Republican Senator John Kennedy has raised a record-breaking $36 million for his re-election campaign and has more than $15 million in cash on hand.  Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_________________________________________________

Governor Edwards and three major global energy companies announce a major project to capture greenhouse gas emissions from a manufacturing complex in Ascension Parish and store them in Vermilion Parish. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby” 

_________________________________________________

Northeast Louisiana D.A. John Belton will seek grand jury indictments against state troopers in the 2019 roadside death of Ronald Greene. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

________________________________________________

Pertussis also known as whooping cough is a  highly contagious respiratory illness. The American Lung Association says only 30% of adults in the U.S have received a Pertussis vaccination in the past 10 years leaving those unvaccinated at a higher risk.

Dr. Albert Rizzo, chief medical officer of the ALA says whooping cough is re-surging for two reasons…

Cut 4 (11)  “…up to date.”

With over 35 million Americans living with asthma or COPD, the American Lung Association is educating adults about the transmissible illness and its dangers.

Dr. Rizzo says getting vaccinated is a selfless decision..

Cut 5 (13) “…and COPD.”

Dr. Rizzo says pediatricians and health officials typically see rapid Pertussis infections during the fall but still urges people to stay ahead.

Cut 6 (11)  “…up to date.” 

If you are living with COPD or asthma, visit Lung.org/Pertussis or speak with your local healthcare provider about getting a vaccination to help protect you and others against Pertussis.

__________________________________________________

Republican Senator John Kennedy has raised a record-breaking $36 million for his re-election campaign with more than 15 million in cash on hand. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the reason Kennedy has been able to raise that much is because he’s expected to win…

Cut 7 (11) “…still win.”

Kennedy primarily faces two Democrats on November 8^th and currently, there’s only one democrat representing the state in DC. Pinsonat says because Louisiana is such a red state, he expects that won’t change this mid-term election.

Cut 8 (10)  “…Joe Biden.”

And while many wonder if Kennedy will throw his hat in the ring for governor, Pinsonat believes if Republicans regain control of the Senate that Kennedy will stay put in DC.

Cut 9 (10)  “…not going to happen.”

Early voting for the November 8^th election begins on October 25^th. Kennedy’s top two challengers, Gary Chambers and Luke Mixon have each topped one million in their last campaign reports.

_________________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards and executives of three major global energy corporations have announced a major joint initiative to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Louisiana.

Cut 10 (10) “..action plan.”

The project will capture emissions from CF Industries’ Ascension Parish manufacturing complex, transport it through Enlink Midstream’s transportation network, and store it underground on property owned by ExxonMobil in Vermillion Parish.

Dan Ammann, president of ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions, says the carbon capture represents large-scale, real-world progress—removing two million tons a year of carbon dioxide from the air.

Cut  11 (07)  “..electric vehicles.”

Ammann says the Louisiana project is just the beginning and he expects it to be duplicated worldwide.

CF Industries has the largest ammonia manufacturing site in the world in Donaldsonville. They make ammonia which is used to make fertilizer. Tony Will is President and CEO.

Cut 12 (05) “..sustainably.” 

The companies say it will take about two years to get the project underway.

_____________________________________________

Louisiana 3rd Judicial District D.A. John Belton says he’ll convene a grand jury next month to seek indictments against state Police Troopers involved in the 2019 roadside death of Ronald Greene. He says he cannot comment further because grand jury presentations are not public. Baton Rouge criminal defense attorney (and former prosecutor) Franz Borghardt says that information will all likely become public at trial, if one is called for…:

Cut 13 (09) “…the criminal proceedings.”

In 2019, Greene led troopers on a three-parish high-speed chase that ended in Union Parish with his running into a tree. His family was told he died in a car crash, but a year later trooper body cam footage surfaced showing officers beating Greene and dragging him by the feet. He died while in custody. Borghardt says he doubts Belton would convene a grand jury if he did not think they would indict…:

Cut 14 (10)  “…strong, solid case.”

Belton testified earlier this year before state legislative hearings that he felt state and federal crimes were committed in Greene’s arrest. An expert witness described Greene’s treatment as “torture and murder.” Borghardt says he thinks Belton is confident the grand jury will indict. He says there are generally three scenarios for going to a grand jury…:

Cut 15 (13)  “…do your dirty work.”

He says Belton is taking Option 1; a certain indictment. The grand jury will hear Belton’s case against the troopers November 10^th.

______________________________________________

Bengals Quarterback Joe Burrow returns to Louisiana this Sunday as Cincinnati faces the Saints in a game both teams need to win to avoid a 2-and-4 start. The last time Burrow played in the Superdome, he helped LSU win a national championship. He says playing in that venue again will be special…

Cut 16 (12)  “…this time.” 

Burrow threw for 463 yards and five touchdowns in LSU’s win over Clemson to complete a perfect 15-0 season. After the game, he lit up a cigar as he enjoyed a smoke while sitting on the couch. Burrow was asked what he remembers the most from the celebration in the locker room…

Cut 17 (14) “…biggest thing.” 

Ja’Marr Chase was a big part of that 2019 national championship team. It will be a homecoming for him as he’s from Harvey. Burrow says he hasn’t really talked with Chase about his homecoming trip……

Cut 18 (13) “…right track” 

______________________________________________________

ULM hits the road this Saturday looking to snap a two-game streak as they face the South Alabama Jaguars. South AL is 4-and-1 while the Warhawks are 2-and-4 after losing to Coastal Carolina by a touchdown last Saturday. Coach Terry Bowden is looking for his team to do the little things to win…

Cut 19 (17) “…little better”

ULM is a 17-point underdog. Despite the Warhawks’ losing record, Chandler Rogers is having a good season. He’s completed nearly 70 percent of his passes for 1,066 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions. Bowden likes how Rogers plays the game…

Cut 20 (20) “ …even-keeled” 

Boaters had to fight off sharks off the coast of Empire before they were rescued Monday, and one fisherman says sharks are also hurting the industry. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________

Starting this year, third and fourth graders who perform below grade level on an end of the year literacy assessment will be provided 30 additional hours of focused literacy instruction during the summer. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

After boaters were rescued Monday after fending off sharks about 25 miles off the coast of Empire, Louisiana Oyster Task Force Chairman and fisherman Mitch Jurisich the Coast Guard arrived just in time because one man was holding onto an ice chest, and he bravely knew to go for the shark’s eyes.

Cut 3 (11) “…his finger.” 

Jurisich says sadly it’s not the first time those in the industry have encountered the feared beast. He says sharks have grown extremely aggressive and it’s also taking a bite out of their catch.

Cut 4 (10) “…just unreal.” 

Jurisich believes federal protections of sharks have only allowed them to grow in numbers and those protections need to be revised due to the threat it’s now having on individuals and the fishing industry. He says plenty of fishermen like him are frustrated that sharks are honing in on their catch.

Cut 5 (11) “…feed the sharks.” 

Besides man, Jurisich says the only known predator of sharks are whales and he says there aren’t too many of them in the gulf.

___________________________________________________

Thirty-percent of small business owners nationwide say inflation is their single most important problem. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says the federal government said the record-high inflation would only be temporary, but it’s stuck around for the whole year

Cut 6 (09)  “..my business.” 

McVea says the national survey also found that 46-percent of owners reported job openings that were hard to fill and 32-percent report supply chain disruptions have had a significant impact on their business. She says it’s a battle for survival….

Cut 7 (06) “..what they love”

McVea says state government is reporting a surplus, while many private businesses are struggling to survive. She’s hopeful some tax changes can occur in next year’s legislative session

Cut 8 (08)  “.business friendly”

__________________________________________

The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approves a new policy that could result in 30 hours of focused literacy instruction in the summer for third and fourth graders who do not read at grade level. State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says students who do not want to participate in the summer program have other options…

Cut 9 (10)  “…K-12 experience”

Brumley says another option is for the student to repeat the grade. He says the plan right now is for third and fourth grade students to take an end-of-year literacy assessment at the end of this school year and next…

Cut 10 (11) “…school year” 

Brumley says it’s only two-year program because these third and fourth graders had their foundational school years disrupted by the pandemic….

Cut 11 (08)  “..few years”

Brumley says this is another step the state is taking to combat Louisiana’s literacy crisis.

___________________________________

Baton Rouge police have arrested the son of a former NFL player in connection with a fatal hit-and-run that happened late Saturday night.  Lt. Don Coppola says the suspect is charged with felony hit-and-run driving.

Cut 12 (08) “…Louisiana”

Coppola says Brister turned himself in Wednesday morning and he faces up to ten years in prison if convicted. 21-year-old Walter Brister the IV of Mandeville is the son of former ULM  and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Bubby Brister.

Coppola says late Saturday night 44-year-old Jude Jarreau was trying to walk across Ben Hur Road in a neighborhood south of LSU with a friend, when a black Range Rover hit him and took off…

Cut 13 (05) “…at the scene” 

Coppola says the police received vital help from witnesses on the scene.

Cut 14 (05)  “…suspect vehicle” 

Jarreau was the father of two and described as an avid LSU fan. Funeral services are scheduled for him tomorrow in Donaldsonville. High profile criminal defense attorney John McLindon is representing Brister.