Tomorrow is Election Day in Louisiana. While there will be a small handful of special races to be decided, all voters will be deciding the fate of four proposed constitutional amendments. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says this election has gotten much more attention than previous elections of this caliber.

Cut 5 (05) “…after Election Day.”

Among the four proposed changes to the state constitution on Saturday’s ballot, Amendment 2 is getting the most attention. The measure makes several changes to Article Seven of the state constitution, which deals with revenue collection and taxation. Governor Jeff Landry is pushing to make it happen.

Cut 7 (13) “…pay raise (2x).” 

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The legislature will consider a bill that would eliminate local sales taxes on groceries in the upcoming legislative session. It’s the brain child of Oil City rep. Danny McCormick. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Humane Society of Louisiana’s Animal Fighting Task Force has rescued more than 40 dogs who were being used for dogfighting in Concordia Parish. HSLA Director Jeff Dorson says they all belonged to one man.

Cut 14 (06) “…of animal cruelty.”

The LSU Lady Tigers leave Florida State in their dust as they advance to the Sweet 16. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The tigers will face NC State in Spokane, Washington on Friday.

The St. Tammany Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of two passengers in the vehicle that fatally struck Sergeant Grant Candies during a high-speed chase early Sunday morning. The driver of that vehicle was arrested earlier.  All three suspects are facing murder charges…all three are also seventeen years old.

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation has completed a 2.5-million-dollar project, installing 28 new closed-circuit television cameras along I-10 from Lake Charles to Scott. John Guidroz with DOTD says expand public access to live-stream traffic coverage.  They can be viewed on 511la.org or throught the 511 mobile app for real-time traffic updates.

Cut 9 (11)  “…these new cameras.”

A major announcement by Hyundai – the first steel plant it’s building in North America will be going up in Ascension Parish. President Trump announced yesterday the 5.8 billion dollar steel plant will be build in Donaldsonville.  Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chairman Chung Eui-sun says the company is making a commitment to American manufacturing with this plant.

Cut 5 (10) “…parts to automobiles.”

Hyundai makes a major investment in Louisiana. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The Lady Tigers are headed back to the Sweet 16.  They beat Florida State 101-71 last night, even though they trailed at the end of the first half.  Coach Kim Mulkey said bench players like Jada Richard really came through when the team needed them in the first…and Richard on what that was like..

Cut 14 (09) “…ball went in.”

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation has completed a 2.5-million-dollar project, installing 28 new closed-circuit television cameras along I-10 from Lake Charles to Scott. John Guidroz with DOTD says the additional cameras enhance traffic monitoring, operations, and safety along the corridor.

Cut 8 (12) “…along Interstate 10.”

Match Day is a pivotal event when medical students across the U.S. learn where they will complete their residencies. Last Friday, nearly 36-thousand students from coast to coast received their matches. Lisa Babin with LSU Health Shreveport says the school celebrated as students discovered their placements.

Cut 10 (13) “…will continue .”

A major announcement by Hyundai – the first steel plant it’s building in North America will be going up in Ascension Parish. President Trump made the announcement at the White House yesterday.

Cut 4 (13) “…expansion after that.”

For the third year in a row, the Lady Tigers are headed to the Sweet 16. LSU used a very strong third quarter to blow by FSU, 101-71, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Seminoles actually led at halftime as Coach Kim Mulkey was forced to sit Flau’Jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams for a good portion of the second quarter due to foul trouble. Mulkey said her bench players did their job.

Cut 13 (15)  “…big for us.”

LSU will play N-C State in the regional semifinals in Spokane, Washington, on Friday.

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LSU Health Shreveport celebrates Match Day with its medical students. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Louisiana Department of Transportation has completed a 2.5-million-dollar project, installing 28 new closed-circuit television cameras along I-10 from Lake Charles to Scott. John Guidroz with DOTD says these cameras expand public access to live-stream traffic coverage.

Cut 7 (08) “…Interstate 10.”

Eight bridges in Louisiana are among 68 across the country that the NTSB identified as being at an “unknown level of risk of collapse” should it be hit by a vessel. It’s part of a report that the NTSB released on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. It asked the Department of Transportation to let it know of the probability of collapse should a vessel hit any one of them. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says there are warning systems in place.

Cut 3 (09) “…on our bridges.”

An 18 year old man was arrested for allegedly kidnapping a woman from a Target Store in Hammond Thursday at gunpoint and raping her.  Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office officials say Donnie Lee Stevenson followed a woman inside the store, kidnapped her, and later sexually assaulted her at a separate location.  After an all out manhunt, Stevenson was apprehended late Friday night.

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Governor Landry announces a major restructuring of GOHSEP, placing the office under the National Guard. Landry says he’s doing this to save the state money. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry is fulfilling a campaign promise that’s become a major part of the Republican playbook lately.

Cut 9 (10)  “…save taxpayers money.”

An alligator at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans is the first in the U.S. to undergo cataract surgery. Victor, a rare blue-eyed white alligator, struggled to see his food, often missing meals. Concerned zookeepers sought help from LSU’s Vet School ophthalmologist Dr. Renee Carter.

Cut 6 (09) “…he had a cataract.”

Now back at the zoo, Carter says Victor is much better at finding his food.

Cataract surgery was performed for the first time in the U-S on an alligator at the Audubon Zoo. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The 50th annual Louisiana Crawfish Festival returns to Chalmette through Sunday, offering food, fun, and live entertainment. Chairman Cisco Gonzales says festivalgoers can enjoy delicious crawfish dishes, carnival rides, games, and have thousands of visitors over the weekend.

Cut 12 (08) “…in four days.”

Governor Landry announces a major restructuring of GOHSEP, placing the office under the National Guard. As for what effect this will have on emergency response, Political Analyst Bernnie Pinsonat says with a couple of emergencies already under his belt, the governor has a good idea of the level of staffing needed – and not needed.

Cut 10 (11) “…this will work.”

The McNeese Cowboys will look to make history again this morning at 11:10 as they  try to advance to the Sweet 16. The Pokes won their first NCAA Tournament game in program history on Thursday with an upset win over Clemson. Coach Will Wade says Thursday’s win was life altering…

Cut 16 (14) “…and everything.”

Eight bridges in Louisiana are among 68 across the country that the NTSB identified as being at an “unknown level of risk of collapse” should it be hit by a vessel. It’s part of a report that the NTSB released on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. It asked the Department of Transportation to let it know of the probability of collapse should a vessel hit any one of them. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says there are warning systems in place.

Cut 3 (09) “…on our bridges.”

An 18 year old man was arrested for allegedly kidnapping a woman from a Target Store in Hammond Thursday at gunpoint and raping her.  Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office officials say Donnie Lee Stevenson followed a woman inside the store, kidnapped her, and later sexually assaulted her at a separate location.  After an all out manhunt, Stevenson was apprehended late Friday night.

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Governor Landry announces a major restructuring of GOHSEP, placing the office under the National Guard. Landry says he’s doing this to save the state money. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry is fulfilling a campaign promise that’s become a major part of the Republican playbook lately.

Cut 9 (10)  “…save taxpayers money.”

An alligator at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans is the first in the U.S. to undergo cataract surgery. Victor, a rare blue-eyed white alligator, struggled to see his food, often missing meals. Concerned zookeepers sought help from LSU’s Vet School ophthalmologist Dr. Renee Carter.

Cut 6 (09) “…he had a cataract.”

Now back at the zoo, Carter says Victor is much better at finding his food.

Eight bridges in Louisiana are among 68 across the country that the NTSB identified as being at an “unknown level of risk of collapse” should it be hit by a vessel. It’s part of a report that the NTSB released on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. It asked the Department of Transportation to let it know of the probability of collapse should a vessel hit any one of them. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says there are warning systems in place.

Cut 3 (09) “…on our bridges.”

An 18 year old man was arrested for allegedly kidnapping a woman from a Target Store in Hammond Thursday at gunpoint and raping her.  Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office officials say Donnie Lee Stevenson followed a woman inside the store, kidnapped her, and later sexually assaulted her at a separate location.  After an all out manhunt, Stevenson was apprehended late Friday night.

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Governor Landry announces a major restructuring of GOHSEP, placing the office under the National Guard. Landry says he’s doing this to save the state money. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry is fulfilling a campaign promise that’s become a major part of the Republican playbook lately.

Cut 9 (10)  “…save taxpayers money.”

An alligator at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans is the first in the U.S. to undergo cataract surgery. Victor, a rare blue-eyed white alligator, struggled to see his food, often missing meals. Concerned zookeepers sought help from LSU’s Vet School ophthalmologist Dr. Renee Carter.

Cut 6 (09) “…he had a cataract.”

Now back at the zoo, Carter says Victor is much better at finding his food.

Louisiana has executed its first death row inmate in 15 years. Jesse Hoffman was executed yesterday evening by nitrogen hypoxia after the state and U.S. supreme courts declined to intervene. Outside the state penitentiary in Angola yesterday, a group of death penalty opponents held vigil. Hoffman was sentenced to death for the kidnapping, rape and murder of Molly Elliott in 1996.  Elliott’s sister-in-law spoke out against executing Hoffman, but Attorney General Liz Murrill said other relatives did not feel the same way.

Cut 5 (07) “…to have finality.”

Corrections Chief of Operations Seth Smith, who was a longtime nurse, says he did not see Hoffman suffer in pain during the execution.

Cut 7 (12) “…inconsistent with death.”

There are now 55 inmates on death row in Louisiana, and Attorney General Murrill says executions using nitrogen hypoxia will continue.
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Today’s a big day for McNeese basketball at they face Clemson in the first round of the Men’s NCAA Tournament. The Cowboys are in the Big Dance for a second straight year, a first in program history. Athletics Director Heath Schroyer says the gamble he took on former LSU coach Will Wade is obviously paying off earning McNeese some very valuable national exposure.

Cut 15 (10) “…uptick in enrollment.”

A state audit finds that prenatal care for Medicaid recipients in Louisiana is going in the wrong direction as a quarter of pregnant women in Louisiana did not receive care in their first trimester of pregnancy. Chris Magee, the data analytics manager at the Legislative Auditor’s Office, says what’s frustrating is that this report comes as the state is spenis that it comes amid the state spending 400-million dollars on maternal health reforms.

Cut 12 (09) “…they’re intended for.”

Louisiana has carried out its first execution in 15 years. Andrew Greenstein was at the state penitentiary in Angola, and has the story.

Cut 1 (54) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Forty-eight-year-old Danette Colbert is now facing a second-degree murder charge in connection with the death of Adan Manzano, the 27-year-old sports reporter from Kansas City found dead during Super Bowl Week in Kenne.   The coroner’s report found Manzano had a lethal combination of Xanax and alcohol in his system. Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley says an accomplice, Rickey White of Gretna, was also arrested in Florida for allegedly using Manzano’s debit card…

Cut 8 (12) “…Kenner Police Department.”

The McNeese men’s basketball team is set to face Clemson today in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.  It’s the second year and a row and not coincidentally, the second year on Coach Will Wade’s contract . Athletics Director Heath Schroyer says Wade committed to two years and though he’s already being considered for higher profile jobs, he’s hoping Wade will stay.

Cut 16 (08) “…in southwest Louisiana.”