Bad news for those who regularly use the Sunshine Bridge at Donaldsonville. State transportation officials say the highway that links both sides of Ascension Parish will be closed for weeks, because extensive repairs are needed after a crane barge hit the structure on Friday. Donaldsonville Mayor Leroy Sullivan can understand the frustration…
cut 3 (09) “…to work”
Sullivan says the commute may be longer tomorrow, as schools in the area re-open.

The Council for a Better Louisiana supports the six constitutional amendments on the November 6th ballot. Amendment Two asks voters if a unanimous jury should be required in felony cases. CABL President Barry Erwin explains why they back the historic legal change.
Cut 4 (08) “…has this”

You can now purchase alcohol at grocery stores and gas stations in unincorporated areas of Ouachita parish on Sundays as result of a 4-2 vote by the Ouachita Parish Policy Jury. Jury President Scotty Robinson says he voted for the ordinance, after polling residents…
cut 9 (12) “…lost the bet”
Opponents raised concerns about an increase in D-W-I’s and that Sunday is the Lord’s Day.

Another cold front is moving through Louisiana, it will keep temperatures in the 50s in north and central Louisiana today. State Climatologist Barry Keim….
cut 11 (06) “…through Louisiana”
This front is also bringing heavy rain. A Flash Flood warning is in effect for Iberia, Lafayette, St. Martin and Vermilion Parish until 12:15 this afternoon.

Recent polling indicates Democrats will retake control of the House following the mid-term elections. That will have a significant impact on House Majority Whip Steve Scalise. The Republican from Jefferson Parish says the battle is coming down to around four dozen seats…
cut 14 (11) “…to Democrat”
The Louisiana mid-term elections are not expected to bring any surprises as the incumbents are expected to win.

There are six constitutional amendments on the November 6th ballot, the first one asks voters whether convicted felons should be prohibited from running for office for five years after they complete their sentence. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin expects it will pass…
cut 5 (08) “….those things”
Today is the last day to register online for the November 6th election.

The Alexandria Police Department arrested one of its own officers for simple assault. The A-P-D says corporal Ronnie Stevens Junior threatened and yelled at a woman on Sunday and another woman accuses Stevens of yelling and cursing at her in front of her children. Stevens was off-duty at the time. Chief Jerrod King says its no fun to arrest one of your own officers.

The Department of Veterans Affairs in New Orleans receives 85,000 dollars to fight veteran homelessness. Matt Doyle has more on the story.
Voicer 2 (30) ”I’m Matt Doyle.”

State transportation officials say The Sunshine Bridge at Donaldsonville will be closed for weeks to fix the damage caused when a barge with a large crane struck the structure on Friday.

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise expects the November midterm elections will come down to the wire. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves has started a Go Fund Me account to raise money to pay the 100-thousand dollar fine LSU faces for storming the field following the upset win over Georgia.

The Council for a Better Louisiana supports the six constitutional amendments that will appear on the November 6th ballot. Amendment four asks voters whether the state should use gasoline tax money to fund a portion of State Police operations. CABL President Barry Erwin says voting “Yes” for this amendment will make sure fuel tax money will be used on highway improvements….
cut 6 (08) “….infrastructure”
The other two big amendments deal with unanimous juries for felony convictions and banning certain convicted felons from running for public office.

We’re seeing heavy rain in both north and south Louisiana this morning as a cold front is moving through the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says cool air should remain in place until Friday and the rain….
cut 12 (10) “…Wednesday and Thursday”
A flash flood warning is in effect until 9:45 this morning for the southern parts of Acadiana.

Louisiana gets hit with some more cold air today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says much of the state will need a jacket…
Cut 10 (12) “…northern parishes“
And we are seeing heavy rain as a Flash Flood Warning has been posted until 9:45 this morning for south central Louisiana. It covers Abbeville, Broussard and New Iberia.

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise says the mid-term election will be a tight one, with record spending and surging voter enthusiasm likely to push the control of Congress to a last second finish. Scalise has been touring the country helping his GOP colleagues in tough re-election campaigns.
Cut 13 (10) “…it’s brutal.”

The Council for a Better Louisiana is endorsing all six constitutional amendments on the November ballot. Michael Farrar has more.
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Mike Farrar

A substitute teacher at Port Barre High School has been arrested after she allegedly had sex with a student in a classroom while a pep rally was taking place. Cops say the student showed video of the alleged incident to other students. 25-year-old Constance Robertson of Washington is facing a Felony Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile charge.

A Washington Post-ABC News poll shows voters are significantly more interested in the November sixth elections than the last midterm elections as 77-percent of registered voters nationwide say they plan to vote. Republican Majority Whip Steve Scalise is hoping the G-O-P maintains control of the House, but Scalise says it’s a difficult fight…
cut 15 (07) “….in voting”

The Council for a Better Louisiana supports the six constitutional amendments on the November 6th ballot. The 2nd amendment, requiring unanimous jury verdicts in criminal cases, has received national attention, with over 2.3 million dollars raised to support a YES campaign. CABL President Barry Erwin explains why they back the historic legal change.
Cut 4 (08) “…has this”

The Department of Veterans Affairs in New Orleans receives nearly 85-thousand dollars to provide a permanent home to a dozen Veterans, who are homeless in East Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Chief of Social Work for the Department of Veterans Affairs in New Orleans, Cecilia Graham, on how the funds can be spent…
Cut 7 (11) “…community activity”
The grant will be provided through the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program.

The Ouchaita Parish Police Jury approves a new law that will let grocery stores, gas stations and liquor stores sell alcohol on Sunday between noon to 10 PM in unincorporated areas of the parish. Jury President Scotty Robinson says he voted for it, because its what his constituents wanted.

LSU will pay a 100-thousand dollar fine to the SEC because the fans rushed the field following the big win over Georgia. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana is sending more resources to Florida where Hurricane Michael left a lot of destruction in its path. GOHSEP has sent a six-person, public assistance support team. And the Louisiana Department of Agriculture is sending an emergency fuel contract support coordinator to assist with fuel operations.

The first ad of the Secretary of State’s race is out, and despite being a non-partisan position, the ad for interim secretary of state Kyle Ardoin is chock full of red meat for conservatives. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says it’s a bureaucratic position, but highlighting your technical qualifications probably w will not get you elected.
Cut 12 (10) “…anybody.”
The November 6th Secretary of State’s race has nine candidates on the ballot.

It’s unknown when the Sunshine Bridge in Donaldsonville will re-open, after sustaining damage on Friday from a barge carrying a large crain. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says several vital components of the bridge are in need of repair, so they can NOT even use a portion of the bridge for traffic, while repairs are being made…
Cut 8 (10) “…longer trip”
About 25-thousand travelers use the bridge daily.

The first ad is out in the Secretary of State’s race. Interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin has a 30-second commercial running that that says “Keep Kyle.” Ardoin replaced Tom Schedler, who resigned amid sexual harassment allegations. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley viewed the ad and says…
cut 13 (10) “….the head position”
Ardoin is one of nine candidates on the November sixth ballot.

The SEC has fined LSU 100-thousand dollars, because fans rushed the field following the upset victory over Georgia. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson says the fans were a big part in the win…
cut 11 (08) “…our energy”
The fine money will go the SEC’s post-graduate scholarship fund.

It’s unknown when the Sunshine Bridge in Donaldsonville will re-open. It’s been closed since Friday morning when a barge with a large crane on it slammed into the 54-year-old structure causing extensive damage. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says they are working on plans to make the repairs…
cut 6 (08) “….part done”
About 25-thousand travelers use the bridge to get across the Mississippi River on a daily basis.

The Legislative Auditor says there’s some problems with child care standards in Louisiana. Auditor Krista Baker-Hernandez says the state lacks many of the nationally recognized regulations. She says the Department of Education also lacked effective processes for investigating improprieties in caregiving.
Cut 4 (11) “…illegally″
LDE says many of the issues brought up in the audit have been resolved.