The first national report card since the global pandemic shows declines nationally in reading and math scores, but Louisiana outperformed the rest of the country in reading growth among fourth graders…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Palermo.”

New Orleans Police say a woman who works as a “shot girl” at a Bourbon Street bar attacked and robbed a woman who refused to pay, after she poured liquor down the woman’s throat. The victim says 27-year-old Paris Love forced her to drink, then demanded money. Cops say Love and two other took the woman’s money and cell phone and fled. She’s charged with simple robbery.

The first full month of football brought a nice surge in sports betting revenue for Louisiana. The state Gaming Control Board says September saw almost $4-million in fee income from sportsbook. The September gaming report noted that on-site sportsbook revenues for DraftKings at the Golden Nugget and The Sportsbook at L’Auberge – both in Lake Charles – did significantly more business than onsite operations in other cities. Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says we have our Texas neighbors to thank for that..:

CUT 10(07)      “…at this point.”

Sportsbook has taken in over $22-million for the state since it began in January.

The man accused of shooting up a frat party near the Southern University campus in Baton Rouge last week is under arrest. BRPD’s Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says the investigation is ongoing and witnesses are encouraged to come forward…:

CUT 05(07)      “…right people.”

11 people were shot and wounded. Two other men are booked as accessories in the crime.

Louisiana’s 4th grade students lead the country in reading growth according to the Nation’s Report Card released by the National Center for Education Statistics. State Superintendent of Education Doctor Cade Brumley says, over the last two years, Louisiana has implemented a number of policy decisions to curb the state’s long-standing literacy crisis…:

CUT 06(10)      “…that we’ve been doing.”

Louisiana’s fourth grade reading improved by two points while the national average declined by three points

The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office and parish sheriff’s offices will distribute free child ID kits to students in kindergarten through fifth grades. A.G. Jeff Landry says every 40 seconds a child goes missing in the U.S. and when that happens, time is of the essence…:

CUT 13(08)      “…that child.”

Baton Rouge Police arrest the suspected gunman in the overnight Friday shooting at a frat party just off the Southern University campus…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington.”

…and now today’s markets with This Week in Louisiana Agriculture host Avery Davidson…

The suspected gunman in the Friday morning shooting at a frat party just off the Southern University campus of has been arrested. Baton Rouge Police spokesman Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says Sunday afternoon 22-year-old Jaicedric (Jay-Cedric) Williams was taken into custody. McKneely says there was some type of altercation that happened just before gunfire erupted…:

CUT 04(07)      “…the crowd.”

Two others, 28-year-old Daryl Stansberry and 24-year-old Miles Moss, were also arrested Saturday and charged with 11 counts of Accessory After the Fact to Attempted First Degree Murder and Illegal Use of a Weapon.

The first full month of college football brought at nice surge in sports betting revenue for Louisiana. The state Gaming Control Board says September saw almost $4-million in fee income from sportsbook. Board Chairman Ronnie Johns…:

CUT 09(09)      “for the state revenue.”

Since the Mississippi River water levels have dropped the rare opportunity to see the remains of a ferry boat that sank in 1915 has arisen…:

CUT 26(33)      “…Thorington.”

Early voting for the November 8^th election begins tomorrow and runs thru Tuesday, November 1^st (Sunday excluded of course). In addition to congressional and local races, you’ll also have 8 constitutional amendments to decide. You can research them at “PARLouisiana.org”

In Baton Rouge, Homecoming at Southern University is marred by a shooting during an off-campus homecoming celebration. Jeff Palermo has that…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Palermo.”

Police with the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe make an arrest in the death of 17-year-old Giah Berrere, whose body was found at the paragon Casino Resort October 3^rd. 21-year-old Alexis Dauzat, of Marksville, has been charged with “failure to seek assistance.” Barrerre’s cause of death has not been made public, but we know she was not a victim of violence and did have problems with substance abuse.

The state Supreme Court has ruled the state’s ban on non-unanimous jury convictions – passed two years ago – will NOT be retroactive. Loyola University law professor and legal analyst Dane Ciolino says this is big news…:

CUT 12(12)      “…judicial districts.”

There’s a gun buyback program scheduled for Saturday in Jeanerette. The program is a faith-based effort to get guns off the street and help prevent further violence. Organizer Felton Hogan says they’ll pay up to $300 per gun and he encourages young people to step up and take advantage – no questions asked…:

CUT 04(11)      “…or themselves.”

Hogan had a successful buyback in New Iberia recently ad plans more to occur all across the state.

Multiple people were rushed to the hospital early this morning after a shooting this morning at a fraternity house located just off the Southern University campus in Baton Rouge. BRPD’s Lt. Don Coppola says it happened around 2 AM, and the investigation is currently active…:

CUT 10(06)      “…at 344-7867.”

One student who was there tells LRN it was great party, but suddenly gunshots rang out and the crowd ran for cover. Nine victims sustained non-fatal injuries.

New Orleans Police say two juveniles were shot – one fatally – while they were burglarizing a car during the late night hours. A 15-year-old boy was killed and 14-year-old is in the hospital. Police are seeking the persons who pulled the trigger, who fled the scene.

Two men are under arrest in Lincoln Parish; accused of indecent behavior with a juvenile and possessing child porn. One of them is a visiting guest professor at Louisiana Tech. Both men awaiting bond.

Louisiana will add 50 nurse positions to the Department of Children and Family Services for infants that were exposed to drugs while in utero…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington>”

A Shreveport man is suing gaming giant Caesar’s, claiming the company shortchanged customers during cashouts. Caesar’s owns Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City. Plaintiff Mike Young says this happens consistently as they “round down” slot machine cash payments, and keep the remainder. So far no official comment from Caesar’s.

Nine people were shot last night at a southern University frat house, as that school’s Homecoming Week draws to an end. Baton Rouge Police spokesman Lt. Don Coppola says officers responded to the Kappa Alpha Psi House at around 2 am…:

CUT 09  (10)        “…at the time.”

The investigation is ongoing.

There’s a gun buyback program scheduled for Saturday in Jeanerette. The program is a faith-based effort to get guns off the street and help prevent further violence. Organizer Felton Hogan says the buyback will start at noon Saturday at Jeanerette’s King Joseph Recreational Center. Hogan says his group had a successful buyback in New Iberia recently as well…:

CUT 03  (12)        “…one life at a time”

He says they’ll pay up to $300, depending on the gun. He encourages young people – who shouldn’t have dangerous weapons anyway – to take advantage…no questions asked.

Senator John Kennedy says he’s not afraid or reluctant to debate his Democrat challengers, he’s just too busy. He says a prior commitment made him refuse a most recent request by the Baton Rouge Advocate..:

CUT 11  (11)        “…people coming out.”

A very hoarse Kennedy talked with 710 KEEL in Shreveport. Challengers Luke Mixon and Gary Chambers have both called Kennedy a coward for not debating them. Polls show he leads them both by a margin of over 30-percent.

…and now a look at today’s markets…:

A Zachery man is behind bars; facing second-degree battery and hit-and-run charges after the severe beating of a 59-year-old man in Ascension Parish Sunday night…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

Police are investigating an overnight shooting at a Southern University frat house. Baton Rouge Police say nine people were shot, but their injuries are not life-threatening. The shooting comes at the end of Southern’s homecoming week and just a day before theuniversity’s homecoming game against the Virginia University of Lynchburg.

Is Senator John Kennedy afraid to debate his two Democrat challengers? On 710 KEEL in Shreveport, Kennedy said he has a very busy schedule and, frankly, not all debates are worth doing…:

CUT 10(11)      “…axe to grind.”

Polling has Kennedy at well over 50-percent. Challenger Luke Mixon less than 20 and Gary Chambers less than 10.

The Department of Children and Family Services plans to hire 50 nurses to make home visits to infants who were exposed to substance abuse by their mothers while pregnant. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says five years ago the department was ordered to come into compliance with follow-up visits for those infants…:

CUT 06(10)      “…for a while.”

DCFS came under fire after a two-year-old’s overdosed death from fentanyl after the agency received multiple warnings about the child and other child welfare incidents.

The city of Vidalia, in Concordia parish, is happy to see $220-million in federal Department of Energy money coming their way to expand the Syrah Technologies plant there. They make batteries for Tesla and other companies. Governor John Bel Edwards says the whole town is thrilled because it also means a lot of new jobs…:

CUT 09(08)      “…the country.”

He says it’s a big step toward clean energy for Louisiana.

The former city controller for Shreveport is suing the city, alleging he was wrongfully terminate from his job under the state “whistleblower law.” Ben Hebert says he refused to (quote) participate in financial improprieties which he believed violated state laws, and was fired days later.

A Gonzales city cop who quit amid accusations of spousal abuse, and then allegedly bragged he’d get away with it, has been arrested for violating a protective order and domestic abuse battery involving child endangerment. The details of his alleged abuses are pretty severe.

In the 2023 Governor’s race, so far Attorney General Jeff Landry has officially declared and fellow Republicans Billy Nungesser and John Schroder have talked around running. However, no Democrats have said they will run. One Dem name mentioned by “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford is current Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson…so we asked Wilson, who says he’s not a candidate…but he could be…:

CUT 04  (11)        “…those options.”

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson had an impressive return to the NBA last night as he scored 25 points in his first game in 17 months as New Orleans defeated Brooklyn 130 to 108 in the season opener. He says he is so glad to be back…:

CUT 13(12)      “…every day with it.”

A judge in Lake Charles has given a death sentence to convicted cop killer Kevin Daigle, for the 2015 murder of Louisiana State Police Trooper Steven Vincent. Daigle shot Vincent with a shotgun on a rural roadside in Calcasieu Parish. Vincent’s brother, also a trooper, says he’s ”glad to live in a country where we have a justice system.” The family Sys they know a lengthy appeal process for Daigle will follow.

Governor John Bel Edwards applauds federal Department of Energy funds coming Louisiana’s way to help bolster the green vehicle industry here. He says $100-million will go to Koura chemical in St. Gabriel to make a key lithium battery component…:

CUT 10  (09)        “…very important.”

$220-million will go to expanding the Syrah Tech plant in Vidalia, which makes batteries for Tesla and other EV makers.

If you haven’t claimed your Child Tax Credit from the American Rescue Plan that provided up to $3,600 per child for the 2021 tax year you need to do so very soon…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington.”

Could DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson be running for Governor next year? We asked Wilson who says he may…but he’s focused now on continuing the work done under Governor Edwards…:

CUT 05(07)      “…some time to come.”

Edwards is term-limited ad may not run again.

A well-known Democrat’s name has surfaced as a possible candidate for Governor in 2023; DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson. We asked the Secretary about running to replace his boss, John Bel Edwards…:

CUT 03  (06)        “…be a candidate.”

So far the only official announcements for governor are Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry and Lake Charles attorney and Independent Hunter Lundy.

Governor Edwards says Vidalia, in Concordia Parish, is set to get a huge chunk of federal money for the Syrah Technologies electric vehicle battery plant there. It’s the only large-scale plant doing this outside of China. The Governor says we depend on international commerce now…:

CUT 11  (08)        “…as possible.”

Syrah will get $220-million for a facility expansion and more jobs.

If you haven’t claimed your Child Tax Credit from the American Rescue Plan that provided up to $3,600 per child for the 2021 tax year, a November 15^th deadline is approaching. Louisiana Budget Project spokesman Jan Moller says the 2021 credit is fully refundable…: CUT 07(08)      “…in 2021.” He says there is an earnings test to qualify. Go to “GetCTC.org.”

Following his arrest last spring for illegally bugging an ex-girlfriend’s LSU dorm room, Livingston parish country singer Laine Hardy is breaking his deal with Disney Music Group. In a social media post, Hardy said he was grateful for the support and guidance Disney had provided him, but he was planning to take his career in a “new direction.” No comment yet from Disney. Hardy’s case has not yet gone to trial.