Dry conditions are expected to continue into next week across the state with no relief in sight.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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It’s shaping up to be a banner year at the Port of New Orleans. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The outlook for Louisiana suggests that drier conditions will continue into next week at least.  LSU Public Heath Climatologist Barry Keim says currently, 59-percent of Louisiana is considered to be in a drought, and about 25-percent of the state is in severe drought or worse.

Cut 3 (10) “…on steroids.”

Keim says since mid-September the state has only averaged about nine-tenths of an inch of rainfall which is about 17-percent of normal for this time of year, but this isn’t uniform across the state.

Cut 4 (09) “…parts of the state.”

Keim says in terms of relief for the state…

Cut 5 (12) “…wouldn’t bank on it”

Keim noted that even though it’s going to be a dry week it’s also going to be a beautiful one so enjoy the weather.

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The Port of New Orleans is on track for a record-breaking year this year.

Cut 6 (12) “…our cruise lines.”

Kimberly Curth with the Port of New Orleans says with that many passengers, the port is all the way back from the pandemic.

Cut 7 (10) “…to do that.”

Curth says one thing that drives passengers to the Port of New Orleans is that it’s located in the heart of the city, just steps from the French Quarter and world-class restaurants. She says the port is also the origin of various types of cruises.

Cut 8 (10) “…ocean-going cruising.”

All this comes as Carnival Cruise Lines finalized a five-year agreement for two year-round vessels in New Orleans – “The Valor” and “The Liberty.” Carnival celebrated its 30th year cruising from New Orleans and marked its seven-millionth guest originating from the port.

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Early voting continues at a brisk pace this year. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says hundreds of thousands of voters have already cast their ballots.

Cut 9 (10)  “…cast their ballots.”

Watson says the partisan breakdown this year is the opposite of what we saw during early voting four years ago.

Cut 10 (12) “…saw in 2020.”

Watson says while the number of early voters so far is huge, it pales in comparison to the number of ballots the office expects to be cast in the final days of early voting and on Election Day.

Cut 11 (15) “…before Election Day.”

Early voting runs through Tuesday, with no early voting on Sunday. Remember, during early voting, you can vote at any polling place within your parish. On Election Day, you will need to go to your assigned precinct.

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A huge game is set for Saturday night in College Station as the 8th-ranked LSU Tigers visit 14th-ranked Texas A-and-M. The winner will be the lone team in the SEC that’s undefeated in league play. The winner will also see their odds improve in making the college football playoff. Tigers Coach Brian Kelly expects his players to give it all they got…

Cut 12 (12) “…the line.”

Both teams enter the game on six-game winning streaks. The Tigers are winning thanks to good quarterback play and a defense that’s getting better. Kelly says his defense is gaining confidence…

Cut 13 (13) “…now.” 

LSU’s offense could benefit from the return of speedy wide receiver Chris Hilton, who has yet to play this season because of a leg injury. Kelly says Hilton was full go at practice on Thursday…

Cut 14 (11) “…game ready.”

Kick-off is at 6:30.

A preliminary test of a second inmate is positive for tuberculosis. The inmate is incarcerated at Dixon Correctional Institute in Jackson and the Department of Corrections says additional testing is being done to verify that the strain of bacteria for which the inmate tested positive is the one that causes TB. The department says this case is not related to the drug-resistant TB diagnosed at the ICE facility reported earlier. DCI is not on lockdown, but the department has suspended routine inmate transfers into and out of the prison for the time being.

The Port of New Orleans is on track for a record-breaking year this year as Carnival Cruise Lines celebrated its 30th year cruising from New Orleans and marked its seven-millionth guest originating from the port. Kimberly Curth with the Port of New Orleans…

Cut 8 (10) “…ocean-going cruising.”

Dry conditions are expected to continue into the next week across the state with no relief in sight.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

LSU Tigers will be in College Station to take on Texas A-and-M Saturday night and the winner will be the only SEC team undefeated in league play. Both teams enter the game on six-game winning streaks. The Tigers are winning thanks to good quarterback play and a defense that’s getting better.  Tigers Coach Brian Kelly…

Cut 13 (11) “…now.” 

The outlook for Louisiana suggests that drier conditions will continue into next week at least.  LSU Public Heath Climatologist Barry Keim says currently, 59-percent of Louisiana is considered to be in a drought, and about 25-percent of the state is in severe drought or worse.

Cut 3 (10) “…on steroids.”

A huge game is set for Saturday night in College Station as the 8th-ranked LSU Tigers visit 14th-ranked Texas A-and-M. The winner will be the lone team in the SEC that’s undefeated in league play. The winner will also see their odds improve in making the college football playoff. Tigers Coach Brian Kelly expects his players to give it all they got…

Cut 12 (12) “…the line.”

The Port of New Orleans is on track for a record-breaking year this year.

Cut 6 (12) “…our cruise lines.”

Kimberly Curth with the Port of New Orleans says one thing that drives passengers to the Port of New Orleans is that it’s located in the heart of the city, just steps from the French Quarter and world-class restaurants. And she says with this many passengers, the port is all the way back from the pandemic.

Tonight’s the night! Taylor Swift takes the stage at the Superdome for her first of three shows – and she’s giving the city a huge economic jolt. Mark Romig with New Orleans and Company says Swifties from all over the world have been spending money in the city all week long.

Cut 7 (09) “…restaurants and attractions.”

Romig says when they’re not enjoying the shows, they’re enjoying everything New Orleans has to offer.

Louisiana’s public colleges are seeking $142 million in additional state funding for the next fiscal year. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says they are requesting more money because private employers are looking for more qualified workers…

Cut 10 (07) “…employment pipeline.”

The Board of Regents is seeking this additional cash, despite projections the state will have fewer dollars to spend.

Cervical cancer detection and prevention is expanding with a newly approved self-collection method for HPV testing. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

A Lafayette couple is offering free rides to the polls. Chad and Jennifer Landry have been offering free rides to Lafayette residents. Chad Landry says it doesn’t matter which political party they’re affiliated with or which candidates they plan to vote for, he wants to make sure that anyone who wants to vote gets to vote. Early voting runs through Tuesday.

Louisiana’s public colleges are seeking 142-million dollars in additional state funding for the next fiscal year. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed understands the state has some financial challenges, but she says now is not the time to cut to higher ed…

Cut 12 (14) “…in higher education.” 

The funding request includes more dollars to support dual enrollment and the M-J Foster Promise Program. The budget request goes to the Landry administration, which presents a budget to lawmakers early next year.

Nurses at University Medical Center in New Orleans hit the picket lines today. They are staging a one-day strike against the hospital as contract negotiations continue. Among other things, the nurses are seeking better pay, enhanced workplace safety and better staffing ratios. The hospital says no patient care will be interrupted. 

Tonight is the night – Taylor Swift takes the stage for her first of three shows. Mark Romig with New Orleans and Company says Swifties have been in town all week long; and when they’re not enjoying the shows, they’re enjoying everything New Orleans has to offer.

Cut 8 (12) “…nights with Taylor.”

There will also be fun times in Monroe this weekend as Chennault Fest is happening today through Sunday at the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum. Museum President and CEO Nell Calloway says you can practically call this a food festival.

Cut 14 (12) “…the holidays now.”

The festival is a fundraiser to raise money for the museum and for veterans groups. Admission is ten dollars for adults and five dollars for kids and veterans.

The big day is here – Taylor Swift takes the stage at the Superdome tonight for her first of three shows. Mark Romig with New Orleans and Company says the city has been leaving special friendship bracelets at the hotels for them to give to Taylor Swift fans from all over the world as they check in.

Cut 9 (12)  “…a great package.”

All hotels in downtown New Orleans are sold out all weekend long.

Cervical cancer prevention is expanding with a newly approved self-collection method for HPV testing. Dr. Donna Williams, the associate director of LSU LSMC Health Cancer Center, says a swab is used for collection…

Cut 6 (08) “…a pap test.”

The FDA approved HPV self-collection in May of this year and studies show 98% accuracy.

The Board of Regents is seeking $142 million in additional state funding for the next fiscal year for Louisiana public colleges.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

An arrest is made in the deadly shooting of a teenager in St. James Parish. The sheriff’s office says 28-year-old Kendrick Armant is charged with criminal conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the shooting death of 19-year-old Makhai Martin on October 15th. Another 19-year-old was injured in the shooting. The sheriff’s office says this is still an active investigation.

New Orleans welcomes Taylor Swift tonight as she kicks off the first of three concerts in the Crescent and they’re plenty excited as Swifties and the Eras Tour are already making an economic impact on the city.  Mark Romig with New Orleans and Company says Swifties from all over the world have been spending money in the city all week long.

Cut 7 (09) “…restaurants and attractions.”

Fun times in Monroe this weekend as Chennault Fest is happening today through Sunday at the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum. Museum President and CEO Nell Calloway says there will be live music practically non-stop throughout the festival, and there will be plenty of activities for kids, including toys and games.

Cut 15 (14) “…goats, alligators, snakes.”

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Cervical cancer detection and prevention is expanding. Colleen Crain reports…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Louisiana’s public colleges are seeking $142 million in additional state funding for the next fiscal year. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says the funding request includes more dollars for the M-J Foster Promise Program which provides aid to adults looking to earn high-demand, short-term credentials at a Louisiana community college or technical school

Cut 11 (06) …can’t achieve it.”

Taylor Swift takes the stage tonight for the first of three shows at the Superdome…and New Orleans is already reaping the benefits.  Here’s Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

It’s also a big weekend in Monroe as Chennault Fest begins today at the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum.  In addition to the usual fair activities, Museum President and CEO Nell Calloway says  weather permitting, there will be hot air balloon rides.

Cut 13 (06)  “…miles an hour.”

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Louisiana’s public colleges are seeking $142 million in additional state funding for the next fiscal year. The Board of Regents wants more money, despite projections the state will have fewer dollars to spend. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says they are requesting more money because private employers are looking for more qualified workers…

Cut 10 (07) “…employment pipeline.”

A newly approved self-collection method for HPV testing means the expansion of cervical cancer prevention.  According to the Louisiana tumor registry, Louisiana sees more than two hundred new cases of cervical cancer every year. Associate Director of LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center, Dr. Donna Williams says if someone tests positive for HPV, the same sample can be used for a pap smear that would detect pre-cancer cells that can be treated right in the doctor’s office.

Cut 5 (09) “…can tackle.”