Today is considered the biggest day of the year for the US Postal Service. Twana Barber with USPS says there is about 10% more mail moving this holiday season and the projection is for 15 billion total pieces to be sent and delivered between Thanksgiving and New Years Day. She says this week will be busiest week of the year…:
CUT 25 (10) “busiest week”
She says if you are sending something through first class mail, you have until tomorrow to send it to make sure it arrives for Christmas.

A win is a win, but it wasn’t pretty yesterday when the Saints beat the Jets 31-19. New Orleans scored on their first three possessions, but didn’t score just 14 points the rest of the way, Quarterback Drew Brees on the struggles on offense after a quick start…:
Cut 16 (08) “to it”
The Saints will now focus on the huge home game against the Falcons on Christmas Eve.

The environmental group, Louisiana Bucket Brigade, is protesting a proposed 162-mile gas pipeline in south Louisiana…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

State Representative Chris Broadwater of Hammond has resigned his position in state government. Broadwater, a republican was elected in 2011 and his final term was set to be in 2020. He says he wants to focus more on his family and law practice.

Governor John Bel Edwards is slated to speak at this hour to provide an update on the state’s looming fiscal cliff. The state is facing more than a $1 billion dollar shortfall for the year that starts July 1st.

LaPolitics.com is reporting that Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater has resigned from the state House to spend more time with his family and focus on his law practice. This means the Legislature will now have a 10th special election this term.

Penn National Gaming has announced the company will acquire Pinnacle Entertainment in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $2.8 billion. Pinnacle owns L’Auberge Casino Resorts in Lake Charles and Baton Rouge.

The Louisiana Bucket Brigade is opposing the Bayou Bridge Pipeline which is only a couple of permits away from being built by Energy Partners. The environmental group’s Director is Anne Rolfes. She says Energy Transfer Partners has a long history of damaging the environment and shouldn’t be allowed in Louisiana…:
Cut 12 (12) “rouge company”
Energy Transfer Partners says they will restore any wetlands that are damaged by the construction of the pipeline.

An LSU Ag Center researcher believes he’s made a breakthrough when it comes to combating chronic wasting disease, mad cow disease and one which is found in some Alzheimer’s patients. Dr. Frank Bastian says he’s developed a way to grow these bacteria’s which will make it possibly to test and vaccinate against. He says this is important for hunters who have no idea if a deer is ill with chronic wasting disease…:
Cut 9 (06) “consume it”

A college prep school in St. Martin Parish produces another video of a student learning he’s been accepted to an Ivy League School…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The environmental group, the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, plans on putting their bodies in the way of a proposed pipeline that would stretch across south Louisiana. Director Anne Rolfes says the 162-mile long Bayou Bridge Pipeline would run between Lake Charles and St. James…:
Cut 11 (10) “these pipelines”
Energy Transfer Partners only needs a couple of permits before they can start construction on the pipeline.

According to the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, the number of doctors who have applied for permits to dispense medical marijuana is now up to 6. The AP gathered this information via a public records request. They learned three applications have been approved, none denied and the rest pending. LSU, one of two schools allowed to grow medical marijuana, estimates its product will be available by the summer.

It wasn’t pretty, but the Saints pulled off a 31-19 win over the New York Jets on Sunday. Mark Ingram rushed for two touchdowns and had 151 yards from scrimmage. Second-year wide receiver Michael Thomas also had a big game with 9 catches for 93 yards and a touchdown. But Coach Sean Payton was not happy with the rest of his offense…:
Cut 13 (08) “better competition”
Now the Saints will focus on the Falcons game on Christmas Eve.

The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office is examining cold cases in the parish, and are looking for answers in the 1980 death of 15-year-old Mary Darlene Howard. Sheriff Sam Craft says his department is working with the crime lab in Lake Charles to help crack Howard’s case…:
Cut 6 (09) “technology”
The sheriff’s office is also attempting to locate family members of Mary Darlene Howard.

The environmental group Bucket Brigade says they plan a peaceful protest of a planned gas pipeline in south Louisiana…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Power has been restored after an outage at the Atlanta Airport grounded hundreds of flights yesterday and today, affecting many Louisiana residents who are traveling. A tweet early Monday from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport said the security lines are open. Delta was the hardest hit airline and they urge travelers to use its mobile app for booking assistance and updated flight status.

The LSU AgCenter says it’s made a breakthrough in research on chronic wasting disease, mad cow disease and a disorder called C-J-D that leads to dementia. Dr. Frank Bastian says C-J-D develops in persons between 40 and 80 years old, and ninety percent of those infected die with a few weeks to a year…:
Cut 8 (08) “year disease”
He says they’ve developed a way to grow the bacteria that causes these fatal diseases which will make it possible to develop tests and vaccines.

The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for help finding Mary Darlene Howard’s killer, 37 years later. Sheriff Sam Craft says 15-year-old Howard was found dead April 27th, 1980 in the woods in Leesville close to Fort Polk, and the cold case has been reopened.
Cut 4 (11) “come in”
He says in the coming months, they will also reopen other cold cases in Vernon Parish.

The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office has reopened a 1980 cold case where 15-year-old Mary Darlene Howard was found murdered in Leesville…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The first meeting of Governor Edward’s Task Force to study Louisiana’s sexual harassment policies is scheduled for today. The seven member panel is tasked with reviewing current harassment and discrimination policies within every state agency that falls under the executive branch.

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is reminding those affected by the August 2016 floods, the deadline to submit the proof of loss form is December 1st.

An LSU Ag Center researcher believes he’s made a breakthrough when it comes to combating chronic wasting disease, mad cow disease and C-J-D, which is found in one-eighth of Alzheimer’s patients. Dr. Frank Bastain has developed a way to grow a bacteria that causes these diseases which makes it possible to develop tests and vaccines for them..:
Cut 7 (10) “and animals”
Bastain says he hopes to begin working on a vaccine that could potentially cure the disease, especially in humans suffering from C-J-D.

A win is a win, but it wasn’t pretty yesterday when the Saints beat the Jets 31-19. New Orleans scored on their first three possessions, but didn’t score just 14 points the rest of the way, Quarterback Drew Brees on the struggles on offense after a quick start…:
Cut 16 (08) “to it”
The Saints will now focus on the huge home game against the Falcons on Christmas Eve.

The Louisiana Bucket Brigade plans to put their bodies in the way of a proposed pipeline that would stretch across south Louisiana. Energy Transfer Partners only needs a couple of permits before they can start construction on the Bayou Bridge Pipeline. Bucket Brigade Director Anne Rolfes says they will resist non-violently…:
Cut 10 (11) “own hands”
Governor Edwards hasn’t given any indication he will stop the construction.

Anyone trying to leave Louisiana on a flight to Atlanta, or catch a connecting flight on their home on Sunday likely saw their flight cancelled by early afternoon after Hartsfield-Jackson experienced a sudden power outage. Electricity is now fully restored, but the massive outage will continue to affect Monday flights. Atlanta airport officials said Sunday night the blackout was the result of a rare electrical fire in an underground Georgia Power substation.

A college prep school in St. Martin Parish produces another video of a student learning he’s been accepted to an Ivy League School…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

It wasn’t the Saints best game, but New Orleans still pulled off a 31-19 victory over the New York Jets. Quarterback Drew Brees threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw an interception and said he’s not happy about the team’s three turnovers…:
Cut 15 (13) “distance our self”
New Orleans remains in a tie for first place in the NFC South.

Flu cases in the Deep South are on the rise with the highest numbers in Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office says they found a man dead inside his vehicle in a cow pasture near Zwolle.  34-year-old Adam Lloyd Jeter was found with several gunshot wounds.  Police don’t have a suspect in custody and the investigation continues…

Questions remain surrounding the death of two people found in a St. Landry Parish lake this week.  Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says the initial autopsy finds that 21-year-old Lia Ali Kazan of Shreveport and 30-year-old Anthony Michael Murray of Rapides Parish drowned in Lake Dubbusion. Kazan was reported missing while visiting friends in Alexandria.  Guidroz says the investigation continues and they are waiting for the toxicology reports…

Cut 11 (06) “six weeks.”

Former Governor Kathleen Blanco spoke at the 2017 commencement of her alma mater, UL-Lafayette, Friday morning. Earlier this week, Blanco announced a rare form of eye cancer she faced six years ago had returned and spread to her liver. She addressed her diagnoses as she spoke to UL-Lafayette grads.:

Cut 15 (08) “but I’m hoping not”

U.S. Senator John Kennedy is making headlines for his questioning of a President Donald Trump judgeship nominee. In the viral video Kennedy asks Matthew Spencer Peterson about his experience with certain laws that would be necessary to understand if granted the position of federal judge…

Cut 7 (11)  “my disposal”

Kennedy says it was never his intention to bring this kind of attention to the situation but it’s his job to ask tough questions of those who could serve as a federal judge.

The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office says they found a man dead inside his vehicle in a cow pasture near Zwolle.  34-year-old Adam Lloyd Jeter was found with several gunshot wounds.  Police don’t have a suspect in custody and the investigation continues.

When speaking at UL-Lafayette’s graduation ceremony Friday, former Governor Kathleen Blanco spoke about her battle against liver cancer. She said even though there are no known treatments to cure the type of melanoma she has, her hope remains alive…

Cut 16 (09) “in God’s hands”

It was Blanco’s first public appearance since announcing that her eye cancer had spread to her liver.

The NFL has fined Saints head coach Sean Payton for 10-thousand dollars for improperly entering the field during last week’s loss to Atlanta. Payton was hit with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty late in the game and Payton said afterwards he was trying to call a timeout. New Orleans can get back in the win column when they host the New York Jets on Sunday.  Kickoff is set for 12noon on CBS.

The flu season is ramping up in the Deep South with the highest number of cases in Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina.  The State Health Department’s Dr. Frank Welch says Louisiana has already hit the CDCs highest criteria of widespread for flu activity. The Influenza A strain can make people extremely sick and can even be fatal…

Cut 13 (08)  “taken lightly”

Vaccines are only 30 percent effective against this particular strain…

The deadline to sign up for health care through the Affordable Care Act has come and gone.   Persons need to have health insurance in place for 2018 or pay a penalty.  The State Director of Navigators for a Healthy Louisiana Brian Burton says premiums increased for this year, but the government has helped with more subsides, making it more affordable in the long run…

Cut 3 (07) “buying power.”

A Governor’s Task Force to study the state’s sexual harassment policies was chosen Friday.  The seven member panel was created Friday will look at current polices into all state agencies which are under the direction of the Executive Branch.   Their first meeting is Monday.  They are required to report back to Governor John Bel Edwards with recommendations no later than March 1^st.  Their goal is to make sexual harassment policies the same across all offices…

Questions remain surrounding the death of two people found in a St. Landry Parish lake this week.  Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says the initial autopsy finds that 21-year-old Lia Ali Kazan of Shreveport and 30-year-old Anthony Michael Murray of Rapides Parish drowned in Lake Dubuisson.  Guidroz says they know that Murray kidnapped Kazan in a parking lot of an Alexandria motel and her vehicle ended up in the lake…

Cut 10 (06) “don’t know.”

Flu cases in the Deep South are on the rise with the highest numbers in Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office says they found a man dead inside his vehicle in a cow pasture near Zwolle.  34-year-old Adam Lloyd Jeter was found with several gunshot wounds.  Police don’t have a suspect in custody and the investigation continues…

U.S. Senator John Kennedy is making headlines for his questioning of a President Donald Trump judgeship nominee. In the viral video, Matthew Spencer Peterson struggles to answer Kennedy’s legal questions while before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Here’s a snippet…

Cut 6 (09)  “okay”

Kennedy blames President’s Trump’s advisers for allowing Peterson to be nominated…

Former Governor Kathleen Blanco spoke at the 2017 commencement of her alma mater, UL-Lafayette, Friday morning. Earlier this week, Blanco announced a rare form of eye cancer she faced six years ago had returned and spread to her liver. She addressed her diagnoses as she spoke to UL-Lafayette grads.:

Cut 15 (08) “but I’m hoping not”

The 74-year-old served as governor from 2004 to 2008…