11:30 LRN Newscast October 21st

A much anticipated cool front has made its way through the state and temperatures are much more fall-like. Freddie Ziegler, with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says we can expect high temperatures in the 70s this weekend and we’ll see the lows dip into the 40s for the northern part of the state…:
Cut 15 (06) “below normal”
He says rain is out of the forecast this weekend and much of next week.

Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says there’s growing support to increase the state’s gasoline tax. Wilson says that’s based on conversations with residents during meetings around the state. He anticipates several different proposals to increase the gasoline tax will be discussed during next year’s legislative session…
cut 4 (09) “…transportation”
It’s been almost 29 years since the state has adjusted the gas tax, and Wilson says it’s lost almost 50% of its value.
A Raycom Media Poll on the US Senate race has Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy and Democratic Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell leading the large field of candidates. Democrat Caroline Fayard finished third followed by Republican Congressmen Charles Boustany and John Fleming. ULM political Science Professor John Sutherlin…
cut 11 (11) “…Kennedy Campbell runoff”
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is trying to figure out how a 23 foot whale washed up on Little Florida Beach in Cameron Parish. Marine Biologist Mandy Tomlin says they did an extensive evaluation of the whale in the hopes of finding out how this happened…
cut 7 (11) …worked on”