One of Republican David Vitter’s GOP rivals in the gubernatorial primary has decided to cross party lines and endorse Democrat John Bel Edwards in the November 21st runoff. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne announced this morning that honor, integrity, truthfulness, openness, and ethical behavior are the most important traits of public service…:
CUT 3 (09) “make it true”
Meanwhile the Republican Party of Louisiana is not pleased. They say they are shocked Dardenne is ending his political career on such a sour note.

Governor Bobby Jindal says the state has filed an appeal to the US Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit seeking to overturn a lower court’s ruling halting the Department of Health and Hospital’s termination of Planned Parenthood Medicaid contracts. Jindal says the organization is not qualified to do business in our state.

A study finds five years after the Deep Water Horizon oil spill, dolphins are still having a hard time having babies in Barataria Bay in the gulf. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration wildlife epidemiologist Lori Schwacke says in other studies, they also discovered an increased amount of stranding of these animals and the higher mortality rate within the oil spill footprint…:
CUT 7 (09) “increased mortality”
Schwacke says the oil spill not only immediately caused a loss of many dolphins but now many suffer from long lasting abnormalities, hindering their ability to have babies.

Excitement is building in Tuscaloosa ahead of the SEC showdown between No. 2 LSU and No. 4 Alabama Saturday night. Jim Page is the President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama…:
cut 12 (12) “no different”
The game kicks off at 7pm.

A wave was made today in the governor’s race as Republican Jay Dardenne announces he’s endorsing Democrat John Bel Edwards over his fellow Republican David Vitter. In accepting the endorsement, Edwards says he’s grateful for Dardenne’s friendship and counsel…:
CUT 5 (05) “his input”

But Vitter does have the backing of former Governor Mike Foster, also a Republican. Foster says he’s afraid of liberal policies, and the fact that he’s chosen one candidate over another is not personal…:
cut 10 (11) “is going”
The runoff is November 21st. Early voting begins Saturday.

Cops are expected to release more information at this hour on the deadly officer involved shooting death of a 6-year-old boy in Marksville. The victim of the shooting was identified as Jeremy Mardis. Officials say Jeremy was struck five times during the shootout.

Five years after the BP Oil Spill, dolphins in Barataria Bay in the Gulf are still being negatively affected. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Tuscaloosa is getting pumped about the LSU/Alabama game Saturday night. President of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama says there are already loads of LSU fans in town which is great for the area…:
CUT 13 (10) “about that”

Republican Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne has crossed party lines and endorsed Democrat John Bel Edwards in Louisiana’s gubernatorial runoff election. Eric Gill reports…
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

Meanwhile the Republican Party of Louisiana is not pleased with Dardenne’s endorsement of a Democratic candidate. Chairman Roger Villere did not hold back and he even called Dardenne the Nick Saban of Louisiana politics. He added it’s a sad day that Dardenne allowed his personal feelings to cause him to betray his party and his state, after decades of using Republicans for his benefit.

A study finds five years after the Deep Water Horizon oil spill, dolphins are still having a hard time reproducing in Barataria Bay in the gulf. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration wildlife epidemiologist Lori Schwacke says they tracked pregnant dolphins in the area and discovered only about 20-percent of dolphins were actually giving birth to viable calves…:
CUT 6 (10) “these conditions”
She says evidence has proven that the spill is the cause of these problems.

We’re starting to see gas prices inch back up. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular jumped two cents overnight to $1.97 according to AAA.

Republican Jay Dardenne announces he’s backing Democrat John Bel Edwards for Governor in the November 21st runoff. Dardenne finished fourth in last month’s primary election. He says he’s come to know and respect Edwards during the course of this campaign…
CUT 4 (10) “in Louisiana”
He says electing Vitter as governor would do further damage to the Republican brand in Louisiana.

On the flip side, former Governor Mike Foster says he is strongly supporting Vitter. He says the idea that the national Democratic Party would have an inroad to our state if John Bel Edwards is elected, scares him…:
CUT 9 (08) “their policies”
Foster, who is also a Republican, served as Louisiana’s governor from 1996-2004.

A study finds five years after the Deep Water Horizon oil spill, dolphins at Barataria Bay are still having a hard time reproducing in their environment. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration wildlife epidemiologist Lori Schwacke says they found just 20% of pregnant dolphins tracked actually gave birth. She says restoration efforts in the gulf are critical…:
CUT 8 (08) “to recover”
She says studies have proven that these problems are linked to the BP oil spill.

The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control says a judge has ruled in their favor and has reinstated the suspensions of three French Quarter strip clubs after last week’s issuing of a temporary restraining order. Commissioner Troy Hebert says the effort to clean up criminal activity in the French Quarter is far from over…:
Cut 16 (09) “going on”

Republican Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne has crossed party lines and endorsed Democrat John Bel Edwards in the gubernatorial runoff election. In this morning’s announcement, Dardenne stated that integrity, truthfulness and ethical behavior are crucial in public service…:
CUT 3 (09) “make it true”
Vitter’s campaign announced they have the backing of former Governor Mike Foster.

New Orleans will host the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2020. Executive Director of the New Orleans Host Committee for the CFP Championship Jeff Hundley says even though they’ve lost previous bids to host key games, this time they were able to show the decision panel that New Orleans is a busy place with a bright future…:
CUT 9 (10) “New Orleans”

WalletHub releases a list of the Fattest States in America, and Louisiana comes in at number two. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

State Police says they are continuing to search for answers in the case of an officer involved shooting which claimed the life of a 6-year-old boy in Marksville. They say the scene has been fully processed, and now investigators are meeting with the city marshals who opened fire on the car following a chase, where the child was riding with his father. Avoyelles Parish Coroner Dr. L.J. Mayeux said the 6-year-old died from at least 5 gunshot wounds.

It’s official. Republican Jay Dardenne has endorsed Democrat John Bel Edwards for Governor. Dardenne, who finished 4th in the primary, said both Edwards and Republican David Vitter reached out to him for his support, but Dardenne believes the US Senator would be bad for the GOP brand. During the announcement this morning, Edwards said he will govern across party lines.

A new poll shows close races for Lt. Governor and Attorney General. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Louisiana is the second fattest state in America according to a study from WalletHub. The list was released in conjuntion with National Diabetes Awareness Month. Spokesperson Jill Gonzales says they also wanted to put this out before the holidays…:
CUT 6 (08) “holiday season”
Louisiana ranked 6th in the percentage of adults who are obese, 2nd in the percentage of adults eating less than one serving of fruits or vegetables per day.

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office is putting a warning out about a batch of poisonous heroin on the streets. They say 2 known drug abusers were found dead this week at a home in Luling after injecting heroin, and officials believe it could have been laced with an additional lethal substance. Sheriff Greg Champagne says heroin is becoming an epidemic around the country with alarming frequency…:
Cut 14 (10) “to understand”

A new statewide poll by JMC Analytics shows tight races for Lt. Governor and Attorney General. Pollster John Couvillon says we’re seeing a huge percentage of undecided voters in these two elections but expects that number to change closer to the runoff…

cut 12 (08) “Election Day”

The survey of 600 Louisiana voters was paid for by Nextstar television stations.

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office is putting a warning out about a batch of poisonous heroin on the streets. Sheriff Greg Champagne says recently in Chicago, 74 people overdosed on a “bad batch” of heroin in a three day period and he’s fairly confident that’s what happened with a double death overdose in Luling…

cut 13 (10) “of this out there”

He says 2 known drug abusers were found dead this week at a home in Luling after injecting heroin.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards has scheduled a press conference this morning to make a major campaign announcement. Sources say Republican Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne is expected to cross party lines and announce his endorsement for Edwards in the gubernatorial runoff. Dardenne finished fourth in the gubernatorial primary election last month.

The city of New Orleans is thrilled they’ve been chosen to host the College Football National Championship in 2020. Jeff Palermo reports…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A new statewide poll of 600 Louisiana voters paid for by Nextstar television stations and conducted by JMC Analytics shows a close contest for Lt. Governor. Pollster John Couvillon says Billy Nungesser is barely ahead of Kip Holden, coming in at 40-percent to Holden’s 39-percent…

cut 11 (08) “vote for”

He expects this race to go down to the wire.

The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control says a judge has ruled in their favor and has reinstated the suspensions of three French Quarter strip clubs. Commissioner Troy Hebert’s ruling was overturned, but put back in place Wednesday…

cut 15 (09) “easy effort”

Hebert originally ordered a suspension of the businesses’ alcohol permits after uncovering drugs and prostitution there.

In WalletHub’s list of the Fattest States in America, Louisiana comes in at an unflattering number two. Spokesperson Jill Gonzales says one bright spot is that the state did not fall in the top ten for the percentage of people with Type II Diabetes…

cut 5 (09) “couple of years”

The personal finance website unveiled their list in conjunction with National Diabetes Awareness Month.

New Orleans will host the College Football National Championship in 2020. Executive Director of the New Orleans Host Committee for the CFP Championship Jeff Hundley says they had lots of help from several entities…

cut 8 (12) “community effort”

New Orleans lost their first bid to host the CFP and also got beat out by another city when it went after the 2018 Super Bowl.