Early voting continues today.  JMC Analytics and Polling’s John Couvillon says this midterm election will not see an overall turnout that approaches a Presidential election, but he expects a good number of early voters and that more than a quarter of the votes for cast for this election will be done during early early voting.

Cut 6 (08) “…next Tuesday.”
Early voting runs through Tuesday October 27^th from 8:30 am to 6 pm, except for Sunday.

Yesterday marked 50 years since one of the deadliest ferry disasters in U.S. History, when the George Prince ferry was struck by the Norwegian tanker Frosta, killing 77 people.  The ferry was crossing the Mississippi River from Destrehan to Luling in the early morning hours.  Many gathered there to remember with a ceremony led by  Parish President Matthew Jewell.   After the ceremony, a screening of filmmaker Royd Anderson’s film “The Luling Disaster” was shown at the West Regional Library.

———————-

Louisiana Tech President Doctor Jim Henderson’s last day will be Thursday, earlier than planned. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 3 (26) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The state of Louisiana is considering repairing the grave of a Louisiana soldier killed in the Korean War since it’s deteriorated so badly that his casket is exposed at a Baton Rouge cemetery.    Private First Class Samuel Pierre Junior  was just 22 when he died.  Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Deputy Secretary, Doctor Jerome Buller (BUHL-er),

Cut 9 (08)  “…behalf.”

Julia Letlow brings out a heavy hitter to help her urge her supporters to get to the polls in early voting. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Because this a federal election, it falls on a Tuesday, not Saturday, which many Louisiana voters are used to. JMC Analytics and Polling’s Jim Couvillon says to avoid lines on November third, many people will cast their ballot during early voting going on now through next Tuesday.

Cut 5 (07) “…people believe.”

—————————

Louisiana Tech President Jim Henderson will step down Thursday, months earlier than planned. Henderson announced last month he would leave at the end of the year due health reasons. But his departure also comes amid frustration over the U-L System Board’s decision not to approve faculty pay raises. USA Today Network political reporter Greg Hilburn says Henderson recently sent a letter to faculty criticizing the system board.

Cut 13 (12)  “…the two”

The grave of a Louisiana soldier killed in the Korean War has deteriorated so badly that his casket is exposed at a Baton Rouge cemetery. Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Deputy Secretary, Doctor Jerome Buller (BUHL-er), visited Private First Class Samuel Pierre Junior’s grave yesterday.

Cut 7 (09) “…not so today.”

With no living immediate family identified, Buller says officials are considering repairing the grave or relocating Pierre’s remains.

Louisiana officials are working to give a final resting place for a U-S soldier killed in action during the Korean War. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A procession will bring the bodies of Shane Hirstius and Leah Fonte back to their hometown of Metairie This morning, as the community remembers the young couple, who were struck and killed while walking on Nicholson Drive over the weekend.  The Kenner Fire Department says the Williams Boulevard closure for the procession will last about an hour beginning this morning at 10:30.

—————————————–

With early voting underway, Louisiana’s Republican U.S. Senate nominee, Julia Letlow, urged her supporters to get the polls to cast their ballots for her. Letlow spoke in front of a small invitation-only audience in Lafayette.

Cut 10 (11) “…right to vote.”

Early voting runs through next Tuesday, except for Sunday. Early locations are open from 8:30 AM to 6 PM. JMC Analytics and Polling’s John Couvillon says this midterm election will not see an overall turnout that approaches a Presidential election, but he expects a good number of early voters.

Cut 4 (09) “…the way.”

To see what’s on your ballot, go to geaux-vote-dot-com.

This election cycle is certainly unlike any other in state history. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Early voting  runs today through next Tuesday from 8:30 to six, except on Sunday.  Make sure to bring a government-issued photo Id with you to cast your ballot.

——————————-

The Saints are in Parish, despite the recent riots there.  The NFL has said it’s doing its due diligence to ensure safety this week though and is moving ahead with the game.   The civil unrest began as student-led protests but has turned into riots and looting.The Black and Gold had yesterday and today off to enjoy the city before settling in for a regular game week, but safety Justin Reid says many players will just stick around the hotel.

Cut 14 (12) “…get a win.”

A Louisiana fugitive arrested in Florida on multiple felony child exploitation charges was booked into the Iberville Parish Prison yesterday.   31-year-old Timothy Barnes was arrested September 22^{nd ,} the result of a multi-agency operation.   Authorities say Barnes is facing multiple charges, including 27 counts of production of child sexual abuse material and indecent behavior with juveniles.

Early voting for the November 3rd election gets underway today. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says no matter where in the state you are, you will have several key decisions to make.

Cut 7 (09) “…on their ballot.”

The U.S. Senate race is down to two – Republican Julia Letlow and Democrat Jamie Davis. But LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says it’s actually the U.S. House races, especially the ones in districts five and six where the incumbents are not on the ballot, which will ultimately drive up voter turnout.

Cut 11 (08) “…getting turnout up.”

Early voting runs today through next Tuesday from 8:30 to six; except on Sunday. Make sure you bring a government-issued photo ID with you.

——————————-

We got our first taste of fall this past weekend with cool and dry conditions, so what can we expect for winter? Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A Baton Rouge mother and her boyfriend are facing second degree cruelty to juvenile charges after a police were called to the hospital to investigate multiple injuries of a 2 year old girl, including a broken arm, fractured left leg, and burst blood vessels in both eyes. 25 year old Zoe Wagenhurst and 21 year old Christian Griffin are behind bars.  We’re told bond has not yet been set.

Early voting in the November 3rd election gets underway today. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

There are both general and primary elections on the ballot in this election cycle. In the race for the U.S. Senate it’s a face-off between Republican Julia Letlow and Democrat Jamie Davis. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says while it’s the biggest office on the ballot, it’s not the highest profile one.

Cut 10 (11) “…juicing their vote.”

————————-

The Saints flew to Paris after their 34-27 win over the Giants on Sunday. Recent riots in the city have called into question whether the NFL would hold its first-ever Paris game as planned, but the league said it is doing its due diligence to ensure safety this week and is moving ahead with the game. Saints tight end Juwan Johnson…

Cut 13 (12)  “…city of Paris.”

NOAA’s winter outlook calls for wetter-than-normal conditions in Louisiana.  That’s actually good new since the U.S. Drought Monitor shows about two-thirds of the state is experiencing severe drought.  LSU Health climatologist Barry Keim says the increased chances of rain this winter could provide some much-needed drought relief.

Cut 6 (09) “…now in place.”

After 26 years of waiting, the I-20 Rivalry returns tomorrow. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

It’s Fall and the first real cold front of the season moves through the state today.  LSU Health climatologist Barry Keim says much of the state will see morning lows in the 40s, with Sunday being the coldest morning.

Cut 15 (10) “…across northern parishes.”

————————

The nation’s newest historically Black medical school has earned it’s preliminary accreditation moving one step closer to full accreditation.   Dr. Leonardo Seoane (say-oh-AH-nee), the president and founding dean of the Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine, says it’s the culmination of a ten-year quest, and the school is gearing up to welcome its first class of fifty students in the summer of 2027.

Cut 5 (12) “…start next summer.”

The 89th annual International Rice Festival is underway in Crowley. Festival Coordinator Shanna (SHAA-nah) Monk says there are two full stages of live music rocking till midnight tonight and tomorrow, the grand parade tomorrow afternoon at three, and  lots of good food and competition.

Cut 12 (09) “…a rice dish.”

If you’ve been waiting on fall-like weather, you are in luck — it arrives today. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Despite some political back and forth, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry on Thursday announced his administration will honor its commitment to fund infrastructure projects for the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board.  The governor saying quote, “We will stand by the people of New Orleans while continuing to demand accountability from their leaders.”

——————–

The newest historically Black medical school earns preliminary accreditation. The Liaison Committee on Medical Education, which is the accrediting body for U.S. programs granting medical doctorate degrees, gave its preliminary accreditation to Xavier University’s Ochsner College of Medicine in New Orleans. University President Dr. Reynold Verret says the school is the only HBCU college of medicine in the Gulf South and the first HBCU medical school to be on the path to full accreditation in a very long time.

Cut 4 (05) “…60s and 70s.”

The 89th annual International Rice Festival is underway in Crowley. Festival Coordinator Shanna (SHAA-nah) Monk says the weather will be perfect, so bring the entire family.

Cut 10 (09) “…bigger every year.”

Monk says the live music will be rocking the two stages until midnight tonight and tomorrow night.

The country’s newest historically Black medical school earns preliminary accreditation. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

State police made an arrest this week in a fatal crash that claimed the life of a 13 year old girl a little more than a month ago.  It happened September 12^th On I-10 West near the Butte la Rose exit in St. Martin Parish.  Troopers say 22 year old Ezekiel Clawson is facing multiple charges in the case including Vehicular Homicide and DWI with Child Endangerment.

——————————

ULM hosts Louisiana Tech tomorrow in the first installment of the I-20 Showdown in 26 years. The Sun Belt rivals are separated by just 35 miles, and Warhawks Athletic Director S.J. Touhy told KNOE-TV in Monroe that he expects a big crowd.

Cut 7 (08) “…numbers end up.”

Kickoff in FMOL Health St. Francis Stadium is set for 7 p.m.

The first real cold front of Fall will move through Louisiana today. Temperatures will be much cooler this weekend with wind gusts of up to more than 30 miles per hour and humidity levels below 40-percent.  LSU Health climatologist Barry Keim says if you’re going to a high school football game tonight, bring a jacket.

Cut 14 (08) “…all get out.”

State Treasurer John Fleming says it’s been 75-hundred dollars for 46 years and now it’s time for Louisiana’s homestead exemption to go up.  Flemming says he’s ready to work with Louisiana legislators and other state and local officials to substantially increase the homestead exemption and give much needed tax reductions to struggling Louisiana citizens.

Cut 12 (05) “…governor about this.”

The shipbuilding industry in Louisiana just got a shot in the arm with the Small Business Administration granting Fletcher Technical Community College in Terrebonne Parish nearly five-million dollars. Carrie Cortez, the vice chancellor for academic affairs and workforce initiatives at Fletcher, says the school will use that money to offer hands-on practical training and  manufacturing-specific business instruction.

Cut 5 (11) “…capability development overall.”

——————–

Saints owner Gayle Benson speaking out calling the black and gold’s 1 and 4 start to this season unacceptable.  Head Coach Kellen Moore says Benson’s comments will not change the team’s preparation because they were already focused on getting better. He says they work in a results-based business and things will need to improve.

Cut 14 (08) “…better moving forward.”

A Monroe man has been arrested and charged with second degree murder after Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s investigators say he admitted to shooting a 13 year old boy.  23 year old Joshua Darnell Swan was arrested after deputies found the body of a teenager who’d been reported missing– inside a dumpster on Sunday with a gunshot would to the head.  Authorities say three other juveniles witnessed the shooting.