A revised US drought monitor shows 88-percent of the state is under extreme or exception drought. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

DOTD is expecting it will take another two weeks to repair portions of Interstate 55 damaged by the 168-vehicle pileup that killed seven people in St. John the Baptist Parish. I-55 northbound remains closed. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallet says partial deck replacement is needed. He say contractors will start next week and repairs could take up to two weeks to complete.

Cut 10 (09) “…repave it.”

Governor John Bel Edwards and Colonel Lamar Davis officially broke ground on the site of the new State Police Crime Lab this morning. In the past year alone, the current lab has taken on more than 16-thousand new cases and it’s often the data processed that will decide one’s guilt or innocence. In addition to solving crimes, Edwards says the facility plays another vital role…

Cut 5 (08) “ …as well.”  

It’s National Adoption Month and the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services and First Lady Donna Edwards honored 465 families who have adopted 619 children from foster care this year. DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks says the ultimate goal is to find safe and permanent homes and families for children through adoption.

Cut 6 (13) “…their own”

Governor Edwards and Colonel Lamar Davis officially broke ground on the site of the new $100 million State Police Crime Lab this morning. And while it’s called the State Police Crime Lab, Edwards says 200 agencies routinely submit evidence in addition to LSP investigations.

Cut 4 (08) “…the state.”

It will be constructed at LSP Headquarters in Baton Rouge.

DOTD expects it will take another two weeks to repair portions of I-55 South after the massive car pile-up in St. John the Baptist Parish last month. Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says traffic will taper to the right lane near the crash site as crews begin to repair the left lane.

Cut 9 (10) “…the workers.” 

If no new damage is found on the northern-bound portion, repairs will begin next week and could take up to two weeks to complete.

Today’s updated U-S drought monitor shows Louisiana remains the epicenter for drought in the United States. State Climatologist Barry Keim says 99 percent of Louisiana is in some stage of drought…

Cut 11 (05) “…two classes.”

Keim says since August 1st, on average only five inches of rain has fallen across the state.

The 14th-ranked LSU Tigers are preparing for a tough game on Saturday against SEC West Rival Alabama. The Tigers need to beat the 8th-ranked Crimson Tide in order to keep their hopes alive of repeating as SEC West champs. Tigers linebacker Greg Penn is expecting a physical contest…

Cut 16 (12) “…walking into.”

Kickoff in Tuscaloosa is 6:45.

Governor John Bel Edwards and Colonel Lamar Davis officially broke ground today on a new 100-million dollar State Police Crime Lab in Baton Rouge. The state-of-the-art facility will replace the existing lab that’s four decades old. Davis says a new facility is needed to help in crime fighting……
cut 3 (12) “…the future.”
The new facility is expected to be completed in three years.

The state Department of Transportation says it will take another two weeks to complete repairs on I-55 where 168 vehicles were involved in a pileup that killed seven people in St. John the Baptist Parish. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallet says northbound will remain closed for two weeks and southbound will have to be closed for a short period this weekend…
cut 8 (12) “…or so”

It’s National Adoption Month and the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services says 465 families have adopted 619 children from foster care in the last year. DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks says the need continues for additional families to care for foster children…
cut 7 (12) “…adoptive family”
For more information on foster parenting and adoption go to DCFS’s website.

LSU and Tulane look to preserve the fragile Lower Mississippi River Delta through the new MissDelta initiative. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain”

Brittany Spears’s charming childhood home in Kentwood Louisiana is on the market for 1.2 million dollars.  The lucky buyers will get a nearly 23 hundred square foot space with three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. The home also comes with a little piece of pop history including Brittany’s personal drawings as a child, her baby booties, and original photos and furniture of the house.

Cases of COVID-19, flu, and RSV in Louisiana can be tracked through the state Department of Health’s new respiratory virus portal. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter…

Cut 4 (11) “…and time.”

The Louisiana Respiratory Virus Surveillance program is made up of a network of hospitals and clinical-based laboratories that submit data weekly.

It’s National Adoption Month and the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services and First Lady Donna Edwards honored 465 families who have adopted 619 children from foster care this year. DCFS Secretary Terri Ricks says the ultimate goal is to find safe and permanent homes and families for children through adoption.

Cut 6 (13) “…their own”

During Governor John Bel Edwards’s administration, there have been nearly six thousand adoptions.

LSU is preparing to face off against the Crimson Tide this Saturday. A major focus for  the Tigers will be not getting burned on the deep pass. Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe is averaging 16 yards per completion which is third nationally. LSU Junior Linebacker Greg Penn has studied the Tides offense and …

Cut 18 (18) “ … great outcome.”

The Tigers will battle Alabama on Saturday with kickoff at 6:45 on CBS

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The Saints are preparing for the Chicago Bears this Sunday and a major spark in their offense this season has been the improved play of Rashid Shaheed. Shaheed’s ability to capitalize on deep balls will have to be accounted for by a Bears defense that gives up 7.3 yards per pass and 262.3 passing yards per game.

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The New Orleans Pelicans battled back from a 22 point deficit yesterday in order to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder 110 to 106 in Oklahoma City. A major part of the Pelicans comeback was Pelicans Shooting Guard CJ McCollum who scored 29 points, had 11 rebounds, and 5 assists. New Orleans will host the Detroit Pistons tonight at 7pm.

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The Ragin Cajuns will head into November with a good chance at winning the Sun Belt West Division. U-L Lafayete is 2 and 2 in league play which matches their opponent this Saturday in Arkansas State. With a win and a Troy loss the Ragin Cajuns will be tied for the West Division lead and Head Coach Michael Desormeaux says that …

Cut 19 (22) “… off of”

The Cajuns will battle the Red Wolves on Saturday with kickoff at 2pm on ESPN+

To help the public keep track of flu, COVID and RSV cases, the Louisiana Department of Health has set up a Respiratory Virus Dashboard….
cut 5 (11) “….or statewide”
State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says latest data shows flu cases make up three-percent of all ER visits, Covid two percent, and combined respiratory illnesses six percent.

A new study conducted by researchers at Barrow Neurological Institute reveals people exposed to median levels of air pollution have a 56 percent greater risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Much of Louisiana is within the Parkinson’s disease hot spot area. Doctor Brittany Krzyzanowski…
Cut 30 (10) “…from manufacturing.”
Krzyzanowski urges Louisianans with poor health to monitor air quality alerts and pollution levels.

Tulane and LSU have received a 22-million dollar grant that will go towards developing a plan to save the Lower Mississippi River Delta. Research shows the lower reaches of the delta retreating both above and below water and the river is also redirecting its flows. Mead Allison, chair at Tulane’s River-Coastal Science and Engineering Department, says they’ll put together a consortium of experts to explore potential solutions…
cut 14 (11) “…floods”

Monroe Police have arrested two teenagers in the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old on October 21st. The shooting occurred several hours after the conclusion of a Carroll High School homecoming event. A 17-year-old male has been charged with second-degree murder and 19-year-old Joshua Smiley is also facing second-degree murder charges.

Louisianans can now track cases of COVID-19, influenza, and RSV statewide through the state Department of Health’s new respiratory virus dashboard. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says Louisianans can also find the number of patients admitted each week with a respiratory virus.

Cut 6 (12) “…viruses represent.”

The portal also provides additional data and resources. Visit ldh.la.gov/respiratory-home.

Researchers at Barrow Neurological Institute conducted a new study that found people who are exposed to median levels of air pollution have a 56 percent greater risk of developing Parkinson’s disease and Louisiana is a hot spot area. Brittany Krzyzanowski…

Cut 9 (11)  “…quality alert.”

Western, Northeast, and Southern regions of the Bayou State were identified as “hot spots.” 

A meeting to create rules and regulations for black bear hunting season is underway. The Louisiana Wildlife Commission says Black Bears in the northeastern region make up at least half of the state’s population. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey credits hunters and fishermen as being the best conservationists. When the American-Alligator population in Louisiana was almost extinct he credits responsible outdoorsmen in the state.

Cut 12 (08) “…wild turkey.”

LSU and Tulane have been awarded $22 million dollars from The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to lead the 15-member MissDelta Consortium. Mead Allison, chair of Tulane University’s Department of River-Coastal Science and Engineering…

Cut 13 (09) “…complicated.”

They will be developing Predictive tools and models to explore potential solutions.

The State Department of Health has launched a new portal so the public track flu, COVID and RSV outbreaks. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 1 (33) “…Teiko Foxx.”

Governor-elect Jeff Landry has launched his transition website. It can be found at one-team-dot-la. Landry there’s a link on the site that allows you to share your ideas…
cut 28 (09) “…with us”

The state wildlife and fisheries commission meets today and they are expected to vote on a proposal to establish a black bear hunting season. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey believes there should be a limited bear hunting season next year, because black bear are becoming a nuisance….
cut 11 (11) “…outdoors”
LDWF says Black Bears in Tensas Parish make up half or more of the state’s population.

Tulane and LSU are sharing a 22-million dollar grant that will be used to charge a new course for the future of the fragile Lower Mississippi River Delta. The delta is retreating both above and below water and the river is also redirecting its flows, which is not good for the shipping industry. Chair of Tulane’s Department of River-Coastal Science and Engineering, Mead Allison, says the project will look to the future and upcoming generations. .
cut 15 (11) “….as well”

A lawsuit has prevented the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control from enforcing a new law that would prevent retailers from selling vape products unless they’ve meet certain criteria, including FDA approval. The law is expected to ban many flavored vape products, but the Louisiana Convenience and Vape Store Association filed a suit to prevent the law from going into effect.

Tulane and LSU look to save the Future of the fragile Lower Mississippi River Delta. Colleen Crain has more.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain”

Louisianans can now track COVID-19, flu, and RSV cases through a new respiratory virus dashboard that can be found at the state department of health’s website. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the portal provides data on the number of deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits….
cut 4 (11) “…and time”
When you go to LDH’s website, click on the COVID-19 link and it will take you to the respiratory virus dashboard.

A new study conducted by researchers at Barrow Neurological Institute reveals people exposed to median levels of air pollution have a 56 percent greater risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Much of Louisiana is within the Parkinson’s disease hot spot area. Doctor Brittany Krzyzanowski…
Cut 7 (10) “…from manufacturing.”
Krzyzanowski urges Louisianans with poor health to monitor air quality alerts and pollution levels.