Pineville has a little more time before needing a new mayor as Mayor Rich Dupree is staying in office for two more weeks. His resignation was originally scheduled to take effect on October 6th. But he’s delaying his departure to October 20^th because otherwise, the new law requiring closed primaries would have forced two elections in the same year because the regular 2026 mayoral election is being moved out a couple of weeks. Dupree announced his resignation amid allegations of an improper relationship with a staffer.

Governor Jeff Landry says does not oppose a plan for passenger rail service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans but he would prefer widening I-10 between the two cities and questions whether the rail would get used. John Spain, a member of the Southern Rail Commission, says polls show that it would.

Cut 11 (07) “…ride the train.”

Former Governor Edwards, had dedicated more than 20-million dollars to the rail project.

The fall Angola Rodeo is back.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Last year’s Purple Light Project to bring awareness to domestic violence was a success says, Faith House Prevention and Development Director Kimberly Boutte and they hope to see even more homes and businesses participate this year. Boutte emphasizes by uniting as a community, will shine a light on domestic violence and create meaningful change.

Cut 14 (09) “…ending the violence.”

In Independence, a woman was found dead at an apartment complex on First Street this morning.  Independence Police responded to a call just after 9:00 this morning about an unresponsive person and found a female victim dead from an apparent gun shot wound. Both the Tangipahoa Sheriff’s Office and IPD are on the scene. More information is expected.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Faith House is relaunching the Purple Light Project encouraging community members to replace their porch lights with purple bulbs to bring awareness.  Prevention and Development Director Kimberly Boutte (Boo-tay) says for a donation of $10 or more, Faith House will provide a complimentary purple bulb.

Cut 13 (13) “…lights will help.” 

Donations can be made online at Faith-House-Acadiana-dot-com

Establish rail service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, or widen Interstate 10 between the two cities? A rail commissioner asks, why not both? Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Beginning this Sunday October 6^th, the Angola Prison Rodeo is back every Sunday in October featuring adrenaline-pumping events like Convict Poker, Wild Cow Milking, and the renowned Guts-n-Glory. Warden Tim Hooper says visitors can enjoy delicious food and shop the handmade crafts. Tickets are $20 and All proceeds fund reentry programs to help inmates reintegrate successfully after release.

Cut 4 (08) “…home with a trade.”

For ticket information visit angolarodeo.com/tickets.

Passenger rail between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, or widen I-10 between the two cities? A southern rail commissioner asks, why not both? Governor Landry says while he does not oppose the rail project, he’d rather see money go towards widening I-10. Commissioner John Spain says passenger rail would ease congestion along that route.

Cut 10 (11) “…of that congestion”

Landry has questioned whether a Baton Rouge-New Orleans train corridor would get used. Spain says polls show that it would.

The Louisiana State Police now has 55 more officers, after they graduated from Cadet Class 104 this morning. They completed their 24-week training that began in late April. Captain Nick Manale (ma-NAAL-ee) says if you’re interested in becoming a Louisiana state trooper, there will be additional training classes coming up.

Cut 8 (06) “…later in 2025.”

Faith House is relaunching the Purple Light Project to honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The campaign encourages community members to replace their porch lights with purple bulbs.  Prevention and Development Director Kristen Boutte (BOO-tay) says it symbolizes peace, courage, survival, and solidarity with survivors.

Cut 12 (05) “…October for sure.”

Boutte says for a donation of $10 or more, Faith House will provide a complimentary purple bulb. Donations can be made online at Faith-House-Acadiana-dot-com

The mayor of Pineville is staying in office for two more weeks. Rich Dupree’s resignation was originally scheduled to take effect today. But in order to avoid a special election, he’s delaying it to October 18th due to a new law establishing closed primaries which is moving the 2026 election by a couple weeks. Dupree announced his resignation amid allegations of an improper relationship with a staffer.

Governor Landry has come out and said while he does not oppose passenger rail service connecting Baton Rouge and New Orleans, he’d rather see money go towards widening I-10 between the two cities. John Spain, a member of the Southern Rail Commission, says, why not both?

Cut 9 (10)  “…can have both.”

Spain says polls show solid interest in a passenger rail line between the two cities.

The fall Angola Rodeo is back each Sunday in October, offering the best in prison rodeo excitement.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

55 State Police cadets graduate from Cadet Class 104 this morning during a ceremony in Baton Rouge. Captain Nick Manale (ma-NAAL-ee) says they completed their 24-week training and are ready to go on patrol.

Cut 7 (09) “…Louisiana state trooper.”

Manale says if you’re interested in becoming a Louisiana state trooper, there will be additional training classes coming up.

Cut 8 (06) “…later in 2025.”

More information is available on the Louisiana State Police’s website at lsp-dot-org.

The Louisiana State Police now has 55 more officers. They graduated from Cadet Class 104 this morning during a ceremony outside Istrouma (is-TROO-ma) Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. Captain Nick Manale (ma-NAAL-ee) says they completed their 24-week training that began in late April.

Cut 6 (14) “…physical training regimen.”

The Angola Prison Rodeo is back every Sunday this month, featuring adrenaline-pumping events like Convict Poker, Wild Cow Milking, and the renowned Guts-n-Glory. Warden Tim Hooper says visitors can enjoy delicious Southern cuisine and shop a variety of handmade crafts.

Cut 3 (11) “…come out a purchase.”

Tickets are available for 20 dollars each.

Not getting enough sleep? You’re not alone. Sean Richardson reports about 40-percent of Louisiana residents get less than seven hours of sleep per night.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The dockworkers’ strike is over – at least for the time being. Hundreds of dock workers at the Port of New Orleans and Port of Greater Baton Rouge are back on the job today as the International Longshoremen’s Association has suspended its strike until January 15th.

The Committee of 100 for economic development is optimistic Governor Jeff Landry’s plan to dramatically change the state’s tax code will result in a better Louisiana. CEO Adam Knapp says lower income taxes and corporate taxes will spur economic development and will boost population.

Cut 11 (15) “…higher population growth.”

The major concerns are over the elimination of certain tax breaks and increasing the sales tax base, taxing services that are currently not taxed.

Two weeks from today is the start of Early Voting in Louisiana for the November presidential election. Absentee voting is already underway and Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office says the earlier you can request an absentee ballot the better…

Cut 25 (07) “…that ballot

Ballots are due by November 4^th at 4:30 PM.

Troopers from Louisiana State Police are helping with relief efforts in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana has a delegation at the 19^th Francophone (frank-o-phony) Summit in Paris. It’s hosted by the International Organization of the Francophone. CODOFIL’s Jonathan Oliver says it’s important to keep this connection strong…

Cut 14 (09) “…the French language

Twenty Louisiana State Police officers are in North Carolina helping with relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. This is a ten-day deployment; and Captain Nick Manale (mah-NAAL-ee) says if further relief efforts are needed beyond that, State Police may consider sending more troopers there.

Cut 6 (11) “…continue that deployment.”

Troopers are handing out supplies at distribution sites, staffing medical and evacuation shelters and manning roadblocks for impassible and dangerous roads.

Nearly 40-percent of Louisiana residents report getting less than seven hours of sleep per night. Dr. Phillip Conner attributes this to the state’s prevalent industries where residents work long, irregular hours in energy, oil fields, offshore rigs, or casinos, leading to “shift worker syndrome,”

Cut 7 (10) “…ongoing struggle.”

The organization that bills itself as Louisiana’s business roundtable calls Governor Landry’s tax reform plan ambitious, but one with many benefits. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The mayor of Pineville is staying in office for two more weeks. Rich Dupree’s resignation was originally scheduled to take effect today. But in order to avoid a special election, he’s delaying it to October 18th due to a new law establishing closed primaries which is moving the 2026 election by a couple weeks.

The Tax Foundation is endorsing several components of Governor Jeff Landry’s tax reform plan. Senior Policy Analyst Manish Bhatt (Bot) says transitioning Louisiana’s tax code from the current graduated-rate income tax to a single rate is sound tax policy. Bhatt says if Louisiana enacts comprehensive tax reform, the state will increase its competitiveness and cultivate a pro-growth environment…

29 (09) “…huge leap”

Committee of 100 for Economic Development CEO Adam Knapp says tax reform can position Louisiana for better outcomes, but the changes cannot come at the expense of the state’s education system…

Cut 12 (11) “…for the economy”

Twenty State Troopers are assisting in storm response efforts in North Carolina. Captain Nick Manale says the team is assisting first responders in Buncombe (buhng-kuhm) County, handing out supplies, staffing shelters and manning roadblocks. Manale says the level of devastation troopers are seeing is mind boggling…

Cut 5 (07) “…our state”

Helene has killed at least 213 and the death toll in Buncombe County is 72 and authorities say the number of people reported missing in that county stands at over 200.

A Louisiana delegation featuring members of the Council for the Development of French and the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development are at the Francophone (frank-o-phony) Summit in Paris. Jonathan Oliver with CODOFIL says the summit promotes the French language and international cooperation…

Cut 13 (100 “….a world stage”