1:30 LRN News November 8

Make sure to bring a photo ID when you head to the polls as early voting wraps up tomorrow. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the voting process is much faster than in the primaries due to a shorter ballot.

Cut 5 (09) “…moving very quickly.”

Election Day is November 16th.

Governor Edwards’ campaign is highlighting recent tweets from the White House touting the success of the Louisiana economy, a sentiment that runs counter to local Republican messaging.

Cross says the Edwards campaign has worked hard to sell a message that the state’s economy has been on the up since he took office, so…

Cut 7 (08) “…with it”

The tweets mention the state’s declining unemployment rate, increasing wages, and 21,000 jobs added since President Trump took office just a year after Governor Edwards’ election.

According to Stubhub, it’s the second hottest ticket of the year…. we’re talking about tickets to tomorrow’s Alabama-LSU game. As of this morning, fourteen hundred tickets were left and Adam Budelli with Stubhub says tickets for this game only follow in popularity to another game familiar to the Bayou state.

Cut 9 (13)  “…thru the rook.”

Ruston has secured a 17.2-million-dollar federal grant to connect the city to the Louisiana Tech campus with smart corridors. The grant will fund smart city technology along new streets, bike and walking paths. U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy announced the U.S. Department of Transportation grant for Ruston that will embed sensors that provide real-time data for traffic, parking and create a network to develop self-driving cars.

12:30 LRN News November 8

Saturday is the final day of early voting. The primaries saw 354,000 votes cast in the early voting period. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin expects the total for the early runoff voting to be around 400,000.  Ardoin believes the early voting trend will continue to grow.

Cut 4 (08) “…to Election Day.”

Governor Edwards’ campaign is highlighting recent tweets from the White House touting the success of the Louisiana economy, a sentiment that runs counter to local Republican messaging.

The tweets celebrate the state’s “booming” economy. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says that’s not helping Eddie Rispone, who is seeking to paint a grim picture of the state economy…

Cut 6 (10) “…this point”

A study predicts more oil rigs will populate the gulf in the coming years, but it won’t necessarily lead to more jobs for Louisianans. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 AM (30) “…Matt Doyle”

State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash yesterday that killed a woman from Elmer who was not wearing a seat belt.  A Mazda was eastbound on LA Hwy 488 when the driver lost control.  The only adult passenger, identified as 25-year-old Brooke Deville, was pronounced dead. The driver and a toddler, who was properly restrained in a child safety seat, survived and sustained only minor injuries.

11:30 LRN News November 8

Saturday is the final day of early voting.  Prior to the final two days of the early voting period, Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says more than 300,000 ballots have been cast for the runoff races thus far.

Cut 3 (12)   “…in early voting.”

Republicans already hold a super-majority in the Senate, but House runoffs between Democrats and Republicans could see five seats come to the GOP side. resulting in a super-majority for both chambers.  Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says that scenario looks favorable.

Cut 7 (10) “…will reach 70.”

And your chance to get into the LSU-Alabama game of the century is getting slim. Stubhub says there is only 1400 tickets left for the event

Department of Children and Family Services celebrates finding permanent homes for 893 foster care children over the last year. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash yesterday that killed a woman from Elmer who was not wearing a seat belt.  A Mazda was eastbound on LA Hwy 488 when the driver lost control.  The only adult passenger, identified as 25-year-old Brooke Deville, was pronounced dead. The driver and a toddler, who was properly restrained in a child safety seat, survived and sustained only minor injuries.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

It’s rivalry weekend for LSU and Saints fans. The Fighting Tigers take on Alabama tomorrow. The Bayou Bengals are looking to snap an eight-game losing streak to the Tide. Quarterback Joe Burrow says they need no extra motivation…
cut 13 (09) “…place”
Kick off is at 2:30.

The Saints face their biggest rival when they host the Falcons at noon. Atlanta is a dreadful one and seven, but they lead the NFL in passing yards. Coach Sean Payton says the Dirty Birds are still explosive…
Cut 16 (25) …situations’.

The Ragin Cajuns won their fourth straight game yesterday and they remain undefeated on the road this year as U-L Lafayette thumped Coastal Carolina 49-7. Levi Lewis threw three touchdown passes as the offense scored on all four of its first-half drives.

Louisiana Tech is coming off a bye and they are receiving votes in the AP and Top 25 coaches poll as they host North Texas tomorrow. The Bulldogs are in a position to win the West division in Conference, but Coach Skip Holtz says there are still four games left…
cut 19 (22) “…themselves”

In basketball tonight, LSU tips off a new season by hosting Bowling Green and the Pelicans face the Raptors at the Smoothie KIng Center.

10:30 AM Newscast

We’re just over a day away from a potentially season-defining game between no. 1 LSU and no. 2 Alabama, a game that could get QB Joe Burrow a Heisman. Despite playing three other top ten teams this year, there’s no doubt this is the biggest game of the year, every year for the Tigers. Burrow says they aren’t letting that get to their heads.

Cut 13 (09) “…place”

Tomorrow’s kickoff is at 2:30.
Republicans already hold a super-majority in the Senate, but House runoffs between Democrats and Republicans could see five seats come to the GOP side, resulting in a super-majority for both chambers.  Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says if Governor Edwards is reelected, unless he pushes an agenda that Republicans favor, it is questionable how much he will get done.
Cut 9 (12)  “…the first session.”
The LSU Center for Energy Studies is projecting employment in the oil and gas sectors will remain flat even as the industry as a whole sees expansion in the coming years. Study co-author, LSU professor Greg Upton, says because of changes in technology, Louisiana will likely never see the kinds of oil industry employment it had in the 70s, or even six years ago…
Cut 10 (11) “…technology.”
Upton says Louisiana saw peak industry employment in the 70s at 100,000, but that fell to 50,000 a few decades later, and roughly 30,000 after the 2014 crash.

Department of Children and Family Services is celebrating having found 893 foster care children permanent homes over the last year.   DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters highlights a 22 percent rise in teen adoptions, which can be a tough age group to find homes for.

Cut 4 (06) “…cool it is.”

9:30 AM Newscast

Seven Republicans are in runoffs for seats that could result in the House having a GOP super-majority. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash yesterday that killed a woman from Elmer who was not wearing a seat belt.  A Mazda was eastbound on LA Hwy 488 when the driver lost control.  The only adult passenger, identified as 25-year-old Brooke Deville, was pronounced dead. The driver and a toddler, who was properly restrained in a child safety seat, survived and sustained only minor injuries.

The LSU Center for Energy Studies is projecting employment in the oil and gas sectors will remain flat even as the industry as a whole sees expansion in the coming years. The Gulf of Mexico is expected to take on a larger share of U.S. oil production, rising from 66 percent of the nation’s production to 70 percent over the next decade, per the Advocate. But these numbers could be upended by factors outside of the state’s control. Study co-author, LSU professor Greg Upton says because so much of Louisiana’s energy sector is export-based…
Cut  12 (11) “…business” 
Department of Children and Family Services is celebrating having found 893 foster care children permanent homes over the last year.  The number is the second-highest on record and records had been set for adoption in the three previous years.   DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters credits the state’s 2016 transformation of its approach to foster care and adoption for the high numbers.
Cut 6 (03) “…it paid off.”

8:30 AM Newscast

LSU leaves Baton Rouge today for Alabama where they’ll play the Crimson Tide in a game that will decide who will win the SEC West. It’s been eight straight losses in the rivalry for LSU, but QB Joe Burrow says the weight of history isn’t pressing down on this team.

Cut 15 (13) “…us too.”

The Purple and Gold were embarrassed 29-0 in front of the home crowd last year. Tomorrow’s kickoff is at 2:30.
Republicans already hold a super-majority in the Senate, but House runoffs between Democrats and Republicans could see five seats come to the GOP side, resulting in a super-majority for both chambers.  Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says if Governor Edwards is reelected, unless he pushes an agenda that Republicans favor, it is questionable how much he will get done.
Cut 9 (12)  “…the first session.”
The LSU Center for Energy Studies is projecting employment in the oil and gas sectors will remain flat even as the industry as a whole sees expansion in the coming years. Study co-author, LSU professor Greg Upton says much of the loss of traditional oil sector jobs is being made up for in gains in the refining/manufacturing/export sector, which now employs people than oil production.

Cut 11 (10) “…years ago.”

Department of Children and Family Services is celebrating having found 893 foster care children permanent homes over the last year, with a 22 percent rise in teen adoptions and a two percent increase in sibling groups. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters credits the rise in adoption rates in those groups to the state’s partnership with the Dave Thomas Foundation, which pays for the department to have recruiters in every region of the state.

Cut 5 (11) “…made the difference.”

7:30 AM Newscast

We’re just around the corner from a potentially season-defining game between no. 1 LSU and no. 2 Alabama, a game that could get QB Joe Burrow a Heisman. The Purple and Gold were embarrassed 29-0 in front of the home crowd last year by Saban’s Crimson Tide. Burrow says this year’s team is a lot more experienced and prepared.
Cut 14 (11) “Joe” 
Kickoff is at 2:30PM.
House runoffs between Democrats and Republicans could see five seats come to the GOP side, resulting in a GOP super-majority for both chambers.  Two House runoffs see Republicans up against Independents Raymond Harris Jr. in District 50 and Roy Daryl Adams in District 62. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the GOP is putting an emphasis on the importance of those seats as well.

Cut 8 (11) “…running against Democrats.”

The LSU Center for Energy Studies is projecting employment in the oil and gas sectors will remain flat even as the industry as a whole sees expansion in the coming years. Study co-author, LSU professor Greg Upton, says because of changes in technology, Louisiana will likely never see the kinds of oil industry employment it had in the 70s, or even six years ago…
Cut 10 (11) “…technology.”
Upton says Louisiana saw peak industry employment in the 70s at 100,000, but that fell to 50,000 a few decades later, and roughly 30,000 after the 2014 crash.

Department of Children and Families Services is celebrating having found 893 foster care children permanent homes over the last year.  The number is the second highest on record, slightly trailing last year’s total of 912.   DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters highlights a 22 percent rise in teen adoptions, which can be a tough age group to find homes for.

Cut 4 (06) “…cool it is.”

6:30 PM Newscast

Republicans already hold a super-majority in the Senate, but House runoffs between Democrats and Republicans could see five seats come to the GOP side, resulting in a super-majority for both chambers.  Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says that scenario looks favorable.

Cut 7 (10) “…will reach 70.”

Seven Republicans are in runoffs that could determine a super-majority in the House.

We’re just around the corner from a potentially season-defining game between no. 1 LSU and no. 2 Alabama, a game that could get QB Joe Burrow a Heisman.  Despite playing three other top ten teams this year, there’s no doubt this is the biggest game of the year, every year for the Tigers. Burrow says they aren’t letting that get to their heads.

Cut 13 (09) “…place”

A study predicts more oil rigs will populate the gulf in the coming years, but it won’t necessarily lead to more jobs for Louisianans. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…Matt Doyle”

LRN Sportscast

LSU leaves Baton Rouge today for Alabama where they’ll play the Crimson Tide in a game that will decide who will win the SEC West. The Purple and Gold were embarrassed 29-0 in front of the home crowd last year by Saban’s Crimson Tide. Quarterback Joe Burrow says this year’s team is a lot more experienced and prepared.
Cut 14 (11) “Joe”
LSU also feels it can compete with Alabama along the line of scrimmage. We will find out at 2:30.

The Ragin Cajuns had their second straight dominating win as U-L Lafayette crushed Coastal Carolina 48-7 last night. Quarterback Levi Lewis had a big game, 296 yards passing and three touchdowns. U-L is now 7-and-2.

La Tech will look to improve to 8-and-1 when the Bulldogs host North Texas tomorrow. The Mean Green are led by Mason Fine, who has thrown 27 Tds.

After missing the last two games with a high ankle sprain, Saints running back Alvin Kamara is expected to play Sunday versus Atlanta. Latavius Murray did well filling in for the injured Kamara. Coach Sean Payton says they’ll be smart with how they use Kamara, but they have two backs they can count on…
cut 17 (25) “…rotation”
Cornerback Patrick Robinson and tight end Josh HIll were the only two players limited at practice yesterday.

High school football, Neville knocked off Huntington 56-6, Calvary Baptist crushed Arcadia 48-8, Oak Grove cut down Cedar Creek 55-16, Sterington shutout Carroll 28-zip and Alexandria defeated West Ouachita 35-13.