November 2018

Geaux vote!

This Tuesday will bring important matters before state and parish residents (see pages 1A and 5A for complete details).

By now, the public has had plenty of time and chances to educate themselves on the measures and open seats being put before them. This newspaper has written extensively on the pending votes, explaining the ballot items in great detail, along with other media and officials working to educate people as well. There is no excuse for a voter to not be prepared for the Nov. 6 election.

It’s your lucky day

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VILLAGE IDIOT

There was a long line to buy lottery tickets yesterday at the Gas ‘n’ Go Away. The jackpot was over a billion dollars.

Last week, the prize was “only” $500 million. There was no line to buy tickets then. You could have walked right in and bought as many as you wanted. It seems gas station gamblers don’t have much use for $500 million. A billion, though — that might come in handy.

Linking the past and present

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I’M JUST SAYIN’

Cuban-American actor Danny Pino, a second-generation American, often discusses his heritage in interviews. He and his wife live in a bilingual household where they raise their sons as proud Americans with equal knowledge of their Cuban bloodline. Pino’s view is that to appreciate the America his family enjoys today, his children must understand the history that provided for them to live as they do.

Proposed Constitutional Amendments explained

Louisiana voters will face a list of questions in the fall election, including constitutional changes proposed by lawmakers in the most recent state legislative session.

Six proposals to amend the Louisiana Constitution will be on the Nov. 6 ballot in Jeff Davis Parish, according to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office (SOS). In addition to the six amendments, voters will face a ballot question determining which parishes will allow fantasy sports contests.

THIS WEEK’S BEST BETS

Sunday, Nov. 4 Axios HBO, 6:30pm

New Series! With only two days before the midterm election, HBO and new media company Axios (Greek for “worthy”) premiere this four-part documentary series. Each episode will highlight the week ahead in politics, business and technology, and will feature coverage of a timely big issue, followed by documentary shorts, illuminating interviews with major newsmakers and insights delivered in a succinct, shareable format.

2018 MTV EMAs MTV, 7pm

Add fragrance to your cool-season flower beds

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Now is the perfect time to plant cool-season bedding plants that will brighten our landscapes over the next five or six months. Gardeners often overlook the fact that some cool-season bedding plants are wonderfully fragrant. Color always seems to be the dominant factor when selecting these plants, and providing color to the landscape really is their primary function. But it is so enjoyable to walk out on a mild winter or spring day and catch the honey fragrance of sweet alyssum drifting in the air.

Elton FFA sets state record at national convention

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The Elton Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter set a state record at the 91st National Competition Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana at the end of October. Thirty-nine teams from around the state competed in three rounds of competition over three days, according to the National FFA. The Elton chapter won first place in the Chapter of Conduct Meeting category. This was the first time a Louisiana team took the national award in that category and only the third time to win a national title.

Sonnier represents state at National 4-H Dairy Conference

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MADISON, Wis. - A delegation from Louisiana 4-H enjoyed several days of fun and learning during the 64th Annual National 4-H Dairy Conference on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison from Sept. 30 through Oct. 3, 2018. The conference hosts approximately 200 youth and adult delegates from across the USA and Canada.

Plea deal reached in newlywed’s disappearance

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lewis Bennett has insisted he never knew what happened to his wife, who disappeared at sea last year during their sailing honeymoon. That is apparently about to change.

Protests in Pakistan delay release of Christian woman

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The release of a Christian woman in Pakistan, acquitted eight years after being sentenced to death for blasphemy, was delayed Friday after authorities agreed to bar her from flying abroad following talks with radical Islamists who want her publicly hanged.

The agreement between the government and the Tehreek-e-Labbaik party was reached in the city of Lahore where Islamists have been rallying since Wednesday, when the Supreme Court overturned the 2010 conviction of Asia Bibi for insulting the Prophet Muhammad.