Senator John Kennedy has pushed back his decision on whether or not he’ll enter the 2019 governor’s race until Monday…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The candidates in the Secretary of State’s special election are seeing increases in fundraising ahead of the December 8^th run off.  Democrat candidate Gwen Collins-Greenup reportedly has $16,400 in her campaign account.  Meanwhile, Republican Kyle Ardoin has just under $136 thousand in the bank.

A statewide poll of 500 Louisiana chronic voters finds that Republican US Senator John Kennedy leads Democratic incumbent Governor John Bel Edwards 49-to-45-percent in a head-to-head race for governor. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Kennedy has several advantages in his favor, including an increase in popularity

Cut 9 (12) “in Louisiana”

The son of south Louisiana serial killer Derrick Todd Lee has been charged with negligent homicide in the shooting death of a 16-year-old East Feliciana High School student. Sheriff Jeff Travis says 19-year-old Dedrick Lee was playing with a gun when it went off killing Valentae BrooksLee’s father, Derrick Todd Lee, has been linked to multiple murders across south Louisiana in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Derrick Todd Lee was sentenced to death and died of heart disease in prison in 2016. Travis says Dedrick Lee’s father doesn’t have an impact in his case

Cut 8 (11) “…who he is”

Senator John Kennedy is delaying his announcement on whether or not he’ll run for governor until Monday, siting travel issues. The 2019 race is now less than a year away, and only one Republican, Eddie Rispone, has declared against Governor Edwards. ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says the Senator’s repeated delays are beginning to look like non-interest.

Cut 3 (09) “indecisiveness”
Stockley says if Kennedy does not declare, he’s hurt the GOP cause in the race by boxing other candidates out of fundraising for the last few months.
The son of south Louisiana serial killer Derrick Todd Lee has been charged with negligent homicide in the shooting death of a 16-year-old East Feliciana High School student. East Feliciana Sheriff Jeff Travis says investigators reported in the warrant that Lee was remorseful for killing his friend…
Cut 7 (06) “…he was.” (2x)

Rapides Parish Sheriffs say they walked in on a fairly horrific scene in Plainview after responding to a call about a natural death, and now three people are under arrest and facing 2^nd Degree Murder, Cruelty to the Infirm, and other charges. Captain Tommy Carnline says authorities have called it some of the worst neglect they’ve seen in their entire careers…

Cut 15 (08) “…pretty bad.”

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Unit is investigating the discovery of a deceased infant in the back of a waste management truck. A waste management worker discovered the body as he was performing his regular duties. The infant was pronounced dead at the scene.

Here’s a look at your commodities…

Governor Edwards is sounding the alarm about remarkable shortages at food banks across the state that have been drained by a string of natural disasters.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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A rosier than expected revenue estimation for the state has some House Republicans saying the .45 percent sales tax passed in June may no longer be needed…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Authorities say they walked in on one of the worst cases of neglect they’ve ever seen in Rapides Parish after responding to a call about a natural death.

Cut 3 (31) “…Kevin Barnhart”

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Governor Edwards is putting out a call to action for Louisiana citizens to start stocking their local food banks for the holidays, as a series of natural disasters have devastated stores just at the time when banks usually can begin stocking up for spring and summer. Edwards says he’s gravely concerned after touring the half empty Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank yesterday.

Cut 4 (09) “unnerving.″

Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans CEO Natalie Jayroe says she’s highly concerned about the drastic shortages, because food banks could already only provide about half of the meals that are needed in the US in past years. She says a lack of food effects the most vulnerable populations.

Cut 5 (09) “…for help”

Food Bank of Central Louisiana Executive Director Jayne Wright-Velez says it’s troubling that supply is running low as demand skyrockets. That means the food banks are unable to keep emergency stockpiles.

Cut 6 (10) “…immediately.”

Food banks accept cash and food donations, but say they can use funds to purchase foods at lower prices than you would pay for them at grocery stores.
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Some House Republicans are discussing legislation for the next session that would roll back the .45 percent sales tax passes in June because of a rosier than expected revenue forecast for the state. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris did not confirm that such legislation will be brought but says he has heard talk of phasing out last session’s sales tax over a few years…

Cut 7 (10) “…four years.”

The .45 percent sales tax, that is set to expire in 2025, is estimated to generate 466 million annually.

But Edwards disagrees with efforts to roll back that sales tax, backing a plan to reinvest the additional revenue from a surging economy into state services that have suffered a decade of cuts, and just recently stabilized funding.

Cut 8 (10) “…education.”

The sales tax this fiscal year is down .55 percent from last year after the legislature let a majority of an expiring one cent sales tax lapse.

Edwards has championed the idea of using the increased revenue to fund at least a 1,000 dollar pay raise for teachers, which he estimates would cost about 135 million dollars a year.

Cut 9 (11) “…doing enough”

Harris agrees with the need for a teacher pay raise, but says the money doesn’t have to come from the increased revenue. He suggested it could be found by making cuts and redirecting cash from other areas of government.

Cut 10 (10)   “…be adjusted.”

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A recent survey found that 1 in 3 Americans suffers from a “festive burnout” due to the holidays being a stressful time.  Even though it’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, LSU Health New Orleans clinical psychologist Dr. Michelle Moore says several factors can contribute to making season not so jolly so early.

Cut 11 (09) “…starts at Thanksgiving.”

Moore recommends for those already dealing with festival burnout, it may be time to reconsider your holiday activities.

Cut 12 (07)   “cooking for others.”

Moore says it makes sense that there is so much burnout because the season can last so long with festivities kicking off around Thanksgiving or even earlier.

Cut 13 (06) “…that’s going on.” 

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Rapides Parish Sheriffs say they walked in on a fairly horrific scene in Plainview after responding to a call about a natural death, and now three people are under arrest and facing 2^nd Degree Murder, Cruelty to the Infirm, and other charges. Captain Tommy Carnline says the deputy arrived after the call, and realized something was terribly wrong at the scene of the 25-year-old special needs woman’s death…

Cut 14 (09) “…unit.”

47-year old Marilyn Maricle, 52-year-old Glen maricle, and the victim’s mother, 47-year-old Karen Harrison Johnson have all been arrested.

Carnline says authorities have called it some of the worst neglect they’ve seen in their entire careers…

Cut 15 (08) “…pretty bad.”

Carnline says they aren’t sure why the family allowed this to happen, but they do think it was intentional neglect.

Cut 16 (09) “…those cases”

The three have been booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center on a 1.1 million dollar bond.

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The Saints bring a 10-game winning streak into Dallas tonight to face a Cowboys team has won three in a row. Drew Brees and the New Orleans offense gets a lot of attention, but the Saints defense is allowing just 13 points a contest in their last three games. Coach Sean Payton…

Cut 17 (13) “might be”

New Orleans linebacker DeMario Davis says they need to slow down Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliot…

Cut 18 (19)   the road“

Dallas brings a three-game winning streak into the game. Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins says they want to make Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott remain one dimensional…

Cut 19 (16)   “…we can”

Prosecutors are attempting to obtain the cell phone passcode of Matthew Naquin, a former LSU student charged with negligent homicide in the suspected hazing death of Max Gruver.  Matt Doyle tells us why.

Cut 2 (32) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Unit is investigating the discovery of a deceased infant in the back of a waste management truck. A waste management worker discovered the body as he was performing his regular duties when he made the discovery. The infant was pronounced dead at the scene.

If you’ve purchased a fresh Christmas tree yet this year, you’ve probably noticed they cost a little more than last year. Blake Huval, the owner of Huval’s Tree Hut in Central, says during the Great Recession farmers scaled back on planting new trees, so a decade later the supply is not enough to keep up with demand…
Cut 7 (11) “…to sell it.”
Huval says if you’re look to save a few bucks, look for trees that may have a hole or two on one side and have that side face the corner of a room.

120 jobs are coming to Minden in Webster Parish as a result of Catamaran Solutions plans to assume operation of a 135,000 square foot industrial fabrication center. The jobs will come with an average salary of 61-thousand dollars a year. Minden Mayor Tommy Davis is thrilled….
Cut 3 (09) “for minden”
Catamaran plans on anticipating its Louisiana workforce to as many as 500 employees statewide over time.

This year Christmas tree prices are on the rise.  That’s due to growing shortages stemming from the Great Recession.  The 2008 financial crisis put many tree farmers out of business.  Blake Huval, the owner of Huval’s Tree Hut in Central, says for those looking to save a few bucks, he recommends looking at trees that might not be a premium grade tree.

Cut 8 (08) “…wrong with that.”

LSU is 10th in the new college football playoff rankings, which is good news for their chances of playing in a New Year’s Six bowl game. Jerry Palm does bowl projections for CBS-Sports-dot-com and says as long as there not any major upsets in the Big 10 or ACC Championship games, the Tigers should have a postseason game in either Arizona or Georgia…

Cut 9 (09) “Fiesta Bowl”

120 jobs are coming to Minden as a result of Catamaran Solution’s planned 20 acre manufacturing site that will be completed over the next three years. The 135,000 square foot industrial fabrication center jobs will come with an average annual salary of just over 60-thousand. Mayor Tommy Davis says Minden’s rail and interstate access helped seal the deal.

Cut 5 (08)  “…available.” 

The site is part of the state’s developing I-20 Cyber Corridor.

Prosecutors are attempting to obtain the cell phone passcode of Matthew Naquin, a former LSU student charged with negligent homicide in the Max Gruver case.  But Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the Fifth Amendment prohibits Naquin from being obligated to give a testimony revealing his cellular passcode.

Cut 12 (09)   “…act that’s testimonial.”

This year Christmas tree prices are on the rise.  That’s due to growing shortages stemming from the Great Recession.  The 2008 financial crisis put many tree farmers out of business.  Blake Huval, the owner of Huval’s Tree Hut in Central, says for those looking to save a few bucks, he recommends looking at trees that might not be a premium grade tree.

Cut 8 (08) “…wrong with that.”

LSU’s seven overtime loss to Texas A&M cost them three spots in the rankings, but they remain ranked in the Top 10 despite three losses on the season. Palm says when you look at the teams around them, 10 is a good spot, but they could fall again if there’s a couple upsets this Saturday…

Cut 11 (11) “…LSU”

120 jobs are coming to Minden as a result of Catamaran Solution’s planned 20 acre manufacturing site that will be completed over the next three years. The 135,000 square foot industrial fabrication center jobs will come with an average annual salary of just over 60-thousand. Mayor Tommy Davis says Minden’s rail and interstate access helped seal the deal.

Cut 5 (08)  “…available.” 

The site is part of the state’s developing I-20 Cyber Corridor.

Prosecutors are attempting to obtain the cell phone passcode of Matthew Naquin, a former LSU student charged with negligent homicide in the Max Gruver case.  But Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the Fifth Amendment prohibits Naquin from being obligated to give a testimony revealing his cellular passcode.

Cut 12 (09)   “…act that’s testimonial.”

120 jobs are coming to Minden as a result of Catamaran Solution’s planned 20 acre manufacturing site that will be completed over the next three years. The 135,000 square foot industrial fabrication center jobs will come with an average annual salary of just over 60-thousand. Mayor Tommy Davis says the jobs will come in phases.

Cut 3 (09) “for minden”

The site is part of the state’s developing I-20 Cyber Corridor.

Christmas tree prices are on the rise.  That’s due to growing shortages stemming from the Great Recession.  The 2008 financial crisis put many tree farmers out of business.  Blake Huval, the owner of Huval’s Tree Hut in Central, says at the time, the market was flooded with more trees than demand is having its effect on the price this year.

Cut 6 (09) “…10 to 12 years.”

LSU is 10th in the new college football playoff rankings, which is good news for their chances of playing in a New Year’s Six bowl game. Jerry Palm does bowl projections for CBS-Sports-dot-com and says as long as there are not any major upsets in the Big 10 or ACC Championship games, the Tigers should have a postseason game in either Arizona or Georgia…

Cut 9 (09) “Fiesta Bowl”

Three holiday themed movies shot in Lafayette Parish are making their debut during this holiday season. For instance, “The Christmas Contract” aired on Lifetime last week. Executive Director of Louisiana Entertainment, Chris Stelly, says even though we don’t have snow, south Louisiana still has the aesthetics that film makers are looking for…
cut 13 (09) “…almost anyplay”

43 million in new spending for Corrections, Parish Sheriff’s, and other departments are on hold after a Metairie Representative rejects a forecast of more revenue for the state…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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There are some great new releases out now on both TV and the silver screen set in Louisiana, including a possible Oscar contender.  Kevin Barnhart has the details.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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Congress has until Friday to renew the National Flood Insurance Program…

Cut 3 (30) “…Matt Doyle”

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Former Congressional candidate and Democrat Justin DeWitt was fired less than two days after his failed attempt to unseat Garret Graves in Louisiana’s 6^th District. DeWitt worked as a surveyor for Baton Rouge based SJB Group, which a report says is owned by Republican Wilfred Barry. DeWitt says after receiving a performance raise in July, and a performance bonus in October, the decision came as a shock.

Cut 4 (09) “downsizing.″

The Democrat, on Talk Louisiana, said he’s approached the DA about criminal charges.

DeWitt suspects much of the decision was political, as most of the people he worked for did not share his same opinions, and that management began to increasingly probe the candidate after he qualified.

Cut 5 (09) “…that separate”

Louisiana is an At-Will state, which means companies can generally fire employees without cause.

The state’s first openly gay Congressional candidate says he has another theory as to why he was fired. His former firm did a lot of work with his opponent’s construction company, and relies on legislative support from the Congressman…

Cut 6 (10) “…for that.”

SJB would not elaborate on the decision, but “wishes Mr. DeWitt the best of everything in his future endeavors.”
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Governor Edwards’ plans to fund 43 million dollars in additional projects for the year are on hold after  Representative Cameron Henry put a stop to the Revenue Estimating Committee’s plans to improve the state’s revenue forecast at a Committee meeting. Henry says he disagreed with the REC’s projections that the state’s revenue situation has improved.

Cut 7 (10) “…more money.”

Henry was representing House Speaker Taylor Barras at the meeting, who later backed the Metairie Republican’s decision.

The Edwards’ administration was hoping to use a better forecast to authorize tens of millions in additional spending for Corrections, Sheriffs, and Juvenile Justice, among other items. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the two independent economists in attendance…

Cut 8 (06) “…fiscal year.”

Dardenne decried what he says was a partisan maneuver in a non-partisan committee.

Cut 9 (10) “…gunna be.”

Dardenne says he’ll just call for another meeting in near future, and this time he would like Barras in attendance for the unanimous vote necessary to pass the forecast.

The Commissioner says the move endangers the teacher pay raise Edwards is seeking, a raise that he hoped would be paid for by improved revenue. Henry says tying the much needed raise to “potential” revenue is “insulting”, and another example of fearmongering…

Cut 10 (09)   “…session starts.”

Henry is calling for the REC to wait a few months to get a clearer picture of the state’s finances.

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Louisiana sees many productions around the state for television shows and motion pictures.  Now a recently released film, Green Book, is getting attention for possibly being an Oscar contender.  Executive Director of Louisiana Entertainment, Chris Stelly says there are many opportunities to see new content right now featuring the Bayou State.

Cut 11 (09) “…check out the networks.”

For those that choose to stay around the house and dodge the prices at the theater concessions, don’t worry, Stelly say there is plenty to choose from in the comfort of home.

Cut 12 (09)   “called the first.”

Stelly says many of the communities around the state have the aesthetic that many film makers are looking to use in their productions.

Cut 13 (09) “…with almost any place.” 

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Time is running out for Congress to renew the National Flood Insurance Program. Flood insurance will lapse if a sought after six month extension is not passed by Friday. Senator John Kennedy says they’re working towards an extension, but there’s some lawmakers who are trying to kill the program, permanently.

Cut 14 (11) “…a home.”

Kennedy says the opposition is not partisan, but geographical, comprised of leaders from non-flood-prone states.

The former Louisiana Treasury Secretary says a lapse would not only endanger the homes of many Louisianans, but could wreck the national economy by putting a halt on the construction of homes in flood zones.

Cut 15 (08) “…what happens.”

Kennedy, alongside much of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation, is seeking a long term fix that invests in flood prevention projects, and gets a handle on rising insurance costs, while also financially securing the programs future.

Cut 16 (06) “…just stupid”

But, he says that’s highly unlikely to pass in the last few weeks of the year before the next Congress starts.

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The Ragin Cajuns will leave tomorrow for North Carolina where they’ll play Appalachian State in the first ever Sun Belt Championship football game on Saturday at 11 AM. Louisiana lost to the Mountaineers by 10 points last month, but Cajuns Coach Billy Napier knows he has a better team now…

Cut 17 (16) “know that”

App State is 9-2 overall, 7-1 in the Sun Belt as they clinched the East Division with a win over Troy. Napier says they need a good week of preparation in order to beat the Mountaineers on their home turf…

Cut 18 (19)   right way“

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Southern will meet Alcorn State in Saturday’s SWAC Championship game. The Jaguars have won five in a row and their last loss on the season was to the Braves on September 29th. Jags Head Coach Dawson Odums says they are a more confident team now thanks to the play of their quarterback…

Cut 19 (17)   “…different mindset”

The Braves lead the SWAC in total offense and rush offense as they are averaging 274 yards on the ground. Odums says they want to slow down that Alcorn run game…

Cut 20 (13) “…run defense”

The West Monroe Police Department have arrested a person of interest during the course of a suspicious death investigation.  31-year-old Shomari Clemons facing charges of mutilating, disinterring the human remains of his grandmother.  Sgt. CJ Beck says Clemons had a troubled past saying Clemons stated he learned how to make cuts similar to the one on the body’s arm while at LSU studying to mummify chickens.

Cut 14 (06) “…things like that.”

Early voting for the Secretary of State’s election run-off set for December 8^th is off to a slow start. JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillon says the 31,000 early votes in the first two days are likely due to the fact that most folks aren’t even aware that there is an election less than two weeks away.

Cut 10 (10)   “…as well”

The run-off features Republican Interim Secretary Kyle Ardoin and Democratic Minister Gwen Collins-Greenup.

The Supreme Court sides with a St. Tammany landowner who argued a portion of his land was wrongfully deemed critical habitat for the dusky gopher frog, by forcing the lower courts to re-evaluate their previous decision. The landowner’s lawyer, Mark Miller says they’ll get to state their case that making the land livable for the frog would be an undue burden.

Cut 7 (05) “…and capricious.”

Wildlife and Fisheries argues that the land, which is just across the border from where the frogs currently reside in Mississippi, will be crucial for the future survival of the species.

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says some unprofessional acts occurred after the seven overtime loss toTexas A-and-M. Coach O spoke with the ESPN Radio show Off the Bench, saying the post game confrontation that resulted in LSU Analyst Steve Kragthorpe getting shoved in the pacemaker once the only thing wrong with the night…

Cut 4 (11) “…for LSU.″

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron believes the SEC will do the right thing regarding the postgame scuffle involving Texas A&M. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Early voting numbers for the Secretary of State’s election run-off set for December 8^this off to a rough start. JMC Analystics Pollster John Couvillon says early voting numbers are down compared to the 2016 Senate run-off.

Cut 9 (12) “primary.”

The Supreme Court sides with a St. Tammany landowner who argued a portion of his land was wrongfully deemed critical habitat for the dusky gopher frog, by forcing the lower courts to re-evaluate their previous decision. The landowner’s lawyer, Mark Miller says previously, lower courts ruled in favor of US Fish and Wildlife’s broad lee-way to set aside land for certain species.
 Cut 6 (08) “…the frog.”
The West Monroe Police Department have arrested a person of interest during the course of a suspicious death investigation.  31-year-old Shomari Clemons facing charges of mutilating, disinterring the human remains of his grandmother.  Sgt. CJ Beck says Clemons could not state how the deceased received the postmortem injuries.

Cut 13 (12) “…the medical examiner.”