With a new year, a handful of laws go into effect. Jeff Palermo has more…

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Residents and visitors to the Big Easy will have to pay more to park on some busy New Orleans streets in the new year. In some high traffic areas, including the French Quarter and Central Business District, parking meter rates will double from $1.50 an hour to $3 an hour. In other areas of the city, the rate will increase to $2 an hour. Enforcement hours will also be extended an hour to 7PM. The changes take effect January 11.

2015 saw US oil prices plummet, so what could we expect in 2016? David Dismukes, executive director at LSU’s Center for Energy Studies, says the motoring public is enjoying the low gas prices, but companies in the oil industry have been forced to layoff thousands of workers. Dismukes says we might not see as many job losses in 2016…

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Dismukes says there needs to be an increase in demand for oil for prices to go back up, but he doesn’t see that happening anytime soon.

Tomorrow night’s estimated Powerball jackpot rises to an amazing $334 million with a cash value of $205 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin reminds players that it only takes one ticket to win, so play responsibly. Chopin also says you shouldn’t be too quick toss your ticket if you don’t hit the jackpot…

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The deadline to purchase tickets for the next drawing is Saturday at 9PM.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange, a barrel of oil is going for just 37-dollars, so what could we expect in the new year? Some are concerned that oil prices could approach 20-dollars in 2016, but David Dismukes, executive director at LSU’s Center for Energy Studies, says if it does reach that level, it won’t last long…

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The motoring public enjoys the low oil prices, because it’s led to the lowest gas prices in nearly seven years.

The jackpot for Saturday night’s PowerBall drawing has climbed to $334 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says when jackpots rise, more and more people play Powerball…

cut 4 (09) “play responsibly”

Saturday’s jackpot has a cash value of $205 million.

The Smoking Cessation Trust is offering tips to help Louisiana smokers kick the habit in 2016. Spokesperson Jim Pittman says feel free to contact the Smoking Cessation Trust to get more information and to see if you qualify for free treatment…

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Resident who began smoking before September 1, 1988 are eligible for free programs and services, including cessation medication, nicotine replacement therapy, and counseling.

High river levels on the Mississippi River has the US Army Corps of Engineers preparing to possibly open the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish next weekend. Corps spokesperson Ricky Boyett says if they open the Bonnet Carre, it takes the pressure off Louisiana’s levee system and allows water to flow out of harm’s way…

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Boyett says they are closely monitoring crest projections.

Will 2016 result in a rise in oil prices? Don Molino spoke with an analyst…

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State Police say a two vehicle crash in Rapides Parish has claimed the life of a young woman. They say 21-year-old Kristi Mayfield of Lecompte was traveling down a roadway when she collided with the rear of a tractor trailer. Mayfield was transported to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. The driver of the 18-wheeler, 58-year-old Travis Highbaugh, was uninjured. The investigation is ongoing.

The US Army Corps of Engineers is preparing to possibly open the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish next weekend because of high river levels on the Mississippi River. Corps spokesperson Ricky Boyett says when the spillway is opened, it helps to prevent a rising Mississippi River from spilling over its banks, causing damage to homes and businesses…

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Mississippi River flooding in the Midwest is resulting in numerous homes and businesses taking flood waters.

Louisiana residents looking to quit smoking in 2016 can get help from the Smoking Cessation Trust. Spokesperson Jim Pittman says to plan for challenges when you’re trying to quit because you’re going to have cravings…

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Pittman advises smokers to chat with their doctor about nicotine replacement therapy or a prescription medication to stop. Free programs and services are available for residents who began smoking before September 1, 1988.

US oil prices fell 30-percent in 2015, so what could we expect in 2016? David Dismukes is the executive director at LSU’s Center for Energy Studies and he says there needs to be an increase in demand for oil for prices to go back up, but he doesn’t see that happening anytime soon…

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On the New York Mercantile Exchange, a barrel of oil is going for 37-dollars, a far cry from 2014 when oil was trading for 100-dollars a barrel.

Because of high river levels on the Mississippi River, the US Army Corps of Engineers is preparing to possibly open the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish next weekend. Corps spokesperson Ricky Boyett says they are closely monitoring crest projections…

cut 12 (09) “we’ll move forward”

2011 was the last time the flood control structure was opened.

Saturday’s estimated Powerball jackpot climbs to an amazing $334 million with a cash value of $205 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says it’s been a while since we’ve seen a Powerball jackpot at this level…

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She says this jackpot has been growing since November 4th.

The Smoking Cessation Trust is offering tips to Louisiana smokers to help them quit in 2016. Spokesperson Jim Pittman says any resident that started smoking before September 1, 1988 is eligible for free programs and services, including cessation medication, nicotine replacement therapy, and counseling. He says there are also several other recommendations for those who want to quit…

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We say goodbye to 2015 tonight. One of the biggest stories in the state this year was the mass shooting at a Lafayette movie theater that killed three, including the gunman, and injured nine others. Here’s one man who survived the attack…
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At the state capitol, the budget was the big story. On two occasions, students from public colleges protested on the steps of the capitol over proposed cuts in state funding to higher education…
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Public colleges were able to avoid cuts in state funding.

Hoverboards will not be allowed on the LSU campus or in campus-run housing when the new year begins. The university has told students that the self-balancing scooters are a potential fire hazard when they are being charged.

State Police reminds everyone ringing in the New Year with alcohol, not to drink and drive. Sgt. Nick Manale says to make sure you have a plan in place to get home safely before you start drinking, because once alcohol enters the body, your judgement becomes impaired…
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Manale says State Police will be out in full force tonight.

Officials in northwest Louisiana are not expecting a repeat of the widespread flooding that took place in June when the Red River crested well above flood stage. It’s above flood stage again and it’s projected to crest at 31.5 feet in the Shreveport area on Saturday. Robert Jump, with the Caddo office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says they don’t expect any water in homes or businesses…
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2015 comes to a close tonight. Don Molino looks back at an eventful year in Louisiana…
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With a new year, a handful of laws go into effect. One new measure creates stricter marriage license requirements in order to prevent illegal immigrants from getting married in Louisiana. There’s also new legislation designed to prevent fraud with the state’s film tax credit program. Both laws were approved by lawmakers earlier this year.

It’s New Year’s Eve and State Police urges motorists not to drink and drive. Sgt. Nick Manale says they will have additional troopers on the highways to get drunk drivers off the road. He says if you suspect an impaired driver, notify L-S-P…
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Manale says, if you’re going to drink, make sure you have a plan in place to get home safely.

One of the most popular gifts this holiday season is the hoverboard. But it’s also sending people to the hospital. Dr. Russell Russo, a New Orleans Orthopedic Surgeon, says he’s seen a spike in hoverboard injuries in the past few weeks…
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Russo feels the problem with hoverboards is that people jump on them and assume they’re just going to learn to ride with no issues.