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

cut 4 (10) “Democratic intensity”

Couvillon feels the lower early voting turnout shows a lack of public interest in the governor’s election.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry announce the arrest of a man who is accused of intentionally setting fires when he worked as a volunteer firefighter 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.

LSU announces Mike the Tiger will not be attending anymore home games in Death Valley, at least for the rest of this season. Michelle Southern reports…:

cut 2 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

According to the Secretary of State’s Office, 222,000 Louisianians cast an early ballot for this Saturday’s gubernatorial election. That’s about 14,000 less than participated in last November’s election. Pollster John Couvillon feels the lower early voting turnout shows a lack of public interest in the governor’s race…:
CUT 3 (09) “policy proposals”
Basing this election’s early voting numbers on historical trends, a 45 to 50 percent voter turnout is expected for the election.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says two brothers are under arrest in connection with the murder of Nanette King whose dead body was found in a burned car near Sun. They believe the victim’s ex-boyfriend, 53-year-old Gary Harris of Bush, killed her then dumped her body and that his brother, 64-year-old Ray Harris of Bush, helped him cover it up. Gary Harris is charged with second degree murder and Ray Harris accessory after the fact.

Live mascot Mike VI will not be attending anymore home games this season in Death Valley. 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 next season.

LSU is the only team in the Southeastern Conference that’s still undefeated after beating Florida 35-28 on Saturday night. It was another Florida game that featured trick plays from LSU. Coach Les Miles called for kicker Trent Domingue to take a pitch from holder Brad Kragthorpe and Domingue did the rest, running 16 yards for the score on the fake field goal…
cut 16 (13) “…for sure”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts the ongoing El Nino is predicted to peak during the late fall, early winter and it should bring some badly needed rain to Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it could also cause some adverse weather…:
CUT 15 (07) “this winter”
He says during El Nino years, the number of freeze days in Louisiana doubles.

A federal judge orders Louisiana must continue funding Planned Parenthood at least 14 more days despite governor Bobby Jindal’s push to stop payments to the clinics. The GOP presidential hopeful began this effort 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 today that the ruling protects the health and safety of thousands of Louisiana’s men and women.

Election Day is this Saturday. The Secretary of State’s office says based on early voting numbers, turnout for the gubernatorial election should be between 45 and 50%.

The State Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is calling on waterfowl hunters to voice their opinions on proposed changes to hunting zones. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (23) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

LSU announces Mike the Tiger won’t be attending anymore home games in Death Valley, at least for the rest of this season. Ginger Gutner, with the LSU Vet School, says they tried something a little different in order to get Mike VI into his trailer for the McNeese State game, but it didn’t work a second time…:
CUT 6 (06) “next game”
LSU says they will reevaluate next season.

Even though recent polls have shown Republican David Vitter has the highest unfavorability rating of the four candidates running for Governor, analysts still believe he has the best shot. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says if Vitter and Democrat John Bel Edwards make the runoff, Louisiana voters will likely lean to the more conservative candidate…:
CUT 9 (08) “looking for”
Based on the latest poll from LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab, Vitter’s unfavorable rating is 41-percent, the three other candidates were in the teens or single digits.

Forecasters say the upcoming El Nino could be one of the strongest ones on record. State Climatologist Barry Keim says during these types of events, rainfall runs about 25 percent above average. He says El Ninos tend to bring more freezing weather, too…:
Cut 14 (09) “that’s incredible”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is proposing changes to waterfowl zones and they want to know how hunters feel about it. You can see the suggested new boundaries online at wlf.la.gov. Waterfowl program manager Larry Reynolds…:

CUT 11 (10) “2016 season”
He says the Waterfowl Hunting Commission will consider the zoning changes at their November 5th meeting.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Department of Ag and Forestry announce the arrest of a man who is accused of intentionally setting fires when he worked as a volunteer firefighter in 2010 and 2011. They say 22-year-old Justin Murphy of Jonesboro confessed to the arson after being questioned as a “person of interest” in the recent Bienville Parish blaze which destroyed a home about about 800 acres of land last week. His bond was set at $90,000.

NOAA weather forecasters predict that a very strong El Nino will bring some much needed rain to Louisiana in the coming months. Eric Gill has more…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

A federal judge ruled this morning the state must continue funding Planned Parenthood at least 14 more days despite Governor Bobby Jindal’s fight to stop making payments to the clinics. The organization claims the state unlawfully canceled their Medicaid contracts. Jindal announced Louisiana would stop funding Planned Parenthood here after secretly taped videos surfaced allegedly showing its leaders discussing the sale of fetal tissue for profit. The group denies the allegation.

More than 55% of people in Louisiana feel the state is heading in the wrong direction according to a recent LSU Public Policy Research Lab report on the 2015 elections. Pollster Dr. Michael Henderson says it seems the closer we get to the October 24th primary, the more negative voters feel about the future of Louisiana…:
CUT 5 (06) “up today”
Henderson says only 29-percent of voters surveyed thought the state was going in the right direction.

LSU kicker Trent Domingue will be big man on campus this week after scoring on a fake field goal to help the Tigers beat the previously unbeaten Florida Gators 35-28. Coach Les Miles called for Domingue to take a pitch from Brad Kragthorpe, then the place kicker did the rest , running 16 yards for the score…:
CUT 16 (13) “for sure”
Domingue was LSU’s second leading rusher, behind Leonard Fournette who had 180 yards and two touchdowns.

Recent polls show Republican David Vitter has the highest unfavorability ratings out of the four candidates running for governor — but many political pundits believe the US Senator has the best shot at succeeding Bobby Jindal. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says if Vitter makes the runoff, voters will start paying closer attention to his agenda…:
CUT 7 (10) “Edwards”
He says recent previous election cycles show Louisiana voters today are typically more likely to choose the Republican over the Democrat.

The LSU Police Department has arrested two men from Georgia for allegedly selling fake tickets to the Tigers/Florida game in Baton Rouge on Saturday. They say 30-year-old Kenny Redding and 29-year-old Chris Harrison, both of Atlanta, face charges including offense against intellectual property and theft. Angry fans identified the suspects to police after they were unable to get into the game with the phony tickets, according to the LSU police report.

The State Department of Wildlife and Fisheries wants to hear from hunters about the proposed changes to the waterfowl hunting zones. LDWF Waterfowl program manager Larry Reynolds says they are seeking public comment to get an idea of how the possible re-zoning changes could affect hunters across the state…:
CUT 10 (10) “good ideas”
A map with the proposed new boundaries can be found at wlf.la.gov.

LSU sophomore quarterback Brandon Harris had a great game in the Tigers 35-28 victory over the Florida Gators on Saturday. Harris has thrown for over 200 yards in back-to-back games and admits he’s playing with a chip on his shoulder…:
CUT 18 (11) “can’t do”
Leonard Fournette had 180 yards and 2 touchdowns.

NOAA weather forecasters predict that a very strong El Nino will bring some much needed rain to Louisiana in the coming months. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we can expect cooler and wetter than normal conditions for the coming winter and spring…:
Cut 13 (07) “above normal”
Forecasters called this El Nino one of the strongest on record.

An LSU Public Policy Research Lab report surveying people’s opinions about the 2015 election cycle found that 56-percent of Louisianans believe the state is heading in the wrong direction. Dr. Michael Henderson says only 29-percent of voters surveyed thought the state was making positive strides…:
cut 4 (07) “wrong direction”

Election Day is this Saturday and based on early voting numbers, the Secretary of State’s office predicts about a 45-50% turnout.

It looks like LSU has found itself a passing game. Jeff Palermo has more on the Tigers 35-28 win over Florida…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

LSU advances to No. 5 in both the AP Top 25 poll and the Coaches poll. Ohio State tops each poll.

The four major gubernatorial candidates discussed their plans for solving the state’s budget problems during a televised debate on Louisiana Tech’s campus. When a new governor and state legislature is sworn-in in January, they’ll face a 700-million dollar budget shortfall. Republican Jay Dardenne says he’ll look to make funding higher education a priority and seek to make budget cuts elsewhere…

cut 8 (12) “we can cut”

Democrat John Bel Edwards says he plans on calling two special sessions when he takes office to address the fiscal mess left behind by Governor Bobby Jindal…

cut 9 (12) “items”

The election is in one week. Early voting ends today.

Governor Bobby Jindal’s latest presidential campaign fundraising report shows he raised less than $600,000 in the third quarter and has only $261,000 on hand. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Jindal’s recent surge of support in Iowa might make it possible for him to go back to some people who have donated money in the past…

cut 11 (07) “to his campaign”

By comparison, Republican presidential hopeful Ben Carson raised over $20 million during the same time frame.

The Saints convincing 31-21 victory Thursday night over Atlanta has many in the Who Dat nation thinking the Black and Gold can turn this season around. In the win, there was a blocked punt for a touchdown, the defense forced three turnovers, and quarterback Drew Brees threw for over 300 yards…

cut 13 (10) “pay off”

The Saints hit the field again next Sunday at Indianapolis.

The four men seeking to become the state’s next governor discussed their plans to solve the state’s budget problems during a televised debate on Louisiana Tech’s campus. Republican David Vitter, who has served in Congress since 1999, blamed his three opponents for helping to create the financial mess…

cut 6 (08) “we speak”

Vitter says if elected, he’ll look at ways on how the state can reduce its spending. But Republican Scott Angelle says Vitter is not the guy who should be in charge of getting Louisiana’s fiscal house in order…

cut 7 (12) “it works”

The gubernatorial primary is one week from today. Early voting for the election ends today at 6PM.

Due to extremely dry conditions across the state, the state fire marshal’s office and Department of Agriculture and Forestry has issued a burn ban across all of Louisiana. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the ban applies to all private burning. and violators could face consequences…

cut 4 (08) “of burning”

The US Drought Monitor reports that 86-percent Louisiana is currently in drought.

Federal fundraising reports show that Governor Bobby Jindal’s presidential campaign raised less than $600,000 during the third fundraising quarter. The report further states that the governor has only $261,000 on hand. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says this report is not good news for Jindal…

cut 10 (07) “in the bank”

A Jindal spokesperson says the election is not an auction and they are running a lean, mean campaign.

Federal fundraising reports show that Governor Bobby Jindal’s presidential campaign raised less than $600,000 during the third fundraising quarter. Emelie Gunn has more…

cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Early voting for the October 24th primary election ends today. The Secretary of State’s Office says, thus far, turnout looks to be about average. This is a big election statewide with nearly 1,070 offices up for grabs, over 2,000 candidates running, and 4 constitutional amendments on the ballot. Early voting polls will close at 6PM.

The state fire marshal’s office and Department of Agriculture and Forestry has issued a statewide burn ban due to extremely dry conditions across the state. The US Drought Monitor reports that 86-percent Louisiana is currently in drought. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the burn ban was issued because of dry conditions, abnormal emergency responses, and adverse future weather forecasts…

cut 3 (09) “rain predicted”

The burn ban is in effect until further notice.

Louisiana is in for another beautiful weekend and with cooler temperatures across the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says if you’re going to some nighttime football games, it might be a good idea to bundle up…

cut 16 (07) “moving in”

Keim says daytime highs won’t get out of the 70s in most areas of the state.