Early voting wrapped up with Democrats outnumbering Republicans at the polls by almost 16-thousand among the nearly 521-thousand early and absentee ballots cast. Former Democratic lawmaker Melissa Flournoy tells Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana it underscores the energy and enthusiasm Democrats have for Jamie Davis and in this election as a whole.

Cut 11 (10) “…African American leader.”

Citing the two publicly-released polls that show Julia Letlow leading Davis by a much smaller margin than originally forecast, a Letlow supporter said at an early voting kickoff event last week that this election cannot be taken for granted.

Cut 12 (08) “…out and vote.”

Election Day is next Tuesday; polls are open from six a-m to eight p-m. Along with the U.S. Senate general election, it’s also the open primary for the six U.S. House races, and voters will decide ten constitutional amendments.

The final month of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season begins Sunday. So far, the 2026 season has produced just 10 named storms and one hurricane. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says as expected, El Nino has limited storm formation this year. He says this will be two years in a row that Louisiana did not have a hurricane make landfall along the state’s coast.

Cut 8 (11) “…juncture.”

The State Fair of Louisiana begins its 120th year tomorrow at the Fairgrounds in Shreveport. One of the great new attractions is the Freedom 250 Wheel, which was in Washington D-C this past summer for the Great American Fair. Russell Adams with the Louisiana State Fair says their carnival operator, Talley Amusements, owns the ferris wheel.

Cut 23 (11) “…State Fair.”

Early voting for the November 3rd election is over. Joe Gallinaro breaks down the numbers.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

A man who Terrebonne Parish investigators say stabbed four people to death and injured a young boy is indicted on murder charges. 47-year-old Kaegan Jude Solet is indicted on four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder in the mid-September incident. The motive for the attack remains unclear at this time.

With less than a week to go until Election Day, how are supporters of Julia Letlow and Jamie Davis feeling? Former Democratic lawmaker Melissa Flournoy tells Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana that Davis has run a great campaign, especially with limited resources.

Cut 9 (09)  “…you can trust.”

At an event in Lafayette last week that marked the kickoff to early voting, a Letlow supporter said the congresswoman is the only viable option to send to the U.S. Senate.

Cut 10 (11) “…to be Julia.” 

October comes to an end later this week and LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the 2026 hurricane season is likely done for Louisiana.

Cut 6 (09) “…state of Louisiana.”

With less than a week to go before Election Day, supporters of Julia Letlow and Jamie Davis are pulling out the stops in getting the word out about their choice for U.S. Senate. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

According to the Baton Rouge Business Report, Hyundai has secured an air permit for its five-point-eight billion dollar Ascension Parish steel mill. This will allow the South Korean company to begin construction on the steel manufacturing facility in Donaldsonville. It will employ 13-hundred workers with a plan to begin commercial production in early 2029.

Early voting for the November 3rd election is over, with nearly 521,000 voters casting ballots. According to the Secretary of State’s Office, registered Democrats outnumbered Republicans among early voters by nearly 16,000. Also added to the mix are almost 93-thousand no-party voters. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says no party voters tend to vote Republican in Louisiana

Cut 4 (08) “…are Republican voters.”

October comes to an end on Saturday and the 2026 hurricane season will also unofficially come to an end. So says LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim who says in the 175 years of hurricane record keeping, a named storm has never made landfall in Louisiana in November…

Cut 7 (09) “…very, very low.”

Early voting ended yesterday. According to the Secretary of State’s Office 520-thousand votes have been casted, 448-thousand in person and 72-thousand absentee votes. During the last midterm election, there were 377-thousand votes during the early voting portion. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says it’s hard to predict what the overall turnout will be…

Cut 5 (13) “…more free time”

Election Day is Tuesday, polls will be open from 6 AM to 8 PM.

FMOL Health is helping those who can’t easily get to a clinic to get screened for breast cancer by unveiling its new mobile mammography unit. Dr. Chris Funes (FOO-nez), the medical director for ambulatory quality for FMOL Health, says it will help increase the availability for this essential preventative screening.

Cut 11 (09) “…saving potentially screening.”

In coming months, the mobile mammography unit will travel to FMOL Health markets in Acadiana and north Louisiana.

Yesterday, we heard from three of the six Republicans vying for the open seat in the fifth congressional district. Today, we’re hearing from two of the three Democrats in that race.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

October comes to an end this weekend and in recorded history Louisiana has never experienced a tropical storm or hurricane landfall in November. …

Cut 8 (11) “…juncture”

LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim.

Early voting in the November 3rd election is over. Almost 521-thousand voters cast ballots in the seven days of early voting, with Democrats outnumbering Republicans by almost 16-thousand. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says while that may be cause for concern for Julia Letlow for the time being, she may be bolstered by the U.S. House races in districts five and six on Election Day.

Cut 3 (11) “…might incur statewide.”

Global credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has upgraded Louisiana’s state credit rating from Double-A negative (AA-) to Double-A (AA), with a stable outlook. State Treasurer John Fleming says a stronger credit rating can help access capital markets on more favorable terms, potentially reducing borrowing costs.

Cut 14 (08) “…for the taxpayer.”

FMOL Health is helping those who can’t easily get to a clinic to get screened for breast cancer by unveiling its new mobile mammography unit. Dr. Chris Funes (FOO-nez), the medical director for ambulatory quality for FMOL Health, says screenings are by appointment.

Cut 13 (10)  “…get them screened.” 

The National Retail Federation expects shoppers to increase their spending on Halloween costumes this year. N-R-F Senior Analyst Lea Grgich says nearly half of consumers are using A-I to help with their Halloween shopping this year.

Cut 10 (07) “…during product research.”

Grgich says classic Halloween characters like witches and vampires remain popular costume choices for adults, while comic book characters like Batman and Spider-Man dominate costume choices for kids.

During a Baton Rouge Press Club forum featuring the candidates running for Congress in the 5^th Congressional district, the three Republicans who attended, Michael Echols, Gabe Firment, and Austin Magee all said they support a national abortion ban. There were two Democratic candidates at the forum. Dan McKay says he opposes a national abortion ban…

Cut 5 (05) “…address that subject”

And the other Democrat at the forum, Pat Moore, noted that her own birth was the result of a rape, and she expressed gratitude that her mother did not abort her. She said it’s her duty as a state representative to protect babies while they’re in the womb, and that “pro life” should not end at childbirth.

Cut 6 (11) “…will do that.”

Global credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has upgraded Louisiana’s state credit rating from Double-A negative (AA-) to Double-A (AA), with a stable outlook. State Treasurer John Fleming says  an improved bond rating is more than a number on a financial report. He says it sends a positive signal about Louisiana’s creditworthiness and ability to meet financial obligations.

Cut 16 (09) “…for everyone concerned.”

Fleming says a stronger credit rating can help access capital markets on more favorable terms, potentially reducing borrowing costs.

According to the National Retail Federation, Americans are spending a little more on Halloween this year. N-R-F Senior Analyst Lea Grgich says 74-percent of those surveyed plan to celebrate Halloween, with many expecting to spend more than 100 dollars on the spooky holiday.

Cut 8 (07) “…year’s spending level.”

Grgich says shoppers are expected to spend two-billion dollars on adult Halloween costumes.

While six Republicans are vying for the open seat in the solidly-Republican Fifth District, three Democrats are seeking the seat as well. Two of them – Pat Moore and Dan McKay – appeared at Monday’s candidate forum in Baton Rouge. McKay says Democrats have one major priority should they win control of the House of Representatives, as they’re widely expected to do at this point.

Cut 4 (07) “…controlling Donald Trump.”

The three Republicans on the panel – Gabe Firment, Austin Magee and Michael Echols – oppose increasing the wealth cap to protect Social Security, but Moore says she disagrees

Cut 7 (06) “…more middle class.”

Early voting for the November 3 election closed yesterday, and the Secretary of State’s office reports over 520-thosand voters have already cast their ballots. Registered Democrats outnumbered registered Republicans by nearly 16-thousand, and almost 93-thousand voters were registered with no party affiliation.

One of the big three credit rating agencies upgrades Louisiana’s bond rating and revises the state’s overall credit rating outlook from positive to stable. Joe Gallinaro has more.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

The National Retail Federation finds Americans are spending a little more on Halloween this year. Senior Analyst Lea Grgich says nearly half of shoppers are using A-I.

Cut 10 (07) “…during product research.”

While six Republicans are vying for the open seat in the solidly-Republican Fifth District, three Democrats are seeking the seat as well. Two of them – Pat Moore and Dan McKay – appeared at Monday’s candidate forum in Baton Rouge. The three Republicans on the panel all said they would support a national ban on abortions, with Gabe Firment citing his Christian faith in his viewpoint. McKay says he opposes a national abortion ban.

Cut 5 (05) “…address that subject.”

Moore noted that her own birth was the result of a rape, and she expressed gratitude that her mother did not abort her. She said it’s her duty as a state representative to protect babies while they’re in the womb, and that “pro life” should not end at childbirth.

Cut 6 (11) “…will do that.”

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The National Retail Federation says Halloween spending is up slightly this year, with consumers spending on average 115 dollars per person. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Global credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has upgraded Louisiana’s state credit rating from Double-A negative (AA-) to Double-A (AA), with a stable outlook. State Treasurer John Fleming says a stronger credit rating can help access capital markets on more favorable terms…

Cut 14 (08) “…for the taxpayer.”