Hit songwriter and guitarist Tony Joe White from West Carroll Parish has died suddenly at the age of 75 from a heart attack. White was born on a cotton farm near Oak Grove and is best known for writing the 1969 hit “Polk Salad Annie” and “Rainy Night in Georgia.” Oak Grove native Harriet Monroe Miller says White would often come back to his hometown…
cut 3 (10) “….all of us”
White also wrote a couple of hit songs for Tina Turner and worked with Elvis Presley and Tom Jones.

Many LSU fans might be spending the open weekend figuring out how they can get tickets to next week’s LSU-Alabama match-up. Adam Budelli, with StubHub, says sales on their website have been brisk….
cut 26 (08) “….Stadium club”
Budelli says the lowest ticket price on their website is 234-dollars in the east upper deck. He says this is the third most sought-after regular season ticket behind Texas-Oklahoma and LSU-Georgia.

There are four more days left in the Early Voting period and political analyst John Couvillon says overall turnout could be over 30-percent, which is a good number compared to other previous mid-term elections that didn’t feature a U-S Senate race. Couvillon says the media blitz regarding Amendment number two, which is the unanimous juries question is helping to increase turnout…
cut 15 (11) “…is desired”
Early voting ends on Tuesday.

Governor John Bel Edwards is on his way to Israel today for an economic development mission. Edwards and a 24-person delegation will meet with government and industry leaders to discuss opportunities for Louisiana. The governor says Israel is also a world leader in the field of cybersecurity and he’ll hear from their experts…
cut 8 (10) “…private sector”

Graduation ceremonies are underway in Baton Rouge as Cadet Class 98 graduates from the State Police training academy. Sergeant Jared Sandifer says 48 men and women made it through 22-weeks of intense training…
Cut 10 (12) “…estatic”
L-S-P hopes to begin training another cadet class early next year.

Shreveport TV stations report Bossier Parish Schools are facing a lawsuit alleging the school system failed to protect students from a pedophile teacher. The parents fo a nine-year filed the suit. One week ago, deputies charged Aubrey Perry Norcross with rape of a student. He’s also been charged with video voyeurism.

The LSU/Alabama game is a sell out, so Matt Doyle looks at the secondary ticket market….
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Governor John Bel Edwards is embarking on a week-long economic development mission to Israel today, taking with him a 24-person delegation. Edwards has meetings lined up with some of the nation’s top dignitaries.
Cut 7 (13) “…state of Louisiana.”
Edwards says they’ll meet with companies that have existing projects in Louisiana and they’ll discuss with government and industry leaders about other potential opportunities for Louisiana.

A teacher at Buckeye elementary school has been busted after deputies found wine in her classroom. 43-year-old Shannon Rene Beran faces a charge of alcohol possession on public school property. Witnesses also tell Rapides Parish deputies that Beran displayed odd behavior during car pickup duty, as she was moving slowly and awkwardly.

A local political pollster says he’s been impressed with the early voting numbers through three days of the week long period where voters can cast their ballot early. John Couvillon says national politics are driving the higher than normal turnout for a mid-term election, even though none of Louisiana’s House delegation is in jeopardy of losing his seat….
cut 14 (10) “…turnout”
Early voting concludes next Tuesday.

Still over a week away from the LSU-Alabama match-up and StubHub says the SEC showdown is the third highest selling college football game this season. Adam Budelli says Texas-Oklahoma is number one followed by…
cut 5 (08) “….Baton Rouge”
The lowest ticket price value on their website is $230.

Governor John Bel Edwards is leading a 24-person delegation that leaves today for a weeklong trip to Israel. The schedule includes a meeting with cybersecurity experts as Israel has become a central figure in the global cybersecurity industry. Edwards says he also wants to build a framework for Louisiana to connect with Israel in oil and gas exploration. He says the topics of discussion do not stop there…
cut 9 (13) “….and so forth”
Edwards returns November 2nd.

Louisiana has lost one of its great songwriters..
cut 30
That’s Oak Grove native Tony Joe White and his popular 1969 hit “Polk Salad Annie. White has passed away at the age of 75. He also wrote “Rainy Night in Georgia.”

JMC Analytics is predicting, based on strong early voting numbers, turnout for the November election will more than double last fall’s ballot effort…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle..”

State Police is graduating its 98th cadet class today. Sergeant Jared Sandifer says these 48 men and women went through an extensive training program in Baton Rouge…
cut 11 (10) “…for impaired drivings”
Sandifer says the next cadet class will take place early next year and if you are interested an application can be found on the State Police website.

According to one pollster, early voting numbers are strong for the midterm election in Louisiana. JMC Analytics publisher John Couvillon says we haven’t seen midterm participation like this since 2006….
cut 13 (10) “…contested races”
Couvillon predicts an overall turnout of over 30-percent, which would more than double the turnout last fall.

Tickets on the secondary market are going fast for the November 3rd mega matchup between LSU and Bama in Baton Rouge. StubHub’s Adam Budelli says they’re the most sought after Tiger/Tide tickets in years.
Cut 4 (09) “…respectively”
The lowest ticket prices available are over 200 hundred dollars.

Governor John Bel Edwards is embarking on a week-long economic development mission to Israel today. Kevin Barnhart has details about the trip.
Voicer 2 (31) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

LSU’s players say Devin White is maintaining a positive attitude even though he’ll miss the first half of the Alabama game on November 3rd, because of the targeting penalty called on him last Saturday. Fellow linebacker Michael Divinity says White’s focus is on helping the Tigers beat the Crimson Tide, even though he can’t play in the first half…
Cut 16 (16) “.to have”
Coach Ed Orgeron says starting guard Garrett Brumfield might be able to play against Alabama. He hasn’t played in over a month since since injuring his left knee against Louisiana Tech.

Louisiana Tech leaves today for south Florida where they’ll play Florida Atlantic tomorrow night. A win for Tech and they’ll be bowl eligible, while it’s been a struggle for the Owls, who are 3-and-4, but they are 3-and-0 at home. F-A-U’s Devin Singletary has 14 rushing touchdowns. Kick-off is at 5:30.

By giving up a fourth round pick in next year’s draft for cornerback Eli Apple, the Saints head into next year’s draft without a first, third and fourth round selection. But Coach Sean Payton says that’s not a big concern….
cut 20 (19) “…team better”
The Saints are getting ready to play the Minnesota Vikings. It’s the third meeting between the two teams in 13 months. Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins told the Athletic that they have not forgotten last January’s heart breaking loss and they want this game.

The 3-0 Pelicans are off tonight and they’ll host Brooklyn tomorrow night.

Georgia State is the preseason favorite, according to the Sun Belt Conference Men’s Basketball coaches preseason poll. The Ragin Cajuns finished in a tie for second in the poll with Georgia Southern. ULM has been picked to finish fourth.

LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab and the Cook Political Report combined to do a poll that shows Democrats have around a double digit average advantage in races that will determine the control of the U-S House of Representatives. Public Policy Lab Director Mike Henderson says President Trump is weighing down Republican prospects for House seats…
cut 6 (07) “….the President”
The survey found that 42-percent of voters will cast ballots in the mid-term election to show opposition to the President, while 23-percent will go to the polls to show support.

A southwest Louisiana woman has been arrested after she allegedly went next door to do drugs, when a fire started killing her 11-year-old son, who was sleeping. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says 41-year-old Jenny Stafford of Singer faces one count of negligent homicide…
cut 14 (04) “…infuriating”

The state’s top higher education board will request an additional $172 million in state funding for public colleges next year to help lower the costs for students. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

There were some tense moments at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital as authorities responded to an active shooter situation. The Lake Charles Police Department received a call in reference to a man with a gun, heading to the sixth floor. The suspect was located and detained, but it turns out a gun was never found.