Explosives will be used to bring down the cranes at the Hard Rock Hotels collapse in New Orleans, but with recent movement and an incoming tropical system, they are racing the clock. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I”m Kevin Barnhart”

_____________________________

An Alabama student who allegedly called in a false bomb threat to Tiger Stadium has been released from East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on bond. Matt Doyle asked a legal analyst what to expect next…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

________________________

A recount breaks a tie in a Baton Rouge Senate race that’s sparked controversy after reports came out that said a GOP mega-donor tried to give a candidate a quid pro quo to drop out…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

________________________

Demolition experts will use explosives to take down the heavily damaged cranes at the Hard Rock Hotel in New Orleans.  The “T” at the top of each crane weighs about 145,000 pounds.  New Orleans Fire Chief Tim McConnell says recent movement detected indicates they may not have much time to spare.

Cut 4 (12) “…take this down.”

McConnell says there is major gas and electrical infrastructure going to the French Quarter that is within an area of danger that they are trying to be mindful of with the demolition.

Cut 5 (07) “…around there.”

McConnell hopes to have the crane demolition done by dark as they are racing the clock to beat the bad weather.

Cut 6 (10) “…come down uncontrolled.”

McConnell says bodies still inside the collapse and workers are doing everything they can to not only safely demolish the cranes, but have a better chance at recovering the remains for the families.

____________________

The Saints will head to the Windy City for a Sunday matchup with the Chicago Bears.  The black and gold are on a 4-game hot streak with Teddy Bridgewater at starting QB.  Coach Sean Payton says Bridgewater’s performance showcases the aspects of his demeanor that the coach appreciates at the QB position.

Cut 7 (11) “…presence about him.” 

The Saints will have to figure out a way to keep their streak alive without cornerback PJ Williams, who is suspended for two games for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.  Payton says he’s got faith in Patrick Robinson and rookie safety CJ Gardner-Johnson to step up in the absence.

Cut 8 (12) “…at that position.”

Punter Thomas Morestead says as much as he loves the New Orleans crowd, he’s looking forward to another trip to the outdoor stadium.

Cut 9 (10)  “…get a win.”

______________________________

Connor Croll, the Alabama student who allegedly called in a false bomb threat to Tiger Stadium during Saturday’s game, has been released from East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on a 100,000 dollar bond.

Croll has been charged with communication of false information of planned bombing on school property. Legal analyst Tim Meche says expect Croll’s defense to be based around the fact that the threat had no teeth…

Cut 10 (13) “…harm”

Croll reportedly told police he called in the threat to stop the game because his friend was at risk of losing money on a bet.

The stadium was swept, but the game was not canceled or disrupted as a result, and Croll’s call was traced shortly thereafter. Meche says you won’t get away with that in 2019…

Cut 11 (07) “…joking.”

Meche says because there never was a real threat he expects the Virginia native will be hit with probation and counseling.

Cut 12 (08) “…man.” 

__________________________________________

A Baton Rouge Senate race will not be a three-way run-off after a recount puts Representative Franklin Foil four votes ahead of Representative Steve Carter for second place.

Controversy erupted after a report that Republican kingmaker Lane Grigsby attempted to convince Foil to drop out in exchange for help winning a judgeship. It’s left a cloud over the proceedings…

Cut 13 (08) “…for you.”

That’s former GOP Congressional candidate Rob Maness, who says the events have shaken his confidence in the state party’s integrity.

Maness says he doubts there will be any repercussions for Grigbsy’s reported actions. He says moneyed interests like the Baton Rouge businessman have too much influence.

Cut 14 (09) “…tell you” 

The longtime GOP activist says Grigsby’s substantial influence with gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone and other state leaders has convinced him to register as an independent.

Cut 15 (09) “…else”

Maness says he was approached with a similar offer in 2016 when he ran for the Senate seat ultimately won by John Kennedy.

_____________________________________

Second-ranked LSU begins the second half of the regular season tomorrow against Mississippi State with a 6-0 record. The Tigers have put themselves in the conversation as a possible playoff team. Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire says they are trying to live in the moment

Cut 16  (19) “…next game” 

Mississippi State is allowing nearly 28 points a game and they rank 10th in the SEC in total defense. But they’ve forced 16 turnovers in six games. Edwards-Helaire says they have to protect the football…

cut 17  (20) “…that situation” 

____________________________________________

Louisiana Tech and Southern Miss will meet for the 51st time on Saturday and the winner will have sole possession of first place in the West Division of Conference USA. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says there’s no doubt, this is a big game

Cut 18 (21)  west division” 

Tech has won five in a row and they are perfect 3-and-0 at Joe Aillet Stadium. The Golden Eagles are 4-and-2 overall and they are coming off a 45-27 win over North Texas. Southern Miss QB Jack Abraham threw for 421 yards and three touchdowns in that game and Holtz says his defense will be tested…

cut 19 (11)   “speedy receivers”   

A tropical storm warning has been issued for the southeastern Louisiana coast from Grand Isle to the east. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

_____________________________

Governor Edwards claims GOP gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone’s plan to freeze Medicaid Enrollment will result in hundres of thousands of people losing their health insurance . Kevin Barnhart has more…

cut  2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”   

________________________________________

There’s controversy in a tied Baton Rouge Senate race as one of the candidates was reportedly offered help winning a future judgeship in exchange for dropping out.

Franklin Foil and Steve Carter are in tie for second. The Advocate’s Mark Ballard says Republican mega-donor Lane Grigsby tried to get Foil to drop out by calling the seat’s term-limited incumbent…

Cut 3 (10) “…race”

Grigsby backed Carter in the primary.

Claitor says the offer was appalling, and he did not pass it along to Foil, whom he supports. Ballard says Claitor expressed concerns that the offer was also illegal.

Cut 4 (09) “similar”

Grigsby was heavily involved in a number of primary races, including the election of Cleo Fields to the Senate, a number of BESE members, and was reportedly involved in Eddie Rispone’s run for governor.

Ballard says it’s a rare look at how the sausage gets made in Baton Rouge.

Cut 5 (10) “…newspaper.”

A hand recount of paper ballots in the race is scheduled for today at the Secretary of State’s office which could break the deadlock.

________________________________________

A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for a portion of coastal southeast Louisiana as Nestor is expected to develop in the Gulf of Mexico and quickly move to the northeast. National Weather Service forecaster Mike Efferson says they are not expecting this developing storm to ramp up into a hurricane

Cut 6 (05) “…coastal Louisiana.”

Nestor is expected to form in the southwest Gulf of Mexico and race towards the Florida panhandle, but Efferson says areas south of Lake Pontchartrain could see some effects…

Cut 7 (10) “…tropical storm force.”

Efferson says this mid-October storm is not expected to have a major impact on Louisiana…

Cut 8 (11) “…this storm”

______________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards says his Republican opponent Eddie Rispone’s plan to freeze Medicaid enrollment if elected will rip away healthcare from more than 300,000 people. Edwards says seasonal workers who see pay fluctuations feeling the biggest impact.

Cut 9 (12) “…has been frozen.”

Edwards says federal dollars foot the bill for the cost of Medicaid expansion.

Cut 10 (11) “…need it the most.”

Rispone’s campaign responded calling Edwards’ press conference today a political stunt and the expansion is unstable and full of waste.  Edwards says he feels confident in the safeguards implemented to ensure the program’s integrity.

Cut 11 (13) “…eligibility check system.” 

____________________________

Louisiana Economic Development is investing $3.6 million dollars into a new eight-million dollar natural gas pipeline at the Madison Parish Port near Tallulah to encourage future economic development. The state’s contribution will help double the pipeline’s capacity. L-E-D Secretary Don Pierson says initially only one company would benefit now it’s ten.

Cut 12 (12) “…port facilty” 

Pierson says this is a unique opportunity to help a rural area that’s in the need of new jobs.

Cut 13 (11) “…future growth.”

The Madison Parish Port is on the Mississippi River. It handles mainly agricultural products and Pierson says with the gas pipeline expansion, the Port will attract more tenants.

Cut 14 (11) “…future progress”

CenterPoint Energy will construct the pipeline and provide the natural gas service.

___________________________