Affiliates, please note the change in the second story of the 12:30 newscast. The previous story reported on a man who was missing but has since been located. The audio has also been updated on our website.

The latest Triumph Campaigns poll doesn’t show a lot of change in the governor’s race. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says one of their agents rescued 8 people from the Gulf of Mexico in Vermilion Parish. They say on September 6th, a vessel began taking on water near Pecan Island, and as the agent was on his way there, he rescued a man in mud up to his waist in the pouring rain. He then saw two other people he got into his boat, then went to the original call and saved three more. In total the agent saved 8 people that day.

Nearly three million people watched the telecast of NBC’s Running Wild with Bear Grylls which featured New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. One person who was surprised by the Monday night episode was Saints head coach Sean Payton. Payton says the show was a lot different than what was described to him…
CUT 9 (08) “pretty unbelievable”
As part of the episode, Brees, with the help of Grylls, jumped on the back of a live crocodile and stabbed it. Payton isn’t too happy about it.

The Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office says it has concerns over alcohol use at Muddy Bottoms ATV Recreation park where two people died over the weekend. Toxicology reports from the bodies are pending, but authorities say they plan to look at alcohol policies at the off-roading site.

The latest Triumph Campaigns poll doesn’t show a lot of change in the governor’s race. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office is looking for a United States Homeland Security officer who has gone missing from Houma. They say a family member contacted them this week and reported that 40-year-old Stadford Burnham was nowhere to be found. A release indicates Burnham hasn’t been to work since August 31st. Anyone with information concerning Burnham’s whereabouts is urged to contact authorities.

Nearly three million people watched the telecast of NBC’s Running Wild with Bear Grylls which featured New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. One person who was surprised by the Monday night episode was Saints head coach Sean Payton. Payton says the show was a lot different than what was described to him…
CUT 9 (08) “pretty unbelievable”
As part of the episode, Brees, with the help of Grylls, jumped on the back of a live crocodile and stabbed it. Payton isn’t too happy about it.

The Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office says it has concerns over alcohol use at Muddy Bottoms ATV Recreation park where two people died over the weekend. Toxicology reports from the bodies are pending, but authorities say they plan to look at alcohol policies at the off-roading site.

The latest Triumph Campaigns poll on the governor’s race shows that voter preference hasn’t changed significantly. The survey shows Democrat John Bel Edwards with 31.4-percent, and Republican David Vitter with 30.6-percent — a statistical tie for the lead. Pollster Justin Brasell says the two are beginning to claim key voting blocks…:
CUT 3 (12) “everybody else”
The two other Republicans are running a distant third and fourth with Scott Angelle polling at 14-percent and Jay Dardenne at 13-percent.

According to US News & World Report’s 2016 rankings of the nation’s top colleges, LSU was ranked NO. 129, holding steady from the previous list. Tulane was the only Louisiana university to make the top 100, coming in at No. 41. Louisiana Tech improved its ranking over last year to 199.

AT&T announces plans to provide internet access to almost 75-thousand rural Louisiana businesses and homes over the next six years. Director of External and Regulatory Affairs Rick Demint says they’ll be getting almost 28 million dollars from the federal government and AT&T will also provide financial resources…:
CUT 6 (10) “rural areas”
He says it might be a while before everything is in place, but help from the federal government is making it possible to get done.

The State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating a blaze in Calcasieu Parish which ripped through a home Tuesday afternoon and claimed the life of a Vinton woman. They say firefighters responded to the blaze then later discovered the lifeless body of 65-year-old Susan Deconge. A neighbor told investigators they saw the victim run inside the phone in an attempt to extinguish the blaze, but never came out.

50 years ago today, Hurricane Betsy made landfall in southeast Louisiana. It was one of the most destructive hurricanes in the state history, killing 75 people and causing over one billion dollars worth of damage. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the storm flooded areas of New Orleans and then made its way up towards the capital city….
cut 6 (12) “…miles an hour”
Betsy’s strongest wind gust was 145-miles per hour when it made landfall, that’s stronger than what Hurricane Katrina brought to Louisiana.

Louisiana National Guard Staff Sergeant Thomas Florich has been laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. If you recall, the Army initially denied Florich’s family’s request to be buried at Arlington. Florich was one of eleven people who died in a Black Hawk helicopter crash near Pensacola last March. The Army originally refused the request, because Florich was not technically on active duty at the time of the accident.

Governor Jindal could be gaining support in Iowa. An NBC/Marist Poll shows the governor with four percent of the vote, while a Gravis Poll has Jindal at 5 percent. Gravis Marketing President Doug Kaplan says there is time for Jindal or another candidate to catch up with the frontrunners..
cut 11 (09) “anyone’s guess”
Kaplan says Jindal isn’t doing well in the national polls but those don’t really matter at this point in the race.

LSU announces its refund plan for those who had tickets to the cancelled McNeese State game. Emelie Gunn has the story…
voicer 5 (25) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

The three major Republican candidates in the Lt. Governor’s race have qualified for this fall’s election. Opelousas state Senator Elbert Guillory, Jefferson Parish President John Young, and Former Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser filed their paperwork Tuesday morning. Nungesser says he looks forward to collaborating with people statewide to keep the state’s tourism industry strong…

cut 9 (09) “it happen”

Democrat Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden is expected to qualify this afternoon.

Two new polls show Governor Bobby Jindal’s presidential campaign gaining more support in Iowa. An NBC/Marist Poll shows Jindal receiving four percent of the vote and a Gravis Poll has him at 5 percent. Gravis Marketing President Doug Kaplan says Jindal still has to make a move. He says in the past other low ranking candidates were able to rise to the top in Iowa…

cut 12 (07) “or Santorum”

The Iowa caucuses will be held February 1st.

State Police say a two-vehicle crash in Lafourche Parish has left one man dead and another seriously injured. They say 63-year-old Steven Galliano of Cut Off was backing his SUV out of a driveway on US 90 when he pulled into the path of a car driven by 45-year-old Keifer Bonvillain of Houma. The car struck the SUV on the driver’s side. Galliano was pronounced dead at the scene. Bonvillain was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. The crash investigation is ongoing.

50 years ago today Hurricane Betsy made landfall in Louisiana. Emelie Gunn has more on the devastating storm…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Three men have signed up to be the state’s next Lieutenant Governor. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Natchitoches Police Department is investigating the shooting death of a teenager. They say 17-year-old DeMarcus Pye was found lying in a ditch suffering from two apparent gunshot wounds. Pye, a 10th grader at Natchitoches Central High School, was pronounced dead at the scene. It’s reported that the shooting occurred after a fight broke out near where Pye was found. The police investigation is ongoing and they believe arrests may be forthcoming.

Hurricane Betsy made landfall in Louisiana 50 years ago today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says forecasters knew the storm was coming, but not many residents were prepared to leave New Orleans…

cut 5 (10) “that great”

He says Betsy was the signature storm of New Orleans and a turning point for the city up until Hurricane Katrina.

LSU announces its refund plan for those who had tickets to the cancelled McNeese State game. Brian Broussard, head of the LSU athletic ticket office, says if you’re a season ticket holder or purchased the tickets through LSU with a credit card, you will automatically be issued a refund on your credit card account by September 30th. He says Athletic Director Joe Alleva believes a refund is the right thing to do in this case…

cut 15 (08) “we could”

If you paid by cash or check through LSU, you’ll need to show proof of purchase.

The three major Republican candidates in the Lt. Governor’s race – Opelousas state Senator Elbert Guillory, Former Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser, and Jefferson Parish President John Young – qualified for this fall’s election Tuesday morning. Young says, if elected, he’s eager to work with the new administration…

cut 8 (10) “and retire”

Democrat Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden is expected to qualify later today.

Governor Bobby Jindal may be gaining support in Iowa. An NBC/Marist Poll shows the governor with four percent of the vote, while a Gravis Poll has Jindal at 5 percent. Gravis Marketing President Doug Kaplan says there is plenty of time left for Jindal or another candidate to catch up and take the lead…

cut 11 (09) “anyone’s guess”

Kaplan says Jindal isn’t doing well in the national polls but those don’t really matter at this point in the race.

Today is the 50th anniversary of Hurricane Betsy making landfall in Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Betsy was the signature storm of New Orleans and a turning point for the city up until Hurricane Katrina. He says the hurricane made landfall at night and created major flooding across the region…

cut 4 (12) “top of it”

Keim says Betsy was a defining moment for the Crescent City and should be remembered.

LSU has released its plans for refunding those who had tickets for Saturday’s cancelled McNeese State football game. Head of the LSU athletic ticket office, Brian Broussard, says If you bought a ticket for the game through the office with cash or check, then you’ll need to show proof of purchase before getting a refund…

cut 14 (07) “that transaction”

If you’re a season ticket holder or purchased tickets through LSU with a credit card, you will automatically be issued a refund on your credit card account by September 30th.

A couple of new polls show Governor Bobby Jindal gaining more support in Iowa. An NBC/Marist Poll shows four percent of Iowa caucus-goers plan on voting for Jindal and a Gravis Poll shows him at 5 percent. Gravis Marketing President Doug Kaplan…

cut 10 (09) “nearly anyone”

Kaplan says Donald Trump is the front runner in their poll with 32 percent.

The three major Republican candidates in the Lt. Governor’s race qualified for this fall’s election Tuesday morning. Opelousas state Senator Elbert Guillory says he has over 45 years of experience in law and government and is excited about the race…

cut 7 (05) “raring to go”

Jefferson Parish President John Young and former Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser also qualified yesterday. Democrat Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden is expected to qualify this afternoon.

LSU has released its plans for refunding those who had tickets for Saturday’s cancelled McNeese State football game. Brian Broussard, the head of the LSU athletic ticket office, says If you purchased the tickets through LSU with a credit card or if you’re a season ticket holder, you will automatically be issued a refund on your credit card account by September 30th…

cut 13 (07) “on record”

If you paid for a ticket for the McNeese State game through the LSU ticket office with cash or check, then you’ll need to show proof of purchase before getting a refund.