Medicare’s annual open enrollment period opening Thursday, and Louisiana’s Department of Insurance has some important tips for beneficiaries. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Today’s the last day to register to vote for the November 3^rd election and you can only do it online at geauxvote.com.  Trey Williams with the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office says if you’re already registered to vote, today’s a good opportunity double-check your registration status.

Cut 6 (06) “…up to date.”

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Governor Jeff Landry announces the state is investing 3.5-billion dollars in rural Louisiana. One-point-five-billion dollars of that is in federal broadband funding. Archie Chaisson, the executive director of the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, says the office is investing 580-million dollars in 152 road and bridge projects.

Cut 8 (11) “…hampers our community.”

Two Louisiana schools have made it onto Billboard’s list of top 48 best music business schools.  They are The Loyola University School of Music and Theater Professionals and U-L Lafayette’s music business program.  Professor Scott Durbin runs U-L’s program and says its students work with a local up-and-coming artist.

Cut 14 (11) “…to better themselves.”

We are now just three weeks away from the November 3rd election is now just three weeks from today. If you want to vote November 3^rd and haven’t registered yet, you’ll have to do it by the end today online at  geaudvote.com.  Trey Williams with the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office says despite today’s deadline, you can actually register to vote at any time.

Cut 5 (09) “…it by today.”

Governor Jeff Landry announces the state is in the process of investing 3.5-billion dollars in rural Louisiana. One-point-five-billion dollars of that is in federal broadband funding. Veneeth Iyengar, the executive director of ConnectLA, says by the end of 2026, he expects 95-percent of Louisiana to have access to reliable internet.

Cut 7 (10) “…the national average.”

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If you’re looking to study the music business in college, two of the best schools for that are in Louisiana. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The annual open enrollment period for Medicare beneficiaries opens Thursday. Deputy Commissioner Ron Henderson, says LDI has specialists to help people choose the best plan for them.

Cut 11 (08) “…correct information back.”

Governor Jeff Landry says Louisiana is combining federal and state dollars to make a 3.5-billion-dollar investment in rural Louisiana. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

The November 3rd election is just three weeks from today. If you’d like to vote in it and have yet to register to vote, you have just today to get it done. Trey Williams with the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office says at this point, your only option to register in time is to do it online.

Cut 4 (09) “…Geaux Vote app.”

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The annual open enrollment period for Medicare beneficiaries opens Thursdayavigate your options. Ron Henderson, the deputy commissioner at the Louisiana Department of Insurance office of consumer advocacy, says when it comes to Medicare plans, one size does not fit all – make sure you get the plan that suits your needs.

Cut 10 (06) “…work for you?”

Billboard magazine is out with its list of the best music business schools in the world; and two of the 48 that made the grade are in Louisiana – The Loyola University School of Music and Theater Professionals and U-L Lafayette’s music business program. U-L Lafayette launched its bachelor’s degree program in music business about 12 years ago. It’s run by Associate Music Professor Scott Durbin, who says students get hands-on experience in all facets of the music industry.

Cut 13 (10)  “…booking and touring.”

There are ten constitutional amendments on the November 3rd ballot. for voters to do their homework on.  Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says Amendment Seven, which deals with public spending on drinking water utilities, might difficult to understand. He says it would ensure that public funds can be spent to identify and replace lead-based drinking water lines that run from public property to a person’s home.

Cut 6 (07) “…remove lead pipes.”
For non-partisan analysis on all 10 constitutional amendments, go to the Public Affairs Research Council’s website.

The Louisiana state Fire Marshal’s office has a new mascot.  Pelly-Can’s job will be to help the State Fire Marshal communicate with children in a way that they can understand.

Cut 12 (08) “…that message home.”

Pelly-Can’s main message is simple – “Making Fire Safety Soar in Louisiana.”

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A college football rivalry that began in 1910 will be played for the first time in over a decade tomorrow. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The tenth ranked LSU Tigers leave for the Blue Grass state today as they will face the Kentucky Wildcats tomorrow night in Lexington. The purple and gold rank third nationally in total offense and have done a better job the last couple of games with pass protection. Kick off is at 6.

Ten constitutional amendments are on the November 3rd ballot, including one that would prevent Bobby Jindal and John Bel Edwards from running for governor again. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Hurricane Isaias is churning in the Gulf, and is expected to make landfall as a category 2 storm late tonight or early tomorrow morning, but the impact in Louisiana is expected to be minimal.

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Louisiana’s making great strides in higher education, meeting one of its goals years early and is well on its way towards meeting a second. Louisiana set a goal of achieving 85-thousand post-secondary credentials by 2030 and has exceeded that four years early.  Another goal of 60-percent attainment – the percentage of in-state residents holding a credential higher than a high school diploma.  That’s already up to 54 percent.  Dr. Kim Hunter Read says schools have done a great job of leaning into improved student success.

Cut 13 (13)  “…them on track.”

Louisina’a State Fire Marshal introduces a new mascot to help it deliver important safety messages. It’s name is Pelly-Can, and Kory Leo, the director of community risk reduction at the State Fire Marshal’s office, says  Pelly-Can was the brain child of  John Cailleteau (KYE-tow).

Cut 11 (09) “…that we’re doing.”

Louisiana smashes one of its education goals and is well on its way towards meeting another. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

There are ten constitutional amendments on the November 3rd ballot, one of which seeks to prohibit governor in Louisiana from serving more than two lifetime terms.

Cut 4 (09) “…example of this.”

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The State Fire Marshal introduces a new mascot to help it deliver important safety messages. Kory Leo, the director of community risk reduction at the State Fire Marshal’s office, says it’s named Pelly-Can, and it’s going to be the new face of the office.

Cut 10 (12) “…that we do.”

Louisiana Tech will host its first Sun Belt Conference football game against UL Lafayette tomorrow. A rivalry that began in 1910 will be renewed for the first time since 2015. Tech Athletic Director Ryan Ivey says games like this are why they joined the conference.

Cut 7 (11) “…been really special.”

Kickoff is at 6:30.

A newly released economic forecast projects the state will add 55-thousand jobs over the next couple of years. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A New Orleans man convicted of multiple violent offenses has been apprehended by the U.S. Marshals in Lake Charles.  38 year old Brandon Justin Lee Williams, was found guilty on Sept. 23, 2026, for second degree rape, domestic abuse battery involving child endangerment, and several others, but failed to appear in court for the jury’s verdict. He was located in Lake Charles yesterday and will be transported back to St. Tammany to be sentenced.

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Tropical Storm Isaias (ee-sah-EE-ahs) has formed this morning in the Gulf. An official forecast track from the National Hurricane Center shows a Category One Hurricane making landfall near Mobile, Alabama late Friday or early Saturday. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says there is a risk for dangerous wind and storm surge impacts for the northern Gulf Coast.

Cut 9 (06)  “…that storm approaches.”

The Department of Children and Family Services’ new HomeReady is modernizing the certification process for prospective foster parents in Louisiana . Secretary Rebecca Harris says the biggest change with this new program is that everything is now done online.

Cut 11 (11) “…in one spot.”

There are more than 7000 children in foster care in Louisiana.

Tropical Storm Isaias (ee-sah-EE-ahs) has formed this morning in the southern Gulf more than 500 miles southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River.  An official forecast track from the National Hurricane Center shows a Category One Hurricane making landfall near Mobile, Alabama late Friday night or early Saturday. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the system will bring areas of heavy rainfall to the central U.S. Gulf coast and much of the Southeast Friday and into the weekend.

Cut 8 (06) “…to ten inches.”

The Department of Children and Family Services is revamping foster caregiver training and certification by launching HomeReady. Secretary Rebecca Harris says with more than seven-thousand children in foster care, the state needed a better way for prospective foster parents to get certified.

Cut 10 (09) “…and help children.”

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State Treasurer John Fleming is urging school funding to be focused on classrooms and teacher salaries. Fleming says the recently-released Legislative Auditor’s report uncovered significant discrepancies between certain budget and expenditure reports.

Cut 4 (12) “…other budget items.”

Louisiana is expected to add 55-thousand jobs over the next two years, according to an economic forecast. Dr. Loren Scott puts together this economic forecast annually, and he’s projecting more jobs than usual because of the boom in data centers in north and central Louisiana.

Cut 13 (11)  “…just about Alexandria.”

Tropical Storm Isaias (ee-sah-EE-ahs) has formed this morning in the southern Gulf more than 500 miles southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River.  An official forecast track from the National Hurricane Center shows a Category One Hurricane making landfall near Mobile, Alabama late Friday night or early Saturday morning. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says a portion of the state’s coast is in in the cone of uncertainty.

Cut 7 (10) “…at the cone.”

State Treasurer John Fleming is urging school funding to be focused on classrooms and teacher salaries. That’s based on a recent-released Legislative Auditor’s report and a review of financial information from the K-Through-12 School Transparency Project, which showed questionable spending.  Fleming says eliminating unnecessary spending starts with better transparency.

Cut 6 (13) “…that alongside us.”

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The Department of Children and Family Services launches a new way for prospective foster parents to get certified. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The owner and an employee of a Ville Platte smoke shop have been arrested in an ongoing narcotics investigation that began with the death of a 17 year old September 19^th, the day after he purchased over the counter herbal supplement pills from the Tobacco Tavern.  State Police say a search of the shop turned up more of those pills, suspected to contain a Schedule 1 Controlled Dangerous substance. We’re told both men arrested are facing a charge of  Distribution of a Schedule 1 Controlled Dangerous Substance.

Forecasters are keeping an eye on the weather, and The National Hurricane Center says a tropical depression or storm that could threaten the Northern Gulf coast could form later this week. National Weather Service Meteorologist Donald Jones says even though it’s October, the sea surface temperatures in the Gulf are still in the mid-80s, which is warm enough to support tropical storm development.

Cut 5 (08) “…support tropical activity.”

The numbers show about 90 babies die in their sleep each year in Louisiana, with most deaths being preventable.  That’s why the Department of Children and Family Servies is asking parents to evaluate their infants’ sleep environments for safety.  Secretary Rebecca Harris says you should never place pillows, blankets or stuffed animals inside a baby’s crib.

Cut 9 (13)  “…very tragic situation.”

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On Saturday night in Ruston, Louisiana Tech and UL Lafayette will renew an over 100-year-old rivalry for the first time in over a decade. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Not the outcome “Who Dat” nation was looking for last night as Atlanta easily defeated the Saints 45 to 24 on a night where the city celebrated the 20^th anniversary of the team returning to the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina. It took the Falcons just three plays to score on a 59-yard run. The Saints are 1-and-3 and host undefeated Minnesota this Sunday.