Secretary of State Tom Schedler would like to end December elections in Louisiana because they usually have a low turnout. Michelle Southern has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

Out of the three federal races on Saturday’s ballot, it appears the third congressional district race is the most competitive. ULM Political Science Professor John Sutherlin says Republican Clay Higgins is riding a wave of anti-establishment politicians…
cut 4 (08) “…career politician”
But Angelle says he has the experience to get the job done.

Louisiana is seeing the coldest temperatures of the season so far and many folks are finding themselves becoming more in the holiday spirit as a result. That’s according to Dr. Michelle Moore, clinical psychologist with LSU Health Sciences Center. She says you could even argue the cold weather Christmas Spirit is good for the economy…:
cut 12 (06) “while it’s cold”
She says we’re more in the holiday spirit because many Christmas traditions are centered around cold weather.

The governor’s office of homeland security and emergency preparedness is holding an Affordable Housing Expo for flood victims at the Celtic movie studios in Baton Rouge. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says different manufactured homes that could be used by flood victims will be on display and other services will also be there….
cut 11 (09) “…on hand”
The expo is from noon to 8 PM on Friday and 9 AM until 3 PM on Saturday.

Jurors heard important testimony from Kevin O’ Neal during the Will Smith shooting trial today. O’ Neal is a long time friend of Cardell Hayes, who is charged with second-degree murder. O’Neal was in Hayes hummer during the car accident that sparked the shooting. O’Neal says at no time was Hayes the aggressor in the heated situation. O’ Neal also said that the last time he saw the former Saints player alive, his wife was trying to push him away from the dispute.

A low voter turnout is expected for Saturday and Secretary of State Tom Schedler says that’s why he will push the Louisiana legislature to do away with December federal elections. He says not only is turnout low, it’s also hard to find commissioners to work during the holidays..:
CUT 7 (07) “can’t attend”
Schedler says it would make more sense to have the primary in October and then a November run-off.

Heading into Saturday’s election day, it appears the third district congressional race is a close one. Two republicans square off in that race, Clay Higgins and Scott Angelle. ULM political science professor John Sutherlin…
cut 3 (10) “…Angelle”
Secretary of State Tom Schedler says overall turnout for the election could be below 30-percent.

An Affordable Housing Expo will take place tomorrow and Saturday in Baton Rouge at Celtic Movie Studios. Mike Steele, with the governor’s office of homeland security and emergency preparedness, says temporary housing models will be on display, including tiny houses, which are less than 500 square feet, but contain a kitchen, bedroom and bathroom…
cut 10 (10) “…they’re made”
The expo starts Friday at noon and the hours on Saturday are from 9 AM to 3 PM.

There were some intense exchanges today between prosecutors and Kevin O’ Neal in the trial of Cardell Hayes, who is facing second-degree murder in the death of former Saints star Will Smith. O’ Neal was a passenger in Hayes car at the time of the shooting and he said that Smith and at least two others charged at them after a traffic crash on April 9th. The prosecution has said Smith was not the aggressor in this situation.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler would like to end December elections in Louisiana because they usually have a low turnout. Michelle Southern has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…I”m Michelle Southern”

So are there any positives to this cold weather we are experiencing. Doctor Michelle Moore, clinical psychologist with the LSU Health Sciences Center, says it might help more people get in the holiday spirit, which would be good news for retailers…
cut 14 (08) “….in a good way”
We are not expecting any snow flurries tonight, but the low temperature will get below freezing for much of the state.

The governor’s office of homeland security and emergency preparedness is holding an Affordable Housing Expo for flood victims at the Celtic movie studios in Baton Rouge. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says different manufactured homes that could be used by flood victims will be on display and other services will also be there….
cut 11 (09) “…on hand”
The expo is from noon to 8 PM on Friday and 9 AM until 3 PM on Saturday.

Donald Trump will be in Baton Rouge Friday to support Republican John Kennedy in the US Senate race. UL-Lafayette political science Professor Pearson Cross says the visit isn’t really necessary, as Kennedy has a double digit lead over Democrat Foster Campbell, but it’s a nice gesture.
Cut 7 (09) “Kennedy”
The event begins at noon in the Dow Chemical Hangar at the Baton Rouge Airport.

During a budget hearing at the state capitol, republican legislators expressed concerns about the state’s health care budget, which contains two-point-eight billion dollars in general state tax dollars. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds…
cut 30 (11) “…agencies’
State Health Secretary Rebekah Gee says the state is actually saving dollars as a result of the expansion of the Medicaid program, because it’s brought more federal money to the state.

The US House Appropriations Committee has approved a continuing resolution that contains $1.2 billion in Community Development Block Grants for Louisiana flood relief. The Governor’s Communications director Richard Carbo adds that Congress should vote on the proposal by the end of the week, which will also contain dollars to fund other flood repair projects…:
Cut 9 (10) “for Louisiana”
Carbo says the state will still need federal assistance beyond this and we’ll go back to Washington DC again in April.

LSU has released the details on defensive coordinator Dave Aranda’s new three-year contract extension, which at the moment makes him the highest paid assistant coach in college football. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says he’s earned it…
cut 11 (08) “every dollar”
Aranda’s contract runs until March of 2020 and includes a first year salary of 1.8 million dollars.

President-elect Donald Trump will be in Baton Rouge Friday to encourage Louisianans to vote for Republican John Kennedy for U.S. Senate. Emelie Gunn has more…
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Former Saints running back Pierre Thomas took the stand today and described what he saw when Cardell Hayes shot former NFL player Will Smith last April. Thomas says he thought a heated argument had cooled down. But Hayes attorneys say he shot Smith, because the retired athlete went back to his SUV to get a loaded gun.

The US House Appropriations Committee has approved a continuing resolution that contains $1.2 billion in Community Development Block Grants for Louisiana flood relief. Richard Carbo with the Governor’s office says they still have a long way to go, but it’s great to see this kind of support from Congress…:
Cut 8 (12) “as possible”
Carbo expects Congress to approve this money by the end of the week.

An entire family from Bunkie has been arrested on bomb making charges. Avoyelles Sheriff Doug Anderson says they executed a warrant on 38-year-old Jenus Juneau, who was accused of stealing $12-thousand worth of household goods, guns, and jewelry:
Cut 3 (12) “zone established”
No reason why they allegedly had bomb making material.

The Republican Party of Louisiana has confirmed President-elect Donald Trump will be in Baton Rouge on Friday for a get out the vote rally for US Senate candidate Republican John Kennedy. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross expects a huge frenzy of supporters to be in attendance…:
Cut 5 (09) “a bottle”
The event starts at noon at the Baton Rouge Airport.

Strange story out of Avoyelles Parish as four people, a husband and wife, along with two 19-year-old children were arrested after authorities found them making a pipe bomb inside their home. Sheriff Doug Anderson…
cut 4 (09) “…reason why”
Anderson says they discovered the bomb making material after conducting a search warrant on the home, because 39-year-old Jenus Juneau is suspected stealing 12-thousand dollars worth of household goods.

The governor’s office says Congress could approve another 1-point-2 billion dollars in federal flood aid for Louisiana this week. So far, the state has received 438-million dollars to help flood victims rebuild their homes and the governor’s communications director, Richard Carbo, says the state is working on a plan to allocate that money…
cut 10 (09) “…record pace”
After Hurricane Katrina, it took over a year for the state to disperse community block grant money, Carbo says it won’t take that long this time.

Speaking of money, LSU says defensive coordinator Dave Aranda will receive one-point-eight million dollars during the first year of his three-year extension. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says the contract also contains buyout langue that favors LSU, soAranda should be here for awhile…
cut 13 (10) “….have him”