State Treasurer John Kennedy says state revenues for the first quarter of this fiscal year are down 13-percent compared to the first quarter of last year. Kennedy says tax collections from individuals and businesses are down, while sales tax receipts are flat….

cut 13 (08) “part of it”

Kennedy believes the Jindal administration created much of the revenue problem and it has a moral obligation to deal with it.

Voters in Louisiana will have the opportunity to vote on some Constitutional amendments on the October 24th ballot. Robert Scott, President of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, says the ballot will feature four new amendments to the Louisiana Constitution. Scott says if you know nothing about these amendments, it could be overwhelming…

cut 4 (09) “be confused”

He says this is better than last year when 14 amendments were on the ballot.

The four candidates for Lt. Governor are slated to be at a forum hosted by the Baton Rouge Press Club today. Political Analyst Clancy Dubos says it’s a very close race between the Democrat Kip Holden and Republicans John Young and Billy Nungesser, because they have the most money and name recognition….

cut 7 (11) “the runoff”

Guillory will also participate in the forum. Dubos says the odds favor the only democratic candidate, Holden, entering the runoff.

The Saints are now 1-and-4 on the season after a 39-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Red Cross is on the LSU campus today collecting donations for South Carolina flood relief efforts. The Tigers and the Gamecocks kickoff at 2:30pm. Eric Gill reports..:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

Louisiana residents can start voting today for the state ‘s Oct. 24 election. Candidates are urging supporters to cast their ballots in advance as the various statewide and local races are expected to compete for attention on Election Day with college football games and hunting plans. Early voting runs from Saturday through Oct. 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m, but closed Sunday.

Funeral services will be held in New Orleans beginning Sunday evening for legendary Cajun and Creole Chef Paul Prudhomme who passed away at the age of 75 last week. Visitation will be from 6pm-9pm tomorrow at Jacob Schoen and Son Funeral Home on Canal in New Orleans. Visitation will continue Monday morning at 9 a.m. at historic St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter.

Ads are out targeting Democratic Gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards seeking to tie him to President Barack Obama. They are funded by the Republican Governors Association. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says tying Democratic candidates to the president has worked for Republicans and Edwards will likely fight the ads by focusing on his own agenda in Louisiana…:
CUT 8 (11) “national Democrats”
In a statement, Edwards says the ads are a distraction from the one candidate who will destroy Governor Jindal’s failed policies.

The Red Cross is making a strong presence on the LSU campus today collecting donations ahead of the South Carolina game in Tiger Stadium. The contest came to Baton Rouge as Columbia continues to deal with devastation due to historic flooding in the state. Nancy Malone with the Red Cross in Louisiana says LSU fans are all too familiar with flood waters and destruction that goes with it…:
CUT 10 (11) “directly to them”
Tickets for the game will be sold up until the 2:30 kickoff online and on campus.

Early voting for the October 24th election began today and runs through October 17th excluding Sunday. You can early vote on those days from 8:30am to 6pm at registrar of voters offices across the state and other select locations. You go can visit geauxvote.com to get a sample ballot.

Louisianians that don’t have a passport won’t be turned away from federal buildings Monday or stopped from boarding a plane next year after the US Department of Homeland Security granted the state another extension from being in compliance with the REAL ID law. State Police Col Mike Edmonson says this gives the Legislature time to address the issue next year.

A television ad targeting Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards has been released by the Republican Governors Association. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Early voting kicks off today. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

There are still plenty of tickets left for the LSU/South Carolina game today in Tiger Stadium. The displaced Gamecocks are getting a warm welcome in Baton Rouge and the contest today is actually a home game for them — so after LSU’s expenses, USC will get the ticket proceeds. The game kicks off at 2:30 and if you’d like the opportunity at a rare seat, you can log on to print out your tickets at lsusports.net. There will also be trailers set up around campus today selling tickets in addition to the box office.

State Police says Louisiana has been given an extension in being in compliance with the federal REAL ID Act which goes into effect this weekend. This means citizens here will be able to enter federal buildings using their state drivers license.

Less than half the cases of the West Nile virus have been reported this year compared to 2014 according to the Department of Health and Hospitals. They say there have been 55 confirmed cases and 4 deaths. DHH attributes the drop to Louisiana’s cool spring.

The Republican Governor’s Association has released an ad which targets Democratic Gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards by tying him with President Barack Obama. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this tactic has been working for Republicans and feels Edwards’ ratings will go down the more people see this commercial…:
CUT 7 (09) “about him”
In a statement, Edwards calls this a distracting desperation tactic by the GOP and he’s staying focused on issues facing Louisiana.

The Red Cross will be set up at Tiger Stadium for the LSU/USC game collecting donations for South Carolina flood relief efforts. Eric Gill reports..:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

Lamar Advertising says eight digital billboards in Baton Rouge will display the messages “Geaux Gamecocks, We Stand Strong with you! Make yourself at home!” throughout the day Saturday. The game is technically a home game for South Carolina and LSU says once expenses for holding the game are covered, the remainder of the ticket sales will go to South Carolina. Ticket sales are struggling to get out of the 40,000 mark. The ESPN game kicks off at 2:30.

The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary has stepped down amid probes looking at conditions and oversight at nursing homes. David La Certe did not provide a reason and neither did the governor’s office. Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera says they are still investigating the Department…:
CUT 5 (06) “some of the homes”
It’s been reported there have been complaints about physical and sexual abuse inside the Veterans homes, and excessive drinking by some of the residents.

After a lengthy investigation, authorities in St. Martin Parish have busted a cockfighting ring in Breaux Bridge. Major Ginny Higgins says 30-year-old Dallas Grossie of Butte La Rose and 28-year old Brandon Cormier of Breaux Bridge are both charged with 24 counts of Cruelty to Animals and 24 counts of Cockfighting. She says 50-year-old Patrick Stelly of Washington is charged with 48 counts of Cruelty to Animals and 48 counts of Cockfighting…:
cut 14 (08) “his possession”

LSU ticket sales are not nearly what was hoped and athletic officials are
encouraging fans to pick up a seat to the game in Tiger Stadium tomorrow against USC. Due to continuing flood relief efforts in Columbia, the game had to be moved to Baton Rouge — but it’s still technically a Gamecock home game which means they get proceeds after game expenses are covered. The Red Cross will also be at the game and spokeswoman Nancy Malone says Tiger fans have always stepped up when our friends need help
CUT 11 (11) “Hurricane Isaac”
The game kicks off at 2:30pm.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals has confirmed one new case of West Nile Virus in the state this week and two additional deaths attributed to the disease. This brings the total number of cases of West Nile in Louisiana to 55 and the number of deaths this year to four.

A television ad targeting Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards has been released by the Republican Governors Association. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Two of the victims killed in the fatal natural gas pipeline explosion at the Williams Partners’ facility in Terrebonne Parish have been identified. They are 40-year-old Samuel Brinlee of Berwick and 36-year-old Casey Ordoyne of Larose. State Police say three workers died and two others were seriously injured while performing maintenance at the plant in Gibson on Thursday.