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Saturday, October 31, 2026

Baton Rouge lands a federal crime grant, and a new poll shows a Senate tie

Plus, a new Pennington Biomedical leader and a free Book Festival downtown today.

The Daily Baton Rouge team6 stories32 sources9 min read

Public SafetyTop story

Baton Rouge is one of four cities picked for a share of $300 million in federal crime-fighting grants

BRPD has about 530 officers, short of its budget and its 2015 level

Source: The Advocate

View as table
Value
Officers today530
Budgeted610
2015670
Morse's eventual goal700

Baton Rouge is one of four cities picked for a share of the $300 million Grants, officials announced Friday. Jackson, Mississippi; Jacksonville, Florida; and St. Louis, Missouri, are the others. Mayor-President Sid Edwards said 47 major cities applied.

The dollar amount isn't out yet. Attorney General Todd Blanche will announce it in Baton Rouge on Wednesday, and Edwards said the city plans to start in early January. The Justice Department's list of uses includes hiring, technology and equipment, plus mental health and substance use services.

  • Officers now: about 530 at BRPD, budget built for 610
  • January academy: about 70 applicants, the most in five years
  • 2027 goal: 50 to 60 new officers, per Chief T.J. Morse

The Metro Council approved historic raises in April, and BRPD has seen a 300% increase in inquiries about joining compared with last year. Chief Morse said in September he'd like to get back to around 700 officers. The closest recent year was 2015, with 670.

$58,000new starting pay for Baton Rouge police officers, up from $41,000

That makes BRPD the highest paid in Louisiana.

Source: The Advocate

Election 2026

A new poll has Jamie Davis and Julia Letlow tied at 45% in Louisiana's U.S. Senate race

If you're following Tuesday's U.S. Senate race, here's why it's tight. A new Hart Research poll shows Democrat Jamie Davis and Republican Julia Letlow tied at 45%, and 10% of those surveyed remain undecided. Davis's campaign commissioned it. It surveyed 500 likely voters Oct. 28-29, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5%.

Letlow and Davis each have 45% in a poll with 10% undecided

Sources: WRKF, WGNO

View as table
AmountShare
Letlow45%45%
Davis45%45%
Undecided10%10%

Forecasters are shifting, too. Inside Elections moved the race from Solid Republican to Likely Republican, and Shreveport-based pollster Bishop George now calls it a toss-up. President Trump is holding a televised rally for Letlow on Monday night. LSU political scientist Robert Hogan said the poll shows Davis “doing quite well in a state where Donald Trump won with about 60% of the vote in the last presidential election.”

  • Letlow: U.S. Rep. since 2021, with Trump's endorsement
  • Davis: farmer from Tensas Parish, running a grassroots campaign
  • Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 3

Trump's rally comes the night before Election Day

  1. Oct. 28-29Hart Research surveys 500 likely Louisiana voters.
  2. Nov. 2Trump holds a televised rally for Letlow.
  3. Nov. 3Election Day for the U.S. Senate race.

Sources: louisianaradionetwork.com, WRKF

Asked

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Asked

When do you plan to cast your ballot in Tuesday's election?

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Health and Science

Dr. Petter Bjornstad is named to lead Pennington Biomedical Research Center

LSU named Dr. Petter Bjornstad the new senior vice chancellor and executive director of Research Center on Thursday, pending approval by the LSU Board of Supervisors. He's now executive director of the UW Medicine Diabetes Institute at the University of Washington. He begins June 30, 2027.

In the age of weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, Bjornstad wants to broaden the center's focus beyond obesity to explore effects on the whole body. He plans to bring on 30 new faculty members at Chancellor Jim Dalton's direction, The Advocate reports.

Pennington has over 550 employees and would add 30 faculty

Over 550
employees at Pennington Biomedical
$100 million
roughly, in its yearly budget
30
new faculty members Bjornstad plans to bring on

Source: The Advocate

  • Replaces: interim leader Jennifer Rood
  • Search: monthslong and international
  • Reports to: Chancellor Jim Dalton, under LSU's new structure

Bjornstad's hiring follows a year of change at LSU

  1. Nov. 2025Wade Rousse and Jim Dalton are appointed to lead LSU.
  2. Dec. 2025John Kirwan steps down as Pennington's executive director.
  3. Oct. 29LSU announces Bjornstad as Pennington's new leader.
  4. June 2027Bjornstad will begin his new role.

Sources: Louisiana First News, The Advocate

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Crime

Addis police are investigating a fatal shooting inside a vehicle in the YMCA parking lot

If you use the Addis YMCA, here's what police have said. Officers responded around 8:45 a.m. Friday to the 3600 block of Sugar Plantation Parkway, Louisiana First News reports, and found a person with a gunshot wound. Officers began life-saving measures, but the person died at the scene. The Advocate and Unfiltered with Kiran report the victim was a woman. WAFB's sources say the same, and The Advocate reports lifesaving measures were tried.

Police say the shooting happened inside a vehicle at the YMCA

DetailWhat's known
WhenAround 8:45 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30
WhereYMCA parking lot, Sugar Plantation Pkwy.
What happenedGunshot wound inside a vehicle
Public threatNone known

Sources: Unfiltered with Kiran, Louisiana First News, WBRZ

Police Chief Jason Langlois said investigators are looking into all possibilities, including whether the death may have been self-inflicted. Police have not classified it as a homicide, and WBRZ says the investigation is active.

  • Tips: Addis Police Department at 225-687-2222
  • Dispatch: 225-490-8599
  • Victim's identity: withheld pending notice to next of kin

Business

Louisiana's first statewide startup report finds 92% of entrepreneurs plan to stay

If you run or work for an early-stage business, the first statewide Louisiana Startup Report has numbers worth a look. Of the entrepreneurs surveyed, 92% said they would probably or definitely remain in Louisiana, and 66.4% expect to increase their workforce over the next 12 months. Access to capital was the most frequently cited barrier, and Baton Rouge Business Report says many startups still rely on their own resources to finance growth.

92% of surveyed entrepreneurs plan to stay in Louisiana

92%would probably or definitely remain in Louisiana

Source: Biz New Orleans

View as table
Value
would probably or definitely remain in Louisiana92%

The survey drew 161 responses, including 143 validated ones. On AI, 75.9% said it's already having a favorable impact on productivity. The authors call the report a “Year Zero” baseline for tracking changes in future years.

  • Where to read it: louisianastartup.report
  • Interactive platform: explore findings by region or industry
  • Next editions: broader geographic coverage planned

Responses came from businesses in 27 of Louisiana's 64 parishes

27 of 64

  • parishes with a surveyed business
  • 37 parishes not represented

Source: Biz New Orleans

View as table
CountShare
parishes with a surveyed business2742%
parishes not represented3758%

LSU Sports

Five LSU baseball players made D1Baseball's Top 100 college prospects for the 2027 MLB Draft

If you follow the Tigers, five of them are on D1Baseball.com's Top 100 College Prospects list for the 2027 MLB Draft, LSU reports. Junior outfielder Bino Watters leads the group at No. 13. He played his first two seasons at Notre Dame and was a first-team All-ACC pick in 2026. Crescent City Sports lists the rest: Baton Rouge native William Schmidt at No. 18, Evans at No. 19, Steven Milam at No. 35 and Dawson Park at No. 88.

Bino Watters is the top LSU prospect at No. 13 of 100

D1Baseball.com's Top 100 College Prospects for the 2027 MLB Draft

13thof 100

Watters
Schmidt 18thEvans 19thMilam 35thPark 88th
Schmidt 18thEvans 19thMilam 35thPark 88th
1 Top prospectNo. 100 100

Sources: KLFY, LSUsports.net, Crescent City Sports

View as table
PlaceRank of 100
Watters13th
Schmidt18th
Evans19th
Milam35th
Park88th

Exhibition games are on the schedule this fall, starting with a Halloween game against Samford in Biloxi, Mississippi, KLFY reports. The season starts Feb. 19 in Baton Rouge against Long Island.

  • Watters: .343 with 19 homers and 90 RBI at Notre Dame
  • Schmidt at LSU: 12-4 record, 4.39 ERA in 96.1 innings
  • Milam: 189 games played in his LSU career

Evans struck out 89 in 2026, and Schmidt struck out 85 the season before

4.22Last season's ERA5.93
85Last season's strikeouts89
31Last season's walks31

Sources: LSUsports.net, Crescent City Sports

News Notes

School board

Candidates and special interest groups filed new campaign finance reports this week on the seven East Baton Rouge Parish School Board races, The Advocate reports. Most of the spending so far comes from outside interest groups. The Advocate

Hit-and-run

Police are asking for the public's help finding the driver in a hit-and-run near Old Hammond and Airline highways, WAFB reports. Brennan Medlock, 21, a pediatric EMT on his way to work, found the woman and is being credited with saving her life. WAFB

BRCC degree

Baton Rouge Community College is launching an associate of science in health studies in Spring 2027, Baton Rouge Business Report says. Students can keep earning credits while they wait for admission to selective programs like nursing, sonography and surgical technology. Baton Rouge Business Report

Drug arrests

Deputies arrested seven people in West Baton Rouge Parish drug investigations, and three more are wanted, Louisiana First News reports. Tips go to the sheriff's office at 225-382-5200 or Crime Stoppers at 225-344-7867. Louisiana First News

Remembering

Beth Courtney, who led Louisiana Public Broadcasting for nearly four decades, has died at 81, LPB announced Friday. WAFB reports she guided the network into a statewide one known for educational programming, public affairs coverage, and documentaries. KLFYWAFB

Tap water

If you use a neti pot or wear contact lenses, the Louisiana Department of Health says to skip the tap water, after 10 rare Acanthamoeba infections were identified in Louisiana since 2024. Two serious infections came in 2026, one in the sinuses and one fatal in the brain, and both patients had weakened immune systems and used tap water in nasal irrigation devices. Louisiana First NewsWNTZ-TV FOX 48

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$500,000+spent so far in the seven school board races

That's less than the nearly $1 million spent on school board races at this point four years ago.

Source: The Advocate

Quoted

I write to discover what I know.

— Flannery O'Connor

The Buy

Around Louisiana

Amendment 5

A proposed amendment on the Nov. 3 ballot would let the state's four retirement systems use surplus money on any debt, not just the oldest, the Donaldsonville Chief reports. Supporters say the flexibility could save taxpayers money, while opponents want the oldest debts paid first. Donaldsonville Chief

Diesel prices

Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says diesel is running about $5.80 a gallon in Louisiana, up from around $3.36 last year, in a LaPolitics Q&A. Baton Rouge Business Report

Supreme Court

The Louisiana Supreme Court suspended attorney Edward Moses Jr. until he undergoes a mental health evaluation, KATC reports. His trouble began in federal court in Baton Rouge, where he filed pleadings asserting he is “a monarch and a deity.” KATC

SpaceX contract

A New Orleans engineering firm picked for work tied to SpaceX's proposed Vermilion Parish project has given $115,000 to a PAC affiliated with Gov. Jeff Landry and at least $27,000 to his campaigns, Baton Rouge Business Report's roundup says. The contract runs through 2031, and its value is undisclosed. Baton Rouge Business Report

Louisiana diesel runs about $5.80 a gallon, up from around $3.36 last year

$5.80

Louisiana diesel

  • +$2.44from last year

Source: Baton Rouge Business Report

View as table
PriceAmountDifference
Louisiana diesel$5.80
Last year, about$3.36+$2.44

Asked

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Asked

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Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Things to Do

Things to Do

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Saturday, Oct. 31

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Neighbors

Spotted this owl 🦉 in our backyard tonight.

“Google says it’s a Barred Owl. Sharing 🦉”

— A neighbor, Parkview Oaks

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The Wrap

Puns have risen from the grave. More than 200 skeletons dressed as pop stars, athletes, and other icons fill the Skelebrity Graveyard along Bocage Boulevard, now in its second year. Look for "Slay-Lor Swift," "Travis Kill-Ce," and "Dolly De-Parton too Soon," plus an ESPN College Graveday set with "Pat Mcafreak" and "Nick Satan."

Which skeleton name gets the biggest groan from you?

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Louisiana says it has lethal injection drug ready for Wessinger

Read yesterday’s edition

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Every source in this edition32 links · 18 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. The Advocatetheadvocate.com
  3. Louisiana First Newslouisianafirstnews.com
  4. WAFBwafb.com
  5. WRKFwrkf.org
  6. WGNOwgno.com
  7. louisianaradionetwork.comlouisianaradionetwork.com
  8. Louisiana First Newslouisianafirstnews.com
  9. The Advocatetheadvocate.com
  10. Louisiana First Newslouisianafirstnews.com
  11. The Advocatetheadvocate.com
  12. The Advocatetheadvocate.com
  13. Unfiltered with Kiranunfilteredwithkiran.com
  14. WAFBwafb.com
  15. WBRZwbrz.com
  16. Biz New Orleansbizneworleans.com
  17. Baton Rouge Business Reportbusinessreport.com
  18. LSUsports.netlsusports.net
  19. Crescent City Sportscrescentcitysports.com
  20. KLFYklfy.com
  21. The Advocatetheadvocate.com
  22. WAFBwafb.com
  23. Baton Rouge Business Reportbusinessreport.com
  24. Louisiana First Newslouisianafirstnews.com
  25. KLFYklfy.com
  26. WAFBwafb.com
  27. Louisiana First Newslouisianafirstnews.com
  28. WNTZ-TV FOX 48cenlanow.com
  29. Donaldsonville Chiefdonaldsonvillechief.com
  30. Baton Rouge Business Reportbusinessreport.com
  31. KATCacadiananewsfirst.com
  32. Baton Rouge events calendardailybatonrouge.com

Past issues

  1. Mon., Nov. 2LSU hosts Alabama Saturday; storms could reach Baton Rouge Election Night
  2. Sun., Nov. 1Xavier Young picks LSU, and storms are forecast for Election Day
  3. Fri., Oct. 30Louisiana says it has lethal injection drug ready for Wessinger
  4. Thurs., Oct. 29Early voting tops 520,000 and a judge clears a path for RJ Luis Jr. at LSU
  5. Wed., Oct. 28Lamont Cole's indictment shrinks to 3 counts; Entergy $100 credit opens today
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Daily Baton Rougeto me · Sat., Oct. 316:00 a.m.

Baton Rouge lands a federal crime grant, and a new poll shows a Senate tie

Plus, a new Pennington Biomedical leader and a free Book Festival downtown today.

The TLDR

  1. Baton Rouge is one of four cities sharing $300 million in DOJ crime grants
  2. A Davis campaign poll shows Davis and Letlow tied at 45% ahead of Tuesday
  3. Dr. Petter Bjornstad is named to lead Pennington Biomedical
Read this edition

More stories this week

From Daily Baton Rouge’s other editions

All the news
LSU FootballLSU hosts Alabama on Saturday, Nov. 7, to start a four-game NovemberIf you're planning your weekend around LSU, the Tigers come off the bye week at 6-2 after a 38-17 win at Auburn. They're still No. 15 in the AP Top 25 poll released Sunday, holding that spot ahead of Week 10 and going into the Alabama matchup. They're also 4.5-point favorites over Alabama, according to BetOnline Sports & Casino. Both teams have two losses, so a third would sting.Today’s editionRead WeatherStorms could arrive late on Election Day, with cooler weather behind the frontIf you're voting Tuesday, we suggest going earlier in the day. WAFB says the latest trend has low pressure moving farther north, leaving a chance of rain and a few isolated severe storms Tuesday night and early Wednesday, mainly north of the I-10/12 corridor.Today’s editionRead LSU BasketballLSU basketball opens Tuesday with five of six players with eligibility questions able to playCoach Will Wade called it a "calculated risk" to build a roster with six players who weren't guaranteed eligibility. It mostly paid off: five of them have nothing preventing them from playing in the season opener against LSU New Orleans on Tuesday, Nov. 3.Today’s editionRead

Around Baton Rouge

From 97.3 The Dawg, WAFB and 4 more newsrooms, gathered by TMI, 6AM City’s local news service.

More local news

  1. 97.3 The Dawg15 minutes ago

    LSU And Alabama Meet Saturday Afternoon In Baton Rouge For What Could Be Their Last Annual Rivalry Matchup

    LSU takes on Alabama Saturday afternoon at Tiger Stadium, a rivalry matchup that'll look different under the daytime sun.

  2. WAFB38 minutes ago

    LSU football looks to flip script vs. Alabama Saturday in Death Valley

    Blake Ruffino of the AYS Sports Network talks Tigers vs. the Tide on Jacques Talk Live.

  3. The Advocate1 hour ago

    Find out bi-district volleyball playoff matchups for Baton Rouge-area high schools

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  4. 99.9 KTDY1 hour ago

    LSU Football Coach Tells Fans to Start Drinking Early Before Alabama Game

    LSU and Alabama clash Saturday in what might be their last annual matchup. One team's playoff hopes could end right there in Baton Rouge.

  5. Louisiana First News1 hour ago

    Candidates debate cost of living ahead of Election Day

    Seven candidates for Louisiana’s newly redrawn 6th Congressional District presented their plans to combat rising living costs during a final debate held Monday ahead of Tuesday’s election.

  6. The Advocate1 hour ago

    Lane Kiffin jokes up a solution for LSU day game vs. Alabama: Friday curfew in Baton Rouge

    Lane Kiffin knows LSU fans weren’t happy about a 2:30 p.m. kickoff with Alabama. But the numbers show the Tigers should still be at an advantage. Our LSU football coverage is brought to you in part by The Baton Rouge Clinic.

    Also reported byKPLC 7 News