All seven major candidates for governor will participate tonight in a televised debate hosted by Nexstar Media Group. Lapolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the debate is only an hour long, so hopefully the candidates have enough time to talk…

Cut 4 (05) “…under that format”

The debate is set for 7 pm.

Tech President Dr. Les Guice will retire at the end of the year, after serving the institution for 45 years, the last 10 as president.

Cut 10 (12) “…we’re measured.”

In his last few months, Guice says he’ll oversee the design and fundraising for future facilities on campus and recruit more partnerships for the La Tech Research Institute in Bossier City.

Today is National Prisoner of War and Missing in Action Recognition Day, Brooke Thorington has more on how the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs is honoring the day.

Cut 3 (33) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

There will a balloon release today in place of a football game for the St. Helena student who was shot and killed on Tuesday. The family of Vernon Gordon Junior is hosting the memorial event in honor of the 16 year old who was killed by a fourteen year old in a shooting at St. Helena College and Career Academy.

The seven major candidates for governor will participate in a televised debate tonight hosted by Nexstar Media Group. Jeff Palermo has a preview…(11)

Cut 1 (31)……I’m Jeff Palermo”

 Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is directing insurance agents to notify Louisiana Citizens policyholders of the possibility they could find coverage with a private insurer. Donelon says SafePoint Insurance Company identified over 19 thousand Citizens policies that could be switched over to a private insurer, but so far less than have of those have been authorized for depopulation out of Citizens. And that’s cause for concern.

Cut 8 (11) “…a conflict.”

Citizens policyholders who could be taken out of Citizens should have received a notice by mail.

14th-ranked LSU faces its first road challenge when they take on Mississippi State in Starkville tomorrow. Tigers Coach Brian Kelly says we’ll learn a lot more about this team in the coming weeks…

Cut 18 (16) “…next month.”

Kick-off is set for 11 am. LRN

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The Louisiana Department of Health is launching a new campaign to promote their 988 suicide and prevention helpline. Two key components of the campaign are the new website and social media. State Suicide Prevention Coordinator Robyn Thomas ….

Cut 6 (08) “…zoom backgrounds.”

Since its launch in July of 2022, call volume for 988 has increased by 11 percent.

Former Transportation Secretary Democrat Shawn Wilson is broadcasting his first TV ad in his bid to become Louisiana governor. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan believes the ad is a success because Wilson is able to introduce himself to voters and…

Cut 3 (10) “…together.”

Polls indicate Wilson will most likely face front-runner Jeff Landry in a runoff.

St. Helena College and Career Academy, the site of a fatal school on Tuesday, will remain closed for the rest of the week. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

A West Baton Rouge Parish grand jury has indicted a man in the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Ja’Kobe Queen who was killed at the Port Allen/ Brusly football game. 18-year-old Jarrettin Jackson the third was charged with second-degree murder, carrying a firearm on school property at a school-sponsored function, and other offenses.

A lawsuit seeking transparency of FEMA’s flood insurance rates will be heard in New Orleans this morning. Legal action was filed after multiple failed inquiries into how FEMA calculates Risk Rating 2.0 flood insurance rates for property owners. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon believes Attorney General Jeff Landry, who’s leading the lawsuit against the federal government will be successful…

Cut 12 (10) “…is try.” 

US Senator Bill Cassidy is sponsoring bipartisan legislation to protect individuals who receive supplemental security income from losing their benefits for simply working hard. It’s the first push to reform the program in almost 40 years. Cassidy says it…

Cut 13 (12) “…after that.”

A state audit reveals the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services needs to improve the handling of calls for the child abuse and neglect hotline. That includes the average time to answer calls and the number of calls abandoned over the last five years. DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks says the agency needs 14 additional staffers to help lessen the seven-minute wait.

Cut 7 (12) “…are needed.”

The October 14th gubernatorial primary is only a month away and all seven major candidates will participate in a statewide TV debate tomorrow night. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says the problem with the debate is that it’s on a Friday night…

Cut 6 (09) “…gubernatorial debate”

Recent polls show Landry and Democrat Shawn Wilson in a good position to face off in a run-off.

30-year-old Douglas Brown has been charged with murder for allegedly shooting his elderly father, 79-year-old John Brown, according to Baton Rouge Police. John Brown was found dead from a gunshot wound on Saturday morning inside the home the two shared. Lt. L’Jean McKneely says evidence led to Douglas Brown’s arrest.

Cut 7 (08) “…apprehended him.” 

Douglas Brown was booked in the East Baton Rouge Prison.

US Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy is launching a formal impeachment inquiry of President Biden to receive financial records of the president and his son Hunter Biden. Republican Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves

Cut 9 (12) “…an investigation.” 

Graves says over the past few months, serval committees, like Judiciary, Oversite, and Ways & Means, have all done investigations and requested information concerning the Bidens and they’ve found questionable items.

A school shooting in St. Helena Parish has left one person dead and left two others wounded. Jeff Palermo has the details…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

A 15-year-old male student at Homer High School has been arrested for reportedly bringing a gun to school this morning. Authorities were notified by school staff that a weapon was found in the student’s backpack. Authorities say the teen was taken to the Homer Police Department and arrested and charged with being in possession of a firearm on a school campus. He was transported to a juvenile detention facility in Jonesboro.

Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore was joined by former NFL player Warrick Dunn as he filed a petition to block clemency hearings for death row prisoners. Dunn’s mother, Baton Rouge police corporal Betty Smothers was killed in 1993 by Kevan Brumfield who is on death row. Dunn says commuting the sentences of these inmates is disrespectful to the victims’ families and in his case, law enforcement.
Cut 9 (12)  “…that fair?”

Governor John Bel Edwards has publicly stated he opposes the death penalty.

Drought conditions and excessive heat are affecting wildlife in the Bayou State. State Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Jim Lacour says when plants die, deer and other wildlife miss out on the nutrition that plants provide.

Cut 14 (11) “…everything else.”

For the first time in school history, LSU has surpassed 400 million dollars in research spending. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31)……I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana Tech University President Dr. Les Guice announced his plans to retire by the end of the year. During Guice’s tenure, the university reached national and global rankings, record-breaking enrollment, innovative expansion, and other milestones during his presidency. Guice served the institution for 45 years, the last 10 as president.

An attack ad against Attorney General Jeff Landry that ran over the weekend was ordered to be pulled off the air by a St. Tammany Parish judge. The ad aired during the LSU game alleges Landry failed to pursue a child porn case because Landry had a connection to the Lafayette man. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the TV ad aired during Saturday’s LSU game…

Cut 9 (08) “…are false” 

Landry’s gubernatorial campaign says a dark money group that supports Stephen Waguespack for governor is responsible for the ad.

Louisiana State University of Alexandria is now the fastest-growing public university in the state after exceeding its goal of enrolling five thousand undergraduate students two years ahead of schedule. Chancellor Paul Coreil says there was nearly 40 percent growth in students opting for a 100 percent online program.

Cut 5 (11) “ …growth area”  

This year’s freshman class of 475 marks the 3^rd largest since admission standards were increased in 2007 and is the largest in the last eight years.

Can playing alter your pet’s mood during a medical procedure? Brooke Thorington has more from an artist in residence at LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine.

Cut 27 (33) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana Tech President Dr. Les Guice announces his plans to retire by the end of the year. During Guice tenure, the university reached national and global rankings, record-breaking enrollment, innovative expansion, and other milestones during his presidency. Guice served the institution for 45 years, the last 10 as president.

A judge in St. Tammany Parish has ruled that an attack ad against Attorney General Jeff Landry must be taken off the air because it’s not accurate. The ad alleges Landry did not aggressively pursue child porn charges against a Lafayette man because he had a connection with Landry. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the TV ad aired during Saturday’s LSU game…

Cut 9 (08) “…are false” 

In west-central Louisiana where wildfires have ravaged thousands of acres of forests, it only adds insult to injuries to landowners who incurred losses from Hurricanes Laura and Delta just three years ago. Forester Robbie Hutchins with the LSU Ag Center says it’s difficult to explain the devastation that’s occurred.

Cut 6 (12) “…affected.”

Louisiana State University of Alexandria has exceeded its goal of enrolling five thousand undergraduate students by 2025, securing its status as the fastest-growing public university in the state. Chancellor Paul Coreil says the university has seen a 24 percent increase in enrollment with students from places far and near.

Cut 3 (09) “…international students”

The uptick in enrollment includes nearly 40 percent growth in students opting for 100 percent online programs.

Entergy Louisiana has accelerated its regular tree-trimming across the state to prevent trees from falling on powerlines due to severe drought conditions. VP of Reliability Steven Benyard …

Cut 5 (10) “…our analysis”

The FDA has approved newly updated Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to target the XBB 1.5 variant ahead of a potential seasonal increase in infections. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease specialist Dr. Fred  Lopez says it’s still unclear which populations health officials will consider for the shots.

Cut 8 (08) “…the vaccine.”

The shots will cost up to $130 dollars, compared to $30 last year for the booster.

Entergy Louisiana has increased its usual tree-trimming across the state due to excessive heat and severe drought conditions. VP of Reliability Steven Benyard urges customers to report trees that may impact powerlines in their community.

Cut 6 (11) “…community thing.”

To report overgrown trees that are touching power lines, call 1-800-ENTERGY.

It’s never too early to begin saving for your child’s education and the START Saving Program through the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Aid allows you to do so with a few perks.  Director of the START Program, Terri Underwood says it’s open to residents or beneficiaries who live in Louisiana.

Cut 10 (09) “…on deposits.”

There’s also a START K12 Saving Program to help families with tuition-related expenses to eligible Louisiana schools. For more information visit mylosfa.la.gov

When Charlie Rauh (rhymes with cow) began his musical career, he never thought it would end up going to the dogs, but that’s exactly what has happened. For the last month, he’s served as composer in residence at LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine.

Cut 13 (10) “…compose music.”

To wrap up his residency, Rauh is holding a concert this evening at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Library at 5:30. For more information on the artist visit charlieraugh.com that’s R-A-U-H.