The Republican side of the 2019 governor’s race is now wide open after Senator John Kennedy bowed out, leaving the GOP with no clear standard-bearer to lead the charge against the southeast’s only Democratic governor. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says not having to face Kennedy is a major boost to Edwards’ re-election chances.
Cut 4 (07) “the vote″
Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone is the only Republican to officially join the race, but Congressman Ralph Abraham is expected to get in.

The Louisiana health department has released six recommendations that a panel of experts believes can address the opioid epidemic . Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says the recommendations call for improving access to non-opioid treatments for pain and treating addiction as a chronic illness…
cut 8 (10) “…addicition”
Over 400 Louisianians died of opiod overdose in 2017, a 20-percent increase over 2016.

A doctor in St. Landry Parish is recovering after he was shot in what authorities are calling a home invasion. At last report, Doctor John Vallain was said to be in critical condition after he was shot in his home. Witnesses told deputies they saw someone walking from the victim’s home carrying something in their hands.

Cool Canadian air is back in Louisiana this morning, after an unusually warm streak of weather to start December. State Climatologist Barry Keim says north Louisiana is seeing temperatures in the mid 30s this morning, while south Louisiana is in the 40s, about 10 to 20-degrees colder than yesterday. And it will be even colder tomorrow….
Cut 10 (09) “…low 50s.”
But Keim says it will warm up later in the week, but there’s also the potential for locally heavy rainfall as we head into the weekend.

Senator John Kennedy announces he’s staying put in the U-S Senate and will not run for governor. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards responded to Senator Kennedy’s decision today by saying Kennedy’s flirtation with running for governor was to put the spotlight on himself. Edwards says he now hopes Kennedy and the entire Congressional delegation can work with him to get things done for the hard working families in Louisiana.

Pamela George, known for her work as President of the LaFourche Humane Society, has been arrested on animal cruelty charges. Lt. Brennan Matherne with the LaFourche Sheriff’s office, says deputies found over a dozen horses emaciated on her property and one of them was already dead, two others had to be euthanized….
cut 4 (09) “…on the property”
George and fellow property owner John Gautreaux were arrested on animal cruelty charges.

A few days after riding his horse on the LSU campus, linebacker Devin White announced today he will play in LSU’s bowl game against U-C-F, even though he could be a top 10 pick in next year’s N-F-L draft. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says it’s not a surprise…
cut 14 (12) “…targeting suspension”
But LSU cornerback Greedy Williams will not play, as the likely top 5 pick has decided to turn pro.

Senator John Kennedy says he will not run for governor, ending months of speculation that he would challenge Governor John Bel Edwards in 2019. Kennedy says after much consideration, he’s decided he can get the most done for Louisiana, and the country, in the US Senate.
Cut 6 (10) “…right now.”
Kennedy’s decision opens the door for several Republicans to think more seriously about running for governor. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says this could be a great opportunity for GOP Congressman Ralph Abraham to take the next step in his political career…
cut 9 (12) “….good chance”
State Treasurer John Schroder says he’s also looking at possibly running and Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says she’ll also looking at challenging Governor Edwards.

Jeff Hall was sworn in as the new mayor of Alexandria today. Hall is the first African-American to lead the city as he replaces Jacques Roy, who opted not to run for re-election after 12 years. Hall is a graduate of Grambling State University and worked at Cleco for 32 years as a Senior V-P and then served as an accountant for the City of Alexandria.

LSU cornerback Greedy Williams has made the decision to turn pro, so he will not play in the Tigers bowl game against UCF. But star linebacker Devin White says he is playing. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says the Tigers need White, because they’ll be without Williams, Kristian Fulton and Bredein Fehoko, because of injuries and Jacob Phillips, who will sit out the first half because of a targeting suspension
Cut 15 (10) “…to play”
LSU will make its first appearance in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Day.

Senator John Kennedy says his decision to stay out of the 2019 governor’s race wasn’t easy. Matt Doyle has this exclusive interview…
Voicer 2 (30) “Im Matt Doyle”

Kennedy’s departure means there are Republicans who were not considering running for governor, not thinking about it. State Treasurer John Schroder is one of those potential candidates..
cut 10 (09) “…look at”
Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says she’s also looking at it.

A woman known for her work as President of the LaFourche Humane Society has been arrested on animal cruelty charges. Lt. Brennan Matherne with the LaFourche Sheriff’s office, says deputies found over a dozen horses emaciated on her property and one of them was already dead, two others had to be euthanized….
cut 4 (09) “…on the property”
Pamela George and fellow property owner John Gautreaux were arrested.

The St. Landry Sheriff’s office says a local doctor is in critical condition after he was shot during a home invasion during the over night hours. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz his detectives are hoping to interview Doctor John Vallain to find out what happened.

US Senator John Kennedy says he will not run for governor, ending months of speculation that he would challenge Governor John Bel Edwards in the 2019 contest. Kennedy says after much consideration, he’s decided he can get the most done for Louisiana, and the country, in the Senate.
Cut 6 (10) “…right now.”
So who will challenge Governor Edwards. Baton Rouge Businessman Eddie Rispone is a declared candidate and GOP Congressman Ralph Abraham says he’ll make a decision very soon.

LSU is headed to the Fiesta Bowl where they’ll play undefeated UCF on New Year’s Day at noon central time. Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron says he’s impressed with the Knights 25-game winning streak…
cut 14 (11) “…how to win”
It’s the Tigers first ever appearance in the Fiesta Bowl.

CDC data finds that Louisiana had a 12-percent increase in drug overdose deaths in 2017. But President and C-E-O of the Trust for America’s Health, John Auerbach, says we have seen methods that show promise in reversing the trend…
cut 12 (10) “…done in Louisiana”
Drug overdose death rates were lower in eight states.

After law enforcement made the discovery of more than a dozen horses that all appeared to be emaciated on her property in Lockport, the Lafourche Humane Society President, Pamela George and fellow property owner John Gautreaux, have been arrested and charged with animal cruelty. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Lt. Brennan Matherne says the investigation began in early November.
Cut 3 (11) “…on the spot.”
George and Gautreaux, have been booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center on a $2000 bond each.

Republican Senator John Kennedy announces he will not run against Governor John Bel Edwards in 2019. Kennedy released a statement in which he says he loves being in the United States Senate. Kennedy says he’ll continue to work every day in D-C and Louisiana for jobs, economic growth, and cheaper health insurance. He hopes someone runs for governor that understands state government should not big, wasteful, sometimes corrupt and spends money like it was ditchwater.

CDC data indicates drug overdose deaths rose 12% in Louisiana from 2016 to 2017. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Voicer 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A Fort Polk interior designer and military spouse Amy Hirata joined 150 other volunteers to help decorate the White House. Hirata says the decorations are a traditional theme, with reds, golds and greens. She says each room in the White House was decorated to highlight some of the best aspects of American life…
cut 5 (12) “….our country”
She says she’s particularly proud of her work on the library room, which featured her large green plaid and red velvet ribbons.

LSU will play UCF in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona, on New Year’s Day. The Knights have won 25 in a row and Coach Ed Orgeron says the Fiesta is the bowl his team was hoping for…
cut 15 (09) “…ready to play’
Kick-off will be at noon central time.

We can expect an announcement today from Republican Senator John Kennedy on whether he’ll challenge Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards in the 2019 governor’s race. Baton Rouge Republican businessman Eddie Rispone is the lone announced challenger and La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says campaign spending should easily top 20-million dollars…
cut 8 (10) “…election cycle”

For the first time in the 125-year history of LSU Football, the Tigers will play in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona on New Year’s Day and they’ll face UCF, who has won 25 in a row. Coach Ed Orgeron says his team deserved to play in a New Year’s Six Bowl game
Cut 13 (11) “…well deserved.”
The Tigers will be without star cornerback Greedy Williams, who has announced he’s turning pro.

A White House Report on global climate change says weather events like the 2016 south Louisiana flood will become more likely in the future due the changing climate. The report goes on to say the Earth’s climate is changing faster than at any point in the history of modern civilization, primarily as a result of human activities.

A Fort Polk interior designer and military spouse joined 150 other volunteers in decorating the White House for Christmas. Amy Hirata was one of the seven-thousand applicants . Hirata says her team was put to work getting ornaments ready to hang.
Cut 4 (10) “ornaments″
She says the design was created in part by the First Lady, and she describes it as a traditional Christmas theme full of reds, golds, and greens and each room highlights some of the best aspects of American life.

Senator John Kennedy is expected to make his decision today on whether he’ll run for governor in 2019. Baton Rouge Republican businessman Eddie Rispone is currently the only announced challenger to Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford expects Kennedy to jump in.
Cut 7 (08) “…an announcement.”
Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham might also get in the race.

CDC data finds that Louisiana had a 12-percent increase in drug overdose deaths in 2017. But President and C-E-O of the Trust for America’s Health, John Auerbach, says we have seen methods that show promise in reversing the trend…
cut 12 (10) “…done in Louisiana”
Drug overdose death rates were lower in eight states.

LSU is headed to the Fiesta Bowl where they’ll play undefeated UCF on New Year’s Day at noon central time. Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron says he’s impressed with the Knights 25-game winning streak…
cut 14 (11) “…how to win”
It’s the Tigers first ever appearance in the Fiesta Bowl.

A Fort Polk interior designer and military spouse helped decorate the White House for Christmas. Matt Doyle has more.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”