According to the Secretary of State’s Office, 344-thousand people voted during the early voting period that concluded on Saturday. An eight-percent decline from early votes cast in the 2019 gubernatorial primary. Also, more Republicans voted early than Democrats.

The last day to request an absentee ballot for the October 14th Gubernatorial Primary Election is today by 4:30 p.m. Secretary of State Deputy Secretary for Outreach Joel Watson says registered voters can request an absentee ballot at voterportal-dot-sos-dot-la-dot-gov.
Cut 7 (12) “…do so.”
Anyone interested in voting by absentee ballot can also make a request in person at the parish Registrar of Voters office.

A weak tropical disturbance is expected to bring at least a quarter of an inch of rain to southwest Louisiana. About an inch of rain for the Lafayette area. Houma could see about two inches and the New Orleans area three inches. Phil Grisby with the National Weather Service says the rain will get here tonight and continue into tomorrow and as long as too much doens’t come at once, the rain will be beneficial…
cut 11 (10) “….all that stuff”

Black Friday deals have come early for holiday shoppers as major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Best Buy have started offering discounts now, weeks before the start of the traditional holiday shopping season. Bankrate Senior Industry Analyst Ted Rossman says an early start gives shoppers more time to research and spread out their cash flow
Cut 3 (10) “…card debt.”

Members of the University of Louisiana System Board have slowed the process of hiring Jim Henderson as Louisiana Tech’s next president to allow public input. Henderson has served as President of ULS for nearly seven years,  He says Louisiana Tech is dear to him for several reasons. His late parents were graduates of Louisiana Tech and he currently has a family member attending…

Cut 15 (12) “…Louisiana Tech.”

Henderson would replace current Tech President Les Guice, who announced his retirement last month. Henderson will give up his role as system leader if he’s named Louisiana Tech’s next president at a special meeting in less than three weeks.

There may soon be a black bear season in the Bayou State. A hearing will be held at The Louisiana Wildlife Commission’s meeting next month on the issue. After being on the endangered species list, Commission member Joe McPherson says it will be a limited hunt so not many animals will be taken initially.

Cut 6 (08) “…wild alligator.”

Louisiana’s black bear was removed from the endangered species list in 2015. McPherson says if the commission chooses to bring black bear hunting season back it wouldn’t be until the 2024-2025 season.

A tropical disturbance has the potential to bring a lot of rain to south Louisiana tomorrow. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee has more…

Cut 2 (26)  “…you updated”

DeSoto Parish Clerk of Court Jeremy Evans has been arrested less than a week before the October 14th election on two counts of electioneering for violating a law specific to campaigning in nursing homes. Evans posted photographs to his social media page last month during visits to two nursing homes in Mansfield wearing a shirt with a “re-elect Jeremy Evans” logo. This is not the first time Evans has been accused of a violation in connection to an election.

A system in the gulf could bring some much-needed rain to south Louisiana on Wednesday. Slidell National Weather Service Meteorologist Phil Grigsby says predicted rainfall amounts are in the one-to-two-inch range and higher in coastal parishes which will be welcome…:
Cut 12 (03) “the area”
While the gulf disturbance will bring rain to Louisiana it’s not expected to develop into a depression and or tropical storm.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot for Saturday’s elections is 4:30pm today. Louisiana Deputy Secretary of State for Outreach Joel Watson says registered voters can request an absentee ballot at voterportal-dot-sos-dot-la-dot-gov…:
Cut 7 (12) “do so”
Additional election information including your sample ballot can be found on the GeauxVote mobile app.

The Gonzales Police Department is seeking information on a Sunday night shooting at a park in Ascension Parish that left several hurt and led to a fatal car crash as people were fleeing the area. They say at least 4 people sustained gunshot wounds in the incident, and a vehicle trying to escape crashed leaving two hurt and a woman dead. Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact the authorities.

The University of Louisiana System Board has delayed hiring their own President Jim Henderson as Louisiana Tech’s next president to allow public input. Teiko Foxx explains…:
Cut 3 (33) “I’m Teiko Foxx”

A tropical disturbance has the potential to bring a lot of rain to south Louisiana tomorrow. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee has more:
Cut 2 (26) “you updated”

State Police say a Covington man is dead following a suspected drunk driver crash in St. Tammany Parish. They say 46-year-old Kimberly Dufrene of Covington was making a turn when she traveled into the opposite lane of traffic and hit a motorcycle driven by 67-year-old Douglas Jenkins. Jenkins succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. Dufrene was booked for vehicular homicide and 2nd offense DWI.

Efforts are underway to bring a black bear hunting season to Louisiana. A vote will likely take place at The Louisiana Wildlife Commission’s November meeting. After being on the endangered species list, State Wildlife says today the black bear population here is just over 12 hundred. Commission member Joe McPherson says lawmakers sponsored legislation to bring black bear hunting back…:
Cut 5 (06) “community”
He says if the commission chooses to bring black bear hunting season back it wouldn’t be until the 2024-2025 season.

The University of Louisiana System Board has delayed hiring their own President Jim Henderson, as Louisiana Tech’s next president to allow public input. Henderson says it’s just procedural and returning to a university environment at an institution like Tech was always his plan
CUT 14 (12) “this process”

A system in the gulf could bring some much-needed rain to South Louisiana by mid-week. Phil Grigsby is with the National Weather Service in Slidell…:
Cut 10 (11) “Wednesday night”
The majority of the rainfall will be south of I-10 and I-12.

State Officials say early voting turnout for this Saturday’s primary election in Louisiana saw an 8 percent drop from the 2019 governor’s race. That does not include absentee ballots and the deadline to request one is 4:30 this afternoon. Louisiana Deputy Secretary of State for Outreach Joel Watson says all completed absentee ballots should be returned in person….:
Cut 9 (07) “voters’ staff”
Requests can be made online by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov.

Could Louisiana soon be getting a black bear hunting season? Brooke Thorington reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The University of Louisiana System Board has delayed hiring their own President, Jim Henderson, as Louisiana Tech’s next president to allow public input. Henderson says this is just procedural…:
Cut 13 (10) “constituent groups”
A final decision is expected to be made at an October 25th special meeting.

Tropical moisture is expected to move into South Louisiana on Wednesday bringing in heavy rainfall. Phil Grigsby with the National Weather Service in Slidell says they could use some showers…:
Cut 11 (11) “that stuff”
The gulf disturbance is not expected to develop into a depression or tropical storm.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot for Saturday’s elections is 4:30pm today. Louisiana Deputy Secretary of State for Outreach Joel Watson says those ballots must be returned by Friday..:
Cut 8 (09) “…Saturday night.”
You can request an absentee ballot today online at voterportal-dot-sos-dot-la-dot-gov.

Sportsman’s Paradise has set the stage to create a hunting season for black bears. Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission member Joe McPherson says a recent report indicates there’s a viable population of the original “Teddy Bear,”…:
Cut 4 (10) “to sportsmen”
A vote on the matter will likely take place at the next commission meeting in November.

The Powerball jackpot climbed to an estimated $1.73 billion after no one matched the game’s six numbers Monday. Tomorrow night’s drawing has a cash value of about 756.6 million.

Due to its resurgence after being listed as endangered in Louisiana, a black bear hunting season could return. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A tropical disturbance has the potential to bring a lot of rain to south Louisiana tomorrow. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee has more…

Cut 2 (26)  “…you updated”

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Members of the University of Louisiana System Board who considered hiring their President Jim Henderson today have extended the decision to allow for the public’s input. Teiko Foxx explains…

Cut 3 (33) …I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Efforts are underway to bring a black bear hunting season back to Louisiana. A hearing will be held at The Louisiana Wildlife Commission’s November meeting on the issue. After being on the endangered species list, Commission member Joe McPherson says a recent report indicates there’s a viable black bear population in Louisiana….

Cut 4 (10) “…to sportsmen.”

There’s been an effort to reinstate the season after the species all but disappeared in the 1950s and 1960s. State Wildlife says today the black bear population in Louisiana is just over 12 hundred. McPherson says lawmakers have even sponsored legislation to bring the hunting season back…

Cut 5 (06) “…community.”

McPherson says there’s even a Facebook page dedicated to Louisiana Black Bears that shows deer camera footage of their presence.

McPherson says if the commission chooses to bring black bear hunting season back it wouldn’t be until the 2024-2025 season. He says it will be a limited hunt so not many animals will be taken initially.

Cut 6 (08) “…wild alligator.”

Louisiana’s black bear was removed from the endangered species list in 2015, but there’s an ongoing lawsuit from Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility challenging the removal.

The next commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 2, 2023.

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The last day to request an absentee ballot for the October 14^th Gubernatorial Primary Election is today by 4:30 p.m. Secretary of State Deputy Secretary for Outreach Joel Watson says registered voters can request an absentee ballot at voterportal-dot-sos-dot-la-dot-gov.

Cut 7 (12) “…do so.”

Anyone interested in voting by absentee ballot can also make a request in person at the parish Registrar of Voters office. Watson says absentee ballots must be returned by Friday so they can be counted on Election Day.

Cut 8 (09) “…Saturday night.” 

Anyone who is 65 and older, disabled, work offshore, or will not be in the state on election day qualifies to vote absentee.

The deadline to return absentee ballots is Friday. Watson says all completed absentee ballots should be returned in person.

Cut 9 (07)  “…voters staff.”

The deadline to return absentee ballots is Friday.  Information on local polling stations, sample ballot, and request an absentee ballot can be found on the Secretary’s website, or on the GeauxVote mobile app.

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A system in the gulf could bring some much-needed rain to south Louisiana on Wednesday. Slidell National Weather Service Meteorologist Phil Grigsby says there’s a potential for heavy rainfall midweek.

Cut 10 (11) “…Wednesday night.”

The majority of the rainfall will be south of I-10 and I-12.

After brutal summer temperatures and little to no rainfall, Grigsby says significant rain in the forecast is welcome news on two fronts…

Cut 11 (11) “…that stuff.”

Predicted rainfall amounts are in the one to two inches range but Grisby says as you get closer to the coast, that could increase up to three inches of precipitation.

Cut 12 (03) “…the area.” 

While the gulf disturbance will bring rain to Louisiana it’s not expected to develop into a depression and or tropical storm.

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The University of Louisiana System Board has delayed hiring their own President Jim Henderson, as Louisiana Tech’s next president to allow public input. Henderson says it’s just procedural and practical ramifications of having a system president interested in a university presidency.

Cut 13 (10) “… constituent groups.”

For the last six years, Henderson has been president of the state’s largest higher education system with nine member schools and more than 90,000 students. Henderson says returning to a university environment was always his plan and Louisiana Tech is special institution.

Cut 14 (12) “…this process.”

Henderson will give up his role as system leader if he’s named Louisiana Tech’s next president at a special meeting in less than three weeks.

His late parents were graduates of Louisiana Tech. He currently has a family member attending…

Cut 15 (12) “…Louisiana Tech.”

Henderson would replace current Tech President Les Guice, who announced his pending retirement last month.

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There are a lot of positives to take away from the Saints 34-0 win over the New England Patriots. Coach Dennis Allen liked how his team ended trips in the red zone with touchdowns…

Cut 16 (22) “…executed.”

The 34 points scored by the Saints ends a streak of 10 straight games of not scoring more than 21 points in a game. It also takes some of the heat off longtime offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael. Carr says his relationship with Carmichael is growing…

Cut 17 (19) “…always fun.”

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There have been some dark times for the LSU defense this season. But Coach Brian Kelly says after watching the game film from Saturday’s win over Missouri, he believes they are starting to see light at the end of tunnel…

Cut 18 (22) “…out there.”

LSU gave up just two touchdowns in the second half, which is not bad after watching Missouri score on its first three drives.

Tigers Quarterback Jayden Daniels is expected to practice today, despite taking some big hits against Mizzou. Daniels has put his name in the conversation for Heisman Trophy consideration. Kelly gives a lot of credit to fifth-year senior from California…

Cut 19 (22) “…the country.” 

After playing two straight games on the road, LSU returns to Tiger Stadium this Saturday to face the Auburn Tigers. The game marks the second half of the season and Coach Brian Kelly says his team is very much in the hunt to repeat as SEC West champs

Cut 20 (17) “…care of business.” 

The Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating two fatal shootings that happened within hours of each other. Sheriff Andy Brown says on Friday night they believe 18-year-old Terrion Atkins killed 26-year-old Breunte Hicks at a Circle K Gas Station in Jonesboro and then about two-hours later 30-year-old Devontre Jackson of Grambling was gunned down while driving on US 167…

Cut 13 (08) “…that case”

Walker High School Principal Jason St. Pierre, who revoked Kaylee Timonet’s scholarship after a video of her dancing at a private party, is taking leave for the remainder of the school year. Timonet, says it was St. Pierre who bought up religion, but his recent social media post says otherwise. She responded on TikTok…

Cut 7 (12) “…not factual.” 

The Secretary of State’s Office reports an eight-percent drop in early voting turnout. Early voting for the October 14^th gubernatorial primary ended Saturday night. Historically in Louisiana Democrats tend to take advantage of early voting compared to Republicans, but notably for this primary it was GOP voter turnout for early voting that exceeded registered Democrats. Absentee voting is also on the rise, and the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is Tuesday at 4:30 PM.

Tonight’s Powerball Jackpot is up to $1.55 billion, with a cash value of $679 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says a ticket worth $50 thousand was purchased in Kenner over the weekend and there was also a lucky winner in Houma.

Cut 5 (08) “ …numbers drawn”  

To be eligible for tonight’s drawing, tickets must be purchased by 9 p.m.

Two fatal shootings within hours each other in Jackson Parish has authorities searching for two gunmen. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

University of Louisiana System, President Jim Henderson wants to be president of Louisiana Tech and will be interviewing with his own board. The UL board voted to suspend rules requiring a competitive search and will only interview Henderson for the Job but they are delaying the decision to allow time for public input. Final decision is expected on October 25^th.

Kaylee Timonet’s (Tim-oh-net) scholarship endorsement was revoked and she was kicked her off student government after her principal saw a video of her dancing at a private party, Walker High School Principal Jason St. Pierre posted on social media that he apologized and has reinstated the scholarship endorsement, but Timonet disagrees.

Cut 6 (12) “…amount of time.”

St. Pierre is taking leave for the remainder of the school year.

The death of a 42 year old man while in the custody of St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s office is investigation. Hector Ruiz-Santos was arrested Sunday night, accused of battery on a police officer, resisting a police officer with force-non aggravated, and disturbing the peace-violent tumultuous manner. He was placed in the back of a patrol unit and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking but upon arrival Ruiz-Santos was unresponsive. CPR was administered and an ambulance responded.