Authorities say an Evangeline Parish man faces several charges after he got into the bedroom of a seven-year-old girl in Bunkie. Marsanne Golsby has more…

Cut 1(27)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

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The statewide average for regular gas today is $3.03 a gallon, and AAA expects it to continue to drop. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s deputies have arrested a Ville Platte man allegedly found in bed with a seven-year-old girl in Bunkie early yesterday morning.  Captain Tim Ryan says the girl’s parents held 61-year-old Jeffrey Brant at gunpoint until authorities arrived.

Cut 3 (10) “..invited in.” 

Brandt was arrested and booked with home invasion, criminal trespass, and indecent behavior with juveniles. Ryan says it doesn’t appear anyone involved was harmed, including the seven-year-old or her four-year-old sister, who Ryan says was also in the home.

Cut 4 (10)  “…by Mr. Brant” 

He says Brant got in through an unlocked door, and he didn’t fight back when the parents confronted him.

Cut 5 (10) “…on anyone”

Ryan says Brant appeared to be under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance.

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Republican Senator Bill Cassidy says his “No Surprises Act” has saved 9 million Americans from receiving surprise medical bills this year alone. Cassidy authored the legislation that went into effect at the beginning of the year.

Cut 6 (07)  “…Americans.”

Passage of the bill was a two-year effort on behalf of Cassidy and New Hampshire Democrat Senator Maggie Hasson.

Cut 7 (09)  “…facing Americans.”

Cassidy who’s also a physician says the law protects patients from having to pay out-of-network costs billed by their health insurance and that patients can only be required to pay in-network costs for their services.

Cut 8 (03)  “…the past.“

Cassidy says if you do receive a higher medical bill than expected, you should contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-985-3059 or the Louisiana Department of Insurance at 1-800-259-5300.

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According to the National Retail Federation, a record 197-million consumers shopped either in a store or on the internet over the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, which included Cyber Monday. N-R-F President Matthew Shay says the kick-off to the holiday shopping season saw a big increase of in-store shoppers…

Cut 9 (10 “…last year” 

Shaw says 63-million consumers shopped inside a store on Small Business Saturday, up from 51-million in 2021

Cut 10 (10) “…in store shopping” 

Shaw says 86-percent of the consumers they surveyed say they expect to see great deals for the rest of the holiday shopping season, which gives them hope of seeing a six to eight percent increase in retail sales over last holiday season

Cut 11 (10)  “…four weeks”

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The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Louisiana is $3.03 today, that’s down 28 cents from this time last month. And AAA spokesperson Nick Chabarria (Cha-BEAR-ee-uh) says the average price in Louisiana is down almost a dime from a year ago.

Cut 12 (11) “…end of 2022.” 

Chabarria credits a drop in crude oil prices for relief at the pump. He says crude oil prices account about for 50 to 60 percent of what motorists pay at the pump.

Cut 13 (10) “…last year.”  

In addition to crude oil prices stabilizing, Chabarria says with today marking the end of the 2022 hurricane season, we were extremely fortunate we didn’t experience multiple storms in the gulf this year. And barring any disruptions he expects the average price in Louisiana to drop below $3.00 a gallon this week.

Cut 14 (07)   “…last year.” 

A week ago the average price for regular gas in Louisiana was $3.14.

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Deputies in Avoyelles Parish arrest a man for allegedly breaking into a home and crawling in bed with a 7-year-old girl. Sheriff’s Captain Tim Ryan says 61-year-old Jeffrey Brant got in through an unlocked door, and when he was discovered by the child’s parents he offered no resistance…:

CUT 05(10)      “…on anyone.”

Ryan says Brant appeared to be under the influence of…something. He’s been booked with home invasion, criminal trespass, and indecent behavior with juveniles.

The National Retail Federation says 197-million Americans took part in holiday shopping over the Thanksgiving weekend. NRF President Matt Shay says 63-million did their shopping in stores; a big increase over last year…:

CUT 10(10)      “…in-store shopping

He says retailers have hope that it will be a profitable holiday for them this year.

Eight people were shot last night at a hooka lounge in Lake Charles. Police say no one was killed, but three are in critical condition. Lake Charles Police are investigating and ask anyone with information on the crime to contact them right away.

The statewide average for regular gas in Louisiana today is $3.03 a gallon and AAA expects it to continue to drop…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

Authorities say an Evangeline Parish man faces several charges after he got into the bedroom of a seven-year-old girl in Bunkie. Marsanne Golsby has more…
Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

Lake Charles Police say eight people were shot at the V-V-S-1 Hooka Lounge on Broad Street at around 1:30 this morning. Cops say three of the shooting victims are in critical condition, three are in stable condition and two of them were treated and released. Authorities say one person is in custody.

Caldwell Parish Sheriff Clay Bennett says two people were injured from a twister that caused damage near the town of Clarks.

The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Louisiana is $3.03 today, that’s down 28 cents from this time last month. And AAA spokesperson Nick Chabarria (Cha-bear-ree-ah) says the average price in Louisiana is down almost a dime from a year ago.
Cut 12 (11) “…end of 2022.”
Chabarria credits a drop in crude oil prices for relief at the pump.

According to the National Retail Federation, a record 197-million consumers shopped either in a store or on the internet over the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, which included Cyber Monday. N-R-F President Matthew Shay says the kick-off to the holiday shopping season saw a big increase of in-store shoppers…
Cut 9 (10 “…last year”
Shaw says 63-million consumers shopped inside a store on Small Business Saturday, up from 51-million in 2021

Lake Charles Police are investigating a mass shooting that took place around 1:30 this morning at a lounge in the 500 block of Broad Street. Police says at this time there are eight known victims. Their injuries range from critical to stable and two victims have been treated and released from the hospital. One person is in custody and the investigation is ongoing.

Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s deputies have arrested 61-year-old Jeffery Brant of Ville Platte after he was allegedly found in bed with a seven-year-old girl in Bunkie Tuesday morning.  Captain Tim Ryan says the girl’s parents held Brant at gunpoint until they arrived, and it doesn’t appear that anyone was harmed, including the seven-year-old or her four-year-old sister.

Cut 4 (10)  “…by Mr. Brant” 

Bran faces multiple charges that include indecent behavior with juveniles.

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy says his “No Surprises Act” has saved 9 million Americans from receiving surprise medical bills this year.

Cut 7 (09)  “…facing Americans.”

Cassidy co-authored the bipartisan legislation and the law went into effect January 1^st.

The National Weather Services says it appears that an EF-3 tornado touched down in Caldwell Parish. The sheriff’s office reports two were injured in their home as a result.  The front that moved through the southeast was responsible for damage in Mississippi and claimed two lives Alabama.

Avoyelles Parish Sherif deputies have arrested a Ville Platte man allegedly found in bed with a seven-year-old girl in Bunkie early yesterday morning. Captain Tim Ryan says the girl’s parents held 61-year-old Jeffrey Brant at gunpoint until authorities arrived.
Cut 3 (10) “..invited in.”
Ryan says it doesn’t appear anyone involved was harmed physically. Brant was charged with home invasion, criminal trespass and Indecent Behavior with Juveniles.

The 2022 hurricane season ends today, unless a storm forms in December which is rare, the season produced 14 named storms. Florida was hit by two hurricanes but State Climatologist Barry Keim says Louisiana was spared…
cut 15 (09) “…of Louisiana”

The Louisiana Chemical Association says a potential nationwide railroad worker strike would have dire consequences to their industry as the flow of essential chemicals would come to a halt, including chemicals for crop and food protection. Louisiana Chemical Association President Greg Bowser…
cut 11 (07) “….as well”
A rail strike could happen as early as next Friday. The U-S House is scheduled to vote today on legislation to block the rail strike, despite objections from labor leaders.

Republican US Senator Bill Cassidy says his “No Surprises Act” has saved 9 million Americans from receiving Surprise Medical Bills this year alone. Cassidy authored the legislation that went into effect at the beginning of the year.
Cut 6 (07) “…Americans.”
Passage of the bill was a two-year effort on behalf of Cassidy and New Hampshire Democrat Senator Maggie Hasson.

Covington Police have identified one of the two victims that were burned beyond recognition. Police say one of the victims is 71-year-old retired Catholic priest Otis Young. The other victim has yet to be identified however Young was reported missing along with St. Peter Catholic Church Administrator Ruth Prats just hours before the bodies were discovered on Monday. Antonio Tyson has been arrested and charged in the case.

Governor Edwards has endorsed state senator Greg Tarver in the Shreveport mayoral race. Tarver a black Democrat is facing white a Republican in the race, Tom Arceneaux. Political consultant Roy Fletcher says Shreveport is a majority black, majority democrat city, so Edwards endorsement is probably unnecessary…

Cut 8 (10)  “…getting black votes.”
Greg Bowser with the Louisiana Chemical Association fears a freight rail strike could have dire consequences for the chemical industry and the country. He says water treatment facilities depend on chlorine and the ag industry on fertilizer. And because Louisiana is one of the country’s largest chemical producers, it could hurt the state’s economy.

Cut 12 (09) “…losing jobs.”

Rail workers are holding out for higher wages and more vacation time.

The 2022 hurricane season ends today and despite a predicted above-average season, Louisiana was spared this year. State Climatologist Berry Keim says Ian will go down as the signature storm after landfall in Florida.

Cut 14 (08)  “…big deal.”

Six weeks later Nicole followed a similar path. The 2022 season anticipated 21 named storms and only 14 were produced.

The 2022 Hurricane season ends today with 7 fewer storms than predicted. Whitney Thomas Reports.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

There’s tornado damage in Caldwell Parish as several homes were destroyed yesterday. Sheriff Clay Bennett says two people were injured.

The St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office has identified one of the two people killed on money severely burned in a double homicide, 71-year-old Otis Young a retired priest from St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Covington.

Governor John Bel Edwards has endorsed state senator Greg Tarver in the December 10th Shreveport mayoral election. While his Republican opponent Tom Arceneaux has the endorsement of the current mayor and two previous ones. LSU-Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeff Sadow says all three have a negative history with Tarver…
cut 9 (11) “…..politicians in Shreveport”

There are three constitutional amendments that will appear on everyone’s ballot in Louisiana. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says amendments two and three would require the Louisiana Senate to confirm the governor’s appointees to the State Civil Service Commission and State Police commission…
cut 5 (10) “….reduce politics”
For analysis on Constitutional Amendments go to par-louisiana-dot-org.

Governor John Bel Edwards endorses Democrat state Senator and Shreveport Mayoral candidate Greg Tarver to be that city’s next leader. Edwards is backing Tarver over Republican runoff challenger Tom Arceneaux. Political analyst (and Shreveport area native) Roy Fletcher says the endorsement was expected, but nevertheless good for Tarver…:
Cut 7 (11) “…moving up here.”
But the current mayor Adrian Perkins and two former mayors have endorsed Arcenaux.

The 2022 hurricane season ends today, unless a storm forms in December which is rare, the season produced 14 named storms. Florida was hit by two hurricanes but State Climatologist Barry Keim says Louisiana was spared…
cut 15 (09) “…of Louisiana”

The Louisiana Chemical Association says a potential nationwide rail strike next month would have dire consequences for their industry. L-C-A President Greg Bowser says if trains are not transporting chemicals like chlorine, it would have serious repercussions…
cut 10 (08) “…a standstill”
Bowser says chemicals are also needed for crop and food protection, electricity generation and automobile production. Rail workers are seeking higher pay and more pay time off.

Early voting continues for the December 10th election and there are three constitutional amendments on the ballot after there were eight on the November ballot. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says the three amendments were placed on the December ballot over concerns the November ballot was getting too long…
cut 6 (10) “…..at once”
To get non-partisan analysis of the amendments go to PAR-Louisiana-dot-org.

The severe weather threat has moved out of Louisiana but the National Weather Service says a tornado damaged several homes in Caldwell Parish. Sheriff Clay Bennett says two people were injured. The N-W-S says they’ve received reports of damage along Highway 126 near the town of Clarks.

Endorsements are made in the December 10th Shreveport Mayoral runoff election, and some come as a bit of a surprise. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher”

The Louisiana Chemical Association says a potential railroad worker strike would have dire consequences to their industry as the flow of essential chemicals would come to a halt, including chemicals for crop and food protection. Louisiana Chemical Association President Greg Bowser…
cut 11 (07) “….as well”
A rail strike could happen as early as next Friday. The U-S House is scheduled to vote today on legislation to block the rail strike, despite objections from labor leaders.

The December 10th ballot has three constitutional amendments for voters to vote on. Public Affairs Research Council President Stephen Procopio says a vote for it would ban people who are not U-S citizens from voting in Louisiana elections. Procopio says it’s already against federal and state law that U-S citizens can not vote…
cut 4 (11) “…in the future”

The 2022 hurricane season ends today and although 21 named storms were predicted by NOAA only 14 came to fruition, and eight were hurricanes. State Climatologist Berry Keim says in July and August Saharan dust from Africa stabilized the Atlantic atmosphere.
Cut 13 (11) “…storm formation.”
14 named storms is considered an average hurricane season.

Governor Edwards has endorsed state senator Greg Tarver in the Shreveport mayoral race. Tarver a black Democrat is facing white a Republican in the race, Tom Arceneaux. Political consultant Roy Fletcher says Shreveport is a majority black, majority democrat city, so Edwards endorsement is probably unnecessary…
cut 8 (10) “….getting black votes”

There are three amendments on the December 10th ballot, Brooke Thorington has the breakdown from the Public Affairs Research Council.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Tornado damage reported in Caldwell Parish. Officials say two people were injured.