Brace yourself for more severe weather tonight. We had a winter front last week and that’s moved off now bringing in moisture from the Gulf of Mexico…:
CUT 13 (10) “thunderstorm activity”
Robert Ricks from the National Weather Service in Slidell says along with torrential rain, damaging winds and tornadoes will be the main threat; so storms from this evening into early tomorrow morning will need to be watched closely.

The teenager who was driving the vehicle that crashed in Ouachita Parish last week killing 5 of the 8 family member occupants on their way to Disney World was issued a citation for careless operation. State Police say the 16-year-old from Texas is not charged with a crime, but it’s state policy that a ticket be issued regardless of the severity of the crash. Two adults and three juveniles age 4, 7 and 15 died in the crash.

Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols announced the state plans to use amnesty money, eliminate 167 unused positions and reduce spending as part of the plan to fill the state’s current $171 million dollar budget shortfall. Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com says this falls in line with Jindal’s promise higher ed would be spared mid-year cuts…:
CUT 9 (07) “no jobs were lost”
The deficit was tied to low severance tax and mineral royalties from dropping oil prices, combined with weak growth in personal income taxes.

Of course those low oil prices mean the consumer is saving lots of money at the pump ahead of the Thanksgiving travel season. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.65 which is down almost 10 cents from last week according to the American Automobile Association.

Conditions continue to look favorable for an outbreak of severe weather to move through the state late tonight into early tomorrow morning. Robert Ricks, Lead Forecaster with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says there’s a strong upper level disturbance moving into Louisiana from Texas which should hit us hard this evening…:
CUT 12 (12) “severe thunderstorm threat”
He says rainfall is expected to be between 1 to 3 inches but coastal parishes could get as much as 5 inches in a 12-18 hour period.

State Representative Marcus Hunter says he’s asking the Secretary of State’s office to extend the December 6th runoff early voting period which began today. The Democratic West Monroe lawmaker is upset the 7-day early voting is reduced to five days this time because the voting precincts are closed for the Thursday and Friday state holidays. Hunter says he plans to take the matter to court next week.

The Click It or Ticket campaign begins today ahead of the Thanksgiving Holiday. The Louisiana Highway Safety commission says buckling up saves lives…:
CUT 1 (29) “Reporting”

The Jindal Administration said Friday morning that Louisiana will eliminate 167 un-used positions as part of the mid-year budget cut plan to fill the $171 million dollar shortfall. They say that will save about $12 million and there was about $130 million in additional unspent revenues they found and they also plan to reduce spending by $50 million.

McNeese State and Northwestern State wrap up their regular seasons today. Both teams still a shot at making the F-C-S playoffs. The Demons will also go after it’s seventh win of the season when they visit Stephen F Austin. They winner of this game gets to keep seven-foot-six Chief Caddo, the largest trophy in college sports. Demons Coach Jay Thomas on the significance of this contest…:
CUT 18 (19) “those guys”
In other college football action today …Louisiana Tech can win the West division of Conference USA with a win over Old Dominion. U-L Lafayette’s game against Appalachian State has been moved up to one o’ clock this afternoon, because of the threat severe weather.

High School football from last night:

In 5A… 2nd seeded Ponchatoula was defeated by defending 5A champs Acadiana 38-28.

In 3A 15th seeded North Webster upset 2nd seeded Church Point 21-16.

In division 4 top seeded Vermilion Catholic lost to 9th seeded Madison prep 28-14. Also…6th seeded Ouachita Christian blanked Central Catholic 38-0.

College Hoops:

LSU men’s basketball loses to St. Thomas 70-61 last night. The Tigers play Webster State today.

ULM almost pulled off the upset against NO. 8 Florida but the Warhawks feel in overtime 61-56.

Auburn hoops defeated UL-Lafayette 105-80. Louisiana Tech beats Morehead State 73-64.

The teenager who was driving the vehicle that crashed in Ouachita Parish and killed 5 of the 8 family members on board was issued a citation for careless operation. The group was on their way from Texas to Disney World for a vacation. State Trooper Michael Reichardt says the it’s policy the unidentified driver be given a ticket…:
CUT 8 (04) “citation written”
Two adults and three of their children aged 15, 7 and 5 were killed in the crash.

Louisiana has another strong weather system moving in this weekend. Lead meteorologist Robert Ricks with the National Weather Service in Slidell says along with torrential rain, damaging winds and tornadoes will be the main threat; so storms from Saturday afternoon into early Sunday morning will need to be watched closely.
CUT 13 (10) “thunderstorm activity”

As we near the Thanksgiving holiday, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is coordinating a statewide Click It or Ticket campaign aimed at saving lives. Executive Director Lt. Col. John Leblanc says last year’s Thanksgiving holiday was one of the most dangerous of the year on Louisiana roadways…:
CUT 3 (07) “689 injuries”
He says Louisiana law requires everyone in a vehicle to be buckled up at all times.

The Jindal Administration announced this morning that the state will eliminate 167 un-used positions as part of the mid-year budget cut plan to fill the $171 million dollar budget shortfall. Jeremy Alford from LApolitics-dot-com says the Jindal Administration reports it’s found $130 million in unused funding…:
CUT 10 (08) Q: ” spending”
Alford says says there will be meeting in December by the Joint Budget Committee to review the plan more thoroughly.

The teenager who was driving the vehicle that crashed in Ouachita Parish and killed 5 of the 8 family members on their way to Disney World was issued a citation for careless operation…
CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

Tomorrow is the first day for early voting for the runoff in the General Election December 6th. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says it will be running through Saturday November 29th from 8:30 am to 6 pm daily, excluding Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, and Black Friday.

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Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols announced the state plans to use amnesty money, eliminate 167 unused positions and reduce spending as part of the plan to fill the state’s current $171 million dollar budget shortfall. Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com says this falls in line with the governor’s promise higher ed would be spared mid-year cuts…:
CUT 9 (07) “no jobs were lost”
There will be another meeting in December by the Joint Budget Committee to review it and make a final vote.

The National Weather Service says we’re in for another round of severe weather throughout the state this weekend.
cut 12 (12) “severe thunderstorm threat”
That’s Robert Ricks, Lead Forecaster with the National Weather Service Office in Slidell.

This morning, the state has announced it will use a combination of reduced spending and the elimination of 167 un-used jobs to fill in Louisiana’s current $171 million dollar shortfall, with the biggest chunk of money is coming from the Louisiana tax amnesty program this year…:
CUT 11 (08) Q: ‘has put forward’
That’s Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com, who says this falls in line with Jindal’s promise higher ed would be spared mid-year budget cuts.

The state has another strong weather system moving in this weekend, and the forecast indicates we need to batten down the hatches…
CUT 13 (10) “thunderstorm activity”
That’s National Weather Service Office lead meteorologist Robert Ricks in Slidell.

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The teenager who was driving the vehicle that crashed in Ouachita Parish and killed 5 of the 8 family members on I-20 was issued a citation for careless operation. State Trooper Michael Reichardt says the teen, was cited when he was released from the hospital…
CUT 6 (06) “with a crime”
He says the teen has a lot to deal with right now.

The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the most dangerous driving times of the year, and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is ramping up for the holiday Click it orTicket campaign. Executive Director Lt. Col. John Leblanc says Louisiana law requires all people to use seat belts to reduce the risk of fatal injury in an accident…
CUT 5 (06) q: “IN AN ACCIDENT”
He says the compliance rates ARE going up.

There will be a new name on the ballot for the Louisiana governor next year. Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle says will be running.

The 16 year-old who was driving the vehicle that crashed in Ouachita Parish and killed 5 of the 8 family members on their way to Walt Disney World has been issued a citation for careless operation. State Trooper Michael Reichardt says the teenager has to deal with so much…
CUT 7 (06) Q: ‘tragic accident’
Two adults and three of their children died in the crash on I-20, and were not buckled up.

As we approach Thanksgiving, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is coordinating a “Click or Ticket” campaigned aimed at saving lives. The numbers are improving according to Executive Director Lt. Col. John LeBlanc…
CUT 4 (11) Q: ’87 percent’
Thanksgiving is traditionally the most dangerous driving time of the year.

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The Jindal Administration announced this morning that the state will eliminate 167 un-used positions as part of the mid-year budget cut plan to fill the $171 million dollar budget shortfall. Jeremy Alford from LApolitics-dot-com says the Jindal Administration reports it’s found $130 million in unused funding…:
CUT 10 (08) Q: ” spending”
Alford says says there will be meeting in December by the Joint Budget Committee to review the plan more thoroughly.

So more unstable weather is on the way this weekend, and some areas of the state could be in for a rough ride with storms. And a lot of wind and rain by Sunday…
CUT 14 (08) Q: ’12 to 18 hour period’
Robert Ricks, Lead Forecaster with the National Weather Service Office in Slidell.

The teenager who was driving the vehicle that crashed in Ouachita Parish and killed 5 of the 8 family members on board was issued a citation for careless operation. The group was on their way from Texas to Disney World for a vacation. State Trooper Michael Reichardt says the it’s policy the unidentified driver be given a ticket…:
CUT 8 (04) “citation written”
Two adults, Michael and Trudy Hardman, and three of their children, 15-year-old Dakota Watson, 7-year-old Adam Hardman, and 5-year-old Kaci Hardman were killed in the crash.

The Governors Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is urging residents to prepare themselves for another round of severe weather. The National Weather Service says a line of thunderstorms is expected to move through the state Saturday evening and continue overnight before tapering off Sunday. They say there is a chance for some strong to severe storms, including tornadoes, damaging winds and hail.

As we near the Thanksgiving holiday, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is coordinating a statewide Click It of Ticket campaign aimed at saving lives. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

The early voting period for the December 6th runoff elections begins Saturday. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says early voting will run through next Saturday November 29th excluding Sunday, Thursday and Black Friday. He is predicting a 30 to 35-percent voter turnout.

Well we started the week with a massive chill, we’re getting a beautiful Friday…but the risk for severe weather is once again on it’s way for our weekend. Robert Ricks, Lead Forecaster with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says there’s a strong upper level disturbance moving into Louisiana from Texas….:
CUT 12 (11) “across the area”
He says along with torrential rain, damaging winds will be the main threat; so storms from Saturday afternoon into early Sunday morning will need to be watched closely.

There’s been an update on the rig explosion that left one man dead and another injured Thursday at an oil platform 12 miles off Louisiana’s coast. Fieldwood Energy said this morning in a statement that this was NOT a well explosion or well blowout but an “isolated pressure event.” There is no oil spill or pollution that resulted from the incident they say.

The teenager who was driving the vehicle that crashed in Ouachita Parish and killed 5 of the 8 family members on their way to Disney World was issued a citation for careless operation. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s office says a 72-year-old woman is dead after she was struck by a vehicle when trying to cross a road in New Iberia Thursday. They say the incident remains under investigation.