A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agent is now in stable condition after being shot multiple times in Morehouse Parish on Saturday. State Police Col. Mike Edmonson says 25-year-old Tyler Wheeler cannot speak yet and officials are working to determine what happened when Wheeler encountered 31-year-old Amethyst Baird of Monroe on Hwy 165.
Cut (09) “side of the road.”

Baird has been arrested and charged with one count of attempted first degree murder of a police officer and 34-year-old Jeremy Gullette has been charged with accessory after the fact.

A 39-year-old Pierre Part man was arrested after allegedly accidentally texting an Assumption Parish Sheriff’s deputy about a drug deal. Authorities met Dwayne Paul Hebert at a location where Hebert planned to sell crystal meth.Hebert was book on possession if methamphetamine with intent to distribute, resisting an officer along with other charges.

Governor John Bel Edwards plans to return to Washington next month to secure more federal dollars for flood recovery. Edwards says since the historic flooding in August, he visited D.C. five times to advocate for more funds, but the state is still 2 billion dollars short of a full recovery.
Cut 3 (12) “recovery efforts.”

The race for state treasurer is now kicking off, just as we got over a historic election cycle last month. Today, Covington Rep. John Schroder announced he’s running for the potion vacated by John Kennedy, who was elected as a U.S. Senator. Political Analyst Clancy Dubos says the Republican lawmaker is likely the first of many to enter the race.
Cut 6 (11) “fiscal posture.”
The special election will occur in October.

Law enforcement held a press conference this morning to give an update on the weekend shooting of a LDWF Agent Tyler Wheeler. Michelle Southern has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office is investigating its first homicide of 2017. Deputies say two subjects were shot along Highway 190 in Slidell and one of them died at the hospital. Authorities believe the shooting was drug related and more information is expected to be released tomorrow.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office arrests two adults after three juveniles in their care tested postive for narcotics. Captain Tommy Carnline says they are not releasing information on how the narcotics got into the systems of the children….
cut 14 (09) “…day in court”
19-year-old Stephan Deshon Matthews and 22-year-old Kate Meshell Bordelon of Pineville are in jail on a charge of second-degree cruelty to juveniles.

The race to become the state’s next elected State Treasurer is underway as Covington Representative John Schroder becomes the first person to announce he’s a candidate for the job. The election takes place in October. The other big election is the New Orleans mayoral race, so Political analyst Clancy Dubos says Big Easy voters will play a major role in this race…
cut 7 (07) “…term limited”
Dubos anticipates a lot of candidates running for State Treasurer.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agent who was shot multiple times in Morehouse Parish is in stable condition. State Police Col. Mike Edmonson says it’s a miracle that 25-year-old Tyler Wheeler is doing so well, after being shot in the head, neck, and arm early Saturday morning…:
Cut 9 (11) “in control”
31-year-old Amethyst Baird of Monroe is charged with the crime, but Edmonson says there are still a lot of unknowns.

Governor John Bel Edwards announces he plans to go back to Washington in February to secure more federal funds for flood recovery. He says the already approved more than $1.5 billion is great, but does not cover flood victims who had flood insurance…:
CUT 4 (09) “housing recovery alone”
He says Louisiana is still $2 billion short for a full, robust recovery.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says two people are behind bars amid allegations children in their care tested positive for drugs. Captain Tommy Carnline says the complaint originally came in from the Department of Children and Family Services in regards in a November incident..:
CUT 12 (10) “for the parents”
Carnline says 19-year-old Stephan Deshon Matthews and 22-year-old Katie Meshell Bordelon each face 2nd degree cruelty to juveniles.

Did you know that the tradition of filling king cakes with fruits or cream cheese is out of Mississippi?…:
CUT 27 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Law enforcement and other officials from around the state gave an update today on the shooting and injuring of LDWF Senior Agent Tyler Wheeler. The incident happened around 2am on Saturday in Morehouse, and charged with allegedly shooting Wheeler multiple times is 31-year-old Amethyst Baird of Monroe, LA. LDWF Captain Rick Owens says they do not know how Wheeler came in contact with the suspect…:
CUT 26 (09) “any call”
Wheeler is listed in stable condition at University Health in Shreveport.

Today, Covington Representative John Schroder announced his candidacy for state treasurer – the spot now up for grabs as John Kennedy heads to serve as our US Senator. Political Analyst Clancy Dubos says this race is wide open and it’s hard to predict the direction it will take…:
Cut 8 (07) “be a front runner”
The special election to replace Kennedy won’t occur until October.

Governor John Bel Edwards is heading back to Washington next month to seek more federal assistance for Louisiana’s flood recovery. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

AAA says the national average price for gas has increased to the highest level since June, but Louisiana is still listed on the top 10 of cheapest markets in the country this week. The statewide average stands at $2.18, up over 12 cents from the prior month.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s going to go back to Washington in February to continue efforts to get more flood aid to Louisiana for the devastating March and August 2016 events. Edwards says helping homeowners isn’t the only flood recovery need in the state…:
Cut 5 (11) “to Congress”
So far, Congress has allocated $1.6 billion for Louisiana’s flood recovery.

We just got over a historic election cycle, but there is another big race kicking off in Louisiana for state treasurer as John Kennedy exits for US Senate. Today, Covington Representative John Schroder announced his candidacy for the job. Political Analyst Clancy Dubos says the Republican lawmaker is likely the first of many to get into this race:
CUT 6 (11) “fiscal posture”

The Transportation Task Force put together by the governor releases its final report and it calls for $700 million more a year to improve roads and bridges. Don Molino has more…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Don Molino”

Governor Edwards is in Ouachita Parish at this hour taking part in a news conference on the shooting and injuring of LDWF Senior Agent Tyler Wheeler. An arrest has been made in connection with the Saturday Morehouse incident; 31-year-old Amethyst Baird of Monroe is charged with Attempted First Degree Murder. Wheeler is listed in stable condition.

Governor John Bel Edwards has sent a letter to Congress urging national federal lawmakers to keep Medicaid Expansion as they consider health care reform. Edwards says in the last six months, nearly 375-thousand Louisianans have gained health care coverage, because of the expansion of Medicaid. But Republican U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy is concerned about the cost…
Cut 13 (09) “deductible”

Governor Edwards Transportation Task Force recommends the state needs to spend an additional 700-million dollars to significantly improve our roads. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson anticipates there will be a proposal to increase the gasoline tax, plus policy reforms…
cut 11 (11) “…the country”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’ll go back to Washington in February to secure more federal funds for flood recovery. He says since the August flood, he has visited Washington 5 times to advocate for flood recovery dollars, but Louisiana is still $2 billion short from a full, robust recovery.
Cut 3 (12) “recovery efforts”
Edwards is optimistic the Trump administration will support Louisiana’s efforts.

Did you know that the tradition of filling king cakes with fruits or cream cheese started at Paul’s Pastry Shop in Picayune, Mississippi in 1972? Owner Sherri Thigpen says in fact, their idea was not recognized at first as an official “King Cake” by bakery organiziations because of the fillings…
cut 6 (10) “…about everything’

Gov. John Bel Edwards’ task force on transportation releases its final report on how best to overhaul the state’s roads and bridges. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says Louisiana needs to invest $700 million dollars more a year into transportation; and how to make that happen will surely spark lengthy discussions…:
CUT 12 (09) “conditions”
He says recommendations on how to come up with the extra revenue have included a gas tax increase; among other things.

Two Monroe residents are in custody after authorities say one allegedly shot and injured a Wildlife and Fisheries agent, while another assisted. Senior Agent Tyler Wheeler was conducting a vehicle stop in Morehouse Parish, when he was shot several times in the line of duty, allegedly by 31-year-old Amethyst Baird who’s been charged with the crime. Wheeler is in stable condition.

Governor John Bel Edwards sent a letter to Congress urging federal lawmakers not to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Halen Doughty has more:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

King Cake season is in full swing, and a lot of people don’t know that the filled Mardi Gras pastry is actually a Mississippi tradition. It all started with Paul’s Pastry Shop out of Picayune in 1972. Sherri Thigpen is the current owner and says they had some learning to do…:
cut 4 (10) “dough recipe”

The Affordable Care Act debate rages on. US Senator Bill Cassidy has a proposal before Congress that would let states choose whether or not to keep Obamacare…:
cut 14 (10) “other states”
Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Rebekah Gee admits ACA premiums are high, but she is adamant that the Medicaid expansion has been a godsend…:
Cut 15 (08) “gotten care”
Governor John Bel Edwards has sent a letter to Congress urging national leaders not to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

State law enforcement officials are holding a news conference this morning to discuss the shooting and injuring of LDWF Senior Agent Tyler Wheeler; and the collaborate efforts from multiple agencies. Wheeler was shot multiple times allegedly by 31-year-old Amethyst Baird of Monroe who is charged with Attempted First Degree Murder of a Police Officer.

King Cake season is in full swing, and a lot of people don’t know that the filled Mardi Gras pastry is actually a Mississippi tradition. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Northeast Louisiana could have some good economic news on the horizon as Monroe is a top contender for a new Graphic Packaging facility. Senior Manager of Corporate Communications, Sue Appleyard, says She says they’re excited about the possibility of bringing this new state of the art facility to Ouachita Parish…:
Cut 9 (07) “stay there”