Qualifying for the November 4th election got under way at 8 this morning in Baton Rouge. In one of the more competitive high profile races this fall is in the fifth district with Congressman Vance McAllister whose challengers include Democratic Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo and Republicans Ralph Abraham, Harris Brown, and Zach Dasher. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan feels McAllister is facing an uphill battle…:
CUT 8 (12) “any credible way”
In the US Senate race, political analyst Clandy Dubos says tea party favorite Rob Maness will have a significant impact on the Landrieu/Cassidy battle…:
CUT 5 (12) “in December”
Qualifying ends Friday.

Common Core got another victory on Monday as a judge ruled in favor of parents who said Governor Bobby Jindal is outside his authority when he suspended the test associated with the education standards.
An attorney for the plaintiffs, Stephen Kupperman, says three of his clients took the stand…:
CUT 11 (07) “of the testimony”
Jindal’s office says they plan to appeal.

State Police arrest a Leesville man who allegedly was planning to purchase a 10-year-old child for sexual reasons. Spokesman Scott Moreau says an investigation garnered a search warrant at the home of 66-year-old Ernest Kickel Jr…:
CUT 14 (09) “a minor child”
Kickle is charged with attempted aggravated rape and trafficking of children for sexual purposes.