Officials gave an update this morning on the oil platform explosion Sunday evening in Lake Pontchartrain. They confirmed that the search continues for one worker, 4 have been released from the hospital and two are being sent to a burn center — one of those in critical condition. They said the fire is still going, but it is under control and will burn itself out.

Looks like the Bayou State has gotten some much needed relief from the heat as a cold front passed through last night. Emelie Gunn has more..:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

State health officials are reminding Louisianans it’s time to get your annual flu vaccination. Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Heath Dr. Parham Jaberi says many people think they can get the flu from the vaccine, but that’s not true…:
Cut 6 (10) “actual illness”
LDH will host flu vaccination clinics until December in all parts of the state.

Halloween is only two weeks away and Louisiana residents are rushing to find the hottest costume. Store manager for Halloween Express in Baton Rouge DeMarcus Cox says the most popular costume this year is Pennywise the Clown from the movie It. He says it looks like guys are going for scarier outfits for this Halloween…:
Cut 13 (08) “scream man”
Cox says the trends show even kids are looking to be scary with clown costumes.

7 people are hurt and one person is missing following an oil platform explosion in Lake Pontchartrain just north of Kenner. There are several federal agencies responding in search of the man. The City of Kenner issued a statement saying cleaning chemicals ignited on the surface of the oil rig platform which caused the blast.

State health officials say now is the time for Louisianans to get their flu shot, as the influenza season is starting. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves made a bit of a splash in the House Natural Resources Committee offering an amendment to the Endangered Species Act to include Cajuns as a way to call attention to coastal land loss. Graves said endangered species are given extra protections, but he feels the Cajun culture is also threatened…:
Cut 11 (13) “same protections.”
The amendment was shot down, but Graves said he wanted to make a point about how the feds should work with coastal Louisiana and not against.

You walked outside to beautiful weather today, and State Climatologist Barry Keim says summer might officially be behind us…:
Cut 7 (11) “coastal parishes”
He says this cool weather will stick around all week long.

The Coast Guard says they are looking for a missing man after an explosion on an oil platform in Lake Pontchartran near Kenner Sunday evening. They say 8 people were working on the platform at the time of the explosion, and one person did not make it to shore. Of the 7 that did, 6 were taken to the hospital; and 5 are in critical condition. More on this as it develops.

A significant cold front moved through the Bayou State leaving us with some much needed relief. State Climatologist Barry Keim says with afternoon highs in the 70s in northern parishes, and low 80s along the coastal zone, Louisiana may have broken the back of summer…:
Cut 8 (07) “be over”
He says this cool weather will stick around all week long.

A Zachary man is under arrest for allegedly killing his 11 month old child. Police say 33-year-old Fabian Smith is charged with first-degree murder and second-degree cruelty to juveniles.

Saturday was an Election Day in Louisiana, and the State Treasurer’s race is headed to a runoff between Republican John Schroder, and Democrat Derrick Edwards. Baton Rouge orthopedic surgeon Craig Greene won the the Public Service Commissioner seat for the district that covers The Capitol City, Lafayette and Houma.

State health officials are reminding Louisianans it’s time to get your annual flu vaccination. Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Heath Dr. Parham Jaberi says the flu season has begun and doctors are starting to see a small number of cases…:
Cut 4 (09) “from now”

It’s Election Day in Louisiana.  Polls will remain open until 8 p.m.  Secretary of State Tom Scheduler predicts less than 15% turnout for elections for state treasurer and three constitutional amendments; and a handful of local races, including the New Orleans mayoral race. You can find your ballot with the GeauxVote app, Geaux spelled the Cajun way.

Police have identified the suspect involved in the shooting death of a New Orleans Police Officer.  30-year-old Darren Bridges, a convicted felon, faces a charge of first degree murder in the shooting death Friday of 29-year-old officer Marcus McNeil.  Chief Michael Harrison says they are still investigating what exactly happened…

(Cut 3) (:12) “as a result.”

Bridges was chased into a nearby building and apprehended without further incident.

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Two Baton Rouge school students are in trouble after a BB gun they allegedly brought to school discharged Friday.  Police say the incident happened after students were traveling back to Istrouma (Is-tru-ma) High School following a field trip.  The male 9^th grader who brought the weapon tossed it to a female 9^th grade student asking if it discharged after a BB pellet struck another student.  Both were charged with Negligent Injury and Illegal Carry of a Weapon on school property.

Louisiana legislators met for a one day retreat this week to consider what needs to be done to prevent falling off a fiscal cliff. As much as legislators don’t want to consider tax increases Minden Representative and House Democratic Caucus chairman Gene Reynolds says the public needs to talk with their representatives urging them to find a solution everyone can agree on, no matter the cost…

Cut 13 (07)  “you like.”

65 members of the House attended the meeting Thursday…

The Kappa Sigma fraternity chapter at the University of Louisiana at Monroe is suspended after a pledge group’s private statements were made public. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern.”

Sasol announces they have hired their 500^th employee to support its new 11 billion dollar ethane cracker and derivatives project in Calcasieu Parish and plans to hire at least 200 new employees over the next two years. Kim Cusimano (Cues-si-man-no) says if you’re interested in working for Sasol….

Cut 8 (04) “know”

Louisiana legislators met for a one day retreat this week to consider what needs to be done to prevent falling off the fiscal cliff. The state is facing a more than one billion dollar cut in funding when extra temporary tax revenue fall off the books July 1st. Minden Representative and chairman of the House Democratic Caucus Gene Reynolds says they are one step closer to resolving the issue.

Cut 12 (11) “something done.”

The next chapter of the LSU-Auburn rivalry will be written this afternoon in Death Valley when the Tigers host the 10^th ranked War Eagles at 2:30. Auburn has not won in Tiger Stadium since 1999. LSU is coming off an emotional win over Florida and they are also welcoming back the 2007 national championship team including former coach Les Miles…

Officials are expecting a light turnout for today’s election.  There are just a few races to be decided. A Public Service Commission seat, state treasurer three constitutional amendments and a handful of local races – including the New Orleans Mayoral race, which has 18 candidates running.   Secretary of State Tom Scheduler predicts less than 15% turnout – based on the low numbers from early voting tallies last week.  Polls remain open until 8pm.

Louisiana legislators met for a one day retreat this week to consider what needs to be done to prevent falling off a fiscal cliff.  Minden Representative and House Democratic Caucus chairman Gene Reynolds says the public needs to talk with their representatives…

Cut 13 (07)  “you like.”

65 Representatives attended Thursday’s retreat.

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Two Baton Rouge school students are in trouble after a BB gun they allegedly brought to school discharged Friday.  Police say the incident occurred Friday as students were traveling back to Istrouma High School following a field trip.  The male 9^th grader who brought the weapon tossed it to a female 9^th grade student asking if it discharged after a BB pellet struck another student.  Both were charged with Negligent Injury and Illegal Carry of a Weapon on school property.

Former LSU Head Coach Les Miles will be in Tiger Stadium for the 10th anniversary of the 2007 National Championship team. He says the ’07 squad deserves every bit of recognition Death Valley can muster.
Cut 9 (10) “of men”
Kickoff for LSU vs. Auburn is at 2:30 pm.

It’s election day in Louisiana.  Polls will remain open until 8 p.m.  Secretary of State Tom Scheduler predicts less than 15% turnout for elections for state treasurer and three constitutional amendments; and a handful of local races. You can find your ballot with the GeauxVote app, Geaux spelled the Cajun way.

New Orleans police are coming to grips with the shooting death of one of their own early Friday morning.  29-year-old Marcus McNeil was killed when 30-year-old Darren Bridges began firing on the officers in New Orleans East.  Chief Michael Harrison says McNeil and the other three officers were on patrol when they were ambushed…

Cut 5 (11) “this hurts.”

Bridges is a convicted felon.  He remains in custody.  McNeil worked for NOPD since 2015.

Sasol (Sas-Sow) announces they have hired their 500th employee to support its new 11 billion dollar ethane cracker and derivatives project in Calcasieu Parish and plans to hire at least 200 new employees over the next two years.  Kim Cusimano (Cues-si-man-no) says this is a goal they have been working toward for years…

(CUT 6) (:11) “2013.”

83 percent of those hired will be from Calcasieu Parish while they expect to hire 93 percent from Louisiana…

A child who was injured in a car accident Wednesday night on I-12 in Denham Springs has died.  The 5-month-old girl was taken off life support Friday.  Police say Jessica Cowart of Denham Springs struck the rear end of the vehicle the mother Gabbie Madare (Ma-dare) and the baby were in, throwing the baby into the car’s dash.  No word on if any charges will be filed…

A New Orleans police officer is dead following a shooting.  29-year-old Marcus McNeil was killed when 30-year-old Darren Bridges began firing on the officers in New Orleans East.  Chief Michael Harrison says Bridges fled from the scene following the shooting and was surrounded by SWAT members.  He later surrendered…

Cut 4  (07) “this time.” 

McNeil is survived by his wife and two children.  Police say Bridges is a convicted felon.

The University of Louisiana at Monroe is continuing to investigate alleged racist remarks made by several students which resulted in the suspension of the Kappa Sigma Pledge fraternity.   ULM President Nick Bruno says he understands that racism is dividing the country.  He hopes the students and ULM faculty can rise above the divisive issue…

Cut 10 (10) “by one”

The Dean of Students will now investigate the incident.

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The Humane Society of Louisiana is looking for a Baton Rouge man who hung a cat outside of a building. Animal Control found the cat after receiving calls from witnesses and vets determined the feline was  alive prior to its asphyxiation. The Humane Society is offering a 12-hundred dollar reward for information leading to the individual’s arrest.

Sasol announces they have hired their 500th employee to support its new 11 billion dollar ethane cracker and derivatives project in Calcasieu Parish and plans to hire at least 200 new employees over the next two years. Kim Cusimano says if you’re interested in working for Sasol…:

Cut 8 (09) “available”

93-percent of those hired are Louisiana residents.  83 percent are Louisiana residents…