**Correction** AM Newscall December 2nd, 2015

Corrected to show the time change on voicer 2 is 27 seconds, not 30.

Today starts the three day qualifying period for presidential candidates to get on the March 5th primary ballot for Louisiana. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Governor Bobby Jindal and Governor-elect John Bel Edwards met in Baton Rouge Tuesday to discuss the plans to transition from one administration to another. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (27) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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 LSU will find out its bowl destination this week. Jeff Palermo looks at the possibilities…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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After some unseasonably warm temperatures over the Thanksgiving holiday, cooler temperatures are in store for the Bayou State. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front moved through the state Tuesday, bringing cooler air for the next few days. He says frontal overrunning weather conditions are affecting much of the state today….

cut 4  (09)  “all day”

He says you can expect clouds and scattered showers across much of the state today with temperatures mostly in the 50s. Keim says skies should begin clearing tonight, bringing chilly temperatures to Louisiana Thursday…

Cut 5  (10)  “the state”

He says some areas of the state will see low temperatures in the 30s for the next couple of days. Keim says these cooler conditions will be short lived…

Cut 6 (08)  “beautiful out”

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Today begins a three day qualifying period for candidates to sign up and get on the ballot for Louisiana’s March 5th Presidential Primary Election. Political Analyst Clancy Dubois says since Louisiana’s presidential primary falls a few days after “Super Tuesday,” Louisiana will not have a strong say on who the parties will nominate.

CUT 7 (07)  “many delegates”

Secretary of State Tom Schedler expects most of the candidates to qualify by mail or sending a representative to his office to qualify. Dubos says the two Republican frontrunners are Donald Trump and Ben Carson and predicts that nomination process will be very competitive.

Cut 8  (09)  “could change”

Republican Presidential candidate Marco Rubio is bringing his campaign to New Orleans today and candidate Jeb Bush began assembling a campaign team in the state soon after Gov. Bobby Jindal dropped out of the race. Dubos says we’re seeing more interest on the Republican side because that race is more closely contested.

Cut 9 (06) “the nominee”

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Governor Bobby Jindal and Governor-elect John Bel Edwards met in Baton Rouge Tuesday to discuss the plans to transition from one administration to another. Edwards will be sworn into office on January 11th. At the Governor’s Mansion, Jindal said the two met for about an hour..:

Cut 10 (07) “as possible”

Jindal, a Republican, says they’ve told the Edwards team that they have full access to the cabinet officials, agency heads and any other information the Democratic Governor-elect may need… :

cut 11 (09) “over an hour”

Edwards thanked Jindal for being so open with information and says he believes the transition is going very smoothly. He says there is a lot of work to be done in a short period of time…:

Cut 12 (11) “cooperation”

Edwards says one of the best parts of our democracy is transitioning of power…:

Cut 13 (11)  “done that”

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We’ll find out this weekend which bowl game LSU will play in this year. Jerry Palm makes bowl projections for cbs-sports-dot-com and Palm says LSU could play in a bowl game in Florida or the Texas Bowl in Houston, but it’s hard to predict because the league office has a big say on bowl assignments

Cut 14 (10) “sorts of things”

There’s been some speculation that LSU could play Miles’ alma mater, Michigan, in the Citrus Bowl. Palm says the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans will likely feature Baylor and the loser of the SEC Championship game between Alabama and Florida, even though Ole Miss fans think they are going to the Sugar…

Cut 15  (06) “if Florida loses” 

Palm says Louisiana Tech could play in the R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. He says Southern Miss could be the other option from Conference USA to play a school from the Sun Belt…

Cut 16  (11)  “Liberty Bowl”

 

AM Newscall December 2,2015

Today starts the three day qualifying period for presidential candidates to get on the March 5th primary ballot for Louisiana. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Governor Bobby Jindal and Governor-elect John Bel Edwards met in Baton Rouge Tuesday to discuss the plans to transition from one administration to another. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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 LSU will find out its bowl destination this week. Jeff Palermo looks at the possibilities…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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After some unseasonably warm temperatures over the Thanksgiving holiday, cooler temperatures are in store for the Bayou State. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front moved through the state Tuesday, bringing cooler air for the next few days. He says frontal overrunning weather conditions are affecting much of the state today….

cut 4  (09)  “all day”

He says you can expect clouds and scattered showers across much of the state today with temperatures mostly in the 50s. Keim says skies should begin clearing tonight, bringing chilly temperatures to Louisiana Thursday…

Cut 5  (10)  “the state”

He says some areas of the state will see low temperatures in the 30s for the next couple of days. Keim says these cooler conditions will be short lived…

Cut 6 (08)  “beautiful out”

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Today begins a three day qualifying period for candidates to sign up and get on the ballot for Louisiana’s March 5th Presidential Primary Election. Political Analyst Clancy Dubois says since Louisiana’s presidential primary falls a few days after “Super Tuesday,” Louisiana will not have a strong say on who the parties will nominate.

CUT 7 (07)  “many delegates”

Secretary of State Tom Schedler expects most of the candidates to qualify by mail or sending a representative to his office to qualify. Dubos says the two Republican frontrunners are Donald Trump and Ben Carson and predicts that nomination process will be very competitive.

Cut 8  (09)  “could change”

Republican Presidential candidate Marco Rubio is bringing his campaign to New Orleans today and candidate Jeb Bush began assembling a campaign team in the state soon after Gov. Bobby Jindal dropped out of the race. Dubos says we’re seeing more interest on the Republican side because that race is more closely contested.

Cut 9 (06) “the nominee”

______________________________________

Governor Bobby Jindal and Governor-elect John Bel Edwards met in Baton Rouge Tuesday to discuss the plans to transition from one administration to another. Edwards will be sworn into office on January 11th. At the Governor’s Mansion, Jindal said the two met for about an hour..:

Cut 10 (07) “as possible”

Jindal, a Republican, says they’ve told the Edwards team that they have full access to the cabinet officials, agency heads and any other information the Democratic Governor-elect may need… :

cut 11 (09) “over an hour”

Edwards thanked Jindal for being so open with information and says he believes the transition is going very smoothly. He says there is a lot of work to be done in a short period of time…:

Cut 12 (11) “cooperation”

Edwards says one of the best parts of our democracy is transitioning of power…:

Cut 13 (11)  “done that”

________________________________________

We’ll find out this weekend which bowl game LSU will play in this year. Jerry Palm makes bowl projections for cbs-sports-dot-com and Palm says LSU could play in a bowl game in Florida or the Texas Bowl in Houston, but it’s hard to predict because the league office has a big say on bowl assignments

Cut 14 (10) “sorts of things”

There’s been some speculation that LSU could play Miles’ alma mater, Michigan, in the Citrus Bowl. Palm says the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans will likely feature Baylor and the loser of the SEC Championship game between Alabama and Florida, even though Ole Miss fans think they are going to the Sugar…

Cut 15  (06) “if Florida loses” 

Palm says Louisiana Tech could play in the R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. He says Southern Miss could be the other option from Conference USA to play a school from the Sun Belt…

Cut 16  (11)  “Liberty Bowl”

LRN PM Newscall December 1st

A recent survey by Morning Consult on Louisiana’s US Senators shows both David Vitter and Bill Cassidy’s job approval ratings in the mid-40s. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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Richland Parish Congressman Ralph Abraham is back from his Thanksgiving trip to visit US troops in Afghanistan. Emelie Gunn has more….

CUT 2 (29)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Governor-elect John Bel Edwards spoke before the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus about the future of higher education in Louisiana. Edwards told the group that it’s important to fight to make sure children all over the state of Louisiana have opportunities to succeed…

CUT 3 (10)  “higher education”

Edwards was the keynote speaker at last weekend’s Bayou Classic Scholarship Jazz Brunch. The Governor-elect says he will begin his term with a focus on education…

CUT 4 (09)  “in Louisiana”

He says proper funding for higher education is a priority. Edwards says it’s imperative that the state’s general fund component for higher education is increased…

CUT 5 (06)  “for me”

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Today is Giving Tuesday and that means it’s your chance to give back to charities. The American Red Cross is participating in their third Giving Tuesday and hopes everyone who can, will give back in a meaningful way. Louisiana Region Spokesperson Nancy Malone says the holiday season is a time of warmth and giving.

CUT 6 (09) “overnight”

Malone says the power of giving in the community can change the lives of so many people in need. She says you can visit Red-Cross-dot-org-slash-gifts (redcross.org/gifts) to donate and see how your dollars can add up, plus you’ll see heartwarming stories from people across the world who have been helped by the Red Cross.

CUT 7 (11)  “look at”

Malone says if you can’t donate monetarily, there are other ways to help out, like donating blood or volunteering. She says their latest program during the holiday season is called Holiday Mail for Heroes.

CUT 8 (10)  “you involved”

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A recent survey on Louisiana’s US Senators shows both David Vitter and Bill Cassidy’s job approval ratings in the mid-40s. The report, by Morning Consult, shows 47-percent of Louisiana voters approve of Vitter’s job performance and Cassidy only gets a 44-percent approval rating. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Cassidy’s low rating is surprising…

CUT 9 (06)  “to Cassidy”

The report shows about 24-percent of respondents didn’t know enough about Cassidy to rate him. Vitter has announced that he will not seek re-election next year which will make Cassidy Louisiana’s senior senator. Cross says this will seriously damage Louisiana’s power in the Senate…

cut 10 (10)  “US Senate”

Cassidy is finishing his first year in the upper chamber. Cross says Cassidy’s involvement in health care issues and public policy will see his stature in the Senate grow in the coming years…

Cut 11 (07) “to posturing”

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Richland Parish Congressman Ralph Abraham is back in Louisiana after spending his Thanksgiving holiday with American soldiers in Afghanistan. Abraham says he was honored to spend time with the people who let us sleep safely every night. He says the men and women are optimistic about their mission of training Afghan soldiers to battle terrorism in their country.

cut 12 (10)  “hostile enviornment”

Abraham spent his trip having lunch with Louisiana soldiers, as well as, meeting with Afghan President Ghani. He says if President Obama will listen to his advisors on the ground in Afghanistan, keeping 9,800 troops in the country will be effective to combating terrorism.

cut 13 (09)  “lead the way”

Abraham says they want to give Afghanistan the democratic type of government that they want. He says it likely won’t entail all the freedoms we see in America, but it will better the country’s current status.

cut 14 (08)  “that’s attainable” 

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AM Newscall, December 1st, 2015

Will Governor-elect John Bel Edwards look to raise the state’s $7.25 minimum wage when he takes office next year? Jeff Palermo reports…

CUT 1 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The American Automobile Association says December could bring the lowest gas prices we’ve seen in 7 years.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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The Louisiana Department of Revenue’s 2015 Louisiana Tax Amnesty gets underway today. Eric Gill reports…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

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Will Governor-elect John Bel Edwards look to raise the state’s minimum wage when he takes office next year? Edwards said during the campaign that he supports raising the minimum wage that currently sits at $7.25. Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moller says the new governor gives supporters of a minimum wage increase hope…

cut 4  (10)  “few more months”

Louisiana is one of five states that has not set a minimum wage, instead defaulting to the federal government’s rate. Opponents of a higher minimum wage say new mandates would have an adverse effect on the current state of the economy. But Moller says minimum wage increases have worked in other parts of the country…

Cut 5  (11)  “come to pass”

He says it’s too early to predict whether a minimum wage bill will make it to the governor’s desk. Moller says an LSU poll conducted last year shows that 72-percent of residents support increasing the minimum wage to at least $8.50 per hour…

Cut 6 (09)  “poverty line”

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The American Automobile Association of Louisiana says the plunging prices at the pump have the state moving into a direction that could bring them to their lowest since 2008. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is about $1.86. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says we might reach a low point this month that we haven’t seen in nearly 7 years…:

CUT 7 (08)  “$1.60 a range”

Redman says the earlier forecast by the US Department of Energy showed that by December we’d be looking at a national average of about $2.00, but it seems it will be even lower than that. He says this is coming at a great time for the motoring public as they put their budget together for the holidays…:

Cut 8  (08)  “for the family”

Louisiana’s average prices are down about 4 cents from last week, 8 cents from last month and 72 cents lower than last year. Redman says, statewide, we could be in the $1.60 range by mid-December, and dropping…:

Cut 9 (08) “current thought”

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After a brief suspension, the Louisiana Department of Revenue’s 2015 Louisiana Tax Amnesty gets underway today. Deputy Secretary Jarrod Coniglio (ca-nig-lee-oh) says this is the final amnesty period for at least 10 years. He says the delay was prompted by a mistake with with the information included in some of the original invitation letters sent out in early November…

Cut 10 (10) “December 31st”

The amnesty will run through December 31st. Coniglio says their goal is to raise $50 million during the amnesty period. He says this is a great opportunity to clear the slate when it comes to delinquent taxes. Coniglio says the department is offering incentives to taxpayers to clear their bill…

cut 11 (09) “of the interest”

During the amnesty period, the Department of Revenue will waive 33-percent of the penalty and 17-percent of the interest owed when 100-percent of the tax debt is paid. Coniglio says you can even set up an installment plan if you cannot make full payment by December 31st…

Cut 12 (07) “of 2016″

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State police say they worked four fatal crashes over the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend that resulted in ten fatalities. The youngest victim was a two month old infant from Baton Rouge, while the oldest was an 87-year-old man from Ville Platte.  L-S-P Sergeant Nick Manale says everyone needs to take safety precuations to prevent more fatalities

Cut 13 (08)  “distracted”

Manale asks drivers to be vigiliant during this holiday period…

Cut 14 (10) “while impaired”

Manale says if you happen to notice aggressive driving or impaired driving, don’t hesitate to call State Police…

Cut 15  (08) “your way” 

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LSU sophomore quarterback Brandon Harris did not finish the season strong as he struggled in November and didn’t perform well in the win over Texas A&M. Harris completed just seven passes  for 83 yards and he was intercepted once in the win over the Aggies. Coach Les Miles says Harris looked much better earlier in the season

Cut 16  (15)  “do there”

Sophomore Malachi Dupre led the team in receiving during the regular season as he caught 39 passes for 602 yards and 6 touchdowns. Dupre says LSU’s passing game is still a work in progress…

Cut 17 (17) “execute the plays”

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McNeese State is getting ready to host Southland Conference rival Sam Houston State in the second round of the FCS playoffs. The Cowboys are a four-seed in the tournament and received a bye into the second round, while the Bearkats beat Southern Utah in a shootout 42-39. McNeese Coach Matt Viator hopes the week off will not hurt their play for Saturday’s game…

Cut 18 (14) “….little rusty”

Sam Houston used two quarterbacks to beat Southern Utah, Jeremiah Briscoe and Jared Johnson. Viator says Briscoe is a good passer, while Johnson is good running the football…

Cut 19 (20) “for sure”

 

LRN PM Newscall November 30

Today marks the end of the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane season and it was a good one for Louisiana as no storms threatened the state. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (28)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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It appeared LSU’s Les Miles was set to lose his job, but he remains the Fighting Tigers head coach. Jeff Palermo looks at how that happened….

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Today marks the end of the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane season and it was quite favorable for Louisiana as no storms threatened the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says forecasters were were pretty accurate with their predictions this season…

CUT 3 (10)  “major hurricanes”

He says there were 11 named storms this hurricane season, one below the long term average. Four of those storms became hurricanes, two major hurricanes, but none threatened to make landfall in the United States. Keim says you can thank wind shear created by El Nino for that…

CUT 4 (08)  “protect us”

He says the last hurricane to make landfall in Louisiana was Category 1 Hurricane Isaac in 2012. It’s been ten seasons since a major hurricane has made landfall in the United States. Keim says some are wondering if we’re moving into a period of less severe hurricanes…

CUT 5 (08)  “plays out”

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So how did Les Miles keep his job as head coach of the LSU Tigers. It appeared Miles was coaching his final game in Tiger Stadium on Saturday, but after the victory, athletic director Joe Alleva announced Miles would return for another season. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says LSU’s president saved Miles’ job…

CUT 6 (12) “as the coach”

If Miles was fired before January 1st, LSU would owe him 15-million dollars. Worsham says for LSU president and chancellor F King Alexander, who is pushing for more state funding to help the academic side of the university,  the 15-million dollar buyout was too tough of a pill to swallow, even though private donors would have paid the buyout

CUT 7 (07)  “football team”

Some are now calling for athletic director Joe Alleva to be fired for mishandling this situation. Worsham doesn’t see that happening…

CUT 8 (07)  “through 2020”

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Today is Cyber Monday, a day where retailers promote huge online sales. The annual online shopping spree celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says Cyber Monday shopping is a growing trend…

CUT 9 (10)  “of that impetus”

Last year, sales on Cyber Monday reached a record $2.68 billion. According to the research firm ShopperTrak, Black Friday sales fell 10-percent this year and Rice feels that online shopping played a factor in that…

cut 10 (10)  “to do it”

But he says just because you find a discounted item on Cyber Monday, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s at its best price of the year. Rice says as shoppers become more savvy to finding deals online, Cyber Monday could begin to lose some of its luster…

Cut 11 (09) “of the year”

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The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says a teenager came home from a hunting trip over the weekend, and discovered her step-father, mother and two young half brothers dead in an apparent murder suicide. Col John Fortunato says the 18-year-old had been gone since Friday, and returned to her Marrero home Sunday morning…:

cut 12 (10)  “pool of blood”

The deceased are identified as 46-year-old David Mata, 40-year-old Kelli Mata, 4-year-old Caden Mata and 2-year-old Liam Mata. He says cops arrived and discovered the Mata’s dead from apparent stab wounds in the living room, and their children in separate bedrooms laying in bed, also pronounced dead from apparent stab wounds…:

cut 13 (09)  “took his own life”

According to media reports, Mata pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife Kelli in 2010, and in 2002 David Mata pleaded guilty to possessing 1,000 anabolic steroid tablets. Fortunato says they believe David Mata killed his wife and their kids before taking his own life. He says they have no idea why David Mata would commit such a horrific act…:

cut 14 (05)  “in this matter” 

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LRN AM Newscall Monday Nov 30

A UL-Lafayette researcher is trying to find the burial grounds of the first Acadians in an effort to discover the location of their colony. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (27) “I’m Eric Gill”

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What’s ahead for Governor Bobby Jindal professionally as his second term ends? Jeff Palermo reports…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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 The Attorney General’s Office is giving online holiday shoppers some tips to keep secure. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A UL-Lafayette researcher is trying to find the burial grounds of the first Acadians in an effort to discover the location of their colony. Anthropologist Mark Rees says the goal of the New Acadia Project is to discover the location of the New Acadia Colony that dates back to the mid-18th century…

cut 4  (12)  “around Loreauville”

He says they believe the colony was set up along Bayou Teche in Iberia Parish around Loreauville. Rees says they have received permission from the state and property owners to exhume the graves that possibly belong to the first Acadians. But he says they are approaching this in a cautious way…

Cut 5  (11)  “be reburied”

He says finding the graves is just the first step in finding the settlement that must be nearby. Rees says if these graves do contain the remains of the first Acadians, it will be an enormous breakthrough…

Cut 6 (08)  “were like”

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There are six weeks remaining in Bobby Jindal’s final term as Governor of Louisiana. Jindal has said that he and his family will remain in Baton Rouge after his term ends, but what’s ahead for him professionally? Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Jindal will likely use his experience in government to land a job…

CUT 7 (08)  “national boards”

Pinsonat says Jindal will probably use his expertise in government to pick up a job with a national company as a consultant. As far as the governor’s political future, Pinsonat doesn’t see Jindal seeking political office in the foreseeable future…

Cut 8  (08)  “in Louisiana”

He says Jindal’s current unpopularity in Louisiana will probably keep him from running for office for quite a while. Pinsonat believes Jindal’s presidential aspirations really damaged his political future in Louisiana…

Cut 9 (10) “very unpopular”

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Les Miles is still the coach of the LSu football team despite a couple of weeks of speculation that he will be fired at the end of the regular season. But Athletics Director Joe Alleva announced after Saturday’s win over Texas A&M that Miles will remain the Tigers coach. Miles was asked if there were any hard feelings over the speculation that he could lose his job.

Cut 10 (09) “that way”

Miles and the Tigers ended a three-game losing streak by beating Texas A&M 19-7. Before Miles began his postgame press conference, Alleva announced that Miles would return next year. The mad hatter is grateful for a chance to the lead the Tigers again next season…

cut 11 (12) “quality men”

There are still questions whether offensive coordinator Cam Cameron will return. His contract is set to expire after the bowl game. Miles was noncommittal about Cameron’s future, but he expects the offense next year to feature running back Leonard Fournette.

Cut 12 (12) “bit much”

______________________________________

The Attorney General’s Office has some tips to keep online holiday shoppers secure. Assistant Attorney General Lisha Landry advises people to make sure they’re using private wireless connections that are password protected, not unsecure wifi from coffee shops or other public locations. She says also make sure the website you’re using is secure before entering credit card information.

Cut 13 (07)  “is secure”

Landry says always pay my credit card rather than using money orders or debit because there is an added protection. She says make sure to keep records after making online purchases.

Cut 14 (05) “return policy”

Landry says feel free to contact the Attorney General’s Office to check the consumer dispute database. She says if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Cut 15  (10) “a scam” 

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Louisiana Tech’s regular season ended in a frustrating manner as the Bulldogs turned it over seven times in a 58-24 loss to Southern Miss. The defeat keeps the Bulldogs from playing in the Conference USA Championship game. Head Coach Skip Holtz says it was a disappointing way to end the year…

Cut 16  (12)  “for it”

 Tech finishes the regular season with an 8-4 record and they’ll find out on December sixth when it comes to which bowl game they’ll play in. It’s been projected Tech will get an invite to the New Orleans Bowl. Holtz says he’ll team wait to hear its fate..

Cut 17 (19) “field again”

______________________________________________________

The Saints dropped their third straight game on Sunday as the Houston Texans topped New Orleans 24-6. Offensively, the Saints could only muster two field goals, so for the first time in 155 games the Saints failed to score a TD. Coach Sean Payton on the disappointing loss..

Cut 18 (14) “….of it

New Orleans was held to 268 total yards, just 50 yards on the ground. The loss drops the Saints record to 4-7. Brees remains optimistic the Saints can make a run at the playoffs, but they have undefeated Carolina coming to town.

Cut 19 (14) “for us”

 

PM Newscall November 27,2015

Even after the dry summer, Christmas trees supply is still plenty. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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An end of an era appears to be taking place at LSU as Les Miles could be coaching his last game in purple and gold. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

===================

Even with the dry summer, the supply of real Christmas Trees in Louisiana is still plenty. Christmas Tree Farmer Clark Gernon, owner of Shady Pond Tree Farm in Pearl River, says the trees are fine, just not as tall as they typically would be.

CUT 3 (09)  “grow again”

Gernon advises those searching for a tree to make sure you check the height of the display area before purchasing a Christmas tree. He says also measure the width to ensure it fits in your home.

CUT 4 (10)  “as height”

Gernon says for the past 10 years, 70% of trees that leave his farm are Leyland Cypress Leighton Green trees. He says the shape of the tree is almost perfect.

CUT 5 (07)  “excellent tree”

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A wet weekend is expected across north Louisiana this weekend. The rain is from a cold front that stretches across the entire United States. Davyon Hill, with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says the rain will start late this afternoon in northwest Louisiana and it won’t stop for at least a couple of days

CUT 6 (09) “rainfall event”

Hill says northwest Louisiana will see the largest rainfall totals and he says the rain will stretch down into central Louisiana…

CUT 7 (10)  “safe bet”

Hill says south Louisiana will be dry and mild this weekend. He says parts of Claiborne, Webster, Bossier Caddo and DeSoto parishes could see anywhere between two to five inches of rain

CUT 8 (05)  “rainfall”

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State Police say the Thanksgiving holiday started with five fatalities on the roadway in two separate wrecks. Trooper Melissa Matey says early Thanksgiving morning in Plaquemines Parish a single vehicle crash resulted in the deaths of the vehicle’s driver and two passengers

CUT 9 (07)  “into flames”

All were pronounced dead on the scene. The identities of the victimes will be determined through autopsies. She says the other multi-fatality crash took place Wednesday night in Iberia Parish….

cut 10 (08)  “were killed”

Matey says the two people killed were an uncle and nephew from Abbeville and they’ve been identified as 45-year-old Jones Mitchell and 25-year-old Gerald Mitchell. She says they are asking motorists to make good decisions while behind the wheel this holiday weekend

Cut 11 (11) “everybody buckle up”

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It should be an emotional night in Tiger Stadium as LSU’s Les Miles could be making his final appearance as the head coach of the Fighting Tigers. Football analyst Mike Detillier expects LSU to fire Miles sometime after the game and they hope Florida State’s Jimbo Fisher will be the next head coach…

cut 12 (11)  “figure out”

Fisher was LSU’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2000 to 2006. He was the O-C on the Tigers 2003 national championship team and Detillier says he’s also great at developing quarterbacks…

cut 13 (12)  “first round picks”

Detillier says the LSU head coaching job is Fisher’s if he wants it. Fisher recently told the Tallahassee Democrat that he’s happy where he’s at and that he loves coaching at Florida State. He says if Fisher turns down the Tigers, LSU may go after embattled Philadelphia Eagles Coach Chip Kelly

cut 14 (07)  “college football” 

AM Newscall November 27,2015

Analysts believe the win of Democrat John Bel Edwards over Republican David Vitter is an anomaly. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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  Retailers are expected to see strong gains in sales this holiday season. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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 A pollster believes the win of Democrat John Bel Edwards over Republican David Vitter in a predominately conservative state is an anomaly. John Couvillion of JMC Analytics says Edwards got votes from Dardenne supporters and from rural areas that haven’t voted democrat since the early 90s.

Cut 3 (09) “November 21”

Couvillion believes next year’s senate race will be different because republicans have learned their lesson when it comes to disunity. He also says republicans have a big advantage over democrats in federal elections….

cut 4  (06)  “statewide race”

 Couvillion says he saw major republican precincts around the state and especially in East Baton Rouge, with 60% of people voting for Edwards.

Cut 5  (10)  “defection”

______________________________________

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announces that 13-thousand policies have shifted from the insurer of last resort, Citizens, to private insurance companies. Donelon says this is good news, because these former Citizens policyholders now have lower property insurance

Cut 6 (10)  “out there”

Louisiana created Citizens Property Insurance for homeowners in high-risk areas for flooding and storms. In 2008, Citizens had 174-thousand policies, now its policy count is below 70-thousand residential policies. Donelon says this is also good news for private insurance policyholders, because they pay assessments to help Citzens cover damages in the event of another Katrina-level event…

CUT 7 (10)  “cost of insurance”

Donelon also reminds property insurance policyholders that the deadline to claim a rebate for the Citizens Assessment charged on their 2011 insurance policies is this December 31st. Donelon says nearly 34-million dollars, or 52-percent of the refundable assessments for 2011 remains unclaimed. He says the department of insurance has a form that allows people to claim those assesments…

Cut 8  (08)  “to you”

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The National Retail Federation is expecting retailers to see healthy sales gains this holiday season. Spokesperson Kathy Grannis says sales are expected to increase about 3.7-percent overall in November and December, which is a slight decline from what we saw last year. She says the reason growth isn’t as much in 2015 is likely the direction of the economy.

Cut 9 (10) “this year”

 Grannis says it’s estimated that the average holiday shopper in the south is estimated to spend around 775 dollars this season, not too far off from the national average of 805 dollars. She says hot items this year are toys, a wide range of electronics for adults and jewelry.

Cut 10 (08) “the year”

Grannis says last year, Barbie lost out to Disney’s Frozen dolls but she has regained her crown as the top selling girls toy this season, which is good news to stores selling Barbie’s. She says retailers are getting creative with their promotions to get customers to come into stores rather than just buying online.

cut 11 (10) “certain amount”

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Louisiana Tech and Southern Miss meet in Ruston for a Saturday morning kickoff and the winner advances to Conference USA championship game. After scoring 17 points in a win last week against UTEP, Bulldogs coach Skip Holtz says points maybe hard to come by against the Golden Eagles…

Cut 12 (17) “entire season”

Hotlz hopes for a sold out crowd at Joe Aillet Stadium, especially for the seniors, who are on the verge of leading Tech to a second straight bowl game…

Cut 13 (05)  “together”

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The Ragin Cajuns need a win on Saturday to keep their bowl hopes alive. They’ll be at Appalchian State for their first ever visit trip to Boone, North Carolina. UL Lafayette Coach Mark Hudspeth still remembers the Mountaineers win over the Cajuns last year…

Cut 14 (16) “the same”

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What could be Les Miles’ final game as head coach of the LSU Tigers takes place tomorrow night against Texas A&M in Tiger Stadium. Linebacker Deion Jones hopes this is not the end of the road for Miles…

Cut 15  (10) “still here” 

Saturday night’s game also marks the return of John Chavis, LSU’s former defensive coordinator. He now holds the same position for the Aggies. Jones says he has no ill will toward his old coach…

Cut 16  (09)  “with that”

LSU linebacker Lamar Louis says the team is focused on getting a win, not the coaching rumors swirling about Miles’ job status…

Cut 17 (12) “on Saturday”

AM Newscall November 26,2015

State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says it’s important to remind residents of certain safety tips as they prepare their Thanksgiving meals. Jeff Palermo reports…

CUT 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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 Black Friday is only a few days away and shoppers are expected to spend about 630-billion dollars this year. Emelie Gunn has more on what stores have the best deals…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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According to the US Fire Administration, the average number of home fires nearly double on Thanksgiving as compared to any other day of the year. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says it’s important to remind residents of certain safety tips as they prepare their Thanksgiving meals. Browning says it’s important that while cooking, the kitchen should never be left unattended…

Cut 3 (11) “not trained”

He says it’s important to always be prepared in the event a grease fire starts while you’re cooking. Browning says your common household A-B-C fire extinguisher is not designed to put out grease fires…

cut 4  (06)  “actually burning”

He says there have been some serious fires in Louisiana due to frying turkeys. Browning says there are just a few steps to follow to ensure you safely fry your birds this holiday season…

Cut 5  (11)  “easily escape”

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Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany has been chosen to lead the Ways and Means Committee’s Tax Policy Subcommittee. Boustany says he’s going to lead the effort in tax reform. He says it’s time to totally rewrite the tax code by simplifying and cleaning up the rates and keeping businesses in America.

Cut 6 (07)  “end of year”

Boustany says he will enact changes to benefit small businesses. He says many of these businesses are struggling with the high cost of compliance and aren’t able to hire more employees because it’s too expensive.

CUT 7 (10)  “tax code”

Boustany says he wants to put the United States on a level playing field with other countries and that would call for a complete rewrite of our international tax code. He says the United States has the highest corporate tax rate in the world and that isn’t working in our favor.

Cut 8  (08)  “tax code”

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With Black Friday tomorrow, the personal finance website WalletHub found holiday spending is estimated to reach more than 630-billion dollars this year. Website spokesperson Jill Gonzales says they investigated which stores were having the best Black Friday deals.

Cut 9 (10) “percent mark”

Gonzales says the lowest are going to be Toys-R-Us, Big Lots, Amazon, Sam’s Club and Costco, all coming in at around a 20-percent discount. She says jewelry is an item that typically sees a big discount.

Cut 10 (08) “good deals”

Gonzales says the average discount across the board is about 40-percent off. She advises shoppers to look at the deals before heading out to purchase on Black Friday.

cut 11 (09) “percent rate”

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Former Governor Edwin Edwards is spending Thanksgiving in a hospital battling pneumonia. According to his wife, Trina, the former four-term governor was admitted yesterday and doctors in Baton Rouge are treating him with antibiotics. Edwin Edwards biographer, Leo Honeycutt, says illnesses are not unusual for the Cajun Prince…

Cut 12 (11) “the flu”

Honeycutt says Edwards could be out of the hospital by the end of the holiday weekend…

Cut 13 (09)  “days”

Edwards last public appearance was Saturday, as he and wife Trina attended Governor elect John Bel Edwards election party in New Orleans. Honeycutt says this isn’t the first time Edwards has been diagnosed with pneumonia…

Cut 14 (09) “this is”

LRN PM Newscall November 25

The state Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control has cited 14 additional strip clubs across the state as part of their “Operation Trick or Treat” investigation. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (28)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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Governor-elect John Bel Edwards has launched his transition website, Onward-Louisiana-dot-com. Emelie Gunn has more on what it has to offer…

CUT 2 (31)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The state Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control has cited 14 additional strip clubs across the state as part of their “Operation Trick or Treat” investigation. This crackdown comes weeks after 9 clubs were cited in the French Quarter in New Orleans. ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert says these clubs were cited for several different reasons…

CUT 3 (05)  “with them”

The 14 strip clubs were cited for drug activity, prostitution and lewd acts. Hebert says drug and prostitution activity at these establishments breeds other criminal activity…

CUT 4 (07)  “there’s pimps”

Six of the establishments were issued emergency suspensions due to a threat to public safety. Hebert says the latest results of this operation show that this is not an issue that’s isolated to the French Quarter…

CUT 5 (07)  “addressing it”

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Morgan City Police are saying fake money used in movies is making its way across multiple parishes in southeast Louisiana. Sgt. Rick Hartley says a few banks, bars and convenience stores have reported to authorities they’ve received these counterfeit bills. He says at this time, they’ve arrested Vanisha August of Morgan City on one count of monetary instrument abuse.

CUT 6 (10) “other subjects”

Hartley says the bills they’ve confiscated are obviously fake marked with the phrase “Motion Picture Use Only.” But he says often times people will go into a dimly lit business in an effort to try to break the counterfeit bill for real money.

CUT 7 (07)  “little closer”

Hartley says you can purchase movie money on a number of websites, so it’s very easy to get your hands on this fake money.

CUT 8 (09)  “easily missed”

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Governor-elect John Bel Edwards has launched Onward-Louisiana-dot-com (onwardlouisiana.com) to give the residents of Louisiana updates on his plans and give those interested in working for his administration a chance to express their interest in a positon. Spokesperson for the Edwards transition team Mary Patricia Wray says they want the best and the brightest on their team.

CUT 9 (09)  “team members”

Wray says so far no decisions have been made on cabinet and secretary members, but the team is working hard to ensure announcements are made soon. She says Edwards is making sure he keeps the promises he made during his campaign.

cut 10 (08)  “to achieve”

Wray says even though the website launched just hours ago, the resumes are already pouring in.

Cut 11 (11) “the administration”

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Despite rumors that he could be fired soon after Saturday’s Texas A-and-M game, LSU Coach Les Miles says its business as usual as his team prepares for the Aggies. The coach was asked during the SEC Coaches teleconference if he felt this would be his last game at LSU…

cut 12 (12)  “my view”

Numerous media reports say Miles could be dismissed sometime after Saturday’s game. Miles, who has the highest winning percentage in school history, says there’s no reason to defend himself to those who are deciding his future…

cut 13 (09)  “not me”

Miles says his last conversation with athletic director Joe Alleva was on Sunday, but he didn’t say what was discussed. The coach says the biggest thing on his mind is Saturday’s game against A-and-M…

cut 14 (10)  “always done it” 

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