There’s an enhanced risk for severe weather for most of north Louisiana and all of central Louisiana this afternoon and tonight. State Climatologist Barry Keim says tornadoes will be possible…:

CUT 16(07)      “…for Southeast Louisiana.”

He says be sure to remain alert for weather bulletins and/or warnings.

St. Tammany Parish leaders have placed a time capsule inside the Slidell Museum featuring items from the COVID pandemic, like toilet paper, a mask, a Covid-19 test, letters from students, and news coverage of the surge in cases and deaths. Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer says the time capsule should remain locked for 100 years…:

CUT 10(06)      “…we faired.”

Cromer says the pandemic changed his appreciation for first responders, educators, and hospital workers. He says the time capsule will demonstrate the resilience of Louisiana’s people.

Louisiana ranks 50th in the America’s Health Rankings 2022 Annual Report. Whitney Thomas reports a dramatic rise in overdose death rates is a main factor…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thomas.”

Members of the Southern University marching band, the Human Jukebox, and the Baton Rouge community held a memorial service Monday for three band members – Broderick Moore, Dylan Young and Ty’ran Williams – who were killed last week while changing a flat alongside I-49, when another driver slammed into them.

State Police are looking into the death of an inmate while in custody in St. Mary Parish. Few details are yet available, but it appears the inmate was being transported to a court appearance when a scuffle broke out with a corrections officer. The matter is under investigation.

The governor’s office announces a public-private partnership that will result in a one-point-eight billion dollar port expansion in the New Orleans area….:

CUT 03(31)      “…Palermo.”

The United Health foundation releases its America’s Health Rankings for 2022 and Louisiana is ranked dead last at 50. A major reason for Louisiana’s poor ranking is that drug deaths rose by 50% between 2019 and 2020. United Health Foundation Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ravi Johar says Louisiana has a high premature death rate…:

CUT 04(06)      “…drug deaths.”

This week is expected to be the busiest week of the year for the United States Postal Service. The deadline for mailing greeting cards and first-class packages, if you want them to arrive before Santa, is December 17^th.

There’s an enhanced risk for severe weather for most of north Louisiana and all of central Louisiana this afternoon and tonight. Tornados are possible, so stay alert.

…and now today’s markets

There was a fatal shooting at the courthouse in Franklin this morning. St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson David Spencer says it happened inside a courtroom just before 9:00 am and State Police is handling the investigation.
Cut 14 (08) “…more information.”
Our affiliate KQKI reports there was a struggle in the courtroom between a deputy and a person in custody and the individual who struggled with the officer was fatally shot.

Republican Tom Arceneaux defeated Democrat Greg Tarver in Saturday’s Shreveport mayoral run-off election. LSU Shreveport political science professor Jeffrey Sadow says Arceneaux’s win over Tarver, a Black Democrat, is considered an upset since 57 percent of the city’s residents are Black. But Sadow says Tarver has a lot of detractors…
Cut 4 (10) “…to many enemies”
Arceneaux received 56 percent of the vote.

It’s the busiest week of the year for the post office and the deadlines for mailing cards and packages are approaching. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The average price of a gallon of regular gas in the Bayou State today is $2.84. That’s quite a drop compared to this time six months ago when the state recorded its highest average at $4.56 a gallon. Triple A spokesperson Nick Chabbari….
Cut 10 (08) “…oil prices.”

A Republican will lead the city of Shreveport for the first time in more than 20 years. Jeff Palermo has more on Saturday’s stunning results in the Shreveport mayoral run-off…

Cut 1(29)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

There was a fatal shooting at the courthouse in Franklin this morning. St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office says it happened inside a courtroom just before 9:00 am. Our affiliate KQKI reports there was a struggle in the courtroom between a deputy and a person in custody and the individual who struggled with the officer was fatally shot. State Police is handling the investigation.

Saturday voters added three more constitutional amendments to Louisiana’s 48-year-old constitution. Over the years, voters have been asked to consider 308 amendments. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says because the amendments tend to be complicated, they put out a guide before each election but says their research can only do so much.

Cut 8 (08)  “…super laws“

The average price of a gallon of regular gas in the Bayou State today is $2.84. That’s quite a drop compared to this time six months when the state recorded its highest average at $4.56 a gallon. Triple A spokesperson Nick Chabbari says today’s average is down about 45 cents from a month ago.

Cut 9 (09) “… this year.” 

And barring any disruptions Chabbari expects prices to continue to drop.

In the Shreveport Mayoral race, Tom Arceneaux defeated Democrat Greg Tarver in Saturday’s run-off election. Arceneaux received 56-percent of the vote to Tarver’s 44-percent. LSU Shreveport political science professor Jeffrey Sadow says Arceneaux did a better job in getting his base to the polls…

Cut 3 (06) “…ten points better” 

Arceneaux is an attorney and former Shreveport councilman. Tarver will remain a state senator representing a portion of Caddo Parish.

Voters added three more constitutional amendments to Louisiana’s 48-year-old constitution on Saturday. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says, for the most part, voters tend to cast their ballot for people running for office versus amendments.

Cut 7 (09)  “…don’t know.”

To date, 206 constitutional amendments have been added.

The LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office is offering a $5,000 reward to try to solve a murder that happened two years ago in Jena. Detective Brant King says on October 23^rd, 2020, deputies found Leon Turner dead of an apparent gunshot wound.

Cut 12 (07) “…black pants” 

King says they need the public’s help so they can bring some closure to the victim’s family.

The average price of a gallon of regular gas in the Bayou State today is $2.84. That’s quite a drop compared to this time six months when the state recorded its highest average at $4.56 a gallon. Triple A spokesperson Nick Chabbari says barring any major disruptions in the market, prices should continue to drop.

Cut 11 (10)  “…gasoline demand.”

Multiple media outlets are reporting a person was fatally shot this morning in the St Mary Parish courthouse in Franklin. St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson David Spencer did not provide many details during a press conference earlier today…
cut 15 (03) “….by ambulance”
Our affiliate KQKI is reporting there was a struggle in the courtroom between a deputy and a person in custody and the individual who struggled with the officer was fatally shot. State Police is handling the investigation.

With Saturday’s election of Tom Arceneaux as Shreveport’s next mayor, Shreveport, Monroe and Alexandria have white mayors, despite those cities having a higher percentage of black residents compared to white. LSU-Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeff Sadow says in each case, Arceneaux and the current mayors of Monroe and Alexandria replaced unpopular incumbents…
cut 5 (12) “…go together”

Three more constitutional amendments were approved by voters on Saturday. Marsanne Golsby reports there is not a pattern on which amendments pass and which amendments are rejected…
cut 2 (29) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

The LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s office is still seeking tips in a murder investigation that began on October 23rd, 2020, when Leon Turner was found dead of an apparent gunshot wound. Detective Brant King says a man, approximately five-foot-ten, was seen running from the scene wearing a camouflage pull over and black pants…
cut 13 (05) “…come forward”
The Lasalle Parish Sheriff’s Office is offering a five-thousand dollar reward.

A Republican will lead the city of Shreveport for the first time in more than 20 years. Jeff Palermo has more on Saturday’s stunning mayoral run-off in Shreveport…

Cut 1(29)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office confirms a shooting happened inside a courtroom at the Franklin courthouse this morning. Sheriff spokesperson David Spencer says State Police will oversee the investigation.

Cut 14 (08)   “…more information.”

The average price of a gallon of regular gas in the Bayou State today is $2.84. That’s quite a drop compared to this time six months when the state recorded its highest average at $4.56 a gallon. Triple A spokesperson Nick Chabbari credits market stability for the continued drop in prices at the pump.

Cut 10 (08) “…oil prices.” 

Saturday voters added three more constitutional amendments to Louisiana’s forty-eight-year-old constitution. Over the years, voters have been asked to consider 308 amendments. As of Saturday, they have approved 206 of them. Public Affairs Research Council’s president Stephen Procopio says they’ve struggled to find a pattern that explains voter behavior.

Cut 6 (08)  “…passed.”

PAR issues a guide prior to elections to break down what the amendments mean in simple language.

Republican Tom Arceneaux defeated Democrat Greg Tarver in Saturday’s Shreveport mayoral run-off election. LSU Shreveport political science professor Jeffrey Sadow says Arceneaux’s win over Tarver, a Black Democrat, is considered an upset since 57 percent of the city’s residents are Black. But Sadow says Tarver has a lot of detractors…

Cut 4 (10)  “…to many enemies” 

Arceneaux received 56 percent of the vote.

The LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office is offering a $5,000 reward to try to solve a murder that happened two years ago in Jena. Detective Brant King says on October 23^rd, 2020, deputies found Leon Turner dead of an apparent gunshot wound.

Cut 12 (07) “…black pants” 

King says they need the public’s help so they can bring some closure to the victim’s family.

The average price of a gallon of regular gas in the Bayou State today is $2.84. That’s quite a drop compared to this time six months when the state recorded its highest average at $4.56 a gallon. Triple A spokesperson Nick Chabbari says today’s average is down about 45 cents from a month ago.

Cut 9 (09) “… this year.” 

He credits market stability and crude oil prices for the continued drop in prices at the pump.

In the Shreveport Mayoral race, Tom Arceneaux defeated Democrat Greg Tarver in Saturday’s run-off election. Arceneaux received 56-percent of the vote to Tarver’s 44-percent. LSU Shreveport political science professor Jeffrey Sadow says Arceneaux did a better job in getting his base to the polls…

Cut 3 (06) “…ten points better” 

Arceneaux is an attorney and former Shreveport councilman. Tarver will remain a state senator representing a portion of Caddo Parish.

Flu cases are at the highest level in five years in Louisiana and COVID cases are on the uptick. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says getting your flu shot and booster now will give your body time to bolster immunity before the height of gatherings…:

Cut 6 (12)  “…holidays.” 

As Florida’s legislature begins a special session to address the state’s property insurance crisis, thousands of Louisiana property owners are forced to find new private insurance carriers as many companies are either folding or no longer writing policies in Louisiana. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says a possible solution is an incentive program, similar to the one used after Katrina and Rita, which led to new private insurance companies in Louisiana…:

Cut 10 (06) “…last resort.” 

United Property & Casualty just became the 10^th company to exit Louisiana.

Nicholls State Biosciences Associate Professor Chris Bonvillain is conducting research on crawfish and how they survive in waters with low-oxygen levels. He says it appears they are maturing smaller in size, and he believes stress poor water quality can reduce number of eggs found in crawfish…

Cut 9 (05)  “…as well.”

Thirty-year-old Davante Lewis unseated three-term Public Service Commissioner Lambert Boissiere Saturday for the Third District. Lewis is the first openly LGBTQ person to win elective office in Louisiana, but he doesn’t think it was a factor in the race.

Cut 13 (13) “…affect them.”

After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the state experienced a mass exodus of property insurers, and the past two seasons have caused at least 10 companies to leave. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says back then they offered $30 million in incentives to entice companies and he’s hopeful it will work again.

Cut 12 (09) “…in Citizens today.”

Donelon says they are waiting to hear how much money the Revenue Estimating Conference says is available for incentives.

Louisiana is seeing Covid cases rise, and the worst flu season in 5 years. Michelle Southern reports now is the time to get updated on vaccines before the holidays…:

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern.”

All three of the constitutional amendments on the December 10^th ballot passed. They were overwhelmingly approved with more than 70 percent of the vote. Amendment One prohibits noncitizens from voting even though it’s already illegal in the state. According to the Secretary of State’s office says unofficial voter turnout 14 percent.