Facebook’s announcement of a name change to Meta, sent some users into a frenzy that the social media giant would dissolve their most-used platform. But UNO Marketing Professor Lisa Palumbo says Facebook isn’t going anywhere.
cut 3 (12) “….a while now.”
Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg says the company will focus on building virtual reality products.

FEMA has extended the deadline for Hurricane Ida storm victims in 25 parishes to apply for disaster assistance. Spokesperson Nate Custer says the federal agency can help with rental assistance, temporary housing and home repairs not covered by insurance…
cut 9 (10) “…move back in”
It’s been two months since Hurricane Ida and disaster survivors have received more than 889 million dollars in federal grants.

Tomorrow begins early voting for the November 13th election and every ballot has four constitutional amendments on them. Brooke Thorington reports the first two amendments are generating the most interest…
cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

It’s Halloween weekend and it feels like fall. High temperatures are in the 60s today and State Climatologist Barry Keim says highs will be in the 70s on Saturday and Sunday…
cut 14 (07) “….no chance of rain”

A special committee created by the Louisiana Senate will hold hearings beginning in December on complaints about the use of excessive force by State Police, particularly the high-profile case of Ronald Greene, the black man who died in police custody who was beaten by troopers after a high-speed chase. Senator Franklin Foil, who is chair doesn’t know how many times they will meet.

Cut 13 (10) “…with any recommendations.”

FEMA is extending its deadline for Hurricane Ida individual assistance to November 29^th. FEMA spokesperson Nate Custer says assistance can help get one’s home back to a livable condition until major repairs are completed.

Cut 10 (11)  “…eye on it.” 

Early voting begins Saturday and while there are a few local elections there are four constitutional amendments on everyone’s ballot. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says Amendment Two is considered real tax reform because it removes the ability to deduct federal taxes paid on your state taxes.

Cut 5 (11) “…number two.”

Amendment Four allows the governor to transfer more dedicated funds to fix a state budget deficit. Currently Scott says five percent of dedicated funds can be redirected, a vote in favor of the amendment raises it to ten percent.

Cut 7 (11) “…really have.”

Early voting continues until November 6^th with the exclusion of Sunday, October 31^st and the election is November 13^th.

A seven-member Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight is expected to begin its work in December in the aftermath of high-profile beatings of black men, at least one of them deadly. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

It was a bizarre scene on I-12 in Tangipahoa Parish yesterday afternoon as a small plane had to make an emergency landing. Authorities say thankfully the pilot and two passengers on the aircraft were uninjured after hitting the driver’s side of a Ford pickup truck. The driver of the Ford was also not hurt.

FEMA is extending its deadline for Hurricane Ida individual assistance. Folks in the 25-parish disaster declaration area now have until November 29th to apply for help from the federal agency. FEMA’s Nate Custer says the extension was requested by the governor’s office because of possible communication issues.
Cut 8 (07) “…considered for assistance.”
Custer says more than a half-million applications for Ida assistance have been approved so far at a price tag of 816-million dollars. FEMA says another 297-million has been paid to storm victims through National Flood Insurance Program claims.

Cool-weather has arrived for this Halloween weekend. Highs will be in the 60s today and it will also be breezy. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’ll see highs in the 70s for Saturday and Sunday…
cut 15 (06) “…chill in the air”
And don’t forget early voting begins tomorrow for the November 13th election.

A special committee has been created that will hold hearings beginning in December on complaints about the use of excessive force by State Police, particularly high-profile instances involving the beating of Black men. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil is chair of the advisory panel.
Cut 11 (11) “…of excessive force.”
Foil says the seven-member committee will make recommendations to the legislature regarding use of force laws.

Early voting for the November 13th election begins tomorrow and every ballot contains four constitutional amendments. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says Amendment Three applies to levee districts created after 2006 to levy an annual tax that will go towards maintaining levees.
Cut 6 (11) “…in southern Louisiana.”

Those in the 25 parishes impacted by Hurricane Ida are being given another month to apply for FEMA individual assistance benefits. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

One of the state’s last coal-fired power plants is closing at the end of the year and laying off 54 workers. Dolet Hills Power Station in the DeSoto Parish town of Mansfield was built in 1986 and jointly operated by Cleco and SWEPCO. The Sierra Club says the retirement of Dolet Hills is a win for ratepayers, public health and the environment.

Senate President Page Cortez has established a special seven-member panel that will review several documented excessive force complaints involving State Police troopers and Black men. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil will serve as chairman. Foil says they will hear from several folks and then give the full senate recommendations on legislation that can be passed that would address the use of force…
cut 12 (13) “…at the Capitol”
Foil says their first meeting will be held in December.

About one thousand people who worked at one of the nursing homes owned by Bob Dean have been laid off. The Louisiana Department of Health has stripped Dean of his licenses after sending over 800 nursing home patients to a warehouse facility in Tangipahoa Parish not equipped to house that many people. Dean is fighting L-D-H to get his licenses back.

Early voting begins tomorrow and while there are a few local elections there are four constitutional amendments on everyone’s ballot. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says Amendment One would streamline sales tax collection in the state.
Cut 4 (11) “…what it does.”
Scott says opponents argue moving to a consolidated system takes control from the local governments to collect sales taxes, while opponents say Louisiana’s outdated tax system is an unnecessary burden on those trying to transact business.

It’s Halloween weekend and it will definitely feel like fall. High temperatures will be in the 60s today and State Climatologist Barry Keim says highs will be in the 70s on Saturday and Sunday…
cut 14 (07) “….no chance of rain”

Of the four Amendments on the ballot, it’s the first two that could change tax collection and deductions in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington explains…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Those in the 25 parishes impacted by Hurricane Ida are being given another month to apply for FEMA individual assistance benefits.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

_________________________________________

A seven-member Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight is expected to begin its work in December in the aftermath of high-profile beatings of black men, at least one of them deadly.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 3 (34)  “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

___________________________________________

Early voting begins Saturday and while there are a few local elections there are four constitutional amendments on everyone’s ballot. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says Amendment One would streamline sales tax collection in the state.

Cut 4 (11) “…what it does.”

Amendment Two is one that will impact all taxpayers in the state. Scott says this amendment is considered real tax reform because it removes the ability to deduct federal taxes paid on your state taxes.

Cut 5 (11) “…number two.”

Scott says Amendment Three applies to about five levee districts in the state, however, it requires a statewide vote to allow those districts created after 2006 but before October of 2021 to levy an annual tax not to exceed five mills to that will go towards maintaining levees.

Cut 6 (11) “…in southern Louisiana.”

Amendment Four allows the governor to transfer more dedicated funds to fix a state budget deficit. Scott says currently five percent of dedicated funds can be redirected, a vote in favor of the amendment raises it to ten percent.

Cut 7 (11) “…really have.”

Early voting continues until November 6^th with the exclusion of Sunday, October 31^st and the election is November 13^th.

_____________________________

FEMA is extending its deadline for Hurricane Ida individual assistance. Folks in the 25-parish disaster declaration area now have until November 29^th to apply for help from the federal agency. FEMA’s Nate Custer says the extension was requested by the governor’s office because of possible communication issues.

Cut 8 (07) “…considered for assistance.”

Custer says more than a half-million applications for Ida assistance have been approved so far at a price tag exceeding 800 million dollars.

Custer says the FEMA funding can help with rental assistance, temporary housing and home repairs not covered by insurance.

Cut 9 (10)  “…move back  in.”

Custer says the FEMA assistance can help to get one’s home back to a livable condition until major repairs are completed.

Cut 10 (11)  “…eye on it.” 

To apply for FEMA assistance visit DisasterAssistance.gov or phone 1-800-621-3362.

____________________________________

A special committee is being created by the Louisiana Senate that will hold one or more hearings beginning in December on complaints about the use of excessive force by State Police, particularly high-profile instances involving the beating of Black men. Senator Franklin Foil is chair of the advisory panel.

Cut 11 (11) “…of excessive force.”

Foil says state police, the public and others will be invited to comment before the seven-member committee that will make recommendations to the legislature regarding use of force laws.

Foil says this Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight will be looking for input from a variety of people with the goal of making recommendations to the full Senate in just over a year.

Cut 12 (13) “…at the Capitol.”

At this point, Senator Foil doesn’t know just how many times the committee will meet

Cut 13 (10) “…with any recommendations.”

_________________________________________________

It’s going to be an ideal weekend in Louisiana weatherwise as aftereffects of Wednesday’s cold front remains in control of the fall-like temperature. State Climatologist Barry Keim says lows in the northern parishes will be in the 40s and in the 50s in the southern half with highs reaching into the 70s.

Cut 14 (08)  “…no chance of rain.”

If you haven’t made plans already Keim says this is the weekend to spend outdoors and do some gardening, cycling, running, or even work on your golf game, but he also recommends bringing along a light jacket especially when the sun goes and don’t forget one when you’re out trick or treating Sunday.

Cut 15 (06)  “…chill in the air.”

___________________________________________

Mark Ingram is expected to be at practice for the Saints today. Ingram returns to the team that drafted him in 2011. Ingram spent eight seasons with the Saints and is the franchise’s second-leading rusher. But in Houston this season, he’s averaging a career-low 3.2 yards a carry. Coach Sean Payton still likes what Ingram brings…

Cut  16 (11) “for us.”

Payton says he plans to play Ingram in Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This will be a big game for Saints Quarterback Jameis Winston, who is facing the team that drafted him and chose not to re-sign him after five up and down seasons. Payton does not want Winston to try and take the game over…

Cut 17 (22) “ .understands that.” 

Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady continues to play at a very high level at the age of 44. Brady leads the NFL in completions, passing yards. touchdowns and he’s only thrown three interceptions. Payton says it’s impressive what Brady is doing…

Cut 18 (29)”…to excel”

_____________________________________________________

La Tech can use a win tomorrow as they visit one and six Old Dominion. The Bulldogs have scored 19 points in their last two games and in those contests they converted just nine times on 27 third-down opportunities. Tech Coach Skip Holtz says they got to get that percentage up…

Cut 19 (30)  “…situations.”

Tech is coming off a 45-16 loss to UTSA to drop its record two and five. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz took some positives from the game…

Cut 20 (16)  “build on.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards traveled to Lake Charles to see for himself the damage wrought by a suspected EF-2 tornado that touched down on the city’s south side Wednesday; severely damaging more than two dozen homes and injuring two people. The Governor says, after two hurricanes just over a year ago, this disaster is especially trying…:

CUT 07(12)      “…to test anybody.”

The National Weather Service is collecting data to confirm the size and intensity of that twister.

After Lake Charles, the Governor boarded a jet for England and an economic development meeting with Drax Biomass in York. Then it’s on to Glasgow, Scotland for the U.N. Summit on Climate Change. He returns to Louisiana November 5^th.

Police in Bossier City say road rage led to a fatal shooting Wednesday night in the parking lot of Willis-Knighten Hospital. BCPD Lt. Bart Cavanagh says the suspect, Ramsey Akes, followed the victim, Cynthia Walker, into the lot and shot her several times. Cavanagh says Akes was angry over something that occurred in traffic elsewhere…:

CUT 05(07)      “…in this case.”

Akes is charged with 1^st Degree Murder. His bond is set at 275-thousand dollars.

A Louisiana energy industry leader is in the hospital; mourning the loss of his wife in a Wednesday traffic crash on I-12 in Tangipahoa Parish. State Police Trooper William Huggins says Louisiana Oil & Gas Association founder Don Briggs will recover, but 77-year-old Nannette Briggs was riding without a seat belt and did not survive. Huggins reminds us to make good choices when driving or riding the highways…:

CUT 14(11)      “…or death.”

An apparent fit of road rage leads to murder in Bossier City. BCPD Lt. Bart Cavanagh says they’ve arrested a 23-year-old man for following a woman into a hospital parking lot Wednesday night, and shooting her several times. The victim is 65-year-old Cynthia Walker. The alleged shooter is Ramsey Akes. Cavanagh says they’re still investigating, but it certainly looks like road rage..:

CUT 04  (09)        “…the shooting happened.”

Akes is being held pending $275-thousand bond.

Cops in Walker – in Livingston Parish -say they found a Nike brand tote bag and they hope to reunite it with the owner … and ask him or her why the bag contained over a hundred oxycodone tablets and nearly 50 grams of cocaine. Walker Police Captain John Sharp says it’s unlikely the bag’s owner will come forward, but stranger things HAVE happened…:

CUT 11  (08)        “….claim it.”

Many folks are recovering from yet another blow from Mother Nature in southwest Louisiana. Dasve Brannen reports Governor Edwards went to the scene today…:

CUT 02(36)      “…Brannen.”

The Louisiana State Senate has created a special committee to examine the alleged use of excessive force by State Police. This comes after body cam video was released of two roadside beatings of black men that happened in 2019 in LSP Troop F. One of those left a man dead. The panel will meet in early December.

More than two dozen homes suffered damage when an EF-2 tornado ripped through an area south of Lake Charles early yesterday afternoon. The storm left two people with minor injuries. Governor John Bel Edwards surveyed the area this morning…:

CUT 06(09)      “…from flying debris.”

Remember it’s been just a little over a year since Lake Charles was hit by two hurricanes.

A traffic accident Wednesday on Interstate 12 claims the life of the wife of Louisiana Oil and Gas Association founder Don Briggs. Briggs was sent to the hospital and is expected to recover. State Police Trooper Clay Huggins says it happened in Tangipahoa Parish, when Brigg’s SUV collided with a truck stopped in heavy traffic, then careened off the roadway and overturned…:

CUT 13(10)      “deceased at the scene.”

State Police are investigating the crash.

A suspected road rage incident Wednesday night leaves a 65-year old woman dead and a 23-year old man behind bars in Bossier City. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Thorington.”

The sex crimes trial of former St. Tammany Sheriff Jack Strain went abruptly into recess when a witness for the prosecution – one of Strain’s alleged victims – had an emotional outburst. The witness called Strain a coward and said he should admit his crimes. Strain is accused of molesting several young men both before and during his time as sheriff.

A good number of folks in southwest Louisiana are recovering from yet another blow from Mother Nature. Dave Brannen reports Governor Edwards was at the disaster scene earlier today…:

CUT 02  (36)        “…Brannen.”

After Lake Charles the Governor boarded a jet bound for England and a meeting with Drax Biomass in York … then he’s off to the U.N. Summit on Climate Change in Glasgow, Scotland. He’ll be returning to Louisiana November 5^th.

A federal grand jury indicts a Ruston man for threatening a member of Congress. We only know that the object of 38-year-old Chase Levi Thibodeaux’s ire is a female U.S. House member, and threat was allegedly made on October 12^th via social media. No trial date has been set. If convicted, Thibodeaux could face up to 5 years in federal lockup.

Bossier City cops say a road rage incident led to the shooting death of 65-year-old Cynthia Walker in the parking lot of Willis-Knighton Hospital Wednesday. Bossier City Police Lt Bart Cavanagh says it happened shortly after 7 pm and while two off-duty officers were in the parking lot…:

CUT 03  (11)        “…she passed away.”

23-year-old Ramsey Akes is the suspected shooter.

Police in Walker want to reunite a lost lunch bag with its owner. The reason? The bag contained over a hundred oxycodone tablets and almost 50 grams of cocaine. Walker PD Captain John Sharp says other details about the Nike brand bag are being kept under wraps so they assure they get the right owner…:

CUT 10  (06)        “…give us a call.”