Two defense attorneys have told the Associated Press that the fatal shooting of former NFL running back Joe McKnight was in self-defense. Matthew Goetz and Gerard Archer are representing 55-year-old Ronald Gasser of Terrytown. Gasser has been indicted on a charge of second-degree murder. But in an email to the A-P, Gasser’s lawyers say McKnight attempted to enter Gasser’s vehicle and he shot McKnight because he feared for his safety.

There is a shortage of paramedics around the country and that problem persists in Louisiana too. Acadian Ambulance says they could use 30 more paramedics and they are offering a 15-thousand dollar signing bonus for new hires in an effort lure more people to their industry…
cut 13 (12) “…coming up”
Cox says it takes two years to complete rigrourous course work to become a paramedic.

Tomorrow is World Cancer Day and health professionals are urging older adults to make sure they get annually checked for certain cancers. Donna Williams, with LSU Health New Orleans says strides in the medical field have greatly reduced the risk of cervical cancer….
cut 7 (10) “…have plummeted”
Williams says more than half of cancers can be detected early and cured.

A-and-E’s “Live P-D” is coming to St. Tammany Parish. The Friday night television show is like “Cops” but it shows police activity live at departments around the country on a Friday night, unfettered and unfiltered. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson, Captain Daniel Seuzeneau says the show will likely show their deputies catching crooks, but you’ll see plenty of good guys too…
cut 5 (12) “…the parish”

Saturday is World Cancer Day, and people are raising awareness about how to reduce the risk for cancer. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The lawyer for the man indicted on second degree murder charges for allegedly shooting and killing former NFL player Joe McKnight, says his client acted in self defense. The charges against Ronald Gasser were upgraded Thursday, and his attorneys told the AP that their client took action when McKnight was threatening to crawl into the car window.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office will be featured on A&E’s “Live PD” in the coming weeks. Spokesperson Capt. Daniel Seuzeneau says it’s kind of like cops, except live with only minutes long delay. He says the camera crews are professionals, and so are the officers…:
cut 4 (08) “crew there”
Seuzeneau says the first show will air two to three weeks from now.

There’s a shortage of paramedics around the country, and it’s being felt in the Bayou State too. Justin Cox with Acadian Ambulance says they are short 30 paramedics, which puts a serious strain on others. Cox says turnover for paramedics is high, because it’s a demanding job..:
cut 12 (08) “and mentally”
He says they are offering a 15-thousand dollar signing bonus for new hires in an effort to lure people to their industry.

Saturday is World Cancer Day. Director of the Louisiana Cancer and Prevention Programs with LSU Health New Orleans, Donna Williams, says the goal of World Cancer Day is to raise awareness about cancer prevention methods….:
Cut 6 (08) “from cancer”
She says World Cancer Day is a way for people to help speed up progress in the fight against cancer.

NRG Stadium in Houston is hosting its second ever Super Bowl this weekend, so when next will it be New Orleans turn to get the big game? Jay Cicero with the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation says the Super Bowl is already awarded through 2021. He says, if New Orleans is selected to bid to host for an 11th time, they would next be eligible in 2023:
CUT 9 (10) “to New Orleans”
He says they’ll find out if they’ll be invited to big on 2023 in May.

It’s expected Governor Edwards will issue today the call for a budget re-balancing special session to begin on February 13th. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Authorities say three teenagers have been arrested in connection with the burglary of a Louisiana state trooper’s unmarked car. A rifle was stolen from the Louisiana State Police car in Madisonville and authorities suspect the gun was later used in an aggravated burglary.

It’s expected Governor Edwards will issue today the call for a budget re-balancing special session to begin on February 13th. Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com says Republican lawmakers will likely propose large cuts to the state health department after a recent audit found the state agency has mismanaged millions of dollars…:
cut 12 (09) “be accomplished”
The legislature must close a $304 million dollar mid-year gap.

Meanwhile the governor announced Thursday that his chief of staff, Ben Nevers, is retiring after a year with the administration. The 70-year-old former state lawmaker from Bogalusa will be replaced by one-time homeland security secretary, Mark Cooper. Nevers leaves at the end of the month, following the special session.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office will be featured on A&E’s “Live PD” in the coming weeks. Spokesperson Capt. Daniel Seuzeneau says given the tensions rising between law enforcement and the public, they hope this show will give people a better idea of what cops deal with…:
Cut 3 (11) “to embrace it” (2x)
Seuzeneau says “Live PD” is similar to the long-running TV show Cops, except this is live with an 8 minute delay.

A man and a woman have been arrested in St. Charles Parish for possession of drugs after cops say narcotics were found in their second grader’s book sack at school. The home of 25-year-old Christina Cherry and Kevin Richardson was searched and the two were booked on numerous charges. The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office believes the child took the drugs wrapped up in a Kleenex without realizing what was inside when he put it in his school bag.

Today, Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to issue the call for a rebalancing the budget special session that would begin February 13th. Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com says the governor will push the use of 119 million dollars from the Rainy Day Fund to address the $304 million dollar budget gap…:
Cut 10 (10) “and see”
He says other items in the call will allow legislators to make cuts throughout the budget.

Governor Edwards has announced changes within his administration. Longtime legislator and current chief of staff Ben Nevers will retire at the end of the month and Mark Cooper will take his place. Cooper was former Governor Bobby Jindal’s homeland security secretary.

And former U.S. Senator David Vitter has a new job. He’s been hired by Washington D-C lobbying firm Mercury Public affairs.

When watching football on Sunday look for the Louisiana Clydesdales that will be shown for about a second in a Budweiser Super Bowl Commerical. Clay Harper of Pearl River owns those horses and they shot the commercial over a several day period in New Orleans last month…
cut 9 (10) “…kind of thing”
Harper says the clydesdales are shown just before the 40-second mark of the 60-second ad.

According to Value Penguin, the St. Mary Parish town of Patterson is the the safest place to live and work in Louisiana. Associate Editor Andrew Pentis says it’s the second year in a row Patterson has received their top ranking…
cut 6 (09) “…both years”
St. Gabriel and Minden are also ranked in the top five and Pentis says they use FBI crime statistics to come up with their rankings.

A grand jury has indicted the man accused of fatally shooting former-NFL star Joe McKnight on a charge of second-degree murder. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

It’s expected that Governor John Bel Edwards will issue the call for a special session to close a $304 million dollar budget gap today. Jeremy Alford at LaPolitics.com says a big part of it will be about tapping in to the Rainy Day Fund, but also allowing cuts…:
CUT 11 (10) “New Orleans”

It’s reported that LSU will owe about $1 million dollars to the football coaches that were released from the team by Coach Ed Orgeron, one day after signing day. Coach O fired receivers coach/recruiting coordinator Dameyune Craig, and reassigned running backs coach Jabbar Juluke. LSU says it will begin an immediate search for their replacements.

According to Value Penguin’s 2016 Safest Places in Louisiana list, Patterson in St. Mary Parish got the top spot. Associate Editor Andrew Pentis says, to compile the safest city data, they looked at FBI crime reports, and graded cities based on that…:
CUT 5 (11) “property crime can”
Harahan, St. Gabriel, Mandeville, and Minden round out the top 5 on the safest cities list.

Governor John Bel Edwards announced Thursday the retirement of his Chief of Staff, former State Senator Ben Nevers. The governor wishes Nevers a happy, relaxing and well-deserved retirement.

It’s expected Governor Edwards will issue today the call for a budget re-balancing special session to begin on February 13th. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Meanwhile the governor announced Thursday that his chief of staff, Ben Nevers, is retiring after a year with the administration. The 70-year-old former state lawmaker from Bogalusa will be replaced by one-time homeland security secretary, Mark Cooper. Nevers leaves at the end of the month, following the special session.

The man accused of killing former pro football player Joe McKnight in an apparent road rage incident has been indicted on second degree murder charges in Jefferson Parish. 54-year-old Ronald Gasser was originally charged with manslaughter. Legal analyst Tim Meche says once Gasser goes to trial, the verdict will come down to one key point…:
Cut 15 (11) “the victim”
Gasser is being held on $750,000 bond.

Clydesdales from Louisiana will be in a Budweiser commercial during Sunday’s Super Bowl against the Patriots and the Falcons. Clay Harper of Pearl River in St. Tammany Parish owns the horses. He says they filmed the ad several weeks ago in various locations in New Orleans…:
Cut 8 (10) “the commercial”
He says you can spot his Clydesdales before the 40 second mark of the minute long ad.

The man who shot and killed former NFL player Joe McKnight during an apparent road rage incident has been indicted for second-degree murder. 54-year-old Ronald Gasser was originally charged with manslaughter. Legal analyst Tim Meche says this is not good for the defendant…:
cut 14 (08) “a coffin”
Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said the indictment came down after a review of more than 160 interviews and surveillance tape.

It’s expected Governor Edwards will issue today the call for a budget re-balancing special session to begin on February 13th. Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com says Republican lawmakers will likely propose large cuts to the state health department after a recent audit found the state agency has mismanaged millions of dollars…:
cut 12 (09) “be accomplished”
The legislature must close a $304 million dollar mid-year gap.

Louisiana Clydesdales will be in a Budweiser Super Bowl Commercial. Clay Harper of Pearl River owns the soon-to-be-famous horses. He says it all started when he got a call from a producer looking for Clydesdales near New Orleans for a commercial…:
CUT 7 (10) “United States”
Budweiser’s signature Clydesdales cameo will be seen by millions this weekend just before the 40-second mark of the 60-second spot.

Patterson in St. Mary Parish is the safest city in Louisiana, according to Value Penguin’s 2016 Safest Places in Louisiana. Associate Editor Andrew Pentis says rural towns typically rank better than big cities…:
cut 4 (07) “maintaining safety”
Harahan, St. Gabriel, Mandeville, and Minden round out the top 5 on the list.