A group called Senate Conservatives Action is sponsoring radio ads targeting Republican Metairie Congressman Steve Scalise. They accuse Scalise of siding with the President instead of standing on the conservative platform. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says this attack stems from the Congressman’s efforts to help pass a $1.1 trillion dollar spending bill…:
CUT 6 (12) “from shutting down”
Rumors are circulating that Col Rob Maness may challenge Scalise in 2016.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s office is looking for a suspect wanted in a brutal rape they believe happened last night. They say 25-year-old Jamal Scott James of Opelousas allegedly badly beat and raped a woman in what detectives described as a horrific scene. The suspect is wanted for attempted murder and aggravated rape and is to be considered armed and dangerous. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of $1,000 for anyone who knows where James is hiding.

State Police continue to urge drivers to use extra caution this Holiday season and not add to what has already been a deadly past 30 days. Sergeant Nick Manale says since Thanksgiving week, they’ve worked fatal wrecks that resulted in 66 deaths…:
CUT 10 (05) “unrestrained occupants”
He says everyone in your car should be buckled up and that’s the law — avoid distractions and of course don’t drink and drive.

They are calling it one of the largest collections of child pornography ever found in Louisiana. Federal prosecutors say 52-year-old Robert Swan of Ponchatoula was found with over 500,000 thousand images of child pornography. The man pleaded guilty Thursday.

After working several fatal crashes last weekend that resulted in nine deaths, State Police troopers are urging drivers to use extra caution while on the highways during this holiday period. Sergeant Nick Manale says driver error is responsible for many of the wrecks they are seeing…:
CUT 9 (09) “distractions alone”
Since Thanksgiving week, State Police has worked fatal wrecks that have resulted in 66 deaths.

The two people injured in a fatal police chase in Shreveport are reportedly fighting for their lives. The chase began Thursday evening when officers tried to pull over a suspect wanted on robbery charges from Oklahoma. The suspect blew a tire and crashed head on into the elderly victims. The suspect was killed as a result of the crash.

The fall shrimping season comes to a close on some state waters Monday and some are calling this an average season for fishermen. Daren Martin, owner of Martin’s Fresh Shrimp in Chauvin, says this was a fair season for shrimpers…:
CUT 3 (12) “rather abruptly”
He says, now that shrimpers will have to go into the Gulf of Mexico to get shrimp, consumers should expect to see a bit of a price hike on the market.

Fire officials in New Roads are investigating an early morning fire they say has left at least one dead. They say the deadly blaze broke out in an apartment that is above a business. At this time, authorities have neither determined the cause of the fire nor whether the unidentified victim was living in the building.

Holiday travelers will enjoy the lowest gas prices we’ve seen in years. Jeff Palermo has more on this nice Christmas gift for motorists…:
CUT 2 (30) “Reporting”

A suspect is dead and two elderly people are injured following a chase and crash last night in Shreveport. Police say the incident started when they were pursuing the suspect who was wanted on felony charges from Oklahoma. During the chase, the suspect blew a tire, struck another vehicle head-on, and was killed. Two people in the other vehicle were injured and transported to a local hospital in serious condition.

State Climatologist Barry Keim says the rain we’ve got last night into today is coming at a great time as Louisiana has been rain deficient over the last two months. He says there a coastal storm formed off the coast of Texas this morning…:
CUT 10 (05) “through tomorrow morning”
He says rainfall amounts with this storm could be anywhere from a half inch up to four inches.

The last Saturday before Christmas could be as big a shopping day as Black Friday especially if you’re still looking for TVs, appliances or clothes according to experts. Andrew Kuo (quoe) is a marketing professor at LSU. He says the downside of the so-called “Super Saturday” is that shoppers are typically at the mercy of the retailers
CUT 13 (09) “wouldn’t spend”
MartketWatch reports Super Saturday could edge out Black Friday as the top sales day of the year in 2014.

And thanks to a price war between Costco and Sams, Baton Rouge is home to the second-lowest gas prices in the country. It’s $1.77 at the members-only stores today.

A new Southern Media and Opinion Research poll shows 58-percent of Louisianians disapprove of Governor Bobby Jindal’s job performance as he heads into his final year in office. Scott Carwile has more…

cut 1 (30) “reporting”

Fire officials in New Roads are investigating an early morning fire they say has left at least one dead. They say the deadly blaze broke out in an apartment that is above a business. At this time, authorities have neither determined the cause of the fire nor whether the unidentified victim was living in the building.

Gas prices are about 75-cents lower than a year ago as we head into what should be a busy two weeks of holiday travel. Gregg Laskoski, with gas-buddy-dot-com, says this Christmas gift of lower gas prices is the result of a decline in global crude oil prices…

cut 9 (12) “a barrell”

He says the statewide average price for regular gas is about $2.30 a gallon.

Tomorrow, the last Saturday before Christmas could be as big a shopping day as Black Friday according to experts. LSU Marketing Professor Andrew Kuo says with the growing popularity of online shopping, consumers have been spreading out their store shopping throughout the entire month of December…

cut 15 (08) “business online”

MartketWatch reports Super Saturday could edge out Black Friday as the top sales day of the year in 2014.

58-percent of Louisianians disapprove of Governor Bobby Jindal’s job performance as he heads into his final year in office according to a new Southern Media and Opinion Research poll. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat doesn’t think these poll numbers will factor into Jindal’s decision to run for President in 2016. But Pinsonat says this could be something that could potentially hurt him…

cut 6 (11) “definitely hurt him”

He says Jindal has a job approval rating of 70-percent among Republicans and just over 50-percent among white voters.

Some much needed rain is falling on Louisiana today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this rain is coming at a great time as the state has been rain deficient over the last two months. But he says the precipitation will be short lived with conditions clearing by Saturday morning…

cut 12 (08) “of the state”

Up to four inches of rain is expected in some areas of the state.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested an accused methamphetamine dealer after a traffic stop Thursday. They say after officers pulled over 37-year-old Jesse James of Gonzales for reckless driving, they found he had several active warrants for issuing bad checks. A search of James’ car found an undisclosed amount of methamphetamine. James faces several charges including possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

The last Saturday before Christmas could be as big a shopping day as Black Friday. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 3 (30) “reporting”

A new poll by Southern Media and Opinion Research shows 58-percent of Louisianians disapprove of Governor Bobby Jindal’s job performance but 70-percent of Republicans give the governor a positive job rating as he heads into his final year in office. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says with both houses of the state legislature being controlled by Republicans, he doesn’t see these poll numbers changing the way Jindal will do business in his last year…

cut 5 (09) “of their voters”

600 likely Louisiana voters were surveyed.

Gas prices are running about 75-cents lower than a year ago as we head into what should be a busy couple of travel weeks this holiday period. Gregg Laskoski, with gas-buddy-dot-com, says says the US Department of Energy is projecting a national average price of $2.60 a gallon for 2015…

cut 8 (09) “long,long time”

Laskoski says this Christmas gift of lower gas prices is the result of a decline in global crude oil prices.

Experts say this last Saturday before Christmas could be as big a shopping day as Black Friday especially if you’re still looking for TVs, appliances or clothes. LSU Marketing Professor Andrew Kuo says the day after Thanksgiving sales weren’t as high this year as they have been in the past which is another reason stores are expected to be packed tomorrow…

cut 14 (10) “department stores”

Kuo says tomorrow you can expect to continue to see excellent apparel sales, discounted appliances, and last minute TV deals.

After a couple of very dry months, some much needed rain will be falling all across the state today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says rainfall amounts with this storm could be anywhere from a half inch up to four inches. Keim says there is the possibility of severe weather depending on the track of the storm…

cut 11 (09) “some severe weather”

Keim says the entire state is teetering right on the edge of drought with everything east of the Atchafalaya Basin experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions.

A new Southern Media and Opinion Research poll shows 58-percent of Louisianians disapprove of Governor Bobby Jindal’s job performance as he heads into his final year in office. 600 likely Louisiana voters were surveyed. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says you probably won’t see the Governor’s popularity increase very much as he ends his term…

cut 4 (10) “have piled up”

But Pinsonat points out that the poll shows 70-percent of Republicans give the governor a positive job rating.

Some much needed rain will be hitting Louisiana today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this rain is coming at a great time as the state has been rain deficient over the last two months. Keim says there is a coastal storm forming off the coast of Texas…

cut 10 (05) “through tomorrow morning”

He says rainfall amounts with this storm could be anywhere from a half inch up to four inches of rain.

Gas prices are about 75-cents lower than a year ago as we head into what should be a busy two weeks of traveling during this holiday period. Gregg Laskoski, with gas-buddy-dot-com, says with the statewide average at about $2.30 a gallon, it should help consumers pay for other expenses

cut 7 (08) “greater distances”

Laskoski says gas prices have been on a sharp decline since October and this trend should continue into next year.

A suspect is dead and two others injured following a chase and crash last night in Shreveport. Shreveport Police say the incident started when they were pursuing the suspect who was wanted on felony charges from Oklahoma. During the chase, the suspect blew a tire, struck another vehicle head-on, and was killed. Two people in the other vehicle were injured and transported to a local hospital.

Governor Bobby Jindal says he opposes the President’s plan to “normalize” relations with Communist Cuba, but Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says resumed trade would benefit Louisiana. He says other non-democratic countries enjoy normal trade relations with the US…:
CUT 7 (08) “is time”
Prior to 1961 Cuba was the Port of New Orleans’ largest trade partner.

US Senator David Vitter has a double digit lead over other 2015 Governor candidates in Louisiana according to a Southern Media and Opinion Research survey. But Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says the same poll also found 40% of respondents don’t approve of Vitter’s performance:
CUT 10 (08) “a runoff”
Southern Media and Opinion Research surveyed 600 likely voters and 36-percent support Vitter.

Crawfish is starting to pop up at seafood stores. But Louisiana Crawfish Farmers Association President David Savoy says it’s too early to predict how plentiful the season will be…
CUT 3 (10) “were young”

Christmas is one week from today and many people would call the next 7 days the most stressful of the year. Michelle Southern talks with an LSU AgCenter Life specialist…
cut 3 (30) “…reporting”

A statewide poll on next year’s governor’s race shows Republican Senator David Vitter with a double-digit percentage lead over Democratic State Representative John Bel Edwards and Republican Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne. Here’s Jeff Palermo with more…
CUT 2 (26) “reporting”

Sources close to LSU are reporting that Tigers Cornerback Jalen Collins will skip his senior year, and enter the NFL Draft. Collins has not made any official announcement, although he has met with agents, and has reportedly requested a draft grade from the NFL.

——————————–

Now that the U.S. and Cuba have announced plans to renew diplomatic relations and resume trade, what does that mean for Louisiana? Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says resumed trade would be a big benefit for the state, especially the Port of New Orleans…
CUT 6 (06) “Port of New Orleans”
Governor Bobby Jindal has expressed his disapproval of the President Obama’s plan to normalize relations with a Communist nation.

State Police is offering a $2500 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for allegedly running over and killing a pedestrian in St. Rose Thanksgiving morning. Spokesperson Melissa Matey says the crash took place on La 626 in St. Charles Parish…:
cut 12 (10) ” survelliance video”
But they are still calling for the public’s help in the ID of the driver. You can call State Police or Crimestoppers.

A new poll on the 2015 governor’s race shows republican senator David Vitter with a solid lead. Southern Media and Opinion Research pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Vitter is benefiting from high name recognition and because he’s a vocal critic against President Obama…
CUT 9 (10) “Senator David Vitter”
Democratic State Representative John Bel Edwards finished second in the poll, receiving 26-percent to Vitter’s 36.

There is now a $25 hundred dollar reward being offered for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for hitting and killing a pedestrian in St. Rose on Highway 626 Thanksgiving morning. State Police Spokesperson Melissa Matey says they need the public’s help…
CUT 14 (04) Q: ‘of this vehicle’
You can call State Police, and remain anonymous.
——————————-
Now that the United States and Cuba have announced plans to renew diplomatic relations and resume trade, what does that mean for Louisiana? Eric Gill takes a look at that…
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

Governor Bobby Jindal is defending his plans to headline a prayer rally next month at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on the LSU campus. Some professors and students protesters are up in arms over the event sponsored by the American Family Association, which has been very vocal about being against homosexuality. Jindal says he’s continuing to support the rally.