The National Retail Federation expects Halloween spending to reach a record 9.1 billion dollars this year. Ana Serafin Smith with the NRF says adults are spending about 46-dollars on costumes alone…:
Cut 4 (07) “or pets”
Smith says on average consumers are expected to spend $86.13 on candy.

Louisiana ranks 4th in the nation for states with the highest divorce rate, according to a report done by 24/7 Wall Street. Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at LSU Health New Orleans Michele Many says it’s not surprising as Louisiana has one of the highest poverty rates in the US:
Cut 25 (10) “more prevalent”
Many says communication is the biggest key to a long and happy marriage.

A hostage situation in Marksville ends with two people dead. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Today Governor John Bel Edwards announced Louisiana has received an A+ from Thumbtack in its 2017 report card on small business friendliness, ranking 4th in the nation. He says the state earned an A in 8 specific categories including ease of hiring new employees; friendliness of health and safety regulations; environmental regulations, and training and networking programs.