A recent survey on Louisiana’s US Senators shows both DAvid Vitter and Bill Cassidy’s job approval ratings in the mid-40s. The report, but Morning Consult, shows 47 percent of Louisiana voters approve of Vitter’s job performance while Cassidy has 44 percent. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says Cassidy’s low rating is surprising…:
CUT 9 (06) “to Cassidy”
The report shows about 24 percent of respondents didn’t know enough about Cassidy to rate him.

As was a major platform in his campaign, Governor-elect John Bel Edwards tells the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus that he plans to ensure every student in the state is given a fair opportunity to suceed. He says he will begin his term with a focus on education…:
CUT 4 (09) “in Louisiana”
Edwards says funding for higher education is crucial.

Today is Giving Tuesday — a chance for you to give back to charities. The American Red Cross is participating in the third Giving Tuesday and hopes everyone who can, will give back in a meaningful way. Louisiana Region Spokesperson Nancy Malone says the holiday season is a time of warmth and giving…:
CUT 6 (09) “overnight”
She says you can visit Red-Cross-dot-org-slash-gifts (redcross.org/gifts) to donate.

The 2015 Louisiana Tax Amnesty period resumes today after it was temporarily shut off due to a paperwork error. This will be the last time in at least 10 years that tax payers will have the opportunity to settle up with the state with lessened penalties and interest on outstanding returns. Amnesty runs through December 31st.

Governor-Elect John Bel Edwards spoke before the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus about the future of higher education in the state. Edwards told the group that it’s important to fight to make sure that all Louisiana children have the opportunity to succeed…:
CUT 3 (10) “higher education”
Edwards was the keynote speaker at the Bayou Classic Scholarship Jazz Brunch.

The American Automobile Association of Louisiana says gas prices in the state could reach the lowest point since 2008 this month. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is about $1.86. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says this happened 7 years ago…:
CUT 1 (08) “$1.60 a range”
He says AAA predicts the dropping prices will continue through February.

The once delayed Louisiana Department of Revenue’s 2015 Louisiana Tax Amnesty period resumes today. Eric Gill reports…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

Later this afternoon, Governor-Elect John Bel Edwards will meet with Governor Bobby Jindal at the Governor’s mansion to discuss the transition. The two will tour the Governor’s mansion, then meet with the media. Edwards will be sworn into office on January 11th.

Many in political circles are wondering if Governor-elect John Bel Edwards will push to raise the state’s minimum wage once he takes office. Louisiana is one of five states that has not set a minimum wage, instead defaulting to the federal government’s $7.25 rate. Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moller says Edwards’ support on the issue gives those in favor of a minimum wage increase hope…

cut 4 (10) “few more months”

Opponents of a higher minimum wage say new mandates would have an adverse effect on the current state of the economy. Moller says it’s too early to predict whether a minimum wage bill will make it to the governor’s desk.

Governor Bobby Jindal and Governor-elect John Bel Edwards will host a joint press conference this afternoon following their meeting at the Governor’s Mansion. Jindal is expected to give Edwards a tour of the mansion and they will discuss the transition process. Edwards will be sworn in as Louisiana’s 56th governor on January 11th.

State Police report that four fatal crashes on Louisiana roadways over the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend resulted in a total of ten fatalities. The youngest victim was a two month old infant from Baton Rouge, while the oldest was an 87-year-old man from Ville Platte. L-S-P Sergeant Nick Manale reminds motorists keep safety first in an effort to prevent more fatalities this holiday season…

cut 13 (08) “distracted”

Manale says if you happen to notice aggressive or impaired driving, don’t hesitate to call State Police.

The American Automobile Association says the plunging prices at the pump have the state moving into a direction that could bring gas prices to their lowest level since 2008. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is about $1.86. But AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says, statewide, we could be in the $1.60 range by mid-December, and dropping…

cut 9 (08) “current thought”

Will Governor-elect John Bel Edwards look to raise the state’s minimum wage when he takes office next year? While many in the business community oppose the pay hike, Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moller says an LSU poll conducted last year shows that 72-percent of residents support increasing the minimum wage to at least $8.50 per hour…

cut 6 (09) “poverty line”

Edwards said during the campaign that he supports raising the minimum wage that currently sits at $7.25.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue’s 2015 Louisiana Tax Amnesty kicks off today. During the amnesty, 33-percent of the penalty and 17-percent of the interest owed will be waived when 100-percent of the tax debt is paid. Deputy Secretary Jarrod Coniglio says you can even set up an installment plan if you cannot make full payment by December 31st…

cut 12 (07) “of 2016″

He says this is the final amnesty period for at least 10 years.

The American Automobile Association says December could bring the lowest gas prices we’ve seen in 7 years. Here’s Michelle Southern…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A clerk for the town of Oakdale is under arrest accused of taking money people brought in to pay their water bills. Authorities allege that Breanne Nicole Johnson took more than $4,300 from water bill payments and another $300 from money designated for rental for a city building. Oakdale Police report that about 88 customers were affected. Johnson denies the allegations. She was relieved of her duties and booked into the Allen Parish Jail charged with theft of more than $750.

Will Governor-elect John Bel Edwards look to raise the state’s $7.25 minimum wage when he takes office next year? Jeff Palermo reports…

cut 1 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Bossier City Police say a 25-year-old man is under arrest after a 3-year-old in his care sustained a severe head injury. Few details are known, but when Brandon Fox and the child’s mother brought the little girl to the emergency room, hospital official contacted police in regards to the child’s injuries. After their investigation, Fox was arrested on a charge of second degree cruelty to a juvenile. The child remains hospitalized in critical condition.

The American Automobile Association says December gas prices in Louisiana could drop to their lowest point in nearly seven years. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says statewide gas prices could go as low as $1.60 by the end of the month. He says this is coming at a great time for the motoring public as they put their budget together for the holidays…

cut 8 (08) “for the family”

Louisiana’s average gas prices are 72 cents lower than last year.

State Police say four fatal crashes on Louisiana roadways over the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend resulted in ten fatalities. The victims range in age from two months to 87-years-old. L-S-P Sergeant Nick Manale says if you happen to notice aggressive or impaired driving, don’t hesitate to call State Police…

cut 15 (08) “your way”

He says everyone needs to take safety precautions to prevent more fatalities.

Political pundits wonder if Governor-elect John Bel Edwards will look to raise the state’s minimum wage when he takes office next year. Opponents of a higher minimum wage say new mandates would have an adverse effect on the current state of the economy. But Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moller says minimum wage increases have worked in other parts of the country…

cut 5 (11) “come to pass”

He says it’s too early to predict whether a minimum wage bill will make it to the governor’s desk.

The American Automobile Association says the plunging prices at the pump have Louisiana moving in a direction that could bring them to their lowest since 2008. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says we might reach a low point this month that we haven’t seen in nearly 7 years…

cut 7 (08) “$1.60 a range”

The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is about $1.86.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue’s 2015 Louisiana Tax Amnesty gets underway today and will run through December 31st. Deputy Secretary Jarrod Coniglio says this is a great opportunity to clear the slate when it comes to delinquent taxes. Coniglio says the department is offering incentives to taxpayers to clear their bill…

cut 11 (09) “of the interest”

He says installment plans are also available.

There were four fatal crashes over the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend that resulted in ten fatalities according to State Police. L-S-P Sergeant Nick Manale asks drivers to be vigilant during this holiday period…

cut 14 (10) “while impaired”

The youngest victim was a two month old infant from Baton Rouge, while the oldest was an 87-year-old man from Ville Platte.

Will Governor-elect John Bel Edwards look to raise the state’s minimum wage when he takes office next year? Edwards said during the campaign that he supports raising the minimum wage that currently sits at $7.25. Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moller says the new governor gives supporters of a minimum wage increase hope…

cut 4 (10) “few more months”

Louisiana is one of five states that has not set a minimum wage, instead defaulting to the federal government’s rate.

State police say they worked four fatal crashes over the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend that resulted in ten fatalities. The youngest victim was a two month old infant from Baton Rouge, while the oldest was an 87-year-old man from Ville Platte. L-S-P Sergeant Nick Manale says everyone needs to take safety precuations to prevent more fatalities

cut 13 (08) “distracted”

Manale asks drivers to be vigilant during this holiday period.

After a brief suspension, the Louisiana Department of Revenue’s 2015 Louisiana Tax Amnesty gets underway today. Deputy Secretary Jarrod Coniglio says this is the final amnesty period for at least 10 years. He says the delay was prompted by a mistake with with the information included in some of the original invitation letters sent out in early November…

cut 10 (10) “December 31st”

During the amnesty period, the Department of Revenue will waive 33-percent of the penalty and 17-percent of the interest owed when 100-percent of the tax debt is paid. He says this is a great opportunity to clear the slate if you have delinquent taxes.