LSU announces they plan to have a new tiger before the start of the 2017 football season. Ginger Guttner with the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine says the search is on at resuce facilities for a young male tiger to become Mike VII. But she says Mike will no longer attend football games
Cut 6 (03) “see him.”

And Guttner says in April, Mike’s habitat will undergo renovations, which are expected to be complete by August.

The Louisiana Office of Tourism and the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau are partnering with a Chinese marketing firm to bring in more tourists from China to the Bayou State. Assistant Tourism Secretary Kyle Edmiston says the Chinese love our food, music, and culture. He says there is easy access to Louisiana because of direct flights from China to Houston.
Cut 9 (08) “their trip.”
Are you having trouble keeping up with your New Year’s fitness resolution? Dr. Steven Heymsfield with LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center says high intensity lifestyle treatment can help with weight loss if cutting calories is not working. He also adds medication for obese and overweight individuals can help with weight management.
Cut 13 (09) “time period”

Obesity can lead to an increased risk for diabetes, hypertension, and some cancers.
The Louisiana National Guard’s 773rd Military Police Battalion is in Washington D.C. to assist in security for the 58th Presidential Inauguration tomorrow. More than 170 soldiers with the state’s National Guard will conduct security operations along the parade route, accompanied by Guardsmen from Kansas and South Dakota. This is the first time the 773rd has been a part of a presidential inauguration.

LSU announces a timeline for finding a new live mascot and the plan is to have a new tiger before the start of the football season. Ginger Guttner with the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine says they are searching rescue facilities and sanctuaries for a young, male tiger to become Mike VII….
cut 5 (05) “…in August”
But Guttner says LSU is officially ending the tradition of having Mike attend football games.

The leader of the state House Republican delegation has offered a plan to reduce state spending by 304-million dollars in order to alleviate a midyear shortfall. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris is proposing 147-million dollars in cuts to the health department, also cuts to state prisons, roadwork and K-through-12 education. Harris tells the Associated Press that Republicans are not proposing any cuts to public colleges.

State Police say three people were killed in a head-on crash in Allen Parish in Kinder this morning. Sergeant James Anderson says they are still trying to figure out what happened…
cut 15 (08) “…center line”
A young child in one of the vehicles is also in serious condition.

If you’re having trouble losing weight, behavioral counseling could help. Michelle Southern has more…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A Flash flood watch is in effect for much of southeast Louisiana until this evening. Christopher Bannan with the National Weather Service in Slidell says some areas have already experienced 2-5 inches of rain in a short period of time. He says this strong weather system will continue affect much of the state into the weekend…:
Cut 5 (07) “Sunday morning”

Struggling to be successful with your New Year’s fitness resolution? Dr. Steven Heymsfield with LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Center says if cutting calories is not working for you, undergoing behavioral counseling could help with weight loss…:
cut 11 (11) “treatment”
Heymsfield says many YMCAs offer an affordable high intensity lifestyle treatment, along with commercial companies like Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig.

The Louisiana Office of Tourism and the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau announce a new partnership with East West Marketing Corporation in China to boost tourism. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

State Police say three people are dead and a child is in serious condition following a crash in Allen Parish. Sgt. James Anderson says around 10am Thursday morning, a vehicle traveling west on Hwy 190 in Kinder crossed the center line…:
CUT 14 (11) “other vehicle”
He says a child was seriously injured in the second vehicle.

Southeast Louisiana is getting soaked today and most of the region is under a flash flood watch until this evening. Christopher Bannan with the National Weather Service in Slidell says the big concern with this heavy rainfall is localized street flooding and the Baton Rouge area has already experienced this…:
cut 4 (06) “drain poorly”
He says we’ll get a one day break tomorrow before things get ugly again starting Friday night and into Saturday.

The state budget deficit for the current fiscal year has dropped to $304 million; from $313 million. So what does this mean for Louisiana’s colleges and universities? Higher Ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says if lawmakers decide against tapping into the Rainy Day Fund to help plug the budget hole, it could be detrimental to post-secondary schools..:
cut 25 (10) “$66 million”
But House Republicans call that kicking the can down the road.

The Louisiana Office of Tourism and the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau is teaming up with a marketing firm in China to bring more Chinese tourists to the Bayou State. Assistant Tourism Secretary Kyle Edmiston says the Chinese travel market is the fasted growing inbound market in the US. He says it currently ranks third, but is poised to grow to number one by 2021…:
Cut 8 (11) “6 million”
He says thanks to the partnership with East West Marketing Corporation, Louisiana is in a position to be a top destination for Chinese travelers.

LSU announced today that nose guard Travonte Valentine is no longer a member of the football team. Valentine played in the first five games of last season and recorded 10 tackles, but didn’t play in the final seven.

A Flash flood watch is in effect for much of southeast Louisiana until this evening. Christopher Bannan with the National Weather Service in Slidell says a system stalled over Texas is pushing wet weather towards the Bayou State and the potential impact is two to five inches of rain in a short period of time, with isolated higher amounts…:
Cut 3 (05) “are area”
The Baton Rouge Metro Airport has already received three inches of rain; and Zachary 5 inches. There’s also a slight risk for severe weather in the Houma and New Orleans areas.

Baton Rouge Police are looking for information leading to the arrest of a person who killed a 15-year-old girl driving in her car last night. Sgt. Don Coppola says Au’Miracle McElwee and the passengers in her car were talking to people in the Glen Oaks area when gunfire erupted..:
Cut 6 (06) “unharmed”
Investigators do not know if the teen was the intended target.

Louisiana Republicans are flocking to Washington ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration Friday. Jeff Palermo has the story.:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Louisiana Office of Tourism announce the hiring of China-based East West Marketing Corporation — an effort aimed at bringing more Chinese tourists to Louisiana. It includes more support for public relations, consumer marketing and social media promotions. Ultimately Louisiana wants to take advantage of the Chinese travel market.

State officials say the budget deficit for the current fiscal year is $304 million, which means more cuts are likely coming to higher education. Higher Ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says if lawmakers decide not to use the rainy day fund to close some of the gaps, it could be detrimental to higher education.

Cut 10 (09) “to manage”

Rallo predicts even with the rainy day fund, higher ed would take a $66 million hit.

Governor John Bel Edwards received the blessing of Pope Francis on the state’s plan to combat human trafficking in Louisiana. Edwards met with the Pope while in Rome to learn best practices for ending this modern day slavery. He’s hopeful the new policies implemented in Louisiana will be successful.

Cut 15 “replicated elsewhere”

Edwards says we have to do much better to end sex trafficking in Louisiana.

KALB is reporting that officials believe the three people killed in a fiery Vernon Parish crash were soldiers at Fort Polk. Because of the nature of the crash, DNA analysis will be needed to confirm the victims’ identities. Police say Tuesday morning they responded to a crash on LA 1146, which is considered a dangerous road by some locals. The vehicle reportedly veered off the road and hit several trees, which caused the Chevy Malibu to burst into flames, trapping the occupants inside.

The Festival International de Louisiane has new corporate sponsors, which means the annual music festival in Lafayette will go on as planned. But Executive Director Scott Feehan says their work isn’t over yet. He says now they’ll start collecting donations from individuals and small businesses.

Cut 5 (09) “focus on”

The April festival is free to the public and funded entirely through donations.

Republicans in Louisiana are headed to Washington to watch tomorrow’s inauguration of president-elect Donald Trump. Louisiana Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere says he’s excited about the future because it’s clear a Democratic administration hasn’t proven to be effective…:
Cut 8 (12) “get a job”

The majority of southeast Louisiana is under a flash flood watch until 6pm this evening. The National Weather Service says a line of storms will continue to move across the area that could produce rainfall amounts of 2-5 inches with locally higher amounts possible.

Governor John Bel Edwards met with Pope Francis Wednesday to discuss a project that supports human trafficking victims. Edwards told Vatican Radio that as part of the effort, the plan is to open a shelter in Baton Rouge that can house up to 16 young women…:
CUT 14 (09) “their parents”

Higher Ed Commissioner Joe Rallo is urging lawmakers to tap into the Rainy Day Fund to offset the state’s $304 million budget shortfall. He says if colleges have to cut $66 million dollars it would be a 46% budget decrease with only a few weeks left in the year…:
CUT 11 (08) “than that”
He says the first thing many schools would be forced to cut is instruction.

Festival International de Louisiane has announced new sponsors that will greatly help the 2017 event. Executive Director Scott Feehan says the event is free to the public, so all the funding for the event has to come from donors. He says the founders of the festival wanted everyone to be able to enjoy it…
Cut 6 (09) “sticking to that”
LUS Fiber, Service Chevrolet, and J.D. Bank are among the sponsors for the 2017 event.

Higher Education officials are urging lawmakers to tap into the Rainy Day Fund to offset the state’s $304 million massive budget shortfall. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn into office tomorrow, and Republicans from Louisiana are headed to the inauguration. State GOP Party Chairman Roger Villerie says Democrats should consider giving Mr. Trump a fair chance…:
CUT 9 (11) “scared of that”

The Festival International de Louisiane announces new corporate sponsors to help keep the annual international music festival in Lafayette going. Executive Director Scott Feehan says one third their budget comes from corporate donors, and just over a month ago they didn’t have any sponsors…:
cut 4 (10) “was great”
He says they have to raise over one-million dollars every year to put on the festival.

Former LSU running back Leonard Fournette has landed his first big endorsement deal, so he’s training for the NFL draft in Under Armour gear. He could be a top five pick and Fournette says he’ll go to any team that wants him…:
Cut 17 (12) “will fall”
ESPN reports Fournette’s multi-year deal with Under Armour is “one of the most valuable endorsement contracts ever for an NFL rookie.”