A federal judge rules that Louisiana must continue Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood at least 14 more days despite Governor Bobby Jindal’s push to stop payments to the clinics. Jindal’s effort began following the release of videos which allegedly show Planned Parenthood workers talking about selling fetal tissue. Planned Parenthood denies the allegation and said in a statement that the ruling protects the health and safety of thousands of Louisiana’s men and women.

About 222,000 Louisianians cast an early ballot for Saturday’s election according to the Secretary of State’s Office. When you base this election’s early voting numbers on historical trends, a 45 to 50 percent voter turnout is expected for the election. Pollster John Couvillon says low voter turnout typically favors Republican candidates…

cut 4 (10) “Democratic intensity”

About 14,000 fewer voters participated in this year’s early voting than in last November’s election.

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LSU mascot Mike VI will not be attending anymore home games this season. Ginger Gutner, with the LSU Vet School, says anyone who visits Mike’s dwelling knows that he likes to sleep by the windows up front around people, so she doesn’t think the big crowds are keeping him from the games…

cut 7 (07) “game day”

She says they plan to reevaluate the situation next season.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry announce the arrest of a man accused of intentionally setting a number of fires when he worked as a volunteer firefighter in Jonesboro in 2010 and 2011. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the suspect faces six counts of simple arson…

cut 9 (09) “near Jonesboro”

Strain says Murphy’s confession came while he was being questioned about an unrelated fire.