Ads are out targeting Democratic Gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards which tie him to President Barack Obama. They are funded by the Republican Governors Association which reportedly spent $1 million dollars to spread the message. 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”
The spot claims Edwards has always supported the president. But Edwards says this is simply a tactic to divert from the real issues in Louisiana.

Visitation for chef Paul Prudhomme will take place this Sunday and Monday in New Orleans. Mourners can pay their final respects Sunday at Jacob Schoen and Son Funeral Home on Canal Street from 6pm-9pm. The funeral takes place Monday morning at 9am at St. Louis Cathedral.

David LaCerte has resigned as the state secretary for the Department of Veterans Affairs. LaCerte did not provide a reason and neither did the governor’s office. Legislative Auditor Daryl Pupera says his office has investigated the department’s handling of the state’s five nursing homes for vets and discovered some problems…:
cut 3 (11) “on that”
Governor Jindal has named Thomas Enright interim secretary.

LSU is encouraging fans in Baton Rouge to pick up a ticket to the last minute planned South Carolina game tomorrow in Tiger Stadium. They say it’s an opportunity for folks to sit in a seat they normally wouldn’t get to and a way to show support for the Gamecocks since it’s technically their home game. LSU AD Joe Alleva said on local radio they’ve only sold 38,000 tickets as of Friday afternoon. You can get them at lsusports.net.

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”

The State Department of Health and Hospitals says there have now been four West Nile deaths in Louisiana this year, bringing the total number of cases to 55. The reported deaths are from the Acadiana Region, the Capital Area Region, the Florida Parishes Region and the Northwest Louisiana Region. DHH says even though the weather is getting cooler, people should continue to protect themselves from mosquitoes.

The St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office says they’ve busted a cockfighting ring in Breaux Bridge which resulted in the arrest of three men on various counts of the crime as well as cruelty to animals. Major Ginny Higgins says they also confiscated 48 roosters and over 300 hens and chicks from the property…:
CUT 13 (05) “animal control”
She says the suspects are 30-year-old Dallas Grossie of Butte La Rose, 28-year-old Brandon Cormier of Breaux Bridge and 50-year-old Patrick Stelly of Washington.

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 says this is a last ditch effort to stop the only candidate for governor that will expose Governor Jindal’s broken policies.

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”

State Police say the investigation into the deadly explosion at a gas pipeline facility in Gibson Thursday, which claimed the lives of three workers and seriously injured two, is ongoing. Two of the men killed have been identified as 40-year-old Sam Brinlee of Berwick and 36-year-old Casey Ordoyne of Larose.

The Red Cross will be set up at Tiger Stadium tomorrow for the LSU/USC game collecting donations for flood relief efforts in South Carolina. The contest was moved to Baton Rouge due to ongoing restoration in Columbia. Red Cross spokeswoman Nancy Malone says devastation like this is personal to LSU fans, who are all too familiar with natural disasters…:
cut 10 (11) “directly to them”
The game kicks off at 2:30pm. LSU announced today that the game-by-game parking areas will be free this weekend.

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.

A television ad targeting Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards has been released by the Republican Governors Association. In the commercial, the RGA tries to link Edwards to President Barack Obama. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this is a strategy that has worked for Republicans for the last several years…:
CUT 6 (10) “Barack Obama”
In a statement, Edwards calls the ad a desperation tactic.

Authorities in St. Martin Parish have busted a cockfighting ring in Breaux Bridge. Major Ginny Higgins says three men were arrested for their roles and were booked into the St. Martin Parish Correctional Center..:
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She says authorities found and confiscated 48 roosters and over 300 hens on the property.

Early voting for the October 24th election begins Saturday and runs through October 17th. Eric Gill reports…
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Eric Gill”

LSU is pushing for folks to pick up a ticket for tomorrow’s last minute game in Tiger Stadium against South Carolina at 2:30. The game was moved to Baton Rouge due to flooding in Columbia, but it’s USC’s home game so they’ll get ticket proceeds after the expenses for hosting the game are covered. LSUsports.net has the details.

David La Certe has resigned as secretary for the state Department of Veterans Affairs. 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. Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera says they did some investigating of the department and found 531 areas of noncompliance…:
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The Louisiana Inspector General also says they are investigating the state Department of Veterans Affairs, but would not give details.

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.

During Saturday’s game between LSU and the Gamecocks in Tiger Stadium, the Red Cross will be on hand collecting donations for flood relief efforts in South Carolina. The game was moved to Baton Rouge while Columbia continues to recover. Nancy Malone with the Red Cross says LSU has always stepped up in disasters…:
CUT 9 (10) “drop off your donation”
She says if you’re not going to the game, you can make a donation online at redcross.org.

Lamar Advertising announced Thursday that 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 the LSU band has learned the Gamecock fight song and Alma Mater. LSU says once expenses for holding the game are covered, the remainder of the ticket sales will go to the South Carolina University. The ESPN game kicks off at 2:30.

David LaCerte has resigned as the state secretary for the Department of Veterans Affairs. LaCerte did not provide a reason and neither did the governor’s office. Legislative Auditor Daryl Pupera says his office has investigated the department’s handling of the state’s five nursing homes for vets and discovered some problems…

cut 3 (11) “on that”

Governor Jindal has named Thomas Enright interim secretary.

State Police will use the Louisiana Department of Transportation’s website, twitter accounts, and smart phone app to relay information about traffic crashes, congestion and roadway construction. Trooper Dustin Dwight says motorists can additionally receive quick access to traffic conditions by visiting 511-L-A-dot-ORG…

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He says drivers can see real time traffic updates on the “Way to Geaux” app.

A man wanted for a triple shooting in LaPlace that left two dead has been arrested in Jefferson Parish. Authorities say 28-year-old Derrence Greenup of Reserve was captured near the airport in Kenner. Greenup is accused of killing 23-year-old Travis Gregoire and 18-year-old Sierra Gregoire and injuring one other in the Monday morning shooting. Greenup will be transferred to St. John the Baptist Parish where he will be booked on first degree murder and attempted first degree murder charges.

In an effort to make South Carolina feel as much at home as possible when playing in Tiger Stadium tomorrow, LSU’s Golden Band from Tigerland will play U-S-C’s fight song and alma mater. LSU Band Director Roy King says many students in the Tiger Band had plans to visit family or be out of town but every member agreed to play in Tiger Stadium on Saturday…

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King hopes the Tiger Band can play the songs as well as South Carolina’s band performs them.

Early voting for the October 24th election begins tomorrow and runs through October 17th. Early voting will be available from 8:30AM to 6PM daily at registrar of voters offices across the state and other select locations, with the exception of Sunday when offices will be closed. Secretary of State spokesperson Meg Casper expects early voting for this election to be busy…

cut 6 (10) “line quickly”

She says you can go online to geauxvote-dot-com, with geaux spelled the cajun way, to find out where to early vote and what’s exactly on your ballot.

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. State health officials continue to urge residents to stay protected against mosquitoes, even in cooler weather.

The St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office says, after a months long investigation, they have taken down a cockfighting ring near Breaux Bridge. Authorities report that 48 roosters and approximately 300 hens and chicks were confiscated during the bust. 50-year-old Patrick Stelly of Washington, 30-year-old Dallas Grossie of Butte La Rose, and 28-year-old Brandon Cormier of Breaux Bridge face animal cruelty and cockfighting charges.

In an effort to make South Carolina feel at home, LSU’s Tigerband will play the Gamecock’s fight song on Saturday. Emelie Gunn has more….

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State Police and the Louisiana Department of Transportation team up to relay info about traffic conditions on social media and smart phone apps. Jeff Palermo has more…

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Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary David LaCerte has resigned effective immediately. A statement from the Governor’s Office offered no explanation for the resignation. LaCerte’s decision comes amid an Inspector General’s investigation into the department’s handling of nursing homes for veterans. The governor’s chief counsel, Thomas Enright, has been named interim secretary until Governor Jindal’s term ends in January.

State Police say three people are dead and two others seriously injured from an explosion and fire at the Williams Partners’ natural gas facility in the Terrebonne Parish town of Gibson. Trooper Evan Harrell says prayers go out to the victims…

cut 15 (12) “you’re at”

The two workers who were seriously hurt are now in the care of doctors who treat burn victims.

LSU’s Golden Band from Tigerland will play South Carolina’s fight song tomorrow in an effort to make the Gamecocks feel a little more at home in Tiger Stadium. LSU Band Director Roy King hopes they can play it as well as U-S-C’s band performs it…

cut 10 (10) “play it”

He says the Tiger Band is excited to get the chance to plan for an extra home game.