Early voting for the November election is underway and voters will see a ballot item that would legalize fantasy sports on websites like DraftKings and FanDuel in their parish. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says currently its classified as gaming
Cut 7 (08) “…parish.”

The National Retail Federation predicts a slight uptick in spending for Halloween. N-R-F spokesperson Ana Serafin Smith credits a healthy economy…
cut 14 (13) “…than past years”
Smith says they predict a person will spend on average 87-dollars on Halloween.

The jackpot for tonight’s Mega Millions grand prize is one-point-six billion dollars and thousands of Louisiana players will buy a ticket today hoping they can retire tomorrow. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says Louisiana is still looking for its first Mega Millions grand prizewinner…
cut 11 (10) “…would be incredible”
Avery Island in Iberia Parish is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places after a yearlong review of the home of Tabasco confirmed its significance. While known for it’s hot sauce, McIlhenny Company CEO Tony Simmons says the island is also home to the state’s first bird refuge, which his great grandfather created for the snowy egret in 1895….
Cut 4 (12) “…being threatened.”
Avery Island is now home to over 100-thousand birds and other species.

All eyes are on the $1.6 billion jackpot for tonight’s Mega Millions drawing after no grand prize winning ticket was sold for Friday’s drawing. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says the current multi-state game’s jackpot is a record setter.
Cut 10 (08) “…US lottery history.“
Mega Millions has been available to Louisiana lottery players since 2012 and a winning ticket for the grand prize has never been sold in this state.

Early voting gets underway today and there is an item on the ballot that asks voters if fantasy sports betting involving websites like DraftKings and Fan Duel should be legal. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott….
cut 9 (10) “….activity”
If approved by parishes, legislators will have to approve a mechanism for taxing the activity when they return for the regular session in April.

LSU senior associate athletic director Robert Munson says discussions with the SEC regarding Devin White’s first half-suspension for the Alabama game were amicable, but the suspension stands. So White will miss the first half of the Alabama game for his targeting hit on Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald. There is a Go Fund Me page seeking money to pay for billboard space in downtown Birmingham, the home of the SEC offices. The billboard would read hashtag Free Devin White.

Big news for Avery Island as the birthplace of Tabasco pepper sauce has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. McIlhenny Company CEO Tony Simmons says his family settled the land in 1818 and attracts about 100-thousand vistors a year….
cut 6 (09) “…all about”
Avery Island features 52 state-registered archaeological sites.

Early voting begins today at your parish’s Registrar of Voters Office or at other designated locations. A special election for Secretary of State, Congressional races, six constitutional amendments and a question on whether to legalize fantasy sports betting highlights the ballot.

At $1.6 billion, tonight’s drawing for the Mega Millions is not only the largest jackpot for the multistate lottery game, it’s also the largest lotto jackpot in US history. Kevin Barnhart has more…
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Avery Island in Iberia Parish has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. Avery Island is where world famous Tabasco Sauce is made, but McIlhenny Company President and CEO Anthony Simmons says the island also features pre-historic Indian burial grounds and exotic plants and that’s not all….
cut 5 (08) “…1863.
Simmons hopes the designation will increase tourism to the island.

The National Retail Federation says spending is slightly up for Halloween as they are projecting Americans will spend a total of $9 billion on the holiday. NRF spokesperson Ana Serafin Smith says the spending breaks down to just shy of $90 per person.
Cut 13 (12) “…from last year.”
The N-R-F says witches, vampires and zombies top the costume lists.

Early voting begins today for the November sixth election. Registered voters who wish to vote early can do so in person at their parish Registrar of Voters Office or at other designated locations. Early voting hours from today until next Tuesday, except Sunday is 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM.

One of the measures on the ballot is a question that asks voters if fantasy sports betting should be legal in their parish. Matt Doyle reports an ad has hit the airwaves urging people to vote yes….
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Lines are expected to be long today at your local lotto dealer as the jackpot for tonight’s Mega Millions drawing is a record one-point-six billion dollars. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says Louisiana Mega Millions sales are up 177% over last fiscal year….
Cut 12 (11) “…from Friday alone.”
The cut off to buy a Mega Millions ticket is 9 PM.

Halloween is just over a week away and the National Retail Federation estimates Halloween spending will be up slightly from last year. N-R-F spokesperson Ana Serafin Smith says pet costumes continue to gain popularity….
Cut 15 (12) “…480 million dollars.”
20-percent of those surveyed say they plan on dressing their pets in a costume. And the most popular pet costume is a pumpkin.

Avery Island, home of Tabasco Hot Sauce, is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “I’m Matt Doyle” 

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Ads have begun to roll out asking voters to approve fantasy sports legalization on the November ballot. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) ”I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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At $1.6 billion, tonight’s drawing for the Mega Millions is not only largest jackpot for the multistate game, it’s also the largest lotto jackpot in US history, but what should you do if your numbers hit? Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

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Avery Island in Iberia Parish is now a part of the National Register of Historic Places after an extensive nearly yearlong review of the home of Tabasco confirmed its significance. While known for it’s hot sauce, McIlhenny Company CEO Tony Simmons says the island is also home to the state’s first bird refuge, which his great grandfather created for the snowy egret in 1895.

Cut 4 (12) “…being threatened.”

Simmons says the Audubon Society credits that creation with saving the species.

And that’s not all, along with pre-historic Indian burial grounds and exotic plants, it’s notable for something else as well….

Cut 5 (08) “…1863” 

Simmons says about 100,000 visitors come to see the bird sanctuary and Tabasco factory, which now ships to 195 countries, with labels in 22 languages. He says his family settled the land and has been fermenting the famous red brew for centuries…

Cut 6 (07) “…all about.”

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Voters in all 64 Parishes will have a chance to vote on whether or not folks in their neck of the woods will be allowed to play fantasy sports for money. Currently, Louisianans are barred from websites like DraftKings and FanDuel, which Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana President Robert Travis Scott says are currently classified as gambling.

Cut 7 (08) “…parish.”

The Fantasy Sports Trade Association estimates 59.3 million fantasy sports players in Canada and the United States.

But, even if voters approve the measures, it will still take quite awhile for the activity to get off the ground in Louisiana. Scott says if parishes pass the measure, the legislature will have to figure out how to tax activity…

Cut 8 (10) “…again.”

Scott says there’s no doubt many Louisianans are in fantasy leagues with friends and co-workers and the winners receive a cash award. While that’s illegal, Scott says it’s not enforced, and this measure is more about the tax question.

Cut 9 (10) “…activity.”

Early voting for the November ballot begins today  and runs through Tuesday of next week.

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All eyes are on the $1.6 billion jackpot for tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot drawing after no jackpot-winning ticket was sold on Friday night.  Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says the current multi-state game’s jackpot is a record setter.

Cut 10 (08)   “…US lottery history.“

Chopin says while Louisiana has seen several million prize winners with Mega Millions, and seeing a jackpot-winning ticket sold in Louisiana would be a first for the game since it came to Louisiana in 2012.

Cut 11 (10)   “…would be incredible.”

Chopin says Louisiana Mega Millions sales are up 177% over last fiscal year and says that is largely in part due to this current jackpot run.

Cut 12 (11)  “…from Friday alone.”

The cut off to buy a Mega Millions ticket is 9PM
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The National Retail Federation says spending is slightly up for Halloween as they are projecting Americans will spend a total of $9 billion on the holiday.  It’s the second highest year of the 14 years the NRF has surveyed spending habits for the Halloween.  NRF spokesperson Ana Serafin Smith says the spending breaks down to just shy of $90 per person.

Cut 13 (12)   “…from last year.”

Smith credits to the uptick in spending to factors indicative of a healthy economy.

Cut 14 (13)   “…than past years.”

Smith says the one of the areas of Halloween spending that may surprise people by its growth is the money dished out for pets.

Cut 15 (12)   “…480 million dollars.”

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LSU men’s basketball opens the season ranked 23rd in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. The Tigers have one of the top incoming freshmen classes, return one of the best point guards in the SEC in Tremont Waters. But they are missing the veteran presence of Wayde Sims, who was murdered last month. Coach Will Wade says Sims absence will impact the team all year…

Cut 16 (20) “.sometimes”

It’s only the fourth time since 1992 that LSU enters the season ranked in the preseason AP Top 25. Wade says they can’t concern themselves with the preseason ranking…

Cut 17 (13)  “than that”

Javonte Smart from Baton Rouge is one of the new key newcomers. He was named Mr. Louisiana Basketball three consecutive seasons at Scotlandville High School and also won three state titles. Wade says Smart is committed to becoming a great player…

Cut 18 (19) “…the perimeter.” 

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Through six games, Saints quarterback Drew Brees has not thrown an interception. When asked about that accomplishment during his Monday conference call with reproters Coach Sean Payton seemed like he didn’t want to jinx the streak…

Cut 19 (20) “..drive going” 

The Saints return to Minnesota on Sunday night. The Vikings beat the Black and Gold twice last season, including a heart breaking playoff loss. Payton says the revenge factor is overrated…

Cut 20 (19) “last year” 

LSU alumnus and professor James Carville says the targeting penalty on linebacker Devin White is another example of how the SEC is in collusion with Alabama. Carville says the SEC already requires LSU to play Florida every year, while Alabama gets an easier cross division opponent in Tennessee. He says now Commissioner Greg Sankey is making sure Alabama has even more of an advantage, when the two teams meet in Tiger Stadium on November 3rd…
cut 11 (10) “…myself”
Because of the targeting penalty, White has to miss the first half of the Alabama game.

Two children were killed a mobile home fire in Belle Chasse in Plaquemines Parish last night. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says three adults are hospitalized…
cut 5 (06) “….together”
The coroner has identified the deceased kids as seven-year-old Jordan Beckham and nine-year-old Madison Branton.

Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso says a Fork Polk soldier and his 24-year-old girlfriend Sarah Parker were driving around last night with a dead woman in their trunk. Mancuso says 22-year-old Logan Kyle killed his wife at the military base and then was in the process of dumping the body when they were stopped in Calcasieu Parish. The sheriff says two young children were also in the vehicle…
cut 14 (10) “…the vehicle”
The one-and two-year-old children are now in state custody, while Kyle is under investigation by the US Army and Parker is facing state charges.

Counselors are available for families who have children attending Benton Elementary. A former teacher at that school has been charged with rape and video voyeriusm and the victim is a student. Psychologist Grady Bray says 47-year-old Aubrey Norcross may have groomed his victim…
cut 7 (10) “…relationship”

Today was the coolest morning of the fall and the state health department says it’s a reminder to get your flu shot. Once the cold weather arrives, people tend to stay indoors and that when the flu really spreads. Louisiana Immunization Director Doctor Frank Welch says last year’s flu season one of the worst on record…
cut 9 (08) “…strains this year”
L-D-H is hosting a series of flu clinics around the state where residents can receive a flu shot at little or no co cost.

Latest employment figures show Louisiana added 19,900 jobs over the last 12 months, with every metro area adding jobs, including Lafayette and Houma. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie says the state has been working to make sure south central Louisiana isn’t so dependent on the oil and gas industry…
cut 6 (07) “…that area”

Let the hype begin for the SEC showdown between 4th ranked LSU versus top ranked Alabama on November 3rd. Jeff Palermo has the story..
Voicer 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Saints rallied from 10 points down to beat Baltimore 24-23 yesterday. Quarterback Drew Brees threw two touchdown passes, but it was a missed extra point by Ravens kicker Justin Tucker that has everyone talking this morning. Brees on the missed P-A-T…
cut 15 (10) “…about time”