Three Louisiana institutions are taking part in a four-year study of the some 30-percent of individuals who have long-term side effects of COVID. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Shreveport police have a man in custody whose been charged with raping at least six children over a period of more than two decades. The arrest of 52-year-old Brett Kirkman was triggered early last month after investigators received a report of a sexual assault that occurred in the mid-2000s when the victim was a juvenile. That victim accuses Kirkman of assaulting him multiple times over a five-year period.

A shortage of qualified truckers is the top concern for the Louisiana trucking industry, and a big contributor to national supply chain problems. Renee Amar (AY-mar), Executive Director of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, says many drivers are quitting the road, yet a new generation of truckers is not stepping up. She says for many high school graduates NOT on a college track, driving can be a quick route to making good money, but the age requirement of at least 21 restricts that.

Cut 6 (10) “..that age.”

There are now four state-regulated casinos in Louisiana where legalized sports betting is up and running. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser cut the ribbon at Boomtown Casino in Harvey yesterday afternoon. He’s optimistic about the positive impact casino sportsbooks will have on tourism in the state.

Cut 14 (12)  “…legally here now.”

The season is over for Saints Quarterback Jameis Winston, so who will lead the Black and Gold the rest of the way. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Governor John Bel Edwards is in Scotland for the COPS26 Climate Conference. He told those gathered today that the state, through its coastal restoration projects, is working to minimize the loss of coastal lands as the result of hurricanes and storms that decrease Louisiana’s coastline far too often.

Cut 7 (10) “….from storm surge.”  

A double homicide in Monroe on Halloween afternoon leads to the arrest of an Ouachita Parish Correctional officer. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

State Police are investigating 10 crashes that occurred over the weekend that left one or more people dead in each of them. A total of 12 people were killed in the accidents that happened in north, central and south Louisiana. At least two children lost their lives according to Sgt. James Anderson.

Cut 13 (08) “…that was killed.”

Governor John Bel Edwards is in Scotland for the COPS26 Climate Conference. He told those gathered today that Louisiana did not shift direction on addressing climate change when President Trump pulled out of the Parish Climate Accord.

Cut 6  (10)  “…zero by 2050.”

Edwards says the state may for now remain a leading state for oil and natural gas production but it is also ripe for investment in low or no carbon projects.

A state appeals court in Shreveport has ruled Ochsner Health can’t fire or discipline employees at its facilities in Shreveport and Monroe who are not vaccinated. Attorney Jimmy Faircloth represents the employees in this legal battle…
cut 11 (11)   “…or terminate”
But Ochsner Health CEO Warner Thomas says their employee vaccination requirement outside of north Louisiana will move forward.

Blake Bardwell, a now-former Ouachita Parish correctional officer, is jailed on murder charges in the death of his wife and child. Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Glen Springfield says they were called to a Monroe residence just after 1:30 Sunday afternoon. Upon arrival, Springfield says officers were told the residence in the 3900 block of Old Sterlington Road belonged to Bardwell.

Cut 4 (04) “…and child.”

Sterling says 26-year-old Bardwell was immediately fired from his job upon his arrest and charged with two counts of 2^nd Degree murder.

The Saints beat the Super Bowl champion Buccaneers 36-27 yesterday but likely lost starting quarterback Jameis Winston for the season with a knee injury. Trevor Siemian filled in for Winston, but NFL analyst Mike Detillier expects Taysom Hill will be the starting Q-B once he’s cleared to play after suffering a concussion on October 10th…

Cut 9 (08) “…with it now”

The Saints host Atlanta this Sunday.

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 (11) “….a while now.”

Facebook plans to start trading under their new name Meta beginning December 1st.

Early voting gets underway in Louisiana tomorrow, and except for this Sunday, will continue through Saturday, November 6^th. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the ballots casts are for the November 13^th election that quite frankly is lacking hotly contested races. Ardoin says four constitutional amendments are on the ballot statewide but aren’t likely to produce a stampede to polling locations.

Cut 7 (07) “….to the polls.”  

You can download the smartphone app, Geaux Vote Mobile, to locate your parish’s early voting location and a sample ballot.

While Halloween can be lots of fun for the kids, it can pose a health hazard to your pets. Ginger Guttner, Spokesperson for LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine says if you have pets don’t leave out candy where they might have an opportunity to grab a treat for themselves.

Cut 12 (11) “…too much.”  

You might want to spend what’s supposed to be a great Halloween weekend taking part in the Go Out and Fish program put on by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.  The agency’s Danica Williams says they’ve stocked 17 ponds around the state with adult-sized channel catfish including one in Houma that was hard hit by Hurricane Ida.

Cut  11 (11)  “…have been stocked.”  

The Houma event takes place Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at the Bayou Country Sports Complex.

Facebook’s announcement of a corporate name change sent the company’s flagship platform into a tizzy over a possible transformation. Brooke Thorington posts more…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Early voting gets underway in Louisiana tomorrow, and except for this Sunday, will continue through Saturday, November 6^th. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the ballots casts are for the November 13^th election that quite frankly is lacking hotly contested races. Ardoin says four constitutional amendments are on the ballot statewide but aren’t likely to produce a stampede to polling locations.

Cut 7 (07) “….to the polls.”  

An attempted traffic stop in Shreveport turned violent early today when the driver refused to stop after blowing through a stoplight and he allegedly fired shots at the officer during a pursuit. The officer was wounded by shrapnel from a bullet that hit his cruiser’s windshield but suffered only minor injuries. No shots were fired by police.  The driver, Lavonta Smith, was eventually taken into custody and arrested for the attempted murder of a police officer.

You might want to spend what’s supposed to be a great Halloween weekend taking part in the Go Out and Fish program put on by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.  The agency’s Danica Williams says they’ve stocked 17 ponds around the state with adult-sized channel catfish.

Cut 9 (12) “…adult size fish.”

You can get a list of locations for the Go Out and Fish program from the LDWF website.

Of the four Amendments on the ballot, it’s the first two that could change tax collection and deductions in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington explains…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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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.” 

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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.” 

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Early voting begins Saturday 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.”

Amendment Two is one that will impact all taxpayers in the state. Scott says this amendment is considered real tax reform because it removes the ability to deduct federal taxes paid on your state taxes.

Cut 5 (11) “…number two.”

Scott says Amendment Three applies to about five levee districts in the state, however, it requires a statewide vote to allow those districts created after 2006 but before October of 2021 to levy an annual tax not to exceed five mills to that will go towards maintaining levees.

Cut 6 (11) “…in southern Louisiana.”

Amendment Four allows the governor to transfer more dedicated funds to fix a state budget deficit. Scott says currently five percent of dedicated funds can be redirected, a vote in favor of the amendment raises it to ten percent.

Cut 7 (11) “…really have.”

Early voting continues until November 6^th with the exclusion of Sunday, October 31^st and the election is November 13^th.

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FEMA is extending its deadline for Hurricane Ida individual assistance. Folks in the 25-parish disaster declaration area now have until November 29^th 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 exceeding 800 million dollars.

Custer says the FEMA funding can help with rental assistance, temporary housing and home repairs not covered by insurance.

Cut 9 (10)  “…move back  in.”

Custer says the FEMA assistance can help to get one’s home back to a livable condition until major repairs are completed.

Cut 10 (11)  “…eye on it.” 

To apply for FEMA assistance visit DisasterAssistance.gov or phone 1-800-621-3362.

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A special committee is being created by the Louisiana Senate that will hold one or more 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. Senator Franklin Foil is chair of the advisory panel.

Cut 11 (11) “…of excessive force.”

Foil says state police, the public and others will be invited to comment before the seven-member committee that will make recommendations to the legislature regarding use of force laws.

Foil says this Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight will be looking for input from a variety of people with the goal of making recommendations to the full Senate in just over a year.

Cut 12 (13) “…at the Capitol.”

At this point, Senator Foil doesn’t know just how many times the committee will meet

Cut 13 (10) “…with any recommendations.”

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It’s going to be an ideal weekend in Louisiana weatherwise as aftereffects of Wednesday’s cold front remains in control of the fall-like temperature. State Climatologist Barry Keim says lows in the northern parishes will be in the 40s and in the 50s in the southern half with highs reaching into the 70s.

Cut 14 (08)  “…no chance of rain.”

If you haven’t made plans already Keim says this is the weekend to spend outdoors and do some gardening, cycling, running, or even work on your golf game, but he also recommends bringing along a light jacket especially when the sun goes and don’t forget one when you’re out trick or treating Sunday.

Cut 15 (06)  “…chill in the air.”

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Mark Ingram is expected to be at practice for the Saints today. Ingram returns to the team that drafted him in 2011. Ingram spent eight seasons with the Saints and is the franchise’s second-leading rusher. But in Houston this season, he’s averaging a career-low 3.2 yards a carry. Coach Sean Payton still likes what Ingram brings…

Cut  16 (11) “for us.”

Payton says he plans to play Ingram in Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This will be a big game for Saints Quarterback Jameis Winston, who is facing the team that drafted him and chose not to re-sign him after five up and down seasons. Payton does not want Winston to try and take the game over…

Cut 17 (22) “ .understands that.” 

Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady continues to play at a very high level at the age of 44. Brady leads the NFL in completions, passing yards. touchdowns and he’s only thrown three interceptions. Payton says it’s impressive what Brady is doing…

Cut 18 (29)”…to excel”

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La Tech can use a win tomorrow as they visit one and six Old Dominion. The Bulldogs have scored 19 points in their last two games and in those contests they converted just nine times on 27 third-down opportunities. Tech Coach Skip Holtz says they got to get that percentage up…

Cut 19 (30)  “…situations.”

Tech is coming off a 45-16 loss to UTSA to drop its record two and five. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz took some positives from the game…

Cut 20 (16)  “build on.” 

The founder of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association, Don Briggs, is hospitalized and his wife is dead after a car crash yesterday morning on I-12 in Tangipahoa Parish. State Police Trooper William Huggins says 77-year-old Nannette Briggs died at the scene from a collision with a truck that was stopped due to traffic congestion

Cut 12 (07) “…trailer”  

Bossier City police have charged Ramsey Akes with first-degree murder in connection with a road rage incident that led to the death of a woman early last night. It happened in the parking lot of the Willis-Knighton Hospital. The exact motive for the shooting that left 65-year-old Cynthia Walker dead is under investigation. Police Lt. Bart Cavanaugh says it appears the altercation began elsewhere:

Cut 5 (07) “…the case.”

The 23-year-old Akes is being held on a $275,000 bond.

More than two dozen homes suffered damage when an EF-2 tornado ripped through an area south of Lake Charles early yesterday afternoon. The storm left two people with minor injuries. Governor John Bel Edwards surveyed the area this morning and said of the twister.

Cut 8 (10) “..miles per hour.”

The National Weather Service is still assessing the damage from the storm to better pinpoint just how powerful it was and how many homes were impacted by the twister.

Walker Police are working hard to reunite a Nike lunch bag with its owner. The black and white bag was found among some debris on Florida Boulevard Wednesday and Walker Police Captain John Sharp says the bag just happen to have 120 oxycodone tablets in it.

Cut 9 (09) “…we provide.”

The insulated lunch bag also contains nearly 50 grams of cocaine and a few other items.