Republican Senator John Kennedy announces he will not run against Governor John Bel Edwards in 2019. Kennedy released a statement in which he says he loves being in the United States Senate. Kennedy says he’ll continue to work every day in D-C and Louisiana for jobs, economic growth, and cheaper health insurance. He hopes someone runs for governor that understands state government should not big, wasteful, sometimes corrupt and spends money like it was ditchwater.

CDC data indicates drug overdose deaths rose 12% in Louisiana from 2016 to 2017. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Voicer 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A Fort Polk interior designer and military spouse Amy Hirata joined 150 other volunteers to help decorate the White House. Hirata says the decorations are a traditional theme, with reds, golds and greens. She says each room in the White House was decorated to highlight some of the best aspects of American life…
cut 5 (12) “….our country”
She says she’s particularly proud of her work on the library room, which featured her large green plaid and red velvet ribbons.

LSU will play UCF in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona, on New Year’s Day. The Knights have won 25 in a row and Coach Ed Orgeron says the Fiesta is the bowl his team was hoping for…
cut 15 (09) “…ready to play’
Kick-off will be at noon central time.

We can expect an announcement today from Republican Senator John Kennedy on whether he’ll challenge Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards in the 2019 governor’s race. Baton Rouge Republican businessman Eddie Rispone is the lone announced challenger and La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says campaign spending should easily top 20-million dollars…
cut 8 (10) “…election cycle”

For the first time in the 125-year history of LSU Football, the Tigers will play in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona on New Year’s Day and they’ll face UCF, who has won 25 in a row. Coach Ed Orgeron says his team deserved to play in a New Year’s Six Bowl game
Cut 13 (11) “…well deserved.”
The Tigers will be without star cornerback Greedy Williams, who has announced he’s turning pro.

A White House Report on global climate change says weather events like the 2016 south Louisiana flood will become more likely in the future due the changing climate. The report goes on to say the Earth’s climate is changing faster than at any point in the history of modern civilization, primarily as a result of human activities.

A Fort Polk interior designer and military spouse joined 150 other volunteers in decorating the White House for Christmas. Amy Hirata was one of the seven-thousand applicants . Hirata says her team was put to work getting ornaments ready to hang.
Cut 4 (10) “ornaments″
She says the design was created in part by the First Lady, and she describes it as a traditional Christmas theme full of reds, golds, and greens and each room highlights some of the best aspects of American life.

Senator John Kennedy is expected to make his decision today on whether he’ll run for governor in 2019. Baton Rouge Republican businessman Eddie Rispone is currently the only announced challenger to Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford expects Kennedy to jump in.
Cut 7 (08) “…an announcement.”
Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham might also get in the race.

CDC data finds that Louisiana had a 12-percent increase in drug overdose deaths in 2017. But President and C-E-O of the Trust for America’s Health, John Auerbach, says we have seen methods that show promise in reversing the trend…
cut 12 (10) “…done in Louisiana”
Drug overdose death rates were lower in eight states.

LSU is headed to the Fiesta Bowl where they’ll play undefeated UCF on New Year’s Day at noon central time. Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron says he’s impressed with the Knights 25-game winning streak…
cut 14 (11) “…how to win”
It’s the Tigers first ever appearance in the Fiesta Bowl.

A Fort Polk interior designer and military spouse helped decorate the White House for Christmas. Matt Doyle has more.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Today we find out whether or not Senator John Kennedy will jump into the 2019 governor’s race…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

LSU will play UCF in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona, on New Year’s Day. The Knights have won 25 in a row and Coach Ed Orgeron says the Fiesta is the bowl his team was hoping for…
cut 15 (09) “…ready to play’
Kick-off will be at noon central time.

New CDC data indicates drug overdose deaths rose 12% in Louisiana from 2016 to 2017. President and CEO of Trust for America’s Health John Auerbach says this marks the first time that more than 1,000 people died in a single year from overdoses in Louisiana.
Cut 10 (10) “…the woods yet.”
Overdose deaths have contributed to the life expectancy rate declining for three straight years in the United States, a pattern not seen in 100 years.

A federal judge from Lake Charles who battled alcoholism was found dead in her home over the weekend. Calcasieu Coroner Doctor Terry Welke says Judge Patricia Minaldi’s death appears to be the result of natural causes. Minaldi served as a federal judge from 2003 to July 2017, when she went on disability retirement for treatment of severe alcoholism.

It was announced last night that the 41^st President of the United States, George H.W. Bush has died.  It was in New Orleans that his road to the White House became official when he accepted the nomination at the GOP National Convention at the Superdome in 1988.  It was during his acceptance speech, he uttered words, “read my lips” in his now-famous speech.  While his son George W. Bush was criticized for his response to Hurricane Katrina, the elder Bush was applauded for his efforts in establishing the Bush-Clinton Katrina fund, which he formed with Former President Bill Clinton that donated millions to local schools, libraries, and non-profits.  Bush was preceded in death by his wife Barbara, who passed away earlier this year. George H.W. Bush was 94 years old.

Governor John Bel Edwards is meeting with Governors-elect from several states today to highlight results of Medicaid expansion in Louisiana today.  Edwards will tour a New Orleans health center as well as meet with patients who have gained access to health care under the expansion.   The governors-elect will take the information back to their states as they work on health care issues upon taking office in January.

A 23-year-old North Shreveport woman was seriously injured from a gunshot wound she received in the back.  Her two-year-old child is believed to have accidentally discharged the unsecured weapon.  The investigation is ongoing.

A federal judge has ordered $34.8 million in restitution from the owner of Explo Systems, a military contractor hired to demilitarize artillery charges at Camp Minden in Webster Parish, in a case stemming from a huge munitions blast in 2012 due to illegal dumping of the materials.  US Attorney David Joseph says it was a difficult case to clean up.

Cut 6 (12) “…at Camp Minden.”

Holiday traditions and events around the Bayou State are becoming quite the draw for visitors.  Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says Louisiana is more often becoming the place where families congregate for the holiday festivities.

Cut 13 (11) “…all over Louisiana.”

A Louisiana school that produced viral videos showing its students receiving acceptance letters to prestigious universities is now accused of falsifying transcripts. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Former US President George HW Bush has passed away.  The news came late last night.  He served in the nation’s highest office from 1989 until 1993.  It was at the Louisiana Superdome where Bush was officially nominated to the Republican ticket in August 1988.  It was in New Orleans that he also announced Dan Quayle as his running mate.  He is preceded in death by his wife Barbara, who passed away earlier this year.  George HW Bush was 94.

Holiday traditions and events around the Bayou State are becoming quite the draw for visitors.  Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says, it’s a great time to take the family around the state to take in some of the great celebrations.

Cut 12 (11)   “…parade on Saturday.”

A federal judge has ordered $34.8 million in restitution from the owner of Explo Systems, a military contractor hired to demilitarize artillery charges at Camp Minden in Webster Parish, in a case stemming from a huge munitions blast in 2012 due to illegal dumping of the materials.  In addition to the restitution, five people are heading to the clink with sentences between 2-5 years.  US Attorney David Joseph says he’s happy with the outcome.

Cut 7 (07) “…was done here.”

A Koch brother’s backed conservative advocacy group will begin airing anti-gas tax ads on social media and at gas station video screens across the state this weekend ahead of next year’s legislative session that may include a push to raise the tax to pay for road projects. Americans for Prosperity State Director John Kay says gas taxes hurt everyday Louisianans most.

Cut 10 (07)   “…Louisiana”

Last year infrastructure advocates attempted to pass a 17 cent gas tax that would have raised half a billion dollars a year.

Former US President George HW Bush has passed away.  The news came late last night.  He served in the nation’s highest office from 1989 until 1993.  It was at the Louisiana Superdome where Bush was officially nominated to the Republican ticket in August 1988.  He is preceded in death by his wife Barbara, who passed away earlier this year.  George HW Bush was 94.

A federal judge has ordered $34.8 million in restitution from the owner of Explo Systems, a military contractor hired to demilitarize artillery charges at Camp Minden in Webster Parish, in a case stemming from a huge munitions blast in 2012 due to illegal dumping of the materials.  US Attorney David Joseph says the state has already been reimbursed for the cost it incurred from the case, so the restitution would be going toward the military.

Cut 8 (03) “…is currently due.”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says you should check out the  Nachitoches Chrismas Festival, which is in its 92^nd year in 2018, as the one of the state’s staple Christmas celebrations, and a great family friendly experience.

Cut 14 (11) “…lights and celebration.”

The nine matchups are set for next week’s state football championships. The game of the night last night was in Destrehan as the Class 5A defending champion Zachary Broncos outlasted the Wildcats 67-57. Zachary will play top seeded West Monroe as the Rebels blanked John Ehret 28-0. West Monroe has not allowed a point in the postseason.

In Four-A, top seeded Karr defeated Neville 25-13 and the Cougars will face Warren Easton who crushed Leesville 54-14. In Three-A, fourth seeded Sterlington upended Iota (Eye-oh-tuh) 21-12, while Eunice (U-niss) blanked Kaplan 19-0.
In Two-A….second-seeded Amite beat Ferriday 44-20 and the Warriors will go up against defending champ Welsh, who beat top seeded Many (Man-ee) 28-21

And finally in One-A, top seeded Oak Grove blanked West St. John 30-0 and the Tigers will face Kentwood, who beat Haynesville 20-14.

________________________________________________________

No LSU game today, but three teams from Louisiana are in action. At 11 AM its the first ever Sun Belt Championship game as the Ragin Cajuns face Appalachian State. A win for UL Lafayette and they’ll go back to the New Orleans Bowl for the sixth time in eight years, a loss willl send the Cajuns to Orlando for the AutoNation Cure Bowl.

Southern brings a five-game winning streak into the SWAC title game and the Jaguars will face Alcorn State.

And in the FCS playoffs, Nichollls will battle third seeded Eastern Washington at 4 PM. The Eagles are very good at running the football, while the Colonels defend the run very well.

LSU finds out its bowl destination tomorrow. Fiesta, Peach and Outback Bowl are the most likely options.

Saints fans will be Lion fans tomorrow as they’ll be rooting for Detroit to beat the Los Angles Rams, so that the Black and Gold can move to the top spot in the NFC Standings. New Orleans will visit Tampa Bay next weekend.

In the NBA, the Pelicans fell behind by 31 points to Miami and lost to the Heat 106-101.

A Koch brother’s backed conservative advocacy group will begin airing anti-gas tax ads on social media and at gas station video screens across the state this weekend ahead of next year’s legislative session that may include a push to raise the tax to pay for road projects. Americans for Prosperity State Director John Kay says gas taxes hurt everyday Louisianans most.

Cut 10 (07)   “…Louisiana”

Last year infrastructure advocates attempted to pass a 17 cent gas tax that would have raised half a billion dollars a year.

The Saints win streak ends in disapointing fashion in prime time against the Cowboys in a 13-10 loss. It’s the second Texas based game in a row to feature iffy calls against Louisiana teams, including a targeting call in the 4th, but Coach Sean Peyton isn’t sweating it.

Cut 5 (11)  “…do enough” 

A federal judge has ordered $34.8 million in restitution from the owner of Explo Systems, a military contractor hired to demilitarize artillery charges at Camp Minden in Webster Parish, in a case stemming from a huge munitions blast in 2012 due to illegal dumping of the materials.  US Attorney David Joseph says the state has already been reimbursed for the cost it incurred from the case, so the restitution would be going toward the military.

Cut 8 (03) “…is currently due.”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says you should check out the  Nachitoches Chrismas Festival, which is in its 92^nd year in 2018, as the one of the state’s staple Christmas celebrations, and a great family friendly experience.

Cut 14 (11) “…lights and celebration.”

Other events this weekend include Christmas in the Park in Bogalusa, Winter Fete in Alexandria, there’s a Christmas Parade in Jeanerette on Sunday and there’s the always popular Celebration in the Oaks in New Orleans.

Americans for Prosperity launches an anti-gas tax campaign on Saturday with ads on social media and gas station video screens…
Cut 2 (30) “Im Matt Doyle”

Shreveport Police are looking for one or more people who fired gunshots at a five-year-old boy and a man and a woman who arrived at a location to sell a puppy. Authorities say the child was shot once, while the adults were shot multiple times. The gunshot wounds to the three individuals are not considered life threatening. A motive for the shooting has not been established. The puppy was not hit by gunfire.

It was a really frustrating night for the Black and Gold as the Saints were held to 176 yards of total offense in a 13-10 loss to Dallas. Quarterback Drew Brees threw for just 39 yards in the first half and ended up with 127 yards passing. Coach Sean Payton says not enough success on first down, led to a long night…
cut 4 (10) “…in this game”
The loss ends the Saints 10-game winning streak and they drop to second place in the NFC as the Rams now own the best record in the league.

With no Saints or LSU game this weekend, it’s an excellent opportunity for Louisiana residents to check out one of the many weekend holiday festivals that are planned. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says these festivals are helping to attract out of state visitors, especially those who have loved ones in the Bayou State….
cut 13 (11) “…over Louisiana”
The Natchitoches Christmas Festival begins tomorrow, there’s also winter fete in Alexandria and Christmas in the Park in Bogalusa.