We’re already off to a super cold weekend and this is only the start. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’ll be in the 30s this morning in north Louisiana, and highs in the 50s throughout the state.
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He says we can expect lower than normal temperatures for trick or treating. The last time temperatures were this cold in north Louisiana was in mid-March.

A survey from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission finds that pick-up truck drivers and riders are not buckling up at the same rate as those in cars or SUVs. Commission executive director Katara Williams says they are working to stop this alarming trend.
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Seat belt compliance for those riding in a pick up truck is 82-percent, while those in vehicles is 89-percent.

It’s National Prescription Drug Take Back day and State Police want to raise awareness about the potential for drug abuse by providing a way to dispose of unwanted medication safely. Trooper Bryan Lee says these drugs are commonly taken from people they know.
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Anyone looking to throw away unwanted pills can drop them off between 10 am and 2 pm at any State Police Troop location.

Today is the 14th annual Louisiana Book Festival in downtown Baton Rouge. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser expects a great crowd as the weather is likely to stay nice and cool. He says the event is free and there is food and music, along with many great books about the Bayou State.
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The festival beings in about 30-thousand people to the State Library and Capital.

A survey from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission finds pickup truck drivers still aren’t buckling up as much as those in other vehicles. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A federal judge agrees with Alton Sterling protesters in a class action lawsuit against Baton Rouge law enforcement agencies.  The plaintiffs will receive a combined total of about $136,000.  ACLU of Louisiana’s Executive Director Marjorie Esman says she hopes law enforcement in Baton Rouge has learned a lesson…:

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National Prescription Drug Takeback day is Saturday.  900-thousand pounds worth of prescription drugs were turned in last year.  State Trooper Bryan Lee says the number could go higher if others become aware of the kinds of prescriptions they forgot about…

Cut 10 (07) “not using.”

The Centers for Disease Control say over 33-thousand people died in 2015 from overdoses on opioids

The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office says they arrested a suspect in Grambling State University’s deadly shooting.  Jaylin Wayne of St Louis Missouri is in custody for the shooting that allegedly killed another student and his friend early Wednesday morning.  Wayne turned himself in Thursday night after he learned he was wanted for 1^st degree murder.  Wayne allegedly killed fellow student Earl Andrews and his friend Monquiarious Caldwell during an altercation outside some dorm rooms.  University officials say extra security will be in place for this weekend’s homecoming activities…

Some of the coldest air we’ve seen in some time is descending on Louisiana.  A cold front is moving through which will drop temperatures to near freezing in some northern areas.  This will be just the start of what is to be a very cold weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the cold Canadian air will affect the entire state…

Cut 4  (08) “the 40s.” 

The last time temperatures were this cold were in north Louisiana was in mid-March.

A federal judge agrees with Alton Sterling protesters in a class action lawsuit against Baton Rouge law enforcement agencies. A hearing was held Friday morning involving about 80 protesters who were arrested last year. The ACLU of Louisiana filed a similar lawsuit but one that did not seek damages. Executive Director Marjorie Esman applauds the ruling…:

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The plaintiffs will receive a combined total of about $136,00o.

A survey from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission finds Louisianans are buckling up but drivers and passengers in pickup trucks are not doing so as often. Drivers in Lake Charles and New Orleans had the highest overall seat belt usage rates at 92-percent and 90-percent. Executive Director Dr. Katara Williams says drivers and riders in pickup trucks buckle up at a rate of 82-percent compared to cars which is 89-percent.

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National Prescription Drug Takeback day is Saturday.  State Police are helping bring awareness to the potential for medication abuse by offering a way to get rid of unused prescriptions. The Centers for Disease Control say over 33-thousand people died in 2015 from overdoses on opioids.  Even if you can’t participate, State Police Trooper Bryan Lee says there are locations available any time. All nine State Police Troops will participate Saturday from 10am to 2pm.

A strong cold front is moving through Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim….
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Low tempeatures in the upper 30s for tomorrow morning in north Louisiana, upper 40s for south Louisiana.

The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office says they arrested a suspect in Grambling State University’s deadly shooting this week…
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Another survey from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, finds that pick-up truck drivers and their passengers are not buckling up at the same rate as motorists in cars. Commission executive director Katara Williams says they are trying to stop that trend…
cut 6 (11) “…truck drivers’
Seat belt compliance for those riding in a pick up truck is 82-percent, while those in vehicles is 89-percent.

The 14th annual Louisiana Book Festival is tomorrow in Baton Rouge. The event brings in about 30-thousand people to the State Library and State Capital. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser expects a great crowd, despite the projected cool temperatures…
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The festival opens at 10 AM.

Some of the coldest air we’ve seen will spill in to Louisiana this weekend.  A cold front is moving through the state, dropping temperatures to near freezing in some northern areas.  State climatologist Barry Keim says after this weekend, expect sub normal temperatures for Halloween trick or treating…

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A survey from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission finds Alexandria and Baton Rouge drivers and passengers had the lowest rates when it comes to wearing seat belts at nearly 83-percent and 85-percent. Executive Director Dr. Katara Williams says there is an upward trend across the state with more African American drivers and passengers wearing their seat belts. She says in 2015, there was a 10-percent gap between black and white drivers who buckled up.

Cut 8 (11) “buckling up”

The 14^th annual Louisiana Book Festival is tomorrow in Baton Rouge, bringing in about 30-thousand to the state’s capitol and library.  The festival features over 250 authors and panelists. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says it’s a festival like no other and well worth the drive to Baton Rouge. He says they just challenged the state’s high school students to redesign the Louisiana Seafood logo and will talk with them Saturday.

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National Prescription Drug Takeback day is Saturday.  State Police Trooper Bryan Lee says it’s important that people become aware of the kinds of prescriptions they forgot about…

Cut 10 (07) “not using.”

All nine State Police Troops will participate Saturday from 10am to 2pm.

National Prescription Drug Takeback day is tomorrow and State Police want to bring awareness to the potential for medication abuse by providing a way to safely dispose of unwanted prescriptions. Trooper Bryan Lee says all nine L-S-P troops will participate from 10 am to 2 pm but there are locations available any time if you can’t make it Saturday.
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900-thousand pounds of prescription drugs were collected at last year’s event.

A federal judge sided with 80 Alton Sterling protesters in a class action lawsuit against law enforment in Baton Rouge. Executive Director of the ACLU of Louisiana Marjorie Esman says she hopes police in the Capital City have learned a lesson.
Cut 15 (04) “are protesting”
The plaintiffs will receive a combined total of about 136-thousand dollars.

A survey from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission finds pickup truck drivers still aren’t buckling up as much as those in other vehicles. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested 19-year-old Jaylin Wayne in connection to the double homicide that happened on the Grambling State University campus early Wednesday morning. 23-year-olds Earl Andrews and Monquiarious Caldwell were fatally shot outside of a dormitory. Wayne is charged with first degree murder.

The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office arrests a suspect in the Grambling State University double murder…:
Cut 2 (26) “I’m Kelley Ray”

A federal judge agrees with Alton Sterling protesters in a class action lawsuit against Baton Rouge law enforcement agencies. A hearing was held Friday morning involving about 80 protesters who were arrested last year. The ACLU of Louisiana filed a similar lawsuit but one that did not seek damages. Executive Director Marjorie Esman applauds the ruling…:
CUT 14 (06) “victims”
The plaintiffs will receive a combined total of about $136,000.

The 14th annual Louisiana Book Festival takes place tomorrow in Baton Rouge. The event brings in about 30-thousand people to the State Library and State Capital. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser expects a great crowd as the weather is predicted to stay nice and cool. He says the festival is free and there is food and music along with great books…:
Cut 12 (11) “landscape”
The festival features more than 250 authors and panelists.

The man who plowed his pickup truck into a crowd of spectators at the Endymion parade last February has pleaded guilty. Neilson Rizzuto is convicted on 11 felony counts of vehicular negligent injuring and will be sentenced on January 12th. Authorities say Rizzuto’s blood-alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit the night of the crash.

It’s going to be super cold this weekend; but we’ve got to get some rain out of the way first. State Climatologist Barry Keim says you might want to bring ponchos and jackets to high school football games tonight, then prepare for temperatures to plummet. He says it’ll be in the 30s tomorrow morning in north Louisiana, and highs in the 50s throughout the state…:
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He says weather Halloween night is expected to be perfect.

Getting people who drive trucks to buckle up is still a problem in Louisiana. That’s according to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. Executive Director Katara Williams says the seat belt usage rate has consistently increased annually in the Bayou State since 2009, with about 89% of drivers of cars buckling up, but only 82% of those in trucks:
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Alexandria and Baton Rouge drivers and passengers had the lowest rates when it comes to wearing seat belts.

Tomorrow is National Prescription Drug Take Back day. A recent American Medical Association study revealed 42 percent of prescribed medicine for post surgical pain was not used, and 67 percent of patients had leftover medicine. State Police spokesman Bryan Lee says these drugs are commonly taken from people they know…:
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You can drop off unwanted pills tomorrow between 10am-2pm at any State Police Troop location in Louisiana.

It’s homecoming weekend at Grambling State University, and security will be beefed up for the game in the wake of the double murder that happened this week on campus. An arrest has been made in that case, but school officials want to take precautions to ensure everyone is safe.