12.05.16
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LRN AM NEWSCALL DEC 5

Senator David Vitter gave his farewell speech on the Senate floor. Halen Doughty reports the Republican from Jefferson Parish is set to leave the Senate after 12-years. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 1 (26) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A new campaign ad for Democrat Foster Campbell features Governor John Bel Edwards urging residents to vote for the Public Service Commissioner in the US Senate runoff. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The Crescent City will be featured as the Central time zone location for Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve nationally televised show. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 3 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has received 21 whooping cranes from Maryland in the last week, giving the Bayou State a total of 25 large birds that have been delivered to this state this year. LDWF Biologist Sara Zimorski says the Whooping Cranes will be spread out between two facilities…

cut 4  (10) “those locations”

Zimorski says currently, there are released 38 birds in the wild and the new arrivals will be counted into the population in a few weeks. She says it’s so important to receive these shipments given the low number of the whooping cranes in the state.

Cut 5  (08)  “here again”

The whooping crane was considered extinct in Louisiana in 1950, but for the last six years the state has been working to restore a solid population of these large birds back into the state. Zimorski says once released, the birds are encouraged to stay by being fed, but eventually they branch out on their own.

Cut 6 (09) “natural foods”

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Senator David Vitter gave his farewell speech on the Senate floor Monday, as he will leave the office he’s held since January 2005. Vitter says as a Louisiana state legislator he worked to impose term limits here, as well as authoring the leading term limits measure for Congress. He says that’s why he’s imposing one on himself.

CUT 7 (11)  “term limits”

Vitter says in his tenure he’s worked to protect 2nd Amendment rights and the right to life. He says he’s helped stopped automatic pay raises in Washington and worked on Obamacare reform to make the healthcare more patient oriented.

The outgoing Senator thanked embers of his team, his colleagues, and friends in Washington. But he says he owes the most to his wife, Wendy.

Cut 8 (11) “fireball shots”

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In a new ad, Governor John Bel Edwards asks residents to vote for Democrat Foster Campbell in Saturday’s US Senate race. In the 30-second spot, Edwards says Campbell could be the deciding vote against substantial cuts to social security and Medicare. ULM political science Professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says as popular as the governor is, this ad likely won’t do much to help Campbell.

Cut 9 (08)  “this race”

Campbell will face Republican John Kennedy in the December 10 runoff. The governor says in the ad that Campbell supports equal pay for women, and he will bring tax dollars home for roads, bridges, and coastal restoration. Stockley says while the ad is a nice gesture, it’s probably too little too late.

Cut 10 (07)  “upset victory”

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We can expect to see some Louisiana leaders working in the Trump Administration either in the cabinet or administrative positions, according to Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta, who led the Trump campaign in Louisiana. He says federal lawmakers from this state are recommending Louisiana residents to the transition team.

cut 11 (10) “in Louisiana”

Skrmetta says the President-elect has chosen strong leaders for the positions he’s filled so far, including appointing Dr. Ben Carson as the Secretary for the Department of Housing. Skrmetta says he’s even thrown his hat in the ring for available positions in the new administration.

cut 12 (09) “in Louisiana”

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New Orleans will now be featured as part of the 2017 Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest. Local Representative for Dick Clark Productions Gary Solomon says this is the first time in the show’s history that there will be another countdown in the Central time zone. He says it’s a real game changer for the Crescent City…

Cut 13 (10) “parade”

Solomon says a number of celebrities will perform and the biggest feature will be the crowd having a good time in the French Quarter…

cut 14 (11) “real win”

Solomon says Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin eve will cut to New Orleans throughout the five and a half hour nationally televised show. He says viewers will feel like they’re a part of the New Orleans culture.

Cut 15 (10) “Brewery drop”

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NFL Draft Analyst Mike Detillier believes LSU running back Leonard Fournette will be a top five pick in the 2017 NFL draft. Fournette announced he’s turning pro after the bowl game, even though he struggled to stay healthy this past season, because of an ankle injury. Detillier says Fournette is still one of the top NFL prospects in the upcoming draft class…

Cut 16 (10) “Johnathan Allen”

The NFL has become more of a passing league and a franchise running back is not desired as much as it was a decade ago.  But Detillier says we’ve seen two running backs drafted high in the first round recently and both have panned out well…

Cut 17 (17)    “he’s had “

When healthy, Fournette is one of the most explosive offensive players in the country. Detillier believes he has a shot to be the top overall pick…

Cut 18 (15) “ Texas A&M”

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Officials with the R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl are expecting a big crowd for its bowl game on December 17th in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. On that night, the Ragin Cajuns will face Southern Miss. Jay Cicero, C-E-O of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says it’s great match-up for their bowl…

Cut 19 (19)   “16 years”

The Cajuns are playing in the New Orleans Bowl for the fifth time in the last six years, while it’s also Southern Miss’ fifth appearance in the bowl game and first since 2009. Cicero says they expect 40-to-45-thousand fans for what should be a great game…

cut 20 (19)   “Superdome”

 

12.05.16
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18:30 Newscast Dec 5

A new survey from Tulane finds Republican John Kennedy still has a strong lead over Democrat Foster Campbell just days before the runoff. Political science professor Brian Brox says many voters feel that voting for a Democrat means choosing the minority in a Republican-dominated Senate.

Cut 15 (04) “of power”

Brox says supporters of candidates who did not make the runoff are splitting along party lines.

Only 171-thousand Louisiana voters went to the polls during the early voting period. Pollster John Couvillion with JMC Analytics says Democratic enthusiasm is lacking, with a lower percentage of black voters than in the primary. He says East Baton Rouge Parish was the only exception because of the competitive mayoral race.

Cut 11 (12) “Weston Broome”

Former-Democratic State Senator Broome is facing Republican State Senator Bodi White in the race.

Senator David Vitter gave his farewell speech today on the Senate floor before he leaves office next year. The outgoing Senator thanked members of his team and his colleagues. But he says he owes the most to his wife, Wendy.

Cut 23 (11) “fireball shots”

The senior senator took office in 2005.

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs are excited about facing 25th ranked Navy on December 23rd in the Armed Forced Bowl. Athletic Director Tommy McClelland expects this will be a high scoring game and predicts tons of fans will attend.

Cut 8 (09) “large crowd”

He expects between 500 and 1,000 students to attend the game in Ft. Worth, Texas.

12.05.16
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17:30 LRN Newscast December 5th

Only 171-thousand of the state’s 3 million registered voters cast their ballots during the early voting period. Pollster John Couvillion, with JMC Analytics, predicts turnout for the runoff to be 35-percent, at the most. He says a runoff during the holiday season has always been bad for turnout, plus this Senate race isn’t exciting voters…:
Cut 10 (08) “this one”

A new survey out of Tulane reveals US Senate candidate Republican John Kennedy has a healthy lead in the race against Democrat Foster Campbell in the runoff. Brian Brox, associate professor of Political Science, says they found 59% of respondents said they would vote for Kennedy, while 40% said Campbell is their choice. He says the Republican has always been favored in Saturday’s race…:
Cut 13 (07) “characteristics”
The election will be held this Saturday.

Senator David Vitter gave his farewell speech on the Senate floor today, as he will leave the office he’s held since January 2005. Vitter says as a Louisiana state legislator he worked to impose term limits here, as well as authoring a term limits measure for Congress. He says that’s why he’s imposing one on himself….
cut 7 (11) “…term limits”
It’s unclear what Senator Vitter will do once his term ends at the end of the year.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette took to Twitter today to say goodbye to Tigers fans. Fournette says he’ll enter the NFL draft following the team’s appearance in the Citrus Bowl. The New Orleans native has battled an ankle injury all season long, but still hopes to play in the bowl game.

Attorneys met with potential jurors as they look for 12 individuals who will sit on a panel to determine if 29-year-old Cardale Hayes should be found guilty of second-degree murder in the shooting death of former Saints star Will Smith.

12.05.16
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16:45 LRN Sportscast December 5th

LSU star running back Leonard Fournette made it official today and announced that he will enter the 2017 NFL draft after the Tigers’ bowl game on December 31st. Fournette said he wanted to get it out there now, so that there wouldn’t be speculation and distractions while they prepare to face Louisville in the Citrus Bowl. Fournette also says he plans to play in the bowl game, despite a nagging ankle injury.

Louisiana Tech will play 25th ranked Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl, which will be played on December 23rd in Fort Worth, Texas. Bulldogs Athletic director Tommy McClelland says they also had an option to return to the Heart of Dallas Bowl, which they made an appearance in, in 2014…
cut 9 (09) “…three years”
Plenty of points should be scored in this one. The Midshipmen are averaging 39 points a game. Tech is averaging 44 a contest.

Coach Sean Payton was not a happy man after the Saints 28-13 loss to Detroit on Sunday. Payton says his players looked sluggish at the start of the game and he didn’t like seeing 10 penalties called against his team during the course of the contest. And he was especially not happy about reports before the game that the Saints were interested in trading wide receiver Brandin Cooks…
cut 18 (09) “…thanks”
Cooks expressed frustration in not having a bigger role in the team’s win last week against the Rams, had a team-high seven grabs in the loss to Detroit. One other note on the Black and Gold, tight end Josh Hill will reportedly miss the remainder of the season with a broken fibula.

Today was the first day of jury selection in the murder trial of fomrer Saints star Will Smith. Twenty-year-old Cardale Hayes has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in Smith’s death. Over 100 residents of Orleans Parish are in the jury pool.

12.05.16
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16:30 LRN Newscast December 5th

Tulane has published an online survey that found 59-percent of the respondents are supporting Republican John Kennedy in the U.S. Senate run-off. Democrat Foster Campbell, received 40-percent. Tulane political science professor Brian Brox says the survey also found that 31-percent of the residents who voted for Hillary Clinton in the Presidential election, will not vote for Campbell in this runoff…
cut 14 (09) “…in the runoff”

171-thousand ballots were cast during the early voting period which ended last Saturday. John Couvillion, with JMC Analytics, says the early voting totals were impressive for the November election, but not so much this time…
cut 12 (10) “…turnout”
Polls are open this Saturday from 7 AM to 8 PM.

Officials with the Camping World Independence Bowl in Shreveport are excited about their December 26th contest that pits North Carolina State versus Vanderbilt. Bowl Spokesperson Stefan Nolet says the ACC and SEC matchup marks the second time in three seasons the two conferences have played each other in this bowl…:
Cut 6 (10) “game here”
Kick off for the Independence Bowl is at 4 p.m.

This non-stop rain has many flood weary folks in the Bayou State feeling nervous, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says the wet weather will finally leave today and then we can get ready for our real dose of cold weather before the weekend arrives…:
Cut 5 (10) “and Friday”

12.05.16
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15:30 Newscast Dec 5

LSU running back Leonard Fournette announced today that he will enter the NFL draft after the Tiger’s Citrus Bowl game on December 31. The announcement came on twitter, where Fournette also stated that he does plan to play in the game against Louisville, despite an ankle injury. Fournette has 3,755 yards for his career, which is the fourth highest in LSU history.

Only 171-thousand registered voters hit the polls for early voting for the runoff election, which is six percent of the state’s registered voters. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

In the final days before the US Senate runoff, a Tulane survey finds Republican John Kennedy still has a strong lead over Democrat Foster Campbell. Political science professor Brian Brox says many voters feel that voting for a Democrat means choosing the minority party in a Republican-controlled senate.

Cut 15 (04) “of power”

Brox says voters whose candidate did not make the runoff are splitting along party lines.

Louisiana Tech is heading to the Armed Forces Bowl to take on 25th ranked Navy on December 23. Athletic Director Tommy McClelland says they were offered the option to play Army in the Heart of Dallas Bowl or the top 25 team. He says they chose the game that would give players a new experience.

Cut 9 (09) “three years”

McClelland expects between 500 and a thousand students will attend the game.

12.05.16
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14:30 Newscast December 5,2016

A new survey out of Tulane reveals US Senate candidate Republican John Kennedy has a healthy lead in the race against Democrat Foster Campbell in the runoff. Michelle Southern reports…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The jury selection in the Cardell Hayes trial is underway in New Orleans Criminal District Court. Hayes is accused of killing former Saints defensive end Will Smith during a road rage incident in April. It was made know today that prosecutors will no longer charge Hayes with aggravated assault with a firearm. Over 100 jurors were brought in today for questioning and that number be narrowed down to 12 jurors and four alternates.

 
Out of the state’s 3 million registered voters, only 171-thousand voters went to the polls during the early voting period. Pollster John Couvillion with JMC Analytics says data showed Democratic enthusiasm is lacking, with the percentage of black voters lower than in the primary. He says the only exception was in East Baton Rouge Parish, because of the competitive mayoral race.
cut 11 (12) “Weston-Broome”

The Camping World Independence Bowl in Shreveport will host North Carolina State and Vanderbilt for a December 26th match-up. Bowl Spokesperson Stefan Nolet expects Vanderbilt fans will travel to the game because they haven’t been to a bowl since 2013. But he says traveling on the day after Christmas can be tough, but…
CUT 7 (07) “federal holiday”

Kick-off is at 4 p.m.

12.05.16
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LRN PM Newscall December 5th

Only 171-thousand registered voters hit the polls for early voting for the runoff election, which is six percent of the state’s registered voters. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A new survey out of Tulane reveals US Senate candidate Republican John Kennedy has a healthy lead in the race against Democrat Foster Campbell in the runoff. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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It’s a cold, rainy day across the Bayou State, and state climatologist Barry Keim says this is typical for winter in Louisiana. He says a storm is tracking across the southern part of the state today, bringing more of the wet weather we saw all weekend.

Cut 3 (12) “half inches”

Flash flood watches are in effect until 3pm in southwest and central Louisiana parishes. Keim says there’s also the potential for severe weather today in south Louisiana as warm air is colliding with cold air.

cut 4  (10) “about it”

Keim says the rain should finally move out of the state today and then we can get ready for our real dose of cold weather before the weekend arrives.

Cut 5  (10)  “and Friday”

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Officials with the Camping World Independence Bowl in Shreveport are excited about their December 26th contest that pits North Carolina State versus Vanderbilt. Bowl Spokesperson Stefan Nolet says the ACC and SEC matchup marks the second time in three seasons the two conferences have played each other in this bowl. He says both teams finished the season strong.

Cut 6 (10) “game here”

Kick off for the Independence Bowl is at 4 p.m. Nolet expects Vanderbilt fans are excited because they haven’t been to a bowl since 2013 and seem to travel well. But he says traveling on the day after Christmas can be tough, but…

CUT 7 (07)  “federal holiday”

Louisiana Tech is also excited about its bowl destination. The Bulldogs will play 25th ranked Navy on December 23rd in Fort Worth, Texas in the Armed Forced Bowl. Athletic Director Tommy McClelland expects this will be a high scoring game. He says the kick-off is at 3 p.m. and predicts tons of fans will attend, like in past bowl games.

Cut 8 (09) “large crowd”

McClelland expects anywhere from 500 to a thousand students will attend the game. He says they were presented the option to play Army in the Heart of Dallas Bowl or a top 25 Navy team, so they selected the team that would give players another new experience.

Cut 9 (09)  “three years”

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Only 171-thousand of the state’s 3 million registered voters cast their ballots during the early voting period. Pollster John Couvillion, with JMC Analytics, predicts turnout for the runoff to be 35-percent, at the most. He says a runoff during the holiday season has always been bad for turnout, plus this Senate race isn’t exciting voters.

Cut 10 (08) “this one”

Couvillion says early voting data showed Democratic enthusiasm is lacking, with the percentage of black voters lower than in the primary. He says the only exception to this is in East Baton Rouge Parish, because of the hotly contested mayoral race.

cut 11 (12) “Weston-Broome”

Former State Senator Broome is facing Republican State Senator Bodi White in the Baton Rouge mayoral election. Only six percent of the state’s registered voters hit the polls for early voting. Couvillion says he was very impressed with the number of early voters in the primary, but….

cut 12 (10) “turnout”

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A new survey out of Tulane reveals Republican John Kennedy has a healthy lead over Democrat Foster Campbell in the Us Senate runoff. Brian Brox, associate professor of Political Science, says 59% of respondents said they would vote for Kennedy, while 40% said Campbell is their choice. He says the Republican has always been favored in Saturday’s race…:

Cut 13 (07) “characteristics”

The survey found that, when the presidential vote of the respondent is considered, nearly 83 percent of Trump voters said they plan to vote for Kennedy. Brox says it’s interesting that just 69 percent of Clinton voters said they would vote for Campbell. He attributes that to people that voted for Clinton, because they didn’t want to vote for Trump…:

cut 14 (09) “in the runoff”

Brox says supporters of the Senate candidate who did not make the runoff are splitting along partisan lines. He believes many voters feel that voting for the Democrat in this race means choosing the minority party since Republicans will control the Senate…:

Cut 15 (09) “power”

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12.05.16
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13:30 Newscast, December 5th, 2016

Only 171-thousand of the state’s 3 million registered voters cast their ballots during the early voting period. Pollster John Couvillion, with JMC Analytics, predicts turnout for the runoff to be 35-percent, at the most. He says a runoff during the holiday season has always been bad for turnout, plus this Senate race isn’t exciting voters…:
Cut 10 (08) “this one”

This non-stop rain has many flood weary folks in the Bayou State feeling nervous, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says the wet weather will finally leave today and then we can get ready for our real dose of cold weather before the weekend arrives…:
Cut 5 (10) “and Friday”

A new survey out of Tulane reveals US Senate candidate Republican John Kennedy has a healthy lead in the race against Democrat Foster Campbell in the runoff. Brian Brox, associate professor of Political Science, says they found 59% of respondents said they would vote for Kennedy, while 40% said Campbell is their choice. He says the Republican has always been favored in Saturday’s race…:
Cut 13 (07) “characteristics”
The race will be held this Saturday.

LSU star running back Leonard Fournette made it official today and announced that he will be declaring for the 2017 NFL draft after the Tigers’ bowl game on December 24th. Fournette said he wanted to get it out there now so that there wouldn’t be speculation and distractions while they prepare to face Louisville in the Citrus on New Years Day. After battling a nagging ankle injury this season, Fournette has totaled 3,830 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns..

 

12.05.16
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12:30 Newscast, December 5th, 2016

The rain has been coming down throughout the Bayou State over the past several days, and State Climatologist Barry Keim says there is a potential for severe weather today in south Louisiana as warm air collides with cold air..:
CUT 4 (10) “about it”
Flash flood watches are in effect until 3pm in southwest and central Louisiana parishes.

The jury selection in the Cardell Hayes case, the man accused of killing former Saints player Will Smith, has begun. Emelie Gunn has more..:
Cut 2 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Louisiana Tech is excited about its post season game this year as The Bulldogs have accepted a bid to play in the Armed Forces Bowl on December 23rd against No. 25 Navy. Athletic Director Tommy McClelland predicts tons of fans will attend, like in past bowl games…:
Cut 8 (09) “large crowd”
Kick-off is at 3 p.m.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a drowning in Lake Charles that claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy. They say friends reported the teen slipped and fell into a canal and was swept through a culvert that was about 75 feet long. His body was later located several hundred feet away. The investigation is ongoing.