Will there be a live tiger on the field ahead of LSU’s game against Alabama? That’s the word coming out of Baton Rouge – but not from the school. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Voters overwhelmingly approve a state constitutional amendment to direct revenue from alternative energy sources to coastal restoration. Now, as Colleen Crain reports, the ball is in the hands of the federal government.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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The 2024 LPIC Parent Poll is live til November 20 to get feedback from Parent, Guardians, and Caregivers for children 5-year-old and younger.  Sena Richardson has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The university is so far tight-lipped about it, but there are reports that LSU will have a live tiger on the field for tomorrow night’s game against Alabama. Todd Horne from Tiger Rag magazine says the governor has been pushing for this for months.

Cut 4 (09) “…LSU home games.”

Horne says while Landry has been negotiating with the university on how to make this happen, it’s unclear whether this is the result of those talks or whether he’s doing this unilaterally. Our news partner, the Louisiana Illuminator, was the first to report the story, citing an interview it did with a state senator.

Cut 5 (09) “…at the game.” (Refers to Ponchatoula Republican Senator Bill Wheat)

However, the tiger will not be LSU’s official live mascot, Mike the Seventh. Instead, it will be a tiger being driven in from out of state – reportedly a one-and-a-half-year-old Bengal tiger owned by a man near Orlando, Florida. Horne says rolling out a live tiger onto the field was a long-standing tradition at Death Valley until it was halted back in 2015.

Cut 6 (10) “…on the sideline.”

Mike the Seventh lives in a 15-thousand-square-foot habitat just outside the stadium and has never taken the field inside the stadium. Landry originally wanted Mike to take the field, but the school has pushed back on that. Repeated efforts to reach LSU for confirmation, including media relations, the athletic department, the school of veterinary medicine and even the president’s office, have been unsuccessful.

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Voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment to direct revenues from alternate offshore energy sources to coastal restoration. Simone Maloz (mih-LAWZ), the campaign director for Restore the Mississippi River Delta, says it expands the offshore revenue sources currently used for coastal restoration beyond the traditional oil and gas.

Cut 7 (08) “…other energy uses.”

Maloz is very grateful that the vote to approve the amendment was by almost a three-to-one spread.

Cut 8 (11) “…good to see.”

But despite the passage of the constitutional amendment, Maloz says the job is not done yet.

Cut 9 (08)  “…to those parishes.” (A federal law needs to be passed to direct that money to the coastal parishes)

But Maloz says the overwhelming vote should give the federal government more reason to approve such a measure.

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LPIC and the Department of Education invite parents, guardians, and caregivers of children 5-years old and under to share their experience with early childhood education in the state.  The 2024 Parent Poll is live and LPIC CEO Libbie Sonnier says the poll helps them understand how parents are navigating and accessing quality childcare.

Cut 10 (11) “…family is childcare.”

Sonnier says the poll is a powerful tool to understand how parents are navigating childcare and what are expenses related to childcare.

Cut 11 (12) “…what they need.”

The poll is live until Nov 20 and available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese so it can capture a wide variety of family experiences throughout the state.  Sonnier says the goal is to understand what barriers parents are experiencing and allow all parents to access quality childcare.

Cut 12 (13) “…much much more.” 

Visit policy-institute-dot-org for more information.

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The election was three days ago; and while we know that Donald Trump will be the new president and that Republicans will take control of the Senate, we still don’t know which party will be in control of the House. Democratic Congressman Troy Carter of New Orleans says whether his party is in the majority or the minority does not alter the job.

Cut 13 (15)  “…all Americans.”

Carter says it’s time to turn the page.

Cut 14 (10) “…job of governing.”

And Carter says that involves members of both parties to come together to work out solutions in the best interest of all Americans.

Cut 15 (09) “…the American people.”

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LSU will host Alabama and they are hoping to avoid a repeat performance of what happened last year when Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe threw for 219 yards and rushed for 155 yards and four touchdowns. Defensive end Sai’vion Jones says they have to be smart when they rush Milroe…

Cut 16 (17) “….what kind of plays so.” 

We know Nick Saban will not be on the Alabama sideline for Saturday night’s game. Coach Brian Kelly was asked how the Crimson Tide are different with Saban no longer roaming the sidelines and Kalen DeBoer at the helm

Cut 17 (12) “…team.”

The Tigers defense is looking to bounce back after giving up 31 points against Texas A-and-M. Linebacker Greg Penn says all you can do is learn from the experience and make sure it doesn’t happen again…

Cut 18 (14)   “…right now.”

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ULM will try to snap a two-game losing streak tomorrow when they host Texas State. Warhawks Coach Bryant Vincent has this message for his team this week…

Cut 19 (14) “…11 o’ clock kick”  

Vincent also had to discipline offensive line coach Cameron Blakenship for shoving a player in a fit of rage. Vincent says that’s what the ULM football program is all about…

Cut 20 (19) “…as the players do.”

Debate is underway at the State Capitol on Governor Jeff Landry’s tax plan. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Louisiana has never had a hurricane make landfall in the month of November – and it looks like at least for the time being, that record will remain intact. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The U.S. political landscape remains in flux as the House of Representatives awaits resolution, but  President-Elect Donald Trump holds a strong mandate and influence over the Republican-controlled Senate. With the GOP’s majority in the Senate, Republican U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy is positioned to chair the Health, Education, Labor, and Pension (HELP) committee. Cassidy says even with control of the Senate, they will still need to reach across the aisle…

Cut 3 (11) “…than the minority.” 

Additionally, Cassidy will play a significant role in tax policy and trade, potentially impacting both domestic economic policies and international trade relations.

Cut 4 (09) “…achieve their goals.”

As a senior Republican, Cassidy is also part of a bipartisan committee focused on developing family leave policies, reflecting the growing demand for more comprehensive family support systems. Cassidy says this committee aims to bridge the gap between parties on key issues affecting American families, balancing economic growth and workers’ rights.

Cut 5 (12) “…see it get done.”

With these leadership roles, Cassidy says he’s ready to influence multiple areas that affect everyday Americans.

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Lawmakers have until November 25th to consider Governor Landry’s tax overhaul proposal in this special legislative session. Chalmette Representative Mike Bayham says given the complexity of the proposal and all of its components, that likely will not be enough time to consider everything.

Cut 6 (07) “…in the state.”

Even though the Republican Landry is making his pitch to a Republican supermajority in both houses of the legislature, it’s not a slam-dunk that he will get everything he’s asking for. Bayham notes that some aspects will require a rewrite of the state constitution; and as such, the voters will have the final say.

Cut 7 (09) “…say in this.”

One component of Landry’s proposal is to make optional the inventory tax – taxes imposed on companies on their inventory stockpiles. Bayham notes that many parishes rely on that inventory tax to provide essential services, such as schools and police.

Cut 8 (17) “…middle class people.”

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Debate is underway at the State Capitol on Governor Jeff Landry’s tax plan that seeks to lower income taxes for all workers but sales taxes would be added to 41 activities currently not taxed. Landry went before the House Ways and Means Committee today, urging them to pass his plan…

Cut 9 (12)  “…this state.”

But during discussion on a bill to create a flat three-percent income tax, State Representative Matthew Williard, a Democrat from New Orleans, says Landry’s plan does not provide substantial tax savings for low-income workers…

Cut 10 (14) “…a year.”

Louisiana Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson countered Williard’s argument by saying the proposed tax changes would improve the state’s economy if enacted as it will attract more jobs to Louisiana…

Cut 11 (08) “…see that.”

Williard is also concerned Landry’s tax plan will result in less available tax dollars for the state to spend. He’s concerned about future tax cuts…

Cut 12 (16) “…deal with.”

The House Ways and Means Committee approved the bill to reduce the personal income taxes on a 15 to 3 vote. The measure could go before House Appropriations, before a vote on the House floor.

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It looks like Louisiana’s record of never having a hurricane making landfall in the state in the month of November will remain intact, at least for the time being. Earlier this week, the National Hurricane Center had Hurricane Rafael turning north in the Gulf of Mexico and straight towards Louisiana, albeit weakening to below hurricane strength. But LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the forecast track has done a complete 180, now headed towards the Bay of Campeche in Mexico.

Cut 13 (11)  “…steering currents whatsoever (2x).”

Keim says while forecast tracks are always subject to change, it’s highly unusual for a track to change as drastically as that of Rafael.

Cut 14 (19) “…southwesterly, we think.”

Keim says there’s still great uncertainty where the storm will ultimately go, if anywhere at all.

Cut 15 (17) “…into this storm.”