State auditors are unsure if the Attorney General’s Office improperly spent nearly $25 million. Beth Davis with the Legislative Auditor’s Office says they requested support for 28 transactions totaling $24.7 million from an escrow account that receives money from court settlements, fines, and other penalties.
cut 12 (07) “were incomplete”

A survey from the National Retail Federation finds 59-percent of consumers will be shopping in store or online over the Thanksgiving holiday. Spokesperson Ana Serafin Smith says Black Friday is the busiest with 74-percent planning to shop that day. She says folks of all ages will shop on Black Friday, especially Millennials, as they estimate 86-percent of 18-24 year olds plan to shop.
cut 4 (09) “and deals”

 
A Monroe family has made a generous donation to State Police Troop F to keep troopers safe in the field. Halen Doughty has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The New Orleans Police Department says a 19-year veteran of the force was allegedly a sexual predator for years. Marcellus White was known as a model officer who won an Angel Award for helping underprivileged kids. White faces numerous charges including first degree rape, second degree rap and false imprisonment. His bail has been set for over 2 million dollars.

A Monroe family has donated 90 armored vests to State Police Troop F. Bunzy Bryant says they have been close with Troop F for 16 years. He says the troopers are part of their family, and he and his wife want to do what they can to keep them safe.

Cut 7 (10) “at night”

Bryant says he’s gotten tons of calls from people expressing their thanks, including one from Governor John Bel Edwards.

The National Retail Federation expects 59-percent of Americans will shop both in-store or online during the Thanksgiving weekend through Sunday. Spokesperson Ana Serafin Smith says it’s a slight increase from last year…

Cut 3 (10) “as last year”

Smith says Black Friday remains the busiest day of the weekend with 74-percent planning to shop that day.

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser announces the Beauregard Parish Gothic Jail in DeRidder is now open for tours. Nungesser says over 40-thousand dollars was raised at the Gothic Jail After Dark Fundraiser on Halloween to complete the renovations.

Cut 13 (12) “the stairwell”

Nungesser says people can set up private tours at BeauregardTourism.com.

UL-Lafayette Athletic Director Scott Farmer announced a short time ago that he is stepping down from the position he has served for the past 5 years. He will move to a teaching position in the universities’ school of kinesiology. Deputy Director of Athletics Dr. Jessica Leger will serve as an interim while the school conducts a national search for a full time AD.

Here’s a look at today’s commodity prices…

Cut (Mini Pig)

The Boston Globe has mentioned Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards as a potential candidate for President in 2020. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says Edwards pro-gun, pro-life beliefs might not mesh well with many democrats, but…
cut 12 (11) “…lists”
Edwards first must win re-election as governor in 2019.

Amidst tensions between Louisiana law enforcement and the public, one Monroe family is making sure State Troopers are safe in the field. Bunzy Bryant and his wife, Lynn, donated 90 bulletproof vests to State Police Troop F in Monroe. Bryant says these vests are extra protection beyond what the troopers wear every day.
Cut 6 (11) “AK-47”
Bryant says they have been close with Troop F for 16 years.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is concerned about the increase in complaints regarding neglected horses. HSL Director Jeff Dorson says dozens of horses, sometimes several at a time have been found in various stages of starvation by Humane Society members…
cut 24 (09) “more responsible”
Dorson says don’t buy a horse if you can’t afford to take care of it.
A historic jail built in DeRidder in 1914 is now open for tours after an extensive renovation. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the “Hanging Jail,” as it’s known, was as added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981….
cut 15 (08) “…kinda funny”
The Gothic Jail got its name as the Hanging Jail when two men found guilty of murdering a taxi driver hanged from the stairwell.

Community activists and law enforcement are anxiously awaiting the results of the Department of Justice’s investigation into the police shooting of Alton Sterling. Don Molino has more…
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Don Molino”

Louisiana State Police Troopers at Troop F in Monroe have been gifted new ceramic plated vests. Bunzy and Lynn Bryant donated 90 vests that can stop the rounds of rifles like AR-15s and AK-47s. The SWAT team already has similar vests but now everyone in the squad will get one.

 
The names of a few Louisiana Republican politicians have been tossed around as possibly working in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com says Trump’s campaign team in Louisiana is putting names together and sending them to the transition team.
Cut 10 (10) “treasury position”

Alford says Congressman Charles Boustany’s name has been mentioned to be chief U.S. trade negotiator.

The Beauregard Parish Gothic Jail in DeRidder is now open for tours according to Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. The first floor of the building is the jailer’s quarters and the second is the jail cells. Nungesser says about 15 years ago, someone had the foresight to save all the furniture from the then-decrepit building.
Cut 14 (08) “years ago”

Two men who were found guilty of murdering a taxi driver in the 1920s were hanged to death in the stairwell, earning the Gothic jail nationwide notoriety.

Law enforcement have begun discussions on how they’ll handle potential protests once the U.S. Justice Department releases its results of the investigation into the police shooting death of Alton Sterling. State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson says they’ll do everything they can to help people protest safely…
cut 9 (10) “…are heard”
It’s still unknown when federal investigators will complete their review of the shooting.

The Humane Society of Louisiana says there’s been a 50-percent increase this year in the number of abused and neglected horses. Executive Director Jeff Dorson says the problem is there’s a surplus of horses…
cut 5 (10) “…or care”
Dorson says don’t buy a horse if you can’t afford to take care of it.

The Beauregard Parish Gothic Jail is now open for tours, according to Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser. Halen Doughty has more…
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

There’s a threat of severe weather for northwest Louisiana tonight. Forecasters say the main threats are damaging wind gusts and hail and the storm system should move the through the area between 5 PM and the overnight hours. The line of storms should move through central Louisiana tomorrow morning.

Several community activists remain frustrated over how the Justice Department is investigating the Alton Sterling Shooting. Cleve Dunn Junior says there are key pieces of evidence from the police shooting that should be released…
cut 8 (09) “…quite some time”
US Attorney Walt Green has not released any details of the federal probe.

The Boston Globe has mentioned Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards as a potential candidate for President in 2020. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says Edwards pro-gun, pro-life beliefs might not mesh well with many democrats, but…
cut 12 (11) “…lists”
Edwards first must win re-election as governor in 2019.

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser announces the Beauregard Parish Gothic Jail in DeRidder is now open for tours. The Gothic Jail will be the crown jewel of Louisiana’s Myths and Legends Scenic Byway, which is intended to give tourists a reason to visit Louisiana’s back roads. Nungesser says over 40-thousand dollars was raised at a fundraiser to complete the renovations….
cut 13 (12) “…the stairwell”
Two men who were found guilty of murdering a taxi driver in the late 1920s were hung from the stairwell, earning the Gothic Jail nationwide notoriety.

A Monroe area family has donated 90 new bullet proof vests that will be worn by State Police Troopers and investigators in northeast Louisiana. Bunzy and Lynn Bryant are friends with many officers at Troop F and they wanted to do something to make sure they are safe.

There is a heightened awareness among law enforcement for potential protests once the U.S. Justice Department announces its results of its investigation into the shooting of Alton Sterling. The 37-year-old black man was fatally shot in July after a scuffle with two white Baton Rouge police officers. Police Chief Carl Dabadie says they are working on a plan to deal with protests as least aggressively as possible….
cut 7 (10) “…wanna say”
It’s still unclear when the Justice Department will finish its investigation or whether there will be any charges.

There’s a marginal risk of severe weather for northwest Louisiana tonight. The National Weather Service says a line of thunderstorms will move through the area later today, and there’s a chance for very heavy rain, especially during the overnight hours.

The names of soon to be jobless Republican politicians have been mentioned as part of President-elect Trump’s administration. Emelie Gunn has more…
Cut 2 (24) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Humane Society of Louisiana is concerned about the high number of complaints they’re receiving about neglected horses. HSL Director Jeff Dorson says dozens of horses, sometimes several at a time have been found in various stages of starvation by Humane Society members…
cut 4 (09) “more responsible”

Law enforcement have begun discussions on how they’ll handle potential protests once the U.S. Justice Department releases its results of the investigation into the police shooting death of Alton Sterling. State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson says they’ll do everything they can to help people protest safely…
cut 9 (10) “…are heard”
It’s still unknown when federal investigators will complete their review of the shooting.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is concerned about the number of complaints regarding horses that have been neglected. H-S-L Director Jeff Dorson says it takes about 15-hundred dollars minimum to give a horse the proper care…
cut 6 (10) “…the authorities”
Dorson says there have been several who have been cited for cruelty.

Several politicians from Louisiana have been mentioned in media reports as possibly getting important roles in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. Former Governor Bobby Jindal’s name has been floated as a possible Health Secretary, outgoing Senator David Vitter’s name has come up for the treasury department and it’s also been reported that US Representative Charles Boustany is on a short list to be Trump’s top U.S. trade negotiator. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says it’s up in the air on who will actually be selected…
cut 11 (09) “…political magazines”

State and local leaders met at the Capitol in Baton Rouge today for a roundtable on race relations. Governor John Bel Edwards called the meeting and says they want to meet with kids in schools to educate youth about interacting with police.

Cut 13 (09) “those campuses”

Edwards says they also want to teach young people in driver’s ed how to respond to police if they get pulled over.

According to a USGS-NASA study, there was widespread shore loss as a result of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Research oceanographer Elijah Ramsey says this is an important study and should not be a onetime thing. He says the spill also caused wetland fragmentation.

Cut 11 (08) “broken apart”

The study found that the treatment some areas received after the spill was not helpful.

A survey conducted by the consulting firm Deloitte finds online shopping is ranked number one by consumers for their preferred method of holiday shopping. Don Molino has more…

Cut 1 (27) “I’m Don Molino”

The statewide burn ban has been lifted, according to State Fire Marshal Butch Browning. Browning thanks residents for their attention to the ban, saying many fires were prevented and thus lives and property saved. He adds burning will still be subject to state and local laws and regulations, and reminds the public to use caution when outdoor burning.

State and community leaders met for a roundtable on race relations this morning at the State Capitol. Governor John Bel Edwards spoke at the meeting, calling for a renewed effort to build trust between law enforcement and the public

Cut 12 (12) “are about”

Tensions were high in the summer after the police shooting of Alton Sterling.

A USGS-NASA study found widespread shoreline loss across areas affected with oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010. Research Oceanographer Elijah Ramsey says they compared the damage before and after the spill in the Barataria Bay area.

Cut 9 (10) “oiled shorelines”

Ramsey says that continued throughout the next year.

A report released by the consulting firm Deloitte finds the internet has taken the number one spot when it comes to how consumers will do their holiday shopping.  Executive Director of the Louisiana Retailers Association Dawn Johnson says there is a big convenience factor when it comes to purchasing gifts online.

Cut 3 (09) “more online”

Deloitte found those polled plan on spending nearly one-thousand dollars on holiday gifts.

The Baton Rouge Advocate reports Florida State’s Jimbo Fisher remains the top candidate to become the next head coach of the Bayou Bengals. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham believes Fisher would take the job if offered, to coach in college football’s toughest division, the SEC West.

Cut 7 (12) “willingly take”