An analyst is predicting Louisiana could see much better turnout for the November midterms than usual. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”
Early voting for the November ballot runs through Tuesday, but closed on Sunday.

The Advocate newspaper reports that Marquette Transportation, the barge operator that’s responsible for hitting the Sunshine Bridge at Donaldsonville, had 32 collisions or “brush-ups” with bridges since 2013, and were not penalized. Ascension Parish Council Chairman Bill Dawson says their piloting should have been addressed much sooner.

Cut 12 (09)   “…true there”

A Moss Bluff man is facing charges of attempted second degree murder after allegedly shooting at his wife.  Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso says 36 year old Robert Moreau was driving home with his wife from a party with a gun in his lap when he threatened to shoot her.  It escalated as they got home.

Cut 6 (09)  “…grab the gun.”
Upon disarming Moreau, one of the couple’s three sons, ages 10, 12, and 14, then pulls another gun on Moreau and threatened him if he doesn’t leave their mother alone. Moreau’s bond was set just shy of a quarter million dollars.

LSU says the SEC will not overturn Devin White’s suspension for the first half of the Alabama game, because of targeting a Mississippi State player. So can legal action be taken? Legal analyst Tim Meche says LSU would have no problem finding a Baton Rouge judge to grant a temporary injunction, but it comes with a risk

Cut 9 (10)  “bowl game”

LSU says the SEC will not overturn Devin White’s suspension for the first half of the Alabama game, because of targeting a Mississippi State player. Legal analyst Tim Meche says further legal action is highly unlikely, and at this point, fans should move on and accept number 40 will have to ride the pine…

Cut 11 (07) “the game”

The game kicks off November 3^rd.

The Advocate newspaper reports that Marquette Transportation, the barge operator that’s responsible for hitting the Sunshine Bridge at Donaldsonville, had 32 collisions or “brush-ups” with bridges since 2013, and were not penalized. Ascension Parish Council Chairman Bill Dawson says it’s clear the Coast Guard needs to reform how it tracks company and pilot accidents on the river.

Cut 14 (11) “…lower level.”

JMC Analytics Publisher and Analyst John Couvillon says he doesn’t see any of the Congressional races on the November ballot resulting in a change in the state’s congressional delegation. He did say the 3rd district could get interesting though, where Clay Higgins faces a Republican challenger and a crowded democratic field. Even then the analyst says he expects Higgins to avoid a run-off, and the rest of the congressional races to be far less close…

Cut 4 (11) “…near 80.″

Early voting for the November ballot runs through Tuesday, but closed on Sunday, and if any candidates fail to crack 50 percent, the election run-offs would be held December 8^th.

And Senator John Kennedy says we’ll know whether or not he’s going to challenge Governor John Bel Edwards before the first of December. In an interview with the AP, Kennedy said he loves his current job but finds it “hard to stomach what is happening in Louisiana right now.”

With no hot races in Louisiana, a low voter turnout is expected for the November 6th election, but JMC Analytics Publisher John Couvillon says Secretary of State Candidates are still flying under the radar. The pollster says that’s due to the position’s low profile, and fundraising difficulties.

Cut 5 (11)  “…full rotation” 

Early voting for the November ballot runs through Tuesday, but closed on Sunday.

The Advocate newspaper reports that Marquette Transportation, the barge operator that’s responsible for hitting the Sunshine Bridge at Donaldsonville, had 32 collisions or “brush-ups” with bridges since 2013, and were not penalized. Ascension Parish Council Chairman Bill Dawson worked for decades and is currently a consultant in the industry, and when asked if the pilot who took the crane barge into the bridge should have been allowed out on the water…

Cut 13 (06) “…solution.”

LSU says the SEC will not overturn Devin White’s suspension for the first half of the Alabama game, because of targeting a Mississippi State player. So can legal action be taken?  Suspended Hahnville High School quarterback, Andrew Robison, received a court order to play football, but he’s yet to take the field, because the LHSAA could hand down future penalties. Legal analyst Tim Meche says the same thing could happen to LSU, if a judge ruled White can play Bama…

Cut 10 (08)  “…the SEC”

A Moss Bluff man is facing charges of attempted second degree murder after allegedly shooting at his wife.  Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso says 36 year old Robert Moreau was driving home with his wife from a party with a gun in his lap when he threatened to shoot her.  Upon disarming Moreau during a scuffle at home, one of the couple’s three sons, ages 10, 12, and 14, then pulled another gun and threatened Moreau.  Mancuso says this did not sit well with Moreau.

Cut 7 (10)  “…and taking shots”

Is legal action the next step in the effort to get LSU linebacker Devin White on the field for the first half of the Alabama game. Jeff Palermo has the story…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo

A week long early voting period started today and an item on the November 6th ballot asks should fantasy sports betting involving websites like Draft Kings and Fan Duel be legal in your parish. Next year, the state legislature will decide how it will be taxed in the parishes that approve it.

The Advocate newspaper reports Marquette Transportation, the barge operator that’s responsible for hitting the Sunshine Bridge at Donaldsonville, had 32 collisions or “brush-ups” with bridges since 2013, and were not penalized. Ascension Parish Council Chairman Bill Dawson says their piloting should have been addressed much sooner.
Cut 12 (09) “…true there”
DOTD officials expect the Sunshine Bridge will be closed for months for repairs.

A Moss Bluff man faces a charge of attempted second-degree murder, after allegedly shooting at his wife. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the couple’s children had to intervene and they eventually fled the home. Mancuso says 36-year-old Robert Moreau put on body armour and was ready for a shoot out with police when they caught up with him…
cut 8 (11) “…do that”

A Moss Bluff man is facing charges of attempted second degree murder after allegedly shooting at his wife.  Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso says 36-year old Robert Moreau was driving home with his wife from a party with a gun in his lap when he threatened to shoot her.  It escalated as they got home.

Cut 6 (09)  “…grab the gun.”
Moreau later lead authorities in a traffic pursuit before being arrested.  His bond is set just shy of a quarter million dollars.

LSU says the SEC will not overturn Devin White’s suspension for the first half of the Alabama game, because of targeting a Mississippi State player. So can legal action be taken? Legal analyst Tim Meche says LSU would have no problem finding a Baton Rouge judge to grant a temporary injunction, but it comes with a risk

Cut 9 (10)  “bowl game”

An analyst is predicting Louisiana could see a much better turnout for the November midterms than usual. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Here’s a look at your commodities…

State election officials say turnout could be noticeably higher for this year’s fall elections relative to last year’s 13 percent participation, but JMC Analytics Publisher John Couvillon is even more bullish, saying turnout could near 30 percent despite a lack of competitive Congressional races, because of the national political climate.

Cut 3, 8 seconds, pressure there

Analysts say national turnout could crack 55 percent, which would be more than double the 2014 midterm numbers.

And voters won’t just be deciding on congressional candidates, the Secretary of State, or a suite of amendments. All 64 Parishes will have the opportunity to decide whether or not fantasy sports gaming should be legal.  Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana President Robert Travis Scott says, surprise, fantasy leagues that involve money are actually illegal, but…

Cut 9 (10) “…activity.”

All eyes are on the $1.6 billion jackpot for tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot drawing after no jackpot-winning ticket was sold on Friday night.  Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says the current multi-state game’s jackpot is a record setter.

Cut 10 (08)   “…US lottery history.“

The cut off to buy a ticket for a chance to be that winner is 9PM

The National Retail Federation says spending is slightly up for Halloween as they are projecting Americans will spend a total of $9 billion on the holiday.  It’s the second highest year of the 14 years the NRF has surveyed spending habits for the Halloween.  NRF spokesperson Ana Serafin Smith says the spending breaks down to just shy of $90 per person.

Cut 13 (12)   “…from last year.”

Early voting is for the November 6^th election starts today across Louisiana and runs through October 30^th.  Among the decisions on the ballot, voters will make a selection among candidates for six US House seats, a vacated Secretary of State’s seat, and six constitutional amendments are up for consideration.

Also on the ballot, voters in all 64 Parishes will have a chance to vote on whether or not folks in their neck of the woods will be allowed to play fantasy sports for money. Currently, Louisianans are barred from websites like DraftKings and FanDuel. But, even if voters approve the measures, it will still take quite a while for the activity to get off the ground in Louisiana. Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana President Robert Travis Scott says if parishes pass the measure, the legislature will have to figure out how to tax activity…

Cut 8 (10) “…again.”

Avery Island, home of Tabasco Hot Sauce, is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “I’m Matt Doyle” 

All eyes are on the $1.6 billion jackpot for tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot drawing after no jackpot-winning ticket was sold on Friday night.  Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says Louisiana Mega Millions sales are up 177% over last fiscal year and says that is largely in part due to this current jackpot run.

Cut 12 (11)  “…from Friday alone.”

The cut off to buy a Mega Millions ticket is 9PM.

Early voting for the November election is underway and voters will see a ballot item that would legalize fantasy sports on websites like DraftKings and FanDuel in their parish. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says currently its classified as gaming
Cut 7 (08) “…parish.”

The National Retail Federation predicts a slight uptick in spending for Halloween. N-R-F spokesperson Ana Serafin Smith credits a healthy economy…
cut 14 (13) “…than past years”
Smith says they predict a person will spend on average 87-dollars on Halloween.

The jackpot for tonight’s Mega Millions grand prize is one-point-six billion dollars and thousands of Louisiana players will buy a ticket today hoping they can retire tomorrow. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says Louisiana is still looking for its first Mega Millions grand prizewinner…
cut 11 (10) “…would be incredible”
Avery Island in Iberia Parish is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places after a yearlong review of the home of Tabasco confirmed its significance. While known for it’s hot sauce, McIlhenny Company CEO Tony Simmons says the island is also home to the state’s first bird refuge, which his great grandfather created for the snowy egret in 1895….
Cut 4 (12) “…being threatened.”
Avery Island is now home to over 100-thousand birds and other species.