Today is the final day to register to vote in person in the November 8th elections. Early voting begins October 25th and runs to November 1st. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says even if you know you’re registered to vote…:
Cut 5 (09) “as possible”
He says if you miss today’s deadline you can still register online at GeauxVote.com by October 18th.

According to a recent state audit, Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins spent more than $35,000 on travel between 2019 and 2021 without proper documentation. Roger Harris, Assistant Legislative Auditor for Investigations says Perkins is required to submit travel expenses within 30 days.
Cut 13 (09) “after travel”
Perkins responded to the report indicating that it was never his intention not to follow policies and he’d reimburse the city for all expenses.

Holden Hoggatt has picked up endorsements from 3 former southwest Louisiana Congressional leaders in his race against Congressman Clay Higgins…:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Seven people are now in custody in connection with a deadly weekend shooting that left a Hammond High School student dead. Four teenagers, two aged 17 and one 16 and one 18-year-old are facing second degree murder charges in the death of a 16-year-old at a birthday party. The four teens are also facing obstruction of justice and other charges.

The deadline to register for elections hits today at 4:30 and we are just now two weeks away from early voting. Whitney Thomas has more…:
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Whitney Thomas”

AAA says rising demand and the higher cost of oil are starting to show at the pump. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $3.36 a gallon which is a 5-cent increase over the prior day, and over 25 cents higher than the same time last week.

The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources has awarded contracts to Dynamic Group and Lemoine Disaster Recovery to plug abandoned oil and gas wells, or orphan wells. D-N-R spokesperson Patrick Courreges (koo·rezh)…:
Cut 10 (10) “well populations”
He says they are targeting wells near disadvantaged communities.

The state’s chief auditor says Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins repeatedly failed to properly document many of his travel expenses that were paid for by the city during his term in office. Assistant Legislative Auditor for Investigations Roger Harris says Shreveport has strict policies elected officials must abide by..:
Cut 14 (08) “travel form”
The auditor also questioned Perkins’ actions early on in changing which insurance agents got the city’s lucrative property and workers compensation coverage.

Today marks the final day to register in person to vote in the November eighth election. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the deadline officially hits at 4:30 pm…:
Cut 4 (10) “registrar voter”
If you miss today’s deadline, you can still register to vote for the November 8th election online, at geaux-vote-dot-com by October 18th.

As the race for Louisiana’s 3rd Congressional District heats up, former Louisiana Congressmen Charles Boustany and Chris John, along with former Senator John Breaux have endorsed Republican Holden Hoggatt against incumbent Clay Higgins. Breaux says southwest Louisiana needs someone who will work across party lines and he believes Hoggatt is the best candidate…:
Cut 7 (08) “the district”
Higgins was first elected to the district in 2016 and is in his third term.

The Louisiana Department of Insurance has approved Louisiana Citizens request for a 63-percent rate increase on its residential property insurance policies. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs Office says several people have been arrested in connection to the shooting death of a 16 year old at a birthday party in Hammond over the weekend. Deputies say more than 20 shots were fired in the incident and a total of 7 arrests have been made. An 18 year old and three other teenagers are accused of second degree murder.

The restaurant where Allie Rice worked is helping collect reward money for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who shot and killed her last Friday. Co-Owner of The Shed, Chez Ciccone, says there has been an overwhelming outpouring of support from the community who wants to help. He says it will take a village to end the rise in crime in Baton Rouge….:
CUT 6 (06) “off the street”
Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact Crimestoppers.

A federal judge rules that the U.S. Government may NOT require masks and/or COVID shots for teachers, staff and volunteers with Project Head Start. The suit was brought by a school teacher and represented by the Liberty Justice Center and the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, whose general counsel Sarah Harbison says the case against the government wasn’t just about compliance…:
Cut 8 (06) “to do so”

New Orleans experienced a major uptick in crimes this year with over 200 homicides, now locals are wondering if it will affect tourism. Whitney Thomas has more…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Whitney Thomas”

The NCAA Committee on infractions is set to announce its ruling on the LSU investigation today at noon. In March, the school was accused of violations by the NCAA including lack of institutional control and failure to monitor the conduct of its men’s basketball and football programs over an 8 year period.

A Baton Rouge restaurant has collected more than $30,000 in reward money for information that leads to a conviction for the murder of 21 year old LSU Senior Allie Rice. Rice was gunned down in Baton Rouge early last Friday while she was stopped for a train. One of the owners of The Shed BBQ, Chez Ciccone (chuh-coney) says they hope the reward is up to 50k by tomorrow…:
CUT 5 (07) “did this”
If you know anything please contact Crimestoppers.

Crime in New Orleans has also been off the charts and on his monthly call in radio show when asked how it’s been impacting tourism, Governor John Bel Edwards says travel to the Crescent City is up…:
Cut 14 (09) “that either”
He says getting more cops on the streets is the focus on fixing the problem.

A federal judge rules the US government may no longer require COVID shots or masks of teachers, staff or volunteers with Project Head Start. Kevin Gallagher has the story…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

We may see record high temperatures here on this first day of fall with highs expected to be in the mid to upper 90s or even higher north of I-10. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it won’t be this bad Saturday and Sunday…:
CUT 12 (06) “incredibly hot”

A federal judge has struck down the US Government mandate that required teachers and children in public preschools to wear masks and be vaccinated. The suit was brought by a school teacher and represented by the Liberty Justice Center and the Pelican Institute for Public Policy. General counsel Sarah Harbison says the plaintiff is vindicated…:
Cut 7 (08) aren’t having it”
U.S. Circuit Court Judge Terry Doughty issued a permanent injunction preventing the feds from enforcing their mask and shot mandates on Head Start in Louisiana and 23 other states.

It certainly will not feel like the first day of Fall today as temperatures across the state are slated to be in the upper 90s and even triple digits north of I-10. State Climatologist Barry Keim..:
Cut 11 (06) “still here”
He says next week highs should be back into the 80s.

A reward of $30,000 is being offered to help find those responsible for the shooting death of LSU student Allie Rice. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Crime in New Orleans has been awful also and Governor John Bel Edwards says more cops are needed…
Cut 15 (08) “retain them”

There is now a $30,000 reward being offered up for information on the deadly shooting of an LSU Senior in Baton Rouge last Friday. Allie Rice worked at The Shed BBQ, and Chez Ciccone (chuh-coney) is one of the owners there…:
CUT 4 (08) “people know”
If you have any tips about the case call Crimestoppers or Baton Rouge Police.

Today is the first day of fall, but its unseasonably hot. Temperatures will get into the upper 90s today, and triple digits north of I-10. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the hot weather will stick around through the weekend…:
Cut 10 (09) “some locations”
A front is expected to come in next week dropping high temperatures back into the 80s.

New Orleans has experienced astronomical crime rates this year with over 200 people murdered. Asked on his monthly call-in radio show if this was impacting tourism, Governor John Bel Edwards says travel to the Crescent City is actually up…
Cut 13 (13) “our economy”
He says they are focusing on getting more law enforcement officers on the streets.

State Police have placed a lieutenant on leave following a sex crime investigation in South Dakota. LSP says 44-year-old Kirk Thibodeaux is charged with Hiring for Sexual Activity.

The U.S Marshals Office Eastern District of Louisiana New Orleans announces operation “Summer Knights” has led to the recovery of fourteen missing endangered teens, and 8 arrests. Brian Fair, a senior inspector says they couldn’t have done this deliberate operation alone…:
Cut 6 (10) “these recoveries”
He says some of the children were suspected victims of human trafficking.

Should Louisiana eliminate its state income tax. The House Ways and Means committee is meeting to discuss that today, thanks to a resolution by Mandeville Republican Rep. Richard Nelson. He proposed a tax reform package in 2021, but it was too complicated to get passed in a short fiscal only session:
Cut 14 (13) “better way to go”
He says it won’t be easy, but it can be done.

A new report from the Heritage Foundation ranks Louisiana among the Top Ten states for “Educational Freedom.” State Education Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley says Louisiana’s Number 9 ranking is a great place to be in the first-ever such report by Heritage. He explains what it meant by Educational freedom…:
Cut 7 (12) “in education appropriately”
The report comes as the Department of Education observes Celebrate Freedom Week.

The Thibodeaux Police Department is investigating the death of a 15-year-old who was shot multiple times in his back Saturday, and the shooter remains at large. They say Jarien Cole of Assumption Parish was still alive when officers made contact inside a home but died when being airlifted to New Orleans for treatment. Anyone with information about this shooting is urged to contact Crime Stoppers Bayou Region or online at crimestoppersbr.org.