Governor-elect John Bel Edwards made his first address since winning Saturday’s election at the annual Louisiana Federation of Teachers convention in Lake Charles. Edwards told teachers that he will insist on more autonomy for local school systems when it comes to charter schools in their district…

cut 6 (11) “accountability system”

Edwards also said he would not ban vouchers or close charter schools.

A National Federation of Independent Business/American Express survey finds a record number of people plan to shop local for Small Business Saturday. NFIB state director, Dawn Starns, is excited about the survey’s results…

cut 13 (10) “little unique”

Starns encourages shoppers to keep local stores in mind throughout the holiday season.

Several authorities, including the he Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, are seeking information on 86 suspected arsons in northwest Louisiana. Investigators have determined that a majority of these fires occurred on properties owned by timber company Weyerhaeuser Industries. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says a substantial reward is being offered for information leading to the capture of these arsonists…

cut 4 (11) “these arsons”

He says these suspicious fires happened between August 30th and October 21st.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal Monday night shooting in Harvey. They say when police responded to a report of shots fired, they found a male victim at the foot of a stairway. Authorities say the 34-year-old unidentified man was suffering from several gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The police investigation is continuing.

LSU Football Coach Les Miles tries to stay focused on the next game as rumors of his firing swirl. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Department says a Stonewall couple is under arrest after a woman allegedly forced her 12-year-old daughter to have sex with her new husband. They say 30-year-old Rhydonia Pittman is also accused of allowing her husband, 39-year-old James Pittman, to fondle her 7-year-old niece. Rhydonia is charged with aggravated rape and James is charged with aggravated rape and molestation of a juvenile.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the state Fire Marshal’s Office, and local authorities are seeking information on 86 suspected arsons in northwest Louisiana. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the suspicious fires happened between August 30th and October 21st…

cut 3 (09) “Jackson Parish”

A $4,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of these arsonists.

An LSU AgCenter survey of Baton Rouge retailers found the cost of items to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal for 10 increased $1.31 from last year. If you plan to fry your turkey for Thanksgiving, you can add $30 to $45 dollars for the peanut. Economist Kurt Guidry says, while the price for the meal is a little higher, he doesn’t think it will limit anyone’s Thanksgiving dinner…

cut 6 (08) “expect to see”

He says a rise in turkey prices led to this year’s overall price increase.

As rumors of his firing swell, LSU Coach Les Miles doesn’t want that distracting his team as they prepare for Saturday’s game against Texas A&M. The coach sidestepped a question yesterday on whether he’s spoken with any LSU administrators about his job security…

cut 11 (09) “would do it”

Miles made his comments at his weekly luncheon with reporters.

For the fourth year in a row, it will cost more to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal. LSU AgCenter Economist Kurt Guidry says, on the wholesale level, the price of turkey is up 9-percent from a year ago but, fortunately for consumers, the retail price of turkey is only up slightly…

cut 5 (07) “their products”

Their survey of Baton Rouge retailers found the cost of items to prepare a meal for 10 increased $1.31 from last year.

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a town clerk for Oil City on theft charges. Authorities allege that 44-year-old Melissa Doise stole over $24,000 from the town between January 2013 and August 2015. They also accuse Doise of manipulating accounting records and disposing deposit slips to cover up her activity. Doise is charged with felony theft.

More people than ever plan on shopping local on Small Business Saturday. Emelie Gunn has more…..

cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

US Representative John Fleming of Minden joins fellow Republican Louisiana Congressman Charles Boustany in announcing plans to run for US Senator David Vitter’s soon-to-be vacant seat next year. Political analyst Elliot Stonecipher says considering the Senate race is still nearly a year away, he thinks candidates should hold off on making any announcements until the dust settles from this past election….

cut 9 (12) “candidates aren’t”

Saturday is Small Business Saturday and it appears a record number of people are planning to shop local. State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business, Dawn Starns, encourages shoppers to keep local stores in mind this holiday season, because the money spent at a small retailer goes right back into the local economy…

cut 15 (10) “employ people.”

The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Pierre Part woman accused of running a Facebook scam. Authorities say 32-year-old Latisha Landry ran a store on Facebook called Elite Boutique and their investigation discovered that people from at least six states failed to receive items they purchased from the online store. Landry is charged with a total of 49 counts of credit card fraud. Additional charges are possible.

For the fourth year in a row, the cost for a traditional Thanksgiving meal has increased. Don Molino reports…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

US Representative John Fleming of Minden has announced his intention to run for US Senate next year. Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany, state treasurer John Kennedy, and Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle are other candidates who could run for David Vitter’s seat. Political analyst Elliot Stonecipher says Fleming could run into name recognition issues, but there are ways around that…

cut 8 (12) “you have”

Vitter announced he will not seek re-election in 2016.

For the fourth year in a row, the cost for a traditional Thanksgiving meal has increased. The LSU AgCenter surveyed Baton Rouge retailers and found the cost of items to prepare a meal for 10 was $49.81, a $1.31 increase from last year. Economist Kurt Guidry says a rise in turkey prices led to this year’s price increase…

cut 4 (07) “this year”

A National Federation of Independent Business/American Express survey finds a record number of people plan to shop local for Small Business Saturday. Dawn Starns, the Louisiana state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says shoppers are often looking for unique gifts and items and that’s where your small business retailer comes in handy….

cut 14 (09) “a gift”

Starns encourages shoppers to keep local stores in mind this holiday season.

LSU Coach Les Miles does not want speculation of his firing to distract his team as it prepares for the final regular season game against Texas A&M. The coach sidestepped a question on whether he’s spoken with any LSU administrators about his job security saying the only instruction he’s received is to continue doing his job…

cut 12 (06) “eleven years”

Speculation over whether LSU would fire Miles at the end of the season intensified last week as a result of a published report in the Advocate newspaper.

US Representative John Fleming of Minden has joined fellow Republican Louisiana Congressman Charles Boustany in letting voters know that he plans to run for US Senate next year. Political analyst Elliot Stonecipher says it’s not a surprise to see Fleming to throw his hat in the ring…

cut 7 (10) “already”

State treasurer John Kennedy and Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle are other candidates who could run for David Vitter’s seat.

LSU Coach Les Miles does not want the focus on him or the rumors of his firing, as his team prepares for the final regular season game of the year against Texas A&M. The Tigers have lost three in a row for the first time in Miles’s 11-year coaching career at LSU and he was not ready to address his job status at his weekly luncheon with reporters…

cut 10 (10) “the team”

It’s been reported that LSU is prepared to part ways with Miles, but the decision is not final.

A record number of people plan to shop local for Small Business Saturday. Dawn Starns, the Louisiana state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says they’ve partnered with American Express and their survey found a large majority of shoppers plan to participate in Small Business Saturday…

cut 13 (10) “little unique”

Starns say this is so encouraging because this is the time of year where small businesses are in competition with big name stores.

There’s a possibility of rain for Thanksgiving Day. Rain chances begin to show up in the state’s forecast tonight and will hang around through much of next week.

Republican Congressman Charles Boustany has announced his intention to run for David Vitter’s Senate seat next year. Emelie Gunn reports…
cut 1 (29) “…Gunn”

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards made his first public speech today since Saturday’s election. He spoke at the Louisiana Federation of Teachers annual convention in Lake Charles…
cut 30 (07) “…my mission”
Edwards says it starts with early childhood education.

With rumors swirling that LSU’s Les Miles will be fired at the end of the regular season, the head coach addressed the situation at his weekly Monday news conference. Miles says his focus is not on his job status, but on the players and coaches and getting them ready to play Texas A-and-M on Saturday night…
cut 28 (16) “…victory”
Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says Miles’ 15 million dollar buyout isn’t much of a determining factor because those who want him gone are willing to front that money.

When the state legislature reconvenes for a new term there will be two more republicans in the House, bringing the total to 61 GOP members in the lower chamber. Democrats picked up a seat in the Senate, dropping the number of republicans to 25.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards has put together his transition team, which will be led by a longtime state senator Ben Nevers. Jeff Palermo has the story…
CUT 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Not many tips are coming in after the shooting at Bunny Friend Playground that left 17 people injured in front of about 500 people. Mayor Mitch Landrieu says this was an act of domestic terrorism. He says there were a lot of onlookers recording on their cell phones and isn’t sure why more people haven’t come forward with information.

Bossier Parish authorities are searching to figure out why a mother fatally shot her son and injured another woman while driving down Interstate 20. Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis says after leaving a casino, 47-year-old Dora Blake of Minden took out a handgun, while riding in the backseat of the vehicle and shot the two people in the front seat.
CUT 6 (11) “be okay”

There is a lot of talk concerning the job security of Les Miles’ at LSU. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says athletic director Joe Alleva hasn’t mentioned Miles’ future. He says Miles’ 15 million dollar buyout isn’t much of a determining factor because the donors who want him gone are willing to front that money.
cut 14 (08) “to pay”
Miles says his focus is on beating Texas A&M.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards names state senator Ben Nevers of Boglausa as his chief of staff when he takes office on January 11th. Edwards first priority is to foucs on the budget, as the state is facing a one-billion dollar revenue shortfall. He pledges to keep to his campaign promise and that is bring a moderate and bipartisan approach to the governor’s office….
Cut 11 (10) “the people”
Republican Congressman Charles Boustany has announced his intention to run for David Vitter’s Senate seat next year. Vitter said Saturday night that he would not seek re-election. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says he expected this from Boustany.
CUT 3 (11) “his plans”

Bossier Parish authorities are investigating why a mother fatally shot her son and injured another woman while driving down Interstate 20. Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis says 47-year-old Dora Blake of Minden took out a handgun and shot the two people in the front. He says Blake was highly intoxicated and booked into Bossier Maximum Security Facility on a one million dollar bond.
CUT 8 (10) “the front”
There is a lot of speculation concerning Les Miles’ future at LSU. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says athletic director Joe Alleva has yet to comment on the topic but his silence is telling. He says the Tigers have lost the last three games in a row and it’s pretty obvious Mile’s job is in jeopardy but he doesn’t believe there is any rush to get rid of Miles just yet.
cut 13 (10) “going to get”

Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany has announced his intention to run for David Vitter’s Senate seat next year. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says state Treasurer John Kennedy and Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle are other possible contenders for the seat. He says even Governor Bobby Jindal could jump into the race, but thinks that is unlikely…

cut 5 (11) “best option”

Minden Congressman John Fleming has also announced his intention to enter the Senate race.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards has selected his transition team as he prepares to take over the governor’s chair. He says there is a lot to do before he takes office on January 11th…

cut 10 (08) “with precision”

Edwards has named longtime state representative Ben Nevers as his chief of staff. Nevers will oversee the governor’s transition team.

The Natchitoches Police Department is investigating a fatal weekend shooting at a local apartment complex. They say, after receiving a 9-1-1 call over the weekend, officers found a man in one of the apartments with a gunshot wound to the face. Little information has been released, but the victim has been identified as 35-year-old Fredrick Sowell. The investigation is ongoing.

There is a lot of speculation concerning the job security of Les Miles’ at LSU. The Tigers are currently on a three-game losing streak after Saturday’s 38-17 loss to Ole Miss and have dropped out of the Top 25 college football rankings. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says athletic director Joe Alleva has not commented on Miles’ future but his silence is telling…

cut 12 (10) “from LSU”

Yahoo! Sports columnist Pat Forde reports multiple sources say LSU is prepared to part ways with Miles, but the decision is not final.