Along with U.S. House and Senate races, voters will decide the fate of ten proposed constitutional amendments tomorrow. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The U-S Senate race in Louisiana at one time was a foregone conclusion, but a strong early voter turnout among Blacks could mean a much closer race than originally expected. Joe Gallinaro has the story…

Cut 2 (26) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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A state lawmaker believes central Louisiana would be the ideal location for a new military base that the Trump Administration is looking to build. Cade Voision has the story…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Cade Voision.”

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There are ten constitutional amendments on tomorrow’s ballot for you to weigh in on – everything from property tax exemptions for seniors to prohibiting bail for those accused of certain crimes against children to limiting governors to two lifetime terms. Steven Procopio, the president of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, says while some of the amendments may seem complicated, they’re not rocket science.

Cut 4 (08) “…to get there.”

Procopio says take time to do some digging into some potential unintended consequences of some measures, particularly those dealing with tax breaks for seniors.

Cut 5 (14) “…money for services.”

Procopio says if you decide to relive your college days and cram at the last minute to learn about the amendments the day before election day, PAR has you covered.

Cut 6 (11) “…we put out.”

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There are growing indications Louisiana’s U-S Senate race between Republican Julia Letlow and Democrat Jamie Davis could be much closer than originally expected. Just a few weeks ago, Letlow was projected to win by double digits. But political analysts say strong early voting turnout among Black voters suggests significant support for Davis. Political consultant Roy Fletcher is a longtime observer of Louisiana politics…

Cut 7 (08) “…from him.”

Fletcher, who worked on John Fleming’s U-S Senate campaign during the Republican primary, says one reason GOP voters may be less energized is that the party remains divided after a primary marked by negative campaigning…

Cut 8 (11) “…that way.”

In a last minute effort to get Republican voters to the polls Tuesday to vote for Letlow, President Donald Trump is holding a tele-rally. Fletcher says the tele-rally itself will not drive more Republicans to the polls, but the media coverage of the event will…

Cut 9 (06)  “…close race.”

Polls are open Tuesday from 6 AM to 8 PM.

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A state lawmaker believes Louisiana would be a great location for the next Next Great American Base. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has announced plans to build “Fortress America” and all locations in the United States may be considered, including former military installations and land that borders existing installations. Vernon Parish state lawmaker Chuck Owen says that description matches what Louisiana can offer

Cut 10 (07) “…right now.”

Owen says at one time Fort Polk had 16-thousand soldiers, it’s now down to six-thousand. He says about ten years ago, the Department of Defense about 50-thousand acres from Vernon Parish, so they have the space to build a mega base that can house 25-thousand service members…

Cut 11 (06) “…pro military.”

Each governor will have the opportunity to pitch a proposal to the Department of War for their state to be home for this proposed military installation that would be entirely self-sufficient, meaning it will generate its own power and manage water utilities. Owen says not every state will be interested, but he believes Louisiana should be one of the front-runners to land the Next Great American Base…

Cut 12 (08) “…of Louisiana.”

A decision on where the base will be located is expected in June.

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Open enrollment for Affordable Care Act health insurance is underway and runs through January 15th. According to USAFacts, about 195-thousand Louisiana residents were enrolled in ACA marketplace plans earlier this summer. Louisiana Blue healthcare economist Mike Bertaut says these policies offer some advantages…

Cut 13 (09)  “..premiums” 

Bertaut says the federal government’s HealthCare.gov website allows consumers to shop for coverage, but navigating the site can be challenging…

Cut 14 (12) “…buy anything.”

Meanwhile, the health policy organization K-F-F says ACA premiums are expected to increase by a median of 15-percent next year.

America’s Health Rankings estimates just under eight percent of Louisiana residents are uninsured, slightly below the national average. Bertaut says while rising premiums can be frustrating, going without health insurance can expose people to even greater costs…

Cut 15 (15) “…higher costs”

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The LSU women’s basketball team tips off year six under Kim Mulkey tonight versus Southeastern Louisiana. Star guard Mikaylah Williams is entering her fourth season at LSU. She has already been a back-to-back first-team All-SEC selection the last two seasons, but now she says she is stepping up as a vocal leader in her senior year.

Cut 16 (14) “…the hang of.”

The Tigers were picked to finish third in the SEC preseason media poll. Mulkey has reloaded her roster with promising freshmen and impact transfers, and LSU will rely on sophomores Grace Knox and ZaKiyah Johnson to take the next step. Williams says it’s a young team.

Cut 17 (10) “…we’ll be okay.”

Tip-off in the P-MAC is at 6:00.

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After giving up three first-half touchdowns, Louisiana Tech’s defense put the clamps down on South Alabama and did not allow a score in the second half in a 35-20 victory over the Jaguars. The Bulldogs recorded three sacks, seven tackles for loss, two takeaways and forced three turnovers on downs. Coach Sonny Cumbie on his defense…

Cut 18 (19)  “…to be better.” 

Louisiana Tech is off to its first 4-0 start in conference play and has its first five-game winning streak since 2019. Tech is at Troy this Saturday.

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ULM could not follow up its upset win over Troy last week with its second straight victory. The Warhawks lost at home to Southern Miss 35 to 21. Coach Bryant Vincent’s team falls to 1-and-7 on the season…

Cut 19 (17) “..fully believe that.”

The Warhawks are on the road this Saturday to face Arkansas State.

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In high school football, Edna Karr’s 35-game winning streak came to an end resoundingly on Saturday night at Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans as St. Aug clobbered the Cougars 52 to 14 in front of more than 18-thousand fans. Karr head coach Brice Brown’s team lost for the first time since November 30, 2023…

Cut 20 (23) “…ready to go.”

A few weeks ago, Republican Julia Letlow appeared to be a clear favorite in Louisiana’s U-S Senate race. But several political observers now see a much closer contest. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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This is Halloween weekend, and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is urging you to be extra careful on the roadways. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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There are growing signs Louisiana’s U-S Senate race could be closer than previously expected. Washington-based Inside Elections has downgraded the race from Solid Republican to Likely Republican, while Shreveport-based pollster Bishop George now calls it a toss-up. Political consultant Mary-Patricia Wray says that helps explain why President Trump is holding a tele-rally for Republican candidate Julia Letlow Monday night…

Cut 3 (07) “…back up.”

Letlow has represented Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District since 2021. She defeated incumbent Bill Cassidy and State Treasurer John Fleming in the Republican primary to advance to Tuesday’s general election.

Letlow has spent the past several weeks visiting all 64 parishes, but political consultant Mary-Patricia Wray says many Republican voters still aren’t energized by her candidacy because they don’t know much about her…

Cut 4 (07) “…to voters.”

Wray says Letlow is well liked by Republican leaders in Louisiana, but it appears she’s having trouble connecting with many conservative voters…

Cut 5 (12) “…she’s trying to attract.”

Sixth District Congressman Cleo Fields from Baton Rouge says Letlow’s opponent, Jamie Davis, has connected with Louisiana voters with his grassroots campaign. Fields says Davis is talking about the issues that’s impacting many Louisianans, higher prices at the gas pump and grocery store.

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This is Halloween weekend, which can be a very spooky time on Louisiana’s roadways. Gregory Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says last year, almost 650 people were injured in crashes during the Halloween period, and some of those people did not survive their injuries.

Cut 6 (08) “…but it is.”

Of those 16 people, three were killed in alcohol-related crashes.

Fischer says especially with little ghouls and goblins walking the streets after dark, you need to slow down and pay extra attention, especially Saturday night.

Cut 7 (08) “…on the dot.”

As for trick-or-treating Saturday night, Fischer says as challenging as it may be depending on the costume, especially for those choosing to dress up as Darth Vader instead of a Stormtrooper, the key is for kids to be able to be seen.

Cut 8 (11) “…better than nothing.”

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If you’re a Saints fan that has been frustrated with the team’s up-and-down start to the season, know you aren’t alone. One longtime fan sent a letter to the organization expressing his frustration with the Black and Gold’s repeated failures. Scott Fazio says he was in Paris to watch the Saints lose to the Steelers.

Cut 9 (14)  “…this is ridiculous.”

Fazio addressed owner Gayle Benson, general manager Mickey Loomis and head coach Kellen Moore. He cited repeated issues in the run game and starting slowly offensively, poor draft picks and decisions not to retain players who went on to star elsewhere and a five-year playoff drought. He says he understands losing, but he just wants competitive quality.

Cut 10 (13) “…nothing changes.” 

Benson expressed similar disappointment after the Saints lost three home games in a row before the trip to Paris. It was an uncharacteristically harsh assessment of the team’s need to improve for Benson, but Fazio says without any real change, it doesn’t mean anything.

Cut 11 (10) “…something happen here.”

The Saints are 2-and-5 to start the season and 8-16 under Moore. Their 27 wins over the last four seasons is the team’s worst four-year stretch since the end of the 90s and a sixth season missing the playoffs would be its longest playoff drought since then as well. That era ended in a complete overhaul of the coaching staff and front office.

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It’s that time of year again – before you go to bed Saturday night, go through your house and turn all of your clocks back one hour, because Daylight Saving Time ends at two Sunday morning. While you’re at it, the Louisiana Office of the State Fire Marshal also urges you to check your smoke detectors. Chief Chad Sonnier says the process is very simple.

Cut 12 (06) “…for another year.” 

You hear fire officials say time and time again that smoke alarms save lives, and Chief Sonnier says an incident in West Monroe back in early September epitomizes that sentiment.

Cut 13 (11) “…to get out.”

Sonnier says the fire marshal’s office will go to great lengths to make sure everyone has a working smoke detector inside his or her home.

Cut 14 (10) “…or your family.”