Republican Senator David Vitter has announced that he will not seek re-election to the US Senate in 2016. Vitter stated during his gubernatorial election concession speech, that when he decided to run for governor, he wanted to pursue challenges outside the Senate, no matter the outcome of this election. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Vitter’s open Senate seat will draw a lot of interest…

cut 13 (11) “the possibility”

Republican Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany has already announced his intention to run for Vitter’s Senate seat.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards has selected the team to lead his transition into the governor’s office. Term-limited Bogalusa State Senator Ben Nevers is the governor-elect’s Chief of Staff and will oversee the transition. The remainder of the transition team includes Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo, Baton Rouge Senator Sharon Weston-Broome, and Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand.

The St. Landry Parish Registrar of Voters confirm that the required number of signatures have been collected to proceed to the next stage of a recall of Washington Police Chief Bruce Broussard. A group called the Concerned Citizens Committee of Washington began the recall process after residents began voicing concerns about Broussard’s work performance. The state’s attorney general’s office will decide if a recall election will take place to possibly remove Broussard from office.

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

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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”

Republican Congressman Charles Boustany has announced his intention to run for Vitter’s Senate seat next year. In a statement, Boustany says Louisiana deserves a US Senator who can lead in challenging times, offer conservative and workable solutions to complex problems, and bring unity in times of division. The congressman plans to make a formal campaign announcement in his hometown of Lafayette sometime in the near future.

Former Republican Congressman Jeff Landry defeated fellow Republican incumbent Buddy Caldwell in Saturday’s Attorney General runoff election by 12-percentage points. 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…

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

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Caldwell says he’s proud of the work he’s done in his two terms as the state’s top lawyer.

Republican Billy Nungesser is Louisiana’s next Lt. Governor after defeating Democrat Kip Holden. Nungesser becomes just the third Republican elected lieutenant governor during the modern era.

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…

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Governor-elect Edwards is already busy preparing to take office on January 11th. Edwards has selected the team to lead his transition into the governor’s office. Outgoing Bogalusa State Senator Ben Nevers is the governor-elect’s Chief of Staff and will oversee the transition. The transition team includes Baton Rouge Senator Sharon Weston-Broome, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand, and Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo.

During his gubernatorial election concession speech Saturday night, Republican Senator David Vitter announced that he will not seek re-election to the US Senate next year. Vitter said when he decided to run for governor, he wanted to pursue challenges outside the Senate, no matter the outcome of this election. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Vitter’s decision makes sense…

cut 12 (06) “this election”

Vitter said he had reached his personal term limit in the Senate.

The personal finance website, Kiplinger, ranks Louisiana fourth for best state to live in for low taxes and it’s also eighth for retirees. Kiplinger Senior Associate Editor Sandra Block says one 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…

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Block says Louisiana’s income tax is also one of the lowest in the US.

Democrat Amite state representative John Bel Edwards is Louisiana’s next governor. Edwards defeated Republican David Vitter by double digits in Saturday’s runoff election. Edwards says his victory is a breeze of hope for Louisiana….

cut 7 (08) “of others”

In his concession speech, Vitter announced that he would not seek re-election to the US Senate in 2016. Vitter did not disclose what he may do once his second-term in the US Senate ends…

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About a month ago, Vitter was the odds on favorite to be the next governor of Louisiana. Edwards will assume office in January.

Also, Republican Billy Nungesser defeated Democrat Kip Holden in the Lt. Governor’s race and Republican Jeff Landry unseated fellow Republican incumbent Attorney General Buddy Caldwell.

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….

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Block says another aspect in Louisiana’s favor is state gasoline taxes which are about a dime lower than the rest of the country.

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.

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 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”

Edwards won Saturday’s election 55 to 45 percent.

In the Lt. Governor’s runoff election, Republican Billy Nungesser defeated Democrat Kip Holden by a 10 percentage point margin.

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…

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

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Landry will assume office in January.

You may need a jacket as you get out and about this morning. Morning temperatures are in the 30s across much of the state.

Today is election day in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo reports…

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Louisiana’s unemployment rate rose slightly to six-point-two percent in October based on figures from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, that’s lower than last October when the unemployment rate was seven-percent. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the civilian labor force lost nearly 12-thousand workers from September to October. The two main factors, low oil prices and a decline of government workers.

Polls heading into election day show Democrat John Bel Edwards lead slipping over Republican David Vitter in the race for governor. The latest JMC Analytics survey shows Edwards lead over Vitter is in the single digits. LAPolitics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says it may be too little too late for Vitter as Edwards’ “Get Out The Vote” campaign is very strong…

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He says the Syrian refugee issue has helped Vitter gain ground.

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission kicks off their Thanksgiving holiday Click it or Ticket campaign Sunday. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says nobody wants to remember the holidays tragically and buckling up has been proven to save lives. He says in addition to checking for seatbelt violations, troopers will also be on the lookout for motorists drinking and driving…

cut 8 (08) “home safe”

Reichardt says there will be increased patrols through November 29th.

A recent JMC Analytics poll shows Democrat John Bel Edwards’ lead over Republican David Vitter is down to the single digits as voters head to the polls to elect the state’s new governor. Jeff Palermo reports…

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The President of the University of Louisiana System is stepping down. Sandra Woodley gave no explanation for her resignation. In a released statement, Woodley says she is proud of what the system has been able to accomplish during her presidency which began in January of 2013. Woodley will leave her post at the end of the year. She will remain on board to serve in a transitional capacity through March 31st.

Governor Bobby Jindal’s proposal to close a 487-million dollar budget deficit has been approved by the joint legislative budget committee. Senate president John Alario says it’s not a perfect plan, but it puts something in place until a new governor takes over in January…

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The plan calls for cuts to state agencies, patchwork financing and tapping into the rainy day fund.

A man from Denham Springs will spend the rest of his life behind bars for shooting up his fiancee with a lethal dose of heroin. 26-year-old Jarret McCasland was found guilty of second-degree murder. East Baton Rouge DA Hillar Moore says evidence against McCasland was overwhelming and the jury didn’t take long to return a verdict…

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19-year-old Flavia Cardenas died of a heroin overdose in July of 2013.

Louisiana voters will head to the polls today to elect the state’s new governor. A recent JMC Analytics poll shows Democrat John Bel Edwards’ lead over Republican David Vitter has shrunk down to the single digits. LAPolitics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says, in order for Vitter to win, he’ll need conservative voters to return to his camp. He says tracking numbers have shown that has happened in the last week…

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Polls are open until 8PM.

The joint legislative budget committee approves Governor Bobby Jindal’s proposal to close a 487-million dollar budget deficit. The plan calls for cuts to state agencies, patchwork financing and tapping into the rainy day fund. Commissioner of Administration Stafford Palmieri says the governor made it a priority to make sure public colleges were not hit with cuts…

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The two gubernatorial candidates had asked legislators to reject Jindal’s deficit reduction plan.

A 26-year-old Denham Springs man will spend the rest of his life in prison for shooting up his fiancee with heroin, causing a fatal overdose. An East Baton Rouge Parish jury found Jarret McCasland guilty of second-degree murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence. District Attorney Hillar Moore says a seldom used statue was used in his case…

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McCasland, who did not take the stand in his defense, will face formal sentencing in January for the death of 19-year-old Flavia Cardenas.

With the Thanksgiving holiday right around the corner, The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission kicks off their Click it or Ticket campaign this Sunday. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says make sure you buckle up, because it’s the first step in saving your life in case you’re in an accident…

cut 6 (08) “that easy”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says seat belt usage reduces the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers by 45-percent.