The National Weather Service has confirmed it was an E-F three tornado that started in DeRidder and skipped along to Alexandria on Monday with winds between 140 and 160 miles per hour. A woman in Vernon Parish died as a result of the twister, but Governor John Bel Edwards says the casualties could have been worse. The tornado ripped off the roof at Hope Christian Academy in Alexandria, but Edwards says school leaders acted quickly…
cut 9 (08) “…one minor injury”
Edwards says about 100 homes in the Alexandria area were impacted by the twister.

Erath Representative Blake Miguez has been elected chairman of the House Republican Delegation. Miguez expects the House to pass a lot of conservative legislation…
Cut 11 (09) “…priorities.”
Edwards will hold his end of the year press conference today.

Matt Doyle spoke with Congressman Ralph Abraham ahead of today’s Impeachment vote in the House…
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

In Monroe, Mayor Jamie Mayo has kicked off his re-election campaign. Qualifying for the April primary is next month

Cleco reports about three-thousand customers are still without power across central Louisiana. Alexandria Mayor Jeff Hall says the clean-up from yesterday’s tornado outbreak has been ongoing…
cut 13 (07) “….they are passible”
Hall says the Johnny Downs Sports complex on the western side of the city is destroyed, but he’s committed to rebuilding an area where thousands of kids play soccer and baseball.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees is the NFL’s new all-time touchdown passing leader. Brees surpassed Peyton Manning’s mark of 539 TD passes by tossing four touchdown passes in a 34-7 win over the Colts. Brees says it was special to do it on a night the franchise honored the 2009 Super Bowl team
Cut 3 (12) “…as well.”
The Saints visit the 11-and-3 and they are at Tennessee.

When the state legislature convenes next year, for the first time there will be a supermajority of Republicans in the Senate. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt has been elected as chairwoman of the Senate Republican caucus and she says they are not opposed to having a working relationship with Governor Edwards, if he is willing to find common ground on some conservative priorities…
cut 10 (12) “…markets”

The state department of transportation announces plans to prevent construction work zone fatalities. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says they are buying 70 trailers with bright flashing LED arrows. He says safety vests will also change from orange to neon yellow. He says they are also putting brighter lighting on top of vehicles…
cut 8 (08) “….it miles away
Mallett says they are purchasing safety cones that will sound an alarm when hit.

Alexandria Mayor Jeff Hall says the western end of town is in rebuild mode after it was hit by a powerful tornado. Jeff Palermo has the story.
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Louisiana National Guard will soon have a new leader. Major General Glenn Curtis will retire effective January 10th after eight years as L-N-G’s leader. Brigadier General Keith Waddell, an assistant principal at Westlake High School in Calcasieu Parish, will take his place. Waddell is also a coach and has worked in education for 24 year

Last night was a special night for the Saints and Quarterback Drew Brees as the future Hall of Famer became the new career passing touchdown record holder, surpassing Peyton Manning in a 34-7 win over the Colts. Brees threw four touchdown passes on the night and has 541 for his career, but he says he can’t spend much time reflecting on his latest record…
cut 5 (12) “….so appreciative”

Back in June, 49-year-old Johnny Cole was struck by an 18-wheeler near Ruston. Cole was a sign specialist for the state Department of Transportation. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says new safety cones with alarms will start to go up near work sites to alert workers…
cut 7 (10) “…reach act as well”
Mallett says the state is also adding 70 trailers that will flash a bright arrow in work zones.

Alexandria is among the areas getting a clearer picture today of the devastation left by yesterday’s twister outbreak. Mayor Jeff Hall says damage to homes, businesses, and churches is most concentrated on the western side of the city.
Cut 12 (09) “…variety of areas.”
Governor Edwards is touring the damage with local officials and he’ll speak with reporters this afternoon.

The Republican Caucus of the Louisiana Senate has elected Beth Mizell as the chairwoman. The senator from Franklinton says the caucus will look at legislation to lower auto insurance rates…
cut 11 (10) “…of insurance”
The senator says they may also consider a proposal to move DOTD salaries into the general fund to free up more money for roadwork.

The state transportation department announces it is stepping up safety measures to protect its workers. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A former Livingston Parish Sheriff’s deputy and his teacher wife have been indicted on 150 counts that include rape, producing child porn and sexually abusing an animal. 44-year-old Dennis Perkins and 34-year-old Cynthia Perkins remain in custody without bond. The Attorney General’s office is prosecuting the case, but has not released many details.

A twister outbreak results in widespread damage over various parishes and one death. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Cleco reports six-thousand of their customers are still without power this morning. The governor’s office says John Bel Edwards will tour damaged areas in Alexandria this afternoon. One area that the governor may visit is the Johnny Downs Sports Complex, which has been destroyed.

Last night was a special night for the Saints and Quarterback Drew Brees as the future hall of famer became the new career passing touchdown record holder, surpassing Peyton Manning in a 34-7 win over the Colts. Brees threw four touchdown passes on the night and has 541 for his career, but he says he can’t spend much time reflecting on his latest record…
cut 5 (12) “….so appreciative”
And the Athens County Food Pantry is appreciative of LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow. Burrow told the world during his Heisman Trophy acceptance speech about the poverty in his hometown in Ohio and it’s resulted in over 300-thousand dollars in donation to the pantry. Rob Szabo is with the Athens County Food Pantry and he says it comes at a good time…
cut 12 (07) “….this time now”

A mid-December tornado outbreak has resulted in one death. Governor John Bel Edwards says there’s extensive damage in southwest and central Louisiana…
cut 9 (12) “….that family”
The woman who died has been identified as 59-year-old Betty Patin. She died in her mobile home near Rosepine.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees feels blessed today after breaking the NFL record for most touchdown passes in a career last night. Brees surpassed Peyton Manning’s record of 539 TD passes…
cut 4 (12) “:..remember forever”
Brees had four touchdowns as the Saints crushed the Colts 34-7.

Joe Burrow’s Heisman acceptance speech inspires an outpouring of support for his hometown’s food pantry. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

The town of Vidalia is being removed from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s list of “fiscally distressed municipalities. The Louisiana Legislative auditor’s office says there have been improvements in financial operations. Mayor Buz Craft told KNOE-TV they transferred money from one fund to another to get into a positive posture.