Breaking news… House Republicans have nominated Steve Scalise of Jefferson Parish to be the next speaker of the U-S House. Scalise won the House GOP speakership nomination, beating out Jim Jordan of Ohio. To make it official, the entire U-S House will need to vote, which will take place this afternoon on the House floor.

Constitutional amendment three on Saturday’s ballot asks voters if they want to require state lawmakers to use 25 percent of any state surplus to pay retirement debt for the four state retirement systems. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson authored the amendment and says the state spends over a billion dollars every year just in interest on this debt…
Cut 13 (09) “… other things.”
Currently, lawmakers must use at least 10 percent of any state budget surplus to pay down a portion of the retirement debt.

The 2023 Louisiana Litter Study reveals taxpayers are paying more than $91 million annually on litter abatement, a 65 percent increase since 2010. Keep Louisiana Beautiful Director Susan Russell says unfortunately most of that money is going towards cleaning up the state instead of getting residents to stop trashing it
Cut 3 (13) “…long term.”
Prevention and education account for only 10 percent of the overall cost.

The second-largest lottery jackpot ever has its drawing tonight as the Powerball jackpot is an estimated 1.73 billion dollars. The odds of winning are one in 292-million and Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says there have been 17 Powerball grand prize winners in Louisiana’s history….
cut 7 (12) “…this magnitude”

Members of Congress are scheduled to choose a new Speaker of the House today and former president Trump has endorsed Ohio Representative Jim Jordon. Louisiana’s Steve Scalise is the other contender but Of the Louisiana house members, only Julia Letlow has voiced support for Scalise. With little backing from Scalise’s own state, LSU Political Science Professor Dr. Robert Hogan says it’s indicative of a deep division within the Republican party.

Cut 9 (09)  “…on top.”

And Hogan says, many Republican congressional members are fearful Trump’s endorsement of Jordan, could be used against them among voters if they support Scalise instead.

Gas prices are still over $3 a gallon but perhaps they’re headed in the right direction. Regular grade is down almost 2 cents a gallon compared to a month ago. The Current average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.19.

Finally a little rain for South Louisiana that’s Thanks to a disturbance in the Gulf. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Small business and optimism nationwide dropped in September and National Federation of Independent Business State Director Dawn McVea says sales growth has slowed, and owners have limited options for relief.

Cut 4 (11) “…to operate.”

Louisiana State Police is holding a press conference today at One PM to announce what they call are agency-wide transformational reform initiatives. L-S-P hired consultants last year after they were accused of hiding information about the fatal arrest of Ronald Greene in 2019. Greene was beaten by troopers. LSP originally told his family he died as a result of injuries sustained in a car crash.

Inflation remains the top problem for small business owners nationwide. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Saturday is election day and there are four constitutional amendments on the ballot. The Council for a Better Louisiana supports Amendment three which would require state lawmakers to use 25-percent of state surplus funds to pay down retirement debt. The author of the amendment is Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson, who says the goal is to pay down debt, to have more money in the future…
cut 15 (07) “….moving forward”

Thousands will buy Powerball tickets today in the hopes of winning tonight’s 1.73 billion dollar jackpot. Louisiana Lottery Spokesperson Dustin Annison says tonight’s drawing is the second-largest jackpot in the game’s history and it follows another billion-dollar jackpot in July….
cut 6 (07) “…very exciting”
Tickets can be purchases up until 9 PM tonight.

Who’s going to be crowned the next Speaker of the House? Among the possible candidates are Louisiana’s Steve Scalise and Ohio Representative Jim Jordan.  Dr. Robert Hogan, LSU Political Science Professor says it’s indicative of the deep division within the Republican party.

Cut 9 (09)  “…on top.”

Congressional members are scheduled to vote for the next Speaker of the House today.

Election Day is Saturday and voters will cast a ballot for Constitutional Amendment Three which requires state lawmakers to use 25 percent of any state surplus to pay retirement debt for the four state retirement systems. The amendment’s author, Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says it’s time the state takes a serious approach towards paying off retirement debt…

Cut 14 (08) “…pet project.”

The Council for a Better Louisiana is in support of Amendment Three. Nelson says the goal is to pay down debt to have more money in the future…

Small business optimism nationwide declined slightly in September due to concern over inflation. National Federation of Independent Business State Director Dawn McVea says sales growth has slowed, leaving owners with limited options for financial relief.

Cut 4 (11) “…to operate.”

Optimism fell by half a point in September to 90.8 marking the 21st consecutive month below the 49-year average of 98.

Rain is in the forecast today for southwest Louisiana due to a disturbance in the gulf. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the rain will cause a drop in temperatures.

Cut 11 (12) “…the weekend.”

For the Saturday, Keim says weatherwise it will be, believe it or not, an improvement to what Louisiana experienced last weekend…

Congressional members are scheduled to vote their next Speaker of the House today. Among the contenders are Louisiana’s Steve Scalise and Ohio Representative Jim Jordan. LSU Political Science Professor Dr. Robert Hogan believes the election process will take a while..:
Cut 8 (10) “…anytime soon.”
When former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was elected in January it took fifteen rounds of voting and several concessions to far-right party members.

Small business optimism nationwide dips in September as inflation remains the single greatest problem in operating a business. National Federation of Independent Business State Director Dawn McVea says the report also found that 43 percent of owners reported job openings that were hard to fill…:
Cut 5 (12) “just frustrating”

Thanks to a disturbance in the Gulf south Louisiana will have rain today. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville ranks in the top 10 as one of the most haunted destinations in the world, according to a recent report from Planet Cruise. Analyzing data from Trip Advisor, the Myrtles had 179 haunted mentions, and 62 spooky mentions.

Gas prices continue to fall in Louisiana. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular dropped another penny overnight to $3.19 which is over 10 cents lower than the same time last week.

After hearing from potential candidates last night, the US House begins the lengthy process of choosing the next Speaker…:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The state is getting some badly needed rain today into tomorrow, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says this disturbance will leave behind a delightful weekend…:
Cut 12 (11) “absolutely glorious”

The NFIB Small Business Optimism index decreased again in September as inflation remains the owners’ most important problem. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea…:
Cut 6 (10) “the year”
She says the latest report also found 43 percent of owners reported job openings that were hard to fill.

Constitutional amendment three on Saturday’s ballot asks voters if they want to require lawmakers to use 25 percent of any state surplus to pay retirement debt for the four state retirement systems. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson, who authored the amendment, says the state spends over a billion dollars every year just in interest on this debt…:
Cut 13 (09) “other things”
Opponents of the amendment say state surplus dollars help fund road and bridge work, coastal restoration, and other infrastructure needs.

Congressional members are scheduled to vote on their next Speaker of the House today. Among the contenders are Louisiana’s Steve Scalise and Ohio Representative Jim Jordan. LSU Political Science Professor Dr. Robert Hogan expects it will be a close race between the two…:
Cut 7 (09) “the Democrats”
Former President Trump has endorsed Jordan and the only member of Louisiana’s congressional delegation to voice their support for Scalise is Congresswoman Julia Letlow.

South Louisiana, grab your umbrella when you leave the house today. When is the last time you’ve heard that? Lots of rain is in the forecast thanks to a disturbance in the gulf…:
CUT 10 (09) “the state”
That’s State Climatologist Barry Keim who says rain will last most of today into Thursday.

Inflation remains the top problem for small business owners nationwide resulting in less optimism for the future. Teiko Foxx has more…:
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

It’s World Day Against the Death Penalty and faith leaders from across Louisiana met at the Governor’s Mansion this morning urging Governor Edwards to call for clemency hearings for prisoners facing the death penalty. Advocate to abolish the death penalty, Sister Helen Prejean…

Cut 8 (09) “…our citizens.”

Faith leaders also prayed for the death row inmates and the family members of their victims.

Less than 350 thousand people cast votes during the early voting period that ended last Saturday and the Secretary of State’s Office predicts between 42 and 46 percent of registered voters will turnout for Saturday’s gubernatorial primary election. JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillon is projecting a lower turnout.

Cut 11 (09) “…total voter turnout.”

Grab your umbrellas tomorrow. A downpour is headed to southeast Louisiana as a result of a tropical wave in the Gulf of Mexico. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee…

Cut 6 (09) “…during the evening”

The New Orleans area and St. Tammany Parish are expected to get more than two inches of rain. The Lafayette area could see about an inch of rain and less than half an inch for southwest Louisiana.

Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy are offering consumers big deals- weeks before Black Friday weekend. Bankrate Senior Industry Analyst Ted Rossman says a third of holiday shoppers expect inflation to impact their buying habits. He says early shoppers are looking for coupons, discounts, and sales.

Cut 4 (11) “…for discounts.”

While retailers are offering early promotions, Rossman says shoppers are eager to get the best deals but they are also being smart spenders.

JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillon says this is the lowest interest he’s ever seen in a Louisiana governor’s race. And Couvillon says, surprisingly more registered Republicans participated in early voting than Democrats…

Cut 12 (10) “.Democratic Friendly”  

Couvillon says participation among black voters was also down.

The Desoto Parish Clerk of Court turned himself in and was arrested today on misdemeanor charges of electioneering. Jeremy Evans posted pictures of himself on Social Media showing his September 20^th visit to 2 Mansfield nursing homes. The photos showed Evans was wearing a shirt with a “re-elect Jeremy Evans” logo on it and campaign literature in his hand. LA law says no candidate can solicit votes, hand out campaign literature or place any political advertising in nursing homes past a certain date.

This morning Members of Louisiana InterFaith against Executions (L.I.F.E.) presented Governor Edwards with a letter signed by more than 100 faith leaders asking him and the Pardon Board to grant clemency hearings for all of the inmates awaiting execution.

Baton Rouge Catholic Bishop Michael Gerard Duca says he believes Edwards is doing all he can on behalf of death row inmates.

Cut 9 (12) “…support it.” 

A settlement reached after an injunction was filed on behalf of Louisiana District Attorneys means most of the 56 inmates on death row with not have clemency hearings. The ruling is being appealed

We’re more than a month from Thanksgiving but major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Best Buy are already offering Black Friday discounts, weeks before the traditional holiday shopping season. Bankrate Senior Industry Analyst Ted Rossman says an early start gives shoppers more time to research and spread out their cash flow

Cut 3 (10) “…card debt.”

JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon says based on early voting totals, total voter turnout for Saturday’s election could be less than 40-percent. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The DeSoto Parish Clerk of Court has been arrested. Jeremy Evans is charged with two counts of electioneering after two September 20^th visits to Mansfield nursing homes. During those visits, Evans posted photos of himself holding his campaign literature and wearing a shirt with a “re-elect Jeremy Evans” logo on it. The charges are misdemeanor.

A Group of Faith Leaders who oppose the Death Penalty met with Governor Edwards this morning Members of Louisiana InterFaith against Executions (L.I.F.E.) are calling for clemency hearings for death row inmates. The group presented Governor Edwards with a letter signed by more than 100 faith leaders asking him and the pardon board to grant the clemency hearing for all inmates awaiting execution. Sister Helen Prejean was among those requesting clemency hearings for the inmates

Cut 8 (09) “…our citizens.”

A recent settlement reached after an injunction was filed on behalf of Louisiana district attorneys means most of the 56 inmates on death row will not have clemency hearings. The ruling is being appealed.

Louisiana may be getting some Heavy rain tomorrow due to a tropical wave in the Gulf of Mexico. LRN Meteorologist John Wetherbee says localized flash flooding is possible in southeast Louisiana…

Cut 7 (10) “…very shortly”