New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson has pledged two gifts to the Pro Football Hall of Fame totaling $11 million. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 1 (27) “reporting”

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Early voting for the December 6th runoff election continues across the state. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

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State Police are investigating a single vehicle accident involving an alleged drunk driver in Tangipahoa Parish that claimed the life of the driver’s father. Master Trooper Greg Marchand says troopers responded to a call about the crash in the Hammond area last night…

CUT 3 (12)  “a pine tree”

45-year-old Douglas Hoyt of Holden was not restrained at the time of the accident and was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Marchand says they do suspect impairment on the part of the driver, 22-year-old Amber Hoyt…

CUT 4 (08)  “vehicular homicide”

Amber, who was restrained, received minor injuries and will be booked upon release from the hospital. Marchand reminds drivers, especially during the holiday season, use proper restraints and never operate a vehicle while impaired… (Amber will be charged with DWI, careless operation, and vehicular homicide.)

CUT 5 (08)  “into tragedy”

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New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson has pledged two gifts to the Pro Football Hall of Fame totaling $11 million. This is the largest individual contribution in the Hall’s 51 year history. Vice President of Communications Pete Fierle (FEAR-ly) says Hall President David Baker approached Benson earlier this season…

CUT 6 (07)  “very, very quickly”

The donation will help build a Hall of Fame Village. $10 million of Benson’s donation will be used to renovate Fawcett Stadium, which will now be called Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The renovations will allow the stadium to be used for other sporting and entertainment events. The additional $1 million will help construct the Hall of Fame’s Legends Landing…

CUT 7 (11) “to literally land”

Legends Landing will be a residence where former greats can live if they fall on hard times. He says the Hall of Fame Village, and the various programs that will run from it, will help teach the values of the game and how you can apply them to all parts of life. Fierle feels Benson made this donation because he shares the Hall’s vision of what Hall of Fame Village represents…

CUT 8 (11) “for this country”

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The famous Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights is officially underway. The 300,000+ lights were turned on for the first time on Saturday and will twinkle every night at dusk through January 6th of next year. Madi Ackel is this year’s Miss Merry Christmas. She says Natchitoches is always special, but this is the highlight of the year…:

CUT 9 (10)  “special here”

Downtown attractions include carriage tours through the historic district and all shops and restaurants will be open late. Ackel says the 88th Annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival and parade happens December 6th…:

CUT 10 (08)  “at the lake”

You can get more information on the festival online at christmasfestival.com. Ackel says all events take place in the Landmark Historic District along the Cane River Lake and they invite everyone to come out and get into the Christmas spirit…:

CUT 11 (06)  “as possible here“

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Early voting for the December 6th runoff election continues across the state. Early voting began Saturday and will run through this Saturday, excluding Thursday and Friday. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says voter turnout last Saturday was brisk…

cut 12 (10) “almost 45,000″

He says nearly 45,000 voters cast their ballot early Saturday, but expects numbers to taper off as we get into the week. Schedler says it wasn’t very surprising to see a large number of voters out on Saturday…

cut 13 (06) “was very nice”

He says lines are steady today for early voting, although shorter than what was seen on opening day. Schedler predicts, based on historical data, overall voter turnout for the December 6th election will be in the 35-percent range…

cut 14 (08) “the following day”

An informal survey by the American Farm Bureau Association shows your Thanksgiving meal will cost a little more this year. Jeff Palermo reports…

CUT 1 (33) “reporting”

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A recent State Farm survey found drivers are still texting and driving, even though they know its dangerous. Scott Carwile has more….

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

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The Louisiana Film Entertainment Association has met their Kickstarter goal with money they were raising for a study that will research the economic impact of the movie industry in Louisiana. Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

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It looks like your Thanksgiving meal will cost a little more this year, according to an informal survey by the American Farm Bureau Association. The average price for a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 will cost $49.41, 37 cents more than last year. Louisiana Farm Bureau Association’s Avery Davidson says the biggest price hikes you’ll see are your proteins, particularly turkey and beef…

Cut 4  (12)  “40 years”

Davidson says prices are up. because fewer turkeys were processed this year and we have the smallest beef heards in the last 30 or 40 years. But he says the price increases aren’t very much and, in fact, some items cost less this year…

Cut 5  (09)  “more this year”

He says, although this year’s Thanksgiving meal cost is up, it’s still lower than we paid in 2012. Davidson has a suggestion if you’re looking for a deal on sweet potatoes or yams…

Cut 6 (06)  “grocery store”

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A recent State Farm survey found drivers are still texting and driving, even though they know its dangerous. 52 percent of those polled admit they have talked on a cell phone while driving and 34 percent say they have texted while driving.  State Farm Spokesperson Gary Stephenson says there has been an increase in the use of hands free cell phones.

CUT 7 (14)  “much at all”

Stephenson says 77 percent of young drivers say they believe they can safely text while driving. But he says some people acknowledged when the road conditions were bad, they reduced their cell phone use.

Cut 8 (10)    “be distracted.” 

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration says 80 percent of crashes are due to distracted driving. Stephenson says drivers now use their phones to read emails, access social media and use the internet, in addition to texting.

Cut 9 (11)  “smart phone”

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According to a report from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, homelessness in Louisiana has declined nearly 12 percent since last year and roughly 63 percent since 2010. Louisiana Housing Corporation Executive Director Fred Tombar says one of the key factors in reducing homelessness in Louisiana has been the state’s implementation of the $146 million dollar Permanent Supportive Housing Program…:

Cut 10 (11) “over their head” 

Tombar says they work with local non-profit organizations throughout the state with the same goal of finding people who are on the street and have a need…:

cut 11 (11)  “work together well”

There are an estimated 4,606 homeless people in Louisiana this year compared to 5,226 last year and 12,482 four years ago. Baton Rouge and New Orleans have the largest concentrations of homeless individuals. Tombar says the ultimate goal is to eradicate chronic homelessness…:

cut 12 (10)  “working at it”

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The Louisiana Film Entertainment Association has met their Kickstarter goal with money they were raising for a study that will research the economic impact of the movie industry in Louisiana. LFEA Executive Board member Raelyn Loop says once the study is complete, they will present the findings to lawmakers…:

Cut 13 (11)  “tax incentive program”

LFEA had a $50,000 gap in funding for the project which is why they launched the “Here’s My Two Bucks” Kickstarter campaign which met its goal with 7 days to go. Loop says the landmark economic impact study is already underway..:

Cut 14 (09)  “the entire state”

Loop says the state has to look at whether the motion picture tax incentive that benefits outside companies coming in to do business here is helping Louisiana. She says other states are mimicking our program program so Louisiana needs to remain competitive…:

Cut 15  (06)  “the entire state”

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The Ragin Cajuns fell out of a tie for first place in the Sun Belt Conference as they lost to Appalachian State 35-16 on Saturday at Cajun Field. The Mountaineers dominated at the line of scrimmage, rushing for 232 yards. Appalachian State running back Marcus Cox rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns. Cajuns Coach Mark Hudspeth says his defense got away from its gap responsibilities…

Cut 16  (20)  “late in the game”

Terrance Broadway did not have a good performance in his final game at Cajun field. The senior from Baton Rouge threw for only 160 yards and he was held to two yards rushing. Hudspeth gives a lot of credit to the Mountaineers defense…

Cut 17  (16)   “job of  that”

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Louisiana Tech also dropped its first league game of the season as they lost to Old Dominion 30-27 in overtime on saturday. Tech led 24-14 at halftime, but failed to score a touchdown the rest of the way. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says it was a disappointing second half

Cut 18 (14) “the field”

La Tech will wrap up the regular season this Saturday against Rice. The winner will advance to the C-USA Championship game against Marshall. Holtz says his guys can’t let Saturday’s loss linger…

Cut 19 (09)   “this week”

State Police say five family members, on their way to Walt Disney World in Florida, were killed in a single vehicle accident on I-20 in Ouachita Parish last night. Eric Gill has the story…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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A new report from the Us Geological Survey says it’s unlikley Louisiana black bears will go extinct. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (31) “reporting”

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State Police say five family members, who were heading to Walt Disney World in Florida, were killed in a single vehicle accident on I-20 in Ouachita Parish last night. Three of the victims were juveniles. Trooper Michael Reichardt says a 16-year-old behind the wheel at the time of the accident…

CUT 3 (11)  “at the scene”

He says six people were ejected from the vehicle and five were pronounced dead at the scene. The others were taken to area hospitals for treatment for their injuries. Reichardt says authorities were able to talk to the 16-year-old driver…

CUT 4 (08)  “to the right”

Reichardt says the 16-year-old is a licensed driver in his home state of Texas. He says, as far as they know, the driver was the only one wearing a seat belt. Reichardt says this is a real tragedy, especially being so close to the holiday season… (The deceased juvenile victims were four, seven, and fifteen years old.)

CUT 5 (07)  “in the car”

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A new study from the US Geological Survey finds there’s less than a one-percent chance of the Louisiana black bear population becoming extinct in the next 100 years. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologist, Maria Davidson, says this report could result in the Louisiana Black Bear’s removal from the Endangered Species List

CUT 6 (06)  “wildlife service”

Davidson says they don’t have an exact number of how many Louisiana black bears are out there. She can say it’s relatively small, but healthy population…

CUT 7 (08) “anytime soon”

It’s estimated there were only 80 to 120 Louisiana black bears in the 1950s. The study found that more than half of the Black Bears now alive, are in the northeastern part of the state in the Tensas River Basin. Davidson says the report also indicates the bears are moving from one region to another

CUT 8 (10) “vice versa”

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A new poll on the 6th Congressional District runoff shows Republican Garret Graves with a large lead over Democrat former governor Edwin Edwards. The JMC Analytics and Polling survey shows Graves with 59 percent of the vote with Edwards getting 34 percent. Pollster John Couvillon says the numbers show that Republicans have really gotten behind Graves as the GOP nominee…

CUT 9 (07)  “to Democrats”

Graves has agreed to at least one debate with Edwards, although few think that any debate will have a noticeable impact in this race. Couvillon points out that throughout this campaign, Edwards support has remained in the 35-percent range…

CUT 10 (10)  “pro and con”

Edwards says his campaign is working on his first television campaign commercial that is set to air next week. This will be Edwards first campaign ad in 22 years. Couvillon says, while Edwards does have support, there appears to be too much against him to win on December 6th…

CUT 11 (13)  “candidate, now“

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The Lafayette Police Department says they are looking for the suspect involved in a shooting on Happiness Street. Corporal Paul Mouton says the 31-year-old male victim was approaching a residence around 12:30am this morning…:

cut 12 (07) “within his pockets”

Mouton says the alleged robber then began shooting the victim, striking him once in the back and twice in his legs…:

cut 13 (08) “stable condition”

Mouton says the suspect is identified as a young black male and they are looking for people to come forward with information on this incident…:

cut 14 (08) “ran from there”

Baton Rouge Police have arrested two men in connection with the shooting death of West. St. John High School football coach Juan Joseph. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (26) “reporting”

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Farm Sanctuary and the Animal Welfare Institute have listed the Pilgrims Pride plant in Natchitoches as one of the nine worst chicken plants in the nation for animal cruelty. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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Baton Rouge Police have arrested two cousins in connection with the shooting death of West. St. John High School football coach Juan Joseph. Cpl. Don Coppola says they arrested 25-year-old Lemark Cloud Monday night. He says 25-year-old Kendric Cloud was taken into custody Tuesday…

CUT 3 (12)  “of Mr. Joseph”

Kendric has been identified as the shooter in the death of Joseph, while Lemark is the alleged getaway driver. It is reported that both men have criminal histories. Coppola says the investigation is ongoing and little is known about the incident at this time…

CUT 4 (10)  “of Mr. Joseph”

It is reported that Joseph was trying to diffuse the situation when the shooting occurred. Lemark has been charged with accessory to second degree murder and other charges due to his involvement. Coppola says Kendric was booked into the East Baton Rouge Prison last night… (Kendric is charged with second degree murder, illegal use of a weapon, and felon in possession of a firearm.)

CUT 5 (05)  “of a firearm”

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Record lows were hit in southeast Louisiana this morning, but warmer weather is on the way. Andrew Ansorge (An-Sore-Gy) with the National Weather Service says Baton Rouge broke the record temperature dating all the way back to January 1930…:

CUT 6 (04)  “this morning”

Ansorge says this morning New Orleans tied the record of 31 degrees going back to 1951. But he says the high pressure that settled the cold air in last night is going to start to move off to the east today..:

CUT 7 (09) “more moisture in”

Ansorge says air will be moving in from the south through the remainder of the week into the weekend and along with it will be moisture…:

CUT 8 (10) “across Louisiana”

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The Pilgrims Pride plant in Natchitoches is listed as one of the nine worst chicken plants in the nation for animal cruelty. The list was compiled by Farm Sanctuary and the Animal Welfare Institute. Farm Sanctuary director of policy, Bruce Friedrich (FREED-rick), says they obtained plant violation information from the federal government through the Freedom of Information Act…

CUT 9 (11)  “in the country”

He says Pilgrims Pride is responsible for almost a fifth of all poultry production in the United States and they have three plants on the list. Friedrich says one violation that put the Natchitoches plant on the list was the report of workers routinely throwing live birds into bags of dead on arrival birds…

CUT 10 (12)  “freeze to death”

In a statement, Pilgrims Farms says the plant has addressed the concerns raised through voluntary corrective actions to ensure compliance with their internal policies and state and federal laws. But Friedrich says it’s not enough for the company to say we’ll do better next time…

CUT 11 (09)  “of the law“

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Two bodies were found in Lake Pontchartrain this morning and authorities believe they were on board a plane that crashed into the lake last week. New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Colonel Jerry Sneed, says the first body was located at 7:15 AM….

cut 12 (11) “off the coroner”

Sneed says a second body was located a short time later . We are still waiting to hear a positive ID on the two bodies, but it’s believed to be flight instructor Burt Lattimore of Chalmette and Aftab Rab of Mandeville, who was taking flying lessons. …

cut 13 (07) “plane is”

Sneed says they found the first body about a mile away from the runway where the Cesna 172 took off. He says they are still searching for the plane…

cut 14 (11) “that also”