Voters turned out in droves during the first two days of early voting. The secretary of state’s office says more than 170-thousand people showed up at the polls Friday and Saturday. John Couvillon (COO-vee-ahn) with JMC Analytics and Polling says the actual number is even higher. 

Cut 3 (11) “…to 259,512 statewide.”

Normally, more Democrats turn out for early voting than Republicans, but Couvillon says this time, it’s the other way around.

Oral arguments are taking place in U.S. District Court in Baton Rouge at this hour over Louisiana’s controversial Ten Commandments law. Legal analyst Dane Ciolino says the state has almost no chance of winning this round.

Cut 9 (16)  “…establishment clause precedent.”

Some 150-thousand Swifties are set to invade New Orleans this week. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

LSU rolled past the Razorbacks on Saturday night beating Arkansas 34 to 10 in Fayetteville. The win sets up a huge game this Saturday against Texas A-and-M. LSU has won six in a row since the season-opening loss to USC and are now ranked number-seven in the nation.

Oral arguments are underway in a federal courthouse in Baton Rouge over the challenge to Louisiana’s controversial Ten Commandments law. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Early voting continues today for the November 5^th presidential election. The Secretary of State’s Office reports there have been 171-thousand early in-person voters after two days of early voting. In 2020, there were 155-thousand early votes after two days.

The lone constitutional amendment on the November 5th ballot would dedicate any federal money Louisiana receives from offshore Alternative energy production to the Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund which funds coastal protection projects. CPRF is constitutionally protected and already receives dedicated OIL and GAS money from federal and state sources, and from the BP Oil Spill settlement. LaRose Representative Joseph Orgeron…

Cut 10 (12) “…energy infrastucture.”

Thousands will travel this week to New Orleans as Taylor Swift will be performing in the Superdome. New Orleans and Company spokesperson Kelly Schulz says this is a golden opportunity to showcase the city…

Cut 15 (09) “….throughout their lifetime”

Schulz says through her shows, Taylor Swift single-handedly boosts cities’ economies throughout the world.

Oral arguments will take place in U.S. District Court in Baton Rouge this morning over Louisiana’s controversial Ten Commandments law.

Cut 7 (14) “…in public schools.”

That’s Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrell is defending the law on the state’s behalf and her legal team will make the case that the law is constitutional. The hearing is expected to last one or two days.

Two years from now, U-S Senator Bill Cassidy will likely be seeking re-election, but La Politics dot com publisher Jeremy Alford says he would not be surprised if Cassidy faces a challenger from his own party. Alford says State Treasurer John Fleming is one possibility…

Cut 6 (11) “…direct mail piece”

State Police is investigating two separate crashes in Avoyelles Parish that happened on the same highway on the same day. Both fatal wrecks occurred on Highway 107 on Saturday night. A two-vehicle crash near Center point claimed the life 62-year-old Harold Gaspard of Marksville and a one-vehicle crash near Pinks Lane claimed the life of 37-year-old Terrence Hawkins.

Some 150-thousand Swifties are set to invade New Orleans this week. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Louisiana’s new law to have the Ten Commandments posted in every public-school classroom goes before a federal judge in Baton Rouge today. Dane Ciolino, a professor of law at the Loyola University-New Orleans says the plaintiffs, which includes the ACLU, have Supreme Court precedent on their side.

Cut 8 (14) “…in public schools.”

Ciolino says this case will likely go before the U-S Supreme Court and the current make-up of the nation’s highest court gives it a chance that the state’s Ten Commandments law could be ruled constitutional.

KALB-TV reports Pineville Mayor Rich Dupree submitted his resignation on Friday, which means the city council will appoint the next mayor, instead of voters with a special election.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy has 5.8 million in his campaign warchest sending a strong signal he will run for re-election in 2026.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Just one constitutional amendment on the November 5^th ballot. A vote for the amendment would send federal dollars from money received from offshore wind, solar and other renewable energy sources to the Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund. LaRose Representative Joseph Orgeron explains why he authored the amendment to support the Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund…

Cut 11 (09) “….in 20231”

Opponents of Amendment 1 say dedicating money from offshore energy production to the CPFR restricts lawmakers’ ability to make budget decisions.

Oral arguments will play out today in a federal courtroom over a new state law that’s being challenged by several groups that calls for the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public classroom. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino expects Judge John deGravelles to rule in favor of the plantiffs, but the state’s strategy is the long game…

Cut 9 (16) “….establishment clause precedent”

Ciolino says the Supreme Court has shown a willingness to allow religion in public schools.

LSU is ranked Eighth in the latest A-P Top 25 poll as the Tigers are 6-and-1 following a blowout victory at Arkansas. Coach Brian Kelly says his team keeps improving…

Cut 28 (05) “…coming together”

The Tigers are at 14^th ranked Texas A-and-M on Saturday. The Aggies have also won six in a row.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, who is up for re-election in 2026,  raised nearly $1.5 million in the third quarter of this year and has 5.8 million dollars in cash on hand. LA-Politics-dot-come Publisher Jeremy Alford…

Cut 4 (08) “…fundraising base come together.”

There was some speculation Cassidy might not seek a third term. He’ll be 69 when he runs for re-election and the Louisiana Republican Party censured Cassidy in 2021 for his vote to convict former President Donald Trump for his role in the January sixth attack on the U-S Capitol in 2020.

Swifties will invade New Orleans this week as Taylor Swift brings her Eras Tour to the Big Easy for three shows in the Superdome starting on Friday night. New Orleans and Company spokesperson Kelly Schulz….

Cut 14 (15) “….New Orleans way”

The challenge to Louisiana’s controversial Ten Commandments law goes before the U.S. District Court in Baton Rouge this morning. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Early voting resumes today for the November 5^th presidential election. The Secretary of State’s Office reports there have been 171-thousand early in-person voters after two days of early voting. In 2020, there were 155-thousand early votes after two days.

In 2026, Louisiana’s Senior Senator Bill Cassidy is expected to be on the ballot seeking a third term in office. LA-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says Cassidy has reported five-point-eight million dollars in cash on hand…

Cut 5 (05) “…put up a tough fight”

Alford says there’s a possibility Cassidy will face a challenger from his own party. Two rumored names are PSC member Eric Skrmetta and State Treasurer John Fleming.

New Orleans is getting ready for the invasion of the Swifties. Taylor Swift will perform three shows at the Superdome Friday through Sunday. Kelly Schulz with New Orleans and Company says there are very few hotel rooms in the Big Easy this weekend.

Cut 13 (09)  “…going very quickly.”

Voters aren’t wasting time when it comes to voting in the presidential election. People began showing up in droves on the first day of early voting yesterday.  Many saying they just wanted to get their ballot cast as soon as possible.

Cut 8 (09) “…and cast it.”

Early voting runs until October 29^th, but polls are closed on Sundays.

The newly constructed Caddo Lake Bridge is now open to traffic in Shreveport.  They held a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony on the south side of the bridge near the marina this morning at 11. The 17.3 million dollar project began in October of 2021.  The old bridge, which was built in 1940, was closed in December of that same year do to the condition of the aging structure and later demolished.  The new modernized concrete bridge will serve the nearly five-thousand motorists on a daily basis.

——————————————–

A second professional hockey team in Louisiana takes the ice as the Monroe Moccasins return following a 23-year absence. The Monroe Moccasins join the Baton Rouge Zydeco (ZYE-de-koh) in the Federal Prospects Hockey League, Moccasins Owner Nic Perkin says there’s excitement in the air

Cut 9 (08)  “…it’s just incredible.”

Perkin is aiming to use his Monroe Moccasins as a way of increasing youth participation in hockey through his Power Play Promises youth program.

Eighth ranked LSU will try to follow up last Saturday’s emotional win over Ole Miss with a win on the road tonight at Arkansas. Coach Brian Kelly expects his team can avoid a let down…

Cut 15 (10) “…right direction.”

The Louisiana National Guard held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new readiness center at Chennault International Airport in Lake Charles today. The previous center was already set for replacement, but damages from Hurricane Laura in 2020 accelerated the timeline. Col. Scott Slaven says the original facility has been around since the 1950s…

Cut 3 (11) “…them remove debris.”

The new facility will accommodate over 200 soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment.

Busy Friday night in high school football across the state.  Some scores of note Barbe took down New Iberia 35 to 7.  Evangel Christian won a nail-biter against Benton 33 to 32,  John Curtis  toped John Curtis Christian 17 to 14.  It was Destrehan over Captain Shreve 46 to 42 and Acadiana trounced Lafayette.  Final score 55 to 10.

——————————–

People are not procrastinating when it comes to voting in the presidential election. People are showing up in droves on this, the first day of early voting. The Louisiana Secretary of State’s office reports close to 92 thousand voters cast their ballots yesterday. Some voters told us they wanted to get it done now to avoid any problems in the future.

Cut 7 (12) “…actual voting day.”

Aburn ban remains in place in Louisiana right now. But fire departments have reported that local burn bans significantly increase the number of emergency calls, as residents often report any visible fire, even those not covered by the ban. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says reminds people that burning wooded areas is illegal…

Cut 14 (06) “…get them involved..”

Early voting in the presidential election is underway here in Louisiana, and the polling places are very busy. Andrew Greenstein is outside one of them in Baton Rouge.

Cut 2 (34) “…in Baton Rouge.”

College football fans in Louisiana will get an early start this morning. The Rajun Cajuns are set to take on Coastal Carolina and Nichols will host Northwestern State.  Both games kick off this morning at 11.

———————————————-

Ongoing dry conditions, low humidity, and high winds, are raising concerns among firefighters about a potential increase in wildfires.  That as a burn ban remains in place across the State.  Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain says if you’re doing prescribed burning to monitor wind speeds and follow all the guidelines for prescribed burning…

Cut 13 (09) “…agricultural burn.” 

Strain says there have been 29 fires across the state in the past few days.

The Louisiana National Guard held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new readiness center at Chennault International Airport in Lake Charles today. The new facility will accommodate over 200 soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment. Col. Scott Slaven on the 60 thousand square foot facility.

Cut 4 (12) “…soldiers overseas.”

Louisiana voters are not wasting any time when it comes to casting their ballots in the presidential election. People were showing up in droves on yesterday on the first day of early voting. These people cast their ballots at the Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge.

Cut 6 (08) “…got it done.”

According to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office, close to 92 thousand voters cast their ballots yesterday.

An ongoing burn ban in Louisiana is a response to ongoing dry conditions, low humidity, and high winds, raising concerns among firefighters about a potential increase in wildfires.  Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain noted there have been 29 fires across the state in the past few days.

Cut 12 (06) “…very (x3) careful.”

———————–
The Louisiana National Guard held a ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday for a new readiness center at Chennault International Airport in Lake Charles.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

In High School football Ruston’s 20 game win streak ended last night as the Neville Tigers took down the defending state champs.  The Bearcats’ took one on the chin. Final score 26-21.