Voters may not get a chance to hear from the candidates for US Senate before the December 10 runoff, as Republican John Kennedy and Democrat Foster Campbell cannot agree on debate terms. The debate scheduled for December 2 has been cancelled after the two couldn’t agree on whether or not it should be televised in front of a live audience since Kennedy reportedly did not want a live audience, while Campbell did.

A National Retail Federation survey finds nearly six out of 10 Americans will shop either in a store or online or both over Thanksgiving Weekend. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (26) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Attorney General’s Office spent nearly $25 million, and state auditors are trying to find out where the money went. Beth Davis with the Legislative Auditor’s Office says they requested support for 28 transactions totaling $24.7 million from an escrow account.

Cut 12 (07) “were incomplete”

AG Jeff Landry, who took office in January, issued a statement blaming his predecessor for poor-record keeping.

A Monroe couple has donated 90 armored vests to State Police Troop F in Monroe. Bunzy Bryant and his wife Lynn have been friends with the troop for 16 years. Bryant says he considers the troopers family and wants to keep them safe.

Cut 7 (10) “at night”

The high velocity vests even protect against AK-47.

State auditors are trying to find out where $25 million in the Attorney General’s escrow fund has gone. AG Jeff Landry blames his predecessor’s poor record keeping for why his office can’t account for 28 transactions. But Beth Davis with the legislative auditor’s office says the transactions took place over the span of two fiscal years.

Cut 14 (08) “current administration”

Davis says the fund contains money from court settlements, fines, and other penalties.

There’s good news for local businesses this holiday season, as the National Retailers Association finds 24-percent of consumers plan to shop on Small Business Saturday.

Cut 5 (10) “anywhere else”

That’s spokesperson Ana Serafin Smith who says nearly 60-percent of Americans will shop in store or online this weekend.

One man is dead and a woman injured after they were hit by an 81-year-old trucker. State Police Master Trooper Brooks David says 25-year-old Vineeth Keesara of Lafayette was pushing 26-year-old Tanika Adams’ disabled U-Haul trailer out of the road when they were struck.

Cut (09) “critical injuries”

Keesara was pronounced dead at the scene.

A Monroe family is doing what they can to make sure the State Troopers at Troop F are home safe for the holidays. Bunzy Bryant and his wife, Lynn, donated 90 armored vests to the troopers. Bryan says this is extra protection beyond what they normally wear.

Cut 6 (11) “AK-47”

Bryant says they’ve been close with Troop F for 16 years, and they consider the troopers family.

A National Retail Federation survey finds nearly six out of 10 Americans will shop either in a store or online or both over Thanksgiving Weekend. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 1 (26) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The state legislative auditor’s office says there’s been poor recording keeping in the attorney general’s office. State auditor Beth Davis says they couldn’t tell how the A-G spent nearly 25-million dollars…
cut 13 (09) “…they could locate”
Current A-G Jeff Landry blames his predeccesor Buddy Caldwell.

A Lafayette man attempting to push a disabled trailer to the side of the road was struck and killed by an 81-year-old truck driver. State Police Master Trooper Brooks David say the fatal crash happened this morning just after 1:00 am in Henderson on Interstate 10….
cut 9 (10) “…doing so”
David says 25-year-old Vineeth Keesara was pronounced dead at the scene. Impairment is not suspected by the truck driver.

A Monroe family has donated 90 bulletproof vests for all of the troopers and investigators who work for Troop F. Bunzy Bryant says they’ve been close to the Troop for 16 years and wanted to do something to make sure they are safe….
cut 8 (11) “….of them”
The vests are strong enough to stop bullets from high-powered rifles.

State auditors are unsure if the Attorney General’s Office improperly spent nearly $25 million. Beth Davis with the Legislative Auditor’s Office says they requested support for 28 transactions totaling $24.7 million from an escrow account that receives money from court settlements, fines, and other penalties.
cut 12 (07) “were incomplete”

A survey from the National Retail Federation finds 59-percent of consumers will be shopping in store or online over the Thanksgiving holiday. Spokesperson Ana Serafin Smith says Black Friday is the busiest with 74-percent planning to shop that day. She says folks of all ages will shop on Black Friday, especially Millennials, as they estimate 86-percent of 18-24 year olds plan to shop.
cut 4 (09) “and deals”

 
A Monroe family has made a generous donation to State Police Troop F to keep troopers safe in the field. Halen Doughty has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The New Orleans Police Department says a 19-year veteran of the force was allegedly a sexual predator for years. Marcellus White was known as a model officer who won an Angel Award for helping underprivileged kids. White faces numerous charges including first degree rape, second degree rap and false imprisonment. His bail has been set for over 2 million dollars.

A Monroe family has donated 90 armored vests to State Police Troop F. Bunzy Bryant says they have been close with Troop F for 16 years. He says the troopers are part of their family, and he and his wife want to do what they can to keep them safe.

Cut 7 (10) “at night”

Bryant says he’s gotten tons of calls from people expressing their thanks, including one from Governor John Bel Edwards.

The National Retail Federation expects 59-percent of Americans will shop both in-store or online during the Thanksgiving weekend through Sunday. Spokesperson Ana Serafin Smith says it’s a slight increase from last year…

Cut 3 (10) “as last year”

Smith says Black Friday remains the busiest day of the weekend with 74-percent planning to shop that day.

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser announces the Beauregard Parish Gothic Jail in DeRidder is now open for tours. Nungesser says over 40-thousand dollars was raised at the Gothic Jail After Dark Fundraiser on Halloween to complete the renovations.

Cut 13 (12) “the stairwell”

Nungesser says people can set up private tours at BeauregardTourism.com.

UL-Lafayette Athletic Director Scott Farmer announced a short time ago that he is stepping down from the position he has served for the past 5 years. He will move to a teaching position in the universities’ school of kinesiology. Deputy Director of Athletics Dr. Jessica Leger will serve as an interim while the school conducts a national search for a full time AD.

Here’s a look at today’s commodity prices…

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The Boston Globe has mentioned Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards as a potential candidate for President in 2020. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says Edwards pro-gun, pro-life beliefs might not mesh well with many democrats, but…
cut 12 (11) “…lists”
Edwards first must win re-election as governor in 2019.

Amidst tensions between Louisiana law enforcement and the public, one Monroe family is making sure State Troopers are safe in the field. Bunzy Bryant and his wife, Lynn, donated 90 bulletproof vests to State Police Troop F in Monroe. Bryant says these vests are extra protection beyond what the troopers wear every day.
Cut 6 (11) “AK-47”
Bryant says they have been close with Troop F for 16 years.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is concerned about the increase in complaints regarding neglected horses. HSL Director Jeff Dorson says dozens of horses, sometimes several at a time have been found in various stages of starvation by Humane Society members…
cut 24 (09) “more responsible”
Dorson says don’t buy a horse if you can’t afford to take care of it.
A historic jail built in DeRidder in 1914 is now open for tours after an extensive renovation. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the “Hanging Jail,” as it’s known, was as added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981….
cut 15 (08) “…kinda funny”
The Gothic Jail got its name as the Hanging Jail when two men found guilty of murdering a taxi driver hanged from the stairwell.

Community activists and law enforcement are anxiously awaiting the results of the Department of Justice’s investigation into the police shooting of Alton Sterling. Don Molino has more…
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Don Molino”

Louisiana State Police Troopers at Troop F in Monroe have been gifted new ceramic plated vests. Bunzy and Lynn Bryant donated 90 vests that can stop the rounds of rifles like AR-15s and AK-47s. The SWAT team already has similar vests but now everyone in the squad will get one.

 
The names of a few Louisiana Republican politicians have been tossed around as possibly working in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com says Trump’s campaign team in Louisiana is putting names together and sending them to the transition team.
Cut 10 (10) “treasury position”

Alford says Congressman Charles Boustany’s name has been mentioned to be chief U.S. trade negotiator.

The Beauregard Parish Gothic Jail in DeRidder is now open for tours according to Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. The first floor of the building is the jailer’s quarters and the second is the jail cells. Nungesser says about 15 years ago, someone had the foresight to save all the furniture from the then-decrepit building.
Cut 14 (08) “years ago”

Two men who were found guilty of murdering a taxi driver in the 1920s were hanged to death in the stairwell, earning the Gothic jail nationwide notoriety.