Two groups are now forecasting that the end of oil is coming, with the shift beginning in the next five years, but LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott is skeptical.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32)  “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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Medical leaders are calling on Louisiana to raise the legal age to buy tobacco products to 21. Don Molino has the story.

Cut 2 (27) ”I’m Don Molino” 

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A Westwego woman was able to fend off an alleged would be rapist in dramatic fashion after she says he assaulted her in his home. Matt Doyle has more, and as a warning, the story involves graphic details.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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Two groups are now forecasting that the end of oil is coming.  The Carbon Tracker Initiative says demand for fossil fuels will peak around 2023, while Norwegian risk-management company DNV also predicts oil demand will max out in five years’ time.  But LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott says he thinks it is wishful thinking.  Scott cites the emerging economies in China and India will continue to contribute to the continued demand.

Cut 4 (11) “…continue to rise.”

Scott adds he doesn’t believe solar and wind power will be able to contribute to the fuel needs of transportation in the next five years.

Cut 5 (07) “…be fueled too.”

Scott explains that solar and wind have made mild progress in providing power to homes and businesses.

Cut 6 (06) “…for electricity generation.”

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Three major medical leaders in a letter are calling on the state legislature to pass a law that would raise the tobacco purchasing age to 21. The presidents of the Orleans and Jefferson Parish Medical Societies along with Smoking Cessation Trust CEO Mike Rodgers are behind the effort. Rodger says raising the legal age roadblock smokers at a crucial age.

Cut 7 (10) “…birthday.”

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals estimates 7,200 people die every year in Louisiana from complications linked to smoking.

Louisiana has one of the highest adult smoking rates in the nation at 23 percent, which is notably higher than the national average of 15.5 percent. Rogers says that’s costing the state billion medical costs and lost productivity every year, a sky high cost that could barely be recouped in cigarette taxes.

Cut 8 (08)  “…a pack.”

Six states and hundreds of municipalities have adopted the requirement to be 21.

And after decades of declining smoking rates, numbers are back on the rise in wake of a new, tech fueled trend…

Cut 9 (09)  “vaping.”

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A man is under arrest for an alleged rape in Westwego that ended with a police standoff. The victim says 54-year-old John Patton invited her back to his home after the date. When they arrived she says Patton then covered her mouth and dragged her into the bedroom. Police Spokesman Lt. Eric Orlando says that’s when Patton began to force himself on her, (warning, this content is graphic)…

Cut 10 (11)   “…his genitals“

The victim says she entered Patton’s home on the pretext of meeting his sister. She says one else was at the residence.

That’s when authorities say she fled the bedroom into the living room, where she discovered locked doors that required a key. That’s when she says Patton assaulted her with a knife…

Cut 11 (12)“…to her”

The victim says she managed to hold off Patton for several hours, until he decided to let her leave around 9 in the morning, at which time she fled to a nearby business and called police. Police arrived, at which point Orlando says Patton refused to exit his house until…

Cut 12 (09) “…to police.”

Orlando has a past record involving cocaine possession, and was on parole for the Texas based offense. Police do not believe he was under the influence during the alleged rape.

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Hurricane season is at its peak as a tropical depression has potential to form today in the Gulf of Mexico. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the area of disturbed weather in the southern part of the gulf is gradually becoming more organized…

Cut 13 (11) “…become Joyce”

Keim says the storm is most likely headed to the Houston area but it’s too early for the Bayou State to take a sigh of relief…

Cut 14 (07) “…storm is going to go”

Keim says there are two other storms in the Atlantic moving this way, but he says Helene and Isaac aren’t expected to have a huge impact…

Cut 15 (08) “…before then”

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LSU’s passsing game has yet to take off under new starting quarterback Joe Burrow. The Tigers threw for just 151 yards in Saturday’s 31-0 win over Southeastern Louisiana. LSU had a chance against an FCS opponent to get its passing game up to speed before they play Auburn this Saturday. Burrow says despite average production, the experience was beneficial

Cut 16 (12) “  and grow” 

Burrow says after beating Miami in the season opener, they may have over looked the S-L-U Lions…

Cut 17 (19)  “on Saturday” 

Cut 18 (15) “…get rolled” 

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The Ragin Cajuns return from the bye week to face 16th ranked Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are 2-0 and lead the SEC in rushing, averaging 302 yards a game. UL Lafayette Coach Billy Napier says they need to practice hard in order to slow down State’s running game…

Cut 19 (19) “  on Saturday” 

Napier says he’s also impressed with Mississippi State’s front seven on defense. He says it’s a good combination of talent and depth…

Cut 20 (15) “ really well” 

Louisiana first responders are on their way to the Carolinas as Hurricane Florence barrels it’s way to the east coast as a Category Four. Matt Doyle has more

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle” 

The National Hurricane Center says there’s now a high chance that a tropical disturbance at the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula has a chance of developing into a tropical depression by Thursday night as it moves through the western Gulf of Mexico. If it reaches tropical storm strength, it will be called Joyce with landfall expected along the Texas coastline.

Small business optimism has hit an all-time high according to the latest survey by the National Federation of Independent Business.  It’s a new record for the 45-year history of the survey, topping the previous record set in July 1983.  NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says much of the credit for the high marks goes to improved economic policy.

Cut 6 (08) “…job openings perspective.”

A lawsuit claiming a catholic school’s hair policy in Jefferson Parish was discriminatory against black students has been dismissed. Federal court records show the parents of two New Orleans-area girls who filed the lawsuit ended the legal battle. Legal analyst Dane Ciolino says the plaintiffs got what they wanted and that was for the policy prohibiting hair extensions to be repealed, once that was done, it would have been difficult to get much more from the school….

Cut 14 (10) “…its settled”

A lawsuit claiming a catholic school’s hair policy in Jefferson Parish was discriminatory against black students has been dismissed. Federal court records show the parents of two New Orleans-area girls who filed the lawsuit ended the legal battle. Legal analyst Dane Ciolino says there was no reason to move forward once the Christ the King school rescinded the policy last month…

Cut 12 (06)   “be seen” 

The National Hurricane Center says there’s a medium chance for tropical development in the western Gulf of Mexico over the next two days. Seth Warthen, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says a tropical wave entering the Gulf is becoming more organized….

Cut 3 (12) “…Texas coast” 

Small business optimism has hit an all-time high according to the latest survey by the National Federation of Independent Business.  It’s a new record for the 45-year history of the survey, topping the previous record set in July 1983.  NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says capital spending is the highest it has been since 2007, which means business owners are expanding.

Cut 7 (09) “…effect for them.”

About 90 Bayou State first responders are on their way to the Carolinas to assist in what’s likely to be a significant natural disaster as Category Four Hurricane Florence is set to smash into the East Coast. Louisiana is no stranger to natural disasters.  State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says you could call us experts.

Cut 10 (09) “harms way”

About 90 Bayou State first responders are on their way to the Carolinas to assist in what’s likely to be a significant natural disaster as Category Four Hurricane Florence is set to smash into the East Coast. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the crew, comprised of fire departments across the state, will be based out of Columbia, South Carolina.

cut 9 (09) “…trapped people”

A lawsuit claiming a catholic school’s hair policy in Jefferson Parish was discriminatory against black students has been dismissed after it was ended by their parents. This story received national attention after a video went viral showing a sixth-grader tearfully leaving the school after being told her hairstyle broke the school’s rules. Ciolino says the only reason to keep the lawsuit alive would have been to seek damages.

Cut 13 (07) “that purpose”

Optimism of small business owners hits a new high nationally. Kevin Barnhart has more.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

A Slidell high school teacher is out of a job after making a racially charged comment on Facebook. Valerie Scogin made a post saying, in reference to African Americans that if they “want not to be stereotyped, tell people of color to quit acting like animals and perpetuating the stereotype.” Along with another commentary about Africans selling other Africans into slavery. The school district responded after the dismissal saying “this incident does not reflect our districts values.”

Louisiana first responders are on their way to the Carolinas as Hurricane Florence barrels it’s way to the East Coast as a Category Four storm…
cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The National Hurricane Center says there’s now a high chance that a tropical disturbance at the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula has a chance of developing into a tropical depression by Thursday night as it moves through the western Gulf of Mexico. If it reaches tropical storm strength, it will be called Joyce with landfall expected along the Texas coastline.

Optimism among small business owners is at an all-time high. That’s according to the National Federation of Indpendent Business, who has been surveying its members for 45-year. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says improved federal economic policy has business owners looking to expand and hire…
Cut 6 (08) “…job openings perspective.”
Starns says it might only get better for small businesses when much of the federal tax reform plans kick in next year.

A lawsuit filed by New Orleans-area parents against a catholic school because of its hair policy prohibiting braids has been dismissed. Christ the King School has rescinded that policy and Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the plaintiffs got what they wanted and it would have been difficult to get much more…
cut 14(10) “…its settled”
The case garnered national attention thanks to a viral video showing a girl wearing braids and crying because she was sent home from school.

The National Hurricane Center says there’s a medium chance for tropical development in the western Gulf of Mexico over the next two days. Seth Warthen, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says a tropical wave entering the Gulf is becoming more organized….

Cut 3 (12) “…Texas coast” 

About 90 Bayou State first responders are on their way to the Carolinas to assist in what’s likely to be a significant natural disaster as Category Four Hurricane Florence is set to smash into the east coast Thursday night.  Louisiana is no stranger to natural disasters.  State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says you could call us experts.

Cut 10 (09) “harms way”

A lawsuit claiming a catholic school’s hair policy in Jefferson Parish was discriminatory against black students has been dismissed. Federal court records show the parents of two New Orleans-area girls who filed the lawsuit ended the legal battle. Legal analyst Dane Ciolino says there was no reason to move forward once the Christ the King school rescinded the policy last month…

Cut 12 (06)   “be seen” 

Small business optimism has hit an all-time high according to the latest survey by the National Federation of Independent Business.  It’s a new record for the 45-year history of the survey, topping the previous record set in July 1983.  NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says the federal tax reform legislation approved in December has contributed to the boost in optimism.

Cut 8 (11) “…board has improved.”

The National Hurricane Center says there’s sa medium chance for tropical development in the western Gulf of Mexico later this week. If this tropical disturbance can strengthen into a tropical storm it will be called Joyce.  Seth Warthen, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says at this time they are not expecting any major impacts to Louisiana…

Cut 5 (05)  “…into the weekend.” 

The month of August saw small business optimism hit an all-time high according to the latest survey by the National Federation of Independent Business.  It’s a new record for the 45 year history of the survey, topping the previous record set in July 1983.  NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says capital spending is the highest it has been since 2007, which means business owners are expanding.
Cut 7 (09) “…effect for them.”

About 90 Bayou State first responders are on their way to the Carolinas to assist in what’s likely to be a significant natural disaster as Category Four Hurricane Florence is set to smash into the east coast Thursday night. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the crew, comprised fire departments across the state, will be based out of Columbia, South Carolina.

cut 9 (09) “…trapped people”

The latest report indicates the storm may strengthen to category five before landfall.

Here’s a look at your commodities…

The National Hurricane Center says there’s sa medium chance for tropical development in the western Gulf of Mexico later this week. Seth Warthen, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says the area of the disturbed weather remains disorganized and it might not have enough to time to strengthen into a major tropical storm before it makes landfall along the Gulf Coast…

Cut 4 (10) “…into the Gulf”

If this tropical disturbance can strengthen into a tropical storm it will be called Joyce.

The month of August saw small business optimism hit an all-time high according to the latest survey by the National Federation of Independent Business.  It’s a new record for the 45 year history of the survey.  NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says much of the credit for the high marks goes to improved economic policy.

Cut 6 (08) “…job openings perspective.”

A section of Bayou Bridge Pipeline construction has been put on hold. Parent company ETP agreed to cease construction on private property in St. Martinville, the site of clashes between activists and Sherriff’s deputies, after the land’s owner alleged the company was building there illegally. Louisiana Bucket Brigade Director Anne Rolfes says those clashes have led to felony charges for the activists, despite the fact that they were invited to the land by the owner.

Cut 9 (10)  “in handcuffs.”

ETP says “This does not have any impact to our construction schedule.”

Walker High’s head football coach, Lester Ricard, along with an assistant coach Marcus Brown, have resigned, and reports now say the resignation was linked to allegedly inappropriate text messages sent to female students. Prep writer for The Advocate, Robin Fambrough, says the situation is a huge deal to the school’s football program.

Cut 12 (07) “…for the program.”