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.”

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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.

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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.”

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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.”

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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.”

Taylor Swift takes the stage tonight for the first of three shows at the Superdome…and New Orleans is already reaping the benefits.  Here’s Andrew Greenstein.

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It’s also a big weekend in Monroe as Chennault Fest begins today at the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum.  In addition to the usual fair activities, Museum President and CEO Nell Calloway says  weather permitting, there will be hot air balloon rides.

Cut 13 (06)  “…miles an hour.”

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Louisiana’s public colleges are seeking $142 million in additional state funding for the next fiscal year. The Board of Regents wants more money, despite projections the state will have fewer dollars to spend. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says they are requesting more money because private employers are looking for more qualified workers…

Cut 10 (07) “…employment pipeline.”

A newly approved self-collection method for HPV testing means the expansion of cervical cancer prevention.  According to the Louisiana tumor registry, Louisiana sees more than two hundred new cases of cervical cancer every year. Associate Director of LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center, Dr. Donna Williams says if someone tests positive for HPV, the same sample can be used for a pap smear that would detect pre-cancer cells that can be treated right in the doctor’s office.

Cut 5 (09) “…can tackle.”

The Board of Regents is seeking $142 million in additional state funding for the next fiscal year for Louisiana public colleges.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Cervical cancer prevention is expanding with a newly approved self-collection method for HPV testing.  Associate Director of LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center, Dr. Donna Williams says, no HPV means no cervical cancer and self-collection will increase access to testing for the virus…

Cut 4 (10) “…completely curable.”

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New Orleans is rolling out the red carpet for Taylor Swift, and with good reason – she’s about to give the city a huge economic jolt. Mark Romig with New Orleans and Company says Swifties from all over the world have been spending money in the city all week long. enjoying everything New Orleans has to offer.

Cut 8 (12) “…nights with Taylor.”

They’ll be having fun in Monroe this weekend as Chennault Fest happens today through Sunday at the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum. Museum President and CEO Nell Calloway says weather permitting, there will be hot air balloon rides and so much food you might think it’s a food festival.

Cut 14 (12) “…the holidays now.”

The body of a woman found in Lake Pontchartrain 38 years ago has finally been identified, thanks to new technology.  St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Lieutenant  Suzanne (soo-ZAWN) Carboni says genealogy and DNA testing finally i-d’d the body as that of Pamela Lee Hupp Now, the task is finding the Florida woman’s killer.

Cut 12 (09) “…during that time.”

The Monroe Police Department is being featured on the television documentary series On Patrol: Live for the next eight weeks. Monroe Police Chief Victor Zordan says viewers will get an up close look at what it takes to maintain safety and order in the city.

Cut 6 (12) “…connection with the public.”

The show airs Friday and Saturday nights from eight to 11 p.m.

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The vast majority of Americans are changing the way they travel this holiday season due to inflation. Ted Rossman with Bankrate says a whopping 83-percent are adjusting their holiday travel routine and it’s not a reflection of the cost of travel itself.

Cut 8 (12) “…year over year.”

You won’t have to travel far if you want to get some exclusive T-Swift merchandise. Beginning today an array of items including apparel, accessories, and collectibles will be on sale at Champion Square at the Caesar’s Superdome.  Voice of the Saints Mike Hoss.

Cut 14 (06) “…a little different.”

After 38 years, a Florida woman whose body was found in Lake Pontchartrain has finally been identified. Andrew Greenstein reports.

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For the next eight weeks, he Monroe Police Department will be featured on the television documentary series On Patrol: Live. Monroe Police Chief Victor Zordan.

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Taylor Swift fans are gearing up for a big weekend of concerts, and there’s a big sale of exclusive T-Swift merchandise happening today and tomorrow at the Caesars Superdome.  Voice of the Saints Mike Hoss says it’s a chance for everyone to participate in the excitement of the Eras tour.

Cut 15 (08) “…get some merchandise.”

Many Americans are changing the way they travel this holiday season due to inflation. Ted Rossman with Bankrate says a whopping 83-percent are adjusting their holiday travel routines, not because of the cost travel itself, but the cost of everything else.

Cut 9 (10)  “…child care.”

More than one out of every four Americans say they’re planning on taking on debt to travel this holiday season.

For the vast majority of Americans, holiday travel will be a little different this year. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

You won’t have to travel far if you want to get some exclusive T-Swift merchandise. Beginning today an array of items including apparel, accessories, and collectibles will be on sale at Champion Square at the Caesar’s Superdome.  Voice of the Saints Mike Hoss.

Cut 14 (06) “…a little different.”

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A Florida woman whose body was found in Lake Pontchartrain 38 years ago has finally been identified, thanks to new technology.  St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Lieutenant  Suzanne (soo-ZAWN) Carboni says genealogy and DNA testing finally i-d’d the body as that of Pamela Lee Hupp.

Cut 11 (13) …identify this individual.”

The Monroe Police Department is being featured on the television documentary series On Patrol: Live for the next eight weeks. Monroe Police Chief Victor Zordan says they’re excited about the chance to highlight the professionalism, courage, and dedication of MPD officers.

Cut 5 (12) “…led up to it.”

The vast majority of Americans are changing the way they travel this holiday season due to inflation. Ted Rossman with Bankrate says a whopping 83-percent are adjusting their holiday travel routine.

Cut 7 (08) “…to their destination.”
Despite the changes more than one in four Americans say they’ll be taking on debt to travel this holiday season.

It’s a big day for Swifties today as exclusive Taylor Swift merchandise will be available for sale at the Caesars Superdome, coinciding with her highly anticipated ERAS Tour.  Voice of the Saints Mike Hoss says this special opportunity allows fans who do not have concert tickets to purchase a range of official merch, celebrating Taylor’s diverse musical journey.

Cut 13 (13)  “…and you’re done.”

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The TV documentary series “On Patrol: Live” on Reelz is featuring the Monroe Police Department for the next eight weeks. Sean Richardson has more.

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Trial began yesterday for the man accused in a mass shooting in downtown Shreveport in March of last year.    Jurors heard opening statements in the case of Devin Owen Porter Jr., who’s charged with second-degree murder and six counts of attempted murder after police say he fired multiple shots near Texas Street.  32 year old Jacorvin Taylor was killed, six other people were injured.