Rescue operations are still ongoing for a missing worker at the partially collapsed Hard Rock Hotel in New Orleans and officials are concerned heavy rains today and tomorrow could make the site even more unstable. New Orleans Fire Chief Tim McConnell…
Cut 10 (07) “…collapse.”
The evacuation zone around the collapsed site has been expanded as two cranes outside of the building could fall. Two died when the building collapsed Saturday and a third person remains unaccounted for.

St. George is set to become the newest city in Louisiana following Saturday’s vote to incorporate the southeast corner of East Baton Rouge Parish. St. George spokesperson Drew Murrell says the new city should be up and running by January 1st…
Cut 4 (07) “…and city council.”
St. George’s population would be around 86-thousand, making it the fifth-largest city in Louisiana.

115-million dollars in federal grants is awarded to Louisiana schools. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Lafayette Sheriff’s office says it has arrested a student as part of an investigation into the potential poisoning of a student at St. Thomas More High School. The juvenile has been charged with Aggravated Battery. The sheriff’s office is not releasing any other details.

And a freshman student at Alabama is facing charges after he allegedly called in a threat to LSU’s Tiger Stadium during the LSU-Florida game.

The evacuation zone around the Hard Rock Hotel in New Orleans that partially collapsed over the weekend has been expanded. There are two cranes attached to the 18-story building under construction and New Orleans Fire Chief Tim McConnell says one of the cranes is visibly damaged…
cut 12 (08) “…crane”
McConnell says they are also concerned the rain will weaken the cranes. Crews continue to search for a missing worker at the collapsed site.

The US Department of Education awards Louisiana 115-million dollars in grants to help students and teachers. Superintendent of Education John White one how the money will be used.
Cut 13 (12) “…in our schools”
The Department will provide information to school systems about how they can access the grant dollars.

A year ago, most Louisiana residents never heard of Eddie Rispone. Now the Baton Rouge businessman is on the cusp of becoming the state’s next governor. Matt Doyle has more on Rispone’s rise…
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

There are allegations of hazing against cadets at the State Police training academy. Up to ten cadets reportedly sought medical attention for cuts, bruises and in one case a fractured arm. Captain J-B Slaton says the injuries occurred during defensive tactics training and they are investigating.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone’s rise from unknown to GOP standard-bearer has come as a surprise to many. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says analysts underrated Rispone’s straight forward branding as a President Trump-loving businessman. He says it was a clarion call for white voters.
Cut 7 (11) “…well.”
The Edwards campaign is touting a poll that shows him winning the run-off over Rispone, 52-to-36-percent.

The state department of education has been awarded 115-million dollars in federal grant money. The lion’s share of the funding will enhance literacy instruction, 100-million dollars over five years. State Superintendent of Education John White…
cut 14 (10) “…a college-level”
The other grant dollars will expand mental health services, help teachers earn credentials in STEM fields and establish a leadership program for special ed administrators.

A new city is coming to Louisiana. Kevin Barnhart reports voters in southwest East Baton Rouge Parish have voted to create St. George.
Cut 1 (33) “I”m Kevin Barnhart”

Widespread showers and thunderstorms over the next couple of days will bring rain to the state that hasn’t seen much precipitation over the last several weeks. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a front is currently stalled along the coastline…
Cut 9 (13) “…even more rain.”
Keim says two-thirds of the state is considered to be abnormally dry or in drought.

A recount is likely the Senate District 16 race in Baton Rouge as there’s a tie for second place between term-limited state representatives Steve Carter and Franklin Foil. Both are hoping to get in a runoff against Democrat Beverly Brooks Thompson. Former state Democratic Party Chairman Jim Nichol says when a run-off occurs, each campaign can select two representatives to witness the recount…
cut 7 (08) “…private”
If the vote remains tied, a three-way run-off will be held.

Based on the results from the October 12th election, Republicans are two seats away from capturing a Super Majority in the state House. Dr. Michael Henderson, assistant professor at the LSU Manship School of Mass Communication, says the GOP won several house seats Saturday held by a Democrat, but voters in that district supported President Trump in 2016
Cut 3 (11) “…to three”
Henderson says if Republicans win the 50th House district seat in St. Mary Parish and the 62nd in East Feliciana and on hold on to the seats they already have, they’ll have the 70 needed for a supermajority.

We’ve got a frantic month ahead before the November 16th run-off between Governor Edwards and Eddie Rispone. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Crews continue to look for a missing worker who remains inside the partially collapsed Hard Rock Hotel in New Orleans. The 18-story building was under construction when it fell apart on Saturday morning. Officials say the structure remains unstable which is making the rescue mission dangerous. Two people have died and what led to the building’s collapse is unknown.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon will serve another four years after defeating fellow GOP challenger Tim Temple, who poured nearly two million dollars of his own money into the race. Donelon received 53% of the vote…
Cut 7 (10) “…to the table.”
Donelon has been the state’s Insurance Commissioner since 2006.

LSU has moved up to second in the Top 25 AP poll after beating Florida 42-28 on Saturday. The game was tied at 21 at halftime and Florida took the lead early in the third quarter, but LSU Coach Ed Orgeron’s team responded by scoring 21 unanswered points…
Cut 15 (15) “…for the Tigers”
LSU’s next game is this Saturday at Mississippi State. Kick-off is at 2:30.

Many Republicans are rallying behind Eddie Rispone who will face Democratic incumbent John Bel Edwards in the November 16th runoff. Rispone says with the help of voters he can make Louisiana one of the best states in the country…
cut 11 (13) “…do it”
Edwards received 47-percent of the vote in Saturday’s primary, while Rispone garnered 27-percent and GOP Congressman Ralph Abraham received 24-percent. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Edwards did well in Caddo Parish and southeast Louisiana…
cut 12 (11) “..cushion”
Rispone, won Bossier, Webster, Sabine, Vernon, Beauregard, Livingston, LaFourche and Terrebonne parishes.

The National Audubon Society releases a report that finds 389 species could lose more than 50-percent of the habitat they need to survive by 2080 under a three-degree Celsius rise in global temperatures. The report also indicates fifteen percent of species in Louisiana are at risk, including the state bird. Director of Bird Conservation, Dr. Erik Johnson.
Cut 4 (12) “…incredibly important.”
For more information on the report go to climate-dot-audubon-dot org.

The Saints won their fourth straight yesterday, beating Jacksonville 13-6. Coach Sean Payton’s defense held the Jaguars to 226 yards of offense…
cut 20 (08) “…today”
And LSU has moved up to number two in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.