As of yesterday, Arkansas and Mississippi are the latest states to have a federal judge rule gay marriage bans violate the US Constitution. But Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says Louisiana’s ban on same sex marriages is safe for now…
CUT 6 (09) “was constitutional”
He says it’s likely that appellate court will rule against same-sex couples.

If you’re cooking at home for Thanksgiving, State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says it’s important that your stove and oven are cleaned and properly maintained before you start, and keep an eye on things when you are cooking…
CUT 3 (09) “on the stove”
And he says keep an eye on the kids if they’re in the kitchen.

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Right now, Louisiana highways are filling up with holiday travelers, shoppers or football fans on their way to their specific games. State Police Trooper Jared Sandifer is reminding everyone to make smart decisions behind the wheel…
cut 12 (10) “holiday season”
State Police and local law enforcement have already investigated about a dozen fatalities this past weekend.

Cleco is now offering its customers an energy efficiency program to help reduce their monthly energy use.
CUT 9 (12) “their electricity bill”
That’s spokesperson Robbyn Cooper, who says the program is available to all Cleco customers.

Two rulings by federal judges in neighboring states have ruled the gay marriage bans in Mississippi and Arkansas are unconstitutional. Here in Louisiana, a judge upheld the same-sex marriage ban, but it’s very likely the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans will eventually hear and rule on all three states.
CUT 8 (11) Q: ‘conservative bent’
That’s Loyola University Law professor Dane Ciolino.

This evening kicks off the beginning of the long Thanksgiving weekend, and State Police are reminding everyone that they are actively participating in the “Click it or Ticket” campaign…
CUT 14 (06) Q: “while impaired”
In other words, Sandifer says make smart decisions for driving.
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As you get the kitchen ready to cook the family Thanksgiving feast, State Fire Marshal Butch Browning hopes safety is on your mind as well. Jeff Palermo has more…
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

The Moreauville woman who was facing haivng to give up her pet pitbull because of a town ordinance ban on vicious dogs, has collected almost 300 thousand signatures on a petition to keep him. Backlash from Joanna Armand’s “Save Zeus” campaign has prompted aldermen to put the ban deadline on hold, with a special meeting scheduled December 1st.

Federal judges ruled this week that same sex marriage bans in Arkansas and Mississippi are unconstitutional…
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

A request from Monroe Representative Marcus Hunter to extend early voting because of the Thanksgiving Holiday has been denied by a state judge. Judge Todd Hernandez refused to issue a temporary restraining order, and set a trial date for December 4th. Even though that date won’t help for this early period, Hernandez says it could bring a change for future elections.

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With more people on the road this Thanksgiving, State Police and local law enforcement are out looking out for impaired and unrestrained drivers in the Click or Ticket campaign. Trooper Jared Sandifer says there’s already been about a dozen traffic fatalities just this past weekend…
CUt 13 (07) Q: “Thanksgiving Holiday”
So if you’re not buckled, ploice won’t cut you any slack.

Cleco is now offering its customers an energy efficiency program to help reduce their monthly energy use. Spokesperson Robbyn Cooper says if you need to have work done to improve your home’s energy efficiency, you can save by using one of Cleco’s approved contractors…
CUT 11 (07) Q: ‘is being done’
And that applies to all Cleco customers in the state of Louisiana.

The latest states to have a federal judge rule their gay marriage bans violated the US Constitution are Mississippi and Arkansas. Both rulings came down yesterday. But Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says because there are conflicting rulings from various federal judges and appellate courts, the Supreme Court will be forced to make a ruling..

cut 7 (08) “resolve this”

U-S District Judge Martin Feldman upheld Louisiana’s gay marriage ban with a ruling he made in September.

This weekend Louisiana highways will be filled with holiday travelers, shoppers or those heading to or returning from big college and high school football games. State Police Trooper Jared Sandifer is reminding motorists to make smart decisions behind the wheel…

cut 12 (10) “holiday season”

Unfortunately, Sandifer says State Police has already investigated about a dozen fatal crashes since last weekend.

In an effort to help reduce customer’s monthly energy use, Cleco is now offering an energy efficiency program. Spokesperson Robbyn Cooper says says there are many features to this program and more information can be found on Cleco’s website. She says the process will start with a free energy assessment…

cut 10 (05) “and save energy”

The program is available to all of Cleco’s 284,000 customers in Louisiana.

State Fire Marshal Butch Browning hopes safety is on your mind as you get ready to cook the family Thanksgiving feast. Browning says one specific hazard where they see a lot of house fires is the outdoor frying of turkeys. He says a main factor in fires involving fried turkeys is having your cooking apparatus too close to your home…

cut 5 (07) “evacuate the area”

If you are really wanting a fried turkey and don’t want to accidentally cause a fire, Browning suggests you buy a fried turkey from a commercial kitchen.

Mississippi and Arkansas are the latest states to have a federal judge rule their gay marriage bans violated the US Constitution. Those two rulings came down yesterday. But Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says Louisiana’s ban on same sex marriages is safe for now…

cut 6 (09) “was constitutional”

Ciolino says because there are conflicting rulings from various federal judges and appellate courts, the Supreme Court will be forced to make a ruling.

As you prepare to cook the family Thanksgiving feast, State Fire Marshal Butch Browning hopes you also have safety is in mind. He says, as friends and family gather, make sure you pay attention to kids playing in the kitchen…

cut 4 (07) “in these pots”

Browning says if you plan to fry a turkey, make sure you do that as far away from your home as possible where there is nothing around that can burn.

Cleco is now offering its customers an energy efficiency program to help reduce their monthly energy use. Spokesperson Robbyn Cooper says the best way to manage your bill is to manage your energy consumption…

cut 9 (12) “their electricity bill”

The program is available to all of Cleco’s 284,000 customers in Louisiana. More information is available on Cleco’s website.

Early voting for the December 6th runoff election continues across the state. Early voting will be closed tomorrow and Friday, and re-open for its final day Saturday.

The Food and Drug Administration has announced new rules requiring chain restaurants and supermarkets serving prepared food to put calorie counts on the menus. The regulation applies to any establishment that serves food and has 20 or more locations. Melissa Martin is the state Department of Health and Hospitals “Well-Ahead” manager…

cut 10 (13) “actually is”

The rules also apply to gas stations, bakeries, coffee shops, amusement parks and vending machines and they all have until November 2015 to comply.

As you get the kitchen ready to cook the family Thanksgiving feast, State Fire Marshal Butch Browning hopes safety is on your mind, as well. Browning says once you begin cooking, you should attend to that cooking…

cut 3 (09) “on the stove”

He says it’s also important that your stove and oven are clean and properly maintained.

The American Automobile Association says more than 46 million Americans will take a trip this year to celebrate Thanksgiving, with more than 90 percent traveling by automobile. AAA travel analyst Don Redman says folks will enjoy the lowest Thanksgiving gas prices in five years…

cut 8 (11) “versus last year”

He says they attribute this jump in travel to an improving economy.

State Police is reminding motorists that parking on roadway shoulders and grassy areas along interstates and highways is illegal. An increasing number of vehicles are being parked in these areas during hunting season. The say parked vehicles pose a threat to motorists when they exit or reenter the roadway and can be a hazard to motorists stopping for emergencies. If you observe a hazardous situation, you are asked to call star-LSP from your cell phone.

According to the American Automobile Association we’ll see the most people hitting the road for Thanksgiving since 2007. Over 46 million people will be traveling through Sunday for the holiday. AAA travel analyst Don Redman says they attribute this jump to an improving economy…

cut 7 (10) “almost four years”

He says the number of people traveling this year is a 4.2-percent increase over last year.

You may in the habit of rinsing the turkey before putting it in the oven for your Thanksgiving feast, but LSU AgCenter nutritionist Denise Holston-West advises against it. She says washing poultry or meat can spread bacteria…

cut 13 (10) “the kitchen”

Holston-West also advises against having food out on the table for more than two hours.

Replicas of Christopher Columbus’ ships, the Nina and Pinta, will be on display in Houma starting today. Scott Carwile reports…

cut 1 (30) “reporting”

“Duck Dynasty” star, West Monroe’s Sadie Robertson, fell short in her attempt to bring the “Dancing With the Stars” mirrorball trophy to Louisiana. Robertson finished second in the 19th season of ABC’s dance competition. Alfonso Riberio, who played Carlton Banks on the 90’s sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air”, won the competition and the trophy last night.

The Food and Drug Administration announces new rules mandating chain restaurants and supermarkets serving prepared food put calorie counts on the menus. Jeff Palermo reports…

cut 3 (31) “reporting”

The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in the investigation of a Monday shooting of a 19-year-old man in Napoleonville. They say Quan R. Lewis arrived at a hospital emergency room with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was later transported to another area hospital for surgery. If you have any information about this incident, you are asked to contact the sheriff’s office.

The American Automobile Association says more than 46 million Americans will be hitting the road to celebrate Thanksgiving with more than 90 percent traveling by car. AAA travel analyst Don Redman says though gas prices are going to be lower, there are other travel expenses that are moderately higher this year over last year…

cut 9 (05) “fly this year”

Redman says Thanksgiving gas prices are the lowest they’ve been in five years.

Replicas of the Nina and Pinta, Christopher Columbus’ ships, will be on display at the Downtown Marina in Houma starting today. Captain of the Nina, Stephen Sanger, says while the Pinta is a slightly larger replica than the original, the Nina is an exact replica of Columbus’ ship…

cut 6 (07) “crossing in ’92″

The ships are floating museums educating the public on the type of ship that Columbus used during the age of discovery. The ships will be in Houma through December 7th.

The American Automobile Association says more than 46 million Americans will be hitting the road to celebrate Thanksgiving which is the most since 2007. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (28) “reporting”

A state judge has rejected West Monroe Representative Marcus Hunter’s effort to extend the early voting period for the December 6th election. 19th Judicial Court Judge Todd Hernandez refused to issue a temporary restraining order and set a trial date for December 4th. Hunter says, although it will not effect this early voting period, the case could bring change for future elections.

New rules mandating chain restaurants and supermarkets serving prepared food put calorie counts on the menus have been issued by The Food and Drug Administration. State Department of Health and Hospitals “Well-Ahead” manager Melissa Martin feels this ruling will promote a healthier population…

cut 12 (10) “choosing to make”

She says menu labeling ensures customers process calorie information as they decide what to eat and drink.

As we get ready to prepare that Thanksgiving dinner, there are some food safety rules we all should follow. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Denise Holston-West says, once the turkey is in the oven, use a food thermometer to make sure it cooks to 165-degrees. She says the stuffing should be cooked in a separate casserole pan…

cut 15 (10) “165-degrees”

Holston-West also advises against having food out on the table for more than two hours.