The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s race gets its day in court today as Republican John NIckelson is demanding that a judge rule a new election should take place after he lost on November 18th by one vote. NIckeson says several of the absentee ballots counted did not include the voter’s signature…
cut 10 (08) “…be certified”
But Democrat Henry Whitehorn says the lawsuit filed by his opponent is asking the court to disregard the election process and it…
cut 11 (12) “…doesn’t matter”
Retired Supreme Court justice, Joseph Bleich, is hearing the case and is expected to deliver a ruling tomorrow.

The new Louisiana legislature has until January 30th to redraw the state’s congressional map to include a second majority-minority district after a federal judge granted a two-week extension. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this still presents a challenge for lawmakers.
Cut 12 (07) “…probably create.”
Governor-Elect Jeff Landry and new lawmakers will take office on January 8th but Louisiana law says a special session can not start until January 15th.

Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain plans to ask the next Legislature for 43-million dollars to purchase equipment to fight wildfires. Strain says the state needs air tankers…
cut 4 (13) “…these fires”
Numerous wildfires in Louisiana this year charred 62-thousand acres and destroyed 71-million dollars in forestland from August through October.

All-American forward Angel Reese will be back in time for the 7th ranked Lady Tigers ahead of their match up with 9th ranked Virginia Tech. LSU head Coach Kim Mulkey says having Angel Reese back is a big plus for the Tigers.

Cut 16 (10) “ … the country.”

The Tigers will face the Hokies tonight with tip off at 8 pm on ESPN.

—

In other basketball news, the New Orleans Pelicans got star Shooting Guard CJ McCollum back after he was out for a couple of weeks with a right collapsed lung injury. McCollum scored 20 points in the Pelicans game against the Sixers last night and New Orleans Head Coach Willie Green is happy to have McCollum back on the court.

Cut 20 (12) “… healthy.”

The Pelicans will battle the Spurs tomorrow in New Orleans with tip off at 7 pm.

—

Northwestern State is excited to start a new chapter in their program history as they introduced Blaine McCorkle to be their new Head Coach yesterday. McCorkle coached Belhaven College, a Division III program in Jackson, Mississippi for the last six seasons where he took the losing program to a 24 and 7 record over the last three years and their first ever Division III playoff appearance. McCorkle says that he wants to build a championship culture at Northwestern State.

Cut 15 (15) “ … to do.”

The Demons have not had a winning season since 2008.

—

The Saints are banged up heading into their big matchup against the Detroit Lions this Sunday. Defensive end Cameron Jordan, running back Keandre Miller, Safety Marcus Maye, wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, and linebacker Pete Werner are all listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup and did not practice yesterday. Wide Receiver Chris Olave did practice after suffering a concussion in the Atlanta game.

A retired state Supreme Court Justice is hearing a lawsuit today filed by Caddo Parish Sheriff candidate John Nickelson who lost the election by one vote. During the recount, Nickelson says the Board of Election Supervisors only rescanned mail-in ballots instead of a hand count. The Republican says two people voted twice, and…
Cut 8 (13) “…is counted.”
According to the Secretary of State’s Office, a ballot cast in early voting still counts, even if the person dies before election day.

Henry Whitehorn, who was declared the winner in the recount, says the results should stand. The Democrat says he’s always been told the person with the most votes wins whether it’s by 1,000 votes or even just one vote…
Cut 9 (11) “…this election.”
Whitehorn says the lawsuit is asking the court to disregard the election process.

Showers and thunderstorms are moving through the northern half of the state. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says the severe weather risk is marginal…
cut 7 (08) “…big problem”
For south Louisiana, rain chances are high through Saturday.

It’s a new day for the Northwestern State football program as 47-year-old Blaine McCorkle takes over as the new head coach of the Demons. McCorkle replaces Brad Laird, who resigned six games into the season following the murder of safety Ronnie Caldwell. The Demons did not play their final four games of the season so McCorkle understands emotions are still raw…
Cut 13 (12) “…right in the tail.”
McCorkle turned around a losing program at Belhaven University, a division three school in Jackson, Mississippi.

Attorney General-elect Liz Murrill announces plans to conduct a thorough review of State Police practices. Brooke Thorington reports the U-S Justice Department has its own review in response to the 2019 fatal arrest of black motorist Ronald Greene….
cut 1 (28) “….I’m Brooke Thorington”

One of the top players in women’s college basketball returns to the court tonight when seventh ranked LSU hosts ninth ranked Virginia Tech. Lady Tigers star Angel Reese has missed the last four games. Coach Kim Mulkey is not providing details for Reese’s absence, calling it a locker room issue that should stay behind closed doors.

Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain says he’ll ask lawmakers next year to approve 43-million dollars for new firefighting equipment and personnel after the state’s worst wildfire season in history. Strain says there’s an urgent need for more resources and he has prioritized a list of equipment.
Cut 3 (12) “….and transports.”
Wildfires in the Bayou State charred 62 thousand acres and destroyed $71 million in forestland from August through October.

Every parish in the state should see rain today as a wet weather pattern begins, especially for the southern half of Louisiana. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says there’s a slight risk for flash flooding in central and southwest Louisiana…
cut 6 (06) “…embedded thunderstorms”
Southwest Louisiana is also under a slight risk for severe weather. Most of the rest is under a marginal risk. Wetherbee says heavy rainfall appears to be the biggest threat from this storm system that’s receiving energy from the Gulf of Mexico.

Governor-elect Jeff Landry announces the next leader of State Police when he takes office in January. Major Robert Hodges, a 28-year veteran of LSP and a New Orleans native will be the next superintendent of the state’s leading law enforcement agency.
Cut 28 (08) “…state safe.”
Landry also announced a partnership with Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams that would allow the state attorney general’s office to prosecute any case led by State Police.

Speaking of State Police, Attorney General-elect Liz Murrill announced the appointment of former federal prosecutor Ed O’ Callahan as the state’s point person to conduct a review of the L-S-P. Murrill says this is in conjunction with the U-S Department of Justice’s own inquiry…
cut 4 (10) “….going forward”

It’s the final day of the hurricane season. The 2023 season produced 20 named storms, tied for the fourth most in recorded history, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says the Bayou State was never threatened…
cut 8 (12) “…of that”
Most of the state will see rainfall today.

The governor’s office has released a series of reports that provides the public with a list of accomplishments that occurred during the Edwards administration. Deputy Chief of Staff for the governor, Eric Holl, says the state has made tremendous progress in every possible metric including…
cut 12 (09) “…billion dollars”

The U-S Department of Justice has been conducting a pattern and practice inquiry of Louisiana State Police after reports surfaced that troopers were unfairly targeting minorities. The 2019 fatal arrest of Ronald Greene is the most publicized example. Attorney General-elect Liz Murrill says the state will also conduct its own review…
cut 6 (11) “….lasting improvements”
28-year veteran Robert Hodges will serve as the state’s next Louisiana State Police Superintendent, replacing the retiring Lamar Davis on January 8th.

There is a slight risk for flash flooding for southwest Louisiana and into central Louisiana today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says several locations will receive at least two inches of rain and rainfall amounts of three to four inches are possible. Keim says the state can use the rain…
cut 9 (04) “…to bed”

LSU’s Bayou Barbie is back as Angel Reese will be on the floor tonight when 7th ranked LSU hosts 9th ranked Virginia Tech. Colleen Crain has the story…
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Caddo Sheriff candidate John Nickelson’s lawsuit gets a hearing today. Nickelson lost to Henry Whitehorn by one vote, but he’s asking the courts to call for a new election, because he says several mail-in ballots counted did not have a signature and he claims six deceased people voted. Whitehorn says he’s the undisputed winner.

Attorney General elect Liz Murrill has tapped long-time federal prosecutor Ed O’Callahan to conduct a review of the Louisiana State Police, which has been under the microscope since the fatal arrest of black motorist Ronald Green in 2019. Murrill says O’Callahan will work with the U-S Department of Justice who is already conducting a pattern and practice inquiry…
cut 5 (11) “….this country”

Northwestern State has hired former LSU long snapper Blaine McCorkle as its new head coach. McCorkle has a big job in front of him as the Demons football program suspended its 2023 season after the murder of safety Ronnie Caldwell. But McCrokle believes he’s the right guy for the job…
cut 14 (14) “…football games
Northwestern State has not had a winning season since 2008.

A federal judge is giving the Louisiana Legislature a two week extension to redraw a Congressional district map that would comply with the Voting Rights Act. The new deadline is January 30th, but it’s still a tight time frame for a new Legislature that will be sworn in on January 8th.

The hurricane season ends today and after initial predictions of a below average season, the 2023 hurricane season produced 20 named storms and seven hurricanes. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

As the state’s top law enforcement agency remains under federal investigation after the 2019 in-custody death of Ronald Greene, Attorney General-elect Liz Murrill announces her own investigation….
Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Governor-elect Jeff Landry has announced Robert Hodges will be the new Louisiana State Police Superintendent. He’s a 28-year veteran of L-S-P from New Orleans.

And Landry has announced the Attorney General’s office will take on a bigger role in prosecuting cases in New Orleans in collaboration with Orleans Parish D-A Jason Williams.

Today officially marks the last day of the 2023 hurricane season. While 14 named storms are considered an average season, State Climatologist Barry Keim says the season ends with 20 named storms, but only one of them made its mark on the U–S Coast – Hurricane Idalia.
Cut 7 (12) “…pretty spectacular..”
For a second straight year, Louisiana was spared from hurricane activity.

With just under 40 days left before transitioning to a new administration, Governor John Bel Edwards administration has released reports highlighting its accomplishments over the last eight years…
cut 10 (11) “…by LED”
That’s Deputy Chief of Staff Eric Holl who says since 2016, the state has participated in more than 250 major economic development projects representing more than 90-billion dollars of new capital investments and 80-thousand potential new jobs.

As the state’s top law enforcement agency remains under federal investigation after the 2019 death of Ronald Greene, Attorney General-elect Liz Murrill announces her own investigation.  Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________________________

The 2023 hurricane season ends today and although 17 named storms were predicted by NOAA, it was a very busy season with 20 and seven were hurricanes. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

______________________________________________

LSU’s Bayou Barbie is back as Angel Reese will be on the floor tonight when 7th ranked LSU hosts 9th ranked Virginia Tech. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

_________________________________________________

Attorney General-elect Liz Murrill announces the appointment of former federal prosecutor Ed O’Callahan to conduct an in-depth review of the practices and operations of state police. Louisiana State Police is under a US Department of Justice investigation following the 2019 death of Ronald Greene.

Cut 4 (10) “…going forward.”

Murrill says O’Callahan is a long-time former federal prosecutor and former top official at the U.S. Department of Justice. She says O’Callahan and his team from the Washington DC law office of WilmerHale will guide the state in the ongoing USDOJ investigation.

Cut 5 (11) “…this country.”

Murrill, who’s the current Solicitor General, says because she respects and supports law enforcement an internal review of LSP is what’s best for the agency.

Cut 6 (13) “…improvements.”

O’Callahan has conducted similar reviews of law enforcement agencies in Illinois, Maryland, and New York.

______________________________________________

Today officially marks the last day of the 2023 hurricane season. While 14 named storms are considered an average season, State Climatologist Barry Keim says the season ended with 20 named storms and the signature storm – Hurricane Idalia.

Cut 7 (12) “…pretty spectacular..”

NOAA predicted a near to below to average season of 12 to 17 named storms. Out of the 20 named storms, seven developed into hurricanes and three became major hurricanes.

Despite early predictions, Keim says this season is tied for the fourth most active season we have on record. Overall, he says storm tracking was away from the Bayou State which kept it relatively quiet and dry.

Cut 8 (12) “…of that.” 

Keim says we could still possibly get storms in December and January. He says Louisiana is in a swing season period with a strong El Nino but hopes for more rain to help the drought.

Cut 9 (12)  “…to bed.”

________________________________________________

With 40 days left before transitioning to a new administration, Governor John Bel Edwards administration has released reports highlighting their accomplishments over the last eight years. Deputy Chief of Staff Eric Holl says it shows the work done by state agencies under Governor Edwards leadership.

Cut 10 (11) “…by LED.”

The “Challenges Met, Progress Delivered” overview details information of the Department of Health expansion of Medicaid and the people it helped.

Holl says the report details the work of Louisiana Economic Development has grown and diversified the economy and its record-breaking economic development deals. His personal favorite accomplishments…

Cut 11 (12) “…their community.” 

Holl says the series also celebrates Louisiana being much better off than it was eight years ago. He says the state has made tremendous progress in every possible metric including…

Cut 12 (09) “…billion dollars.” 

________________________________________________

It’s a new day for the Northwestern State football program as 47-year-old Blaine McCorkle takes over as the new head coach of the Demons. McCorkle takes over for Brad Laird, who resigned six games into the season following the murder of safety Ronnie Caldwell. The Demons did not play their final four games of the season so he McCorkle recognizes emotions are still raw…

Cut 13 (12) “…right in the tail.”

McCorkle is a 2000 graduate of LSU. He was a long snapper for the Tigers in the late 1990s and played on three bowl teams. He says he’s wanted to be a Division one head coach in Louisiana for 30 years now…

Cut 14 (14) “…football games.”

McCorkle spent the last six seasons as the head coach of Belhaven College. A division three school in Jackson, Mississippi. He took over a losing program and over the last three seasons at Belhaven they went 24-7 and celebrated their first appearance in the Division three playoffs in school history.  McCorkle wants to win championships at Northwestern State…

Cut 15 (15) “…to do.”

Northwestern State has not had a winning season since 2008.

____________________________________________________________________

All-American forward Angel Reese is back with the 7th-ranked Lady Tigers just in time for Thursday night’s matchup against 9th-ranked Virginia Tech, a rematch of last year’s national semifinal game won by LSU. Reese has missed the last four games for an undisclosed reason and Coach Kim Mulkey says Angel is back and everyone is happy…

Cut 16 (10) “…the country.”

In four games this season, Reese is averaging 17 points and ten rebounds a game. She had 24 points and 12 rebounds against Hokie when they beat them last year to advance to the national championship game.

It remains a mystery why Reese missed the last four games, including a trip to the Cayman Islands. Mulkey continues to say it was a locker room issue…

Cut 17 (17) “…to me.”

Junior guard Kateri Poole has also been absent from the team. Mulkey says Poole is still not back and did not elaborate if her return is imminent. Poole averaged five points and two assists a game last year as she provided defensive toughness off the bench.

Mulkey did confirm that sophomore forward Sa’Myah Smith will miss the rest of the season after tearing her A-C-L and M-C-L in last Friday’s win over Niagara. Smith is a six-foot-two sophomore forward and Mulkey says she’ll be missed

Cut 18 (18)  “…thus far.” 

Smith is averaging 12 points and eight rebounds a game this season. LSU could use Smith against Va Tech. Six-foot-six Elizabeth Kitley is averaging 24 points and 12 rebounds a game. Tip-off is at 8 PM.

____________________________________________________________

Cut 19 (18) “…moving forward” 

Cut 20 (20) “…that’s significant.”

Governor-elect Jeff Landry announces Robert Hodges as the next Superintendent of State Police. Major Hodges is a 28-year veteran of LSP. Landry made the announcement in New Orleans and also announced a crime-fighting partnership with the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office…

cut 9 (08) “…they deserve”

Landry says he will bring in as much of a law enforcement presence into the city of New Orleans as necessary to keep the entire city safe…

A disturbing story in south Louisiana today as an 11-year-old girl has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 36-year-old Kameran Bedsole. Bedsole’s body was found in the 47-hundred block of Jasper Road in New Iberia on November 14th. Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Katherine Breaux says they are not releasing any other details at this time…
cut 7 (04) “…are expected”

The Department of Children and Family Services is urging EBT cardholders to immediately change their PIN. According to DCFS fraud director Rhonda Brown, multiple skimming devices at various retailers have been discovered around the state. She urges EBT card holder to regularly review their card transactions using the Life In Check EBT mobile app or visit their website…

Cut 20 (10) “…for months.”

If you want to see the world’s tallest Christmas tree structure, just make your way toward north Louisiana to DeSoto Parish which now holds the world record with its 300-foot-tall tree structure. Sheriff Jayson Richardson says the idea hit him last year while looking at Christmas lights with his family.

Cut 3 (13) “….exceeded that.”