Nicotine use among teens in Louisiana remains at an alarming rate. A statewide survey finds that one out of every three high schoolers and one out of every five middle schoolers vape. Chrishelle Stipe with the Louisiana Public Health Institute says schools need to ramp up their efforts to warn kids about the dangers of vaping.

Cut 4 (09) “…using vape products.”

Stipe also pins a portion of the blame on manufacturers of vape products, saying they’re specifically marketing their products towards children.

Burn bans are now in effect for several parishes throughout Louisiana, as drought conditions persist. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says while October is traditionally the driest month in Louisiana, this October so far has been ridiculous.

Cut 7 (09) “…be considered normal.”

Keim says rain chances will remain very low for the next seven days.

A Baton Rouge-area serial killer has been sentenced to life in prison for a 2017 drive-by murder. Ryan Sharpe killed 48-year-old Brad DeFranceschi, a Boy Scout leader and father of two, while he was trimming weeds at the Avondale Scout Reservation in East Feliciana Parish. 20th Judicial District Attorney Sam D’Aquilla says the penalty for first-degree murder is life imprisonment or capital punishment…

Cut 10 (05) “…life imprisonment.”

Sharpe’s first conviction was thrown out, because it was not unanimous. He’s also accused in the shooting deaths of 62-year-old Tommy Bass of East Feliciana and 66-year-old Carroll Breeden, who was gunned down in front of East Baton Rouge Parish home.

Sean Payton is back in the Superdome, but he’ll coach from the visitor’s sidelines as his Broncos will battle the Saints on Thursday night. Saints analyst Mike Detillier of WWL Radio says Payton knew what buttons to push to produce ten winning seasons in 15 years…

Cut 15 (10) “…motivated them”

Meanwhile, the Saints have lost four in a row and much of the fan base is ready for current head coach Dennis Allen to get fired.

2024 was a below average crawfish season, because of the historic drought in 2023. But the LSU AgCenter’s Todd Fontenot says early signs show a more normal 2025 crawfish season and he’s expecting crawfish acreage will go up….

Cut 27 (10) “…crawfish production.”

Fontenot says higher rainfall totals this year have improved field conditions.

There are 18 parishes in Louisiana that have instituted outdoor burn bans and that number is expected to grow as LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says dry conditions are expected to persist for the foreseeable future…

Cut 8 (05) “….in the forecast”

Chilly start to the morning as temperatures are in the 40s, but it will warm up to the 70s today and high temperatures in the 80s will return for the weekend.

A new statewide survey finds one in three Louisiana High schoolers vape and one in five middle schoolers vape. Chrishelle Stipe with the Louisiana Public Health Institute pins a portion of the blame on manufacturers of vape products, saying they’re specifically marketing their products towards children….

Cut 5 (07) “….drawn to youth”

Under Louisiana law, you need to be 21 to buy any tobacco or nicotine product, including vaping devices. But Stipe says that’s not stopping parents from buying vape products for their kids, mistakenly thinking that those products are safer to use than cigarettes.

Sean Payton returns to the Superdome as his new team, the Denver Broncos, will battle the New Orleans Saints in Thursday night football. NFL analyst Mike Detillier of WWL Radio expects Payton will receive a mixed reaction from Who Dat Nation….

Cut 13 (09)  “..forever.”

The Saints will also honor Drew Brees tonight as the franchise’s greatest quarterback will be inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame.

Schools and public health officials fighting youth nicotine use find themselves going after the manufacturers. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A Baton Rouge-area serial killer has finally been sentenced to life in prison for a 2017 drive-by murder.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Sean Payton makes his return to the Superdome tonight as his Denver Broncos face a struggling Saints team. Jeff Palermo has more on Payton’s return…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Nicotine use among teens in Louisiana remains at an alarming rate. A statewide survey finds that one out of every three high schoolers and one out of every five middle schoolers vape. Chrishelle Stipe with the Louisiana Public Health Institute says schools need to ramp up their efforts to warn kids about the dangers of vaping.

Cut 4 (09) “…using vape products.”

Stipe is pinning a good portion of the blame on manufacturers of vape products, saying they’re specifically marketing their products towards children.

Cut 5 (07) “…drawn to youth.”

Stipe says makers of vape products are intentionally trying to get kids hooked on their products to increase their profits.

Cut 6 (11) “…to the youth.”

Under Louisiana law, you need to be 21 to buy any tobacco or nicotine product, including vaping devices. But Stipe says that’s not stopping parents from buying vape products for their kids, mistakenly thinking that those products are safer to use than cigarettes.

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Burn bans are now in effect for several parishes throughout Louisiana, as drought conditions persist. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says while October is traditionally the driest month in Louisiana, this October so far has been ridiculous.

Cut 7 (09) “…be considered normal.”

Keim says these tinder dry conditions will continue for the foreseeable future.

Cut 8 (05) “…in the forecast.”

Keim says the one thing that would reduce the risk of wildfire is a good drenching.

Cut 9 (17)  “…at this juncture.”

The burn bans cover parishes in nearly every corner of the state.

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A Baton Rouge-area serial killer has been sentenced to life in prison for a 2017 drive-by murder. Ryan Sharpe killed 48-year-old Brad DeFranceschi, a Boy Scout leader and father of two, while he was doing yard work at the Avondale Scout Reservation in East Feliciana Parish. 20th Judicial District Attorney Sam D’Aquilla says the penalty for first-degree murder is life imprisonment or capital punishment…

Cut 10 (05) “…life imprisonment.”

Sharpe was found guilty of first-degree murder by an East Feliciana jury in August, which deliberated for less than an hour. D’Aquella says this follows a previous conviction in 2019 that was overturned in 2020 after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled nonunanimous jury verdicts unconstitutional.

Cut 11 (11) …direct appeal.”

D’Aquilla says he hopes Sharpe’s life sentence brings closure to the families of his victims after years of legal proceedings.

Cut 12 (06) “…behind us now.”

He’s also accused in the shooting deaths of 62-year-old Tommy Bass of East Feliciana and 66-year-old Carroll Breeden, who was gunned down in front of East Baton Rouge Parish home. Sharpe also allegedly shot Buck Hornsby in East Feliciana, but he survived the shooting.

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Sean Payton returns to the Superdome as his new team, the Denver Broncos, will battle the New Orleans Saints in Thursday night football. NFL analyst Mike Detillier of WWL Radio expects Payton will receive a mixed reaction from Who Dat Nation….

Cut 13 (09)  “..forever.”

Payton was the head coach of the Saints for 15 years, guiding the team to its lone Super Bowl victory  to cap off the 2009 season. Detillier says Payton arrived following Hurricane Katrina, but he quickly got the right players around him…

Cut 14 (09) “…that train.”

Detillier says Payton is an excellent game planner, motivator and knew what buttons to push to produce 10 winning seasons in 15 years…

Cut 15 (10) “…motivated them.”

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The Saints will be short-handed tonight when they take on the Denver Broncos. Rookie Spencer Rattler gets a second consecutive start at quarterback, but the team’s top two receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are out and Taysom Hill is doubtful. Denver has one of the best defenses in the NFL and Coach Dennis Allen explains why…

Cut 16 (17)   “…what they’ve done”

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Bradyn Swinson is having a breakout season for the eighth-ranked LSU Tigers. Last Saturday, the senior defensive end had a career-high eight tackles and two sacks and was named SEC defensive line player of the week.

Cut 17 (11) “…just play fast.”

Swinson says the huge win over Ole Miss is now in the rear-view mirror, and that the competition doesn’t get any easier from here on out.

Cut 18 (16)  “…making the expectation.”

Swinson says the team took time to celebrate the Ole Miss win; but now, the focus is on the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Cut 19 (12) “…a physical game.”  

Kickoff from Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville Saturday is six p-m.

A red flag warning is issued for the southern half of the state. You’re advised to avoid all fire-related activities, including campfires and burn piles. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says these precautions are essential to prevent uncontrolled fires.

Cut 13 (10) “…with open flames.” 

Louisiana is currently experiencing drought conditions, with no end in sight.

A Breaux Bridge man faces dozens of counts of trafficking of children for sexual purposes. Major Ginny Higgins with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office says their deputies have been investigating 32-year-old Javien Demouchet (DEM-oo-shet) since July….

Cut 3 (08) “…juvenile victim.”

Higgins says Demouchet is accused of soliciting minors for sex in exchange for money and-or gifts. She says the investigation is ongoing regarding other juvenile victims.

2024 was a below average crawfish season, because of the historic drought in 2023. But the LSU AgCenter’s Todd Fontenot says early signs show a more normal 2025 crawfish season and he’s expecting crawfish acreage will go up….

Cut 7 (09) “…crawfish production.”

Fontenot says higher rainfall totals this year have improved field conditions.

New Orleans certainly knows how to throw a party, and that’s exactly what it will be doing the day before the Super Bowl with a Mardi Gras-style parade. The parade will feature marching bands, throws and about 20 floats, including signature floats from various krewes. Float-builder Barry Kern can’t wait.

Cut 10 (12) “…who we’re about.”

The parade will go along streets in the French Quarter and the Central Business District.

A Breaux Bridge man is facing more than 50 charges of trafficking children for sexual purposes. Major Ginny Higgins with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office says 32-year-old Javien Demouchet is accused of soliciting minors for sex in exchange for money and-or gifts. She says right now they know of just one victim, but the investigation is ongoing regarding other juvenile victims…

Cut 4 (05) “…the case.”

Authorities first began investigating Demouchet in July.

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for the southern half of the state. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says a red flag warning signals a heightened risk of wildfires, caused by a combination of low humidity and strong winds.

Cut 11 (08) “…spread of wildfires.”

Louisiana is currently experiencing drought conditions, which, according to Grymes, further increases the wildfire threat.

A severe drought and heat in South Louisiana caused major setbacks for crawfish farmers, with many crawfish and hatchlings perishing in 2023, but the 2025 season looks more promising. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

New Orleans certainly is throwing a Mardi Gras-style parade the day before the Super Bowl. The grand marshal is Todd Graves, the founder of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers. He says this is a way to invite the whole city to the festivities surrounding the big game.

Cut 8 (08) “…are around it.”

A Breaux Bridge man faces dozens of counts of trafficking of children for sexual purposes. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, Major Ginny Higgins, says their deputies have been investigating 32-year-old Javien Demouchet since July….

Cut 3 (08) “…juvenile victim.”

In 2023, a severe drought and heat in South Louisiana caused major setbacks for crawfish farmers, with many crawfish and hatchlings perishing. Increased rainfall and moderate temperatures have improved field conditions.  While concerns remain, especially with salinity issues in southern ponds, LSU AgCenter Todd Fontenot expects this year to be an improvement over last year’s record low yields.

Cut 6 (13) “…into the ponds.”

New Orleans certainly knows how to throw a party, and that’s exactly what it will be doing the day before the Super Bowl with a Mardi Gras-style parade, and the Grand Marshall is Todd Graves, Founder of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers. The parade will be shown on national television, and Graves says it’s a way for New Orleans to showcase itself not only to the country but to the world.

Cut 9 (10)  “…business convention there.”

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for the southern half of the state. Louisiana is currently experiencing drought conditions, which, according to State Climatologist Jay Grymes, further increases the wildfire threat. As temperatures drop and winds rise, the likelihood of fires spreading rapidly grows.

Cut 12 (09) “…most of the state.”

The southern half of the state is under a red flag warning, which means the conditions are ripe for an outdoor fire to get out of control and become a wildfire. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says the public is advised to avoid all fire-related activities, including campfires and burn piles.

Cut 13 (10) “…with open flames.” 

Several parishes have issued outdoor burn bans.

2024 was a below average crawfish season, because of the historic drought in 2023. But the LSU AgCenter’s Todd Fontenot says early signs show a more normal 2025 crawfish season and he’s expecting crawfish acreage will go up….

Cut 7 (09) “….crawfish production”

Fontenot says higher rainfall totals this year have improved field conditions.

New Orleans certainly knows how to throw a party, and that’s exactly what it will do the day before the Super Bowl. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana Tech football team lost in overtime last night to New Mexico State. The Aggies entered the game on a five game losing streak and they figured out how to win this game, while Coach Sonny Cumbie’s squad came up short…

Cut 16 (09) “…did that tonight”

A Breaux Bridge man is facing more than 50 charges of trafficking children for sexual purposes. Major Ginny Higgins with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office says 32-year-old Javien Demouchet is accused of soliciting minors for sex in exchange for money and-or gifts. She says right now they know of just one victim, but the investigation is ongoing regarding other juvenile victims…

Cut 4 (05) “…the case.”

Authorities first began investigating Demouchet in July.

The National Weather Service in New Orleans has issued a red flag warning for southeast Louisiana until 7 p.m. today, due to critical fire weather conditions. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says a red flag warning signals a heightened risk of wildfires, caused by a combination of low humidity and strong winds.

Cut 11 (08) “…spread of wildfires.”

In 2023, heat and severe drought in South Louisiana caused major setbacks for crawfish farmers, with many crawfish and hatchlings perishing. But the 2025 season looks more promising. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

New Orleans will be throwing a Mardi Gras-style parade the day before the Super Bowl. The grand marshal is Todd Graves, the founder of Baton Rouge-based Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers. He says this is a way to invite the whole city to the festivities surrounding the big game.

Cut 8 (08) “…are around it.”

A Breaux Bridge man faces dozens of counts of trafficking of children for sexual purposes. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, Major Ginny Higgins, says their deputies have been investigating 32-year-old Javien Demouchet since July….

Cut 3 (08) “…juvenile victim.”

Higgins says Demouchet is accused of soliciting minors for sex in exchange for money and-or gifts. The investigation is ongoing

In 2023, a severe drought and heat in South Louisiana caused major setbacks for crawfish farmers, with many crawfish and hatchlings perishing. The 2024 season reflected this loss, with lower availability and higher prices. According to LSU AgCenter’s Todd Fontenot, the upcoming season looks more promising, as the crawfish are emerging to better conditions.

Cut 5 (09) “…water on these fields.”

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month and every October 15^th families, communities, and health care providers gather for Global Wave of Light events. Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge held their event last evening. Manager of Social Services, Whitney Craig says families had an opportunity to learn about available resources but most importantly, honor the little lives.

Cut 10 (10) “…light candles.”

Craig says events that bring people together are important because of the unimaginable pain of infant and pregnancy loss.

A Breaux Bridge man was arrested yesterday facing 59 counts of trafficking of children for sexual purposes. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, Major Ginny Higgins, says 32-year-old Javien Demouchet is accused of soliciting minors for sex in exchange for money and-or gifts. She says right now they know of just one victim, but the investigation is ongoing regarding other juvenile victims…

Cut 4 (05) “…the case.”

Authorities first began investigating Demouchet in July.

Senator Bill Cassidy is hosting his Louisiana Energy Security Summit today in Baton Rouge. Senator Cassidy says among the purposes of the summit is devising strategies for advancing energy security in a changing global landscape.

Cut 7 (15) “…from us.”

Cassidy says the summit will also focus on ways to keep energy jobs in Louisiana to ensure a prosperous future for the state.

Former LSU defensive back Greg Brooks Jr, who is now severely disabled, has filed a lawsuit against LSU and Our Lady of the Lake hospital.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The town of Brusly (BROO-lee) in West Baton Rouge parish will soon have an app to notify drivers of oncoming police pursuits. The City Council accepted a donation to launch the technology with the prompting of the father of one of the teens killed in a New Year’s Eve 2022 crash that killed two Brusly High cheerleaders, Caroline Gill and Maggie Dunn, who were hit by a police officer who ran a red light during a pursuit. Caroline’s father, Jason Gill…

Cut 14 (04) “…off you’ll be.”