St. James Parish is upsetting many environmental groups.: Emelie Gunn has more..:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Sweaters? Or tank tops? If you’re asking yourself that in the closet, Robert Ricks with the National Weather Service says the pattern of hot then cold weather isn’t going away anytime soon…:
CUT 12 (11) “this far south”

A Houston man was arrested in Jefferson Davis Parish after a road rage incident where he pointed a hand gun at another driver. Chief Deputy Christopher Ivey says officers responded to a call reporting the incident and pulled over 29-year-old Michael Banks on I-10. He says Banks admitted to having a gun but denied pointing it anyone…:
Cut 9 (10) “the weapon”
Banks faces multiple charges including, aggravated assault with a firearm and possession with intent.

The working year ends on Friday and some employees are finding themselves with vacation days they didn’t use so they will lose. According to BankRate.com, 52-percent of Americans do not use all of their paid time off. Melissa Elliot is the owner of Express Employment Professionals says this study shows people love what they do…:
CUT 15 (08) “what they want”

Not everyone is happy with the proposal to install an underground pipeline through the Atchafalaya Basin. The Bayou Bridge Pipeline would run across 11 parishes spanning from Calcasieu to St. James Parish. Bucket Brigade environmental group spokeswoman Anne Rolfes says Louisiana needs to stop seeing the oil and gas sectors as the only economic engine, as the renewable energy business is booming…:
Cut 6 (08)”cleaner jobs”
Proponents of the Bayou Bridge Pipeline say it would improve safety, as there is a greater chance for a spill when transporting oil on a truck or train.

2016 will be remembered for two significant flood events, one in north Louisiana and the other in south Louisiana, which killed 13 people in August. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the state experienced an unprecedented rain event. He says the largest rainfall total was in Livingston parish…:
cut 11 (09) “in Louisiana”

The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence receives a grant to help victims of domestic violence in Acadiana and central Louisiana. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Officials in Denham Springs say they’ve arrested a woman accused of making fake drivers licenses she sells to illegal immigrants. They say the investigation began when authorities discovered one of the phony cards from an illegal immigrant during a traffic stop. The trail eventually led to 59-year-old Creselda Meraz who is charged with forgery.

Weather events in Louisiana caused a lot of destruction in 2016. Jeff Palermo looks back…:
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Cops in Denham Springs arrest a woman for allegedly selling fake drivers licenses to illegal immigrants. Police Chief Shannon Womack says an investigation led them to the business of 59-year-old Criselda Meraz.:
cut 4 (04) “driver’s licenses”
Womack says they also discovered material and equipment to make more fake IDs. Meraz’ charges include forgery.

A study from Bankrate-dot-com finds 52-percent of Americans do not plan on using all of their vacation days this year. Melissa Elliot is the owner of Express Employment Professionals and she says it’s not easy for some people to get away…:
Cut 13 (08) “what they do”
The report also notes that most of the workers who are not taking all of their vacation days, will have five days or more unused.

Many victims of abuse suffer financially because their abusers cripple the money situation so that victims can’t be independent. That’s according to The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence who says they’ve just received a grant for Financial Empowerment Programs in Acadiana and Central Louisiana…:
Cut 9 (07) “statewide”
That’s Coalition Interim Executive Director Mariah Wineski who says the money will fund financial education, credit repair, and matched savings programs for domestic violence victims.

A Denham Springs woman has been arrested for allegedly selling fake driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. Denham Springs Police Chief Shannon Womack says the investigation began after an illegal alien was pulled over in a traffic stop on December 20th.
Cut 3 (10) “got it from”

Womack says 59-year-old Criselda Meraz faces multiple charges including forgery after detectives executed a search warrant on River Road Notary Tax Title and found over 60 fake IDs.

The working year ends on Friday and some employees are finding themselves with vacation days they didn’t use so they will lose. According to BankRate.com, 52-percent of Americans do not use all of their paid time off. Melissa Elliot is the owner of Express Employment Professionals says this study shows people love what they do…:
CUT 15 (08) “what they want”

East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark is warning the public again that more designer drugs are on the streets with a high potential of overdose. Clark says one of the substances known as “pinky” is around 7 and a half times more potent than morphine and is linked to many fatalities across the country.
Cut 6 (07) “very rapidly”

The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence has received a grant from the Allstate Foundation to develop a Financial Empowerment Program in Acadiana and Central Louisiana. Coalition Interim Executive Director Mariah Wineski says Louisiana received $50-thousand of the $1.2 million grant.
Cut 8 (11) “of Louisiana”

Wineski says the money will fund financial education, credit repair, and matched savings programs for domestic violence victims.

2016 is one for the books when it comes to historic flooding and rain events. State Climatologist Barry Keim says in March, 15 to 25 inches of rain fell in about 6 days in north Louisiana, and in August, Livingston Parish saw 31.39 inches in 48 hours – – an event that flooded nearly 150,000 homes. But he says then it just stopped raining…:
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Keim says there was also a massive tornado outbreak as 13 twisters hit the state on February 23rd.

The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence has received a grant to set up Financial Empowerment Programs in Acadiana and Central Louisiana. Coalition Interim Executive Director Mariah Wineski says money abuse occurs in 99-percent of domestic violence cases…:
CUT 7 (10) “abuser”

Officials are once again warning the public about more designer drugs that are making the rounds with a high potential of overdose. Don Molino reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

Officials in Denham Springs say they’ve arrested a woman accused of making fake drivers licenses she sells to illegal immigrants. They say the investigation began when authorities discovered one of the phony cards from an illegal immigrant during a traffic stop. The trail eventually led to 59-year-old Creselda Meraz who cops say had about 60 fake driver’s licenses, at a business and equipment to make more. She is charged with forgery.

2016 will be remembered for two significant flood events, one in north Louisiana and the other in south Louisiana, which killed 13 people in August. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the north Louisiana flood event that took place between March 7th and 12th after 15 to 25 inches of rain fell…:
Cut 10 (09) “four days”
He says in August, Louisiana set an all-time record for its two-day rainfall total with 31.39 inches in Livingston Parish.

A study by BankRate.com finds 52 percent of Americans won’t use all of their vacation days before the end of the year. But Melissa Elliot owns an employment services firm in Baton Rouge and Covington says there is a reason why bosses give vacation days and they want you to use them..:
cut 14 (10) “with here”
She says this study shows that many people love what they do

The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence receives a grant to help victims of domestic violence in Acadiana and central Louisiana become financially stable. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Officials in Lake Arthur are investigating a Christmas Day shooting in which it’s believed a man killed his cousin over a dispute about family property. They say 40-year-old Ray Brister shot 31-year-old Shaft Francis in the chest and the victim died on the scene. Family members report the fight over two vacant lots in New Orleans had been escalating for weeks leading up to the shooting.

Weather events in Louisiana caused a lot of destruction in 2016. Jeff Palermo looks back…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The woman who was killed by a train in the Sabine Parish town of Zwolle has been identified as 57-year-old Kimberly Stonedale of New Orleans. Officials say they obtained surveillance video from the train which showed Stonedale walking towards it with her hands up holding a beer can. Toxicology reports are pending.

The working year ends on Friday and some employees are finding themselves with vacation days they didn’t use so they will lose. According to BankRate.com, 52-percent of Americans do not use all of their paid time off. Melissa Elliot is the owner of Express Employment Professionals says this study shows people love what they do…:
CUT 15 (08) “what they want”
She also says sometimes it’s just hard to get away.

There are more designer drugs making the rounds online that have the potential to be deadly. East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark says this time it’s Synthetic opiod and the chemists that create the substance have no regard for public safety…:
CUT 5 (08) “these drugs”
Clark says these drugs are not new, but they are deadly chemical compounds of other drugs designed to exploit temporary loopholes in current laws.