Former Marksville marshal Norris Greenhouse Junior accepts a plea deal in the 2015 shooting death of six-year-old Jeremy Mardis, which results in a seven and a half year prison sentence. Greenhouse was facing life in prison if found guilty of murder. Fellow ex Deputy Marshal Derrick Stafford went to trial and was sentenced to 40 years.

Louisiana is sending emergency response teams to hurricane ravaged Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Jeff Palermo has the story…

voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Louisiana ACLU has put schools on notice that they can not punish student-athletes if they choose to take a knee or sit during the national anthem. Executive Director Marjorie Esman….

cut 12 (09) “…students”

The Bossier Parish School Superintendent warned students they could lose playing time or be kicked off the team if they don’t stand during the national anthem.

Rallies are expected in Shreveport this weekend in front of the Caddo parish courthouse in an effort to keep a confederate monument standing. Founder of the Gulf Coast Patriot Network Rex Dukes says learning from our history ensure we will not repeat it and removing monuments only makes things worse…

cut 10 (09) “….allow that”
A public hearing to decide if the monument should be removed is planned for Thursday.

Rallies are planned in Shreveport this weekend to show support for keeping a Confederate monument in front of the Caddo Parish Courthouse. Founder of the Gulf Coast Patriot Network Rex Dukes says they are planning a peaceful demonstration and mean spirited individuals and groups should stay away
Cut 9 (11) “of life”
It’s been recommended the Caddo Confederate monument come down and a public hearing is scheduled next week.

A cold front has moved through the state and it brings us a beautiful weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim says temperatures will remain warm, but we get a nice break from the humidity.
Cut 6 (07) “weekend”

The state is sending emergency response teams made up of personnel from the Louisaina National Guard and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Secrurity and Emergency Preparedness to help hurricane ravaged Puerto Rice and the U-S Virgin Islands. GOHSEP spokeperson Mike Steele…
cut 5 (07) “…that favor”
Over 300 Louisiana National Guard soliders will spend a month in Puerto Rico helping with water distribution and security.

The state transportation department is expanding its Motorist Assitance Patrol Program into Alexandria-Pineville. DOTD spokesperson Deidra Druilhet says stranded motorists on a major highway in that area can call a MAP truck for assistance…
cut 15 (09) “…on duty”

Over three-hundred members from the Louisiana National Guard are heading to Puerto Rico to help distribute water and provide security. ?Governor’s office of homeland security and emergency preparedness spokesperson Mike Steele says GOHSEP and the Guard are also putting together an 11-person team to help Puerto Rican officials find housing for displaced citizens…
cut 4 (07) “…work out”
A smaller emergency team is also heading to the U-S Virgin Islands.

A less humid and dry weekend is in store for Louisiana as a result of a weak cold front that pushed through the state overnight. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the statewide average rainfal total for September is less than one inch….
cut 7 (10) “…1895″

There will be more attention on the national anthem at high school football games tonight. Bossier Schools Superintendent Scott Smith sent out a statement saying that teams should stand in unity to honor our nation’s military and veterans. But Louisiana ACLU executive director Marjorie Esman condems threats to students over their first amendment rights….
cut 11 (07) “…would hope”
Parkway High School in Bossier says student athletes are required to stand for the national anthem and continued failure to comply will result in removal from the team.

The state Department of Transportation’s Motorist Assistance Patrol Program, or MAP program, is now available in the Alexandria-Pineville area. DOTD spokesperson Deidrea Druilhet says two MAP vehicles will be on call to help stranded motorists on major highways…
Cut 13 (06) “dead battery”
You can contact MAP in Alexandria, Lake Charles, Shreveport, Baton Rouge and New Orleans by dialing 5-1-1 on your phone.

Governor John Bel Edwards is sending over three-hundred Louisiana National Guard soldiers to Puerto Rico to assist the island nation as it deals with catastrophic devastation from Hurricane Maria. Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says two separate units will spend a month in Puerto Rico…
cut 3 (10) “…engineering needs”
Steele says a 163 person Military Police Company is also heading to Puerto Rico to assist with security.

The family of an LSU student that’s been missing for nearly two weeks willl hold a press conference at one o’ clock to provide an update on the search efforts. Michael Nickelotte of Mandeville was last seen leaving his dorm room during the overnight hours on September 18th. A Florida-based search team has joined LSU police in the search for the 21-year-old.

Early voting for the October 14th election starts tomorrow, but Secretary of State Tom Schedler expects a small turnout. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Constituional Amendment Three on the ballot calls for any money that comes from a higher gasoline tax would have to go towards highway construction. PAR President Robert Travis Scott…
cut 9 (11) “…on highways”

Parkway High School in Bossier Parish is requiring its students to stand for the national anthem or face discpline and contnued failure to comply will result in getting kicked off the team. But Executive Director of the ACLU of Louisiana Marjorie Esman says the constitution allows students to peacefully protest by either sitting or kneeling during the anthem…
cut 10 (10) “…the government”
Quarterback Drew Brees says the Saints will kneel before the national anthem on Sunday prior to their game against the Dolphins and then the entire team will stand when the anthem plays.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness will have some of its employees assist in the response and recovery efforts that are ongoing in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Members of the Louisiana National Guard are also part of this effort. Governor Edwards says the experienced teams of emergency repsponders will help victims overome the logisitical challenges they are battling.

Early voting opens tomorrow for the October 14th election, but Secretary of State Tom Schedler doesn’t expect a big turnout. Three constitutional amendments, the state treasurer’s race and a few big local elections are on the ballot. However, Schedler says there has not been much publicity.
Cut 4 (10) “engaged”
Constitutional Amendment two on the ballot would give surviving spouses of first responders who died while on duty a property tax exemption. An exemption currently exists for surviving spouses of National Guard members, state police, law enforcement or fire firefighters who die in the line of duty. PAR President Robert Travis Scott says passage of Amendment two extends the tax break to spouses of volunteer firefighters, emergency medical responders and paramedics.
cut 8 (10) “…the home”

There will be more attention on the national anthem at high school football games tonight. Bossier Schools Superintendent Scott Smith has sent out a statement saying that teams and organiziations should stand in unity to honor our nation’s military and veterans. But Louisiana ACLU executive director Marjorie Esman condems threats to students over their first amendment rights….
cut 11 (07) “…would hope”
Parkway High School in Bossier says student athletes are required to stand for the national anthem and continued failure to comply will result in removal from the team.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees says the entire team plans to kneel before the anthem is played on Sunday, but they’ll stand for it. That’s what the Dallas Cowboys did on Monday Night Football. In Charlotte last week, 10 Saints players sat on the bench during the anthem.

Early voting begins tomorrow for the October 14th election, which hasn’t drawn much interest. The ballot features three constitutional amendments, the state treasurer’s race, a Public Service Commission election in south Louisiana and local measures. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says there is a continuing pattern of a loss of interest in smaller elections….
cut 5 (11) “…the world”
Early voting runs through next Saturday, except on Sunday.

The state transportation department is expanding its Motorist Assitance Patrol Program into Alexandria-Pineville. DOTD spokesperson Deidra Druilhet says stranded motorists on a major highway in that area can call a MAP truck for assistance…
cut 15 (09) “…on duty”

A Bossier Parish High School has told student athletes they could be kicked off a team for disrespecting the flag during the national anthem. Michael Farrar has more
Voicer 3 (30) “constitutional rights”

The state is bringing its roadside assistance program to the Alexandria-Pineville area. DOTD spokesperson Deidrea Durilhet says they’ll have two vehicles available during the work week to help stranded motorists on I-49 and….
cut 14 (06) “…McArthur”

Voters should be aware of three constitutional amendments on the October 14th ballot. Amendment number one establishes a property tax exemption for construction work in progress. President of the Public Affairs Research Council, Robert Travis Scott, says if it passes, the law is straightforward.
Cut 7 (10) “process”
Amendment two would give surviving spouses of first responders who died while on duty a property tax exemption. And Amendment 3 says if gas taxes are raised, all of the extra revenues must go towards roadway construction.