A few weeks ago, Republican Julia Letlow appeared to be a clear favorite in Louisiana’s U-S Senate race. But several political observers now see a much closer contest. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A former high school band director shoots himself after deputies show up to his house to arrest him on additional counts of child molestation. The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office says 56-year-old Kevin Williams struggled with deputies, pulled a handgun from his waistband and shot himself. He’s currently listed in critical condition.

This is Halloween weekend, which can be a very spooky time on Louisiana’s roadways. Gregory Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says last year, almost 650 people were injured in crashes during the Halloween period, and some of those people did not survive their injuries.

Cut 6 (08) “…but it is.”

Of those 16 people, three were killed in alcohol-related crashes.

It’s that time of year again – before you go to bed tomorrow night, go through your house and turn all of your clocks back one hour, because Daylight Saving Time ends at two Sunday morning. While you’re at it, the Louisiana Office of the State Fire Marshal also urges you to check your smoke detectors. Chief Chad Sonnier says the process is very simple.

Cut 12 (06) “…for another year.”

If you don’t have a smoke detector because you can’t afford one, your local fire department will install one inside your home for free.

Many political observers are anticipating a much closer U-S Senate race than originally anticipated on Election Day. Based on early voting totals, black voters seem more energized than Republican voters, which should benefit the Democratic candidate, Jamie Davis. Political consultant Mary Patricia Wray says Julia Letlow is well liked by Republican leaders in Louisiana, but it appears she’s having trouble connecting with many conservative voters…

Cut 5 (12) “…she’s trying to attract.”

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is urging motorists to be on the lookout for Trick or Treaters on Saturday night. And spokesperson Greg Fischer has this advice for pedestrians.

Cut 8 (11) “…better than nothing.”

Four-billion dollars’ in repairs and maintenance is needed on Louisiana’s college campuses.  That’s according to a study conducted by a facility management consulting firm. Gordian has spent the last two years assessing the physical shape of Louisiana’s campus buildings. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says it’s a significant backlog.

Cut 15 (05) “…just significant challenges.”

Regents will be requesting over 702-million dollars in capital outlay funding for new and continuing projects for the fiscal year 2027-28.

No Saints game this Sunday to frustrate Who Dat Nation. The team has a bye. Scott Fazio was among the thousands of Saints fans who went to France last weekend to watch the Black and Gold lose to the Steelers…

Cut 9 (14) “…this is ridiculous”

The Saints are 2-and-5 and could miss the postseason for a sixth consecutive season.

There are some political observers that believe Louisiana’s U-S Senate race, between Republican Julia Letlow and Democrat Jamie Davis, will be much closer than originally anticipated. Letlow has spent the past several weeks visiting all 64 parishes, but political consultant Mary-Patricia Wray says many Republican voters still aren’t energized by her candidacy because they don’t know much about her…

Cut 4 (07) “…to voters.”

Another political consultant, Roy Fletcher, says there are still some hurt feelings within the Republican Party over the accusations exchanged during the party primary.

There are many Saints upset over the team’s two-and-five record and the possibility of a sixth straight of missing the playoffs. We spoke with one diehard fan, Scott Fazio, who has written the organization expressing his frustrations and demanding changes

Cut 10 (13) “…nothing changes”

This is Halloween weekend, and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is urging you to be extra careful on the roadways. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

There is a chance for rain on Halloween. Nothing too significant, but it could damper some outdoor activities. Looking at stronger front moving through Louisiana on Tuesday, which is an election Day. Also don’t forget Daylight Savings Time ends, the clock will fall back one hour at 2 AM Sunday.

A few weeks ago, Republican Julia Letlow appeared to be a clear favorite in Louisiana’s U-S Senate race. But several political observers now see a much closer contest. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

On Tuesday, we could see one-million voters head to polling places across the state to cast ballots. Based on early voting numbers, the Secretary of State’s Office is forecasting an overall turnout of between 48 and 52-percent of all registered voters.

This is Halloween weekend; and especially in light of 16 fatalities on roadways during the Halloween period last year, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is urging you to be extra careful on roadways this weekend. Spokesman Greg Fischer says especially with little ghouls and goblins walking the streets after dark, you need to slow down and pay extra attention, especially Saturday night.

Cut 7 (08) “…on the dot.”

The Saints will hopefully use this bye week to make plans to start turning things around amid growing frustration within their fanbase. Owner Gayle Benson uncharacteristically expressed disappointment after the Saints lost three home games in a row before the trip to Paris. Scott Fazio flew to Paris to watch the Saints lose to the Steelers, and he says without any real change, Benson’s critique doesn’t mean anything.

Cut 11 (10) “…something happen here.”

Many political observers are anticipating a much closer U-S Senate race than originally anticipated on Election Day. Based on early voting totals, black voters seem more energized than Republican voters, which should benefit the Democratic candidate, Jamie Davis. Political consultant Mary Patricia Wray says Julia Letlow is well liked by Republican leaders in Louisiana, but it appears she’s having trouble connecting with many conservative voters…

Cut 5 (12) “…she’s trying to attract.”

This is Halloween weekend. Gregory Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says last year, almost 650 people were injured in crashes during the Halloween period, and some of those people did not survive their injuries.

Cut 6 (08) “…but it is.”

Of those 16 people, three were killed in alcohol-related crashes.

The Board of Regents has received a report that shows there is four-billion dollars worth of repairs and maintenance needed on Louisiana’s college campuses. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says it will take an annual investment of 777-million dollars in state funding to eventually erase the backlog.

Cut 12 (07) “…work through it.”

Regents will be requesting over 702-million dollars in capital outlay funding for new and continuing projects for the fiscal year 2027-28.

It’s homecoming on the campus of McNeese State this weekend and the Cowboys will host Nicholls for a two PM kickoff. Both teams are 3-and-5 and 2-and-3 in Southland play. Cowboys coach Matt Viator says his offense is talented but has problems to fix before they face a tough Colonels defense.

Cut 19 (12) “…win this game.”

There are growing signs Louisiana’s U-S Senate race could be closer than previously expected. Washington-based Inside Elections has moved the race from Solid Republican to Likely Republican, while Shreveport-based pollster Bishop George now calls it a toss-up. Political consultant Mary-Patricia Wray says that helps explain why President Trump is holding a tele-rally for Julia Letlow Monday night.

Cut 3 (07) “…back up.”

With more absentee ballots coming in between now and Monday afternoon, Democrats now outnumber Republicans in early and absentee voting by almost 17-thousand. Almost 94-thousand no-party voters have cast early and absentee ballots, and LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow says how those no-party voters marked their ballots is anyone’s guess.

Cut 8 (09) “…there than Democrats.”

An advocacy group is calling for additional vehicle safety enhancements after a three-year-old girl is killed in a Carencro restaurant parking lot. The group Kids and Car Safety says the tragedy spotlights the fact that automakers need to make additional safety technology standard across all trim levels. Spokeswoman Chloe Burke says no amount of technology can substitute for good old fashioned parenting.

Cut 6 (12) “…physically holding them.”

A recent study says Louisiana’s college campuses need four-billion dollars worth of repairs and maintenance. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says the previous estimate was two-billion dollars. She says they can start reducing the backlog by getting rid of buildings that have outlived their usefulness.

Cut 11 (10) “…of those campuses.”

Just four days to go until Election Day. Despite Democrats outnumbering Republicans in early voting and limited polling showing Jamie Davis within striking distance of Julia Letlow, all online forecasters still have Louisiana solidly in Julia Letlow’s column. LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow says if Davis can come within a few points of victory, it would give the Louisiana Democratic Party a much-needed boost in morale.

Cut 9 (14)  “…but it did.”

The Louisiana Book Festival will be open in Baton Rouge tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Robert Wilson, the executive director of the Louisiana Center for the Book, says with the festival on Halloween, Wilson says the event is leaning into the holiday.

Cut 15 (06) “…bit of everything.”

The Board of Regents has learned there are four-billion dollars in deferred maintenance on Louisiana’s college campuses. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Several woods fires along Highway 10 in Vernon Parish have been contained. It took several fire departments working with the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office and state and federal forestry resources to contain the fires. Investigators say the fires were caused by sparks from a garbage truck with two flat tires.

An advocacy group is calling for more standard vehicle safety features after a three-year-old girl is killed in a Carencro restaurant parking lot. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Authorities in Natchitoches Parish are investigating after human skeletal remains were discovered yesterday near a dry creek bed in a remote wooded area near Ashland.  We’re told the remains are headed to the LSU Faces lab for forensic testing as investigators look at possible ties to an Ashland man missing since 2023.

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Democrats outnumbered Republicans in early voting in Louisiana by 16-thousand.  But there were also more than 93-thousand no-party voters casting early and absentee ballots and between now and next Tuesday, there will be additional absentee ballots coming in to round out the tally. LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow says how those ballots are marked is anyone’s guess.

Cut 8 (09) “…there than Democrats.”

The Louisiana Book Festival will be open in Baton Rouge tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Robert Wilson, the executive director of the Louisiana Center for the Book, says there will be more than 200 authors and presenters there for dozens of panels, programs and book signings. Wilson says writers have told him they enjoy the personal feeling of the Louisiana Book Festival.

Cut 14 (05) “…be talked at.”

Are early voting numbers a harbinger of things to come on Tuesday? Andrew Greenstein has some insight.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A woman is dead in New Orleans East and police there are working to piece together what happened. The body of the victim was found last night just before 8:30 on Shindler Drive near Dwyer Road. We’re told the death is being investigated as a homicide.

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The death of a three-year-old girl in Carencro, has safety advocates calling for more vehicle safety features.  The little girl died when as she ran in front of a car in the parking lot of a restaurant.  Chloe Burke with the group Kids and Car Safety says vehicles need more camera views. And while many of them come equipped with braking that will automatically stop a vehicle when something’s in front of it, Burke says it’s not always effective.

Cut 5 (13) “…hour or lower.”

Four-billion dollars’ in repairs and maintenance is needed on Louisiana’s college campuses.  That’s according to a study conducted by a facility management consulting firm. Gordian has spent the last two years assessing the physical shape of Louisiana’s campus buildings. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says it’s a significant backlog.

Cut 10 (05) “…just significant challenges.”

The Board of Regents has learned there is $4 billion in deferred maintenance on Louisiana’s college campuses. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Early Voting numbers in Louisiana shows Democrats outnumbered Republicans by 16 thousand.  But LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow says that doesn’t  mean all those Democrats voted for all democrats.

Cut 7 (12) “…vote for Republicans.”

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An advocacy group is calling for more vehicle safety enhancements after a three-year-old girl is killed in a Carencro restaurant parking lot. Investigators say Ka’Mya J’Nae Williams ran out into the parking lot, and a woman who had just backed up ran her over as she drove forward. Chloe Burke with the group Kids and Car Safety says while backup cameras are certainly good, other camera views, including overhead views, ought to be standard as well.

Cut 4 (07) “…at every level.”

The Louisiana Book Festival will be open in Baton Rouge tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Robert Wilson, the executive director of the Louisiana Center for the Book, says it’s a free celebration of readers, writers and books in downtown Baton Rouge.

Cut 13 (12)  “…a fun day.”