About 90 first responders from Louisiana have been deployed to Florida to assist with search and rescue operations that will likely occur along the panhandle as a result of Hurricane Michael. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says a caravan of vehicles towing boats left their headquarters this morning…

Cut 3 (10) “…water rescue” 
Hurricane Michael has made landfall this afternoon as a strong Category 4.

Mississippi says they pulled in 660,000 dollars in revenue from legalized sports betting in just the first month of casino operators taking bets. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny is a supporter of sports betting in Louisiana. Martiny says he plans on using the successes in other states as examples when he brings a new, more comprehensive sports gaming bill to the floor of the legislature next year.

Cut 8 (07) “…like that”

A lawsuit alleging unconstitutional medical care for people incarcerated at Angola is underway in a federal court in Baton Rouge.  The suit alleges inmates have become paralyzed, required amputations, and died from undiagnosed or untreated health problems.  Executive Director of The Promise of Justice Initiative, Mercedes Montagnes…

Cut 9 (07)  “…accessing the facility.”
Montagnes does hope that a positive ruling, in this case, will see a change in the way Angola handles medical treatment.  The Louisiana Department of Corrections says they do not comment on pending litigation.

Colorado State hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach says today is the first time on record there are three Atlantic named storms with maximum sustained winds of at least 65 miles per hour in October. Klotzbach says there’s, of course, Hurricane Michael, but there’s also Hurricane Leslie and Tropical Storm Nadine in the middle of the Atlantic

Cut 12 (08)   “…conducive” 

Louisiana first responders left this morning for Florida to help local authorities with search and rescue efforts once Hurricane Michael leaves the Florida panhandle. The delegation includes 75 firefighters and medics from around the state who make up the state’s Urban Search Rescue taskforces. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says these men and women will make Louisiana proud…
Cut 5 (09) “…we had”
Colorado State hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach says this is the first time in recorded history there are three named storms with maximum sustained winds of at least 65-miles per hour in the month of October. Forecasters hoped an El Nino would develop to limit tropical activity, but Klotzbach says that hasn’t happened…
cut 13 (08) “…there yet”

A federal trial is underway in Baton Rouge where the plaintiffs claim Angola inmates are receiving unconstitutional medical care. The lawsuit says the serious lack of medical care jeopardizes the lives of thousands of prisoners. Executive Director of The Promise of Justice Initiative, Mercedes Montagnes, says they are seeking a ruling that changes the way Angola handles patients…
cut 11 (10) “…Act”
The Louisiana Department of Corrections says they do not comment on pending litigation.

A petition has been started in an effort to convince New Orleans officials to rename Lee Circle after Saints Quarterback Drew Brees. Petition creator Blake Ivey says it should be called Brees circle and he has ideas on what the statue should look like that would replace where Confederate commander Robert E Lee once stood…
cut 16 (08) “…was something”

Mississippi now has 660,000 more dollars to spend on infrastructure after the first month of legalized sports betting at its casinos. Matt Doyle has more.
Voicer 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A federal judge has sentenced a Lafayette man to two and half years in prison after he threatened to kill southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins. 50-year-old Sohail Rana made the threatening call from Colorado. Prosecutors say Rana was irate, cursing and screaming at Higgins’ district director.

A federal lawsuit is underway in Baton Rouge claiming the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola is failing to properly diagnose and treat inmates with medical conditions. Mercedes Montagnes is the executive director of the Promise of Justice Initiative….
cut 10 (09) “…standards of delivery”
The state Department of Corrections is not commenting on the case, because the agency does not discuss pending litigation.

A petition is circulating that calls for Lee Circle in New Orleans to be renamed Brees Circle in honor of the Black and Gold’s most beloved athlete. A statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee once stood high above the circle where uptown meets downtown. Petition creator Blake Ivey says the idea came to him last April.
Cut 14 (09) “…New Orleans”
Some say, if Brees never signed with the Saints, the team would have eventually re-located to San Antonio.

Mississippi says they pulled in 660,000 dollars in revenue from sports betting in just the first month after it’s legalization in August. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny, who attempted to pass similar legislation in Louisiana last year, says says in the wake of the Supreme Court decision that allowed states to legalize the activity, there’s been a rush of innovation in the industry, a rush Louisiana is missing out on.

Cut 7 (08)  “…thing else.”

Mississippi’s money will go towards infrastructure

A lawsuit alleging unconstitutional medical care for people incarcerated at Angola started yesterday in federal court in Baton Rouge. .  Executive Director of The Promise of Justice Initiative, Mercedes Montagnes…

Cut 6 (07)  “…accessing the facility.”

According to the suit, as a result, people have become paralyzed, required amputations, and died from undiagnosed or untreated health problems

Louisiana first responders left today for Florida, where they’ll assist local authorities there with rescues in the wake of Hurricane Michael, which is expected to produce catastrophic damage. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff palermo”

Mississippi says they pulled in 660,000 dollars in revenue from sports betting in just the first month after it’s legalization in August. That cash will go towards infrastructure projects in the Magnolia State. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny, who attempted, but failed to pass similar legislation in Louisiana last year, says it’s not a huge haul, but it could indicate a larger problem for the Bayou State.

Cut 6, 9 seconds, from gaming

About 90 first responders from Louisiana have been deployed to Florida to assist with search and rescue operations that will likely occur along the panhandle as a result of Hurricane Michael. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says once the hurricane passes, the Louisiana team will quickly work to save lives…

cut 4 (12) “…trapped people″

The state fire marshal’s office is sending over a dozen employees to Florida.

20 years ago voters approved a constitutional amendment to create the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. LCTCS President Monty Sullivan says the system has created opportunities for all walks of life…

Cut 11 (10)   “…the economy”

Over 2.1 million students have enrolled at LCTCS schools since the system was established.

A petition is circulating that calls for the former Lee Circle in New Orleans to be named Brees Circle in honor of the Black and Gold’s most beloved athlete. Lee Circle saw its titular General Lee removed last year along with other Confederate statues city-wide. Petition creator Blake Ivey says the idea came to him back in April.

Cut 14 (09)   “…New Orleans”

The removal of the statues led to heated, weeks-long confrontations between pro and anti-confederate monument factions at several monument locations.

About 90 first responders from Louisiana have been deployed to Florida to assist with search and rescue operations that will likely occur along the panhandle as a result of Hurricane Michael. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says a caravan of vehicles towing boats left their headquarters this morning…
cut 3 (10) “…water rescue”
The National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Michael has the potential of producing life-threatening storm surge and flash floods.

This month marks the 20th anniversary of the Louisiana Technical and Community College System. Since that time 2-point-one million students enrolled at L-T-C-S colleges and more than 327-thousand credentials have been awarded. System president Monty Sullivan says he’s excited to see how these schools can continue to effect the state’s economy…
cut 13 (04) “…20 years”

Secretary of State candidates say preventing sexual harassment is important, considering it led to Tom Schedler’s resignation. Matt Doyle has more from Kyle Ardoin, Heather Cloud, Renee Fontenot Free and Julie Stokes.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

State Police Troopers are investigating an officer involved shooting in Lafayette last night. Authorities say Lafayette police responded to criminal activity and after encountering a subject, shots were fired. The subject has been hospitalized in stable condition. No officers were injured.

Female candidates running for Secretary of State say they will take a strong stance against sexual harassment and encourage victims to come forward if elected to the statewide position. Kenner Representative Julie Stokes says two years ago in the legislature she was one of the first to speak out on what she called a sexist amendment proposed during debate on the legal age to be a dancer at a strip club…
cut 7 (07) “…tolerated”
Democrat Renee Fontenot Free says her positive reputation and management style while in the Attorney General’s office and as a former Assistant Secretary of State promoted a culture that empowered victims to come forward.
Cut 5 (09) “…my experience.”
The election is November sixth.

Currently, flood victims who applied for SBA loans immediately following the 2016 floods are not eligible for grant money available through the Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program. But President Trump has signed legislation that corrects the Duplication of Benefits issue. Division of Administration Executive Director Pat Forbes says they are waiting on written guidance from HUD on the specifics of implementation.
Cut 8 (09) “…help these folks.”
Forbes believes they’ll be able to help an additional six-thousand Louisiana households.

20 years ago this month voters approved a constitutional amendment to create the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. The LCTCS is comprised of 12 unified, open-access two-year colleges. LCTCS President Monty Sullivan says the system has created education opportunities for all walks of life…
Cut 11 (10) “…the economy”

The female candidates in the Secretary of State race say they will have a zero tolerance policy against sexual harassment at the state agency, if they are elected this fall. Turkey Creek Mayor Heather Cloud says in her years managing a shipping company, it’s never been tolerated…
cut 6 (08) “…of women”
Renee Fontenot Free and Julie Stokes have a similar stance.

A petition is circulating that calls for Lee Circle in New Orleans to be renamed Brees Circle in honor of the Black and Gold’s most beloved athlete. A statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee once stood high above the circle where uptown meets downtown. Petition creator Blake Ivey says the idea came to him last April.
Cut 14 (09) “…New Orleans”
Some say, if Brees never signed with the Saints, the team would have eventually re-located to San Antonio.

The duplication of benefits issue that’s plagued 2016 flood victims has been resolved as a result of legislation approved by Congress. Kevin Barnhart on what happens next…
Voicer 2 (30) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

About 75 firefighters and medics from around Louisiana that make up the state’s Urban Search and Rescue taskforces left this morning for Florida to assist with first responders there who will likely have to perform water rescues as a result Hurricane Michael. The Category Four storm is expected to make landfall later today along the Florida panhandle.