If you haven’t gotten your flu vaccine yet, now’s a good time to schedule one. The CDC says Louisiana has the highest level of flu activity in the Continental United States, and flu season is just getting underway. Dr. Fred Lopez, a professor of medicine at LSU Health New Orleans, says there are a couple of reasons why people here in Louisiana are especially at risk for getting the flu.

Cut 5 (08) “…population as well.”

A Southern University student is lucky to be alive after being accidentally shot in the parking lot of an on-campus apartment complex. Baton Rouge Police say as one man was handing the gun to another, it accidentally discharged, hitting the victim. Corporal Saundra Watts says this underscores the fact that guns are not toys.

Cut 11 (10) “…survive his injuries.”

The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office is accusing a northeast Louisiana police chief of stealing funds intended for the family of a police officer killed in the line of duty. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

You can add West Baton Rouge Parish to the long list of parishes under burn bans. This comes as dry, breezy weather increases the chances of wildfires. Burn bans are in effect for nearly the entire state, except for most of southeast Louisiana.

Just a few hours to go in early voting in the November 3rd election. Early voting ends at six this evening. After that, your last chance to cast a ballot will be on that November 3rd Election Day. Everyone will be voting in the general election for U.S. Senate, the open primary for U.S. House and on ten proposed constitutional amendments.

Louisiana has the highest rate of flu activity of any state in the Continental United States. According to the CDC, Louisiana and Hawaii are the only states where flu activity has risen to the level of “moderate” this early into flu season. Dr. Fred Lopez, a professor of medicine at LSU Health New Orleans, says the prevailing subtype this year is H1N1.

Cut 4 (14) “…isn’t as good.”

Some scary moments on the campus of Southern University yesterday evening as a student is accidentally shot on campus. Baton Rouge Police Corporal Saundra Watts says 19-year-olds Jiqueze Dillon and Robert Washington were with a 20-year-old student in the parking lot at University Apartments

Cut 9 (13)  “…struck the victim.”

The victim was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive his injuries. Dillon and Washington are both facing charges.

For the first time in 18 years, Shreveport Regional Airport is offering daily nonstop flights to Chicago’s O’Hare Airport through United Airlines. Airport spokesman Mark Crawford says it allows you to take an easy day trip or weekend trip to Chicago.

Cut 8 (11) “..10:45.”

If you want to take advantage of early voting, you have until six this evening to do so. After that, you’ll have to wait until Election Day one week from today. One of the hot races this year is in the Fifth Congressional District. At a candidate forum in Baton Rouge yesterday, Michael Echols says it’s important for Republicans to stick together when voting on legislation.

Cut 12 (13) “…what America is.”

The Shreveport Regional Airport is offering daily nonstop flights to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport for the first time in 18 years. Airport spokesman Mark Crawford says the once-daily flight leaves between seven AM and nine AM and takes about two hours to arrive at O’Hare.

Cut 7 (12) “…United Airlines.”

The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office is accusing a northeast Louisiana police chief of stealing funds intended for the family of a police officer killed in the line of duty. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

You can add West Baton Rouge Parish to the long list of parishes under burn bans. This comes as dry, breezy weather conditions increases the chances of wildfires. Burn bans are in effect for nearly the entire state, except for most of southeast Louisiana.

Three Vermilion Parish residents and a non-profit are suing the parish government, claiming it used deceptive methods to approve the SpaceX deal. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A new report finds that the Baton Rouge area leads metros comparable to its size in job growth. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Today is the last day of early voting, and Election Day is one week from today. Yesterday, candidates vying for the open seat in the Fifth District met for a one-hour forum in Baton Rouge. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Three Vermilion Parish residents and a non-profit are suing the parish government for allegedly violating the Open Meetings Act when it gave the green light to the SpaceX development. William Most of Most and Associates, who is representing the plaintiffs, says they were kept in the dark as the state offered SpaceX a 24-billion-dollar tax exemption to build its spaceport in Vermilion Parish.

Cut 4 (11) “…give their say.”

Most says the police jury was very secretive in its proceedings, including in its revival of the industrial development board, which had been inactive since 1997, using a code name to conceal the identity of SpaceX.

Cut 5 (13) “…anything about them.”

Most says by using a code name, the Vermilion Parish was being very deceptive in how it went about approving the SpaceX project.

Cut 6 (11) “…the law requires.”

The citizens and the non-profit, dubbed the Vermilion Citizens Coalition, are asking a judge to void the actions taken by the industrial development board, as well as damages, attorneys’ fees and court costs.

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The Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership says the Capital Region leads comparable metro areas in job growth. Andrew Fitzgerald, the senior vice president of strategy and research, says the region added 13,700 jobs over the past year, with construction accounting for much of the growth.

Cut 7 (04) “…the Capital Region.”

Fitzgerald says the Capital Region now has more than 58-thousand construction jobs. He points to two major projects fueling that growth — Hut 8’s 10-billion-dollar A-I data center in West Feliciana Parish and Hyundai Steel’s mill in Ascension Parish.

Fitzgerald says workers are moving to the Baton Rouge area to fill some of those jobs, while local residents are also getting the education and training needed to join the workforce.

Cut 8 (13) “…trades and construction.”

Fitzgerald says the region also has an affordability advantage. Since 2019, home values and rents have increased less in the Baton Rouge area than in comparable metro areas.

Cut 9 (09)  “…and groceries too.”

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Today is the last day of early voting for the November 3rd election. One of the key races is in the Fifth Congressional District, in which six Republicans are vying for the open seat. Yesterday, three of them attended a candidate forum hosted by the Baton Rouge Press Club. Gabe Firment says he supports the Medicaid work requirement provision in the Big Beautiful Bill.

Cut 10 (08) “…a productive citizen.”

On saving Social Security, Austin Magee says instead of increasing the wealth cap as Democrats are calling for, the government should redirect money to Social Security from things that the U.S. should have no business spending taxpayer money on.

Cut 11 (12) “…sub-Saharan Africa.”

While Magee says he would go against his party on an issue if it hurts his constituents, Michael Echols says it’s important for Republicans to stick together.

Cut 12 (13) “…what America is.”

Stewart Cathey, Misti Cordell and Omar Dantzler are the other Republicans running; they did not appear at the forum. There are also three Democrats on the open primary ballot.

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We are looking at another dry work week, but rain chances do increase for Saturday. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says rainfall on Halloween could dampen some spirits.

Cut 13 (10)  “…some scattered showers.”

Keim says 89-percent of Louisiana is in drought, and 41-percent of the state is in either extreme or exceptional drought…

Cut 14 (10) “…time of year.”

Keim says drought conditions will continue to worsen through Friday.

Cut 15 (09) “…seriously in sight.”

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The Saints head into their bye week with a lot to talk about after a frustrating loss to the Steelers in Paris this weekend. New Orleans has now fallen to 2-and-5 to start the season but are just one win behind the 3-and-3 Panthers at the top of the NFC South. Head Coach Kellen Moore says this week will give the team extra time to self-scout.

Cut 16 (17) “…forward will be.”

One of the Saints’ biggest points of emphasis will be their 26th-ranked run game. New Orleans ran for just 18 yards in the loss to Pittsburgh but posted a season-high 175 yards the game before against the Giants. Moore says he will take a long look at the ground game.

Cut 17 (17) “…the ball well.” (2x)

Another area of concern — the Saints have scored just six points in the first quarter all season. They have gone scoreless in the first quarter in 17 of their 24 games under Moore and have not scored on their first drive the last 11 games. Moore says they need to start better.

Cut 18 (18)  “…the opening drive.”

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UL Lafayette suffered its second tough loss of the season on Saturday, giving up a fourth-quarter lead to lose to Southern Miss, 35-31. It’s the second straight road game the Cajuns were unable to close out with a win, and head coach Michael Desormeaux says this one stings a little more.

Cut 19 (13) “…wasn’t the standard.”

UL Lafayette is now 5-and-3 this season and 2-and-2 in the Sun Belt. They’ll be on a bye this week; but Desormeaux says the bye week is not an off week, and his team needs to focus on getting better.

Cut 20 (20) “…pretty good football.”

Just one day to go in early voting. In the Congressional races, the most competitive ones are in districts five and six, both of which are races to fill seats being vacated by their respective incumbents. While Republicans make up the lion’s share of the candidates in both of those races, Pollster John Couvillon says Democrats are almost guaranteed to get one of their candidates into the runoff in both.

Cut 5 (08) “…votes to fragment.”

LDWF is asking deer hunters to review the regulations for Chronic Wasting Disease Management zones before heading to the field. Deer Program Manager Brad Kennon says this season, hunters may place bait and supplemental feed within a CWD Management Zone from now through March 31st. Kennon says whether baiting is allowed in future seasons depends on the results of CWD sampling.

Cut 13 (11) “…positive”

With the Saints having just played the first NFL game in Paris, the Louisiana Department of Tourism has a delegation in France today to promote Louisiana as a travel destination. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the promotional tour will participate in events in Paris and Lyon.

Cut 6 (09) “…to Louisiana.”

The delegation of tourism leaders from Louisiana will conclude its trip Thursday with a trip to Milan, Italy. 

Cut 23 (04) “…nightmare is over.”

For Bryant Vincent and the ULM Warhawks, their long, national nightmare is, indeed, over. It ended Saturday when they beat Troy, 21-14, snapping a 14-game losing streak. The Warhawks scored three touchdowns in the final two-minutes and 34-seconds to break their dreadful streak. Coach Vincent was fired up after the gritty win.

Cut 11 (10) “…more proud.”

Early voting resumes today and wraps up tomorrow, with Election Day a week from tomorrow. In the first five days of early voting, more than 363-thousand voters have cast ballots, with Democrats outnumbering Republicans by more than 13-thousand. John Couvillon with JMC Analytics and Polling says he expects the Democratic lead to increase between now and the end of early voting.

Cut 3 (13) “…maybe even today.”

A new Planned Parenthood Health Center has opened in New Orleans after the previous one closed in 2025. While most people equate Planned Parenthood with women patients, Planned Parenthood Great Plains President and CEO Emily Wales says clinics can also perform vasectomies.

Cut 6 (06) “…give us a call.”

It was a successful return to the field for LSU’s star tight end Trey’Dez Green in the Tigers 38-17 win over Auburn. In Green’s first game since week three, he caught five passes for 50 yards and one touchdown. Coach Lane Kiffin says it was great to have Green back, but got him out of the game early because of how Auburn was trying to bring down the six-foot-seven pass catcher.

Cut 10 (12) “…took him out.” 

Not such a successful time for the Saints in Paris, though, as they lost to the Steelers, 16-10. Tyler Shough threw for 278 yards, a touchdown and an interception, and he believes they are close to stringing some good games together.

Cut 15 (13) “…playoff football.”

The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors did not approve a cost-of-living adjustment raise for Louisiana Tech faculty and staff, and they are not happy about it. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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You could enroll for no-cost genetic screening as soon as next year. Kace Kiechnick has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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The Louisiana Department of Health adds three substances to the state’s list of Schedule One controlled substances. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana Tech’s faculty senate president says there’s a level of distrust after the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors rejected cost-of-living raises for faculty and staff. Michael Swanbom says the distrust stems from conflicting messages from now-former Tech President Jim Henderson and system leaders.

Cut 4 (08) “…has gone forward.”

Yesterday was Henderson’s last day as president. Earlier this month, he apologized to faculty for failing to deliver the raises as promised. Board Chair Mark Romero and System President Rick Gallot later questioned Henderson’s handling of the university’s finances.

Board Supervisor Steve Davison says he plans to push for restoring the raises, which were included in the original budget.

Cut 5 (07) “…my alma mater.”

Davison also raised concerns about what he described as inequitable funding for Louisiana Tech compared with the system’s other seven universities.

Romero says he understands the need to increase faculty salaries, but the university must manage its finances responsibly.

Cut 6 (10) “…we act responsibly.”

In a letter to faculty, Romero and Gallot said Louisiana Tech has limited liquidity, raising concerns about its ability to meet its financial obligations.

The UL System has named Doctor Dickie Crawford as Acting President. The former Bulldog basketball player currently serve as Louisiana Tech’s Senior Vice President for Student advancement and Chief Operating Officer.

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A new initiative aims to offer no-cost genetic screening to 100-thousand Louisiana adults, with enrollment beginning next year. LCMC Health and Helix researchers will test for genes associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancers, Lynch Syndrome and familial hypercholesterolemia. LCMC Health System Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Heaton says having the gene does not mean you have the disease, but it drastically changes your next steps.

Cut 7 (08) “…of these diseases.”

Genetic screening that exposes predisposed risk can inform earlier testing dates, like those for breast or colon cancer, than ones based simply on age.

Heaton researchers can also look back on the genetic data if you have a new medical problem arise or get on new medication.

Cut 8 (09) “…your treatment plan.”

Heaton says that not only does Louisiana rank among the highest in the nation in cancer rates, it also has some of the most cancer deaths. Diseases like breast cancer are often caught later than they could be, and testing like this could help Louisiana change that.

Cut 9 (09)  “…their enhanced risk.”

Testing will be available to adults 18 and older and is done through blood or saliva DNA samples.

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According to new analysis of federal broadband data, broadband availability in North Louisiana is improving at a rate more than three times the national average. Veneeth Iyengar, the executive director of ConnectLA, says between December 2023 and December 2025, more than 44-thousand homes and businesses in the 26-parish region were connected to reliable broadband internet access.

Cut 10 (12) “…actually showing outcomes.”

Iyengar says not only is broadband connectivity in North Louisiana improving at a rate much faster than the national average, it’s setting the pace for the state.

Cut 11 (08) “…than Louisiana overall.”

Iyengar says among the many benefits of being connected to reliable high-speed internet is being able to keep college-bound students in Louisiana, citing the small North Louisiana community of Plain Dealing, where many high school seniors are looking to pursue trade skills upon graduation.

Cut 12 (15) “…college that’s nearby.”

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The Louisiana Department of Health adds three substances to the state’s list of Schedule One controlled substances. Schedule One controlled substances are those which are found to have no medical use and, thus, are illegal in all forms. Deputy Health Secretary Dr. Pete Croughan (CROW-ghin) says the three substances are all new formulations of kratom, which the legislature outlawed last year.

Cut 13 (13)  “…and MGN-16.”

Dr. Croughan says adding those to the list of Schedule One controlled substances is a necessary step to protect public health.

Cut 14 (10) “…lead on that.”

Croughan says risks of those three substances include dependence and respiratory depression.

Cut 15 (13) “…that fentanyl does.”

Croughan says it’s unlikely that these three substances are being made here in Louisiana; instead, it’s much more likely that they’re being made in Asia and are being smuggled into the U.S.

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UL Lafayette is back in action against Southern Miss this weekend after dominating Troy last week. The Cajuns’ conference-leading defense held the Trojans to just six points, while the offense put up 33. Coach Michael Desormeaux says they need to build off that performance.

Cut 16 (14) “…our best football.”

Southern Miss has lost five straight, and the Golden Eagles’ only win under new head coach Blake Anderson came week one against Alcorn State. Desormeaux says his team cannot underestimate them.

Cut 17 (16) “…that we can.”

Kickoff is at 4 p.m.

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Number-18 LSU goes on the road to face Auburn tomorrow. First-year head coach Alex Golesh’s Tigers are led by quarterback Byrum Brown. Brown followed Golesh from South Florida to Auburn this offseason and leads the team in rushing while also throwing for over 12-hundred yards. LSU coach Lane Kiffin evaluates the dual-threat Q-B.

Cut 18 (17)  “…very comfortable.”

LSU has not won a road SEC game in over two years. The Tigers are 0-and-2 on the road this season, but Kiffin says those games could have been changed by a handful of plays. Wide Receiver Jackson Harris is excited for the extra challenge.

Cut 19 (13) “...excited for it.”

Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium is one of the best home-field advantages in the nation. Former LSU and Alabama head coach Nick Saban said the stadium is haunted after the bewildering Iron Bowl endings he coached there, but Kiffin isn’t buying it.

Cut 20 (14) “…got that from.”

Kickoff is at 11 a.m.

Through the first two days of early voting, almost 176-thousand voters have cast ballots; and of those, almost 56-thousand of them are Black. That Black turnout amounts to almost 32-percent of the total turnout thus far; and John Couvillon of JMC Analytics and Polling says while that lines up with the Black population of Louisiana as a whole, that represents a considerably higher Black turnout compared to other recent high-profile non-Presidential elections.

Cut 6 (11) “…half percent Black.”

A poll from the First Five Years Fund shows that more than a quarter of Louisianans say they’re delaying starting a family due to the high costs of child care. The group’s executive director, Sarah Ritting, says this is an issue that crosses ideological lines.

Cut 4 (07) “…needs to address.”

LSU President Wade Rousse announced increased safety measures for LSU’s next home football game. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The suspect in the disappearance of two Baton Rouge-area women has had his bond revoked. Late last month, Thomas Morris was charged with possessing stolen property after investigators found a water company’s excavator on an acquaintance’s property. Morris had worked for the Baton Rouge Water Company; he is now being held without bond.

Almost 32-percent of all ballots cast in the first two days of early voting were cast by Black voters, and that high proportion could bode well for the Democrats. John Couvillon with JMC Analytics and Polling says about 30-percent of all ballots will be cast during early voting, and he does not expect the Election Day returns to yield much of a change from the early voting returns.

Cut 8 (11) “…a few points.”

If you have kids, you know how expensive they can be. That’s why according to a poll from the First Five Years Fund, more than a quarter of Louisianans say they’re delaying starting a family. The group’s executive director, Sarah Ritting, says the poll shows that more than four out of every five say finding affordable child care is a crisis or a major problem.

Cut 3 (07) “…families want options.”

After deputies used pepper balls to break up unruly crowds at LSU’s home game against Mississippi State, the university announced it will be stepping up safety measures for the Tigers’ next home game against Alabama. LSU Chief Communications Officer Meg Casper Sunstrom says there will be increased security presence, and large-scale gatherings are prohibited.

Cut 9 (11)  “…address that.”

Sunstrom says the university will also emphasize pedestrian safety. Pedestrian routes and vehicle restrictions will be evaluated on campus, and she says extra safety provisions are being made to areas like Nicholson Drive, where a couple was killed after being struck by a vehicle Saturday night.

Cut 11 (12) “…the construction.”

More than a quarter of Louisianans say they plan on delaying starting a family due to the high cost of child care. That’s according to a survey by the First Five Years Fund. The group’s executive director, Sarah Ritting, says this problem will require a multi-faceted solution – one component of which is tax credits so that working parents can keep more of their income that they can use for child care.

Cut 5 (11) “…into their pockets.”

Through the first two days of early voting, almost 32-percent of all ballots have been cast by Black voters. That’s a much larger percentage than in recent high-profile non-Presidential elections. John Couvillon with JMC Analytics and Polling says this may be the result of lingering anger over the last-minute redistricting that eliminated one of the two majority-Black congressional districts.

Cut 7 (13) “…redrew the districts.”

LSU President Wade Rousse announced increased safety measures for LSU’s next home football game. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The suspect in the disappearance of two Baton Rouge-area women has had his bond revoked. Late last month, Thomas Morris was charged with possessing stolen property after investigators found a water company’s excavator on an acquaintance’s property. Morris had worked for the Baton Rouge Water Company; he is now being held without bond.