Voters across our state finally get the chance to vote tomorrow, after weeks of delay due to Hurricane Ida. Dave Brannen has more…:

CUT 01  (31)        “…Brannen.”

A Covington man is charged with sexual contact with minors; using the social media app Snapchat to search for victims. St. Tammany Parish deputies say 18-year-old Ryheim Ross’s victims were 11, 12 and 13. He’s being held on over $400-thousand bond.

More pain at the pump, as the national average price of regular gas is now at $3.41. The statewide average is $3.16 and oil is around $800 a barrel. Louisiana AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says he expects things to remain pretty much right there for the next several weeks…:

CUT 07  (11)        “…into the winter.”

OPEC has agreed to slowly increase production, but Redman says it’ll be some time before that brings any relief at the gas pump.

Bonfires on the Mississippi River levee return this Christmas.  St. James Parish President Pete Dufresne says cancelling last year due to the pandemic was a hard call to make … but he says this year – weather permitting – the fires will return…:

CUT 10  (11)        “…to normalcy.”

The parish will start issuing permits next week. The bonfires can be lit anytime from November 21^st to Christmas Eve.

Voters head to the polls tomorrow in Louisiana, but for most, there’s not a lot to cast their votes on. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says every registered voter will have the opportunity to decide the outcome of four constitutional amendments.  Ardoin says if you aren’t sure where your polling location is, or what’s on your ballot, you can visit the website geauxvote.com.

Cut 5 (11) “…experience, I promise.”

The statewide average price of regular gas in the Bayou State is $3.16 a gallon. Down about a penny. And even though most of us tend to dislike the time change, Triple A’s Don Redman says it might have one redeeming quality, especially right now, because it’s darker on your commute home.

Cut 8 (11) “…the price.”

Redman doesn’t expect to see gas prices change drastically one way or the other as we approach winter.

The longtime Louisiana Christmas tradition of the Lighting of Bonfires is officially back on the calendar after being extinguished last year due to the pandemic. St James Parish President Pete Dufresne says the Christmas Eve pastime of lighting the way for Papa Noel has been a community event for decades…

Cut 9 (10) “…St James Parish.”

Four people from Larose are facing drug charges following an investigation that, among other things, led to a loaf of bread that had been hollowed out and stuffed with 50 grams of suspected methamphetamine. The Lafourche Parish sheriff says the discovery by a drug agent’s K-9 was made during a traffic stop earlier this week. Among the four arrested was suspected drug dealer, 46-year-old Reggie Estay.  The three others were arrested during a search of Estay’s West 11^th Street home, all of them said to be in possession of meth.

Voters head to the polls tomorrow in Louisiana. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says every registered voter will have the opportunity to decide the outcome of four constitutional amendments. Ardoin says because of an expected 35 percent voter turnout in Orleans Parish, voters statewide should be aware that New Orleans could have the largest impact on the fate of the constitutional amendments.

Cut 4 (13) “…folks would want.”

The National Average for a gallon of regular gas has dropped by a penny to $3.41. The decrease in demand has led to a slight price relief. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says the statewide average in the Bayou State is $3.16 a gallon. He says he doesn’t expect to see prices change drastically one way or the other as we approach winter.

Cut 7 (11) “….into the winter.”  

Redman says while OPEC has agreed to slowly increase production he says we most likely won’t see an impact in prices at the pump for some time.

The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana’s study of virtual learning hopes to help create best practices for remote education in the future. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Now a check on commodity prices for this Friday afternoon.

It appears the rise in gas prices has plateaued. Triple-A says the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.16, it was a penny higher a week ago. Triple-A’s Don Redman says there’s been a drop in demand for gas and last weekend’s time change helped…
cut 8 (11) “…lower the price”

Voters head to the polls tomorrow in Louisiana, but for most, there’s not a lot to cast their votes on. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says every registered voter will have the opportunity to decide the outcome of four constitutional amendments.
Cut 3 (09) “….what we have.”
The polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

As we mentioned in the last segment there are four amendments to the state Constitution on tomorrow’s ballot. Amendment One would establish a centralized state sales & use tax collection authority. Dawn McVea, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says this will help collect internet sales taxes…:
Cut 10 (11) “…our sales tax over time.”
McVea says NFIB also supports Amendment Two which would lower income tax rates, but eliminate the federal tax deduction for state individual income tax filers. But Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moller says A-2 is being pitched as revenue-neutral, but he says it will create bigger state budget deficits…:
Cut 12 (15) “…corporate income taxes.”

The National Average for a gallon of regular gas has decreased by a penny to $3.41. The decrease in demand has led to a slight price relief. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says with holidays around the corner he’s hoping the slight decrease is a sign that prices might be stabilizing for the winter at least…

Cut 6 (11) “…going up.” 

Crude oil prices remain above $80 a barrel.

Sticker shock is not only an issue putting fuel in your car but also shopping for a vehicle and most anything these days. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says there are factors involved, also because of inflation and supply chain problems, that are certain to keep food prices higher for a while.

Cut 6 (09) “…this forward, unfortunately.”

He says meat, poultry, eggs and fish are up 19 percent from a year ago.

Governor Edwards returns to DC next week to lobby for additional relief funding for southwest Louisiana for recovery from Laura and Delta. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President, Brian Abshire says while he appreciates what the governor has helped with so far, they along with other parts of southwest Louisiana need an additional 600-million dollars in disaster relief funding.

Cut 15 (10)  “…of our residents.”

It was August 2020 when Laura made landfall.

Virtual learning is under the microscope after becoming mainstream during the pandemic. Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana Policy Director Steven Procopio says when they examined high school level charter schools and their virtual learning especially among Black and economically disadvantaged students, charter schools outperformed state schools.

Cut 8 (10) “..during the pandemic.”

They are hoping to help set a best practices for virtual learning going forward.

A Constitutional Amendment on Saturday’s ballot – to alter state income taxes – draws support and opposition from interest groups. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

State Police are investigating a home invasion in Grant Parish that resulted in the shooting of the suspect, 39-year old Chad Scott of Pollock Wednesday night. Police say the suspect entered the home of an off-duty wildlife agent, an altercation ensued, and the homeowner fired shots. Scott was transferred to a local hospital and the case remains under investigation.

Governor Edwards returns to DC next week in hopes of garnering more relief funds for southwest Louisiana. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President, Brian Abshire says while things have improved in the area months after the storms, that’s not the case for everyone and every location.

Cut  16 (09) “..on their own”

Abshire says the 600-million-dollars in long-term disaster relief doesn’t go far enough

Steven Procopio, Policy director at the Public Affairs Research Council says they are making recommendations for virtual education that should increase transparency, more accurate data on student performance, improved outcomes, and a funding structure to cover the cost of virtual education after the pandemic forced many educators and students to use the platform.

Cut 9 (09)  “…outcomes are.”

Four amendments to the state Constitution will be decided Saturday. Amendment One would establish a centralized state sales & use tax collection authority. Dawn McVea, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says our current system doesn’t have a mechanism for collecting Internet sales taxes and millions are being left un-collected…:
Cut 10 (11) “…our sales tax over time.”
McVea says NFIB also supports Amendment Two which would lower income tax rates, but eliminate the federal tax deduction for state individual income tax filers. Supporters say the tax reform would be revenue-neutral. But Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moller disagrees and…
cut 13 (08) “….tax structure”

The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana’s study of virtual learning hopes to help create best practices for remote education in the future. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says meat, fish and poultry prices are up 19-percent over last year. Strain says power and transportation costs are leading to higher prices in the grocery store…
cut 5 (10) “…up 12-percent”
As for used car prices, Strain says they are up a whopping 58 percent.

Tomorrow is election day and Constitutional Amendment Two on the ballot seeks to reduce state income tax rates, but it also takes away a tax break. The ability to deduct federal income taxes paid on your state income tax returns. NFIB state director Dawn McVea says this would benefit small businesses and most individual taxpayers…
cut 11 (08) “…21st century”
But the Louisiana Budget Project says the well-intended tax reform preserves the status quo where the richest Louisianans pay taxes at a lower rate than families that struggle to make ends meet.

The Public Affairs Research Council is calling on the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to increase oversight on virtual learning. PAR Policy Director Steven Procopio…
cut 7 (09) “….as well”

The new normal of inflationary prices doesn’t seem destined to fade away anytime soon. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board has issued two more sports betting licenses, Margaritaville in Bossier City and Boomtown, also in Bossier City. Margaritaville plans to open its sports book today. Five more licenses are pending State Police and Gaming Control Board approval. So far nine casinos in Louisiana are taking legal sports.

Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says inflation and the messed up supply chain train is hitting hard at the grocery store these days.
Cut 4 (08) “…up six percent “
And, Strain says that’s compared to year-ago prices. He says, for now, the price hikes seen almost everywhere, are the new normal, but suggests prices are expected to reverse course in the long term as the pandemic eases further and supply chain problems are addressed.

Governor John Bel Edwards will head back to Washington next week in hopes of gaining support for more disaster relief funds for southwest Louisiana. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President, Brian Abshire, appreciates what the governor has achieved thus far, but says the 600-million-dollars in long-term disaster relief doesn’t go far enough.
Cut 14 (05) “…as a whole.”
The area was hit by four major weather events in a year’s time, including Hurricane Laura that came ashore in August 2020.

A Constitutional Amendment on Saturday’s ballot – to alter state income taxes – draws support and opposition from interest groups. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The new normal of inflationary prices doesn’t seem destined to fade away anytime soon. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

___________________________________

The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana’s study of virtual learning hopes to help create best practices for remote education in the future. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

___________________________________

A Constitutional Amendment on Saturday’s ballot – to alter state income taxes – draws support and opposition from interest groups. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

_________________________________________

Sticker shock is not only an issue while shopping for a vehicle these days, but Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says inflation and the messed up supply chain train is also hitting hard at the grocery store these days.

Cut 4 (08) “…up six percent “

And, Strain says that’s compared to year-ago prices. He says, for now, the price hikes seen almost everywhere, are the new normal, but suggests prices are expected to reverse course in the long term as the pandemic eases further and supply chain problems are addressed.

Strain says that inflation has really taken a hit on power alternatives and transportation. For example:

Cut 5 (10) “…up 12 percent.“

As for used car prices, Strain says they are up a whopping 58 percent.

Strain says there are factors involved, also because of inflation and supply chain problems, that are certain to keep food prices higher for a while.

Cut 6 (09) “…this forward, unfortunately.”

___________________________________________

Virtual learning was used as a means to educate students due to COVID, now there’s a call to improve the medium. Even before the pandemic, the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana says they were studying how charter schools used virtual learning. PAR Policy Director Steven Procopio says they want to help create best practices for virtual learning.

Cut 7 (09) “…as well.”

In the study entitled Louisiana Virtual: Facing the Reality of Online Schooling, Procopio says when they examined high school level charter schools and their virtual learning especially among Black and economically disadvantaged students, it was interesting because the charter schools outperformed state schools.

Cut 8 (10) “..during the pandemic.”

Procopio says PAR is making recommendations for virtual education that should increase transparency, more accurate data on student performance, improved outcomes, and a funding structure to cover the cost of virtual education.

Cut 9 (09)  “…outcomes are.”

Procopio says they are in favor of educational options but when adding others like virtual learning, BESE needs to make sure standards for quality, accountability, and transparency are set.

___________________________________________

Four amendments to the state Constitution will be decided Saturday. Amendment One would establish a centralized state sales & use tax collection authority, instead of the many local systems we have now. Dawn McVea, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, urges a yes vote here as a vote for tax reform. She says our current system doesn’t have a mechanism for collecting Internet sales taxes and millions are being left un-collected…:

Cut 10 (11)  “…our sales tax over time.” 

McVea says Amendment One levels the playing field for small businesses against Big Box and online retailers. Amendment Two on the ballot Saturday is a somewhat complicated tax swap; lowering state income tax rates & setting a cap on the highest brackets. It would also take away the deduction for federal incomes taxes paid. Again McVea says this would benefit small businesses and most individual taxpayers…:

Cut 11 (09) “…with the 21st Century.”

However, the Louisiana Budget Project disagrees on Amendment Two, and urges voters to say “no.” Spokesman Jan Moller says A-2 is being pitched as revenue-neutral, but in reality, it will create bigger state budget deficits…:

Cut 12 (15) “…corporate income taxes.”

Moller says passing A-2 will mean less money to fund state universities, health initiatives for the less fortunate, and more worthwhile endeavors…:

Cut 13 (08) “…of our tax structure.”

_____________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards will head back to Washington next week in hopes of gaining support for more disaster relief funds for southwest Louisiana. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President, Brian Abshire, appreciates what the governor has achieved thus far, but says the 600-million-dollars in long-term disaster relief doesn’t go far enough.

Cut 14 (05)  “…as a whole.”

The area was hit by four major weather events in a year’s time, including Hurricane Laura that came ashore in August 2020.

Abshire on why Calcasieu and other parts of southwest Louisiana need an additional 600-million dollars in disaster relief funding.

Cut 15 (10)  “…of our residents.”

Abshire says while things have improved in the area months after the storms, that’s not the case for everyone and every location.

Cut  16 (09) “..on their own”

________________________________________

The Saints could be without running back Alvin Kamara for Sunday’s game at Tennessee. Karma has not practiced the last two days because of a knee injury. 31-year-old Mark Ingram says he’s ready for a full workload…

Cut 17 (15) “ daily.” 

Ingram had nine carries for 43 yards last Sunday. He’s 20 yards away from breaking the Saints career rushing yards record, which is currently held by Deuce McCallister. Ingram says it would be a blessing to be the Black and Gold’s all-time leading rusher…

Cut 18 (21) “…this point.”  

_________________________________________________

ULM looks to snap a two-game losing streak on Saturday when they host Arkansas State for the Warhawks final home game of the season. After not scoring a touchdown in the second half in a loss to Texas State last Saturday, ULM Coach Terry Bowden wants to see more big plays from his offense…

Cut 19 (13)  ” the football.” 

Arkansas State has just one win on the year, but Bowden says the Red Wolves are not to be taken lightly…

Cut 20 (21) “…passing games.”