Blue Bell lovers are rejoicing as the creamery announces they’re coming back to Louisiana grocery stores on December 21^st. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (31)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Several national college football reporters are in disbelief LSU is preparing to fire Les Miles at the end of the season. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (27)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the state Fire Marshal’s Office, and local authorities are seeking information on 86 suspected arsons in northwest Louisiana. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the suspicious fires happened between August 30th and October 21st…

CUT 3 (09)  “Jackson Parish”

Investigators have determined that a majority of these fires occurred on properties owned by timber company Weyerhaeuser (WARE-hous-er) Industries. Strain says a substantial reward is being offered for information leading to the capture for these arsonists…

CUT 4 (11)  “these arsons”

A $4,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of these arsonists. He says these fires began in Bienville Parish and progressed into Jackson Parish in northwest Louisiana. Strain says arson is a serious crime that comes with serious penalties…

CUT 5 (08)  “have destroyed”

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Governor-elect John Bel Edwards made his first address since winning Saturday’s election at the annual Louisiana Federation of Teachers convention in Lake Charles. Edwards told teachers that he will insist on a greater accountability of charter schools and push for more autonomy for local school systems…

CUT 6 (11) “accountability system”

Edwards says a recent report in the Advocate newspaper stating that he wants to ban charter schools is not true. He says he has proposed nothing that would really affect an existing charter school. But Edwards says charter school placement should not be a decision necessarily made by BESE…

CUT 7 (10)  “that simple”

Edwards told teachers that after he is sworn into office on January 11th, they were going to have a partner in the Governor’s Office. Edwards also stated that he has no intention to take the voucher program off the books, but would seek to steer the program back to its original purpose…

CUT 8 (09)  “failing school”

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Blue Bell ice cream lovers are in luck, the creamery is announcing they’re coming back to the Pelican State. Spokesperson Joe Robertson says Blue Bell will begin to restock Louisiana grocery stores on December 21^st.

CUT 9 (07)  “these phases”

Blue Bell pulled its ice cream from the shelves in April over listeria concerns. The popular ice cream has been coming back in phases over the last few months. Robertson says most of their retail partners have welcomed them back and they’ll be in most major grocery stores. He says currently, they’re only selling five flavors of ice cream.

cut 10 (08)  “start out”

Robertson says with each phase, they bring back more employees.

Cut 11 (10) “those areas”

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Many in the national media believe it’s crazy LSU would fire Coach Les Miles at the end of the regular season. Miles has won one national championship and 110 games in his eleven seasons in Baton Rouge. Dennis Dodd with cbs-sports-dot-com, says LSU would be making a horrible decision if they axed Miles…

cut 12 (10)  “winning”

Dodd says it was only three weeks ago when LSU was ranked second in the college football playoff rankings.  He says it will be very hard to replace Miles with a better coach…

cut 13 (11)  “if they do”

Miles’ job security came into question last week as a result of a published report that said he was coaching for his job. Athletic Director Joe Alleva has remained quiet.Dodd says Alleva is mishandling this situation…

cut 14 (12)  “of this” 

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Republican Congressman Charles Boustany has announced his intention to run for David Vitter’s Senate seat next year. Emilie Gunn reports…

CUT 1 (29)  “I’m Emilie Gunn”

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Governor-elect John Bel Edwards has put together his transition team, which will be led by a longtime state senator Ben Nevers. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (29)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Republican Congressman Charles Boustany has announced his intention to run for David Vitter’s Senate seat next year. Vitter announced Saturday night that he would not seek re-election. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this announcement was expected.

CUT 3 (11)  “his plans”

He says Boustany has already been fundraising and meeting with donors in anticipation of a Senate campaign. The congressman plans to make a formal campaign announcement in his hometown of Lafayette in the near future. Cross says the race for the soon-to-be vacant Senate seat could feature some familiar names…

CUT 4 (09)  “careful look”

He says Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle is another possible name that could enter the field. Cross adds that even Governor Bobby Jindal could jump into the race, but thinks that is unlikely…

CUT 5 (11)  “best option”

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Bossier Parish authorities are still trying to figure out why a mother fatally shot her son and injured another woman while driving down Interstate 20. Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis says after the three people left a casino, 47-year-old Dora Blake of Minden took out a handgun, while riding in the backseat of the vehicle and shot the two people in the front seat.

CUT 6 (11) “be okay”

Davis says after Blake shot 22-year-old Patrick Hollingsworth and the passenger, the vehicle crashed into a tree on the side of the interstate. He says when witnesses came to help, Blake told them she’d been kidnapped and managed to shoot her abductors.

CUT 7 (06)  “another one”

Davis says Blake was treated for injuries sustained during the accident and was highly intoxicated. He says she was booked into Bossier Maximum Security Facility on a one million dollar bond.

CUT 8 (10)  “the front”

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Governor-elect John Bel Edwards names longtime state senator Ben Nevers of Boglausa as his chief of staff when he takes office. Nevers will also lead the new governor’s transition team. Edwards says Nevers has been a mentor to him in the legislature…

CUT 9 (09)  “of Louisiana”

Lake Charles business owner Laura Leach, Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand, Baton Rouge senator Sharon Weston Broome, former legislator Taylor Townsend and Baton Rouge businessman Richard Lipsey are also on the transition team. Edwards says there’s a lot to do before he takes office on January 11th…

cut 10 (08)  “with precision”

Edwards first priority is to deal with the budget, as the state is looking at a one-billion dollar revenue shortfall.  He pledges to keep to his campaign promise and that is bring a moderate and bipartisan approach to the governor’s office….

Cut 11 (10) “the people”

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There is a lot of speculation concerning the job security of Les Miles’ at LSU. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says athletic director Joe Alleva has not commented on Miles’ future but his silence is telling.

cut 12 (10)  “from LSU”

Miles’ contract runs until 2019.  Worsham says coming off of the Tigers three game losing streak, it’s pretty clear to him that Miles’ job is in jeopardy. But he doesn’t believe there is any rush to get rid of Miles just yet.

cut 13 (10)  “going to get”

Worsham says Miles’ 15 million dollar buyout isn’t much of a determining factor because those who want him gone are willing to front that money.

cut 14 (08)  “to pay” 

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Louisiana ranks fourth for the best state to live in for low taxes. Emelie Gunn has more….

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Six weeks ago, no one would have predicted the result of Saturday night and that’s a victory for Democrat John Bel Edwards in the governor’s race. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Republican Senator David Vitter has announced he will not seek re-election to the US Senate next year. Jeff Palermo reports…

Cut 3 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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According to the personal finance website, Kiplinger, Louisiana ranks fourth for best state to live in for low taxes and it’s also eighth for retirees. Kiplinger Senior Associate Editor Sandra Block says the Pelican State has a variety of tax friendly policies….

cut 4  (09)  “the country”

Block says another aspect in Louisiana’s favor is state gasoline taxes, which is 20 cents per gallon, about a dime lower than the rest of the nation.

Cut 5  (05)  “Louisiana”

Block says Louisiana’s income tax is also one of the lowest in the US. She says a downside is that low taxes could lead to cuts in social services, roads and education…

Cut 6 (10)  “good services”

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A state representative from Amite is the next governor of Louisiana. John Bel Edwards defeated Republican David Vitter by double digits, becoming the first Democrat to win a statewide election since 2008. Edwards says his victory is a breeze of hope for Louisiana….

CUT 7 (08)  “of others”

Edwards has this message for Louisiana residents….

Cut 8  (12)  “people first”

About a month ago, Vitter was the odds on favorite to be the next governor of Louisiana. But now it appears his political career is over as he’s announced he won’t seek re-election to the US Senate in 2016…

Cut 9 (08) “matter what”

Vitter did not disclose what he may do once his second-term in the US Senate ends…

Cut 10 (11) “after issue”

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Republican Senator David Vitter has decided to not seek re-election to the US Senate next year. Vitter made the announcement during his gubernatorial election concession speech Saturday night. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says this does not come as a shock…

cut 11 (09) “this announcement”

Vitter said when he decided to run for governor, he wanted to pursue challenges outside the Senate, no matter the outcome of this election. Hogan says Vitter’s decision makes sense…

Cut 12 (06) “this election”

Vitter said he had reached his personal term limit in the Senate. Hogan says Vitter’s open Senate seat will draw a lot of interest…

Cut 13 (11)  “the possibility”

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Two-term Republican incumbent Buddy Caldwell was defeated in the Attorney General’s race as fellow Republican and former Congressman Jeff Landry won by 12-percentage points. Caldwell says he’s proud of the work he’s done as the state’s top lawyer…

Cut 14 (10) “not through”

Caldwell says he was not pleased with accusations made by Landry that he was a corrupted politician…

Cut 15  (10)  “cheers”

Attorney General-elect Landry on what he’ll bring to the office…

Cut 16  (06)  “I didnt’”

Landry says he’s thankful for the support he’s received and now plans to bring honor and integrity to the Attorney General’s office…

Cut 17 (11) “against them”

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Is Les Miles getting ready to coach his last game in Tiger Stadium? It’s a possibility after the Tigers suffered their third straight loss in an embarrassing 38-17 defeat to Ole Miss. Coach Les Miles says his job status didn’t affect his players’ performance…

Cut 18 (11) “….team meeting“

This is the first time LSU has lost three straight games with Miles as the coach. A published report in the Advocate last week said Miles was coaching for his job after suffering losses to Alabama and Arkansas. The head coach says he doesn’t know if he’s in danger of losing his job…

Cut 19 (07) “right now”

LSU defensive tackle Davon Godchaux says rumors of Miles’ firing at the end of the regular season is not negatively impacting the team….

Cut 20 (08) “sticking with”