Voters could elect a new member to the U-S House of Representatives today. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “  I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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A new law to allow Louisiana election officials to count absentee ballots four days in advance anticipates delivering results sooner than later. Brooke Thorington explains.

cut 2 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”  

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Voters in northeast and central Louisiana and the Florida parishes will select a new Congressman for the 5th district today. There are nine candidates seeking to replace Republican Ralph Abraham, who did not seek re-election. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Abraham’s former chief of staff Luke Letlow has run a strong campaign

Cut 3 (07)  “…radio print”  

Stockley says the question is whether Letlow will end up in a run-off with a Republican or Democrat or win outright. Stockley says state representative Lance Harris, a Republican from Alexandria could get enough support to force a runoff…

Cut 4 (07)   ” from Alexandria   

Stockley says it appears Martin Lemelle, who is the chief operating officer at Grambling State, has the best chance as a Democrat to get in a runoff…

Cut 5 (10) “.Luke Letlow” 

The other Democrats in the race are Candy Christophe, Jesse LaGarde and Phillip Snowden. The other Republicans in the race are Allen Guillory, Matt Hasty, and Ouachita Police Juror Scotty Robinson.

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Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says due to the extensive COVID-mitigation measures in place it is safe to go to the polls today.

Kanter says the risk level is about equivalent to going to the grocery but just like the grocery everyone who attends must mask up. He has this message for those who refuse to wear a mask in line…

Cut 6 (12) “…sick”

Kanter says it’s vital that you keep at least six feet away from everyone else in line, and limit your exposure by knowing what’s on the ballot before you go in to vote.

Cut 7 (11) “…should”

The Secretary of State recommends you download the GeauxVote Mobile App, read and then fill out your ballot on the app then bring it into the booth with you.

Kanter says he early voted and was very impressed by how much effort is going into making sure the voting experience is safe for everyone.

Cut 8 (10) “..distance”

Polls are open until 8 PM today but as long as you are in line by 8 PM you will be allowed to vote.

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Mail ballots are up an estimated 165-percent for this election in Louisiana, compared to the last Presidential election in 2016. But state officials are hoping this will not lead to a delay in getting complete results thanks to a law passed in the most recent special session, authored by Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt.

Cut 9 (09) “election day”

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says it’s a time-consuming process to verify absentee ballots by names and signatures. But Hewitt says election workers got a head start with the ability to prep absentee ballots four days in advance

Cut 10 (13) “…actual ballot”

As of Monday, before the 4:30 p.m. deadline, 180-thousand absentee ballots have already been returned to the registrar of voters, almost double the record set in the July 11^th election.  Hewitt received input from election officials to change absentee ballot procedures.

Cut 11 (10) “…the election.”

Officials anticipate the only delay with results tonight would be if precincts close late due to a long line of voters still waiting to cast their ballot after polls close at 8 p.m. Everyone in line before polls close will be allowed to vote.

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It’s Election Day and the roughly half of voters nationwide who haven’t already cast a ballot are flocking to the polls for the Trump vs. Biden Presidential election.

JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon says we may know a winner tonight but if it’s close there are a few swing states that could really drag this out.

Cut 12 (06) “ .called” 

Those states adopted heavy vote by mail programs for this election, and most of them have little to no experience processing that volume of mail-in ballots.

Couvillon says avid poll watchers should keep a close eye on the results out of North Carolina and Florida tonight which could give us an early idea of who will win…

Cut 13 (11) “…counting them”

Both Florida and North Carolina are polling within the margin of error.

Couvillon says Biden is favored to win because the President has the tougher task in that he’s unlikely to expand his 2016 electoral map and is playing defense across a wide range of states.

Cut 14 (11) “Georgia” 

The final polls of the cycle show the President facing substantial deficits in the “Blue Wall” northern Midwest states and running neck and neck in the traditionally red Georgia.

Louisiana’s flood protection systems weathered five named storms this year and appear to be doing ok. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “  I’m Matt Doyle”  

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A UNO Survey shows Governor Edwards has a 56-percent job approval rating. Brooke Thorington has more

cut 2 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”  

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The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority believes the state’s flood protection systems are in good shape after tested by a record hurricane season.

CPRA Chief of Engineering Rudy Simoneaux says one problem area was the Burrito Levee in Grand Isle that breached during Zeta. He says it will need some repairs.

Cut 3 (10)  “…levee”  

The Burrito Levee is a seven-mile, 13-foot tall structure of dry clay covered in tarp protecting the city that faces the Gulf. Despite the breach, most Grand Isle homes are reportedly ok due to being highly elevated on stilts.

Simoneaux says this week they’re aiming to get down into lower Terrebonne Parish near Cocodrie where the storm made landfall for further inspections.

Cut 4 (09)   “storm”   

Simoneaux says a lot of the projects out in southwest Louisiana did pretty well despite being hammered by Laura and Delta.

Cut 5 (09) “.also” 

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Amendment 7 on the statewide ballot would protect unclaimed property money in a new trust fund. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says each year if new collections entrusted to the Treasurer exceed what’s collected by rightful owners, the difference goes into the state’s general fund.

Cut 6 (11) “…general fund”

Scott says in the past the Treasurer’s Office on average would locate approximately 25-thousand owners annually, but now Treasure John Schroder with new technology and more staff is locating 250-thousand owners a year. So there is less excess to go to the general fund.

Cut 7 (11) “…general fund”

Unclaimed property consists of for example your grandmother purchased you a CD and the bank couldn’t find you, it’s then turned over to the state…

Cut 8 (12) “..to the state”

Proponents of the Amendment say it protects money that belongs to the people. Opponents say the program has existed for close to 50 years and has never had more claims than collections in a year.

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A UNO Research Center survey indicates a 56-percent job approval rating for Governor John Bel Edwards. The random poll of 755 respondents asked participants to rate his job performance and also questioned about COVID-19.  Research Center Director, Professor Ed Chervenak…

Cut 9 (11) “job approval”

Chervenak says 67-percent of respondents feel COVID is a serious problem and that is proportionate with Edwards job approval rating.

Cut 10 (11) “overwhelmingly disapprove”

A gender gap is present in the job approval ratings of the Democratic governor. Half of the males surveyed favored the governor’s job performance while 61-percent of females approved. Chervenak says nationally women tend to vote democrat.

Cut 11 (09) “…Republican State.”

The survey was conducted on October 22

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Power should be back on for most Zeta-impacted customers by Wednesday but could be out for pockets of customers in the lower southeast parishes until Saturday according to Entergy.

Entergy CEO Phillip May says the lower portions of Plaquemines, St. Bernard, Jefferson, and Lafourche Parishes took a real beating.

Cut 12 (07) “ .damage” 

The election is Tuesday and May says for polling stations that don’t have power by then, they will provide “power pods” that can power the station for the day.

Cut 13 (07) “…available”

But May says the priority right now is restoring electricity to those polling stations and getting them back on the grid.

Cut 14 (10) “pods” 

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Senator Bill Cassidy faces his first reelection effort with Democrat and Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins his biggest threat on tomorrow’s ballot. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “   I’m Matt Doyle”

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Louisiana State Police has a new Superintendent, 25 year LSP vet Lamar Davis. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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LSU’s Law School and Innocence Project New Orleans receive a Department of Justice grant to establish a Wrongful Conviction Clinic. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington”  

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Senator Bill Cassidy is up for another six-year term in the Senate on the Tuesday ballot facing 14 challengers headlined by the Democratic Mayor of Shreveport Adrian Perkins.

Cassidy says if given another term he’ll focus on reducing healthcare costs, improving the VA, and passing a substantial infrastructure package that would spur construction across the state.

Cut 4 (12) “Louisiana”

Cassidy won the seat in 2014, defeating incumbent three-term Democrat Mary Landrieu 56-44.

But Perkins says Louisianans need a leader in D.C. who will prioritize COVID-related issues like reinstating federal unemployment benefits and winning aid for struggling local governments.

Cut 5 (10) “…career”

Perkins, a Harvard grad, became the youngest mayor in Shreveport history when he won in 2018. It was also his first foray into politics.

The Democrat has hammered Cassidy for his vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act early in the Trump presidency.

Cut 6 (09) “Louisianans”

Cassidy, a doctor, doesn’t regret his vote for repealing what he called the “Unaffordable Care Act”. He says middle-class families can’t pay Obamacare premiums, but even so, he’s worked to fix that…

Cut 7 (09) “year”

Limited polling show Perkins as the top Democrat in the race with Baton Rouge activist Antoine Pierce in 3rd. A potential run-off would be held on December 5th if no candidate wins over 50 percent.

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State Police Captain Lamar Davis has been promoted to LSP Superintendent, replacing Col. Kevin Reeves who retired after three years running the department. Governor John Bel Edwards says Davis is a 25 year LSP vet who has worked a lot of different jobs in the department.

Cut 8 (06) “..technology.”

Reeves is ending a 30-year career with State Police. Edwards says this retirement has been planned for about a year and is not related to the ongoing investigation into the May 2019 death of Ronald Greene, a black man who died while in State Police custody. Green’s family alleges he had been brutalized by officers leading to his death.

Edwards, a former paratrooper, says he’s a fan of Davis’ military background.

Cut 9 (12) “Guard”

Davis also has an undergrad and master’s degree from Southern University.

Edwards says it’s a tough time for anyone to step into the position but Davis has his confidence and approval.

Cut 10 (06) “…colleagues”

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A department of Justice grant to the LSU Law Center and Innocence Project New Orleans will establish a Wrongful Conviction Clinic at the school. Assistant Dean of Experiential Education Robert Lancaster says the half a million grant will allow students to learn about the causes and remedies of wrongful convictions and procedures.

Cut 11 (08) “wrongfully convicted”

Lancaster says the Clinic will allow IPNO to expand its capacity to review cases, locate evidence, and conduct DNA testing. It will also allow LSU Law students to gain practical experience.

Cut 12 (10) “in-law school”.

Lancaster says the goal is to enroll six to eight law students, each semester in the program.

Cut 13 (11) “practice rule”

As of October 2020, IPNO has already assisted in the exoneration or freeing of 36 innocent individuals who’ve spent a combined total of more than 873 years in prison. 

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The Saints won their fourth straight last night pulling off a hard-fought victory in Chicago by beating the Bears 26-23 in overtime on a Wil Lutz 35-yard field goal. It was redemption for Lutz, who missed a 27-yard field goal in the first quarter, his first miss of the season…

Cut 14 (13)     “go through” 

Quarterback Drew Brees threw for 280 yards and two touchdowns on a windy night. Alvin Kamara had 163 total yards and the defense sacked Nick Foles five times and intercepted him once. During the Saints’ four-game winning streak, each victory has been by six points or less. Safety Malcolm Jenkins says they knew they would have to grind this victory out…

Cut 15 (14) “.each other”

The Saints are 5-2 and tied with Tampa Bay for first place in the NFC South. The Buccaneers visit the Giants tonight and host New Orleans next Sunday night.

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The Ragin Cajuns rolled up a season-high 614 yards of offense in a 44-34 win over Texas State. Quarterback Levi Lewis threw for 332 yards and two touchdowns and Trey Ragas rushed for 131 yards and three scores. Coach Billy Napier says the offense needed to play well after giving up a season-high 34 points

cut 16 (14) “ skill groups”

Louisiana Tech ended a two-game losing streak on Saturday with a wild 37-34 double-overtime victory over UAB. The Bulldogs trailed by two touchdowns entering the fourth quarter and tied the game with 10 seconds left and won the contest on a 35-yard field goal by Jacob Barnes. Coach Skip Holtz says it was a strange game, but a big win…

cut 17 (23)   stepped up”

Tech travels to Denton on Saturday to face North Texas.

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There is a lot to dissect following LSU’s embarrassing 48-11 loss to Auburn on Saturday. The offense could only rush for 32 yards and Freshman quarterback TJ Finley struggled in his first road start as he threw two interceptions and also fumbled which led to an Auburn touchdown. Coach Ed Orgeron you can’t pin this loss on Finley or Max Johnson who threw one touchdown pass in mop-up duty…

cut 18 (18) ” of protection ” 

LSU’s defense struggled again on Saturday allowing Auburn quarterback Bo Nix to throw for 300 yards and three TDs. The War Eagles also rushed for 206 yards and LSU’s defense failed to record a sack. With the Tigers off this Saturday could they make a decision with defensive coordinator Bo Pelini? Orgeron says do not expect any midseason coaching changes…

cut 19 (10)    “everything” 

LSU’s next game is November 14th against second-ranked Alabama. Linebacker Jabril Cox says they can’t dwell on this loss…

cut 20 (13) “two weeks”

Louisiana State Police has a new Superintendent, 25 year LSP vet Lamar Davis. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Media outlets have reported that the New Orleans police officer who was shot in the face by a man in a pedicad is officer Trevor Abney.  Abney is considered to be in serious but stable condition after the man fired numerous shots into the windshield of his police cruiser.  Abney has been with NOPD since joining as a recruit in 2015.  Abney was taken to a local area hospital where he is being treated for his injuries.

Officials are optimistic that the power won’t be out for much longer in southeast Louisiana for most customers.  Crews have been working around the clock to restore power outages due to hurricane Zeta.  Entergy CEO Phillip May says Zeta delivered heavy wind damage in many places but thankfully didn’t damage core pieces of the Entergy grid. That being said…

Cut 13 (08) “…forth”

McNeese State plans on students returning to campus for the 2021 spring semester despite the damage done by the recent hurricanes.  President Daryl Burckel says students, faculty, and alumni can keep track of the rebuild process by visiting come-home-cowboys-dot-com.

Cut 5 (11) “fully complete”

Governor John Bel Edwards is once again surveying damage following a powerful hurricane that struck the state. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 1 (32) “  I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Parishes in southeast Louisiana are assessing damage and beginning the cleanup and recovery from a rare late October storm. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (40) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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Southeast Louisiana is recovering from the fifth named storm to make landfall in the state this year, the near category three Hurricane Zeta.

Governor Edwards says unfortunately we are reporting the first storm-related death, a 55-year-old New Orleans man who died from electrocution due to a downed powerline.

Cut 3 (11)  “…gentleman”  

Power is out to *469,000* customers in Louisiana but Edwards says the good news is preliminary estimates show it won’t be weeks before the lights come on for most customers.

Cut 4 (11)   “.roads”   

Three breaches have been reported in the Burrito Levee in Grand Isle. CPRA is on the scene assessing the damage.

Edwards surveyed much of southeast Louisiana today by helicopter and says most damage appears to be wind-related.

Cut 5 (08) “.homes”

1,940 National Guardsmen have been activated in support of emergency operations in the state.

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Hurricane Zeta was still a Category One storm when the center of the storm reached St. Tammany Parish.  Parish President Mike Cooper says that even though the storm had weakened by the time it got there, St. Tammany still felt some significant winds.

Cut 6 (12) “…trees down”

Cooper says another problem for St. Tammany is power outages, which is causing unsafe driving conditions for citizens in the area.

Cut 7 (07) “…power outages”

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St. Bernard Parish President Guy McInnis says winds of 100-miles per hour were clocked at their emergency operations center

Cut 8 (11) “..power lines”   (2x)

McInnis says there were no serious injuries during the storm and he would like to keep it that way…

Cut 9 (10) “shouldn’t be”

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Zeta made landfall near Cocodrie, which is located in Terrebonne Parish. Lieutenant Brennan Matherne with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s office says the southern end of the parish took a big hit…

Cut 10 (08) “structures”

Numerous trees are down and there’s property damage in Golden Meadow and Leeville. Zeta was a fast-moving storm and Matherne says the speed of the storm helped minimize the damage.

Cut 11 (12) “…quickly.”

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The only levee failures from Hurricane Zeta occurred in Grand Isle as the Category Two storm caused three breaches in what as known as the burrito levee, a large roll of plastic filled with sand. Jefferson Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Joseph Valiente says the breaches have led to flooding in the coastal town…

Cut 12 (12) “ .down there” 

The governor’s office says they have pumps trying to drain the water.

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To say the Bayou State is experiencing weather extremes is an understatement, after a Category Two hurricane strikes the state, now we are experiencing much cooler temperatures in less than 24 hours. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this is a very odd one-two punch.

Cut 13 (12) “…time of year”

The cold front is a welcome respite as many are without power after Zeta barreled through.

Cut 14 (12) high temp (x2)” 

Keim says the next couple of days could be even colder, not significantly but definitely chilly.

Cut 15 (12) “in the 60s” 

Keim says this is the second latest storm to make landfall in Louisiana with records going back to 1851, the latest was Hurricane Juan in 1985 on October 31st.

The family of a mentally ill Shreveport man who died after an incident with police is seeking a 25 million dollar settlement from the city. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “  I’m Matt Doyle”  

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The head of State Police, Colonel Kevin Reeves, is retiring on Friday, while a federal investigation is ongoing into the death of a Black man while in State Police custody. Jeff Palermo has the story

cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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The family of Tommie McGlothen Jr., a mentally ill man who died after being in Shreveport Police custody, is seeking a 25 million dollar wrongful death settlement from the City of Shreveport.

Video shows McGlothen being severely beaten for several minutes after being subdued by officers, he was then left unattended in a police cruiser for 48 minutes and later died. Family attorney James Carter…

Cut 3 (11)  “…forward”  

The incident occurred on April 5^th and the four officers involved are now also facing negligent homicide and malfeasance criminal charges.

Carter says they have a strong case and notes the Shreveport City Council has requested the Department of Justice investigate SPD for patterns of civil rights violations…

Cut 4 (09)   “.citizens”   

Carter hopes the city won’t drag this out by waiting for the criminal side of this case to be settled.

Cut 5 (10) “..resolved”

Carter says the City has until Thursday to respond to the request or the family will file a lawsuit seeking those damages. Mayor Adrian Perkins, who is currently running for Senate, had no comment on the pending litigation.

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The head of State Police is retiring at a time when the L-S-P is the subject of a federal civil rights investigation looking into the death of a Black man while in State Police custody last year. Colonel Kevin Reeves’ retirement is effective Friday. Governor John Bel Edwards calls Reeves a dedicated law enforcement official…

Cut 6 (06) “…going forward”

Despite the controversy surrounding the death of Ronald Greene, Edwards says he did not lose confidence in Colonel Reeves and his retirement announcement has been in the works.

Cut 7 (07) “…for retiring”

Reeves has been with State Police for over 30 years and was named Superintendent in March 2017. In May of 2019, State Police said Greene died in a high-speed crash near Monroe. But body-camera video shows officers choking and beating him. There have been other controversies with State Police as well, but Edwards says he never lost confidence in Reeves and knew of his retirement plans since last year…

Cut 8 (05) “…asked for”

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Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is riding out Hurricane Zeta in Plaquemines Parish, where he once served as parish president. Nungesser is concerned about flooding as construction continues on a federal levee system…

Cut 9 (12) “overtopping”

Nungesser says Zeta is a fast-moving storm at 18 miles per hour.

100 mile per hour sustained winds are certainly possible in southeast Louisiana and Nungesser says if you’re still in the area hunker down until the storm passes.

Cut 10 (10) “safe”

Zeta is the record 5^th named storm to make landfall in Louisiana. Nungesser says it’s been a tough hurricane season but we’re almost out of it, and hopefully, this is the last storm of the year…

Cut 11 (10) “…over.”

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Hurricane Zeta has strengthened into a strong Category Two storm with maximum sustained winds of 110 miles per hour as the storm is expected to make landfall soon along the Lafourche-Terrebonne Parish line. Zeta will race past New Orleans and eastern St. Tammany Parish. Shawn O’Neil with the National Weather Service says heavy rainfall is likely, but Zeta’s fierce winds are a bigger concern

Cut 12 (05) “ ..numerous” 

Governor Edwards says 5,500 workers are staged to restore power quickly.

Because Hurricane Zeta has strengthened, O’Neil says storm surge projections have gone up…

Cut 13 (12) “…Mississippi coast”

Zeta will also produce heavy rainfall and O’Neil says flash flooding is possible as two to four inches of rain could fall in the New Orleans metro area.

Cut 14 (13) concern” 

A tornado watch is in effect until midnight for the New Orleans metro area, plus Washington, St. Tammany, Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes.

Governor John Bel Edwards says unfortunately it will be a rough evening for southeastern Louisiana…

Cut 15 (12) “weather aware” 

Coastal parishes in southeast Louisiana are bracing for their first direct hit from a hurricane this year. Taylor Sharp has more….

Cut 1 (30) “  I’m Taylor Sharp”  

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LSU police have arrested a member of the cleaning crew at Tiger Stadium after he allegedly mugged a fan and then bragged about the attack. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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Tropical Storm Zeta is expected to make landfall near southeast Louisiana tomorrow as a category 1 hurricane. John Rahaim is the Director of Emergency Preparedness for St. Bernard Parish says they are bracing for winds up to 90 miles per hour tomorrow night…

Cut 3 (08)  “…hear it”  

Zeta is projected to be a fast moving storm which should help reduce the damage, however, when the storm finally passes through, Rahaim says that he expects a wide variety of damage to be present in the area.

Cut 4 (10)   “…storm”   

St. Bernard is not the only parish preparing for the storm, Lieutenant Brennan Matherne with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office says that Lafourche parish is expecting significant winds to be the biggest impact from this storm.

Cut 5 (07) “…issues”

Due to the expected high winds, Lt. Matherne advises residents to tie down any loose furniture around their home.

Cut 6 (07) “…debris”

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A hurricane warning is in effect from Morgan City to the Mississippi/Alabama border. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Zeta is expected to bring hurricane conditions to portions of the Northern Gulf of Mexico Wednesday.

Cut 7 (09) “…warm water”

Keim says most of the models are in agreement on Zeta’s path as the cone of uncertainty begins to narrow.

Cut 8 (12) “…Bay area”

Zeta is expected to make landfall Wednesday evening as a Category 1 storm

Keim says storm surge warnings are in place from Port Fourchon to the Pearl River, basically all of southeast Louisiana, between four and six feet.

Cut 9 (12) “lot of rain”

Rainfall amounts are predicted to be between two and five inches.

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Metairie native, Judge Amy Coney Barrett has been confirmed to the US Supreme Court, filling a vacancy left by the departed Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Senator John Kennedy touted the nomination saying Barrett is a judge who understands judicial restraint.

Cut 10 (07) “impressed”

The vote was 52-48 strictly along party lines with only one Republican joining with Democrats in voting against her nomination.

Kennedy says Barrett has an impressive, and unimpeachable past having graduated from Dominican High, Rhodes College, and Notre Dame…

Cut 11 (10) “…hint.”

Senator Bill Cassidy echoed Kennedy’s sentiments, saying “Friends and relatives of Amy Coney Barrett in Metairie and across Louisiana are right to feel particularly proud at this moment.”

Kennedy celebrated Barrett’s personal and family life, saying she’s a person of good character.

Cut 12 (09) “ ..Christian” 

Democrats argue the nomination should never have gone forward, citing precedent set by Senate Republicans in the last year of the Obama Administration about nominations during an election year.

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Residents impacted by Hurricane Laura now have another month to register for FEMA disaster assistance. FEMA Spokesperson Melissa Wilkins says homeowners and renters can apply for aid which includes temporary housing, rental assistance and to repair or replace damage to property.

Cut 13 (10) “…November 27th”

Wilkins says there are three ways residents you can register for assistance…

Cut 14 (09) “… 800-number”

That phone number is 1-800-621-FEMA

Wilkins says FEMA assistance can cover a range of expenses from housing to medical care.

Cut 15 (12) “as possible” 

The deadline for those impacted by Hurricane Delta has been extended to December 15^th.

The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season is not done with Louisiana as another storm is expected to make landfall in the Bayou State. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “  I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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Attorney General Jeff Landry says the signing of a legislative petition clearly states the Governor no longer has any authority to enforce his COVID public health emergency orders. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Hurricane Zeta is expected to enter the southern Gulf of Mexico tomorrow morning as a hurricane and then track across the gulf with a likely landfall in southeast Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the official forecast track has Zeta as a Category one storm when it makes landfall Wednesday night

Cut 3 (10)  “…this landfall”  

It will be the fifth named storm to make landfall in Louisiana in 2020 and the eleventh for the United States. Keim says the previous record was nine, set in 1916. He says Zeta also ties a record for most named storms in a season with 27 which was set in 2005

Cut 4 (10)   “…170-year period”   

After Zeta passes over Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula it will move northwest, and then turn to the northeast because of an approaching cold front

Cut 5 (12) “…too long”

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Passage of Amendment Six on the November ballot would allow senior citizens with higher income levels to qualify for a property tax assessment freeze. Currently, if you are 65 or older and make less than $77-thousand annually your property taxes can be frozen for your homestead. Public Affairs Research Council President, Robert Travis Scott, says passage would increase the annual income limit.

Cut 6 (08) “…or less”

Scott says Amendment 6 should be attractive for senior voters whose income falls in between the current levels.

Cut 7 (12) “…very popular”

Opponents however feel the change in income levels would force local governments to be more dependent on sales tax revenue which is more volatile.

Cut 8 (06) “…we stop”

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Attorney General Jeff Landry says the Governor’s public health emergency has been terminated for seven days and he now has no authority to enforce COVID restrictions.

After the House signed a petition Friday overturning the order many businesses began operating without restrictions. Landry says if the state penalizes you or tries to shut you down for doing that…

Cut 9 (12) “did”

According to the petition’s supporters, the Governor is allowed to issue another public health declaration Friday that would re-implement Phase Three.

Landry says businesses no longer have to abide by the Governor’s public health restrictions, but they can maintain policies such as a mask mandate…

Cut 10 (09) “want to”

Governor Edwards announced Monday afternoon he is filing a lawsuit challenging the petition from state lawmakers and he says Phase Three restrictions are still in place. Landry says he’s ready to defend the petition in court

Cut 11 (08) “…case.”

The petition was signed by 65 House GOP lawmakers at the end of the special session amidst frustrations that legislative attempts to limit or eliminate the Governor’s public health authority had failed. Many say their constituents feel the ongoing restrictions are hurting businesses and hampering the state’s recovery, but Edwards says that just doesn’t make any sense…

Cut 12 (10) “ ..states” 

Edwards says if his order is overturned…

Cut 13 (13) “…testing”

The Governor adds that it would also block GOHSEP from providing additional nurses and doctors to medical facilities in areas that see a surge in cases, and stops the National Guard from processing and transporting pandemic supplies like PPE and testing kits around the state.

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A bizarre killing spree with a knife took in LaPlace on Sunday that resulted in the deaths of two individuals and serious injuries to the suspect’s sister. St John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Mike Trege says 23- year old Oscar Urisa attacked and killed his 31-year old girlfriend and her 15-year old sister, and also stabbed his 17-year old sister and 15-year old brother with a machete.

Cut 14 (11) “… his sister”

Trege says the horrific attacks began at a residence on Fairway Drive when Urias’s girlfriend, Elizabeth Tornbene followed the suspect into his bedroom, then Urias immerged wearing a mask and yielding two knives into the living room.

Cut 15 (06) “killing people” 

The suspect was apprehended after allegedly stabbing and killing the 15-year old sister of his girlfriend in a garage on North Sugar Ridge.

Trege says Urias’s 17-year old sister was also injured in the attack and this is the most vicious crime he’s ever investigated.

Cut 16 (12) “…my 32-years” 

Urias is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder.

Governor Edwards unloaded on the 65 House lawmakers who signed a petition Friday ordering him to end the pandemic public health emergency declaration. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “   I’m Matt Doyle”

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DOTD cuts the ribbon on the I-10 widening from Highland Road in Baton Rouge to Interstate 73 in Ascension Parish Parish today. Brooke Thorington has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

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A Pennington Biomedical Research survey shows pandemic lockdowns reduced mental health and increased weight gain around the world. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington”  

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Governor John Bel Edwards passionately rebuked House Republicans for signing a legislative petition Friday ordering him to end all pandemic public health orders.

Edwards says the 65 Republicans who signed the petition have their heads buried in the sand and refuse to acknowledge that the pandemic is still raging, killing 5,631 people in Louisiana

Cut 4 (07) “seriously”

The petition also orders the Governor not to issue any additional public health emergency declarations for a week. Edwards never-the-less renewed Phase Three for another 30 days telling state residents that the restrictions are still in place.

Edwards appears set to challenge the petition in court…

Cut 5 (14) “…die”

Attorney General Jeff Landry believes the petition is constitutional and told House Republicans he would defend it in court.

Edwards repeated his warning that canceling the emergency would lead to a significant loss of federal emergency funding obtained through the Stafford Act…

Cut 6 (08) “funding”

He also listed a number of other ways it would cripple the state’s pandemic response from blocking state agencies from coordinating with local governments to provide PPE to removing the National Guard’s ability to conduct local testing.

Crowley Republican Representative John Stefanski argued the seven-day ban on COVID restrictions is reasonable and could demonstrate the state is ready to advance past Phase Three…

Cut 7 (09) “as well”

Stefanski says signing the petition was the only option left for lawmakers. He says the Governor rejected all compromise efforts to make the Legislature a partner in COVID policy.

Cut 8 (08) “…on that”

Senate President Page Cortez weighed in on why a similar petition was not circulated in the Upper Chamber. He said Senators were concerned that there wasn’t enough data to back up revoking the emergency and that the petition also prevents the Governor from reissuing orders should we have another spike in cases.

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Construction has officially finished on the 72 million dollar widening of Interstate Ten from Baton Rouge to Ascension Parish. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says it’s a major relief for folks living in the fast-growing region… 

Cut 9 (09) “time”

The project stretches 6.5 miles from Highland Road in Baton Rouge to LA 73 in Ascension Parish and included new bridges above Highland Road and at Bayou Manchac.  

Wilson says this is a big deal for anyone driving in or out of New Orleans and will shave an estimated 15 minutes off the standard commute through the region.  

Cut 10 (10) “…compensate”

The project took two years to complete and was the fasted design-build project in the history of the department.  

Wilson says while it’s not the biggest or most expensive project in recent history it will make life better for the roughly 100,000 drivers who travel through this corridor every day.  

Cut 11 (08) “that way”

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A Pennington Biomedical Research Center survey in April shows similar behaviors worldwide during the stay at home orders. Co-Head Researcher Dr. Emily Flannagan says they evaluated behavioral changes such as diet, physical activity, mental health, and sleep. Flannagan says respondents with increased anxiety noted a shift in sleep patterns.

Cut 12 (11) “numbers locally.”.

Flannagan says the survey indicated 25-percent of respondents indicated weight gain despite a similar increase of home-cooked meals.

Cut 13 (11) “snacking behaviors.”

The survey also showed a decrease in physical activity and an increase in sedentary lifestyles.

Flannagan says as the pandemic continues healthcare providers should monitor their patient’s behavioral changes either in person or virtually.

Cut 14 (11) “…time goes on”

More than 12-thousand participated in the study from more than 50 countries. The majority were from the US, with half from Louisiana.

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The Saints won their 15th straight game in the month of October as they held off Carolina 27-24 to improve to 4-2. Quarterback Drew Brees was efficient as he threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a rushing touchdown. Brees’ second TD pass came at the end of the first half to give New Orleans a 21-17 halftime lead

Cut 15 (08) “..the game”

The Saints were without their top two receivers as Michael Thomas missed another game due to injuries and Emmanuel was out after testing positive for COVID. But Marquez Callaway stepped up and caught eight passes, so did Alvin Kamara and Kamara added 83 rushing yards. Brees says they are finding different ways to win…

cut 16 (12) “do that”

Carolina Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater played in his return to New Orleans as he threw for 254 yards and two touchdowns. He led Carolina on a potential game tying drive in the fourth quarter, but Marcus Davenport sacked him which led to a 65-yard field goal. Coach Sean Payton knows kicker Joey Slye has a strong leg…

cut 17 (12)   good win”

The Saints are 4-2, a half game back of Tampa Bay who beat the Raiders on Sunday. New Orleans is at Chicago next Sunday. The Bears visit the L-A Rams tonight.

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It was an impressive debut for freshman quarterback TJ Finley as he threw for 265 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for a score in a 52-24 win over South Carolina. Finley says he was well prepared heading into his first collegiate start…

cut 18 (25) ” very quick” 

The LSU running game complimented Finley as the Tigers rushed for 265 yards. Running back John Emery was impressed with Finley’s demeanor…

cut 19 (19) “so calm”‘

The defense gave up a few big plays, but showed improvement since the loss to Missouri. And Trey Palmer returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown. Finley believes the win can turn their season around…

cut 20 (24) “together today”