The four major gubernatorial candidates squared off in their final televised debate before next Saturday’s primary. At the end of the debate, all the candidates discussed why they should be elected governor. Democrat John Bel Edwards says he has learned leadership throughout his life and is ready to serve the people of Louisiana…

cut 17 (09) “next governor”

A new poll from LSU shows voters are getting more interested in the primary, with about 40 percent of voters following election news, up from 25-percent last spring. Dr. Michael Henderson with the LSU Public Policy Research Lab says even though we’ve seen an increase, it’s still lower than last fall’s election…

cut 10 (08) “last year”

The primary election is one week from tomorrow.

Tomorrow is the final day to early vote for the October 24th primary. Secretary of State Spokeswoman Meg Casper says every day they’ve seen about 20 to 30 thousand people participating in early voting statewide. She says it’s becoming more popular for people to make their choices ahead of election day…

cut 8 (09) “cast their ballot”

She says, so far, early voting numbers are only slightly behind what they saw for the Congressional elections in 2014.

The Louisiana Army National Guard ranks number four among all other states’ National Guards in overall strength of its force. Col. Pete Schneider credits the state with providing fantastic benefits to our National Guard in helping to keep numbers up…

cut 5 (09) “in Louisiana”

LANG also ranked number one in the nation for retaining personnel.

The four major candidates for governor squared off in the final televised debate before the October 24th primary and for most of the 60 minutes the four men stuck to discussing issues and how they would solve problems in the state. But Republican Scott Angelle did take one shot at the GOP front runner in the race David Vitter.

cut 16 (11) “of America”

Tomorrow is the last day to early vote for the primary and the Secretary of State’s office says turnout looks to be about average. Spokeswoman Meg Casper says, so far, the numbers are only slightly behind what they saw for the Congressional elections in 2014…

cut 7 (10) “several cycles”

The 2015 gubernatorial early voting period will end tomorrow at 6pm.

The Louisiana Army National Guard has made significant jumps in their overall strength and retention of force. LANG ranks number four among all other states’ National Guards in overall strength of its force and first for retaining personnel. Col. Pete Schneider praises everyone at the Guard for helping raise Louisiana’s rankings…

cut 4 (10) “our state”

He says Louisiana ranked number 15 last year in overall strength. In the last year, LANG was able to increase their numbers to 9,650, better than 100-percent of their strength goal.

The federal government has announced there will not be an increase in benefits for millions of Social Security recipients. Brenda Hatfield with Louisiana AARP says this is especially devastating because next year Medicare costs are expected to increase for seniors, veterans and the disabled:
CUT 9 (10) “from Social Security
The main reason given for no increase in social security benefits, low gas prices.

In the governor’s race, Republican David Vitter was heavily critized by his opponents for missing a debate last night and for running attack ads against them. Republican Scott Angelle says Vitter doesn’t want to answer questions about his prostitution scandal…
CUT 5 (10) “means yes”
Early voting for the October 24th primary comes to an end on Saturday.

A lack of rainfall in Louisiana in the past several weeks has put most of the state in drought conditions. The US Drought Monitor reports that 86-percent of Louisiana is currently dealing with drought conditions. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the last 90 days have been extremely dry…:
cut 12 (09) “three months”
The report shows that 51-percent of Louisiana is suffering from extreme drought conditions.

Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff Ivy Woods says a Jennings woman has been able to find the whereabouts of her mother, who was last seen in this state in 1982. Woods says it turns out that Lee Marie Kratzer started a whole new life in Memphis as Lisa Neese, but passed away in 2008. Woods says DNA and help from a Tennessee woman helped Kathernie Renee Kratzer find her mother after filing a missing person’s report last year…
cut 8 (06) “…missing relative”

He wasn’t there, but Republican David Vitter was slammed during last night’s LBP gubernatorial debate. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

State Climatologist Barry Keim says 86 percent of Louisiana is currently dealing with drought conditions. He says the lack of rain is historic in some portions of the state…:
CUT 14 (06) “to 1895”
He says the state has received less than half of its normal rainfall over the past three months.

The feds have decided not to increase Social Security benefits next year, and Brenda Hatfield with Louisiana AARP says this will devastate seniors, vets and the disabled because Medicare costs are going up. She says they’ve pleaded with Congress not to increase Medicare…:
CUT 11 (10) “significantly”

State Police say a 17-year-old was killed as she was standing on the side of the road after being involved in a previous crash in Rapides Parish. They say 49-year-old Danny McBride of Elmer had to take evasive action in his Ford to avoid another vehicle that had already crashed, and collided with 17-year-old Katelyn Glenn. She passed away earlier today.

The National Transportation Safety Board has released new information about the plane that crashed at the Hammond Airport Wednesday afternoon, killing two men instantly. They say the aircraft was owned by a Lafayette firm. One of the victims has been identified as John Harris of Denham Springs.

The federal government announces there will be no increase in benefits for Social Security next year. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Authorities in Hammond have released more information about the plane crash which claimed the lives of two men on Wednesday. They say the plane was based in Lafayette and was picking someone up at the Hammond airport, but crashed after nose diving shortly after takeoff. The trip is believed to have been business in nature. The pilot has not been identified, but the deceased passenger is John Harris of Denham Springs.

A woman from Jennings who has been looking for her mom for over three decades, finally has some answers thanks to the LSU Faces lab and DNA testing. Lee Jan Kratzer left her home in Roanoke in 1982 and that’s the last time her family saw her. A woman in Memphis, Elizabeth Neese, recognized the photo of Kratzer at the LSU Faces lab as her late mother…:
CUT 7 (10) “are sisters”
Jeff Davis Sheriff Ivy Woods says Katherine Kratzer found out her mom started a whole new life in Memphis when she left and she’s happy to have closure.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Jay Dardenne slammed his Republican opponent David Vitter during an LPB debate last night. The US Senator was not present. Dardenne denied that the state paid for an overseas trip for his wife and that he voted for pro-choice legislation as the Vitter attack ads are claiming…:
CUT 3 (09) “sick of it”

Social Security recipients won’t be getting an increase in benefits next year. The federal government cited the main reason is because gas prices are so low right now adding money to citizens bottom line. But Brenda Hatfield with Louisiana AARP says many seniors don’t even drive…:
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She says this is especially devastating because Medicare costs are going up in 2016. This is the third time in 40 years that benefits remain flat.

A woman from Lake Charles was sentenced to three years in prison on negligent homicide charges handed down after an infant died in her care while she was high on cocaine and meth. 26-year-old Brittney Woodcock placed 6-month-old Kaden Reed in an adult bed to sleep and he died after becoming wedged between the mattress and the wall. Woodcock’s husband was sentenced to one and a half years for accessory to negligent homicide.

Most of the state is dealing with extreme drought conditions as the dry weather continues. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the US Drought Monitor report shows that 51-percent of Louisiana is suffering from extreme drought conditions. He says this problem is most severe in the north-central part of the state…:
CUT 13 (10) “90 days”
Keim says El Nino tends to send rain across Louisiana, but that pattern has yet to kick in.

The US Attorney’s Office says a man from Amite has been sentenced to over 12 and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of heroin distribution. US District Judge Martin Feldman gave 25-year-old Coye Dotey 151 months. Prosecutors said Doty sold heroin in Hammond three times during an undercover investigation last year.

Lack of rainfall in Louisiana in the past several weeks has put much of the state in drought conditions. The US Drought Monitor reports that 86-percent of Louisiana is currently dealing with drought conditions. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the last 90 days have been extremely dry in the Bayou State…:
cut 12 (09) “three months”
The report shows that 51-percent of Louisiana is suffering from extreme drought conditions.

The federal government has announced there will not be an increase in benefits for millions of Social Security recipients. Brenda Hatfield with Louisiana AARP says this is especially devastating because next year Medicare costs are expected to increase for seniors, veterans and the disabled:
CUT 9 (10) “from Social Security
The main reason given is low oil prices.

The four candidates for governor will debate tonight at Louisiana Tech in Ruston, but only three were present last night when LPB hosted. Republican David Vitter was heavily critized by his opponents for not showing up and for running attack ads against them. Republican Scott Angelle criticized Vitter for skipping debates because he doesn’t want to answer questions about his prostitution scandal…
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Tonight’s TV debate is set for 6pm. Voting day is October 24th.

The 1-4 New Orleans Saints host the undefeated Atlanta Falcons tonight. The Black and Gold are 3.5 underdogs in the game. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is third in the NFL in passing yards and second-year running back Devonta Freeman is the league’s second leading rusher and has also caught 24 passes out of the backfield. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm on CBS.

Republican David Vitter was not at a gubernatorial debate hosted by Louisiana Public Broadcasting, but that didn’t keep the candidates from talking about him. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Another man has been convicted by a federal jury for scamming Louisiana’s film tax credit program. 38-year-old Matt Keith of Pineville was sentenced to six months in prison and was ordered to pay $1.2 million dollars in restitution. Keith conspired with movie maker Daniel Garcia who was convicted and given a similar sentence two weeks ago.

With the help of DNA testing and technology, a Jennings woman was able to find information about her mother, who walked out on her family in Louisiana in 1982 and hadn’t been seen since. Katherine Kratzer filed a missing persons report on her mother, Lee Jan Kratzer. Jeff Davis Sheriff Ivy Woods says the truth came out when a Tennessee woman, Elizabeth Neese, began researching her family tree…:
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He said DNA from both daughters confirmed that Elizabeth Neese’s late mother, Lisa Neese and Lee Jan Kratzer were the same person.

The 1-4 Saints and the undefeated Falcons play tonight in Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Can the Black and Gold turn things around? Kickoff is at 7:30 on CBS.

In a gubernatorial debate on Louisiana Public Broadcasting, the three candidates who were there, let out their frustrations over the attack ads during the campaign. Democrat John Bel Edwards says the Republican Governor’s Association is trying to distract and mislead voters in attack ads against him…:
CUT 4 (12) “have taken”
Republicans Jay Dardenne and Scott Angelle also accused fellow Republican David Vitter of running untruthful ads.

Two men are dead after a twin-engine plane crashed shortly after takeoff Wednesday afternoon at the Hammond airport. Officials say the plane experienced trouble shortly after take off and then nose-dived into the ground approximately 300 yards west of the runway. The Tangipahoa Parish Coroner has yet to identify the victims, but did confirm they were both men.

The 2016-17 Louisiana Economic Outlook report shows the state’s economy will continue to feel the effects of low oil prices, but industrial booms in certain areas will create major job growth. Economist and co-author of the report Dr. Loren Scott says the biggest gains will be seen from Baton Rouge to Lake Charles…:
cut 10 (11) “under construction”
Meanwhile Scott says growth in the northern part of the state will remain mostly stagnant over the next couple of years and oil patch areas around Houma and Acadiana will continue to struggle due to low oil prices.

The New Orleans Police Department says an officer is on unpaid suspension after being arrested in Chalmette for involvement what investigators called “a domestic incident.” In a news release, NOPD says the victim claimed 15-year veteran Officer Robert Hurst choked her and pulled her hair. He is booked with Simple Domestic Battery.

The four major gubernatorial candidates will face off one last time on television before the October 24th primary…

cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

According to the Center for Public Integrity, the Louisiana governor’s race is responsible for nearly two-thirds of all political television ad spending for the October 24th election. The report shows that the governor’s race accounts for $8.3 million of the $12.4 million total spent across all races thus far. 41-percent was spent by political action committees.

In last night’s gubernatorial debate on Louisiana Public Broadcasting, the three candidates present let out their frustrations over attack ads that have occurred during the campaign. Republican Jay Dardenne blamed the attacks on Republican David Vitter, who did not attend the event…

cut 3 (09) “sick of it”

Dardenne denied accusations that the state paid for his wife during an overseas trip and that he voted for pro-choice legislation.

Although it’s mid-October, it will feel like summer today with afternoon highs in the 90s across much of Louisiana. But Brandi Hughes, with the National Weather Service, says it will feel more like fall this weekend as a cold front moves through…

cut 15 (10) “for Sunday”

She says dry conditions across the state are helping to produce this summer like weather.