An Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s deputy has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder for allegedly killing both his wife and his child. The two victims were found dead inside a home in the 39-hundred block of Old Sterlington Road. The suspect, Blake Bardwell has been a deputy at the Ouachita Correctional Center since December 2019. He was arrested at the scene.

An LSU climate change expert says it’s a positive Governor Edwards is at the International Climate Change Conference in Scotland, but it remains to be seen how beneficial it will be…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

The second circuit court of appeal in Shreveport has ruled that Ochsner can not fire any of its employees at their Shreveport and Monroe facilities because they have not been vaccinated against COVID. Attorney Jimmy Faircloth calls it a victory for employee rights…
cut 12 (12) “….to lose”
But Ochsner CEO Warner Thomas says employees outside of north Louisiana could still face disciplinary action if they do not comply with the lawsuit and they plan to appeal the ruling out of Shreveport.

It’s November first, which is good news when it comes to the hurricane season…
cut 14 (07) “….can get storms”
And State Climatologist Barry Keim Subtropical Storm Wanda formed in the middle of the Atlantic over the weekend. The 21st named storm of this hurricane season is not a threat to land.

Governor John Bel Edwards is in Scotland this week. LSU climate change policy expert Edward Richards says the governor’s appearance at the United Nations Climate Change Conference shows Louisiana is beginning to take climate change seriously.
Cut 7 (11) “…gas-driven state.”
Today, Edwards will participate in a discussion with the Environmental Defense Fund and the Climate Resilience Adaptation Panel.

A state appeals court in Shreveport has ruled Ochsner Health can not fire or discipline employees at its facilities in Shreveport and Monroe who are not vaccinated. Attorney Jimmy Faircloth represents the employees in this legal battle…
cut 11 (110 “…or terminate”
But Ochsner Health CEO Warner Thomas says their employee vaccination requirement outside of north Louisiana will move forward.

A website’s data study ranks Louisiana last among states in which to own an electric car. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A state appeals in court in Shreveport has ruled that Ochsner Health can not dismiss or discipline its employees in north Louisiana if they are not vaccinated against the coronavirus. Friday was the deadline for Ochsner’s 32-thousand employees to be fully vaccinated or they could be fired. The three-judge appellate court has also ordered a Shreveport judge to hold a hearing on the issue.

With the November 13th election just around the corner, a week of early voting gets underway today. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 2 (29)…I’m Dave Brannen.”

One of the big news items this week is Facebook changing its company name to Meta. The social media giant is now expected to expand into the virtual world. There are some who feel the name change is an attempt to reimage Facebook in order to try and dodge some recent negative press, but UNO marketing professor Lisa Palumbo disagrees….
cut 5 (09) “…try it out”
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg says the metaverse is the next frontier just like social networking was when they got started.

This weekend is the “Go Out and Fish” program, sponsored by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. LDWF’s Danica Williams says they have stocked 17 ponds across the state with catfish, so you’ll have a better chance of landing a big one. She also says there are other things you can do besides cast a line..:
CUT 10 (09) “…while they’re there.”
You can get a list of locations that have been stocked with catfish at Go Out and Fish program on the LDWF website.

A day before Ochsner Health’s deadline for employees to be vaccinated or face dismissal the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal in Shreveport ruled unvaccinated employees can’t be fired while the mandate is being challenged in court. Attorney Jimmy Faircloth represents Ochsner employees…
Cut 10 (07) “…a favor.”
Faircloth says the ruling sends a message to businesses that vaccine mandates are illegal. A Shreveport judge is expected to hear the case in the next two weeks.

The Gaming Control Board has approved sports betting licenses for four casinos in Louisiana. Harrah’s in New Orleans, Boomtown Casino in Harvey, L’auberge Baton Rouge, and Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City can begin taking sports bets on Sunday. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says several other casinos have also applied…
cut 16 (09) “…as possible”

Governor John Bel Edwards is overseas. An LSU climate change expert says it’s a positive Edwards is at the International Climate Change Conference in Scotland, but it remains to be seen how beneficial it will be. Dave Brannen reports.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

Early voting for the November 13th election gets underway today. For 21 parishes, there will only be four constitutional amendments on their ballot. Twelve Parishes including Bossier, Calcasieu, Lafayette, Lafourche, Morehouse, Ouachita. St Landry, Vernon and Washington will have local races, propositions and amendments.

The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal in Shreveport ruled Ochsner Health cannot discipline unvaccinated employees until a lawsuit filed on the behalf of employees is heard…
cut 3 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Gaming Control Board has approved sports betting licenses for four casinos and they can start taking legal sports bets tomorrow. The Caesars Sportsbook inside Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans and Horseshoe in Bossier City say their sportsbooks will open tomorrow.

Early voting for the November 13th election begins today. Now through next Saturday, except for tomorrow of course, you can quickly cast your votes on four constitutional amendments and local elections on your ballot. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the early voting location in New Orleans has been moved so that social distancing can be observed…
CUT 08 (09) “…with that location.”
Orleans has a big ballot, with a Mayoral race and city council seats to be decided.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is hosting several Get Out and Fish events today. LDWF’s Danica Williams says they’ve also stocked 17 ponds around the state with adult-sized channel catfish.
Cut 9 (12) “…adult size fish.”
You can get a list of locations for the Go Out and Fish program from the LDWF website.

A state appeals in court in Shreveport has ruled that Ochsner Health can not dismiss or discipline its employees in north Louisiana if they are not vaccinated against the coronavirus. Friday was the deadline for Ochsner’s 32-thousand employees to be fully vaccinated or they could be fired. The three-judge appellate court has also ordered a Shreveport judge to hold a hearing on the issue.

With the November 13th election just around the corner, a week of early voting gets underway today. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 2 (29)…I’m Dave Brannen.”

One of the big news items this week is Facebook changing its company name to Meta. The social media giant is now expected to expand into the virtual world. There are some who feel the name change is an attempt to reimage Facebook in order to try and dodge some recent negative press, but UNO marketing professor Lisa Palumbo disagrees….
cut 5 (09) “…try it out”
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg says the metaverse is the next frontier just like social networking was when they got started.

This weekend is the “Go Out and Fish” program, sponsored by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. LDWF’s Danica Williams says they have stocked 17 ponds across the state with catfish, so you’ll have a better chance of landing a big one. She also says there are other things you can do beside cast a line..:
CUT 10 (09) “…while they’re there.”
You can get a list of locations that have been stocked with catfish at Go Out and Fish program on the LDWF website.

Facebook’s announcement of a name change to Meta, sent some users into a frenzy that the social media giant would dissolve their most-used platform. But UNO Marketing Professor Lisa Palumbo says Facebook isn’t going anywhere.

Cut 3 (11) “….a while now.”

Facebook plans to start trading under their new name Meta beginning December 1st.

Early voting gets underway in Louisiana tomorrow, and except for this Sunday, will continue through Saturday, November 6^th. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the ballots casts are for the November 13^th election that quite frankly is lacking hotly contested races. Ardoin says four constitutional amendments are on the ballot statewide but aren’t likely to produce a stampede to polling locations.

Cut 7 (07) “….to the polls.”  

You can download the smartphone app, Geaux Vote Mobile, to locate your parish’s early voting location and a sample ballot.

While Halloween can be lots of fun for the kids, it can pose a health hazard to your pets. Ginger Guttner, Spokesperson for LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine says if you have pets don’t leave out candy where they might have an opportunity to grab a treat for themselves.

Cut 12 (11) “…too much.”  

You might want to spend what’s supposed to be a great Halloween weekend taking part in the Go Out and Fish program put on by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.  The agency’s Danica Williams says they’ve stocked 17 ponds around the state with adult-sized channel catfish including one in Houma that was hard hit by Hurricane Ida.

Cut  11 (11)  “…have been stocked.”  

The Houma event takes place Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at the Bayou Country Sports Complex.

Louisiana’s Gaming Commission grants four new licenses for legal sports betting. Those casinos are Harrah’s and Boomtown in New Orleans, L’Auberge in Baton Rouge and Horseshoe in Bossier City. State Gaming Commissioner Ronnie Johns says those were the first to complete their application, review and approval process. Johns says more sports book will be coming soon…:

CUT 16  (09)        “…quickly as possible.”

Early Voting for the November 13^th election starts Saturday, takes a day off Sunday and resumes Monday through next Saturday. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says he expects poor voter turnout because ballots across MOST of the lack hotly contested races…:

CUT 06  (13)        “…in Orleans Parish.”

Download to “GeauxVote” app to see your sample ballot and where to go for Early Voting.

Facebook’s announcement it was changing its corporate name to “Meta” has some users freaking out. Brooke Thorington has that…:

CUT 01  (32)        “…Thorington.”

A state appeals court rules Ochsner Health-Shreveport may not fire workers for refusing the COVID vaccine while the mandate’s legality is in court. That’s in the state’s 2^nd Circuit. A group of Ochsner employees faced termination Friday, if they did not comply. The plaintiff’s lawyer says he’ll take all the way to the Supreme Court if needs be.

With the November 13^th election right around the corner, Early Voting starts Saturday in Louisiana. More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 02  (30)        “…Brannen.”

The Shreveport City Council is seemingly waging war on small businesses who use those towable, lighted marquee signs out front. Many small businesses cannot afford larger, more impressive signage … yet the council has temporarily banned them and may do so permanently. Some small business owners feel the city doesn’t want them there, but are more than willing to take the sales taxes they generate.

Sports betting will be available at more casinos in Louisiana as early as this weekend. Until recently, only Paragon Casino in Marksville was allowed to have legalized sports book. State Gaming Commissioner Ronnie Johns says four new licenses were issued Friday…:

CUT 15(11)      “…in Bossier City.”

He says they can open as early as Sunday. L’Auberge in Baton Rouge has a big opening planned for Monday. Johns says nine more sports book license are expected to be issued soon.

Halloween is this weekend. Are you one of those who likes to dress up your pet? LSU Vet school spokesperson Ginger Guttner says that’s completely OK, but be sure the animal can see clearly and breathe normally…:

CUT 14  (09)        “…make them.”

She also says keep your vets number handy and be aware of an after-hours vet clinic nearby.

Facebook’s announcement of a corporate name change sent the company’s flagship platform into a tizzy over a possible transformation. Brooke Thorington posts more…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________

With the November 13^th election just around the corner, a week of early voting gets underway tomorrow in Louisiana. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (29)…I’m Dave Brannen.”  

______________________________________

Facebook’s announcement of a name change to Meta, sent some users into a frenzy that the social media giant would dissolve their most-used platform. But UNO Marketing Professor Lisa Palumbo says Facebook isn’t going anywhere.

Cut 3 (11) “….a while now.”

Palumbo doesn’t expect the user experience for Facebook to change drastically anytime soon. She believes one reason for the corporate name change is to expand and increase usership among a younger demographic, which has been steadily decreasing over the years.

Cut 4 (07) “…all ages in.”

Oculus Quest, a virtual reality system owned by Facebook, also announced a name change to Meta Quest, which will take effect next year.

Despite Facebook being under fire recently for lack of oversite of misinformation and accusations of placing profits over safety, Palumbo doesn’t believe the name change is an overt effort to hide from negative press.

Cut 5 (08) “…try it out.”

Facebook plans to start trading under their new name Meta beginning December 1st.

__________________________________

Early voting gets underway in Louisiana tomorrow, and except for this Sunday, will continue through Saturday, November 6^th. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the ballots casts are for the November 13^th election that quite frankly is lacking hotly contested races.

Cut 6 (10) “…in Orleans Parish.” 

You can download the smartphone app, Geaux Vote Mobile, to locate your parish’s early voting location and a sample ballot.

Ardoin says four constitutional amendments are on the ballot statewide but aren’t likely to produce a stampede to polling locations.

Cut 7 (07) “….to the polls.”  

Ardoin notes that the registrar’s office in New Orleans won’t be used for early voting because of social distancing problems and so a nearby building will be used as an alternate location to cast early ballots.

Cut 8 (09) “…with that location.”

Which is located at 433 Bolivar at the corner of Gravier and Bolivar.

__________________________________________

You might want to spend what’s supposed to be a great Halloween weekend taking part in the Go Out and Fish program put on by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.  The agency’s Danica Williams says they’ve stocked 17 ponds around the state with adult-sized channel catfish.

Cut 9 (12) “…adult size fish.”

You can get a list of locations for the Go Out and Fish program from the LDWF website.

Williams says there will be other activities to take part in besides fishing.

Cut 10 (09)  “…while they’re there.”

Williams says LDWF will step up its game at the Go Out and Fish location in Houma that was hard hit by Hurricane Ida.

Cut  11 (11)  “…have been stocked.”  

The Houma event takes place from 8 a.m. to noon at the Bayou Country Sports Complex

((Note: Those 16 and older must possess a Louisiana Fishing License))

______________________________________________

While Halloween can be lots of fun for the kids, it can pose a health hazard to your pets. Ginger Guttner, Spokesperson for LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine says if you have pets don’t leave out candy where they might have an opportunity to grab a treat for themselves.

Cut 12 (11) “…too much.”  

Guttner says if your pet does get into the candy and overindulges it can cause pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas, and it can be extremely painful.

Cut 13 (11) “…right away.”

Another thing pet owners should be mindful of Guttner says are your Halloween decorations, indoors and out. Your pets could chew on cords or even try to digest a decoration which could cause an obstruction and possibly lead to surgery.

And while many enjoy dressing up their pets in costume for the holiday Guttner cautions that you make sure the costume fits properly so it doesn’t impact their vision or cause breathing difficulty.

Cut 14 (09) “…make them.” 

Guttner also recommends that you know where your nearest emergency vet is located beforehand and to keep the Pet Poison Helpline number handy which is 1-800-213-6680

____________________________________

Sports betting will be available at more casinos in Louisiana as early as this weekend. Until recently, only Paragon Casino in Marksville was allowed to have legalized sportsbook. State Gaming Commissioner Ronnie Johns says four new licenses were issued Friday.

Cut 15 (11) “…in Bossier City.” 

Johns says Harrah’s casino and Boomtown casino in New Orleans, L’Auberge in Baton Rouge, and Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City were the first 4 of 13 applicants to complete the state Police review process and receive LSP recommendation for licensing. They may begin sports betting on Sunday – Halloween. John says more sportsbook will be coming soon.

Cut 16 (08) “…quickly as possible.”