14:30 Newscast, January 4th, 2016

We’ll be getting some chilly temperatures overnight and frost and light freezes could be part of the system. State Climatologist Barry Keim says areas north of the I-10 corridor can expect a light freeze tomorrow morning, and other areas that remain above freezing will still see below freezing wind chill values. He says this won’t last long…:
CUT (07) “during Christmas”

The Louisiana political world is in shock today at the news that blogger CB Forgotston took his own life Sunday. The capitol watcher reportedly left his wife a note while she was sleeping with instructions about where his body could be found. State Treasurer John Kennedy says this is tragic…:
CUT 3 (11) “a favorite son”
Forgoston earned many enemies by regularly skewering elected officials on his blogsite and on Twitter.

A man who was wanted for murder in Texas was found dead in the Jefferson David Parish Jail, according to the sheriff’s office. They say investigators discovered the body of Richard Craig hanging in his cell over the weekend. Craig was wanted for allegedly shooting someone in Harris County Texas and was scheduled for an extradition hearing today.

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis and Coach Sean Payton are meeting today and are likely discussing Payton’s future with the team. Rumors have been swirling that Payton will want to leave New Orleans for another franchise. NFL analyst Mike Detillier doesn’t think this will be a drawn out process…:
CUT 8 (10) “or another”
He says there will need to be some structural changes to the Saints for Payton to remain as head coach.

Nobody won Saturday night’s PowerBall drawing. The estimated jackpot for Wednesday night’s drawing climbs to $400 million.

 

13:30 Newscast, January 4th, 2016

Temperatures across Louisiana are expected to drop to around freezing overnight resulting in frost and a light freeze. State Climatologist Barry Keim says areas north of the I-10/I-12 corridor will have a light freeze Tuesday morning…:
CUT 9 (09) “pets and plants”
He says a front passing through the state Wednesday night will cause warmer temperatures to settle in, but not as warm as temperatures on Christmas.

Louisiana’s political community is in shock over the apparent suicide of political blogger C.B Forgotston. State Treasurer John Kennedy the 70-year-old capitol watchdog would say what other people were too scared to say. He says Forgotston’s candor, honesty, and goodness will be missed…:
CUT 5 (08) “in Louisiana”
It’s reported that he left his wife a note while she was sleeping indicating where his body could be found.

It’s likely that Coach Sean Payton will be discussing his future with general manager Mickey Loomis during today’s meeting…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

LSU running back Leonard Fournette has been named the state’s top offensive player of the year according to the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. McNeese State’s Wallace Scott was selected as defensive player of the year. And Louisiana Tech quarterback Jeff Driskel earned Newcomer of the Year honors.

 

12:30 Newscast, January 4th, 2016

A staple in Louisiana political blogging has committed suicide. 70-year-old C.B Forgotston will be remembered by many for his outspoken criticism of Louisiana politics in every facet. State Treasurer John Kennedy says Forgotston was determined to uncover the truth about state government because he loved Louisiana…:
CUT 4 (08) “the right course”
Forgotston became a political watchdog after years of working as a state legislative staffer and business lobbyist.

We’ll have a new governor one week from today. Democrat John Bel Edwards’ deputy chief of staff, Julie Baxter Payer, says in these final days of the transition, they’ve been hearing good feedback about the team the governor-elect is building…:
CUT 13 (10) “it’s just different”

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton meets with general manager Mickey Loomis today and one topic of discussion is sure to be the coach’s future with the team. Rumors have been swirling this season that Payton is looking for another opportunity in the NFL. NFL analyst Mike Detillier believes Payton is looking for some assurances from the team for him to stay on board…:
CUT 6 (10) “and beyond”
It’s been reported that Loomis is expected to give Payton permission to talk to other teams.

A $1 million dollar Powerball prize is out there that still hasn’t been claimed. The Louisiana Lottery says the prize was won on August 5th from a ticket that was sold in Montegut and is set to expire February 1st.

 

11:30 Newscast, January 4th, 2016

The political community in Louisiana is in shock over the death of political blogger C.B Forgotston. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

Democrat John Bel Edwards will be sworn in as the state’s next governor in one week. The governor-elect’s deputy chief of staff, Julie Baxter Payer, says the new administration plans to keep an open dialogue with the public when it comes to the harsh realities the state faces with its budget situation…:
cut 14 (08) “for Louisiana”

The Corps of Engineers is scheduled to begin emergency operations on the Mississippi River as historically high water levels are expected to crest later this month at Vicksburg and Natchez. Fifth Louisiana Levee District President Reynold Minsky says relief wells were installed, which should reduce flooding…:
cut 7 (09) “2011”
The Mississippi is expected to rise to 60 feet by January 17th, less than two feet short of the record set in 2011.

Will Sean Payton return to coach the Saints again next season? Following New Orleans’ 20-17 victory over the Falcons Sunday, Payton told reporters he didn’t want to talk about his future…:
CUT 18 (14) “be more clear”
ESPN is reporting they will allow Payton to explore his options, as he is under contract with the Saints next season.3

 

LRN Sportscast 11:40 January 4

The Saints finished the 2015 season with a 20-17 win over Atlanta, improving their record to 7-9 on the year. Coach Sean Payton on the team’s effort in the regular season finale…
cut 17 (12) “…that was important”
What’s important now is whether Payton will return next season. There’s plenty of speculation going around, Payton could coach somewhere else next season. He declined to put those rumors to rest in Sunday’s postgame press conference…
cut (14) “…be more clear”
Payton is expected to meet with General Manager Mickey Loomis today.

Nice win for the LSU men’s basketball team on Saturday as they beat Vanderbilt on the road, but they can’t celebrate too hard as 10th ranked Kentucky will be at the PMAC tomorrow night. The Wildcats are 12-1 on the season and beat Ole Miss by 22 points in their SEC opener. After the game against Kentucky, LSU heads to Florida for a 12:30 Saturday afternoon game against the Gators.

Former LSU receiver Jarvis Landry broke Saints wide out Marques Colston’s record for most catches by a player in his first two seasons in the NFL. Landry has 194 grabs since he was drafted in 2014, while Colston had 168 receptions for the Saints in 2006 and 07.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette has been named the state’s top offensive player of the year according to the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. McNeese State’s Wallace Scott was selected as defensive player of the year. And Louisiana Tech quarterback Jeff Driskel earned Newcomer of the Year honors.

10:30 Newscast, January 4th, 2016

Louisiana’s political community is in shock over the death of outspoken capitol watcher C.B. Forgotston. The 70-year-old political blogger died of an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound Sunday. State Treasurer John Kennedy was says this is a major loss…:
CUT 3 (11) “a favorite son”
Forgotston reportedly left his wife a note while she was sleeping with instructions about where his body could be found.

Arson is reportedly suspected in a deadly Acadia Parish fire. Once firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze at the home near Church Point, a body was discovered near the front door. An autopsy is scheduled to determine the victim’s identity and cause of death. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.

Many are wondering if lawmakers can make up the state’s budget shortfall without raising taxes. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

Many people are kicking off their New Years resolutions today, and experts say it’s easier to make lifestyle changes in slow, small steps. LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Psychologist Dr. Michelle Moore…:
CUT 12 (09) “do that”
She says making a plan and building on it every month will help you reach your goals.

 

09:30 Newscast January 4, 2016

One week from today, Democrat John Bel Edwards will be sworn in as the state’s 56th governor. Incoming Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne has pegged the budget shortfall for this fiscal year at 750-million dollars and one-point-nine billion dollars next fiscal year. The governor-elect’s deputy chief of staff, Julie Baxter Payer, says they seek the public’s help in solving these budget issues…

cut 15 (06) “from everyone”

Payer says they’re hearing good feedback about the team Edwards is building.

The Corps of Engineers is scheduled to begin emergency operations on the Mississippi River as river levels are expected to crest later this month at near record high levels at Vicksburg and Natchez. Fifth Louisiana Levee District President Reynold Minsky says hesco baskets, which are filled with sand that serve as temporary levees, will be used again to protect businesses in downtown Vidalia…

cut 9 (07) “go to today”

He says relief wells were also installed, which should reduce flooding.

Many people set New Year’s resolutions to live a healthier lifestyle in 2016. Emelie Gunn spoke with a doctor who has some tips to keep them….

cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Louisiana’s political community is in shock over the death of political blogger C.B Forgotston. Forgotston became a political watchdog after years of working as a state legislative staffer and business lobbyist. He earned many enemies by regularly skewering elected officials on his blogsite and on Twitter. Forgotston died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 70-years-old.

08:30 Newscast January 4, 2016

We’re a week away from the swearing-in of Democrat John Bel Edwards as the state’s next governor. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Monroe Police have arrested a man following a stabbing Sunday morning. They say 30-year-old Daniel Walters and another man were involved in a physical altercation when the stabbing occurred. Authorities say Walters admitted to fearing for his life when he pulled a pocket knife and stabbed the other man five times in self defense. The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment of his injuries. Walters is charged with attempted second degree murder.

We learned last week that Louisiana is facing a $750 million deficit this fiscal year and another $1.9 billion next fiscal year. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says it seems almost inevitable that the legislature will have to raise some new revenues to tackle the deficit. Erwin says the legislature should take a broad-based approach in finding a permanent solution to the budget problems…

cut 6 (08) “a little bit” 4X

He says lawmakers have a lot of options when it comes to raising revenues, like raising sales, income, gasoline, and “sin” taxes.

As river levels are expected to crest later this month at a historically high level for the winter months at Vicksburg and Natchez, the Corps of Engineers is scheduled to begin emergency operations on the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River reached an all-time high water level in 2011 and Fifth Louisiana Levee District President Reynold Minsky says they learned a lot from that event, which is helping them this time around…

cut 8 (10) “this flood”

07:30 Newscast January 4, 2016

One week from today, Democrat John Bel Edwards will be sworn in as the state’s next governor. Since the election, Edwards has been appointing officials to serve in his administration. The governor-elect’s deputy chief of staff, Julie Baxter Payer, says they’re hearing good feedback about the team Edwards is building…

cut 13 (10) “it’s just different”

She says the new administration plans to keep an open dialogue with the public.

A lot of people are making New Year’s resolutions to live a healthier lifestyle in 2016 but that’s often easier said than done. LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Psychologist Dr. Michelle Moore says your resolutions should be something that carry on throughout all of 2016, not just the start of the year…

cut 10 (09) “manageable”

Moore says many people have good intentions, but often fall off by the end of January.

Many wonder if lawmakers can make up the state’s budget shortfall without raising taxes. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin doesn’t think so, but he says legislators will look at other alternatives first…

cut 4 (11) “things like that”

It was announced last week that Louisiana is facing a $750 million deficit this fiscal year and another $1.9 billion next fiscal year.

The Corps of Engineers is scheduled to begin emergency operations on the Mississippi River as river levels are expected to crest later this month at a historically high level for the winter months at Vicksburg and Natchez. Fifth Louisiana Levee District President Reynold Minsky says relief wells were installed, which should reduce flooding…

cut 7 (09) “2011”

The Mississippi is expected to rise to 60 feet by January 17th, less than two feet short of the record set in 2011.

06:45 Newscast January 4, 2016

In what might have been the final game of the Sean Payton era, the Saints defeated the Falcons 20-17 as Kai Forbath drilled a 30-yard field goal with no time left for the winning points. Payton says it was a gutsy win for his banged-up team…

cut 16 (16) “entire career”

The win gives the Saints a 7-9 record for the 2015 season and they end the year on a two-game winning streak.

LSU announces that Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Aranda will take the reigns of the Tiger defense next season. Aranda replaces Kevin Steele, who left to take the same position at Auburn. Under Aranda, the Badgers led the FBS in scoring defense, allowing less than 14 points per game. In fact, in five major defensive categories the Wisconsin defense ranks in the top seven nationally. In a twist of fate, LSU opens their 2016 football season against Wisconsin.

LSU picked up a couple of big commitments from Drake Davis and Michael Divinity at the Under Armour All-America Game Saturday. Divinity, a four star linebacker from John Ehret, graduated mid year and will be on campus this spring. Davis, who played wide receiver at IMG Academy in Florida, is a Baton Rouge native who also plans to play basketball.

In college basketball this weekend, Ben Simmons scored 36 as LSU won their SEC opener against Vanderbilt 90-82. The Tigers will host the tenth ranked Kentucky Wildcats tomorrow night.

Louisiana Tech crushed Southern Miss 87-57, UL-Lafayette pounded Appalachian State 79-59, Northwestern State fell to Houston Baptist 99-73, Lamar beat Nicholls State 79-67, it was Stephen F. Austin over McNeese 86-57, and UConn defeated Tulane 75-67.