Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections Secretary James Le Blanc says Darrel Vannoy will transition into the top position at Angola and work with outgoing Warden Burl Cain. Jackson Representative Kenny Havard, whose district includes Angola, says if the allegations Cain had private business dealings with inmates are true, then his resignation was the right call…

cut 7 (10) “two sets of rules”

The Department says Vannoy’s appointment is not permanent.

There are two more weeks until Christmas day and there are many that still have not done anything when it comes to Christmas shopping. Dr. Michelle Moore, LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Psychologist, says procrastinators usually wait until the last minute to do everything in life, not just to holiday shop…

cut 13 (09) “any sooner”

Moore says there is nothing clinically wrong with dilly dallying, unless it’s a personality trait that bothers you.

One of the more unique holiday traditions in Louisiana takes place tomorrow night in south Louisiana with the 12th annual Delcambre Christmas Boat Parade. Parade President Marae Fontenot says there is a variety of events leading up to the parade including, their first ever tacky Christmas sweater 5-K run and kids can eat pancakes with Santa…

cut 10 (11) “the boats”

Fontenot says the night will finish off with an extravagant fireworks display. The boat parade begins at 6 p.m.

An Avoyelles grand jury has indicted two officers on murder charges in connection with a shooting that left 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis dead, and his father, Chris Few, injured in Marksville. Norris Greenhouse Jr. and Derrick Stafford are both now formally charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. They were arrested on November 6 on those same charges.

The Department of Corrections says Dixon Correctional Warden Darrel Vannoy will take over for outgoing Angola Warden Burl Cain, at least on an interim basis. Cain announced his retirement about a month after Advocate articles surfaced alleging the 73-year-old was violating department policy. He says when the paper questioned his religious beliefs, he knew it was time to go…
cut 12 (04) “over the edge”
Cain, the longest serving warden in Angola history, steps down at the end of the year.

The United Health Foundation’s annual America’s Health Rankings lists Louisiana as the least healthy state in the country. Eric Gill reports..:
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Eric Gill”

Arkansas State offensive coordinator Walt Bell has reportedly turned down an opportunity to be the next head coach at ULM. So who is interested in the job? McNeese State head coach Matt Viator reportedly remains a finalist and the search committee is also taking a look at Grambling head coach Broderick Fobbs and Alcorn State head coach Jay Hopson.

Angola Warden Burl Cain is resigning at the end of the year. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 1 (19) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections Secretary James Le Blanc announced today that Darrel Vannoy will transition into the top position at Angola and work with Cain. Vannoy is the current warden at Dixon Correctional Institute and a 40 year corrections employee.

US Representative Charles Boustany, a Republican from Lafayette, says he plans to formally announce he’s running for the US Senate in 2016 on Monday at his home. Boustany joins several others running for the seat being vacated by Senator David Vitter who’s retiring and not seeking another term.

State Police say a 14-year-old Prairieville boy was killed when he was struck by a vehicle as he was riding his bicycle in Ascension Parish Wednesday night. They Brennan Rube was on his bike on LA 73 and a 2000 Dodge truck driven by 26-year-old Joshua Ashford hit the teen from behind causing him to be ejected from his bicycle. Rube, a student at Dutchtown High, was pronounced dead at the scene and Ashford charged with negligent homicide for suspected speeding.

The United Health Foundation’s annual America’s Health Rankings lists Louisiana as the least healthy state in the country. United Health Foundation’s Rhonda Russell says Louisiana fell two spots from last year. She says several factors lead to the state’s low ranking…:
CUT 6 (09) “graduation rate”
She says Louisiana also ranks 50th in the country in the percentage of children living in poverty.

Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections Secretary James Le Blanc announced today that Darrel Vannoy will transition into the top position at Angola and work with outgoing Warden Burl Cain. Cain announced his resignation Wednesday amid questions regarding business dealings with inmates being raised by the Advocate newspaper. Vannoy is the current warden at Dixon Correctional Institute and a 40 year corrections employee.

Down two spots from last year, Louisiana ranks least healthy in the nation by the United Health Foundation. The report cites high smoking and obesity rates among residents as the cause. United Health Foundation’s Rhonda Randall says it may be up to you, as an individual, to spur your family and friends to make healthy lifestyle changes…:
CUT 8 (07) “do the same”
She says Louisiana ranks 50th in the country for children living in poverty which also contributes to the ranking as they tend to eat less healthy foods.

Counselors were on hand at Dutchtown High today to help students cope with the death of 14-year-old student Brennan Rube who was hit by a truck while riding his bicycle in Ascension Parish last night. State Police say the driver, 26-year-old Joshua Ashford of Gonzales, is charged with negligent homicide. Trooper Bryan Lee..:
CUT 11 (08) “that crash”
Officials say Ashford’s bail was set at $25,000 and he bonded out Wednesday night.

President Barack Obama signs a major new education bill that will give states more control over school accountability and student testing. State Superintendent of Education John White says this legislation will allow the state to determine its own standards. He says a large committee made up of Louisiana education leaders is already looking at proposed changes to Common Core…:
CUT 4 (09) “high expectations”
The bill replaces the 2002 No Child Left Behind education law.

Burl Cain, who has gained world-wide recognition for his efforts in reforming the prison, says he’s resigning as the warden of Angola at the end of the year. The decision to step down comes amid a series of reports by the Advocate newspaper questioning Cain’s business interactions with inmates and their families. Cain says his biggest accomplishments at Angola over the last 21 years don’t lie with the campus…:
CUT 13 (08) “what counts”
Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc will appoint Cain’s successor.

Congressman Charles Boustany says he will formally announce his candidacy for US Senate from his family home in Lafayette on Monday.

News outlets in north Louisiana are reporting that McNeese head football coach Matt Viator is a finalist for the ULM head coaching job. Today Sports Illustrated said that the other finalist for the position, Arkansas State offensive coordinator Walt Bell, had withdrawn his name.

Louisiana is the least healthy state in the country according to an annual list published by the United Health Foundation. The report cites high smoking and obesity rates among residents. Foundation Spokeswoman Rhonda Randall says Louisiana also ranks 50th in the country in the percentage of children living in poverty which is concerning…:
CUT 7 (09) “high school”
She encourages folks to talk to your friends and family about making lifestyle changes.

The Ascension Parish community and Dutchtown High are in mourning today following the death of a 14-year-old freshman who was killed while riding his bicycle last night. State Police spokesman Bryan Lee says they believe 26-year-old Joshua Ashford was driving too fast when he struck the bike Brennan Rube was riding on LA 73…:
CUT 10 (03) “negligent homicide”
School officials say Counselors are on hand at Dutchtown High School to help students and staff members cope with this terrible tragedy.

Angola Warden Burl Cain has decided to give up his post at the end of the year. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A grand jury in Avoyelles Parish is set to decide today whether to indict two city marshals accused of killing a 6-year-old child in Marksville and injuring his father. 32-year-old Derrick Stafford and 23-year-old Norris Greehouse Jr. face charges of second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder in the case of the killing of young Jeremy Mardis and shooting of Chris Few. What exactly happened is uncertain.

President Barack Obama signs a major new education bill that gives states more control over school accountability and student testing. It replaces the 2002 No Child Left Behind education law. State Superintendent of Education John White believes the new legislation is a good thing for Louisiana’s public schools…:
CUT 3 (10) “our kids”
White says this legislation will allow for the state to determine our own standards.

Multiple sources are reporting that McNeese State head football coach Matt Viator is the lone finalist for the open job at ULM. Viator, who is 78-33 with the Cowboys, is said to have interviewed for the Warhawk coaching spot vacated by Todd Berry who was fired during the season. ULM president Nick Bruno is expected to make a decision soon.