A report shows drug, alcohol and suicide death rates could rise by 42 percent in Louisiana…..
Voicer 1 (32) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

The busy Christmas shopping season starts in a couple of days. Ana Serafin Smith with the National Retail Federation on the latest trend when it comes to online shopping…
cut 15 (10) “…the past”

State Police plans to focus on impaired driving and occupant protection this Thanksgiving Holiday weekend…
Vouicer 3 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The man accused of fatally shooting two people at Grambling State University last month appeared in court today and plead not guilty on two counts of first degree murder. 19-year-old Jaylin Wayne’s next court appearance is in March.

A report released today finds that Louisiana’s drug, alcohol and suicide death rate could increase 42 percent in the next ten years. Well Being Trust helped put the study together and it’s chief policy officer, Ben Miller, says the opioid epidemic is at the root of this troubling report…
Cut 9 (10) “themselves addicted.”
The report outlines a strategy of prevention, early identification and treatment for those addicted to opioids.

Longtime state legislator Francis Thompson has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The 76-year-old from Delhi says an MRI discovered the cancer and he’s hoping for a quick recovery….
cut 4 (10) “….work out well”
Thompson was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 1974 and doesn’t plan on having this health care stop his political career.

Nicholls State is preparing to host its first ever college football playoff game. Athletics Director Matthew Roan says since the announcement was made that the Colonels are hosting a playoff game, the ticket’s office phones have not stopped ringing…
cut 6 (07) “…rolling today”
The Colonels will host South Dakota at 3 PM at John L Guidry Stadium on Saturday in the opening round of the FCS playoffs.

In north Louisiana, a Calhoun man has spent the last several months constrcuting a Candy Cane Lane, which will be a mile long drive through tour of Christmas lights. We asked Ben Hanson how much electricy does it take to power….
cut 12 (05) “…house meters”
The Christmas Park will be open to visitors on Thanksgiving Day.

Holiday shopping is expected to increase in Louisiana. That’s the view of LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice who says households have largely recovered from the 2016 floods and the state’s unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been since 2008…
Cut 13 (11) “intend too.”
The National Retail Federation says they are anticipating a 3-percent increase in shopping over last year.

Delhi Senator Francis Thompson, who has served in the state legislature for 40 years, will undergo surgery next month for prostate cancer. Thompson says he’s never spent a night in the hospital, even when he was born…
cut 3 (09) “…for me”
The 76-year-old Thompson says an MRI discovered the cancer and he’s hoping for a quick recovery.

State Police say they are increasing patrols along our state’s highways during this Thanksgiving holiday. Their main focus is cracking down on impaired driving and making sure everyone in the vehicle is properly buckled up. Sergeant James Anderson says their message is simple, buckle up, every trip, every time….
cut 6 (11) “…seat belt”
Last Thanksgiving Holiday period, 10 people died and over seven-hundred were injured in crashes in Louisiana.

Ben Hanson in Calhoun is putting the finishing touches on his Candy Cane Lane, which is a one-million Christmas light display in Ouachita Parish. Hanson says this year is just a start…
cut 11 (08) “…live entertainment”
The mile-long, drive-through Christmas park will open to visitors on Thursday.

A state audit finds that the Louisiana Department of Health is not calculating Medicaid rates for nursing facilities accurately.  Louisiana Legislative Office Director of Performance Audits Karen LeBlanc says they discovered 19.7 million dollars the state could have saved this past year was spent on patients not covered by Medicaid…

Cut 7 (07)  “not eligible.”

State Police are reminding holiday travelers that buzzed driving is drunk driving. Sgt. James Anderson says 10 people died and over 700 injured in crashes in Louisiana during the last Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Cut 4  (11) “a crash”

Troopers will be out in full force during Zero Deaths for the Holidays campaign.

A magical holiday drive through attraction is opening this holiday weekend in Ouachita Parish.  Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

New Orleans is seeing a decrease in tourism.  The group STR reports that hotel room stays are down ten percent from last year.  Officials say that it is nothing to worry about.  They says part of the decline is due to Halloween falling on a weekday this year.

A state audit finds that Medicaid payments to the 260 private nursing home facilities in Louisiana reached one-billion-dollars last year, yet nursing home populations went up less than one-percent.  Some of those payments were for nursing home residents who weren’t eligible for Medicaid.  Louisiana Legislative Office Director of Performance Audits Karen LeBlanc says better procedures are needed to ensure the nursing homes are compensated accurately…

Cut 8 (09) “disallowed costs.”

Holiday shopping is expected to increase in Louisiana, due to greater consumer confidence and low unemployment rates.  National Retail Federation spokesperson Ana Searfin Smith says they are anticipating a 3-percent increase in shopping overall…

Cut 14 (12) “Christmas tree”

State Police plans to focus on impaired driving and occupant protection this Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 3  (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”  

A Christmas light extravaganza is set to light up the night in Calhoun in Ouachita Parish.  Candy Cane Lane opens Thanksgiving night and will take visitors on a magical mile long journey.   Owner Ben Hanson says the planning has been underway for nearly a year…

Cut 10 (10)  “million lights.”

A state audit finds that the Louisiana Department of Health is not calculating Medicaid rates for nursing facilities accurately..  Louisiana Legislative Office Director of Performance Audits Karen LeBlanc says better procedures are needed to ensure the nursing homes are compensated accurately…

Cut 8 (09) “disallowed costs.”

Medicaid payments to the 260 private nursing home facilities in Louisiana reached one-billion-dollars last year, yet nursing home populations went up less than one-percent.

State Police is reminding holiday travelers that buzzed driving is drunk driving. Sgt. James Anderson says troopers will be out in full force under the Zero Deaths for the Holidays campaign to put an end to drunk driving.

Cut 5  (10)  “the wheel”

An executive order to help in rebuilding efforts with the implementation of a uniform building code after the 2016 floods in Louisiana may be rescinded.   Governor Edwards issued a year long delay to implement the code which details building code standards.  The intent was to remove any bureaucratic roadblocks following the flood.  However, New Orleans alone lost out on 700-million-dollars in projects due to the delay.  The new rules would now into effect by the end of the year.

The gift giving season is upon us once again.  Don Molino has more on what people want this year…

Cut 1 (27) “I’m Don Molino.”

Saints defensive end Alex Okafor will miss the rest of the season after tearing his Achilles tendon in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win over Washington. The 26-year-old Okafor has four and a half sacks and Coach Sean Payton says losing him is a difficult loss. Okafor’s injury means Trey Hendrickson will get more playing time. Here’s what Payton had to say about the rookie from Florida Atlantic…

Cut 18 (18) “…his play”

Last night in the NFL, Atlanta held on for a 34-31 win in Seattle. So in the NFC South, New Orleans leads Carolina by one game and they are ahead by two games over Atlanta. The Saints are at the Rams this Sunday.

Just one more regular season game left for LSU, as the Tigers are set to host Texas A-and-M on Saturday. LSU Head Coach Ed Orgeron calls the Aggies a strong SEC opponent…

Cut 16 (14) “…this week”

LSU beat Texas A-and-M 54-39 last season in College Station.

Northwestern State has promoted defensive coordinator Brad Laird to be the Demons next head coach.

In basketball…despite a triple-double from Russell Westbrook, the Pelicans beat Oklahoma City 114-107 as Anthony Davis had 36 points and 15 rebounds. DeMarcus Cousins was ejected after swinging an elbow at Westbrook.

In Hawaii, LSU rallied from nine down to beat Michigan 77-75, freshman Tremont Waters had 21 points, while the Ragin Cajuns beat Iowa 80-71 in the Cayman Islands.

A state audit finds that the Louisiana Department of Health is not calculating Medicaid rates for nursing facilities accurately.  Louisiana Legislative Office Director of Performance Audits Karen LeBlanc says they discovered 19.7 million dollars the state could have saved this past year which was spent on patients not covered by Medicaid…

Cut 7 (07)  “not eligible.”

Medicaid payments to the 260 private nursing home facilities in Louisiana reached one-billion-dollars last year.

Holiday shopping is expected to increase in Louisiana. That’s the view of LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice who says households have largely recovered from the 2016 floods and the state’s unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been since 2008…

Cut 13 (11) “intend too.”

State Police plans to focus on impaired driving and occupant protection this Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 3  (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”  

A new study out of the Education Research Alliance for New Orleans at Tulane University finds from 2001 to 2014, black students were twice as likely as white students to be suspended. Low income students were about 1.75 times more likely as non-low income students to be suspended. Researcher Nathan Barrett…

Cut 8 (08) “within incidents”

A well known north Louisiana chef was arrested after allegedly stalking a woman by calling and texting her 54 times.  Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Glen Springfield says 35-year-old William Blake Phillips was asked several times to quit calling, even coming to her home.  Springfield says Phillips denied some of the allegations…

Cut 4  (11) “the residence.” 

Louisiana orthopedic specialists are practicing a method to reduce the need for oral painkillers after surgery. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office lieutenant has been suspended without pay indefinitely.  43-year-old Jeffery Villemaretee was arrested in New Orleans for allegedly entering his ex-girlfriend’s home without her permission and walking out with a TV.  He claims it belongs to him.  He will remain suspended pending a full investigation.

The gift giving season is upon us once again.  Don Molino has more on what people want this year…

Cut 1 (27) “I’m Don Molino.”

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A magical holiday drive through attraction is opening this holiday weekend in Ouachita Parish.  Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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State Police plans to focus on impaired driving and occupant protection this Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 3  (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”  

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State Police is reminding holiday travelers that buzzed driving is drunk driving. Sgt. James Anderson says 10 people died and over 700 injured in crashes in Louisiana during the last Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Cut 4  (11) “a crash”

Anderson says troopers will be out in full force under the Zero Deaths for the Holidays campaign to put an end to drunk driving.

Cut 5  (10)  “the wheel”

State Police will proactively patrol our state’s highways during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period focusing on impaired driving and occupant protection. Anderson says Troopers urge all drivers to ensure everyone in the vehicle is property restrained

Cut 6 (11) “seat belt”

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A state audit finds that the Louisiana Department of Health is not calculating Medicaid rates for nursing facilities accurately.  Louisiana Legislative Office Director of Performance Audits Karen LeBlanc says they discovered 19.7 million dollars the state could have saved this past year was spent on patients not covered by Medicaid…

Cut 7 (07)  “not eligible.”

Medicaid payments to the 260 private nursing home facilities in Louisiana reached one-billion-dollars last year, yet nursing home populations went up less than one-percent.  LeBlanc says better procedures are needed to ensure the nursing homes are compensated accurately…

Cut 8 (09) “disallowed costs.”

The number of nursing care residents have remained the same, yet Medicaid payments have increased over all by about one-billion-dollars in the last ten years. LeBlanc says she’s afraid nursing home rates and payments from Medicaid will continue to rise since an inflated rate methodology gets to stay in place…

Cut 9 (10)  “them reduced.”

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A Christmas light extravaganza is set to light up the night in Calhoun in Ouachita Parish.  Candy Cane Lane opens Thanksgiving night and will take visitors on a magical on a mile long journey.   Owner Ben Hanson says the planning has been underway for nearly a year…

Cut 10 (10)  “million lights.”

Lights started to be strung on August 3^rd and Hanson and his family have been working nonstop since looping lights around trees and plywood cutouts of characters, even constructing two light tunnels over 100 feet each.  Hanson says this year is just a start and hopes to grow the attraction in the future…

Cut 11 (08) “live entertainment.”

Hanson says the attraction will be so bright, travelers along I-20 will be able to see it.  So how much electric does it take to power it?

Cut 12 (05) “house meters.”

They will be open Thursday through Sunday nights until December 21^st, then will be open nightly through January 1^st.

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Holiday shopping is expected to increase in Louisiana. That’s the view of LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice who says households have largely recovered from the 2016 floods and the state’s unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been since 2008…

Cut 13 (11) “intend too.”

National Retail Federation spokesperson Ana Searfin Smith says they are anticipating a 3-percent increase in shopping over…

Cut 14 (12) “Christmas tree.”

But the big question for shoppers may not be what gifts to buy as much as where to get them.  Smith says consumers will keep using the internet to fill out their shopping lists…

Cut 15 (10) “the past.”

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Just one more regular season game left for LSU, as the Tigers are set to host Texas A-and-M on Saturday. LSU Head Coach Ed Orgeron calls the Aggies a strong SEC opponent…

Cut 16  (14)  “this week”

LSU beat Texas A-and-M 54-39 last season in College Station. Nick Starkel has started at quarterback in the last two games for the Aggies and has played well. Orgeron says LSU’s defensive backs allowed three big pass plays last week and they need to be better this Saturday…

Cut 17 (19)  “great receivers”

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Saints defensive end Alex Okafor will miss the rest of the season after tearing his Achilles tendon in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win over Washington. The 26-year-old Okafor had four and a half sacks and Coach Sean Payton says losing Okafor is a difficult loss. Okafor’s injury means Trey Henderickson will get more playing. Here’s what Payton had to say about the rookie from Florida Atlantic

Cut 18 (18) “his play” 

Yesterday the Saints reviewed the tape from Sunday’s improbable win. Payton says it was good to be on the positive side of that crazy comeback

Cut 19 (22)   things up”