Three statewide races, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Treasurer will be decided in the runoffs Saturday. Brooke Thorington has more on the predictions.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Governor-Elect Jeff Landry is concerned whether the state can afford the potential cost of Louisiana’s new policy that allows state workers who welcome a new child to receive six weeks of paid leave that’s set to begin January 1st. He has requested the financial details for this new policy.

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says Louisiana drivers need to be aware that the Click It or Ticket campaign begins tomorrow (Saturday) and goes through the Thanksgiving weekend. Spokesperson Greg Fischer….

Cut 3 (11) “….the road.”

The state’s passenger safety law requires everyone in a vehicle whether they’re driving or in the back seat to be properly restrained. The campaign runs through next Saturday.

The latest drought monitor indicates nearly 100 percent of the Bayou State is still in drought despite recent rainfall. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a warm front will move in on Monday – followed by a cold front that will produce up to two inches of rain across the state.

Cut 13 (06) “…we’re in.”

Voters will return to the polls on Saturday to decide on a number of statewide races including the run-off for Treasurer. Republican John Fleming, says as a former member of Congress, a physician, business owner, and his tenure in the Trump administration, he is the best choice for the office. He says he also wants to work with the Landry administration…

Cut 13 (09) “…young people.”

Democrat Dustin Granger, a financial advisor and small business owner, is also competing for the office. He says he’s the better choice because of his financial background. He says he wants to put Louisiana residents first instead of businesses including insurance companies.

Cut 15 (11) “…get worse.”

In addition to the Treasurer’s race, there are two other statewide run-offs; Secretary of State, Attorney General, and four constitutional amendments on Saturday’s ballot. Voting begins at 7 am and ends at 8 pm.

Governor-Elect Jeff Landry’s black-tie inaugural ball is set for January 8 at the Raising Canes River Center in Baton Rouge at 7 pm. And he has set aside five thousand tickets for the public to attend. Landry says tickets can be purchased for $100 each at one-team-dot-la. Landry says in order to reserve a ticket…

Cut 4 (09) “…that form”

Landry wants to give Louisianans the opportunity to be a part of this special occasion.

With less than two months remaining in office, Governor John Bel Edwards says he and his team are making the transition for Landry’s administration seamless. He says his administration is leaving the state in a better position.

Cut 7 (09) “…do this.” 

The LSU Tigers are 31 and a half point favorites over the Georgia State Panthers this Saturday. A big part of why the Tigers are such heavy favorites is due to the LSU offensive line. The unit is a semi-finalist for the Joe Moore Award which the Tiger offense line of 2019 won. LSU offensive Lineman Charles Turner sees a big similarity between 2019 and this year’s team.

Cut 18 (20) “… award winner.”

The Tigers will face the Panthers at 7 pm on ESPN2 in Tiger Stadium.

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The Cincinnati Bengals will face the Baltimore Ravens in what will be an epic battle between two AFC North teams. The matchup will feature former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow and former LSU wide receiver Jamar Chase take on their 2019 teammate and linebacker Patrick Queen who is the second leading tackler for the Baltimore Ravens. The game will be in Baltimore with kickoff at 7:15 tonight on Prime Video.

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The Ragin Cajuns have announced a huge 65 million dollar renovation to the west side of their stadium that will begin on December 11th. Athletic Department spokesman Evan Roberts says that the renovations will transform gameday for Cajun Nation.

Cut 9 (09) “… chairback seating.”

The Cajuns will take on Troy this Saturday with the game on the NFL Network at 2:30pm.

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In other college football news, Nicholls will try and win the Southland Conference title outright tonight when they take on Southeastern. Nicholls quarterback Mat McQuaide only had 106 yards in his last game, but had a season high 3 touchdown passes. The game will be in Hammond with kickoff at 6:00 pm and it will be broadcast on ESPN+.

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And in basketball news, LA Tech transfer Daniel Batcho got his immediate eligibility from the NCAA which makes him eligible to play for the Bulldogs tonight at ULM. Both teams have started their season 1 and 1 and the bulldogs are currently 10 and a half point favorites to win tonight.

Saturday is election day and among the statewide races is the run-off for Treasurer. Republican John Fleming says his combined experience as a family physician, business owner, former member of Congress, and tenure in the Trump administration makes him the better choice for the office. He says the role of the treasurer is to protect taxpayers’ money.

Cut 12 (09) “…on investment.”  

His opponent is Democrat Dustin Granger, a small business owner and financial advisor. He says he’s the better choice because of his financial background and that he wants to put Louisiana residents first instead of businesses. Granger says for too long, Louisiana has cut investments in people, health, education, and infrastructure…

Cut  14 (12) “…against that.”

Granger says another example of the state giving away money is incentives to insurance companies. In addition to the Treasurer’s race, there are two other statewide run-offs; Secretary of State, Attorney General, and four constitutional amendments on Saturday’s ballot. Voting begins at 7 am and ends at 8 pm.

As he prepares to turn over power to Louisiana’s 57^th governor, Governor John Bel Edwards says he plans to meet with Governor-Elect Landry next week. Edwards says he’s rooting for Landry’s success and hopes he can continue to move the state forward.

Cut 8 (13) “…same direction.” 

Under the Edwards administration, he expanded Medicare and implemented a $53 hundred teacher pay raise. He has also managed the recovery of Hurricane Delta, Ida, and Laura. Edwards plans to remain in the Bayou State with his family after his term ends.

Ragin Cajuns athletics announced today that a 65-million dollar renovation of the west side of their football stadium will begin December 11th. Athletic department spokesperson Evan Roberts…..

Cut 9 (09) “…chairback seating” 

In a press conference earlier today, Governor-elect Jeff Landry announced his first cabinet appointment. Aurelia Skipwith Giacometto will head the Department of Environmental Quality.  Giacometto has a biology degree from Howard, a master’s in molecular genetics from Purdue, and a law degree from the University of Kentucky. Landry says her appointment will attract others to the state.

Cut 6 (10) “…Environmental Quality.”

One of four females injured in Monday’s random knife stabbing on Louisiana Tech’s campus has passed away. Annie Richardson was attacked after leaving a senior exercise class on campus. Bulldogs Coach Sonny Cumbie….

Cut 3 (04) “….lives”

Twenty-three-year-old Jacoby Johnson of Rayville now faces a second-degree murder charge and three counts of attempted second-degree murder.

Two years ago today, President Joe Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law. Co-author of the bill, Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the state has received over eight billion dollars from the infrastructure law in the first two years alone…

Cut 8 (11) “…in Baton Rouge” 

Cassidy says one-point-four billion dollars has been invested in broadband, benefiting more than 447-thousand households…

Southern University has removed Eric Dooley as Head Football Coach less than two weeks ahead of the 50^th annual Bayou Classic.  Athletics Director Roman Banks…

Cut 12 (12) “…Bayou Classic.”  

Dooley was fired after only two seasons.

The fifteenth ranked LSU Tigers are set to host the Georgia State Panthers on Saturday. Georgia State Head Coach Shawn Elliot is excited to travel to Baton Rouge and take in the iconic scene that is Death Valley on a Saturday night, but he is not looking forward to taking on an LSU offense that is averaging 560 yards per game.

Cut 20 (17) “…football team.”

The Tigers will face the Panthers at 7 pm on ESPN2 in Tiger Stadium.

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The Pelicans beat the Mavericks last night in the Smoothie King Center 131 to 110. After losing the first game with Dallas, New Orleans was able to get revenge thanks to a strong performance by the Pelicans led by small forward Brandon Ingram. Brandon Ingram recorded 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists. In other New Orleans news, the Saints signed veteran defensive lineman Jason Pierre-Paul to their practice squad, who last season recorded 3 sacks for the Ravens.

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ULM will travel to Oxford in order to take on the 13th ranked Ole Miss and hopefully snap their 8 game losing streak. ULM is currently 2 and 8 on the year and has had a losing record in each of the last three seasons, but Head Coach Terry Bowden still has faith that he can turn the Warhawks around …

Cut 16 (17) “… change courses.”

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In other college football news, Southern University has parted ways with Head Coach Eric Dooley after just 2 seasons. Southern Athletics Director Roman Banks has appointed Assistant Head Coach Terrance Graves and Safeties Coach Sean Wallace to serve as Interim Head Coach for the Bayou Classic.

Cut 12 (12) “…was best.”

Coach Graves will be the only coach to serve as Southern and Grambling State Interim Head Coach during the Bayou Classic.

Governor-elect Jeff Landry held a press conference today to announce his first cabinet. Aurelia Skipwith Giacometto was named secretary of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. She is the first Black female to serve in the position.

Annie Richardson, one of four women stabbed in a random knife attack on a Louisiana Tech campus has died. Richardson was leaving an exercise class at the Lambright Sports and Wellness Center when she was attacked. In his weekly press conference, Bulldogs Coach Sonny Cumbie says the team’s thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by this violent act…

Cut 4 (08) “…scary situation”

Twenty-three-year-old Jacoby Johnson faces a second-degree murder charge and three counts of attempted second-degree murder.

Plaintiffs who filed suit over the current congressional map with only one majority-Black district instead of two are pleased it’s been ruled unconstitutional. Judge Shelly Dick issued a January 15^th deadline for the state to have a revised map. ACLU Voting Rights Project attorney Sarah Brannon says Dick could give defendants an extension if they file for one…

Cut 11 (09) “…by May.” 

A new survey by the National Federation of Independent Business indicates a lack of optimism among small business owners in the fourth quarter. State Director Dawn McVea urges Louisianans to shop small businesses this holiday season.

Cut 9 (12)  “…year fresh.”

One of the four victims in Monday’s stabbing on the Louisiana Tech campus has passed away from her injuries. Annie Richardson lived in Ruston and was a Louisiana artist. Bulldogs Coach Sonny Cumbie opened his weekly press conference discussing the tragic incident….

Cut 3 (04) “….lives”

Twenty-three-year-old Jacoby Johnson of Rayville now faces a second-degree murder charge and three counts of attempted second-degree murder. Authorities have called the attack on four women as random.

A federal appeals court wants the legislature to draw a new congressional map to include two majority-black districts by January 15^th.  ACLU Voting Rights Project attorney Sarah Brannon says the courts want the map finalized by May 2024 so…

Cut 10 (07) “…new map.”

The ACLU is a plantiff.

The National Federation of Independent Business released its monthly survey and it indicates a lack of optimism among small business owners in the fourth quarter. 22 percent of small business owners say inflation is their biggest obstacle in operating their business. State Director Dawn McVea…

Cut 7 (12) “…a break.”

A Parish Grand Jury has dismissed assault charges against Natchotiches Parish President John Richmond. Latorria Freeman, an opponent in Richmond’s re-election campaign, filed charges against him claiming he put his hands on her last May at a festival during a supposed altercation.  Richmond believes the accusation may have railroaded his re-election campaign…

Cut 14 (11) “…in an election.”

Governor-Elect Jeff Landry is having a press conference today to name his cabinet appointment. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat believes he will name former congressman, Dr. Ralph Abraham to head LDH.

Cut 6 (10) “…very popular.”

Pinsonat says Abraham’s experience in Congress and his knowledge of federal healthcare programs makes Abraham a valuable asset to Landry.

Nearly 22 percent of small business owners say inflation is their biggest obstacle in operating their business according to a new survey by the National Federation of Independent Business. State Director Dawn McVea says the survey also shows small business owners are not growing their inventories as labor and energy costs are not falling.

Cut 8 (11) “…just lingering.” 

A consumer Price Index Report released for October showed annual price inflation rose to three point two percent, which was down slightly from three point seven percent in September.

It’s unclear what will happen next now that a federal appeals court has ordered the Louisiana Legislature to redraw a new Congressional district map featuring two black districts by January 15th. The ACLU is a plaintiff and Attorney Sarah Brannon describes the map , they would like to see get approved.

Cut 12 (11) “…looking for.” 

Natchitoches Parish President John Richmond says he’s relieved a Parish Grand Jury has dismissed assault charges that were filed against him by Latorria Freeman, an opponent in his re-election campaign.  Richmond only recalls a conversation with his accuser.

Cut 15 (12) “…happened”

Freeman filed charges claiming Richmond pushed her during a supposed altercation at the Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival in May.

Plaintiffs who filed suit over the current congressional map with only one majority-Black district are reacting now that it’s been ruled unconstitutional.  Here’s Brooke Thorington.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

In Washington, Louisiana representative and republican new Speaker of the house Mike Johnson got some big support from democrats yesterday on a measure to prevent a government shutdown. That after hard right conservatives said no to the plan. The Senate is next to take up the stop-gap measure ahead of Friday’s shutdown deadline.

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Dr.Ralph Abraham is expected to be named Governor Elect Jeff Landry’s first cabinet member later today. That’s according to political analyst Bernie Pinsonat who says Abraham’s experience in congress, along with his knowledge of federal healthcare programs and federal/state programs like Medicaid make him a valuable asset.

Cut 5 (10) “…medical doctor.”

Natchitoches Parish President John Richmond says he’s relieved a Parish Grand Jury has dismissed assault charges that were filed against him by Latorria Freeman, an opponent in his re-election campaign. He says after a headline reads a parish president is accused of something…

Cut 13 (08) “…no true bill.”