Governor-elect John Bel Edwards says he plans to issue an executive order with the intent of protecting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender state workers and contractors from unfair treatment and discrimination. Edwards says this directive will not be something new to Louisiana…:
CUT 3 (08) “were governors”
He says it’s the right thing to do.

Edwards has selected fellow Democrat Public Service Commissioner Foster Cambell to co-chair the transition team which will deal with Louisiana’s budget problems. Campbell says there are a lot of good people on this committee and believes they are ready to do right by Louisiana..:
CUT 7 (09) “to recovery”
Former inspector general and assistant legislative auditor Sharon Robinson will serve with Campbell as co-chair of the committee.

State Senator Troy Brown, who was arrested after last weekend’s Bayou Classic in New Orleans for allegedly punching his longtime girlfriend, has reportedly decided to step down as vice chairman of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee while his legal issues pan out. Apparently this was a mutual agreement. Brown says he can’t remember the details of what happened in the alleged attack at the New Orleans hotel.

The City of Alexandria kicks off their first annual Alex Winter Fete today. The three day winter festival will take place downtown and feature bands on the main stage, carnival rides and plenty of food vendors. Director of Community Services Daniel Williams says the biggest attraction for the Alexandria festival is the ice skating rink which is open select times…:
CUT 9 (08) “to 11:30″
Williams says Saturday there will be an Ugly Christmas Sweater 5-K run and contest.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards names Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell, a fellow Democrat, as the co-chair of the transition committee which researches the state’s budget. Campbell says the committee’s task is to find solutions for the Louisiana’s deficit…:
CUT 6 (11) “the situation”
He says this committee is truly bipartisan with members representing all walks of life across the state.

President Barack Obama has ordered that all United States flags be flown at half-staff to honor the victims of the mass shooting in San Bernardino, California that claimed the lives of 14 people and injured more than a dozen. The proclamation was signed today at calls for flags to remain at half staff through Monday. The President says they still don’t know whether or not the attack was related to terrorism but it is possible.

According to BusinessReport.com, LSU President F. King Alexander says the final decision about Les Miles’ job as head coach was made during the Texas A&M game. He said the cost of the buyout, even though privately funded, would still put off a bad perception to lawmakers. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says the fate of Miles could still be uncertain as Governor-elect John Bel Edwards has promised to fund higher education with more state money..:
cut 13 (10) “this year”

A documentary about former New Orleans Saint Steve Gleason, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2011, will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January. 16 films, including “Gleason” are in the documentary competition at one of the most respected film festivals in the world. Sundance takes place January 21-31 in Utah.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards says he plans to issue an executive order with the intent of protecting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender state workers and contractors from unfair treatment and discrimination. He said he made this promise during his campaign and he plans to follow through:
CUT 4 (03) “to do”
Former Democratic Governors Edwin Edwards and Kathleen Blanco signed similar decrees to protect LGBT state workers from harassment.

The fate of LSU coach Les Miles’ job was decided during the Texas A&M game according to The Baton Rouge Business Report. LSU President F. King Alexander says the millions in buyout money was a factor. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says Alexander made it clear that even though the buyout would be funded by boosters, the PR hit would have been still been tremendous…:
cut 12 (07) “that matters”
Alexander says the display of public support for Miles was also part of the decision.

The City of Alexandria kicks off their first ever Alex Winter Fete and hopes people from all over will come out to experience the festival. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The final analysis from the Center for Public Integrity finds that about $20 million dollars was spent in advertising on the governor’s race alone this year. The CPI estimates show Republican David Vitter spent the most at $4.1 million, while Governor-elect John Bel Edwards dished out $3.2 million on ads.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards has named Democratic Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell as the co-chair of his transition committee that addresses the stat’s budget.
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Eric Gill”

State Police say a fatal crash in St. James Parish claimed the life of a man they believe was impaired at the time. They say 34-year-old Travis Joseph of St. James was traveling on LA 18 and, for unknown reasons, traveled into the opposite lane of traffic and hit a truck head on. The driver of the truck and passenger were injured. Joseph, who cops believe had been drinking and wasn’t buckled up, was pronounced dead at the scene.

LSU President F. King Alexander says the final decision on whether or not to keep Les Miles as head coach wasn’t made until after halftime of the Texas A&M game according to business-report-dot-com. Alexander says the cost of the buyout and the show of public support for Miles went into the decision. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says, by all accounts, Miles went into that game not knowing his job status…:
CUT 11 (11) “found out”
Worsham says even though Miles gets to keep his job for now, it’s likely the fate of the Mad Hatter is still in limbo as the call was made for political reasons.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards has named Democratic Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell as the co-chair of his transition committee that will take a look at the state’s budget problems. Campbell says members definitely have their work cut out for them…:
CUT 5 (10) “stands today”
Former inspector general and assistant legislative auditor Sharon Robinson will serve with Campbell as co-chair of the committee.

State Senator Troy Brown, who was arrested after last weekend’s Bayou Classic in New Orleans for allegedly punching his longtime girlfriend, has reportedly decided to step down as vice chairman of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee while his legal issues pan out. Apparently this was a mutual agreement. Brown says he can’t remember the details of what happened in the alleged attack at the New Orleans hotel.

The City of Alexandria announces their first annual Alex Winter Fete. The Alexandria Winter Season Festival kicks off today and runs through Saturday and will accompany the 12 Nights of Christmas program. Director of Community Services for the City of Alexandria, Daniel Williams, says tonight they’ll get a visit from Santa and enjoy entertainment from street performers…:
CUT 8 (08) “the tree”
The New Alexandria Winter-Season Festival will also feature giant snow globes for photo opportunities and jumping, now and an ice skating rink.

According to business-report-dot-com, LSU President F King Alexander says the final decision on whether to keep Les Miles as head coach was not made until after a halftime meeting during the A-and-M game. Alexander says the cost of the buyout, even though university funds would not be used, and the show of public support for Miles went into the decision.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards says he plans to issue an executive order with the intent of protecting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender state workers and contractors from unfair treatment and discrimination. Edwards says this directive will not be something new to Louisiana…:
CUT 3 (08) “were governors”
He says it’s the right thing to do.

Domestic catfish farmers have been issuing warnings about the safety of cheaper imports. Now, new, stricter food safety testing for catfish has the local industry cheering, and importers not so much. Chad Causey with The Catfish Institute says the new rules apply across the board and if catfish imports are safe and free of contaminants, it will be allowed to come in…:
Cut 9 (09) “restaurant tables”

A report from the national Mental Health Association shows Louisiana as a state with among the highest occurrences of mental illness and the lowest rates to access to care. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

The US House is expected to vote today on a transportation bill that would provide Louisiana an additional 100-million dollars a year in federal highway dollars. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves helped craft the legislation and he says the bill also provides states with grant opportunities to help pay for major transportation improvements including in south Louisiana.

At the Council for a Better Louisiana’s annual luncheon, Governor-elect John Bel Edwards previewed what his administration will seek to do over the next four years. Even though Edwards spoke before a group of business leaders, he expressed his wish for equal pay between men and women and a higher wage for the state’s poorest workers…

cut 15 (09) “kid or two”

Edwards also hinted at making changes to the state’s accountability system for public education.

A vote is scheduled today in the US House on a transportation bill that would provide Louisiana an additional 100-million dollars a year in federal highway dollars. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says there are provisions in this legislation that are biased towards Louisiana to help improve traffic flow…

cut 12 (09) “by the day”

He says the bill also provides grant opportunities to help pay for major transportation improvements in south Louisiana.

The United States Department of Agriculture has unveiled new rules for catfish. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A study from carinsurancecomparison-dot-com ranks Louisiana drivers as the fifth worst in the nation. The website compiled their ranking based on data such as number of fatalities, traffic violations, seat belt infractions, and drunk driving. Louisiana ranked worst in the nation in the failure to obey traffic laws. Speeding was the state’s best category where it came in at number 33. Montana has the worst drivers in the country, Minnesota the best.