Livingston Sheriff Jason Ard defends his decision to employ Dennis Perkins, who is in jail on sex crime charges. Matt Doyle reports Ard had a combative press conference with reporters today about an incident that happened with another child in 2013…
Cut 1 (30) “…Matt Doyle”

The other big story is tonight’s gubernatorial debate between John Bel Edwards and his Republican challenger Eddie Rispone. It will air on Louisiana Public Broadcasting at seven P-M. Early voting for the November 16th election begins Saturday.

The nation’s report card ranks Louisiana between 44th and 49th in math and reading assessments. However, the report shows the state has made more improvement than any other state in 8th-grade math. State Superintendent of Education John White says the findings indicate the state is turning around.
Cut 13 (12) “…answer is yes.”
Despite the improvement, eighth graders are still ranked 48th in the country.

In New Orleans, engineers are still trying to determine the best path towards bringing down the partially collapsed Hard Rock Hotel construction site. New Orleans Fire Chief Tim McConnell says the city has been hands-on with the analysis of the demolition plans…
cut 7 (09) “…active investigation”

Livingston Sheriff Jason Ard took questions today about Dennis Perkins, the former high-ranking sheriff’s deputy arrested along with his wife, on child sex crimes. A Baton Rouge TV station is reporting a Baton Rouge Police officer accused Perkins of inappropriately touching his 14-year-old stepdaughter in 2013. Ard says he questioned Perkins, who denied the allegation and today he defended his decision to retain Perkins…
cut 4 (11) ….years ago”
The Sheriff says there are no reports of incidents or allegations against Perkins’ in his official file.

Four contractors are expected to submit bids by Friday with their plans on how to clear the site of the Hard Rock Hotel collapse. New Orleans Fire Chief Tim McConnell says an exact timeline on demolition is unclear.
Cut 6 (10) “…every single day.”
The bodies of unaccounted for workers remain under the ruble.

LSU football coach Ed Orgeron has a message for his team as we are still a week and a half away before the big game between the Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide…
cut 10 (08) “…ball is snapped’
Last year, Alabama shutout LSU in Tiger Stadium. But Crimson Tide Coach Nick Saban says the Tigers are a completely different offense…
cut 12 (11) “…good at it”
Saban says his starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will be a game-time decision after undergoing surgery last week to correct a high ankle sprain.

Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard spoke publicly for the first time since the arrest of his former SWAT commander Dennis Perkins. Perkins and his wife are in jail on child sex crime charges. A Baton Rouge TV station has uncovered a 2013 incident involving alleging improper behavior by Perkins against a Baton Rouge officer’s step-child. Ard says he blames the BR cop for not filing an official complaint.
Cut 3 (10) “investigation.”
Ard says the “verbal investigation” unveiled no sexual misconduct and determined Perkins was just “tickling” the child.

Governor Edwards and Eddie Rispone will share the stage tonight for what it is expected to be the only gubernatorial run-off debate. Louisiana Public Broadcasting will televise it at 7 PM.

LSU will likely be the number one team in the Associated Press Top 25 poll when they visit second ranked Alabama on November ninth. But Caoch Ed Orgeron says they are not paying attention to the current rankings…
cut 9 (11) “…towards that”
Orgeron says safety Grant Delpit will be available for the Alabama game, despite the ankle injury.

A new report finds suicide rates for 12 to 19 year-olds are up 87-percent over the last decade. Rhea Farberman, a researcher at Trust for America’s Health, says youth-serving organizations and sectors should work together to embrace strategies that reduce risk factors in teens’ lives…
cut 12 (10) “…skills and resilience”

The one and only debate between Governor John Bel Edwards and Republican challenger Eddie Rispone will take place at seven o’clock on Louisiana Public Broadcasting stations. Edwards has criticized Rispone for not providing details on he plans to move the state forward. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Rispone has the chance tonight…
cut 8 (10) “…the state”
Rispone is expected to label the governor as a tax and spend liberal.

A new report finds adolescent suicide rates are up 87-percent over the last decade with L-G-B-T-Q teens among the highest risk groups. Researcher at Trust for America’s Health Rhea Farberman says the data finds 48-percent of gay, lesbian and bisexual adolescents considering or attempting suicide…
cut 11 (10) “…attempting suicide”
The research suggests the rise is due to the stressors and pressures in a teen’s life.

There’s a marginal threat for severe weather today, but will it be gone in time for trick or treating. Kevin Barnhart has the story…
voicer 3 (31) “…reporting”

The nation’s report card finds that Louisiana public school students rank near the bottom nationally in math and reading assessments. But there is a bright spot. Louisiana ranks number one in the nation for improvement in eighth-grade math. A separate report shows Louisiana ranks 49th on the ACT, down from 45 last year.

Much of Louisiana is under a marginal risk for severe weather today. And State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’ll see a big change over the next 24 hours….
Cut 13 (12) “…state of Louisiana.”
Keim says then a strong cold front will move through and bring chilly temperatures to the Bayou State for Halloween. Cool temperatures will last through the weekend.

Tonight is expected to be the only televised debate between Republican challenger Eddie Rispone and Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards before the November 16th run-off. L-P-B will have the broadcast at 7 PM. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross believes the pressure is on Rispone who is trying to knock off an incumbent…
cut 9 (10) “….previously”

The Louisiana Sheriff’s Association is getting the word out about a new app that can notify parents when a registered sex offender tries to reach out to their child through snapchat, texts, emails and even phone calls. It’s called OffenderWatch Safe Virtual Neighborhood and St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne says the app has email addresses, cell numbers and social media accounts for hundreds of thousands of offenders…
cut 6 (08) “….Canada”
OffenderWatch Safe Virtual Neighborhood costs nine-dollars a year.

New research indicates teen suicide rates are up 87 percent over the last decade, with LGBTQ teens being the most at risk for suicide attempts. Researcher at Trust for America’s Health Rhea Farberman says the sudden spike warrants attention to the issue.
Cut 10 (11) “…to focus on.”
Farberman says there are dozens of programs that have proved to be successful in suicide prevention and they needed to be expanded.

Governor Edwards and Eddie Rispone will share the stage tonight for what it is expected to be the only gubernatorial run-off debate. Louisiana Public Broadcasting will televise it at 7 PM. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross expects the candidates to take a more aggressive posture than in the debates before the primary…
Cut 7 (08) “clearer”

A new report finds suicide rates for 12 to 19 year-olds are up 87-percent over the last decade. Rhea Farberman, a researcher at Trust for America’s Health, says youth-serving organizations and sectors should work together to embrace strategies that reduce risk factors in teens’ lives…
cut 12 (10) “…skills and resilience”
The report encourages Congress to increase funding for substance misuse and suicide prevention programs.

A new app alerts parents whenever a sex offender tries to contact their children. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “I”m Matt Doyle”

Much of the state is under a marginal risk for severe weather today as we’ll see showers and thunderstorms statewide. State Climatologist Barry Keim says tomorrow it will be chilly and breezy and hopefully dry during the trick or treat hours…
cut 15 (11) “….and enjoy it”