Voter turnout for the October primary election was 36-percent and the Secretary of State’s Office is predicting voter turnout for the upcoming election to be at 15-percent. JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillon says the number of mail in ballots already processed is way down…

Cut 10 (10) “…voting”

Daylight saving time ends Sunday at 2 am and sleep experts say the annual shift in time can have adverse health effects on many people.  LSU Health New Orleans Public Health Expert Dr. Benjamin Springgate says sleep deprivation and mood disturbances are likely to increase.

Cut 3 (11) “…worst mood.”

You’ll gain an extra hour of sleep as clocks are pushed back one hour.

Louisiana’s own Celebration Gator will be among the attractions in the 97^th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Cajun fiddler Amanda Shaw from Mandeville and Alexandria country singer Alex Smith will entertain the crowd. In 2021 Grammy-award-winning artist Jon Batiste appeared on Celebration Gator and in 2022 Trombone Shorty wowed the crowd. For 2024, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says they’ll determine if Celebration Gator will make an encore.

Cut 8 (07) “…this year.” 

And Louisiana will once again have a float in the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day.  The featured acts will be announced in a few weeks.

Arena Football is coming to Lake Charles. The Area Football League announced the revival of the Louisiana Voodoo Franchise. The team last played as the New Orleans Voodoo in 2015. Louisiana Voodoo will now play home games in Lake Charles at the Sudduth Coliseum. The Voodoo will begin play next year.

Baton Rouge Police have arrested 37-year-old Denise Law in the beating death of 66-year-old Melinda Reed. Sargent Darran Ahmed says Law was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison and charged with 1^st Degree Murder.

Cut 12 (12) “…Mrs. Reed.”  

While the investigation remains open, Ahmed says it remains to be determined if mental illness played a role in the incident.

Interstate 55 Northbound between Ponchatoula and LaPlace will remain closed for at least a couple more weeks and on Saturday the Southbound lanes of I-55 will also shut down from SEVEN AM to ONE PM to prepare a lane shift at the scene of the multi-vehicle crash that occurred last month. When I-55 southbound reopens in the afternoon, drivers will use the right lane near the crash site as crews repair the left. Travelers can use U S Hwy 51 as an alternate route.

Early voting for the November 18th election is underway and it will continue through Saturday November 11th. JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillion says in the October primary, a sizable number of Black residents voted for Republican Jeff Landry in the governor’s race, so will that trend continue???

Cut 9 (08) “…in the runoff.” 

There are three statewide races on the November 18th ballot, Secretary of State, State Treasurer and Attorney General. All three run-offs have a Republican going up against a Democrat.

LSU is looking to beat Alabama for a second consecutive year for the first time since 2010-2011 seasons. Jeff Palermo has a preview…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Baton Rouge Police have arrested 37-year-old Denise Law in the beating death of 66-year-old Melinda Reed. Sargent Darran Ahmed says officers responded to a call of an unresponsive female Thursday afternoon, they believe a metal walker was used as the murder weapon.

Cut 11 (10) “…her injuries.”

Authorities say the suspect was still on scene when they arrived.

Voter turnout for the October primary election was 36-percent and the Secretary of State’s Office is predicting voter turnout for the upcoming election to be at 15-percent.  JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillion says the number of mail in ballots already processed is way down…

Cut 10 (10) “…voting”

Clocks will be rolling back one hour on Sunday. Teiko Foxx spoke with a public health expert on how the time change may take some getting used to…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

Have you visited LACashClaim.org lately? You may want to. Louisiana Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Program has added $7.9 million in uncashed state income tax refunds from the Louisiana Department of Revenue. A press release from the State Treasurer says over 26 thousand state income tax refunds went unclaimed or uncashed in this last allocation of funds from the Department of Revenue. You can check for funds at LACASHCLAIM.org or check the LAWallet app on your smartphone.

Today’s updated U-S drought monitor shows Louisiana remains the epicenter for drought in the United States. State Climatologist Barry Keim says 99-percent of Louisiana is in some stage of drought…

Cut 11 (05) “…two classes.”

Keim says since August 1st, on average only five inches of rain has fallen across the state.

Another two weeks of repairs to portions of Interstate 55 between Ponchatoula and LaPlace are expected. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallet says Crews will switch lane closures near the site of the 168 vehicle crash in St. John the Baptist parish. Mallet says traffic will taper down to the right lane near the crash site as crews begin to repair the left lane. Mallet says traffic will taper down to the right lane near the crash site as crews begin to repair the left lane.

Cut 9 (10) “…the workers.” 

It’s National Adoption Month and the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services and First Lady Donna Edwards honored this year’s Adoption Award winners including two Adoptive Families of the Year, two Community Partners of the Year, Advocate of the Year, Adoption Worker of the Year, and Adoption Region of the Year. DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks encourages Louisianans to become a nurturing family for a child in need of a safe home.

Cut 7 (12) “…adoptive family.” 

Brittany Spears fans have a chance to own part of her childhood. The Kentwood home where she grew up hit the market this week. The 2300 sq foot Ranch style home sits on almost 2 acres and still has many of the furnishings that were there while Brittany lived there. If you’re interested, it has 1 point 2 million dollar price tag.

DOTD is expecting it will take another two weeks to repair portions of Interstate 55 damaged by the 168-vehicle pileup that killed seven people in St. John the Baptist Parish. I-55 South is currently open but spokesperson Rodney Mallet says they’ll need to shut it down for a six-hour period this weekend where traffic is currently reduced to one lane.

Cut 8 (12) “…or so.” 

The weather forecast for the next week does not call for any significant chance of rain. Keim says an El Nino climate pattern is expected to continue into the winter and he says that should result about normal precipitation

Cut 13 (12) “…in yet.”

Governor Edwards and Colonel Lamar Davis officially broke ground on the site of the new State Police Crime Lab this morning. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (00)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Brittany Spears fans have a chance to own part of her childhood. The Kentwood home where she grew up hit the market this week. The 2300 sq foot Ranch style home sits on almost 2 acres and still has many of the furnishings that were there while Brittany lived there. If you’re interested, it has 1 point 2 million dollar price tag.

A revised US drought monitor shows 88-percent of the state is under extreme or exception drought. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

DOTD is expecting it will take another two weeks to repair portions of Interstate 55 damaged by the 168-vehicle pileup that killed seven people in St. John the Baptist Parish. I-55 northbound remains closed. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallet says partial deck replacement is needed. He say contractors will start next week and repairs could take up to two weeks to complete.

Cut 10 (09) “…repave it.”

Governor John Bel Edwards and Colonel Lamar Davis officially broke ground on the site of the new State Police Crime Lab this morning. In the past year alone, the current lab has taken on more than 16-thousand new cases and it’s often the data processed that will decide one’s guilt or innocence. In addition to solving crimes, Edwards says the facility plays another vital role…

Cut 5 (08) “ …as well.”  

It’s National Adoption Month and the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services and First Lady Donna Edwards honored 465 families who have adopted 619 children from foster care this year. DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks says the ultimate goal is to find safe and permanent homes and families for children through adoption.

Cut 6 (13) “…their own”

Governor-Elect Jeff Landry announced his transition website today and has identified 14 areas in Louisiana that need the most attention and he’s named chairpersons that will lead a committee to come up with solution-driven ideas. The governor-elect says one of the panels formed will look at how to improve New Orleans…

Cut 8 (12) “…is crime.” 

Union Parish DA John Belton filed papers Tuesday dismissing charges of malfeasance in office against Lt. John Clary, the ranking State Police Trooper at the 2019 scene of Ronald Greene’s death. Clary was one of five officers originally indicted last year after a high speed chase, crash and alleged cover-up. Clary is said to be cooperating in the case against the two remaining defendants, Master Trooper Kory our and Union Parish sheriff’s deputy Chris Harpin. On dismissal of Clary’s charges, Greene’s mother said “ Youre glad to see anybody flip but it absolutely has no meaning until we’re through.

A record-high 87 hundred students in the Bayou State earned a three or better on their Advanced Placement exams. Teiko Foxx on what this means…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

Louisiana Tax payers in the Northwest part of the state will again have in-person help for their tax issues as the Louisiana Department of Revenue reopens their regional office in Shreveport. You can submit your state taxes and payments, and make payment plans but the staff cannot assist with the completion of your return. The office is located at 910 Pierremont Road, Suite 312.

If you want a job in Governor-elect Jeff Landry’s administration, go to his new transition website oneteam.la. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The Louisiana Department of Education has released the 2022-2023 Advanced Placement results which show high school seniors have earned record achievement on their placement tests. Nearly nine thousand students earned a three or better. Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says students who earned a three or better can earn college credits for the course.

cut 3 (11) “…high schools.”

The Bayou State is literally a trash receptacle for other states because of litter that flows into the Mississippi River and ultimately the Gulf says Executive Director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful Susan Russell. Louisiana receives the drainage of approximately 100 million people.

Cut 11 (12) “…our state.”

Trash flowing into the Gulf of Mexico from the Mississippi River has resulted in some of the highest concentrations of microplastics in the world which impacts the state’s seafood industry.

Louisiana Tax payers in the Northwest part of the state will again have in-person help for their tax issues as the Louisiana Department of Revenue reopens their regional office in Shreveport. You can submit your state taxes and payments, and make payment plans but the staff cannot assist with the completion of your return. The office is located at 910 Pierremont Road, Suite 312.

Since Northwestern State sophomore tight end Travon Jones started the petition to bring back their football season, he says he’s not received any feedback from the school’s administration or coaches. Jones says playing football is the best way for him and fellow teammates to handle their grief after the death of Ronnie Caldwell. When he lost a loved one before previous coaches agreed to play on.

Cut 8 (10) “…taken away.” 

Last week NSU President Dr. Marcus Jones cited the mental health of the players for cancelling the final four games of the season.

It’s a cold day for outdoor Halloween activities. It will be in the low to mid 50s when most communities are holding trick or treat activities. And a strong wind out of the north is making it feel even colder. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says after a hot summer and warm October, we are not used to this…

Cut 9 (06) “…alarming” 

In January, a collective called Bayou Traditions was formed to raise funds to provide NIL deals with athletes. For over 30 years, the Tiger Athletic Foundation has raised money for facilities.  LSU associate athletics director, Taylor Jacobs, says some donors have a tough choice to make…

Cut 4 (11) “…necessary”

If you’re looking for additional heat on this first cold day of the season, Ashley Rodrigue with the State Fire Marshal’s Office reminds you to do so safely. Never use an extension cord with a space heater because it could create an additional power source that isn’t equipped to handle the amount of electricity needed for the heater.

Cut 13 (12) “…catch fire.”

After the fatal shooting of Northwestern State football player Ronnie Caldwell, the season was canceled. But sophomore tight end Travon Jones has started a petition to change that. On the Natchitoches Parish Journal Podcast, he says players were never asked about ending the season.

Cut 6 (06) “…to everyone.”

Jones says playing football helps them cope.

LSU Associate Athletics Director Taylor Jacobs provided an update on N-I-L and what’s next in the world of college athletics. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain is asking the public not to light a match when outside. Strain says the state needs a few inches of rain to end the wildfire threat

Cut 12 (11) “…be careful”  

Across the generations most employees would be willing to make sacrifices for a 4 day work week according to a July Bankrate Survey. The survey says Younger Gen Z and Millennial workers are willing to give up more than older Gen X and Baby Boomers though. Of the 83% of the younger groups, almost half 43% would sacrifice 3 or more aspects of their jobs for the shorter work week. 78% of the older groups also want to shorter week but only 26 % of them would make 3 or more sacrifices but 83% would make one. At least that’s how they answered the survey.