With Election Day Saturday, many political analysts still feel Republican David Vitter and Democrat John Bel Edwards have the best chance at making the November 21st runoff. ULM-Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley…:
CUT 5 (10) “in this contest”
Edwards, Republicans Scott Angelle and Jay Dardenne attended a debate last night at LSU. Angelle made some waves with comments referring to Vitter’s prostitution scandal and urging the live TV audience to visit a website with a video of a woman claiming the US Senator paid her for sex in the 90s. Polls are open Saturday between 7am and 8pm.

The US Department of Ag and Forestry says 41 parishes in Louisiana are in such horrible drought that farmers and ranchers are eligible for disaster aid. Those qualified have eight months to apply for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency.

The Louisiana State Fair, now in it’s 109th year, gets underway today in Shreveport. President and Grand Marshal Chris Giordano says this year the fair is bringing back the Red River State Fair Classic football game, which features Grambling State and Texas Southern on November 7th…:
cut 11 (07) “to the fair”
The fair runs through November 8th.

The Port of Iberia is about to get a much needed job boost as two massive companies announce plans to begin projects there. President of the Iberia Industrial Development Foundation Mike Tarintino says Primoris Services Corp. and Dynamic Industries are now seeking about 600 new employees to get started. He says other companies already at the port are expanding and looking for people to fill new positions…:
Cut 14 (07) “our area”
He says the Port of Iberia is an ideal location for the oil and gas industry.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Angelle is causing a buzz today over comments he made about fellow GOP candidate David Vitter during last night’s debate at LSU. Angelle said a shadow has been cast over the US Senator and, if he’s elected governor, that shadow will follow Louisiana. The comment was in reference to Vitter’s prostitution scandal. Republican Jay Dardenne and Democrat John Bel Edwards were also at the debate, but Vitter declined the invitation.

ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says the biggest surprise that could come Election Day Saturday would be Angelle overtaking Vitter for second place to make the November 21st runoff with Edwards. He believes the fact that Angelle hit the airwaves before Dardenne worked in his favor…:
Cut 6 (09) “Vitter alternative”
Polls are open Saturday between 7am and 8pm.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office says the K-9 Thor who was attacked and stabbed during a pursuit of a burglary suspect, is in recovery and doing well. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

An Assumption Parish man who pleaded guilty for being responsible for a drunk driving crash which claimed the life of an 8-year-old child and injured two children, ages 4 and 5 — is facing up to seven years in prison. 27-year-old Brian Gilton was sentenced Wednesday on charges of vehicular homicide and two counts of first degree negligent injuring from the 2014 incident.

We’re two days away from the gubernatorial elections, so is there anything the candidates can do at this point to sway voters? Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Eric Gill”

A West Monroe man who was expected in court Wednesday, reportedly attempted suicide in the bathroom of a gas station that morning. Cops say a family was with the man shot himself in the head. Authorities are not identifying him at this time and his condition is currently not known.

Hundreds of new jobs are coming to the Port of Iberia as a result of two large companies who have announced plans to begin projects at the port. President of the Iberia Industrial Development Foundation Mike Tarintino says businesses are realizing how much Iberia Parish has to offer…:

Cut 13 (10) “work force”

Tarintino says Primoris Services Corp. and Dynamic Industries are now seeking about 600 new employees to get started.

The 109th State Fair of Louisiana kicks off today in Shreveport and runs until November 8th. President and Grand Marshal of the fair Chris Giordano says this year’s fair is looking to be bigger and better than ever with new carnival rides, events and food vendors…:
Cut 10 (10) “ice cream stick ”

We’re two days away from the gubernatorial elections, so is there anything the candidates can do at this point to sway voters? ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says, this late in the cycle, it’s rare that people hitting the polls would change their minds about how they are going to vote…:
cut 4 (10) “that direction”
He still believes it will be a David Vitter/John Bel Edwards runoff…but wouldn’t be shocked if Scott Angelle edged Vitter.

More information is coming out about the disturbing incident in which cops say a Baton Rouge couple was kidnapped and strangled allegedly at the hands of a man who worked for them and robbed their safe. Authorities arrested 42-year-old Ernesto Alonso in the deaths of 71-year-old Denis “Bubby” Duplantier and 70-year-old Suzy Duplantier. Investigators believe the suspect bound the victims at their home and beat them until they let him into their safe. They were then killed and bodies dumped in Hammond.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office says the K-9 Thor who was attacked and stabbed during a pursuit of a burglary suspect, is in recovery and doing well. Sheriff Jack Strain says they are hopeful Thor can return to work sooner than later, but they are taking it day by day starting with when doctors remove the drain tube from the surgery site:
CUT 7 (09) “to duty”
Deputies opened fire on the suspect who was stabbing Thor and the man was pronounced dead.

Gas priced dipped another penny overnight. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $1.98 according to AAA.

An arrest has been made in connection with the murder of an elderly Baton Rouge couple who was found strangled to death at a truck stop in Hammond. Emelie Gunn has more…
cut 2 (31) “….reporting’

A federal judge has issued her final ruling in Governor Bobby Jindal’s lawsuit that takes aim at the Common Core education standards. Judge Shelly Dick is refusing to hear the governor’s claim that the US Department of Education was illegally coercing states to use the standards. The governor plans to appeal.

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles has sent out over one million letters to residents and former residents, warning them that a collections agency might be used to collect fines for allowing their auto insurance lapse. Some are calling this a money grab for a state that’s having budget issues. State Police Lt JB Slaton says that’s unfortunate…
cut 5 (08) “….legislative session”
A law was passed earlier this year that allows the OMV to collect money through the Office of Debt Recovery.

Vice President Joe Biden announced today that he will not seek the Democratic Presidental Nomation. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan…
cut 11 (07) “…Democratic nomination”
Biden says its too late for him to mount a credible campaign for the job. That means the Democratic primary is now a two-percent race between Clinton and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.

One person has been arrested in the double murder and abduction of an elderly Baton Rouge couple. The victims, Denis and Suzanne Duplantier, were found strangled to death in their vehicle at a truck stop in Hammond. Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie says 42-year-old Ernesto Alonso was arrested in Miami, Florida on several charges…:
CUT 6 (10) “been recovered”
Authorities say Alonso did odd jobs around the couple’s home. The arrest warrant says that a large amount of cash was missing from the victims’ home and that they were beaten.

The final gubernatorial debate before the October 24th primary is tonight on the LSU campus. Editor of the LSU school newspaper, the Reveille, Fernanda Zamudio-Suarez says the two Republicans dominating the student crowd are David Vitter and Jay Dardenne…
cut 14 (09) “….Lt. Governor”
And Dardenne is a former student body president at LSU.

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles has mailed 1.2 million letters to drivers with lapsed insurance warning them that a collection agency could be used if they don’t pay their fines. Eric Gill reports…
voicer 1 (28) “…I’m Eric Gill”

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain says one of their K-9’s, “Thor” is recovering from surgery today after he was stabbed by a burglary suspect. His doctors say Thor lost a lot of blood and it’s too soon to say whether he’ll be able to return to full time duty. Thor and deputies were chasing after two suspects in the Mandeville area yesterday. One of the suspects was shot and killed by police after he stabbed Thor.

The Baton Rouge Police Department has arrested a 42-year-old man in connection with the murder of a Baton Rouge couple found dead at a truck stop in Hammond. Authorities say Denis and Suzanne Duplantier had been kidnapped and strangled. Police Spokesperson Lt. Johnny Dunham says they are unsure where the murders took place and are searching for others who could be involved…:
CUT 8 (09) “accomplices”
There’s a report out indicating a large amount of money had been taken from the Duplantier’s home. Ernesto Alonso is charged with two counts each of first degree murder and second degree kidnapping.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says the K-9 who was stabbed during a robbery is out of surgery and is expected to recover. They say they are not sure if Thor will be able to return to duty, but they are taking it day by day. Officials say the suspected robber was shot and killed by deputies when he began stabbing Thor with a 4-6 inch switch blade.

Vice President Joe Biden announced today that he will not seek the Democratic presidential nomination. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Democrats, especially Hillary Clinton, are breathing easier now that Biden has decided not to run…:
CUT 10 (09) “the presidency”
In his announcement, Biden said he didn’t think there was sufficient time to mount a winning campaign.

Tonight at LSU in Baton Rouge, three candidates for governor will take part in a debate. Republicans Scott Angelle and Jay Dardenne and Democrat John Bel Edwards will participate. LSU Reveille Editor Fernanda Zamudio-Suarez says even though the campus is Republican leaning, some are throwing their support behind Edwards…:
cut 13 (06) “him with that”
She says Dardenne has a slight home field advantage on campus as he is a former student body president at LSU.

Baton Rouge Police announce the arrest of a man accused in the strangling death of a couple from Baton Rouge whose bodies were found in Hammond. 42-year-old Ernesto Alonso was apprehended in Miami, Florida on two counts each of first degree murder and second degree kidnapping in the deaths of Denis and Suzanne Duplantier. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore…:
CUT 7 (09) “in this parish”
Officials also believe Alonso had an accomplice who remains at large.

The final televised debate among gubernatorial candidates will be held tonight on the LSU campus. Republicans Scott Angelle and Jay Dardenne as well as Democrat John Bel Edwards will participate. LSU Reveille Editor Fernanda Zamudio-Suarez says students’ attitude about Saturday’s election pretty much reflects the rest of the state…:
cut 12 (07) “on campus”
The debate begins at 7pm.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office says the K-9 Thor who was attacked and stabbed during a pursuit of a burglary suspect, had surgery today and is doing well. Sheriff Jack Strain says the outpouring of support for Thor has been coming from all over the world on the K-9’s picture on the department’s Facebook page. Deputies shot the suspect dead when he began stabbing the K-9 and the matter is under investigation.

State Police says the Office of Motor Vehicles has sent out over a million letters to drivers who have not renewed their car insurance indicating that they will be turned into collections if they don’t pay the $525 fine. State Police Lt. A new law allows the office to send such solicitations. JB Slaton says it’s a good idea to have your documents in order…:
CUT 4 (10) “proper documentation”
He says these fines have been piling up over the past several years, but it wasn’t until recently the office had the means to collect them.

**Affiliates please note that David Vitter will NOT be at tonight’s debate. We apologize for the error.**

An arrest has been made in connection with the murder of an elderly Baton Rouge couple who was found strangled to death at truck stop in Hammond. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Three candidates for governor are set to appear tonight in a debate on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge at 7pm. Republicans Scott Angelle, Jay Dardenne, and Democrat John Bel Edwards are slated to be there. You can watch it in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lafayette and Shreveport.

A US judge has issued a final ruling on Governor Bobby Jindal’s lawsuit against Common Core. The ruling was that there is no evidence to support Jindal’s claim that feds were forcing states to adopt the standards.

Vice President Joe Biden ended months of speculation today by announcing he will not seek the Democratic presidential nomination. In his announcement, Biden said he didn’t think there was sufficient time to mount a winning campaign. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says this is great news for Hillary Clinton…:
CUT 9 (07) “looks like”
National polls showed Biden consistently polling with at least 10-percent support among Democratic voters.

Saints linebackers and assistant head coach of the New Orleans Saints Joe Vitt will be listed as doubtful on the injury report after he tore his Achilles and broke his wrist, while chasing down car burglars in his Old Metairie neighborhood. Saints Coach Sean Payton says Vitt, who has a torn Achilles and broken wrist, has not missed a day of work because of it. The Black and Gold take on the Colts Sunday at noon.

An arrest has been made in connection with the murder of an elderly Baton Rouge couple who was found strangled to death at truck stop in Hammond. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The four candidates for governor are set to appear tonight in a debate on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge at 7pm. Republicans Scott Angelle, Jay Dardenne, David Vitter and Democrat John Bel Edwards are all slated to be there. You can watch it in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lafayette and Shreveport.

A US judge has issued a final ruling on Governor Bobby Jindal’s lawsuit against Common Core. The ruling was that there is no evidence to support Jindal’s claim that feds were forcing states to adopt the standards.

Vice President Joe Biden ended months of speculation today by announcing he will not seek the Democratic presidential nomination. In his announcement, Biden said he didn’t think there was sufficient time to mount a winning campaign. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says this is great news for Hillary Clinton…:
CUT 9 (07) “looks like”
National polls showed Biden consistently polling with at least 10-percent support among Democratic voters.

Saints linebackers and assistant head coach of the New Orleans Saints Joe Vitt will be listed as doubtful on the injury report after he tore his Achilles and broke his wrist, while chasing down car burglars in his Old Metairie neighborhood. Saints Coach Sean Payton says Vitt, who has a torn Achilles and broken wrist, has not missed a day of work because of it. The Black and Gold take on the Colts Sunday at noon.