Governor Bobby Jindal says he opposes the President’s plan to “normalize” relations with Communist Cuba, but Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says resumed trade would benefit Louisiana. He says other non-democratic countries enjoy normal trade relations with the US…:
CUT 7 (08) “is time”
Prior to 1961 Cuba was the Port of New Orleans’ largest trade partner.

US Senator David Vitter has a double digit lead over other 2015 Governor candidates in Louisiana according to a Southern Media and Opinion Research survey. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says the same poll also found 40% of respondents don’t approve of Vitter’s performance:
CUT 10 (08) “a runoff”
Southern Media and Opinion Research surveyed 600 likely voters and 36-percent support Vitter.

Louisiana State Police is offering a $2500 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for allegedly running over and killing a pedestrian in St. Rose on Thanksgiving morning. Spokeswoman Melissa Matey says the crash took place on La 626 in St. Charles Parish…:
CUT 12 (10) “surveillance”
The suspect vehicle is believed to be a dark colored truck or SUV. Matey says if you know anything about this crash, please contact authorities.

Gas prices dropped another two cents last night. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.32 almost 13 cents lower than this time last week.

Now that the United States and Cuba have announced plans to renew diplomatic relations and resume trade, what does that mean for Louisiana? Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says resumed trade would be a big benefit for the state, especially the Port of New Orleans…:
CUT 6 (06) “Port of New Orleans”
Strain says Cuba needs what Louisiana can provide, especially rice and poultry.

A new poll on the 2015 governor’s race shows republican senator David Vitter with a solid lead over three other opponents. Southern Media and Opinion Research pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Vitter benefits from high name recognition and because he’s a vocal critic against President Barack Obama…:
CUT 9 (10) “Senator David Vitter”
Democratic state representative John Bel Edwards finished second in the race horse poll, receiving 26-percent, followed by republican Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne at 19-percent.

With the full blown crawfish season just around the corner, you may be able to add the mudbugs to your Christmas feast this year. Louisiana Crawfish Farmers Association President David Savoy says sacks are starting to show up in stores, but it’s too early to predict how plentiful the season will be…:
CUT 3 (10) “were young”
Savoy says if Santa does plan to deliver crawfish this season, he can expect them to be pricey.

Christmas is one week from today and many people would call the next 7 days the most stressful of the year. LSU AgCenter Life specialist Diane Sasser says it’s a good idea to get plenty of rest and if you’re too tired — slow down. She says it’s important to keep smiling and stay positive because getting too easily irritated is unproductive…:
cut 13 (09) “what this is about”

A public demonstration will be held this evening in Opelousas to protest recent grand jury decisions where charges were not pressed in officer involved deaths. It’s being organized by newly-elected alderman Tyrone Glover who says local law enforcement agencies are all participating…

cut 7 (13) “we are concerned”

The rally will begin at 5pm in the Opelousas Courthouse Square.

A former Homer Police officer faces federal charges for depriving three people of their civil rights by attacking them and lying to the FBI. US Attorney Stephanie Finley says 64-year-old Willie Fred Knowles of Homer is accused of violating one person’s civil rights by attacking the victim in October of 2012. They say Knowles lied to the FBI about that incident. On two other occasions, Knowles allegedly deployed his TASER on two victims without justification. Knowles faces 10 years in prison for each civil rights count and five years for lying to a federal agency.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office says a 22-year-veteran of the department who was arrested on a domestic abuse charge has been fired. When officers responded to a call over the weekend, they found 44-year-old Keith Andrus of Sulphur and his wife, who had blood on her face and scratches on her body, standing in a driveway. The woman indicated to the officers that she received the injuries from Andrus. Andrus is charged with domestic abuse battery. He was relieved of his duties Wednesday.

Christmas is one week from today and many people would call the next 7 days the most stressful of the year. Michelle Southern talks with an LSU AgCenter Life specialist…:

cut 3 (30) “reporting”

A public demonstration is being held this evening in downtown Opelousas to protest grand jury decisions in Missouri and New York where charges were not pressed in officer involved deaths. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (30) “reporting”

An East Baton Rouge Parish grand jury has charged former “Sons of Guns” star Will Hayden with raping two preteen girls. One incident happened more than twenty years ago while the other one was more recent. Hayden was indicted on two counts of aggravated rape. In November, a Livingston Parish grand jury also indicted Hayden on one count of aggravated rape of the same girl he’s accused of molesting most recently in Baton Rouge.

Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany plans to meet with Veterans Affairs officials today over their plan to delay the completion of two new VA clinics in Lafayette and Lake Charles. He says this mistreatment of veterans has gone on long enough…

cut 6 (10) “sounds like it”

Boustany says he’s determined to get answers because our veterans deserve to be treated a whole lot better than this.

The super low gas prices you’re seeing are apparently sparking a rise in vehicle sales. Bob Isreal, Executive Director of the Automobile Dealers Association, says people are feeling more confident with their money because of the lower price at the pump…

cut 10 (14) “three months”

Isreal says economists are predicting oil prices will stay low for the next 12-18 months which will be great for the car business.

Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany plans to meet with Veterans Affairs officials today over their decision to push back the completion date of two new VA clinics in Lafayette and Lake Charles. Scott Carwile reports…

cut 1 (30) “reporting”

Bond has been set at more than $51 million for a Denham Springs man charged with over 500 counts of possession of child pornography. The Louisiana Attorney General’s office says 42-year-old Brian Schaller is also facing 40 counts of distributing pornography involving juveniles and several drug charges. Schaller is being held at the Livingston Parish Detention Center.

A public demonstration will be held this evening in the Opelousas Courthouse Square to protest grand jury decisions in Missouri and New York where charges were not pressed in officer involved deaths. It’s being organized by newly-elected alderman Tyrone Glover who says this rally will be a peaceful one, not negative…

cut 9 (10) “suffer for the bad”

Glover says he’s good friends with Sheriff Bobby Guidroz and they both agree law enforcement responded the wrong way in the Eric Garner case and in the Ferguson case of Michael Brown.

We’re a week away from Christmas and many people call this the most stressful week of the year. LSU AgCenter Life specialist Diane Sasser says it’s a good idea to get plenty of rest and if you’re too tired — slow down. She also says it’s always good to stay on budget and keep a list of everything if at all possible…

cut 15 (09) “stick to it”

Sasser says if you’re lonely or missing a loved one, attending a community holiday event may brighten your spirits.

Veterans Affairs officials plans to push back the completion date of two new VA clinics in Lafayette and Lake Charles has Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany wanting answers. Boustany says he learned of the delays second-hand. He says the VA is sending mixed signals to veterans and he intends to get to the bottom of this…

cut 5 (07) “they’re doing”

It’s reported that VA officials made the announcement of the delay at a town hall meeting in Lake Charles.

A public demonstration is being held this evening in downtown Opelousas to protest recent grand jury decisions where charges were not pressed in officer involved deaths. It’s being organized by newly-elected alderman Tyrone Glover who says today’s rally will not be a march but a dialogue among all participants to make sure everyone is on the same page…

cut 8 (12) “to make peace”

The rally will begin at 5pm in the Opelousas Courthouse Square.

Low gas prices are making car salesmen happy this Holiday season as vehicle sales rise. Bob Isreal, Executive Director of the Automobile Dealers Association, says economists are predicting oil prices will stay low for the next 12-18 months which will be great for the car business…

cut 12 (08) “new vehicles”

He says auto sales have been rising for the last three months.

Christmas is 7 days away and many people would call the next week the most stressful of the year. LSU AgCenter Life specialist Diane Sasser says trying to achieve the “perfect” Holiday can cause worry and tension…

cut 14 (11) “you feel”

She says it’s important to keep smiling and stay positive because getting too easily irritated is unproductive.

Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany plans to meet with Veterans Affairs officials today over their decision to push back the completion date of two new VA clinics in Lafayette and Lake Charles. Boustany says these delays are unacceptable…

cut 4 (12) “purely ridiculous”

It’s reported that the opening of both clinics are delayed by almost a year to 2016.

Christmas is one week from today and many people would call the next 7 days the most stressful of the year. LSU AgCenter Life specialist Diane Sasser says it’s a good idea to get plenty of rest and if you’re too tired — slow down. She says it’s important to keep smiling and stay positive because getting too easily irritated is unproductive…:

cut 13 (09) “what this is about”

Sasser says you’ll be doing yourself a big favor if you get solid plans in place now so there isn’t a big scramble next week.

A public demonstration is being held this evening in downtown Opelousas to protest grand jury decisions in Missouri and New York where charges were not pressed in officer involved deaths. It’s being organized by newly-elected alderman Tyrone Glover who says the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, Opelousas Police, the DA’s office and the city marshal are all participating…

cut 7 (13) “we are concerned”

The rally will begin at 5pm in Opelousas’ Courthouse Square.