A week from today state lawmakers will begin a tax reform special session. The Landry Administration wants to see corporate income taxes reduced while expanding the services subject to sales taxes. The governor says the plan would be positive for workers, but Senate President Cameron Henry says there are a lot of questions…

Cut 13 (13)  “…these bills.”

The Humane Society of Louisiana is offering a 500-dollar reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a driver who threw three German Shepherd puppies out the window of a pickup truck in Avoyelles Parish, killing them. HSLA Director Jeff Dorson says another motorist say what they thought was trash thrown out on Highway 1185 between Mansula and Morauville.

Cut 7 (13) “…on the pavement.”

————————–

The State Fair of Louisiana opens today in Shreveport. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Taylor Swift’s visit to New Orleans is having more than a financial impact. She made a generous donation to the Second Harvest Food Bank that shining a light on a serious issue in Louisiana.  Chief Strategy Officer John Sillars.

Cut 11 (10) …one in four.”

It looks and tastes like regular candy, but  it’s not meant for children and it’s making them sick. Here’s Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Halloween is Thursday, and people are beginning to put the final touches on their costumes for the spookiest night of the year.  Dee Dee Daniels of Humbug Costumes in Kenner says making sure your costume is uniquely you is always best.

Cut 9 (05)  “…contest that way.”

————————

U-S House Speaker Mike Johnson thinks Republicans will win big on election day.  And he says that’ll mean immediate change.  Johnson believes he’ll be re-elected as House Speaker if Republicans maintain control of the U.S. House. Many have speculated the  Democrats take control of the House by flipping seats in New York and California, but Johnson says no.

Cut 12 (12) “…for the country.”

Work is underway on the Southwest Coastal Louisiana Project in Lake Charles…to protect homes and businesses from future flooding.  Senior Project Manager Micki Meier says in some cases, they’re building levies and elevate homes by three to six feet.

Cut 15 (16) “…a permanent foundation.”

Louisiana law says you have to be 21 to buy THC laced gummies, but there’s big concern over the alarming growth in the number of children being hospitalized because of them.  Mark Ryan, executive director of the Louisiana Poison Control Center says the effects this candy has on children can be frightening.

Cut 6 (17) “…are pretty common.”
Ryan says many complain the THC gummies are specifically marketed to children.  He expects state lawmakers to take up making changes to the existing law during the next regular session.

Legislators will be meeting for a special tax session after all.  The governor issuing the proclaimation calling for the session over the weekend.  While it’s  “tax session”, LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says it won’t just be about taxes.  There are call items for changes to the judicial branch, juvenile procedures, crime, and property insurance just to name a few.  The special session will start November 6^th and must end by November 25^th.

———————————-

During a stop in his home district, Republican Mike Johnson reflected on his one year as the U-S House Speaker. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Work is underway on the Southwest Coastal Louisiana Project in Lake Charles. The goal is to protect homes and businesses from flooding in Calcasieu, Cameron and Vermillion parishes. Senior Project Manager Micki Meier says part of the project involves building levies around certain properties.

Cut 14 (09) “…dry-floodproof them.”

Work is underway on the Southwest Coastal Louisiana Project in Lake Charles. Senior Project Manager Micki Meier says this will bring protection from flooding to homes and businesses in Calcasieu, Cameron and Vermillion parishes.

Cut 13 (15)  “…floodproof them.”

THC gummies are landing more and more children in the hospital in Louisiana.  Mark Ryan, the executive director of the Louisiana Poison Control Center with the shocking numbers over the last few years.

Cut 4 (20) “…we’re at 128.”

—————————–

Halloween is Thursday and if you haven’t gotten your costume picked out yet then you better get a move on.  Sean Richardson has the trick and treat…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

U-S House Speaker Mike Johnson believes Republicans will see big successes on election day.  Johnson says if former President Donald Trump is re-elected, you can expect immediate steps to secure the Southern border, efforts to improve the economy and there will also be regulatory reform…

Cut 11 (14) …economy.”

Johnson has been campaigning on behalf of Republicans nationwide for the last several weeks.  He made those comments during a stop in Bossier parish last week.

Louisiana lawmakers will be meeting for a special tax session after all.  The governor issuing the proclamation calling for the session over the weekend.  While it’s  “tax session”, LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says it won’t just be about taxes.  There are call items for changes to the judicial branch, juvenile procedures, crime, and property insurance just to name a few.  The special session will start November 6^th and must end by November 25^th.

U-S House Speaker Mike Johnson believes we’ll see a Red Wave on election day with Republicans growing their majority in the House, taking control of the U-S Senate and winning the White House. Johnson expressed this confidence after early voting in Bossier Parish. Johnson has been campaigning on behalf of Republicans nationwide for the last several weeks…

Cut 10 (11) “…for the country”

—————–

More and more children in Louisiana are being hospitalized as a result of THC laced candy.  Mark Ryan, the executive director of the Louisiana Poison Control Center, says part of the problem is that the makers of this THC-laced candy are marketing them specifically to children.  And though you have to be 21 to buy them, they’re they’re still getting into the hands – and mouths of children.

Cut 5 (13) “…so they’re accessible.”

As Halloween approaches, the excitement in neighborhoods is palpable, with children and adults preparing for the spookiest night of the year. Many are busy finalizing their costumes.  Dee Dee Daniels of Humbug Costumes in Kenner says to be original…

Cut 7 (09) “…build upon it.”

A fatal shooting outside the tailgate area in St. Martinville last night left one person dead and led to the cancellation of last night’s high school football game. St. Martinville police arrested 22 year old Zackyric Gadner after issuing a warrant to agencies along he I-10 corridor.  He’s been charged with Second Degree Murder.  Bond is set at 10 million dollars.

A huge game tonight in College Station as the 8th-ranked LSU Tigers visit 14th-ranked Texas A-and-M. Both teams enter the game on six-game winning streaks. The Tigers are winning thanks to good quarterback play and a defense that’s getting better. Head Coach Brian Kelly says his defense is gaining confidence…

Cut 13 (13) “…now.” 

Kickoff is tonight at 6:30.

——————————-

Early voting continues at a brisk pace this year. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says hundreds of thousands of voters have already cast their ballots and he says partisan breakdown this year is the opposite of what we saw during early voting four years ago.

Cut 10 (12) “…saw in 2020.”

The Port of New Orleans is on track for a record-breaking year this year, with 1.3 million  passager movements expected this year up from1.2 last year. Kimberly Curth with the Port of New Orleans says with that many passengers, the port is all the way back from the pandemic.

Cut 7 (10) “…to do that.”

An update on early voting as the numbers show hundreds of thousands of voters have already cast their ballots. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office says while the number of early voters so far is huge, it pales in comparison to the number of ballots the office expects to be cast in the final days of early voting and on Election Day.

Cut 11 (15) “…before Election Day.”

Early voting runs through Tuesday, with no early voting on Sunday.

The Port of New Orleans is on track for a record-breaking year this year, with 1.3 passenger movements expected.  Kimberly Curth with the Port of New Orleans says a few things that drive passengers to the Port of New Orleans its location in the heart of the city the various types of cruises that originate there.

Cut 8 (10) “…ocean-going cruising.”

———–

A fatal shooting outside the tailgate area at St. Martinville High’s Homecoming game last night left one person dead and led to the cancellation of the game.  St. Martinville police arrested 22 year old Zackyric Gadner after issuing a warrant to agencies along he I-10 corridor.  He’s been charged with Second Degree Murder.  Bond is set at 10 million dollars.

It looks like drier conditions will continue for much of Louisiana into at least the next week. LSU Public Heath Climatologist Barry Keim says currently, 59-percent of Louisiana is considered to be in a drought, and  since mid-September the state has averaged just 17 percent of the amount of rain that’s normal for this time of year.  But it varies across the state.

Cut 4 (09) “…parts of the state.”

Keim noted that even though it’s going to be a dry week it’s also going to be a beautiful one so enjoy the weather.

The outlook for Louisiana suggests that drier conditions will continue into next week at least.  LSU Public Heath Climatologist Barry Keim says currently, 59-percent of Louisiana is considered to be in a drought, and about 25-percent of the state is in severe drought or worse.

Cut 3 (10) “…on steroids.”

Keim says since mid-September the state has only averaged about nine-tenths of an inch of rainfall which is about 17-percent of normal for this time of year

A fatal shooting outside the tailgate area in St. Martinville last night led to the cancellation of last night’s high school football game there as police and emergency responders secured the scene.  It happened around 6:30.  St. Martinville police say they idendtified a possible shooter pretty early on, but so far no further details have been released. The investigation is ongoing.

—————————————–

It’s shaping up to be a banner year at the Port of New Orleans. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Early voting continues at a brisk pace this year. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says hundreds of thousands of voters have already cast their ballots.

Cut 9 (10)  “…cast their ballots.”

Remember, during early voting, you can vote at any polling place within your parish. On Election Day, you will need to go to your assigned precinct.

Early voting continues at a brisk pace this year. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says hundreds of thousands of voters have already cast their ballots and he says partisan breakdown this year is the opposite of what we saw during early voting four years ago.

Cut 10 (12) “…saw in 2020.”

The Port of New Orleans is on track for a record-breaking year this year, with 1.3 million cruise passages expected this year up from1.2 last year. Kimberly Curth with the Port of New Orleans says with that many passengers, the port is all the way back from the pandemic.

Cut 7 (10) “…to do that.”

————

Dry conditions are expected to continue into next week across the state with no relief in sight.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A huge game tonight in College Station as the 8th-ranked LSU Tigers visit 14th-ranked Texas A-and-M. The winner will be the lone team in the SEC that’s undefeated in league play. Coach Brian Kelly.

Cut 12 (12) “…the line.”

Kickoff is tonight at 6:30.

New Orleans welcomes Taylor Swift tonight as she kicks off the first of three concerts in the Crescent and they’re plenty excited as Swifties and the Eras Tour are already making an economic impact on the city.  Mark Romig with New Orleans and Company says Swifties from all over the world have been spending money in the city all week long.

Cut 7 (09) “…restaurants and attractions.”

Fun times in Monroe this weekend as Chennault Fest is happening today through Sunday at the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum. Museum President and CEO Nell Calloway says there will be live music practically non-stop throughout the festival, and there will be plenty of activities for kids, including toys and games.

Cut 15 (14) “…goats, alligators, snakes.”

—————————————————–

Cervical cancer detection and prevention is expanding. Colleen Crain reports…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Louisiana’s public colleges are seeking $142 million in additional state funding for the next fiscal year. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says the funding request includes more dollars for the M-J Foster Promise Program which provides aid to adults looking to earn high-demand, short-term credentials at a Louisiana community college or technical school

Cut 11 (06) …can’t achieve it.”