A poll on the governor’s race finds Democrat John Bel Edwards leads Republican David Vitter by 20 points in the runoff. The Nextstar TV stations/JMC Analytics survey shows Edwards receiving 25-percent of the Republican vote. Pollster John Couvillion says that’s not good news for Vitter…:
CUT 4 (07) “the runoff”
The poll shows Edwards receiving 52-percent of the vote compared to Vitter’s 32-percent.

Vitter picked up the endorsement of the Louisiana House Republican Delegation today. House Delegation Chairman and State Representative Lance Harris says Louisiana needs a Governor with a provent track record as a conservative reformer.

In the Lt. Governor’s race, state senator Elbert Guillory, who finished fourth in the primary in the Lt. Governor’s race, announced his endorsement for Republican Billy Nungesser over Democrat Kip Holden.

Tulane has been awarded a $6.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the long term impact of Hurricane Katrina. Mark VanLandingham, is a professor at Tulane, he says they are excited about receiving this funding…:
cut 12 (08) “after Katrina”
Researchers will investigate the long term health, demographic, and socioeconomic impacts of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and the entire region.

LSU Lady Tigers play by play man Patrick Wright will fill in for Jim Hawthorne during the Alabama game Saturday night, while the Voice of the Tigers recovers from a successful medical procedure. Wright says Jim will be missed for this big top 10 SEC matchup…:
CUT 8 (11) “would want it”
LSU hopes Hawthorne will be back in a couple of weeks.

Gubernatorial candidates David Vitter and John Bel Edwards are busy on the campaign trail. Vitter appeared at a rally in Baton Rouge on Friday and told the lunchtime crowd there’s a clear choice to make on November 21st….
cut 5 (12) “…guide us”
Edwards, a democrat, appeared at a news conference with sheriffs from around the state. Assumption Parish Sheriff Mike Waguespack says Edwards will bring integrity to the governor’s office…
cut 4 (12) “…of Louisiana”
The runoff election is November 21st.

The southern half of the state is under a flash flood watch on Saturday. The National Weather Service says heavy rain, strong winds and an isolated tornado are also possible on Halloween.

WVUE-TV reports the US Department of Education is investigating how LSU handles cases of rape and sexual assault. Emelie Gunn reports…
voicer 2 (31) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

Cops say a gymnastics coach from Jefferson Parish has been arrested and booked with video voyeurism and possession and production of child pornography. Kenner Police say they executed a search warrant at the home of Brian Townsend and found several images of female juveniles engaging in sex acts. Townsend worked at several dance studios in Kenner and Metairie.

GOP Congressmen John Fleming and Ralph Abraham were among the republicans on hand for a David Vitter gubernatorial campaign event in Baton Rouge today. State Treasurer John Kennedy was also there…
cut 6 (10) “….(cheers”
Vitter received the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Business, while Democrat John Bel Edwards was at a press conference featuring sheriffs from around the state.

The southern half of the state is under a flash flood watch tomorrow as heavy downpours are in the forecast for Halloween. Donald Jones, with the National Weather Service, says with the already saturated grounds, the rainfall is likely to cause flooding on the streets and in other low lying areas…
cut 11 (10) “….overnight hours”
Jones says outdoor plans for tomorrow will likely be wet.

WVUE-TV in New Orleans reports the US Department of Education is investigating how LSU handles cases of rape and sexual assault. The report reveals 16 rapes were reported to an LSU campus advocacy group last year, but very little was done to protect the victims or punish the perpetrators. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell has written legislation addressing this issue and he says universities are required by law to have a Title nine coordinator to handle situations like this…
cut 14 (08) “….or a janitor”
In a statement, LSU says it cannot discuss matters pertaining to a pending investigation or any specific alleged incidents.

The Jindal administration told lawmakers today that the state finished last fiscal year with a 117-million dollar deficit. Jindal administration official say the deficit is the result of a higher than expected use fo tax refunds and credits. The gap must be closed within eight months and it’s expected Governor Jindal will address the issue before he leaves office in January.

The two candidates in the governor’s race held dueling press conference in Baton Rouge with their supporters. Jeff Palermo was there..
cut 1 (30) “…reporting”
If you have any outdoor plans tomorrow, bring the rain gear as much of the state could see multiple inches of rain on Halloween. Donald Jones, with the National Weather Service…..
cut 10 (08) “…as well”

A New Orleans television station reports the US Department of Education is investigating how LSU handles cases of sexual assault. WVUE-TV spoke with women who are upset the school didn’t do enough to investigate claims they were raped. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell has been trying to address this issue in the legislature…
cut 15 (10) “…sanctioned”
LSU says it cannot discuss matters pertainning to a pending investigation.

Four French Quarter strip clubs who had their liquor licenses suspended by the state Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control will be able to sell alcohol. That’s because a New Orleans judge has issued a temporary restraining order against ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert’s suspension order. Hebert is not pleased…:
CUT 7 (08) “over there, now”
A hearing on the temporary restraining order is scheduled for next week.

Republican David Vitter and Democrat John Bel Edwards each had separate news conferences today in Baton Rouge. The National Federation of Independent Business announced its endorsement for Vitter and then the Senator told those in attendance there’s a clear choice to make on November 21st……:
CUT 5 (12) “…to guide us”
Democrat John Bel Edwards had a press conference at the headquarters of the Louisiana Sheriffs Association. who endorsed him earlier this week.

A flash flood watch is in effect tomorrow for southwest and central Louisiana, and Donald Jones, with the National Weather Service, says this rain event could be similar to last weekend’s..:
CUT 12 (06) “as well”
He says there’s a potential for tornadoes and 2-4 inches of rain.

State Police says a 13-year-old girl from Monroe died in crash when the vehicle she was traveling in failed to stop at a stop sign and was struck by another vehicle. They say 47-year-old Florence Nash was did not yield to the stop sign at an intersection at US Highway 165-B and was hit by a truck. Investigators say Nash and several of her passengers were taken to a hospital and 13-year-old Cassy Nash of Monroe died.

Even though they had their liquor licenses suspended this week, a judge in New Orleans has ruled that four strip clubs in the French Quarter can stay open for now. A temporary restraining order was issued. Alcohol and Tobacco Control Commissioner Troy Hebert says if authorities really want to clean up crime in New Orleans, everyone needs to work as a team…:
CUT 9 (09) “are not”
An undercover ATC operation found prostitution and drug sales happening at the clubs.