John Bel Edwards’ first address since being elected Governor happened at the annual Louisiana Federation of Teachers convention in Lake Charles. Edwards says he has no plans to close charter schools, but charter school placement should not be a decision necessarily made by BESE…

cut 7 (10) “that simple”

Edwards also stated that he had no intention to take the voucher program off the books.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry says a $4,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for 86 suspected arsons in northwest Louisiana. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says arson is a serious crime that comes with serious penalties…

cut 5 (08) “have destroyed”

He says these fires began in Bienville Parish and progressed into Jackson Parish.

Blue Bell ice cream lovers have an additional reason to celebrate this holiday season. The creamery is announcing they’re coming back to the Pelican State. Blue Bell pulled its ice cream from the shelves in April over listeria concerns. The popular ice cream has been coming back in phases over the last few months. Spokesperson Joe Robertson says most of their retail partners have welcomed them back and they’ll be in most major grocery stores. He says currently, they’re only selling five flavors of ice cream.

cut 10 (08) “start out”

Robertson says Blue Bell will begin restocking Louisiana grocery stores on December 21st.

Governor-elect John Bel Edwards made his first address since winning Saturday’s election at the annual Louisiana Federation of Teachers convention in Lake Charles. Edwards told teachers that he will insist on more autonomy for local school systems when it comes to charter schools in their district…

cut 6 (11) “accountability system”

Edwards also said he would not ban vouchers or close charter schools.

A National Federation of Independent Business/American Express survey finds a record number of people plan to shop local for Small Business Saturday. NFIB state director, Dawn Starns, is excited about the survey’s results…

cut 13 (10) “little unique”

Starns encourages shoppers to keep local stores in mind throughout the holiday season.

Several authorities, including the he Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, are seeking information on 86 suspected arsons in northwest Louisiana. Investigators have determined that a majority of these fires occurred on properties owned by timber company Weyerhaeuser Industries. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says a substantial reward is being offered for information leading to the capture of these arsonists…

cut 4 (11) “these arsons”

He says these suspicious fires happened between August 30th and October 21st.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal Monday night shooting in Harvey. They say when police responded to a report of shots fired, they found a male victim at the foot of a stairway. Authorities say the 34-year-old unidentified man was suffering from several gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The police investigation is continuing.

LSU Football Coach Les Miles tries to stay focused on the next game as rumors of his firing swirl. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Department says a Stonewall couple is under arrest after a woman allegedly forced her 12-year-old daughter to have sex with her new husband. They say 30-year-old Rhydonia Pittman is also accused of allowing her husband, 39-year-old James Pittman, to fondle her 7-year-old niece. Rhydonia is charged with aggravated rape and James is charged with aggravated rape and molestation of a juvenile.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the state Fire Marshal’s Office, and local authorities are seeking information on 86 suspected arsons in northwest Louisiana. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the suspicious fires happened between August 30th and October 21st…

cut 3 (09) “Jackson Parish”

A $4,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of these arsonists.

An LSU AgCenter survey of Baton Rouge retailers found the cost of items to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal for 10 increased $1.31 from last year. If you plan to fry your turkey for Thanksgiving, you can add $30 to $45 dollars for the peanut. Economist Kurt Guidry says, while the price for the meal is a little higher, he doesn’t think it will limit anyone’s Thanksgiving dinner…

cut 6 (08) “expect to see”

He says a rise in turkey prices led to this year’s overall price increase.

As rumors of his firing swell, LSU Coach Les Miles doesn’t want that distracting his team as they prepare for Saturday’s game against Texas A&M. The coach sidestepped a question yesterday on whether he’s spoken with any LSU administrators about his job security…

cut 11 (09) “would do it”

Miles made his comments at his weekly luncheon with reporters.

For the fourth year in a row, it will cost more to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal. LSU AgCenter Economist Kurt Guidry says, on the wholesale level, the price of turkey is up 9-percent from a year ago but, fortunately for consumers, the retail price of turkey is only up slightly…

cut 5 (07) “their products”

Their survey of Baton Rouge retailers found the cost of items to prepare a meal for 10 increased $1.31 from last year.

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a town clerk for Oil City on theft charges. Authorities allege that 44-year-old Melissa Doise stole over $24,000 from the town between January 2013 and August 2015. They also accuse Doise of manipulating accounting records and disposing deposit slips to cover up her activity. Doise is charged with felony theft.

More people than ever plan on shopping local on Small Business Saturday. Emelie Gunn has more…..

cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

US Representative John Fleming of Minden joins fellow Republican Louisiana Congressman Charles Boustany in announcing plans to run for US Senator David Vitter’s soon-to-be vacant seat next year. Political analyst Elliot Stonecipher says considering the Senate race is still nearly a year away, he thinks candidates should hold off on making any announcements until the dust settles from this past election….

cut 9 (12) “candidates aren’t”

Saturday is Small Business Saturday and it appears a record number of people are planning to shop local. State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business, Dawn Starns, encourages shoppers to keep local stores in mind this holiday season, because the money spent at a small retailer goes right back into the local economy…

cut 15 (10) “employ people.”

The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Pierre Part woman accused of running a Facebook scam. Authorities say 32-year-old Latisha Landry ran a store on Facebook called Elite Boutique and their investigation discovered that people from at least six states failed to receive items they purchased from the online store. Landry is charged with a total of 49 counts of credit card fraud. Additional charges are possible.

For the fourth year in a row, the cost for a traditional Thanksgiving meal has increased. Don Molino reports…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

US Representative John Fleming of Minden has announced his intention to run for US Senate next year. Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany, state treasurer John Kennedy, and Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle are other candidates who could run for David Vitter’s seat. Political analyst Elliot Stonecipher says Fleming could run into name recognition issues, but there are ways around that…

cut 8 (12) “you have”

Vitter announced he will not seek re-election in 2016.

For the fourth year in a row, the cost for a traditional Thanksgiving meal has increased. The LSU AgCenter surveyed Baton Rouge retailers and found the cost of items to prepare a meal for 10 was $49.81, a $1.31 increase from last year. Economist Kurt Guidry says a rise in turkey prices led to this year’s price increase…

cut 4 (07) “this year”

A National Federation of Independent Business/American Express survey finds a record number of people plan to shop local for Small Business Saturday. Dawn Starns, the Louisiana state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says shoppers are often looking for unique gifts and items and that’s where your small business retailer comes in handy….

cut 14 (09) “a gift”

Starns encourages shoppers to keep local stores in mind this holiday season.

LSU Coach Les Miles does not want speculation of his firing to distract his team as it prepares for the final regular season game against Texas A&M. The coach sidestepped a question on whether he’s spoken with any LSU administrators about his job security saying the only instruction he’s received is to continue doing his job…

cut 12 (06) “eleven years”

Speculation over whether LSU would fire Miles at the end of the season intensified last week as a result of a published report in the Advocate newspaper.

US Representative John Fleming of Minden has joined fellow Republican Louisiana Congressman Charles Boustany in letting voters know that he plans to run for US Senate next year. Political analyst Elliot Stonecipher says it’s not a surprise to see Fleming to throw his hat in the ring…

cut 7 (10) “already”

State treasurer John Kennedy and Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle are other candidates who could run for David Vitter’s seat.

LSU Coach Les Miles does not want the focus on him or the rumors of his firing, as his team prepares for the final regular season game of the year against Texas A&M. The Tigers have lost three in a row for the first time in Miles’s 11-year coaching career at LSU and he was not ready to address his job status at his weekly luncheon with reporters…

cut 10 (10) “the team”

It’s been reported that LSU is prepared to part ways with Miles, but the decision is not final.

A record number of people plan to shop local for Small Business Saturday. Dawn Starns, the Louisiana state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says they’ve partnered with American Express and their survey found a large majority of shoppers plan to participate in Small Business Saturday…

cut 13 (10) “little unique”

Starns say this is so encouraging because this is the time of year where small businesses are in competition with big name stores.

There’s a possibility of rain for Thanksgiving Day. Rain chances begin to show up in the state’s forecast tonight and will hang around through much of next week.