Early voting is underway and Election Day is quickly approaching. Emelie Gunn has more on what this means for the US Senate and two Congressional races

CUT 1 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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In 2015, More than 15-hundred babies were born addicted to drugs in Louisiana, according to the Department of Children and Family Services. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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New LSU Football coach Ed Orgeron has a plan to have the Tigers competing for championships again. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (28) “Jeff Palermo”

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Early voting is underway and Election Day is less than two weeks away, so candidates are campaigning in full swing. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says now is the time for a dash to the finish line. But he says the US and two Congressional elections have been relatively quiet.

cut 4  (09) “holiday season” 

The U.S. Senate candidates, Republican John Kennedy and Democrat Foster Campbell, will not debate before the December 10^th runoff. But Campbell will appear at today’s Baton Rouge Press Club. Cross says Kennedy could only lose in a face to face debate and the polls show he’s running comfortably ahead

Cut 5  (10)  “fault him”

Cross says the race for the 3^rd Congressional district seat is really heating up between the two Republicans, Scott Angelle and Clay Higgins. He says the stakes are higher than expected in this election…

Cut 6 (10) “statewide”

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The Louisiana Department of Insurance is urging families to compare rates for auto and homeowners insurance to get the best protection. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says a home and car are the biggest investments people make. He says on their website, L-D-I-dot-L-A-dot-gov (ldi.la.gov), they provide a rate guide to help people find the best policy.

CUT 7 (09)  “available”

Donelon says many victims of the recent floods only had liability coverage on their flooded vehicles, so they were not insured for that loss.

Cut 8 (10) “your own”

Donelon says the “shop your rates tool” on their website will provide people information on the different types of coverage and what is included and what isn’t. He says the tool will determine the cost of your policy by adding up different factors.

Cut 9 (08)  “different factors”

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The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services finds Louisiana’s rate of newborns born with drugs and alcohol in their system has tripled over the last 8 years. Regional Administrator for Child Welfare, Denise Evans, says more than 15-hundred babies were born exposed to drugs or alcohol in 2015. She says this causes problems for the infant.

Cut 10 (09)  “health problems”

There were just 569 cases of drug addicted newborns in 2008. Evans says they saw the biggest increase in the use of heroin, marijuana, and prescription drugs. She says it takes a lot to care for babies who are born exposed to these substances.

cut 11 (10) “of support”

Evans says the drug epidemic could be leading to the increase in the rate of addicted newborns. She says we need more treatment centers in Louisiana. She adds that helping these families puts a lot of strain on DCFS.

cut 12 (09) “sometimes more”

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The LSU coaching staff is hitting the recruiting trail this week now that they know Ed Orgeron is the permanent head coach. Orgeron says he understands and invites the expectations at LSU and that’s why he wants to build a championship program fast and has a vision to do so…

Cut 13 (08) “we go”

For Orgeron to be successful, he’ll have to recruit well and he’s already considered one of the best recruiters in college football. Coach “O” on where they plan to get future Tigers…

cut 14 (12) “we can”

Orgeron says he wants to assemble the best coaching staff in America. He says he has a couple of guys in mind who could be the Tigers offensive coordinator…

Cut 15 (08) “to LSU”

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The Saints offense was nearly unstoppable Sunday as New Orleans kept its playoff hopes alive with a 49-21 win over the Los Angeles Rams. The Black and Gold had 555 total yards, 346 through the air, 209 on the ground on 32 rush attempts. Coach Sean Payton says the key was converting on 3rd down six times in 13 opportunities…

Cut 16 (20)” that was clear”

Quarterback Drew Brees threw for 310 yards and four touchdowns. Running back Mark Ingram rushed for 146 yards and a touchdown, while rookie receiver Michael Thomas had 9 catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Payton says he’s impressed with how Thomas can catch passes away from his body…

Cut 17 (15)    “to tackle “

The Saints defense gave up two long scoring drives in the first half, but did not allow any points in the 2nd half. New Orleans had three sacks and forced two turnovers. Payton credits the team’s health for the improved play on defense…

Cut 18 (21) “ clean and correct”

Small businesses are hoping for a ton of customers tomorrow as it’s Small Business Saturday. Michelle Southern has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Could Houston Head Coach  Tom Herman be the next head football coach of the LSU Tigers? Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday and local, independent businesses are expecting a big day. Spokesperson for the National Federation of Independent Businesses in Louisiana, Todd Pack, says a recent survey shows more people than ever are away of Small Business Saturday and 62-percent of those plan to shop at small retailers…

Cut 3 (08) “the owner”

Pack says those who plan to shop locally on Saturday say they value the contributions these local businesses have on the community…

cut 4  (11) “Business Saturday”

The Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey also found 63-percent of shoppers are willing to spend a little more on an item if it comes from a locally owned business. Pack says this is really exciting news for small business owners.

Cut 5  (09)  “big Saturday”

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The holiday shopping season is underway. Executive Director of the Louisiana Retailers Association, Dawn Johnson, says it’s a different kind of holiday shopping season in the Bayou State, because of the flooding that took place earlier this year…

Cut 6 (10) “people there”

Johnson says they are cautiously optimistic that this will be a good holiday shopping season for Louisiana retailers. She says this is an especially important time for those retailers that were impacted by the historic floods in March and August…

CUT 7 (09)  “or better”

Johnson says it’s hard for them to make predictions on the type of holiday shopping season it will be in Louisiana, because flood victims don’t have the cash on hand to buy certain kinds of gifts…

Cut 8 (09) “of that”

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Houston’s Tom Herman has emerged as LSU’s top candidate to be the next head football coach of the Tigers. Glen Guilbeau of the USA Today Network and featured columinst for Tiger Rag Magazine says LSU representatives paid Herman a visit on Thanksgiving Day…

Cut 9 (12)  “kind of hurry”

Guilbeau says LSU has also approached Florida State Head Coach Jimbo Fisher, but he declined an offer that would pay him in the neighborhood of seven-million dollars a year. He says interim head coach Ed Orgeron remains a candidate as well…

Cut 10 (09) “the job”

Since the Tigers fired Les Miles in September, Fisher and Herman have been considered the top candidates to be the head coach at LSU. Guilbeau says if Texas comes in with a strong offer, the 41-year-old Herman, who has coached in the Longhorn state for many years,  may go there instead…

cut 11 (08) “as better”

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This Saturday’s Powerball jackpot drawing has jumped to a whopping 403 million dollars. Louisiana Lottery Spokesperson Kim Chopin says this is the 9^th largest jackpot in Powerball history.

cut 12 (10) “impaired drivers”

Chopin says this is the second year in a row we’ve seen a huge Powerball jackpot during the holiday season. Last year the jackpot reached a record 1.6 billion dollars. She says the winner of this year’s jackpot will be able to purchase a lot of Christmas gifts.

Cut 13 (06) “is yours”

Chopin expects a lot of people will be buying tickets for Saturday’s drawing because they’re already out holiday shopping.

cut 14 (10) “retailers”

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Flood victims are experiencing a different Thanksgiving as many are still displaced about 100 days later. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Jimbo Fisher is reportedly LSU’s top choice to become their next head football coach. But will Fisher leave Florida State. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Thanksgiving is a little different this year for flood victims still displaced after the August flooding. Denham Springs Mayor Gerard Landry says 80 to 90-percent of the homes and businesses in their town had flood damage. He says it’s been a struggle for homeowners to find qualified workers to fix up their houses and repairs are expensive.

Cut 3 (09) “retirement savings”

Landry says typically Thanksgiving is a time to visit with family and friends, but many flood victims have been living with loved ones for nearly 100 days. He says many people will try to carry on the tradition in a different city and everyone is working to help one another.

cut 4  (10) “rebuilding process” 

Landry says despite all of the struggles with rebuilding many in Denham Springs are thankful on this Thanksgiving. He says they also thank God for small favors too, as the flood could’ve been even worse.

Cut 5  (10)  “themselves”

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Millions of Americans are expected to shop tomorrow, and WalletHub has released their report of the best stores for Black Friday. Jill Gonzales with WalletHub says Macy’s will have the best discounts, as their average discount is about 64-percent off. But she says shoppers will find good deals just about everywhere.

Cut 6 (08) “percent off”

Gonzales says the best deals will be on things like jewelry, apparel, accessories, and video games. But she says some of the items on the top of everyone’s wish list won’t be discounted as much.

CUT 7 (09)  “holiday list”

Gonzales says some online retailers like Amazon are only offering 25-percent off, even though they advertise their Black Friday deals. She says the stores to avoid are places like Costco and Sam’s Club.

Cut 8 (09) “Black Friday”

Gonzales says the average consumer will spend about $950 on gifts this holiday season.

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Governor John Bel Edwards wishes Louisiana residents a happy Thanksgiving. He says despite all the challenges we’ve faced this year, we have a lot to be thankful for today and every day.

Cut 9 (07)  “every day”

The governor is spending the holiday back in the Governor’s Mansion after it flooded during the August flood. Edwards says he and First Lady Donna Edwards are glad to be in the Mansion for Thanksgiving.

Cut 10 (07)  “we do”

Edwards encourages everyone to give thanks this holiday season because we live in the greatest state of the greatest country on earth.

cut 11 (08) “this year”

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Tonight is LSU’s final regular season game and once it is completed, the Tigers are expected to make a strong push to hire Florida State Head Coach Jimbo Fisher. But will Fisher come to LSU, football analyst Mike Detillier says LSU has better facilities, they pay their assistant coaches more and it’s easier to recruit players to Tiger Town…

cut 12 (11) “over florida State”

Fisher is in his 7th season at Florida State and has the highest winning percentage in ACC history. He guided the Seminoles to a national championship in 2013. But Detillier says many coaches look for another challenge after awhile…

Cut 13 (08) “this stage”

The search for a new head coach began in September, when Les Miles was fired after a 2-and-2 start. Detillier says LSU must have a good feeling they can lure Fisher away, because he was the top candidate then and he’s the top candidate now…

cut 14 (08) “this search”

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Voters will not have a chance to see the US Senate runoff candidates debate. Don Molino explains why…

CUT 1 (24) “I’m Don Molino”

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The Baton Rouge city council has approved a $100-thousand settlement with the protestors who were arrested after Alton Sterling’s death. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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It doesn’t look like voters will get a chance to hear the U.S. Senate candidates debate again before the December 10th runoff. They could not agree on a date and conditions for the debate. LSU political communications Professor Martin Johnson says it’s disappointing the public won’t have a chance to hear Republican John Kennedy and Democrat Foster Campbell discuss their platforms.

Cut 3 (09) “not happening”

A major sticking point was whether the debate should be televised in front of a live audience, as Kennedy did not want an audience, while Campbell did. Johnson says it’s unclear if either candidate will benefit from not having a debate.

cut 4  (11) “pretty important”

Johnson says this race will come down in large part to party lines, so he doesn’t think the debate would have changed many voters’ minds, but frontrunners tend to think not debating benefits them. He says that’s why Kennedy has run his campaign like an incumbent…

Cut 5  (09)  “avoid it”

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Baton Rouge has settled with protestors who were arrested during protests that erupted after the death of Alton Sterling. The $100-thousand settlement will award $230 to each of the 92 plaintiffs with the rest of the money going towards legal fees. Louisiana ACLU Executive Director Marjorie Esman says they’re pleased, because the protestors’ constitutional rights were violated by police.

Cut 6 (08) “first place”

The City of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State Police, the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, and the District Attorney’s Office will each foot $25-thousand dollar bill.  Esman says this suit wasn’t about compensation, it was about making sure people have the right to protest.

CUT 7 (09)  “the result”

Baton Rouge City Council member John Delgado was the only council member to speak out against the suit, and he was furious about the council’s decision to settle. He says settling this frivolous suit is a terrible precedent.

Cut 8 (10) “their case”

Delgado says this will open the door for more litigation from activists. He says he’s also worried this payment will encourage bad behavior from future protestors.

Cut 9 (07)  “pay us”

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State Police’s Click It or Ticket Campaign is in effect for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Trooper Melissa Matey says law enforcement will look for drivers who are not properly buckled and children who are not correctly restrained.  She says the seat-belt provides many different protections.

Cut 10 (09) “your body”

Over the Thanksgiving holiday last year, more than 200 injuries in car crashes were reported in the state and 10 people were killed. Matey says the single most important thing a seat-belt does is make sure a person stays in the vehicle.

cut 11 (11) “properly buckled”

Matey says motorists can visit 511.la.org for traffic updates. She says LSP will also be on the lookout for drunk drivers over the holiday weekend.

cut 12 (10) “impaired drivers”

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The Office of Motor Vehicles will resume accepting some cash payments beginning December 5. OMV Commissioner Karen St. Germain says they will only accept small amounts of cash, for things like driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations.

Cut 13 (10) “of cash”

St. Germain says the OMV originally decided not to accept cash payments because it was a burden on employees if they came up short at the end of the day.

cut 14 (10) “was there”

Several legislators did not like the “no cash” policy as they complained not everyone carries credit or debit cards. St. Germain says by only accepting cash payments for things like license renewals, they’re reducing the risk of employees pocketing the money.

Cut 15 (09) “different transactions”

Legislative audits in 2014 and 2015 found 280-thousand dollars in stolen or misappropriated funds from the OMV and five workers were arrested.

A National Retail Federation survey finds nearly six out of 10 Americans will shop either in a store or online or both over Thanksgiving Weekend. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (26) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A Monroe family has made a generous donation to State Police Troop F to keep troopers safe in the field. Halen Doughty has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The National Retail Federation expects 59-percent of Americans will shop both in-store or online during the Thanksgiving weekend. Spokesperson Ana Serafin Smith says it’s a slight increase from last year…

Cut 3 (10) “as last year”

Smith says Black Friday remains the busiest day of the weekend with 74-percent planning to shop that day. She says folks of all ages will shop on Black Friday, especially Millennials, as they estimate 86-percent of 18-24 year olds plan to shop.

cut 4  (09) “and deals”

Smith says there’s good news for local businesses as 24-percent of consumers plan to shop on Small Business Saturday, which is up from last year

Cut 5  (10)  “everywhere else”

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Amidst tensions between Louisiana law enforcement and the public, one Monroe family is making sure State Troopers are safe in the field. Bunzy Bryant and his wife, Lynn, donated 90 bulletproof vests to State Police Troop F in Monroe. Bryant says these vests are extra protection beyond what the troopers wear every day.

Cut 6 (11) “AK-47”

Bryant says they have been close with Troop F for 16 years and have helped their Christmas drives, crawfish boils, and softball games for years. He says State Police is part of their family, and they want to keep the troopers safe.

CUT 7 (10)  “at night”

Bryant says he and his wife have gotten tons of calls from people expressing their thanks for the family’s donation, including one call from Governor John Bel Edwards. He says they want to spread the word to criminals that our boys are protected, and they have another message for the public.

Cut 8 (11) “of them”

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A Lafayette man attempting to push a disabled U-Haul trailer to the side of the road was struck and killed by an 81-year-old semi-truck driver. State Police Master Trooper Brooks David say the fatal crash happened this morning just after 1:00 am in Henderson.

Cut 9 (10)  “doing so”

The trailer belonged to 26-year-old Tanika Adams. David says the semi-truck driver hit Adams, another person, 25-year-old Vineeth Keesara, the trailer and the two vehicles on the side of the road. He says Keesara was pronounced dead at the scene and Adams was transported to Lafayette General Medical Center.

Cut 10 (09) “critical injuries”

David says Troopers are still investigating how the trailer got detached. He says the driver of the 18-wheeler voluntarily submitted to a chemical test.

cut 11 (10) “this crash”

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State auditors are unsure if the Attorney General’s Office improperly spent nearly $25 million. Beth Davis with the Legislative Auditor’s Office says they requested support for 28 transactions totaling $24.7 million from an escrow account that receives money from court settlements, fines, and other penalties.

cut 12 (07) “were incomplete”

Davis says they can’t say whether or not any illegal transactions took place, because there is no documentation, but they can’t confirm the dealings were appropriate either. She says they’ve asked the AG’s Office to explain what happened to the money.

Cut 13 (09) “could locate”

AG Jeff Landry, who took office in January, issued a statement blaming his predecessor for poor-record keeping. But Davis says the transactions occurred over the span of two fiscal years- the one ending June 30 of 2015 and the one ending June 30 of 2016.

cut 14 (08) “current administration”

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Community activists and law enforcement are anxiously awaiting the results of the Department of Justice’s investigation into the police shooting of Alton Sterling. Don Molino has more…

CUT 1 (29) “I’m Don Molino”

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The names of some soon to be jobless Republican politicians have been thrown around to be a part of President-elect Trump’s cabinet. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (24) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The Beauregard Parish Gothic Jail is now open for tours, according to Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The Humane Society of Louisiana is concerned about the high number of complaints they’re receiving about owners neglecting horses. HSL Director Jeff Dorson says dozens of horses, sometimes several at a time have been found in various stages of starvation by Humane Society members…

cut 4  (09) “more responsible” 

There have been several owners who have been cited for cruelty. Dorson says if you can’t afford to take care of a horse, please don’t get into the business and if you’re in over your head, reach out to the humane society. He says the problem is there is a surplus of horses in rural areas.

Cut 5  (10)  “or care”

Dorson says it takes about 15-hundred dollars minimum to give a horse the right care and veterinarian care. He urges the public to help with the effort to stop horses from being neglected.

Cut 6 (10) “the authorities”

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There is a heightened awareness among law enforcement for potential protests once the U.S. Justice Department announces its results of its investigation into the shooting of Alton Sterling. The 37-year-old black man was fatally shot in July after a scuffle with two white Baton Rouge police officers. Police Chief Carl Dabadie says they are working on a plan to deal with protests as least aggressively as possible.

CUT 7 (10)  “wanna say”

It’s still unclear when Justice Department will finish its investigation or whether there will be any charges. There’s a feeling of unrest among the community as we await more information from the federal investigators. Chairman of the Youth and Young Adult Committee, Cleve Dunn Jr., says he’s doesn’t think DOJ has been transparent at all in this investigation.

Cut 8 (09) “quite some time”

After Sterling was shot on July 5^th, numerous protests erupted and over 200 people were arrested. State Police Col. Mike Edmonson says they want to work with protesters, not against them, but if it gets out of hand, they will react. He says police will do everything they can to help people protest safely.

Cut 9 (10)  “are heard”

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A number of Louisiana Republicans have had their names tossed around as potentially working in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com says Trump’s campaign team in Louisiana is putting names together and sending them to the transition team.

Cut 10 (10)  “treasury position”

Alford says Congressman Charles Boustany’s name has been mentioned to be chief U.S. trade negotiator under the Trump administration. He says there are a lot of positions that need to be filled, but it’s up in the air who will actually be selected to be part of the cabinet.

cut 11 (09) “political magazines”

And Alford says Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court Lynn Jones made the prediction that Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards could end up running for president. He says there are a few things that might not go with the party’s base, but some democrats are looking for a president like him.

cut 12 (11) “lists”

The Boston Globe also mentioned Edwards as a possible 2020 presidential candidate.

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Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser announces the Beauregard Parish Gothic Jail in DeRidder is now open for tours. The Gothic Jail will be the crown jewel of Louisiana’s Myths and Legends Scenic Byway, which is intended to give visitors a reason to visit some of Louisiana’s back roads. Nungesser says over 40-thousand dollars was raised at the Gothic Jail After Dark Fundraiser on Halloween to complete the renovations.

Cut 13 (12) “the stairwell”

Two men who were found guilty of murdering a taxi driver in the late 1920s were hanged to death from the stairwell, earning the Gothic Jail nationwide notoriety. The first floor of the gothic building is the jailer’s quarters, and the second is jail cells. Nungesser says about 15 years ago, someone had the foresight to save all the furniture from the then-decrepit building.

cut 14 (08) “years ago”

The Gothic Jail was originally built in 1914 and it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981 before it was deemed uninhabitable the next year. Nungesser says two tours will be given daily at 10 am and 2 pm Monday through Friday. He says tours are $5 for adults and $3 for kids. He says people can set up private tours at BeauregardTourism.com.

Cut 15 (08) “kinda funny”

More information about Louisiana’s Myth and Legends Scenic Byway can be found at LouisianaByways.com.

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Ed Orgeron could be coaching his final game for the LSU Tigers this Thursday night against Texas A&M. There’s no doubt the Louisiana native would love to be the head coach for the Tigers for many years to come. But he says his priority is to make sure the team is ready to play the Aggies…

Cut 16 (20)” national crowd”

LSU is coming off a tough 16-10 loss to Florida and there’s speculation the Tigers will make a push for Florida State Head Coach Jim Fisher, once the Seminoles regular season ends on Saturday night. Orgeron says he’s telling his team to block out the noise…

Cut 17 (12)      “job first “

After a bye week, Louisiana Tech is ramping up their preparations for the regular season finale on Friday against Southern Miss. Bulldogs wide receiver Trent Taylor says they have a good idea of what the Eagles like to do on defense…

Cut 18 (12) “ your offense”

Last year, Southern Miss thumped the Bulldogs on their home field, 58-24. Taylor says they would like to return the favor and win big in Hattiesburg….

Cut 19 (20)   “this week”

A survey conducted by the consulting firm Deloitte finds online shopping is ranked number one by consumers for their preferred method of holiday shopping. Don Molino has more…

CUT 1 (27) “I’m Don Molino”

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At a roundtable meeting today, Governor John Bel Edwards and other state leaders addressed ways to improve race relations. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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A report released by the consulting firm Deloitte finds the internet has taken the number one spot when it comes to how consumers will do their holiday shopping.  Executive Director of the Louisiana Retailers Association Dawn Johnson says there is a big convenience factor when it comes to purchasing gifts online.

Cut 3 (09) “more online”

Johnson says a lot of Black Friday shoppers go into the store, find out information from employees, then order the item online to save. The survey found 50-percent of respondents admitted to showrooming.

cut 4  (10) “all products”

Deloitte also found those polled plan on spending nearly one-thousand dollars on holiday gifts. But Johnson encourages shoppers to get out and shop in your local brick and mortar stores.

Cut 5  (08)  “the holidays”

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The Baton Rouge Advocate reports Florida State’s Jimbo Fisher remains the top candidate to become the next head coach of the Bayou Bengals. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says it’s not surprising Athletic Director Joe Alleva has Fisher high on his wishlist…

Cut 6 (06) “say no”

Fisher won a national championship at Florida State in January 2014 and has said he’s happy at F-S-U. But Worsham believes Fisher would take the LSU job if offered, to  coach in the SEC West, college football’s toughest division…

CUT 7 (12)  “willingly take”

Interim Head coach Ed Orgeron replaced Les Miles in September and the Tigers are 4-2 with Coach “O” at the helm. Worsham says if Fisher says no, Orgeron could get the LSU job…

Cut 8 (09) “right there”

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A USGS-NASA study found widespread shoreline loss across areas affected with oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010. Research Oceanographer Elijah Ramsey says they compared the damage before and after the spill in the Barataria Bay area. He says in 2009 and 2010 there wasn’t a lot of coastline erosion.

Cut 9 (10)  “oiled shorelines”

Ramsey says that continued throughout the next year. The study also mentioned that some of the affected wetlands received treatment but it proved not to be helpful.

Cut 10 (05) “eroding”

Ramsey says this is an important study and should not just be a onetime thing. He says along with widespread erosion, wetland fragmentation was experienced as well.

cut 11 (08) “broken apart”

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State and community leaders met for a roundtable on race relations this morning at the State Capitol. Governor John Bel Edwards spoke, calling for a renewed effort to build trust between law enforcement and the public.

cut 12 (12) “are about”

Edwards says they discussed teaching people in driver’s education courses how to respond to officers when they get pulled over. He says they also want to meet with kids in schools to educate youth about interacting with police.

Cut 13 (09) “those campuses”

Edwards says law enforcement agencies are also looking at increasing the number of training hours required and implementing new training methods. State Police Col. Mike Edmonson says it’s starting with the cadet class training at their police academy…

cut 14 (12) “not graduate”

Tensions were high in the summer after the police shooting of Alton Sterling and it’s still unknown when the Justice Department will complete its investigation of that case. Edmonson says resolving these problems is not just about training, it’s about having an open dialogue. He says the conversations don’t end when these meetings are over. He says we need ongoing discussions about ways to improve relations, and that starts with listening.

Cut 15 (10) “being heard”

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A national polling firm predicts the runoff elections in Louisiana. Michelle Southern takes a look.

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Thanksgiving feasts should be affordable, according to the Louisiana Farm Bureau. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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It’s been a year since Governor John Bel Edwards was elected into office. Emelie Gunn has more on what we can expect for the remainder of his term…

Cut 3 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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LSU scientists have found the first evidence of Deepwater Horizon oil in a land animal—the Seaside Sparrow. LSU School of Renewable Natural Resources Professor Phillip Stouffer says they believe the oil got into the birds’ system, because they are feeding off the marsh and the oil is trapped in the marsh…

cut 4  (09) “birds’ tissue” 11

Researchers also found that the direct exposure to the oil could be damaging the birds’ reproductive systems. LSU School of Renewable Natural Resources Associate Professor Sabrina Taylor says the study tells us the oil didn’t affect the offshore and the near shore ecosystems, but the marsh land where the sparrows live.

Cut 5  (11)  “spill is”

Taylor says the oil gets buried under sediments and can be released during storms. Stouffer says when we think of oil spills, there’s mainly concern about marine animals, but their research shows wildlife that lives strictly on land can be impacted….

Cut 6 (04) “they’re facing”

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A survey from a national polling firm on the 2016 runoffs in Louisiana predicts winners. Pollster Robert Cahaly with the Trafalgar Group says some national pollsters thought Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards victory last year meant Democrat Foster Campbell had a shot in the US Senate runoff. But he says there were unusual circumstances surrounding that election.

CUT 7 (10)  “the Democrat”

Republican John Kennedy leads Campbell in the Trafalgar poll 58 to 35-percent. Cahaly says Kennedy is unifying the GOP behind him.

Cut 8 (07) “red state”

Cahaly says the 3^rd Congressional District race between Republicans Scott Angelle and Clay Higgins is a good illustration of the divide we’re seeing within the Republican Party nationally.

Cut 9 (08)  “Trump effect”

Cahaly says he’s got Higgins leading Angelle 49 to 42-percent. He says it remains to be seen whether or not Trump supporters are still energized about the election. He says either way, this will be a hard fought race between establishment Republicans and the Trump coalition.

Cut 10 (07)  “to Higgins”

The poll also found that Republican Mike Johnson has a strong lead over Democrat Marshall Jones in the 4^th Congressional District race, which Cahaly says isn’t surprising in a red state.

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The Louisiana Farm Bureau finds the cost of a Thanksgiving meal will be below the national average this year, thanks to the hard work of Louisiana farmers and ranchers. Chair of the Farm Bureau Women’s Committee, Denise Canatella, says they found that families can still affordably provide a bountiful meal on Thanksgiving.

cut 11 (10) “in Louisiana”

Canatella says Louisiana shoppers can expect to pay less for Thanksgiving favorites like sweet potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin pie mix, and pie shells. She says the low prices are a testament to farmers’ hard work following the floods and drought they’ve dealt with this year.

cut 12 (09) “low price”

The average price for a Thanksgiving dinner in Louisiana  $49.79, which is slightly less than the national average. But Canatella says shoppers will pay a little more for turkey, milk, rolls, whip cream, and a veggie tray. She encourages people to look around to find the best deals.

Cut 13 (12) “for you”

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Governor John Bel Edwards was elected into office one year ago today. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the governor has had quite the year. He says he’s had some successes, including the approval of higher sales tax that prevented the state from bigger budget cuts.

cut 14 (09) “out alive”

Pinsonat says Edwards will likely be dealing with budget issues for the remainder of his years in office. He says despite budget problems, civil unrest from a police shooting and devastating flooding, the governor’s approval rating is high…

Cut 15 (10) “approval rating”

Pinsonat says Edwards faces some uncertainty with a new Republican presidency. He says it might be more difficult for a Democratic governor to get federal assistance…

Cut 16 (09)” the process”

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After a disappointing 16-10 loss to Florida, interim head coach Ed Orgeron’s chances of keeping the job on a permanent basis seem to be dwindling. The Tigers had plenty of chances to beat the Gators, but there were too many mistakes, including five trips into the red zone and coming away with just one touchdown. Safety John Battle says the coaches are not the blame for this loss….

Cut 17 (18) “A-and-M”

LSU came into this season with championship aspirations, instead they are 6-4 heading into the regular season finale. The Tigers lost by a combined 21 points in the four losses. Quarterback Danny Etling says they’ve learned every play matters in major college football…

Cut 18 (13) “ right attitude”

Orgeron says beating Florida would have been a great win for the program, but now they have to focus on the regular season finale against Texas A&M on Thanksgiving night…

Cut 19 (10)   “come Thursday”

LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva has sent a letter to Tiger fans outlining the qualities he’s looking for in a new football coach. Jeff Palermo reports..

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Public Service Commission has approved the construction of an 869 million dollar Entergy plant. Emelie Gunn has more….

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights gets underway this weekend across north Louisiana. Executive Director of the Webster Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau, Lynn Dorsey, says there are different festivals being held in Alexandria-Pineville, Monroe-West Monroe, Shreveport-Bossier, Minden and Natchitoches.

Cut 3 (09) “interest is”

Dorsey says in Minden they will have a fasching festival, which is a German celebration similar to Mardi Gras, to honor Minden’s German heritage. She says it all begins at dusk tomorrow when all the holiday lights in the city will be turned on.

cut 4  (08) “nutcrackers”

Natchitoches Main Street Manager, Samantha Bonnette, says Turn on the Lights is their kickoff to their annual Christmas festival. She says tomorrow the city of Natchitoches will celebrate with a day-long event of food, fun, and fireworks. She says there will be food vendors, live music, and inflatable jumpers for the kids.

Cut 5  (10)  “with us”

For more information about festivals throughout north Louisiana, go to HolidayTrailOfLights.com.

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The Public Service Commission has approved Entergy’s request to build a new 869 million dollar plant in St. Charles Parish. Entergy Spokesperson Michael Burns says they’re investing in the future of Louisiana. He says it will be a modern, highly efficient plant and will save customers billions.

Cut 6 (10) “ten years”

The plant is scheduled to be up and running by June of 2019. Burns says this power will be used throughout southeast Louisiana and meet the increased demand along the Mississippi River.

CUT 7 (10)  “older plants”

Entergy says the plant will be a highly efficient and use 30-percent less fuel than traditional plants. Burns says the power from this plant in Montz, could meet the city of New Orleans’ needs on the hottest day of the year. He says Entergy customers can expect slightly higher bills…

Cut 8 (10) “$1.92”

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LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva has sent a letter to Tiger fans outlining the qualities he’s looking for when hiring a new head football coach. He said the guidelines include integrity, work ethic, relentless recruiter and accomplished leader. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says one of the items in Alleva’s letter stuck out…:

Cut 9 (08)  “Les Miles”

Moran said a letter like this would be what any athletic director would look for in a coach. He said Alleva’s final note is that the hire must be an accomplished leader of young men, and the first instinct would be to think that these qualities sound like Interim Head Coach Ed Orgeron.:

Cut 10 (10) “point to”

Moran said Alleva could be putting out this letter because he’s tired of hearing a lot of misinformation and speculation that’s circling. He believes this also points to the fact that a resolution is coming down very soon…:

cut 11 (10) “full swing”

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Governor John Bel Edwards has delayed an 18-million dollar cut to public colleges as part of his plan to eliminate a $313 million budget deficit. The governor did so at the request of legislators, who expressed concern at today’s budget meeting about another funding cut to higher ed. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson asks for another month to see if there’s a way they can cut the budget, without impacting universities.

cut 12 (09) “has input”

Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says he doesn’t understand why higher education is taking the brunt of the cuts, but the Louisiana Department of Health isn’t taking any. He says the higher ed budget has increased by $200 million in the last four years, but LDH’s budget has seen a $1.4 billion hike.

Cut 13 (12) “shared burden”

The Revenue Estimating Conference meets again December, and there’s a chance the state’s budget shortfall could increase by then. New Orleans Senator JP Morrel says by putting this cut off until next month, the ball is now in the legislature’s court.

cut 14 (10) “cuts are”

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Duck Dynasty announces after 130 episodes, the show is coming to an end this April. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The Louisiana Department of Education has released its yearly school report cards. Emelie Gunn has more on those results…

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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After 130 happy, happy, happy episodes, Duck Dynasty announces the series will come to an end in April. The A&E series about the Robertson family of West Monroe has given yuppies around the country a taste of what it’s like to be a good ole boy since 2012. President of the West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce, Courtney Hornsby, says the show has spiked an interest in the small town.

Cut 3 (09) “backyard”

Hornsby says the Robertson empire has grown beyond the duck-call business that earned them their fame, as the family has since opened Willie’s Duck Diner and Duck and Dressing Boutique. She says even though the show is ending, she doesn’t see them slowing down.

cut 4  (09) “our community”

The family-friendly show drew more than 10 million viewers at its peak, but viewership has since declined in recent seasons. But Willie’s wife, Korie Robertson, says that decline hasn’t stopped people from all over the country coming to visit West Monroe.

Cut 5  (10)  “from everywhere”

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The Louisiana Department of Education has released its annual school report cards and found statewide gains in student achievement. Superintendent John White says the distribution of school and district letter grade ratings has improved. He credits this to an improvement in student results.

Cut 6 (10) “enrollment credits”

The number of school districts receiving an “A” grade is 16, up from 10 last year. White says at the same time, there are both challenges and successes that the school grading system does not fully reveal. He says the system doesn’t fully reflect the gains made by many schools that are making process, especially with low-achieving students.

CUT 7 (10)  “quality is”

The percentage of students scoring Mastery on LEAP Tests in grades third through six has increased six percentage points from last year. White says students and teachers are stepping up.

Cut 8 (07) “is up”

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While many people around the country are concerned about what will happen when president-elect Donald Trump takes office, Governor John Bel Edwards says he is more interested in seeing the country come together. Edwards says he does expect some changes to Medicaid, but it’s too early to tell what those changes might be.

Cut 9 (11)  “look like”

The state expanded the Medicaid program this year, and 341-thousand people have enrolled so far.

Trump also ran on a platform of immigration reform, often mentioning mass deportations. Edwards says both state and federal laws come into play with immigration, but federal law does trump. He says we’ll have to wait and see what policies come out of the administration.

Cut 10 (09) “obviously”

Edwards says one policy he does foresee going into effect is the ability to buy health insurance across state lines. He says he hasn’t heard any real opposition to it, even from members of Congress.

cut 11 (09) “prices down”

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The Baton Rouge Police Department arrests a woman for allegedly attempting to kill her 8 year old son by slitting his throat. Cpl L’Jean McKneely says the suspect, 40-year-old Gloria Ross, grabbed a kitchen knife as her kids were getting ready for school, and approached the young victim…:

cut 12 (07) “to his throat”

McKneely says the victim and two of Ross’s other children were able to escape and call police. He says when investigators questioned the suspect, she told them there was a reason for her actions…:

Cut 13 (06) “parish prison”

The victim was transported to a local hospital with a non life threatening laceration to the throat. McKneely says Ross is charged with attempted first degree murder and second degree cruelty to a juvenile. He says they were able to get more information about the mother…:

cut 14 (07) “psychological issues”

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