over 56,000 voters showed up to cast their ballots Saturday for the first day of early voting. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Former Louisiana Sen. Heulette “Clo” Fontenot Jr. was killed in a car wreck Sunday morning after driving into the path of an oncoming car on a Livingston Parish highway, authorities said. The Louisiana State Police said Fontenot, 58, of Denham Springs, failed to yield for an oncoming Lexus while making a left turn around 11:30 a.m. on LA 63.

25 years after the first riverboat set anchor in Baton Rouge the market is now struggling as revenues are cratering in one of the biggest gaming regions of the state.

Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board Ronnie Jones says all 20 casinos across the state has seen a decline in the last five years, and the commission is looking at potentially switching the location of some licenses.

Cut 14 (10) “…anywhere”

Jones says the gaming industry peaked after Katrina has since been on the decline.

The Saints defense came alive in the Black and Gold’s 12-10 win last night over the Dallas Cowboys holding the formerly prolific Dallas offense to just 257 total yards.Star linebacker Demario Davis says last night’s defense performance it’s an incredible achievement, in 2019.

Cut 4 (10) “…huge”

Over 56,000 voters showed up to cast their ballots Saturday for the first day of early voting. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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The Louisiana Tumor Registry adds a new interactive data visualization tool to their website. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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The Saints defense came alive in the Black and Gold’s 12-10 win last night over the Dallas Cowboys holding the formerly prolific Dallas offense to just 257 total yards.

The Black and Gold will need to reform around a defensive identity with Drew Brees out and the offense struggling. Defensive end Cam Jordan says with or Brees or no, they’re on a mission.

Cut 3 (11) “…in”

The D has been particularly effective in the first halves of games, only allowing ten points in the last two contests.

Star linebacker Demario Davis says last night’s defense performance it’s an incredible achievement, in 2019.

Cut 4 (10) “…huge”

Star Dallas running back Zeke Elliot was held to just 35 yards rushing on 18 carries last night, making it three weeks in a row the team has held star running backs to under four yards a carry.

The Teddy Bridgewater led offense has not lived up to the usual sky-high offensive expectations of Saints fans. Safety Von Bell says they’re comfortable carrying the team while the offense works out some of the kinks.

Cut 5 (08) “…position.”

The D will need to stay locked in as the new look Bucs head to New Orleans Sunday on the heels of their 55-40 win over the Rams.

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So far early voting turnout for the primary is nearly double that of the 2015 election, and state officials say it could indicate higher than average interest in this year’s election.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the early results are incredibly promising as people packed polling stations Saturday.

Cut 6 (09) “…thousand”

He says when you add absentee ballots, the total number of votes skyrockets to nearly 77,000 total first-day votes.

Ardoin suspects the timing of the LSU/Florida game on October 12^th is partially responsible for the surge in early turnout. He says it’s been on the front of several campaign’s minds.

Cut 7 (09) “early” 

That being said, Ardoin says the early voting totals for today are expected to outpace last year’s day two as well.

Ardoin says the 2015 election only saw turnout in the upper 30s, but if these numbers hold we could be in for noticeably better numbers.

Cut 8 (07) “prognostication”

If turnout does hit the mid-40s Ardoin says they’ll still have plenty enough stickers. He says they printed 3.2 million, more than the total number of registered voters.

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The Louisiana Tumor Registry adds a new data visualization tool to their website.  Registry spokesperson Lauren Maniscalco says it is a new resource for everyone in Louisiana to better understand the burden of cancer.

Cut 9 (08) “…specific parish.”

Maniscalco says the tool is very interactive in breaking down data on the types of cancer, parish by parish.  She adds having the tool may lead to targeting areas for awareness of specific cancers.

Cut 10 (11) “…promote screening.”

Maniscalco says the tool has been in development for about a year and will see continued advancements.

Cut 11 (10) “…add additional features.” 

____________________________

25 years after the first riverboat set anchor in Baton Rouge the market is now struggling as revenues are cratering in one of the biggest gaming regions of the state.

Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board Ronnie Jones says unfortunately today’s milestone is also a reminder of a prolonged slump casino revenues for the area that need intervention.

Cut 12 (14) “…employed”

The Belle was the first to open in the now troubled market.

Baton Rouge peaked in the fiscal year ending June 2017 at $308.8 million and has slumped the last two years. Revenue has fallen to nearly one-fourth to  $235.6 million for June 2019. Jones says new smoking bans had a major impact.

Cut 13 (06) “…an impact.”

In New Orleans market, Jones says casinos saw a 20 percent drop in business after the smoking ban was implemented.

Jones says all 20 casinos across the state has seen a decline in the last five years, and the commission is looking at potentially switching the location of some licenses.

Cut 14 (10) “…anywhere”

 Jones says the gaming indusrty peaked after Katrina has since been on the decline.

So far early voting turnout for the primary is more than double that of the 2015 election, and state officials say it could indicate higher than average interest in this year’s election. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the early results are incredibly promising as people packed polling stations Saturday.

Cut 6, 9 seconds, thousand

He says when you add absentee ballots, the total number of votes skyrockets to nearly 77,000 total first-day votes.

The Saints defense came alive in the Black and Gold’s 12-10 win last night over the Dallas Cowboys holding the formerly prolific Dallas offense to just 257 total yards. The Black and Gold will need to reform around a defensive identity with Drew Brees out and the offense struggling. Defensive end Cam Jordan says with or Brees or no, they’re on a mission.

Cut 3 (11) “…in”

The Louisiana Tumor Registry adds a new data visualization tool to their website. Registry spokesperson Lauren Maniscalco says the tool has been in development for about a year and will see continued advancements.

Cut 11 (10) “…add additional features.” 

Maniscalco says the tool is very interactive in breaking down data on the types of cancer, parish by parish.  

25 years after the first riverboat set anchor in Baton Rouge the market is now struggling as revenues are cratering. Baton Rouge peaked in the fiscal year ending June 2017 at $308.8 million and has slumped the last two years. Revenue has fallen to nearly one-fourth to $235.6 million for June 2019. Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board Ronnie Jones says new smoking bans have had a big hit.

Cut 13 (06) “…an impact.”

25 years after the first riverboat set anchor in Baton Rouge the market is now struggling as revenues are cratering in one of the biggest gaming regions of the state. Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board Ronnie Jones says unfortunately today’s milestone is also a reminder of a prolonged slump casino revenues.

Cut 12 (14) “…employed”

The Belle was the first to open in the now troubled market. The Belle has seen a nearly 50 percent decline in revenue year to year.

The Louisiana Tumor Registry adds a new data visualization tool to their website. Registry spokesperson Lauren Maniscalco says the tool is very interactive in breaking down data on the types of cancer, parish by parish.  She adds having the tool may lead to targeting areas for awareness.

Cut 10 (11) “…promote screening.”

The Saints defense came alive in the Black and Gold’s 12-10 win last night over the Dallas Cowboys holding the formerly prolific Dallas offense to just 257 total yards. The Teddy Bridgewater led offense has not lived up to the usual sky-high offensive expectations of Saints fans. Safety Von Bell says they’re comfortable carrying the team while the offense works out some of the kinks.

Cut 5 (08) “…position.”

The D will need to stay locked in as the new look Bucs head to New Orleans Sunday on the heels of their 55-40 win over the Rams.

October is typically a quiet time for hurricane activity for Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says historical data reflects favorably for the month as the average is having two named storms to make landfall nationally.

Cut 7 (07) “…hurricanes really drop.” 

Keim says the last two months of hurricane season are typically more active for the eastern portion of the Gulf of Mexico.

The Saints defense came alive in the Black and Gold’s 12-10 win last night over the Dallas Cowboys holding the formerly prolific Dallas offense to just 257 total yards. Star linebacker Demario Davis says it’s an incredible achievement, in 2019.

Cut 4, 10 seconds, huge

Star Dallas running back Zeke  Elliot was held to just 35 yards rushing on 18 carries last night, making it three weeks in a row the team has held star running backs to under four yards a carry.

The Louisiana Tumor Registry adds a new data visualization tool to their website.  Registry spokesperson Lauren Maniscalco says it is a new resource for everyone in Louisiana to better understand the burden of cancer.

Cut 9 (08) “…specific parish.”

Maniscalco says the tool is very interactive in breaking down data on the types of cancer, parish by parish.

With the arrival of October comes the start of the final two months of hurricane season. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

Coastal parishes have reached a $100 million settlement with one of the oil and gas companies accused of causing damage and land loss along the coast. Attorney John Carmouche calls the settlement with Freeport McMoRan Inc. a huge victory.
Cut 4 (11) “…of the cases.”

The settlement requires the approval of 12 coastal parish governments.

The Saints defense has stepped up in back to back wins with Drew Brees sidelined. Defensive end Cam Jordan says Brees or no, they’re on a mission.

Cut 3, 11 seconds, in

The D has been particularly effective in the first halves of games, only allowing ten points in the last two contests.

Voters head to the polls October 12th to make their picks for the primary and the last two independent polls have shown a shakeup in the race with Eddie Rispone vaulting past Congressman Abraham. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s likely thanks to a series of attack ads.

Cut 11 (10) “…it right.”

The state party warned Republican candidates not to attack each other in the primary, because it would lead to another term for Democrat Edwards.
October is typically a quiet time for hurricane activity in Louisiana, and once we make it through Halloween, State Climatologist Barry Keim says expect things to get a lot quieter.
Cut 8 (08) “…5 or 6 years ago.”
Keim says the last two months of hurricane season are typically more active for the eastern portion of the Gulf of Mexico.

We’re two weeks from the primary and recent independent polls show the biggest question remaining is whether Governor Edwards can avoid a run-off with top polling Republican Eddie Rispone. Ralph Abraham used to be the Republican favorite, but that’s changed. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Abraham’s fundraising woes finally caught up to him.

Cut 10 (08) “…case.”

The primary is set for October 12^th, with a potential run-off scheduled for November 16^th.

The Saints’ defense shuts down an explosive Cowboys offense to give the Black and Gold a 12-10 win in front of the home crowd.

Dallas was held to just 257 yards and one touchdown after coming into the game the league’s second most prolific offense. Coach Sean Payton is proud of the gritty performance.

Cut 13 (09) “areas”

Coastal parishes have reached a $100 million settlement with Freeport McMoRan Inc, one of the oil and gas companies accused of causing damage and land loss along the coast.  Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

October is typically quiet time for hurricane activity for Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says historical data reflects favorably for the month as the average is having two named storms to make landfall on the Bayou state.

Cut 7 (07) “…hurricanes really drop.” 

Coastal parishes have reached a $100 million settlement with one of the oil and gas companies accused of causing damage and land loss along the coast. Attorney John Carmouche calls the settlement with Freeport McMoRan Inc. a huge victory for those that live in coastal parishes.
The settlement requires the approval of 12 coast parish governments, an approval Carmouche believes could be reached in the coming months. Freeport’s deal would require a $15 million payment at first, with the company disbursing money over 22 years.
Cut 6 (08) “…for both parties.”

October is typically quiet time for hurricane activity for Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the last two months of hurricane season are typically more active for the eastern portion of the Gulf of Mexico or the east coast due to steering currents shifting.
Cut 9 (10) “…as much vigor.”

We’re two weeks from the primary and recent independent polls show the biggest question remaining is whether Governor Edwards can avoid a run-off with top polling Republican Eddie Rispone. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Governor Edwards continues to creep closer to winning outright in the primary, but Pinsonat says his campaign must be concerned about numbers in the upper 40’s.
Cut 12 (06) “…percent”
The primary is set for October 12th, with a potential run-off scheduled for November 16th.

The Saints’ defense shuts down an explosive Cowboys offense to give the Black and Gold a 12-10 win in front of the home crowd.
There were a few questionable calls throughout the game on pass interference. Payton says while he appreciates the new option to challenge, he’s seen too many coaches blow a time out on the attempt.
Cut 15 (10) “…approach”
New Orleans takes on Tampa at home next Sunday.

For the second Governor’s race in a row top polling Republicans are attacking each other despite calls from the state party to focus all efforts on John Bel Edwards. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

October is typically quiet time for hurricane activity for Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says once the state makes it through Halloween, the chances of a named storm drops significantly.
Cut 8 (08) “…5 or 6 years ago.”

Coastal parishes have reached a $100 million settlement with one of the oil and gas companies accused of causing damage and land loss along the coast. Attorney John Carmouche says nearly all of the money goes toward restoration efforts for coastal marshes and wetlands, which often serve as a buffer from hurricanes and flooding. The settlement could set the standard on future litigation with other oil and gas firms.
Cut 5 (10) “…along the coast.”

The Saints’ defense shuts down an explosive Cowboys offense to give the Black and Gold a 12-10 win in front of the home crowd.
Dallas was held to just 257 yards and one touchdown after coming into the game the league’s second most prolific offense.
Two time rushing leader Zeke Elliot was contained for just 35 yards on the night.
The Saints offense was crippled by repeated penalties on the offensive line, and QB Teddy Bridgewater just couldn’t crack the endzone. Payton says the self-inflicted wounds are unacceptable.
Cut 14 (11) “…overcome”

With the arrival of October comes the start of the final two months of hurricane season. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Coastal parishes have reached a $100 million settlement with one of the oil and gas companies accused of causing damage and land loss along the coast. Attorney John Carmouche calls the settlement with Freeport McMoRan Inc. a huge victory for those that live in coastal parishes.
Cut 4 (11) “…of the cases.”

We’re two weeks from the primary and recent independent polls show the biggest question remaining is whether Governor Edwards can avoid a run-off with top polling Republican Eddie Rispone.
Ralph Abraham used to be the Republican favorite, but that’s changed. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says This month’s campaign finance report shows Rispone with 6.3 million on hand, Governor Edwards with 5.7 million, and Abraham with 1.4 million.
Rispone appears to have vaulted Abraham thanks to a series of attack ads calling Abraham disloyal to the President. Pinsonat says the attacks were effective.
Cut 11 (10) “…it right.”
The Saints’ defense shuts down an explosive Cowboys offense to give the Black and Gold a 12-10 win in front of the home crowd.
Dallas was held to just 257 yards and one touchdown after coming into the game the league’s second most prolific offense. Coach Sean Payton is proud of the gritty performance.
Cut 13 (09) “areas”