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. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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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.

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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.

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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 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.”

Moore says she disagrees with Republicans who oppose increasing the wealth cap to protect Social Security.

Cut 7 (06) “…more middle class.”

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For many people, Halloween is one of their favorite holidays. And 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. She says classic Halloween characters remain popular.

Cut 9 (08)  “…and Spider-Man.”

Grgich says comic book characters dominate Halloween costume choices for kids. She says nearly half of consumers are using A-I to help with their Halloween shopping this year.

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

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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.”

Dr. Funes says this mobile mammography unit was designed specifically with rural and underserved areas in mind.

Cut 12 (12) “…come to them.”

The unit is launching its maiden voyage in its Our Lady of the Lake service community, from Baton Rouge to the Northshore. Later, it will visit Acadiana and North Louisiana. Funes says screenings are by appointment.

Cut 13 (10)  “…get them screened.”

The mobile mammography unit is equipped with everything that a brick-and-mortar clinic has, and appointments take the same length of time.

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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.”

Fitch Ratings upgraded the state’s credit rating based on three successful years of budget policy improvements that started with the revenue policy changes in 2024 that reduced a projected structural budget gap. Fleming says Louisiana has been committed to sound financial management.

Cut 15 (08) “…that we’re showing.”

Louisiana finished last fiscal year with an estimated 565-million-dollar surplus.

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.”

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Southern goes on the road for a third straight game after losing to Texas Southern on a last-second field goal last week. The Jaguars will travel to face Florida A&M on Saturday at two p-m. Both teams are 1-and-3 in SWAC play, and Southern coach Marshall Faulk says that is not where the similarity stops.

Cut 17 (21) “…just don’t know.”

Fifth-year senior defensive end Ckelby (“kelby”) Givens had six tackles in his return last week after being sidelined the previous two games with a concussion. Givens has been a star edge rusher for the Jags, but Faulk is determined to use him as an off-ball linebacker as well. He says he will need those skills at the next level.

Cut 18 (17)  “…he understands that.”

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Louisiana Tech has an opportunity to tighten its grip on the Sun Belt West lead with a game at second-place South Alabama on Saturday. Bulldogs quarterback Blake Baker is the highest-rated passer in the conference with a 72-percent completion percentage and 10 touchdown passes to just one interception. Head coach Sonny Cumbie says Baker has been in the program for four seasons, but he has made just 12 starts.

Cut 19 (19) “…very high level.”

South Alabama is coming off its first Sun Belt loss and is led by the top rushing offense in the conference. Tech has allowed a league-best 70 rushing yards per game in conference play, and Cumbie says his team will need to be ready for the Jaguars.

Cut 20 (10) “…the play action.”

Kickoff in Mobile is at 2 p.m.

According to the CDC, Louisiana has the highest rate of flu activity of any state in the Continental United States. Dr. Fred Lopez, a professor of medicine at LSU Health New Orleans, says this is a relatively early start to flu season.

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Some scary moments on the campus of Southern University yesterday evening as a student is accidentally shot on campus. Baton Rouge Police Corporal Saundra Watts says 19-year-olds Jiqueze Dillon and Robert Washington were with a 20-year-old student in the parking lot at University Apartments

Cut 9 (13)  “…struck the victim.”

The victim is expected to survive his injuries. Dillon and Washington are both facing charges.

The Shreveport Regional Airport is offering daily nonstop flights to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport for the first time in 18 years. Airport spokesman Mark Crawford says the once-daily flight leaves between seven AM and nine AM and takes about two hours to arrive at O’Hare.

Cut 7 (12) “…United Airlines.”

Crawford says if demand is high, a second daily flight could be added, as they’ve seen with flights to Charlotte and Denver.

The 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) “…taxpayer.”

If you haven’t gotten your flu vaccine yet, now’s a good time to schedule one. The CDC says Louisiana has the highest level of flu activity in the Continental United States, and flu season is just getting underway. Dr. Fred Lopez, a professor of medicine at LSU Health New Orleans, says there are a couple of reasons why people here in Louisiana are especially at risk for getting the flu.

Cut 5 (08) “…population as well.”

A Southern University student is lucky to be alive after being accidentally shot in the parking lot of an on-campus apartment complex. Baton Rouge Police say as one man was handing the gun to another, it accidentally discharged, hitting the victim. Corporal Saundra Watts says this underscores the fact that guns are not toys.

Cut 11 (10) “…survive his injuries.”

The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office is accusing a northeast Louisiana police chief of stealing funds intended for the family of a police officer killed in the line of duty. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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You can add West Baton Rouge Parish to the long list of parishes under burn bans. This comes as dry, breezy weather increases the chances of wildfires. Burn bans are in effect for nearly the entire state, except for most of southeast Louisiana.

We’re not even in November, and flu activity is ramping up in Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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The Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office says they detained 18 undocumented adults in Ferriday yesterday. Authorities say they were riding in a large passenger van that was towing a utility trailer that became disabled on the side of the road on Highway 84. The undocumented adults were in the van and the trailer was loaded with luggage.

Baton Rouge Police have arrested two 19-year-olds who were involved in an accidental shooting on Southern University’s campus late yesterday afternoon. Corporal Saundra Watts says one of the teens arrested was handing the gun to the other teen when the gun went off…

Cut 10 (10) “…firearm on campus”

Watts says the shooting took place in the parking lot at University Apartments  and the victim is expected to survive his injuries.

The Shreveport Regional Airport is offering daily nonstop flights to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport for the first time in 18 years. The new United Airlines service began Sunday, and airport spokesperson Mark Crawford says Monday’s flight was nearly full…

Cut 6 (11) “…out and about.”

Crawford says the Chicago once-daily flight leaves between seven AM and nine AM and takes about two hours to arrive at O’Hare.

Just a few hours to go in early voting in the November 3rd election. Early voting ends at six this evening. After that, your last chance to cast a ballot will be on that November 3rd Election Day. Everyone will be voting in the general election for U.S. Senate, the open primary for U.S. House and on ten proposed constitutional amendments.

Louisiana has the highest rate of flu activity of any state in the Continental United States. According to the CDC, Louisiana and Hawaii are the only states where flu activity has risen to the level of “moderate” this early into flu season. Dr. Fred Lopez, a professor of medicine at LSU Health New Orleans, says the prevailing subtype this year is H1N1.

Cut 4 (14) “…isn’t as good.”

Some scary moments on the campus of Southern University yesterday evening as a student is accidentally shot on campus. Baton Rouge Police Corporal Saundra Watts says 19-year-olds Jiqueze Dillon and Robert Washington were with a 20-year-old student in the parking lot at University Apartments

Cut 9 (13)  “…struck the victim.”

The victim was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive his injuries. Dillon and Washington are both facing charges.

For the first time in 18 years, Shreveport Regional Airport is offering daily nonstop flights to Chicago’s O’Hare Airport through United Airlines. Airport spokesman Mark Crawford says it allows you to take an easy day trip or weekend trip to Chicago.

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If you want to take advantage of early voting, you have until six this evening to do so. After that, you’ll have to wait until Election Day one week from today. One of the hot races this year is in the Fifth Congressional District. At a candidate forum in Baton Rouge yesterday, Michael Echols says it’s important for Republicans to stick together when voting on legislation.

Cut 12 (13) “…what America is.”

The Shreveport Regional Airport is offering daily nonstop flights to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport for the first time in 18 years. Airport spokesman Mark Crawford says the once-daily flight leaves between seven AM and nine AM and takes about two hours to arrive at O’Hare.

Cut 7 (12) “…United Airlines.”

The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office is accusing a northeast Louisiana police chief of stealing funds intended for the family of a police officer killed in the line of duty. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

You can add West Baton Rouge Parish to the long list of parishes under burn bans. This comes as dry, breezy weather conditions increases the chances of wildfires. Burn bans are in effect for nearly the entire state, except for most of southeast Louisiana.

The Baton Rouge Press Club held a Fifth District Congressional forum on Monday and three of the Republican candidates attended. In the last newscast, we heard from state representative Gabe Firment. In this newscast, let’s hear from small business owner Austin Magee, who says the federal government can make sure Social Security does not become insolvent, by reducing spending that does not benefit the United States…

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In the next newscast, we’ll from state representative Michael Echols.

We are looking at another dry work week, but rain chances increase on Saturday….

Cut 13 (10)  “…some scattered showers.”

LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim.

We’re not even in November, and flu activity is ramping up in Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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The Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office says they detained 18 undocumented adults in Ferriday yesterday. Authorities say they were riding in a large passenger van that was towing a utility trailer that became disabled on the side of the road on Highway 84. The undocumented adults were in the van and the trailer was loaded with luggage.