In Independence, a woman was found dead at an apartment complex on First Street this morning.  Independence Police responded to a call just after 9:00 this morning about an unresponsive person and found a female victim dead from an apparent gunshot wound. Both the Tangipahoa Sheriff’s Office and IPD are on the scene. More information is expected.

The Louisiana State Police now has 55 more officers. They graduated from Cadet Class 104 Friday morning during a ceremony outside Istrouma (is-TROO-ma) Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. Captain Nick Manale (ma-NAAL-ee) says their challenging 24-week training began in late April.

Cut 6 (14) “…physical training regimen.”

To Establish rail service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, or widen I-10 between the two cities?

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Angola Prison Rodeo is back every Sunday this month, featuring Convict Poker, Wild Cow Milking, and the renowned Guts-n-Glory. Warden Tim Hooper says there are lots of things visitors can enjoy.

Cut 3 (11) “…come out a purchase.”

Tickets are $20 and all proceeds fund reentry programs to help inmates reintegrate successfully after release.

Pineville has a little more time before needing a new mayor as Mayor Rich Dupree is staying in office for two more weeks. His resignation was originally scheduled to take effect on October 6th. But he’s delaying his departure to October 20^th because otherwise, the new law requiring closed primaries would have forced two elections in the same year because the regular 2026 mayoral election is being moved out a couple of weeks. Dupree announced his resignation amid allegations of an improper relationship with a staffer.

Governor Jeff Landry says does not oppose a plan for passenger rail service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans but he would prefer widening I-10 between the two cities and questions whether the rail would get used. John Spain, a member of the Southern Rail Commission, says polls show that it would.

Cut 11 (07) “…ride the train.”

Former Governor Edwards, had dedicated more than 20-million dollars to the rail project.

The fall Angola Rodeo is back.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Last year’s Purple Light Project to bring awareness to domestic violence was a success says, Faith House Prevention and Development Director Kimberly Boutte and they hope to see even more homes and businesses participate this year. Boutte emphasizes by uniting as a community, will shine a light on domestic violence and create meaningful change.

Cut 14 (09) “…ending the violence.”

In Independence, a woman was found dead at an apartment complex on First Street this morning.  Independence Police responded to a call just after 9:00 this morning about an unresponsive person and found a female victim dead from an apparent gun shot wound. Both the Tangipahoa Sheriff’s Office and IPD are on the scene. More information is expected.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Faith House is relaunching the Purple Light Project encouraging community members to replace their porch lights with purple bulbs to bring awareness.  Prevention and Development Director Kimberly Boutte (Boo-tay) says for a donation of $10 or more, Faith House will provide a complimentary purple bulb.

Cut 13 (13) “…lights will help.” 

Donations can be made online at Faith-House-Acadiana-dot-com

Establish rail service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, or widen Interstate 10 between the two cities? A rail commissioner asks, why not both? Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Beginning this Sunday October 6^th, the Angola Prison Rodeo is back every Sunday in October featuring adrenaline-pumping events like Convict Poker, Wild Cow Milking, and the renowned Guts-n-Glory. Warden Tim Hooper says visitors can enjoy delicious food and shop the handmade crafts. Tickets are $20 and All proceeds fund reentry programs to help inmates reintegrate successfully after release.

Cut 4 (08) “…home with a trade.”

For ticket information visit angolarodeo.com/tickets.

Testifying before the Louisiana House Ways and Means State Tax Structure Subcommittee Manish Bhatt (“Bot”), the senior policy analyst at Tax Foundation’s Center for State Tax Policy said

Louisiana’s overall national competitiveness ranking is low but if Governor Landry’s ambitious tax reform plan had been in place, Louisiana’s ranking would be much higher.

Cut 11 (10) “…a huge leap.”

Among other things, the Tax Foundation’s report says Louisiana’s lack of a uniform sales tax administration disproportionately affects small businesses.

Absentee voting for the November 5^th election is underway, and the deadline to request an absentee ballot is November 1st by 4:30 p.m. The deadline for registrars to receive absentee ballots is November 4^th by 4:30 p.m.  Deputy Secretary for the Secretary of State’s Office, Joel Watson says the sooner you can request an absentee ballot the better…

Cut 5 (09) “…return that ballot.”

On Election Day, Nov. 5, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.  Voters are encouraged to verify their registration status and view sample ballots using the GeauxVote portal.

A Natchitoches police officer has been arrested for allegedly selling anabolic steroids from his police car. The Natchitoches Parish Journal reports after a two-month-long investigation Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s deputies arrested 36-year-old Officer Jonas McFerrin Wednesday morning. McFerrin was booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center on two charges of Distribution of Controlled Dangerous Substance Schedule III and one count of malfeasance in office. He is currently on administrative leave pending internal investigation.

The Louisiana Lottery expands its retail base to include Walmart and Smoke’n Go stores. Kimberly Chopin (show-PAN) with the Louisiana Lottery says the lottery has installed equipment in 56 Walmart locations across the state.

Cut 6 (09) “…allowed by law.”

Chopin says that will be a huge help for lottery players.

A Natchitoches police officer was arrested for allegedly selling anabolic steroids from his police car.  The Natchitoches Parish Journal reports after a two-month long investigation into the illegal distribution of anabolic steroids Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s deputies arrested. 36-year-old Officer Jonas McFerrin Wednesday morning. McFerrin was booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center on two charges of Distribution of Controlled Dangerous Substance Schedule III and one count of malfeasance in office. He is currently on administrative leave pending internal investigation.

During a House Ways and Means State Tax Structure Subcommittee meeting Manish Bhatt (“Bot”), senior policy analyst at Tax Foundation’s Center for State Tax Policy, testified saying Louisiana ranked low in its annual State Business Tax Climate Index, based on five factors.

Cut 9 (06)  “…unemployment insurance taxes.”

Bhatt says Louisiana’s overall national competitiveness is low due in large part to the complexity of Louisiana’s current tax code.

The presidential election is 33 days away.  Sean Richardson has key dates and deadlines Louisiana voters need to know.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Louisiana Lottery expands its retail base to include Walmart and Smoke’n Go stores making it more convenient for winners of under 600 dollars to redeem winnings. Kimberly Chopin (show-PAN) with the Louisiana Lottery Chopin says the addition of Walmart and Smoke’n Go boosts its retailer base to more than 28-hundred.

Cut 8 (05) “…mom and pops.”

There’s an incentive for retailers to join the lottery’s retail base, since they earn a five-percent commission on ticket sales and bonuses for selling large winning tickets.

A TikTok influencer is charged in the murder of a Baton Rouge therapist. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A Natchitoches police officer is under arrest for allegedly selling drugs. The Natchitoches Parish Journal is reporting that Officer Jonas McFerrin was arrested by the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office for selling from his police car. In a press release, Police Chief Nikeo Collins said, “The actions of any law enforcement officer that violate the law and abuse the public’s trust are unacceptable. McFerrin has been placed on administrative leave pending internal investigations.

The deadline to register in person, by mail, or at the Office of Motor Vehicles Nov. 5 presidential election is October 7th. The deadline to register online using the GeauxVote Online Registration System is October 15th. Deputy Secretary of Communication Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office says the early voting period is from October 18th to the 29th from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.…

Cut 4 (05) “…no Sunday voting.”

In addition to voting for the next U.S. president, citizens will choose all six of the state’s U.S. House members and participate in local races.

The Louisiana Lottery expands its retail base to include Walmart and Smoke’n Go stores. Kimberly Chopin (show-PAN) with the Louisiana Lottery says that will be a huge help for lottery players.

Cut 7 (09) “…they’re already shopping.”

Winnings over 600 dollars will need to be redeemed at the lottery office

A small business group is reacting to Governor Landry’s new tax reform that would tax services that hadn’t previously been taxed, in an effort to make up for any shortfall caused by lowering or eliminating income taxes. Leah Long, the state director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses in Louisiana and Mississippi, says that would present a challenge for small business owners.

Cut 3 (09) “…business sometimes doesn’t.”

A special legislative session on tax reform is expected next month.

During a press event on LSU’s campus, Governor Landry was asked about his desire to have a live tiger in Tiger Stadium on game days again. Landry has received push-back from animal rights groups and some veterinarians but he says Tigers in sanctuaries live much better lives that those in the wild.

Cut 11 (09) “…academically and athletically.”

2015 was the last time LSU had its live mascot on the field before a football game.

With the devastation of Hurricane Helene, The American Red Cross of Louisiana is urgently seeking volunteers to support emergency shelters for national disaster relief efforts. Regional CEO Dr. Kenneth St. Charles says candidates must complete training and commit to a two-week deployment. He’s encouraging those with management, organizational, or supervision skills to apply.

Cut 6 (08) “…skills as well.”

St. Charles emphasizes volunteers’ vital role, who comprise 90% of the Red Cross workforce.

The person of interest in the brutal death of Baton Rouge therapist Doctor William Abraham was taken into custody in Texas Tuesday night. Authorities say 20-year-old Terryon Thomas known as Mr. Prada by his Tik Tok followers was apprehended in Dallas and faces extradition back to Louisiana. It’s unclear what role if any Thomas played in Abraham’s death. Abraham’s body was found along a highway wrapped in a tarp in Tangipahoa Parish on Sunday. The coroner’s office says the Doctor Abraham was beaten before he died.

Beginning January 1st, thanks to a new federal policy, phone calls to and from Louisiana jails and prisons will drop dramatically from 25 cents per minute to six cents per minute. Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell welcomes the change, saying sheriffs were taking advantage, motivated by just one thing.

Cut 15 (10) “…G-R-E-E-D, greed.”

A small business group is reacting to Governor Landry’s tax reform plan. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Publisher of LaPolitics dot com, Jeremy Alfred says though Landry’s fellow Republicans have a supermajority in the legislature, getting this tax reform plan passed is not a foregone conclusion and business groups will have their lobbyists out in full force…

Cut 9 (11)  “…their own turf.”

As of this morning, Union Dock Workers are on strike and if it lasts a week, it could cost nearly $3.8 billion according to industry estimates. UNO Economics Professor Walter Lane says the fallout would likely impact multiple sectors of the economy with consumers seeing higher prices and fewer available products.

Cut 14 (09) “…a lot of people.”

Beginning today, a person could face a five-thousand-dollar fine or up to five years in prison for possessing mifepristone and misoprostol without a prescription.  Opponents have expressed concern this will negatively impact the health care of pregnant women, but Attorney General Liz Murrill says this is fearmongering from the pro-abortion activists…

Cut 9 (09)  “…for women.”

Facing a 700-million-dollar budget shortfall, Governor Landry unveils his tax reform plan in a news conference at the Capitol. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Southeastern Louisiana University celebrates its 100th year. A big celebration in the Student Union breezeway  University President William Wainwright says you’ll be able to drink to the milestone too!

Cut 5 (05) “…few short weeks.”

The celebration was originally scheduled for the middle of September, but Hurricane Francine forced those plans to change.

Governor Landry will be calling lawmakers back to Baton Rouge for a special session next month to take up his tax reform plan that he says would close most of a 700-million-dollar budget shortfall. He calls his plan Driving Louisiana Forward and says it would increase the take-home pay for all Louisiana taxpayers.

Cut 6 (14) “…to 12,500 dollars.”

The law reclassifying the abortion drugs Mifepristone and Misoprostol as controlled, dangerous substances goes into effect today making possession illegal without a valid prescription.  Attorney General Liz Murrill says securing medications that can and have been abused isn’t new…

Cut 10 (08) “…emergency situation.”

Illegal possession could cost one a five-thousand-dollar fine or up to five years in prison

Union dockworkers went on strike this morning at ports across the country.  Experts say we could see similar supply chain issues like we did during Covid.  Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Happy 100^th to Southeastern Louisiana University. President William Wainwright says in that century SLU has awarded tens of thousands of degrees.

Cut 4 (11) “…our centennial year.”