The search continues for a missing worker after an oil and gas platform exploded in Lake Pontchartrain on Sunday. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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New Orleans will see it’s first female mayor in it’s history.  Kelley Ray has more on the upcoming runoff election…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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Three victims from last night’s energy platform explosion on Lake Pontchartrain remain in critical condition and the search for one of the workers continues today. Jefferson Parish EMS Director Mike Guilliot says seven people were taken to the hospital

Cut 3 (14) “were discharged”

Officials can’t find any environmental impacts from the blast and the Coast Guard says the platform is no longer burning. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says the platform is just a storage facility and owned by Clovelly Oil Company. Lopinto says the explosion occurred at 8 PM on Sunday

Cut 4  (12) “supply boat” 

Officials say cleaning chemicals used during a maintenance operation could be a possible cause. Lopinto is not releasing much information on the 8th worker that remains missing…

Cut 5  (12)  “find em”

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Zachary police say a man accused of allegedly murdering his 11-month-old baby is in custody.  33-year-old Fabian Smith is charged in the death of Jericho Smith.  Police arrived on the scene Saturday to find the baby lying in a pool of blood with multiple stab wounds.  Police Chief David McDavid says Smith did not own up to the incident initially…

Cut 6 (08)  “tragic event.”

McDavid says they found multiple weapons in the house and the autopsy shows the baby died of stab and gunshot wounds…

Cut 7 (06) “head also.” 

McDavid says neighbors called 9-1-1 after other children in the Smith’s house ran next door telling them what happened…

Cut 8 (07) “call 911.”

Fabian Smith was the only adult home at the time of the murder.

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The three constitutional amendments on Saturday’s ballot passed and are now law. President of the Public Affairs Research Council Robert Travis Scott says the first amendment which establishes a property tax exemption for construction work in progress will make things more certain for tax assessors.

Cut 9 (11)  “be taxed”

Amendment number two expands an already existing law and will give the spouses of volunteer firefighters, EMS, and paramedics who die on duty, a full property tax exemption on their home. Scott says this will be retroactive to those who have already suffered this tragedy.

Cut 10 (10) “valuable job”

Scott says with the passage of amendment three, the state has created a new fund within the transportation fund. He says this fund will receive any new money if the legislature decided to increase the gas tax.

Cut 11 (07) “have now” 

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New Orleans is on the verge of electing its  first female mayor.  Councilwoman LaToya Cantrell and former Municipal Court Judge Desiree Charbonnet are in the November 18 runoff. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says with history in the making, more attention will be drawn to the Mayor’s race in the runoff election…

Cut 12 (07) “sharp edged.” 

Voter turnout for the Mayoral primary was 32 percent.  The state Treasurer’s race will also be decided next month. Dubos expects a less than 10 percent turnout statewide. He says Democrat Derrick Edwards and Republican John Schroder have their work cut out for them, when it comes to securing votes.

Cut 13 (09)  “a ballot.”

Dubos says even though New Orleans has never had a female mayor, it’s not a big surprise to see two women in the runoff.

Cut 14 (12) “have two.”

A dismal 13 percent voters, representing about 400,000, participated statewide on Saturday.

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Detectives in Baton Rouge are investigating a fatal shooting last night that left a 26-year-old dead after a homeowner claims he brandished a firearm and charged at him. BRPD Sgt. Don Coppola says the 36-year-old homeowner told police he was standing in his yard when he shot Clayton Bradford after a verbal altercation.

Cut 15 (10) “crimes unit”

Coppola says the investigation is still under investigation so there is no word on if the homeowner faces any charges. He says the two had a verbal altercation in the homeowner’s front yard when things turned ugly.

Cut 16  (11)  “fired”

State health officials say now is the time for Louisianans to get their flu shot, as the influenza season is starting. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Looks like the Bayou State has gotten some much needed relief from the heat as a cold front passed through last night. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Congressman Garret Graves is seeking to protect Cajuns, saying they’re endangered.  Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray”

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State health officials are reminding Louisianans it’s time to get your annual flu vaccination. Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Heath Dr. Parham Jaberi says the flu season has begun and doctors are starting to see a small number of cases.

Cut 4  (09) “from now”

LDH will host flu vaccination clinics until December in all parts of the state and residents can visit LDH’s website for locations and dates. Jaberi says walk-ins are welcome. He says the flu shot is free for individuals with insurance and 10 dollars for those without insurance.

Cut 5  (09)  “them somewhere”

Jaberi says it’s important to get a flu shot because the virus is dangerous to young children and the elderly. He says many people think they can get the flu from the vaccine, but that’s not true.

Cut 6 (10) “actual illness”

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A significant cold front moved through the Bayou State leaving us with some much needed relief. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this front has brought in much cooler and drier Canadian air and pushed out the warm Gulf of Mexico air. He says the afternoon highs will be in the 70s in northern parishes and low 80s in the coastal zone.

Cut 7 (11)  “coastal parishes”

Keim says this cool weather will stick around all week long. He says we may have broken the back of summer.

Cut 8 (07) “be over”

Keim says even as temperatures in the 90s subside, expect a warmer than usual autumn.

Cut 9 (11)  “currently getting”

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Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garret Graves authored legislation seeking to protect Cajuns, saying they are endangered, because of coastal land loss.  He is pushing for them to be protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.  Graves believes the federal government has been mismanaging the Mississippi River system for years, endangering the Cajun’s way of life…

Cut 10 (08)  “primarily live.”

Graves claims endangered species are given extra protections and since the Cajun culture is threatened, he wants them to be afforded the same opportunity…

Cut 11 (13) “same protections.”

He says no matter how his fellow congressman feel, the federal government needs to get out of the business of “land grabbing”…

Cut 12 (09) “that loss.”

Following discussion on the floor and some good natured jabbing, Graves withdrew his amendment from consideration.

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Halloween is only two weeks away and Louisiana residents are rushing to find the hottest costume. Store manager for Halloween Express in Baton Rouge DeMarcus Cox says the most popular costume this year is Pennywise the Clown from the movie It. He says it looks like guys are going for scarier outfits for this Halloween.

Cut 13 (08) “scream man”

Cox says women aren’t on board for the scary theme this year, instead dressing up as female superheroes.

Cut 14 (10) “wonder woman”

Cox says the trends show even kids are looking to be scary with clown costumes. But he says the favorite costume for children is…

Cut 15 (05) “policeman “

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The LSU Tigers are once again ranked in the Top 25 polls after their historic come from behind win over Auburn. LSU trailed by 20 points, but roared back to beat their SEC West rival 27-23. The defense held Auburn to 64 yards in the 2nd half, D.J. Chark returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown and Connor Culp kicked two field goals in the final three minutes. Head Coach Ed Orgeron…

Cut 16  (20)  “football game”

It’s the Tigers largest come from behind win at home since 1949. LSU is now 5-2, 2-1 in the SEC. Two weeks ago, some wondered if LSU would finish with a winning record. Now they are in position to compete for an SEC West title. Orgeron says his team never showed any signs of quitting after the upset loss to Troy…

Cut 17 (21)  “have been” 

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The Saints nearly blew a 35-point lead, but an opportunistic Black and Gold defense preserved a 52-38 victory over the Detroit Lions. The Saints defense, which looked very bad at the beginning of the season, forced five turnovers and scored a franchise record three touchdowns in one game. Head Coach Sean Payton credits the pressure put on Detroit QB Matthew Stafford

Cut 18 (17) “sack fumble early” 

An interception in the end zone by Cam Jordan on a batted pass sealed the victory. Before that big play by Jordan, the Lions scored four straight TDs. One of the scores was a punt return and another a pick six. The Saints offense failed to get a first down in eight straight possessions in the second half. Payton not happy with how his team finished

Cut 19 (12) to win“

The Saints have won three in a row and for the first time since 2013 they have a winning record at 3-2. Quarterback Drew Brees tossed two touchdown passes, but only threw for 186 yards and he threw his first two interceptions of the season. Brees says there’s a lot of mistakes that need to be corrected going forward

cut 20 (20)  “get better” 

Authorities arrest a plumber involved in a string of south Louisiana murders.  Kelley Ray has the details…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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LDWF is reminding residents to co-exist with black bears as the mammals are making a comeback in the Bayou State. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A Clinton man police allege killed three and injured one in East Feliciana and East Baton Rouge Parishes is in custody.  Police say 36-year-old Ryan Sharpe shot and killed 66-year-old Carroll Breeden, 62-year-old Thomas Bass and Brad DeFranceshi since July.  He also injured 47-year-old Buck Hornsby last month.  Breeden’s daughter, Marcy Breeden Slotte, says her grieving may never end…

Cut 3 (07) “get peace.”

Slotte is upset that living in a rural area in the town of Pride did not protect her family…

Cut 4  (09) “little disturbring.” 

Slotte says even though Sharpe is off the streets, she has questions remaining as to why the killings happened…

Cut 5  (06)  “with people.”

Officials expect to charge Sharpe with one count of murder in East Baton Rouge Parish and two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in East Feliciana Parish.

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With all the destruction due to numerous fires in California, people can become concerned in Louisiana about the threat for wildfires.  State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the northern part of the state is somewhat drier…

Cut 6 (09)  “moderate danger.”

Browning says most of Louisiana is usually under a moderate danger for wildfires most of the time.  He warns if you have to burn, do so only if necessary…

Cut 7 (09) “that fire.” 

Browning says the Department of Agriculture does a good job in monitoring areas where wild underbrush could cause dangerous fires…

Cut 8 (09) “accelerate fires.”

Caddo, Desoto, Webster and West Carroll Parishes are currently under burn bans.

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As black bears have made a big comeback in the Bayou State, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries encourages Louisianans to visit bearwise.org. Black bear expert for LDWF Maria Davidson says there is now more interaction between black bears and the public.

Cut 9 (09)  “be having”

The black bear was officially moved from the protected list in April of 2016. Davidson says the website is one stop shopping for bear conflict resolution. She says people who have never had to deal with bears before are having bears move into their areas.

Cut 10 (08) “bearwise.org”

Davidson says residents can find information on bear proofing systems around homes and camps along with ways to secure trash cans.

Cut 11 (09) “this website” 

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Investigators are seeking answers in the death of an eight-month-old child left in a car for several hours.  Tangipahoa Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Dawn Panepinto says the child’s guardian never dropped off the child to a day care center and when they returned to the daycare to pick up the toddler, it was discovered the infant was still in the vehicle…

Cut 12 (06) “of time.” 

Panepinto says the District Attorney’s office is continuing their investigation into the tragedy and the guardian is cooperating with police …

Cut 13 (11)  “extremely cooperative.”

Panepinto says this is a good time for all who care for younger children to review their protocol for taking care of them while in their custody…

Cut 14 (10) “can happen.”

The daycare is not being investigated.  Police are withholding the names of the persons involved pending the review by the DA’s office.

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