Nearly the entire state is under a tornado watch at least until 4pm this afternoon as a severe weather pattern moves through Louisiana today. There are many schools in central and north Louisiana that have decided to close early. Some officials at the local level are already passing out sandbags as up to 5 inches of rain is expected to fall in some areas. Flash flood watches are in effect through tomorrow and wind advisories are also posted.

Natchitoches Mayor Lee Posey has banned the Confederate flag from the city’s annual Christmas Parade. Emelie Gunn gets local reaction…
CUT 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The debate on whether or not to accept Syrian refugees has become an issue in Louisiana’s gubernatorial race. In a new TV commercial, Republican David Vitter claims Democrat John Bel Edwards has pledged to work with President Obama to bring Syrian refugees to Louisiana. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross…:
cut 13 (10) “to be important”
Edwards has fired back at Vitter claiming the senator missed key votes regarding the Syrian refugee issue.

Fatal crashes in Louisiana are on the rise. The state Highway Safety Commission says in 2014, 739 people died on Louisiana’s roadways, up 2% from the prior year. Louisiana Highway Safety spokesperson Jessica Bedwell says, for the first time in five years, the number of 18-24 year olds dying in alcohol related crashes is up. She says we have to get drunk drivers off the road…:
cut 12 (04) “alcohol impaired”