LSU continues to prepare for their regular season finale this Saturday against Texas A-and-M. The Tigers defensive backs gave up three big pass plays last week and Head Coach Ed Orgeron says they need to be better this Saturday….
cut 17 (19) “…great receivers”

Nicholls State is preparing to host its first ever college football playoff game. The Colonels made the 24-team field by finishing 8-3 in the regular season. Athletic Director Matthew Roan says they are good enough to make a deep run in the playoffs
Cut 8 (07) “as well”
Kickoff against South Dakota is Saturday at 3pm in Thibodaux.

The Saints are off today after spending time yesterday reviewing the tap of Sunday’s improbable come from behind win over the Washington Redskins. Coach Sean Payton says it was good to be on the positive side of a crazy comeback….
cut 19 (22) “…things up”

The LSU men’s basketball team rallied from nine points down to beat Michigan 77-75 in the Maui Classic. The Tigers will look to make another huge statement tonight as they face 13th ranked Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish are led by six-foot-six post player Bonzie Colson, who is averaging 21 points and 10 rebounds a game. Tip-off is at 9:30.

On the two-year anniversary of getting elected as governor, John Bel Edwards sends an email to supporters asking for donations for his re-election campaign. Emelie Gunn has the story…
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Delhi Senator Francis Thompson, who has served in the state legislature for 40 years, will undergo surgery next month for prostate cancer. Thompson says he’s never spent a night in the hospital, even when he was born…
cut 3 (09) “…for me”
The 76-year-old Thompson says an MRI discovered the cancer and he’s hoping for a quick recovery.

A report released today finds that Louisiana’s drug, alcohol and suicide death rate could increase 42 percent in the next ten years. Well Being Trust chief policy officer, Ben Miller, says those who find themselves trapped by drug abuse need to know that there is a way out. Members of the medical community and those in mental health need to help lower the risk of suicide by making the first step…
Cut 10 (09) “commit suicide.”

Nicholls State is preparing to host its first ever college football playoff game. The Colonels made the 24-team field by finishing 8-3 in the regular season. Athletic Director Matthew Roan says they are good enough to make a deep run in the playoffs
Cut 8 (07) “as well”
Kickoff against South Dakota is Saturday at 3pm in Thibodaux.

A report shows drug, alcohol and suicide death rates could rise by 42 percent in Louisiana. Kelley Ray has more.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

______________________________________

On the two-year anniversary of getting elected as governor, John Bel Edwards sends an email to supporters asking for donations for his re-election campaign. Emelie Gunn has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________________

Delhi Senator Francis Thompson, who has served in the state legislature for 40 years, will undergo surgery next month for prostate cancer. Thompson says he’s never spent a night in the hospital, even when he was born…

Cut 3 (09) “for me”

The 76-year-old Thompson says an MRI discovered the cancer and he’s hoping for a quick recovery…

Cut 4  (10) ” work out well” 

Thompson was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 1974. Senate President John Alario is the only other state legislator who has served longer than Thompson. The chairman of the Senate Ag committee plans to be ready for the next legislative session…

Cut 5  (05)  they’ll be wrong”

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Nicholls State is preparing to host its first ever college football playoff game. Athletic Director Matthew Roan says since the announcement was made that the Colonels are hosting a playoff game, the ticket’s office phones have not stopped ringing…

Cut 6 (07)  rolling today”

The Colonels will host South Dakota at 3 PM at John L Guidry Stadium on Saturday in the opening round of the FCS playoffs. Roan gives a lot of credit to third-year head coach Tim Rebowe, who has been sucessful on and off the field…

Cut 7 (10)      the program” 

The Colonels made the 24-team field by finishing 8-3 in the regular season and winning seven games in the Southland Conference. Nicholls is making just its fourth appearance in the playoffs and the first since 2005. Roan says they are good enough to make a deep run in the playoffs

Cut 8 (07) “as well”

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A report released today finds that Louisiana’s drug, alcohol and suicide death rate could increase 42 percent in the next ten years. Well Being Trust helped put the study together and it’s chief policy officer, Ben Miller, says the opioid epidemic is at the root of this troubling report…

Cut 9 (10)  “themselves addicted.”

Miller says those who find themselves trapped by drug abuse need to know that there is a way out. Members of the medical community and those in mental health need to help lower the risk of suicide by making the first step…

_________________________________________________________

Two years ago today, John Bel Edwards was elected as Louisiana’s 56th governor. Edwards approval ratings are solid, but political analyst Clancy Dubos says there’s no guarantee the Democrat from Amite will be re-elected

Cut 12 (13) “too many victories”

Dubos says if the governor is able to help solve the state’s fiscal problems, it will greatly help his re-election chances in 2019….

Cut 13 (09)  public hospitals”

Edwards sent an email today to supporters asking for donations. The governor’s latest campaign finance report shows he has three-point-three-million dollars on hand, but Dubos says Edwards will need every penny he can get it…

Cut 14 (06) “against him”

A report shows drug, alcohol and suicide death rates could rise by 42 percent in Louisiana…..
Voicer 1 (32) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

The busy Christmas shopping season starts in a couple of days. Ana Serafin Smith with the National Retail Federation on the latest trend when it comes to online shopping…
cut 15 (10) “…the past”

State Police plans to focus on impaired driving and occupant protection this Thanksgiving Holiday weekend…
Vouicer 3 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The man accused of fatally shooting two people at Grambling State University last month appeared in court today and plead not guilty on two counts of first degree murder. 19-year-old Jaylin Wayne’s next court appearance is in March.

A report released today finds that Louisiana’s drug, alcohol and suicide death rate could increase 42 percent in the next ten years. Well Being Trust helped put the study together and it’s chief policy officer, Ben Miller, says the opioid epidemic is at the root of this troubling report…
Cut 9 (10) “themselves addicted.”
The report outlines a strategy of prevention, early identification and treatment for those addicted to opioids.

Longtime state legislator Francis Thompson has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The 76-year-old from Delhi says an MRI discovered the cancer and he’s hoping for a quick recovery….
cut 4 (10) “….work out well”
Thompson was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 1974 and doesn’t plan on having this health care stop his political career.

Nicholls State is preparing to host its first ever college football playoff game. Athletics Director Matthew Roan says since the announcement was made that the Colonels are hosting a playoff game, the ticket’s office phones have not stopped ringing…
cut 6 (07) “…rolling today”
The Colonels will host South Dakota at 3 PM at John L Guidry Stadium on Saturday in the opening round of the FCS playoffs.

In north Louisiana, a Calhoun man has spent the last several months constrcuting a Candy Cane Lane, which will be a mile long drive through tour of Christmas lights. We asked Ben Hanson how much electricy does it take to power….
cut 12 (05) “…house meters”
The Christmas Park will be open to visitors on Thanksgiving Day.

Holiday shopping is expected to increase in Louisiana. That’s the view of LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice who says households have largely recovered from the 2016 floods and the state’s unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been since 2008…
Cut 13 (11) “intend too.”
The National Retail Federation says they are anticipating a 3-percent increase in shopping over last year.

Delhi Senator Francis Thompson, who has served in the state legislature for 40 years, will undergo surgery next month for prostate cancer. Thompson says he’s never spent a night in the hospital, even when he was born…
cut 3 (09) “…for me”
The 76-year-old Thompson says an MRI discovered the cancer and he’s hoping for a quick recovery.

State Police say they are increasing patrols along our state’s highways during this Thanksgiving holiday. Their main focus is cracking down on impaired driving and making sure everyone in the vehicle is properly buckled up. Sergeant James Anderson says their message is simple, buckle up, every trip, every time….
cut 6 (11) “…seat belt”
Last Thanksgiving Holiday period, 10 people died and over seven-hundred were injured in crashes in Louisiana.

Ben Hanson in Calhoun is putting the finishing touches on his Candy Cane Lane, which is a one-million Christmas light display in Ouachita Parish. Hanson says this year is just a start…
cut 11 (08) “…live entertainment”
The mile-long, drive-through Christmas park will open to visitors on Thursday.

Saints defensive end Alex Okafor will miss the rest of the season after tearing his Achilles tendon in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win over Washington. The 26-year-old Okafor has four and a half sacks and Coach Sean Payton says losing him is a difficult loss. Okafor’s injury means Trey Hendrickson will get more playing time. Here’s what Payton had to say about the rookie from Florida Atlantic…

Cut 18 (18) “…his play”

Last night in the NFL, Atlanta held on for a 34-31 win in Seattle. So in the NFC South, New Orleans leads Carolina by one game and they are ahead by two games over Atlanta. The Saints are at the Rams this Sunday.

Just one more regular season game left for LSU, as the Tigers are set to host Texas A-and-M on Saturday. LSU Head Coach Ed Orgeron calls the Aggies a strong SEC opponent…

Cut 16 (14) “…this week”

LSU beat Texas A-and-M 54-39 last season in College Station.

Northwestern State has promoted defensive coordinator Brad Laird to be the Demons next head coach.

In basketball…despite a triple-double from Russell Westbrook, the Pelicans beat Oklahoma City 114-107 as Anthony Davis had 36 points and 15 rebounds. DeMarcus Cousins was ejected after swinging an elbow at Westbrook.

In Hawaii, LSU rallied from nine down to beat Michigan 77-75, freshman Tremont Waters had 21 points, while the Ragin Cajuns beat Iowa 80-71 in the Cayman Islands.

Black public school students in Louisiana are more likely to be suspended than white students according to a study done by the Education Research Alliance for New Orleans. Researcher Nathan Barrett says they also found that punishments resulting from fights between a black student and white student are different…
cut 9 (10) “…day difference”

There’s been an increase in opioid abuse in Louisaina, but the Louisiana Orthopedic Specialists in Lafayette, says they are peforming a post-surgical procedure that leads to quicker recovery times and the patients are not as dependenant on oral painkillers for relief…
cut 7 (11) “….60-percdent”
Doctor Judson Penton says they are using a specially designed disposable pump to deliver the medication.

Prices are the lowest they have been in a few years for Thanksgiving dinner….
Voicer 5 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray

A north Louisiana chef who was named the 2016 Louisiana Seafood King has been arrested on a stalking charge. Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Glen Springfield says 35-year-old William Blake Phillips called and texted the victim 54 times and then went to her house….
cut 3 (07) “…the complianant”
The arrest affidavit says Phillips denies some of the accusations.

A report finds that black students in Louisiana public schools are twice as likely as white students to face suspensions. The study also finds low-income students are likely to face longer suspension than non low-income children. Researcher Nathan Barrett hopes school officials look at the report to reduce discipline disparities based on race and income…
cut 10 (09) “….of school”

A well known north Louisiana chef was arrested after allegedly stalking a woman by calling and texting her 54 times, and showing up at her house. Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Glen Springfield says 35-year-old William Blake Phillips was asked several times to quit calling. Phillips denies the allegation of showing up at her house…
Cut 4 (11) “the residence.”
Phillips was named the 2016 Louisiana Seafood King.

Orthopedic specialists in Louisiana say they are using a post surgical procedure to decrease the need for oral painkillers. Doctor Judson Penton, who practices in Lafayette at Louisiana Orthopedic Specialists, says they insert small disposable pain pumps near the incision site next to the nerves in the surgical area. He says the pumps are portable and will only administer an amount of medication approved by a physician…
cut 6 (08) “…throughout the state”
Penton says they’ve seen patients have quicker recovery times and they were not dependent on opioids for relief.

Today in Atlanta, the Georgia Dome was imploded after 25 years in existence. Meanwhile, the Mercedes Benz Superdome in New Orleans continues to be one of the top entertainment venues in the country. Alan Freeman, General Manager of the Dome, says when the facility was built, the architects took a long range view.
Cut 11 (10) “practical”