With more than 95% of Louisianans either vaccinated, have contracted the virus or both, the state Department of Health has decided to update Covid numbers on its website weekly instead of daily starting Wednesday. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says Covid is still out there, but hospitalizations are very low…:
CUT 12 (09) “of this”

Today marks one year until the 2023 Louisiana gubernatorial primary election, and a field of candidates has already begun to take shape. “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says it’s possible some of Louisiana’s congressional delegates may seriously consider entering the race, once they see how the November mid-term elections shake out…:
Cut 6 (08) “factor in this race”
AG Jeff Landry has declared, and Alford says he’s tracking about 13 names.

Two Baton Rouge teens are under arrest in an alleged murder plot that left a woman dead. East Baton Rouge Sherriff’s spokesperson Casey Hicks says the suspected shooter, a 16-year-old boy, told deputies he was asked to commit the crime by a friend of his…:
Cut 14 (12) “kill her relative”
The male was booked for second degree murder and the girl, reportedly the victim’s daughter, was booked as principal to second-degree murder.

Mardi Gras Parades in New Orleans next year will remain on the same shortened routes they used in 2022. The announcement came at a meeting of the Mayor’s Mardi Gras Advisory Council last night. They cited a shrinking NOPD force as the reason for keeping the routes shorter in 2022, and since then they’ve continued to lose police officers.

Today marks one year until the 2023 Louisiana gubernatorial primary election. Kevin Gallagher looks at who is in and who may be…:
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

A recent report by America’s Health Rankings says Louisiana is the least healthy state in the nation for women and children. Not only that, but the report also shows Louisiana falls into the bottom five in crucial indicators of over health such as social and economic factors, physical environment and health outcomes.

A Baton Rouge teenage girl allegedly had her mother killed in a murder plot. East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s spokesperson Casey Hicks says the suspected shooter – a 16-year-old boy – was not far from the scene of the crime, and he cracked quickly under questioning…:
Cut 13 (11) “kill this woman”
The victim is identified as 33-year-old Markeshia Stone. Both teens were booked into the East Baton Rouge Juvenile Detention Center.

An Opelousas man has been cited by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for allegedly releasing apple snails into a neighborhood pond. LWDF spokesperson Adam Einck says apple nails are a highly invasive species:
CUT 8 (06) “that area”
73-year-old Peter Son Nguyen (WIN) was cited for illegal release of game, fowl, or fish, and possessing an exotic species.

Today marks one year until the 2023 Louisiana gubernatorial primary election, and a field of candidates has already begun to take shape. Last week, Attorney General Jeff Landry made his intentions official, but “LAPolitics.com” publisher Jeremy Alford says there are no less than 13 names declared or undeclared…:
Cut 4 (12) “made it official”
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has also made comments about running but has not made that official yet.

Beginning next week, the Louisiana Department of Health will cease to give daily COVID numbers and move to weekly updates. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the change will go into effect on Wednesday, October 19th…:
Cut 10 (11) “every week”
Kanter says at this point in the pandemic 95% of Louisianans have either been vaccinated, had COVID, or both.

Two Baton Rouge teenagers are charged with plotting and carrying out a murder. More from Jeff Palermo…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

AAA says gas prices are starting to step back slightly as demand and oil prices stumble. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular fell a penny overnight to $3.40, but that’s still 16 cents higher than last week.

Holden Hoggatt, who’s running against incumbent Congressman Clay Higgins, picks up the endorsements of three former southwest Louisiana congressional leaders…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Thorington.”

The multi-state Mega Millions jackpot has grown to a whopping $455-million for tonight’s drawing. That’s would be a $226-million lump sum payout to a lone winner. If there is winner tonight, it will be the 12^th largest in the game’s history. Tickets will be on sale until 9 tonight.

The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources has awarded contracts to Dynamic Group and Lemoine Disaster Recovery to plug orphaned oil wells in north Louisiana. DNR spokesperson Patrick Courreges says the state currently plugs 120 to 200 wells per year. They hope to double that number with these federal dollars, but they are still in discussions with these two companies to see if that can be done…:

CUT 11(10)      “…obligated.”

There are about 4500 well across the state.

To address a statewide shortage of qualified nurses, LSU Health New Orleans will teach nurses how to teach nurses. LSU Health’s Leanne Fowler says the school has received a $3-million federal grant to create a new program to help ease the nursing shortage in four states, including Louisiana…:

CUT 03(08)      “…new nurses.”

She says the new nursing academy will focus on the recruitment, education, and retention of licensed nurses.

We’re 4 weeks away from the November 8th elections and today is the final day to register to vote in person. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says over 3 million people are registered to vote, and stresses the importance of exercising this right…:
CUT 6 (13) “election day”
Early voting for November eighth begins October 25th.

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 believes Hoggatt will fight for what the district needs as a whole..:
Cut 8 (11) “or what have you”

The Louisiana Department of Insurance announced Monday its approved rates for the 100,000 plus homeowners who have home insurance policies with Louisiana Citizens to increase by 63%. The change takes effect January 1st, but the increase wouldn’t kick in until a policy holder renews. Citizens is the state’s insurer of last resort, and it made the request because the costs of reinsurance shot up, according to state Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon.

The Louisiana Department of Natural Resources has awarded contracts to Dynamic Group and Lemoine Disaster Recovery to plug abandoned oil and gas wells. D-N-R spokesperson Patrick Courreges (koo·rezh) says Louisiana’s well count is around 45-hundred sites, and plugging them isn’t easy…:
Cut 12 (09) “200-thousand-dollar job”
Courreges says the state currently plugs 120 to 200 wells per year, they hope to double that number with these federal dollars.

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.