A Southern Media and Opinion Research survey found that 64-percent of voters agree with Republican Senator David Vitter’s change in position on Common Core. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says opposing Common Core will help Vitter in his quest to become Louisiana’s next governor. He says the testing standards will be a main issue in the governor’s race…

cut 8 (09) “in Louisiana”

Vitter announced earlier this month that he now opposes the new educational testing standards.

It’s officially winter and many have not forgotten last year’s winter, which saw cold temperatures and some frozen precipitation. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we could see a repeat this year. He says the wildcard is the El Nino which has been in the forecast, but hasn’t formed yet. Keim says the climate prediction center is giving the system a 60% chance of forming sometime this winter…

cut 5 (10) “the rain chances”

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Bayou L’Ourse man accused of taking his 5-year-old daughter hostage and shooting their family dog. Authorities say after Danny Ray Reding stayed up all night drinking with a friend, he fired his gun four times, hitting the family dog. Reding also fired a shot in the direction of his friend. Reding then locked himself in an upstairs bedroom with his daughter. The child was rescued unharmed and the dog survived the injury. Reding is booked on multiple charges including attempted second degree murder.

The Black & Gold had a chance to win the NFC South on Sunday, but instead the Saints’ playoff hopes came to an end with a bitter 30-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. What makes it hurt even more is that New Orleans finishes the year with five straight losses at the Dome. Coach Sean Payton on the lack of home wins this year…

cut 19 (14) “pretty obvious”

It’s the first time a Payton coached team has missed the playoffs since 2008.