Louisiana ranks fifth in the country when it comes to the percentage of cancer deaths that are attributable to smoking. The percentage is 33-percent and it’s higher for men. Chronic disease director with the Louisiana Department of Health, Melissa Martin, says the state is doing what it can to decrease exposure of second hand smoke…
cut 10 (09) “…or restaurants”
Martin says the state also offers a free comprehensive quit line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Early voting for the November eighth election is underway at locations around the state. This displaced flood victim traveled a long way so she she can vote where she is registered…
cut 14 (09) “…get it done’
Early voting is 8:30 to 6 PM through November 1st except on Sunday.

We’re two weeks away from Election Day, and party leaders on both sides are facing similar struggles. Candidates for US Senate have been going at it with opponents from their own party. Executive Director of the Louisiana Democratic Party Stephen Handwerk says those vicious blows will make it harder for the party to come together after November 8th…:
Cut 6 (07) “attacking you”

There’s talk about building an interstate that would run east and west through central Louisiana. Malcolm Morris of Leesville, who is with the Gulf Coast Strategic Highway Coalition, says they are awaiting for a possible route to receive a federal designation and once a corridor is selected, it will be at least another 10 years from being constructed. He says the plan is for I-14 to run mostly along Highway 28…
cut 4 (09) “…Mississippi” .
He says I-14 could help drive economic development in central Louisiana and help Fort Polk as well.

Early voting begins today for the November 8th election. Secretary of State Tom Schedler expects a high turnout this year…:
CUT 5 (10) “we can’t”
There are changes to early voting locations and you can find that information at geauxvote.com.

Party leaders on both sides in Louisiana seem to agree that US Senate candidate & former KKK leader David Duke should be allowed to participate in the debate if he polled high enough. Executive Director of the Louisiana Democratic Party Stephen Handwerk says they also share the same opinion on whether or not they would like to hear what Duke has to say…:
CUT 7 (10) “opinion”
Duke is one of six candidates who polled above five percent, making them eligible for the debate that will be held November 2 at Dillard University in New Orleans.

There’s talk of central Louisiana getting a second interstate, called I-14, connecting Texas to Georgia. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Louisiana ranks fifth in the nation for the number of smokers who died from lung cancer, according to research from the American Cancer Society. Chronic Disease Director with the Louisiana Department of Health, Melissa Martin, says smokers can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for help…:
cut 11 (09) “replacement therapy”

There is serious conversation about an east-west interstate that would cross central Louisiana through Alexandria, connecting western Texas to Georgia. Malcom Morris of Leesville, who is with the Gulf Coast Strategic Highway Coalition, says the chance of a new interstate called I-14, is very likely…:
Cut 3 (11) “designation”
Morris says once a designation is received, a corridor is selected but the interstate is probably 10 years out from being constructed.

Today is the first day of early voting and taking selfies in the booth of all things has been a big topic of controversy this cycle. Louisiana GOP executive director Jason Dore says social media is a huge part of the world today and sees this as an extension of that…:
Cut 8 (07) “great thing”
Early voting runs through November 1st but not Sunday.

Louisiana ranks fifth in the nation for the number of smokers who died from lung cancer, according to research from the American Cancer Society. Thirty-two percent of all cancer deaths in Louisiana are attributed to smoking. Chronic Disease Director with the state Department of Health, Melissa Martin, says smoking prevention starts with kids…:
Cut 9 (07) “our state”
The report shows Louisiana ranks second for the number of male smokers who died from lung cancer, at 38-percent.

The LSU-Alabama game is still over a week and a half away and the hype is building. Tigers running back Leonard Fournette appeared on SEC Now with Peter Burns and played a game of “fact or fiction.” Leonard was asked if LSU will beat Alabama this year and Fournette said fact.

We’re two weeks away from Election Day, and party leaders on both sides are facing similar struggles. Candidates for US Senate have been going at it with opponents from their own party. Executive Director of the Louisiana Democratic Party Stephen Handwerk says those vicious blows will make it harder for the party to come together after November 8th…:
Cut 6 (07) “attacking you”
Early voting got underway today and runs through November 1st, but not Sunday. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says reminds voters that Election Day is on a Tuesday, so it might be easier for people to early vote, especially flood victims…:
cut 4 (07) “office again”
Some early voting locations have changed sites and you can get that information online at geauxvote.com.

Only 30-percent of state judgeships are held by women in Louisiana, and racial minorities make up only 23 percent of those on the bench. That’s according to a study by Tulane University and Political scientist Sally Kenney. She says there are over 100 judicial vacancies in the country, and many senators have declined to give approval to fill those positions:
cut 12 (10) “judicial districts”
She says we need to start conversations about women and minority inclusion.

A Baton Rouge teacher is under arrest amid allegations he made lewd sexual comments to a student after watching a video of her twerking. The Sheriff’s Office says 32-year-old Christopher Shepard, now on leave from Scotlandville High, was booked on a a misdemeanor charge of prohibited sexual conduct between educator and student.

Early voting is underway. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Most Louisiana voters are expected to choose Republican Donald Trump as the next President of the United States. State GOP executive director Jason Dore on why Trump resonates with Louisianians…
cut 14 (07) “…our state”
Louisiana Democratic Party executive director Stephen Handwerk says it’a head scratcher on why Trump is so popular.

The search continues for 53-year-old Jerry Williams Junior of Ponchatoula who is wanted for the second-degree murder of his ex-wife 50-year-old Linda Williams. Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Dawn Panepinto says Linda Williams was found shot to death outside of her Hammond home on Sunday morning. …
cut 9 (10) “…once fatally”
Neighbors saw Jerry Williams flee the scene in a red Mustang, which has been recovered, but they still have not found Jerry Williams or the murder weapon.

The Shreveport Times reports that workers at the Oscar award-winning animation studio, Moonbot Studios, have been laid off. Co-founder Brandon Oldenburgh has declined to comment, citing a non-disclosure agreement. There’s been speculation that Moonbot Studios was leaving Shreveport. The studio is known for its short films, commercials and mobile apps and won an Academy Award for “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore.”

Early voting begins today for the November 8th election and officials are expecting a high turnout. Secretary of State Tom Schedler reminds residents that this year you’ll get a Blue Dog sticker once you cast your ballot and that includes early voting. He says this year’s I Voted stickers are a hot item…:
CUT 6 (10) “voters”
Schedler says in addition to the president race, there are 220 races statewide involving more than 700 candidates.

Executive Director of the Louisiana Democratic Party on why he believes Donald Trump is the front runner in Louisiana..:
CUT 15 (12) “campaign cycle”
The GOP in Louisiana believes voters here like Trump because they share the same values.

There aren’t many women or racial minorities in Louisiana’s judicial system, according to a study by Tulane University. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Former LSU star and NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal is now an owner of a Krispy Kreme Doughnut franchise and global spokesperson for the brand. Shaq is a known superfan of Krispy Kreme and in 2009 was filmed staring longingly at a glazed variety as Mariah Carey’s We Belong Together played int he background. He’s taking ownership of the historic Krispy Kreme shop on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Atlanta.

Republican Donald Trump leads Democrat Hillary Clinton in the statewide polls with only two weeks left until Election Day. Emelie Gunn has more:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Early voting begins today for the November 8th election. Secretary of State Tom Schedler expects a high turnout this year…:
CUT 5 (10) “we can’t”
There are changes to early voting locations and you can find that information at geauxvote.com.

Officials in Tangipahoa Parish continue to look for a man who is accused of shooting his ex-wife in the head outside of her home. Dawn Panepinto with the Sheriff’s Office says 53-year-old Jerry Williams Jr. has a history of physical abuse against the murder victim, 50-year-old Linda Williams…:
CUT 8 (10) “etc”
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Williams Junior is urged to contact authorities.

A study by Tulane University finds that women and racial minorities are not widely present in Louisiana’s judicial system. Political scientist Sally Kenney with Tulane’s Newcomb College Institute says white males dominating the court can affect how fair people perceive the system to be
CUT 11 (12) “male juries”
They found only 30-percent of state judgeships are held by women, and 23 percent are racial minorities.

Early voting begins today. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Polls on the presidential race have consistently shown that Republican Donald Trump will have no problem defeating Democrat Hillary Clinton in Louisiana. Executive Director of the Louisiana Republican Party, Jason Dore, says they are so convinced that they’ve sent their own volunteers to campaign in other states…:
CUT 16 (09) “Trump campaign”
But the Louisiana Democratic Party says there is still hope for Clinton here yet.

A study by Tulane University finds that women and racial minorities are not widely present in Louisiana’s judicial system. The report shows that while women make up 51-percent of Louisiana’s population, only 30-percent of state judgeships are held by women. Political scientist Sally Kenney with Tulane’s Newcomb College Institute says we need to start conversations about women and minority inclusion…:
CUT 10 (11) “judicial office”
Racial minorities make up only 23-percent of judgeships in Louisiana, while accounting for 36-percent of the population.

A dump truck driver is under arrest for negligent homicide for his role in a fatal three-vehicle crash in Zachary Monday. It happened as 26-year-old Deante Dixon went past a stop sign and when in the median, the rear of the dump truck was still in the left lane of the road in the other direction as 29-year-old Gilbert Rivera was driving by. Rivera hit the dump truck then another truck. He was pronounced dead at the scene.