It was a fun night at the Smoothie King Center as the Pelicans defeated the Dallas Mavericks 132-106. Anthony Davis had 27 points and a career-high nine assists. Julius Randle also had 27 points and grabbed 18 rebounds as New Orleans improved to 13-and-13 on the season. The Pels will be back at home tomorrow against the Grizzlies.

The Saints are 7.5 point favorites this Sunday as they’ll visit the Tampa Bay Bucs. Tampa beat New Orleans in the season opener and they have won two in a row. Saints wide out Michael Thomas did not practice yesterday. But offensive tackle Terron Armstead was back at practice after missing the last three games.

Three state championship football games will be played today in the Mercedes Benz Superdome. At noon, Oak Grove goes for its first state title since 2001 when they face Kentwood. At 3:30…it’s Lafayette Christian versus Ascension Catholic. At 7 PM, it’s Notre Dame versus Catholic of New Iberia. All of the games can be seen on CST or streamed on the N-F-H-S Network.

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McNeese has named Sterlin Gilbert as its new football coach. The past two seasons, Gilbert was the offensive coordinator at South Florida. The Bulls averaged 444 yards of total offense and 32 points a game this past season en route to a 7-5 record. He’ll be introduced to the Lake Charles media on Friday.

Grambling State and its athletics director Paul Bryant have decided to go their separate ways. Bryant will leave the school at the end of the month and President Rick Gallot says the vice president for student affairs, David Ponton, will take over as A-D. Gallot says Bryant wants to explore other opportunities.

Louisiana Tech’s Jaylon Ferguson has been named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year. The St. Francisville native set a school record with 15 sacks this year and is two sacks away from becoming the alltime sack leader in NCAA Football history.

On the hardwood, the Ragin Cajuns defeated Loyola University of New Orleans 97-84 as JaKeenan Gant had 21 points. Also, UNO over South Alabama 71-60 and Tulane topped Tennessee-Martin 87-74.

The nation is bidding farewell to the 41st President of the United States, George H-W Bush, who had his funeral service today at the Washington National Cathedral in D-C. Bush, who lived most of his adult life in Texas, had a close connection to Louisiana. In 2001, he gave this advice to LSU graduates while delivering a commencement speech…
cut 6 (12) “..your country”
Bush was known for his congenial demeanor and his willing to compromise. Former Louisiana Congressman Henson Moore served as the White House Deputy Chief of Staff during Bush’s final year in office and he says the former president’s bipartianship was one of his best qualities…
cut 12 (12) “…work together”
Bush died Friday at the age of 94.

The state’s flu bug expert for the Louisiana Health Department, Doctor Frank Welch, says we are starting to see an uptick in the number of flu cases. Welch says last year’s flu season went down as one of the worst in recent memory, but this year’s swell in cases seems normal…
cut 4 (09) “….the normal uptick
Welch says with Christmas coming up, he advises residents to get their flu shot.

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff deputies say a man wanted for shooting his father in the hip, fatally shot himself during a standoff with authorities near Chopin this morning. Deputies began a manhunt for Joseph Dauzat last night after he reportedly shot his dad at a residence.

Former President George H.W Bush’s funeral is today. His most famous line occurred at the 1988 Republican National Convention at the Superdome when he said, “Read My Lips, No New Taxes.” But LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says two years later, Bush was pressed by Democrats to raise taxes on gas and other items, in exchange Republicans got spending cuts….
cut 9 (11) “…compromise”

State health officials say we are starting to see more reported cases of flu. Doctor Frank Welch monitors flu activity for the Louisiana Department of Health…
cut 3 (10) “…get that flu shot”
Welch says if you are feeling ill, stay home from work or school so you don’t infect others.

The 2019 governor’s race took a turn that blindsided many, when US Senator John Kennedy announced he would not challenge Governor Edwards. Political consultant Roy Fletcher says there’s a reason why the GOP doesn’t have a Plan B candidate.
Cut 4 (10) “…but they will.″
The lone announced challenger is Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone, while US Representative Ralph Abraham, state senator Sharon Hewitt and state treasurer John Schroder are potential candidates.

The state fire marshal’s office is mourning the death of Barry, a 10-year-old bomb sniffing dog, who served the Lafayette and Alexandria areas….
cut 14 (07) “…locating explosive devices.
State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says Barry died from complications from a surgery to remove a large mass in his stomach.

Today is a national day of mourning as the state funeral for George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States is underway. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan…
Cut 7 (11) “…situation.”

Bush was elected in 1988 after a rousing speech at the Republican National Convention in New Orleans. But he was defeated four years later by Bill Clinton. Former Louisiana Congressman Henson Moore served as Bush’s Deputy Chief of Staff in his final year of office and says Clinton and Bush worked to raise tens of millions of dollars to help Louisiana following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita…
cut 11 (11) “…dignity”
Bush served in World War Two, was a Congressman in Texas, led the C-I-A and was Ronald Reagan’s Vice-President.

What actions will the Republican Party take with the Governor’s race now that Senator John Kennedy is staying put in his current position, and at the moment no Plan B candidate? Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson has provided a gift to some 400 WalMart shoppers in New Orleans. Mrs B paid off nearly 100-thousand dollars in gifts that were on layway, which came as a complete shock to those consumers who learned of the nice gesture.

It’s a National Day of Mourning for former President George H-W Bush. Former Baton Rouge Congressman Henson Moore fondly remembers our 41st president…
voicer 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor John Bel Edwards calls President Bush a great friend to the state of Louisiana. As Matt just mentioned, Bush teamed up with Clinton to raise tens of millions of dollars following Katrina and Rita. In 2006, he made a trip to Cameron Parish to present a two-million dollar check to rebuild South Cameron Hospital.

On this National Day of Mourning, many are reflecting on President George H-W Bush’s presidency. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Bush’s presidency will be linked with the collapse of the Soviet Union…
cut 8 (12) “….significant”
In 1991, President Bush signed a treaty that led to a major reduction in US and Soviet nuclear weapons.

Here in Louisiana, there’s still a buzz over US Senator John Kennedy’s decision not to run for governor in 2019. That leaves Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone as the lone announced GOP challenger, but there are several others who are considering a campaign. But political consultant Roy Fletcher says they all face a similar obstacle…
cut 5 (09) “…somebody with nobody’

George H.W. Bush’s funeral is today, with thousands paying homage to the 41st President of the United States. The former Commander in Chief gave his eventful “Read my lips, no new taxes” speech at the GOP convention in New Orleans in 1988. And his former Deputy Chief of Staff, Henson Moore, says Bush held a rally in Baton Rouge right before the election in 1992 when he lost to Bill Clinton.
Cut 10 (10) “…carry it.”
Bush helped Louisiana following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, teaming up with Clinton to raise money. In 2006, Bush traveled to Cameron Parish to present a two-million dollar check to rebuild South Cameron Memorial Hospital.

The funeral service for Bush is set to begin at 10 AM and then his casket will be flown to Texas.

LSU Poli Sci Professor Robert Hogan says today’s national day of mourning is an opportunity to reflect on how the country has changed since President George H.W. Bush was in office…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The state fire marshal’s office is mourning the death of Barry, a 10-year-old bomb sniffing dog, who served the Lafayette and Alexandria areas….
cut 14 (07) “…locating explosive devices.
State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says Barry died from complications from a surgery to remove a large mass in his stomach.

Today is a national day of mourning in honor of the passing of George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States who served from 1989-1993. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan…
Cut 7 (11) “…situation.”
No mail delivery today, federal offices are closed and so are the financial markets.

Bush was known for his congenial demeanor and his willing to compromise. Former Louisiana Congressman Henson Moore served as the White House Deputy Chief of Staff during Bush’s final year in office and he says the former president’s bipartianship was one of his best qualities…
cut 12 (12) “…work together”
Bush died Friday at the age of 94.

The 2019 governor’s race took a turn that blindsided many, when US Senator John Kennedy announced he would not challenge Governor Edwards. Political consultant Roy Fletcher says there’s a reason why the GOP doesn’t have a Plan B candidate.
Cut 4 (10) “…but they will.″
The lone announced challenger is Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone, while US Representative Ralph Abraham, state senator Sharon Hewitt and state treasurer John Schroder are potential candidates.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is mourning the loss of one of its K-9 officers. A 10-year-old black lab, named Barry, was with the agency since 2012. Barry came to the State Fire Marshal from the U.S. Marine Corp where he served two tours of duty overseas. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says Barry died following a surgery to remove a large mass in his stomach.
Cut 13 (07) “…those surgical complications.”
Barry and his handler Corporal Mitch Trahan were awarded K-9 Team of the Year in 2014.