With an anticipated low voter turnout of less than 15 percent for the November 18th election, early voting indicates turnout might actually be slightly higher than anticipated. And John Tobler with the Secretary of State’s Office expects turnout to increase on Election Day.

Cut 6 (11) “…good sign.”

The reigning Women’s Basketball National Champions are getting their rings tonight before their home opener. The LSU Lady Tigers Head Coach Kim Mulkey recalls her thoughts during the final seconds of the championship game…

Cut 13 (14) “…really happening.”

Doors will open earlier than usual at 5:30 for fans tonight at the PMAC. The ceremony will be at 6:20 and Tip-off is at 7 o’clock.

The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control is planning to release a list of vape products on Friday that can be legally sold. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Saints are currently riding a 2 game win streak going into their game against the Vikings this Sunday, but in order to win New Orleans Head Coach Dennis Allen says that the Saints need to improve the play of their defensive line. According to Allen the Saints defensive line can no longer allow the quarterback to run the ball and lose one-on-one matchups if they want to beat a Vikings offensive line that has played well up to unto this point. The Saints will play the Vikings on Sunday at noon on Fox.

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Southern Miss is just 2 and 7 this season as they face a 5 and 4 ULL Ragin Cajuns team that is focused on becoming bowl eligible this week. ULL Head Coach Michael Desormeaux knows that becoming bowl eligible won’t be easy as his defense faces a huge run threat on Saturday.

Cut 18 (13) “ … dialed in there.”

The Cajuns will face Frank Gore Junior who has rushed for nearly a 1,000 yards this season as well as 378 yards and three touchdowns in the Golden Eagles last two games.

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The LSU Tigers are ranked nineteenth as they head into an important matchup against the Florida Gators this Saturday. Tigers Quarterback Jayden Daniels did not practice Wednesday, but is now listed as eligible for the Florida matchup this Saturday. LSU offensive guard Garrett Dellinger believes that the Bayou Bengals are more motivated to play now than ever before.

Cut 19 (12) “ …ton of stuff to play for.”

The Tigers and Gators will battle on Saturday at 6:30pm with kickoff on the SEC Network.

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The short handed New Orleans Pelicans are on a 3 losing streak as a 122 to 101 loss to the Timberwolves has put them at 4 and 4 on the year and third in the Southwest standings behind Dallas and Houston. In other basketball news, the LSU Lady Tigers will have their home opener tonight against Queens where before the game at 7, the 2022 National Championship team will be honored and the 2022 national championship banner will be raised inside the PMAC.

Louisiana native Lainey Wilson won five CMA awards last night. She took home Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, and when she won Album of the Year…

Cut 9 (18) “…feel something.” 

The awards aired on ABC.

Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow has introduced bipartisan legislation to increase access to childcare for small businesses. As a single mother herself, she says the Childcare Small Business Insight and Improvement Act will help parents across the country.

Cut 3 (11) “….this childcare.”

Governor-elect Jeff Landry has been criticized for forming an exploratory committee on the city of New Orleans that doesn’t include city leaders. No one from the mayor’s office, the Orleans Parish DA’s office nor the New Orleans Police Department were asked to sit on the committee. Landry campaigned that he was the best candidate to address rising crime, an issue that has plagued the Crescent City.

Cut 12 (04) “…major problems.” 

He says the committee will identify issues first and then approach city leaders with solutions.

Before tonight’s game against Queens, the reigning National Champions in women’s basketball, the LSU Lady Tigers will be recognized with a banner, and they’ll also receive their rings. Head Coach Kim Mulkey says she’s looking forward to tonight’s ceremony, not just for herself but for her players.

Cut 24 (10) “…great memories.”  

Doors will open earlier than usual at 5:30 for fans tonight at the PMAC. The ceremony will be at 6:20.

State police say a motorcyclist was killed Wednesday evening in a multi-vehicle crash on LA 413 in West Baton Rouge Parish. Authorities say 58-year-old Pleasant Rushing was driving on LA-413 south of US 190 when he ran into a car making a left turn into a private driveway. Rushing was ejected from his motorcycle, and while he was lying in the roadway, he was hit by another vehicle. The investigation is ongoing.

Louisiana veterans will be honored at a wreath-laying ceremony today at the Veterans Memorial Park. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A new state law requires vape products to be registered with A-T-C in order to be legally sold. The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control is publishing a list on Friday of vape products that retailers can sell. Agency Commissioner Ernest Legier says for a vape product to be on the registry, it must receive FDA approval.

Cut 7 (08) “…pre-marketing list.”

FDA approved a new type two diabetes drug called Zepbound for chronic weight management. Director of Bariatric Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans, Dr. Catherine Hudson says the cost may put the drug out of reach for many people given only a small amount of insurance providers are willing to cover weight loss medication.

Cut 15 (13) “…for obesity.”

Governor-elect Jeff Landry has been criticized for forming an exploratory committee on the city of New Orleans that doesn’t include city leaders. He says right now the committee is solely focused on identifying concerns and they plan to meet with city leaders when they have solutions.

Cut 11 (09) “…of Louisiana.” 

The Republican promised to address rising crime which has been plaguing the Crescent City.

The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control will publish a list tomorrow of vape products that retailers can sell and the Louisiana Convenience and Vape Association has filed a lawsuit in an effort to stop the ban of certain vape products, on the grounds it’s unconstitutional, But ATC Commissioner Ernest Legier disagrees…

Cut 9 (08)  “…safety interests.”

Today at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Slidell, Veterans Affairs will hold burial honors for 23 unclaimed veterans. Like all veterans, Spokesperson Brandee Patrick says they too deserve a dignified burial.

Cut 6 (07) “…we’ve lost.”

This afternoon there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park at the State Capitol.

The Food and Drug Administration approved Zepbound, a new type two diabetes drug for weight management. Director of Bariatric Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans, Dr. Catherine Hudson says like other diabetic medications it’s administered by injection.

Cut 14 (09) “…a week.”

Side effects include vomiting and digestive issues.

The Food and Drug Administration approved Zepbound, a new type two diabetes drug for chronic weight management by pharmaceutical giant Eli Lily. Director of Bariatric Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans, Dr. Catherine Hudson says more than 22 percent average weight loss was seen in obese patients. However…

Cut 13 (11) “…weight loss.”

There will be a special Veteran’s Day ceremony this afternoon at the Veterans Memorial Park, near the State Capitol. LDVA spokesperson Brandee Patrick says Secretary Col Joey Strickland and Governor John Bel Edwards will place wreaths to represent each branch of the military as well as those who are Prisoners of War and Missing in Action.

Cut 5 (08) “…leave behind.”

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The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control is planning to release a list of vape products on Friday that can be legally sold. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A University of Louisiana Monroe professor was arrested yesterday for allegedly wire-tapping the offices of a professor and graduate student. 48 year old Chad Allen Lewing of West Monroe was charged with two counts of wire-tapping and booked into the Ouachita Correctional Center.

This afternoon the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs will host a wreath-laying ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Park, adjacent to the State Capitol. LDVA spokesperson Brandee Patrick says Secretary Col Joey Strickland has been working with the governor to revitalize the park.

Cut 4 (08) “…their sacrifice.”

The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control is planning to publish a list on Friday of vape products that retailers can sell from here on out. A new state law requires vape products to be registered with A-T-C and be approved by the FDA to be legally sold. Agency Commissioner Ernest Legier says the law is an attempt to look out for the well-being of its citizens, especially younger people…

Cut 8 (10) “…doing that.” 

Governor-elect Jeff Landry is under fire for a transition committee focused on New Orleans that doesn’t include city leaders. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana’s own Lainey Wilson wasthe standout winner at the 2023 CMA Awards last night in Nashville. Wilson won in five categories, which ties the one-year record, first set by Johnny Cash in 1969. Wilson’s wins also set a one-year record for a female artist….and set the stage for multiple Grammy nominations, which are set to be announced tomorrow.

Governor-elect Jeff Landry has been criticized for forming an exploratory committee on the city of New Orleans that doesn’t include city leaders. He says right now the committee is solely focused on identifying concerns.

Cut 10 (09) “…city functions.”

A new state law requires vape products to be registered with the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control in order to be legally sold. The list of products that made the cut will be released tomorrow. Agency Commissioner Ernest Legier says for a vape product to be on the registry, it must receive FDA approval…

Cut 7 (08) “…pre-marketing list.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards along with LDVA Secretary Col Joey Strickland will honor veterans at a wreath-laying ceremony today. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Pardon has denied clemency hearings for several people on death row, including one of the longest-serving Inmates on death row. James Copeland, who was convicted of raping and killing an 11 year old boy in Livingston parish in 1979 was denied a clemency hearing yesterday. In all, five inmates were denied clemency hearings at a board meeting yesterday.

Former Louisiana Speaker of the House Taylor Barras will serve as Governor-elect Jeff Landry’s Commissioner of Administration. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Pardon Board denied five death row inmates the opportunity of a full clemency hearing. The Board conducted what is called administrative reviews for five people on death row to determine if they were eligible for a clemency review. The Pardon Board took similar action against five other death row inmates last month.

Nicholls State University has announced plans to build to a new College of Nursing building. University spokesperson Jared David says there is a nursing shortage and this new building can help them double the number of nursing students they graduate….
cut 8 (09) “….the industry”
The project is currently in the architectural phase and university leaders are hoping for it be completed in early 2025.

The childhood home of pop music icon Britney Spears is for sale for one-point-two million dollars. The three-bedroom, three bath ranch style home is located in a rural area near Kentwood. Realtor Yvonne Hulsey says it’s the history that gives the high value to this home…
cut 27 (07) “….my intent”
Hulsey says she has her first showing on Friday.

Iberia Parish Assessor and Former Louisiana Speaker of the House Taylor Barras was named as Governor-elect Jeff Landry’s Commissioner of Administration. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

LSU women’s basketball team landed the Bayou State’s top high school prospect Jada Richard. Richard is a 5-6 guard out of Lafayette Christian Academy. She has won three straight state championships across three divisions. Richard was also the District 4 – 4A MVP averaging 28 points, five assists, four steals, and five rebounds per game.

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels is making significant improvements after receiving a head injury in the Alabama game. LSU Coach Brian Kelly says Daniels missed Tuesday’s practice but worked out this morning.  Kelly says he’s still unsure who will start as quarterback in Saturday’s game against the Florida Gators…

Cut 11 (11) “…on Saturday”

Nicholls State University hosted an event to highlight the university’s groundbreaking for its Coastal Center and concluded with a ribbon cutting for a new athletic practice facility. University spokesperson Jared David says the center will also house an educational outreach section geared towards primary and secondary students…

Cut 7 (11) “…next generation.” 

David says a state investment of $45 million helped pay for the construction of the coastal center, the athletic practice facility, and a new College of Nursing building.