Get ready for a week of wonderful weather. Don Molino has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “I’m Don Molino”

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The Tiger band is getting a lot of love from the cast of the Office for playing the hit show’s theme song at a recent halftime show. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) ”I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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A Baton Rouge Republican is the first challenger to file paperwork for the 2019 governor’s race, and he’s loaded. Matt Doyle has more.

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This morning’s nice, cool weather may be here to stay for another week according to State Climatologist Barry Keim. A cold front has settled in, bringing with it temperatures as low as the 50s this morning in North Louisiana. Keim says unlike previous glimpses at fall weather in past weeks, this might be the real deal.

Cut 4 (11) “…persist”

And if you like today’s weather, well, tomorrow’s going to be quite a treat. Keim says we’ll be getting close to long sleeves and sweaters weather.

Cut 5 (12)  “…fantastic.” 

He says weather for Saturday’s LSU-Georgia game will likely call for sweaters in the morning, but a T-shirt by kick-off.

And this cold front isn’t just pushing down temps in the Bayou State, it’s what shielded us from the incredible devastation that’s been brought down in the panhandle by Hurricane Michael.

Cut 6 (07)“this front”

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The Golden Band from Tiger Land was showered with retweets from cast members of The Office after rocking the hit show’s theme song during last month’s win over La Tech, and Drum major Beau Bujol says to return the favor the band has invited the show’s cast down to Baton Rouge to see it live.

Cut 7 11) “is crazy.”

John Krasinski who played Jim, Steve Carrell who played Michael, and Angela Kinsey, who was born in Lafayette and played Angela, among other cast members commented on the halftime show. Bujol says it’s been one of the highlights of the season for the band.

Cut 8 (08) “…these reactions.”

The halftime entertainment was labeled the “Bingewatch Show” and it wasn’t just aimed at fans of the Office. Bujol says five other iconic series got some love from the LSU Band.

Cut 9 (06) “…of Genie.”

Clips from the halftime performance are available on YouTube and Twitter.

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Baton Rouge Businessman and Eddie Rispone announces he’s officially joining the 2019 race for the Governor’s Mansion. The wealthy Republican is the first to throw his hat in the ring for next year. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says he’s got a strong foundation and will be a formidable challenger.

Cut 10 (11)   “…world.“

Senator John Kennedy, Attorney General Jeff Landry, and Congressman Ralph Abraham are reportedly also considering runs for the office.

The businessman has long been a prominent state Republican donor, and Alford says around the Capitol, he’s known as a man with a keen interest in education issues.

Cut 11 (12)   “…committee”

Rispone says he’ll make a full campaign announcement after the November elections, where he plans to spell out his platform and reasons for running. He announced early to get a head start on fundraising.

And Rispone’s got some money too. An AP report says he’ll be setting aside five million dollars of his own money for the run, and is seeking to raise another three to five million to boost his odds. Alford says Rispone’s wealth gives him a unique advantage in the race.

Cut 12 (09)   “…d that”

Recent reporting put Governor John Bel Edwards’ war chest at five million dollars.

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New Medicare cards will be on their way to Louisianan who get their healthcare from the feds. The new cards come with a few changes to better protect beneficiary’s identities and fight fraud. Regional Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services Jeff Hinson says when the new card comes in, the old card has to go.

Cut 13 (10)   “…that”

Despite the changes that remove recipient’s social security number from the plastic, Hinson says you still need to keep it from falling into the wrong hands.

Cut 14 (09)   “…really important”

And in case you’re wondering, no, your coverage and plan is not changing at all…

Cut 15 (08)   “…number.”

The new cards should be in the mail by late November.

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LSU has yet lose back-to-back games with Ed Orgeron as its head coach. They’ll try to keep that streak going when they host second ranked Georgia. Cornerback Kristian Fulton says the team is disappointed it lost against Florida, but they got a great opportunity against the second ranked Bulldogs on Saturday

Cut 16 (15) “..move on”

Georgia brings a 6-0 record to Baton Rouge and they are second in the SEC in scoring, averaging 43 points a game. Fulton says Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm is one of the top signal callers in college football…

Cut 17 (13)  “the challenge”

Fulton says the team is looking forward to a sold out Tiger Stadium on Saturday….

Cut 18 (13) “…on the game” 

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ULM returns to Sun Belt action on Saturday at Coastal Carolina. The Warhawks have lost four straight, but Coach Matt Viator is trying to remain positive with his players…

Cut 19 (14) “..watch it happen” 

Viator calls ULM’s 70-21 loss to Ole Miss a poor performance and the coaches are committed to turn the season around…

Cut 20 (20) “coaches too” 

Mississippi now has 660,000 more dollars to spend on infrastructure after the first month of legalized sports betting at its casinos. Matt Doyle has more.

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Troopers are investigating an officer-involved shooting that happen last night in Lafayette.   Sometime around 7pm, an officer responded to criminal activity, and during an altercation with the subject, fired his weapon, striking the subject. The subject is in stable condition.  No officers were injured.

The state fire marshal’s office is sending over a dozen employees to Florida in response to Hurricane Michael. The delegation also contains 75 firefighters and medics from New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Alexandria and Monroe, who make up the state’s Urban Search Rescue taskforces. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says these men and women will make Louisiana proud…

Cut 5 (09)  “…we had” 

Hurricane Michael made landfall this afternoon as a strong Cat 4, with sustained winds just shy of Cat 5 status.

Colordo State hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach says today is the first time on record there are three Atlantic named storms with maximum sustained winds of at least 65 miles per hour in October. When Klotzbach’s team updated its forecast in August, they predicted a below-average season. He says with three named storms this week, there forecast ended up a little off…

Cut 14 (11) “…October”

Louisiana first responders left today for Florida, where they’ll assist local authorities there with rescues in the wake of Hurricane Michael, which is expected to produce catastrophic damage. Jeff Palermo has more…

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Hurricane Michael has made landfall this afternoon as a strong Category 4.

The first Republican challenger for the Governor’s Mansion in the 2019 race.  Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone filed paperwork today declaring his candidacy for the election.  Rispone is the founder of an industrial contracting company and says he plans to invest his own money in what will be an expensive Governor’s race.

A lawsuit alleging unconstitutional medical care for people incarcerated at Angola is underway in a federal court in Baton Rouge.  The suit alleges inmates have become paralyzed, required amputations, and died from undiagnosed or untreated health problems.  Executive Director of The Promise of Justice Initiative, Mercedes Montagnes says several factors contribute to why the conditions are so alarming.

Cut 10 (09)  “…standards of delivery.”

The Louisiana Department of Corrections says they do not comment on pending litigation.

Mississippi says they pulled in 660,000 dollars in revenue from legalized sports betting in just the first month of casino operators taking bets. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny is a supporter of sports betting in Louisiana. Martiny says Mississippi’s initial revenue haul is not huge, but it could indicate a larger problem for the Bayou State casinos.

Cut 6 (09)  “…from gaming.”

About 90 first responders from Louisiana have been deployed to Florida to assist with search and rescue operations that will likely occur along the panhandle as a result of Hurricane Michael. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says a caravan of vehicles towing boats left their headquarters this morning…

Cut 3 (10) “…water rescue” 
Hurricane Michael has made landfall this afternoon as a strong Category 4.

Mississippi says they pulled in 660,000 dollars in revenue from legalized sports betting in just the first month of casino operators taking bets. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny is a supporter of sports betting in Louisiana. Martiny says he plans on using the successes in other states as examples when he brings a new, more comprehensive sports gaming bill to the floor of the legislature next year.

Cut 8 (07) “…like that”

A lawsuit alleging unconstitutional medical care for people incarcerated at Angola is underway in a federal court in Baton Rouge.  The suit alleges inmates have become paralyzed, required amputations, and died from undiagnosed or untreated health problems.  Executive Director of The Promise of Justice Initiative, Mercedes Montagnes…

Cut 9 (07)  “…accessing the facility.”
Montagnes does hope that a positive ruling, in this case, will see a change in the way Angola handles medical treatment.  The Louisiana Department of Corrections says they do not comment on pending litigation.

Colorado State hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach says today is the first time on record there are three Atlantic named storms with maximum sustained winds of at least 65 miles per hour in October. Klotzbach says there’s, of course, Hurricane Michael, but there’s also Hurricane Leslie and Tropical Storm Nadine in the middle of the Atlantic

Cut 12 (08)   “…conducive” 

Louisiana first responders left this morning for Florida to help local authorities with search and rescue efforts once Hurricane Michael leaves the Florida panhandle. The delegation includes 75 firefighters and medics from around the state who make up the state’s Urban Search Rescue taskforces. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says these men and women will make Louisiana proud…
Cut 5 (09) “…we had”
Colorado State hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach says this is the first time in recorded history there are three named storms with maximum sustained winds of at least 65-miles per hour in the month of October. Forecasters hoped an El Nino would develop to limit tropical activity, but Klotzbach says that hasn’t happened…
cut 13 (08) “…there yet”

A federal trial is underway in Baton Rouge where the plaintiffs claim Angola inmates are receiving unconstitutional medical care. The lawsuit says the serious lack of medical care jeopardizes the lives of thousands of prisoners. Executive Director of The Promise of Justice Initiative, Mercedes Montagnes, says they are seeking a ruling that changes the way Angola handles patients…
cut 11 (10) “…Act”
The Louisiana Department of Corrections says they do not comment on pending litigation.

A petition has been started in an effort to convince New Orleans officials to rename Lee Circle after Saints Quarterback Drew Brees. Petition creator Blake Ivey says it should be called Brees circle and he has ideas on what the statue should look like that would replace where Confederate commander Robert E Lee once stood…
cut 16 (08) “…was something”

Mississippi now has 660,000 more dollars to spend on infrastructure after the first month of legalized sports betting at its casinos. Matt Doyle has more.
Voicer 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A federal judge has sentenced a Lafayette man to two and half years in prison after he threatened to kill southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins. 50-year-old Sohail Rana made the threatening call from Colorado. Prosecutors say Rana was irate, cursing and screaming at Higgins’ district director.

A federal lawsuit is underway in Baton Rouge claiming the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola is failing to properly diagnose and treat inmates with medical conditions. Mercedes Montagnes is the executive director of the Promise of Justice Initiative….
cut 10 (09) “…standards of delivery”
The state Department of Corrections is not commenting on the case, because the agency does not discuss pending litigation.

A petition is circulating that calls for Lee Circle in New Orleans to be renamed Brees Circle in honor of the Black and Gold’s most beloved athlete. A statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee once stood high above the circle where uptown meets downtown. Petition creator Blake Ivey says the idea came to him last April.
Cut 14 (09) “…New Orleans”
Some say, if Brees never signed with the Saints, the team would have eventually re-located to San Antonio.

Mississippi says they pulled in 660,000 dollars in revenue from sports betting in just the first month after it’s legalization in August. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny, who attempted to pass similar legislation in Louisiana last year, says says in the wake of the Supreme Court decision that allowed states to legalize the activity, there’s been a rush of innovation in the industry, a rush Louisiana is missing out on.

Cut 7 (08)  “…thing else.”

Mississippi’s money will go towards infrastructure

A lawsuit alleging unconstitutional medical care for people incarcerated at Angola started yesterday in federal court in Baton Rouge. .  Executive Director of The Promise of Justice Initiative, Mercedes Montagnes…

Cut 6 (07)  “…accessing the facility.”

According to the suit, as a result, people have become paralyzed, required amputations, and died from undiagnosed or untreated health problems

Louisiana first responders left today for Florida, where they’ll assist local authorities there with rescues in the wake of Hurricane Michael, which is expected to produce catastrophic damage. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff palermo”

Mississippi says they pulled in 660,000 dollars in revenue from sports betting in just the first month after it’s legalization in August. That cash will go towards infrastructure projects in the Magnolia State. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny, who attempted, but failed to pass similar legislation in Louisiana last year, says it’s not a huge haul, but it could indicate a larger problem for the Bayou State.

Cut 6, 9 seconds, from gaming

About 90 first responders from Louisiana have been deployed to Florida to assist with search and rescue operations that will likely occur along the panhandle as a result of Hurricane Michael. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says once the hurricane passes, the Louisiana team will quickly work to save lives…

cut 4 (12) “…trapped people″

The state fire marshal’s office is sending over a dozen employees to Florida.

20 years ago voters approved a constitutional amendment to create the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. LCTCS President Monty Sullivan says the system has created opportunities for all walks of life…

Cut 11 (10)   “…the economy”

Over 2.1 million students have enrolled at LCTCS schools since the system was established.

A petition is circulating that calls for the former Lee Circle in New Orleans to be named Brees Circle in honor of the Black and Gold’s most beloved athlete. Lee Circle saw its titular General Lee removed last year along with other Confederate statues city-wide. Petition creator Blake Ivey says the idea came to him back in April.

Cut 14 (09)   “…New Orleans”

The removal of the statues led to heated, weeks-long confrontations between pro and anti-confederate monument factions at several monument locations.

About 90 first responders from Louisiana have been deployed to Florida to assist with search and rescue operations that will likely occur along the panhandle as a result of Hurricane Michael. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says a caravan of vehicles towing boats left their headquarters this morning…
cut 3 (10) “…water rescue”
The National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Michael has the potential of producing life-threatening storm surge and flash floods.

This month marks the 20th anniversary of the Louisiana Technical and Community College System. Since that time 2-point-one million students enrolled at L-T-C-S colleges and more than 327-thousand credentials have been awarded. System president Monty Sullivan says he’s excited to see how these schools can continue to effect the state’s economy…
cut 13 (04) “…20 years”

Secretary of State candidates say preventing sexual harassment is important, considering it led to Tom Schedler’s resignation. Matt Doyle has more from Kyle Ardoin, Heather Cloud, Renee Fontenot Free and Julie Stokes.
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State Police Troopers are investigating an officer involved shooting in Lafayette last night. Authorities say Lafayette police responded to criminal activity and after encountering a subject, shots were fired. The subject has been hospitalized in stable condition. No officers were injured.

Female candidates running for Secretary of State say they will take a strong stance against sexual harassment and encourage victims to come forward if elected to the statewide position. Kenner Representative Julie Stokes says two years ago in the legislature she was one of the first to speak out on what she called a sexist amendment proposed during debate on the legal age to be a dancer at a strip club…
cut 7 (07) “…tolerated”
Democrat Renee Fontenot Free says her positive reputation and management style while in the Attorney General’s office and as a former Assistant Secretary of State promoted a culture that empowered victims to come forward.
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The election is November sixth.

Currently, flood victims who applied for SBA loans immediately following the 2016 floods are not eligible for grant money available through the Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program. But President Trump has signed legislation that corrects the Duplication of Benefits issue. Division of Administration Executive Director Pat Forbes says they are waiting on written guidance from HUD on the specifics of implementation.
Cut 8 (09) “…help these folks.”
Forbes believes they’ll be able to help an additional six-thousand Louisiana households.

20 years ago this month voters approved a constitutional amendment to create the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. The LCTCS is comprised of 12 unified, open-access two-year colleges. LCTCS President Monty Sullivan says the system has created education opportunities for all walks of life…
Cut 11 (10) “…the economy”