Another hot & muggy day is ahead for this December day, with afternoon highs reaching into the 80’s. Not very Christmas-y. Does weather like this have an effect on holiday spending? LSU marketing professor Dan Rice says yes, the weather does affect buying…:

CUT 12  (07)        “…may not.”

The post-Thanksgiving shopping weekend was pretty active, but retailers report sales have sales have dropped off in the warmer days since.

Law enforcement officials in Ascension Parish are trying to figure out why a man convicted of murder just five years ago has been able to walk free for months despite his charge carrying a mandatory life sentence. Michael “Ma-Man” LeBlanc was released from jail in Madison Parish back in May. Sheriff Bobby Webre says law enforcement officials don’t know LeBlanc’s current whereabouts or how he was released. It’s suspected it was some kind of paperwork snafu.

A new round of federal small business assistance will bring over $100-million to Louisiana’s locally-owned businesses. More from Whitney Thomas…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thomas.”

Police Port Barre arrest two teens for making a bomb threat against the town’s high school last week. The threat was in the form of a note left on a restroom wall. No bomb was found. Cops say the two 15-year-old planned the hoax together. They are both in juvenile detention. This is Port Barre’s 3^rd bomb threat so far this school year.

When Congress reconvenes next year, members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation will assume new leadership roles. District 1 Congressman Steve Scalise will serve as House Majority Leader and District 2’s Troy Carter will serve as a Vice-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus…:

CUT 03(12)      “…will assume.”

In addition, Congresswoman Julia Letlow will serve on House Appropriations. Congressman Clay Higgins Homeland Security – possibly as Chairman. Congressman Garret Graves will move into a key role on Transportation and Infrastructure and Congressman Mike Johnson has a pivotal role on the Judiciary Committee.

Facing mounting pressure, New Orleans Superintendent of Police Shaun Ferguson says he will retire at the year’s end. Mayor LaToya Cantrell made the announcement today. A recent survey shows 85-percent of NOPD cops are dissatisfied with management and the city council vice-president last week publicly called on Ferguson to step down.

Political analysts are still thinking over the reasons the expected nationwide Red wave didn’t happen in the November mid-term elections. U.L.-Monroe political science professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says the youngest voters had a key impact there…:

CUT 06 (10)      “…30 years.”

However, not so much here in Louisiana. Stockley says many state’s had abortion and/or marijuana issues on the ballot which brought out the youth vote. In our state, about two-thirds of votes cast were by voters over 45.

Shreveport Police arrest a man accused of committing an armed robbery…with a tree branch. Answering a call, officers found a shop clerk with cuts all over his hands and arms. With a description, they located the suspect – 33-year-old Willie Mandigo – who is now a guest of the city jail.

The famous Southern University marching band, the Human Jukebox, has signed a deal with Starter to launch its new HBCU line of apparel. The gear will be available next year.

Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s working on legislation to give tax relief to people impacted by natural disasters by creating special tax deductions for personal casualty losses. Cassidy says the bill gives tax relief to those using their own money to recover from their storm losses, and he adds it will waive the standard ten percent floor for deductions. He says a homeowner who is short thirty thousand dollars would get a three thousand dollar benefit…:

CUT 10(07)      “…bring relief.”

Cassidy says he too is looking at ways to reform the very expensive National Flood Insurance Program.

The November election wasn’t the Red Wave many expected nationwide, possibly because young voters turned out big to vote on issues they care about. U.L.-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says, however, the young vote was lackluster here. Why…?

CUT 07(11)      “…economic issues.”

He calls it a hum-drum election cycle.

State Wildlife & Fisheries agents say a Natchitoches man drowned over the weekend, when his boat hit a fallen tree on the Cane River ejecting him. His life preserver was not inflated. 37-year-old Jack Crowell’s 4-year-old son was in the boat and saw the whole thing.

The Saints suffered an absolute gut punch of a loss last night as New Orleans blew a 13-point lead to the Buccaneers and lost 17-16. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Palermo.”

When the 118^th Congress convenes next year, members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation assume new leadership roles. Congressman Steve Scalise will serve as House Majority Leader and Representative Troy Carter will serve as Second Vice-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. Carter is the lone Democrat representing the state in DC, but says he’s proud of the roles other members will serve in Congress…:

CUT 05(08)      “…best for Louisiana.”

Congresswoman Julia Letlow will serve on House Appropriations. Congressman Clay Higgins, a ranking member of Homeland Security, could possibly chair that committee. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves will move into a key role on Transportation and Infrastructure and Rep Mike Johnson has a pivotal role on the Judiciary Committee.

Deputies in West Feliciana parish says a 4-year-old boy accidentally drowned in the family bathtub. No foul play is suspected, but investigators are looking into how it happened.

Data from the Secretary of State’s office shows that younger voters – those 18 to 35 – didn’t show up for the November 8^th election. Voters 65 and up made up about two-thirds of votes cast. U.L.-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says older voters have long dominated the electorate because they are more settled in the community…:

CUT 08(09)      “…their day-to-day lives.”

LSU star wide receiver Kayson Boutte says he’s staying for his senior year. Boutte says he’ll play his final year at LSU instead of opting for the NFL draft. Tiger Rag Magazine’s William Weathers says Boutte’s decision will inspire others on the fence to remain as well…:

CUT 14(08)      “…in store.”

Weathers says he believes name, image, and likeness deals play a factor in a player’s decision to stay or go.

Funeral services were held yesterday in Covington for Father Otis Young, the retired catholic priest who was murdered over the Thanksgiving weekend. Young and a church volunteer were beaten and stabbed to death, then burned. Ex-con Antonio Tyson has been arrested for the crime.

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office releases details from a survey about the level of satisfaction workers felt within the Department of Children and Family Services…:

CUT 03 (30)      “…Thomas.”

Monroe Police responded to four overdose deaths over the weekend, within a 72 hour span. Monroe Police Chief Vic Zordan, who’s also a former DEA agent, says he believes a particularly deadly strain of fentanyl is going around. He says an arrest has been made in connection with one of the overdose deaths…:

CUT 08 (09)      “…laced product.”

He says about two-thirds of the drugs they confiscate contain fentanyl.

Flu season is hitting us hard this year. The CDC says almost 9-million Americans have gotten seriously sick with flu. Here in Louisiana, about 10-percvent of all ER visits are flu related, says state Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter. He says the best way to lower your chances of getting sick is to get the flu shot right away…:

CUT 15 (06)      “…and a half early.”

Flu shots are available almost everywhere and are free at parish health units to those that cannot afford one.

Have you had your flu shot this year? The Centers for Disease Control say flu cases are rising fast nationwide. So, how is the Bayou State doing? State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says cases ARE on the rise…:

CUT 14(07)      “…flu symptoms.”

Kanter says flu shots are available most everywhere.

Police in Lafayette say a teen girl from Broussard was raped by a man she met online. The 16-year-old victim says she met Kendrick Richard on a social media app, and when they met in person the attack occurred. Richard has been located and arrested for rape.

West Feliciana Parish authorities say a 4-year-old boy is dead after accidentally drowning in the bathtub. An investigation into how that happened is underway.

The UL-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns will make their first appearance in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl on December 23^rd and Shreveport is rolling out the red carpet…:

CUT 01(29)      “…Golsby.”

Funeral services were held yesterday in Covington for Father Otis Young, the retired catholic priest who was murdered over the Thanksgiving weekend. Young and a church volunteer were beaten and stabbed to death, then burned. Ex-con Antonio Tyson has been arrested for the crime.

There’s been a lot of turmoil and finger-pointing at the Department of Children and Family Services, after two toddlers died from fentanyl overdoses on the agency’s watch. Now the Legislative Auditor’s office releases details from its survey of rank & file DCFS workers. The survey revealed that workers had issues with pay, caseloads, and unrealistic expectations. Emily Dixon with the Auditor’s Office says workers felt a lack of respect and were unsupported by supervisors and managers…:

CUT 10(10)      “…current conditions.”

DCFS has already started working on initiatives to address job satisfaction, job performance, and leadership. Dixon says so far they are working on increasing pay and filling job vacancies.

State Wildlife & Fisheries agents say a Natchitoches man was killed over the weekend, when his boat hit a tree fallen into the water of Cane River; ejecting him from the vessel. 37-year-old Jack Crowell was wearing a floatation device, but it was not inflated. Also in the baot, his 4-year-old son, who saw the whole thing.

Monroe Police report they responded to four overdose deaths in just under three days. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

UL-Lafayette faces Houston in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Christmas weekend. Bowl executive Director Missy Setters…:

CUT 04(07)      “…lagniappe.”

Monroe Police responded to four overdose deaths over the weekend, during a 72 hour span. Monroe Police Chief Vic Zordan, who’s also a former DEA agent, says the first of the four overdoses happened last Thursday…:

CUT 07(13)      “…to the other.”

Zordan says they believe two of the overdose deaths are linked and the cases remain under investigation. He asks residents to call Crimestoppers with anything they know about overdoses or drug dealers.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control says flu cases are rising fast nationwide. How is the flu season in Louisiana shaping up? State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the flu came earlier than normal this year and cases in Louisiana are on the rise…:

CUT 13(07)      “…still going up.”

Kanter says the best way to avoid getting sick is to get your flu shot as soon as possible.

The state Legislative Auditor’s office releases details from a survey about the level of satisfaction workers felt within the Department of Children and Family Services…:

CUT 03(30)      …Thomas.”

A central Louisiana State Trooper is on administrative leave after the allegedly violated a restraining order in Avoyelles parish. 31-year-old Trooper Nick Ducote was charged with domestic violence in early November, and the sheriff issued the order. Last week, he violated said order.

A fight is brewing between state lawmakers, who passed a bill allowing telemedicine visits for medical cannabis prescriptions and the state Board of medical Examiners, who says doctors must first see the patient in-person. Gretna Representative Joe Marino is the law’s author. He says he wants the attorney general to make a ruling, because the current dispute hurts rural residents, who rely on telemedicine…:

CUT 05  (10)        “…smaller group.”

The Senate Health & Welfare committee will also discuss the disagreement this week.

The Secretary of State’s office predicts only about 15 percent of registered voters will cast a ballot in the December 10^th election. Deputy Secretary of State Joel Watson says roughly 115-thousand of us cast early votes or voted absentee…:

CUT 06(09)      “…for the election.”

District 1 Congressman Steve Scalise says he’ll work on fixing the ever-rising cost of National Flood Insurance in his next term. FEMA’s “Risk Rating 2.0” rate formula has meant drastically high premium increases for thousands of Louisianans. Some had to just give it up. Scalise says the House passed a flood insurance reform bill years ago, but it was killed in the Senate. He aims to revive that bill…:

CUT 11(05)      “…and make it work.”

Look for hot and sweaty pre-Christmas weather for the next week at least. State Climatologist Barry Keim says afternoon highs will range from the 70’s, then the mid-60’s…then into the 80’s. The reason? Warm wet air from the Gulf…:

CUT 12(10)      “…entire state.”

Keim says the warm will be with us for about another week.

Trial began today for a Baton Rouge woman accused of poisoning two men; her husband and a long-term boyfriend. Meshell Hale allegedly killed Damian Skipper in 2015. An autopsy detected the poison in his system. She’s also accused of killing husband Arthur Noflin in 2016 by a similar method. Noflin has a $750-thousand insurance policy, with Hale as sole beneficiary.

It may be Christmastime, but warm and muggy weather is expected across Louisiana for about the next week. Stat Climatologist Barry Keim says temperatures are running about 15 degrees above normal for early December, and Thursday we should see afternoon highs in the 80’s. After Thursday however, things will cool off a little bit…:

CUT 14          (11)    “…above normal.”

He says moisture from the Gulf is causing all this heat and humidity.

District 1 Congressman Steve Scalise says fixing the ever-rising cost of federal flood insurance is a priority for his next term in the U.S. House…:

CUT 02          (29)    “…Gallagher.”

Another Louisiana high school was locked down today for yet another threat. This time it was Port Barre High, where a bomb threat NOTE was posted on a bathroom wall. This is that school’s third threat in two weeks. Numerous schools across the state have had bomb threats and threats of violence made against them.