Bad news for those who regularly use the Sunshine Bridge at Donaldsonville. State transportation officials say the highway that links both sides of Ascension Parish will be closed for weeks, because extensive repairs are needed after a crane barge hit the structure on Friday. Donaldsonville Mayor Leroy Sullivan can understand the frustration…
cut 3 (09) “…to work”
Sullivan says the commute may be longer tomorrow, as schools in the area re-open.

The Council for a Better Louisiana supports the six constitutional amendments on the November 6th ballot. Amendment Two asks voters if a unanimous jury should be required in felony cases. CABL President Barry Erwin explains why they back the historic legal change.
Cut 4 (08) “…has this”

You can now purchase alcohol at grocery stores and gas stations in unincorporated areas of Ouachita parish on Sundays as result of a 4-2 vote by the Ouachita Parish Policy Jury. Jury President Scotty Robinson says he voted for the ordinance, after polling residents…
cut 9 (12) “…lost the bet”
Opponents raised concerns about an increase in D-W-I’s and that Sunday is the Lord’s Day.

Another cold front is moving through Louisiana, it will keep temperatures in the 50s in north and central Louisiana today. State Climatologist Barry Keim….
cut 11 (06) “…through Louisiana”
This front is also bringing heavy rain. A Flash Flood warning is in effect for Iberia, Lafayette, St. Martin and Vermilion Parish until 12:15 this afternoon.

Recent polling indicates Democrats will retake control of the House following the mid-term elections. That will have a significant impact on House Majority Whip Steve Scalise. The Republican from Jefferson Parish says the battle is coming down to around four dozen seats…
cut 14 (11) “…to Democrat”
The Louisiana mid-term elections are not expected to bring any surprises as the incumbents are expected to win.

There are six constitutional amendments on the November 6th ballot, the first one asks voters whether convicted felons should be prohibited from running for office for five years after they complete their sentence. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin expects it will pass…
cut 5 (08) “….those things”
Today is the last day to register online for the November 6th election.

The Alexandria Police Department arrested one of its own officers for simple assault. The A-P-D says corporal Ronnie Stevens Junior threatened and yelled at a woman on Sunday and another woman accuses Stevens of yelling and cursing at her in front of her children. Stevens was off-duty at the time. Chief Jerrod King says its no fun to arrest one of your own officers.

The Department of Veterans Affairs in New Orleans receives 85,000 dollars to fight veteran homelessness. Matt Doyle has more on the story.
Voicer 2 (30) ”I’m Matt Doyle.”

State transportation officials say The Sunshine Bridge at Donaldsonville will be closed for weeks to fix the damage caused when a barge with a large crane struck the structure on Friday.

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise expects the November midterm elections will come down to the wire. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves has started a Go Fund Me account to raise money to pay the 100-thousand dollar fine LSU faces for storming the field following the upset win over Georgia.

The Council for a Better Louisiana supports the six constitutional amendments that will appear on the November 6th ballot. Amendment four asks voters whether the state should use gasoline tax money to fund a portion of State Police operations. CABL President Barry Erwin says voting “Yes” for this amendment will make sure fuel tax money will be used on highway improvements….
cut 6 (08) “….infrastructure”
The other two big amendments deal with unanimous juries for felony convictions and banning certain convicted felons from running for public office.

We’re seeing heavy rain in both north and south Louisiana this morning as a cold front is moving through the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says cool air should remain in place until Friday and the rain….
cut 12 (10) “…Wednesday and Thursday”
A flash flood warning is in effect until 9:45 this morning for the southern parts of Acadiana.

Louisiana gets hit with some more cold air today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says much of the state will need a jacket…
Cut 10 (12) “…northern parishes“
And we are seeing heavy rain as a Flash Flood Warning has been posted until 9:45 this morning for south central Louisiana. It covers Abbeville, Broussard and New Iberia.

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise says the mid-term election will be a tight one, with record spending and surging voter enthusiasm likely to push the control of Congress to a last second finish. Scalise has been touring the country helping his GOP colleagues in tough re-election campaigns.
Cut 13 (10) “…it’s brutal.”

The Council for a Better Louisiana is endorsing all six constitutional amendments on the November ballot. Michael Farrar has more.
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Mike Farrar

A substitute teacher at Port Barre High School has been arrested after she allegedly had sex with a student in a classroom while a pep rally was taking place. Cops say the student showed video of the alleged incident to other students. 25-year-old Constance Robertson of Washington is facing a Felony Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile charge.

A Washington Post-ABC News poll shows voters are significantly more interested in the November sixth elections than the last midterm elections as 77-percent of registered voters nationwide say they plan to vote. Republican Majority Whip Steve Scalise is hoping the G-O-P maintains control of the House, but Scalise says it’s a difficult fight…
cut 15 (07) “….in voting”

The Council for a Better Louisiana supports the six constitutional amendments on the November 6th ballot. The 2nd amendment, requiring unanimous jury verdicts in criminal cases, has received national attention, with over 2.3 million dollars raised to support a YES campaign. CABL President Barry Erwin explains why they back the historic legal change.
Cut 4 (08) “…has this”

The Department of Veterans Affairs in New Orleans receives nearly 85-thousand dollars to provide a permanent home to a dozen Veterans, who are homeless in East Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Chief of Social Work for the Department of Veterans Affairs in New Orleans, Cecilia Graham, on how the funds can be spent…
Cut 7 (11) “…community activity”
The grant will be provided through the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program.

The Ouchaita Parish Police Jury approves a new law that will let grocery stores, gas stations and liquor stores sell alcohol on Sunday between noon to 10 PM in unincorporated areas of the parish. Jury President Scotty Robinson says he voted for it, because its what his constituents wanted.

The Council for a Better Louisiana is endorsing all six amendments on the November ballot. Mike Farrar has more.

Cut 1 (29)  “I’m Mike Farrar 

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 The Department of Veterans Affairs in New Orleans is receiving 85,000 dollars to fight veteran homelessness. Matt Doyle has more on the story.

Cut 2 (30) ”I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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 Congressman Steve Scalise says he expects this year’s midterms to come down to the wire. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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The Council for a Better Louisiana is backing all six amendments on the November 6^th ballot. The 2^nd amendment on the ballot, requiring unanimous jury verdicts in criminal cases, has been receiving a lot of national attention, with over a million dollars raised to support a YES campaign. CABL President Barry Erwin explains why they’re backing the historic legal change.

Cut 4 (08) “…has this”

The amendment has received support from both the Republican and Democratic state parties.

The first amendment on the ballot is a bit of a redo of a previous law that used to be on the books that banned convicted felons from running for office. This version of the law would keep convicted felons out of office for five years after their sentence ends, a move Irwin does not view as being particularly controversial.

Cut 5 (08)“those things” 

The fourth amendment on the ballot covers the question of whether the state should use gas tax money to pay for the state police. A series of other legislation starting in 2015 started the process of making sure fuel tax money went to infrastructure, and Erwin says this will seal the deal on that for good.

Cut 6 (08)“infrastructure”

The other amendments cover property tax questions, and the sharing of government equipment between agencies.

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The Department of Veterans Affairs in New Orleans is receiving 84,886 dollars to provide a permanent home to an estimated 12 Veterans experiencing homelessness in East Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Chief of Social Work for the Department of Veterans Affairs in New Orleans Cecilia Graham says the funds benefit veterans in a variety of ways…

Cut 7 (12) “…it’s not accessible.”

The grant will be provided through the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program.

Several years ago the city of New Orleans announced a goal to end veteran homelessness but Graham says the fluid homeless population means the VA is constantly out serving the community…

Cut 8 (08) “…development in Louisiana”

Veterans participating in the program rent privately owned housing and generally contribute no more than 30 percent of their income toward rent.

Graham says in 2018 alone New Orleans was issued 801 housing vouchers…

Cut 9 (08) “…access to education.”

For more information visit www.neworleans.va.gov,

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Louisiana gets hit with some more cold air today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says much of the state will need a jacket…

Cut 10 (12)   “…northern parishes“

Keim says high temperatures today will be in 50s for north and central Louisiana, while south Lousiaina will be in the low 70s. He says that’s quite a change compared to what we’ve been seeing…

Cut 11 (06)   “…through Louisiana”

The cool air should remain in place until Friday. Keim says this front has also brought rain to the Bayou State, especially for north Louisiana…

Cut 12 (10)   “…Wednesday and Thursday”

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Republican Majority Whip Steve Scalise says the mid-term election is going to be a tight one, with record spending and surging voter enthusiasm likely to push the contest for Congress to a last second finish. Scalise, on the Newell Normand Show, says he’s been touring the country helping his GOP colleagues in tough elections keep their head above water amidst a rising tide of money.

Cut 13 (10)   “…it’s brutal.”

The Louisiana mid-term elections are not expected to bring any surprise results, with all incumbents comfortably ahead in the polls.

The potential for a “Blue Wave” that washes dozens of new Democrats into national office has led to growing possibility that Republicans may lose the House for the first time since they took control in 2011. The southeast Louisiana Congressman says the battle is coming down to around four dozen seats.

Cut 14 (11)   “…to Democrat.”

Recent polling indicates the Democrats will likely retake the House, but fail to take the Senate.

Scalise touted the president’s record on the economy and foreign policy, but says Trump’s political opponents have been able to channel their frustrations with the president into voter interest into the November mid-term.

Cut 15 (07)   “…in voting.”

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LSU is moving on from its big victory over Georgia and they are now getting ready to host 22nd ranked Mississippi State. The Bulldogs rushed for 285 yards in a 37-7 win over the Tigers last season and this year State is averaging 241 yards on the ground. Coach Ed Orgeron’s team slowed down Georgia’s run game, but Mississippi State has a different run attack

Cut 16 (20) “..different scheme”

LSU’s offense is not ranked high compared to the other SEC teams, but it has been a balanced attack through seven games, 1,415 yards on the ground, compared to 1,415 yards through the air. Orgeron has been impressed with his offensive coaches daily preparation…

Cut 17 (17)  “our staff”

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The Saints get back to work this week as they should feel rested after a bye week. New Orleans 7-2 after the bye since 2009. Coach Sean Payton says about 10 years ago he spoke with Chiefs Coach Andy Reid about handling the week off…

Cut 18 (22) “…football team” 

The Saints are in Baltimore this Sunday to visit the 4-2 Ravens. New Orleans has yet to beat the Ravens since Payton and Drew Brees arrived in the Big Easy. Payton says Baltimore has been a well coached team under John Harbaugh…

cut 19

The first ad of the Secretary of State’s race is out, and based ib the content,s you probably wouldn’t think it was mainly a bureaucratic job that manages elections. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

There are problems with child care standards in Louisiana according to a Legislative Audit. Auditor Krista Baker-Hernandez says when improprieties were discovered, the Department of Education did not always pursue proper disciplinary measures.

Cut 5 (10) “…investigations.”

LDE says they agree with the Auditor’s findings and are taking steps to implement new policies.

LSU will have to open up its wallet, because the SEC has fined the school 100-thousand dollars because fans rushed the field following the Tigers upset victory over Georgia.

Wide receiver Justin Jefferson says the fans enthusiasm was a big part in their win over Georgia.

Cut 11 (08) “…our energy”

However, LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva respects the South-Eastern Conference’s safety concerns when fans take to the field.

The fine money will go the SEC’s post-graduate scholarship fund.

Approximately 25 thousand vehicles a day had used the Sunshine Bridge on Louisiana Highway 70 that straddled the borders of St. James and Ascension parishes.

But structural damage caused by a crane traveling on a barge that struck the bridge, has area motorists rethinking how to cross the Mississippi river.

Authorities closed the bridge on Friday shortly after the crane collided with the bridge. DOTD thinks it will be months before it will reopen to traffic since no temporary fix would meet safety considerations.

The Legislative Auditor says there’s some problems with child care standards in Louisiana. Auditor Krista Baker-Hernandez says the state lacks many of the nationally recognized regulations on child care, such as our core licensing standards…

Cut 3 (11) “…providers.”

The report revealed Louisiana is one of only eight states to allow unlicensed caregivers to watch over six children at a time.

The Louisiana Department of Education says they agree with the Auditor’s findings, and are taking steps to implement new policy.

The state Transportation department says it will take months, not days to re-open the Sunshine Bridge at Donaldsonville after it was hit hard by a large crane was on a barge.

DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says motorists are encouraged to use the Veterans Memorial Bridge as an alternate river crossing. He says they also have two ferries in Plaquemine running longer hours…

Cut 7 (10) “…as well”

Fans rushing the field Saturday after LSU’s football win against the Georgia Bulldogs triggered a 100 thousand dollar fine that must be paid to the SEC.

If LSU beats Alabama in three weeks and the fans rush the field again, the fine will increase to 250-thousand dollars. Louisiana native and head Coach Ed Orgeron says celebrating the victory with the fans on the field was a special moment…

Cut 10 (11) “…picture yet”

The 100 thousand dollar fine will go the SEC’s post-graduate scholarship fund.

The race of the Louisiana Secretary of State office is heating up. Republican opponents have been hammering the interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin for alleged improprieties.

One challenger even went as far as saying removing him would remove the scandal from the office.

ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says they probably won’t be too happy about the ad’s message.

Cut 14 (11) “to this.”

Ardoin served as Assistant Secretary since for eight years, but became the interim Secretary in May after his former boss resigned in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal.