A state judge has thrown out a 1997 constitutional amendment that prohibits convicted felons from running for public office in Louisiana until 15 years after their prison sentence is completed. The case involves former state senator Derrick Shepherd, who spent 37 months in prison and is seeking a state House seat this fall. Former Governor and convicted felon Edwin Edwards agrees with the ruling…

cut 4 (07) “to vote on it”

Judge Wilson Fields agreed with Shepherd’s attorneys who said the language on the ballot in 1997 did not match-up with what the legislature passed.

Today is the deadline to register to vote for the upcoming gubernatorial election. Secretary of State Tom Schedler is reminding Louisiana residents to get engaged in all of the important elections that will take place on October 24th.

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Schedler says the easiest way to register or make changes to your registration is to go online at Geaux Vote dot com.

Today marks the first day of fall and hopefully that means we’ll start to feel cooler temperatures in Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we can expect normal temperatures for the next three months and we’ll also be getting some relief to the dry conditions across the state with higher than average rainfall.

cut 7 (10) “this winter”

Keim says Louisiana will be cooling down shortly with the arrival of cold fronts. He adds that most residents are probably glad fall is finally here, as this summer was the hottest we’ve experienced in two years.

The Council for a Better Louisiana has released its 2015 Election Agenda. Its recommendations on roads, education, and health care for the next governor and legislature. CABL President Barry Erwin hopes the next governor looks at raising the gas tax in an effort to increase investment in highway infrastructure…:
CUT 6 (08) “of the state”
CABL’s agenda also supports Medicaid expansion and a cap on TOPS.

The Jefferson Parish Republican Executive Committee has decided to endorse Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser for Lt. Governor over their own Jefferson Parish President John Young. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says this is a big win for Nungesser. He says it clearly shows that Young has issues with his fellow Republicans in his home parish…:
CUT 13 (07) “a runoff”
The group also endorses Republican David Vitter for governor but Dubos says it was only by one vote in a runoff with Jay Dardenne.

Pope Francis is on US soil for a six-day, three city visit. Tomorrow morning he’ll be welcomed to the United State during a ceremoney at the White House. State Senate President John Alario says he’s humbled to have received the invitation from President Obama…
cut 4 (05) “….we’re there”

Strange story out of Cameron Parish, a one-year-old was found alone on Holly Beach, while her parents were jogging naked four miles away. Michelle Southern reports…
voicer 3 (30) “I’m Michelle southern’

The Council for a Better Louisiana has released their 2015 Election Agenda. These are the group’s recommendations for the next governor and legislature. CABL President Barry Erwin says they support expanding Medicaid. He says this would afford the state more federal money to strengthen medical education and provide more health care for Louisiana citizens…:
CUT 8 (09) “other states”
He says they also would like to see the gas tax raised to help roads and they also feel the TOPS program should be restructured.

The four main candidates for governor were asked about the possibility of raising the minimum wage during a forum in Baton Rouge. Republican David Vitter was absent, but fellow GOP candidate Jay Dardenne doesn’t think increasing the minimum pay is the answer. Republican Scott Angelle agrees…:
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Democrat John Bel Edwards supports raising the wages of the state’s lowest paid workers.

The Jefferson Parish GOP endorses Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser for Lt. Governor over their own Jefferson Parish President John Young. In the governor’s race, the group endorses Republican David Vitter. However, Political analyst Clandy Dubos says this was not an overwhelming endorsement from Vitter’s home parish…:
cut 14 (09) “one vote”
He says the group’s selection of Nungesser over Young is a real slap at Young on his home turf.

So will Saints quarterback Dree Brees play against the Carolina Panthers? ESPN’s Ed Werder has learned that orthopedic surgeon and LSU alum Doctor James Andrews examined the MRI scans of Brees’ injured shoulder and confirmed the original diagnosis that the veteran QB has a bruised rotator cuff. That means there’s a chance number nine will play against the Panthers, but it depends on how well his shoulder responds to the treatments he’ll get this week.

The Council for a Better Louisiana has released their 2015 Election Agenda which provides the group’s recommendations for roads, education, and health care to the next governor and legislature. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

Former state lawmaker Derrick Shepherd, a Democrat and convicted felon from Marrero, got a victory today in his fight to be able to run for public office again. The Jefferson Parish DA won a suit to keep Shepherd’s name off the ballot citing a 1997 constitutional amendment banning felons from running for office for 15 years. But a judge in Baton Rouge agreed with Shepherd’s argument that the legislature approved wording in the amendment which wasn’t on the ballot. An appeal of the ruling is planned.

The Jefferson Parish Republican Executive Committee has decided to endorse Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser for Lt. Governor over their own Jefferson Parish President John Young. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says this is a big win for Nungesser. He says it clearly shows that Young has issues with his fellow Republicans in his home parish…:
CUT 13 (07) “a runoff”
The group also endorses Republican David Vitter for governor but Dubos says it was only by one vote in a runoff with Jay Dardenne.

And if you’re not registered to vote yet in the October 24th primary, tomorrow is your last day to sign up. Residents can easily register to vote online at GeauxVote.com or in person at the local registrar of voter’s office or the OMV. Races in the election include many statewide and local offices.

Pope Francis is headed to the US today and State Senate President John Alario says he got an invitation out of the blue to attend the welcoming event at the White House tomorrow morning. Alario feels the pope’s message of forgiveness has really resonated with Catholics…:
CUT 5 (07) “to hear him”
The ceremony is scheduled for 8:15 Wednesday morning.

The Jefferson Parish Republican Executive Committee has announced their endorsements for the October 24th primary election. In a surprise, the group backs former Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser in the Lt. Governor’s race over their own Jefferson Parish President John Young. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says this is not good news for Young…:
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In the governor’s race, the group endorses Republican David Vitter — but not by a huge margin.

Will he or won’t he play against the Carolina Panthers. Jeff Palermo has the latest on Drew Brees’ status for Sunday’s game…:
CUT 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office says a Lake Charles man is under arrest for allegedly breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s home and raping her. They say 37-year-old Joshua Duplechin broke a bedroom window of the residence then once inside, threatened the victim and raped her. He is charged with home invasion and second-degree rape with a $250,000 bond.

Council for a Better Louisiana is our with their 2015 recommendations for the next governor and legislature on issues like healthcare, education and roads. CABL President Barry Erwin says they’d like to see a restructuring of the TOPS scholarship program to ensure its sustainability for the future. He says the cost of TOPS should not automatically grow with an increase in tuition…:
CUT 7 (09) “appropriate them”
They’d also like to see an increase in the gas tax to invest into Louisiana’s roads and they also support Medicaid expansion.

ESPN is reporting that they’ve spoken to orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews who said New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees does in fact have a bruised rotator cuff. The veteran QB said there is a “reasonable possibility” he will play this Sunday against the Panthers, but it just depends on how well he responds to treatment this week.

The issue of raising the minimum wage was brought up during a gubernatorial forum in Baton Rouge Monday. Democrat John Bel Edwards
says he supports giving Louisiana’s lowest paid workers more money. Republican Jay Dardenne disagrees. He says raising the minimum wage has proved to be counterproductive in many different ways…:
CUT 10 (10) “is education”
Republican Scott Angelle also says education is the key to higher paying jobs. Republican candidate David Vitter did not attend the forum.

New numbers from the Centers for Disease Control found in a state-by-state analysis that Louisiana had the fourth highest adult obesity rate in the nation in 2014. The numbers show that the obesity rate here is at almost 35%, up from 23 percent in 2000. Arkansas has the highest adult obesity rate at 36 percent, while Colorado has the lowest at 21 percent.

Democrat John Bel Edwards has released a television ad that says he’s the only gubernatorial candidate who supports an increase in minimum wage. Edwards spoke about his support for raising the wages of the state’s lowest paid workers during a forum in Baton Rouge…:
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Republicans Jay Dardenne and Scott Angelle do not agree there should be an increase. GOP candidate David Vitter did not attend the forum.

State Senate President John Alario is elated that he was invited to be a guest welcoming Pope Francis at the White House tomorrow morning. He says the invitation from President Obama came out of the blue and he’s very humbled by the gesture…:
CUT 4 (05) “we’re there”
The ceremony is scheduled for 8:15 Wednesday morning on the South Lawn of the White House.

The Council for a Better Louisiana has released their 2015 Election Agenda. It provides the group’s recommendations for roads, education, and health care to the next governor and legislature. CABL President Barry Erwin hopes the next governor looks at raising the gas tax in an effort to increase investment in highway infrastructure…:
CUT 6 (08) “of the state”
The agenda also supports Medicaid expansion in Louisiana and the restructuring of TOPS.

It’s expected we’ll find out more about the injury to Saints quarterback Drew Bree’s shoulder tomorrow. ESPN is reporting Brees has a bruised rotator cuff, but there is no indication of a tear. The Saints play at Carolina Sunday.

State Senate President John Alario will be among the guests welcoming Pope Francis at the White House Wednesday morning. The pope arrives in the US tonight and his visit will see stops in Washington, DC, New York City, and Philadelphia through Sunday. Alario says the invitation to attend came out of the blue…:
CUT 3 (06) “said yes”
Alario says he’s excited to be among those welcoming Pope Francis to the United States. The ceremony is scheduled for 8:15 Wednesday morning on the South Lawn of the White House.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office arrests a man for allegedly breaking into his ex girlfriend’s house and raping her at a home on University Drive in Lake Charles. They believe 37-year-old Joshua Duplechin of Lake Charles forced his way into the residence by breaking a window, then threatened the victim before raping her. Cops say she was able to call for help and Duplechin was still there when they arrived. He is charged with home invasion and 2nd degree rape. His bond is set at $250,000.

At a forum in Baton Rouge, Gubernatorial candidates Scott Angelle, Jay Dardenne and John Bel Edwards took turns blasting absent candidate David Vitter. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The West Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office is releasing more information about the deadly shooting incident in Monday. They’ve identified the suspect, 30-year-old Anthony Nixon of St. Francisville, as the uncle to the victim, 28-year-old Brandon Nixon also of St. Francisville. Details on a motive are not known at this time. Anthony Nixon is charged with second degree murder.

There are many reports circulating regarding the condition of Saints quarterback Drew Brees. The NFL Network tweeted that Brees could miss several games but then ESPN said treatment on an injured shoulder could determine whether or not he’d play Sunday at Carolina. Saints Coach Sean Payton told WWL that the NFL Network’s report was not accurate. Sideline reporter Kristian Garic says an M-R-I showed no structural damage, so now it depends on how Brees’ shoulder responds:
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If Brees can’t play this weekend, former Louisiana Tech standout Luke McCown will start against the Panthers.

A longtime criminal pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder charges for trying to kill a Baton Rouge Police officer during a traffic stop in 2012. 36-year-old Melvin Trosclair of Baton Rouge, who is already serving nine years in federal prison on an unrelated gun charge, got 30 years for the attempted cop killing.

Many LSU fans are expected to travel to Syracuse this weekend to watch the Tigers play the Orange in LSU’s first game in the Northeast since 1947. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Democratic Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton had a successful pass through Louisiana on Monday as her campaign reports she raised at least $400,000 while here. After the campaign rally, the former First Lady held a fundraiser attended by about 140 people where contributions were $2700 per person.

There are concerns Saints quarterback Drew Brees will miss Sunday’s game against Carolina. Jeff Palermo has more…

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Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton’s campaign stop in Baton Rouge netted approximately $400,000 for her campaign. Clinton first held a campaign rally at the Louisiana Leadership Institute which attracted about 1,200 supporters. She later attended a private fundraising event that was attended by about 140 contributors. Contributions ranged from $2,700 to attend the event up to $27,000 to be listed as an event host.

The three gubernatorial candidates, who attended a forum in Baton Rouge, each took turns taking shots at David Vitter, who did not attend the event. Democrat John Bel Edwards says Vitter isn’t much different than our current governor, Bobby Jindal…

cut 6 (11) “mistake again”

Edwards says the reason Vitter hasn’t publicly made accusations about him is because he’s still trying to dig up information.

A large contingent of LSU faithful are heading to New York later this week for the Tigers’ game against Syracuse. Vice President of LSU Alumni Relations, Jason Ramezan, says they were able to work with the Syracuse ticket office, so the purple and gold will be well represented in the Carrier Dome…

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This is LSU’s first football game in the northeastern United States since 1947.