Four confederate statues in New Orleans will likely be removed in the near future. The city council agreed with Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s proposal that it’s time for the city to cut ties with its Confederate past….
cut 10 (10) “…as slaves”
The Landrieu administration says three of the monuments could be taken down and put in another location in a matter of days.

Ten public school districts have received an “A”, 30 received a “B” and two school districts received a failing grade as school report cards were released today. Education superintendent John White says it will be more difficult to achieve an “A” or “B” in future years…
cut 14 (10) “…basice education”
To see how your school performed go to louisiana-believes-dot-com.

57 troopers have been added to the Louisiana State Police force. Graduation ceremonies took place today for this latest cadet class. The new troopers will be spread across the state…
cut 24 (07) “…out there”
That’s Sergeant Nick Manale who says the cadets will spend the next year working with a veteran trooper for additional training.

A man who allegedly placed a video camera inside a men’s urinal at a business office has been arrested by Baton Rouge Police. 52-year-old Stephen McCants is charged with video voyeurism. Someone noticed the camera inside the urinal and notified authorities, according to Corporal L’Jean Mckneely …:
CUT 6 (10) “of Stephen McCants”
He says a tip from the public lead to the arrest.

A request for a lower bond is denied in the case of a Marksville deputy who is connected to the fatal shooting of a six-year-old boy. …

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The state released report cards for schools and school districts today. The overall letter grade for public schools is a “B.” Education Superintendent John White says they’ve taken steps to improve school performance.

Cut 15 (10) “…teachers.”

The New Orleans City Council votes for the removal of four confederate monuments from their current locations. They came to their decision after hearing arguments from both sides.  A Pro-monument advocate discussed how the monuments are huge part of New Orleans’ rich culture. He relayed a quote from a blogger in favor of keeping up the statues…

Cut 11 (09) “repeat it”

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu called on the council to remove the monuments after a mass shooting at an African American church in South Carolina.

A Baton Rouge man was arrested for placing a small camera in the men’s urinal at an office building. Baton Rouge Police Cpl. Mckneely says 52-year-old Stephen McCants confessed after being questioned. He says they were able to obtain a search warrant for McCants’ house and found additional footage from the camera. He says although though McCants says it was just a joke, putting a video camera in the rest room is always illegal.

CUT 8 (04) “video voyeurism”

The New Orleans City Council has voted in favor of the removal of four Confederate monuments from their current location. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 2 (31) “Emelie Gunn”

A request for a lower bond is denied in the case of a Marksville deputy who is connected to the fatal shooting of a six-year-old boy. Derrick Stafford was in court Thursday seeking a lower bond, which was set at one-million dollars, but the judge refused. Stafford, who along with Norris Greenhouse Junior, are accused in the murder of Jeremy Mardis.

Newly announced key cabinet members say they are up to the challenge of taking on their role for the incoming Edwards Administration. Some had questioned whether or not Edwards would keep on Col Mike Edmonson as the Superintendent of State Police. The Governor-elect said local law enforcement officials including the Sheriff’s Association and the Chiefs of Police reached out to him and expressed their desire to see Edmonson continue to serve…:
CUT 5 (09) “his leadership”
Edwards will be sworn in January 11th.

The State Department of Education today released public school report cards to show parents how their child’s school is performing. They came up with the grades on a number of different factors including test scores, ACT scores and more depending on what type of school was being graded. You can check any public school in the state’s grade online at LouisianaBelieves.com.

The New Orleans City council are close to voting on an ordinance that will lead to the removal of four Confederate monuments from their current location. The council made this decision after passionate arguments on both sides of the issue. Mayor Mitch Landrieu has been calling for the statues to be taken down…:
CUT 9 (11) “so much more”
Opponents said this would mess with New Orleans culture.

Louisiana public schools received a letter grade of “B” from the state department of education. That’s based on test and graduation data from the previous school year. Superintendent of Education John White says there’s also evidence student achievement is rising…:
CUT 13 (10) “all increasing”
You can check your child’s school at LouisianaBelieves.com.

LSU admitted in court filings this week that they altered the contract of former defensive coordinator John Chavis, according to a report in the Advocate. The University and the now Texas A&M defensive coordinator have been in an ongoing dispute since Chavis left, and following a court appearance this morning, Chavis’ lawyer told reporters that LSU said they changed his contract after he signed it.

A Baton Rouge man was arrested for placing a small camera in the men’s urinal at an office building. Baton Rouge Police Cpl. L’Jean Mckneey says 52-year-old Stephen McCants was brought in after cops received a tip from someone who recognized the suspect in photos cops released. He says McCants confessed…:
CUT 7 (07) “on someone”
Mckneely says during a search of the man’s home, additional footage from the camera was found. McCants was charged with Video Voyeurism.

Recently announced new members of Governor-elect John Bel Edwards Administration say they are ready to begin service. Shawn Wilson will be taking the reins now as Secretary of the state Department of Transportation and Development. He’s been the DOTD Chief of Staff for 10 years and says he looks forward to carrying out Edwards’ vision for a comprehensive transportation system…:
CUT 4 (10) “in trucks”
Edwards says there are more announcements coming.

The LSU Vet school is reminding pet owners to be mindful of what their pets get into as the holidays approach. Assistant Professor Dr. Nancy Welborne says watch out for toys and ornaments to make sure pets don’t ingest or choke on parts…:

Cut 15 (08) “or decoration”

A request for a lower bond is denied in the case of a Marksville deputy who is connected to the fatal shooting of a six-year-old boy. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

57 new troopers were honored in Baton Rouge this morning as State Police welcomed the most recent cadet class during graduation ceremonies.

Newly announced key cabinet members say they are up to the challenge of taking on their role for the incoming Edwards Administration. Former Congressman Charlie Melancon will be the new head of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. He says he’s looking forward to trying to find a balance between private and commercial fisherman…:
CUT 3 (08) “Wildlife and Fisheries”
Melancon served in the US House of Representatives from 2006-2011.

A man from Jena, who wasn’t wearing his seatbelt, died in a LaSalle Parish crash according to State Police. 55-year-old Rawlins Breland was traveling on La Highway 127 when his 2015 Ford pickup ran off the side of the road, crashed into an embankment and began over turning, investigators said. State Police remind motorists that wearing your seatbelt could save your life.

A man who was being sought by cops for allegedly placing a video camera inside a men’s urinal has been arrested by the Baton Rouge Police Department. 52-year-old Stephen McCants is charged with video voyeurism. Someone noticed the camera inside the urinal and notified authorities, according to BRPD Corporal L’Jean Mckneely …:
CUT 6 (10) “of Stephen McCants”
He says a tip from the public lead to the arrest.

The $1 million dollar bond reduction motion was reportedly denied for two former Marksville Police Officers accused in the murder of a 6-year-old boy. Norris Greenhouse Jr. is out on a million dollar property bond, and Derrick Stafford is still in jail on $1 million dollar bond. The two were indicted last week in the shooting death of 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis and wounding of his father, Christopher Few.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards announced some members of his cabinet and staff during a news conference Wednesday. Michelle Southern reports…:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A man who allegedly placed a camera inside a urinal in a men’s restroom at an office building has been arrested by the Baton Rouge Police Department. 52-year-old Stephen McCants is charged with video voyeurism after detectives say they received a tip from the public following the release of a picture of the suspect cops were able to capture from the camera’s footage.

So how would the Federal Reserve interest rate hike affect consumers in Louisiana? The Fed raised rates .25% to .5%. State Treasurer John Kennedy says this is just a sign that they feel the economy is headed in the right direction, but for the most part consumers won’t notice. He says you may have slightly higher interest rates on mortgage or car loans. If you have a savings account…:
CUT 11 (05) “earning interest”
He says the Fed is taking baby steps with this first increase in nearly a decade.

57 new State Police cadets graduate today and will soon be patrolling our roads. Sgt. Nick Manale says the graduates still have 12 weeks of field training to go, but then they’ll be out protecting our communities. He says there isn’t a set date for the next cadet class but he encourages anyone interested to submit an application…:
Cut 6 (09) “new academy”
He says the new troopers will be assigned to locations throughout the state.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards announced some members of his cabinet and staff during a news conference Wednesday. State Police Col Mike Edmonson will remain at his post, former US Representative Charlie Melancon will be the new Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary, DOTD Chief of staff Shawn Wilson will now head the agency. Edwards says he’s delivering on his promise to establish a staff that looks like the state…:
CUT 7 (09) “this team”
Edwards will be sworn in January 11th.

An Avoyelles Parish judge today will reportedly decide whether or not to lower the bonds of the two former Marksville Police Officers accused in the death of 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis and injuring of his father, Chris Few. The family of Norris Greenhouse Jr. already posted a $1 million dollar property bond for the suspect, but want that reduced. Derrick Stafford remains in jail and his lawyer is arguing there is no way his client could post the bond.

State Police is graduating a new cadet class today. Sgt. Nick Manale says each of these new 57 men and women troopers will be assigned to areas across Louisiana, on patrol, to keep our roadways and communities safe…:
CUT 5 (10) “troop location”
Manale encourages anyone who may be interested in becoming a trooper to apply.

The LSU Vet School says every year during the holidays they see an increase in pets coming in with digestive issues because they’re getting table scraps. Assistant Professor Dr. Nancy Welborne says also dark chocolate in those stockings should never be in your pet’s reach…:
CUT 16 (06) “cause seizures”
She’s urging pet owners to be mindful of what their animals are getting into this Christmas.

The New Orleans City Council is set to vote today during their meeting at this hour to decide whether or not Confederate monuments are a nuisance.