Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater announced his resignation earlier today after six years in the state house. He says he’s looking forward to spending more time with his family.
Cut 6 (07) “home more”
Broadwater says the decision was not influenced by any budding scandals, and that he felt the time was right for him to leave the legislature. He was known as a lawmaker who worked with both parties to pass legislation.

Today is the busiest day of the year for the U-S Postal Service. Spokesperson Twana Barber….
cut 4 (09) “…postal service”
If you want your gifts to arrive by Christmas Day, first class mail needs to be sent by December 19th, Priority Mail by December 20th and Priority Express by December 22nd.
The environmental group, the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, plans on putting their bodies in the way of a proposed pipeline that would stretch across south Louisiana. Director Anne Rolfes says the 162-mile long Bayou Bridge Pipeline would run between Lake Charles and St. James…:
Cut 11 (10) “these pipelines”
Energy Transfer Partners only needs a couple of permits before they can start construction on the pipeline. They have said they’ll restore any wetlands or land damaged by construction.

Governor John Bel Edwards gives an update at this hour on how state government plans to addres the fiscal cliff, which is a projected one-billion revenue shortfall for next fiscal year.

The Saints turned it over three times yesterday, but still defeated the New York Jets 31-19. The victory improves New Orleans record to 10-4. The Black and Gold remain in a tie for first place in the NFC South, because Carolina also beat Green Bay. Coach Sean Payton hopes his team wasn’t scoreboard watching…
Cut 14 (12) “we have to.”
Tonight the Atlanta Falcons can improve to 9-5, with a win over the Tampa Bay Bucs. New Orleans and the Dirty Birds play each other this Sunday in the Mercedes Benz Superdome.

In LSU football news…reports out of Tennessee say former Tigers general manager Austin Thomas is not accepting the same job at Tennessee. And LSU wide receiver and return specialist DJ Chark will play in the Senior Bowl next month.

U-L Lafayette has introduced Billy Nappier as its new football coach. Napier is a former assistant under Nick Saban at Alabama. In a statement from Saban, he calls Nappier an outstanding coach, terrific recruiter and someone who will work hard to help the players be successful.

Louisiana is one of a few states reporting widespread flu activity. State Health Department flu bug expert, Doctor Frank Welch, says the active flu season can be blamed on the Influenza A strain and the flu vaccine is only 30% effective. But he still strongly suggests getting the flu shot because it helps protect against four different strains of the virus.
cut 14 (11) “gather together”

When speaking at UL-Lafayette’s graduation ceremony today, former Governor Kathleen Blanco spoke about her battle against liver cancer. She said even though there are no known treatments to cure the type of melanoma she has, her hope remains alive…:
Cut 16 (09) “in God’s hands”
It was Blanco’s first public appearance since announcing that her eye cancer had spread to her liver.

Republican US Senator John Kennedy is receiving national attention for how he grilled a President Trump judicial nominee who had trouble answering basic questions regarding the law. Kennedy says he was just doing his job as he will not just blindly support Matthew Peterson, just because a Republican president nominated him….
cut 9 (12) “…the toughest”
A vote has not been taken on Peterson’s confirmation.

Today is the deadline to sign up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. You’ll have until 10:59pm tonight to get enrolled, or face a penalty if you’re not insured. State Director of Navigators for a Healthy Louisiana Brian Burton says premiums have increased, but the government subsides are also up…:
Cut 3 (07) “buying power”
You can enroll at health care dot gov.

Flu cases in the Deep South are on the rise with the highest numbers in Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina. Emelie Gunn has more…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Former Governor Kathleen Blanco spoke today at the 2017 Fall commencement of her alma mater, UL-Lafayette. It was Blanco’s first public appearance since announcing she was battling an incurable form of liver cancer. She told the crowd at the Cajundome that she hopes this was not her last public appearance, but is leaving everything up to God.
US Senator John Kennedy says he was just doing his job when he kept stumping one of President Trump’s judicial nominees with basic legal questions….
cut 8 (12) “….in court”
The video that shows the exchange between Kennedy and nominee, Matthew Peterson, has gone viral. The Senate Judiciary committee has yet to vote on his confirmation.

Today is the final day to sign up for health care through the Affordable Care Act. The State Director of Navigators for a Healthy Louisiana Brian Burton says if you waited until the last minute to purchase a policy through the federal exchange, get ready to wait a while…
Cut 5 (11) “the phone.”
The deadline is 10:59pm tonight.

Louisiana is one of the hardest hit states for flu cases. State health department flu bug expert, Doctor Frank Welch, says the Influenza A strain is very strong and making people extremely sick and it can even be fatal, as we’ve seen in previous flu seasons in the Bayou State…
cut 13 (08) “…taken lightly”
Health officials say the flu vaccine is only 30-percent effective against the Influenza A strain, but doctors still recommend you getting it, because the shot protects you from other strains.

Former Governor Kathleen Blanco spoke at the 2017 Fall commencement ceremony of her alma mater, UL-Lafayette. Earlier this week, Blanco announced a rare form of eye cancer diagnosed six years ago had spread to her liver. She spoke about her difficult battle to today.:
CUT 15 (08) “but I’m hoping not”
Blanco, who served as governor during Hurricane Katrina, urged graduates to persevere even in the face of hopeless adversity.

If you don’t have health insurance, you have until 11 tonight to sign up on the federal exchange, or face paying a penalty. State Director of Navigators for a Healthy Louisiana Brian Burton says there are some 66-thousand Louisianians who qualify for coverage through the Affordable Care Act, but don’t use it…:
Cut 4 (09) “the assistance”
The website is healthcare.gov.

Questions remain surrounding the death of two people found in a St. Landry Parish lake this week. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says the initial autopsy finds that 21-year-old Lia Ali Kazan of Shreveport and 30-year-old Anthony Michael Murray of Rapides Parish drowned. Guidroz says they know that Murray kidnapped Kazan in a parking lot of an Alexandria motel and her vehicle ended up in the lake…
cut 10 (06) “….don’t know”
Guidroz says the investigation continues and they are waiting for the toxicology reports.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy is featured in a viral video that shows him stumping one of President Trump’s judgeship nominees. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Flu cases in the Deep South are on the rise with the highest numbers in Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Today is the deadline to sign up for health care through the Affordable Care Act.  If persons do not have health insurance for 2018, they have until 10:59pm tonight or pay a penalty.  The State Director of Navigators for a Healthy Louisiana Brian Burton says premiums have increased, but the government subsides are also up…

Cut 3 (07) “buying power.”

Burton says 144-thousand Louisianans have purchased a health care plan at health care dot gov, which is about a 20-percent increase of persons from 2017.  Burton says there are some 66-thousand in the state who qualify but don’t use it…

Cut 4  (09) “the assistance.” 

Burton says if you haven’t secured health insurance yet and plan on using health care dot gov, get ready to wait a while…

Cut 5  (11)  “the phone.”

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U.S. Senator John Kennedy is making headlines for his questioning of a President Donald Trump judgeship nominee. In the viral video, Matthew Spencer Peterson struggles to answer Kennedy’s legal questions while before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Here’s a snippet…

Cut 6 (09)  “okay”

Kennedy proceeds to ask Peterson about his experience with certain laws that would be necessary to understand if granted the position of federal judge.

Cut 7 (11)  “my disposal”

Kennedy says it was never his intention to bring this kind of attention to the situation but it’s his job to ask tough questions of those who could serve as a federal judge. He says the FBI vets all nominees but they don’t vet them on their knowledge of the laws.

Cut 8 (12) “in court.”

Kennedy says Trump’s advisers were wrong by allowing him to nominate Peterson. He says if Peterson became a federal district court judge…..

Cut 9 (12)  “the toughest”

A vote has not been taken yet on Peterson’s confirmation.

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Questions remain surrounding the death of two people found in a St. Landry Parish lake this week.  Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says the initial autopsy finds that 21-year-old Lia Ali Kazan of Shreveport and 30-year-old Anthony Michael Murray of Rapides Parish drowned.  Guidroz says they know that Murray kidnapped Kazan in a parking lot of an Alexandria motel and her vehicle ended up in the lake…

Cut 12 (09) “high number”

Welch says Louisiana has already hit the CDCs highest criteria of widespread for flu activity. He says the Influenza A strain is very strong making people extremely sick and can even be fatal as we’ve seen in previous flu seasons in the Bayou State.

Cut 13 (08)  “taken lightly”

Welch says the active flu season can be blamed on the Influenza A strain and the flu vaccine is only 30% effective against it. But he still strongly suggests getting the flu shot because it helps protect against four different strains of the virus.

Cut 14 (11) “gather together”

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Former Governor Kathleen Blanco spoke at the 2017 commencement of her alma mater, UL-Lafayette, Friday morning. Earlier this week, Blanco announced a rare form of eye cancer she faced six years ago had returned and spread to her liver. She addressed her diagnoses as she spoke to UL-Lafayette grads.:

Cut 15 (08) “but I’m hoping not”

Blanco, who served as governor during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, urged graduates to persevere in the face of adversity. She says even though there are no known treatments to cure the type of melanoma she has, her hope remains alive…:

Cut 16  (09)  “in God’s hands”

The state legislative auditor has released a report that details improper use of taxpayer dollars by former state police superintendent Mike Edmonson. The audit suggests Edmonson may have violated state laws. Edmonson says he’ll respond to the audit by January 15th and he’s confident Louisiana residents will not prematururely reach conclusions.

The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign is underway to keep Louisiana’s roadways safe over the holiday season. Emelie Gunn has the story…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A grand jury met for the first time today to determine if 10 LSU fraternity members should be charged in connection with Maxwell Gruver’s suspected hazing death. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the accused individuals have the opportunity to testify and tell their story…
Cut 3 (11) “….telling him to drink”
All ten are facing a charge of hazing and one of the defendants has also been charged with negligent homicide.

Iberville Parish authorities are trying to find out who added threatening words to a Snapchat photo of an eighth grader who took a photo of himself with his dad’s guns. The original picture didn’t have threatening words to it, but someone added “Don’t got to school tomorrow.” Sheriff Brett Stassi….
cut 7 (11) “…school board”