The statistical peak of the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane season is now behind us. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’ve already seen 11 named storms.
Cut 6 (10) “this season”
Twenty-two named storms would rank among the second busiest in history, falling short of the 2005 record of 28

Louisiana is sending major help to Florida, Georgia and Texas to assist in the aftermath recovery of Hurricanes Irma and Harvey. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says Louisiana has a lot of expereience when it comes to storms.
Cut 4 (07) “as well”
Search and Rescue teams up a major part of the effort.

For the nearly 20th time, a Christmas tree farm in St. Tammany parish has been vandalized. Clarke Gernon, the owner of Shady Pond Tree Farm in Pearl River says it’s very difficult to put up aan effective security system on a 50 acre farm. He says 9 trees were destroyed over the Labor Day Weekend and that’s a lot when the overall inventory is 14-thousand.
Cut 11 (10) “bad thing”

Louisiana is on their way to help once again in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Harvey. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says in 2005, people from around the country raced to help in the aftermath of Katrina and it’s our turn to give back. He says residents can sign up through volunteerlouisiana.com…
Cut 12 (09) “partnership”

Louisiana is deploying a major effort to help with Hurricanes Irma and Harvey response and recovery in Florida, Georgia and Texas. Michelle Southern reports…:
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The tropics are much quiter compared to last week when there were three different hurricanes in the Atlantic Basin. But State Climatologist Barry Keim says we can’t let our guard down…
cut 8 (08) “…of us”

Louisiana has played a critical role in helping Texans and Floridans escape the wrath of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. You may have noticed more Florida license plates last weekend and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the state did well in shetering Harvey victims…
cut 13 (10) “…feel good”
If you wish to volunteer to help out storm victims, you can do so at volunteer-louisiana-dot-com.

The Saints kick-off the 2017 season tonight against Minnesota, which last season had one of the better defenses in the NFL. The Vikings have two pro bowlers in their secondary, safety Harrison Smith and cornerback Xavier Rhodes. Quarterbck Drew Brees says Rhodes is a top tier corner…
cut 17 (12) “…good reason”

The statistical peak off hurricane season is behind us, and State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s likely we will exceed earlier predictions. But he says right now, it looks as if things are calming down compared to last week…:
Cut 7 (11) “or two”
He says there have already been 11 named storms so far in 2017, and if we doubled that it would rank among the second busiest in history.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is deploying crews to help with response efforts from Hurricanes Irma and Harvey. Spokesman Mike Steele also says officials in Texas are considering the Shelter at Home Program with some of the improvements recommended by Louisiana…:
Cut 5 (10) “that housing crunch”
He says GOHSEP’s deputy director is going to assist with that effort.

A Christmas tree farm owner in St. Tammany is trying to figure out who’s killing trees on the property, now about 20 times. Clarke Gernon heads up Shady Pond Tree Farm in Pearl River and says it’s been difficult for him to express to law enforcement the idea that these are more than just trees…:
Cut 10 (09) “than animal abuse”
Gernon says because of the physical size of the 50 acre farm, it’s very difficult to put in an effective security system.

Thibodaux Police have arrested a man who they found passed out behind the wheel in the drive-through of a restaurant. They say 37-year-old John Sewell Jr allegedly tried to drive off when cops woke him up, but his key had already been removed by officers. The man apparently told detectives he was tired and high. He was booked for Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Kaplan Police Chief Boyd Adams is under arrest for allegedly stealing money from the department. State Police allege Adams used nearly $7000 in funds for himself.

The statistical peak of the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane season is now behind us but we can still expect an active season. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Louisiana is deploying a major effort to help with Hurricanes Irma and Harvey response and recovery in Florida, Georgia and Texas. GOHSEP spokesman Mike Steele says Louisiana has a lot of experience in what to do after a storm:
Cut 4 (07) “as well”

An intriguing matchup to start the season for the Saints as they visit the Minnesota Vikings to kick-off the 2017 campaign. New Orleans led the NFL in total offense last year, while the Vikings had the league’s third-ranked defense, and return most of their starters from 2016. Saints Quarterback Drew Brees says this one won’t be handed to them…:
Cut 15 (12) “absolute best”
Kickoff tonight is slated for 6pm.

Tropical Storm Irma continues to weaken as the storm moves inland over the southeastern US, but is still doing plenty of damage. The storm ravaged nearly the entire Florida peninsula, wreaking havoc from the state’s southernmost point up to the Georgia line.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is deploying employees and coordinating assistance from other state agencies for Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Harvey response and recovery efforts. GOHSEP spokesman Mike Steele says there is a wide range of needs right now in Florida and Georgia, and ongoing cleanup in Texas, and the state is happy to help.:
CUT 3 (11) “and rescue teams going”
He says the state-to-state system was developed after Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

We’ve have moved past the statistical peak of what has been a very active 2017 Atlantic hurricane season. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s already been 11 named storms…:
cut 6 (10)”this season”
That would rank among the second busiest in history.

A Christmas Tree farm in St. Tammany Parish has been hit by vandals for the about the 20th time, and the owner is not happy. Clarke Gernon heads up Shady Pond Tree Farm in Pearl River and says nobody has ever been caught destroying the trees..:
CUT 9 (08) “a living thing”
He says it’s been difficult for him to express to law enforcement the idea that these are more than just trees.

During LSU’s 45-10 win over Chattanooga on Saturday night, the Tigers showed the ability to throw the football down the field..:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Tropical Storm Irma is weakening as it moves over north Florida, which will allow Louisiana response recovery teams to move in. The State Fire Marshal’s office along with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries are sending rescue teams. National Guard is also sending an engineering company to conduct repairs on infrasture needs.

Congress has approved a bill to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program, which was set to expire on September 30. Halen Doughty has the story…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Concerns are growing over the Roseau cane die off that’s occurred in some of Louisiana’s coastal parishes. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist Vaughn McDonald says a non-native tiny insect is consuming the plant and this could have severe impacts on the health of our coastal marshes….
cut 12 (11) “….together”
LDWF is asking the public to limit the transportation of Roseau cane in an effort to limit the spread of the bug that could be the source of the die off.

75 soldiers from Louisiana National Guard’s 165th Combat Sustainment and Support Battalion deploy for Afghanistan today. Colonel Ed Bush says their mission will be similiar to what they did in 2008 when they mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom….
cut 5 (10) “….as well”

Congress approves a measure to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program for the next 90 days, as federal lawmakers work on a long-term solution for the program. US Senator John Kennedy says extending the deadline gives lawmakers time to look at all their options…:
Cut 9 (09) “the program”
With this new extension, the program will now expire on December 8th.

Should be a good one tonight as the Saints take on the Vikings to open the 2017 campaign. Saints Quarterback Drew Brees says it’s a tough match-up to start the season…:
Cut 15 (12) “absolute best”
New Orleans led the NFL in total offense last year, while Minnesota had the league’s third-ranked defense, and return most of their starters from 2016.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking the public to limit the transportation of Roseau cane, as the species that helps the coastal region is rapidly dying off. LDWF Biologist Manager Vaughn McDonald says fishermen should take precautions after being around large perennial grasses found in wetlands…:
Cut 11 (10) “soapy water”
He says the Roseau cane scale, which is a bug, is killing off the beneficial plant life.

A weakened but-still dangerous Irma pushed further inland this morning as the tropical storm continued to pound Florida with winds and floodwaters. Irma’s outer bands are now blowing into Georgia, where the storm’s center is expected to arrive later in the day. In Louisiana we can still expect to see sunny and blue skies today as we did over the weekend, but thanks to Irma you’ll start to see breezes picking up this afternoon and into tonight.

The National Flood Insurance Program has been given a 90 day extension by Congress while they work out a long-term solution. US Senator John Kennedy says he’d like to establish integrity in the NFIP while also not undermining the purpose of the program by causing premiums to skyrocket…:
Cut 8 (09) “a bus”
He says he’s trying to strike a balance between sustainability and affordability.

75 Soldiers from the Louisiana National Guard’s 165th Combat Sustainment and Support Battalion are set to deploy to Afghanistan. Col. Ed Bush says after their sendoff party today, troops will undergo training at Fort Hood.:
Cut 6 (08) “11 months”
He says these troops will be overseas for about a year.

An intriguing matchup to start the season for the Saints as they visit the Minnesota Vikings to kick-off the 2017 campaign. New Saints running back Adrian Peterson gets a chance to stick it to his old team…:
Cut 16 (10) “New England”

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking sportsman to limit the transport of Roseau cane, as a non-native tiny insect is consuming the plant…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”