Tornado watches are posted throughout Louisiana today as a cold front moves in behind strong storms and high winds. The National Weather Service says up to five inches of rain could fall in some areas and many schools closed early today in anticipation of the severe weather. The Department of Transportation and Development  is urging extreme caution when traveling throughout the state. The rain should leave tomorrow and high temps will drop into the upper 60s, low 70s.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards and his Republican opponent David Vitter are going back and forth over the Syrian refugee situation. Vitter claims Edwards will work for them to come here while Edwards accused Vitter of missing votes on the matter. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says says Vitter is looking for an issue that will sway undecided voters in his favor Saturday…:
cut 14 (09) “something else”

The Mayor of Natchitoches says the Confederate battle flag can not fly during their annual Christmas Parade, and the Sons of Confederate Veterans float has decided not to ride for the first time in over 2 decades. Dakota Scoggins says he’ll be selling t-shirts displaying the Confederate battle flag and he’s not happy about this…:
CUT 8 (09) “hurts us”
But others feel Mayor Lee Posey has made the right decision because the flag has come to represent racism and hatred.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Louisiana ranked number two nationally for worker safety in 2014. The survey showed Louisiana improved to 2 incidents per 100 full time workers. The national average is 3.2. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Curt Eyesink says these results show that workplace safety has become a top priority…:
CUT 5 (08) “that seriously”