President-elect Donald Trump will speak in Baton Rouge today to support Republican John Kennedy in the US Senate race. Halen Doughty has more…
Voicer 5 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Experts say the third district congressional race between republicans Scott Angelle and Clay Higgins is a tight one. A taped phone conversation between Higgins and his ex-wife has been released and during the recording, Higgins talks about how if he was elected, it could help him pay the reported 100-thousand dollars he owes for child support.

Governor John Bel Edwards is looking ahead to 2017 and he says one of his priorities is to enact criminal justice reform…
cut 12 (10) “….have done”
Edwards says he also wants to work towards improving our roads and creating a tax struture that’s fair for all citizens and provides a sufficient amount of revenues to pay for state services.

The number of years a person is expected to live has declined slightly for the first time since 1993. Doctor Ben Springgate with LSU Health New Orleans says there are steps we can take to live longer…
cut 26 (10) “…the trend”
Springgate says the life expectancy rate declined by a month and he blames heart disease and a growing obesity rate.

President-elect Donald Trump will be in Baton Rouge today to support Republican John Kennedy in the US Senate race. The visit comes after Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence endorsed the State Treasurer. Kennedy says he’s humbled by Mr. Trump’s visit…:
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Kennedy’s opponent  Democrat Foster Campbell says anytime such a large figure comes to a state it’s good for Louisiana, so he doesn’t mind Mr. Trump visiting the Capitol City. He even agrees with the president-elect on some issues..:
CUT 16 (08) “that too”
People have been waiting at the Baton Rouge airport since early this morning for the president-elect’s noon arrival.

Funeral arrangements have been set for former NFL and John Curtis player Joe McKnight who was fatally shot during an apparent road rage dispute last week in Jefferson Parish. Visitation will be held at New Home Ministries in New Orleans at 9 a.m. Monday and services will follow.

Life expectancy in the US has decreased by one month over the past year, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Once again a reminder that tomorrow is an election day in Louisiana. The big US Senate race is on the ballot, and voters in the 3rd and 4th Districts will be choosing a new Congressman. Polls are open from 7am-8pm. A low voter turnout is expected which is why Secretary of State Tom Schedler says he’d like to see December federal elections in Louisiana go away.

There are already people waiting for President-elect Donald Trump today who is slated to appear in a few hours at the Baton Rouge airport to rally for US Senate candidate John Kennedy. The state treasurer, who has been leading in the polls, hopes Mr. Trump’s visit will encourage people to cast a ballot tomorrow…:
CUT 14 (10) “for me”
Kennedy’s opponent, Democrat Foster Campbell, says the President-elect’s rally in Louisiana is proof that this is a tight race.

Highs may not get out of the 40s for most of the state today. Tim Humphrey with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says we’re also in store for more chilly temperatures tomorrow…:
Cut 9 (11) “low 30s”
He says look for a warm up Sunday into early next week.

Governor John Bel Edwards discussed his priorities for 2017 during a speech at the Council for a Better Louisiana annual conference. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

There were tense moments Thursday in the murder trial of tow truck driver Cardell Hayes who is accused of killing popular former football Saints player Will Smith. Kevin O’Neal was Hayes’ passenger the night the April crash and shooting of Smith took place. When asked about Smith’s widow having to celebrate her son’s birthday without her husband, O’Neal said her husband brought on his own demise.

Governor John Bel Edwards talked about transportation when discussing his 2017 priorities Thursday in Baton Rouge. The governor’s task force on transportation will likely support a higher gasoline tax. Edwards says interstates need to be upgraded because some closed this year due to flooding…:
cut 11 (10) “happen again”
He says a big goal next year will be to make sure Transportation Trust Fund money is used in the right places.

Despite the chilly weather, the State Fire Marshal’s Office is warning against using unconventional methods to heat your home. They say a 66-year-old Ponchatoula man was likely killed in a fire Thursday morning as he was using his kitchen gas stove as warming source.

And the cold isn’t going away today or tomorrow…:
Cut 8 (07) “40s”
That’s Tim Humphrey with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles.

A report from the National Center for Health Statistics finds overall life expectancy dropped by one month from 2014 to 2015. It’s the first decrease in the US in more than 20 years. Doctor Ben Springgate with LSU Health New Orleans Internal Medicine blames heart disease..:
CUT 4 (10) “to this”
He says health outcomes are declining because of people’s lifestyles.

President-elect Donald Trump will be in Baton Rouge today to stump for US Senate candidate John Kennedy. But the state Treasurer’s opponent, Democrat Foster Campbell, doesn’t believe Mr. Trump’s visit gives Kennedy the edge in tomorrow’s election…:
Cut 15 (07) “to death”
Kennedy says he’s humbled by Mr. Trump’s visit. The President-elect is slated to appear at noon today at the Baton Rouge airport, and despite the cold — some people are already in line waiting.

President-elect Donald Trump will speak in Baton Rouge today to support Republican John Kennedy in the US Senate race. Halen Doughty has more..:
Cut 3 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

It’s a chilly day across the Bayou State. Tim Humphrey with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says Louisianans will want to bundle up when they head out the door this morning…:
CUT 7 (10) “below freezing”

Governor John Bel Edwards talked about some of his priorities for 2017 during a speech at the Council for a Better Louisiana annual conference. Edwards says his big goal is to ensure the state uses money from the Transportation Trust Fund in the right places, like improving the daily congestion in Baton Rouge near the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge…:
Cut 10 (10) “street exit”
Edwards also says the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge will be widened, along with other sections of I-10 in Baton Rouge.

The friend of the man accused of killing retired NFL star Will Smith took the stand on the 4th day of the trial and said Cardell Hayes at no time got angry or attack anyone. Kevin O’Neal was a passenger in Hayes vehicle when the shooting occurred. The state maintains Hayes was out of control, but Hayes’ lawyers argue Smith was the aggressor.

There are two U.S. House seats remaining on the ballot for this Saturday’s election. Jeff Palermo has more on the competitive races…

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The man who was in the car with Cardell Hayes on the night former-Saints player Will Smith was killed spoke today in court, saying Smith caused his own demise by attacking Hayes. Kevin O’Neal added that he and the defendant never become hostile. Though witnesses claim, Hayes shot Smith out of vengeance, unloading his weapon on the former-defensive end and his wife, Racuqel.

An Affordable Housing Expo will be held in Baton Rouge this weekend for flood victims. Mike Steele with GOHSEP says there are people at different stages of recovery, so there will be a variety of housing options on display. He says people can come see manufactured homes, trailers and pre-fab housing.

Cut 9 (09) “their recovery”

The expo will be open Friday and Saturday at Celtic Studios.

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas in the Bayou State. Clinical psychologist with LSU Health Sciences Center, Dr. Michelle Moore, says the cold weather might help more people get in the holiday spirit.

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Low temperatures will get below freezing for much of the state tonight.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler would like to end December elections in Louisiana because they usually have a low turnout. Michelle Southern has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

Out of the three federal races on Saturday’s ballot, it appears the third congressional district race is the most competitive. ULM Political Science Professor John Sutherlin says Republican Clay Higgins is riding a wave of anti-establishment politicians…
cut 4 (08) “…career politician”
But Angelle says he has the experience to get the job done.

Louisiana is seeing the coldest temperatures of the season so far and many folks are finding themselves becoming more in the holiday spirit as a result. That’s according to Dr. Michelle Moore, clinical psychologist with LSU Health Sciences Center. She says you could even argue the cold weather Christmas Spirit is good for the economy…:
cut 12 (06) “while it’s cold”
She says we’re more in the holiday spirit because many Christmas traditions are centered around cold weather.

The governor’s office of homeland security and emergency preparedness is holding an Affordable Housing Expo for flood victims at the Celtic movie studios in Baton Rouge. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says different manufactured homes that could be used by flood victims will be on display and other services will also be there….
cut 11 (09) “…on hand”
The expo is from noon to 8 PM on Friday and 9 AM until 3 PM on Saturday.

Jurors heard important testimony from Kevin O’ Neal during the Will Smith shooting trial today. O’ Neal is a long time friend of Cardell Hayes, who is charged with second-degree murder. O’Neal was in Hayes hummer during the car accident that sparked the shooting. O’Neal says at no time was Hayes the aggressor in the heated situation. O’ Neal also said that the last time he saw the former Saints player alive, his wife was trying to push him away from the dispute.

A low voter turnout is expected for Saturday and Secretary of State Tom Schedler says that’s why he will push the Louisiana legislature to do away with December federal elections. He says not only is turnout low, it’s also hard to find commissioners to work during the holidays..:
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Schedler says it would make more sense to have the primary in October and then a November run-off.

Heading into Saturday’s election day, it appears the third district congressional race is a close one. Two republicans square off in that race, Clay Higgins and Scott Angelle. ULM political science professor John Sutherlin…
cut 3 (10) “…Angelle”
Secretary of State Tom Schedler says overall turnout for the election could be below 30-percent.

An Affordable Housing Expo will take place tomorrow and Saturday in Baton Rouge at Celtic Movie Studios. Mike Steele, with the governor’s office of homeland security and emergency preparedness, says temporary housing models will be on display, including tiny houses, which are less than 500 square feet, but contain a kitchen, bedroom and bathroom…
cut 10 (10) “…they’re made”
The expo starts Friday at noon and the hours on Saturday are from 9 AM to 3 PM.

There were some intense exchanges today between prosecutors and Kevin O’ Neal in the trial of Cardell Hayes, who is facing second-degree murder in the death of former Saints star Will Smith. O’ Neal was a passenger in Hayes car at the time of the shooting and he said that Smith and at least two others charged at them after a traffic crash on April 9th. The prosecution has said Smith was not the aggressor in this situation.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler would like to end December elections in Louisiana because they usually have a low turnout. Michelle Southern has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…I”m Michelle Southern”

So are there any positives to this cold weather we are experiencing. Doctor Michelle Moore, clinical psychologist with the LSU Health Sciences Center, says it might help more people get in the holiday spirit, which would be good news for retailers…
cut 14 (08) “….in a good way”
We are not expecting any snow flurries tonight, but the low temperature will get below freezing for much of the state.

The governor’s office of homeland security and emergency preparedness is holding an Affordable Housing Expo for flood victims at the Celtic movie studios in Baton Rouge. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says different manufactured homes that could be used by flood victims will be on display and other services will also be there….
cut 11 (09) “…on hand”
The expo is from noon to 8 PM on Friday and 9 AM until 3 PM on Saturday.

We’re a day away from election day and candidates are out in full force with their campaigns. In the 3rd Congressional District between Republicans Scott Angelle and Clay Higgins, the so called Cajun John Wayne has had success riding the wave of anti-establishment politicians:
cut 4 (08) “career politician”
That’s ULM Political Science Professor John Sutherlin. He says there’s not quite as much excitement in the 4th District where Mike Johnson is expected to easily win.

A good turnout is not expected for Saturday and Secretary of State Tom Schedler says he’s going to push for Louisiana to do away with December federal elections. He says it’s also hard to find commissioners to work during the holidays..:
CUT 7 (07) “can’t attend”
He says he’ll talk to legislators more about this next year in the hopes of moving up the federal elections in 2018.

An Affordable Housing Expo will be held in Baton Rouge this weekend for flood victims. Mike Steele with GOHSEP says there are people at different stages of recovery, so there will be a variety of housing options on display. He says people can come see manufactured and modular homes, park trailers and pre-fab housing…:
Cut 9 (09) “their recovery”
The expo will be open from noon until 8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. until 3 pm Saturday at the Celtic Media Centre.

Louisiana is seeing the coldest temperatures of the season so far and many folks are finding themselves becoming more in the holiday spirit as a result. That’s according to Dr. Michelle Moore, clinical psychologist with LSU Health Sciences Center. She says you could even argue the cold weather Christmas Spirit is good for the economy…:
cut 12 (06) “while it’s cold”
She says we’re more in the holiday spirit because many Christmas traditions are centered around it being cold outside.