More than a quarter-million Louisianans have early voted in the Presidential election so far, about 90,000 more early votes than we had two days into the 2016 election. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “  I’m Matt Doyle”  

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LSU starting quarterback Myles Brennan is questionable for Saturday’s home game against the South Carolina Gamecocks. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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A Mangham Police Officer is recovering after he was shot during a traffic stop on Saturday night. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says 27-year-old Hermandus Semien of Ville Platte shot the officer after stealing a vehicle and robbing a pharmacy in Rayville earlier in the day

Cut 3 (07)  “…Franklin Parish”  

Authorities say Semien abandoned the stolen vehicle near Fort Necessity and was taken into custody a short time later near Fort Necessity.  Semien faces several charges including attempted first-degree murder of a police officer. Reichardt says the officer will survive after getting shot in the stomach…

Cut 4 (05)   “…thank goodness”   

The officer has been identified as Marshall Waters. Reichardt says Waters pulled over Semien’s vehicle because he was speeding…

Cut 5 (08) “…Franklin Parish”

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Louisiana has seen record numbers of early voting turnout so far for the Presidential Election.

JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon says anecdotes of voters waiting in long lines to cast an early ballot are strongly supported by the data.

Cut 6 (10) “voted”

Early voting is available at select locations throughout the state and runs through October 27^th. Polls are open from 8 AM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday.

Couvillon also notes Louisiana is following a national trend in that Democrats appear to be fired up and are early voting in disproportionately higher numbers than Republicans.

Cut 7 (10) “…night”

53 percent of Louisiana’s first-day early voters were Democrats. Statewide Democrats make up 40 percent of the electorate.

Couvillon estimates as much as 40 percent of the vote could be cast before Election Day and overall we could see sky-high participation.

Cut 8 (07) “…year”

Couvillon says more than 100,000 people have already voted by mail, three times the volume we saw four years ago.

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Because minorities are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 researchers are looking at how they learn about the pandemic. Auburn University has received a National Science Foundation grant to study a variety of demographics in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. Research leader Dr. Kelly Dunning says people of all income ranges will be interviewed.

Cut 9 (10) “they’ve responded”

Dunning says their research will also include populations that speak foreign languages.

Cut 10 (12) “…..view messages”

The study will compare how different populations receive their information, via print, television, radio, or social media and which format they trust.

Cut 11 (12) “…of information.”

The year-long study will interview 5,000 people and they hope to publish preliminary results next Spring.

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LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says Tigers starting quarterback Myles Brennan is questionable for Saturday’s home game against South Carolina. Orgeron says Brennan has a significant injury to his lower body, an injury that dates back to their loss at Missouri on October 10th

Cut 12 (09) “ ….this game” 

If Brennan is not healthy to play on Saturday, the Tigers will have to start a true freshman at quarterback, either Pontchatoula’s TJ Finley or Max Johnson from Georgia. Orgeron says both quarterbacks have the talent to play in the NFL…

Cut 13 (08) “…gonna start”

Orgeron says if Brennan can not play on Saturday, he’ll make a decision on who will start after Thursday’s practice. He says starting as a true freshman quarterback is not easy, but Finley and Johnson know what’s expected from them

Cut 14 (09) “…the offense”

Amendment One on the statewide ballot declares there is no right to or funding of an Abortion to be added to the state constitution. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (32) “   I’m Brooke Thorington”

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It’s a stressful time to be alive and Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter has a message for anyone who is struggling to deal with the pressure…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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If you’ve had COVID but have now recovered studies indicate you might not be immune from getting it again. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Amendment One on the general election ballot, declaring there is no right to/or funding of an Abortion, allows the issue to go before the people. Should Roe v Wade be overturned, Louisiana’s Constitution has no language specifically addressing abortion. Public Affairs Research Council head Robert Travis Scott explains.

Cut 4 (10) “…of abortions”

Lawmakers approved Amendment One in 2019 to be added on the ballot. Scott says proponents of the Amendment want to eliminate any loopholes that would allow women the choice to terminate their pregnancy.

Cut 5 (13) “…process section”

Amendment One has no exceptions for cases involving rape, incest, or the mother’s risk of death. Scott says until Roe V Wade is overturned, Amendment 1, does not change anything immediately, however…

Cut 6 (06) “…some effect.”

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The Louisiana Department of Health wants you to roll up your sleeve and get your annual flu shot, especially this year, to reduce the strain on the healthcare system due to COVID-19. LDH flu expert Dr. Frank Welch says they are offering free flu shot clinics at locations around the state but this year the process is different.

Cut 7 (09) “a flu shot”

Welch expects a COVID-19 vaccination will be available to the public in the next four months and hosting a drive-up clinic for the flu is a test run.

Cut 8 (10) “…in the future.”

Welch says last year in Louisiana there were over 15-thousand hospitalizations for the flu alone.

Cut 9 (06) “those hsopitals”

Daily drive-up flu clinics are available this week in Bunkie, Jena, Colfax, Leesville, and Winnfield. They continue until November 20^th. For a list of locations go to LDH’s website. Participants are asked to bring their insurance cards and there is no charge for the flu shot.

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Stress levels are high in Louisiana as we’re seven months into a pandemic, recovering from two hurricanes, and in the middle of a heated election. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter has a message for everyone out there struggling to cope with the pressure…

Cut 10 (10) “…abnormal.”

Kanter says  there are free resources available to Louisiana residents who need help. He says if you’re feeling stressed call the 24-hour Keep Calm Hotline.

Cut 11 (12) “somewhere”

The number is 1-800-310-7977. You can also text a helpline. To get in touch text reach out to 741-741.

Kanter says even if you don’t feel you need the help this information could be vital for someone you know who is going through a hard time.

Cut 12 (06) “before”.

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Studies show it looks like you can catch COVID-19 again after you’ve already been infected and recovered, but the chances of it happening are low. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Clinical Medicine Dr. Najy Masri says there are two possibilities on why some people may come down with the virus more than once.

Cut 13 (07) “issue.”

Masri says he’s treated a nurse that got infected, tested positive, got sick, recovered, tested negative, and then seven weeks later came back with symptoms and tested positive again.

Masri says while it is possible it doesn’t very common considering there are few documented examples and now 40 plus million cases worldwide. That being said if you get it once, don’t act like you’re invulnerable…

Cut 14 (10) “…exists”

Masri says the reality of reinfection will have an impact on vaccine development. One possibility is that you’ll need a booster shot, and the other possibility is…

Cut 15 (07) “…shot”

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Louisiana Tech suffered its first conference loss on Saturday as Marshall defeated the Bulldogs 35-17 at Joe Aillet Stadium. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz is proud of the way the defense competed, but their woes are on offense…

cut 16 (20) “end zone”

Tech was just 1-of-10 on third down opportunities and had just seven rushing yards on 24 carries. Holtz says that’s two straight poor performances on offense…

cut 17 (24)     move forward “

Tech’s defense also struggled getting off they field as Marshall converted 13 of 16 third down opportunities. Senior linebacker Trey Baldwin…

cut 18 (18) ” back on the field”