There’s a lot of uncertainty at LSU right now as the university lacks a permanent athletics director, permanent head football coach, and permanent president. A new president is expected to be named tomorrow. Former LSU linebacker Darry Beckwith expressed concern but still believes the head football coaching job at LSU is one of the best in the country…

Cut 14 (10) “…to have.”

Two young girls were hospitalized after being thrown from a Ferris wheel at the Harvest Festival on False River Saturday and a third child had to be rescued from a bucket that suddenly tipped causing two of the girls to fall out. Injuries caused one of the girls to have to be airlifted to a hospital. The State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating, and it appears the bucket was caught on some wires that caused it to get stuck and tilt over. Authorities carried out inspections and allowed all other rides at the festival to reopen.

Louisiana was a hit at the JRNY (“Journey”) America Awards, taking home three awards. New Orleans won for Best Food City and Best New Tourism initiative for the new Amtrak Mardi Gras service. Louisiana won for State of the Year. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says we have some of the best outdoor recreation opportunities in the country, if not the world.

Cut 6 (12) “…in the world.”

Flights between Alexandria and Houston are resuming after being discontinued in 2022. United is restarting the service between Alexandria International and Bush Intercontinental. Airport Executive Director Ralph Hennessy says they’ve worked to restore service to Houston since the day it was discontinued. The airport got its big break with SkyWest Airlines.

Cut 8 (07) “…United Airlines flag.”

When service resumes in May, there will be two daily non-stop flights.

One of the escaped Rhesus monkeys from the overturned truck that was carrying them from the Tulane Biomedical Research Center last week was shot and killed Sunday by a mother who was concerned for her children’s safety. Jessica Ferguson said her 16-year-old son spotted the monkey running in their yard near Heidelberg, Mississippi. Ferguson said because she had gotten reports that the monkeys carried disease, she shot it. Tulane officials said the monkeys were not infectious, but they are aggressive. 21 monkeys were in the truck when it overturned. Thirteen were recovered at the time of the accident. Five were killed during a search, and three were at large before the shooting.

Hurricane season doesn’t end until the end of the month but State Climatologist Jay Grymes says history has shown, the threat of tropical weather in the Western Gulf is nonexistent that this time of year.

Cut 12 (08) “…terms of history.”

If you miss being able to fly from Alexandria to Houston, you’ll be able to do so again this coming spring. Jeanne (“zhahn”) Burns reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

Louisiana won three awards at the JRNY (“Journey”) America Awards including State of the Year which Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says is testament that while New Orleans is a world class tourist attraction, there’s a lot to see throughout the state.

Cut 5 (09) “…the oldest city.”

Two young girls were hospitalized after being thrown from a Ferris wheel at the Harvest Festival on False River Saturday and a third child had to be rescued from a bucket that suddenly tipped causing two of the girls to fall out. Injuries caused one of the girls to have to be airlifted to a hospital. The State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating, and it appears the bucket was caught on some wires that caused it to get stuck and tilt over . Authorities carried out inspections and allowed all other rides at the festival to reopen.

The 2025 hurricane season ends at the end of the month but State Climatologist Jay Grymes says history has shown that this time of year, the threat of tropical weather for the Western Gulf is nonexistent.

Cut 11 (10) “…with a landfall.”

This year, no storm of at least tropical storm strength made landfall along the U.S. Gulf Coast.

One former LSU Tiger is hoping interim athletics director Verge Ausberry can provide stability to the Tigers athletic department. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana is a big winner at the JRNY (“Journey”) America Awards, taking home three awards. Louisiana won for State of the Year, and New Orleans won for Best Food City and Best New Tourism initiative – the latter being for the new Amtrak Mardi Gras service. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the Mardi Gras service, which connects New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama, with stops in Mississippi along the way, is something that he worked on and is something he’s very proud of.

Cut 4 (10) “…expand into Florida.”

Though there may officially be one month to go in this hurricane season, State Climatologist Jay Grymes says looks like Louisiana will make it through this year unscathed.

Cut 10 (05) “…threat is over.”

He says history has shown that this time of year, the threat of tropical weather in the Gulf of Mexico is nonexistent. This year, no storm of at least tropical storm strength made landfall along the U.S. Gulf Coast. The closest was Tropical Storm Barry, which made landfall in central Mexico in late June.

LSU supporters are hoping for a quieter week after a topsy-turvy few days last week. Football coach Brian Kelly and athletics director Scott Woodward are both gone, and some say Governor Landry’s fingerprints are all over Woodward’s departure. Former LSU linebacker Darry Beckwith is concerned…

Cut 13 (11)  “…thing together.”

Louisiana cleans up at the JRNY (“Journey”) America Awards. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Starting in May, you’ll once again be able to fly from Alexandria to Houston and back. United is restarting service between Alexandria International Airport and Bush Intercontinental Airport. Airport Executive Director Ralph Hennessy says service had been discontinued in 2022, and not because the route wasn’t profitable.

Cut 7 (08) “…30-plus other markets.”

LSU introduced New Iberia native and longtime athletic administrator Verge Ausberry as its interim athletics director. After a tumultuous week that saw the firing of head football coach Brian Kelly and the departure of athletics director Scott Woodward, Ausberry had this message for LSU fans…

Cut 3 (12) “…job done.”

Ausberry says his main priority is to find the best football coach that LSU can hire.

Congressman Steve Scalise will have a Democratic challenger in next year’s general election. Special education teacher Lauren Jewett is launching a campaign to unseat the nine-term incumbent.

Cut 11 (13) “…have to leave.”

So far, no one else, either Republican or Democrat, has declared his or her candidacy. The district is very heavily Republican.

It’s Halloween, and Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission has some safety reminders. He says when trick or treating, it’s best for kids to do so in packs, carry a flashlight and wear bright clothing.

Cut 5 (11) “…keep you safer.”

DOTD wants you to sign the “Buckle Up, Phone Down” pledge. Seat belts save lives and Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says taking your eyes off the road to look at your phone or anything else can have disastrous results.

Cut 10 (08) “…or somebody else.”

You can sign the “Buckle Up, Phone Down” pledge on DOTD’s website. There’s also a link on their Facebook page.

Special Education Teacher and Democrat Lauren Jewett announces she’s running against nine term incumbent Steve Scalise to represent the 1^st Congressional district in Congress. She acknowledges it won’t be easy to match Scalise’s campaign funds. According to the latest Federal Election Commission filings, Jewett reported just over 73-hundred dollars in cash on hand, compared to Scalise’s five-million dollars.

Cut 13 (06)  “…the organized money.”

So far, Jewett and Scalise are the only two running.

Less than a week after he fired Brian Kelly, LSU athletic director Scott Woodward is out as AD. Tiger Rag magazine editor Glenn Guilbeau says it was only a matter of time

Cut 15 (07) “…or later too.”

Executive Deputy Athletic Director Verge Ausberry, who was a star linebacker for the Tigers in the 1980s, will act as interim AD and will lead the search for a new head football coach.

DOTD invites you to sign the “Buckle Up, Phone Down” pledge. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

This Halloween you’re urged to use extra caution as you go out – especially if you’re driving at night. Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says pay extra attention when going into neighborhoods during the early evening hours.

Cut 4 (09) “…something like that.”

Fischer says when trick or treating, it’s best for kids to do so in packs, carry a flashlight and wear bright clothing.

Just days after he fired Brian Kelly, Scott Woodward is out as LSU’s athletic director. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 3 (38) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

This Halloween, DPS Trooper Eddie Thomas encourages parents should do a little homework before trick or treating and find out which homes in their neighborhood have sex offenders living in them.

Cut 7 (06) “…sex offender registry.”

By law, registered sex offenders are not allowed to participate in Trick or Treating.

Special education teacher Lauren Jewett has announced her candidacy for Louisiana’s District 1 seat currently held by Congressman Steve Scalise. She says she’s more in tune with the needs of the people of her District, particularly those on Medicaid.

Cut 12 (13) “…1.5-million people.”

DOTD is asking drivers to sign the “Buckle Up, Phone Down” pledge. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says

cell phones can come in handy in cars – as long as you use the hands-free functions.

Cut 9 (15)  “…hands-free options.”

Mallett says taking your eyes off the road can have disastrous results.

On Sunday, LSU athletic director Scott Woodward fired Brian Kelly. Last night, LSU fired Woodward. Tiger Rag magazine editor Glenn Guilbeau says it didn’t matter that the LSU grad hired three national championship-winning coaches in Jay Johnson, Kim Mulkey and Jay Clark – the money he paid Kelly, who never came close to winning a national title, ultimately led to his demise.

Cut 14 (08) “…something like that.”

Congressman Steve Scalise will have a Democratic challenger in next year’s general election. Special education teacher Lauren Jewett is launching a campaign to unseat the nine-term incumbent.

Cut 11 (13) “…have to leave.”

So far, Jewett and Scalise are the only two running.

While taking the kids trick or treating use extra caution while you’re out and about, especially after dark. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

DOTD is urging Louisianans to sign the “Buckle Up, Phone Down” pledge. The campaign encourages drivers and passengers to do just that – wear their seatbelts and put the phone down while driving. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says seat belt use reduces the risk of a fatal injury in a crash by more than 45-percent.

Cut 8 (08) “…save your life.”

69 people have died in Louisiana home fires so far this year and Ken Pastorick with the State Fire Marshal’s Office urges residents to give themselves a fighting chance of surviving a house fire by having smoke alarms in the home. He says there’s help for those who can’t afford to install one

Cut 14 (10) “…it for free.”

A new study by Leaders for a Better Louisiana says the Early Childhood Education Fund is in danger of running out of money by 2030. The Fund that was granted 40 million dollars in seed money matches local contributions. But Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin says if contributions keep growing…

Cut 4 (06) “…keep it sustainable.”

Data released by AARP this week shows that almost a million people in Louisiana care for aging loved ones at home with no assistance from the state. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The 119^th Louisiana State Fair begins today in Shreveport and will run all the way until November 16^th. Russell Adams, the marketing manager of the Louisiana State Fair, says there’s a new addition this year.

Cut 6 (10) “…to see.”

And he says Food vendors from all over the country are there.

69 people have died in 51 home fires in the state so far this year. Those 51 fires are 15 more than what the state had at the same time last year. Ken Pastorick with the State Fire Marshal’s Office says it’s important that residents have smoke alarms in their homes so they have a fighting chance to survive.

Cut 13 (07)  “…in your house.”

He says Operation Save-A-Life provides free smoke alarms and installations for residents who don’t have a smoke alarm.

AARP says almost a million Louisianans provide in home care to older loved and Director of Advocacy for AARP Louisiana, Andrew Muhl, says it’s a huge burden on the family caregivers, in both time and money.

Cut 11 (11) “…a loved one.”

AARP says 80-percent of family caregivers spend their own money to pay for their aging loved ones’ needs, averaging more than seven-thousand dollars a year while the state puts a disproportionate amount of money towards nursing homes instead of in-home care.

The 119th State Fair of Louisiana begins today in Shreveport and will run through November 16th. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

A new study by Leaders for a Better Louisiana says the Early Childhood Education Fund is in danger of running out of money by 2030. The fund was established in 2017 as a dollar-for-dollar match to local communities which raise money for early childhood education. It was seeded with a one-time appropriation of 40-million dollars, with dedicated revenue streams added on later. But Better Louisiana Chief Policy Officer Barry Erwin says the fund is not keeping up with local contributions.

Cut 3 (09) “…keep it going.”