Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Norman is slated to hold a news conference at this hour to provide updates in the case of the death of former NFL player Joe McKnight and the releasing of the shooter from custody. Members of the NAACP held a rally to protest the release of the shooter, Ronald Gasser. This protester says this case would be handled much differently if the races were revered…:
CUT 1 (09) “going home”
Officials say the case is now in the hands of the DA. The investigation is ongoing.

The state is in for plenty of rain this weekend, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says we could use it because of the drought conditions throughout Louisiana…:
Cut 10 (08) “the rain”

An arrest has been made in the case of the Bourbon Street shooting that left Demontris Toliver dead and 9 others injured. NOPD Chief Michael Harrison says 20-year-old Jordan Clay of Lafayette has been charged with 2nd degree murder. He says the investigation is ongoing as they continue their search for the other suspect and try to identify a motive…:
Cut 5 (11) “shootout followed”

First Lady Donna Edwards is preparing her first Christmas in the Governor’s Mansion. The Edwards’ were flooded out of their home, but they are back now and ready for the holidays. Mrs. Edwards says she worked closely with other former First Ladies to spruce up the Mansion…:
Cut 8 (10) “this process”
She is hosting a Joyeux Noel celebration at her home this afternoon at 3 p.m. to show off the improvements she’s made.

One of two suspects in the case of the fatal shooting on Bourbon Street following the Bayou Classic last weekend has been arrested. New Orleans Police Chief Michael Harrison said 20-year-old Jordan Clay of Lafayette has been charged with 2nd degree murder….:
CUT 4 (08) “weekend festivities”
He says they believe the two had an ongoing dispute and just happened to run into each other when the shooting took place. 1 man died and 9 other people were injured.

Local chapters of the NAACP say they are outraged that the shooter in the killing of former NFL and John Curtis football player Joe McKnight was released from jail. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office said that investigators are counseling with the DA’s office on whether they should formally charge 54-year-old Ronald Gasser. NAACP head Morris Reed said they believe a black man was lynched yesterday and they demand answers. I news conference is slated for this hour with the JPSO.

Louisiana is in for a wet weekend as the cold front that passed us earlier in the week is turning back toward the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we have about three to four wet days in front of us. He says northern parishes can expect to see anywhere from five to seven inches of rain…:
Cut 9 (10) “a problem”
Keim says the upside to this wet weather is it will likely eliminate most of the drought we’ve seen across the state.

The state select championships are underway today in the Dome. The action kicked off at 10 this morning where Southern Lab is looking to repeat against Ascension Episcopal who is making its first appearance. In the Division 2 game, St. Thomas More looks for its first state title against defending champ Parkview. Scotlandville also looks for its first state championship against Evangel.

Grambling State will face Alcorn State in the SWAC Championship game tomorrow afternoon in Houston. The Tigers handled the Braves with ease when the teams played in late September, winning 43-18. Grambling Coach Broderick Fobbs says they are working on keeping in mind what the strengths and weaknesses are with Alcorn…:
CUT 1 (10) “also”
Grambling is averaging 44 points per game, a total that ranks fourth nationally in the Football Championship Subdivision.

In other college football action around the state this weekend…

In the Sun Belt, in state rivals UL Lafayette will take the field with ULM tomorrow afternoon in Malone Stadium. If the Ragin Cajuns win this one they will likely end up in the New Orleans Bowl.

In C-USA, Louisiana Tech travels to face Western Kentucky.

The man police say shot and killed former-NFL running back Joe McKnight has been released from police custody, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. McKnight was one of the best high school football players in the nation when he attended John Curtis. His former coach JT Curtis says McKnight was a great man…:
CUT 19 (12) “affiliated with”
Authorities say the shooter, 54-year-old Ronald Gasser claimed self-defense in the road range incident. Investigators say they are consulting the District Attorney’s Office on whether or not to file charges.

An arrest has been made in the case of the Bourbon Street shooting that left Demontris Toliver dead and 9 others injured. NOPD Chief Michael Harrison says 20-year-old Jordan Clay of Lafayette has been charged with 2^nd degree murder. He says a multi-agency investigation led to his arrest.

Cut (12) “…federal partners”

Harrison says Clay was arrested in St. Martin parish, where he is currently being held as he awaits extradition to New Orleans. A second shooter remains at large.

The man police say shot and killed former-NFL running back Joe McKnight has been released from police custody, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. Authorities say 54-year-old Ronald Gasser has not been formally charged, as he claimed self-defense in the shooting that followed a road rage incident yesterday afternoon. Investigators say they are consulting the District Attorney’s Office on whether or not to file charges.

Republican John Kennedy is leading in the US Senate race a week before the runoff, according to a new poll from Southern Media and Opinion Research. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says the State Treasurer has been popular statewide for several years because he’s been critical of government spending.

Cut 13 (09) “a Republican”

The poll also finds 58-percent of respondents have a favorable view of Kennedy.

The Edwards’ family is getting in the holiday spirit as they will spend their first Christmas in the Governor’s Mansion. The family was displaced during the August flooding but are now settling back into life in the mansion. First Lady Donna Edwards is hosting a Joyeux Noel celebration at her home this afternoon at 3 p.m. to show off the improvements she’s made.

Cut 6 (08) “with that”

Guests of the event will be treated with holiday snacks, music and a special visit from Papa Noel.

The suspect in the shooting death of former-NFL player Joe McKnight has been released, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. Police say 54-year-old Ronald Gasser has not been charged, and the investigation is ongoing. Gasser reportedly admitted to shooting McKnight after a road rage incident in Terrytown, claiming self-defense.

Early voting ends tomorrow, and the turnout has been lower than expected. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says we’re seeing predominantly chronic voters turn out for early voting. He believes the low turnout is due to voter fatigue.

Cut 10 (10) “percent less”

Polls are open from 8:30 am until 6 pm during early voting, and Schedler says we’re seeing about 22-thousand voters a day at the polls.

A recent poll of 500 likely Louisiana voters finds Republican John Kennedy has a strong lead over Democrat Foster Campbell in the US Senate race. Southern Media and Opinion Research pollster Bernie Pinsonat says only about 10-percent of voters are undecided.

Cut 12 (09) “and Republicans”

The poll finds that Kennedy leads Campbell 52 to 38-percent.

The 2^nd Annual Winter Fete is underway in Alexandria. Director of Community Services, Daniel Williams, says they have stilt walkers, fire breathers, and face painting. He says they’ve also beefed up their attractions from last year.

Cut 15 (08) “holiday market”

Williams says they also have an Indie Market, which features unique arts and crafts.

The suspect in the shooting death of former NFL player and John Curtis Joe McKnight has been released according to JPSO spokesman John Fortunato. 54-year-old Ronald Gasser has not been charged, but Fortunato says the investigation, into what they had previously called an apparent road rage incident, is ongoing.

Just a week before the US Senate runoff, a Southern Media and Opinion Research poll finds Republican John Kennedy has a 14 point lead over Democrat Foster Campbell. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Vice President-elect Mike Pense is going to be in New Orleans tomorrow to rally for US Senate candidate John Kennedy. But the Executive Director of the Democratic Party Stephen Handwerk says he finds this ironic as the GOP had harsh words for Kennedy when he was a Democrat. Handwerk says Democratic candidate Foster Campbell’s message is resonating with voters:
CUT 7 (09) “the primary”
Pence will be joined by Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and Attorney General Jeff Landry.

Early voting ends tomorrow and turnout has been lower than expected. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says we’re seeing about 22-thousand voters at the polls a day during this early voting week. He also says there’s been a bigger male turnout than female, which isn’t typical..:
Cut 9 (10) “optimistic”
For early voting the polls are open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

New Orleans Police say they have caught a suspect in the shooting that left one person dead and injured nine others on Bourbon Street last weekend. 20-year-old Jordan Clay was taken into custody in St. Martin Parish on a warrant out of New Orleans for second degree murder. Officials say a second shooter remains at large. A news conference is scheduled for 9:45 a.m.

Vice President-elect Mike Pence will be in New Orleans tomorrow hosting a rally to get voters out to the poll for the December 10th runoff. Emelie Gunn has more:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Former prep football star and NFL player Joe McKnight was killed Thursday afternoon in what the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office is calling a road rage incident. He starred at John Curtis and his coach there JT Curtis says McKnight’s death is a senseless tragedy…:
Cut 18 (10) “ turned violent”
Sheriff Newell Normand has identified the shooter as 54-year-old Ronald Gasser.

The 2nd annual Alex Winter Fête is underway in Alexandria. The three day festival drew almost 30-thousand people in its inaugural year. Director of Community Services, Daniel Williams, says this year will be bigger and better than last year…
cut 14 (10) “food vendors”
He says one of the most fun events of the weekend is the Ugly Sweater 5k which takes place tomorrow morning.

Early voting ends tomorrow and we’ve seen lower than expected voter turnout. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A new poll from Southern Media and Opinion Research finds Republican John Kennedy still has a strong lead over Democrat Foster Campbell in the US Senate race. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says the results are not surprising…:
cut 11 (09) “to 38”
He says it is unlikely Campbell will make a late charge as just under 10-percent of voters are undecided.

There’s been a tragedy in Jefferson Parish that’s claimed the life of a popular former NFL player from Louisiana. 28-year-old Joe McKnight, who played for John Curtis High School and was one of the best in the country, was killed in an apparent road rage incident. His former high school coach, J-T Curtis…:
CUT 19 (12) “affiliated with”
54-year-old Ronald Gasser is identified as the shooter.

Vice President-elect Mike Pence will attend a rally at the Lakefront Airport in support of US Senate candidate John Kennedy tomorrow after attending private fundraisers in New Orleans for the State Treasurer. Louisiana Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere says Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and Attorney General Jeff Landry will also attend the rally..:
Cut 6 (11) “coming up”
The Democratic Party of Louisiana is still confident in their candidate, Foster Campbell.

Family, friends and fans are in shock with grief over the death of former NFL and John Curtis High School player Joe McKnight who was shot in an apparent Jefferson Parish road rage incident. His former high school coach, J-T Curtis, is devastated by the slaying of the 28-year-old…:
cut 17 (08) “just tragic”
Sheriff Newell Normand has identified the shooter as 54-year-old Ronald Gasser.

Early voting ends tomorrow and turnout has been lower than expected. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says we’re seeing about 22-thousand voters at the polls a day during this early voting week, down 10-thousand a day from the primary. He things could pick up…:
Cut 8 (10) “voter turnout”
Early voting polls are open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Vice President-elect Mike Pence will be in New Orleans tomorrow hosting a get-out-the vote rally in support of US Senate candidate John Kennedy. Louisiana Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere says voters need to be reminded that there is still a ballot to be cast…:
cut 4 (08) “important election”
Louisiana Democratic Party executive director Stephen Handwerk believes Pence’s appearance is just for show. He says Republicans were very quick to condemn Kennedy when he was a registered Democrat…:
Cut 5 (04) “best hope”
Pence will headline the GOP event at Lakefront Airport at 1 p.m.