13:30 Newscast November 23, 2015

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards has put together his transition team, which will be led by a longtime state senator Ben Nevers…

cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

New Orleans Police announce the arrest of the suspect wanted in the Friday shooting of a Tulane medical student. Video surveillance shows 25-year-old Peter Gold trying to help a woman who was apparently being mugged by 21-year-old Euric Cain. Cain pulled a gun on Gold and shot him in the abdomen. Cain then pointed the gun at Gold’s head and pulled the trigger, but the gun jammed. Cain is charged with attempted first degree murder, second degree kidnapping, and armed robbery.

Republican Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany announces his intention to run for David Vitter’s soon-to-be vacant Senate seat in 2016. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says next year’s race could feature some familiar names…

cut 4 (09) “careful look”

He says Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle is another possible name that could enter the field.

The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office says 47-year-old Dora Blake of Minden is facing a first degree murder charge after allegedly fatally shooting her son and injured another woman while driving down Interstate 20. Lt. Bill Davis says after Blake shot 22-year-old Patrick Hollingsworth and the passenger, the vehicle crashed into a tree on the side of the interstate. He says when witnesses came to help, Blake told them she’d been kidnapped and managed to shoot her abductors…

cut 7 (06) “another one”

Davis says Blake was treated for injuries sustained during the accident and was highly intoxicated.

12:30 Newscast November 23, 2015

Republican Congressman Charles Boustany has announced his intention to run for David Vitter’s Senate seat next year…

cut 1 (29) “I’m Emilie Gunn”

The two men arrested in Florida for the killing of a Baton Rouge couple, whose bodies were found at a Hammond truck stop last month, are expected to be transported back to Louisiana in the coming days. A Broward County, Florida State’s Attorney spokesperson says arrangements are being made to extradite both Frank Garcia and Ernesto Alonso to face murder charges in the deaths of Denis and Suzanne Duplantier. Alonso stopped resisting his extradition last week. Garcia waived extradition this morning.

Bossier Parish authorities are still trying to figure out why a mother fatally shot her son and injured another woman while driving down Interstate 20. Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis says after the three people left a casino, 47-year-old Dora Blake of Minden took out a handgun, while riding in the backseat of the vehicle and shot the two people in the front seat….

cut 6 (11) “be okay”

Blake is charged with one count of first degree murder and one count of attempted first degree murder.

Gas prices continue to fall as we near Thanksgiving. The statewide average for a gallon of regular is $1.88, 7-cents cheaper than a week ago.

LRN Sportscast 11:40 November 23rd

Coach Les Miles’ job status is even a bigger topic this week after the Tigers looked bad in a 38-17 loss to Ole Miss. The head coach says he doesn’t know if he’s in danger of losing his job…
cut 19 (07) “…right now”
Miles says he planned to address the rumors about his coaching future with his players this afternoon. LSU defensive tackle Davon Godchaux says Miles’ shaky future is not why the team played poorly at Ole Miss…
cut 20 (08) “…sticking with”
LSU finishes the regular season by hosting Texas A-and-M on Saturday.

McNeese State has a first-round bye in the FCS playoffs as the Cowboys drew the number four seed. The 10-0 Pokes will play on December fifth the winner of the this Saturday’s game between Southern Utah and Sam Houston State.

Big game for Anthony Davis last night and the Pelicans won their second game in a row, third overall as New Orleans defeated the Suns 122 to 116. Davis had 32 points and 19 rebound sand hit a critical three-pointer with less than a minute left. Ryan Anderson added 29 ponts. New Orleans begins a three-game road trip at Phoenix on Wednesday.

The LSU men’s basketball team will play Marquette tonight at the Barclays Center in Brookln. It’s the semifianals of the Legends Classic. The Tigers are 3-and-0, while the Marquette is 1-and-2. LSU will play either Arizona State or North Carolina State tomorrow.

In action last night…Tulane over Appalachian State 76-48, Nebraksa thumped Southeastern Louisiana 92-65. Arizona crushed Northwestern State 61-42 and Hawaii thumped Nicholls State 99-74.

And Nicholls State and the Manning Passing Academy have signed a six-year contract extension that keeps the football skills camp on the Thibodaux camp through 2021. Nicholls has hosted the four-day summer football camp since 2005.

11:30 Newscast November 23, 2015

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards names longtime state senator Ben Nevers of Boglausa as his chief of staff when he takes office. Nevers will also lead the new governor’s transition team. Edwards says Nevers has been a mentor to him in the legislature…

cut 9 (09) “of Louisiana”

Lake Charles business owner Laura Leach, Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand, Baton Rouge senator Sharon Weston Broome, former legislator Taylor Townsend and Baton Rouge businessman Richard Lipsey are also on the transition team.

The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office says a Minden woman is under arrest after allegedly shooting two people in a car she was riding in, killing her son. They say 47-year-old Dora Blake was riding in the back seat when she found a gun in the vehicle and shot and killed her son, 22-year-old Patrick Hollingsworth, and wounded a female passenger in the front seat. Blake is charged with first degree murder and attempted first degree murder. Authorities say Blake was highly intoxicated.

Republican Congressman Charles Boustany has announced his intention to run for David Vitter’s Senate seat next year. Vitter announced Saturday night that he would not seek re-election. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this announcement was expected.

cut 3 (11) “his plans”

The congressman plans to make a formal campaign announcement in his hometown of Lafayette in the near future.

Louisiana ranks fourth for best state to live in for low taxes and eighth for retirees according to the personal finance website, Kiplinger. Senior Associate Editor Sandra Block says the Pelican State has a variety of tax friendly policies, but a downside is that low taxes could lead to cuts in social services, roads and education…

cut 6 (10) “good services”

She says the state’s low gasoline tax and income tax rate plays into Louisiana’s favor.

10:30 Newscast November 23, 2015

Republican Senator David Vitter has announced that he will not seek re-election to the US Senate in 2016. Vitter stated during his gubernatorial election concession speech, that when he decided to run for governor, he wanted to pursue challenges outside the Senate, no matter the outcome of this election. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Vitter’s open Senate seat will draw a lot of interest…

cut 13 (11) “the possibility”

Republican Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany has already announced his intention to run for Vitter’s Senate seat.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards has selected the team to lead his transition into the governor’s office. Term-limited Bogalusa State Senator Ben Nevers is the governor-elect’s Chief of Staff and will oversee the transition. The remainder of the transition team includes Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo, Baton Rouge Senator Sharon Weston-Broome, and Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand.

The St. Landry Parish Registrar of Voters confirm that the required number of signatures have been collected to proceed to the next stage of a recall of Washington Police Chief Bruce Broussard. A group called the Concerned Citizens Committee of Washington began the recall process after residents began voicing concerns about Broussard’s work performance. The state’s attorney general’s office will decide if a recall election will take place to possibly remove Broussard from office.

Louisiana ranks fourth for the best state to live in for low taxes. Emelie Gunn has more….

cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

09:30 Newscast November 23, 2015

Republican Senator David Vitter has announced he will not seek re-election to the US Senate next year. Jeff Palermo reports…

cut 3 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Republican Congressman Charles Boustany has announced his intention to run for Vitter’s Senate seat next year. In a statement, Boustany says Louisiana deserves a US Senator who can lead in challenging times, offer conservative and workable solutions to complex problems, and bring unity in times of division. The congressman plans to make a formal campaign announcement in his hometown of Lafayette sometime in the near future.

Former Republican Congressman Jeff Landry defeated fellow Republican incumbent Buddy Caldwell in Saturday’s Attorney General runoff election by 12-percentage points. Landry says he’s thankful for the support he’s received and now plans to bring honor and integrity to the Attorney General’s office…

cut 17 (11) “against them”

Caldwell says he was not pleased with accusations made by Landry that he was a corrupted politician…

cut 15 (10) “cheers”

Caldwell says he’s proud of the work he’s done in his two terms as the state’s top lawyer.

Republican Billy Nungesser is Louisiana’s next Lt. Governor after defeating Democrat Kip Holden. Nungesser becomes just the third Republican elected lieutenant governor during the modern era.

08:30 Newscast November 23, 2015

Six weeks ago, no one would have predicted the result of Saturday night and that’s a victory for Democrat John Bel Edwards in the governor’s race. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor-elect Edwards is already busy preparing to take office on January 11th. Edwards has selected the team to lead his transition into the governor’s office. Outgoing Bogalusa State Senator Ben Nevers is the governor-elect’s Chief of Staff and will oversee the transition. The transition team includes Baton Rouge Senator Sharon Weston-Broome, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand, and Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo.

During his gubernatorial election concession speech Saturday night, Republican Senator David Vitter announced that he will not seek re-election to the US Senate next year. Vitter said when he decided to run for governor, he wanted to pursue challenges outside the Senate, no matter the outcome of this election. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Vitter’s decision makes sense…

cut 12 (06) “this election”

Vitter said he had reached his personal term limit in the Senate.

The personal finance website, Kiplinger, ranks Louisiana fourth for best state to live in for low taxes and it’s also eighth for retirees. Kiplinger Senior Associate Editor Sandra Block says one aspect in Louisiana’s favor is state gasoline taxes, which is 20 cents per gallon, about a dime lower than the rest of the nation…

cut 5 (05) “Louisiana”

Block says Louisiana’s income tax is also one of the lowest in the US.

07:30 Newscast November 23, 2015

Democrat Amite state representative John Bel Edwards is Louisiana’s next governor. Edwards defeated Republican David Vitter by double digits in Saturday’s runoff election. Edwards says his victory is a breeze of hope for Louisiana….

cut 7 (08) “of others”

In his concession speech, Vitter announced that he would not seek re-election to the US Senate in 2016. Vitter did not disclose what he may do once his second-term in the US Senate ends…

cut 10 (11) “after issue”

About a month ago, Vitter was the odds on favorite to be the next governor of Louisiana. Edwards will assume office in January.

Also, Republican Billy Nungesser defeated Democrat Kip Holden in the Lt. Governor’s race and Republican Jeff Landry unseated fellow Republican incumbent Attorney General Buddy Caldwell.

According to the personal finance website, Kiplinger, Louisiana ranks fourth for best state to live in for low taxes and it’s also eighth for retirees. Kiplinger Senior Associate Editor Sandra Block says the Pelican State has a variety of tax friendly policies….

cut 4 (09) “the country”

Block says another aspect in Louisiana’s favor is state gasoline taxes which are about a dime lower than the rest of the country.

Republican Senator David Vitter has decided to not seek re-election to the US Senate next year. Vitter made the announcement during his gubernatorial election concession speech Saturday night. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says this does not come as a shock…

cut 11 (09) “this announcement”

Vitter said when he decided to run for governor, he wanted to pursue challenges outside the Senate, no matter the outcome of this election.

06:45 Sportscast November 23, 2015

Is Les Miles getting ready to coach his last game in Tiger Stadium? It’s a possibility after the Tigers suffered their third straight loss in an embarrassing 38-17 defeat to Ole Miss. Coach Les Miles says his job status didn’t affect his players’ performance…

cut 18 (11) “….team meeting“

This is the first time LSU has lost three straight games with Miles as head coach.

In Conference USA, Louisiana Tech held off Texas-El Paso 17-15. Bulldog quarterback Jeff Driskel threw for 188 yards and two touchdowns as Tech moves 8-3 and remains tied for first in the Western Division with Southern Miss. The Bulldogs will host the Golden Eagles Saturday for the right to represent the West in the Conference USA title game December 5th.

In the Southland Conference, McNeese State finished off their perfect season by defeating Lamar 20-14. The 9-0 Cowboys become only the ninth team in conference history to finish the regular season undefeated. McNeese picked up the number four seed in the FCS playoffs and will receive a first round bye. The Cowboys will face the winner of Saturday’s Sam Houston State – Southern Utah matchup in the second round December 5th.

Northwestern State ended their season on a high note beating Stephen F. Austin 33-17.

A 21-yard field goal with a minute and a half remaining lifts New Mexico State over UL-Lafayette 37-34. Cajuns quarterback Books Haack threw for 283 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. Running back Elijah McGuire ran for 159 yards and two additional touchdowns as UL-Lafayette falls to 4-6 on the season. The Ragin Cajuns must win their two remaining games to become bowl eligible.

06:30 Newscast November 23, 2015

A state representative from Amite is the next governor of Louisiana. John Bel Edwards defeated Republican David Vitter by double digits, becoming the first Democrat to win a statewide election since 2008. Edwards has this message for Louisiana residents….

cut 8 (12) “people first”

About a month ago, Vitter was the odds on favorite to be the next governor of Louisiana. But now it appears his political career is over as he’s announced he won’t seek re-election to the US Senate in 2016…

cut 9 (08) “matter what”

Edwards won Saturday’s election 55 to 45 percent.

In the Lt. Governor’s runoff election, Republican Billy Nungesser defeated Democrat Kip Holden by a 10 percentage point margin.

Two-term Republican incumbent Buddy Caldwell was defeated in the Attorney General’s race as fellow Republican and former Congressman Jeff Landry won by 12-percentage points. Caldwell says he’s proud of the work he’s done as the state’s top lawyer…

cut 14 (10) “not through”

Attorney General-elect Landry on what he’ll bring to the office…

cut 16 (06) “I didnt’”

Landry will assume office in January.

You may need a jacket as you get out and about this morning. Morning temperatures are in the 30s across much of the state.