A large portion of the state is under a tornado watch until 7 PM. The watch area covers northeast and central Louisiana. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says the biggest potential for severe stuff is along and north of I-20. He says make sure you have a good way to receive weather alerts…:

CUT 13  (10)        “…of the Mississippi.”

The rainy weather should be over by morning.

A new poll of Louisiana Republican voters shows lots of support for Donald Trump. Edgewater Research pollster Ed Chervenak says they asked who GOP voters in our state want as the 2024 nominee, and turned up 36-percent for Ron DeSantis, but 56-percent want Trump…:

CUT 04  (09)        “…particular time.”

Will he or won’t he run for governor? A political scientist says the sooner Senator John Kennedy announces the better…:

CUT 01(29)      “…Thorington.”

Two little St. Tammany Parish girls, who went missing in the woods last night, have been found safe and sound. The 7 and 4-year-old girls and their Golden Retriever were found about 5 hours later by St. Tammany Sheriff’s officers using a helicopter and drones. We’re told the faithful dog never left the sisters’ side.

Voters in southeast Louisiana will have a runoff election for the District 3 Public Service Commission seat; pitting incumbent Lambert Boissiere against challenger Davante Lewis. Lewis claims Boissiere’s votes on key matters have been bought via political contributions from companies he regulates, but Boissiere denies that…:

CUT 15  (08)        ”…utility companies.”

Lewis says, if elected he’ll push for clean renewable sources of energy…:

CUT 16  (09)        “…the state.”

Boissiere has been a PSC member since 2005.

A plane that crashed into a power line tower in Maryland was carrying a Louisiana man as a passenger. Officials say 66-year-old Jan Williams, of Louisiana, was rescued along with the pilot and both will be OK.

An Alexandria man is convicted of planting bombs at three businesses in Monroe and Alexandria in 2019 and 2020. 40-year-old Daniel Aikens reportedly tried to extort money for some of those businesses to avoid being bombed again. U.S. Attorney Brandon Brown says Aikens needs to do serious jail time…:

CUT 06(07)      “…40 years max.”

Aikens’ sentencing comes up in March. Aikens also faces trial for a 2017 murder in Grant Parish.

A Baton Rouge teen was shot and killed over the holiday weekend, while in New Orleans for the Bayou Classic football game. The 18-year-old was shot dead on Canal Street, not far from revelers in the French Quarter. A 15-year-old – also from Baton Rouge – is the suspect and is under arrest. Neither victim nor suspect have been identified as yet.

Early voting is underway and one of the big items on some of the ballots is the third district Public Service Commission Race as New Orleans Democrat Lambert Boissiere seeks a fourth term, but is facing a significant challenge from Davante Lewis. Boissiere has been on the PSC since 2005 and he says he’s kept utility rates in check…:

CUT 13(11)      “…they want.”

But challenger Lewis says utilities like Entergy used their monopoly power to generate record profits without making the necessary investments. He says utilities use campaign contributions to buy their way out of regulation..:

CUT 14(09)      “…same entities.”

The third PSC district covers Orleans and Jefferson Parishes, plus the River Parishes and sections of the Baton Rouge area.

A new Louisiana company has received FDA clearance to provide its chemo-rated nitrile gloves to the U.S.’s huge health care industry. A big accomplishment for Broussard-based SafeSource Direct…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Golsby.”

Five people were shot and wounded early Sunday morning on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Just blocks away, a Baton Rouge teenager – in town for the Bayou Classic – was shot and killed. The suspect is a 15-year-old boy.

An Alexandria man – 40-year-old Daniel Aikens – is convicted of planting bombs at three businesses in Monroe and Alexandria in 2019 and 2020. Brandon Brown is the U.S. Attorney for the state’s Western District. He says Aikens set off bombs at a Monroe beauty school, an Alexandria gas station and an Alexandria payday loan office. No one was killed or seriously injured. Brown says Aiken called some of the businesses afterward to extort cash to prevent another bombing…:

CUT 05(05)      “…by greed. By money.”

Brown says he’ll seek stiff sentencing when that phase of Aiken’s trial comes up in March.

A Louisiana company gets FDA clearance for its chemo-rated nitrile exam gloves to be used in health care. SafeSource Direct partner Steve Mott says this positions the company to meet the demand to help keep healthcare workers safe…:

CUT 10(11)      “…worker is protected.”

SafeSource is located in Broussard.

Authorities are assessing damage following a confirmed tornado that passed through St. Charles Parish during strong thunderstorms on Saturday. St. Charles Parish officials say that a majority of the damage reports are between Cadow Road and Bayou Gauche Road in Paradis.

Hallmark Channel’s Christmas movie season kicked off on Thanksgiving with a film set in and filmed in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

Early voting is underway for the December 10^th election, and the 3^rd District Public Service Commission race is one runoff on ballots in southeast Louisiana…:

CUT 03  (30)        “…Palermo.”

Five people were shot and wounded early Sunday morning on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Police say an argument led to the gunfire at around 2 am, and they are now seeking an unknown male suspect.

An Alexandria man is convicted of planting bombs at three businesses in Monroe and Alexandria in 2019 and 2020. A federal jury found 40-year-old Daniel Aikens guilty of 3 counts of Making a Destructive Device, 3 counts of possession of bombs and more. Brandon Brown is the U.S. Attorney for the state’s Western District and he’ll push for a long sentence…:

CUT 04(08)      “”…as long as possible.”

Aikens set off a bomb at a Monroe beauty school in September 2019. Three months later he planted a bomb at an Alexandria gas station. A third device went off in January 2020 at an Alexandria payday loan office. Brown says Aiken called some of the businesses afterward to extort cash to prevent another bombing.

Disappointing end to what was a great regular season for the LSU Tigers as they lost on Saturday to Texas A&M 38-23 in Bryan-College Station. LSU finishes its regular season at 9 and 3, and win the SEC West. They face Georgia next Saturday in Atlanta for the SEC title.

Some are calling it a Thanksgiving Day miracle; a man who fell overboard from a Carnival cruise ship in the Gulf was found and rescued last night. The Coast Guard says some hours passed before the ship’s crew knew he was missing and radioed them for search and rescue. They located him about 6 hours later, and a chopper pulled him from the water. He may have been keeping himself afloat for nearly a full day, without a life preserver. Often when person fall or jump off cruise ships, they are never found.

Early voting starts tomorrow for the December 10^th election. State Elections Commissioner Sherri Hadskey says you’ll have seven full days to vote at your leisure…:

CUT 13  (09)        “…December the tenth.”

On the ballot, 3 constitutional amendments and local runoffs and other issues. Find your sample ballot online at “GeauxVote.com.”

Deputies in St. Martin Parish are investigating a Thanksgiving evening murder/suicide in Youngsville. 40-year-old Misti Romero was found shot to death in a business parking lot. They identified a suspect – 54-year-old Andrew DeRouen – and found him some time later; dead from a self-inflicted gunshot. The investigation is ongoing.

The St Landry Parish Council has approved the parish’s first solar farm project. Officials say construction will begin next year on a 900-acre site in a rural area north of Opelousas. Lightsource BP development manager Jack Steele says it is expected to be operational by end of 2024. He says solar power is great for the environment and an effective way to produce energy..:

CUT 10(10)      “…of homes.”

Steele says the panels will be high enough off the ground that sheep and cattle can graze beneath them.

Small Business Saturday is tomorrow. It’s a campaign to get consumers to shop at locally-owned stores. State NFIB director Dawn McVea urges shoppers to save some of their holiday shopping for Saturday and support the businesses that support our communities…:

CUT 09(10)      “…holiday time.”

She says 13-percent of “mom & pops” surveyed have a less-0than-greart outlook for their holiday retail business.

The U.S. Coast Guard has found and rescued a man who fell overboard from a Carnival cruise ship in the Gulf. They began their search Thursday at around 2:30 and found the 28-year-old man by 8:30. A chopper plucked him from the water and he is OK. The Coast Guard says the ship’s crew was unware the man was missing for hours before they radioed. The man might have been in the water for almost a whole day.

There is a December runoff election in Louisiana coming up, and Early Voting for that is about to begin. State Commissioner of Elections Sherri Hadskey says you’ll have a full week to vote at your leisure starting tomorrow…:

CUT 13(09)      “…December the tenth.”

There will be something on your ballot, no matter where you are. Preview your sample ballot at “GeauxVote.com.”

State Police are looking into an officer-involved shooting in Alexandria. Troopers report an APD officer attempted to arrest a man who was running into and disrupting traffic. When the man resisted arrest and tried to get the cop’s weapon, he drew and fired – wounding the man.

A gunfight outside the Tiger Truck Stop along I-10 in Grosse Tete leaves one dead and another person injured. That happened at around 10 last night. Iberville Parish deputies are investigating.

The U.S. Coast Guard has found and rescued a man who fell overboard from a Carnival cruise ship in the Gulf. They began their search Thursday at around 2:30 and found the 28-year-old man by 8:30. A chopper plucked him from the water and he is OK. The Coast Guard says the ship’s crew was unware the man was missing for hours before they radioed. The man might have been in the water for almost a whole day.

The holiday shopping season is officially underway, and experts predict inflation will force spending as high as $950-billion this year. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says remember not all advertised “doorbuster” sales are actually a good value, and it helps to do some research on the normal prices of items on your shopping list before you go shopping…:

CUT 05(10)      “…time of year.”

Louisiana’s green energy industry continues to grow, as the St Landry Parish Council approves that parish’s first solar farm project…:

CUT 03(30)      “…Golsby.”

Early Voting for the December 10^th election starts tomorrow. State Elections Commissioner Sherri Hadskey…:

CUT 15(09)      “…and propositions.”

For information on the ballot, go to “GeauxVote.com”

State Police say a Minden man died in a single vehicle crash on state Highway 59, near Highway 2. Troopers say 24-year-old Bret Dooley’s pickup went off the road, hit a ditch and overturned. He was not wearing a seatbelt and was pronounced dead at the scene. A blood sample was taken to see if Dooley was impaired at the time.

With holiday shopping in full swing, security professionals have a few tips on how to have a safe one when making online purchases. LSU cybersecurity expert Abe Baggili says be aware of whether the site you’re shopping is secure. Look for padlock icon on the right end of the address bar. He says, also, be careful if shopping on a device using Wi-Fi…:

CUT 10 (08)      “…you know.”

He says never shop online using your ATM debit card. Using a CREDIT CARD helps assure you can get your money back if you ARE ripped off.

Tomorrow is Black Friday, perhaps THE busiest retail day of the year. Jill Gonzales, with “WalletHub.com”, says look for big discounts at stores like J.C. Penney, Belk and Macy’s if shopping in-store. If you’re hoping to score a sweet deal on a cell phone or computer, tomorrow may not be the day for you…:

CUT 07 (12)      “…shop for.”

She says there are always gift cards, if shopping is not your thing.

Going on tomorrow and Saturday and Sunday, the Louisiana Renaissance Festival near Hammond; just off I-12. Family fun, food and entertainment for all…plus some unique holiday gift ideas. Festival CEO Alvon Brumfield says the six weekend festival has been a big success this year…:

CUT 13 (07)      “…time you get here.”

For tickets, go online to “LARF2022.org.” The festival closes December 11^th.