Hundreds of non-violent inmates at parish jails are set to be released later this week as part of the state’s criminal justice reform effort…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson was taken to the hospital after New Orleans’ victory over Chicago Sunday, only as a precautionary measure. The 90-year-old had reportedly started to feel weak but a spokesman said Benson was only going to get checked out, then home for rest.

The Louisiana Lottery says the Mega Millions game is changing so that jackpots will be bigger, but that means the ticket price is now $2. Spokeswoman Kimberly Chopin says the odds of winning of the jackpot will increase, but other enhancements to the game will lead to more winners for the smaller prizes…:
Cut 7 (05) “more millionaires”
She says they anticipate the average jackpot to be 371-million dollars.

The LSU Ag Center is testing out a new method to “flood proof” homes. The research is lead by Bill Robinson, building science instructor. He says homeowners should use paperless drywall such as fiber cement that could be dried out and put back in place. He says the only downside is the cost being about 25 percent more in construction; but worth it in the long run:
Cut 14 (07) “me later”
He says this method would allow families to move in sooner, and make homes more resistant to future floods.

Criminal justice reform measures go into effect Wednesday, and 14-hundred non-violent offenders will be released as a result of changes to the state’s sentencing laws. Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says lowering the incarceration rate is estimated to save 262-million-dollars over ten years, with most of that going towards rehabilitation programs..:
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He says most of the inmates getting out Wednesday were nearing release anyway.

Governor John Bel Edwards and other top disaster recovery leaders are traveling to Puerto Rico to meet with officials and discuss Hurricane Maria aftermath and devastation. The Governor says Louisiana has a lot of experience in disaster management, and will be able to provide assistance as survivors recover. Edwards and the first lady are expected to arrive in San Juan this morning, and return tomorrow night. The governor has already sent GOHSEP personnel and more than 300 members of the national guard to the island to offer on the ground assistance in recovery and response.

State Fire Marshal Butch Browning reminds the public to watch out for potential hazards over Halloween. He says jack-o-lanterns, paper spiders and dried cornstalks are very common decorations but are highly flammable:
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He says Halloween fires account for 83 million dollars in damages and losses every year.

The Louisiana Lottery says the Mega Millions game is changing to result in larger multi-state jackpots; but a ticket price now up to $2. Spokeswoman Kimberly Chopin…:
Cut 8 (11) “jackpots”
The first drawing for the revised Mega Millions game is tomorrow night.

Changes to the state’s sentencing laws go into effect Wednesday, and some 14-hundred non-violent offenders will be released from jail. It’s part of the governor’s effort to lower Louisiana’s highest-in-the-world incarceration rate. State Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says most of the prisoners that will be let go this week were already nearing release.:
Cut 10 (07) “get out”
He says lowering the incarceration rate is estimated to save the state 262-million-dollars over ten years.

LSU AgCenter building science instructor, Bill Robinson, says he’s found an effective way to repair flooded homes faster. He says wet proofing would use paperless drywall which is more water resistant…:
Cut 13 (10) “it’s done”
He says the downside is that this method would cost about 25 percent more to repair.

Halloween is a time for celebration, but State Fire Marshal Butch Browning reminds the public some costumes and decorations are highly flammable. He says nearly half of all home fires during Halloween are a result of decorations too close to a heat source…:
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According to the U.S. Fire Administration, there are over 10-thousand fires in America each year in the days leading up to and following Halloween.

I-10 East remains closed at I-49 in Lafayette, as authorities continue to work the site of a deadly crash involving four 18-wheelers. State Police say it happened between Grosse Tete and LA 415 in Iberville Parish, and two people died. Drivers should use I-49 and US 190 as an alternate route. I-10 West remains open.

A federal judge in Baton Rouge sided with 80 Alton Sterling protesters in a class action lawsuit against law enforment in the Capital City. Executive Director of the ACLU of Louisiana Marjorie Esman applauds the ruling and hopes police in Baton Rouge have learned a lesson.
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The plaintiffs will receive a combined total of about 136-thousand dollars.

A Louisiana Highway Safety Commission survey finds there is an upward trend across the state with more African American drivers and passengers wearing their seat belts. Executive Director Dr. Katara Williams says in 2015, there was a 10-percent gap between black and white drivers who buckled up.
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She says those riding in pick up trucks still use seat belts at a lower rate at 82-percent compared to cars at 89-percent.

The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office says they arrested a suspect in Grambling State University’s deadly shooting. Kelley Ray has the story…
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Governor John Bel and First Lady Donna Edwards will travel to Puerto Rico on Monday to meet with officials and discuss recovery after Hurricane Rita. Soldiers with the Louisiana National Guard and personnel with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness are currently in Puerto Rico helping with relief efforts. Edwards says he hopes to provide some insight into recovery and rebuilding using the lessons learned from previous natural disasters in Louisiana.

As a cold front moves across the state temperatures are dropping to near freezing in some northern areas. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the cool Canadian air will affect all of Louisiana and we’ll see temperatures in the 30s around the state and 40s in the coastal zones. He says we can expect sub normal temperatures for Halloween.
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Today is National Prescription Drug Takeback Day at all State Police Troops across the state. Trooper Bryan Lee says 900-thousand pounds of prescritption drugs were truned in during last year’s event. He says the number could go higher if people become aware of the kinds of prescritptions they may have forgotten about.
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The service is free and anonymous and takes place from 10 am to 2 pm.

 
A survey from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission finds pickup truck drivers still aren’t buckling up as much as those in other vehicles. Jeff Palermo has more…
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The body of a Zachary man was recovered in Chalmette after he was reported missing from a boat on Thursday. The State Department of Wildlife and Fisheries say Haskin Payne was fishing with his wife when he went overboard on Bayou Bienvenue. Payne was an avid fisherman.

We’re already off to a super cold weekend and this is only the start. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’ll be in the 30s this morning in north Louisiana, and highs in the 50s throughout the state.
Cut 4 (08) “the 40s”
He says we can expect lower than normal temperatures for trick or treating. The last time temperatures were this cold in north Louisiana was in mid-March.

A survey from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission finds that pick-up truck drivers and riders are not buckling up at the same rate as those in cars or SUVs. Commission executive director Katara Williams says they are working to stop this alarming trend.
cut 6 (11) “…truck drivers’
Seat belt compliance for those riding in a pick up truck is 82-percent, while those in vehicles is 89-percent.

It’s National Prescription Drug Take Back day and State Police want to raise awareness about the potential for drug abuse by providing a way to dispose of unwanted medication safely. Trooper Bryan Lee says these drugs are commonly taken from people they know.
Cut 9 (07) “family members”
Anyone looking to throw away unwanted pills can drop them off between 10 am and 2 pm at any State Police Troop location.

Today is the 14th annual Louisiana Book Festival in downtown Baton Rouge. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser expects a great crowd as the weather is likely to stay nice and cool. He says the event is free and there is food and music, along with many great books about the Bayou State.
Cut 12 (11) “landscape:
The festival beings in about 30-thousand people to the State Library and Capital.

A survey from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission finds pickup truck drivers still aren’t buckling up as much as those in other vehicles. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A federal judge agrees with Alton Sterling protesters in a class action lawsuit against Baton Rouge law enforcement agencies.  The plaintiffs will receive a combined total of about $136,000.  ACLU of Louisiana’s Executive Director Marjorie Esman says she hopes law enforcement in Baton Rouge has learned a lesson…:

Cut 15 (04) “why they are protesting”

National Prescription Drug Takeback day is Saturday.  900-thousand pounds worth of prescription drugs were turned in last year.  State Trooper Bryan Lee says the number could go higher if others become aware of the kinds of prescriptions they forgot about…

Cut 10 (07) “not using.”

The Centers for Disease Control say over 33-thousand people died in 2015 from overdoses on opioids

The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office says they arrested a suspect in Grambling State University’s deadly shooting.  Jaylin Wayne of St Louis Missouri is in custody for the shooting that allegedly killed another student and his friend early Wednesday morning.  Wayne turned himself in Thursday night after he learned he was wanted for 1^st degree murder.  Wayne allegedly killed fellow student Earl Andrews and his friend Monquiarious Caldwell during an altercation outside some dorm rooms.  University officials say extra security will be in place for this weekend’s homecoming activities…

Some of the coldest air we’ve seen in some time is descending on Louisiana.  A cold front is moving through which will drop temperatures to near freezing in some northern areas.  This will be just the start of what is to be a very cold weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the cold Canadian air will affect the entire state…

Cut 4  (08) “the 40s.” 

The last time temperatures were this cold were in north Louisiana was in mid-March.

A federal judge agrees with Alton Sterling protesters in a class action lawsuit against Baton Rouge law enforcement agencies. A hearing was held Friday morning involving about 80 protesters who were arrested last year. The ACLU of Louisiana filed a similar lawsuit but one that did not seek damages. Executive Director Marjorie Esman applauds the ruling…:

Cut 14 (06) “victims”

The plaintiffs will receive a combined total of about $136,00o.

A survey from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission finds Louisianans are buckling up but drivers and passengers in pickup trucks are not doing so as often. Drivers in Lake Charles and New Orleans had the highest overall seat belt usage rates at 92-percent and 90-percent. Executive Director Dr. Katara Williams says drivers and riders in pickup trucks buckle up at a rate of 82-percent compared to cars which is 89-percent.

Cut 7 (10) “the highway”

National Prescription Drug Takeback day is Saturday.  State Police are helping bring awareness to the potential for medication abuse by offering a way to get rid of unused prescriptions. The Centers for Disease Control say over 33-thousand people died in 2015 from overdoses on opioids.  Even if you can’t participate, State Police Trooper Bryan Lee says there are locations available any time. All nine State Police Troops will participate Saturday from 10am to 2pm.