Republican David Vitter isn’t appear on tonight’s Louisiana Public Broadcasting debate. Though his opponents criticize Vitter for not showing up to some debates, his campaign says they’ve participated in 35 debates and forums this year. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says most people say Vitter doesn’t want to risk being questioned about scandals from his past…:
CUT 7 (09) “probably better”
The other Republicans, Jay Dardenne and Scott Angelle, will be at LPB’s debate tonight as well as Democrat John Bel Edwards. All four will be at Louisiana Tech’s debate tomorrow.

The 2016-2017 Louisiana Economic Outlook report shows the state’s economy will continue to feel the effects of low oil prices, but industrial booms in certain areas will create major job growth. The forecast projects Baton Rouge and Lake Charles seeing the biggest employment gains.

The 16 year old who is accused of stabbing and killing a senior from St. Amant High in Ascension Parish over the weekend will be tried as an adult. This means he can also be identified. Jacob Westbrook is accused of stabbing to death 18-year year old Todd Toups with a steak knife. Legal analyst Tim Meche a lot can develop in this case before it’s over:
CUT 13 (10) “plea deal arrangement”
The judge ordered Westbrook to be transferred to the Ascension Parish Prison.

Authorities say an LSU student is under arrest on terrorizing charges after allegedly screaming into a CB radio statements about guns and shootings on the top of the student union parking garage. LSU police say they found 21-year-old Richard Aaron Bee of Mandeville wearing camouflage when he was taken into custody. Bail had not been set as of Wednesday.

A judge has ruled that the 16-year-old Baton Rouge boy accused in the stabbing death of a St. Amant High School senior will be tried as an adult. Jacob Westbrook faces a count of second degree murder in the death of 18-year-old Todd Toups. Legal analyst Tim Meche says the judge had very little discretion…:
cut 12 (07) “as adults”
Authorities accused Westbrook of stabbing to death Toups with a steak knife October 10th in Gonzales.

State Ag and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says they are trying to find the person they believe is setting wildfires in a drought stricken northwest Louisiana. He says 6 parish are affected where thousands of acres have been destroyed and even a home in Bienville Parish. But most of the area was protected as the fires were put out..:
CUT 4 (08) “the homes”
He says the arsonist will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

This year’s governor’s race is being called low profile by many political pundits, but that doesn’t mean the commercial war isn’t in full force. It’s reported that nearly 18,500 gubernatorial campaign ads have aired statewide in as of October 5th. Michael Henderson with LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab says in 2003, negative ads didn’t begin popping up until the week before the primary…:
cut 10 (09) “governor’s elections”
He says voters can expect to see many more ads before the October 24th primary.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s office says a local comedian has been arrested on counts including identity theft. They say 42-year-old Jennifer Kober, originally from Lake Charles but now living in California, is accused of using a family member’s debit card without permission and stealing her identify to obtain utility services for her current residence. Kober bonded out of jail and promised on her Facebook page that she’d tell the full “hilarious” story at a show next week in Lake Charles.

Authorities in north Louisiana are searching for an arsonist responsible for several fires. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The 16-year-old accused of stabbing to death an 18-year-old in Gonzales on October 10th will be tried as an adult. A state judge in Ascension Parish ruled today that the suspect can also be identified as Jacob Westbrook of Baton Rouge and he’s charged with second degree murder in the death of Todd “TJ” Toups Jr. Authorities believe Westbook stabbed Toups to death with a steak knife before the St. Amant High homecoming dance.

LSU says a student has been arrested on a charge of terrorizing after authorities say he was on top of the student union parking garage screaming about guns and shootings. The reports came in from a 911 call center in West Baton Rouge Parish. 21-year-old Richard Aaron Bee was allegedly making the statements into a CB radio while wearing camouflage. He was booked into parish prison.

Republican David Vitter is raising eyebrows that he won’t be at the debate today broadcast by LPB. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the fact that Vitter is missing debates may sway some voters away from him, but for the most part people are not paying attention to this race…:
CUT 8 (08) “very unlikely”
The four candidates are slated to appear during a debate tomorrow night at Louisiana Tech and it will air and be simulcast on a TV station in Shreveport. Vitter’s campaign said in a statement that he’s participated in 35 debates and forums already this year.

Although many people say this year’s governor’s election got off to a slow start, it appears the ad war is in full swing. It’s reported nearly 18,500 gubernatorial campaign ads have aired statewide as of October 5th. Michael Henderson with LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab says when you compare this race to the state’s last competitive open election in 2003, there are similarities…:
CUT 9 (09) “passed them up”
He says voters can expect to see a lot more negative ads as we approach election day October 24th.

Commissioner of Ag and Forestry Mike Strain says they are searching for the person who’s intentionally been starting fires in 6 parishes in northwest Louisiana. He says more than half of the fires they’ve been dealing with in the dry conditions were caused by arson…:
CUT 1 (09) “light another one”
He says thousands of acres have been burned but all fires are now contained.

Republican David Vitter will be missing tonight’s statewide televised LBP debate, while the other three candidates will be there. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

An LSU student has been booked into Parish Prison on a count of terrorizing after authorities say he was standing on top of the student union parking garage in camouflage and talking on a citizens band radio about guns and shootings. The threats lead to a lock down Tuesday of the garage according to university police. Bail has not been set for 21-year-old Richard Aaron Bee of Mandeville.

Republican David Vitter will be missing tonight’s televised gubernatorial debate to be aired statewide by Louisiana Public Broadcasting. His campaign has come under fire by opponents for frequently opting out of such forums. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Vitter likely thinks he’s going to make the runoff no matter what he does
CUT 6 (11) “probably don’t need to”
Cross says Vitter is also trying avoid questions about his past.

The 16-year-old boy accused of stabbing to death an 18-year-old St. Amant High student before the homecoming dance has been identified and he will be tried as an adult. A state judge in Ascension Parish ruled today that Jacob Westbrook of Baton Rouge’s second degree murder trial will not be heard in Juvenile Court. Westbrook is accused of killing 18-year-old Todd “TJ” Toups Jr. with a steak knife on October 10th in Gonzales.

Members of Governor Bobby Jindal’s presidential campaign are looking to change the current debate criteria so Jindal will be included in the next Republican presidential debate on October 28th. Eric Gill reports…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

A national comedian originally from Lake Charles who regularly performs throughout the state was arrested in Louisiana and charged with identity theft and unauthorized use of an access card. 42-year-old Jen Kober turned herself in at the Calcasieu Correctional Center before posting $7500 bond. Kober posted a picture of her at the jail on Facebook and promoted an upcoming show where she says she’s going to tell the full story and make people laugh.

Republican David Vitter’s latest gubernatorial TV commercial features his wife Wendy, who says her husband has the courage and vision needed to turn around Louisiana. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley having an ad that features his wife can help Vitter with women voters…

cut 15 (10) “is lagging”

In the ad, Wendy Vitter also talked about how her husband was the one who authored a bill that led to term limits in the state legislature.

In a report by Gallup-Healthways, Louisiana ranks number 47 in the country for financial wellbeing. Tulane Business Professor Mark Rosa says the lack of major corporations in the Bayou state contributes to Louisiana ranking low on this list…

cut 9 (11) “small businesses”

Entergy and CenturyLink are the only two Louisiana based companies on the Fortune 500 list.

Republicans Scott Angelle and Jay Dardenne, along with Democrat John Bel Edwards will take part in a televised gubernatorial debate tonight that will air on LPB stations across the state. Republican David Vitter will not be attending the event. The Vitter campaign says a scheduling conflict prevents the senator from attending, but did not elaborate any further. Vitter has missed several major forums and that is drawing criticism from the other candidates.

An 11-year-old girl with Down Syndrome from DoSoto Parish is making international headlines after a video of her reaction to making the cheerleading squad went viral…

cut 1 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Governor Bobby Jindal’s presidential campaign team is looking to change the current debate criteria so Jindal will be included in the next Republican presidential debate. Current criteria relies on national polls, but the campaign says ignoring polls in early primary states does not reflect reality. Campaign manager Timmy Teeple says by doing this, voters are being ignored…

cut 12 (10) “who will lose”

The next debate will air on CNBC on October 28th.

An 11-year-old Stonewall girl with Down Syndrome is an Internet sensation after a video of her reaction to being accepted to the cheerleading squad went viral. Lacey Parker’s mother, Renee, says Lacey has made appearances on news sites everywhere and is influencing people all over the world…

cut 5 (10) “home videos”

She says having Down Syndrome has never stopped Lacey from doing anything.

A report finds Louisiana ranks 47th in the nation for having the least financially secure residents. Emelie Gunn has more….

cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

State Police say wild fires in Bienville Parish have claimed more than 1400 acres of land and are threatening homes in the Fryeburg Community. Fire officials and emergency personnel are currently attempting to contain the grass and woods blaze. Fires have forced a train carrying hazardous materials to stop. There are no injuries associated with the train incident and no evacuations have been issued.