Hurricane Ian is on track to rack up record costs of $70-billion or more, and the impacts of that will be felt here in Louisiana. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

What a homecoming for Ja’Marr Chase yesterday in the Superdome. The former Rummel Raider and LSU Tiger caught two touchdown passes from Joe Burrow as the Bengals rallied to beat the Saints 30-26. New Orleans is now a disappointing two and four on the season.

The long-shuttered Diamond Jack’s Casino in Bossier City looks to be on the road to reopening. State Gaming Control Board chairman Ronnie Johns says, if all is approved at Board’s December meeting, a new owner – based in Mississippi – will make a huge investment in getting the doors back open…:

Cut 10 (09) “…land-based casino.”

Diamond Jack’s has been closed since early 2020

The Livingston Parish Council is saying “not so fast” to a proposal—backed by Governor John Bel Edwards—to inject captured greenhouse gases deep beneath Lake Maurepas. The lake is part of councilman Randy Delatte’s district and he’s worried about serious damage to Lake Maurepas if the well or any pipelines spring a leak.

Cut 9 (08)  “…kinds of things.”

The father of LSU student Allie Rice, who was gunned down while stopped for a train in Baton Rouge on September 16^th, says it’s all been a blur as he continues to grapple with his emotions over the loss of his 21-year-old daughter. He says they want to keep Allie’s murder at the forefront of the media so justice will be served.

Cut 15 (10)  “…resolved.”

The long-shuttered Diamond Jack’s Casino in Bossier City looks to be on the road to reopening. State Gaming Control Board chairman Ronnie Johns says Mississippi-based Foundation Gaming wants to invest $200-million in a total revamp of the Bossier City complex. He says all is proceeding well…:

Cut  11 (13)  “…of the property.”

One Louisiana community says “not so fast” on the latest way to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby” 

When Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow entered the Superdome Sunday, he was wearing teammate Ja Marr Chase’s number one LSU jersey from their national championship. Burrow said he wanted to pay tribute to the people of Louisiana but with the game ended with a Bengals victory over the Saints 30-26. Some Saints fans might cheer for the Bengals on the 23^rd when they host the Dirty Birds The Saints play Arizona on Thursday.

Three people were killed in Lake Charles Thursday afternoon and State Police are also investigating the officer-involved shooting of the incident. Trooper Derek Senegal says Lake Charles PD reportedly fired shots at a naked man who then retreated into the house. A SWAT team deployed a robot into the house and Senegal says that’s when they discovered the naked man whom police shot deceased in the home.

Cut 7 (12) “…the investigation.”

They believe the other two victims had been deceased for days.

New Orleans officials say shortened parade routes will be used again for Mardi Gras next year. The city cites the shortage of police as the issue. Publisher of the annual Mardi Gras Guide Arthur Hardy says obviously many are disappointed but New Orleans will survive this…

Cut 14 (09)  “…good chance that’ll happen.” 

Animal shelters in Louisiana and across the country continue to be overwhelmed with animals.  Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says in their 34-year history they’ve never experienced such an influx of abandoned animals and because Louisiana has one of the lowest spay and neuter rates in the country it’s only making the problem worse.

Cut 11 (06)  “…volunteer.”

He urges you to adopt a pet if you can or to make a donation to assist shelters with the influx.

Louisiana State Police will conduct a new cadet training class in February, but if you want to become a trooper, the deadline to apply is Monday. Trooper Kate Stegall says LSP is big enough to offer interesting careers to folks with a wide variety of skills and interests.

Cut 5 (08) “…motorcycle division.” 

Visit their website for more information.

Three people were killed in Lake Charles Thursday afternoon and State Police are also investigating the officer-involved shooting of the incident. Trooper Derek Senegal says Lake Charles PD reportedly fired shots at a naked man who then retreated into the house. A SWAT team deployed a robot into the house and Senegal says that’s when they discovered the naked man whom police shot deceased in the home.

Cut 7 (12) “…the investigation.”

Names have not been released.

Louisiana State Police is beginning a new cadet training class in February, but if you want to become a trooper, the deadline to apply is Monday. Trooper Kate Stegall says for the right person, it’s a terrific job.

Cut 3 (08) “…be that person” 

For more info visit lsp.org and click on Become a Trooper. The class is 23 weeks.

Today marks one year until the 2023 Louisiana gubernatorial primary election. Kevin Gallagher looks at who is in and who may be…:

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A recent report by America’s Health Rankings says Louisiana is the least healthy state in the nation for women and children. Not only that, but the report also shows Louisiana falls into the bottom five in crucial indicators of overall health such as social and economic factors, physical environment, and health outcomes

After three people were killed in Lake Charles and an officer-involved shooting State Police are also investigating the incident that happened Thursday afternoon at a 7^th Street residence. Trooper Derek Senegal says Lake Charles PD reportedly fired shots at a naked man who then retreated into the house and then a SWAT team deployed a robot into the house.

Cut 6 (12)  “…the residence.” 

Names of the victims have not been released.

Two Baton Rouge teens are under arrest in an alleged murder plot that killed 33-year-old Markeshia Stone Wednesday night. East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s spokesperson Casey Hicks says the suspected shooter – a 16-year-old boy was asked by a 16-year-old relative of Stone’s to kill her. Hicks says both suspects are now in juvenile detention pending arraignment…:

Cut 15 (08)  “…of a firearm.”

Beginning next week, the Louisiana Department of Health will cease to give daily COVID numbers and move to weekly updates. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the change will go into effect on Wednesday, October 19th…:

Cut  11 (12)  “…phase of the pandemic.”
He says at this point in the pandemic 95% of Louisianans have either been vaccinated, had COVID, or both.

73-year-old Peter Son Nguyen (WIN) has been arrested by the enforcement division of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for alleged illegal possession and release of an exotic species. LWDF spokesperson Adam Einck says a few weeks ago they received a report that apple snails had been released in an Opelousas neighborhood pond.

Cut 7 (11) “…this pond.”

5:30 (17) 8:30 (20)

Two Baton Rouge teens are under arrest in an alleged murder plot that killed 33-year-old Markeshia Stone Wednesday night. East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s spokesperson Casey Hicks says the suspected shooter – a 16-year-old boy was asked by a 16-year-old relative of Stone’s to kill her. Hicks says both suspects are now in juvenile detention pending arraignment…:

Cut 15 (08)  “…of a firearm.”

Those charges could be upgraded.

The composite ACT scores among Louisiana high school students fell for the fifth year in a row. The Class of 2022 score was 18-point-one down from 18-point-four last year. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says he believes it’s mostly pandemic related.

Cut 9 (10)  “…interrupted.”
The national average also dropped to 19-point-eight,

Social security recipients will receive nearly a nine-percent increase in their benefits in 2023 to help retirees who are dealing with the highest inflation rates in decades. Louisiana AARP Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl, says this is the largest rate hike since 1981…

Cut 4 (09) “..their income.” 
73-year-old Peter Son Nguyen has been arrested by the enforcement division of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for alleged illegal possession and release of an exotic species. LWDF spokesperson Adam Einck says a few weeks ago they received a report that apple snails had been released in an Opelousas neighborhood pond.

Cut 7 (11) “…this pond.”

They’ve been known to clog crawfish traps and consume bait used for crawfish.

Today marks one year until the 2023 Louisiana gubernatorial primary election. Kevin Gallagher looks at who is in and who may be…:

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Beginning next week, the Louisiana Department of Health will cease to give daily COVID numbers and move to weekly updates. Brooke Thorington explains

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Two Baton Rouge teenagers are charged with plotting and carrying out a murder. More from Jeff Palermo…:

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Today marks one year until the 2023 Louisiana gubernatorial primary election, and a field of candidates has already begin to take shape. Last week, Attorney General Jeff Landry made his intentions official, but “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says there are no less than 13 names declared or undeclared for the race…:

Cut 4 (12)  “…made it official.”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has also made comments about running, but has not made that official yet. Alford says Landry is not the only person who HAS made his candidacy official. Also declared is southwest Louisiana lawyer Hunter Lundy, an Independent…:

Cut 5 (09) “…into this race.”

Alford says it’s possible some of Louisiana’s congressional delegates in Washington D.C. may seriously consider entering the race for governor in 2023, once they see how the November mid-term elections shake out…:

Cut 6 (08)  “…factor in this race.” 

Louisiana’s gubernatorial primary election is October 14, 2023.

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73-year-old Peter Son Nguyen (WIN) has been arrested by the enforcement division of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for alleged illegal possession and release of an exotic species. LWDF spokesperson Adam Einck says a few weeks ago they received a report that apple snails had been released in an Opelousas neighborhood pond.

Cut 7 (11) “…this pond.”

Apple snails can cause extreme damage and are a highly invasive species. Einck says they were first found in the state about 15 years ago and the pond in Opelousas had not been previously inhabited by apple snails.

Cut 8 (06)  “…that area.”

Apple snails have been known to clog crawfish traps and consume bait used for crawfish. As for a motive for the alleged placement of the invasive species in the pond, Einck says that remains under investigation.

Cut 9 (05)  “…that pond.”

Illegal possession of apple snails brings up to a $50 fine and their illegal release carries a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail.

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Beginning next week, the Louisiana Department of Health will cease to give daily COVID numbers and move to weekly updates. Currently, the state gives daily totals Monday through Friday and State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the change will go into effect on Wednesday, October 19^th.

Cut 10 (11) “…every week.”

Kanter says we’re at a point in the pandemic where we can step back from daily totals and look at things more in-depth on a weekly basis and examine trends by racial demographics and other factors.

Cut  11 (12)  “…phase of the pandemic.”

When you compare numbers from the most recent surge, also known as the sixth surge, Kanter says we had every bit as much COVID transmission as prior surges but thankfully the clinical acuity was low.

Cut 12 (09) “…of this.” 

Kanter says at this point in the pandemic 95% of Louisianans have either been vaccinated, had COVID, or both.

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Two Baton Rouge teens are under arrest in an alleged murder plot that left a woman dead Wednesday night. East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s spokesperson Casey Hicks says deputies found the suspected shooter – a 16-year-old boy – not far from the scene of the crime, and he cracked quickly under questioning…:

Cut 13 (11) “…kill this woman.”

The victim is identified as 33-year-old Markeshia Stone. She was shot multiple times and died in a nearby hospital. Hicks says the teen boy told them he was asked to commit the crime by the girl, who is a friend of his…:

Cut 14 (12)  “…kill her relative.”

Hicks says the investigation is ongoing, and citizens with pertinent information should contact the EBR Sheriff’s Office. She says both suspects are now in juvenile detention pending arraignment…:

Cut 15 (08)  “…of a firearm.”

The EBR District attorney may choose to upgrade the charges.

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LSU is at Florida tomorrow night in what is expected to be another tight game in Gainesville. The last six meetings in the swamp between these two schools have been decided by a total of 27 points and all have been one possession games. Tigers wide receiver Jarray Jenkins says who ever executes the best will win…

Cut 16 (14)  “…just fine.” 

Both teams have first-year coaches. Billy Napier has a four-and-two record in his first in Gainesville after leading the Ragin Cajuns for four seasons. LSU Cornerback Mekhi Garner played for Napier in Lafayette…

Cut 17 (07) “…a monster” 

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Fresh off a win against UTEP last week, Louisiana Tech is at North Texas tomorrow. The Mean Green are averaging 214 rushing yards a game, which is second best in Conference USA. Bulldogs Coach Sonny Cumbie…

Cut 18 (17) “…down the field” 

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There will be a lot of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase fans from Louisiana in the Superdome for Sunday’s Bengals-Saints game. Saints defensive end Cam Jordan expects Who Dat Nation will be supporting the Black and Gold…

Cut 19 (15) “…this week”

The Bengals can be explosive on offense with Burrow, Chase, and wide receiver Tee Higgins. Jordan says if the Saints defense plays up to its standard, they’ll be fine…

Cut 20 (07) “ …one dimensional” 

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Louisiana 3rd Judicial District D.A. John Belton says he’ll convene a grand jury next month to seek indictments against the State Police Troopers involved in the 2019 roadside death of Ronald Greene. Belton declined to discuss any further details. Baton Rouge criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor Franz Borghardt says we’ll learn more about the evidence if indictments are handed down

Cut 13 (09) “…the criminal proceedings.”
Republican Senator John Kennedy has raised a record-breaking $36 million for his re-election campaign but many wonder if Kennedy will run for governor, Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat believes if Republicans regain control of the Senate that Kennedy will stay put.

Cut 9 (10)  “…not going to happen.”

Three energy companies are partnering together in an effort to dramatically reduce industrial carbon dioxide emissions by capturing two-million tons of greenhouse gases from a plant in Donaldsonville and then storing them underground in Vermilion Parish…

Cut  11 (07)  “..electric vehicles.”

That’s Dan Ammann, president of ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions, who expects the project to be duplicated worldwide.

Pertussis, better known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory illness and it’s making a comeback. Dr. Albert Rizzo with the American Lung Association says pediatricians and health officials typically see rapid Pertussis infections during the fall but still urges people to stay ahead of the curve and get vaccinated.

Cut 6 (11)  “…up to date.” 

Only 30% of adults in the U.S have been vaccinated for whooping cough.

Baton Rouge police have made an arrest in a fatal hit and run that happened late Saturday night, early Sunday morning. Lt. Don Coppola says the suspect is charged with felony hit and run driving.

Cut 12 (08) “…Louisiana”

Brister is the son of former ULM and NFL Quarterback Bubby Brister. This victim 44-year-old Jude Jarreau was trying to walk across the road in a neighborhood south of LSU when a black Range Rover hit him and took off.

We’ve entered the fourth quarter of 2022 and the latest national survey from NFIB shows inflation and worker shortages continue to weigh on small business optimism. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says it’s a battle for survival…

Cut 7 (06) “..what they love”

The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approves a new policy that could result in 30 hours of focused literacy instruction in the summer for third and fourth graders who perform poorly on an end-of-year reading exam. State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says students who do not want to participate in the summer program have other options…

Cut 9 (10)  “…K-12 experience”

Brumley says another option is for the student to repeat the grade. He says this policy will only be in effect for the current school year and next.

Anglers who fish in the Gulf of Mexico say they’ve noticed more sharks and they are getting aggressive. Owner of Delta Marine Mitch Jurisch says many offshore fishermen are complaining about sharks taking a bite out of their catch…

Cut 4 (10) “…just unreal.” 
Jurisich believes federal protections of sharks have only allowed them to grow in numbers

After boaters were rescued Monday after fending off sharks about 25 miles off the coast of Empire, Louisiana Oyster Task Force Chairman and fisherman Mitch Jurisich the Coast Guard arrived just in time because one man was holding onto an ice chest, and he bravely knew to go for the shark’s eyes.

Cut 3 (11) “…his finger.” 

Jurisich believes federal protections of sharks have only allowed them to grow in numbers and says those protections need to be revised.

The state Department of Insurance has approved a rate increase of 63 percent for customers of the state-run insurer of last resort, Louisiana Citizens. The increase will take effect on January 1^st, but Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon hopes to have new insurance companies arranged to offer cheaper coverage to those under Citizens’ protection…:

Cut 14 (09)  “…Citizens’ policyholders.”

The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approves a new policy that could result in 30 hours of focused literacy instruction in the summer for third and fourth graders who perform poorly on an end-of-year reading exam. State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says students who do not want to participate in the summer program have other options…

Cut 9 (10)  “…K-12 experience”

Brumley says another option is for the student to repeat the grade. He says this policy will only be in effect for the current school year and next.