U-S News and World Report ranks Louisiana Tech as the 2nd best public university in the state in its best global universities list. Jeff Palermo has more.

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LRN’s series detailing the Constitutional Amendments on the November 8th ballot continues. Today, we look at Amendment Three with the Public Affairs Research Council. Brooke Thorington explains.

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So, what costumes should you expect to show up at your door or Halloween party this year? A New Orleans costumer says the TV screen has inspired some of the most popular costumes. Brooke Thorington has more.

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Early voting for the November 8^th election is underway through next Tuesday. In addition to congressional and local races, your ballot will include eight proposed constitutional amendments. Today we take a look at proposed Amendment Three with Public Affairs Research Council’s Stephen Procopio.

As it stands now, public employees who are civil servants cannot engage in any political activity.

Cut 4 (10)  “…their family.”

Procopio says the proposed amendment would also let civil service employees attend campaign events during their off-duty hours.

Cut 5 (05) “…for you.”

Procopio says it’s a long list of family members and is very inclusive.

On the flip side, he says there are concerns about eroding protections for state employees.

Cut 6 (11)  “…officials have.” 

The change would affect about 51,000 state and local employees.

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Louisiana Tech University ranks as the second-best public university in the state on the U.S. News and World Report Best Global Universities List. La Tech’s Executive Associate President for research and partnership, Dr. Sumeet Dua says the rankings focused on the university’s reputation and academic research.

Cut 7 (13) “…pursue.”

The university’s Physics Program was recognized for its global research and reputation impact, one of the only two programs in the state to be honored.

Dr. Dua says our physics faculty is extremely bright…

Cut 8 (12)  “…over the years.”

Dua says the ranking from U-S News and World Report can help attract students not only from the U-S but internationally.

Cut 9 (12)  “…scholarship opportunities”

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State Treasurer John Schroder says there are tens of millions in the state’s Unclaimed Property fund, and his office wants to reunite the money with its rightful owners. Schroder says the database of people with money waiting for them continues to grow…:

Cut 10 (07) “…44-million dollars” 

This week newspapers across Louisiana began publishing the list of persons with unclaimed money received by the state between September 2021 and August of this year. Schroder says the state Treasury Department is responsible for returning the money to citizens….:

Cut  11 (08)  “…for everybody.”

Unclaimed Property can be money from unpaid life insurance benefits, forgotten bank accounts, uncashed payroll checks, stock dividends and even rent or utility deposits. The state gets to keep any interest from the total in the fund, but an amendment passed by voters that took effect in July 2021 protects that principle sum from being used for state government expenditures. Schroder says amounts owed can be fairly small and sometimes pretty large…:

Cut 12 (10) “…a 258-thousand dollar CD.” 

You can quickly check and see if there is any money awaiting you at “LaCashClaim.org”

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Halloween is just days away and in case you haven’t decided how you’ll dress up this year a costumer from Southern Costume Company in New Orleans says why not dress up as your favorite movie or TV character? Macie Breaux says the premiere of the TV series Interview with a Vampire has inspired several of their customers.

Cut 13 (08) “…this year.”

In addition to supplying costumes for productions filming in New Orleans, Breaux says they offer costume rentals to the public for Mardi Gras and Halloween. Breaux says last year the series Stranger Things inspired customers and it’s again popular this year too.

Breaux says working as a costumer in New Orleans she’s heard and seen it all when it comes to disguises for Halloween.

Cut 14 (09)  “…here in New Orleans.”

And while Halloween business is typically brisk from the end of September until the end of October, Breaux says if you haven’t picked out your costume yet, you’re not alone.

Cut 15 (09)  “…here for it.”

According to Google Trends the most searched Halloween costume this year is a witch, inspired by the recent release of Hocus Pocus 2.

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The Southern University football program is set to get some big time exposure this Saturday as ESPN’s College GameDay will be in Jackson, Mississippi Saturday for the Jaguars game against SWAC rival Jackson State. Head Coach Eric Dooley says it’s a big deal for the entire school

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With College Gameday in Jackson, Mississippi that means a lot more attention will be placed on this game nationally. It will likely also mean some sort of feature during the popular TV show involving a Southern player, coach or tradition. Dooley says the focus needs to remain on the game…

Cut 17 (14) “…ready to play” 

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The Saints get back to work today as they get ready to host Las Vegas. New Orleans is 2-and-5 on the season, but New Orleans still has a chance to turn its season around. Especially considering they are just one game back of first place in the NFC South, behind Tampa Bay and Atlanta. Linebacker Demario Davis has been a leader for the Black and Gold for several seasons and he’s trying to lead this squad now…

Cut 18 (15) “…come back out.” 

The Saints defense has struggled this season. Davis says they know how to turn it around…

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The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services might be looking for you! DCFS needs to fill 400 vacancies in a hurry—so they’re changing their hiring process. Marsanne Golsby has more.

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RSV and flu cases are up among children but when do you need to seek medical help? Brooke Thorington has more from a pediatrician.

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The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services is trying to fill 400 vacancies in a hurry. So they’re hosting job fairs around the state through December 15^th.  Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says they’re looking for people with big hearts.

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More about the specific jobs is available at D C F S. LA. GOV. She says they are looking to fill jobs in both of their major programs. Family support—helping low-income people get food—But especially child welfare.

Cut 4 (06) “…adoption worker.” 

Walters says the job fairs—held at nine locations around the state—help shorten the hiring process by several weeks. She says she is very excited at the response so far.

Cut 5 (09) “…will be.” 

The next job fair is tomorrow at the Slidell municipal auditorium, then November 2^nd at the Lake Charles Civic Center, and November 10^th at the Delta Community College in Monroe.

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Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan is asking voters to vote against his proposed Constitutional Amendment seven on the November 8th ballot, because he says the ballot language is confusing. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin also opposes the amendment that deals with a form of slavery

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Erwin says the intent of the amendment was to restrict the use of involuntary servitude, to make sure it’s only permitted as a form of criminal punishment, but because of how the amendment was written, it may actually broaden the use of involuntary servitude

Cut 7 (06) “..in the constitution”

Jordan is asking voters to vote no on Amendment 7 so the Legislature can rewrite the proposed amendment next year. Erwin says this has to be confusing for voters…

Cut 8 (11)  “..do it”

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RSV and flu cases are on the rise among children and Dr. Brannon Perilloux, a pediatrician at Ochsner Health Center for Children in Baton Rouge says when you should seek medical care depends on how your child is reacting. For example, if they have a significantly high fever or they feel really bad and Tylenol isn’t helping bring them in.

Cut 9 (08)  “…your pediatrician. “

But if they are behaving as normal they don’t necessarily need to see the doctor.

There’s no vaccine for RSV but there is for the flu, so Perilloux encourages anyone six months or older to get their flu shot. In 2020 he says they didn’t see hardly any flu cases and RSV cases decreased dramatically but since COVID restrictions eased both are making a comeback.

Cut 10 (10) “…comes through.”

In addition to a drop in temps Perilloux says the biggest spreader by far of RSV and the flu is among daycares, preschools, and schools themselves.

Cut 11 (10)  “…get it.”

The symptoms of both the flu and RSV are the same; runny nose, cough, congestion, and fever. The only way to determine is by taking a nasal swab test.

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The Powerball Jackpot reaches $ 700 million and it’s the fifth largest jackpot in Powerball history. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says it has a cash value of $335.7 million and it’s the 8^th largest U.S jackpot ever.

Cut 12 (07) “…three-dollars.”

The current jackpot has been growing since August and Annison says for Wednesday night’s drawing tickets must be purchased by 9 PM. After you purchase your ticket he says immediately sign the back. And while you might not win a jackpot be sure to check your ticket for additional prizes.

Cut 13 (11) “..prize tier.” 

And as always, he says to play responsibly and it only takes one to win. Wednesday night’s drawing is at 9:59.