Louisiana’s U.S.House members were all re-elected last night winning by big margins. The lone Democrat of the state’s Congressional delegation, Congressman Troy Carter of New Orleans, says he’s not daunted by going into a GOP-led House, and he’ll keep doing what he’s always done…:

CUT 05(10)      “…not against party.”

Carter represent District 2, the state’s majority-minority district.

And while it remains to be seen if Republicans will gain control of the Senate, Louisiana Senator John Kennedy says he has hopes for getting inflation under control with real action. He says that’s what worries Louisianans. That and crime, what their children are being taught in school, and whether are they going to have to eventually leave the state for a better job…:

CUT 08(07)      “…help with that.”

A big upset in the Bogalusa Mayoral race Tuesday; incumbent Mayor Wendy Pirette – seen as the strong front-runner – was unseated by 23-year-old Tyrin Truong, who took 56-percent of the vote. Last night the new mayor-elect said he was at a loss for words. Pirette – who finished third of three candidates – has been Mayor of Bogalusa since 2014.

Shreveport mayor Adrian Perkins has been ousted after just one term. Perkins did not make the runoff election. LSU-Shreveport political science professor Jeff Sadow says Perkins committed misstep after misstep…:

CUT 09(09)      “…disinterest in the job.”

Republican Tom Arceneaux and Democrat state Senator Greg Tarver will face each other in the December 10^th runoff.

Voter turnout for Tuesday’s election was 43-percent and there’s still one more election to go this year….:

CUT 02(26)      “…Palermo.”

The incumbent Mayor of Melville – seeking re-election – died yesterday in a car crash just hours before the polls closed. Deputies in St. Landry Parish say 84-year-old Mayor Velma Hendrix was a passenger in a sedan that was broadsided by a pickup at an intersection on Highway 190. Another period of qualifying for election is now open for an election on December 10^th.

Five of the eight constitutional amendments on Tuesday’s ballot failed. Two of the amendments approved dealt with property taxes that were beneficial to certain homeowners like veterans with disabilities. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says that’s the type of constitutional amendment the public can support…:

CUT 13(10)      “…interested in it.”

There are three more amendments coming in December.

Incumbent Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins was rejected by voters yesterday, after just one term in office. Republican Tom Arceneaux and Democrat state Senator Greg Tarver will face each other in the December 10^th runoff election. LSU-Shreveport political science professor Jeff Sadow says it will be an uphill battle for Arceneaux…:

CUT 10(11)      “…the vote.”

As voting takes place in Louisiana and across America, experts we talked to are predicting substantial Republican gains…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Golsby.”

This why we can’t have nice things. A polling place in Kenner had to be temporarily shut down and evacuated due to a bomb threat. The poll is at Kenner Discovery School, which received an earlier bomb threat last week. Police are investigating both. So far no bomb has turned up.

State Police are investigating an officer-involved fatal shooting Sunday afternoon in Rapides Parish. The incident claimed the life of 45-year-old Derrick Kittling of Alexandria who is the brother of State Police Lt Colonel Kenny Van Buren. Master Trooper Casey Wallace says the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office asked troopers to oversee the investigation…:

CUT 14(07)      “…held separately.”

He says Kittling was pulled over, a scuffled ensued and the deputy’s taser taken, so he drew his weapon and fired.

Students at UNO are also voting today…on raising student fees to fund a football team. UNO athletics director Tim Duncan says he’s heard from numerous students who wish the Privateers had one…:

CUT 10(07)      “…kind of experience.”

The new Student Experience Fee – if voted up – will be $300-hundred for part-time and $400-hundred for full-time students per semester.

It’s Election Day in Louisiana and across the nation. Baton Rouge-based pollster John Couvillon says Early Voting results indicate strong Republican wins in most races for Congress, with the exceptions of District 2…where incumbent Troy Carter is likely to win another term…and District 3 where Clay Higgins faces a challenge from Holden Hoggatt, but still holds an advantage. Nationally, he expects the GOP to pick up 30 seats in the U.S. House and 2 or 3 in the Senate…:

CUT 05  (10)        “…break a tie”

If you vote, you’ll get an official “I Voted” sticker. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says this year’s edition is a colorful image of the State Capitol….:

CUT 12(09)      “…our State Capitol.”

Polls close at 8 and we’ll be updating election results through the evening on this LRN station.

State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting Sunday afternoon in Rapides Parish. The incident claimed the life of 45-year-old Derrick Kittling of Alexandria, who is the brother of LSP Lt Colonel Kenny Van Buren. Master Trooper Casey Wallace says Kittling was pulled over during a traffic stop and a physical altercation occurred. Kittling allegedly got hold of the deputy’s taser…:

CUT 15(10)      “…later on.”

He says the investigation remains active.

A Jefferson Parish judge approves a class-action lawsuit settlement over nursing home owner Bob Dean’s deadly evacuation of residents during Hurricane Ida. Judge Michael Mentz’s ruling calls for patients to receive about $12 and ½-million in insurance funds; divvied up among 843 patients. Plaintiff’s lawyers say Dean is worth much more and they intend to appeal the ruling.

Remember the polls close at 8 and we will be updating election results throughout the evening on this Louisiana Radio Network station.

As voting takes place in Louisiana and across America, experts predict substantial Republican gains.  Marsanne Golsby has more…:

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

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Today is the last day for UNO students to vote on whether they want increased student fees to bring a football program to the Lakefront campus…:

Cut 2 (31)  “… I’m Jeff Palermo”

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It’s election day in Louisiana and across the nation. U.S. Senator John Kennedy is up for re-election and most analysts are predicting he will win easily. JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon says early voting results tilt Republican.

Cut 3 (06) “…than Democrats.” 

In another bad sign for Democrats, Couvillon says African American early and absentee voting is not as high as usual.  Couvillon says, in rural parishes, Kennedy ought to have a massive lead with the early vote. In Louisiana’s Third Congressional District, Congressman Clay Higgins is facing active opposition from attorney Holden Hoggatt. Couvillon says for Hoggatt to have a chance, he needs to keep Higgins below 50 percent in Lafayette Parish. He says the votes in the parishes hardest hit by Hurricane Laura will also be important.

Cut 4 (08) “…matters.” 

Nationally, Couvillon says he expects Republicans to add 30 seats in the House of Representatives. He expects the GOP to add two or three seats in the Senate.

Cut 5 (10) “…break a tie.” 

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In addition to candidates, there are also eight constitutional amendments on the ballot. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio urges voters to review the amendments before they go to the polls so they’re better informed and not holding up the line. You can do so at  PARlouisiana-dot-org.

Cut 6 (10)  “…PAR Louisiana-dot-org. “

Four of the amendments deal with property tax and Amendment Seven involves changing the language of involuntary servitude and slavery in the state constitution. Procopio says it’s a short amendment but difficult to interpret.

Cut 7 (11)  “…interesting one.”

Procopio says the eight amendments on the statewide ballot aren’t necessarily big sweeping changes as you’d expect on a national level, but it depends on who you are and your status if a change in property taxes would impact your finances.

Cut 8 (05)  “…vote on. “

Another three amendments will be voted on December 10^th.

__________________________________________

Voting concludes today on the UNO campus as the university is asking students if they would want to raise student fees in order to start a football program, two new women’s sports, golf and soccer, a marching band and additional extra activities. UNO athletics director Tim Duncan says football could bring more students to the school…

Cut 9 (07)  “…enrollment”

The new Student Experience Fee will be 300-hundred dollars for part-time and 400-dollars for full-time students per semester. Duncan says he’s heard from students who wish the Privateers had a football team….

Cut 10 (07) “…kind of experience.” 

Duncan says if the student experience fee passes, a stadium would be built with private funds and hopes to play games in the Southland Conference in 2025….

Cut 11 (07)  “…that nature.”

UNO’s enrollment has fallen from 17-thousand pre-Katrina to over seven-thousand this year.

___________________________________

Louisiana voters will be rewarded with the traditional “I Voted” sticker once they exit the polls today and Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says this year’s edition is a colorful image of the State Capitol.

Cut 12 (09) “….our State Capitol.” 

Chances are you’ve already seen them, Ardoin says there’s such a demand for the stickers to show you’ve performed your civic duty that he made sure they were available during early voting.

Cut 13 (06) “… this time.”  

Because it’s a federal election day also polls opened at 6 AM and close at 8 PM.

___________________________________

State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting Sunday afternoon in Rapides Parish. The incident claimed the life of 45-year-old Derrick Kittling of Alexandria, who is the brother of LSP Lt Colonel Kenny Van Buren. Master Trooper Casey Wallace says the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office asked LSP to oversee the investigation.

Cut 14 (07)  “…held separately.” 

Wallace says Kittling was pulled over during a traffic stop and a physical altercation occurred between the deputy and Kittling in which Kittling gained control of the deputy’s taser.

Cut 15 (10) “…later on.”

Wallace says the deputy also received injuries from the incident, but they were not life-threatening. He says the agency will release more details regarding the incident and the investigation remains active.

The polls close at 8 tonight, as Louisiana elects 5 of 6 congressional districts, decides numerous local races and issues and eight constitutional amendments. We also decide whether to send John Kennedy back to the U.S. Senate for 6 years, or pick one of three Democrat challengers. Pollster John Couvillon of Baton Rouge says Early Voting results tilt the race for any Republican…:

CUT 03  (06)        “…than Democrats.”

Nationally, Couvillon says he expects Republicans to add 30 seats in the House of Representatives. He expects the GOP to add two or three seats in the Senate.

Don’t forget to vote on those 8 constitutional amendments, too. Public Affairs Research Council president Steven Procopio says none are earth-shaking, but they are important and deserve a serious vote…:

CUT 08(05)      “…vote on.”

Today is the last day for UNO students to vote on whether they want their student fees increased in order to bring a football program to the Lakefront campus…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Palermo.”

A single ticket sold in Altadena, CA won the $2-Billion record-setting Powerball jackpot. A ticket bought here in Louisiana, in Tangipahoa Parish, scored a quick million dollars. Two other tickets sold in Louisiana won $50-k each.

As voting takes place in Louisiana and across America, experts we talked to are predicting substantial Republican gains…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Golsby.”

This why we can’t have nice things. A polling place in Kenner had to be temporarily shut down and evacuated due to a bomb threat. The poll is at Kenner Discovery School, which received an earlier bomb threat last week. Police are investigating both. So far no bomb has turned up.

State Police are investigating an officer-involved fatal shooting Sunday afternoon in Rapides Parish. The incident claimed the life of 45-year-old Derrick Kittling of Alexandria who is the brother of State Police Lt Colonel Kenny Van Buren. Master Trooper Casey Wallace says the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office asked troopers to oversee the investigation…:

CUT 14(07)      “…held separately.”

He says Kittling was pulled over, a scuffled ensued and the deputy’s taser taken, so he drew his weapon and fired.

Students at UNO are also voting today…on raising student fees to fund a football team. UNO athletics director Tim Duncan says he’s heard from numerous students who wish the Privateers had one…:

CUT 10(07)      “…kind of experience.”

The new Student Experience Fee – if voted up – will be $300-hundred for part-time and $400-hundred for full-time students per semester.

Possible candidates for governor next year are angry that the state GOP has endorsed Attorney General Jeff Landry a full year before the 2023 Governor’s race. That rules out state party support for folks like Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, State Treasurer John Schroder or even one of our current members of Congress. “LaPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says sometimes these endorsements backfire. Look at 2015, when David Vitter was hammered by other GOP candidates…:

CUT 05(11)      “…repeat of that.”

Powerball! Tonight’s drawing has grown to an amazing $1.9-BILLION! That is the largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history. Louisiana Lottery spokesman Dustin Annison says when tghey get this big, ticket sales always surge…:

CUT 14(10)      “…14.4-million.”

Tickets will remain on sale until 9 tonight.

There has been a second high-profile death of an infant, and it turns out the Department of Children and Families Services was alerted beforehand that he was in possible danger. Secretary Marketa Garner Walters defends her agency…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Thorington.”

Fans cheering on LSU’s dramatic one-point win over Alabama Saturday night triggered seismic sensors…twice. The spikes came when the Tiger scored a touchdown in Overtime, and again when they scored a two-point conversion to win the game. So…a second Earthquake Game for LSU, and a bitter defeat for Alabama.

The Department of Children and Family Services is under fire again after news of another infant fentanyl overdose death.  Days before one-year-old J’ahrei Paul of Baton Rouge’s Halloween death, the agency received an anonymous report he was in possible danger. DCFS Secretary Marketa Walters says a manpower shortage plus a sharp spike in child welfare cases is the reason stuff is slipping through crack. She says she’s assigning point person to oversee all such cases…:

CUT 07(06)      “…of response.”

DCFS is also seeking to hire a lot more new case workers.

The Powerball jackpot has grown to an estimated $1.9-Billion for tonight’s drawing. A lump-sum payment would net a single winner over $929-million. Louisiana Lottery spokesman Dustin Annison says excitement is building over the chance to become an instant millionaire…:

CUT 13(10)      “…exciting times.”

Tickets will be on sale until 9 tonight.

Last week we told you the low levels of the Mississippi River were affecting commerce. No, here’s solid evidence. The USDA says the number of grain barges ofload3ed at the Port of New Orleans is down 20-to-30-percent. This is because of shallow water limiting draft depth and the number of barges that can be connected. This can lead to a reduction of 10-to-15-thousand barrels per barge.

It’s getting dark earlier now that we are back on Central Standard Time, and that can make driving home in the evening a little tricky. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesman Mark Lambert says the drive home will be happening during twilight hours, when visibility is lessened. He says motorists can help avoid accidents with just a few simple steps…:

CUT 10(11)      “…when it’s dark.”

Lambert says there is a statistical increase in traffic accidents on the Monday after a time change; especially when “falling back” to Standard Time.

Days before the second high-profile death of an infant from fentanyl, the Department of Children and Families Services was alerted to his possible danger. Secretary Marketa Garner Walters defends her agency…:

CUT 2   (33)      “…Thorington.”

Deputies in Lafayette Parish arrest a man for murder, after a body was found Sunday morning. The victim is identified as Raul de Jesus Ortiz, age unknown. Detectives arrested 24-year-old Jose Nikolas Venture for 2^nd degree murder. The investigation is ongoing.

A real eyebrow raiser, as the state Republican Party voted last night to endorse Attorney General Jeff Landry for Governor; a full year before the election. “LaPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says the GOP met virtually last night to do it. He questions whether the endorsement is worth all that much…:

CUT 04(13)      “…in Louisiana politics.”

There was no multistate Powerball winner Saturday, so the jackpot for tonight’s drawing is a bona fide record setter. Louisiana Lottery spokesman Dustin Annison…:

CUT 12(06)      “…jackpot lottery ever.”

A single winner selecting a lump-sum cash payment would collect just over $929-million. Tickets are on sale until 9 tonight.