Early voting begins today for the November 18th general election….
Cut 1 (34) “…Teiko Foxx.”

I-55 northbound where seven people were killed on October 23rd when 169 vehicles crashed into each other during low visibility remain closed for at least another two weeks. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett…
cut 30 (10) “…repave it”
Work will begin next week.

The Louisiana Wildlife Commission officially adopts a Notice of Intent to permit a Black Bear Hunting season in Louisiana. LDWF Large Carnivore Program Manager John Hanks says the proposed hunting season would be held for 16 days in December in northeast Louisiana and limited to ten hunters.
Cut 10 (12) “…your bear.”
Hunters who win the lottery will only be allowed to kill ten bears total in an area that covers Tensas, Madison, East and West Carroll Parishes, and portions of Richland, Franklin, and Catahoula Parishes.

Four people have been arrested in a deadly dog attack in Bienville Parish. Sheriff John Ballance says the victim is 40-year-old Donovan Brooks and the four people arrested were owners of 26 different dogs…
cut 15 (09) “…the action”
The dogs are at a holding facility until a judge decides their fate.

Early voting begins today for the November 18th general election. Teiko Foxx has more on what you should know…

Cut 1 (34) “…Teiko Foxx.”

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 The next few days will be exciting for LSU Sports Fans especially The Traveling Tigers. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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The Louisiana Wildlife Commission adopts a Notice of Intent to allow for a Black Bear Hunting season in December of 2024. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Early voting for the November 18th general election begins today and wraps up November 11th. John Tobler with the Secretary of State’s office says early voting usually starts on Saturday but a state holiday next week is moving the early voting period up a day…

Cut 4 (09) “…early voting.”

Polls at early voting locations around the state will be open 8:30 am and close at 6 pm until Saturday November 11th, except for Sunday or next Friday which will be a state holiday because of Veterans Day.

Registered voters can cast their ballots in person at the parish Registrar of Voters Office or other designated locations in your parish. Tobler says every person in the state – no matter what parish has something on their ballot.

Cut 5 (12) “…constitutional amendments.”

Louisiana has nearly three million registered voters and the voter turnout in October was 36-percent.

Tobler says the Secretary of State’s Office expects a lower turnout for this election but they hope the voters prove them wrong…

Cut 6 (07) “…their democracy.”

Voters are encouraged to use the Geaux Vote App or Geaux Bot for sample ballots and voting locations. You can also visit geauxvote.com for more information.

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LSU Sports Fans are looking at an exciting few days upcoming. Traveling Tigers are headed to Tuscaloosa as the Tigers take on Alabama Saturday. LSU Alumni Association President, Joe Carvilhado (Carve-uh-leedo) says fans know their seats will be in the upper levels but they just want to be there…

Cut 7 (09) “…for tickets.”

Carvilhado says LSU – Alabama has always been a big, exciting game. It’s an event that attracts people for all over. Many LSU fans will be meeting the Traveling Tigers from places like Atlanta and Birmingham…

Cut 8 (07) “…in Alabama.” 

On Monday, the Traveling Tigers head to Las Vegas for the Lady Tiger Basketball season opener. Carvilhado says the desire to travel and the demand for Lady Tiger Basketball tickets is unforeseen and they are adding more trips…

Cut 9 (08)  “…Tennessee.”

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The Louisiana Wildlife Commission officially adopts a Notice of Intent to permit a Black Bear Hunting season to return to Louisiana. LDWF Large Carnivore Program Manager John Hanks says it will be next December in northeast Louisiana, for 16 days and limited to ten hunters.

Cut 10 (12) “…your bear.”

It will only be allowed in Tensas, Madison, East and West Carroll Parishes, and portions of Richland, Franklin, and Catahoula Parishes.

The estimated Black Bear population in Louisiana is 1,200.

Hanks says the limit of ten was chosen with the belief that if those killed were all female it would not destabilize the state’s Black Bear population. But they hope the majority of the ones harvested are male.

Cut 11 (09) “…in decades.” 

A Black Bear hunting season hasn’t been allowed since the late 80s in Louisiana. Hanks says lottery winners for the proposed limited December 2024 season will have to undergo training first.

Cut 12 (06) “…in Louisiana.” 

A 90-day commenting period must take place before the season is officially adopted. The lottery is expected to take place next Fall.

To learn more about what to do if you see a bear or how to avoid an encounter visit bearwise.org.

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The Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested four individuals and seized more than 20 dogs from a Ringgold home in connection with the death of 40-year-old Donovan Brooks. Sheriff John Ballance says they believe Brooks was killed in a gruesome dog attack.

Cut 13 (12) “…the woods.”

Dog owners, 77-year-old Charlotte Hubbard and 22-year-old Shawn Hubbard, along with 51-year-old Gerald Miller face negligent homicide and obstruction charges. 21-year-old Cameron Kelly is charged with accessory after the fact.

Ballance says Brooks’ wallet was found near the scene after he was reported missing. It’s believed Brooks’ was attacked, the day before the same dogs attacked 30-year-old Davyta Gray of Ringgold on September 27th. Ballance says Gray is recovering from severe injuries.

In addition to 26 dogs seized from the home, several deceased canines were also found.

Cut 14 (07) “…being down.”

The last day Brooks was reportedly seen was September 26^th but was not entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) by Ringgold Police until October 19^th.

While it’s not the first case involving vicious dogs Ballance has investigated, he says it is among the most gruesome in his career.

Cut 15 (09) “…the action.”

In the meantime, the dogs are at a holding facility until a judge decides their fate.

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The anticipation continues to build towards Saturday’s night SEC clash between 8th ranked Alabama and 14th ranked LSU. Tigers running back and former Rummel star Logan Diggs is looking forward to his first game against the Crimson Tide…..

Cut 16 (11) “…real fun.”

Sophomore Mason Taylor was one of the heroes in last year’s overtime win over Alabama. Taylor scored the two-point conversion that won the game and he knows what to expect in this matchup…

Cut 17 (04) “….other game.”

Kick-off is at 6:45.

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The Saints are looking to put together back-to-back solid offensive performances when they host the Chicago Bears on Sunday. New Orleans scored a season-high 38 points at Indianapolis last Sunday. Quarterback Derek Carr says very few mental mistakes was the key…

Cut 18 (17) “…win the game.” 

The Saints had 511 yards of total offense against the Colts. Carr says it was great to move the ball, but scoring touchdowns once in the red zone was even better…

Cut 19 (06) “…move the ball.” 

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ULM and Southern Miss go after their first conference win of the season Saturday when they meet in Hattiesburg, Both teams have not won a game since September. Warhawks Coach Terry Bowden says his coaching staff has been working hard to keep the team’s morale up…

Cut 20 (19) “…that win.” 

Work to repair Interstate 55 where 168 vehicles piled up during a super fog mix in St. John the Baptist Parish late last month will take another two weeks to complete. I-55 northbound remains closed but Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says contractors will start repairs next week.

Cut 10 (09) “…repave it.”

Mallet says they’ll need to shut down the southbound portion near the crash site for a six-hour period this weekend.

Governor John Bel Edwards and Colonel Lamar Davis officially broke ground on a new $100 million state-of-the-art State Police Crime Lab this morning. And while it’s called the State Police Crime Lab, Governor Edwards says 200 agencies statewide submit evidence in addition to LSP investigations.

Cut 4 (08) “…the state.”

The new facility will replace the existing lab that’s four decades old.

Louisiana First Lady Donna Edwards and the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services kicked off National Adoption Month by honoring 465 families who adopted 619 children during the past year. DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks…

Cut 6 (13) “…their own”

Of the 465 families adopting, 133 are single parents who adopted 175 of the 619 children.

Louisiana remains the epicenter of drought in the country, according to today’s U-S drought monitor.  State Climatologist Barry Keim…

Cut 12 (09) “..this case”  

The weather forecast for next week does not call for any significant chance of rain.

Today’s updated U-S drought monitor shows Louisiana remains the epicenter for drought in the United States. State Climatologist Barry Keim says 99-percent of Louisiana is in some stage of drought…

Cut 11 (05) “…two classes.”

Keim says since August 1st, on average only five inches of rain has fallen across the state.

Another two weeks of repairs to portions of Interstate 55 between Ponchatoula and LaPlace are expected. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallet says Crews will switch lane closures near the site of the 168 vehicle crash in St. John the Baptist parish. Mallet says traffic will taper down to the right lane near the crash site as crews begin to repair the left lane. Mallet says traffic will taper down to the right lane near the crash site as crews begin to repair the left lane.

Cut 9 (10) “…the workers.” 

It’s National Adoption Month and the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services and First Lady Donna Edwards honored this year’s Adoption Award winners including two Adoptive Families of the Year, two Community Partners of the Year, Advocate of the Year, Adoption Worker of the Year, and Adoption Region of the Year. DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks encourages Louisianans to become a nurturing family for a child in need of a safe home.

Cut 7 (12) “…adoptive family.” 

Brittany Spears fans have a chance to own part of her childhood. The Kentwood home where she grew up hit the market this week. The 2300 sq foot Ranch style home sits on almost 2 acres and still has many of the furnishings that were there while Brittany lived there. If you’re interested, it has 1 point 2 million dollar price tag.

DOTD is expecting it will take another two weeks to repair portions of Interstate 55 damaged by the 168-vehicle pileup that killed seven people in St. John the Baptist Parish. I-55 South is currently open but spokesperson Rodney Mallet says they’ll need to shut it down for a six-hour period this weekend where traffic is currently reduced to one lane.

Cut 8 (12) “…or so.” 

The weather forecast for the next week does not call for any significant chance of rain. Keim says an El Nino climate pattern is expected to continue into the winter and he says that should result about normal precipitation

Cut 13 (12) “…in yet.”

Governor Edwards and Colonel Lamar Davis officially broke ground on the site of the new State Police Crime Lab this morning. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (00)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Brittany Spears fans have a chance to own part of her childhood. The Kentwood home where she grew up hit the market this week. The 2300 sq foot Ranch style home sits on almost 2 acres and still has many of the furnishings that were there while Brittany lived there. If you’re interested, it has 1 point 2 million dollar price tag.

A revised US drought monitor shows 88-percent of the state is under extreme or exception drought. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

DOTD is expecting it will take another two weeks to repair portions of Interstate 55 damaged by the 168-vehicle pileup that killed seven people in St. John the Baptist Parish. I-55 northbound remains closed. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallet says partial deck replacement is needed. He say contractors will start next week and repairs could take up to two weeks to complete.

Cut 10 (09) “…repave it.”

Governor John Bel Edwards and Colonel Lamar Davis officially broke ground on the site of the new State Police Crime Lab this morning. In the past year alone, the current lab has taken on more than 16-thousand new cases and it’s often the data processed that will decide one’s guilt or innocence. In addition to solving crimes, Edwards says the facility plays another vital role…

Cut 5 (08) “ …as well.”  

It’s National Adoption Month and the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services and First Lady Donna Edwards honored 465 families who have adopted 619 children from foster care this year. DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks says the ultimate goal is to find safe and permanent homes and families for children through adoption.

Cut 6 (13) “…their own”

Governor Edwards and Colonel Lamar Davis officially broke ground on the site of the new $100 million State Police Crime Lab this morning. And while it’s called the State Police Crime Lab, Edwards says 200 agencies routinely submit evidence in addition to LSP investigations.

Cut 4 (08) “…the state.”

It will be constructed at LSP Headquarters in Baton Rouge.

DOTD expects it will take another two weeks to repair portions of I-55 South after the massive car pile-up in St. John the Baptist Parish last month. Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says traffic will taper to the right lane near the crash site as crews begin to repair the left lane.

Cut 9 (10) “…the workers.” 

If no new damage is found on the northern-bound portion, repairs will begin next week and could take up to two weeks to complete.

Today’s updated U-S drought monitor shows Louisiana remains the epicenter for drought in the United States. State Climatologist Barry Keim says 99 percent of Louisiana is in some stage of drought…

Cut 11 (05) “…two classes.”

Keim says since August 1st, on average only five inches of rain has fallen across the state.

The 14th-ranked LSU Tigers are preparing for a tough game on Saturday against SEC West Rival Alabama. The Tigers need to beat the 8th-ranked Crimson Tide in order to keep their hopes alive of repeating as SEC West champs. Tigers linebacker Greg Penn is expecting a physical contest…

Cut 16 (12) “…walking into.”

Kickoff in Tuscaloosa is 6:45.

Governor John Bel Edwards and Colonel Lamar Davis officially broke ground today on a new 100-million dollar State Police Crime Lab in Baton Rouge. The state-of-the-art facility will replace the existing lab that’s four decades old. Davis says a new facility is needed to help in crime fighting……
cut 3 (12) “…the future.”
The new facility is expected to be completed in three years.

The state Department of Transportation says it will take another two weeks to complete repairs on I-55 where 168 vehicles were involved in a pileup that killed seven people in St. John the Baptist Parish. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallet says northbound will remain closed for two weeks and southbound will have to be closed for a short period this weekend…
cut 8 (12) “…or so”

It’s National Adoption Month and the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services says 465 families have adopted 619 children from foster care in the last year. DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks says the need continues for additional families to care for foster children…
cut 7 (12) “…adoptive family”
For more information on foster parenting and adoption go to DCFS’s website.