Livingston Sheriff Jason Ard defends his decision to employ Dennis Perkins, who is in jail on sex crime charges. Matt Doyle reports Ard had a combative press conference with reporters today about an incident that happened with another child in 2013…
Cut 1 (30) “…Matt Doyle”

The other big story is tonight’s gubernatorial debate between John Bel Edwards and his Republican challenger Eddie Rispone. It will air on Louisiana Public Broadcasting at seven P-M. Early voting for the November 16th election begins Saturday.

The nation’s report card ranks Louisiana between 44th and 49th in math and reading assessments. However, the report shows the state has made more improvement than any other state in 8th-grade math. State Superintendent of Education John White says the findings indicate the state is turning around.
Cut 13 (12) “…answer is yes.”
Despite the improvement, eighth graders are still ranked 48th in the country.

In New Orleans, engineers are still trying to determine the best path towards bringing down the partially collapsed Hard Rock Hotel construction site. New Orleans Fire Chief Tim McConnell says the city has been hands-on with the analysis of the demolition plans…
cut 7 (09) “…active investigation”