“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” is underway and State Police have ramped up patrols looking for drivers under the influence. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Lisa Freeman says efforts to curtail inebriated drivers in the bayou state are making an impact.

Cut 13 (07) “…numbers at bay

Recent stats indicate 376 people died in traffic crashes around the country during the Labor Day holiday.  

Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Hurricane Camille’s devastating landfall along the Mississippi coast in 1969. Camille had a limited impact on Louisiana outside of the far eastern coastlines due to it’s unusually small size, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says it was still a memorable event for those in the way…

Cut 11 (11) “…Louisiana.”

Camille is thought to be responsible for 259 deaths.

The President’s decision to delay implementing a new 10 percent tariff on a range of items from China likely spares Mardi Gras Krewes higher bead prices. Beads by the Dozen president Dan Kelly says If the tariff schedule had not been moved back to December from September, a majority of the beads available for retail would have been slapped with the increases.

Cut 8 (10) “…fifteen”

The tariffs would have resulted in a roughly seven percent increase on retail prices.

The Ruston High Bearcats giant, block font R is getting a change after Rutgers University, who holds a similar logo, asked the high school to make a change. Principal Dan Gressett says the university was not mean spirited in their cease and desist request.

Cut 3 (09) “…ready to roll.”

Rutgers holds the trademark on the iconic giant red R logo.

President Trump’s decision to delay implementing a new 10-percent tariff on products that come from China means that we will not see a mark up in beads for the 2020 carnival season. Beads by the Dozen president Dan Kelly a ten percent tariff would have translated to about a seven percent increase on retail prices for customers. That can really add up for big throwers…
Cut 7 (10) “…merchandise”

Cops are stepping up patrols to get impaired drivers off the road with the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” national law enforcement campaign. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Lisa Freeman says you can expect to see more officers doing their part to combat drunk and drug-impaired driving.
Cut 12 (07) “…for road users.”

Saturday marks 50 years since Hurricane Camille ravaged the north-central Gulf Coast. Matt Doyle spoke with State Climatologist Barry Keim about the storm’s legacy.
cut 2 (28) I’m Matt Doyle”

Ruston High School plans to unveil a new logo next week, because the block “R” they’ve used is the same as the one Rutgers University uses, so they’ve asked not to use it anymore…
cut 5 (07) “….totally false”
That’s Ruston High principal Dan Gressett.

The Ruston High Bearcats are getting a new logo after Rutgers University asked the school to change it.  Both use an identical block R, but Rutgers holds the trademark.  Principal Dan Gressett says the school is not seeing much pushback from the community as the block R logo has only been in use for the last ten years.

Cut 4 (08) “…I’ve been here.”

A new logo is expected to be unveiled next week.
Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Hurricane Camille’s devastating landfall along the Mississippi coast in 1969. Before Hurricane Katrina, Camille was the Gulf Coast’s defining storm. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the impact was so devastating that it led to the creation of the Saffir-Simpson Scale, which categorized hurricanes in a way regular people could understand.

Cut 10 (09) “…told”

The system is one of only four Cat 5s to make landfall.

The US Department of Health and Human Services awards nearly $400 million nationally in grant funding to combat the opioid crisis with nearly $5 million coming to Louisiana.  Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Health Dr. Alex Billioux says much of the spending will lay infrastructure to continue with other health goals linked to drug use, including eliminating hepatitis C within the next five years.

Cut 15 (13) “…as other substances.”

Billioux says while the state’s number of opioid overdose deaths continues to grow, the rate of growth has slowed down.

Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Hurricane Camille’s devastating landfall along the Mississippi coast in 1969. Before Hurricane Katrina, Camille was the Gulf Coast’s defining storm. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Camile certainly had Katrina beat in terms of hurricane-force winds…
Cut 9 (09) “…per hour.”
Camille caused 322-million dollars in damage in Lousiaina, 950-million dollars in Mississippi.

State Superintendent of Education John White has received a favorable rating from the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. With White at the helm for public education, the state’s high school graduation rate has eclipsed 80-percent for the first time ever and White says steps have been taken to make sure these young adults are successful professionals…
cut 20 (11) “…first job” (2x)
White has been the state’s top education official since 2012.

Louisiana State Police is recruiting men and women who want to be part of their Historical 100th Cadet Class. Brooke Thorington has more…
voicer 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Ruston High Bearcats are getting a new logo after Rutgers University asked the school to change it. Both use an identical block R, but Rutgers holds the trademark. Principal Dan Gressett says the university was not mean spirited in their cease and desist request.
Cut 3 (09) “…ready to roll.”

The state Democratic Party will endorse its candidates this weekend for the fall elections. Matt Doyle spoke with the party about the current crop of candidates running…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle ”

The West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office identifies the deputy who fatally shot an unarmed black man in the back of his neck while in Port Allen motel room last month. Vance Matranga, a nine-year veteran of the agency, was part of the narcotics team executing a search warrant when the shot was fired. State Police continue to investigate the incident.

The US Department of Health and Human Services awards nearly $400 million nationally in grant funding to combat the opioid crisis with nearly $5 million coming to Louisiana.  Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Health Dr. Alex Billioux says the money funds two factors of their efforts.
Cut 13 (07) “…other is prevention.”

Billioux says while the state’s number of opioid overdose deaths continues to grow, the rate of growth has slowed down.

Superintendent of Education John White receives a favorable rating from the Board of Elementary Secondary Education for the seventh year in a row. White’s contract has been month to month since taking the job, but he says the potential for new board members could result in more long-term stability at the head position for K-12 education.
Cut 12 (06) “…is .”

White says he scored a 3 out of 4 on the review. BESE President Gary Jones says “John’s been pretty consistent, he’s not in the top category, but he’s next to the top.”

This Fall, Republicans are expected to win every statewide elected post, except governor which remains undecided. There are Democrats on the ballot in the race for Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer and Ag Commissioner, but they lack name recognition. There’s criticism the party failed to find competitive candidates to take on any of the statewide GOP incumbents. Louisiana Democratic Party executive director Stephen Handwerk disagrees
Cut 6 (12) “…American.”

A State Police Trooper suffered minor injuries after being dragged across the roadway during a traffic stop in West Baton Rouge Parish. L-S-P arrested 39-year-old Darrel Ray Smith Junior of Livingston. State Police say Smith tried to speed away after methamphetamines were found in his vehicle and the trooper was trapped in the driver’s side door jamb.

Superintendent of Education John White receives a favorable rating from the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for the seventh year in a row. White says one of his accomplishments is helping to get 5,000 more students eligible for TOPS than in 2012 the year that he started
Cut 10 (10) “…before.”
The state’s high school graduation rate has also surpassed 80-percent for the first time in history.

State Police has a new facebook page for recruiting as they begin the process of finding cadets to take part in their 100th training cadet class. Sergeant Melissa Matey…
cut 8 (13) “….new applicants”
The Facebook Page is Louisiana State Police recruiting.

The U-S Department of Health and Human Services is sending nearly five-million dollars to Louisiana to help in the fight against the opioid crisis. Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Health Doctor Alex Billioux says while the state’s number of opioid deaths continues to grow, the rate of growth has slowed…
cut 14 (09) “…you can reverse”
Billioux says this additional federal grant will go towards prevention and getting a better idea of the size of the problem.

Louisiana State Police is on the cusp of a milestone, they are prepping to recruit men and women for their 100th Cadet Class. Sgt Melissa Matey…
Cut 7 (10) “…State Police.”
If you are interested in becoming a State Trooper, check out L-S-P’s new Facebook page dedicated to the recruitment of new troopers.

The Superintendent of Education gets a 3 out of 4 rating from BESE in his annual performance review. Kevin Barnhart spoke with the state’s top education official John White…
Cut 3 (26) “…I’m Kevin barnhart”

Ruston High School has to change its logo because its block “R” is identical to the R that Rutgers University has trademarked. Ruston High has 10 years to replace the logo on their uniforms, building facilities and social media platforms. Supervisor of Secondary Education for Lincoln Parish Schools, Ricky Durrett admits Ruston Bearcat supporters would purchase Rutgers Scarlet Knights gear, but he sees those sales coming to a halt.

State Superintendent of Education John White has received a favorable rating from the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. With White at the helm for public education, the state’s high school graduation rate has eclipsed 80-percent for the first time ever and White says steps have been taken to make sure these young adults are successful professionals…
cut 11 (11) “…first job” (2x)
White has been the state’s top education official since 2012.

The US Department of Health and Human Services awards nearly $400 million nationally in grant funding to combat the opioid crisis with nearly $5 million heading to Louisiana. Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Health Dr. Alex Billioux on how they plan to spend the money.
Cut 13 (07) “…other is prevention.”

Louisiana State Police is recruiting men and women who want to be part of their Historical 100th Cadet Class. Brooke Thorington has more…
voicer 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Louisiana Democratic Party says there are a record number of women qualified to run for State House and Senate seats this year. Executive Director of the L-D-P, Stephen Handwerk, says 43 of the 77 women running are Democrats…
cut 4 (08) “…Louisiana”
Only 15 percent of Louisiana legislators are women, the third-lowest rate in the nation.