Facebook’s announcement of a name change to Meta, sent some users into a frenzy that the social media giant would dissolve their most-used platform. But UNO Marketing Professor Lisa Palumbo says Facebook isn’t going anywhere.
cut 3 (12) “….a while now.”
Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg says the company will focus on building virtual reality products.

FEMA has extended the deadline for Hurricane Ida storm victims in 25 parishes to apply for disaster assistance. Spokesperson Nate Custer says the federal agency can help with rental assistance, temporary housing and home repairs not covered by insurance…
cut 9 (10) “…move back in”
It’s been two months since Hurricane Ida and disaster survivors have received more than 889 million dollars in federal grants.

Tomorrow begins early voting for the November 13th election and every ballot has four constitutional amendments on them. Brooke Thorington reports the first two amendments are generating the most interest…
cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

It’s Halloween weekend and it feels like fall. High temperatures are in the 60s today and State Climatologist Barry Keim says highs will be in the 70s on Saturday and Sunday…
cut 14 (07) “….no chance of rain”

A seven-member Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight is expected to begin its work in December in the aftermath of high-profile beatings of black men, at least one of them deadly. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

It was a bizarre scene on I-12 in Tangipahoa Parish yesterday afternoon as a small plane had to make an emergency landing. Authorities say thankfully the pilot and two passengers on the aircraft were uninjured after hitting the driver’s side of a Ford pickup truck. The driver of the Ford was also not hurt.

FEMA is extending its deadline for Hurricane Ida individual assistance. Folks in the 25-parish disaster declaration area now have until November 29th to apply for help from the federal agency. FEMA’s Nate Custer says the extension was requested by the governor’s office because of possible communication issues.
Cut 8 (07) “…considered for assistance.”
Custer says more than a half-million applications for Ida assistance have been approved so far at a price tag of 816-million dollars. FEMA says another 297-million has been paid to storm victims through National Flood Insurance Program claims.

Cool-weather has arrived for this Halloween weekend. Highs will be in the 60s today and it will also be breezy. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’ll see highs in the 70s for Saturday and Sunday…
cut 15 (06) “…chill in the air”
And don’t forget early voting begins tomorrow for the November 13th election.

A special committee has been created that will hold hearings beginning in December on complaints about the use of excessive force by State Police, particularly high-profile instances involving the beating of Black men. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil is chair of the advisory panel.
Cut 11 (11) “…of excessive force.”
Foil says the seven-member committee will make recommendations to the legislature regarding use of force laws.

Early voting for the November 13th election begins tomorrow and every ballot contains four constitutional amendments. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says Amendment Three applies to levee districts created after 2006 to levy an annual tax that will go towards maintaining levees.
Cut 6 (11) “…in southern Louisiana.”

Those in the 25 parishes impacted by Hurricane Ida are being given another month to apply for FEMA individual assistance benefits. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

One of the state’s last coal-fired power plants is closing at the end of the year and laying off 54 workers. Dolet Hills Power Station in the DeSoto Parish town of Mansfield was built in 1986 and jointly operated by Cleco and SWEPCO. The Sierra Club says the retirement of Dolet Hills is a win for ratepayers, public health and the environment.

Senate President Page Cortez has established a special seven-member panel that will review several documented excessive force complaints involving State Police troopers and Black men. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil will serve as chairman. Foil says they will hear from several folks and then give the full senate recommendations on legislation that can be passed that would address the use of force…
cut 12 (13) “…at the Capitol”
Foil says their first meeting will be held in December.

About one thousand people who worked at one of the nursing homes owned by Bob Dean have been laid off. The Louisiana Department of Health has stripped Dean of his licenses after sending over 800 nursing home patients to a warehouse facility in Tangipahoa Parish not equipped to house that many people. Dean is fighting L-D-H to get his licenses back.

Early voting begins tomorrow and while there are a few local elections there are four constitutional amendments on everyone’s ballot. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says Amendment One would streamline sales tax collection in the state.
Cut 4 (11) “…what it does.”
Scott says opponents argue moving to a consolidated system takes control from the local governments to collect sales taxes, while opponents say Louisiana’s outdated tax system is an unnecessary burden on those trying to transact business.

It’s Halloween weekend and it will definitely feel like fall. High temperatures will be in the 60s today and State Climatologist Barry Keim says highs will be in the 70s on Saturday and Sunday…
cut 14 (07) “….no chance of rain”

There are people in the Lake Charles area once again cleaning up after a weather event. National Weather Service meteorologist Johnathan Brazzell says yesterday’s severe weather produced a tornado in southwest Louisiana…
cut 14 (12) “….solid tornado”
Governor John Bel Edwards visited the damage this morning. Edwards says he’s relieved no one was killed, but this area endured two major hurricanes last year, a winter storm in February and a flash flood in May…
cut 7 (12) “…anybody”
Edwards is now on his way to Scotland as he’s leading a Louisiana delegation that’s attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

A suspected road rage incident Wednesday night leaves a 65-year old woman dead and a 23-year old man behind bars in Bossier City.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Once again there are folks in Lake Charles dealing with storm damage. National Weather Service meteorologist Johnathan Brazzell says a squall line produced wind damage in Beauregard, Cameron and Calcasieu parishes…
cut 13 (09) “….E-F 2 greater”
There are no reports of any major injuries. Governor John Bel Edwards surveyed the storm damage this morning and we’ll hear from him in future newscasts.

Edwards will head to Scotland later today where he’ll attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference which begins Sunday. Edwards says there’s no other state in the country that’s impacted more from climate change which, he says is why a delegation from Louisiana needs to be there…
cut 8 (11) “….and CPRA”

Cops say a possible road rage incident led to the death of a 65-year-old woman who was shot in the parking lot of Willis-Knighton hospital. The suspect is a 23-year old man and Bossier City Police Lt Bart Cavanagh says it happened shortly after seven last night and two off-duty officers were in the parking lot.
Cut 3 (12) “….passed away.”
The suspect Ramsey Akes is charged with first-degree murder.

The Louisiana Department of Education is launching an initiative to get parents and families more involved in student outcomes. Dr. Antiqua Hunter with the LDOE says the “Be Engaged Initiative” involves the app, PimsPoints, that’s used to track points earned while involved with a child’s education.
Cut 4 (08) “…into the system.”
Those coupons could be discounts at local restaurants. The app is available for download on November 15th.