Democrat John Bel Edwards said during a gubernatorial debate with all four candidates Thursday that he plans on calling two special sessions when he takes office to address the fiscal mess left behind by governor Bobby Jindal…:
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Republicans David Vitter, Scott Angelle and Jay Dardenne also made the case why they would be the best person to get Louisiana’s budget house in order.

The biggest crowd of the season is expected to be on the campus of LSU Saturday for the hyped up Top 10 SEC matchup between the Tigers and the Florida Gators. LSU is reminding fans to arrive early and be prepared for busy pre-game traffic. Kickoff is set for 6pm on ESPN with the forecast calling for clear skies and temperatures in the low 70s at the start of the game, but dipping into the 60s before it’s over.

Governor Bobby Jindal only raised $600,000 in the third quarter of fundraising in his bid for the White House and the report shows he has just $260,000 on hand. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says he believes there is support for the issues Jindal is pushing, but the crowded Republican field is definitely hurting him…:
cut 12 (07) “reflects that”
A Jindal spokesperson says the election is not an auction and they are running a lean, mean campaign.

The Saints convincing 31-21 win over Atlanta on Thursday night has the Who Dat nation thinking the Black and Gold can turn this season around. In the victory, there was a blocked punt for a touchdown, the defense forced three turnovers and quarterback Drew Brees threw for over 300 yards…:
cut 13 (10) “pay off”

The state fire marshal’s office and Department of Agriculture and Forestry has issued a statewide burn ban due to extremely dry conditions across the state. Jeff Palermo reports…:
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It’s dry but it is going to be a beautiful, and at times, chilly weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we could even see some low temps in the 40s in northern parishes…:
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He says high temps probably won’t leave the 70s all weekend.

The four candidates for Governor talked about Louisiana’s budget problems during a debate in Ruston last night. Republican Jay Dardenne says he’ll look to make funding higher education a priority and cut elsewhere..:
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Republicans Scott Angelle and Jay Dardenne and Democrat John Bel Edwards were also there. Tomorrow is the last day to early vote in the October 24th gubernatorial primary.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office says a 22-year-old woman is under arrest after authorities discovered her 3-year-old child sitting in the middle of the road with his blanket. They say upon arrival they realized the child was about 150 yards away from his house and found the mother searching for him. Halie Prejean of Lake Charles left her 3 month old inside the house to look for the other child and she was booked with two counts of child desertion.

Governor Bobby Jindal’s presidential campaign warchest is likely lower than he was hoping. The latest fundraising report shows Jindal raised $600,000 in the third quarter and has only $261,000 left. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Jindal’s recent surge of support in Iowa might make it possible for him to go back to some people who have donated money in the past…:
Cut 11 (07) “to his campaign”
By comparison, Republican presidential hopeful Ben Carson raised over $20 million during the same time frame. But Jindal’s spokesperson says they are running a lean, mean campaign with what they have.

LSU is reportedly giving Athletic Director Joe Alleva another contract extension — one year to July 2020. The Board of Supervisors will officially vote on the proposed extension at its meeting in a week. Alleva’s pay will remain the same at $725,000. Last year his deal was extended three years to July 2019.

The Who Dat nation is elated today about the Saints impressive 31-21 win over the Falcons last night in The Dome, and could this mean the team is turning the season around? It was the first loss for Atlanta and New Orleans improved to 2-4 — a long tough road to the playoffs. But quarterback Drew Brees says the game last night gives him hope…:
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The Saints play the Colts next Sunday.

Governor Bobby Jindal could be getting an answer as soon as Monday on whether or not he can defund Planned Parenthood in Louisiana. The organization could lose its funding next week unless the federal judge intervenes. Jindal announced he’d stop making payments to Planned Parenthood after secretly taped videos surfaced showing its leaders discussing the sale of fetal tissue. The group denies the allegation.

And don’t forget tomorrow is the last day to early vote in the October 24th primary. Polls open at 8:30 tomorrow morning and close at 6.

A burn ban is in place throughout the entire state. This means no private open burning is allowed. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says Violation of the burn ban could result in criminal and/or civil penalties. He says this is a safety issue…:
CUT 5 (07) “these fires”
Private burning will only be allowed by permission of your local fire department or local government.

Most of the state is in extreme drought conditions and there is no rain the long range forecast which is another reason why the burn ban was issued. But State climatologist Barry Keim says it’s going to be a beautiful weekend with daytime highs not leaving the 70s, and lows in the 50s maybe upper 40s. He says if you’re hitting a football game it might be a good idea to bundle up..:
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Tomorrow is the last day to early vote for the October 24th primary. The Secretary of State’s office says so far based on early voting trends, turnout for the gubernatorial election could be 45-50% which they say is about average. The early voting polls close at 6pm.

During the debate at Louisiana Tech last night. The four candidates talked about the state’s budget problems. Republican David Vitter blamed the mess on his opponents, but fellow GOP candidate Scott Angelle says the US Senator shouldn’t be in charge of getting Louisiana’s fiscal house in order…:
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Republican Jay Dardenne says steps need to be made to protect higher ed as cuts need to be made elsewhere. Democrat John Bel Edwards says he plans to call two special sessions to address the budget.

Federal fundraising reports show that Governor Bobby Jindal’s presidential campaign raised less than $600,000 during the third quarter. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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Louisiana is in for another beautiful weekend and possibly even some nighttime sweater and jacket weather. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we could even see some low temps in the 40s in northern parishes…:
cut 15 (07) “low 50s”

The four men seeking to become the state’s next governor discussed their plans to solving the state’s budget problems during a televised debate on Louisiana Tech’s campus. Republican David Vitter, who has served in Congress since 1999, blamed his three opponents for helping to create the financial mess…
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Republican Scott Angelle says Vitter should not be the one to help solve the state’s budget issues. Republican Jay Dardenne said high paid positions need to be eliminated and Democrat John Bel Edwards says tax expenditures need to be tweaked.

The Saints convincing 31-21 win over Atlanta on Thursday night has the Who Dat nation thinking the Black and Gold can turn this season around. In the victory, there was a blocked punt for a touchdown, the defense forced three turnovers and quarterback Drew Brees threw for over 300 yards…:
cut 13 (10) “pay off”

State Police says there are portions of I-12 in St. Tammany Parish that are completely shut down right now due to an ammonia leak. Trooper Dustin Dwight…:
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He says I-12 is closed at the Covington-Madisonville exit and also at Robert.

A statewide burn ban is in effect due to extremely dry conditions throughout Louisiana. Jeff Palermo reports…:
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Federal fundraising reports show that Governor Bobby Jindal’s presidential campaign raised less than $600,000 during the third quarter. The report further states that the GOP hopeful has only $261,000 on hand. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says this report is not good news for Jindal…:
cut 10 (07) “in the bank”
A Jindal spokesperson says the election is not an auction and they are running a lean, mean campaign.

The Saints saved their best game of the season for their biggest rival, as they played really well in a 31-21 victory over Atlanta. The victory gives New Orleans a 2-4 record, while the Falcons were handed their first loss of the year in the Mercedes Benz Superdome.

Louisiana State Police says I-12 in St. Tammany Parish is closed in both directions in the Covington-Madisonville area, and also at Robert due to a chemical leak. Trooper Dustin Dwight says Hazmat crews are investigating a leak of ammonia at the Diversified Foods Plant…:
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He says they anticipate the levels diminishing soon and I-12 will open back up.

State officials say all of Louisiana is now under a burn ban due to extremely dry conditions. The US Drought Monitor reports that 86-percent of the state is currently in drought. Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the ban applies to all private burning and violators will face consequences…:
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He says in addition to extremely dry conditions, the long range forecast is calling for high winds, no rain and low humidity.

The Louisiana Army National Guard has made significant jumps in their overall strength and retention of force. Eric Gill reports…:
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LSU star running back Leonard Fournette says he’s looking forward to a packed Tiger Stadium tomorrow night as the Tigers take on the Florida Gators in a hyped up Top 10 SEC matchup. He says the game last weekend against South Carolina with just 42,000 in attendance was just weird..:
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Kickoff is at 6pm.