Shell has announced they will cut an additional 2,800 jobs as crude oil prices hover multi-year lows. The company previously announced a cut of 7,500 jobs. LSU Economist Dr. Loren Scott says, with crude oil prices below $40 a barrel, the entire industry is almost in a panic mode…:
CUT 3 (08) “Gulf of Mexico”
Scott says as long as Saudi Arabia floods the market with crude oil, prices will not improve forcing oil companies to continue to cut back.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says one of their employees who was found dead in her personal vehicle Monday morning is identified as a JPSO sergeant. They say 47-year-old Tracey Marshall was located by first responders in the drivers seat shot multiple times and pronounced dead on the scene. Marshal, who joined the JPSO in 2005, was a sergeant assigned to the courts as a bailiff. The investigation is ongoing.

Long lines are expected at the post office today — the busiest mailing day of the year. USPS spokesman McKinney Boyd says, nationwide, they will process more than 600 million pieces of mail today alone. He says lots of folks went Christmas shopping over the weekend, wrapped up their packages Sunday, and today will drop them off at the post office…:
CUT 6 (06) “loved ones”
For arrival by Christmas, they recommend sending by December 21 for Priority Mail and December 23rd for express shipping.

The Army Corps of Engineers says they are inspecting levees for signs of seepage or failure from Baton Rouge south as the Mississippi River rises above 12 and a quarter feet above sea level in New Orleans. In Baton Rouge the water level was at 31 feet Monday. Restrictions during the high water period include no transportation of heavy loads over the levee and no underground work within 1500 feet of the levee.

McNeese State’s Matt Viator will be the next head football coach at ULM. Viator will be officially introduced at a press conference scheduled for Tuesday morning. Viator has spent his entire coaching career in Louisiana and is very familiar with the state as it relates to recruiting. The voice of the Warhawks, West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman, says the Warhawk Nation is looking forward to seeing if Viator is up to the challenge of turning things around in Monroe…

cut 14 (06) “about that”

Viator takes over for Todd Berry who was fired last month.

In college basketball action Sunday, ULM wrapped up its three game road trip with a 100-58 loss to 14th ranked West Virginia. Senior Jamaal Samuel had a career-high 19 points in a losing effort.

Southeastern is now 2-8 on the season after they lost to Florida State 75-58.

Tonight, Tulane hosts Prairie View A&M, while Nicholls State plays at North Texas.

The Saints snapped a four-game losing streak yesterday as they beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-17. Saints quarterback Drew Brees had two TD throws in the game and moved past Dan Marino into fourth place all-time with 421 career touchdown passes. Brees says its a humbling honor…

cut 18 (20) “part of that”

The 5-8 Saints will host the 4-9 Detroit Lions next Monday night.

The NFL has decided to change the kickoff time for the Saints’ home finale. December 27th’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars will now start 3:05 PM.

The Pelicans’ five-game road trip continues tonight as they visit the Portland Trail Blazers. The Pels have dropped nine straight games in Portland while the Trail Blazers have won six in a row overall against New Orleans.

Today is the busiest mailing day of the year for the United States Postal Service. USPS spokesman McKinney Boyd says, nationwide, they will process more than 600 million pieces of mail today alone. He says package volume is already well above last year’s pace…:
CUT 7 (10) “are increasing”
Boyd says postal workers across the country are already delivering packages seven days a week.

The Baton Rouge Police Department says a Dairy Queen employee is under arrest for allegedly spitting on the hamburger of an officer. They say a Lt. with BRPD ordered his food and noticed a clear substance on top of the bun so he notified the manager who reviewed camera footage of the incident. 21-year-old Elijah Johnson faces many charges including mingling harmful substances and resisting an officer. Cops say Johnson admitted to having several diseases including herpes.

The New Orleans Police Department says the man who was fatally shot by an officer early this morning, fired the first shot. NOPD Chief Michael Harrison says the body camera shows Officer Fredrick Carter returning fire after the suspect shot at the him. He says it’s unclear why the subject fired at the officer as the traffic stop seemed to be routine…
Cut 11 (10) “right now”
Officer Carter, who was not injured, will be reassigned pending the outcome of the investigation.

After spending the last 10 seasons at the helm of the McNeese State football program, Matt Viator has been named head coach at ULM. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman is the voice of the Warhawks. He says are looking looking forward to seeing if Viator is up to the challenge of turning things around at the program…:
cut 14 (06) “about that”
ULM will introduce Viator at a press conference on Tuesday morning.

As crude oil prices continue to fall, Shell has announced they will cut an additional 2,800 jobs. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson on Monday offered to resign as trustee of a disputed family trust fund in Texas only if his estranged heirs don’t take his place. The 88-year-old filed the petition asking an independent trustee succeed him in keeping accounts which hold a bank, real estate and car dealerships in Texas — instead of his daughter Renee Benson.

The Baton Rouge Police Department arrests a Dairy Queen employee they believe spit on a cop’s hamburger. Corporal Don Coppola says the officer noticed a clear substance on top of his bun and alerted a manager to review surveillance footage which showed the suspect handling the bun. 21-year-old Elijah Johnson faces many charges including mingling harmful substances and resisting an officer. Coppola says Johnson confessed to the crime….:
CUT 16 (07) “herpes”
The investigation is ongoing.

Louisiana-based GLO airlines is officially offering flights between New Orleans and Shreveport. The inaugural trip took off this morning at 11:30. The airline is offering one-way $99 fares including tax and fees for all flights through February 1st to promote its launch. Glo CEO Trey Fayard says he hopes Louisiana Tech fans take advantage of of the flight when they travel to the New Orleans Bowl this weekend.

Crude oil prices keep falling and the oil industry continues to suffer. Shell anounced it’s cutting 2,800 jobs in addition to the previously announced 7500. LSU Economist Dr. Loren Scott says one of the few places companies can still make money at these oil prices is the Permian Basin in west Texas. He says many companies are concentrating efforts there and that’s not good for Louisiana…:
CUT 5 (06) “can imagine”
Scott says as long as Saudi Arabia floods the market with crude oil, prices will not improve forcing oil companies to continue to cut back.

A judge today dismissed a lawsuit by the Louisiana Chemical Association arguing the temporary suspension of a 1-cent sales tax exemption on business utilities did not get the required number of votes and is unconstitutional. Lawmakers passed the tax change which would generate $103 million dollars to balance the state’s budget. The judge said the procedure for adoption on the concurrent resolution was in line with the constitution.

Lines are long at the post office today as it’s the busiest mailing day of the year. USPS spokesman McKinney Boyd says over the course of the holiday season, 15.5 billion items of mail will be sent worldwide by USPS. He says they have ramped up staff and are ready to roll…:
CUT 8 (09) “December 25th“
He says delivery volume is already way ahead of where it was this time last year as more people are choosing to shop for gifts online.

ULM says it will officially introduce MNeese State’s Matt Viator as the new coach of the Warhawks at a press conference on Tuesday morning. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman is the voice of the Warhawks. He commends the selection committee for making the hire as quickly as they did…:
cut 13 (07) “Viator”
As coach of the Cowboys, Viator won three conference championships and made four FCS playoff appearances.

Long lines are expected at the post office today — the busiest mailing day of the year. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (27) “I’m Michelle Southern”

During his appearance at the Baton Rouge Press Club this afternoon, Governor Bobby Jindal stated that he will not run for the US Senate next year. The seat is being vacated by Senator David Vitter, who announced that he will not seek re-election in 2016. Jindal is currently on a statewide tour highlighting the accomplishments he’s made during his two terms as Louisiana’s governor.

An officer involved shooting early this morning in New Orleans has left one man dead following a routine traffic stop. NOPD Chief Michael Harrison says body camera shows Officer Fredrick Carter returning fire after the suspect shot at the him. Harrison says the incident unfolded quickly…

cut 10 (08) “very fast”

The suspect, whose identity has not been released, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Baton Rouge Police Department says a Dairy Queen employee is under arrest for allegedly spitting on the food of an officer. Corporal Don Copolla says a Lt. with BRPD ordered a burger and noticed a clear substance on top of the bun so he notified the manager who reviewed footage of the incident…

cut 15 (11) “from the cameras”

21-year-old Elijah Johnson faces multiple charges.

Shell has announced they will cut an additional 2,800 jobs as crude oil prices continue to fall. The company previously announced a cut of 7,500 jobs. LSU Economist Dr. Loren Scott says, as long as Saudi Arabia floods the market with crude oil, prices will not improve forcing oil companies to continue to cut back. He says Shell is not the only company making cuts…
CUT 4 (08) “across the board”
He says crude oil prices have plunged more than 66% since their 2014 peak of $114 a barrel.

The Baton Rouge Police Department says a Dairy Queen employee is under arrest for allegedly spitting on the hamburger of an officer. They say a Lt. with BRPD ordered his food and noticed a clear substance on top of the bun so he notified the manager who reviewed camera footage of the incident. 21-year-old Elijah Johnson faces many charges including mingling harmful substances and resisting an officer.

An officer involved shooting early this morning in New Orleans has left one man dead. NOPD Chief Michael Harrison says the incident began following a simple traffic stop. Harrison says they have viewed the body cam footage from Officer Fredrick Carter…
CUT 9 (07) “returned fire”
He says officer Carter, who was not injured, will be reassigned pending the outcome of the investigation.

Republican US Representative Charles Boustany will announce his US Senate candidacy this afternoon from his home in Lafayette. He joins fellow GOP hopefuls Col Rob Maness and Congressman John Fleming. Treasurer John Kennedy is expected to announce and PSC member Scott Angelle’s name has been mentioned.