07:30 Newscast, October 19th, 2015

Recent polls show Republican David Vitter has the highest unfavorability ratings out of the four candidates running for governor — but many political pundits believe the US Senator has the best shot at succeeding Bobby Jindal. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says if Vitter makes the runoff, voters will start paying closer attention to his agenda…:
CUT 7 (10) “Edwards”
He says recent previous election cycles show Louisiana voters today are typically more likely to choose the Republican over the Democrat.

The LSU Police Department has arrested two men from Georgia for allegedly selling fake tickets to the Tigers/Florida game in Baton Rouge on Saturday. They say 30-year-old Kenny Redding and 29-year-old Chris Harrison, both of Atlanta, face charges including offense against intellectual property and theft. Angry fans identified the suspects to police after they were unable to get into the game with the phony tickets, according to the LSU police report.

The State Department of Wildlife and Fisheries wants to hear from hunters about the proposed changes to the waterfowl hunting zones. LDWF Waterfowl program manager Larry Reynolds says they are seeking public comment to get an idea of how the possible re-zoning changes could affect hunters across the state…:
CUT 10 (10) “good ideas”
A map with the proposed new boundaries can be found at wlf.la.gov.

LSU sophomore quarterback Brandon Harris had a great game in the Tigers 35-28 victory over the Florida Gators on Saturday. Harris has thrown for over 200 yards in back-to-back games and admits he’s playing with a chip on his shoulder…:
CUT 18 (11) “can’t do”
Leonard Fournette had 180 yards and 2 touchdowns.

 

06:45 Sportscast, October 19th, 2015

It looks like LSU has found itself a passing game. Jeff Palermo has more on the Tigers 35-28 win over Florida…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

LSU advances to No. 5 in both the AP Top 25 poll and the Coaches poll. Ohio State tops each poll followed by Baylor, Utah and TCU in the AP. This weekend’s Western Kentucky game will be the last contest before a bye week for LSU…then in November the Tigers face Alabama in Tuscaloosa, host Arkansas and travel to Ole Miss before the Texas A&M game in Death Valley.

Louisiana Lafayette and Arkansas State will face off tomorrow night at Centennial Bank Stadium. The 2-3 Ragin Cajuns are looking for their first road victory while the 3-3 Red Wolves seek to remain unbeaten in Sun Belt play.

Elsewhere around the state in college football action over the weekend, Grambling State knocked off the defending SWAC champions in their 35 to 34 victory over Alcorn State. GSU rallied from behind a 28-14 score at halftime to pick up the win in overtime.

Southeastern Louisiana was edged by Stephen F Austin, 28-27. Nicholls State got their 1st win of the season with a 38-17 victory over Houston Baptist Saturday. McNeese rallied to beat Central Arkansas 28-13. ULM fell 59-14 to Appalachian State. Louisiana Tech was up on Mississippi State 14-0 in the first quarter, but eventually fell to the other Bulldogs 45-20. Northwestern State topped Lamar 48-35.

The Pelicans continue the preseason tonight in Houston to face the Rockets. New Orleans opens the regular season October 27th at Golden State.

 

06:30 Newscast, October 19th, 2015

NOAA weather forecasters predict that a very strong El Nino will bring some much needed rain to Louisiana in the coming months. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we can expect cooler and wetter than normal conditions for the coming winter and spring…:
Cut 13 (07) “above normal”
Forecasters called this El Nino one of the strongest on record.

An LSU Public Policy Research Lab report surveying people’s opinions about the 2015 election cycle found that 56-percent of Louisianans believe the state is heading in the wrong direction. Dr. Michael Henderson says only 29-percent of voters surveyed thought the state was making positive strides…:
cut 4 (07) “wrong direction”

Election Day is this Saturday and based on early voting numbers, the Secretary of State’s office predicts about a 45-50% turnout.

It looks like LSU has found itself a passing game. Jeff Palermo has more on the Tigers 35-28 win over Florida…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

LSU advances to No. 5 in both the AP Top 25 poll and the Coaches poll. Ohio State tops each poll.

 

10:30 Newscast October 17, 2015

The four major gubernatorial candidates discussed their plans for solving the state’s budget problems during a televised debate on Louisiana Tech’s campus. When a new governor and state legislature is sworn-in in January, they’ll face a 700-million dollar budget shortfall. Republican Jay Dardenne says he’ll look to make funding higher education a priority and seek to make budget cuts elsewhere…

cut 8 (12) “we can cut”

Democrat John Bel Edwards says he plans on calling two special sessions when he takes office to address the fiscal mess left behind by Governor Bobby Jindal…

cut 9 (12) “items”

The election is in one week. Early voting ends today.

Governor Bobby Jindal’s latest presidential campaign fundraising report shows he raised less than $600,000 in the third quarter and has only $261,000 on hand. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Jindal’s recent surge of support in Iowa might make it possible for him to go back to some people who have donated money in the past…

cut 11 (07) “to his campaign”

By comparison, Republican presidential hopeful Ben Carson raised over $20 million during the same time frame.

The Saints convincing 31-21 victory Thursday night over Atlanta has many in the Who Dat nation thinking the Black and Gold can turn this season around. In the win, there was a blocked punt for a touchdown, the defense forced three turnovers, and quarterback Drew Brees threw for over 300 yards…

cut 13 (10) “pay off”

The Saints hit the field again next Sunday at Indianapolis.

09:30 Newscast October 17, 2015

The four men seeking to become the state’s next governor discussed their plans to solve the state’s budget problems during a televised debate on Louisiana Tech’s campus. Republican David Vitter, who has served in Congress since 1999, blamed his three opponents for helping to create the financial mess…

cut 6 (08) “we speak”

Vitter says if elected, he’ll look at ways on how the state can reduce its spending. But Republican Scott Angelle says Vitter is not the guy who should be in charge of getting Louisiana’s fiscal house in order…

cut 7 (12) “it works”

The gubernatorial primary is one week from today. Early voting for the election ends today at 6PM.

Due to extremely dry conditions across the state, the state fire marshal’s office and Department of Agriculture and Forestry has issued a burn ban across all of Louisiana. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the ban applies to all private burning. and violators could face consequences…

cut 4 (08) “of burning”

The US Drought Monitor reports that 86-percent Louisiana is currently in drought.

Federal fundraising reports show that Governor Bobby Jindal’s presidential campaign raised less than $600,000 during the third fundraising quarter. The report further states that the governor has only $261,000 on hand. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says this report is not good news for Jindal…

cut 10 (07) “in the bank”

A Jindal spokesperson says the election is not an auction and they are running a lean, mean campaign.

08:30 Newscast October 17, 2015

Federal fundraising reports show that Governor Bobby Jindal’s presidential campaign raised less than $600,000 during the third fundraising quarter. Emelie Gunn has more…

cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Early voting for the October 24th primary election ends today. The Secretary of State’s Office says, thus far, turnout looks to be about average. This is a big election statewide with nearly 1,070 offices up for grabs, over 2,000 candidates running, and 4 constitutional amendments on the ballot. Early voting polls will close at 6PM.

The state fire marshal’s office and Department of Agriculture and Forestry has issued a statewide burn ban due to extremely dry conditions across the state. The US Drought Monitor reports that 86-percent Louisiana is currently in drought. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the burn ban was issued because of dry conditions, abnormal emergency responses, and adverse future weather forecasts…

cut 3 (09) “rain predicted”

The burn ban is in effect until further notice.

Louisiana is in for another beautiful weekend and with cooler temperatures across the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says if you’re going to some nighttime football games, it might be a good idea to bundle up…

cut 16 (07) “moving in”

Keim says daytime highs won’t get out of the 70s in most areas of the state.

17:30 Newscast, October 16th, 2015

Democrat John Bel Edwards said during a gubernatorial debate with all four candidates Thursday that he plans on calling two special sessions when he takes office to address the fiscal mess left behind by governor Bobby Jindal…:
CUT 9 (12) “items”
Republicans David Vitter, Scott Angelle and Jay Dardenne also made the case why they would be the best person to get Louisiana’s budget house in order.

The biggest crowd of the season is expected to be on the campus of LSU Saturday for the hyped up Top 10 SEC matchup between the Tigers and the Florida Gators. LSU is reminding fans to arrive early and be prepared for busy pre-game traffic. Kickoff is set for 6pm on ESPN with the forecast calling for clear skies and temperatures in the low 70s at the start of the game, but dipping into the 60s before it’s over.

Governor Bobby Jindal only raised $600,000 in the third quarter of fundraising in his bid for the White House and the report shows he has just $260,000 on hand. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says he believes there is support for the issues Jindal is pushing, but the crowded Republican field is definitely hurting him…:
cut 12 (07) “reflects that”
A Jindal spokesperson says the election is not an auction and they are running a lean, mean campaign.

The Saints convincing 31-21 win over Atlanta on Thursday night has the Who Dat nation thinking the Black and Gold can turn this season around. In the victory, there was a blocked punt for a touchdown, the defense forced three turnovers and quarterback Drew Brees threw for over 300 yards…:
cut 13 (10) “pay off”

 

16:30 Newscast, October 16th, 2015

The state fire marshal’s office and Department of Agriculture and Forestry has issued a statewide burn ban due to extremely dry conditions across the state. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

It’s dry but it is going to be a beautiful, and at times, chilly weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we could even see some low temps in the 40s in northern parishes…:
cut 15 (07) “low 50s”
He says high temps probably won’t leave the 70s all weekend.

The four candidates for Governor talked about Louisiana’s budget problems during a debate in Ruston last night. Republican Jay Dardenne says he’ll look to make funding higher education a priority and cut elsewhere..:
CUT 8 (12) “we can cut”
Republicans Scott Angelle and Jay Dardenne and Democrat John Bel Edwards were also there. Tomorrow is the last day to early vote in the October 24th gubernatorial primary.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office says a 22-year-old woman is under arrest after authorities discovered her 3-year-old child sitting in the middle of the road with his blanket. They say upon arrival they realized the child was about 150 yards away from his house and found the mother searching for him. Halie Prejean of Lake Charles left her 3 month old inside the house to look for the other child and she was booked with two counts of child desertion.

 

15:30 Newscast, October 16th, 2015

Governor Bobby Jindal’s presidential campaign warchest is likely lower than he was hoping. The latest fundraising report shows Jindal raised $600,000 in the third quarter and has only $261,000 left. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Jindal’s recent surge of support in Iowa might make it possible for him to go back to some people who have donated money in the past…:
Cut 11 (07) “to his campaign”
By comparison, Republican presidential hopeful Ben Carson raised over $20 million during the same time frame. But Jindal’s spokesperson says they are running a lean, mean campaign with what they have.

LSU is reportedly giving Athletic Director Joe Alleva another contract extension — one year to July 2020. The Board of Supervisors will officially vote on the proposed extension at its meeting in a week. Alleva’s pay will remain the same at $725,000. Last year his deal was extended three years to July 2019.

The Who Dat nation is elated today about the Saints impressive 31-21 win over the Falcons last night in The Dome, and could this mean the team is turning the season around? It was the first loss for Atlanta and New Orleans improved to 2-4 — a long tough road to the playoffs. But quarterback Drew Brees says the game last night gives him hope…:
CUT 14 (09) “next week”
The Saints play the Colts next Sunday.

Governor Bobby Jindal could be getting an answer as soon as Monday on whether or not he can defund Planned Parenthood in Louisiana. The organization could lose its funding next week unless the federal judge intervenes. Jindal announced he’d stop making payments to Planned Parenthood after secretly taped videos surfaced showing its leaders discussing the sale of fetal tissue. The group denies the allegation.

And don’t forget tomorrow is the last day to early vote in the October 24th primary. Polls open at 8:30 tomorrow morning and close at 6.

 

14:30 Newscast, October 16th, 2015

A burn ban is in place throughout the entire state. This means no private open burning is allowed. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says Violation of the burn ban could result in criminal and/or civil penalties. He says this is a safety issue…:
CUT 5 (07) “these fires”
Private burning will only be allowed by permission of your local fire department or local government.

Most of the state is in extreme drought conditions and there is no rain the long range forecast which is another reason why the burn ban was issued. But State climatologist Barry Keim says it’s going to be a beautiful weekend with daytime highs not leaving the 70s, and lows in the 50s maybe upper 40s. He says if you’re hitting a football game it might be a good idea to bundle up..:
CUT 16 (07) “moving in

Tomorrow is the last day to early vote for the October 24th primary. The Secretary of State’s office says so far based on early voting trends, turnout for the gubernatorial election could be 45-50% which they say is about average. The early voting polls close at 6pm.

During the debate at Louisiana Tech last night. The four candidates talked about the state’s budget problems. Republican David Vitter blamed the mess on his opponents, but fellow GOP candidate Scott Angelle says the US Senator shouldn’t be in charge of getting Louisiana’s fiscal house in order…:
CUT 7 (12) “it works”
Republican Jay Dardenne says steps need to be made to protect higher ed as cuts need to be made elsewhere. Democrat John Bel Edwards says he plans to call two special sessions to address the budget.