The Voice of LSU, Jim Hawthorne, is back tonight for the call of the men’s basketball game. Eric Gill reports its his first broadcast since undergoing a medical procedure last month…:

CUT 1 (29)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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Authorities held a press conference in New Orleans this morning to reassure residents that an attack similar to the one in Paris last week is not imminent in Louisiana. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 2 (27)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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Baton Rouge Police report a second man has been arrested in the slaying of an elderly Baton Rouge couple whose bodies were discovered at a Hammond truck stop last month. Lt. Johnny Dunham says 48-year-old Frank Garcia was arrested in Hollywood, Florida Wednesday…

CUT 3 (08)  “homicide case”

71-year-old Denis Duplantier (doo-PLAHN-shay) and 70-year-old Suzanne Duplantier were taken from their home, robbed, and killed October 18th. Garcia is charged with two counts of first degree murder. Dunham did not disclose what information led to issuing the warrant for Garcia’s arrest…

CUT 4 (10)  “at this point”

42-year-old Ernesto Alonso was previously arrested and charged in the deaths of the Duplantiers. Dunham says this is still an active investigation and it’s possible more arrests could be made…

CUT 5 (07)  “call Crime Stoppers”

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The Voice of LSU, Jim Hawthorne, returns to his play-by-play calling duties tonight for the first time since having a medical procedure last month. Hawthorne will broadcast tonight’s men’s hoops game at the PMAC, after missing the Alabama and Arkansas football games. He says the doctors gave him the green light…:

CUT 6 (07) “very fortunate”

The LSU men’s basketball team is 2-0 after a win over McNeese State on Friday and victory over Kennesaw State on Monday. Hawthorne says he’s been extremely humbled by how many friends and LSU fans have reached out and wished him the best for a speedy recovery…:

CUT 7 (11)  “very supportive”

The 71 year old had previously announced he’d retire from LSU after this men’s basketball season. Hawthorne says he plans to call the final regular season football game next week. He admits it was an extremely unique experience to watch football games as a fan, which you don’t get to do when you’re working it…:

CUT 8 (11)  “watch a game”

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Federal, state, and local authorities held a press conference in New Orleans this morning to reassure residents that an attack similar to the one in Paris last week is not imminent in Louisiana. New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says facts have been confused in the days following the Paris attacks…

CUT 9 (10)  “threats at all”

Landrieu says he’s been assured that there are no credible threats from any of the Syrian refugees in the New Orleans area. FBI Special Agent Jeffrey Sallet (sa-LET) says there is a very strong Joint Terrorism Task Force in the state. He says their job is to protect the citizens of Louisiana from these type of attacks…

cut 10 (11)  “preparing for”

He says, prior to the Paris attacks, the task force has been preparing to respond and prevent multi-event attacks. Sallet says there are currently no credible terrorist threats to Louisiana and authorities will strive to keep it that way…

Cut 11 (08) “are safe”

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Today is the Great American Smokeout, a day that has been designated for smokers to quit their habit. According to the Center for Disease Control 24-percent of Louisiana adults smoke, which is higher than the national percentage. Mike Rogers with the Smoking Cessation Trust says there are free products and services to help long time smokers put cigarettes down for good.

cut 12 (10)  “for it all”

Rogers says the only requirements to sign up are, you live in Louisiana and started smoking prior to September 1, 1988. He says the Smoking Cessation Trust has been around since 2012 and is showing much success.

cut 13 (09)  “receive benefits”

Rogers says 43-percent of those who sign up report that they actually quit. He attributes the success to the trust providing free medications and other necessary services and encourages everyone eligible to try it out.

(For more information visit smokefreela.org)

cut 14 (06)  “tobacco’s money” 

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LSU Coach Les Miles says there’s no added pressure to win, despite a published report suggesting he could be fired if they lose their last two games. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Governor Bobby Jindal has returned to Louisiana after ending his bid for the Republican presidential nomination. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 2 (31)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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Political pundits in Louisiana are wondering if Governor Bobby Jindal’s announcement to suspend his presidential campaign was timed to upstage Republican David Vitter in the days leading up to the gubernatorial runoff election. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says that’s mere speculation, at this point, but it is plausible…

CUT 3 (10)  “in New Orleans”

In 2007, Vitter held a press conference to make his first public statement about his infamous prostitution scandal just before Jindal formally announced he was entering the governor’s race. Vitter’s event pushed Jindal’s announcement from the headlines. Dubos says this was not lost on the governor…

CUT 4 (10)  “fair play”

He says now that Jindal is back in Louisiana, he’ll begin working to fix the state’s budget crisis. Dubos says the budget issue could continue to keep Vitter from the headlines leading to the election…

CUT 5 (12)  “budget cuts”

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According to a report in the Advocate, LSU Coach Les Miles is coaching for his job the next two weeks. The Tigers have lost two in a row and could be looking at a 7-4 record if they lose to Ole Miss this Saturday and Texas A-and-M on November 28th. On today’s SEC coaches teleconference, Miles says there is no added pressure to win

CUT 6 (10) “than I have”

The Advocate article says there is a serious threat to Miles tenure based on sources at LSU. Miles current contract runs through the 2019 season. If LSU fired Miles at the end of the season, the Tigers would have to pay a buyout of at least 12.9 million dollars. On today’s SEC coaches teleconference, Miles said the support he’s received from athletic director Joe Alleva remains the same and there are no issues there…

CUT 7 (09)  “to me”

The LSU fan base is frustrated over the Tigers losing to Alabama for a fifth consecutive time and getting dominated two years in a row by Arkansas. But Miles says his team can win its last two games and play in a significant bowl game…

CUT 8 (07)  “on track”

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According to officials with the organization, Catholic Charities of Baton Rouge, have received threats for helping Syrian refugees resettle in Louisiana. Louisiana State Police Col. Mike Edmonson says a phone call came in Tuesday from out of state making gun threats to the organization.

CUT 9 (06)  “tolerate that”

Edmonson says he’s spoken to the executive director of Catholic Charities in Baton Rouge, David Aguillard, about the gun threats and learning information about the refugees.

cut 10 (09)  “State Police”

Edmonson says there have also been threats to Catholic Charities in other states. He says they take threats very seriously in Louisiana and are investigating the incident.

Cut 11 (05) “…into it.”

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Governor Bobby Jindal has returned to Louisiana after ending his bid for the Republican presidential nomination. At a news conference at the Governor’s Mansion, Jindal said he has no regrets seeking the nation’s highest elected office. He stated that the failure of his campaign rests solely on his shoulders…

cut 12 (10)  “my responsibility”

Jindal says he would have liked the Republican National Committee to allow all candidates to participate in the debates, but the ultimate responsibility for the campaign’s failure is his. As far as his future goes, Jindal says that’s up in the air…

cut 13 (05)  “being governor”

Jindal says he will not get involved in this year’s governor’s race. His second term as governor will end in January. Jindal says, before leaves office, he’ll go on a statewide tour highlighting the achievements made during his two terms as governor…

cut 14 (08)  “job creation” 

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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Louisiana ranked number two nationally for worker safety in 2014. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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Natchitoches Mayor Lee Posey has banned the Confederate flag from the city’s annual Christmas Parade. Many residents have differing opinions on this decision. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 2 (31)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Louisiana ranked number two nationally for worker safety in 2014. The survey showed Louisiana improved to 2 incidents per 100 full time workers. The national average is 3.2. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Curt Eyesink says credit for this has to go to business and industry in the state, as well as their workforce…

CUT 3 (09)  “number of years”

Louisiana’s rate of work related injuries and illnesses has improved to its best level in 13 years. Worker’s comp rates have dropped 17-percent since 2008. Eyesink says the business community’s commitment to safety is leading to lower worker’s comp costs…

CUT 4 (09)  “to the employees”

Eyesink says these results show that workplace safety has become a top priority for Louisiana companies and their employees…

CUT 5 (08)  “that seriously”

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Natchitoches Mayor Lee Posey has banned the Confederate battle flag from their annual Christmas Parade. The Sons of Confederate Veterans have had a float in the parade for more than 20 years, but decided not to partake this year because of the ban. Northwestern State University Professor Holly Stave says she understands some people want to honor their families, but agrees with Mayor Posey’s decision.

CUT 6 (09) “a symbol”

Posey told The Sons of Confederate Veterans they could fly any other Confederate flag except the battle flag. Stave says she doesn’t believe this will affect attendance to the parade because people go to see the lights and eat the great food. She says there are other ways to honor our Southern heritage.

CUT 7 (10)  “were made”

Dakota Scoggins, owner of a Natchitoches clothing shop called Old River Clothier, says he’s defending his family by selling t-shirts displaying the Confederate battle flag. He says he is worried that the mayor’s decision will lead to less people attending the parade and hurt their economy later down the line.

CUT 8 (09)  “hurts us”

Scoggins says Mayor Posey did not go through the correct processes to keep something out of the parade. He believes this decision is hypocritical because Melrose Plantation brings in thousands of tourists each year.

CUT 9 (08)  “like that”

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The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says, despite increased seat belt usage, the number of fatal crashes in Louisiana increased from 2013 to 2014. According to finalized data, there were 664 fatal crashes on Louisiana roadways killing 739 people last year. Spokesperson Jessica Bedwell says there was a 2-percent increase in fatal crashes in 2014…

cut 10 (08)  “over the years”

The number of crashes and fatalities are down about 26-percent since 2007. Bedwell says most of these fatal crashes happen at night and often involve younger drivers…

Cut 11 (08)  “distracted driving”

The fatality rate of 18 to 20-year-olds increased in 2014 and the alcohol related crash rate of 18 to 24-year-olds increased for the first time in five years. Bedwell says the results of this report show that more needs to be done to keep impaired drivers off the road…

cut 12 (04)  “alcohol impaired”

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The debate on whether or not to accept Syrian refugees has become an issue in Louisiana’s gubernatorial race. In a new TV commercial, Republican David Vitter claims Democrat John Bel Edwards has pledged to work with President Obama to bring Syrian refugees to Louisiana. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this is an issue that matters if you think it matters…

cut 13 (10)  “to be important”

Edwards has fired back at Vitter claiming the senator missed key votes regarding the Syrian refugee issue. Recent polls show Edwards enjoying a double-digit lead over Vitter in the race. Cross says Vitter is looking for an issue that will sway undecided voters in his favor…

cut 14 (09) “something else” 

He says Edwards seems to be pushing back effectively against Vitter’s claims on the issue. On the other hand, Cross says Vitter appears to be chipping away at Edward’s lead. He says, right now, this is a race to election day…

cut 15 (10)  “It’s unclear”

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