The first two days of early voting for the November 18 election shows numbers remain dismal with just under 26-thousand voters participating. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says even though they are getting the word out to encourage voters, not many took the advice…
Cut 3 (07) “voters behind.”
Early voting remains open until Saturday with the exception of Friday for the observance of Veteran’s Day.

The 97th cadet class has begun training at the State Police Training Academy in Baton Rouge. Trooper Jared Sandifer says 47 men and women started their intense training yesterday, while the 96th cadet class is entering its 11th week of training….
cut 15 (07) “….can be”
After graduation, troopers will participate in a 10-14 week field training program before beginning their new careers.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and 10 Louisiana chefs are in New York City to prepare the Bayou State’s world-class food and give the Big Apple a taste of what we have to offer. Nungesser says they hope to woo people with our culture and encourage them to take their next vacation to Louisiana.
Cut 10 (08) “to do”
Chefs like Cory Bahr, Bonnie Breaux and Jay Ducote are joining the Lt. governor on this trip.

After the loss to Alabama, is it time to let true freshman Myles Brennan take over as LSU’s starting quarterback? Head Coach Ed Orgeron has said Danny Etling will remain the starter and Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says that’s the right calll…
cut 6 (09) “…quarterback play”
LSU’s final three regular season games are against Arkansas, Tennessee and Texas A-and-M.

The House GOP tax plan promises to lower taxes for most Americans and also simplify the tax code so that many individuals will be able to file their own taxes on a postcard. Brandon Legarde is a member of the Louisiana CPA Society and he imagines tax preparers will still be needed…
cut 6 (04) “…us busy”
There is some concern the House GOP tax proporsal will not pass the Senate.

47 men and women have reported to the State Police Training Academy to begin several weeks of grueling training to become a State Trooper. Sergeant Jared Sandifer says they’ll join the 96th cadet class, who is in its 11th week of training. Sandifer says they’ll soon add dozens of new troopers to the force….
cut 14 (11) “…much better”
And State Police is accepting applications for the next cadet class.

According to Triple-A, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has increased four cents in the last week to $2.26. We are also paying about 30-cents more for gasoline than we did at this time last year.

State Farm is reminding drivers to be extra cautious of deer crossing the road, as it’s getting darker earlier. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Saints have won six in a row. They defeated Tampa Bay 30-10 yesterday. Up next is a trip to Buffalo to face the Bills this Sunday.

There’s been a lot of talk, but how will the GOP tax reform plan affect you? Kelley Ray sheds some light…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Bastrop Police are seeking the public’s help in the death of a five-year-old girl. Authorities say the homicide occurred Saturday morning. And Ascension Parish authorities also need the community’s assistance to help solve the murder of a 44-year-old man, who was found lying in the street not far from his home in the affluent neighborhood of Pelican Point.

For the first time since 2005, two state police cadet classes are running simultaneously. The 97th cadet class, which includes 49 individuals, began training yesterday. And the 96th class is entering their 11th week of training. Sgt. Jared Sandifer says both classes are going through an intense training program…
Cut 13 (08) “those lines.”
And State Police is accepting applications for the next cadet class.

With the changing of the clocks this past weekend, more individuals will be driving home when the sun goes down. State Farm spokesperson Kip Diggs says be on the lookout for deer on rural roads and if you feel a collision with a deer is inevitable, do not swerve away. He says vehicles are deisgned to take an impact like this…
cut 8 (10) “…a ditch”

So what do local tax preparers have to say about how the GOP tax plan will affect our pocketbooks? Among the changes, the plan eliminates the ability to deduct state income tax, which is between two and six percent in Louisiana. Brandon Legarde with the Society of Louisiana CPA’s says that one change impacts everyone…
Cut 4 (08) “on that.”
Legarde says even with the promise of being able to file your taxes on a postcard, the simplicity of the tax code remains to be seen.

The 97th cadet class has begun training at the State Police Training Academy in Baton Rouge. Trooper Jared Sandifer says 47 men and women started their intense training yesterday, while the 96th cadet class is entering its 11th week of training….
cut 15 (07) “….can be”
After graduation, troopers will participate in a 10-14 week field training program before beginning their new careers.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and 10 chefs are in New York City to promote Louisiana cuisine. Nungesser says during the three-day visit to the Big Apple the Louisiana chefs will be able to meet with writers, producers and editors who cover in food and travel….
cut 12 (10) “…their hometown”
The participating chefs are from Monroe, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, New Orleans and several places in between.

It will get dark earlier today, since we moved the clocks back one hour. State Farm spokesperson Kip Diggs says be on the look out for deer along rural roads on you way home today….
cut 7 (09) “…they have”
State Farm finds the odds Louisiana drivers will hit a deer is down at 1 in 332, lower than the national average.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and 10 Louisiana chefs are in New York City to prepare the Bayou State’s world-class food and give the Big Apple a taste of what we have to offer. Nungesser says they hope to woo people with our culture and encourage them to take their next vacation to Louisiana.
Cut 10 (08) “to do”
Chefs like Cory Bahr, Bonnie Breaux and Jay Ducote are joining the Lt. governor on this trip.

Republicans in the U-S House say their tax plan will jump start the U-S economy by simpilifying the tax code and lower tax rates on individuals and businesses. Brandon Legard is with the Louisiana C-P-A Society and says his office is still trying to determine how all te tax breaks will benefit businesses…
cut 5 (09) “…the process”
The national small business lobbying group has already come out and said the tax reform plan will not help them.

A Sweet 16 party turned deadly in Kenner this weekend when authorities say 17-year-old Renee Holloway fatally shot 18-year-old Jontrell Wells after arguing about an ongoing neighborhood rivalry. Holloway is charged with second-degree murder.

The sun will likely be either going down or it will be dark for your ride home today, because we turned the clocks back one hour this week. State Farm spokesperson Kipp Diggs says also be on the look out for deer crossing the road in rural areas…
cut 9 (11) “…animal”

A United States Navy veteran has declined to accept the Peoples Health Champion Award during this Sunday’s Saints game in the Superdome. Commander John Wells says he was very honored and excited when he was named a recipient. But he says the anthem protests by NFL players are a slap in the face to veterans…:
Cut 3 (08) “for years”
He’s fine with protesting injustice, but doesn’t agree with disrespecting the flag that gives us the right to have that conversation. The Saints say they respect Commander Well’s decision to decline the award and it’s unfortunate and disappointing he’s no longer a fan of the NFL.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office announces the arrest of a private school teacher who allegedly bit a two-year-old in the face. Investigators say 28-year-old Heather Marcotte admitting to biting the little boy, when she became frustrated with his behavior at Northlake Christian School.

GOP leaders on Capitol Hill unveiled today the key details in a new tax plan. The proposal lowers the number of tax brackets from seven to four, and increases the standard deductions. Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins says this is major reform which is pro citizen and pro economic growth…:
CUT 12 (07) “virtually doubled”
The plan would also increase the national debt and Democrats it’s a tax break for the rich at the expense of the middle class.

A Morning Consult poll has Governor Edwards approval rating at 52-percent. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says that’s a solid number for Democratic governor in a red state, but Edwards faces some big challenges in the coming months…
cut 10 (07) “….is facing”
Edwards’ disapproval rating is at 32-percent and 15-percent of the respondents did not have opinion or didn’t know.

The Louisiana Republican Congressional delegation is in support of the GOP’s plan to overhaul the nation’s tax code. Some democrats have already criticized the plan saying it would only benefit the wealthy, and that the middle class wouldn’t even get that big of a break. But Representative Clay Higgins says that is wrong…:
cut 13 (11) “…my pocket”

A Morning Consult poll finds Governor John Bel Edwards approval rating among voters is 52-percent. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says that’s a solid number for a Democrat in a red state. Hogan says Edwards has done well to stay away from partisan disputes…
cut 11 (10) “…approval rating”
Edwards is closing in on two years in office.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is not happy the Edwards administration has filed a lawsuit against drug manufacturers over the opioid crisis and he’s asked a state judge to take over the suit. Michelle Southern has more…
Voicer 2 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Early voting begins tomorrow for the November 18 election. There is one statewide item, the election for state treasurer. 32 parishes have local propositions. The largest turnout should occur in New Orleans for the mayoral run-off. Secretary of State Tom Schedler expects a very low turnout overall.