A new independent poll shows Governor Edwards within striking distance of winning re-election without a run-off. The survey of 500 chronic voters conducted last week has Edwards at 47-percent, and Republican challengers Ralph Abraham at 24-percent and Eddie Rispone at 16-percent. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says a factor in the race is that Abraham and Rispone do not have a lot of support in metro New Orleans and the Baton Rouge area and that’s not good for Rispone, who lives in the capital city.
Cut 7 (08)“. of today.” 
Pinsonat says 30-percent of white voters support Edwards, while 14-percent are undecided.
A tropical wave is expected to become a tropical depression by the weekend.  National Weather Service Slidell meteorologist Gavin Phillips says the wave could bring up to five inches of rain to some areas, but it is much welcomed.
Cut 5 (08) “…two weeks now.”

A poll by Alcohol.org shows Saints and Raiders fans are the heaviest drinkers, downing on average 4.5 alcoholic beverages on game day. Saints fans also reported a 54 percent increase in the amount they drink on gamedays relative to a normal day, but Haley, a seasoned New Orleans bartender, says due to New Orleans fans’ experience with alcohol, things tend to not get out of hand.
Cut 10 (08) “…mood.”
Saints fans reported the largest increase in gameday drinking, followed by Jets and Bills fans.

The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration says cases of road rage that lead to a fatal crash has increased nearly 500-percent in a decade. State Police Trooper Monroe Dillon says they’ve noticed…
cut 13 (11) “…if you will”
Dillon says if you see road rage happening, dial star L-S-P or call 9-1-1.