The Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign gets underway today — an effort aimed at reducing the number of alcohol related deaths during the holiday season. State Police Sgt. Nick Manale says there are many safe ride home options available to revelers who may have had too much to drink…:
CUT 8 (07) “right choice”
He reminds drivers that an adult is legally impaired when their blood alcohol level is .08 or higher.

Following the New Orleans City Council vote to remove Confederate monuments from their prominently displayed locations, four organizations have reportedly filed a lawsuit in federal court to stop the endeavor. Their claims include that the city is failing to comply with federal laws protecting sites on the National Register of Historic Places. New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu signed an ordinance calling for the relocation of the four Confederate monuments following the City Council’s decision.

Court filings reveal LSU made alterations to a contract after it was signed by former LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis. Chavis is suing the school for defamation and claims he does not owe the university any money for leaving for Texas A-and-M. Legal analyst Tim Meche says a messy divorce like this, leads to ugly revelations…:
Cut 10 (06) “unfavorable light”
LSU claims the alterations to the contract were nominal.

Good news ice cream lovers. Just in time for Christmas, Blue Bell returns to Louisiana shelves on Monday for the first time since ceasing operations following a Listeria outbreak last March. Louisiana and Jackson, Mississippi are in the fourth phase of Blue Bell’s market re-entry plan.

There’s just one shopping weekend left until Christmas and folks that fell behind will be out and about with list in hand. Don Molino reports…:

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The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign begins today to keep drivers safe during the holiday season. Emelie Gunn has more…

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Court filings reveal that LSU altered its contract with former defensive coordinator John Chavis after he signed it in 2012. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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There’s just one shopping weekend left until Christmas and folks that fell behind this year will be out and about Saturday and Sunday with list in hand. Tomorrow is known as “Super Saturday,” but LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice doesn’t think it’ll be as crazy as the day after Thanksgiving…:

cut 4  (10)  “those numbers”

Rice says the good news for last minute shoppers is that they could be paying even less in stores as many sales have already kicked in. He says you can expect the malls to be packed as folks rush to wrap everything up…:

Cut 5  (07)  “no doubt”

Rice says online shopping drops off, as crunch time gets people to brick and mortar stores for their gifts to make sure they have them in hand. He says shopping number reports show consumers are spending a little less this year, but it’s not because there are less shoppers, it’s because they are paying lower prices…:

Cut 6 (10)  “purchase basis”

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To keep alcohol related deaths down during the holiday season, police are increasing the number of officers on our roadways. State Police Sgt. Nick Manale says the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign begins today and runs through January 3^rd.  He says over the Thanksgiving holiday they saw a high number of traffic fatalities and want to prevent that from happening again.

CUT 7 (09)  “all safe”

According to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, during the 2014 holiday season, there were 671 fatal and injury crashes and 99 involved alcohol. Manale says there are many options to get a safe ride home, rather than drinking and driving.

Cut 8  (07)  “right choice”

Manale reminds drivers that an adult is legally impaired when their blood alcohol level is .08 or higher. He says they will be on the roads looking for the drivers who don’t make the right choice and get behind the wheel impaired.

Cut 9 (10) “joyous time”

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Court filings reveal LSU made alterations to a contract after it was signed by former LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis. Chavis is suing the school for defamation and claims he does not owe the university any money for leaving for Texas A-and-M. Legal analyst Tim Meche says a messy divorce like this, leads to ugly details

Cut 10 (06) “unfavorable light” 

LSU claims the alterations to the contract were nominal. Meche says it’s not uncommon for a contract to be changed after its signed

cut 11 (06) “fatal flaw”

The judge has asked Chavis to turn over phone records. Meche says this will help determine if Chavis worked for A-and-M prior to the time he was announced as an Aggies assistant coach. He says the two sides should look to settle to prevent more unflattering evidence to become public

Cut 12 (09) “very careful”

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A bunch of points are expected on Saturday night at the R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl as Louisiana Tech faces Arkansas State. Both teams rank in the top 20 in scoring as the Red Wolves are averaging 41 points a game and the Bulldogs have averaged 37 a contest. Tech head coach Skip Holtz on why A-S-U is so hard to defend

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Saturday marks the end of a great college career for running back Kenneth Dixon. The senior from Arkansas has 83 career touchdowns and he’s the all-time leading rusher in Bulldog history. Holtz says Dixon has been hampered by an ankle injury, but he’ll be ready to go Saturday night

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Arkansas State brings an eight game winning streak ino the bowl, while the Bulldogs suffered a blow out loss to Southern Miss in their regular season finale. Holtz says his team still has a bad taste in its mouth from that game…

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Louisiana public schools received an overall letter grade of “B” from the state department of education. That’s based on a variety of factors including test and graduation data from the previous school year. State Superintendent of Education John White…

cut 13 (10) “…all are increasing”

Go to Louisiana-believes-dot-com to find out the letter grade of the public school your child attends.

On a six-to vote, the New Orleans city council votes to remove four Confederate monuments from their current location, including the one from Lee Circle. There were passionate arguments on both sides. Here’s the thoughts from one pro monument speaker…
cut 12 (11) “…fair minded”
Mayor Mitch Landrieu says three of the monuments could be removed in a matter of days.

Former US Representative Charles Melancon will lead the state department of wildlife and fisheries. Melancon is joining Governor-elect John Bel Edwards’ new administration. Melancon says he wants to find a balance between private and commerical fisherman…
cut 3 (08) “…Wildlife and Fisheries”
Colonel Mike Edmonson also remains as the State Police Superintendent.

Court filings reveal LSU made alterations to a contract after it was signed by former LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis. Chavis is suing the school for defamation and claims he does not owe the university any money for leaving for Texas A-and-M.

And a judge in central Louisiana has denied a bond reduction request for a Marksville deputy marshal, who has been charged in the murder of a six-year-old boy. Derrick Stafford remains in jail on a one-million dollar bond. His family says race is playing a role in the prosecution against him.

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 …:
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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. …

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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.

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The New Orleans City Council has voted in favor of the removal of four Confederate monuments from their current location. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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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…:
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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.