As Governor John Bel Edwards’ administration investigates misconduct claims against former top aide Johnny Anderson, a state lawmaker wants leaders to review Louisiana’s sexual harassment policies. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt is asking the Legislative Auditor to conduct a performance audit, amid nationwide allegations of suggestive improprieties…:
Cut 6 (06) “strengthen them”
Governor Edwards chief of staff says previous investigations involving Anderson did not conclude any wrongdoing.

The 2017 Hurricane Season comes to an end today and it will go down as one of the most active ever. State Climatologist Barry Keim says many records going back 167 years were like this one…:
Cut 13 (11) “since 1851”

The Governor’s Office is hosting a series of human trafficking summits with the goal of highlighting information regarding existing services, protocols and community response to victims. Director of the Administration’s Children’s Cabinet Dr. Dana Hunter says they want to make sure agencies on all levels have resources to tackle this problem…:
Cut 10 (10) “trafficking victims”
She says these events are funded by AMBER Alert.

State Police is alerting the public about fraudulent LSP solicitation phone calls. Troopers say the impersonators contact the phones of potential victims by using a call that appears to be originating from Troop A. The caller is pretending to be law enforcement and attempting to gain personal information. Never give unsolicited callers any personal information.

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt  is asking for a review of sexual harassment policies in light of Johnny Anderson’s recent resignation from Governor Edwards office amid sexual misconduct allegations.  Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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The city of Alexandria’s Christmas festival starts tonight as Alex Winter Fete kicks off. Jeff Palermo reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The 2017 hurricane season comes to an end today and it will go down as one of the most active seasons we have seen.   Emilie Gunn has more.

Cut 3  (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”  

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Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt is asking the state auditor to review the state’s sexual harassment policies, including the hiring of Johnny Anderson. The governor’s former aide resigned last week amid accusations of sexual harassment.  Hewitt says she wonders why Governor Edwards hired him in the first place…

Cut 4  (12) “out there.”

Anderson was previously accused of harassment in 2007 when he was the chairman of the Southern University Board of Supervisors.  Governor Edwards chief of staff Mark Cooper says previous investigations involving Anderson did not conclude any wrongdoing. But Hewitt says the Governor didn’t seem too concerned…

Cut 5  (09)  “the governor.”

Hewitt says with all the recent sexual misconduct allegations in government and entertainment, it’s a good time to make sure there are policies in place to keep sexual harassment at bay.  That is why she is asking Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera to conduct a full performance audit…

Cut 6 (06) “strengthen them.” 

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The city of Alexandria’s Christmas festival starts tonight as Alex Winter Fete kicks off with downtown being illuminated with Christmas lights. Community Services Director for Alexandria, Robert Weeks, says the festival runs through Saturday night and visitors will enjoy live music, food, an Indie Village — and everyone’s favorite; ice-skating.:

Cut 7 (09)  “excited about that”

Weeks says one of the newest, biggest attractions that they have at the festival this year is real snow that will be on the ground. Alex Winter Fete was named the 2016 Festival of the Year by the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association, and Weeks credits the people of Alexandria…:

Cut 8 (10) “deliver that”

Weeks also says new to Alex Winter Fete this year is Snowkus Pocus, a live acrobatic production performed by the boutique circus Troupe Cirque-tacular tonight. The weather is forecast to be perfect this weekend, and Weeks says while they wish it was a little bit cooler…:

Cut 9 (10)  “dry in Louisiana”

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The Governor’s Office is hosting a series of human trafficking summits and one of them is today in Alexandria. The goal is to highlight information regarding existing services, protocols and community response to human trafficking victims. Director of the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet Dr. Dana Hunter says they want to make sure different local and state agencies have the resources to tackle this problem.

Cut 10 (10)  “trafficking victims”

The next summit will be held in Shreveport on December 13^th. Hunter says these events are funded by AMBER Alert. She hopes research collected from these summits will assist law enforcement and improve policy.

Cut 11 (11) “this issue”

Officials in many different state departments will speak on human trafficking. Hunter encourages any type of service provider, business owners, and even foster parents to attend the summits. She says this is an opportunity for anyone who comes in contact with trafficking victims to share information.

Cut 12 (11) “the community”

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The 2017 hurricane comes to an end today and it will go down as one of the most active seasons we have seen.  Hurricanes Nate and Tropical Storms Cindy and Harvey made landfall in Louisiana this year.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says overall, many records going back 167 years were tied…

Cut 13 (11) “since 1851.”

Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria made huge impacts on the U.S. and Puerto Rico this year.  Keim says the U.S. mainland had escaped devastating impacts for quite a while…

Cut 14 (11) “Hurricane Harvey.”

Keim says the 17 named storms are the most we’ve seen since 2005 and there are a couple of factors on why the tropics were active…

Cut 15 (11) “the storms.”

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La Tech is 6 and 6 and waiting for a bowl game invite. 79 Division One programs are bowl eligible for only 78 spots. Three of the Bulldogs’ losses were by one point and they lost in overtime to Southern Miss. Athletic Director Tommy McClelland hopes their strength of schedule gives them an edge over the other .500 teams…

Cut 16  (18)  “remarkable feat.”

The big question is which bowl game?  McClelland says they could play in Louisiana, but will be happy to play anywhere…

Cut 17  (14)  “and challenge.”

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LSU reportedly had in-home visit with the state’s top high school football prospect, Parkway wide receiver Terrace Marshall. The five-star recruit also visited campus this past weekend. Billy Embody with Geaux 24-7 sports says the Tigers are in a good position to sign Marshall

Cut 18 (14) “early signing period” 

Texas A-and-M and Florida State are also in hot pursuit of Marshall. Embody says LSU also continues to recruit Rummel wide receiver JaMarr Chase, who is leaning towards TCU, but the Tigers have a good relationship with him

Cut 19 (18)      in January”

The top defensive back in the state is uncommitted with the new early signing period for college football fast approaching. This year recruits can sign on December 20th. Embody believes Scotlandville’s Kelvin Joseph will stay in town to play at LSU, especially since his good friend will play basketball for the Tigers

cut 20 (12)  he signed” 

A Denham Springs woman has been arrested for filing a false police report after she allegedly told authorities she was raped by a Livingston Parish deputy.  State Police say 38-year-old Sherri Penton and the unidentified deputy met on a social dating website in mid-October. After DNA tests cleared the deputy of any wrongdoing, Penton was arrested and charged.  State Trooper Bryan Lee says when a law officer is accused, they seriously take any allegations cast against them…

Cut 5  (08)  “them seriously.’”

The North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un ordered the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile yesterday that landed in the Sea of Japan. Retired U.S. Army Lt. General Russel Honore predicts North Korea has about 12 nuclear warheads and the U.S. has about 3,900. He says Kim Jong Un’s army is there to control his people.

Cut 10 (09) “ground warfare”

Matt Lauer of the Today Show is yet another to be accused of sexual harassment. Emelie Gunn has more on why victims are now being taken seriously….

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Police have released the name of a person found dead in East Feliciana Parish.  41-year-old Kimberly Howe’s death has been determined as suspicious.  Her body was found on Sunday.  Sheriff Jeff Travis says she is not from East Feliciana Parish, but the incident remains under investigation.

A Denham Springs woman has been arrested amid allegations she filed a false rape report against a Livingston Parish Sheriff’s deputy. State Police Senior Trooper Bryan Lee says 38-year-old Sherri Penton and the officer met on online and hooked up in mid-October…:
Cut 3 (13) “in Walker”
And Lee says evidence shows the sexual encounter was consensual.

North Korea has resumed its testing of powerful weapons that could be used against the U-S. The U-N Security council held emergency meeting this afternoon. Retired U-S Army Lt General Russell Honore says South Korea and Japan are concerned, but other countries in the region are not….
cut 11 (10) “…do that”
Honore is confident that if North Korea chooses to go to war, they’ll lose.

NBC’s Matt Lauer is yet another to be accused of sexual harassment. Emelie Gunn on why victims are now being taken seriously….
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

State Police is alerting the public about fraudulent LSP solicitation phone calls. Troopers say the impersonators contact the phones of potential victims by using a call that appears to be originating from Troop A. The caller is pretending to be law enforcement and attempting to gain personal information. Never give unsolicited callers any personal information.

NBC Host Matt Lauer is another prominent name who has been fired amid allegations of sexual misconduct. LSU Health New Orleans Assistant Professor of Psychiatry Michelle Many says after seeing so many well-known names accused of sexual harassment, victims are feeling more confident coming forward and supervisors are listening instead of dismissing the claims…
cut 12 (11) “…the past”

Radar indicates scattered showers in south Louisiana today. But state climatologist Barry Keim says north Louisiana could really use some rain….
cut 7 (11) “…of drought”
Keim says Louisiana can expect a dry winter because of a La Nina weather pattern.

North Korea launched a ballistic missile yesterday that landed in the Sea of Japan. Retired U.S. Army Lt. General Russel Honore says the 33-year-old leader of North Korea is ordering these strikes to act like he has a seat at the table with powerful countries like the U.S. But he says if Kim Jong Un tries to go to war with us, he will lose.
cut 9 (11) “…North Korea”

State Police say a Denham Springs woman is under arrest for allegedly filing a false rape complaint against a Livingston Parish Sheriff’s deputy. They believe 38-year-old Sherri Penton had consensual relations with a deputy, but the suspect went to a hospital and said she had been raped. Senior Trooper Bryan Lee.:
Cut 4 (10) ” not occur”
Penton is charged with with filing a false complaint against law enforcement and criminal mischief.

Matt Lauer of the Today Show is now another prominant figure to be fired after being accused of sexual harassment. LSU Health New Orleans Assistant Professor of Psychiatry Michelle Many believes the general consciousness of sexual harassment has been raised over the last 10 years allowing for more victims to be taken seriously. She says it’s time for employers to take another look at this issue.
Cut 14 (11) “go down.”

The current La Nina pattern is to blame for the recent aird conditions in Louisiana. An updated three month forecase from the Climate Prediction center is due tomorrow and State Climatologist Barry Keim says he expects more of the same. He says this strong La Nina will keep moisture from coming south.
Cut 8 (11) “midwest.

A Denham Springs woman has been arrested for filing a false police report accusing a Livingston Parish deputy of raping her. State Police says 38-year-old Sherri Penton met the law enforcement office on a dating webite. Trooper Brian Lee says DNA tests cleared the deputy of any wrongdoing but when a law officer is accused, they take those allegations very seriously.
Cut 5 (08) “them seriously”
Penton is charged with filing a false complaint against law enforcement.

A Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s deputy was involved in a shooting after responding to a burglary. Authorities say 45-year-old David Rozas broke into the home of his estranged wife and refused to put a gun down when police arrived. Rozas raised the gun toward the deputy and the deputy fired. Rozas began firing back at the deputy, causing the deputy to continue to fire, hitting Rozas several times. Rozas was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. He faces multiple charges including attempted first degree murder of a police officer.

State senator Sharon Hewitt of Slidell is calling on Louisiana Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera to review the state’s sexual harassment policies and she also wants an investigation into the hiring of Johnny anderson. Anderson is a former aide to Governor Edwards, who resigned last week after sexual harassment allegations surfaced. Hewitt is seeking recommenations on how the state can strengthen it’s policies, procedures and laws pertaining to sexual harassment.

Television journalist Matt Lauer is the latest well-known name to lose his job for sexual misconduct. Why are we seeing so many accusations occurring and leading to the dismissal of some high-profile people? Michelle Many with LSU Health New Orleans in the past these claims were not always taken seriously, but times have changed…
cut 13 (10) “…very encouraging”
North Korea has resumed its testing of powerful weapons that could be used against the United States. The U-N Security council scheduled an emergency meeting this afternoon. Retired U-S Army Lt General Russell Honore says South Korea and Japan are very concerned about North Korea, but other countries in the region are not….
cut 11 (10) “…do that”
But Honore is confident that if North Korea chooses to go to war, they’ll lose.

Some areas of south Louisiana are seeing rainfall this afternoon. But state climatologist Barry Keim says north Louisiana could really use some precipitation….
cut 7 (11) “…of drought”
Keim says Louisiana can expect a dry winter because of a La Nina weather pattern.

The Today Show Host Matt Lauer is now another prominent name in media who has been fired amid allegations of sexual misconduct. LSU Health New Orleans Assistant Professor of Psychiatry Michelle Many says after seeing so many well-known names in entertainment accused of sexual harassment, victims are feeling more confident coming forward but not so much because of the consequences the offender may face…:
Cut 12 (11) “the past”

The North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un ordered the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile yesterday that landed in the Sea of Japan. Retired U.S. Army Lt. General Russel Honore says the size of Kim Jong Un’s army is to control his people, and the 33-year-old doesn’t want a war with the US because he’ll lose..:
Cut 10 (09) “ground warfare”

It’s been a dry fall in Louisiana due to a La Nina. Kelley Ray spoke with State Climatologist Barry Keim…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Legislation to overhaul the nation’s tax code heads to the Senate floor. The G-O-P says the bill will lower personal income taxes and corporate taxes. Louisiana’s junior U-S Senator John Kennedy says he supports a tax reform plan that will mean less money for government and more dollars for taxpayers….
cut 15 (10) “the economy”

Louisiana hasn’t seen a lot of wet weather this fall and State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s due to a La Nina pattern that’s in place…:
Cut 6 (08) “time period”
He says this means a warm and dry winter is predicted for Louisiana.

State Police say a Denham Springs woman is under arrest for allegedly filing a false rape complaint against a Livingston Parish Sheriff’s deputy. They believe 38-year-old Sherri Penton had reportedly met the deputy online and the two had consensual relations, but the suspect went to a hospital and said she had been raped. Senior Trooper Bryan Lee.:
Cut 4 (10) ” not occur”
Penton is charged with with filing a false complaint against law enforcement and criminal mischief.

President Trump’s nominee for a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals seat, Kyle Duncan of Louisiana, goes before the Senate judiciary Committee:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A Denham Springs woman has been arrested amid allegations she filed a false rape report against a Livingston Parish deputy. State Police Senior Trooper Bryan Lee says 38-year-old Sherri Penton and the cop met on online and hooked up in mid-October, and the two have different stories about what happened…:
Cut 3 (13) “in Walker”
Penton was arrested and charged with Filing a False Complaint against Law Enforcement.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler is today slated to testify before a US House committee that there is no need to worry that elections in Louisiana are being hacked by Russians. He says he plans to remind the panel that no state votes online…:
Cut 25 (08) “underlying issue”
He says no state has had any creditable issue that changed any votes.

Retired Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honore of Louisiana says the reason North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un ordered the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile yesterday is to act like he has a seat at the table with powerful countries like ours. But Honore says if North Korea is trying to start a war with the US, they will lose…:
Cut 9 (11) “North Korea”
Honore predicts North Korea has about 12 nuclear warheads and the U.S. has about 3,900.

The St. Bernard Parish District Attorney’s Office announces the Chalmette man accused of murdering his ex-wife with an axe in September won’t face the death penalty. Mark Owens is charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. Authorities say Owens hid under his ex-wife’s bed at her house, waited until she left for work, then attacked her in the front yard.