“And that includes understanding what they’re having to pay, how easy it is for them to find child care and what they’re looking for when they’re looking for child care,” Cope said.

Cope says they added questions to this year’s survey to find out if parents are satisfied with the care their child is receiving or if they wish they had better options.

“Are they able to utilize the type of care that they would prefer, or are they using the care that’s just sort of the only option that’s available to them or what they can afford?” Cope asked.

Cope says the answers to this survey are shared with policymakers that include the governor, state lawmakers and department of education.

“We use this information to help make the case for why increased funding is needed; and that’s often very compelling for policymakers, because they see parents are really in need of additional support and resources,” Cope explained.

Cope says the answers from this survey have led to the state providing more financial resources so more parents can pay for child care. The survey is open until November 11th, and it can be found policyinstituteLA.org.

“The vehicle that struck the toddler had backed out of a parking spot and was pulling forward to exit the parking lot when the child ran out into the driveway,” Anderson explained.

The girl, who has been identified in a GoFundMe campaign as Ka’Mya J’Nae Williams, died of her injuries at a hospital. Anderson says the incident came after a Trunk-and-Treat that was held at the restaurant.

“The mother of the toddler was an employee of Walk-On’s; they were there following a Halloween event that they participated at,” Anderson noted.

Investigators say alcohol was not a factor in the crash, and no charges are expected to be filed in this case. Anderson says this incident has shaken the entire community to the core.

“It’s just a tragic deal all the way around; not only for the family, but they young lady that was driving the car; she’s obviously traumatized,” Anderson said.

As of this morning, the fundraiser for Ka’Mya J’Nae’s family has raised more than $31,000 towards its goal of $40,000.

“When someone hasn’t been in the app for a certain number of time, they start getting a bombardment of notifications; either for risk-free or bonus bets or bonus cash, to try and lure them back in,” Hoekstra said.

Hoekstra says DraftKings and FanDuel use predatory methods to keep users addicted so that they can maximize their profits.

“They sim so much about someone that they can almost predict their betting habits so they can get people potentially when they are at their lowest moment, after they’ve lost over $100 or $1,000,” Hoekstra noted.

Hoekstra says the suit also names the two casino licensees, Amelia Belle Casino and Bally’s Baton Rouge, whose state licenses anchor the apps’ operation in Louisiana.

“We’re both asking for the money back, as well as an understanding that the casinos who are the sublicensees under DraftKings and FanDuel are violating their duty to supervise what’s running through their licenses,” Hoekstra explained.

Together, DraftKings and FanDuel hold 75% of the online betting market in Louisiana.

“We’re covering what we call ‘The Alice,’ in which our people that are employed, they just still may not be making all of their basic necessities each month,” Chrisope said.

The program, funded by Entergy shareholder dollars, provides assistance to customers living below the federal poverty level and expands eligibility to include ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households. These individuals and families earn above the federal poverty level but still below the actual cost of living in the parishes where they live. Since many ALICE customers do not qualify for traditional assistance programs, Entergy Louisiana is extending eligibility to help fill that gap.

“This bill credit is one more way we’re stepping up to support the communities we serve during a time when everyday costs are on the rise,” said Nyka Scott, Entergy Louisiana customer service vice president. “This was designed for our customers who often fall into the gap between qualifying for traditional assistance and still struggling to make ends meet. Alongside this credit, we encourage customers to explore our Bill Toolkit, which offers energy‑saving programs, usage tracking tools and flexible billing options designed to help households better manage their monthly costs. Our goal is to give customers meaningful support today while helping them stay in control of their energy use moving forward.”

Entergy Louisiana will notify potentially eligible customers by email and encourage them to apply for the credit.

“Financial hardship looks different from one Louisiana community to the next, but we know far too many families are struggling to keep up with the cost of everyday essentials,” added Sarah Berthelot, president and CEO of the Louisiana Association of United Ways. “We’re thankful Entergy Louisiana is providing this relief and partnering with local United Ways, whose deep community roots and firsthand understanding of local needs help us connect ALICE households with meaningful assistance.”

Chrisope says applicants will need to provide a photo ID and either the first page of their 2025 tax returns, their 2025 W-2s, their most recent pay stubs or their 1099 or 1042S forms.

“It just takes a couple of minutes to apply for, and I think it’s a great opportunity right before the holiday season, too. It’s almost like getting 100 extra dollars for your Thanksgiving meal and things like that,” Chrisope noted.

Applications will be accepted as long as funds are available.

The online process will enable customers to upload required documents and submit their applications. Applications will be managed through the following United Way partners:

• Capital Area United Way (Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. James, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana)
• Landry-Evangeline United Way (St. Landry and Evangeline)
• United Way of Acadiana (Acadia, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Martin and Vermillion)
• United Way of Northeast Louisiana (Caldwell, East Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union and West Carroll)
• United Way of Northwest Louisiana (Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, De Soto, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine, Webster and Winn)
• United Way of South Louisiana (Assumption, Lafourche, St. Mary and Terrebonne)
• United Way of Southeast Louisiana (Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington)
• United Way of Southwest Louisiana (Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, Jefferson Davis, LaSalle, Rapides and Vernon)
• United Way of St. Charles (St. Charles)

“Great idea; it’s not something that’s done every day. It hasn’t been done here, and it’s a way that we can generate revenue without having to put it specifically on the individual backs of donors,” Bostian said.

The over 1,400-square-foot house is located in the new Hidden Oak subdivision near Sibley Lake in Natchitoches. The deadline to purchase a raffle ticket is Tuesday, and a winner will be drawn next Friday. Bostian says other prizes are available, and you can do whatever you want with the house.

“At the end of the day, you’re supporting our 375 student athletes that we have in our 14 sports, and you’re doing it to help support them. We need the money; and we want to give them the best resources to be successful, and this is one way that we can generate those funds to help do that,” Bostian noted.

Bostian says operating costs are higher than ever, and Northwestern State is getting creative to generate revenue. He says the athletics department recently hosted a country music concert, and the Demon Dream Home giveaway is another initiative that has been received well.

“People in the community are excited about it. They understand what we’re trying to do. I’ve actually had several people say they appreciate me putting my neck out on the line to try to do something different; try to do something to excite the fanbase, but generate revenue where it’s not on individuals,” Bostian explained.

Bastion says he hopes to generate a couple hundred thousand dollars to be split among Northwestern State’s 14 athletics programs with nearly 400 student-athletes.

According to the Secretary of State’s Office, registered Democrats outnumbered Republicans among early voters by nearly 16,000.

That could be a concern for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Julia Letlow. But LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says strong turnout in two congressional races could help offset that gap.

Republicans have several well-funded candidates competing in the 5th and 6th Congressional Districts, and Hogan says those races could bring more GOP voters to the polls on Election Day.

“You’ve got a lot of Republican candidates, a few in each of the races, that are very well-funded, that are going to be turning out their votes. And those voters are likely to make up any deficit that she might incur statewide,” Hogan said.

Nearly 93,000 voters who aren’t registered with either major party also cast early ballots. Hogan cautions against assuming those voters will favor Democrats simply because of President Trump’s standing among independent voters nationally.

“There’s been a trend, especially among younger people, that they don’t want to choose. But we also know that in this state, a relatively conservative state, a lot of those are Republican voters,” Hogan said.

Early voting turnout is also up significantly from the last midterm election. About 377,000 Louisianans voted early in 2022, when more than 1.38 million people cast ballots overall and Republican John Kennedy won re-election to the U.S. Senate.

“It’s going to give us the opportunity to extend our services to people who, just in the past, haven’t been able to get this potentially lifesaving screening,” Funes noted.

Dr. Funes says this mobile mammography unit was designed specifically with rural and underserved areas in mind.

“For some folks, traveling 45 minutes to an imaging center or to a hospital to get their mammography just isn’t practical. They can’t afford to be away from work, they can’t afford to leave a loved one that they’re caring for; so we need to come to them,” Funes said.

The unit is launching its maiden voyage in its Our Lady of the Lake service community, from Baton Rouge to the Northshore. Later, it will visit Acadiana and North Louisiana. Funes says screenings are by appointment.

“We have a list of patients that we’re trying to reach; a lot of those in those rural and underserved areas throughout the state who are existing patients, and just that we have not, for whatever reason, been able to get them screened,” Funes explained.

The mobile mammography unit is equipped with everything that a brick-and-mortar clinic has, and appointments take the same length of time.

Louisiana Fifth District Candidate DAN McKAY (photo courtesy of Dan McKay for Congress/Facebook)

“I believe the Democratic Party has to stay together on controlling Donald Trump,” McKay said.

The three Republicans on the panel all said they would support a national ban on abortions, with Gabe Firment citing his Christian faith in his viewpoint. McKay says he opposes a national abortion ban.

“The Bible says nothing about abortion. You can read throughout the Bible; it does not address that subject,” McKay stated.

Louisiana Fifth District Candidate PAT MOORE (photo courtesy of Pat Moore for Congress/Facebook)

Moore noted that her own birth was the result of a rape, and she expressed gratitude that her mother did not abort her. She said it’s her duty as a state representative to protect babies while they’re in the womb, and that “pro-life” should not end at childbirth.

“They want the baby to come into the world, and after that, that’s it. That’s hypocritical. What I want to do is reduce the number of abortions by putting and funding different things that will do that,” Moore said.

Moore says she disagrees with Republicans who oppose increasing the wealth cap to protect Social Security.

“Right now, who’s paying all of this? It’s on the backs of what we say middle class, which is no more middle class,” Moore noted.

“That enures to us a lower cost, and therefore more cash flow, which then allows us to to do more for the state for the taxpayer,” Fleming said.

Fitch Ratings upgraded the state’s credit rating based on three successful years of budget policy improvements that started with the revenue policy changes in 2024 that reduced a projected structural budget gap. Fleming says Louisiana has been committed to sound financial management.

“This is all reflective of a growing stability of the state budget and the surpluses that we’re showing,” Fleming noted.

Louisiana finished last fiscal year with an estimated $565 million surplus.

Fleming says an improved bond rating is more than a number on a financial report. He says it sends a positive signal about Louisiana’s creditworthiness and ability to meet financial obligations.

“Running a state is similar to running your household. The better you pay your bills and the less money you waste, the better the results are for everyone concerned,” Fleming explained.

Attorney General Liz Murrill says Mangham Police Chief Perry Fleming has been arrested on felony charges of theft, money laundering and destruction of public records.

Murrill alleges Fleming opened a bank account designated as a “beneficiary” account in the name of a Mangham police officer who was fatally shot during a traffic stop.

Seven checks totaling more than $6,400 were made payable to the fallen officer’s family. However, Murrill says the family never received the money.

Instead, Fleming allegedly used the funds to pay for travel to Washington, D.C., for National Police Week, according to Murrill.

Mangham Assistant Police Chief Dakota McKinney has also been arrested. He is accused of destroying public records stored on computers at the Mangham Police Department.

The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office released the following statement:

The Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (LBI) arrested Perry Fleming, Chief of Police for the Mangham Police Department, and Dakota McKinney, former Assistant Chief of Police, following an extensive investigation into alleged misconduct involving the theft of funds intended for the family of a deceased Mangham Police Officer and the destruction of public records.

Mangham Police Chief PERRY FLEMING (photo courtesy of Louisiana Attorney General’s Office)

68-year-old Mangham Police Chief Perry Fleming, of Hixson Street in Mangham, was arrested on the following charges:

• (1) count of Felony Theft

• (1) count of Money Laundering

• (2) counts of Injuring Public Records

• (2) counts of Obstruction of Justice

• (2) counts of Criminal Conspiracy

• (2) counts of Malfeasance in Office

Former Mangham Assistant Police Chief DAKOTA McKINNEY (photo courtesy of Louisiana Attorney General’s Office)

32-year-old former Assistant Police Chief Dakota McKinney, of Comeaux Road in Rayville, was arrested on the following charges:

• (1) count of Injuring Public Records

• (1) count of Obstruction of Justice

• (2) counts of Criminal Conspiracy

• (1) count of Malfeasance in Office

LBI opened a criminal investigation in April 2026 after elected officials from the Village of Mangham requested assistance regarding concerns about potential criminal conduct occurring within the police department.

During this investigation, agents discovered a financial account opened by Fleming titled as a “Beneficiary” account in the name of a former Mangham Police Officer who was killed in a line-of-duty shooting in October 2020. LBI agents discovered that various law enforcement organizations and individuals donated seven checks totaling more than $6,400, made payable to the fallen officer’s family.

The checks were deposited into the “Beneficiary” account, but the officer’s family did not receive the funds. The fallen officer’s family members said they were unaware of the account and had not received any disbursements from the purported beneficiary fund.

LBI agents subsequently discovered that Fleming used funds from the beneficiary account to finance personal travel to Washington, D.C. in October 2021 for National Police Week, including airfare, hotel lodging, meals, and merchandise purchases totaling $1,844.61. During the same event, the fallen officer’s three adult children paid their own way to attend the memorial service for their father.

As the investigation continued, agents also discovered that Fleming and McKinney had destroyed public police records stored on Mangham Police Department computers. After executing a search warrant at the Mangham Police Department, LBI personnel conducted a digital forensics examination of a department computer.

The examination revealed that police reports, arrest records, warrants, and other public documents were transferred to an external storage device and subsequently deleted from the department computer. Agents also obtained surveillance video that captured Fleming removing a town-owned computer from the police department. Fleming was also captured on video as he returned the department computer a few days later, after it had been reset to factory settings, destroying all stored data.

LBI agents also discovered that McKinney had knowingly facilitated the destruction of records on a second computer by arranging for it to be wiped through an IT vendor. McKinney was on duty as a public employee and knowingly utilized a public vehicle to transport the town computer, which he had received from Fleming to the IT vendor. McKinney subsequently caused the unsuspecting IT vendor to remove all records from the town’s computer.

LBI agents obtained arrest warrants for Fleming and McKinney, and both were subsequently arrested and booked into the Richland Parish Detention Center on October 26, 2026.

“One of our most solemn duties is honoring our fallen officers and helping look after their
families. The Chief and the former Assistant have a lot to answer for,” said AG Liz Murrill.

Fleming was issued a bond of $5,500, while McKinney was issued a $2,500 bond. The investigation remains ongoing.

*All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.