Only about 15-percent of registered voters have voted or are expected to vote in Saturday’s election. Ballots statewide will have three important constitutional amendments to decide, plus some runoffs and other local initiatives. Deputy Secretary of State Joel Watson says about 115-thousand people have early voted; 47-percent Democrat and 39-percent Republican…:

CUT 08  (11)        “…Election Day.”

Polls open Saturday at 7 am and close at 8 pm. Sampler ballots and poll locations are online at ”GeauxVote.org”

Warm, muggy and sometimes wet weather will pervade over the next several days across Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says highs in the 70 and upper 60’s will be with us a while…:

CUT 13(07)      “…of Louisiana.”

He says it’ll be about a week before we see any really cooler temperatures.

A state lawmaker seeks a legal opinion on whether medical marijuana patients can get a prescription through telemedicine. Marsanne Golsby has more…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Golsby.”

Despite a season that saw them go from unranked to leading the SEC West, LSU is outranked by Tulane in the AP regular season college football poll. The Green Wave finished 11-2, while the Tigers finished 9-4. By number: Tulane #14, LSU 16.

A state lawmaker seeks a legal opinion on whether medical marijuana patients can get a prescription through telemedicine. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 1(30)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

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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 2 (29)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher..”

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The author of a law allowing telemedicine appointments for new medical marijuana patients says the state board that governs doctors cannot stop doctors from prescribing medical marijuana to new telemedicine patients without an in-person visit first. Gretna state Representative Joe Marino is the author of the law.

Cut 3 (10) “..this program.” 

The Board of Medical Examiners recently refused to change its policy about telemedicine and new medical marijuana patients. Marino says he is seeking an attorney general’s opinion today.

Cut 4 (07)  “…person visit” 

Marino says the board’s decision has a chilling effect on doctors who won’t risk their medical licenses if the rules are unclear. He says the confused situation hurts rural patients the most because they rely on telemedicine.

Cut 5 (10) “…smaller group”

The Senate Health & Welfare Committee is scheduled to take up the matter Wednesday.

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The Secretary of State’s office predicts up to 15 percent of registered voters will cast a ballot in the December 10^th election. Deputy Secretary for Outreach Joel Watson says 110-thousand votes were cast for early voting either in person or by absentee ballot from November 26th through December third.

Cut 6 (09)  “…for the election.”

Watson says just under 39-thousand votes were absentee ballots. When you compare the predicted turnout for this election to previous December elections Watson says it’s about on track. In 2018 he says turnout was almost 18 percent and in 2020 after the presidential election when there was a congressional runoff and amendments on the ballot.

Cut 7 (04)  “…for that race.”

When you look at the party breakdown for the early voting for the December 10^th election Watson says 47 percent were Democrat and 39 percent Republican. He says typically more Democrats vote early and there are more registered Democrats in the state versus Republicans.

Cut 8 (11)  “…election day.“

Polls open Saturday at 7 am and close at 8 pm. For more information and your voting location visit GeauxVote.com

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District 1 Congressman Steve Scalise says he’ll work to reform the federal flood insurance program in the next Congress. FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 pricing system has kicked in; causing dramatic increases in flood coverage for tens of thousands of Louisianans. Scalise says that’ll be one of his projects for 2023…:

Cut 9 (10) “….and taxpayers.” 

Scalise says flood rates have increased so dramatically that untold numbers of homeowners have had to let their flood insurance coverage lapse because they simply cannot afford it any longer. He says FEMA has been reluctant to even explain the sharp spike in rates to Congress…:

Cut 10 (10) “…that’s unacceptable.” 

Scalise says House republicans passed a National Flood Insurance program reform bill a few years ago to control rising costs, but it was killed in the Senate. He aims to revive that bill…:

Cut 11 (05)  “…and make it work.”

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While it might be beginning to look a lot like Christmas, it sure isn’t feeling like it. The Bayou State is experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures for December and State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’re getting a lot of moisture off the Gulf right now.

Cut 12 (10) “…entire state.” 

With highs in the mid-70s today and under 70’s tomorrow, Keim says it’s not going to cool off anytime soon.

Cut 13 (07) “…of Louisiana.”  

Keim says temps are running about 15 degrees above normal for early December. After Thursday however, things will cool off a little bit.

Cut 14 (11)   “…above normal.”

The above average temps will persist for the next week.

While it might be beginning to look a lot like Christmas, it sure isn’t feeling like it. The Bayou State is experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures for December and State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’re getting a lot of moisture off the Gulf right now…:

CUT 12(10)      “…entire state.”

He says the above average temps will persist for the next week.

A fight is brewing between lawmakers who passed a medical marijuana law and a state board who seems to be contravening it. The Board of Medical Examiners says doctors MUST have an in-person visit with a patient BEFORE they can use tele-medicine to prescribe medical cannabis. The law says that’s NOT required. Gretna Representative Joe Marino says he’s asking the Attorney General’s office to render its opinion…:

CUT 04(07)      “…in-person visit.”

Marino authored the law.

District 1 Congressman Steve Scalise says he’ll work to reform the federal flood insurance program in the next Congress. FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 pricing system has kicked in; causing dramatic increases in flood coverage for tens of thousands of Louisianans. Scalise says flood rates have increased so dramatically that untold numbers of homeowners have had to let their flood insurance coverage lapse because they simply cannot afford it any longer. He says FEMA has been reluctant to even explain the sharp spike in rates to Congress…:

CUT 10(10)      “…that’s unacceptable.”

He means to revive a flood insurance reform bill that passed the House a few years ago, but failed in the Senate.

A Sabine Parish volunteer reserve Sheriff’s deputy has been fired, after he was arrested over the weekend in a huge barroom brawl in the town of Zwolle. Kobe Cartinez, of Many, is charged with 2^nd-degree battery. He is out on $8000 bond. Two other men were also arrested.

The Secretary of State’s office says only about 15-percent of Louisiana registered voters have early voted or will vote this Saturday. Deputy Secretary Joel Watson says December elections are usually low-turnout affairs. He says one of highest turnouts for a December election was 2020, when there was a congressional runoff and amendments on the ballot…:

CUT 07(03)      “…for that race.”

Polls open Saturday at 7 am and close at 8 pm. For more information and your voting location visit GeauxVote.com

District 1 Congressman Steve Scalise says he’ll work to reform the federal flood insurance program in the next Congress. FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 pricing system has kicked in; causing dramatic increases in flood coverage for tens of thousands of Louisianans. Scalise says that’ll be one of his projects for 2023…:

CUT 09(10)      “…and taxpayers.”

The author of a new law that says telemedicine can be used for doctors to prescribe medical marijuana says the state board that governs doctors cannot make rules that go against that law…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Golsby.”

Police in Monroe say they responded to four overdoses deaths within a 2-day span, from December 1^st thru the 3^rd. On the MPD Facebook page they say all four are fentanyl-related. Detectives are working toward tracking down the source of the deadly drugs.

The author of a law allowing telemedicine appointments for new medical marijuana patients says the state board that governs doctors cannot stop doctors from prescribing medical marijuana to new telemedicine patients without an in-person visit first. Representative Joe Marino is the author of the law…:

CUT 03(10)      “…this program.”

Marino says he is seeking an Attorney General’s opinion today.

The Secretary of State’s office predicts up to 15 percent of registered voters will cast a ballot in the December 10^th election. Deputy Secretary for Outreach Joel Watson says 110-thousand votes were cast for early voting either in person or by absentee ballot from November 26th through December third…:

CUT 06(09)      “…for the election.”

A good old fashioned barroom brawl in the town of Zwolle led to the three arrests; one of them a Sabine Parish reserve deputy. That man, Kobe Cardinez, is charged with 2^nd degree battery, like the other two. All three had bond set at $8000.

The runoff election for Louisiana Public Service Commission District 3 is getting national attention—and a lot of money is being spent…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Golsby.”

Deputies in Vernon Parish say five soldiers from Fort Polk are behind bars; accused of drugging and raping two Rosepine women. Vernon Sheriff Sam Craft says the men spiked the women’s drinks and sexually assaulted the victims once they were unconscious. Craft says Army investigators have been helpful in the case…:

CUT 05  (09)        “…to us.”

Craft says there is medical and video evidence of the crimes.

LSU is a 17 & ½ point underdog in the SEC Championship game against Georgia tomorrow. Tigers defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo says they need to put pressure on Georgia QB Stetson Barrett…:

CUT 11  (11)        “…in the pocket.”

Kickoff is at 3 pm tomorrow.

St. Tammany Parish deputies arrest a 15-year-old and an 18-year-old in connection with the fatal shooting that happened Monday night in Slidell. The younger suspect is in juvenile detention; charged with murder and attempted murder. The older faces the same charges and will be extradited from New Orleans to St. Tammany. The investigation is ongoing.

Chances are you have not been invited to an office holiday party in a couple years, and chances are the pandemic is the reason. Now that Christmas parties with co-workers are back…there are some rules you needs to observe. UNO professor of business Mark Rosa says do NOT drink heavily and do NOT do or say anything vulgar. He also says, if the boss invited you, GO…:

CUT 12  (12)        “……a wise one.”

And ALWAYS tell the boss Monday morning what a great time you had, even if you didn’t. (That one is from me.)

A man wanted for killing the mother of his child in Baton Rouge was shot to death by police in another state less than 24 hours later. 29-year-old Napolean Crane allegedly killed the woman, 28-year-old Da’Ja Davis then fled with their 6-month old daughter in a stolen car. Fast forward to Mercer County Pennsylvania, where Crane was stopped by officers, fired upon them and was shot and killed. The infant was unharmed in the back seat, but is now an orphan.

Five Fort Polk soldiers are in jail; accused of drugging and raping two women in the town of Rosepine. Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft says the women knew one of the men, who served them drinks spiked with drugs. Once they were incapacitated, the men allegedly took advantage. Craft says the victims are credible witnesses who sought medical help after they came to…:

CUT 04  (08)        “…had transpired.”

Craft says there is medical and video evidence of the crime.

Two of the three Americans who died of carbon monoxide poisoning at their Mexico City AirBNB are from New Orleans. Brooke Thorington reports the mother of one wants to hold the rental app accountable…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

Police in Covington confirm the local woman who went missing last weekend WAS the second of two murder victims whose burned bodies were discovered Monday. St. Peters Catholic Church volunteer Ruth Prats and retired Father Otis Young were killed inside her home. Ex-con Antonio Tyson is charged with their murders.

Vernon Parish authorities charge five soldiers at Ft. Polk with drugging and raping two women in Rosepine…:

CUT 01(29)      “…Golsby.”

A drive-by shooting in Opelousas leaves two women dead. Police say it happened just after 10 last night. The victims were in a parked car, when another vehicle pulled up and started firing. The women were pronounced dead at the scene. St. Landry Crimestoppers offers a $1000 reward for a tip that leads to an arrest. 337-948-TIPS.

Office holiday parties are back this year, after the pandemic made them off-limits for two Christmases. So, with most of us out of practice…how should we behave? UNO business professor Mark Rosa says – first – do not drink heavily, nor do or say nasty stuff. And if someone chooses to still wear a mask at the party, keep your opinion to yourself…:

CUT 13(05)      “…mask on.”

Rosa says, if the boss invites you, it’s wise to attend.

LSU faces top-ranked Georgia tomorrow for the SEC Championship, with the Tigers a 17 & a half point underdog. Head coach Brian Kelly acknowledges the Bulldogs mighty defense, but says their offense – led by QB Stetson Bennett – is formidable…:

CUT 10(11)      “…in the pocket.”

Kickoff is at 3pm on CBS TV.

Five Fort Polk soldiers are under arrest in Vernon Parish; accused of drugging and raping two Rosepine women. Vernon sheriff Sam Craft says the men allegedly spiked their drinks, then took advantage…:

CUT 03 (11)      “…type scenario.”

Craft says there is both forensic and video evidence of the assault.

After two years of the pandemic, for many, the traditional office Christmas party is making a return. And while many of us are out of practice, UNO business professor Mark Rosa has some sound advice. While some might be hesitant to socialize with their work colleagues, Rosa says if your employer is hosting…you should go…:

CUT 12 (12)      “…a wise one.”

He says do not drink heavily, and do not say or do anything lewd or indecent.

The mother of a New Orleans man who died recently of carbon monoxide poisoning at a Mexico City AirBNB want the rental app held accountable. Jennifer Marshall’s son Jordan was among three Americans who died. She says. If you go overseas, bring along your own C.O. detector, just in case…:

CUT 08 (11)      “…their families.”

LSU is a 17 and a half point underdog for Saturday’s SEC championship matchup against Georgia. Coach Brian Kelly says the point spread should not be the sole source of motivation for the Tigers…:

CUT 09 (09)      “…to think.”

Georgia leads the nation in scoring defense, holding opponents to eleven points a game.

Five soldiers from Ft. Polk are in the Vernon Parish Jail today; accused of drugging and raping two women. Vernon Sheriff Sam Craft says it happened on November 25^th in Rosepine. He says forensic evidence indicates the victims were not lying about the assault, and that investigators are getting help from the Army’s criminal investigation division…:

CUT 05(09)      “…to us.”

Craft says the victims are credible witnesses. All five soldiers are behind bars at this time.

Deputies in Jefferson parish says a bank robber carjacked an idling vehicle and made his getaway…with a woman in the back seat. She was badly hurt when she bailed out of the vehicle in motion. The suspect was identified and arrested a short time later. He has a long list of prior arrests.

Early Voting for the December 10^th election ends tomorrow. There are three important constitutional amendments for you to cast a vote on, and local runoffs and other issues. Election is a week from tomorrow.

Three Americans died of carbon monoxide poisoning at their Mexico City Airbnb, and two are from New Orleans. Brooke Thorington has more from a mother who wants to hold the rental company accountable..:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

The man who fell overboard from a Carnival cruise ship in the Gulf last week and lived to tell the tale says he felt a Higher Power meant for him to survive the nearly 24-hour ordeal. 28-year-old James Michael Grimes fell off the ship last Wednesday and wasn’t reported missing until the next morning. The Coast Guard pulled him out of the water on Thanksgiving evening.