2015 was an exciting year in Louisiana politics. Michelle Southern has more on the highlights of the past year….

cut 2 (32) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office says one man is dead after what is described as a domestic type crime in Stonewall. They say, during what is believed to be a custody dispute, 36-year-old Donovan Carman shot his child’s grandfather. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he later died. His name has not been released by authorities. The police investigation is ongoing and formal charges against Carman are pending.

Louisiana voters could cast their ballots on iPads for the next governor’s election. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says over the next three to four years, voting machines need to be replaced and iPads are a cheaper alternative than getting all new machines. He says they plan to gradually incorporate the new voting system over the next few elections…

cut 6 (09) “this system”

Many are concerned that when voting on an iPad their votes are being stored in a cloud, but Schedler says votes are not saved.

The 8-3 LSU Tigers and the 7-5 Texas Tech Red Raiders face off tonight in the Texas Bowl. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor James Moran says you can expect this to be a high scoring game with lots of offense…

cut 14 (12) “a little bit”

This will be longtime LSU play-by-play announcer Jim Hawthorne’s final football game.

By the time the next governor’s election comes around, Secretary of State Tom Schedler plans on having voters cast their ballots on iPads. He says voters can download the Geaux Vote app on their smart phones to fill out ballots beforehand and the iPads can read those votes…

cut 5 (10) “you’re finished”

Schedler says by changing to iPads, they’ll be able to open more precincts, including on college campuses so students don’t have to travel home or mail in a ballot to vote.

One of the top political stories in Louisiana in 2015 was Governor Bobby Jindal. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it’s not very common to have an absent governor, who was off to Iowa campaigning for President of the United States…

cut 8 (10) “resign”

Cross says John Bel Edwards’ victory in the governor’s race is the state’s top political story of the year.

Future First Lady Donna Edwards says she plans to stress the importance of teaching art and music in public schools. Slidell Junior High Music Teacher Emily Wright says music is interesting and gives students a way to express themselves…

cut 11 (06) “have to do”

Mrs. Edwards is a former public school music teacher.

LSU and Texas Tech face off tonight in the Texas Bowl in NRG Stadium in Houston. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor James Moran says this game is highlighted by massive contrasting styles…

cut 13 (14) “to win the game”

The contest will be televised by ESPN with kickoff scheduled for 8PM.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards’ wife Donna Edwards says she plans to stress the importance of teaching art and music in public schools as the state’s first lady. Emily Wright, a Music Teacher at Slidell Junior High, says she was really excited to hear this because many people see music as an extra course when in reality, children really need to take these classes.

cut 10 (07) “in school”

Wright says keeping art and music courses in public schools is important because there is a direct correlation with other subjects.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler plans on having voters cast their ballots on iPads for the next governor’s election. He says over the next three to four years, voting machines need to be replaced and iPads are a cheaper alternative than getting all new machines.

cut 4 (09) “a unit”

He says they plan to gradually incorporate the new voting system over the next few elections.

2015 will go down as an extremely memorable year in the history of Louisiana politics. Governor Bobby Jindal’s tenure ended, US Senator David Vitter’s political career ended and Governor-elect John Bel Edwards shocked pundits throughout the state with his victory. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says no one predicted a democrat would become governor…

cut 7 (10) “biggest story”

Cross says Senator Vitter’s decision not to return to the US Senate was almost as surprising as Edwards’ victory over him in the governor’s election.

A St. Mary Parish Deputy was shot and injured while responding to an incident in Ashton, and State Police is leading the investigation. Master Trooper Brooks David say the deputies were responding to a scene of a possible shooting where they located a male subject who was injured. He says a SWAT team moved in when the suspect started shooting again…:
CUT 9 (06) “and shot”
The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office says the deputy who was shot is listed in stable condition. The suspect is also injured and faces many charges.

State Police say a 5th person has died from his injuries sustained in a train crash last week in New Iberia. They say 49-year-old Stephen Leblanc died over the weekend after. A 70-year-old woman and three 12-year-old children who were in the car died following the crash. KATC is reporting that another 12-year-old child who was in the car is the sole suvivor of the wreck.

The Advocate is reporting that the head of internal invesitagtions at the Louisiana State Penetentiary is retiring amid criminal probes into Angola Warden Burl Cain. 71-year-old Kenneth Norris claims he’s not leaving because of the investigation but because of his health. The paper claims Cain gave special treatment to certain inmates he was friends with which would violate Corrections Department rules. Norris is married to Cain’s niece.

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson issued a statement in response to a Sunday Times Picayune column that suggested he sell both teams. Benson said he is not selling either team. Saints sideline reporter Kristian Garic is not surprised by Benson’s response…:
CUT 12 (08) “my legacy”
Due to the family dispute over who should inherit the teams, the column suggested it would be best for the franchises and New Orleans the franchises.

A line of severe thunderstorms moved through the state overnight, causing damage and power outages. Meteorologist Alek Krautmann, with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says the record high temps seem to be done as a cold front moved through behind the weather system…:
CUT 7 (08) “tomorrow night”
He says they are investigating the possibility that tornadoes moved through last night in some areas.

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson says he has no plans to sell the franchises. The letter came in response to a Times Picayune column that suggests legal matters concerning ownership succession could have a detrimental affect on how these teams would be run. Saints sideline reporter Kristian Garic doesn’t think this was a direct attack on Benson:
CUT 14 (08) “that at all”
Garic says Benson loves the Saints and the Pelicans and will have an amazing legacy.

An outbreak of canine influenza is sweeping across Texas and there is concern the virus could make its way to Louisiana. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

State Police say a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s deputy was shot while responding to a shooting in Ashton. As deputies originally responded, they found a man at the residence suffering from a gunshot wound. He was listed in stable condition at a local hospital. The suspect then allegedly shot at officers as they attempted to secure the scene. When a SWAT team was extracting deputies from the scene, one deputy was shot.

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson issued a statement in response to a Sunday Times Picayune column that suggested he sell both teams. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

Nobody was reported injured in the wake of the strong line of storms that ripped through Louisiana overnight, downing trees, power lines and buildings. Meteorologist Alek Krautmann, with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says wind gusts of well over 30 miles per hour wreaked havoc over Louisiana…:
CUT 6 (09) “tree limbs”

The suspect accused of shooting a St. Mary Parish Deputy Sunday after a standoff is in State Police custody. Master Trooper Brooks David says they found a man at the residence suffering from a gunshot wound. The suspect then allegedly shot at officers as they attempted to secure the scene. When a SWAT team was extracting deputies from the scene, one deputy was shot. David says the suspect is injured and faces many charges…:
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An outbreak of canine influenza is sweeping across Texas and there is concern the virus could make its way to Louisiana. Jae Chang is a veterinarian at Farr Veterinary Hospital in Lake Charles. He suggests that dog owners get their pets vaccinated against the canine flu…
CUT 3 (09) “once a year”
He says it’s important to vaccinate you dog, especially if you plan to board your pet or travel out of town with them.

State Police are investigating an incident where a St. Mary Parish Deputy was shot and injured while responding to a shooting incident in Ashton. Master Trooper Brooks David says while attempting to secure the scene, deputies were fired upon by the suspect and one deputy was injured. David says State Police located the suspect inside the home…

cut 10 (08) “treatment”

The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office says the deputy who was shot is listed in stable condition.

There are concerns about canine influenza in Louisiana due to an outbreak sweeping across Texas. Jae Chang, a veterinarian at Farr Veterinary Hospital in Lake Charles, there have been no confirmed cases of canine influenza in Louisiana, but that’s likely to change…

cut 5 (07) “than unprepared”

He says it’s important to vaccinate you dog, especially if you plan to board your pet or travel out of town with them.

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson says he’s not selling either team despite a Times Picayune column suggesting he do so. Saints sideline reporter Kristian Garic read the article and feels that it’s more concerned how the legal fight between the Benson family over ownership succession could affect the franchises…

cut 13 (10) “et cetera”

Garic doesn’t feel the column is a personal attack on Benson as the owner of the teams.

Thousands in Louisiana were left without power as a line of strong, severe thunderstorms moved through the state overnight. Meteorologist Alek Krautmann, with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says a cold front moved through behind the severe weather system and Louisiana is finally back to feeling like December…

cut 8 (09) “of the week”

A St. Mary Parish Deputy was shot and injured while responding to an incident in Ashton, and State Police is leading the investigation. Master Trooper Brooks David say the deputies were responding to a scene of a possible shooting where they located a male subject who was injured. He says a SWAT team moved in when the suspect started shooting again…:
CUT 9 (06) “and shot”
The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office says the deputy who was shot is listed in stable condition. The suspect is also injured and faces many charges.

Many are wondering if Sunday’s game at Atlanta will be head coach Sean Payton’s final game on the Saints’ sideline. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says when it comes to Payton’s future with the Saints, the coach is holding all the cards…:
cut 1 (08) “this stage”
Payton has been the Saints head coach for the past 10 seasons.

An outbreak of canine influenza is sweeping across Texas and there is concern the virus could make its way to Louisiana. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

A strong line of thunderstorms, with heavy rains and high winds, moved across the state in the early hours of Monday morning. As the storms quickly moved eastward across the state, several tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warning were issued. There are numerous reports of downed trees and power outages.

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson issued a statement in response to a Sunday Times Picayune column that suggested he sell both teams. Benson said he is not selling either team. Saints sideline reporter Kristian Garic is not surprised by Benson’s response…:
CUT 12 (08) “my legacy”
Due to the family dispute over who should inherit the teams, the column suggested it would be best for the franchises and New Orleans the franchises.

A line pf strong, severe thunderstorms moved through the state overnight leaving thousands without power. Meteorologist Alek Krautmann, with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says the record high temps seem to be done as a cold front moved through behind the severe weather system…:
CUT 7 (08) “tomorrow night”
He says they are investigating the possibility that tornadoes moved through last night in some areas.

An outbreak of canine influenza is sweeping across Texas and there is concern the virus could make its way to Louisiana. Jae Chang is a veterinarian at Farr Veterinary Hospital in Lake Charles. He suggests that dog owners get their pets vaccinated against the canine flu. Although dog flu has a low mortality rate, Chang says it is very contagious and dogs can get really sick..:
CUT 4 (09) “kennel cough”
He says pet owners shouldn’t panic, but they should be aware of the threat.

With one game left in the season, many in the “Who Dat?” nation are wondering if Sunday’s game at Atlanta will be coach Sean Payton’s last game with the Saints. The Black and Gold will finish the season with their second consecutive losing record and miss the playoffs. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says this will be the team’s biggest story of the offseason…

cut 12 (06) “move on”

Detillier believes there is a better chance of Payton leaving the team than staying.

The Saints did come out hot yesterday scoring the game’s first 24 points as they downed the Jacksonville Jaguars 38-27. Despite an injured right foot, Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw for 412 yards and three touchdowns. This was Brees’ 13th career 400 yard game. Tim Hightower rushed for 122 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. The Saints will wrap up the season Sunday afternoon at Atlanta.

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson issued a statement in response to a Sunday Times Picayune column that suggested he sell both teams. Benson’s response, “I’m not selling either team”. Saints sideline reporter Kristian Garic is not at all surprised by Benson’s response…

cut 24 (07) “these teams”

The column suggested Benson sell the teams for the good of both the franchises and the city of New Orleans.

The Pelicans held Houston forward James Harden to 1 of 5 shooting and a turnover down the stretch as they defeated the Rockets 110-108. Eric Gordon led the way for the victors with 26 points. Anthony Davis had 24 points and pulled down 13 rebounds as the Pels improve to 10 and 20 on the season. Up next is a date tonight with the Magic in Orlando.

Today in college basketball, Nicholls State takes on Houston. The Colonels are 4-8 on the season and have lost five of their last six.

Louisiana Tech hosts Prairie View A&M tonight. The Bulldogs are 10-2 and have won four of their last five.