All eyes are on the $1.6 billion jackpot for tonight’s Mega Millions drawing after no grand prize winning ticket was sold for Friday’s drawing. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says the current multi-state game’s jackpot is a record setter.
Cut 10 (08) “…US lottery history.“
Mega Millions has been available to Louisiana lottery players since 2012 and a winning ticket for the grand prize has never been sold in this state.

Early voting gets underway today and there is an item on the ballot that asks voters if fantasy sports betting involving websites like DraftKings and Fan Duel should be legal. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott….
cut 9 (10) “….activity”
If approved by parishes, legislators will have to approve a mechanism for taxing the activity when they return for the regular session in April.

LSU senior associate athletic director Robert Munson says discussions with the SEC regarding Devin White’s first half-suspension for the Alabama game were amicable, but the suspension stands. So White will miss the first half of the Alabama game for his targeting hit on Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald. There is a Go Fund Me page seeking money to pay for billboard space in downtown Birmingham, the home of the SEC offices. The billboard would read hashtag Free Devin White.

Big news for Avery Island as the birthplace of Tabasco pepper sauce has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. McIlhenny Company CEO Tony Simmons says his family settled the land in 1818 and attracts about 100-thousand vistors a year….
cut 6 (09) “…all about”
Avery Island features 52 state-registered archaeological sites.

Early voting begins today at your parish’s Registrar of Voters Office or at other designated locations. A special election for Secretary of State, Congressional races, six constitutional amendments and a question on whether to legalize fantasy sports betting highlights the ballot.

At $1.6 billion, tonight’s drawing for the Mega Millions is not only the largest jackpot for the multistate lottery game, it’s also the largest lotto jackpot in US history. Kevin Barnhart has more…
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Avery Island in Iberia Parish has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. Avery Island is where world famous Tabasco Sauce is made, but McIlhenny Company President and CEO Anthony Simmons says the island also features pre-historic Indian burial grounds and exotic plants and that’s not all….
cut 5 (08) “…1863.
Simmons hopes the designation will increase tourism to the island.

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. NRF spokesperson Ana Serafin Smith says the spending breaks down to just shy of $90 per person.
Cut 13 (12) “…from last year.”
The N-R-F says witches, vampires and zombies top the costume lists.

Early voting begins today for the November sixth election. Registered voters who wish to vote early can do so in person at their parish Registrar of Voters Office or at other designated locations. Early voting hours from today until next Tuesday, except Sunday is 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM.

One of the measures on the ballot is a question that asks voters if fantasy sports betting should be legal in their parish. Matt Doyle reports an ad has hit the airwaves urging people to vote yes….
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Lines are expected to be long today at your local lotto dealer as the jackpot for tonight’s Mega Millions drawing is a record one-point-six billion dollars. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says Louisiana Mega Millions sales are up 177% over last fiscal year….
Cut 12 (11) “…from Friday alone.”
The cut off to buy a Mega Millions ticket is 9 PM.

Halloween is just over a week away and the National Retail Federation estimates Halloween spending will be up slightly from last year. N-R-F spokesperson Ana Serafin Smith says pet costumes continue to gain popularity….
Cut 15 (12) “…480 million dollars.”
20-percent of those surveyed say they plan on dressing their pets in a costume. And the most popular pet costume is a pumpkin.

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” 

__________________________________

Ads have begun to roll out asking voters to approve fantasy sports legalization on the November ballot. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) ”I’m Matt Doyle.” 

__________________________________

At $1.6 billion, tonight’s drawing for the Mega Millions is not only largest jackpot for the multistate game, it’s also the largest lotto jackpot in US history, but what should you do if your numbers hit? Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

_________________________________________

Avery Island in Iberia Parish is now a part of the National Register of Historic Places after an extensive nearly 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.”

Simmons says the Audubon Society credits that creation with saving the species.

And that’s not all, along with pre-historic Indian burial grounds and exotic plants, it’s notable for something else as well….

Cut 5 (08) “…1863” 

Simmons says about 100,000 visitors come to see the bird sanctuary and Tabasco factory, which now ships to 195 countries, with labels in 22 languages. He says his family settled the land and has been fermenting the famous red brew for centuries…

Cut 6 (07) “…all about.”

 _________________________

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, which Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana President Robert Travis Scott says are currently classified as gambling.

Cut 7 (08) “…parish.”

The Fantasy Sports Trade Association estimates 59.3 million fantasy sports players in Canada and the United States.

But, even if voters approve the measures, it will still take quite awhile for the activity to get off the ground in Louisiana. Scott says if parishes pass the measure, the legislature will have to figure out how to tax activity…

Cut 8 (10) “…again.”

Scott says there’s no doubt many Louisianans are in fantasy leagues with friends and co-workers and the winners receive a cash award. While that’s illegal, Scott says it’s not enforced, and this measure is more about the tax question.

Cut 9 (10) “…activity.”

Early voting for the November ballot begins today  and runs through Tuesday of next week.

___________________

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.“

Chopin says while Louisiana has seen several million prize winners with Mega Millions, and seeing a jackpot-winning ticket sold in Louisiana would be a first for the game since it came to Louisiana in 2012.

Cut 11 (10)   “…would be incredible.”

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
________________________________

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.”

Smith credits to the uptick in spending to factors indicative of a healthy economy.

Cut 14 (13)   “…than past years.”

Smith says the one of the areas of Halloween spending that may surprise people by its growth is the money dished out for pets.

Cut 15 (12)   “…480 million dollars.”

_______________________________________________________

LSU men’s basketball opens the season ranked 23rd in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. The Tigers have one of the top incoming freshmen classes, return one of the best point guards in the SEC in Tremont Waters. But they are missing the veteran presence of Wayde Sims, who was murdered last month. Coach Will Wade says Sims absence will impact the team all year…

Cut 16 (20) “.sometimes”

It’s only the fourth time since 1992 that LSU enters the season ranked in the preseason AP Top 25. Wade says they can’t concern themselves with the preseason ranking…

Cut 17 (13)  “than that”

Javonte Smart from Baton Rouge is one of the new key newcomers. He was named Mr. Louisiana Basketball three consecutive seasons at Scotlandville High School and also won three state titles. Wade says Smart is committed to becoming a great player…

Cut 18 (19) “…the perimeter.” 

________________________________________________________

Through six games, Saints quarterback Drew Brees has not thrown an interception. When asked about that accomplishment during his Monday conference call with reproters Coach Sean Payton seemed like he didn’t want to jinx the streak…

Cut 19 (20) “..drive going” 

The Saints return to Minnesota on Sunday night. The Vikings beat the Black and Gold twice last season, including a heart breaking playoff loss. Payton says the revenge factor is overrated…

Cut 20 (19) “last year” 

LSU alumnus and Professor James Carville believes the targeting call on linebacker Devin White is another example of how the SEC is in collusion with Alabama. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Two children are dead today and three people injured following a late night mobile home fire in Belle Chasse. State Fire Marshal spokesperson, Ashley Rodrigue, says investigators do not believe it was space heater related.

Cut 4 (06) “…cold and heating.″

The three adults injured in the fire remain hospitalized.

The Bossier Parish School System says counselors and other support staff are helping families cope with the trauma associated with allegations that a teacher preyed on students. Psychologist Grady Bray outlined several examples of common predator behavior, including the practice of grooming…

Cut 7 (10)  “…relationship”

The psychologist says if your child is receiving special treatment or privileges from an instructor, privileges other children are not receiving, you should view it as a red flag.

Authorities say a Fort Polk soldier was found transporting the dead body of his wife in the trunk of a vehicle. Two people have been arrested on multiple charges after Calcasieu Parish deputies conducted a traffic stop in Lake Charles after authorities received a tip of a woman driving around with a dead body in the trunk of a vehicle.  Sheriff Tony Mancuso says children were present in the car.

Cut 14 (11) “…on the vehicle.”

Two children are dead today and three people injured following a late night mobile home fire in Belle Chasse. State Fire Marshal spokesperson, Ashley Rodrigue says the family says smoke alarms were working in the home and it’s uncertain how the children became separated from the adults during the escape.

Cut 5 (06)  “…together” 
The three adults injured in the fire remain hospitalized. The children, siblings, were identified as Jordan Beckham, 7, and Madison Branton, 9.

A famous LSU alumnus says the targeting penalty called on LSU linebacker Devin White is evidence there’s collusion between the Southeastern Conference and Alabama.  White will be suspended for the first half of Alabama game.  Professor James Carville says the botched targeting call on White benefits Alabama to the SEC’s delight and it’s unfair to LSU’s players

Cut 10 (14)  “…lifetime”

Outside counselors are helping Benton Elementary families discuss with children about the arrest of a teacher and coach, who have charged with rape and video voyeurism. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Authorities say a Fort Polk soldier was found transporting the dead body of his wife in the trunk of a vehicle. Two people have been arrested on multiple charges after Calcasieu Parish deputies conducted a traffic stop in Lake Charles after authorities received a tip of a woman driving around with a dead body in the trunk of a vehicle.  Sheriff Tony Mancuso says deputies found the body when searching the car and arrested the driver, 24-year-old Sarah Parker as well as the soldier passenger.

Cut 12 (11)   “…dump the body.”

A famous LSU alumnus says the targeting penalty called on LSU linebacker Devin White is evidence there’s collusion between the Southeastern Conference and Alabama. Professor James Carville says why is White facing a suspension, when over a week ago, Alabama’s Raekwon Davis was seen punching an opposing Missouri player and Davis was not ejected

Cut 9 (09)  “bad”

Because the penalty on White happened in the 4th quarter on Saturday, White will be suspended for the first half of Alabama game on November.

Authorities say a Fort Polk soldier was found transporting the dead body of his wife in the trunk of a vehicle. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the investigation continues with both his agency as well as the military.

Cut 13 (10) “…and continue on.”

Deputies say they found the body during traffic stop and arrested the driver, 24-year-old Sarah Parker as well as her passenger.

Two children are dead today and three people injured following a late night mobile home fire in Belle Chasse. State Fire Marshal spokesperson, Ashley Rodrigue, says a nine-year-old girl and seven-year-old boy died in the blaze on Highway 23…

Cut 3 (07) “…in the fire.” 

The three adults injured in the fire remain hospitalized.

The Bossier Parish School System says counselors and other support staff are helping families cope with the trauma associated with allegations that a teacher preyed on students. Psychologist Grady Bray says difficult conversations will be needed in the days ahead.

Cut 6 (12)  “…occurs.”

47-year-old Aubrey Norcross, who was also a coach, was arrested last week on charges of video voyeurism and rape involving two students at Benton.

LSU alumnus and Professor James Carville believes the targeting call on linebacker Devin White is another example of how the SEC is in collusion with Alabama.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Two children are dead today and three people injured following a late night mobile home fire in Belle Chasse. But State Fire Marshal spokesperson, Ashley Rodrigue, says authorities do not believe it was linked to a space heater.

Cut 4 (06) “…cold and heating.″

Benton Elementary School families have begun the healing process after a teacher and coach at the school was arrested on video voyeurism and rape charges. In response, outside counselors have been brought in by the Bossier Parish School Board, and are working with parents and students, including Psychologist Grady Bray who says parents need to keep an eye out for red flags…

  cut 8 (11) “…warning signs.”

47-year-old Aubrey Norcross was arrested in connection with the alleged crimes involving two separate students.

Early voting begins tomorrow for the November election and will stay open through next Tuesday, October 30^th from 830AM to 6PM every day except for Sunday the 28^th. If you’re lokoing to participate in early voting, you can drop by the parish Registrar of Voters Office or other designated locations that are available online, or through the voting app GeauxVote Mobile. Valid ID will be required.