Louisiana will be providing families with 1,000 vouchers to pay for their children’s tutoring to bridge the literacy crisis happening in the state. Whitney Thomas has more…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

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Election results for the town of Melville are in limbo after the incumbent Mayor, 84-year-old Velma Hendrix was killed in a car crash Tuesday. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The fall midterms are over, so now we can turn our attention to the 2023 Louisiana Governor’s Race. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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The LDOE is addressing the state’s literacy crisis by launching the Steve Carter Literacy Program, providing families with $1,000 vouchers for tutoring. Public school students in grades k-5 will have the opportunity to advance their reading skills with high-quality tutors approved through the LDOE if eligible.

Deputy Superintendent Jenna Chiasson says the program’s investment will bridge the literacy gap…

Cut 4 (10)  “…literacy crisis.”

Student registration is not open yet, but school systems are identifying eligible students and will notify families via email. K-3 students are eligible if they scored below proficient on the screener from the beginning of the year. K-5 students are eligible if they scored below mastery in English Learning Arts on the spring 2022 LEAP assessment.

New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes says Louisiana is not where it should be, but there are encouraging signs of improvement.

Cut 5 (12) “… toolbox.”

The program is the result of Act 415 of the 2021 Legislative session, named after the late Baton Rouge Representative. Once registration opens families can access the online portal at www.LouisianaTutoringInitiative.com to register and browse through available tutors.

State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says families will be able to apply the $1,000 to different vendors in the state for different sessions.

Cut 6 (12)  “…over the course the year.” 

Multi-lingo tutors will be available to accommodate students who do not speak English as a primary language. For additional information visit LouisianaLiteracy@la.gov.

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The small St. Landry Parish town of Melville remains in limbo after the election day death, of their mayor, 84-year-old Velma Hendrix, who was seeking a second term. And because Hendrix was killed in a car crash after the polls opened, one of her challengers Sam Londerno (LON-drah-no) says the election hasn’t been called.

Cut 7 (05) “…with everything.”

Secretary of State’s office spokesperson John Tobler says when a candidate dies after qualifying but before the polls close qualifying starts over. So qualifying will begin today and will close on Monday.

Cut 8 (05)  “…will be final.”

The current results, without those cast for Hendrix, indicate Londerno won 52 percent of the vote and Caretta Robertson 48 percent.

Londerno says the loss of Hendrix has left the community in shock. She says Hendrix taught school for several years and previously served as an alderman on the town’s board before she was elected mayor in 2018.

Cut 9 (06)  “…to believe.”

Hendrix was riding in a 2008 Acura RDX on U.S. 190 when it was struck by a 2015 Ram shortly after 11 AM Tuesday. Hendrix was taken to a local hospital and where she died from her injuries.

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Now that the elections are (for the most part) over in Louisiana, political attention will turn to the 2023 race to be Louisiana’s next governor. U.L.-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says he is actually surprised that there hasn’t been more talk of who is and isn’t running next fall…:

Cut 10 (10) “…un-exciting midterm.”

Stockley says the Louisiana Republican Party’s early endorsement of Attorney General Jeff Landry for Governor could possibly backfire, if a more popular and dynamic GOP candidate decides to run. He says quite a few gubernatorial hopefuls were just waiting for this election to be over, so they could make the right move…:

Cut  11 (11)   “…behind the scenes.” 

Stockley says a year is not a lot of time, when it comes to planning a campaign, staffing up and soliciting donations…:

Cut 12 (13) “…fairly quickly.” 

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, State Treasurer John Schroder, state Senator Sharon Hewitt, and even Congressman Garret Graves and Senator John Kennedy have been talked of as being interested in being governor.

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A plan to change how Louisiana high schools are rated will be go before the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education this morning. BESE President James Garvey says they are trying to change the formula for how schools are graded.

Cut 13 (11) “…education courses.”

Presently Garvey says most high schools are graded an “A” or “B” and that technical courses aren’t given the same weight as others in the rating system. He says tech courses aren’t getting the credit he believes they deserve.

Cut 14 (10)  “…four-year college.”

Garvey says tech career opportunities are a fairly well-paying field, for example, plumbers…

Cut 15 (12)  “…equally.”

Today’s board meeting begins at 9 AM.

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Following the big win over Alabama, 7th-ranked LSU is looking to avoid a letdown this Saturday at Arkansas. Running back Josh Williams says Coach Brian Kelly is telling the team to stick with their process that’s got them to this point…

Cut  16 (12)  “…except Arkansas”

Williams is a semifinalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, which is awarded to the nation’s most outstanding college football player who began his career as a walk-on. Williams walked on in 2019 and earned a scholarship in 2020. This year he leads the team in rushing with 359 yards…

Cut 17 (11) “…to do so.”

The junior from Houston is just five-foot-nine, but Williams says he uses that to his advantage…

Cut 18 (14) “…as a positive.” 

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The Ragin Cajuns football team has an opportunity tonight to get the bad taste out of their mouth from blowing a ten-point fourth-quarter lead last week to Troy as they host Georgia Southern tonight. U-L Lafayette Coach Michael Desormeaux says the Eagles are also desperate for a win…

Cut 19 (19) “…we don’t.”

U-L Lafayette enters the game with a 4-and-5 record and need to win at least two of their final three games in order to be eligible for a bowl game. Three of the Cajuns losses have been by a touchdown or less. Desormeaux says the losses have been frustrating…

Cut 20 (19) “…in the end.”

Voter turnout for Tuesday’s election was 43-percent and there’s still one more election to go this year….:

Cut 2 (26)  “… I’m Jeff Palermo”

The incumbent Mayor of Melville – seeking re-election – died yesterday in a car crash just hours after the polls opened. Deputies in St. Landry Parish say 84-year-old Mayor Velma Hendrix was a passenger in a vehicle that was broadsided by a pickup at an intersection on Highway 190. Another period of qualifying for the mayoral election opens tomorrow until Monday for an election on December 10^th.

And while it remains to be seen if Republicans will gain control of the Senate, Louisiana Senator John Kennedy was asked his thoughts on the tight races after he declared victory last night.

Cut 6 (11)  “…two years ago. “

Kennedy recalled polls that indicated South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell would lose their races, but they won.

Five of the eight constitutional amendments on Tuesday’s ballot failed. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says voters are not interested in making changes to the current constitution….

Cut 12 (12) “….to the public” 

Three more constitutional amendments will be on the December 10^th ballot.

It remains to be seen which party will be in control of the U-S Senate, Louisiana Senator John Kennedy is hopeful Republicans gain control in the mid-term elections and Americans who are reeling from inflation will bring about a Red Wave.

Cut 7 (13)  “…changes tonight.”

The three key Senate races yet to be called are in Nevada, Wisconsin, and Georgia.

Shreveport mayor Adrian Perkins has been ousted after just one term, and he didn’t even make the runoff election. LSU-Shreveport Political science professor Jeff Sadow says Perkins committed misstep after misstep.

Cut 9 (09)  “…the job.

Republican Tom Arceneaux and Democrat state senator Greg Tarver will face each other in the December 10^th runoff election.

The attorney for nearly 200 nursing home patients who were moved to a dirty, hot warehouse as Hurricane Ida approached is protesting a judge’s decision to settle a class action lawsuit in the case. Marsanne Golsby has more

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby.”

JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon says early voting results are leaning Republican in Louisiana. Nationally he expects Republicans to add 30 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and Couvillon expects the GOP to add two or three seats in the Senate.

Cut 5 (10) “…break a tie.” 

Louisiana voters will be rewarded with the traditional “I Voted” sticker and Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says this year’s edition is a colorful image of the state capitol. He says there’s such a demand for the stickers to show you’ve performed your civic duty they were also distributed during early voting

Cut 13 (06) “… this time.”  

Polls close at 8 PM

State Police are investigating the deputy-involved Sunday afternoon shooting in Rapides Parish. The incident claimed the life of 45-year-old Derrick Kittling of Alexandria who is the brother of LSP Lt Colonel Kenny Van Buren. Master Trooper Casey Wallace says during a traffic stop a physical altercation happened and Kittling gained control of the deputy’s taser.

Cut 15 (10) “…later on.”

The investigation is ongoing.

Voting concludes today on the UNO campus as the university is asking students if they would want to raise student fees in order to start a football program, two new women’s sports, golf and soccer, a marching band and add extra activities. UNO athletics director Tim Duncan says football could bring more students to the school…

Cut 9 (07)  “…enrollment”

The new fee would be 300 hundred dollars for part-time and 400 dollars for full-time students per semester.

Election day is here, and Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin wants everyone to get out and vote. Polls are open until 8 pm. Ardoin says to find out what’s on the ballot, go to geaux-vote-dot-com…

Cut 10 (10) “…to get to your polling location.” 

Cruising towards almost certain re-election tonight, Congressman Steve Scalise looks at what’s ahead for him and for the U.S. House. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

U.S. Senator John Kennedy is up for re-election and most analysts are predicting he will win easily. JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillon says early voting results tilt Republican.

Cut 3 (06) “…than Democrats.” 

In another bad sign for Democrats, Couvillon says African American early and absentee voting is not as high as usual.

In addition to candidates, there are also eight constitutional amendments on the ballot. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio urges voters to review the amendments before they go to the polls so they’re better informed and not holding up the line. He says you can do so at PARlouisiana-dot-org.

Cut 6 (10)  “…PAR Louisiana-dot-org. “

You can also use your GEAUX vote app for voting locations and to review what’s your ballot before you head to the polls.

It’s election day and Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says while election security is a big topic, Louisiana was ranked sixth in a recent report for election integrity…

Cut 12 (12) “…election machine.” 

Ardoin says 372,000 ballots, which includes early voting and absentee were already cast before today.

There’s the possibility Republican John Kennedy will be re-elected to a second term in the U.S. Senate without the need of a runoff tonight. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Republicans are more energized for this election which should push him over the 50-percent mark, which is what he needs to avoid a run-off….

Cut 5 (07) “…57, 58.”
Pinsonat says the most intriguing race is in the third congressional district as GOP Congressman Clay Higgins may need a run-off election to hold off Republican challenger Holden Hoggatt.

Polls are open until 8 pm.

Congressman Steve Scalise is challenged by Democrat Katie Darling and Libertarian Howard Kearney. The House Minority Whip has raised just over $19-million. Darling has raised $131-thousand and Kearney zero. Scalise says he looks forward to returning to DC in the New Year as part of the GOP majority in the House…

Cut 8 (10)  “…crime in communities.”

Attendees at Saturday night’s game in Tiger Stadium when LSU beat Alabama in overtime 32 to 31 produced an earth-shaking response. LSU Chair of Geology and Geophysics Darrell Henry says the school’s seismometer measured two significant seismic events and they just happen to time with the last two plays of the game.

Cut 15 (10)  “…of energy.”

He says when Garth Brooks played Callin’ Baton Rouge in April there was a similar response.

Edit

After another child overdose death, despite warnings to the agency of potential danger, the Department of Children and Family Services is under fire. New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes has been extremely critical of Secretary Marketa Garner Walters and continues to call for her resignation. Walters says she has no plans to leave her post.

Cut 8 (07)  “…be right here. “

Walters says the agency is extremely understaffed and they are holding hiring fairs to fill their approximately 500 openings.

The Louisiana Republican Party executive committee voted last night to endorse Attorney General Jeff Landry in next year’s governor’s race. LA Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford called it historic—and controversial.

Cut 3 (12) “…same thing.” 

It’s the first Monday commute home after the time change and it’s a lot darker than it usually is for motorists. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesman Mark Lambert says a lot of folks walk or jog this time of day and he has some advice for them to help drivers avoid them, like wearing light or reflective clothing…:

Cut 11 (09)  “…against the traffic.”

Lambert says there is a statistical increase in traffic accidents on Monday after a time change; especially when “falling back” to Standard Time.

There was no multistate Powerball winner Saturday, so the jackpot for tonight’s drawing is a bona fide record-setter. Louisiana Lottery spokesman Dustin Annison…:

Cut 12 (06) “…jackpot lottery ever.”  A single winner selecting a lump-sum cash payment would collect just over $ 929 million. Tickets are on sale until 9 tonight.

Funeral services are underway in Ferriday for rock n roll pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis. The funeral is taking place at Young’s Funeral Home and Owner of Mid-South Broadcasting Jim Bob Allgood says there should be a big crowd to say goodbye to the man who’s been wowing audiences since he was 13…:

CUT 16(16)  “…on Saturday.”

The service is being streamed on mid-south-dot-tv.

Don’t forget to set the clocks back one hour tonight as we return to Standard Time. No one likes time changes some prefer extra daylight in the morning others in the evening LSU Health New Orleans psychologist Dr. Michelle Moore…:

CUT 11(08)      “…normally wake up.”

State Police graduate 23 newly trained cadets Friday, which should help with a manpower shortage. Trooper Sgt. Monroe Dillon says the accelerated cadet grads are not complete rookies, and they’ll be added to troops statewide to help the veterans…:

CUT 08(08)      “…the police.”

The drawing for tonight’s Powerball Jackpot hits an all-time high at $1.6 billion, with a cash value of $782-million. Louisiana Lottery spokesman Dustin Annison says that is driving ticket sales. From August 6th through to Thursday over $25-million in tickets in Louisiana alone…:

CUT 04(08)      “…in Louisiana.”

It’s been since 2018 that anyone in Louisiana has scored a Powerball jackpot…so we’re due.

Baton Rouge Police are investigating the Monday night death of a 20-month-old boy from fentanyl in his system. Officials says Jahrei Paul was rushed to a hospital but didn’t survive. The case remains under investigation and DCFS released a statement that they are deeply grieved over the loss of the child and Louisiana law prevents them from commenting on the case.

The Powerball Jackpot skyrockets to its highest ever at $1.6 billion for tonight’s drawing.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Funeral services for rock n roll legend and Ferriday native get underway at 11 am in Jerry Lee Lewis’ hometown. The Killer died a week ago Friday at the age of 87.

As a front makes its way through the state this morning bringing us plenty of much-needed rain, there are also six college football games in Louisiana today, with the big one taking place at 6 PM in Tiger Stadium between LSU and Alabama. State Climatologist Barry Keim says most of the severe stuff should be done early afternoon…

Cut 14 (07)  “..with rain” 

We set the clocks back tonight, for the return of Central Standard Time. LSU Health New Orleans psychologist Dr. Michelle Moore says while some love the change it does mess with a lot of us…:

CUT 10(06)      “…comes in.”

At 2AM Sunday morning time instantly returns to 1 AM so enjoy that extra hour and don’t forget to check your Powerball Numbers before you go to bed also.