Former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain could be looking at life in prison following his trial on accusations that he raped multiple children. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

49-year old Derwin Hamilton of Franklin has been indicted on two counts of first-degree murder in the burning deaths of his girlfriend and nephew. Hamilton was arrested in July accused of setting his live-in girlfriend and 5-year-old nephew on fire during an argument inside their mobile home. The 16^th Judicial District Court issued the ruling Friday.

The House passed the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill Friday night and Louisiana Democratic Congressman Troy Carter says the bill is life-changing and he’s proud to stand with Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, who co-authored the bipartisan bill in the Senate. Cassidy says passage of the bill is a major victory for Louisiana and the nation.

Cut 8 (13) “…flood resiliency.”

Cassidy and Carter are the only members of the Louisiana delegation to vote in favor of the bill.

It will be much darker on your commute home this evening thanks to the time change and Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says Louisiana drivers will also have to contend with wildlife in both rural and metropolitan areas during the hours of dusk and dawn as temperatures begin to cool.

Cut 12 (08) “…most active.”

The house passed the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill last night. Louisiana Second Congressional District Representative Troy Carter issued a statement last night and said this a transformational moment for the people of Louisiana, and the entire country.

Cut 21 did its job :15

Senator Bill Cassidy also applauded the House’s passage of the bill.

Cut 22 flood resiliency :20

The Bill now goes to the President’s desk for signature.

It will be much darker on your drive home from work beginning Monday with the time change that goes into effect later tonight when we set our clocks back. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says you might want to check your headlights this weekend and consider cleaning them before the time change.

Cut 24 80-percent :10

Today is the last day for early voting for the November 13^th election. For locations and a sample ballot, visit the secretary of state’s website or use your Geaux Vote app on your smartphone. There are some municipal elections in areas of the state but there are also four constitutional amendments on the statewide ballots.+

The LSU Tigers take on rival Alabama in Tuscaloosa tonight at 6 and the Saints will play their division nemesis Sunday at the Dome when they kickoff against the Atlanta Falcons.

The state recorded its lowest number of hospitalizations Friday since spring of 2020 with 226. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

Today is the last day for early voting for the November 13^th election. On the ballot are several municipal elections but also four statewide constitutional amendments. For a sample ballot and a list of voting locations use your Geaux Vote app on your smartphone. In areas severely impacted by Ida, several polling locations have been changed.

The winner of last Saturday’s one-point-three million-dollar Louisiana Lotto drawing is from Laura-devastated southwest Louisiana. Lottery spokesman Dennis Annison says the lucky ticketholder came forward Monday.

Cut 13 (08) “…thousand after taxes.”

No word on what he plans to do with his winnings.

And Trevor Siemian also hit the jackpot he’s now the starting QB for tomorrow’s Saints game against the Falcons. Kickoff is at noon and even Siemian’s mother will reportedly be in the stands at the Caesars Superdome cheering on her son, who led the Saints to victory last weekend against the defending champs Tampa Bay after Jameis Winston injured his knee. He’ll reportedly be out for the remainder of the season. And be sure to watch the game on time tomorrow don’t forget to set your clock back one hour tonight.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is leading a multi-state lawsuit to derail President Biden’s executive vaccine mandate order for federal contractors. Landry pulls no punches in his opposition to the requirement.

Cut 6 (08) “…but vastly overreaching.” 

Landry says the mandate will directly impact Louisiana, noting that about 60 percent of the state’s budget is federal money, and also impacts local governments and institutions of higher learning.

Biden’s order takes effect January 4^th and also mandates private companies with 100 or more employees be vaccinated or weekly COVID tests. Non-compliance would mean federal fines via OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the defense will have a credible argument.

Cut 8 (10) “…rules in this area.”

Drugmaker Pfizer says their experimental antiviral pill for COVID cuts the rates of hospitalization and death by nearly 90-percent in high-risk adults. Dr. Julio Figueroa, Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans says if the data holds true the drug is noteworthy.

Cut 3 (12) “….significant, very significant.”

Pfizer will reportedly be asking the FDA to authorize use of the pill asap.

Restaurant owners in Louisiana are calling on Senator John Kennedy to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund that closed more than 100 days ago. Kennedy supported the grant program last year but so far isn’t on board this year. New Orleans Restaurant Owner Neal Bodenheimer says close to three-thousand Louisiana establishments that applied were not funded.

Cut 4 (12) “…three weren’t. “ (x2)

Barry Risby the suspect in a triple-homicide in Shreveport overnight Wednesday is dead after fleeing to Franklin Parish where police exchanged gunfire with him at an apartment complex Thursday afternoon. Sheriff Kevin Cobb says the investigation includes trying to determine why Rigsby fled to a Franklin Parish apartment complex after killing three people, including a 12-year-old.

Cut 15 (12)  “…that are needed.”

Early voting for the November 13^th election wraps up this Saturday. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says turn out thus far has been too light for his taste.

Cut 10 (09)  “…from local government.” 

Ardoin doesn’t have an estimate on turnout thus far, but he expects only about 24 percent of registered voters will participate.

Thirty U.S. Senators – including Louisiana’s – are opposed to President Biden’s mandate for COVID vaccine in the private sector. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says there’s a good chance that a federal judge will issue – at least – a Temporary Restraining Order to delay the Executive Order taking effect…

Cut 9 (10)  “…part of their challenge.”

Restaurant owners in Louisiana are calling on Senator John Kennedy to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund that closed more than 100 days ago. Kennedy supported the $120 billion grant program last year but so far isn’t on board this year. John Stubbs, with Jewel in the South, says his New Orleans restaurant is dependent on the fund now more than ever.

Cut 5 (09) “…we will.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is one of the co-sponsors of the bill to replenish the fund, however Kennedy is not.

The man sought for a triple-homicide in Shreveport is dead after fleeing east from the scene into Franklin Parish where police caught up with him at an apartment complex. Sheriff Kevin Cobb says that’s where they found Barry Rigsby who opened fire on officers and consequently was killed by return fire.

Cut 13 (09) “…this point deceased.”

Prior to his death, warrants had been issued charging him with three counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of two adults and a 12-year-old boy.

Sheriff Cobb says Rigsby took actions to try and avoid police as they worked to apprehend him Thursday afternoon in Wisner, trying at times to talk him into giving up.

Cut 14 (11) “…advantage for him” 

No police or civilians were injured.

The Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in conjunction with the Department of Public Health is encouraging pet owners who believe their dog or cat might have been exposed to COVID to have them tested. Alma Roy, a consultant with the lab says the testing is free.

Cut 6 (11) “…be done.” 

While COVID in pets is not common, Roy says however they want to understand more about the disease and its relationship with our four-legged friends.

Louisiana’s shortage of doctors and nurses isn’t getting any better. The shortage began before the pandemic but has since been aggravated by overworked employees and some medical facilities demanding workers be vaccinated or face termination. A fair number of employees have resigned as a result. A new COVID milestone is reached in the state today. 235 COVID hospitalizations, that’s the lowest number since counts began last spring.

An extensive manhunt is underway for 36-year-old Barry Rigsby, a suspect in a triple homicide in Shreveport. Shreveport Police Sergeant Angie Willhite says a woman conducting a welfare check on her son at a home in the Cedar Grove neighborhood found three deceased individuals, including a 12-year-old child…

Cut 9 (12) “…shot to death”

Rigsby’s vehicle has been recovered in Franklin Parish, but the search for Rigsby continues.

Open enrollment is now underway for health coverage under the Affordable Care Act Plans. Christine O’Brien, executive director of United Health Care of Louisiana, says when considering coverage keep in mind more than just the cost of a plan.

Cut 3 (12) “….in the network.”

The Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in conjunction with the Department of Public Health is encouraging pet owners who believe their dog or cat might have been exposed to COVID to have them tested. Alma Roy, a consultant with the lab says the testing is free.

Cut 6 (11) “…be done.” 

While COVID in pets is not common, Roy says however they want to understand more about the disease and its relationship with our four-legged friends.

A new COVID milestone is reached in the state today. 235 COVID hospitalizations, that’s the lowest number since counts began last spring.

Pediatric doses of the Pfizer COVID vaccine are beginning to arrive in Louisiana for children ages five to eleven. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says by the end of the next week the state should have received 148,000 doses.

Cut 13 (11) “…mail right now.”

Call 2-1-1 for more information.

Louisiana College, in Pineville, is changing its name to Louisiana Christian University. University President Rick Brewer says the school is fully accredited as a Level 3 institution by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, so the rebranding is more than appropriate…:

Cut 10 (12)  “…reached university status.” 

You hear a lot about supply chain issues. The National Federation of Independent Business has conducted a survey of its members and they’ve found that the supply chain disruptions are only getting worse…

Cut 5 (08) “…three months ago.”
NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says nearly half of small business owners say that both the supply chain and the staffing shortage will impact their holiday sales.

Senator Bill Cassidy is among 14 Senate Republicans looking to block the payment of nearly a half-million dollars each to illegal immigrants who were separated from their families at the border when detained. Cassidy seems to indicate the payments to illegal immigrants would be a slap in the face economically to citizens of this country.

Cut 9 (08)  “…the Biden inflation.”

On Wednesday the Biden Administration denied support of such payments.

A manhunt is underway for Barry Rigsby, the suspected gunman that took three lives in Shreveport early this morning, two adults and a 12-year-old boy. Shreveport Police believe it was a domestic dispute. (The child’s mother found all three just before 2 am.) Rigsby was last seen in a burgundy Dodge journey with Louisiana plates.

Pineville’s Louisiana College is rebranding under a new name and status. More from Kevin Gallagher.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

The state is expected to receive 148,000 pediatric doses of the Pfizer COVID vaccine by the end of next week for 5- to 11-year-olds. Dr. Rachel Chatters, President of the Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics urges parents to have their children vaccinated to protect them from illness and keep them in school as much as possible.

Cut 14 (10)  “…immunization.”

Call 2-1-1 for a vaccine provider and the vaccine hotline for information or to answer questions and concerns.

A new survey of members by the National Federation of Independent Business indicates a lack of optimism because of supply chain issues and staffing shortages. Dawn McVea NFIB state director, says 69-percent of small businesses have increased prices due to supply issues.

Cut 6 (06) “…five percent.”

Pediatric doses of the Pfizer COVID vaccine should be available to vaccine providers in Louisiana soon, now that the CDC approved the vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says the two-dose vaccine is the same as the adult vaccine just a third of the dosage.

Cut 6 (11) “…the adult dose.” 

Parental consent is required.

Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas announces he will miss the remainder of the season as he’s suffered a setback after undergoing ankle surgery in June. Thomas made the announcement on Twitter and Coach Sean Payton told reporters that the setback is surgically related…

Cut 9 (11) “…procedure done”

The news comes two days after starting quarterback Jameis Winston will miss the rest of the season.

Some state lawmakers warn school officials it’s best not to mandate or offer COVID vaccines for kids 5 to 11 now that they’re approved. More from Kevin Gallagher.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

Lafayette Police say a juvenile is listed in stable condition after being caught in the crossfire of two adults arguing Tuesday afternoon. KLFY-TV says the victim is a 9-year-old girl. Police responded to the 2500 block of East Simcoe Street shortly after 4pm Tuesday. No arrests been made have so far, and the investigation is ongoing.