In the final day before the runoff election, the two candidates for governor are making their last pitch to voters. Democrat Representative John Bel Edwards says his message to voters is that this election isn’t about party, but about working together to fix the state’s problems.

cut 13 (09) “being Louisianans”

Polls heading into Saturday’s election show Republican Senator David Vitter trailing his opponent. Vitter says before the polls close, he hopes to sway undecided voters in his direction…

cut 11 (11) “the issues”

The Lt. Governor and Attorney General races will also be on Saturday’s ballot. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says there are also local races on the ballot that will affect voter turnout…

cut 5 (09) “always does”

Polls will be open from 7AM to 8PM Saturday.

The City of Natchitoches officially kicks off their Christmas Festival season tomorrow with its “Turn on the Holidays” event. Entertainment, shopping and food vendors will be showcased throughout the day, then that evening, hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights will illuminate the Natchitoches Historic Landmark District. Mayor Lee Posey…

cut 7 (09) “wow”

Turn on the Holidays features live musical performances, amusements, and fireworks.

The State Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announces a rare fall red snapper season begins today. Assistant Secretary Randy Pausina expects the fall season to remain open through the rest of the year, but the weather will have an impact….

cut 15 (06) “bad is right”

The fall season was announced after it was determined Louisiana did not reach its maximum number of red fish harvested for 2015.

The two candidates for governor are making their last pitch to voters on this election eve. Republican Senator David Vitter says he’ll be all over the state campaigning today getting his message out…

cut 10 (11) “after issue”

Democratic Representative John Bel Edwards says as governor, he will be present, hands on and engaged. He says he will bring Republicans and Democrats together.

cut 12 (08) “do that”

Polls will open tomorrow at 7AM and close at 8PM.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler says, with this election falling on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, there’s concern that some activities may keep some voters from the polls…

cut 4 (10) “turnout down”

However, early voting numbers have Schedler predicting a 42-percent voter turnout for the runoff.

Louisiana fishermen have the rare opportunity to catch red snapper in state waters in November and December. Randy Pausina, assistant secretary for the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says a fall red snapper season begins today, after it was determined Louisiana did not reach its maximum number of red fish harvested for 2015…

cut 14 (09) “92-percent”

The fall season will run seven days a week in state waters with a daily bag and possession limit of two fish per person at a 16-inch minimum total length. Pausina expects the fall season to remain open through the rest of the year.

Federal, state, and local authorities held a news conference in New Orleans today to reassure residents that an attack similar to the one in Paris last week is not imminent in Louisiana. New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says facts have been confused in the days following the Paris attacks…:
CUT 9 (10) “threats at all”
He says they are utilizing every effort to keep it that way.

Baton Rouge Police say a second man has been arrested in the slaying of an elderly couple whose bodies were discovered at a Hammond truck stop last month. Lt. Johnny Dunham says 48-year-old Frank Garcia was arrested in Florida and will be charged with two counts of first degree murder. He didn’t say what led to the arrest…:
CUT 4 (10) “at this point”
Denis and Suzy Duplantier of Baton Rouge were killed in October. 42-year-old Ernesto Alonso was previously arrested and charged in the deaths.

Today is the Great American Smokeout and Mike Rogers with the Smoking Cessation Trust reminds longtime smokers that they offer a program which provides free medications and other necessary services to Louisianians who started smoking before September 1988…:
CUT 14 (06) “tobacco’s money”
For more information visit smokefreela.org

Jim Hawthorne returns to broadcasting for LSU tonight as he has the call for LSU-South Alabama basketball game at the PMAC. Hawthorne has missed the last two football games, after undergoing heart surgery. The legendary broadcaster says it’s been an unique experiience to watch LSU football games as a fan on TV…
cut 8 (11) “…watch a game”
Hawthorne will return as LSU’s football play-by-play man for the regular season finale against Texas A-and-M.

Authorities held a press conference in New Orleans this morning to reassure residents that an attack similar to the one in Paris last week is not imminent in Louisiana. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (27) “I’m Eric Gill”

Governor Bobby Jindal is calling on the candidates for Governor to outline specific budget proposals instead of criticizing the one his Administration has laid out. Both Republican David Vitter and Democrat John Bel Edwards say they would reject Jindal’s plan to address the current year budget deficit. Jindal says neither candidate is suggesting detailed solutions and they should have the guts to say what their plan is.

Baton Rouge Police report a second man has been arrested in the slaying of an elderly Baton Rouge couple whose bodies were discovered at a Hammond truck stop last month. Lt. Johnny Dunham says 48-year-old Frank Garcia was arrested in Florida and will be charged with two counts of first degree murder. 42-year-old Ernesto already charged in the death’s of Denis Duplantier and Suzanne Duplantier. Dunham says this is still an active investigation and it’s possible more arrests could be made…:
CUT 5 (07) “call Crime Stoppers”

Today is the Great American Smokeout, a day that has been designated for smokers to quit their habit. According to the Center for Disease Control 24-percent of Louisiana adults smoke, which is higher than the national percentage. Mike Rogers with the Smoking Cessation Trust says, since 2012, they’ve offered a program that provides free products to help people quit:
CUT 13 (09) “benefits”

Federal, state, and local authorities held a press conference in New Orleans this morning to reassure residents that an attack similar to the one in Paris last week is not imminent in Louisiana. FBI Special Agent Jeffrey Sallet (sa-LET) says there are currently no credible terrorist threats here and authorities will strive to keep it that way…:
Cut 11 (08) “are safe”
He says, prior to the Paris attacks, the task force has been preparing to respond and prevent multi-event attacks.

Both candidates for governor are asking the Joint Legislative Budget Committee to reject the Jindal Administration’s proposal for taking care of the state’s 487-million dollar budget deficit. The Committee meets tomorrow. Democrat John Bel Edwards and Republican David Vitter both say the plan just heaps the problems onto the next governor. Jindal accuses the candidates of not having detailed solutions and they should be leaders instead of critics.

Jim Hawthorne, The Voice of LSU, will be back doing play-by-play tonight for the first time since missing some games after undergoing a medical procedure. Hawthorne will call the LSU men’s basketball game in Baton Rouge. He says he’s been extremely humbled by how many friends and LSU fans have reached out and wished him the best for a speedy recovery…:
CUT 7 (11) “very supportive”
Hawthorne says he plans to call the final regular season football game next week.

Funeral services for former Northwestern State University President Randall Webb will be Monday at 10am in Prather (pray-ther) Coliseum on the NSU campus. Visitation will be Sunday from 3pm-6pm in the Prather Coliseum arena. School officials say the 72-year-old died Wednesday after a long illness. At 18 years, Webb was the longest-serving president in the history of Northwestern State.

Officials gathered in New Orleans this morning to assure citizens that there is no terrorist threat imminent in Louisiana. Mayor Mitch Landrieu says there are no credible threats from any of the Syrian refugees there. FBI Special Agent Jeffrey Sallet (sa-LET) says there is a very strong Joint Terrorism Task Force in the state. He says their job is to protect the citizens of Louisiana from attacks like the ones in France…:
CUT 10 (11) “preparing for”

Governor Bobby Jindal is calling on the candidates for Governor to outline specific budget proposals instead of criticizing the one his Administration has laid out. Both Republican David Vitter and Democrat John Bel Edwards say they would reject Jindal’s plan to address the current year budget deficit. Jindal says neither candidate is suggesting detailed solutions and they should have the guts to say what their plan is.

The Voice of LSU, Jim Hawthorne, is back tonight for the call of the men’s basketball game. Eric Gill reports its his first broadcast since undergoing a medical procedure last month…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office says they have found the body of a fisherman from Houma who’d been missing since Tuesday morning. A fisherman called authorities Tuesday after reporting he’d seen a man in a boat, but then later saw the vessel in the water with nobody inside. They say the body of 69-year-old Gary Crochet was later recovered from Lake DeCade.

Authorities held a press conference in New Orleans this morning to reassure residents that an attack similar to the one in Paris last week is not imminent in Louisiana. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (27) “I’m Eric Gill”

Today is the Great American Smokeout and Mike Rogers with the Smoking Cessation Trust reminds longtime smokers that they offer a program which provides free medications and other necessary services to Louisianians who started smoking before September 1988…:
CUT 14 (06) “tobacco’s money”
The CDC says 24-percent of Louisiana adults smoke.

Baton Rouge Police report a second man has been arrested in the slaying of an elderly Baton Rouge couple whose bodies were discovered at a Hammond truck stop last month. Lt. Johnny Dunham says 48-year-old Frank Garcia was arrested in Florida and will be charged with two counts of first degree murder. He didn’t say what led to the arrest…:
CUT 4 (10) “at this point”
Denis and Suzy Duplantier were killed October 18th. 42-year-old Ernesto Alonso was previously arrested and charged in the deaths.

The Grand Theater in Lafayette, where a gunman opened fire on people during a movie, is reopening tonight for the first time since the tragedy. 11 people were injured in the incident and two women died. Lafayette Mayor President Joey Durel says the theater has been completely renovated and the community is looking forward to enjoying it again. The box office opens at 6:45.