It’s officially fall but it sure still feels like summer in Louisiana. Highs Sunday reached into the 90s, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says we should start to see autumn-like temperatures this weekend.

Cut 3 (12) “…taste of fall.”

He says the fall-like weather is arriving late for Louisiana, usually by mid-September we would have experienced our first drop in temperatures signifying that autumn has arrived.

And now that it’s October we’ve entered the final two months of the 2023 hurricane season and so far, it’s been a quiet one for Louisiana. But state Keim says we are not out of the woods yet…

Cut 12 (07) “…major hurricane.” 
This year there have been 18 named storms, which means it has been an above-average season.

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot is a staggering $1.04 billion with a cash value of $478 million, making it the fourth largest in the game’s history. Lottery Spokesperson Dustin Annison says sales normally pick up when there’s a jackpot of this size because of people’s curiosity and excitement.

Cut 6 (11) “…one million.”

After more than three decades in the making, the Louisiana Civil Rights Museum opens Sunday inside the New Orleans Convention Center. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the exhibit will be the first in the state honoring heroes of the Civil Rights Movement and the ‘dream cube’ will certainly bring the wow factor to the museum.

Cut 9 (12)  “…were there.”

The two-million-dollar exhibit is five thousand square feet.

We are nearing the end of this year’s hurricane season. State Climatologist Barry Keim says while we are in the home stretch, on average October does not lack tropical activity

 Cut 11 (10) “…of October.”

In 1985 Hurricane Juan made landfall near Morgan City on October 29.

The Louisiana Civil Rights Museum will officially open on Sunday inside the Ernest Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the museum is part of a continued effort to educate visitors about Louisiana’s place in the Civil Rights Movement and the real-life activists like Leona Tate…

Cut 7 (13) “…on forever.”

The five thousand-square-foot exhibit includes information about lunch counter sit-ins, Southern University students marching to the Capitol in 1960, swim-ins leading to the desegregation of public pools, and more. Nungessor says the museum serves as a way to learn about the past.

Amendment 3 on the October 14^th ballot would increase the percentage of state surplus dollars to pay off state retirement debt of $ 17 billion. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (30) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Homeowners in the Bayou State will be able to apply for grants of up to $10 thousand grant through the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program to assist with their roofs starting today at noon. Residents will have to meet certain requirements. The grants will be available on a first come-first served basis.

Early voting for the October 14th election is underway and the ballot features four constitutional amendments. Amendment 3 requires lawmakers to use 25 percent of any state surplus to pay state retirement debt. President of the Public Affairs and Research Council Steven Procopio…

Cut 13 (08) “…around 2029,”

The four major retirement systems have a combined $17 billion gap between how much they need to pay in benefits and their investment assets.

Now that we’ve reached the next to last month of hurricane season, State Climatologist Barry Keim says if we can get through the next few weeks without a named storm in the Gulf, it’s highly likely Louisiana will be unscathed this hurricane season. The latest storm on record to threaten Louisiana was Halloween – 28 years ago.

Cut 10 (07) “…in general.”

There have been 18 named storms this hurricane season.

The LSU AgCenter has received a nearly 800-thousand-dollar grant to provide drone training to high school students in Louisiana. LSU AgCenter education outreach program coordinator Coordinator Brian Gautreau says the training will provide students with knowledge about drones and other agriculture technologies.

Cut 4 (08) “…are needed.”

Students will also be prepared to take the Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 certification which will allow them to fly drones commercially. Gautreau says he’s working with farmers to get students hands-on field experience on agricultural sites.

The Saints lost 26-9 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Despite the return of running back Alvin Kamara, New Orleans only had 197 yards of total offense. Coach Dennis Allen says it was an unacceptable performance…

Cut 15 (15) “…very good”

Despite a banged-up shoulder, Saints quarterback Derek Carr threw for just 127 yards.

We’ve entered the final two months of the 2023 hurricane season and it’s been a quiet one for Louisiana. But state climatologist Barry Keim says we are not out of the woods yet…
cut 12 (08) “…major hurricane”
There have been 18 named storms, which means it has been an above average season.

The LSU Tigers defense had an all-time bad performance on Saturday night in Oxford as the Rebels outscored the Bayou Bengals 55 to 49. LSU gave up a school record 706 yards and Coach Brian Kelly says everyone should be mad….
Cut 18 (11) “…acceptable”
While LSU couldn’t get keep Ole Miss out of the end zone, the Saints could not find the end zone in a 26 to 9 loss to Tampa Bay.

This Sunday the Louisiana Civil Rights Museum will open in New Orleans. It’s located inside the Morial Convention Center. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the two-million-dollar exhibit will be the first in the state dedicated to memorializing events and honoring Louisiana heroes of the Civil Rights Movement.
Cut 8 (11) “…incredible museum.”
The Louisiana Civil Rights Museum is part of the Civil Rights Trail, which has 13 markers around the state.

The LSU Ag Center will use a nearly 800-thousand dollar grant to help teach more high school students on how to use drones. LSU AgCenter education outreach program coordinator Brian Gautreau says drones are being used more in agriculture, so this type of education can be beneficial for future farmers…
cut 5 (11) “…of it”

Now that it’s October, that means only two official months left of hurricane season. So far it’s been quiet for Louisiana. Jeanne Burns has more…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

What is up with LSU’s defense? They gave up a school record 706 yards in a 55-49 loss to Ole Miss. Brian Kelly says they are trying to coach up their personnel…
cut 19 (12) “…every week”
This Saturday 23rd ranked LSU is at 21st ranked Missouri.

Early voting is underway and the October 14th ballot features four constitutional amendments. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says amendment three would increase from 10 to 25-percent the amount of surplus dollars that the state must use to pay down retirement debt…
cut 13 (08) “….around 2029”

A nearly 800-thousand dollar grant will be used to provide drone training to high school students in Louisiana. LSU AgCenter education outreach program coordinator, Brian Gautreau, says the money will be used to introduce youth to careers using drones and how to program drones…
cut 6 (12) “….agricultural careers”
Gautreau says he envisions youth who come out of the training will participate in competitions, like the AgCenter’s annual 4-H University.

Early voting resumes today for the October 14th primary and it will continue until Saturday. The ballot has four Constitutional Amendments on it. Amendment three asks if the state should use 25-percent of state surplus dollars to pay down retirement debt for state workers, troopers, teachers and school employees….
cut 14 (10) “…..and roads”
That’s Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio. Par-Louisiana-dot-org has a complete break down of the four amendments.

We’ve made it to October and Louisiana has yet to be threatened by a tropical storm. But State Climatologist Barry Keim says we are not out of the woods yet…
cut 11 (10) “….of October”
There have been 18 named storms this year, which is an above average season.

The Louisiana Civil Rights Museum will open its doors to the public in New Orleans at the Ernest Morial Convention Center on Sunday. Teiko Foxx has more
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

Congress has until midnight tonight reach an agreement to avoid a federal government shutdown. Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican, blames the Biden administration.
Cut 11 (08) “…good faith.”
During a shutdown, federal employees will be furloughed and those who work in the military and the are forced to work without pay.
Federal dollars are what have enabled the shutdown of new 600 abandoned wells this year. Governor John Bel Edwards says the money is the result of the Infrastructure Law approved by Congress in 2021
And more is expected.
Cut 13 (10) “…we can.”
Orphaned wells need to be sealed because they leak methane which scientists say contributes to the earth’s warming
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After a six-year hiatus, Ringling Brothers. and Barnum & Bailey kicks off their North American tour in Bossier City with four performances this weekend at the Brookshire Grocery Arena. Teiko Foxx has more on the reimagined “Greatest Show on Earth”…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Saints Quarterback Derek Carr is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Carr practiced for the first time this week yesterday, but he was limited by a shoulder injury. Former LSU star and Buccaneers linebacker Devin White is also questionable as he has a foot injury.

Four Baton Rouge Police officers including a top official have been arrested following an investigation into physical abuse and misconduct of officers involving a man arrested two years ago. Chief Murphy Paul says a supervisor saw the footage and determined that the officers were in violation of the department’s use of excessive force policy and decided to destroy the evidence.

Cut 4 (06) “…body camera.”

Paul reassures the public that corruption and misconduct will not be tolerated in his department and anyone involved will face prosecution.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey are back and the first show of its North American tour opens tonight at the Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City. The reimagined all-human show features spectacular acts including Criss-Cross Flying Trapeze, Extreme Box Jump Trampoline, and more. Performer Wesley Williams …

Cut 6 (11) “…this experience.”

The show will not include animals but instead a talented cast of 75 people from 18 countries.

Congress is running out of time and the possibility of a government shutdown is looming with the new fiscal year beginning Sunday. US Senator Bill Cassidy says for the most part there will be little impact on day-to-day life for Louisianans.

Cut 9 (10) “…pay claims” 

Federal employees will be furloughed and those who work in the military and Transportation Security Administration will be forced to work without pay.

LSU Tigers will travel to Oxford to take on Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday for a 5 PM kick-off. The Tigers have struggled on defense and they’ve had trouble stopping teams on third down. Coach Brian Kelly …

Cut 15 (11) “…best players”

A win for LSU and they will improve to 3-0 in the SEC. The Rebels are trying to avoid a second consecutive loss.

If Congress doesn’t reach an agreement by midnight Saturday, the federal government will shut down. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A government shutdown will not stop the Saints from hosting the Buccaneers on Sunday and there’s a 50-50 chance quarterback Derek Carr will play. Carr practiced on a limited basis today with a shoulder injury that knocked him out of the game last Sunday. He’s listed as questionable.

Nearly 600 orphaned wells have been plugged since the beginning of the year. Much of the money comes from the 2021 Infrastructure law. And Governor John Bel Edwards is optimistic another round of funding will come down in the near future.
Cut 13 (10) “…we can.”

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey are back with a newly reimagined “Greatest Show on Earth” after a six-year hiatus and their first stop is in Bossier City tonight. The cast consists of 75 individuals from 18 countries. Performer Wesley Williams says his three-story unicycle performance is an incredible back-and-forth experience.
Cut 8 (12) “…magical thing.”
Four performances between tonight and Sunday at the Brookshire Grocery Arena.

Congress is running out of time to pass a spending bill and the possibility of a government shutdown is looming with the new fiscal year beginning Sunday. US Senator Bill Cassidy says for the most part there will be little impact on day-to-day life for Louisianans.
Cut 9 (10) “…pay claims”
Many federal workers will be furloughed and those who work in the military and the T-S-A are forced to work without pay.

Nearly 600 orphaned wells have been plugged since the beginning of the year thanks to money from the federal government and the U-S Fish and Wildlife Service. Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s important abandoned wells get sealed because they leak methane which scientists say contributes to the earth’s warming….
Cut 12 (10) “…doing this”

After a six-year hiatus, Ringling Brothers. and Barnum & Bailey kicks off their North American tour in Bossier City with four performances this weekend at the Brookshire Grocery Arena. Teiko Foxx has more on the reimagined “Greatest Show on Earth”…
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The last Pearl Harbor survivor from Louisiana has passed away. Veteran Joe Richard died at his home in Sunset, two months after he turned 100 years old. Richard was 18-years-old when Japanese fighter planes dropped bombs on Pearl Harbor.