As Louisiana's statewide election slated for Saturday hit the campaign home stretch, one state senator used the likeness of an unlikely hero for the trail: a nutria rat. 

Earlier this year, Louisiana Department of Fisheries and Wildlife agents took "Neuty" away from the family that raised him since it discovered him orphaned on the side of the road Christmas Day 2020.

Private ownership of the wild animals in the Pelican State is illegal. 

Their state senator, Cameron Henry, contacted Gov. John Bel Edwards and the agency to protect the Lacoste family's beloved pet.

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"Of all the things wrong with Louisiana, taking Neuty from his family is not what we need to do," Henry said

Ultimately, under immense public pressure and a petition signed by almost 20,000 people, the Louisiana Department of Fisheries and Wildlife relented. The Lacoste family is now the proud owner of the one and only legally permitted nutria in Louisiana.

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Denny and Myra Lacoste, Neuty's owners, are grateful for all the efforts in returning their nutria home after a brief stint in the Baton Rouge Zoo.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Denny Lacoste addressed Neuty's popularity after his publicized release.

"Everybody loved him and loved the story. I mean, he wasn't a secret. We have customers come see him all the time," Denny said. 

The Lacoste family also owns and operates Dennis' Seafood in Metairie, where Neuty can be found almost every day chomping away at fresh crab legs and Nilla Wafers with his signature orange teeth.

When he's not feasting on fresh seafood, Neuty enjoys spending time swimming in the Lacostes' saltwater pool, sticking his head out the window on car rides or "aggravating" their dogs. 

"The Bayou" classic rock radio station at 95.7 FM in the greater New Orleans area has also caught Neuty fever, making the rodent its official mascot. 

Neuty made his political debut this year with his backstory and his baby picture gracing Cameron Henry's most recent mailer. 

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Henry praised Neuty's presence on his campaign.

"[I] literally cannot tell you the value that has been, and I didn't do it for that," Henry said. "I did it because it was the right cause. And if I want, you know, I had to use him in a mail piece because everybody expected it. They love seeing him." 

Not all political material seen in Louisiana with Neuty's face is trustworthy, however. One determined prankster placed fake yard signs with the slogan "Less Paths, More Snacks" across Jefferson Parish. 

Myra Lacoste, Neuty the nutria's mom, assured Fox News Digital "Neuty did not have those signs made."

Neuty the nutria's future after Election Day is all lagniappe.

"We got people call us every day. Just want Neuty here, want Neuty there. He was in a documentary a couple of months ago," Denny Lacoste said.

"A big production company called a month ago from England. They came here, shot a series on him for a couple of days. I just, it's crazy. I don't know. I think Cam's got a good shot due to Neuty."

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Louisiana's statewide elections are Saturday, Oct. 14. 

When traveling to a new town or city, enrolling in a ghost tour can be a great way to delve into the area’s history and local lore. 

From sleepovers at haunted locales to captivating tours of city streets, keep reading for the top ghost tours in the U.S. 

Here are 10 to know about and investigate.

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The Haunted History of Trail of New York State, which features more than 80 locations on a 400-mile trail (the ghost hunts listed below are among those locations), gives Empire State visitors a peek into the supernatural world.

Whether you catch epic thrills (and goosebumps) from Park After Dark Ghost Tours in Sylvan Beach or New York State Capitol Hauntings Tour in Albany, you’re in for a memorable experience on the ghost-scouting front. 

One option is the Haunted Saratoga Ghost Tour Company ($22 per person) in ever-enchanting Saratoga Springs.

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Here, you can wander about town looking for local ghosts.

This can happen Friday and Saturday, May through mid-November. 

During the tour, you will hear about — and perhaps even cross paths with — Old Smoke who, it is said, lingers around the old Canfield Casino, Angeline, known as the Witch of Saratoga, and Hattie, who has been known to make appearances in her restaurant since her passing and more. 

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Private tours are also available by appointment.

Learn more at HauntedHistoryTrail.com.

Offered in October and November, this tour allows you to join Roxie J. Zwicker, author of the bestselling book, "Haunted Portsmouth: Spirits and Shadows of the Past," for a 90-minute evening amble around downtown Portsmouth ($21 per adult; $16 per child). 

You’ll spend time at 13 hot spots for spirits to learn the strange truth behind the worst fire in the state’s history.

You can also find out where the daring can post up with local spirits at hotels like Hotel Portsmouth and visit Point of Graves — a forgotten 18th century cemetery where remains were discovered at a secret room beneath the grounds.

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Another fun thing in town: The Portsmouth Halloween Parade, an annual march with lots of captivated costumes.

Learn more at NewEnglandCuriosities.com.

A price of $30 per person gets you access to roam the halls of one of the most haunted hotels in the nation. 

The 60-minute walking tour introduces visitors to spirit folklore surrounding the 100-year-old hotel.

When you step outside into the star-lit skies of the Rocky Mountains at the tour’s end, good luck not checking over both your shoulders to make sure no one is behind you. 

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Tours are offered year-round and are wheelchair accessible. 

Learn more at StanleyHotel.com.

Keep your eyes peeled for shadows in the night like La Llorona, El Chupacabra, El Cucuy, all creatures and spectors hailing from the Land of Enchantment. 

Here, TourABQ ($30 per adult) takes you on a mysterious midnight (well, evening) trek of ghost tales paired with local spirits (the ones you can drink). 

Guests will say bottoms up at Sawmill and Old Town area watering holes to get into the spirited adventures with a buzz.

Learn more at TourABQ.com.

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Love Western culture? 

The Fort Worth Stockyards is a National Historic District that should be on your list this fall. 

The paranormal activity found in the Stockyards is said to be one of the most active in the country — and this 90-minute walking tour ($13 per child; $25 per adult; $20 per senior or student) delivers. 

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You’ll get acquainted with tales from the Bordello Brothel, the legendary shootouts, the hangings and much more. 

The tour begins at the haunted Cowtown Winery and stops include The Cadillac Hotel, Miss Molly's B&B, and The Stockyards Hotel, where the infamous American criminals Bonnie and Clyde would stay, and more spots that attract otherworldly apparitions.

Learn more at FortWorthStockyards.org.

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During the period Oct. 27 through Oct. 30, 2023, consider making a trip to St. Mary's Art Center.

It was originally built as a hospital for the booming Comstock Lode (where the discovery of silver ore was made public in 1859) and its miners in 1875 before slipping into a state of abandonment for many years.

This Halloween season, St. Mary's is offering spooky seekers a chance to spend the night in the building with a ghost investigative team and event host, W.I.G.S. (Women Investigating Ghost Sightings), and maybe engage in some eerie encounters. 

Tickets start at $175 per person (13 years and older only) — and 100% of the ticket sales will go to St. Mary's Art Center for continuing restoration and repairs.

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Learn more at StMarysArtCenter.org.

Intrigued by the spirits world, murder and mayhem? 

Sign up for this year-round tour (with more tours on offer during Halloween season) centered around downtown's nightlife outposts and businesses. 

With many historic buildings dating back to the early 1800s, you can see spots like the Hay House, Rose Hill Cemetery and the Big House Museum where the Allman Brothers lived and, we hope, see a ghost or two along the way.

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The tour lasts one-and-a-half hours and costs $20 per person.

Learn more at RockCandyTours.com.

For some dark tourism, venture to The Missouri State Penitentiary, once the oldest operating prison west of the Mississippi. 

It was home to inmates for 186 years until it was decommissioned in 2004. 

Come nightfall, visitors can participate in a two-hour ghost tour ($35 per person), a three-hour ghost hunt ($45 per person), or an overnight paranormal investigation (from $75 to $100 per person for five or eight hours, respectively).

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Private tours are also on offer if you prefer to use your EMF meter (a tool that measures the intensity and frequency of electromagnetic radiation in its environment used by paranormal investigators and enthusiasts) in a more intimate setting.

Learn more at MissouriPenTours.com.

Escape Manhattan to the hallowed hills of the Sullivan County Catskills — and check into the Burn Brae Mansion, built in 1907 by Margaret Ross MacKenzie Elkin as part of the estate of George Ross MacKenzie, Margaret’s father. 

The current owners, Mike and Pat Fraysse, bought the mansion and the surrounding property in 1993 to run a cycling training center, only to discover the environs were haunted.

The couple currently operates the space as a bed and breakfast — and overnight guests are privy to stories of the paranormal and tours of the house and its Attic of Curiosities, including a secret room that was uncovered just a few years ago. 

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Over the years, there have been footsteps, dolls and toys moving on their own, as well as slamming doors and visions of a woman in white — but even just hearing about the ground's history will be enough to raise the hair on your neck.

The mansion is available for private investigations and will even pair you with a paranormal researcher, if that’s your thing. 

Overnight stays start at $120 per night and can be made over email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via phone at 845-856-3335; the ghost tours of the mansion are included with overnight stays. 

Dark Forest Fright Walks also run weekend tours from Oct. 13-28, Friday and Saturday from 7-10 p.m. for $20 each, or a group of 10 for $150; with a special children’s matinée on Oct. 22 from 2-4 p.m. for $10; learn more here.

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Learn more at BurnBraeMansion.com.

If you happen to be in Derby City on Oct. 20, 21, or 22, you’ll be able to see why it also deserves the title "Spook City" on Louisville Historic Tours’ 15th annual Victorian Ghost Walk, featuring theatrical performances presented by South Fourth Street Association that celebrate Old Louisville. 

These evening events are part-walking tours, part-play starts at 6 p.m. 

They include 12 performances per night with tours departing every 15 minutes and lasting for two hours from the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum for $35 per person. 

Expect to travel to the realm of the supernatural as tour guides and historical characters give you major goosebumps.

Daily from March through November and on select dates in the off season, you can also take Louisville Historic Tours’ ghost tours ($28 per person) at 7.30 p.m.

Learn more at LouisvilleHistoricTours.com.

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