2016 was a difficult year for Baton Rouge law enforcement. Emelie Gunn has more on their struggles…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Not much is expected to change in Louisiana’s economy next year. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The baby that was found in a trashcan in New Roads will remain in state care, according to the Department of Children and Family Services. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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It was a trying year for law enforcement in Baton Rouge. East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says 2016 will be a year that he’ll never forget….

cut 4  (10) “the flood”

Gautreaux was sworn into office in 2007 and the worst day of his career came on July 17^th when three law enforcement officers were killed and three more were injured by a gunman who set out to ambush first responders…

Cut 5  (09)  “the last”

Gautreaux says he is proud with the way law enforcement handled the protests after the Alton Sterling shooting and the way the community came together to heal. He says Baton Rouge didn’t see riots, fires or overturned cars after the shooting of Sterling…

Cut 6 (10) “peaceful manner”

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Tiger fans are gearing up for the Citrus Bowl against the Louisville Cardinals. Vice President of Development for the LSU Alumni Association Rhett Butler says they’ll have a contingent of fans arriving in Orlando on Friday and that includes a large group of Tigers fans who live in Florida.  Butler says there are several reasons why there is interest in this game.

CUT 7 (08)  “big draw”

Butler says fans traveling with the Alumni Association will be greeted with a tailgate party on Friday evening. He says the plan is to get everyone to Camping World Stadium in Orlando early in the morning for the 11 AM eastern time kickoff on Saturday

Cut 8 (08) “as well”

Butler expects fans who attend the game to get out and enjoy the festivities in the Orlando area to ring in 2017. He says a win at the Citrus Bowl will put everyone in high spirits for next football season.

Cut 9 (09)  “quarterback”

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Louisiana’s economy isn’t expected to change much in 2017. LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott says some areas will continue to do better than others. Scott says Baton Rouge and Lake Charles have a number of industrial projects that will get underway next year, but oil-dependent areas won’t be so lucky.

Cut 10 (08) “in Houma”

Scott says for the offshore oil industry to pick back up, the price of oil will need to reach at least $60 a barrel and the price of crude is currently trading at $54. But he says companies that produce natural gas are doing well, because it’s cheaper here, than in other parts of the world. He says that’s why areas in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles could see more job growth next year.

cut 11 (09) “existing plants”

One exciting prospect in 2017 for Louisiana is that Exxon Mobil and Saudi Basic Industries Corporation is considering building a petrochemical plant in either Louisiana or Texas. Sites in Ascension and St. James Parish are under consideration. Scott says this would be a huge get for the Bayou State.

cut 12 (08) “high paying job” 2x

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The Department of Children and Family Services says the baby who was discovered in a Walmart trashcan will remain in state care. DCFS Secretary Marketa (Mar-kee-tah) Garner Walters says baby Oliva will be placed in foster care for the time being, while they assess family members who could provide long term care for the child.

Cut 13 (12) “of trauma”

Walters says they are also trying to locate Olivia’s father. The child’s mother, 34-year-old Kyandrea Thomas, is incarcerated on a charge of attempted second degree murder, after she allegedly gave birth in the bathroom of the Walmart in New Roads and left the baby in a trashcan. Walters says in spite of her unconventional birth, baby Olivia is doing fine.

cut 14 (08) “we need”

Walters says Olivia is still recovering in the hospital, and she’ll be placed in foster care once she’s released. She says sometime in the next 45 days or so, they will go to court again to decide on the next step for Olivia.

Cut 15 (07) “for her”

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The Saints will look to finish 2016 on a three-game winning streak as they close out the regular season on Sunday against Atlanta. Quarterback Drew Brees on the state of the team heading into week 17….

Cut 16 (20) “builds confidence”

A victory for New Orleans would mean they would avoid a third straight 7-and-9 season and Brees says finishing .500 is a big deal to this team…

Cut 17 (12)    “want to go”

Brees says even though the team has missed out on the playoffs for a third consecutive year, spirits are high around the team…

Cut 18 (19) “every  team changes”

The Great Flood of 2016 has led more Louisiana residents to purchase flood insurance. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says flood insurance is the best purchase a Louisiana homeowner can make, whether or not you live in a flood zone.

Cut 3 (11) “low risk areas”

The NFIP has paid out more than $2 billion in claims as a result of the August flood.

After days of record breaking heat, a cold snap is on its way to Louisiana. Roger Erickson with the National Weather Service says while a front will bring cooler temperatures tomorrow, it won’t last long.

Cut 11 (08) “our east”

But he says warm weather will return for the weekend.

A Jeanerette man is behind bars in connection with the death of 75-year-old Howard Poche, who went missing on Christmas Day. Cat. Richard Fleming with the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office says 23-year-old Jeffery Marks was taken into custody this morning.

Cut 6 (11) “murder”

Poche’s body was discovered in a trashcan outside of his home.

From unprecedented budget deficits to historic floods, 2016 was a tough year for Louisiana. But even more bizarre was the time Pamela Anderson suggested Louisiana prisoners should become vegetarians. PETA spokesperson Dan Matthews said removing meat from the menu at Angola could save the state a lot of money.

Cut 9 (08) “this proposal”

The Department of Children and Family Services says Baby Oliva, who was found abandoned in a trashcan at the Walmart in New Roads, will remain in state custody for the time being. DCFS officials say Olivia will be placed with a foster family, while they assess family members who could provide long term care for the child.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces more Louisiana residents are purchasing flood insurance after the two devastating floods Louisiana endured this year. Don Molino has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

Winter weather is heading back to the Bayou State, but just for a little while. Roger Erickson with the National Weather Service says this quick cold front will likely help ease the dense fog we’ve been experiencing the last several days.

Cut 13 (04) “drop out”

Erickson says warm weather will return by the weekend, bringing with it the chance for severe weather.

Louisiana saw a lot of strange stories in 2016, but it will be hard to top the time Jackson Representative Kenny Havard proposed an amendment to a sex trafficking bill that suggested strippers must be young and skinny. Even after an uproar from female legislators, Havard refused to admit to making a sexist joke.

Cut 8 (08) “160 pounds”

Havard’s proposal suggested that strippers should be younger than 28 and weigh less than 160 pounds.

The body of a missing 75-year-old Jeanerette man was found today and the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s office also made an arrest in connection with his death. Twenty-three-year-old Jeffery Lee Marks was charged with first degree murder. A motive has not been released by authorities.

2016 was filled with bizarre stories in Louisiana. Halen Doughty has some of the highlights….
voicer 2 (31) “….I’m Halen Doughty”

A cold front will move across the state tonight, bringing us more seasonable temperatures tomorrow. But Roger Erickson with the National Weather Service says warmer weather will return this weekend and there’s also a chance of severe weather….
cut 12 (08) “…as well”
Erickson says the dense fog that’s developed over the last few days will go away for at least a day, because of the cooler air.

It’s end of the year and Metairie tax preparer Gina Rachel says many will give to charities over the next couple of days so they can receive a deduction on their 2016 returns. Rachel says there are some moves you can do after January 1st that can also lessen your tax bill…
cut 15 (09) “…that as well”
And the state will begin accepting tax returns on January 23rd.

Senator-elect John Kennedy isn’t happy that Amazon will begin collecting Louisiana sales taxes. Halen Doughty has more…
Voicer 5 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

After record breaking heat this week, we’ll finally see a cold front. Roger Erickson with the National Weather Service says the front will give us more seasonable temperatures tomorrow. But he says this cool air will not last long.
cut 11 (08) “…our east”

2016 had its share of bizarre stories in Louisiana. Last June, the valedictorian at Amite High School was not able to attend graduation with the rest of his classmates, because he refused to shave his facial hair. Andrew Jones had his own special ceremony and Pastor Roosevelt Wright helped set up the event…
cut 10 (11) “…a baby”
Jones was one of several students that were asked to shave before they could attend the school’s graduation ceremonies.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says there’s been an uptick in the number of flood insurance policies after the state was hit with two historic floods. Donelon says it’s a very wise investment for a property owner…
cut 5 (10) “….building itself”
Donelon says there are 29-thousand more policies now than in July.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces more Louisiana residents are purchasing flood insurance since the two devastating floods Louisiana endured this year. Don Molino has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

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2016 was filled with bizarre stories in Louisiana. Halen Doughty has some of the highlights…

Cut 2 (26) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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More Louisiana residents are buying flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program after two historic floods devastated Louisiana this year. That’s according to Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, who says flood insurance is the best purchase a property owner can make, even if you don’t live in a flood zone.

Cut 3 (11) “low risk area”

The NFIP has issued more than $2 billion in payments as a result of the August flood. Donelon says there were 451-thousand policies in place in July. He says that has grown to 480-thousand policies. He says they saw the biggest spike in areas in south Louisiana that were affected by the August flooding.

cut 4  (10) “East Baton Rouge Parish”

Ascension, Lafayette, and Tangipahoa parishes saw similar hikes in policies. Donelon says even he himself increased his flood coverage after the August flood. He says it’s important to make sure the contents of your home are covered as well, not just the structure.

Cut 5  (10)  “building itself”

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A 23-year-old Jeanerette man has been arrested in connection with the disappearance and death of 75-year-old Howard Poche. The elderly man was reported missing on Christmas day and the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s office says a significant amount of blood was found in his home. Capt. Richard Fleming says Jeffery Marks was taken into custody this morning.

Cut 6 (11)”degree murder”

Marks was booked into the Iberia Parish Jail and no bond has been set. The sheriff’s office says Poche’s body has also been located, but Fleming says they are not providing any other details…

CUT 7 (10)  “the investigation” 

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Louisiana saw it’s share of bizarre stories in 2016. Jackson Representative Kenny Havard proposed an amendment to a sex trafficking bill that suggested strippers must be younger than 28 and weigh less than 160 pounds. Even after an uproar from female legislators calling the joke sexist, Havard refused to apologize for the amendment, saying he never mentioned women.

Cut 8 (08) “160 pounds”

Perhaps even more bizarre was when Pamela Anderson suggested that prisoners at Angola should be fed a vegetarian diet. Spokesperson for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Dan Matthews, said not only is a vegetarian diet healthier for the inmates, it could also save the state money.

Cut 9 (08)  “this proposal”

This year a special graduation ceremony was also held for a high school senior who was not allowed to walk in his school’s ceremony because he refused to shave his facial hair. Co-organizer of the event, Pastor Roosevelt Wright said Andrew Jones was the valedictorian at Amite High School, and it was incomprehensible that he was denied this privilege because of his beard.

Cut 10 (11) “a baby”

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After record breaking heat this week, we’ll finally see a cold front. Roger Erickson with the National Weather Service says the front will give us more seasonable temperatures tomorrow, with temps in the upper 50s to low 60s . But he says this cool air will not last long.

cut 11 (08) “our east”

Erickson says warm weather will return this weekend and there is also a chance of severe weather.

cut 12 (08) “as well”

Erickson says this quick cold front will likely help ease the dense fog we’ve been experiencing the last several days.

Cut 13 (04) “drop out”

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Like many Louisiana residents, U.S. Senator-elect John Kennedy is not happy that Amazon will begin collecting state and local sales taxes from Louisiana customers on January 1. Kennedy says when you start talking about the internet and taxes, you’re taking the first step down a very slippery slope.

Cut 23 (09) sooner or later”

After Louisiana saw two historic floods this year, more people are buying flood insurance. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says there were 451-thousand policies in place in July, and that has grown to 480-thousand. He says they saw the biggest spike in areas that were affected by the August flooding.

Cut 4 (10) “East Baton Rouge Parish”

Ascension, Lafayette, and Tangipahoa parishes saw similar hikes in policies.

A 23-year-old from Jeanerette is behind bars in connection with the disappearance of 75-year-old Howard Poche, who went missing on Christmas day. The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s office says Poche’s body has also been located, but Capt. Richard Fleming says they are not providing any other details.

Cut 7 (10) “the investigation”

Jeffery Marks was booked into the Iberia Parish Jail on a charge of first degree murder.

2016 was full of bizarre stories in Louisiana, like when Pamela Anderson suggested that prisoners at Angola should be fed a vegetarian diet. Spokesperson for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Dan Matthews, said not only is a vegetarian diet healthier for the inmates, it could also save the state money.

Cut 9 (08) “this proposal”

A 23-year-old Jeanerette man has been arrested in connection with the disappearance and death of 75-year-old Howard Poche. The elderly man was reported missing on Christmas day. Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Captain Richard Fleming says Jeffery Marks was taken into custody this morning.
Cut 6 (11)”degree murder”
It’s been reported that Poche’s body was found in a trash can at his home.

Louisiana saw it’s share of bizarre stories in 2016. At the state Capitol, Jackson Representative Kenny Havard proposed an amendment that said strippers must be younger than 28 and weigh less than 160 pounds. Havard never apologized for what some called a bad sexist joke…
cut 8 (08) “…160 pounds”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces more Louisiana residents are purchasing flood insurance since the two devastating floods Louisiana endured this year. Don Molino has more…
voicer 1 (31) “…I’m Don Molino”