Early voting ended yesterday. The Secretary of State’s Office says about 363-thousand registered voters casted a ballot. That’s a combination of in person early voting and absentee ballots. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says this was the highest number of early and absentee ballots combined they’ve ever had for a mid-term election…:

CUT 10(04)      “…turnout.”

Election Day is next Tuesday. Polls open at 6 am.

Albany High school says they’d rather forfeit their game against Bogalusa than play in a stadium where security is uncertain. A young man was shot and killed in the Bogalusa High stadium parking lot two & a half weeks ago. Albany’s principal, Sammie Lacara, says parents gave him zero pushback on forfeiting the game…:

CUT 04(11)      “…to do this.”

A Baton Rouge man who set out for a six-mile hike in Arkansas last week has been found alive and safe…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Thorington.”

Add St. Timothy’s church in Mandeville to the growing list of churches to exit the United Methodist Church over the UMC’s advocating for gay ministers and same-sex marriages. 92-percent of St. Timothy’s 6-thousand members voted to leave the UMC. That makes 47 Louisiana churches to do so.

It took a jury in Rapides Parish just 90 minutes to return a guilty verdict for 46-year-old David Burns in the 2004 murder of Courtney Coco. The 19-year-old’s body was found in Winnie, Texas…but it was determined she was killed in Alexandria. Rapides DA Phil Terrell says Burns and Coco were in a relationship…:

CUT 12(12)      “…unceremonious manner.”

Terrell says he’s glad to have some closure for Courtney’s family. Burns gets a mandatory life sentence for 2^nd degree murder.

State Police are investigating Sunday’s fatal officer-involved shooting during a domestic disturbance and standoff. Trooper Bill Huggins says 47-year-old Randall Bass suddenly got out of his truck with a gun and apparent explosives..:

CUT 10(08)      “…fatally injured him.”

Bass died at the scene. State Police investigate all officer-involved shootings.

Two more people are under arrest in connection with the fatal overdose death of a 15-year-old Galliano girl last month. Lafourche Parish deputies arrested 21-year-old Anthony Francis, of Larose, and 18-year-old Sergio Perez, of Cutoff, were charged with drug distribution. 18-year-old Blayne Terrebonne was arrested last week.

Another company announces plans to build a new, clean energy plant in south Louisiana, IF it meets all the regulatory requirements…:

CUT 01 (30)     “…Golsby.”

Eighteen years after the murder of Alexandria resident Courtney Coco, Rapides Parish prosecutors get a conviction in the one-time cold case…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Palermo.”

New Orleans Police are investigating four separate shootings that occurred between 4 pm and 8:30 Sunday. Three men and one woman were shot- all in separate and seemingly unrelated incidents. All were non-fatal, but there are – so far – no known suspects or known motives.

Congressman Troy Carter says a Wind Energy Zone designation in the Gulf offshore from Louisiana is significant for the state. He says the approval from the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will mean wind energy off the Gulf Coast that could power millions of homes and businesses. Carter says it will take some time to do, but Louisiana is ahead of the curve because of infrastructure already in place in the Gulf…:

CUT 05(10)      “…a lifetime.”

The commercial leasing process for the two zones is on track to begin mid-2023.

State Police are now investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting Sunday in Hammond. Trooper Bill Huggins says Tangipahoa deputies were called to a domestic disturbance and found themselves in a 2-hour standoff with 47-year-old Randall Bass, who wouldn’t get out of his pickup…:

CUT 09(07)      “…explosive targets.”

It was then they shot Bass, who died at the scene.

State Police released more details today on Sunday’s fatal police shooting in Hammond. Trooper William Huggins says Tangipahoa Sheriff deputies responded to a domestic disturbance call to a home and shortly after their arrival a man barricaded himself in a vehicle. Huggins says 47-year-old Randall Bass of Hammond was shot when he got out of his truck with a gun and an apparent explosive…:

CUT 10(08)      “fatally injuring him.”

State Police are investigating, as with any officer-involved shooting. Bass had reportedly threatened to burn his estranged wife’s house down, and that’s why police were there.

A local man who went missing last week while hiking in Arkansas, near the Buffalo River has been found alive. 67-year-old Preston Smith was last seen Thursday. He had meant to only hike about 6 miles, but got lost. When rescuers found him he was dehydrated, but able to walk.

Powerball! No winner last night, so Wednesday’s drawing is now worth an estimated $1.2-billion. That’s would be a lump-sum prize of about $597-million.

More clean energy jobs are likely coming to Louisiana. Clean Hydrogen Works plans to build a huge ammonia plant in Ascension Parish. CHW’s Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer Vee Godley says he feels the company fits well here because their goals mesh well with the state’s..:

CUT 08(06)      “…energy initiative.”

Godley says the facility will capture 98 percent of the greenhouse gasses produced and another company will ship it away for safe storage. When it’s operating fully, about 350 direct full time jobs and around 1100 indirect jobs.

State Police are investigating a two-vehicle crash that killed one Monroe woman yesterday. Troopers say 45-year-old Kieta Hale’s SUV ran a stop sign on state Highway 838 and was hit broadside by a concrete truck. She died later a Monroe hospital. A blood toxicology sample was taken to see if impairment played a role in her death.

Tangipahoa Parish deputies shot and killed a man Sunday, during a 2-hour standoff. They were called to the residence by a woman saying her estranged husband was going to burn her house down. After the standoff, the man got out his pickup and fired a shot at officers. They returned fire, killing him. The matter is under investigation.

The Powerball Jackpot reaches one-billion dollars. Have you bought tickets for tonight’s drawing..?

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

The record low level of the Mississippi River has been a novelty for sightseers – especially in Baton Rouge where the U.S.S. Kidd is fully out of the water and a 100-year-old shipwreck has been revealed…but it’s wreaking economic havoc on trade. LSU Center for River Studies Director Clint Wilson says barges cannot carry full loads…:

CUT 03(09)      “…to it.”

He says about all man can do is hope for more rain.

Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins posted a joke on Twitter about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband and then removed it last night. Authorities say Paul Pelosi suffered a skull fracture inside his San Francisco home last week. Higgins Tweet was a joke about the Assailant being a “nude hippie LSD guy”; suggesting he was not an intruder. U.L. Monroe political science professor Pearson Cross says it may have been a tasteless joke but it likely will not hurt Higgins re-election bid…:

CUT 11(09)      “…Congressional seat.”

District 3 Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins is drawing criticism for making a joke about last week’s attack on the 82-year-old husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The Tweet has been taken down, but it reportedly was a picture of Nancy Pelosi holding her hands to her face and over the picture Higgins wrote, “The moment you realize a nudist hippie male prostitute LSD guy was the reason your husband didn’t make it to your fundraiser.” U.L. Monroe political science professor Pearson Cross imagines it was a staffer – not Higgins – who took the post down…:

CUT 10(09)      “…the moment.”

Cross says this will likely not hurt Higgins chances of winning the election.

Deputies in Vernon Parish say a bloodhound led them to the remains of 63-year-old Ronald Lopez, a hunter from the town of Scott, who fell out of his tree stand and died. He’d been missing over a day. They say it appears a chain on the tree stand broke causing him to fall and be fatally injured.

Experts say the record low Mississippi River levels are hurting the nation’s economy, from the upper Midwest to the Gulf of Mexico. Marsanne Golsby has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Golsby.”

The Powerball jackpot is now at a Billion dollars for tonight’s drawing. Louisiana Lottery spokesman Dustin Annison says that’s meant a huge spike in ticket sales…:

CUT 08(12)      “…jackpot.”

Get yours before 9pm tonight.

The record low level of the Mississippi River may be making for some cool sightseeing for folks, but it’s having some negative economic impacts. Barges have to limit their loads so they don’t sit too deep and that limits commerce from cargo. And then there’s the threat of saltwater intrusion from the Gulf.  LSU Center for River Studies director Clint Wilson says there’s not a lot we CAN do about, but hope for more rain. However he says the forecast is for a drier-than-average winter…:

CUT 05  (05)        “…snow events.”

60-percent of U.S. agriculture exports go down the Mississippi.

Congressman Clay Higgins is taking some flak for posting a joke about the attack on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband last week. The joke appeared on Twitter but was taken down a short time later. UL-Monroe political science professor Pearson Cross says, given Higgins’ history, it comes as small surprise…:

CUT 09  (09)        “…like this one.”

The joke alluded to Paul Pelosi’s attacker being a “nudist hippie male prostitute.”

Have an iPhone? Apple’s latest operating system, 16.1, is out. Haggai Davis, tech expert with General Informatics in Baton Rouge, says one of the first things you’ll notice is a change to your iPhone’s “lock screen’…:

CUT 13  (12)        “…to you now.”

An Arnoudville man is under arrest; accused of shooting his neighbor in the leg while trying to shoot the man’s dog. 42-year-old Justin Boudreaux was charged with negligent injuring and illegal use of a weapon. Boudreaux says the dog is aggressive and had threatened his child, so he wasn’t tolerating it in his yard anymore. The bullet missed the dog and ricocheted off concrete; hitting the neighbor, who will recover.

Sad News for Louisiana today: Ferriday native and Rock n Roll and Country Music Hall of Famer Jerry Lee Lewis has died at the age of 87.

CUT 02(47)      “…Thorington.”

The Coast Guard has more information on the two men rescued from a fatal helicopter crash Wednesday night in the Gulf of Mexico, of the coast of Morgan City. Coast Guard Commander Sean DiGeorge says the Jayhawk chopper was low on fuel when they got the distress call, and decisions were made on the fly with little info to go on…:

CUT 05(12)      “…quickly.”

Halloween is Monday; fun for kids and adults alike, but possibly dangerous for your pets. Louisiana Humane Society President Jeff Dorson says be careful to keep candy where pets cannot eat it – especially chocolate – because it’s toxic to them…:

CUT 06(07)      “…some of them do.”

Also, if you have a black cat, keep it safely indoors. Cruelty against cats – especially black cats – always spikes at Halloween.

The U.S. Coast Guard provides some more details about Wednesday night’s rescue of two crew members from a fatal helicopter crash off the coast of Morgan City…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Palermo.”

Arrest warrants have been issued for all three coaches at Carroll High School, after a skirmish last Friday at Franklin Parish High. The LHSAA has suspended Coach Brandon Landers and his staff for the rest of the season. Now they are charged by Franklin Parish authorities with battery of a police officer and inciting a riot.

Deputies in Lafourche Parish arrest the man they say provided the drugs that killed a 15-year-old girl and sent a 16-year-old boy to the hospital. Lafourche Sheriff’s spokesman Capt. Brennan Matherne says 18-year-old Blayne Terrebonne is now in custody. Matherne says the female victim’s sister was the one who found her, and family members have a role to play in protecting young people from dangerous drugs…:

CUT 11  (11)        “…associated with.”

Ferriday native and American music legend Jerry Lee Lewis has passed away at age 87. He died this morning at his home in northern Mississippi. Baton Rouge publisher and attorney Jim Brown knew Lewis for decades. He says, despite his stardom, he was quite down-to-earth when you met him..:

CUT 14  (10)        “…about them.”

Jerry Lee Lewis…gone at 87 years of age.

The man they called “The Killer” has passed away. Louisiana entertainment legend Jerry Lee Lewis died today at age 87. The Ferriday native won three Grammy and scored numerous top hits in rock & roll, pop and country music. Baton Rouge attorney and publisher Jim Brown knew Lewis for decades. He says even a major scandal over marrying his 13-year-old cousin couldn’t end his drive to make music…:

CUT 13  (09)        “…going to miss Jerry Lee.”

Again, Jerry Lee Lewis is gone at age 87.

Lafourche Parish deputies arrest a man accused of selling the drugs that killed one teenager and put another in the hospital. 18-year-old Blayne Terrebonne is alleged to be a drug dealer who caused the overdose death of a 15-year-old girl from Galliano. A 16-year-old boy is still recovering from his overdose. Sheriff’s spokesman Brennan Matherne says more arrests could be coming…:

CUT 10  (04)        “…about them instead.”

The Coast Guard has more information on the rescue of two men from the Gulf of Mexico Wednesday night, after their helicopter crashed en route to an offshore rig. Coast Guard Commander Sean DiGeorge says a diver found one man inside the chopper and two men were retrieved from the water…:

CUT 04  (10)        “…medical center.”

The names of the victim and the survivors have not been released.

A quick reminder with Halloween coming up: don’t fee candy to your pets….or let them get at it on their own. It is toxic for them. Louisiana Humane Society President Jeff Dorson also recommends you keep your pets inside and secured during Trick-or-Treating…:

CUT 08  (09)        “…our control.”

He says it may be a good idea to take Fido for a nice walk before the kids hit the streets.