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.

Republican Senator David Vitter has a solid lead over three other opponents in the Louisiana Governor’s race, according to a new poll. Southern Media and Opinion Research pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Vitter leads Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne and Democrat John Bel Edwards, although Edwards will be strong with black voters…
CUT 11 (08) “runoff spot”
The primary would be in October, with a potential run-off in Novemeber.

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 on Thanksgiving morning. Spokeswoman Melissa Matey says now they have surveillance video…
CUT 13 (09) Q: “and the driver”
Callers can remain announomous.
——————–
With the renewal of diplomatic and trade relations with Cuba, Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says that could be a good thing for Louisiana. He says Cuba needs what Louisiana can provide, especially rice and poultry. But it doesn’t stop there…
CUT 8 (06) Q: “of things”
And he adds it will be a big benefit for the Port of New Orleans.

If Santa plans to deliver crawfish this season, he can expect them to be pricey. He says they’ll also be in mixed size right now which is typical for this time of year. Louisiana Crawfish Farmers Association President David Savoy says if we have another bitter winter like last year, it’ll be hard on the harvest…:

CUT 5 (10) “due to the cold weather”

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. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 2 (26) “reporting”

A grand jury in Shreveport has indicted a former Homer police officer on charges he violated the civil rights of several people on multiple occasions. 64-year-old Willie Fred Knowles is accused of pushing a woman and hitting her for no reason and tasing others without justification. He is also charged for allegedly lying to the FBI about the incident.

You might be able to have a crawfish boil with your family for Christmas as mudbugs have already been spotted in stores. Louisiana Crawfish Farmers Association President David Savoy says December crops are still considered somewhat early, but weather permitting, the season will really start to kick in early next year…:
CUT 4 (12) “were young”
He says they’ll also be in mixed size right now which is typical for this time of year.

Many people, including Governor Bobby Jindal, feel it’s a bad idea for President Obama to renew diplomatic relations with Cuba, but Ag Commissioner MIke Strain says the trade will benefit Louisiana. He says Cuba needs what Louisiana can provide like rice and poultry..:
CUT 8 (06) “of thing”
Prior to 1961 Cuba was the Port of New Orleans’ largest trade partner.

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. 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.

Louisiana 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 on Thanksgiving morning. Spokeswoman Melissa Matey says the crash took place on La 626 in St. Charles Parish…:
CUT 12 (10) “surveillance”
The suspect vehicle is believed to be a dark colored truck or SUV. Matey says if you know anything about this crash, please contact authorities.

Gas prices dropped another two cents last night. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.32 almost 13 cents lower than this time last week.

Now that the United States 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”
Strain says Cuba needs what Louisiana can provide, especially rice and poultry.

A new poll on the 2015 governor’s race shows republican senator David Vitter with a solid lead over three other opponents. Southern Media and Opinion Research pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Vitter benefits from high name recognition and because he’s a vocal critic against President Barack Obama…:
CUT 9 (10) “Senator David Vitter”
Democratic state representative John Bel Edwards finished second in the race horse poll, receiving 26-percent, followed by republican Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne at 19-percent.

With the full blown crawfish season just around the corner, you may be able to add the mudbugs to your Christmas feast this year. Louisiana Crawfish Farmers Association President David Savoy says sacks are starting to show up in stores, but it’s too early to predict how plentiful the season will be…:
CUT 3 (10) “were young”
Savoy says if Santa does plan to deliver crawfish this season, he can expect them to be pricey.

Christmas is one week from today and many people would call the next 7 days the most stressful of the year. LSU AgCenter Life specialist Diane Sasser says it’s a good idea to get plenty of rest and if you’re too tired — slow down. She says it’s important to keep smiling and stay positive because getting too easily irritated is unproductive…:
cut 13 (09) “what this is about”