A recent survey by Morning Consult on Louisiana’s US Senators shows both David Vitter and Bill Cassidy’s job approval ratings in the mid-40s. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

President Obama’s Chief of Staff wrote a letter to Governor Bobby Jindal with information regarding Syrian refugees who have resettled in Louisiana. It says Governors have been given a detailed description of the vetting process and the White House says it’s the most robust screenimg process for anyone coming into the United States. They say a monthly report will be provided on the specifics of those resettling in Louisiana.

Richland Parish Congressman Ralph Abraham is back in Louisiana after spending his Thanksgiving holiday with American soldiers in Afghanistan. He says their goal there is to give Afghanistan the democratic type of government that they want. He says it likely won’t entail all the freedoms we see in America, but it will better the country’s current status:
CUT 14 (08) “that’s attainable”
He says soldiers are optimistic about their mission.

Today is dubbed Giving Tuesday. It’s a day to give back in any way you can. Nancy Malone with the Red Cross of Louisiana says if you can’t donate monetarily, there are other ways to help out, like donating blood or volunteering. She says their latest program during the holiday season is called Holiday Mail for Heroes…:
CUT 8 (10) “you involved”
Red-Cross-dot-org-slash-gifts has additional details.

A recent survey on US Senators in Louisiana shows both David Vitter and Bill Cassidy have approval ratings just in the mid 40s. Vitter has announced that he will not seek re-election next year which will make Cassidy Louisiana’s senior senator. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this seriously damages Louisiana’s power in the Senate…:
CUT 10 (10) “US Senate”
Cassidy is finishing just his first year in the upper chamber.

After a dip in ratings, A&E announces that Duck Dynasty and the West Monroe Robertsons will be back for another season beginning in January. The website doesn’t give an exact date or preview videos, but simply says season 9 will premiere next month. Duck Dynasty Nielson ratings still indicate the show has a dedicated following with over 1 million viewers on average each week.

Richland Parish Congressman Ralph Abraham is back in Louisiana after spending his Thanksgiving holiday with American soldiers in Afghanistan. He feels President Obama should listen to his advisors on the ground in Afghanistan and keep 9800 troops in the country as it’s an effective way to combat terrorism….:
cut 13 (09) “lead the way”
He says during his trip he also had a meeting with the Afghan President.

Today is Giving Tuesday a day set aside to donate to charities. The American Red Cross of Louisiana is participating. Spokeswoman Nancy Malone says you can visit Red-Cross-dot-org-slash-gifts (redcross.org/gifts) to donate and see how your dollars can add up. She says their website also contains heartwarming stories from people across the world who have been helped by the Red Cross…:
CUT 7 (11) “look at”

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards tells the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus that funding for higher education will be a top priority of his administration. He says it’s imperative that the state’s general fund component for higher education is increased…:
CUT 5 (06) “for me”
Edwards, who spoke during the Bayou Classic Jazz Brunch, will be sworn in on January 11th.

Governor Bobby Jindal received a letter from the White House giving detailed information regarding the Syrian refugees that are being resettled in Louisiana. The letter indicates the federal government would be giving monthly reports about those escaping the Syrian civil war, their nationality, age ranges and gender. Additionally, the Chief of Staff says the federal government’s vetting of refugees is “the most robust screening process for anyone coming into the US. They say a password protected website will be providing information to governors with refugees entering their state.

Richland Parish Congressman Ralph Abraham is back from his Thanksgiving trip to visit US troops in Afghanistan. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

State Police say a woman from Livingston Parish died and another injured in crash this morning near Albany. They say 49-year-old Peggy Perry of Independence ran her pickup truck off the road causing it to overturn. A passenger was moderately injured, but Perry was pronounced dead at the scene by the Livingston Parish Coroner’s Office.

A recent survey by Morning Consult on Louisiana’s US Senators shows both David Vitter and Bill Cassidy’s job approval ratings in the mid-40s. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

Governor Bobby Jindal and Governor-elect John Bel Edwards will host a joint press conference this afternoon following their meeting at the Governor’s Mansion. Jindal is expected to give Edwards a tour of the mansion and they will discuss the transition process. Edwards will be sworn in as Louisiana’s 56th governor on January 11th.

Richland Parish Congressman Ralph Abraham is back in Louisiana after spending his Thanksgiving holiday with American soldiers in Afghanistan. Abraham says he was honored to spend time with the people who let us sleep safely every night. He says the men and women are optimistic about their mission of training Afghan soldiers to battle terrorism in their country:
cut 12 (10) “hostile environment”
Abraham says they want to help give Afghanistan the democratic type of government that they want.

There is a sad story out of Calcasieu Parish. The Sherriff’s office says they responded to an accidental death at Black Bayou Bridge. They say DOTD contacted deputies because they were unable to reach the bridge operator, 58-year-old Dorthy Carter, by phone. Responders discovered Carter inside the control tower face down in the motor and it appeared hear clothing became stuck in the motor and she was unable to free herself. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

A recent survey on Louisiana’s US Senators shows both DAvid Vitter and Bill Cassidy’s job approval ratings in the mid-40s. The report, but Morning Consult, shows 47 percent of Louisiana voters approve of Vitter’s job performance while Cassidy has 44 percent. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says Cassidy’s low rating is surprising…:
CUT 9 (06) “to Cassidy”
The report shows about 24 percent of respondents didn’t know enough about Cassidy to rate him.

As was a major platform in his campaign, Governor-elect John Bel Edwards tells the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus that he plans to ensure every student in the state is given a fair opportunity to suceed. He says he will begin his term with a focus on education…:
CUT 4 (09) “in Louisiana”
Edwards says funding for higher education is crucial.

Today is Giving Tuesday — a chance for you to give back to charities. The American Red Cross is participating in the third Giving Tuesday and hopes everyone who can, will give back in a meaningful way. Louisiana Region Spokesperson Nancy Malone says the holiday season is a time of warmth and giving…:
CUT 6 (09) “overnight”
She says you can visit Red-Cross-dot-org-slash-gifts (redcross.org/gifts) to donate.

The 2015 Louisiana Tax Amnesty period resumes today after it was temporarily shut off due to a paperwork error. This will be the last time in at least 10 years that tax payers will have the opportunity to settle up with the state with lessened penalties and interest on outstanding returns. Amnesty runs through December 31st.

Governor-Elect John Bel Edwards spoke before the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus about the future of higher education in the state. Edwards told the group that it’s important to fight to make sure that all Louisiana children have the opportunity to succeed…:
CUT 3 (10) “higher education”
Edwards was the keynote speaker at the Bayou Classic Scholarship Jazz Brunch.

The American Automobile Association of Louisiana says gas prices in the state could reach the lowest point since 2008 this month. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is about $1.86. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says this happened 7 years ago…:
CUT 1 (08) “$1.60 a range”
He says AAA predicts the dropping prices will continue through February.

The once delayed Louisiana Department of Revenue’s 2015 Louisiana Tax Amnesty period resumes today. Eric Gill reports…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

Later this afternoon, Governor-Elect John Bel Edwards will meet with Governor Bobby Jindal at the Governor’s mansion to discuss the transition. The two will tour the Governor’s mansion, then meet with the media. Edwards will be sworn into office on January 11th.

Many in political circles are wondering if Governor-elect John Bel Edwards will push to raise the state’s minimum wage once he takes office. Louisiana is one of five states that has not set a minimum wage, instead defaulting to the federal government’s $7.25 rate. Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moller says Edwards’ support on the issue gives those in favor of a minimum wage increase hope…

cut 4 (10) “few more months”

Opponents of a higher minimum wage say new mandates would have an adverse effect on the current state of the economy. Moller says it’s too early to predict whether a minimum wage bill will make it to the governor’s desk.

Governor Bobby Jindal and Governor-elect John Bel Edwards will host a joint press conference this afternoon following their meeting at the Governor’s Mansion. Jindal is expected to give Edwards a tour of the mansion and they will discuss the transition process. Edwards will be sworn in as Louisiana’s 56th governor on January 11th.

State Police report that four fatal crashes on Louisiana roadways over the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend resulted in a total of ten fatalities. The youngest victim was a two month old infant from Baton Rouge, while the oldest was an 87-year-old man from Ville Platte. L-S-P Sergeant Nick Manale reminds motorists keep safety first in an effort to prevent more fatalities this holiday season…

cut 13 (08) “distracted”

Manale says if you happen to notice aggressive or impaired driving, don’t hesitate to call State Police.

The American Automobile Association says the plunging prices at the pump have the state moving into a direction that could bring gas prices to their lowest level since 2008. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is about $1.86. But AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says, statewide, we could be in the $1.60 range by mid-December, and dropping…

cut 9 (08) “current thought”

Will Governor-elect John Bel Edwards look to raise the state’s minimum wage when he takes office next year? While many in the business community oppose the pay hike, Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moller says an LSU poll conducted last year shows that 72-percent of residents support increasing the minimum wage to at least $8.50 per hour…

cut 6 (09) “poverty line”

Edwards said during the campaign that he supports raising the minimum wage that currently sits at $7.25.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue’s 2015 Louisiana Tax Amnesty kicks off today. During the amnesty, 33-percent of the penalty and 17-percent of the interest owed will be waived when 100-percent of the tax debt is paid. Deputy Secretary Jarrod Coniglio says you can even set up an installment plan if you cannot make full payment by December 31st…

cut 12 (07) “of 2016″

He says this is the final amnesty period for at least 10 years.

The American Automobile Association says December could bring the lowest gas prices we’ve seen in 7 years. Here’s Michelle Southern…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A clerk for the town of Oakdale is under arrest accused of taking money people brought in to pay their water bills. Authorities allege that Breanne Nicole Johnson took more than $4,300 from water bill payments and another $300 from money designated for rental for a city building. Oakdale Police report that about 88 customers were affected. Johnson denies the allegations. She was relieved of her duties and booked into the Allen Parish Jail charged with theft of more than $750.