State lawmakers have extra time to redraw the election map to include two majority-minority districts to comply with the Voting Rights Act. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

51-year-old Willard Purkel Jr. and his son 27-year-old Colby Purkel of Covington have been arrested for their involvement in the January 6 breach of the U-S Capitol in 2021 that disrupted a congressional session to confirm the 2020 election results. Both face felony charges of civil disorder and several misdemeanors.

Next year, Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain will ask lawmakers to approve 43 million dollars for new firefighting equipment and personnel after the worst wildfire season on record. He says his wish list of equipment includes air tankers.

Cut 4 (13) “…these fires.”

Strain says crews from other states would bring their forestry bulldozers and other special equipment.

LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says rain will blanket the Bayou State today as a wet weather pattern begins. He says flash flooding in central and southwest Louisiana is possible…

Cut 6 (06) “…embedded thunderstorms”

Southwest Louisiana is also under a slight risk for severe weather.

The incoming Louisiana Legislature will have until January 30th to redraw the state’s congressional map to include a second majority-minority district since a federal judge granted them a two-week extension. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this still presents a number of challenges for new lawmakers whose decisions may put their own seat at risk, and they’ll have to figure out how many voters are needed to create a new district.

Cut  14 (09) “…very difficult.”

Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain says he’ll ask lawmakers next year to approve 43 million dollars for new firefighting equipment and personnel after the state’s worst wildfire season in history. Strain says he has prioritized a list of equipment.

Cut 3 (10) “….and transports.”

Retired Supreme Court justice, Joseph Bleich is expected to deliver a ruling Friday in a lawsuit filed by Caddo Parish Sheriff Candidate John Nickelson who lost the election by one vote and complained the recount only looked at mail-in ballots

Cut 10 (08) “…ber certified.”  

Henry Whitehorn says the lawsuit filed by his opponent is asking the court to disregard the election process and it….

Cut 11 (12) “…doesn’t matter.”

Southwest Louisiana is also under a slight risk for severe weather. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says heavy rainfall appears to be the biggest threat from this storm system that’s receiving energy from the Gulf of Mexico…

Cut 7 (09) “…big problem” 

After the worst wildfire season in Louisiana history, Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain says he’ll ask lawmakers next year to approve 43 million dollars for new firefighting equipment and personnel and Strain says funding is critical in preparing for possible wildfires in the future. He says forestry-made bulldozers will also help crews to fight wildfires efficiently.

Cut 5 (11) “ …and engines.”  

A federal judge has extended the deadline for redrawing Louisiana’s congressional map. The new incoming legislature will have until January 30^th. Under Louisiana law the earliest a special session can take place would be January 15th.Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says U-S District Judge Shelley Dick should realize January 30th is not enough time…

Cut 13 (09) “…like this.”

A hearing in Caddo Parish today will decide if the election results by a single vote margin stand in the Sheriff’s race or if another runoff will be held. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Every parish in the state should see rain today as a wet weather pattern begins, especially for the southern half of Louisiana. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says there’s a slight risk for flash flooding in central and southwest Louisiana…

Cut 6 (06) “…embedded thunderstorms”

A federal judge is giving state lawmakers a little more time to redraw a Congressional district map that must have two majority-minority districts to comply with the Voting Rights Act. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

Governor-elect Jeff Landry has named Bryan Adams to be the next State Fire Marshal and Thomas Friloux as the Louisiana National Guard’s next Adjutant General. Adams has more than 40 years of experience in fire and emergency service and Friloux has served as a Louisiana guardsman for more than 35 years.

A retired state Supreme Court Justice is hearing a lawsuit today filed by Caddo Parish Sheriff candidate John Nickelson who lost the election by one vote. During the recount, Nickelson says the Board of Election Supervisors only rescanned mail-in ballots instead of a hand count. The Republican says two people voted twice, and…

Cut 8 (10) “…is counted.” 

Henry Whitehorn, who was declared the winner in the recount, says the results should stand. The Democrat says he’s always been told the person with the most votes wins whether it’s by 1,000 votes or even just one vote…

Cut 9 (11) “…this election.” 
Whitehorn says the lawsuit is asking the court to disregard the election process.

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s race gets its day in court today as Republican John NIckelson is demanding that a judge rule a new election should take place after he lost on November 18th by one vote. NIckeson says several of the absentee ballots counted did not include the voter’s signature…
cut 10 (08) “…be certified”
But Democrat Henry Whitehorn says the lawsuit filed by his opponent is asking the court to disregard the election process and it…
cut 11 (12) “…doesn’t matter”
Retired Supreme Court justice, Joseph Bleich, is hearing the case and is expected to deliver a ruling tomorrow.

The new Louisiana legislature has until January 30th to redraw the state’s congressional map to include a second majority-minority district after a federal judge granted a two-week extension. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this still presents a challenge for lawmakers.
Cut 12 (07) “…probably create.”
Governor-Elect Jeff Landry and new lawmakers will take office on January 8th but Louisiana law says a special session can not start until January 15th.

Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain plans to ask the next Legislature for 43-million dollars to purchase equipment to fight wildfires. Strain says the state needs air tankers…
cut 4 (13) “…these fires”
Numerous wildfires in Louisiana this year charred 62-thousand acres and destroyed 71-million dollars in forestland from August through October.

All-American forward Angel Reese will be back in time for the 7th ranked Lady Tigers ahead of their match up with 9th ranked Virginia Tech. LSU head Coach Kim Mulkey says having Angel Reese back is a big plus for the Tigers.

Cut 16 (10) “ … the country.”

The Tigers will face the Hokies tonight with tip off at 8 pm on ESPN.

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In other basketball news, the New Orleans Pelicans got star Shooting Guard CJ McCollum back after he was out for a couple of weeks with a right collapsed lung injury. McCollum scored 20 points in the Pelicans game against the Sixers last night and New Orleans Head Coach Willie Green is happy to have McCollum back on the court.

Cut 20 (12) “… healthy.”

The Pelicans will battle the Spurs tomorrow in New Orleans with tip off at 7 pm.

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Northwestern State is excited to start a new chapter in their program history as they introduced Blaine McCorkle to be their new Head Coach yesterday. McCorkle coached Belhaven College, a Division III program in Jackson, Mississippi for the last six seasons where he took the losing program to a 24 and 7 record over the last three years and their first ever Division III playoff appearance. McCorkle says that he wants to build a championship culture at Northwestern State.

Cut 15 (15) “ … to do.”

The Demons have not had a winning season since 2008.

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The Saints are banged up heading into their big matchup against the Detroit Lions this Sunday. Defensive end Cameron Jordan, running back Keandre Miller, Safety Marcus Maye, wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, and linebacker Pete Werner are all listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup and did not practice yesterday. Wide Receiver Chris Olave did practice after suffering a concussion in the Atlanta game.

A retired state Supreme Court Justice is hearing a lawsuit today filed by Caddo Parish Sheriff candidate John Nickelson who lost the election by one vote. During the recount, Nickelson says the Board of Election Supervisors only rescanned mail-in ballots instead of a hand count. The Republican says two people voted twice, and…
Cut 8 (13) “…is counted.”
According to the Secretary of State’s Office, a ballot cast in early voting still counts, even if the person dies before election day.

Henry Whitehorn, who was declared the winner in the recount, says the results should stand. The Democrat says he’s always been told the person with the most votes wins whether it’s by 1,000 votes or even just one vote…
Cut 9 (11) “…this election.”
Whitehorn says the lawsuit is asking the court to disregard the election process.

Showers and thunderstorms are moving through the northern half of the state. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says the severe weather risk is marginal…
cut 7 (08) “…big problem”
For south Louisiana, rain chances are high through Saturday.

It’s a new day for the Northwestern State football program as 47-year-old Blaine McCorkle takes over as the new head coach of the Demons. McCorkle replaces Brad Laird, who resigned six games into the season following the murder of safety Ronnie Caldwell. The Demons did not play their final four games of the season so McCorkle understands emotions are still raw…
Cut 13 (12) “…right in the tail.”
McCorkle turned around a losing program at Belhaven University, a division three school in Jackson, Mississippi.

Attorney General-elect Liz Murrill announces plans to conduct a thorough review of State Police practices. Brooke Thorington reports the U-S Justice Department has its own review in response to the 2019 fatal arrest of black motorist Ronald Greene….
cut 1 (28) “….I’m Brooke Thorington”

One of the top players in women’s college basketball returns to the court tonight when seventh ranked LSU hosts ninth ranked Virginia Tech. Lady Tigers star Angel Reese has missed the last four games. Coach Kim Mulkey is not providing details for Reese’s absence, calling it a locker room issue that should stay behind closed doors.

Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain says he’ll ask lawmakers next year to approve 43-million dollars for new firefighting equipment and personnel after the state’s worst wildfire season in history. Strain says there’s an urgent need for more resources and he has prioritized a list of equipment.
Cut 3 (12) “….and transports.”
Wildfires in the Bayou State charred 62 thousand acres and destroyed $71 million in forestland from August through October.

Every parish in the state should see rain today as a wet weather pattern begins, especially for the southern half of Louisiana. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says there’s a slight risk for flash flooding in central and southwest Louisiana…
cut 6 (06) “…embedded thunderstorms”
Southwest Louisiana is also under a slight risk for severe weather. Most of the rest is under a marginal risk. Wetherbee says heavy rainfall appears to be the biggest threat from this storm system that’s receiving energy from the Gulf of Mexico.