People are not procrastinating when it comes to voting in the presidential election. People are showing up in droves on this, the first day of early voting. These people cast their ballots at the Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge.

Cut 6 (08) “…got it done.”

If your parish has multiple early voting locations, you can vote at any one of them. On Election Day, you will need to vote at your specific precinct. Early voting runs until October 29th; the polls are closed on Sundays.

The Louisiana National Guard held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new readiness center at Chennault International Airport in Lake Charles. Colonel Scott Slaven says the original facility has been around since the 1950s…

Cut 3 (12) “…train our soldiers.”

As teams take the field for Friday night high school football tonight, the LHSAA issues a warning for players and coaches – be on your best behavior, or else. Executive Director Eddie Bonine (BO-nine) says if anyone gets out of hand, there will be consequences.

Cut 7 (14) “…for a game.”

Bonine’s warning comes after players from Comeaux and North Vermillion got into a fight on the field following the conclusion of their game last week. Both teams are forfeiting their games this week, costing Teurlings Catholic High School its homecoming game.

The Saints didn’t wait until Sunday to ruin your weekend; they did so last night, getting blown out by Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos, 33-10. The Saints were without nearly all of their top players due to injury, including all-pro receiver Rashid Shaheed, who will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Voter turnout for this presidential election is expected to be heavy so you may want to participate in early voting which begins today. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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A warning as you make your way to your high school football game tonight – be on your best behavior, or else. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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With increased popularity in whole home generators comes increased strain on natural gas infrastructure. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Early Voting begins today, and you may want to consider it since presidential elections typically have the highest participation in Louisiana. Secretary of State Nancy Landry expects a 68 to 71% turnout, and she says the state’s award-winning app, GeauxVote, can help with many important election related topics…

Cut 4 (11) “…vote dot com.”

The app and website will list all the early voting locations. If your parish has more than one site, you can early vote at any site in your parish. Election day voters must vote at their precinct. Either way, Landry says you can be sure your vote will be secure.

Cut 5 (11) “…will be counted.”

Landry says Louisiana’s high ranking is due to the 4 Ps of election security – the people of the state agencies involved are the only ones who can touch the machines, the policies and procedures including Voter ID laws and anti-ballot-harvesting, and physical security which says voting machines are never connected to the internet and…

Cut 6 (08) “…every election.”

Early voting continues through October 29 every day except Sundays.

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As teams take to the field for Friday night high school football tonight, the LHSAA issues a warning for players and coaches – be on your best behavior, or else. Executive Director Eddie Bonine (BO-nine) says if anyone gets out of hand, there will be consequences.

Cut 7 (14) “…for a game.”

Bonine’s warning comes after players from Comeaux and North Vermillion got into a fight on the field following the conclusion of their game last week. Both teams are forfeiting their games this week, and Bonine says that unfortunately comes with some collateral damage.

Cut 8 (09) “…anybody playing homecoming?”

Bonine says his same warning goes for the fans in the stands.

Cut 9 (11)  “…do with it.”

Bonine says on a positive note, the number of fights at sporting events has gone down the last two years. Still, he says even one is too many.

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Whole home generators are all the rage here in Louisiana, especially when the power goes out. Unfortunately, they’re taking a toll on natural gas supplies. Public Service Commissioner Mike Francis says during Hurricane Francine, people in a subdivision in Thibodaux overloaded the city’s natural gas infrastructure.

Cut 10 (08) “…the generators going.”

Francis says improving the natural gas infrastructure is going to take money – money that gas customers will need to help out with.

Cut 11 (10) …a reliable system.”

Francis says other utilities have strengthened their infrastructures – now it’s time for natural gas to do the same thing.

Cut 12 (07) “…with natural gas.”

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The eighth ranked LSU Tigers will be Fayetteville tomorrow night to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks. This game always means more for the fans of Arkansas and running back Josh Williams is expecting a hostile crowd inside Razorback Stadium…

Cut 13 (12)  “..pretty chippy.”

It’s the annual Battle for the Boot. The winner of the game gets to possess a 200-pound trophy molded to resemble the states of Louisiana and Arkansas. Williams says it’s important for LSU to keep the Golden Boot

Cut 14 (13) “…want it.”

Arkansas is another test for LSU’s defense. The Razorbacks are third in the SEC in total offense and they’ll play up tempo. Tigers Safety Jardin Gilbert…

Cut 15 (10) “…physical team.”

Kick-off is at 6 PM.

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The Ragin Cajuns take their 5-and-1 record on the road to play Coastal Carolina at 11 AM central time on Saturday. It’s been a good first half of the season for Coach Michael Desormeaux’s team, but he says they haven’t done anything yet…

Cut 16 (19)   “…perform.”

Coastal Carolina is coming off a 39 to 7 loss to James Madison. But Desormeaux says they looked good in their five previous games…

Cut 17 (15) “…being motivated.”

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Missing nearly all their top players, the Saints were no match for the Broncos, losing last night at the Superdome 33-10. After the game, Saints coach Dennis Allen didn’t mince words.

Cut 18 (16)  “…game went along.”

The game was even more lopsided than the final score indicates – the Saints scored their lone touchdown with 1:22 left in the game on a Jake Haener 12-yard pass to Cedrick Wilson Jr., well after the game was out of hand. Before being pulled late in the game, Spencer Rattler completed 25 passes out of 35 attempts for 172 yards. While he didn’t throw any interceptions, he was sacked six times and lost two fumbles, one of which was run back for a touchdown. Alvin Kamara gained only 10 yards rushing and 14 yards receiving. Coach Allen said nothing is going right for the team right now.

Cut 19 (14) “…job of tackling.”  

The Saints welcomed back a pair of old friends to the Superdome – Drew Brees, who was inducted into the team’s hall of fame, and Sean Payton, who’s now coaching the Broncos. Coach Payton says it was a special return to the Superdome.

Cut 20 (17) “…miss making memories.” 

Before the game, the Saints got some bad news when they learned that all-pro punt returner Rashid Shaheed would miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. During the game, cornerback Paulson Adebo broke his femur, and Marshon Lattimore exited with a hamstring injury. The Saints lost their fifth straight to fall to 2-5 on the season. They’ll try to right the ship a week from Sunday in Los Angeles against the Chargers.

DOTD is sending crews to Florida to help in the recovery following Hurricane Milton. Spokesman Rodney Mallett says this is a way for Louisiana to return the favor after crews from other states descended upon the Pelican State to help in the cleanup following Hurricane Laura.

Cut 4 (11) “…in and assist.”

Mallett says the crews have a great deal of experience in removing vegetative debris, just like in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura.

The largest free fair in the country is underway. The Washington Parish Free Fair goes through Sunday in Franklinton. Jim Stringfield, who serves on the fair’s stage committee, says the fair routinely attracts some big name entertainers, and this year is no different.

Cut 12 (08) “…as well.”

People from all over flock to the small town of about 35-hundred.

50 Cent met with Governor Landry yesterday to talk about the film industry’s tax credits that may be going away with Landry’s proposed tax reform plan. State law allows for 180-million dollars in film tax credits to be claimed and each project can receive up to 40-percent of their overall in-state investment. Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson says studies show these types of programs are fiscally a net loss.

Cut 8 (12) “…changing the system.”

Early voting in the presidential election begins tomorrow. Congresswoman Julia Letlow says the right to vote is one of the most precious rights for us as Americans.

Cut 10 (05) “…on your ballot.”

Early voting in Louisiana lasts ten days, with no voting taking place on Sunday. Election Day is November 5th.

DOTD is sending crews to Florida to help with the cleanup following Hurricane Milton. Andrew Greenstein has more.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Sean Payton returns to the Superdome tonight as the head coach of the Broncos, but for the Saints they are looking to snap a four-game losing streak. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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DOTD is sending crews to Florida to help in the recovery following Hurricane Milton. Spokesman Rodney Mallett says crews will be sent from across the whole state.

Cut 3 (11) “…them remove debris.”

Mallett says this is a way for Louisiana to return the favor after crews from other states descended upon the Pelican State to help in the cleanup following Hurricane Laura.

Cut 4 (11) “…in and assist.”

Mallett says crews are bracing for a massive cleanup job.

Cut 5 (09) “…there as well.”

Mallett says the crews have a great deal of experience in removing vegetative debris, just like in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura.

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Rapper, TV producer, and businessman, Curtis “50 cent” Jackson met with Governor Jeff Landry on Wednesday. Jackson established a 985-thousand-square-foot-production studio in Shreveport and he’s also purchased several properties in downtown Shreveport. Louisiana Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson…

Cut 6 (09) “…come from it.”

In a social media post, Landry said Louisiana is lucky to have someone like Jackson investing in the state’s economy. 50-cent may have traveled to Baton Rouge to talk to Landry about the state’s film tax credit program that could be drastically changed or possibly eliminated because of the governor’s tax reform plan. Nelson says they are looking at all tax credits

Cut 7 (11) “…for the taxpayers”

Jackson opened G-Unit Studios in Shreveport last April and he’s invested over two million dollars in the city. State law allows for 180-million dollars in film tax credits to be claimed and each project can receive up to 40-percent of their overall in-state investment. But Nelson says studies show these types of programs are fiscally a net loss …

Cut 8 (12) “…changing the system.”

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Early voting in the presidential election begins tomorrow. Congresswoman Julia Letlow is urging you to do your civic duty.

Cut 9 (10)  “…exercise that right.”

Letlow says the right to vote is one of the most precious rights for us as Americans.

Cut 10 (05) “…on your ballot.”

Congressional districts have changed, so go to GeauxVote-dot-com to find out who’s on your ballot. Early voting in Louisiana lasts ten days, with no voting taking place on Sunday. Election Day is November 5th.

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The largest free fair in the country is underway. The Washington Parish Free Fair goes through Sunday in Franklinton. Jim Stringfield, who serves on the fair’s stage committee, says when they say free, they mean free.

Cut 11 (10) “…from the area.”

The fair routinely attracts some big name entertainers, and this year is no different.

Cut 12 (08) “…as well.”

And with absolutely no admission cost, people from all over flock to the small town of about 35-hundred in the northeast corner of South Louisiana.

Cut 13 (08) “…four-day gap.” 

And the weather this weekend is expected to be perfect; so you can expect the fair grounds to be bustling.

50 Cent met with Governor Landry yesterday to talk about the film industry’s tax credits that may be going away with Landry’s proposed tax reform plan. Louisiana Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson…

Cut 6 (09) “…come from it.”

The rapper, TV producer, and businessman, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, established a 985-thousand-square-foot-production studio in Shreveport and he’s also purchased several properties in downtown Shreveport.

DOTD is sending crews to Florida to help in the recovery following Hurricane Milton. Spokesman Rodney Mallett says crews will be sent from across the whole state.

Cut 3 (11) “…them remove debris.”

Mallett says this is a way for Louisiana to return the favor after crews from other states descended upon the Pelican State to help in the cleanup following Hurricane Laura.

Sean Payton makes his return to the Superdome tonight as his Denver Broncos face a struggling Saints team. Jeff Palermo has more on Payton’s return…

Cut 23 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Burn bans are now in effect for several parishes throughout Louisiana, as drought conditions persist. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the one thing that would reduce the risk of wildfire is a good drenching.

Cut 9 (17)  “…at this juncture.”

The burn bans cover parishes in nearly every corner of the state.

Burn bans are now in effect for several parishes throughout Louisiana, as drought conditions persist. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says these tinder dry conditions will continue for the foreseeable future.

Cut 8 (05) “…in the forecast.”

Keim says the one thing that would reduce the risk of wildfire is a torrential rainstorm – preferably one without high winds.

Nicotine use among teens in Louisiana remains at an alarming rate. A statewide survey finds that one out of every three high schoolers and one out of every five middle schoolers vape. Chrishelle Stipe with the Louisiana Public Health Institute pins a good portion of the blame on manufacturers of vape products, saying they’re specifically marketing their products towards children.

Cut 5 (07) “…drawn to youth.”

Stipe says makers of vape products are intentionally trying to get kids hooked on their products to increase their profits.

A Baton Rouge-area serial killer is finally sentenced to life in prison for a 2017 drive-by murder.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Sean Payton returns to the Superdome as his new team, the Denver Broncos, will battle the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night football. NFL analyst Mike Detillier (de-TILL-ee-ay) of WWL Radio expects Payton will receive a mixed reaction from Who Dat Nation….

Cut 13 (09)  “..forever.”

A Baton Rouge-area serial killer is sentenced to life in prison for a 2017 drive-by murder. Ryan Sharpe killed 48-year-old Brad DeFranceschi, a Boy Scout leader and father of two, while he was doing yard work in East Feliciana Parish. 20th Judicial District Attorney Sam D’Aquilla (dah-QUILL-uh) says he hopes the sentence finally brings closure.

Cut 12 (06) “…behind us now.”

Sharpe still has pending charges in Baton Rouge.

An alarming survey about youth nicotine use. It finds that one out of every three high schoolers and one out of every five middle schoolers in Louisiana vape. Chrishelle Stipe with the Louisiana Public Health Institute says makers of vape products are intentionally trying to get kids hooked on their products to increase their profits.

Cut 6 (11) “…to the youth.”

Sean Payton makes his return to the Superdome tonight as his Denver Broncos face a struggling Saints team. Jeff Palermo has more on Payton’s return…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A St. Martin Parish deputy police chief is out of a job. The city council in St. Martinsville unanimously voted to fire Deputy Police Chief Cody Laperouse after he allegedly threatened to kill a resident. Laperouse’s firing comes almost a decade after he was convicted of using excessive force while serving as a deputy at the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Schools and public health officials fighting youth nicotine use find themselves going after the manufacturers. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A Baton Rouge-area serial killer has finally been sentenced to life in prison for a 2017 drive-by murder.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Sean Payton makes his return to the Superdome tonight as his Denver Broncos face a struggling Saints team. Jeff Palermo has more on Payton’s return…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Nicotine use among teens in Louisiana remains at an alarming rate. A statewide survey finds that one out of every three high schoolers and one out of every five middle schoolers vape. Chrishelle Stipe with the Louisiana Public Health Institute says schools need to ramp up their efforts to warn kids about the dangers of vaping.

Cut 4 (09) “…using vape products.”

Stipe is pinning a good portion of the blame on manufacturers of vape products, saying they’re specifically marketing their products towards children.

Cut 5 (07) “…drawn to youth.”

Stipe says makers of vape products are intentionally trying to get kids hooked on their products to increase their profits.

Cut 6 (11) “…to the youth.”

Under Louisiana law, you need to be 21 to buy any tobacco or nicotine product, including vaping devices. But Stipe says that’s not stopping parents from buying vape products for their kids, mistakenly thinking that those products are safer to use than cigarettes.

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Burn bans are now in effect for several parishes throughout Louisiana, as drought conditions persist. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says while October is traditionally the driest month in Louisiana, this October so far has been ridiculous.

Cut 7 (09) “…be considered normal.”

Keim says these tinder dry conditions will continue for the foreseeable future.

Cut 8 (05) “…in the forecast.”

Keim says the one thing that would reduce the risk of wildfire is a good drenching.

Cut 9 (17)  “…at this juncture.”

The burn bans cover parishes in nearly every corner of the state.

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A Baton Rouge-area serial killer has been sentenced to life in prison for a 2017 drive-by murder. Ryan Sharpe killed 48-year-old Brad DeFranceschi, a Boy Scout leader and father of two, while he was doing yard work at the Avondale Scout Reservation in East Feliciana Parish. 20th Judicial District Attorney Sam D’Aquilla says the penalty for first-degree murder is life imprisonment or capital punishment…

Cut 10 (05) “…life imprisonment.”

Sharpe was found guilty of first-degree murder by an East Feliciana jury in August, which deliberated for less than an hour. D’Aquella says this follows a previous conviction in 2019 that was overturned in 2020 after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled nonunanimous jury verdicts unconstitutional.

Cut 11 (11) …direct appeal.”

D’Aquilla says he hopes Sharpe’s life sentence brings closure to the families of his victims after years of legal proceedings.

Cut 12 (06) “…behind us now.”

He’s also accused in the shooting deaths of 62-year-old Tommy Bass of East Feliciana and 66-year-old Carroll Breeden, who was gunned down in front of East Baton Rouge Parish home. Sharpe also allegedly shot Buck Hornsby in East Feliciana, but he survived the shooting.

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Sean Payton returns to the Superdome as his new team, the Denver Broncos, will battle the New Orleans Saints in Thursday night football. NFL analyst Mike Detillier of WWL Radio expects Payton will receive a mixed reaction from Who Dat Nation….

Cut 13 (09)  “..forever.”

Payton was the head coach of the Saints for 15 years, guiding the team to its lone Super Bowl victory  to cap off the 2009 season. Detillier says Payton arrived following Hurricane Katrina, but he quickly got the right players around him…

Cut 14 (09) “…that train.”

Detillier says Payton is an excellent game planner, motivator and knew what buttons to push to produce 10 winning seasons in 15 years…

Cut 15 (10) “…motivated them.”

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The Saints will be short-handed tonight when they take on the Denver Broncos. Rookie Spencer Rattler gets a second consecutive start at quarterback, but the team’s top two receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are out and Taysom Hill is doubtful. Denver has one of the best defenses in the NFL and Coach Dennis Allen explains why…

Cut 16 (17)   “…what they’ve done”

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Bradyn Swinson is having a breakout season for the eighth-ranked LSU Tigers. Last Saturday, the senior defensive end had a career-high eight tackles and two sacks and was named SEC defensive line player of the week.

Cut 17 (11) “…just play fast.”

Swinson says the huge win over Ole Miss is now in the rear-view mirror, and that the competition doesn’t get any easier from here on out.

Cut 18 (16)  “…making the expectation.”

Swinson says the team took time to celebrate the Ole Miss win; but now, the focus is on the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Cut 19 (12) “…a physical game.”  

Kickoff from Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville Saturday is six p-m.

A red flag warning is issued for the southern half of the state. You’re advised to avoid all fire-related activities, including campfires and burn piles. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says these precautions are essential to prevent uncontrolled fires.

Cut 13 (10) “…with open flames.” 

Louisiana is currently experiencing drought conditions, with no end in sight.

A Breaux Bridge man faces dozens of counts of trafficking of children for sexual purposes. Major Ginny Higgins with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office says their deputies have been investigating 32-year-old Javien Demouchet (DEM-oo-shet) since July….

Cut 3 (08) “…juvenile victim.”

Higgins says Demouchet is accused of soliciting minors for sex in exchange for money and-or gifts. She says the investigation is ongoing regarding other juvenile victims.

2024 was a below average crawfish season, because of the historic drought in 2023. But the LSU AgCenter’s Todd Fontenot says early signs show a more normal 2025 crawfish season and he’s expecting crawfish acreage will go up….

Cut 7 (09) “…crawfish production.”

Fontenot says higher rainfall totals this year have improved field conditions.

New Orleans certainly knows how to throw a party, and that’s exactly what it will be doing the day before the Super Bowl with a Mardi Gras-style parade. The parade will feature marching bands, throws and about 20 floats, including signature floats from various krewes. Float-builder Barry Kern can’t wait.

Cut 10 (12) “…who we’re about.”

The parade will go along streets in the French Quarter and the Central Business District.

A Breaux Bridge man is facing more than 50 charges of trafficking children for sexual purposes. Major Ginny Higgins with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office says 32-year-old Javien Demouchet is accused of soliciting minors for sex in exchange for money and-or gifts. She says right now they know of just one victim, but the investigation is ongoing regarding other juvenile victims…

Cut 4 (05) “…the case.”

Authorities first began investigating Demouchet in July.

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for the southern half of the state. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says a red flag warning signals a heightened risk of wildfires, caused by a combination of low humidity and strong winds.

Cut 11 (08) “…spread of wildfires.”

Louisiana is currently experiencing drought conditions, which, according to Grymes, further increases the wildfire threat.

A severe drought and heat in South Louisiana caused major setbacks for crawfish farmers, with many crawfish and hatchlings perishing in 2023, but the 2025 season looks more promising. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

New Orleans certainly is throwing a Mardi Gras-style parade the day before the Super Bowl. The grand marshal is Todd Graves, the founder of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers. He says this is a way to invite the whole city to the festivities surrounding the big game.

Cut 8 (08) “…are around it.”