Although many people say this year’s governor’s election got off to a slow start, it appears the ad war is in full swing. It’s reported nearly 18,500 gubernatorial campaign ads have aired statewide as of October 5th. Michael Henderson with LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab says when you compare this race to the state’s last competitive open election in 2003, there are similarities…:
CUT 9 (09) “passed them up”
He says voters can expect to see a lot more negative ads as we approach election day October 24th.

Commissioner of Ag and Forestry Mike Strain says they are searching for the person who’s intentionally been starting fires in 6 parishes in northwest Louisiana. He says more than half of the fires they’ve been dealing with in the dry conditions were caused by arson…:
CUT 1 (09) “light another one”
He says thousands of acres have been burned but all fires are now contained.

Republican David Vitter will be missing tonight’s statewide televised LBP debate, while the other three candidates will be there. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

An LSU student has been booked into Parish Prison on a count of terrorizing after authorities say he was standing on top of the student union parking garage in camouflage and talking on a citizens band radio about guns and shootings. The threats lead to a lock down Tuesday of the garage according to university police. Bail has not been set for 21-year-old Richard Aaron Bee of Mandeville.