13:30 Newscast, October 20th, 2015

Police are investigating the case of a man and a woman reported missing from Baton Rouge, that were found dead inside their vehicle in Hammond. BRPD Corporal L Jean McKneely says they were conducting a welfare check at the couple’s residence and discovered the door wide open and a vehicle gone. He says GPS lead them to the vehicle in Hammond where the two were found dead. This is a developing story.

A Port Allen man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for two counts of solicitation of murder. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

LaPolitics.com reports that after the October 24th primary, over two thirds of of state lawmakers races will be decided. Publisher Jeremy Alford says 51 percent of legislatures were automatically re-elected. He says there are also a lot of races with just two candidates, so we’ll know the winner after Election Day…:
CUT 4 (07) “October 24th”
He says 23 House races and 9 Senate races have multiple candidates and will likely go to the November 21st runoff.

Cops say a 3-year-old was shot during a home invasion in Lake Charles this morning. Deputy Chief Mark Kraus says they were told two armed men entered the house demanding money. He says the homeowner reported that he was pistol whipped after telling the suspected robbers he didn’t have any cash and that’s when the gun went off and hit the child…:
CUT 12 (08) “suspects fled”
He says the child is expected to survive and the investigation continues.

 

12:30 Newscast, October 20th, 2015

Baton Rouge and Hammond Police are investigating the discovery of two bodies found at a truck stop near I-12 in Hammond. Eric Gill reports..:
CUT 2 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

The Lake Charles Police Department is trying to figure out what happened in a purported home invasion where a three year old child was shot. Cops say the homeowner told them two men broke into his house demanding money and beating him with a gun when the weapon went off and struck the toddler. The suspects are described as two black males who fled in a dark-colored pickup truck. The child is in the hospital for treatment. Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact authorities.

A man from Port Allen was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges stemming from a murder for hire plot against an elderly couple from Point Coupee. Prosecutor Tony Clayton says 38-year-old Tommy Gioele (Gee-Oh-Lee) hired someone to kill Manuel Persica and his wife Camellia after a bitter business feud. Gioele will also have to wear an ankle bracelet for half a decade so the Persicas feel safe…:
CUT 6 (10) “care of”
He says he’s glad Gioele manned up and admitted he tried to have the Persicas murdered.

Gas prices are below $2 again after a brief jump. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $1.99 down four cents from last week according to AAA.

 

11:30 Newscast, October 20th, 2015

Cops in Hammond say the bodies of a man and a woman found at a truck stop near I-12 overnight were a couple reported missing from Baton Rouge. BRPD spokesman Corporal L’Jean McKneely says they responded to the victims’ residence last night to conduct a welfare check, and found the door wide open and vehicle missing. He says OnStar located the vehicle in Hammond:
CUT 9 (09) “inside of the car”
Police have yet to identify the victims. This is a developing story.

The Lake Charles Police Department says a 3-year-old child was shot during a suspected home invasion early this morning. They say the homeowner reported he told two burglars that he didn’t have any money and that’s when they began beating him with a gun that discharged and struck the toddler. Authorities say the child was taken to a hospital out of town and the investigation into this incident is still very active.

After Saturday night’s primary election, at least 77-percent of the state House and Senate races will be decided. LaPolitics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says that’s based on the number of lawmakers running without opposition and the number of legislative races involving just two candidates. He says this is highly unusual…:
CUT 3 (08) “54-percent”
He says there are 23 House races and 9 Senate races with multiple candidates that could go to the November 21st runoff.

LSU Coach Les Miles is warning his team not to let its guard down against Saturday’s opponent, Western Kentucky. Miles says the 6-and-1 Hilltoppers should be ranked in the Top 25 and their quarterback Brandon Doughty, is good enough to play in the SEC…”
Cut 16 (17) “get your attention”
Kickoff is at 6pm in Tiger Stadium.

 

10:30 Newscast, October 20th, 2015

The Hammond Police Department is investigating the discovery of two bodies found at a truck stop near I-12 last night. Cops now say the victims were a man and a woman who had been reported missing from Baton Rouge. The report indicates Baton Rouge Police got a call around 10:15 last night to make a welfare check at a home where the door was wide open, no residents inside and vehicle missing. More on this as it develops.

State Farm says over 44% of teenage drivers still admit to texting while behind the wheel, even though they know it’s dangerous. Spokesperson Roszell Gadson says it’s Teen Driver Safety week and they are trying to get the word out that young motortists need to put their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road…:
CUT 7 (10) “disturbingly high”
He says over 90 percent of teens also admitted that they know texting and driving is a distraction.

Governor Bobby Jindal’s second book is out today and it makes a case for why he should be should be the next man in the White House. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

The Westwego Police Department is investigating the shooting death of a 15-year-old boy. They say Kevin Thomas was talking with several other people in a parking lot when someone shot him multiple times as he tried to get away from the group. Authorities say Thomas made it to his parents house, but was pronounced dead at the scene. The police investigating is ongoing. If you have information on this incident, you are urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

 

09:30 Newscast October 20, 2015

A longtime Louisiana political analyst finds voter interest in this year’s governor’s election is as low as he’s ever seen. Jeff Palermo has more….

cut 3 (25) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

While it is too late to register to cast your ballot in Saturday’s statewide elections, there’s still time to register to vote in the runoff election. Wednesday is the final day of voter registration for the November 21st runoff. Residents can register in person at their parish registrar of voters office and other authorized locations until close of business tomorrow. You could also register to vote online at geauxvote-dot-com, with “geaux” spelled the cajun way, until midnight Wednesday.

A State Farm survey finds 44-percent of teenagers are still texting and driving ever after understanding the potential dangers. Spokesperson Roszell Gadson says car crashes are the number one killer of teenagers and they want to engage students to drive safely in a supportive and positive way…

cut 9 (10) “this issue”

He says the number one deterrent of teen distracted driving is getting into a car accident.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries have cited 40-year-old Glen Toups, Jr. of Abbeville after he illegally killed a legendary dear in Avoyelles Parish. Toups is cited for allegedly not having deer tags and basic season and big game hunting licenses. L-D-W-F Spokesperson Adam Einck says the deer was one of the top five biggest irregular deer shot with an arrow and was unofficially scored as a 208 class buck…

cut 14 (08) “for that”

08:30 Newscast October 20, 2015

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat finds voter interest in this year’s governor’s race is among the lowest he’s ever seen. He says 70-percent of voters give Governor Bobby Jindal a negative rating and that’s rubbing off on the newest candidates…

cut 12 (09) “right now”

A recent LSU Public Policy Research Lab poll found just 39-percent of Louisiana voters were interested in this election.

Governor Jindal releases his second book today and in it the Republican presidential hopeful shares why he thinks he should be the next Commander-in-Chief. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross thinks this book will be one thing Jindal hands out on the campaign trail…

cut 6 (09) “read it”

The book, “American Will: The Forgotten Choices That Changed our Republic”, is available at amazon-dot-com.

This week is Teen Driver Safety week and a survey finds teens are still texting and driving even after being aware of the consequences. Emelie Gunn has more….

cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Although it’s too late to register to vote for Saturday’s statewide elections, it’s not too late to participate in the November 21st runoff. Voter registration for the runoff election ends Wednesday. You can register in person until close of business tomorrow at your parish registrar of voters office and other authorized locations. You have until midnight Wednesday to register online at geauxvote-dot-com.

07:30 Newscast October 20, 2015

Governor Bobby Jindal’s second book, “American Will: The Forgotten Choices That Changed our Republic”, is out today. In it, Jindal makes a case for why he should be elected president through stories from history. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it’s not that unusual for a presidential candidate to release a book…

cut 5 (11) “United States”

The book is available at amazon-dot-com.

A recent State Farm survey finds that 44-percent of teenagers are still texting and driving even though they know the dangers. Spokesperson Roszell Gadson says their survey found that 50-percent of teens are scared of being caught by the police…

cut 8 (08) “by cellphones”

He says this week is Teen Driver Safety week.

Longtime Louisiana political analyst Bernie Pinsonat finds the interest in this year’s governor’s race is a bad as he’s ever seen. He says the four major gubernatorial candidates haven’t been able to generate any interest, because they’re all being muffled by the constant attack ads…

cut 11 (09) “else’s fault”

Pinsonat says the voters are finding themselves shying away from believing the candidates can actually fix problems.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has cited a man accused of illegally killing a legendary deer in Avoyelles Parish. L-D-W-F Spokesperson Adam Einck says 40-year-old Glen Toups, Jr. of Abbeville shot a buck with a crossbow on a hunting club’s property near Simmesport…

cut 13 (11) “as well”

Toups is cited for not having deer tags and basic season and big game hunting licenses.

06:30 Newscast October 20, 2015

A longtime Louisiana political analyst finds the interest in this year’s governor’s race is a bad as he’s ever seen. Bernie Pinsonat says voters are very disappointed in the last four years with Governor Bobby Jindal and reduced funding toward higher education and hospitals…

cut 10 (09) “fix something”

A survey from LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab found just 39-percent of voters in Louisiana are interested in this election.

Governor Jindal’s second book is out today and in it the GOP presidential hopeful shares why he thinks he should be the next man in the White House. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it’s not a surprise Jindal has released another book…

cut 4 (11) “presidential campaign”

The title is “American Will: The Forgotten Choices That Changed our Republic.”

A survey released from State Farm finds many teenagers are still texting and driving even after understanding the potential dangers. Spokesperson Roszell Gadson says over 90-percent of teens admit to knowing it’s distracting, yet 44-percent confessed they still text and drive. He says this week is Teen Driver Safety week and hopes they can get the word out for young drivers to stay focused on the road…

cut 7 (10) “disturbingly high”

Gadson says their survey also found the biggest deterrent for teenagers to stop distracted driving is getting into a car accident.

17:30 Newscast October 19, 2015

The Secretary of State’s Office reports that 222,000 Louisianians cast an early ballot for October 24th’s election. A breakdown of early voting numbers reveal that 71-percent of participants were white, while just 27-percent were black. Pollster John Couvillon says the low percentage of black voters participating in early voting could have an impact on the number of voters hitting the polls Saturday…

cut 5 (06) “October 24th”

Polls will be open from 7AM to 8PM Saturday.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry announce the arrest of 22-year-old Justin Murphy of Jonesboro who is charged with six counts of simple arson for intentionally setting fires when he worked as a volunteer firefighter in 2010 and 2011. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says Murphy’s confession came while he was being questioned about another fire in north Louisiana last week…

cut 10 (07) “one home”

He says Murphy has not been charged in the Liberty Hill fire.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says two brothers have been arrested in connection with the murder of Nanette Me’Shell King whose dead body was found inside a burned car. Sheriff Jack Strain says the victim’s ex boyfriend, 53-year-old Gary Harris, allegedly murdered her and his brother, 64-year-old Ray Harris, helped him cover it up…

cut 12 (06) “individuals were”

Gary Harris is charged with second degree murder and Ray Harris with accessory after the fact.

According to LSU, Mike the Tiger will not be attending anymore home games, at least for the rest of this season. Ginger Gutner, with the LSU Vet School, says they can’t force the giant tiger to do anything and they will reevaluate the matter next season…

cut 8 (09) “and see”

Mike VI didn’t attend any games last season, and in 2013 he was only at three and some fans aren’t happy this tradition isn’t being honored.

16:30 Newscast October 19, 2015

A federal judge rules that Louisiana must continue Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood at least 14 more days despite Governor Bobby Jindal’s push to stop payments to the clinics. Jindal’s effort began following the release of videos which allegedly show Planned Parenthood workers talking about selling fetal tissue. Planned Parenthood denies the allegation and said in a statement that the ruling protects the health and safety of thousands of Louisiana’s men and women.

About 222,000 Louisianians cast an early ballot for Saturday’s election according to the Secretary of State’s Office. When you base this election’s early voting numbers on historical trends, a 45 to 50 percent voter turnout is expected for the election. Pollster John Couvillon says low voter turnout typically favors Republican candidates…

cut 4 (10) “Democratic intensity”

About 14,000 fewer voters participated in this year’s early voting than in last November’s election.

====================================

LSU mascot Mike VI will not be attending anymore home games this season. Ginger Gutner, with the LSU Vet School, says anyone who visits Mike’s dwelling knows that he likes to sleep by the windows up front around people, so she doesn’t think the big crowds are keeping him from the games…

cut 7 (07) “game day”

She says they plan to reevaluate the situation next season.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry announce the arrest of a man accused of intentionally setting a number of fires when he worked as a volunteer firefighter in Jonesboro in 2010 and 2011. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the suspect faces six counts of simple arson…

cut 9 (09) “near Jonesboro”

Strain says Murphy’s confession came while he was being questioned about an unrelated fire.