Here’s a scary thought – Americans are spending big on Halloween. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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If you have a creative way to urge people not to drive while distracted, Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers wants to hear from you. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Four people are killed in a pair of plane crashes in Louisiana yesterday. Three of them were from the Houston area. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The amount of money Americans spend on Halloween is getting pretty spooky. Katherine Cullen with the National Retail Federation says this year’s spending will make mincemeat out of last year’s record of 12.2-billion dollars.

Cut 4 (07) “…dollars this year.”

Cullen says the most popular Halloween purchase is candy, which Americans will spend almost four-billion dollars on this year. She says while not as many people will be buying costumes, the money spent on costumes will exceed that spent on candy – and the best part is, costumes won’t rot your teeth.

Cut 5 (09) “…from last year.”

She says in all, Americans are spending big on Halloween.

Cut 6 (13) “…than last year.”

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If you have a creative way to tell people not to drive distracted, Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers would like to see your best work. The law firm is once again holding its annual scholarship contest for students who create compelling videos urging people not to drive while distracted. Marketing Coordinator Hannah Cutrer (kuh-TREHR) says there are certain things that judges will be looking for.

Cut 7 (09) “…behind the wheel.”

In years past, the contest was open to high school students. But Cutrer says this year, the eligibility requirements are expanded.

Cut 8 (09) “…college in Louisiana.”

All prizes are in the form of scholarships. The grand prize for the best overall video is a scholarship worth more than four-thousand dollars – the exact dollar figure would amount to free advertising for Dudley DeBosier. Cutrer says there are other prizes as well.

Cut 9 (13)  “…for that one.”

The deadline for submission is December 31st, and the winner will be chosen sometime in March.

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The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children is calling on parents that have kids involved in early childhood education to take their parent poll. LPIC’s chief executive officer, Dr. Libbie Sonnier, says the survey highlights key issues, including the rising cost of childcare.

Cut 10 (10) “…early childhood education.”

The survey takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete, and it can be found at policyinstitutela.org.

Sonnier says each response helps depict a clear picture of what’s working and where families still need more support.

Cut 11 (11) “…voices be heard.” 

LPIC has conducted this survey since 2020 and the information gathered is used to inform policymakers about the most pressing needs and challenges facing families with young children.

Cut 12 (14) “…a big impact.” 

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BESE has created the Artificial Intelligence Committee. It’s a working group of education, technology, business and policy leaders that will look at how to expand AI integration in Louisiana classrooms and workforce development programs. Louisiana Tech president Doctor Jim Henderson chairs the new committee and says they want to see how AI can enhance teaching and empower students.

Cut 13 (11)  “…high level things.”

Henderson says one of their major goals is to determine how Louisiana schools can prepare students for an AI-driven economy.

Cut 14 (09) “…impact everybody’s life.”

Henderson says this committee will recommend an A-I Literacy framework for educators, students and system leaders.

Cut 15 (07) “…in different outcomes?”

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Texas A&M is coming off a 45-42 win over Arkansas and heads into Baton Rouge still unbeaten. Head coach Mike Elko says the Aggies have to play way better on defense against LSU if they want to stay undefeated.

Cut 16 (22) “…that last week.”

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The Pelicans begin their season tonight as New Orleans travels to Memphis to face the Grizzlies. Head coach Willie Green is expecting big things from Zion Williamson and wants to see a full, healthy season for him.

Cut 17 (17) “…in this league.”

Tipoff in Memphis is at 7 p.m.

The Pelicans have ten new players on this year’s roster. Veteran guard Jordan Poole says the preseason games helped the team get more into a rhythm and grow more chemistry on the floor.

Cut 18 (21) “…put everything together.”

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Southern named former Alcorn State head coach and current co-offensive coordinator Fred McNair as the interim head coach. McNair, who’s the older brother of the late NFL quarterback Steve McNair, says he’s looking forward to helping turn things around for the rest of the season.

Cut 19 (15) “…at the end.”

At Alcorn State, McNair had an overall record of 48-and-33. He will make his debut as the interim head coach for Southern on Saturday when the Jags take on FAMU. McNair says the goal this week is to get back into the win column.

Cut 20 (18) “…try to win.”

Two plane crashes occurred in Louisiana today, killing four people. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 21 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Over the weekend, four people were killed in a pair of house fires in Louisiana. Ken Pastorick with the State Fire Marshal’s Office says one happened Saturday morning in Hessmer, in Avoyelles Parish.

Cut 12 (04) “…ten-year-old boy.”

The other fire happened late Sunday night in Houma, in which a 70-year-old man was killed, while his brother suffered serious injuries.

Children’s advocates in Louisiana are sounding the alarm amid the ongoing federal government shutdown. Susan East Nelson, the executive director of the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families, says if the shutdown goes on much longer – and there’s no end in sight – some 800-thousand SNAP recipients might not get their benefits come November 1st.

Cut 3 (10) “…the state level.”

With LSU’s title hopes all but gone, Head Coach Brian Kelly finds himself on the hot seat. If LSU fires him, not only will it have to spend 53-million dollars to buy out the six years left on his contract, but it’ll also have to pay tens of millions more for a new coaching staff. Tiger Rag Magazine Editor Glenn Guilbeau says it’s a lot of money, which is why the school is hoping Kelly can still produce a respectable season.

Cut 7 (11) “…to name two”

LSU’s offensive line has struggled to be dominant in the trenches and win the line of scrimmage. After the 31-24 loss to Vanderbilt, Head Coach Brian Kelly says that the entire unit needs to play with more physicality moving forward, especially with number-three Texas A&M coming to Baton Rouge this weekend.

Cut 16 (18) “…got out there.”

Louisiana Tech hosts Western Kentucky in a pivotal matchup tonight at 6:30 p.m. Head coach Sonny Cumbie is looking forward to playing in front of the home crowd.

CUT 17 (15): “the conference.”

Southern has fired head coach Terrance Graves after leading the team to a 1-6 record to start the season. Graves finishes with a 9-11 record in his two years with the program. The Jaguars have named former Alcorn State head coach and current co-offensive coordinator Fred McNair as the interim head coach. In McNair’s eight years with the Braves, he had a 48-33 record. McNair’s debut as the interim head coach will be on Saturday in Baton Rouge at 4 p.m. against Florida A&M University.

Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler turned it over four times in Sunday’s 26-14 loss to the Bears. Head coach Kellen Moore says despite that poor performance, Rattler will remain as the starting quarterback while backup Tyler Shough continues to develop.

CUT 21 (17): “get better”

The Saints return to New Orleans to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at 3:05 p.m.

Two plane crashes occurred in Louisiana today, killing four people. A small aircraft went down around 11 o’ clock this morning near Gloria Switch Road and Louisiana Highway 93. And hours later, one person died in a plane crash in wooded area of Jackson Parish, about five miles away from the Ruston airport.

Children’s advocates are sounding the alarm with no end in sight to the federal government shutdown. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The State Fire Marshal’s office says four people died, including a ten-year-old boy, in two separate fires that took place over the weekend. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ken Pastorick says three people died in a blaze in Avoyelles Parish and a 70-year-old man was killed Sunday night in a fire in Houma. Pastorick says the cause of the fires is not known…

Cut 13 (08) “…of these fires”

This was expected to be the smallest cotton crop in Louisiana recorded history and it has turned out to be even smaller than expected. LSU AgCenter Cotton Specialist Shelly Pate Kerns says low prices and concerns about severe storms or drought damaging the crop scared many farmers away from planting cotton…

Cut 9 (13)  “…this year.”

Two deadly plane crashes in Louisiana today. In Lafayette Parish, three people were killed when a Baron Beechcraft went down in a field near the intersection of West Gloria Switch Road and LA 93 near the community of Vatican. Later, in Jackson Parish, a plane went down in a wooded area near Old Snipe Road about five miles from Ruston Airport in neighboring Lincoln Parish. The pilot was the only person aboard that plane and did not survive. No word on the cause of either crash.

Four people are dead in a pair of house fires in Louisiana over the weekend. Three people, including a ten-year-old boy, were killed Saturday morning in Avoyelles Parish, while a 70-year-old man was killed Sunday night in Houma. Ken Pastorick with the State Fire Marshal’s Office says these fires underscore the sheer importance of always having working smoke detectors in your home.

Cut 14 (06) “…at this time.”

No word on the cause of either fire.

Two disappointing losses on the road for the LSU football team, and Coach Brian Kelly finds himself on the hot seat in his fourth season in Tiger Town. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

This year’s cotton crop in Louisiana, which was expected to be the smallest ever, was even smaller than forecast. But LSU AgCenter Cotton Specialist Shelly Pate Kerns says the yields have been excellent.

Cut 11 (09) “…good looking cotton.”

Concern is growing that if the federal government shutdown continues into November, SNAP recipients will not receive their full benefits for November. SNAP recipients make up almost 20-percent of Louisiana’s population. Executive director of the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families, Susan East Nelson says if they don’t get those benefits on the first of the month, they will have to scramble just to put food on the table.

Cut 5 (10) “…fill the gap.”

LSU football coach Brian Kelly is under intense pressure from the fan base after losing to Vanderbilt on Saturday. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says the coaching staff is not doing its job…

Cut 8 (10) “…good teams”

20th ranked LSU hosts 3rd ranked Texas A&M this Saturday night.

State Fire Marshal’s office says four people died, including a ten-year-old boy, in two separate fires that took place over the weekend. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ken Pastorick says three people died in a blaze in Avoyelles Parish and 70-year-old man was killed Sunday night in a fire in Houma. Pastorick says the cause of the fires is not known…

Cut 13 (08) “…of these fires”

The LSU Ag Center projects that Louisiana farmers will produce less than 100-thousand acres of cotton this year, which would the smallest yield in recorded history for Louisiana. LSU AgCenter cotton specialist Shelly Pate Kerns says producers have moved away from cotton, because the price they are getting is low…

Cut 10 (11) “…per pound”

The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office says three people were killed today when a small plane crashed near the intersection of West Gloria Switch Road and LA 93. Sergeant Chris Cormier says the Baron Beechcraft was circling in the air before it crashed. The F-A-A will handle the investigation into the cause of the crash.

Children’s advocates are sounding the alarm with no end in sight to the federal government shutdown. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Four people are dead in a pair of house fires in Louisiana over the weekend. Ken Pastorick with the State Fire Marshal’s Office says one happened Saturday morning in Hessmer, in Avoyelles Parish.

Cut 12 (04) “…ten-year-old boy.”

The other fire happened late Sunday night in Houma, in which a 70-year-old man was killed, while his brother suffered serious injuries. Pastorick says the causes of these fires are unknown at this time.

This was expected to be the smallest cotton crop in Louisiana recorded history and it has turned out to be even smaller than expected. LSU AgCenter Cotton Specialist Shelly Pate Kerns says low prices and concerns about severe storms or drought damaging the crop scared many farmers away from planting cotton…

Cut 9 (13)  “…this year.”

And Kerns says as expected, the price cotton farmers are getting for their crop remains low.

The ongoing federal government shutdown is leading to some nervous times for Louisiana’s 800-thousand SNAP recipients. If it goes on much longer, they will not get their benefits come November 1st. Susan East Nelson, the executive director of the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families, says the timing couldn’t be any worse.

Cut 4 (13) “…meals at school.”

The LSU football team’s subpar 5-and-2 record has head coach Brian Kelly on the hot seat, especially since the season started with visions of the College Football Playoff. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says he could see athletic director Scott Woodward firing Kelly after this season if LSU goes 8-and-4 or 7-and-3, even though the buyout would be 53-million dollars.

Cut 6 (05) “…for football.”

President Trump honors Louisiana’s national championship baseball teams. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”