US Senator John Kennedy says he will not run for governor, ending months of speculation that he would challenge Governor John Bel Edwards in the 2019 contest. Kennedy says after much consideration, he’s decided he can get the most done for Louisiana, and the country, in the Senate.
Cut 6 (10) “…right now.”
So who will challenge Governor Edwards. Baton Rouge Businessman Eddie Rispone is a declared candidate and GOP Congressman Ralph Abraham says he’ll make a decision very soon.

LSU is headed to the Fiesta Bowl where they’ll play undefeated UCF on New Year’s Day at noon central time. Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron says he’s impressed with the Knights 25-game winning streak…
cut 14 (11) “…how to win”
It’s the Tigers first ever appearance in the Fiesta Bowl.

CDC data finds that Louisiana had a 12-percent increase in drug overdose deaths in 2017. But President and C-E-O of the Trust for America’s Health, John Auerbach, says we have seen methods that show promise in reversing the trend…
cut 12 (10) “…done in Louisiana”
Drug overdose death rates were lower in eight states.

After law enforcement made the discovery of more than a dozen horses that all appeared to be emaciated on her property in Lockport, the Lafourche Humane Society President, Pamela George and fellow property owner John Gautreaux, have been arrested and charged with animal cruelty. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Lt. Brennan Matherne says the investigation began in early November.
Cut 3 (11) “…on the spot.”
George and Gautreaux, have been booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center on a $2000 bond each.

Senator John Kennedy is not running for governor.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards responded:

“For Sen. Kennedy, this was never about the people of Louisiana. This was about focusing the spotlight on himself. Now that this is behind us, my hope is that he will make it a priority to work together with me and the entire congressional delegation to get things done for the hard working families of this state.  They deserve to have elected officials who will work together to put Louisiana first.”

A Fort Polk interior designer and military spouse had the honor last week of joining 150 of volunteers for the annual Christmas decoration of the White House. Most teams focused on decorating just one of the many historic rooms in the White House, but Amy Hirata says her work can be seen throughout the entire grounds…

Cut 6 (11) “…each room.”

Hirata was one of the seven thousand total applications sent in to join for the festive activities in the nation’s capital.

New CDC data indicates drug overdose deaths rose 12% in Louisiana from 2016 to 2017.  Overdose deaths has contributed to the life expectancy rate declining for  three straight year in the United States, a pattern not seen in 100 years. President and CEO of Trust for America’s Health John Auerbach says part of the problem is a 45 percent increase in Fentanyl deaths.

Cut 11 (09) “…to it’s strength.”

Republican Senator John Kennedy announces he will not run against Governor John Bel Edwards in 2019. Kennedy released a statement in which he says he loves being in the United States Senate. Kennedy says he’ll continue to work every day in D-C and Louisiana for jobs, economic growth, and cheaper health insurance. He hopes someone runs for governor that understands state government should not big, wasteful, sometimes corrupt and spends money like it was ditchwater.

CDC data indicates drug overdose deaths rose 12% in Louisiana from 2016 to 2017. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Voicer 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A Fort Polk interior designer and military spouse Amy Hirata joined 150 other volunteers to help decorate the White House. Hirata says the decorations are a traditional theme, with reds, golds and greens. She says each room in the White House was decorated to highlight some of the best aspects of American life…
cut 5 (12) “….our country”
She says she’s particularly proud of her work on the library room, which featured her large green plaid and red velvet ribbons.

LSU will play UCF in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona, on New Year’s Day. The Knights have won 25 in a row and Coach Ed Orgeron says the Fiesta is the bowl his team was hoping for…
cut 15 (09) “…ready to play’
Kick-off will be at noon central time.

We can expect an announcement today from Republican Senator John Kennedy on whether he’ll challenge Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards in the 2019 governor’s race. Baton Rouge Republican businessman Eddie Rispone is the lone announced challenger and La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says campaign spending should easily top 20-million dollars…
cut 8 (10) “…election cycle”

For the first time in the 125-year history of LSU Football, the Tigers will play in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona on New Year’s Day and they’ll face UCF, who has won 25 in a row. Coach Ed Orgeron says his team deserved to play in a New Year’s Six Bowl game
Cut 13 (11) “…well deserved.”
The Tigers will be without star cornerback Greedy Williams, who has announced he’s turning pro.

A White House Report on global climate change says weather events like the 2016 south Louisiana flood will become more likely in the future due the changing climate. The report goes on to say the Earth’s climate is changing faster than at any point in the history of modern civilization, primarily as a result of human activities.

A Fort Polk interior designer and military spouse joined 150 other volunteers in decorating the White House for Christmas. Amy Hirata was one of the seven-thousand applicants . Hirata says her team was put to work getting ornaments ready to hang.
Cut 4 (10) “ornaments″
She says the design was created in part by the First Lady, and she describes it as a traditional Christmas theme full of reds, golds, and greens and each room highlights some of the best aspects of American life.

Senator John Kennedy is expected to make his decision today on whether he’ll run for governor in 2019. Baton Rouge Republican businessman Eddie Rispone is currently the only announced challenger to Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford expects Kennedy to jump in.
Cut 7 (08) “…an announcement.”
Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham might also get in the race.

CDC data finds that Louisiana had a 12-percent increase in drug overdose deaths in 2017. But President and C-E-O of the Trust for America’s Health, John Auerbach, says we have seen methods that show promise in reversing the trend…
cut 12 (10) “…done in Louisiana”
Drug overdose death rates were lower in eight states.

LSU is headed to the Fiesta Bowl where they’ll play undefeated UCF on New Year’s Day at noon central time. Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron says he’s impressed with the Knights 25-game winning streak…
cut 14 (11) “…how to win”
It’s the Tigers first ever appearance in the Fiesta Bowl.

A Fort Polk interior designer and military spouse helped decorate the White House for Christmas. Matt Doyle has more.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Today we find out whether or not Senator John Kennedy will jump into the 2019 governor’s race…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

LSU will play UCF in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona, on New Year’s Day. The Knights have won 25 in a row and Coach Ed Orgeron says the Fiesta is the bowl his team was hoping for…
cut 15 (09) “…ready to play’
Kick-off will be at noon central time.

New CDC data indicates drug overdose deaths rose 12% in Louisiana from 2016 to 2017. President and CEO of Trust for America’s Health John Auerbach says this marks the first time that more than 1,000 people died in a single year from overdoses in Louisiana.
Cut 10 (10) “…the woods yet.”
Overdose deaths have contributed to the life expectancy rate declining for three straight years in the United States, a pattern not seen in 100 years.

A federal judge from Lake Charles who battled alcoholism was found dead in her home over the weekend. Calcasieu Coroner Doctor Terry Welke says Judge Patricia Minaldi’s death appears to be the result of natural causes. Minaldi served as a federal judge from 2003 to July 2017, when she went on disability retirement for treatment of severe alcoholism.

It was announced last night that the 41^st President of the United States, George H.W. Bush has died.  It was in New Orleans that his road to the White House became official when he accepted the nomination at the GOP National Convention at the Superdome in 1988.  It was during his acceptance speech, he uttered words, “read my lips” in his now-famous speech.  While his son George W. Bush was criticized for his response to Hurricane Katrina, the elder Bush was applauded for his efforts in establishing the Bush-Clinton Katrina fund, which he formed with Former President Bill Clinton that donated millions to local schools, libraries, and non-profits.  Bush was preceded in death by his wife Barbara, who passed away earlier this year. George H.W. Bush was 94 years old.

Governor John Bel Edwards is meeting with Governors-elect from several states today to highlight results of Medicaid expansion in Louisiana today.  Edwards will tour a New Orleans health center as well as meet with patients who have gained access to health care under the expansion.   The governors-elect will take the information back to their states as they work on health care issues upon taking office in January.

A 23-year-old North Shreveport woman was seriously injured from a gunshot wound she received in the back.  Her two-year-old child is believed to have accidentally discharged the unsecured weapon.  The investigation is ongoing.

A federal judge has ordered $34.8 million in restitution from the owner of Explo Systems, a military contractor hired to demilitarize artillery charges at Camp Minden in Webster Parish, in a case stemming from a huge munitions blast in 2012 due to illegal dumping of the materials.  US Attorney David Joseph says it was a difficult case to clean up.

Cut 6 (12) “…at Camp Minden.”

Holiday traditions and events around the Bayou State are becoming quite the draw for visitors.  Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says Louisiana is more often becoming the place where families congregate for the holiday festivities.

Cut 13 (11) “…all over Louisiana.”

A Louisiana school that produced viral videos showing its students receiving acceptance letters to prestigious universities is now accused of falsifying transcripts. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Former US President George HW Bush has passed away.  The news came late last night.  He served in the nation’s highest office from 1989 until 1993.  It was at the Louisiana Superdome where Bush was officially nominated to the Republican ticket in August 1988.  It was in New Orleans that he also announced Dan Quayle as his running mate.  He is preceded in death by his wife Barbara, who passed away earlier this year.  George HW Bush was 94.

Holiday traditions and events around the Bayou State are becoming quite the draw for visitors.  Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says, it’s a great time to take the family around the state to take in some of the great celebrations.

Cut 12 (11)   “…parade on Saturday.”

A federal judge has ordered $34.8 million in restitution from the owner of Explo Systems, a military contractor hired to demilitarize artillery charges at Camp Minden in Webster Parish, in a case stemming from a huge munitions blast in 2012 due to illegal dumping of the materials.  In addition to the restitution, five people are heading to the clink with sentences between 2-5 years.  US Attorney David Joseph says he’s happy with the outcome.

Cut 7 (07) “…was done here.”