Democrat Amite state representative John Bel Edwards is Louisiana’s next governor. Edwards defeated Republican David Vitter by double digits in Saturday’s runoff election. Edwards says his victory is a breeze of hope for Louisiana….

cut 7 (08) “of others”

In his concession speech, Vitter announced that he would not seek re-election to the US Senate in 2016. Vitter did not disclose what he may do once his second-term in the US Senate ends…

cut 10 (11) “after issue”

About a month ago, Vitter was the odds on favorite to be the next governor of Louisiana. Edwards will assume office in January.

Also, Republican Billy Nungesser defeated Democrat Kip Holden in the Lt. Governor’s race and Republican Jeff Landry unseated fellow Republican incumbent Attorney General Buddy Caldwell.

According to the personal finance website, Kiplinger, Louisiana ranks fourth for best state to live in for low taxes and it’s also eighth for retirees. Kiplinger Senior Associate Editor Sandra Block says the Pelican State has a variety of tax friendly policies….

cut 4 (09) “the country”

Block says another aspect in Louisiana’s favor is state gasoline taxes which are about a dime lower than the rest of the country.

Republican Senator David Vitter has decided to not seek re-election to the US Senate next year. Vitter made the announcement during his gubernatorial election concession speech Saturday night. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says this does not come as a shock…

cut 11 (09) “this announcement”

Vitter said when he decided to run for governor, he wanted to pursue challenges outside the Senate, no matter the outcome of this election.

A state representative from Amite is the next governor of Louisiana. John Bel Edwards defeated Republican David Vitter by double digits, becoming the first Democrat to win a statewide election since 2008. Edwards has this message for Louisiana residents….

cut 8 (12) “people first”

About a month ago, Vitter was the odds on favorite to be the next governor of Louisiana. But now it appears his political career is over as he’s announced he won’t seek re-election to the US Senate in 2016…

cut 9 (08) “matter what”

Edwards won Saturday’s election 55 to 45 percent.

In the Lt. Governor’s runoff election, Republican Billy Nungesser defeated Democrat Kip Holden by a 10 percentage point margin.

Two-term Republican incumbent Buddy Caldwell was defeated in the Attorney General’s race as fellow Republican and former Congressman Jeff Landry won by 12-percentage points. Caldwell says he’s proud of the work he’s done as the state’s top lawyer…

cut 14 (10) “not through”

Attorney General-elect Landry on what he’ll bring to the office…

cut 16 (06) “I didnt’”

Landry will assume office in January.

You may need a jacket as you get out and about this morning. Morning temperatures are in the 30s across much of the state.

Today is election day in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo reports…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana’s unemployment rate rose slightly to six-point-two percent in October based on figures from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, that’s lower than last October when the unemployment rate was seven-percent. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the civilian labor force lost nearly 12-thousand workers from September to October. The two main factors, low oil prices and a decline of government workers.

Polls heading into election day show Democrat John Bel Edwards lead slipping over Republican David Vitter in the race for governor. The latest JMC Analytics survey shows Edwards lead over Vitter is in the single digits. LAPolitics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says it may be too little too late for Vitter as Edwards’ “Get Out The Vote” campaign is very strong…

cut 5 (07) “John Bel Edwards”

He says the Syrian refugee issue has helped Vitter gain ground.

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission kicks off their Thanksgiving holiday Click it or Ticket campaign Sunday. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says nobody wants to remember the holidays tragically and buckling up has been proven to save lives. He says in addition to checking for seatbelt violations, troopers will also be on the lookout for motorists drinking and driving…

cut 8 (08) “home safe”

Reichardt says there will be increased patrols through November 29th.

A recent JMC Analytics poll shows Democrat John Bel Edwards’ lead over Republican David Vitter is down to the single digits as voters head to the polls to elect the state’s new governor. Jeff Palermo reports…

cut 1 (25) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The President of the University of Louisiana System is stepping down. Sandra Woodley gave no explanation for her resignation. In a released statement, Woodley says she is proud of what the system has been able to accomplish during her presidency which began in January of 2013. Woodley will leave her post at the end of the year. She will remain on board to serve in a transitional capacity through March 31st.

Governor Bobby Jindal’s proposal to close a 487-million dollar budget deficit has been approved by the joint legislative budget committee. Senate president John Alario says it’s not a perfect plan, but it puts something in place until a new governor takes over in January…

cut 12 (09) “what’s happening”

The plan calls for cuts to state agencies, patchwork financing and tapping into the rainy day fund.

A man from Denham Springs will spend the rest of his life behind bars for shooting up his fiancee with a lethal dose of heroin. 26-year-old Jarret McCasland was found guilty of second-degree murder. East Baton Rouge DA Hillar Moore says evidence against McCasland was overwhelming and the jury didn’t take long to return a verdict…

cut 10 (10) “that testified”

19-year-old Flavia Cardenas died of a heroin overdose in July of 2013.

Louisiana voters will head to the polls today to elect the state’s new governor. A recent JMC Analytics poll shows Democrat John Bel Edwards’ lead over Republican David Vitter has shrunk down to the single digits. LAPolitics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says, in order for Vitter to win, he’ll need conservative voters to return to his camp. He says tracking numbers have shown that has happened in the last week…

cut 4 (08) “to do”

Polls are open until 8PM.

The joint legislative budget committee approves Governor Bobby Jindal’s proposal to close a 487-million dollar budget deficit. The plan calls for cuts to state agencies, patchwork financing and tapping into the rainy day fund. Commissioner of Administration Stafford Palmieri says the governor made it a priority to make sure public colleges were not hit with cuts…

cut 14 (07) “Louisiana forward”

The two gubernatorial candidates had asked legislators to reject Jindal’s deficit reduction plan.

A 26-year-old Denham Springs man will spend the rest of his life in prison for shooting up his fiancee with heroin, causing a fatal overdose. An East Baton Rouge Parish jury found Jarret McCasland guilty of second-degree murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence. District Attorney Hillar Moore says a seldom used statue was used in his case…

cut 9 (08) “deadly drug”

McCasland, who did not take the stand in his defense, will face formal sentencing in January for the death of 19-year-old Flavia Cardenas.

With the Thanksgiving holiday right around the corner, The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission kicks off their Click it or Ticket campaign this Sunday. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says make sure you buckle up, because it’s the first step in saving your life in case you’re in an accident…

cut 6 (08) “that easy”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says seat belt usage reduces the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers by 45-percent.

Polls heading into election day show Democrat John Bel Edwards lead slipping over Republican David Vitter in the race for governor. The latest JMC Analytics survey shows Edwards lead over Republican David Vitter in the single digits. LAPolitics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says it may be too little too late for Vitter as Edwards’ “Get Out The Vote” campaign is very strong…:
cut 5 (07) “….John Bel Edwards”
Polls are open Saturday from seven AM to eight PM.

The joint legislative budget committee approves Governor Bobby Jindal’s proposal to close a 487-million dollar budget deficit. Covington Representative John Schroder was one of a handful of lawmakers who voted against it. He says the plan doesn’t address the state’s spending problems:
cut 13 (09) “in reductions”
The Jindal administration touted the plan as one that doesn’t result in cuts to higher education.

A Denham Springs man charged with murder in the death of his fiancee who he shot up with a lethal dose of heroin was found guilty and will spend life behind bars. In 2013, 26-year-old Jarret McCasland administered a needle with the drugs into 19-year-old Flavia Cardenas and she died of an overdose. East Baton Rouge Parish DA Hillar Moore says this case illustrates that heroin is a deadly drug, with lasting consequences…
CUT 11 (10) “person’s death”
McCasland will be formally sentenced in January.

One of the top high school football prospects in the state is one of two players from North Webster High School that’s been arrested and charged with carnal knowledge of a juvenile. 17-year-old Devin White and 18-year-old Keuntra Gipson of Springhill allegedly had sexual relations with a juvenile. White, a running back and linebacker for the Knights, is being recruuited by LSU and Alabama.

A recent JMC Analytics poll shows Democrat John Bel Edwards’ lead over Republican David Vitter is down to the single digits. Jeff Palermo reports…
cut 1 (25) “….I’m Jeff Palermo”

The state’s unemployment rate rose slightly to six-point-two percent in October based on figures from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. But that’s lower than last October when the unemployment rate was seven-percent. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the civiillan labor force lost nearly 12-thousand workers from September to October. The two main factors, low oil prices and a decline of government workers.

Law enforcement’s Click it or Ticket campaign begins Sunday. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says they’ll increase enforcement through the 29th and if you don’t buckle up, it could turn your happy holiday into a nightmare…:
CUT 7 (10) “tragedy”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers by 45-percent.

The joint legislative budget committee approves Governor Bobby Jindal’s proposal to close a 487-million dollar budget deficit. The plan calls for cuts to state agencies, patchwork financing and tapping into the rainy day fund. Senate president John Alario says it’s not a perfect plan, but it puts something in place until a new governor takes over in January…
cut 12 (09) “…what’s happening”
Higher education was not cut under the plan.

On the eve of Election Day, the newest JMC Analytics poll shows Democrat John Bel Edwards with 47 percent of the vote, and Republican David Vitter with 43 percent. Edwards was above 50 percent in the JMC poll earlier this week. LAPolitics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says the Syrian refugee issue has helped Vitter gain ground…:
CUT 3 (08) “leverage that”
But he says it’ll be a challenge for Vitter to catchup quick enough before tomorrow’s election.

The Joint Legislative Budget committee today approved Governor Bobby Jindal’s plan to plug the state’s 487-million dollar budget deficit. Both candidates said they would reject the budget if elected because it doesn’t solve any problems long term.

A recent report, compiled by Morning Consult, shows that Governor Bobby Jindal is the second least popular governor in the nation. The report shows only 35-percent of Louisiana voters approve of Jindal’s performance.

It’s Click It or Ticket time as we enter the weekend before the Thanksgiving Holiday. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says nobody wants to remember the holidays tragicly and buckling up has been proven to save lives. He says in addition to checking for seatbelt violations, troopers will also be on the lookout for motorists drinking and driving..:
CUT 8 (08) “home safe”
Reichardt says they’ll be increased patrols between November 22 until the 29th.

State Police say a man involved in a fatal hit and run crash this morning in West Baton Rouge Parish is in custody and it’s believed he was driving drunk when the incident occurred, then ran from the scene. They say an investigation revealed 27-year-old Nicholas Porche ran a flashing red light in Erwinville and collided with another pickup truck. The driver of that truck, 53-year-old Michael Holmes of Ventress, was pronounced dead on the scene. Troopers were able to locate Porche in a sugarcane field a few hours later and his charges include 4th Offense DWI and Vehicular Homicide.

Tomorrow is Election Day in Louisiana. The statewide ballot is highlighted by the gubernatorial runoff between Republican David Vitter and Democrat John Bel Edwards. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says, with this election falling on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, there’s concern that some activities may keep voters from the polls…
cut 1 (10) “turnout down”
He predicts a 42-percent voter turnout for the runoff.

The joint legislative budget committee approves Governor Bobby Jindal’s proposal to close a 487-million dollar budget deficit. Commissioner of Administration Stafford Palmieri says the governor made it a priority to make sure public colleges were not hit with cuts…
cut 14 (07) “Louisiana forward”
The plan calls for cuts to state agencies, patchwork financing and tapping into the rainy day fund.

One of the men accused in the deaths of a Baton Rouge couple last month is one step closer to coming back to Louisiana according to the office of DA Hillar Moore. 42-year-old Ernesto Alonso is accused of killing and kidnapping Denis and Suzanne Duplantier and he was taken into custody in Florida. Alonso did not waive extradition but Governor Bobby Jindal ordered for his immediate return. He will be charged with two counts each of first degree murder and second degree kidnapping.

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says the Click it or Ticket campaign begins today ahead of the Thanksgiving Holiday. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says they’ll be beefing up enforcement through the 29th and if you don’t buckle up, it could turn your happy holiday into a nightmare…:
CUT 7 (10) “tragedy”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers by 45-percent.

Democrat John Bel Edwards seems to be slipping in the polls the day before the gubernatorial election. The latest JMC Analytics survey shows Edwards lead over Republican David Vitter in the single digits. LAPolitics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says it may be too little too late for Vitter as Edwards’ “Get Out The Vote” campaign is very strong…:
CUT 5 (07) “John Be Edwards”

A Denham Springs man charged with murder in the death of his fiance who he shot up with a lethal dose of heroin was found guilty and will spend life behind bars. In 2013, 26-year-old Jarret McCasland administered a needle with the drugs into 19-year-old Flavia Cardenas and she died of an overdose. East Baton Rouge Parish DA Hillar Moore says stay away from heroin…:
CUT 11 (10) “person’s death”

Sunday begins the Click it or Ticket campaign to get drivers to buckle up during the holiday season. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Authorities say a Shreveport Police officer who was fired in October is under arrest for allegedly threatening SPD administrative personnel and others he believed were responsible for his termination. 45-year-old James Paul Creighton was questioned by the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and arrested Thursday charged with threatening public officials.