PM LRN Newscall November 24

New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson has pledged two gifts to the Pro Football Hall of Fame totaling $11 million. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 1 (27) “reporting”

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Early voting for the December 6th runoff election continues across the state. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

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State Police are investigating a single vehicle accident involving an alleged drunk driver in Tangipahoa Parish that claimed the life of the driver’s father. Master Trooper Greg Marchand says troopers responded to a call about the crash in the Hammond area last night…

CUT 3 (12)  “a pine tree”

45-year-old Douglas Hoyt of Holden was not restrained at the time of the accident and was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Marchand says they do suspect impairment on the part of the driver, 22-year-old Amber Hoyt…

CUT 4 (08)  “vehicular homicide”

Amber, who was restrained, received minor injuries and will be booked upon release from the hospital. Marchand reminds drivers, especially during the holiday season, use proper restraints and never operate a vehicle while impaired… (Amber will be charged with DWI, careless operation, and vehicular homicide.)

CUT 5 (08)  “into tragedy”

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New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson has pledged two gifts to the Pro Football Hall of Fame totaling $11 million. This is the largest individual contribution in the Hall’s 51 year history. Vice President of Communications Pete Fierle (FEAR-ly) says Hall President David Baker approached Benson earlier this season…

CUT 6 (07)  “very, very quickly”

The donation will help build a Hall of Fame Village. $10 million of Benson’s donation will be used to renovate Fawcett Stadium, which will now be called Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The renovations will allow the stadium to be used for other sporting and entertainment events. The additional $1 million will help construct the Hall of Fame’s Legends Landing…

CUT 7 (11) “to literally land”

Legends Landing will be a residence where former greats can live if they fall on hard times. He says the Hall of Fame Village, and the various programs that will run from it, will help teach the values of the game and how you can apply them to all parts of life. Fierle feels Benson made this donation because he shares the Hall’s vision of what Hall of Fame Village represents…

CUT 8 (11) “for this country”

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The famous Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights is officially underway. The 300,000+ lights were turned on for the first time on Saturday and will twinkle every night at dusk through January 6th of next year. Madi Ackel is this year’s Miss Merry Christmas. She says Natchitoches is always special, but this is the highlight of the year…:

CUT 9 (10)  “special here”

Downtown attractions include carriage tours through the historic district and all shops and restaurants will be open late. Ackel says the 88th Annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival and parade happens December 6th…:

CUT 10 (08)  “at the lake”

You can get more information on the festival online at christmasfestival.com. Ackel says all events take place in the Landmark Historic District along the Cane River Lake and they invite everyone to come out and get into the Christmas spirit…:

CUT 11 (06)  “as possible here

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Early voting for the December 6th runoff election continues across the state. Early voting began Saturday and will run through this Saturday, excluding Thursday and Friday. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says voter turnout last Saturday was brisk…

cut 12 (10) “almost 45,000”

He says nearly 45,000 voters cast their ballot early Saturday, but expects numbers to taper off as we get into the week. Schedler says it wasn’t very surprising to see a large number of voters out on Saturday…

cut 13 (06) “was very nice”

He says lines are steady today for early voting, although shorter than what was seen on opening day. Schedler predicts, based on historical data, overall voter turnout for the December 6th election will be in the 35-percent range…

cut 14 (08) “the following day”