A Moreauville family is fighting the town that is trying to enact a ban on vicious dogs. Eric Gill has the story…:
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

The Destrehan High School teacher who was allegedly involved in a sex scandal with a 16-year-old student pleaded not guilty in court today. 34-year-old Shelley Dufresne was also granted more freedom on the conditions of her bail which means she can help her husband out with their young children. She is prohibited from having contact with the student in any way.

Local tensions abound in Louisiana amidst the riots in Ferguson last night after the decision by a grand jury not to indict officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown. Dialogue on Race Louisiana C-E-O Maxine Crump says looting and burning down of businesses will continue unless America does more to make sure discrimination is no longer a part of our society…:
CUT 7 (10) “our future”
Rallies and vigils are planned tonight around Louisiana.

There are just three more days left in the early voting period for the December 6th runoff. You’ll have until 6pm to vote today then polls open again tomorrow morning at 8:30, closed Thursday Friday..open Saturday.

The riots in Ferguson, Missouri, over the decision by a grand jury not to indict a white police officer in the fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager has caught the attention of many people in Louisiana. Dialogue on Race Louisiana C-E-O Maxine Crump says the civil unrest is a sign America still has a long way to go to removing color barriers…:
CUT 6 (07) “undone”
There are at least three vigils or rallies planned for tonight in Louisiana in response to the grand jury’s decision not to indict police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown.

The American Automobile Association says more than 46 million Americans will be hitting the road to celebrate Thanksgiving which is the most since 2007. The travel days are defined as tomorrow through Sunday. 90% of vacationers will be taking their car and enjoying the lowest gas prices in over 4 years.

A Moreauville family is fighting the town that is trying to enact a ban on “so-called” vicious dogs. This story is making national news. Joanna Armand, whose family owns a pit bull named Zeus, is fighting to lift that ban. Armand began an online petition and it has already generated over 245,000 signatures. She’s also reaching out to dog owners in Moreauville and Avoyelles Parish…:
CUT 3 (10) “or huskies”
The ban was to go into effect December 1, but that date has been put on hold likely do to the amount of backlash against the town.

The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s office says a woman from Jonesboro is under arrest for the weekend murder of a 58-year-old man. They say 51-year-old Veronica Denice Jackson is accused of shooting and killing Grover Brown. She is booked with second degree murder.

Louisiana continues to shatter employment records. The Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Curt Eysink says the number of private employment jobs has grown by 31-thousand over the last year. He says two industry sectors have set employment records…:
CUT 11 (10) “very strong”
Total non-farm employment in Louisiana reached over 1.9 million in October, which is a new record high.

Early voting continues today for the December 6th runoff elections. West Monroe Representative Marcus Hunter is suing because he wants the early voting period extended since we’re losing the two days for Thanksgiving and Acadian Day. But Secretary of State Tom Scheduler says polls are closed on state holidays and that’s the law…:
CUT 15 (09) “filed the suit”
Hunter says he hopes the case will be heard today or tomorrow.

As the rate of diabetes continues to rise, new numbers show the costs associated with the disease are climbing at an alarming rate. Scott Carwile reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

The Who Dat Nation is in mourning today as the Saints dropped their third straight game 34-27 to Baltimore on Monday night football. New Orleans does, however, remain first in a struggling NFC South. The Black and Gold travel to face the Steelers on Sunday. Kickoff is at 12noon.

A West Monroe lawmaker filed a lawsuit this week seeking to extend the early voting period for the December 6th runoff because two days were lost this time due to the Thanksgiving Holidays. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 3 (25) “reporting”

The Saints lost their third consecutive home game last night as they fell to the Baltimore Ravens 34-20. The Saints defense gave up 215 yards on the ground, as well as two rushing touchdowns. This is the first time the Black & Gold have dropped three in a row at the Dome since 2001. Overall, the Saints fall to 4-7 on the season, but they are still tied for first place in the NFC South.

An LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center study shows the rate of diabetes continuing to rise and the disease now costs Louisiana five-billion dollars a year. The study shows the cost of prediabetes and undiagnosed diabetes grew as much as 82-percent since 2007. Pennington Executive Director, Dr. William Cefalu, says previous studies show that prediabetes can be controlled…

cut 6 (09) “to diabetes”

He says increased awareness and action to stem the disease is needed to cut down the cost.

The state continues to set new employment records. The number of people who are employed is going up, along with the state’s unemployment rate. The unemployment rate for October was six-point-two percent, up four-percentage points from last year. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Curt Eysink says it’s an indicator people are responding to the state’s strong job growth…

cut 12 (08) “we have”

Total non-farm employment in Louisiana reached 1,988,900 in October, which is a new record high.

Louisiana continues to set records when it comes to the number of people who are working in the state. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (30) “reporting”

A Pennsylvania man has pleaded guilty in federal court of trying to entice a Lake Charles child to engage in sexual activity. Evidence shows that 40-year-old Timothy Kelly sent explicit images of himself to her, asked her to have sex with him, and talked of traveling to Louisiana for that purpose. Kelly faces 10 years to life in prison.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards took part in a 6th Congressional District race debate yesterday where his opponent, Garret Graves, did not show up. During the course of events, Edwards was asked if he thought Senator Mary Landrieu was affecting his campaign. The former governor joked that it’s The President hurting them both…

cut 9 (14) “in this district”

The election is December 6th, early voting is underway.

A study by LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center shows as the rate of diabetes continues to rise, the disease is costing Louisiana’s five-billion dollars a year. Pennington Executive Director, Dr. William Cefalu, says diabetes is becoming an economic burden for the entire country…

cut 5 (05) “this condition”

He says increased awareness and action to stem the disease is needed to cut down the cost.

A lawsuit filed this week by West Monroe Representative Marcus Hunter seeks to extend the early voting period for the December 6th runoff because of the two days lost this time due to the Thanksgiving Holidays. Hunter says he hopes a judge will add those two extra days back…

cut 14 (12) “Friday and Monday”

But Secretary of State Tom Schedler says this is not the first time that polls have been closed during the early voting period when state offices are closed…

cut 16 (11) “challenged in court”

Hunter says this election, with the US-Senate race at the top of the ballot, is too important to shorten the amount of time someone is given the opportunity to vote.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards took several shots at his 6th Congressional District opponent in a debate where Garret Graves did not show up. While Graves was head of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, Edwards says Graves’ father was awarded $130 million dollars in state contracts and he bought coastal restoration office space then made his brother-in-law the leasing agent…

cut 8 (13) “all that time”

Edwards also accuses Graves of playing dirty politics.

As the rate of diabetes continues to rise, new numbers show the disease costs Louisiana five-billion dollars a year. The study was conducted by LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center and the facility’s executive director, Dr. William Cefalu, says the cost of pre- and undiagnosed diabetes grew as much as 82-percent since 2007…

cut 4 (06) “number of cases”

Nationally, the cost of diabetes has grown to $322 billion per year.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards took several shots at his opponent in the 6th Congressional District race in a debate where Garret Graves did not show up. Edwards accuses Graves of playing dirty politics in a flyer he sent out before the November 4th election that may lead voters to believe Paul Deitzel is gay…

cut 7 (10) “really do hurt”

Edwards is also accusing Graves of helping his family profit from Government contracts when he was the head of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.

The state continues to set new employment records. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Curt Eysink says total nonfarm employment in Louisiana reached 1,988,900 in October, which is a new record high…

cut 10 (09) “in Louisiana”

Eysink says the number of private employment jobs has grown by 31-thousand over the last year.

A West Monroe lawmaker filed a lawsuit this week seeking to extend the early voting period for the December 6th runoff because two days were lost this time due to the Thanksgiving Holidays. Governor Bobby Jindal declared this Friday a state holiday, Acadian Day, and polls are closed. Representative Marcus Hunter says he hopes the court knows the will of the legislature when it comes to voting…

cut 13 (05) “to vote”

Hunter says it’s the responsibility of Secretary of State Tom Schedler to make sure voter turnout in Louisiana is as high as it can possibly be. But Schedler says the law is the law…

cut 15 (09) “filed the suit”

Hunter says he hopes his case will be heard either today or tomorrow before the judges take off for Thanksgiving.

Early voting for the December 6th runoff election continues across the state. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

A GoFundMe account has been set up for the Hardman Family who lost five in a crash in Ouachita Parish while on their way to their dream Disney World vacation last week. According to the site, the money, now reaching almost $30,000, will be used for the five funeral expenses. Trudi and Michael Hardman died in a crash along with three juveniles age 15, 7 and 4.

The famous Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights is officially underway. The 300,000+ lights were turned on for the first time on Saturday and will twinkle every night at dusk through January 6th of next year. Madi Ackel is this year’s Miss Merry Christmas. She says Natchitoches is always special, but this is the highlight of the year…:
CUT 9 (10) “special here”
You can get more information on the festival online at christmasfestival.com.

New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson has pledged two gifts to the Pro Football Hall of Fame totaling $11 million. This is the largest individual contribution in the Hall’s 51 year history. Vice President of Communications Pete Fierle (FEAR-ly) says Hall President David Baker approached Benson earlier this season…:
CUT 6 (07) “very very quickly”
$10 million of Benson’s donation will be used to renovate Fawcett Stadium, which will now be called Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Early voting for the December 6th runoff election continues across the state, and will run through this Saturday, excluding Thursday and Friday. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says voter turnout for the kickoff this past Saturday was brisk, and when compared to early voting for the primary…
cut 12 (10) “almost 45,000″
He expects the voter tunrout to be around 35 percent.

State Police are investigating a single vehicle accident involving an alleged drunk driver in the Hammond area last night that claimed the life of the driver’s father. Forty-five-year-old Douglas Hoyt of Holden was not restrained and was later pronoucned dead. As for the driver, 22 year-old Amber Hoyt,…
CUT 4 (08) Q: “vehicular homicide”
That’s Master Trooper Greg Marchand.

—————————————-

New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson has pledged two gifts to the Pro Football Hall of Fame totaling $11 million. Here’s Eric Gill with more…
CUT 1 (27) “reporting”

A report from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, homelessness in Louisiana has declined nearly 12 percent since last year and roughly 63 percent since 2010. Louisiana Housing Corporation Executive Director Fred Tombar says one of the key factors has been the $146 million dollar Permanent Supportive Housing Program in the state.

Saturday was the early voting kick-off for the December 6th runoff election, and Secretary of State Tom Schedler says nearly 45 thousand voters cast their ballots. That’s a pretty big number, but Schedler says he’s not surprised…
CUT 13 (06) Q: “was very nice”
Early voting continues through this Saturday, except Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

A Tangipahoa Parish single vehicle crash involving an alleged drunk driver last night has taken the life of the of the driver’s father. 22 year-old Amber Hoyt has been charged with DWI, careless operation and vehicular homicide. Forty-five year-old Douglas Hoyt of Holden – who was not restrained -died at the scene…
CUT 5 (08) Q: ‘into tragedy”
That’s State Police master Trooper Greg Marchand.

—————————–

New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson has pledged two gifts to the Pro Football Hall of Fame with 10 million dollars in renovations for the football stadium. The Hall’s Vice-President of Communications Pete Fierle (FEAR-lee) says Benson also is giving one million dollars to help construct a “Legends Landing.”
CUT 7 (11) “to literally land”
By the way, Benson’s Saints are on Monday night football tonight taking on the Baltimore Ravens.

As of Saturday, the lights are up and lit on the Cane River for the Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights…
CUT 11 (06) Q: “as possible here”
That’s Miss Merry Christmas Madi Ackel, who says the lights will twinkle every night through January the 6th. You can get more info at christmasfestival.com.