There’s some welcome news for your outdoor plants and yards as significant rain is in the forecast for Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says according to the latest drought monitor, nearly the entire state is under drought and some areas are even considered in severe drought.
Cut 13 (11) “…overnight tonight.”
And rain is already falling on the western side of the state. There’s a slight chance for severe weather for southeast Louisiana tomorrow morning.

Earlier this week, we did a story about how Louisiana shrimpers are fed up with the rising number of pounds of imported shrimp, while Gulf of Mexico seafood is sitting in cold storages. Here’s some good news…Congressman Garret Graves has announced the USDA will purchase up to 25-million dollars worth of Gulf shrimp. Graves says he’s not giving up on Louisiana’s seafood industry…
cut 12 (07) “…level playing field”

The Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office arrests a Vidalia man for human trafficking.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Franklin Parish Sheriff’s Office has issued arrest warrants for Carroll High School football coach Brandon Landers and two of his assistant coaches for a physical altercation that took place between the coaches and law enforcement during a game at Franklin Parish High School last Friday. The coaches are facing charges of inciting a riot and battery of a police officer. The LHSAA has suspended the coaches for the season. The Monroe School District is appealing those suspensions.

Some much needed rain is falling in southwest Louisiana this morning and there are some showers entering northwest Louisiana and we can use it as the state is suffering from drought conditions. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s a slight risk for severe weather for southeast Louisiana tomorrow morning….
cut 15 (11) “…..into Saturday morning”
Keim says this front will not bring us cooler temperatures as we’ll see daily highs remain in the 70s.

There is an 800-million dollar Powerball jackpot for tomorrow night, the second largest ever for the mutli-state lottery game. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison has this advice for players hoping to win the big prize…
cut 8 (08) “….after the drawing’s held”
Tickets for Saturday’s Powerball drawing must be purchased by 9 PM.

Louisiana District 6 Congressman Garret Graves announces federal help for an ailing Louisiana shrimping industry. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will purchase up to $25-million in wild-caught shrimp. Graves says shrimpers have had to cope with natural disasters, inflation, rising fuel costs, and a market glutted with imports from Asia…:
Cut 10 (06) “…keep that industry afloat.”
The money will go to purchase shrimp from wholesalers and directly from shrimpers, letting the money flow more directly to those who need it.

Concordia Parish Sheriff deputies arrested a Vidalia man who allegedly supplied drugs to juveniles and then transported them to locations where adult subjects would engage in sexual activity with the unconscious victim. 45-year-old Quentin Smith faces several charges. Concordia Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Brandy Spears says if you have more information about this case, you can provide that info on their mobile app…
cut 6 (09) “….completely anonymous”

The Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Vidalia man for human trafficking. CPSO spokesperson Brandy Spears says their Cyber Crime Unit began working the case Monday and Wednesday they located 45-year-old Quentin Smith in Fayette, Mississippi.
Cut 4 (11) “…narcotics to underage victims.”
Smith is accused of transporting the victims to locations in Concordia Parish and Adams County, Mississippi. Detectives refer to the locations as trap houses where adults would engage in sexual activity with unconscious victims.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says the USDA has agreed to purchase 25-million dollars worth of Gulf of Mexico shrimp. Graves says Louisiana’s shrimp industry has faced several hardships in a row, Hurricane Ida, unfair trade practices and inflation. He says this is help for shrimpers right now, but not a permanent fix…
cut 11 (07) “…disaster assistance”

Louisiana lottery officials say tickets are selling fast for the $800 million Powerball drawing Saturday night. Marsanne Golsby has more.
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby.”

We’ll see some much needed rain move into Louisiana late this afternoon and tonight. There’s a chance for severe weather tomorrow morning for southeast Louisiana.

Shreveport Republican Representative Alan Seabaugh says he’ll file legislation in next year’s legislative session that would create the Louisiana Violent Crime Task Force that will come up with solutions on how to tackle the problem. Seabaugh says the proposal has gained significant support from groups across Louisiana…
cut 15 (08) “…drafting the legislation”
The LHSAA has suspended Carroll High School Coach Brandon Landers and eight of his assistant coaches after they were involved in a physical altercation with law enforcement and fans at the Franklin Parish football game last Friday night. Announcer Matt Reynolds says the Carroll coaches were told numerous times to stop using profanity. He says after repeated warnings officers tried to escort the coaches out of the stadium and that’s when intense shoving match took place…
Cut 7 (09) “..going home”
The Franklin Parish Sheriff’s office is looking at criminal charges against some of the Carroll coaches.
A new study from Tulane University says a low-carb diet can cut dangerous blood sugar levels in those with pre-diabetes or mild diabetes. Kirsten Dorans, assistant professor of epidemiology says the results are the first indication that people who are not already being treated with medications that lower blood sugar can benefit from a low-carb diet alone.
Cut 3 (09) “..low carb group”
The study involved 150 adults in the New Orleans area who were either pre-diabetic or had relatively mild cases of diabetes.

The Saints will start Andy Dalton at quarterback this Sunday against Las Vegas, even though Jameis Winston is able to fully practice after missing the last four games because of injuries. Saints analyst Mike Detillier…
cut 16 (10) “…Jameis can do”
Kick-off this Sunday against the Raiders is at noon.

The LHSAA has suspended Carroll High School Football Coach Brandon Landers and eight of his assistant coaches for the rest of the season after an altercation with law enforcement and fans during last Friday’s football game at Franklin Parish. Announcer Matt Reynolds saw a skirmish break out in the fourth quarter….
cut 6 (12) “…the stands”
Reynolds says prior to the scuffle, the Carroll coaches were told numerous times by fans and sheriff deputies to stop using profanity.

After a three-year delay, the state and several south Louisiana parishes have finalized a 100-million dollar legal settlement with Freeport-McMoRan over damages the mining company did to the coast. Attorney John Carmouche represents six of the coastal parishes involved in the suit…
Cut 4 (10) “…suit is about”
This is one of dozens of lawsuits seeking monetary damages against oil and gas companies over damage to coastal wetlands.

Shreveport Republican Representative Alan Seabaugh says he’ll file legislation next session to create the Louisiana Violent Crime Task Force. Seabaugh says the Task Force will look at why we are seeing more violent crime, possible solutions and he says they’ll also examine the impact of the 2017 criminal justice reforms…
cut 14 (12) “…law and order”
The 2017 criminal justice reforms have the support of Governor John Bel Edwards.

Constitutional Amendment Four on the November 8th ballot asks voters if charges should be waived against drinking water customers for infrastructure damage not caused by the customer. Based on the wording of the amendment, it’s expected to get a lot of support, but Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says providing such waivters could only make water costs rise for everyone to compensate for the loss.
cut 12 (07) “…who doesn’t”
For a non-partisan breakdown of all of the amendments go to PAR-Louisiana-dot-org.

A 100-million dollar lawsuit against mining company Freeport-McMorRan, which is accused of damaging the coast, has been finalized…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Houma Police Department is charging students at Terrebonne High School with inciting a riot, hate crimes and cyberbullying after they used the n-word multiple times in a video circulating on social media. The video also zooms in on black students. The white juveniles are facing expulsion from the school.

Amendment Four on the November eighth ballot would prohibit water companies from charging a customer if the system’s infrastructure is damaged, if the damage was not caused by the customer. Public Affairs Research Council President Stephen Procopio…
cut 11 (10) “…pick up the charges”
Procopio says some may feel giving such waivers will only make water costs rise for everyone to compensate for the loss.

A new program from the LSU AgCenter Flavors of Health nutrition initiative encourages people to use herbs and spices instead of salt because it’s a healthier option. AgCenter nutrition specialist Elizabeth Gollub says salt has a lot of sodium which is associated with high blood pressure.
Cut 7 (11) “…blood pressure.”
She says herbs and spices are healthier and nutritious.

Shreveport Republican Representative Alan Seabaugh wants to create the Louisiana Violent Crime Task Force to study how to address the issue. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The LHSAA has suspended Carroll High School football coach Brandon Landers and eight of his assistants for the rest of the season for allegedly using profanity over and over again and getting in a skirmish with fans and law enforcement as they were escorted from the press box back to their sideline. The Monroe City School District plans to appeal the suspension.

The state and coastal parishes have finalized their 100-million dollar legal settlement with mining company Freeport-McMoran over accusations they’ve damaged the coast. Attorney John Carmouche says parishes can use the money to perform coastal restoration. There are some parish leaders who disagree with the lawsuits against oil and gas companies, but Carmouche says as soon as they lawsuits are settled, the oil and gas industry can thrive again….
cut 6 (11) “….many, many years”

LSU AgCenter nutrition specialist and registered dietitian Elizabeth Gollub is encouraging people to use herbs and spices on their food instead of salt, since salt is high in sodium…
cut 9 (11) “….think about”
The LSU AgCenter has a new program where they highlight a different herb and spice each month for the public to try on their food.