Today marks one year until the 2023 Louisiana gubernatorial primary election. Kevin Gallagher looks at who is in and who may be…:

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Beginning next week, the Louisiana Department of Health will cease to give daily COVID numbers and move to weekly updates. Brooke Thorington explains

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Two Baton Rouge teenagers are charged with plotting and carrying out a murder. More from Jeff Palermo…:

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Today marks one year until the 2023 Louisiana gubernatorial primary election, and a field of candidates has already begin to take shape. Last week, Attorney General Jeff Landry made his intentions official, but “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says there are no less than 13 names declared or undeclared for the race…:

Cut 4 (12)  “…made it official.”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has also made comments about running, but has not made that official yet. Alford says Landry is not the only person who HAS made his candidacy official. Also declared is southwest Louisiana lawyer Hunter Lundy, an Independent…:

Cut 5 (09) “…into this race.”

Alford says it’s possible some of Louisiana’s congressional delegates in Washington D.C. may seriously consider entering the race for governor in 2023, once they see how the November mid-term elections shake out…:

Cut 6 (08)  “…factor in this race.” 

Louisiana’s gubernatorial primary election is October 14, 2023.

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73-year-old Peter Son Nguyen (WIN) has been arrested by the enforcement division of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for alleged illegal possession and release of an exotic species. LWDF spokesperson Adam Einck says a few weeks ago they received a report that apple snails had been released in an Opelousas neighborhood pond.

Cut 7 (11) “…this pond.”

Apple snails can cause extreme damage and are a highly invasive species. Einck says they were first found in the state about 15 years ago and the pond in Opelousas had not been previously inhabited by apple snails.

Cut 8 (06)  “…that area.”

Apple snails have been known to clog crawfish traps and consume bait used for crawfish. As for a motive for the alleged placement of the invasive species in the pond, Einck says that remains under investigation.

Cut 9 (05)  “…that pond.”

Illegal possession of apple snails brings up to a $50 fine and their illegal release carries a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail.

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Beginning next week, the Louisiana Department of Health will cease to give daily COVID numbers and move to weekly updates. Currently, the state gives daily totals Monday through Friday and State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the change will go into effect on Wednesday, October 19^th.

Cut 10 (11) “…every week.”

Kanter says we’re at a point in the pandemic where we can step back from daily totals and look at things more in-depth on a weekly basis and examine trends by racial demographics and other factors.

Cut  11 (12)  “…phase of the pandemic.”

When you compare numbers from the most recent surge, also known as the sixth surge, Kanter says we had every bit as much COVID transmission as prior surges but thankfully the clinical acuity was low.

Cut 12 (09) “…of this.” 

Kanter says at this point in the pandemic 95% of Louisianans have either been vaccinated, had COVID, or both.

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Two Baton Rouge teens are under arrest in an alleged murder plot that left a woman dead Wednesday night. East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s spokesperson Casey Hicks says deputies found the suspected shooter – a 16-year-old boy – not far from the scene of the crime, and he cracked quickly under questioning…:

Cut 13 (11) “…kill this woman.”

The victim is identified as 33-year-old Markeshia Stone. She was shot multiple times and died in a nearby hospital. Hicks says the teen boy told them he was asked to commit the crime by the girl, who is a friend of his…:

Cut 14 (12)  “…kill her relative.”

Hicks says the investigation is ongoing, and citizens with pertinent information should contact the EBR Sheriff’s Office. She says both suspects are now in juvenile detention pending arraignment…:

Cut 15 (08)  “…of a firearm.”

The EBR District attorney may choose to upgrade the charges.

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LSU is at Florida tomorrow night in what is expected to be another tight game in Gainesville. The last six meetings in the swamp between these two schools have been decided by a total of 27 points and all have been one possession games. Tigers wide receiver Jarray Jenkins says who ever executes the best will win…

Cut 16 (14)  “…just fine.” 

Both teams have first-year coaches. Billy Napier has a four-and-two record in his first in Gainesville after leading the Ragin Cajuns for four seasons. LSU Cornerback Mekhi Garner played for Napier in Lafayette…

Cut 17 (07) “…a monster” 

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Fresh off a win against UTEP last week, Louisiana Tech is at North Texas tomorrow. The Mean Green are averaging 214 rushing yards a game, which is second best in Conference USA. Bulldogs Coach Sonny Cumbie…

Cut 18 (17) “…down the field” 

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There will be a lot of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase fans from Louisiana in the Superdome for Sunday’s Bengals-Saints game. Saints defensive end Cam Jordan expects Who Dat Nation will be supporting the Black and Gold…

Cut 19 (15) “…this week”

The Bengals can be explosive on offense with Burrow, Chase, and wide receiver Tee Higgins. Jordan says if the Saints defense plays up to its standard, they’ll be fine…

Cut 20 (07) “ …one dimensional” 

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Lake Charles Police and the Calcasieu Parish coroner confirm three people are dead in what appears to be an officer-involved shooting at a home there. At around 9 this morning, officers responded to a report of a naked man waving a gun around at a residence on 7th Street. Little else is known right now other than that three persons are dead. LCPD has asked State Police to take over the investigation; standard procedure for shootings involving LEOs.

Two Baton Rouge teens are under arrest in an alleged murder plot that left a woman dead Wednesday night. East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s spokesperson Casey Hicks says deputies found the suspected shooter – a 16-year-old boy – who told them he was asked to do the crime by a female friend…:

CUT 14  (12)        “…kill her relative.”

The victim is identified as 33-year-old Markeshia Stone, who died from multiple gunshots.

A photo of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell traveling first class to Amsterdam last week has emerged, after she’s already been ordered to repay the city $30-thousand for upgrading her travel to France this past summer. She’s also accused of using a city-owned apartment in the French Quarter for personal uses. Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says now the personal security of Councilperson Helena Moreno has been reassigned out of what he believes is retaliation for her being critical of Cantrell. He says the driver has been accused of taking photos of Cantrell using the apartment and sending them to the media…:

CUT 08(10)      “…for that.”

Social Security benefits are going up for seniors in January. The 8.7-percent Cost Of Living Allowance is the biggest in decades. Louisiana AARP Advocacy Director Andrew Muhl says the average retiree in our state gets about $1400 a month. The COLA is to help seniors stay abreast of inflation.

Two Baton Rouge teens are under arrest in an alleged murder plot that left a woman dead this week. East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s spokesperson Casey Hicks says deputies found the suspected shooter – a 16-year-old boy – not far from the scene of the crime, and he cracked quickly under questioning…:

CUT 13  (11)        kill this woman

The victim is identified as 33-year-old Markeshia Stone. She was shot multiple times and died in a nearby hospital. The boy is charged with 2^nd-degree murder and a weapons possession charge. The girl with principle to 2^nd-degree murder.

Social Security checks will increase by almost 9-percent starting January 1^st; the biggest Cost Of Living allowance in decades. Louisiana AARP Advocacy Director Andrew Muhl says, in addition, Medicare Part B premiums will also go down…:

CUT 05  (06)        “…January 2023.”

The increases are to help seniors stay abreast of inflation.

The composite ACT scores among Louisiana high school students fell for the fifth year in a row. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

Police in Springhill, in Webster Parish, say they have busted a marijuana grow house. Working with Webster Sheriff’s deputies, officers found over a hundred pot plants in various stages of growth, plus irrigation systems, guns, ammo and cash. No word as yet on who or how many were arrested.

Social Security checks will increase in January by almost 9-percent a month, as the largest cost of living adjustment in more than 40 years takes place. What will that mean for Louisiana retirees…?

CUT 01(30)      “…Golsby.”

A pair of Baton Rouge teens face serious charges in a murder plot that left a woman dead last night. EBR deputies say a 17-year-old girl convince a 16-year-old boy to kill 33-year-old Markeshia Stone who was a relative. She was shot multiple times and died in a local hospital. The boy is charges with murder; the girl with principal to 2^nd degree murder.

ACT scores among Louisiana high school students fell for the fifth straight year for the Class of ’22. Education Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley says it’s concerning, because this is one problem that cannot be put off on the effects of the pandemic…:

CUT 11(11)      “…the country.”

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been doing more luxury travel; this time to Amsterdam…first class, which can cost up to $10-rthousand. She was just ordered to repay the city for upgrades for travel to DC, Miami and France to the tune of $30-thousand. Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says city policy says employees may pay no more than 110-percent of the cost of an economy ticket…:

CUT 07(06)      “…for that.”

The average ACT score in Louisiana has dropped for a fifth consecutive year. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the Class of 2022′s composite score was 18.1, down from 18.4….
cut 10 (07) “…national trend”
The national average ACT composite score fell a half a point to 19.8, the lowest since 1991.

Third Judicial District Attorney John Belton announced he’ll begin presenting evidence to a grand jury next month to see if criminal charges are warranted against the State Troopers involved in the 2019 fatal arrest of Ronald Greene. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says there are three scenarios for going to a grand jury…
cut 15 (13) “….do your dirty work”
He says Belton is taking Option 1; a certain indictment.

A photo of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell traveling first class to Amsterdam last week has emerged after she’s already been ordered to repay the city $30-thousand for upgrading her travel experience to France this past summer. President of the New Orleans Metropolitan Crime Commission Rafael Goyenche says they asked the city about the price of the Amsterdam ticket and never got a response, so they researched ticket prices.
Cut 6 (10) “…over $10,800.”
Goyeneche says according to city policy if an employee travels internationally on a flight for more than ten hours the official is allowed to purchase a business class ticket for no more than 110-percent of the economy price ticket.

Social security recipients will receive nearly a nine-percent increase int heir benefits in 2023 to help retirees who are dealign with the highest inflation rates in decades. Director of Advocacy at Louisiana AARP, Andrew Muhl, says this is the largest rate hike since 1981…
cut 4 (09) “…their income”
Muhl says the average retiree Louisiana collects about 14-hundred dollars a month in social security, this cost of liviing adjustment will recipients an extra 15-hundred dollars a year

Benefits for social security recipients will increase by 8-point-seven percent next year which is largest hike since 1981. Director of Advocacy at Louisiana AARP, Andrew Muhl, says the average retired worker benefit for a person in Louisiana is around 14-hundred dollars a month…
cut 3 (09) “…15-hundred annually”
The higher than normal cost of living adjustment is needed so seniors do not lose their purchasing power.

The composite ACT scores among Louisiana high school students fell for the fifth year in a row. The Class of 2022 score was 18-point-one down from 18-point-four last year. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says he believes it’s mostly pandemic related.
Cut 9 (10) “…interrupted.”
The national average also dropped to 19-point-eight, drown from 20-point-three. It’s the first time the national average has been below twenty since 1991.

Third District D-A John Belton says a grand jury will convene November 10th to determine if the State Police Troopers involved in the fatal arrest of motorist Ronald Greene in 2019 should be charged criminally. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says he doubts Belton would convene a grand jury if he did not think they would indict…
cut 14 (10) “…strong solid case”
So far federal prosecutors have not brought civil rights charges against the troopers involved.

John Kennedy’s re-election campaign says the junior U-S Senator has raised over 36-million dollars, after bringing in another seven million dollars during the third quarter. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says a majority of Louisiana voters support Kennedy’s efforts on capitol hill…
cut 28 (10) “….Joe Biden”

Governor Edwards and three energy corporations announce a major project to capture greenhouse gas emissions from a manufacturing complex in Ascension Parish and store it in Vermilion Parish….
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

The average ACT score in Louisiana has dropped for a fifth consecutive year. The Class of 2022′s composite score was 18.1, down from 18.4 out of possible 36. The national average ACT composite score also fell to 19.8.

U-S Senator John Kennedy announces he’s raised a record 36-million dollars for his re-election campaign with more than 15 million in cash on hand. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the reason Kennedy has been able to raise that much is because he’s expected to win…
Cut 7 (11) “…still win.”
The election is November 8th and there are three Democrats actively running against Kennedy, but they do not have a lot of campaign dollars.

The American Lung Association says only 30-percent of adults in the U-S have received a whooping cough vaccination. The A-L-A’s chief medical officer Doctor Albert Rizzo is trying to educate adults about the potential dangers of whooping cough…
cut 5 (13) “….COPD”

Louisiana 3rd Judicial District D.A. John Belton says he’ll convene a grand jury next month to seek indictments against the State Police Troopers involved in the 2019 roadside death of Ronald Greene. Belton declined to discuss any further details. Baton Rouge criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor Franz Borghardt says we’ll learn more about the evidence if indictments are handed down

Cut 13 (09) “…the criminal proceedings.”
Republican Senator John Kennedy has raised a record-breaking $36 million for his re-election campaign but many wonder if Kennedy will run for governor, Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat believes if Republicans regain control of the Senate that Kennedy will stay put.

Cut 9 (10)  “…not going to happen.”

Three energy companies are partnering together in an effort to dramatically reduce industrial carbon dioxide emissions by capturing two-million tons of greenhouse gases from a plant in Donaldsonville and then storing them underground in Vermilion Parish…

Cut  11 (07)  “..electric vehicles.”

That’s Dan Ammann, president of ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions, who expects the project to be duplicated worldwide.

Pertussis, better known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory illness and it’s making a comeback. Dr. Albert Rizzo with the American Lung Association says pediatricians and health officials typically see rapid Pertussis infections during the fall but still urges people to stay ahead of the curve and get vaccinated.

Cut 6 (11)  “…up to date.” 

Only 30% of adults in the U.S have been vaccinated for whooping cough.

Three energy companies announce plans to capture two-million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually from an ammonia production plant in Donaldsonville, transport it to Vermilion Parish and inject it underground at a location owned by ExxonMobil. Governor John Bel Edwards says this is a step twoards the state’s emission reduction goal of net zero by 2050….
cut 12 (10) “…it is safe” (2x)

Third District D-A John Belton says a grand jury will convene November 10th to determine if the State Police Troopers involved in the fatal arrest of motorist Ronald Greene in 2019 should be charged criminally. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says he doubts Belton would convene a grand jury if he did not think they would indict…
cut 14 (10) “…strong solid case”
So far federal prosecutors have not brought civil rights charges against the troopers involved.

Republican Senator John Kennedy has raised a record-breaking $36 million for his re-election campaign and has more than $15 million in cash on hand.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A top senior staff member for Governor Edwards is stepping down. Executive counsel Matthew Block has been the governor’s right hand man as he expanded the state’s Medicaid program, dealt with a huge budget deficit, hurricanes and numerous clashes with a Republican-led Legislature. Block says he wants to resume his private practice in Thibodaux.

Three energy companies are partnering together in an effort to dramatically reduce industrial carbon dioxide emissions by capturing two-million tons of greenhouse gases from a plant in Donaldsonville and then storing them underground in Vermilion Parish….
cut 11 (07) “…electric vehicles”
That’s Dan Ammann, president of the ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions, who expects the project to be duplicated worldwide.

Third Judicial District Attorney John Belton announced he’ll begin presenting evidence to a grand jury next month to see if criminal charges are warranted against the State Troopers involved in the 2019 fatal arrest of Ronald Greene. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says there are three scenarios for going to a grand jury…
cut 15 (13) “….do your dirty work”
He says Belton is taking Option 1; a certain indictment.

BESE approves a new policy for summer remedial literacy instruction for 3rd and 4th graders who read below level. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the program is only temporary and intended to offset ill-effects on kids from the pandemic…:
CUT 21 (08) “…few years.”
Brumley says there will be other options for kids who don’t want to do summer school and the child’s parents and school officials can decide on that plan.

Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory illness and the American Lung Association says only 30% of adults in the U.S have received a Pertussis vaccination in the past 10 years leaving. Dr. Albert Rizzo, chief medical officer of the ALA says whooping cough is re-surging for two reasons…
Cut 4 (11) “…up to date.”
Rizzo says those living with asthma are four times more likely to have increased risk of infection and complications.