Are Americans overrating about the Ebola threat? Local health officials are urging citizens to calm down. Eric Gill reports.

CUT 1 (28) “reporting”

===================

The community that was hardest hit by the EF2 tornado in northeast Louisiana Monday is making news because of the huge way they are rallying together to help each other out in the aftermath. Michelle Southern reports.

CUT 2 (33) “reporting”

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Are we freaking out a little too much over the threat of Ebola in the United States? State and National heath care officials are urging the public to take a chill pill when it comes to the threat of Ebola. Dr. Frank Welch is the Medical Director for the state Department of Health and Hospitals:

CUT 3 (13) “unrealistic fear”

Welch says people aren’t concerned for “no reason” but it’s over the top to think that you’re going to walk outside and contract Ebola. He says, on the other hand, this is a huge wake up call for our health care system to keep their workers safe…:

CUT 4 (12)  “put into practice”

Welch wants to emphasize that Louisiana has been intensively preparing for the possibility of an Ebola patient entering the health care system here at any level…:

CUT 5 (08)  “beforehand”

====================

The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested the father and step-mother of the 11-year-old boy who ran away from home in Plain Dealing on charges of child abuse, neglect, and drug charges. Lt. Bill Davis says the search for the boy began Tuesday evening and no one could find him…

CUT 6 (09)  “to the family”

Davis says the boy was found about 25 hours later after going to a home about five miles away tired and looking for food. He was then returned to his family. Davis says at that point the case turned when authorities noticed bruises on the boy’s body…

CUT 7 (10) “against this couple”

43-year-old Ernest Bell and 30-year-old Kristen Downs were booked into the Bossier Maximum Security Facility on several charges including cruelty to a juvenile, criminal neglect of family, and possession of marijuana. The neglect charges stem from the child not being enrolled in school for the past two years. Davis believes the child was just trying to run away from an abusive situation…

CUT 8 (08) “unfortunate case”

=====================

The community that was hardest hit by the EF2 tornado in northeast Louisiana this week is making news because of the huge way they are rallying together to help each other out in the aftermath. Alan West Brockman is president of a property management company in Monroe and a local musician. He says it was amazing to see how many people came out to help clear all the debris…:

CUT 9 (13)  “and still are”

Brockman says their local celebrated Chef Cory Bahr who owns Restaurant Cotton in the Garden District is offering free meals to those helping out and Wal-Mart donated 500 pounds of meat for him to cook. He says it was a major grass roots effort by citizens taking charge…:

CUT 10 (11)  “to help everybody”

At the peak of Entergy’s outages, about 35,000 customers were without power and Friday morning later that number was down to just under 2700. Brockman says the tornado caused trees to fall onto houses, crush cars, close businesses and several roads were completely impassable….:

CUT 11 (12) “something else happened“

=====================

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a domestic violence situation that turned into a murder-suicide Thursday night in Deville. Lt. Tommy Carnline says deputies responded to a 9-1-1 call of shots fired at an apartment complex at around 8:40PM…

CUT 12 (09) “rendering aid”

He says 39-year-old Theresa Ann Johnson of Deville was found with a gunshot wound to the right side of her face. She was transported to a local hospital and succumbed to her injuries Friday morning. Carnline says deputies immediately went on the hunt for the suspect. He says as they were clearing the building, they found him…

CUT  13 (11) “he was deceased”

Carnline says the suspect, 36-year-old Terrel Joe Laprarie, Jr. of Deville, was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Carnline says investigators are trying to determine what exactly happened…

cut 14 (06) “unfortunate tragedy”

=====================

According to the Federal Election Commission, “Duck Dynasty” family member Republican Zach Dasher has raised the most campaign cash among the candidates for the 5th District Congressional seat.  Scott Carwile reports…

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

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Members of the Congressional Black Caucus will be in Louisiana today to try to boost black voter turnout with the focus of helping Senator Mary Landrieu’s campaign. Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

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The Fighting Tigers of LSU are back in Death Valley tomorrow night as they host the Kentucky Wildcats. Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 3 (31) “reporting”

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According to the Federal Election Commission, “Duck Dynasty” family member Republican Zach Dasher has raised the most campaign cash among the candidates for the 5th District Congressional seat.  Dasher has raised over $500,000 through the third quarter.  ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says this shows Dasher’s popularity among individual donors…

Cut 4  (11)  “Zach, right now”

Much of the cash raised by fellow Republican candidates Dr. Ralph Abraham, Harris Brown, and incumbent Vance McAllister was their own.  Stockley says Dasher is benefiting financially from the “Duck Dynasty” association…

Cut 5  (09)  “to also donate”

He says the four leading Republican candidates in this race have very equal levels of spending.  Stockley says although McAllister probably remains the favorite among the Republicans, nothing is guaranteed with less than three weeks to go…

Cut 6 (08)  “competitive election”

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Public Service Commission member Foster Campbell says he’ll call for an investigation into whether or not aging Entergy infrastructure caused extra damage in Ouachita Parish after a tornado blew through Monday. But he says the utility company did a great job getting the power restored to the more than 35,000 who were in the dark…:

CUT 7 (09)  “devastation”

Campbell says he commends those people in the area where the EF2 tornado hit for being so courteous and patient in the aftermath of the storm…:(Entergy says their goal is to have all lights back on by 5pm today.)

Cut 8 (08)   “back on”

Campbell says he also commends the efforts of Entergy for their hard work and quick, cautious response to this disastrous situation. He says it’s been heart warming to see the people in Ouachita Parish doing what they can to help the 600 workers…:

Cut 9 (08)  “every way they can” 

______________________________________

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus will be in Louisiana today to try to boost black voter turnout with the focus of helping Senator Mary Landrieu’s campaign. The 42 member caucus of Democrats say they are pushing Landrieu hard because they want to keep control of the Senate. Louisiana Black Caucus Chairwoman Katrina Jackson…:

Cut 10 (09)  “the biggest thing”

Jackson says the Congressional Black Caucus will be in New Orleans and Baton Rouge through Monday and possibly visit Alexandria. She says they will be encouraging voters to push the button for Landrieu, Congressman Cedric Richmond and 5th Congressional District Candidate, Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo…:

cut 11 (07)  “these candidates”

Jackson says national and local Democrats are spending upwards of $700,000 for get-out-the-vote efforts in the state. She encourages residents to greet these United State politicians well…:

cut 12 (10)  “another seat”

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There’s been another sexual student/teacher incident. The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s office says a woman who teaches at Crowley High is under arrest for allegedly being inappropriately involved with some of her students. Spokeswoman Maxine Trahan says they received an initial report about 34-year-old Tracy Marie Barras of Duson in early October…:

Cut 13 (10)  “inappropriate behavior”

Trahan says they were contacted by officials with the Acadia Parish School board about possible inappropriate behavior…:

Cut 14 (04)  “male students”

Barras was booked this week into the Acadia Parish jail on $60,000 bond. Trahan says after an investigation they were able to obtain a warrant for the arrest of Barras…:

Cut 15  (09)  “16 years of age”

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The Fighting Tigers of LSU are back in Death Valley tomorrow night as they host the Kentucky Wildcats. The purple and gold are coming off an exciting win at Florida and will be looking to keep that momentum going into Saturday’s game. Tiger Rag Editor Robert Stewart says this should be a close game…:

Cut 16  (13)   “come out on top”

Stewart thinks LSU should come out on top because it is a home game that will be filled with excited Tiger fans, but since the Bayou Bengals have struggled so much on defense it will probably be a closer game than many people think. Leonard Fournette is coming off his best game of the season and Stewart says you can expect another nice performance out of the running back…:

Cut 17  (10)   “big game”

The Kentucky game begins a three game home-stand with Ole Miss coming in next weekend then Alabama on November 8th. Coach Les Miles says Anthony Jennings will start at quarterback again. Stewart says you can expect to see the Mad Hatter putting Jennings in the same safe situations he had him in the Florida game…:

Cut 18 (15) “capable of”

Louisiana 911 operators will begin screening callers for Ebola symptoms. Michelle Southern reports.

CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

===================

An LSU employee who was recently in Ebola stricken Liberia has been asked to stay off campus for three weeks. Michelle Southern reports.

CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

===================

The LSU Police Department is seeking the public’s help in their investigation of an alleged rape that occurred on campus. Capt. Corey Lalonde says the victim reported she was walking along West Lakeshore Drive on October 7th when she was approached by a group of male subjects…

CUT 3 (11) “incident took place”

LaLonde says one of the subjects allegedly grabbed the victim and forced her to the ground. He says the other subjects surrounded them while the incident took place. LaLonde says there is normally a considerable amount of traffic in that area…

CUT 4 (13)  “our investigation”

They are asking anyone who may have seen something unusual in the area on that day to please contact LSU Police or Crime Stoppers. LaLonde says LSUPD has no information to indicate that this is anything other than an isolated incident…

CUT 5 (09)  “as soon as possible”

====================

A new protocol has been implemented to 911 operators in Louisiana which has them screen callers for Ebola symptoms. Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Kevin Davis says the caller will be asked a series of questions about ilnesses, particularly fever and recent travel. He says that will help EMS responding…:

CUT 6 (10)  “a suspected case”

Davis says the operators would ask about flu like symptoms, whether the person has recently been to an Ebola outbreak country and if they have been in contact with someone who has been exposed to the virus. He says the information would immediately be sent to responders…:

CUT 7 (09) “on the scene”

Davis says the callers answers would determine whether more questions would follow and whether the emergency responder would need to wear protective gear to the call. He says the person would be asked additional questions when in route then EMS would let the hospital know they have a suspect patient…:

CUT 8 (11) “would then kick in”

=====================

An LSU employee who was recently in Ebola stricken Liberia has been asked to stay off campus for 21 days. That’s the time frame during which symptons of the virus could show up according to Olivia Watkins with the state Department of Health and Hospitals. She says the man told DHH he did not have contact with anyone who had Ebola so he’s night considered high risk…:

CUT 9 (12)  “twice daily”

The man was reportedly part of a team who taught Liberian police how to put on and discard protective gear such as gloves, booties and protective covering. Watkins says the man is not being forced to stay in his home while he has no symptoms…:

CUT 10 (10)  “the hospital”

Watkins says it’s important to remember that Ebola can not be passed to another individual when there are no symptoms present. She says DHH is working closely with LSU and with GOHSEP to make sure that everyone is communicating and getting updates on the situation…:

CUT 11 (09) “level of preparedness“

=====================

Many homes and businesses in Monroe and West Monroe remain powerless as a result of a tornado that moved through the area Monday. Entergy spokesman Roderick Worthy says at the height of the storm, about 38,000 customers were without power in the Ouachita Parish area…

CUT 12 (06) “and tomorrow”

Worthy says less than 5,000 customers remain without electricity. Entergy’s goal is to have power fully restored tomorrow. Worthy says Entergy’s system sustained significant damage as the EF-2 tornado rolled through…

CUT  13 (13) “and repair service”

Worthy says damage to Entergy’s infrastructure has slowed the pace at which they can restore and repair service. He asks everyone to please be patient and, more importantly, be safe…

cut 14 (11) “away from it”

Residents in Ouachita Parish continue to clean up after Monday’s EF-2 tornado ripped through the area. Scott Carwile reports…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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Could the Ebola outbreak in West Africa be having an effect on the price we pay for chocolate? A local chocolate maker doesn’t think so. Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 2 (33) “reporting”

______________________________________

According to the latest economic projection numbers for Louisiana by LSU Economists Loren Scott & Jim Richardson, The Bayou State is projected to surpass 2 million overall jobs by 2015. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 3 (26) “reporting”

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Residents in Ouachita Parish continue to clean up after Monday’s tornado ripped through the area. An EF-2 tornado tore through Monroe and West Monroe. Ouachita Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Neil Brown says the biggest challenges facing residents now are debris and power…

Cut 4  (10)  “on the debris”

Brown says many residents, including himself, may not get power restored to their home until Friday. He says preliminary damage assessment teams will be coming to the area in the next few days. Brown says, as of now, he cannot set a monetary figure to the amount of damage the tornado has caused, but is is significant…

Cut 5  (12)  “lot of damage”

Brown is hopeful the area will qualify for state and federal funds to help repair the damage the tornado left behind. Despite the destruction the storm left behind, Brown says all the news from Ouachita Parish isn’t bad…

Cut 6 (11)  “anything like that”

______________________________________

Latest campaign finance totals in the US Senate race show Republican challenger Bill Cassidy with one million dollars more in cash on hand than Democratic incumbent Mary Landrieu. Cassidy has four-point-four million, while Landrieu has three-point-four million. Political analyst Clancy Dubos points out Landrieu raised more money than Cassidy in the third quarter

CUT 7 (09)  “close that gap”

Landrieu raised two-point-seven million dollars in the third quarter, beating out Cassidy by two-hundred thousand dollars. Dubos expects Landrieu to spend more of her campaign funds than her main GOP challenger

Cut 8 (07)   “for the runoff”

The third major candidate in the race, Air Force Colonel Rob Maness, reports he has 388-thousand dollars in his account. He says fundraising will continue up until the November fourth election and beyond

Cut 9 (10)  “each” 

______________________________________

Could the Ebola outbreak in West Africa be having an effect on the price we pay for chocolate? A local chocolate maker doesn’t think so. Michael Nelson is the Vice President of Operations at Elmer Candy Corporation in Ponchatoula. He says the concern among some market analysts is that the Ebola crisis could spread from Liberia to Ghana, where almost two-thirds of the world’s cocoa beans are sourced:

Cut 10 (11)  “in that region”

Nelson says chocolate is trading above what he would consider a fundamental level in terms of a supply and demand standpoint, but he says that’s as much the Ebola scare as it is the speculative traders in the market…:

cut 11 (10)  “financial speculators”

Nelson says you should know there is no way to contract Ebola from chocolate. He says the harvest is about to begin and is rumored to be very good. Nelson doesn’t see evidence, at this point, that the Ebola outbreak is moving the price of cocoa…:

cut 12 (13)  “thirty one hundred”

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According to the latest economic projection numbers for Louisiana by Loren Scott & Jim Richardson, The Bayou State is projected to surpass 2 million overall jobs by 2015. Dr. Scott says we have an industrial boom going on right now that is completely off the charts compared to anything we’ve seen in Louisiana history…:

Cut 13 (13)  “in the state”

Louisiana’s Economic Outlook projects the state to add 34,100 jobs in 2015. Dr. Scott says there has been this incredible industrial expansion and it’s due in part to the huge drop in the price of natural gas…:

Cut 14 (11)  “really picked up”

Dr. Scott says the Baton Rouge area is expected to be the second fastest growing over the next 2 years with about 19,600 new jobs or a 2.4 percent growth. He says areas north of I-10 will see growth but not nearly what the southern region will. Scott says Lafayette and Houma will also see big gains but the big winner will be Lake Charles…:

Cut 15  (12)  “a way to ship”

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The Saints will go up against one of their former first round picks when they visit the Detroit Lions this Sunday. Reggie Bush, who New Orleans drafted in 2006, is in his second season with the Lions. Coach Sean Payton says Bush is still an explosive player…

Cut 16  (17)   “that sudden”

The Saints are coming off a bye week, which gave players like Mark Ingram and Jonathan Goodwin a chance to get healthy for Sunday’s Detroit game. Quarterback Drew Brees says with the Saints sitting at 2-and-3, now is the time to string some victories together

Cut 17  (11)   “accomplish”

There’s a good chance the Saints will not have tight end Jimmy Graham for Sunday’s game against the Lions. Graham has a shoulder injury that knocked him out of a game nearly two weeks ago. Brees says that means more chances for the other tight ends and wide receivers on the roster

Cut 18 (19)  “great job “

The big question lingering after last night’s US Senate race debate is who were the winners and losers? Eric Gill has more on that…

CUT 1 (32) “reporting”

===================

There are now two Texas health care workers who have the Ebola virus. So are Louisiana hospitals prepared to treat an Ebola patient? Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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The big question lingering after last night’s US Senate race debate is who were the winners and losers? UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross thinks both Senator Mary Landrieu and retired Air Force Colonel Rob Maness helped themselves last night. However, Cross doesn’t think it was a great debate overall for Congressman Bill Cassidy…

CUT 3 (09) “of that then”

Cross says Cassidy had a couple of kinks in his performance during the debate. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says a lot of people were focusing on Cassidy’s performance last night because it was his first debate…

CUT 4 (08)  “at this point” 2X

Hogan says Cassidy didn’t do much to dazzle voters, but he really doesn’t need to at this point. Hogan says this debate did not feature any defining moment in which the candidates were able to hit on any major theme to shake things up in the race…

CUT 5 (14)  “prior to the debate”

Hogan doesn’t believe this debate will change any voter’s minds, and Cross agrees. Cross says one thing that intrigued him about the debate was how much the candidates disagreed with each other on certain issues…

CUT 6 (10)  “bring that out”

=====================

A second Dallas hospital worker has tested positive for Ebola. Both workers contracted the virus while providing care to Thomas Duncan, who died from the disease a week ago today. So are Louisiana hospitals prepared to handle an Ebola patient? Louisiana Hospital Association Vice President Ken Alexander believes so, thanks to daily guidance provided by the C-D-C

CUT 7 (11) “those out”

National Nurses United is concerned about the new case, and questions whether nurses have been adequately trained and have the protective gear to take care of Ebola patietns. Alexander says what has happened in Texas is providing learning moments for the health care industry…

CUT 8 (11) “the tee”

Alexander says he’s confident the health care industry in Louisiana is doing everything it can to properly prepare for Ebola cases in this state

CUT 9 (09)  “webinar”

=====================

Louisiana State Police is investigating a fatal pedestrian accident which occurred on I-10 just before 3am in Ascension Parish. Trooper Jared Sandifer says 21-year-old April Tasker of Geismar was stopped on the side of the road next to her car when for unknown reasons she attempted to walk across the interstate…:

CUT 10 (06)  “the roadway”

Sandifer says the 18-wheeler was driven by 67-year-old Wilhelm Salewski of Dayton, Texas and hew was in the left land of travel when he struck Tasker…:

CUT 11 (07) “the roadway“

Sandifer says Tasker was pronounced dead at the scene. He says it’s illegal to walk across the interstate but there are simple safety guidelines pedestrians should follow in any case…:

CUT 12 (07) “the roadway”

=====================

The National Weather Service confirms that a tornado did indeed hit Ouachita Parish Monday. The tornado was part of the severe weather activity that did widespread damage to Monroe and West Monroe. NWS Meteorologist Bill Parker says the tornado that touched down was an EF-2…

CUT  13 (11) “300 yards wide”

Parker says maximum winds associated with the tornado were 125 miles per hour and the path length was nine miles. Parker says the tornado went right through the cities of West Monroe and Monroe…

cut 14 (06) “snapped, uprooted”

The NWS sent a team to the area yesterday to survey the damage. An EF-2 tornado has winds between 111 and 135 miles per hour. Parker says it is fortunate that the area only sustained property damage as a result of this tornado…

cut 15 (05) “a blessing”

The Louisiana Department of Revenue’s 2014 Louisiana Tax Amnesty program begins today giving delinquent tax payers a chance to settle their overdue debt with the state. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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There’s a new study out by the Williams Institute at the University of California in Los Angeles which shows allowing same sex couples to marry in Louisiana would be a huge boost to the economy. Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

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The three major candidates in the US Senate race appeared in a televised debate last night. Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 3 (31) “reporting”

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The Louisiana Department of Revenue is offering delinquent tax payers a chance to settle their overdue debt with the state. The 2014 Louisiana Tax Amnesty period begins today and runs through November 14. Deputy Secretary Jarrod Coniglio says this is a golden opportunity to get up-to-date on late taxes…

Cut 4  (13)  “that is due” 2X

He says, during the amnesty period, tax payers can settle their debt by paying 100-percent of delinquent taxes and 50-percent of interest owed. The department will waive the remaining 50-percent of interest and 100-percent of the penalty that is due. Coniglio says this year’s amnesty is offering something new, an installment plan…

Cut 5  (10)  “by May first”

He says with the installment plan, tax payers pay 20-percent down and the department will break up the remaining balance into six payments. Last year’s tax amnesty period collected $435 million that went into the state budget. Coniglio says this year’s goal is not quite as lofty…

Cut 6 (06)  “for this amnesty”

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The first meeting of a working group put together by state Senator JP Morrell to review sexual assault policies on Louisiana’s college campuses takes place today. The New Orleans lawmaker wants to craft legislation that seeks to prevent sexual assault incidents at higher education institutions in Louisiana. He says they will begin with education…:

CUT 7 (12)  “so to speak”

Morrell requested a report from the Board of Regents which asked colleges to give the number of sexual assault cases it’s handled and how they were investigated. He says these issues are handled differently from campus to campus…:

Cut 8 (06)   “to do”

Morrell says today’s meeting will be mostly introductory to try to figure out the key areas they would like colleges to address in implementing sexual assault policies for students…:

Cut 9 (09)  “onto college campuses” 

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According to a study by the Williams Institute at the University of California in Los Angeles, if same-sex couples were allowed to marry in Louisiana, it would mean an economic boost of over $28 million to the state over three years. Forum for Equality chairman John Denison..:

Cut 10 (13)  “basic civil right”

The study predicts 4,038 in-state same-sex couples would get married in Louisiana within the first three years. The figures show spending on those weddings by same-sex resident couples and their out-of-state guests would generate $28.3 million dollars in the same time frame. Denison says weddings are big business…:

cut 11 (12)  “in our restaurants”

Denison says study after study has demonstrated that marriage for same-sex couples creates jobs and adds significant revenue to Louisiana’s bottom line…:

cut 12 (13)  “right for them to marry”

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The three major candidates in the US Senate race appeared in a televised debate last night. Analysts’ have said that US Senator Mary Landrieu needed to take some shots as she’s trailing in the polls to Republican Challenger Bill Cassidy so she went after him early in the debate…:

Cut 13 (16)  ” for his record”

Congressman Cassidy’s theme during the majority of the 1 hour debate was about Landrieu voting with President Barack Obama 97% of the time and his intention to vote to get rid of Obamacare if elected…:

Cut 14 (16)  “then vote Bill Cassidy”

Retired Air Force Col Rob Maness took shots at both Landrieu and Cassidy and criticized President Obama in most of his answers…:

Cut 15  (16)  “kick the can down the road”

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The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame 2015 Induction Class features a lot of star power. The eight-member class was announced Tuesday afternoon and there’s plenty of familiar names, led by LSU’s all-time leading rusher Kevin Faulk and former Ragin Cajuns star and Super Bowl quarterback Jake Delhomme. Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Chairman Doug Ireland….

Cut 16  (17)   “in Lafayette”

Ireland says the class also features three coach legends…Otis Washington, Pat Collins, Yvette Girouard

Cut 17  (21)   “like her”

The class also features former NBA point guard Avery Johnson of New Orleans, championship thoroughbred racing trainer Frank Brothers and former McNeese State standout Leonard Smith

Cut 18 (21)  “as a cornerback “

A group of Tulane scientists are working at a feverish pace to develop a finger-prick test to quickly determine if a patient has the Ebola virus. Jeff Palermo has the story….

CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

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People in the Monroe area are trying to pick up the pieces after severe thunderstorms rolled through the area Monday. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 2 (31) “reporting”

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A group of scientists at Tulane University are working  24-7 to develop a finger-prick test that could be used to quickly diagnose whether a a patient has the Ebola virus. Doctor Robert Garry says using a finger stick is a safer way to test for Ebola and they can get an answer in minutes

CUT 3 (07) ” 15 minutes”

Garry’s team received a two-point-nine million dollar grant last June to develop a speedy diagnostic test that health care workers could use. He says they are still in the testing phase, but getting close

CUT 4 (10)  “very promising”

Garry says for the federal government to allow the finger prick test to be used, they have to show its safe and doesn’t produce many false-positives. He says preliminary studies in West Africa are very promising, but it has come at the cost of human life

CUT 5 (10)  “this outbreak”

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People in the Monroe area are trying to pick up the pieces after severe thunderstorms rolled through the area Monday. The storms caused widespread damage and power outages throughout the area. Monroe resident, Jason Wegner, rode out the storm in his home. Wegner says as the wind began blowing harder, he heard a loud crash and his dogs yelping in the back yard…

CUT 6 (13)  “my living room”

Wegner says a tree destroyed his sun porch and part of it was sticking through the ceiling of his living room. Much of damage in Monroe is concentrated in the Garden District. Wegner says the Garden District features a lot of older trees…

CUT 7 (10) “down power lines”

According to the Monroe Police Department, there have been no reports of serious injuries. Wegner says this is a reminder that this type of weather damage can happen anywhere…

CUT 8 (06) “something everywhere”

=====================

Fire officials are investigating an early morning trailer fire in Thibodaux that claimed the lives of two people. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the fire department responded to the fire at around one o’clock this morning…

CUT 9 (10)  “on the scene”

The names of the victims have not been released, but Browning says the male victim was 70-years-old and the female victim was 64-years old. He says when fire fighters arrived, about 75 to 80 percent of the trailer was in flames…

CUT 10 (10)  “dead-end street”

Browning says, at this point, their investigation has not confirmed the presence of smoke alarms in the home. He says there has been an uptick in fire deaths in the past few weeks. Browning says that’s troublesome since we haven’t gotten into winter, yet…

CUT 11 (09) “in your home“

=====================

Governor Bobby Jindal has sent a letter to the White House urging the President to restore funding that helps provide free funerals for military veterans. Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary David LaCerte says the Obama administration is in charge of allocating the across the board cuts. He says the National Guard’s ability to perform honor detail for military veterans who have passed will be severely impaired…:

CUT 12 (13) “right thing to do”

LaCerte says many families will be severely impacted as a funeral service for a veteran is a powerful and symbolic gesture that our nation can provide….:

CUT 13 (10) “can do”

In the letter Jindal states that 1,100 military funerals were performed by the Louisiana National Guard last year and the cuts would bring that number down below 300. LaCerte says restoring funding for such ceremonies should be a top priority…:

cut 14 (12) “breach of trust”

A US Senate debate featuring the three major candidates, Senator Mary Landrieu and Republican challengers, Congressman Bill Cassidy and retired Air Force Colonel Rob Maness takes place tonight. Scott Carwile has a preview.

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

______________________________________

Clean-up efforts will continue in northeast Louisiana where a line of strong storms knocked down trees and caused property damage. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (29 “reporting”

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With election day three weeks away, the Secretary of State’s office wants voter to know that there’s an app for your smart phone that can help you become educated about the election. Jimmy Frederick has more…

Cut 3 (60) “November fourth”

______________________________________

Tonight voters will finally  see a US Senate debate featuring all three major candidates. Senator Mary Landrieu and Republican challengers, Congressman Bill Cassidy and retired Air Force Colonel Rob Maness will face off in Shreveport at 7PM. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley expects Landrieu to be aggressive since she’s trailing Cassidy in a potential runoff…

Cut 4  (10)  “that she has”

He feels Maness will be aggressive in the debate as well because he needs to prove that he’s still a relevant candidate. Stockley feels Cassidy will be the most laid back of the three candidates. He thinks Cassidy is probably the front runner, at this point, and has to play it safe during the debate…

Cut 5  (13)  “used against him”

The debate, sponsored by Council for a Better Louisiana in partnership with Louisiana Public Broadcasting, will be televised statewide on LPB stations. Stockley predicts this will be an exciting debate…

Cut 6 (08)  “to represent us”

______________________________________

Election day is three weeks away and Secretary of State Tom Schedler is encouraging Louisiana voters to download their GeauxVote mobile phone app. The app is convenient way to get all of the election information you may need. Schedler says Louisiana is a front runner in the country for this technology…

CUT 7 (10)  “we’re doing here”

The app, which is available for iPhone and Android phones, provides information on local polling locations, updated ballots, and much more. Schedler says it even provides up-to-the-minute election results…

Cut 8 (11)   “64 parishes”

Election day is November 4th. Schedler says the app is absolutely free and very easy to get…

Cut 9 (13)  “I just indicated” 

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A judge in Baton Rouge grants a temporary restraining order that keeps the ashes from the incineration of a Dallas Ebola victim’s belongings from being disposed in a Calcasieu Parish landfill. Attorney General Buddy Caldwell sought the order and it was supported by state officials, including House Speaker Chuck Kleckley, who is a lawmaker from Lake Charles…

Cut 10 (09)  “this time”

The company that owns the landfill involved in this controversy released a statement that says it will not take take the Ebola waste, until state officials determined it would not pose a health threat. Kleckley says we sound understand all the risks before transporting this material to a Louisiana landfill….

cut 11 (07)  “our area”

Linen, bedding and carpet from the apartment of Thomas Duncan, who died from Ebola, was destroyed at an incinerator in Port Arthur, Texsas and was set to be transported to a landfill in Calcasieu Parish.  Cleckley agrees with Caldwell, there’s too many unknowns with Ebola to have potentially hazardous Ebola waste come across state lines..

cut 12 (05)  “risks are”

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Governor Bobby Jindal has issued a state of emergency as a result of the severe weather that moved the through the state on Monday. Kevin Davis, director of the governor’s office of homeland security and emergency preparedness, says Ouachita Parish is cleaning up from a possible tornado or damaging straight line winds

Cut 13 (05)  ” roadways blocked”

At one time, nearly 40-thousand people were without power in north Louisiana. And ULM cancelled all classes until 11 o’ clock Tuesday morning.  Davis says Ouachita Parish appears to be one of the hardest hit areas

Cut 14 (06)  “went out”

Davis says some areas experienced 60 mile per hour winds when the storm system moved through. He says the declaration is designed to help local governments…

Cut 15  (05)  “go through this”

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The UL Lafayette football team gets some national TV exposure tonight as they visit Texas State in a game that will be televised by ESPN 2 at six P-M. The Ragin Cajuns easily defeated the Bobcats 48 to 24 last season, but ULL Coach Mark Hudspeth expects a tougher test tonight

Cut 16  (17)   “last week alone”

Tuesday is an unusual day to play a football game, but Hudspeth says his team proved they can handle the unique situation last year

Cut 17  (16)   “for this game”

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The Tigers wild 30-27 victory over Florida was win number one 100 at LSU for Coach Les Miles. The mad hatter joins Charles McClendon as the only two coaches in LSU history to win at least 100 games. Miles says one of his players gave him the game ball after the win and he’s glad it was the type of victory that exemplifies how his teams play

Cut 18 (16)  “it was “

Miles will go after win number 101 this Saturday at home against Kentucky. The Wildcats have improved and head into this game with a 5-and-1 overall record. Miles is impressed with Kentucky’s offense

cut 19 (20)  “throw it”

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Affiliates here’s an interview with Secretary Tom Schedler on there Geaux Vote app that you can use for your talk shows or public affairs programs.

Cut 20 (4:10) “go vote”

Officials in Sabine Parish believe a ten-month-old child spent three days living underneath her deceased father’s body. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 1 (32) “reporting”

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Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell seeks a court order to prevent Ebola waste from entering Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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A cold front continues to move across the state today bringing thunderstorm activity along the frontal edge. Gavin Phillips, with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says the front began rolling through northwest Louisiana earlier today…

CUT 3 (07) “across the state”

Phillips says the squall line of thunderstorms will work its way southeastward across the state this afternoon and tonight. He says we can expect one to three inches of rain as a result of this cold front. Phillips says thunderstorm activity will be heavy, at times, but it will be brief…

CUT 4 (04)  “pretty rapidly”

He says once the front moves through, you can expect to feel fall-like temperatures. Phillips says temperatures will begin to drop in north Louisiana as tonight…

CUT 5 (04)  “tomorrow morning”

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A ten-month-old infant is recovering at a hospital in Shreveport after she spent nearly three days under her father’s body. Sabine Parish Deputy Coroner Ron Rivers says 43-year-old Jason Fields of Pleasant Hill suffered a massive heart attack in her bedroom and fell back on top of the infant, who was resting on the bed

CUT 6 (09)  “long period of time”

Rivers says the infant, Betty Jean Fields, was dehydrated and suffering from blisters on her skin. He says there was also an indentation on her forehead from her father’s body lying on top of her

CUT 7 (09) “trauma unit”

Rivers says the last report he’s received, the infant is doing okay. He says there was a five-year-old child also in the home, but it took him three days to alert a neighbor about what happened. The coroner believes the heart attack was so severe that Fields was dead before he fell back on the child

CUT 8 (09) “he did not”

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The Louisiana Attorney General wants a state judge to stop the disposal of the incinerated personal belongings of a Dallas Ebola victm from going into a Calcasieu Parish landfill. AG Buddy Caldwell says there are too many unknowns and it’s absurd to transport potentially hazardous Ebola waste across state lines…

CUT 9 (10)  “these issues”

The A-G’s office says six truckloads of possible contaminated material collected from the apartment where the Dallas Ebola victim became ill, were brought to an incinerator in Port Arthur, Texas. From there, the remains are expected to go in a landfill in Carlyss, Louisiana. Caldwell says they filed a temporary restraining order to keep the Ebola Waste out of  Louisiana…

CUT 10 (05)  “accept this”

Legal action may not be needed. The waste disposal facility that was expected to take the controversial ash said in a news release that it will no longer accept the waste until Louisiana officials agree it’s safe. Caldwell says there’s probably a safer way to dispose of it, instead of bringing it across state lines…

CUT 11 (07) “alternatives“

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A strong line of thunderstorms moving across the state has knocked out power and caused property damage in north Louisiana. Marty Mayeaux (My-you) with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says they are receiving a lot of damage reports from Ouachita Parish…

CUT 12 (10) “all that area”

Mayeaux says damage survey teams will go out tomorrow to determine if a tornado hit the Monroe area

CUT 13 (08) “line winds”

Mayeaux says power outages are widespread across north Louisiana…

cut 14 (06) “across the area”

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We’re a little more than three weeks away from the November election and voters have yet to see or hear a commercial from Former Governor Edwin Edwards in the sixth district race. Michelle Southern reports.

CUT 1 (27) “reporting”

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The Louisiana Attorney General’s office warns residents of a scam that continues to go around that attempts to victimize Entergy residential customers and small business owners. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “reporting”

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A State Police sergeant faces charges of DWI and hit-and-run driving after causing another vehicle to flip onto its roof on Interstate 10. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

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We’re a little more than three weeks away from the November election and voters have yet to see or hear a commercial from Former Governor Edwin Edwards in the sixth district Congressional race. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Edwards has the luxury of not having to run TV ads…

Cut 4  (05)  “personally”

Pinsonat says voters already  know Edwards and he doesn’t have to spend money on TV spots to garner name recognition. He says you don’t see that very often, but there is nothing about Edwards that is normal or usual…:

Cut 5  (10)  “Republican type district”

According to Edwards last campaign finance report, he had 145-thousand dollars in cash on hand. Pinsonat says Edwards will likely finish in the top 2 in the primary, but he’ll need to spend some money and probably get on TV to win the run-off election..

Cut 6 (12)  “with just $150,000″

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The run of warm and humid weather comes to an end today thanks to a cold front that will move through the state, bringing us more fall like weather. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this cool front will bring are low temperatures tomorrow morning into the low to mid 50s

CUT 7 (10)  “more pleasant”

Last week it felt more like summer than fall, with high temperatures in the upper 80s and humidity levels. Keim says this cold front will give us high temperatures in the 70s across the state tomorrow

Cut 8 (11)   “or so”

Keim says before the cooler temperatures we’ll get rain and there’s the potential of severe weather today

Cut 9 (09)  “heavy rainfall” 

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The Louisiana Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section is investigating reports of scammers targeting Entergy residential customers and small business owners. Amanda Larkins, with the A-G’s office, says a con artist, claiming to be with Entergy, calls a customer’s home or business and the victim is told they need to make an immediate payment, because they are behind on their bill…

Cut 10 (07)  “payment method”

Larkins says this scam has been around for a while, targeting elderly and other residential consumers, but now these scammers are moving on to small business owners with larger utility expenses

cut 11 (09)  “last year”

Entergy will place courtesy calls to customers at risk of disconnection, but they’ll never demand immediate payment. Larkins says if someone contacts a consumer claiming to be from a utility company and uses high pressure tactics to force immediate payment, the best thing you can do is hang up

cut 12 (10)  “utility company”

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A sergeant with the Louisiana State Police faces charges of DWI and hit and run, after causing a crash on Interstate 10 early Saturday morning. State Police Captain Doug Cain  says 34-year-old Damien Dyson Sr of Baton Rouge was heading west on I-10 in Ascension Parish, when he struck the rear of another vehicle at a high rate of speed. Cain says Dyson kept going, but eventually pulled over and State Police responded to the scene

Cut 13 (09)  “DWI”

Dyson was booked into the Ascension Parish jail and immediately placed on administrative leave. Cain says State Police will review all of the findings in this matter and take swift steps to ensure an impartial and appropriate course of action

Cut 14 (09)  “higher standard”

Cain says Dyson’s blood alcohol content was over twice the legal limit. The crash occurred when Dyson was off duty. He says the driver of the other vehicle that he hit, survived the crash despite his vehicle ending up on its roof….

Cut 15  (10)  “uninjured”

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The LSU Tigers finally have their first SEC win of the season and it wasn’t easy. LSU and Florida went back-and-forth in a crazy fourth quarter on Saturday in Gainesville, but it was the Tigers who came out on top 30-27. Coach Les Miles says the victory shows what these Tigers can accomplish…

Cut 16  (18)   “after that”

The Tigers defense had a good performance. They forced three turnovers and Florida was just 2-of-12 on 3rd down. Quarterback Anthony Jennings made a couple of good throws in the fourth quarter and finished with 110 yards on the game, with one touchdown and zero interceptions. Miles says they got what they wanted from the quarterback position

Cut 17  (13)   “we’re coming”

The big offensive star for the Tigers was freshman running back Leonard Fournette. He rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns. Fournette says he’s feeling more comfortable

Cut 18 (11)  “me a lot”