Cardell Hayes will likely serve at least 20 years in prison after being found guilty of manslaughter in the shooting death of former-Saints player Will Smith. Michelle Southern gets an analysis on the verdict…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Today Governor John Bel Edwards announces that Louisiana will receive nearly 26 million dollars in funding for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program by FEMA for the devastating March floods. The money could be used to support state and parish projects to help prevent disasters in the future. The state will receive 3 million dollars and 23- million dollars will go to parishes that received a federal disaster deceleration.

 
Republican state representative Mike Johnson is the runaway winner in the 4th congressional district race as expected. Johnson won the seat vacated by John Fleming. Johnson says our government is too large and it’s doing too many things wrong…
Cut 5 (09) “as the state”

Johnson says the Republican wave moving across the nation means that God has given the nation another chance…:

The Louisiana GOP says with the Republican sweep of federal runoff elections on Saturday, it’s proof the Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards’ election was a fluke. Executive Director of the State Republican Party Jason Dore says Foster Campbell didn’t lose the U.S. Senate race because he’s a Democrat, it’s because he’s tied to the governor.
Cut 15 (04) “he endorsed”

But Democrats did get a win in Baton Rouge as Sharon Weston Broome was elected as Mayor/President.

The man who shot and killed former Saints player Will Smith has been found guilty of manslaughter. Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino says the defense spent a lot of time trying to point fingers at police for not handling the evidence properly and the prosecution for misconduct. But he says those attempts to distract the jury clearly didn’t work.

Cut 11 (07) “himself”

Hayes was also found guilty of attempted manslaughter for shooting Smith’s wife Racquel in both legs.

Hayes will face at least 20 years in prison, but Orleans Parish DA Leon Cannizzaro says he will seek the maximum 60 year sentence. He says when Hayes goes to court for sentencing on February 12, they will present the victim impact because they believe Hayes should get the maximum.

Cut 14 (12) “come out”

In light of a Republican victories in all of Louisiana’s federal runoffs, the Louisiana Republican Party says Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards’ victory in last year’s gubernatorial race was a fluke. Executive Director Jason Dore says Edwards says in the governor’s mansion are numbered, and he fully expects the governor to be voted out in the next election.

Cut 17 (08) “in 2019”

One of the GOP victors is Mike Johnson, who won the 4^th Congressional District seat. Johnson says he believes the Republican wave moving across the nation means that God has given the country another chance.

Cut 4 (10) “in generations”

Louisiana Democrats did get a win in Baton Rouge with the election of Sharon Weston Broome as mayor-president.

Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro says he plans to seek the maximum 60-year sentence for Cardell Hayes following his manslaughter conviction in the death of Will Smith, and attempted manslaughter for injuring Smith’s wife. Cannizzaro says this was the murder of a hero who was just trying to have fun in New Orleans…:
CUT 13 (10) “road rage incident”
He says they believe Hayes should get the maximum 60 years.

The Republican Party in Louisiana says the past Saturday’s election near GOP sweep is proof that Governor John Bel Edwards’ days are numbered. LA-GOP spokesman Jason Dore says last year’s governor race had more to do with scandal than platforms…:
CUT 16 (07) “the race”
No comment from the Louisiana Democratic Party.

Two new Republican leaders are heading to Washington after GOP victories in both the 3rd and 4th Congressional District races. Don Molino has more…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Don Molino”

According to ESPN, Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin has agreed to become Florida Atlantic’s coach. Kiffin was being pursued by LSU to be offensive coordinator under head coach Ed Orgeron. It’s now reported that LSU’s top choice for OC is Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Matt Canada.

Prosecutors spoke for the first time today after the manslaughter verdict was returned for the man who killed former Saints player Will Smith. Cardell Hayes was originally charged with second degree murder, but Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro says he understands why the jury downgraded the conviction…:
CUT 12 (12) “aggressive fashion”
Hayes was also charged with attempted manslaughter for the shooting and injuring of Smith’s wife Raquel.

Following the Republican sweep of federal runoff elections on Saturday, the GOP of Louisiana says this is proof that Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards’ election was a fluke. LA-GOP spokesman Jason Dore says Foster Campbell didn’t lose the US Senate race because he’s a Democrat, he lost because of ties to the governor…:
CUT 1 (04) “that he endorses”

Two polls find a majority of Louisianans believe President-elect Trump should repeal Obamacare and replace it with a new healthcare system. Emelie Gunn has more…
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The funeral of former NFL player and John Curtis Star Joe McKnight is underway in New Orleans. McKnight was gunned down in Jefferson Parish in an apparent road rage incident. Ronald Gasser is facing manslaughter charges in the incident.

Originally charged with second degree murder, the jury in the Cardell Hayes trial returned a verdict of manslaughter for killing former Saints star Will Smith. Hayes took the stand himself and Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says his testimony wasn’t consistent with the facts which made his self-defense claims less credible…:
CUT 10 (11) “any weapons”
Hayes faces up to 40 years in prison.

In the Saturday’s runoff election, Clay Higgins had a stunning victory over fellow Republican Scott Angelle in the 3rd Congressional District race. The so-called Cajun John Wayne says it’s a new day when a working class man is elected by support from his neighbors..:
CUT 8 (09) “our nation”

Now that Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy was elected U.S. Senator, he says he’ll work to solve Louisiana’s problems. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 1 (25) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The NBA has announced that John Legend will headline the All-Star Game halftime show on February 19th in the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. All-Star Game coverage begins at 7pm on TNT.

Cardell Hayes has been found guilty of manslaughter in the shooting death of former-Saints player Will Smith. Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino says it isn’t surprising the jury went for the manslaughter charge. He says the verdict is consistent with the evidence.

Cut 9 (11) “the shooting”

Ciolino says Hayes could serve more than 20 years in prison.

Now that Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy has been elected as U.S. Senator, he plans to tackle some of Louisiana’s problems in Washington D.C. Kennedy says it’s time for a change and the first thing he will fight for is additional relief for our flood victims.

Cut 10 (06) “afford it”

Kennedy says he will also fight to bring more jobs to Louisiana and fix the economy.

As expected, Republican state lawmaker Mike Johnson is the runaway winner in the 4th Congressional District race. The staunch conservative who replaces US Representative John Fleming says he looks forward to being a part of the real reform the Trump Administration is going to lead…:

Cut 3 (10) “the country”

Johnson says our economy has been in shambles and every bit of change Mr. Trump says he’s going to bring needs to happen.

In the 3^rd District, Capt. Clay Higgins defeated Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle 56 to 44-percent. Higgins perhaps rode a wave of Donald Trump enthusiasm, as the man who has never held an elected office is heading to Washington to represent more than 760-thousand Louisianans.

Cut 7 (08) “my district”

Higgins says his victory is proof that voters are tired of millionaire career politicians.

Cardell Hayes has been found guilty of manslaughter in the shooting death of former Saints star Will Smith. Former New Orleans running back Deuce McAllister was there when the verdict was read and says this was not a win for anybody…:
cut 4 (07) “really win”
Hayes was also found guilty of attempted manslaughter for shooting Smith’s wife during the April 9th road rage incident in New Orleans.

What does a dog do when it catches a car? Those are the words Capt. Clay Higgins used to open his acceptance speech after winning the 3rd Congressional District race. The former deputy with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s office beat Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle 56 to 44-percent in Saturday’s election…:
Cut 6 (07) “overwhelmed”
And as expected, Republican state lawmaker Mike Johnson was the runaway winner in the 4th Congressional District race.

Two polls find a majority of Louisianans believe President-elect Trump should repeal Obamacare and replace it with a new healthcare system. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

According to ESPN, Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin has agreed to become Florida Atlantic’s coach. Kiffin was being pursued by LSU to be offensive coordinator under head coach Ed Oregeron. But Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said last week that he was confident that Kiffin was ready to be a head coach again.

A jury did not accept Cardell Hayes’ claim that he shot former Saints star Will Smith in self defense as they voted 10-2 to convict him of manslaughter. He now faces up to 40 years in prison on the lesser charge. The jurors, who deliberated for 5 hours and 40 minutes, also voted to convict Hayes of attempted manslaughter for shooting Racquel Smith. The DA is slated to hold a news conference on the trial today.

Republicans have a stronger majority in the US Senate after Republican John Kennedy’s victory Saturday. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Two different polls show a majority of Louisiana residents agree with repealing the Affordable Care Act. Southern Media and Opinion Research found 56% of Louisianans surveyed believe President-elect Donald Trump should repeal Obamacare and replace it. But Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says 34% oppose the replacement…:
CUT 9 (07) “Democrats”

Republican John Kennedy says, when serving in the US Senate, he plans to work to fix our suffering economy…:
CUT 12 (08) “of 08″
He also says it’s time for change and the first thing he’ll do is fight for additional relief for flood victims.

Saints fans are not happy today following New Orleans brutal 16-11 loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday. Quarterback Drew Brees failed to throw for a touchdown for the second straight week and the Saints were only able to pick up 294 yards in the game.

Cardell Hayes has been found guilty of killing former Saints player Will Smith. A jury decided Sunday to convict Hayes of manslaughter instead of second degree murder and he now faces 40 years in prison at his sentencing February 17th. Deuce McAllister was a teammate of Smith’s and says this is an extremely painful time for widow Raquel and the entire family…:
CUT 6 (12) “not there”
Hayes insisted he only fired because Smith was drunk, violent and grabbed a gun.

In the Saturday’s runoff election, Clay Higgins had a stunning victory over fellow Republican Scott Angelle in the 3rd Congressional District race. The so-called Cajun John Wayne garnered 56 percent of the vote over Angelle’s 44 percent based on unofficial results. The political newcomer replaces six term US Representative Charles Boustany who unsuccessfully ran for US Senate.

Louisianans believe President-elect Donald Trump should repeal and replace Obamacare, according to two separate surveys…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy is Louisiana’s new US Senator, and he says in addition to fighting for more flood relief for the state, will fight to bring more jobs here…:
CUT 11 (08) “those jobs”
Kennedy’s victory gives the GOP a larger majority in the Senate, 52 Republicans to 48 Democrats.

The jury in the Will Smith trial has found the shooter guilty of manslaughter. Cardell Hayes could have been convicted of second-degree murder for the road rage killing of the popular former Saints player. Deuce McAllister was a teammate of Smith’s and says this is not a win for anyone…:
CUT 5 (10) “for everybody”
Hayes faces up to 40 years in prison.

Now that Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy was elected U.S. Senator, he says he’ll work to solve Louisiana’s problems. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 1 (25) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

John Kennedy’s victory in the US Senate race gives the GOP a larger majority, 52 republicans to 48 democrats in the upper chamber. ULM political science professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says this is an important win for Republicans, because it gives them a larger cushion to deal with issues as they arise in the Senate…:
Cut 13 (06) “tie breaker”
But he feels both parties can agree on things like infrastructure and reducing the national deficit.

But he says one of the close votes will be no doubt be on the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. Two recent polls in Louisiana show people here would like to see President-elect Trump come up with a new healthcare plan. Pollster Ed Chervenak says the poll also found men are more interested in the complete repeal of the Affordable Care Act than women:
Cut 8 (06) “our men”
The poll conducted by the University of New Orleans Survey Research Center found 66-percent of Louisianians support the repeal of Obamacare.