15:30 Newscast, November 19th, 2015

Federal, state, and local authorities held a press conference in New Orleans this morning to reassure residents that an attack similar to the one in Paris last week is not imminent in Louisiana. FBI Special Agent Jeffrey Sallet (sa-LET) says there are currently no credible terrorist threats here and authorities will strive to keep it that way…:
Cut 11 (08) “are safe”
He says, prior to the Paris attacks, the task force has been preparing to respond and prevent multi-event attacks.

Both candidates for governor are asking the Joint Legislative Budget Committee to reject the Jindal Administration’s proposal for taking care of the state’s 487-million dollar budget deficit. The Committee meets tomorrow. Democrat John Bel Edwards and Republican David Vitter both say the plan just heaps the problems onto the next governor. Jindal accuses the candidates of not having detailed solutions and they should be leaders instead of critics.

Jim Hawthorne, The Voice of LSU, will be back doing play-by-play tonight for the first time since missing some games after undergoing a medical procedure. Hawthorne will call the LSU men’s basketball game in Baton Rouge. He says he’s been extremely humbled by how many friends and LSU fans have reached out and wished him the best for a speedy recovery…:
CUT 7 (11) “very supportive”
Hawthorne says he plans to call the final regular season football game next week.

Funeral services for former Northwestern State University President Randall Webb will be Monday at 10am in Prather (pray-ther) Coliseum on the NSU campus. Visitation will be Sunday from 3pm-6pm in the Prather Coliseum arena. School officials say the 72-year-old died Wednesday after a long illness. At 18 years, Webb was the longest-serving president in the history of Northwestern State.

 

14:30 Newscast, November 19th, 2015

Officials gathered in New Orleans this morning to assure citizens that there is no terrorist threat imminent in Louisiana. Mayor Mitch Landrieu says there are no credible threats from any of the Syrian refugees there. FBI Special Agent Jeffrey Sallet (sa-LET) says there is a very strong Joint Terrorism Task Force in the state. He says their job is to protect the citizens of Louisiana from attacks like the ones in France…:
CUT 10 (11) “preparing for”

Governor Bobby Jindal is calling on the candidates for Governor to outline specific budget proposals instead of criticizing the one his Administration has laid out. Both Republican David Vitter and Democrat John Bel Edwards say they would reject Jindal’s plan to address the current year budget deficit. Jindal says neither candidate is suggesting detailed solutions and they should have the guts to say what their plan is.

The Voice of LSU, Jim Hawthorne, is back tonight for the call of the men’s basketball game. Eric Gill reports its his first broadcast since undergoing a medical procedure last month…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office says they have found the body of a fisherman from Houma who’d been missing since Tuesday morning. A fisherman called authorities Tuesday after reporting he’d seen a man in a boat, but then later saw the vessel in the water with nobody inside. They say the body of 69-year-old Gary Crochet was later recovered from Lake DeCade.

 

13:30 Newscast, November 19th, 2015

Authorities held a press conference in New Orleans this morning to reassure residents that an attack similar to the one in Paris last week is not imminent in Louisiana. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (27) “I’m Eric Gill”

Today is the Great American Smokeout and Mike Rogers with the Smoking Cessation Trust reminds longtime smokers that they offer a program which provides free medications and other necessary services to Louisianians who started smoking before September 1988…:
CUT 14 (06) “tobacco’s money”
The CDC says 24-percent of Louisiana adults smoke.

Baton Rouge Police report a second man has been arrested in the slaying of an elderly Baton Rouge couple whose bodies were discovered at a Hammond truck stop last month. Lt. Johnny Dunham says 48-year-old Frank Garcia was arrested in Florida and will be charged with two counts of first degree murder. He didn’t say what led to the arrest…:
CUT 4 (10) “at this point”
Denis and Suzy Duplantier were killed October 18th. 42-year-old Ernesto Alonso was previously arrested and charged in the deaths.

The Grand Theater in Lafayette, where a gunman opened fire on people during a movie, is reopening tonight for the first time since the tragedy. 11 people were injured in the incident and two women died. Lafayette Mayor President Joey Durel says the theater has been completely renovated and the community is looking forward to enjoying it again. The box office opens at 6:45.

 

12:30 Newscast, November 19th, 2015

Federal, state, and local authorities held a news conference in New Orleans this morning to reassure residents that an attack similar to the one in Paris last week is not imminent in Louisiana. New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says facts have been confused in the days following the Paris attacks…:
CUT 9 (10) “threats at all”
He says they are utilizing every effort to keep it that way.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office says a man perished in a blaze at his home in Slaughter last night. They say responders entered the structure once the fire was extinguished and found the lifeless body of the man lying on the floor at the residence which had no working utilities or running water. An autopsy is underway to determine identity of the victim and how he died. the investigation is ongoing.

Today is the Great American Smokeout, a day that has been designated for smokers to quit their habit. According to the CDC, 24-percent of Louisiana adults smoke – higher than the national percentage. Mike Rogers with the Smoking Cessation Trust says there are free products and services to help long time smokers put cigarettes down for good…:
cut 12 (10) “for it all”
He says to qualify for the free products you must reside in Louisiana and started smoking before September 1988.

Gas prices keep dropping in Louisiana. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is now $1.91 according to GasBuddy with the lowest price in New Orleans at $1.58.

 

11:30 Newscast, November 19th, 2015

Baton Rouge Police report a second man has been arrested in the slaying of an elderly Baton Rouge couple whose bodies were discovered at a Hammond truck stop last month. Lt. Johnny Dunham says 48-year-old Frank Garcia was arrested in Hollywood, Florida Wednesday…:
CUT 3 (08) “homicide case”
Denis and Suzy Duplantier were killed October 18th. 42-year-old Ernesto Alonso was previously arrested and charged in the deaths.

The former president of Northwestern State University Dr. Randall Webb has passed away at the age of 72. State Senator Gerald Long of Natchitoches knew Webb for almost 50 years and says many other university presidents looked up to him…:
Cut 13 (11) “entire state”
At 18 years, Webb was the longest serving president in the history of Northwestern State University.

The Voice of LSU, Jim Hawthorne, will return to his play-by-play calling duties for the first time since having a medical procedure last month during tonight’s basketball game at the PMAC. Hawthorne missed football games against Alabama and Arkansas and is expected to call the home Texas A&M game November 28th. He says the doctors gave him the green light…:
CUT 6 (07) “very fortunate”
The LSU men’s basketball team is 2-0 after a win over McNeese State on Friday and victory over Kennesaw State on Monday.

Governor Bobby Jindal’s Presidential campaign is over and during a news conference with reporters upon his return, he says he is NOT getting involved in the gubernatorial runoff election Saturday…:
CUT 9 (09) “optimistic”
Jindal said he did early vote but did not disclose his selections. The governor and his family are preparing for life as private citizens.

 

10:30 Newscast, November 19th, 2015

Bobby Jindal says he has no specific political plans once his second term as governor ends in January. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Baton Rouge Police Department says a second person is under arrest in connection to the deaths of a Baton Rouge couple last month. Police in Florida took 48-year-old Frank Garcia in custody and he will be charged with two counts of first degree murder in the killings of of Denis and Suzanne Duplantier. 42-year-old Ernesto Alonso was the first suspect charged.

Tonight, the site of the deadly shooting in Lafayette over the summer, The Grand 16 movie theater, is reopening for the first time since the tragedy. 2 women were killed and 11 injured when a man opened fire during a movie on July 23rd. Lafayette Mayor-President Joey Durel says this is symbolic closure for the community. He says he’s also happy for the owner of the teater, George Solomon…:
CUT 6 (10) “were a victim”
A small ceremony honoring the victims and first responders will take place before the box office opens at 6:45.

The Jindal administration releases its plan to solve a 487-million dollar budget deficit. It calls for 150-million dollars in cuts to state agencies, dipping into the state’s “rainy day” fund and using revenues from lawsuit settlements. The plan does NOT call for cuts to higher education or state worker layoffs.

 

09:30 Newscast November 19, 2015

The Jindal administration’s plan to solve a 487-million dollar budget deficit calls for 150-million dollars in cuts to state agencies, dipping into the state’s “rainy day” fund and using revenues from lawsuit settlements. Council for a Better Louisiana president Barry Erwin says the entire legislature must approve the use of 28-million dollars from the rainy day fund…

cut 16 (06) “there for”

The joint legislative budget committee will review the plan Friday.

The Grand Theater in Lafayette reopens tonight for the first time since the tragic July 23rd shootings. 11 people were shot in the incident and Jillian Johnson and Mayci Breaux lost their lives. Lafayette Mayor-President Joey Durel said during a vigil following the incident, that he wanted to buy the first ticket when the theater reopened…

cut 7 (10) “lead the way”

Before the opening tonight, a dedication will take place honoring the victims of the gunfire and first responders.

The longest serving president in the history of Northwestern State University has passed away. Emelie Gunn has more on the life of Dr. Randall Webb….

cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Shreveport Police say a man is under arrest after a domestic incident led to a stabbing. Authorities say 36-year-old Rolanda Davis was taken to a local hospital after allegedly being stabbed by her husband, 46-year-old Frank Davis during an altercation. Frank was arrested after arriving at a local hospital suffering from cuts believed to have been sustained in the incident. Investigators determined that Frank was the aggressor and he is charged with aggravated battery.

08:30 Newscast November 19, 2015

The Grand Theater in Lafayette will reopen tonight for the first time since the tragic summer shootings, and the community is thrilled. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A second man has been arrested in the slaying of an elderly Baton Rouge couple last month. Hollywood, Florida Police have arrested 48-year-old Frank Garcia in connection with the deaths of Denis and Suzanne Duplantier. The Duplantier’s were found dead at a truck stop in Hammond on October 18th. Garcia is charged with two counts of first degree murder. 42-year-old Ernesto Alonso was previously charged in the deaths of the couple.

Dr. Randall Webb, former president of Northwestern State University, has passed away at the age of 72. State Senator Gerald Long of Natchitoches says the former president focused greatly on enhancing the college experience for students and letting graduates leave the school feeling accomplished…

cut 12 (09) “fully accredited”

Long says Webb was an incredible leader and model of integrity.

What does the future hold for Governor Bobby Jindal now that his presidential campaign is over? The governor and his family are currently preparing for life as private citizens. They are building a home in the Baton Rouge area that’s expected to be completed in early December. He says his wife, Supriya, has been working with the builder…

cut 10 (12) “new home”

He says one of his top priorities is to help the next governor prepare for their four-year term.

07:30 Newscast November 19, 2015

The Jindal administration releases its plan to solve a 487-million dollar budget deficit and it does NOT call for cuts to higher education or state worker layoffs. Council for a Better Louisiana president Barry Erwin Erwin is glad to see Louisiana’s public colleges and universities spared…

cut 15 (09) “significant amount”

The plan calls for 150-million dollars in cuts to state agencies, dipping into the state’s “rainy day” fund, and using revenues from lawsuit settlements.

The Lafayette community is thrilled the Grand Theater in will reopen tonight for the first time since the tragic July 23rd shootings. Lafayette Mayor-President Joey Durel says he’s happy for the occasion and for theater owner, George Solomon…

cut 6 (10) “were a victim”

11 people were shot in the incident and Jillian Johnson and Mayci Breaux lost their lives.

Now that his presidential campaign is over, what’s next for Governor Bobby Jindal? Jindal says he’s already cast his ballot for governor, but says he does not want to get involved in Saturday’s election…

cut 9 (09) “I’m optimistic”

Jindal still has a little over seven weeks left in his final term as Louisiana’s governor.

The former president of Northwestern State University Dr. Randall Webb has passed away at the age of 72. State Senator Gerald Long of Natchitoches knew Webb for almost 50 years and says he had a great love for the school and for life itself…

cut 11 (08) “of education”

Webb was the longest serving president in the history of the University, serving for 18 years, from 1996 to 2014.

06:30 Newscast November 19, 2015

The Jindal administration releases its plan to solve a 487-million dollar budget deficit. It calls for 150-million dollars in cuts to state agencies, dipping into the state’s “rainy day” fund and using revenues from lawsuit settlements. Council for a Better Louisiana president Barry Erwin says this is a short-term fix to the state’s budget woes…

cut 14 (09) “structural problem”

The plan does NOT call for cuts to higher education or state worker layoffs.

So what’s next for Governor Bobby Jindal now that his presidential campaign is over? He has a little over seven weeks left as Louisiana’s governor. Jindal says one of his top priorities is to help the next governor prepare for their four-year term….

cut 8 (12) “as possible”

Jindal says he’s already voted, but would not tell reporters who for.

The Grand Theater in Lafayette will reopen tonight for the first time since the tragic summer shootings, and the community is thrilled. A man opened fire on a crowd during a movie on July 23rd, killing two women and injuring several others, and since then the parking lot at The Grand on Johnston Street has been empty. Bret Fruge, a former employee, will be there tonight

cut 4 (10) “to seeing it”

Before the opening tonight, a dedication will take place honoring the victims of the gunfire and first responders. A small vigil will take place at 6pm, the ribbon cutting is at 6:25 then the newly renovated Grand 16 Theater box office will open at 6:45.