The Cardell Hayes trial is restarting this morning and many are wondering if he will take the stand in his defense. Hayes is accused of killing former Saints defensive end Will Smith in a road rage incident in April. Hayes’ attorneys are claiming he shot Smith in self defense because he was scared Smith was returning to his vehicle to get a gun. Saints Quarterback Drew Brees is in the courtroom next to Smith’s widow, Racquel, who took the stand yesterday and was shot in he leg that night by Hayes.

President-elect Donald Trump rallied in Baton Rouge to entourage Louisianians to get out and vote for U.S. Senate candidate Republican John Kennedy. The future president told supporters he needs Kennedy in Washington to help accomplish their agenda, including protecting our borders.
Cut 14 (10) “come out”

Democrat Foster Campbell spent Friday meeting with reporters in Baton Rouge and then had campaign stops in Alexandria and Lake Charles.

The election cycle in Louisiana finally ends today and voter turnout is expected to be significantly lower than in the November primary. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says early voter turnout was much lower for the runoff than in the general election.
Cut 3 (10) “in November”

He predicts turnout will be around 30-percent. The polls are open until 8 p.m.

Audio has been released of a phone conversation between 3rd Congressional District candidate Clay Higgins and his ex-wife, where Higgins suggests winning the election will help him pay child support. Higgins reportedly owes more than $100-thousand in child support to ex-wife Rosemary Rothkamm-Hambrice. UL- Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Higgins’ personal issues that have been arising throughout the campaign are problems that the public can relate to.
Cut 9 (08) “doing that”

FEMA has refused Governor John Bel Edwards’ request to lower the state’s share of disaster response cost for the March flooding that affected the central and northern part of Louisiana down to 10-percent. The state is required to pay 10-percent of the response from the August flooding and 25-percent from the March flooding. Officials with the Edwards’ administration believe the floods should be grouped together because of the destruction.

President-elect Donald Trump laid out the agenda for his presidency during a speech in front of supporters in Baton Rouge. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Voter turnout is expected to be low for today’s election. Secretary of State Tom Schedler urges everyone to get out and vote because there are 156 propositions across 44 parishes up for vote, and the US Senate race will be on the ballot statewide. He says even though many parishes only have one item on the ballot, some precincts still have heated races.

Cut 5 (09) “local election”
The polls are open until 8 p.m.
Governor John Bel Edwards wants to develop a tax structure that’s fair, predictable and able to pay for state services as Louisiana is facing another year of budget problems. Earlier in the year the legislature approved 1.5 billion dollars in tax increases to help fill a huge budget gap when Edwards walked into office. But he says that wasn’t enough to stop cuts to government services and the people of Louisiana deserve more…
cut 12 (08) “that problem”

Secretary of State Tom Schedler expects extremely low voter turnout for today’s election. Schedler says he predicts turnout will about about 30-percent. He says voter fatigue has hit, and now people are more worried about getting ready for the holidays.
cut 4 (09) “is elsewhere”

Schedler says there are 156 propositions across 44 parishes up for vote, and the US Senate race will be on the ballot statewide. The polls are open until 8 p.m.

Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s time to create a tax structure that’s fair and predictable as the state is facing an additional year of budget problems. Lawmakers learned earlier this week that the state has a budget deficit that’s grown to 600-million dollars and Edwards says there’s one part of the tax code he would like to fix…
cut 11 (07) “better”

A University of New Orleans Survey Research Center survey finds Republican John Kennedy remains substantially ahead of Democrat Foster Campbell in today’s U.S. Senate election. Since the primary, Campbell has been trailing behind Kennedy by double digits in every poll published. Pollster Ed Chervenak says Campbell has been hurt by the lack of strong support within the Democratic Party.
Cut 7 (09) “as Republicans.”

Two state football championship games were held in the Mercedes Benz Superdome last night. In Class One-A, Logansport scored 28 points in the 4th quarter to beat Haynesville 34-28. Logansport was down 28-6 entering the final quarter. In the Class Two-A title game, Sterlington won its first football title by shocking top-seeded and undefeated Madison Prep 28-27. Three more championship games will be held today. The 4a title game is a rematch of last year’s game won by Neville. West Monroe and Landry Walker face off for the 5A title.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler expects voter turnout to be low for today’s election. Michelle Southern has more…
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

After meeting the President-elect Donald Trump in Baton Rouge yesterday, Governor John Bel Edwards was able to give him an update on the recovery efforts after the August flooding since his last visit. Edwards says they discussed what Louisiana needs in order to rebuild. He says the future president will play a pivotal role in helping the state receive additional funds of relief. The two agreed to meet again after Trump is inaugurated.

 
A new poll from the University of New Orleans Survey Research Center finds Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Kennedy continues to have a big lead over Democrat Foster Campbell in today’s election. UNO Pollster Ed Chervenak says out of 776 respondents, 62-percent of favored Kennedy while 33-percent supported Campbell.
Cut 6 (09) “Republican’s favor”

Audio has been released of a conversation between 3rd Congressional District candidate Capt. Clay Higgins and his ex-wife, where Higgins suggested winning the election would help him pay child support. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says it’s obvious Higgins didn’t know the phone conversation was being recorded so it’s hard to say how it impacts the election.
Cut 8 (09) “advantage of”

Thousands of Donald Trump supporters gathered at a hangar at the Baton Rouge Airport Friday, as the president-elect was in Louisiana to stump for Republican John Kennedy in Saturday’s US Senate election. Mr. Trump says he needs Kennedy in Washington to help accomplish their agenda, including protecting the southern border.

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A recent UNO poll shows Kennedy leads Democrat Foster Campbell 62 to 33-percent. Pollster Ed Chervenak says Campbell has been hurt by the lack of strong support within the Democratic Party.

Cut 7 (09) “as Republicans”

Campbell says voters should support him because his record in public service speak for itself.

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke with the Donald Trump while he was in Baton Rouge on Friday to update the president-elect on Louisiana’s ongoing flood recovery. He says the Mr. Trump will play a vital role in securing additional federal assistance next year. He says they agreed to meet after the inauguration to discuss more aid for Louisiana.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler expects voter turnout to be low for Saturday’s election. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

President-elect Donald Trump was in Baton Rouge Friday afternoon to support Republican John Kennedy in the US Senate race. Mr. Trump says Kennedy has worked hard for Louisianans over the years.

Cut 13 (12) “for Louisiana”

Democrat Foster Campbell spent Friday meeting with reporters in Baton Rouge and then had campaign stops in Alexandria and Lake Charles.  He says his record speaks for itself.

Cut 15 (11) “service commission”

Governor John Bel Edwards met with the president-elect before the rally in Baton Rouge and updated him on flood recovery efforts in Louisiana. He says they plan to meet again after the inauguration to discuss the issue more in detail.

With the state facing another year of budget problems, Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s time to create a tax structure that’s fair and predictable and able to pay for state services. Edwards says there’s one area of the tax code he would like to fix.

Cut 11 (07) “better”

Lawmakers learned earlier this week that the state has a budget deficit that’s grown to 600-million dollars.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler is expecting an overall voter turnout around 30-percent for Saturday’s election. Schedler says voter fatigue has hit and now people are more worried about getting ready for the holidays.

Cut 4 (09) “elsewhere”
Schedler says there are 156 local tax propositions across 44 parishes. He adds that the US Senate race will be on every ballot in the state.

President-elect Donald Trump laid out the agenda for his presidency during a speech in front of supporters in Baton Rouge. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke with the president-elect before the rally. Edwards says he updated Mr. Trump on Louisiana’s recovery from the historic floods of 2016. He says the president-elect will play a vital role in securing additional federal assistance. He says they also agreed to meet after the inauguration to discuss these issues in more detail.

With the state facing budget problems, Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s time for serious tax reform. Earlier this year the legislature approved $1.5 billion in tax increases to help fill a huge budget gap when Edwards walked into office. But Edwards says that wasn’t enough to prevent cuts to government services.

Cut 12 (08) “that problem”

The state is currently facing a $600 million shortfall.

A recorded phone conversation between Capt. Clay Higgins and his ex-wife discussing child support he owes has been released just ahead of Saturday’s election. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says it’s clear the 3^rd Congressional District candidate didn’t know the conversation was recorded.

Cut 8 (09) “advantage of”

Higgins suggested winning the election would help him pay child support.