Four people are dead after two plan crashes in Louisiana yesterday.  Jeff Palermo has details.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

BESE has created the Artificial Intelligence Committee to look at ways to expand AI integration in Louisiana classrooms and workforce development programs. Louisiana Tech president Doctor Jim Henderson chairs the new committee which will recommend an A-I Literacy framework for educators, students and system leaders.

Cut 15 (07) “…in different outcomes?”

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The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children is calling on parents that have kids involved in early childhood education to take their parent poll.  LPIC has conducted this survey since 2020.  And Chief Executive officer, Dr. Libbie Sonnier says the information gathered is used to inform policymakers about the most pressing needs and challenges facing families with young children.

Cut 12 (14) “…a big impact.” 

The survey takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete.  You can find it at policyinstitutela.org.

Speaking of the kiddos, let’s talk about the amount of money Americans spend on Halloween. Katherine Cullen with the National Retail Federation says Americans spent a record of 12.2-billion dollars this time last year and that number’s expected to be close to 14 million this year. .

Cut 5 (09) “…from last year.”

BESE has created the Artificial Intelligence Committee. A group of education, technology, business and policy leaders that will look at how to expand AI integration in Louisiana classrooms and workforce development programs. Louisiana Tech president Doctor Jim Henderson chairs the new committee and says one of thee major goals is to determine how Louisiana schools can prepare students for an AI-driven economy.

Cut 14 (09) “…impact everybody’s life.”

The goal of Early childhood education is to make sure young children are prepped and ready to learn when they start kindergarten.  And parents, the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children wants your help on an annual parent poll on the topic. LPIC’s chief executive officer, Dr. Libbie Sonnier, says each response helps depict a clear picture of what’s working and where families still need more support.

Cut 11 (11) “…voices be heard.” 

To access the parent poll, go to policyinstitutela.org.

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If you have a creative way to urge people not to drive while distracted, Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers wants to hear from you. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The amount of money Americans spend on Halloween is getting pretty spooky. Katherine Cullen with the National Retail Federation says this year’s spending will make mincemeat out of last year’s record of 12.2-billion dollars.

Cut 4 (07) “…dollars this year.”

Two separate plane crashes in Louisiana yesterday that left four people dead. The first one happened in Lafayette Parish around a eleven yesterday morning.   Those who died in the crash have been identified as 58 year old Bruce Verduyn and 42 year old Justin Ramsey from The Woodlands, Texas and 46 year old Lydia Laws of Spring, Texas.  The other plane crash happened in Jackson Parish about five miles from the Ruston Airport.  We’re told the FAA will investigate both crashes.

Louisiana’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has created the Artificial Intelligence Committee. It’s a working group of education, technology, business and policy leaders that will look at how to expand AI integration in Louisiana classrooms and workforce development programs. Louisiana Tech president Doctor Jim Henderson chairs the new BESE committee.

Cut 13 (11)  “…high level things.”

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Americans are spending big on Halloween. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children is calling on parents that have children in early childhood education to take their parent poll. LPIC’s chief executive officer, Dr. Libbie Sonnier, says the survey highlights key issues, like…

Cut 10 (10) “…early childhood education.”

You can find the parent poll at policyinstitutela.org.

A man living in the Lafayette area is now facing federal charges after being accused of assisting in the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Federal prosecutors allege Mahmoud Amin Ya’qub al-Muhtadi provided, attempted to provide, or conspired to provide material support to the National Resistance Brigades, which is considered a foreign terrorist organization. al-Muhtadi is accused of travelling to the United States on a fraudulent visa.

A close call for the sheriff of Assumption Parish. Sheriff Leland Falcon was shot by a suspect in another shooting. Sheriff’s spokesman Lonny Cavalier says Sheriff Falcon was close to the scene when the call for assistance came down, so he responded.

Cut 6 (08) “…the left torso.”

Falcon was grazed by the suspect’s bullet, was briefly hospitalized and is doing fine. A deputy returned fire, hitting the suspect, who was taken to the hospital.

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A northeast Louisiana assistant police chief finds himself on the other side of the law. State Police arrested Rayville Assistant Police Chief Czyz (“chizh”) Williams for theft and malfeasance in office. Trooper Ryan Davis says Williams was selling department property and pocketing the money.

Cut 12 (08) “…for personal gain.”

With its famous namesake on hand, Southeastern Louisiana University officially opens its new Robin Roberts Broadcast Media Center. President Dr. William Wainwright says it includes a newsroom, a film studio and a multimedia studio, giving students experience in all facets of broadcasting.

Cut 3 (13) “…also digital media.”

An assistant police chief in Richland Parish finds himself on the other side of the law after allegedly selling firearms that belonged to the police department. Andre Champagne has more…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

One person was injured in a shooting near White Castle High School last night. Officials with the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office reported it happened on Bowi Street, which is not on school property and after the game between White Castle High and North Iberville High. We’re told the victim was taken to the hospital for treatment.

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A close call for the sheriff of Assumption Parish Leland Falcon, as he responded to a 911 call and was shot by a shooting suspect. Sheriff’s spokesman Lonny Cavalier says the suspect was shot by a deputy who returned fire. Cavalier says that suspect and the victim of the original shooting that led to the 911 call were taken to hospitals.

Cut 7 (14) “…with moderate injuries.”

As for the Sheriff, we’re told he was grazed by the bullet and is doing fine.

Hey, if scary is your thing, be sure to cast your vote for America’s Best Haunted Destination on The 64-dot-com.  Site founder Jason Woo the Myrtles in St. Francisville and the LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans are both on the list. Voting is in the form of a six-round single-elimination tournament, until one emerges as the most haunted destination in the country.

Cut 11 (07) “…the next round.”

The first round of voting ends tonight at midnight.

The Assistant Police Chief in Rayville is facing charges of Theft and Malfeasance in Office this morning.  State Police says Czyz (“chizh”) Williams was selling department firearms and pocketing the money.  The good news is all the guns have been recovered. But Trooper Ryan Davis says there’s more to the accusations.

Cut 13 (12)  “…crime prevention programs.”

Southeastern Louisiana University officially opened its new Robin Roberts Broadcast Media Center this week. President Dr. William Wainwright says the university is proud to have the name of one of its most prominent graduates attached to the new center and says Roberts has been instrumental in its construction.

Cut 4 (11) “…state facility renovation.”

Wainright says the new Media Center includes a newsroom, a film studio and a multimedia studio.

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A close call for one South Louisiana sheriff, as he was shot at by a suspect during a call. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

You can vote for America’s Best Haunted Destination on The 64-dot-com. Site founder Jason Woo says two Louisiana destinations are among the 64 in the field – The Myrtles in St. Francisville and the LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans.

Cut 9 (04)  “…and different things.”

The first round of voting is open now and closes tonight at midnight.

A man living in the Lafayette area is now facing federal charges after being accused of assisting in the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Federal prosecutors allege Mahmoud Amin Ya’qub al-Muhtadi provided, attempted to provide, or conspired to provide material support to the National Resistance Brigades, which is considered a foreign terrorist organization. al-Muhtadi is accused of travelling to the United States on a fraudulent visa.

A close call for the sheriff of Assumption Parish. Sheriff Leland Falcon was shot by a suspect in another shooting. Sheriff’s spokesman Lonny Cavalier says Sheriff Falcon was close to the scene when the call for assistance came down, so he responded.

Cut 6 (08) “…the left torso.”

Falcon was grazed by the suspect’s bullet, was briefly hospitalized and is doing fine. A deputy returned fire, hitting the suspect, who was taken to the hospital.

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A northeast Louisiana assistant police chief finds himself on the other side of the law. State Police arrested Rayville Assistant Police Chief Czyz (“chizh”) Williams for theft and malfeasance in office. Trooper Ryan Davis says Williams was selling department property and pocketing the money.

Cut 12 (08) “…for personal gain.”

With its famous namesake on hand, Southeastern Louisiana University officially opens its new Robin Roberts Broadcast Media Center. President Dr. William Wainwright says it includes a newsroom, a film studio and a multimedia studio, giving students experience in all facets of broadcasting.

Cut 3 (13) “…also digital media.”

Small business optimism declined in September for the first time in three months. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Smitty’s Supply announced Tuesday it has filed a lawsuit against two other companies for selling and installing faulty equipment that Smitty’s says led to the series of explosions that has devasted the Roseland community since late August.  Smitty’s is seeking compensation for loss of inventory, income, and profits, clean up and restoration, and damage to the company’s reputation

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An urgent warning about a highly lethal drug this morning.  Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Gerald Sticker says the only difference between green fentanyl and regular fentanyl is the color and can easily be mistaken for cannabis or other less potent drugs. Sheriff Sticker says green fentanyl has recently been linked to an increase in opioid-related emergency calls throughout the Northshore and greater New Orleans.

Cut 14 (10) “…overdoses and use.”

The U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments today on the constitutionality of the state’s congressional map – specifically, the two majority Black districts. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino …

Cut 5 (13) “…drawing those lines.”

The U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments on the state’s congressional map – specifically on its two majority Black districts. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

A community lead and a tip to Crime Stoppers have led to the arrest of a 16-year-old in that shooting on the LSU campus that left two people injured homecoming night.  Baton Rouge police say the teenager is facing several charges, including two counts of attempted first-degree murder though the incident is still under investigation.

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Optimism among small business owners across the country was down in September for the first time since June. NFIB spokesman Todd Pack says 14-percent of owners reported inflation as their single biggest problem, and 64-percent surveyed reported that supply chain disruptions were affecting their businesses.

Cut 11 (09) “…prices in check.”

Hey parents, if your Teenager’s on Instagram using teen-specific accounts, there are new restrictions in place for them. Haggai Davis, the chief operating officer of 180 Pros, a Baton Rouge IT services company, the content those teens will be restricted to PG-13 type content.  And parent company Meta, is adding a feature that allows parents to control the level of restriction.

Cut 8 (08) “…to the teens.”

The U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments today on the constitutionality of the state’s congressional map – specifically, the two majority Black districts. This is the second time the Supreme Court is hearing this case. This past June, the court punted the issue to this session. By doing so, Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says…

Cut 4 (14) “…drawing congressional districts.”

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office is issuing an urgent warning about green fentanyl. Sheriff Gerald Sticker says the only difference between green fentanyl and regular fentanyl is the color.

Cut 13 (09)  “…100-percent deadly.”

Sticker says fentanyl is about 50 times more potent than heroin.

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Optimism among small business owners nationwide fell in September. It’s the first decline in three months. NFIB spokesman Todd Pack says the uncertainty index also rose to its fourth-highest reading in over 51 years.

Cut 10 (09) “…tight labor market.”

Teenagers on Instagram using teen-specific accounts now have their content restricted. Haggai Davis, the chief operating officer of 180 Pros, a Baton Rouge IT services company, says from now on, the content they will be able to see on Instagram will be similar to what they can expect to see at a PG-13 movie.

Cut 7 (11) “…adult-oriented content.”

Davis says Instagram’s parent company Meta is also adding other features that will allow parents set control on things like political content and even the time of day when their kids can access the site.