Multiple state agencies are investigating outgoing Angola prison warden Burl Cain. The Department of Corrections, State Police and the Inspector General’s Offce are not providing specific allegations. Inspector General Stephen Street says they are trying to get to the facts in an efficient manner…
cut 12 (10) “…more efficiently”
Cain is resigning at the end of the month, but has denied any wrongdoing after reports surfaced about possible wrongdoing involving his private real estate dealings.

A 40-year-old ban that prevented the United States from exporting oil has been lifted. Both the US House and Senate approved legislation that will allow the US to send crude oil to other countries. Metairie Congressman Steve Scalise calls it a big win for Louisiana as the lifting of the ban could create as many as five-thousand jobs.

Matthew Dotson of Vernon Parish is in jail for first-degree murder after authorities determined he is responsible for the death of his finance and her nine year old son. Misty Marshall and the nine-year-old boy had not been seen since Thanksgiving, but authorities found their bodies this week. Sheriff Sam Craft says this tragic crime has rocked this rural area…
cut 8 (10) “…to dealing with”
Two other children belonging to Marshall were not harmed.

Chilly start to the morning. We’ve even seen a few below freezing lows. Slidell hit 30-degrees. But we will warm up today as high temperatures will be around 60-degrees.

It appears Pelicans Coach Alvin Gentry is fed up with the losing. After the team’s latest defeat to Phoenix last night, Gentry said the effort from his players was terrible. New Orleans is now 7-19 on the year.

And tonight Louisiana Tech faces Arkansas State in the R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.

Leaders of three different state agencies say they are investigating allegations of wrongdoing involving outgoing Angola warden Burl Cain. State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson says he sent a team of invesigators to Angola…
cut 13 (09) “…through those”
Cain has said he’s done nothing wrong, but is leaving his post on December 31st.

A former investigator with the Washington Parish District Attorney’s office is indicted on allegations he used his position to force women who were facing drug charges to have sex with him. Mike Haley, chief deputy with the Washington Parish Sheriff’s office, says 66-year-old Michael Cotton of Bogalusa faces serious charges…
cut 5 (08) “….bond (2x)
Cotton was fired from his job with the D-A’s office in August.

The latest Star Wars movie is generating a lot of buzz. This Louisiana boy went on opening day and he says he’s the biggest Star Wars fan you’ll ever meet…
CUT 9 (07) “everything”
For it’s preview showings alone, “The Force Awakens” brought in a record breaking $57 million dollars at US box offices in one night.

There’s just one shopping weekend left until Christmas and folks that fell behind this year will be out and about Saturday and Sunday with list in hand. Saturday is known as “Super Saturday,” but LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice doesn’t think it’ll be as crazy as the day after Thanksgiving…:
cut 30 (10) “those numbers”
Rice says the good news for last minute shoppers is that they could be paying even less in stores as many sales have already kicked in.

A Vernon Parish man is in jail for first-degree murder after authorities determined he allegedly killed his finance and her nine year old son. Misty Marshall and the nine-year-old boy had not been seen since Thanksgiving. Sheriff Sam Craft says this tragic crime has rocked this rural area…
cut 8 (10) “…to dealing with”
Two other children belonging to Marshall were not harmed.

State Police and the State Inspector General confirm they are looking into possible wrongdoing by outgoing Angola Warden Burl Cain. There’s been reports Cain violated department rules in real estate transactions with relatives of inmates, but today officials said there’s other allegations they are looking into. Corrections Secretary James Leblanc couldn’t elaborate…
cut 14 (11) :…that way”
Cain has said he’s done nothing wrong.

A former investigator with the D-A’s office in Washington Parish is indicted by a grand jury amidst allegations he used his position to force women to have sex with him. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 1 (29) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

Frost is likely overnight as low temperatures will be in the 30s when you wake up tomorrow. A section of southeast Louisiana is under a freeze warning.

Duck Dynasty has reached a syndication deal with the Outdoor channel. The first six-seasons of the Louisiana-based reality TV show will begin airing on the Outdoor channel next month.

Leaders of three different state agencies say they are investigating allegations of wrongdoing involving outgoing Angola warden Burl Cain. State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson says he sent a team of invesigators to Angola…
cut 13 (09) “…through those”
Cain has said he’s done nothing wrong, but is leaving his post on December 31st.

A Vernon parish man is in jail on a two-million dollar bond after the bodies of his finance and her son were found. Sheriff Sam Craft says Matthew Dotson has been charged with first-degree murder
cut 7 (11) “…assistance”
Craft is not saying how 32-year-old Misty Marshall and her nine-year-old son were killed.

The latest installment of Star Wars is in theaters across Louisiana and the hype is everywhere you go. Michelle Southern reports…
cut 2 (30) “…reporting”

Get ready for one of the coldest nights we’ve seen in awhile. In fact, a freeze warning is in effect for East Felciana, northern Tangipahoa, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, Washington and West Feliciana Parishes. Low temperatures will be in the 30s tomorrow morning.

And the jackpot for Saturday night’s Powerball drawing is over 200-million dollars.

There’s just one shopping weekend left until Christmas and folks that fell behind will be out and about with list in hand. Don Molino reports…:

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

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The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign begins today to keep drivers safe during the holiday season. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (26) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Court filings reveal that LSU altered its contract with former defensive coordinator John Chavis after he signed it in 2012. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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There’s just one shopping weekend left until Christmas and folks that fell behind this year will be out and about Saturday and Sunday with list in hand. Tomorrow is known as “Super Saturday,” but LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice doesn’t think it’ll be as crazy as the day after Thanksgiving…:

cut 4  (10)  “those numbers”

Rice says the good news for last minute shoppers is that they could be paying even less in stores as many sales have already kicked in. He says you can expect the malls to be packed as folks rush to wrap everything up…:

Cut 5  (07)  “no doubt”

Rice says online shopping drops off, as crunch time gets people to brick and mortar stores for their gifts to make sure they have them in hand. He says shopping number reports show consumers are spending a little less this year, but it’s not because there are less shoppers, it’s because they are paying lower prices…:

Cut 6 (10)  “purchase basis”

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To keep alcohol related deaths down during the holiday season, police are increasing the number of officers on our roadways. State Police Sgt. Nick Manale says the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign begins today and runs through January 3^rd.  He says over the Thanksgiving holiday they saw a high number of traffic fatalities and want to prevent that from happening again.

CUT 7 (09)  “all safe”

According to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, during the 2014 holiday season, there were 671 fatal and injury crashes and 99 involved alcohol. Manale says there are many options to get a safe ride home, rather than drinking and driving.

Cut 8  (07)  “right choice”

Manale reminds drivers that an adult is legally impaired when their blood alcohol level is .08 or higher. He says they will be on the roads looking for the drivers who don’t make the right choice and get behind the wheel impaired.

Cut 9 (10) “joyous time”

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Court filings reveal LSU made alterations to a contract after it was signed by former LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis. Chavis is suing the school for defamation and claims he does not owe the university any money for leaving for Texas A-and-M. Legal analyst Tim Meche says a messy divorce like this, leads to ugly details

Cut 10 (06) “unfavorable light” 

LSU claims the alterations to the contract were nominal. Meche says it’s not uncommon for a contract to be changed after its signed

cut 11 (06) “fatal flaw”

The judge has asked Chavis to turn over phone records. Meche says this will help determine if Chavis worked for A-and-M prior to the time he was announced as an Aggies assistant coach. He says the two sides should look to settle to prevent more unflattering evidence to become public

Cut 12 (09) “very careful”

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A bunch of points are expected on Saturday night at the R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl as Louisiana Tech faces Arkansas State. Both teams rank in the top 20 in scoring as the Red Wolves are averaging 41 points a game and the Bulldogs have averaged 37 a contest. Tech head coach Skip Holtz on why A-S-U is so hard to defend

Cut 13 (12)  “big plays”

Saturday marks the end of a great college career for running back Kenneth Dixon. The senior from Arkansas has 83 career touchdowns and he’s the all-time leading rusher in Bulldog history. Holtz says Dixon has been hampered by an ankle injury, but he’ll be ready to go Saturday night

Cut 14 (08) “the season”

Arkansas State brings an eight game winning streak ino the bowl, while the Bulldogs suffered a blow out loss to Southern Miss in their regular season finale. Holtz says his team still has a bad taste in its mouth from that game…

Cut 15  (14) “the season”

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Louisiana public schools received an overall letter grade of “B” from the state department of education. That’s based on a variety of factors including test and graduation data from the previous school year. State Superintendent of Education John White…

cut 13 (10) “…all are increasing”

Go to Louisiana-believes-dot-com to find out the letter grade of the public school your child attends.

On a six-to vote, the New Orleans city council votes to remove four Confederate monuments from their current location, including the one from Lee Circle. There were passionate arguments on both sides. Here’s the thoughts from one pro monument speaker…
cut 12 (11) “…fair minded”
Mayor Mitch Landrieu says three of the monuments could be removed in a matter of days.

Former US Representative Charles Melancon will lead the state department of wildlife and fisheries. Melancon is joining Governor-elect John Bel Edwards’ new administration. Melancon says he wants to find a balance between private and commerical fisherman…
cut 3 (08) “…Wildlife and Fisheries”
Colonel Mike Edmonson also remains as the State Police Superintendent.

Court filings reveal LSU made alterations to a contract after it was signed by former LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis. Chavis is suing the school for defamation and claims he does not owe the university any money for leaving for Texas A-and-M.

And a judge in central Louisiana has denied a bond reduction request for a Marksville deputy marshal, who has been charged in the murder of a six-year-old boy. Derrick Stafford remains in jail on a one-million dollar bond. His family says race is playing a role in the prosecution against him.