06:45 Sportscast August 5th, 2014

A potential starter at safety for LSU is back with the team after spending most of the summer suspended for allegedly hitting a woman near his apartment last May. Jalen Mills suspension was lifted after his charge of second-degree battery was reduced to misdemeanor simple battery. Coach Les Miles says Mills is not out of the dog house yet….
cut 1 (07) “….back with the team”
Miles added that some of the discpline will include extra conditioning.

Direct TV is the latest television provider that says they will carry the new SEC Network when it launches next Thursday. The addition of Direct TV will reportedly mean the SEC Network will be available to more than 85 million homes. The new station will first hit the airwaves August 14th at 5pm.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees didn’t practice with the team for the second time Monday. Coach Sean Payton said Brees is day to day with an abdominal injury.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette football team is entering the 2014 season with extremely high hopes as they return 14 starters including quarterback Terrance Broadway. The Cajuns are big favorites to win a second straight Sun Belt Conference title and head Coach Mark Hudspeth says he’s excited to see what the season will bring..:
CUT 15 (13) “our current stafff”
Hudspeth says fans are clamoring for tickets in ways he’s never seen before and promises and exciting season for the Ragin Cajun Nation.

Elsewhere, the FCS preseason coaches poll is out and Southeastern Louisiana is ranked third, McNeese State is 9th.

And former Louisiana Tech star Paul Millsap has reportedly been cut from the USA Basketball team.

06:30 Newscast Tuesday August 5th, 2014

Governor Bobby Jindal, State Police Col Mike Edmonson and Speaker of the House Chuck Kleckly are back from their trip to the Mexican border for a security briefing and tour by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Jindal spoke at the airport when they returned and blamed President Obama for creating a situation that allows more people to cross into the US illegally. The governor wants the president to secure the border.

Over 190 new people have joined a lawsuit designed to stop the implementation of common core in Louisiana. The additions, mostly concerned Louisiana parents, joined the lawsuit over a less than 48 hour period. Jeremy Alford with LApolitics.com says the interest seems to be organic…:
CUT 6 (12) “toward them”
Meanwhile the Bord of Elementary and Secondary Education President Chas Roemer said Monday at the Baton Rouge press club that Governor Jindal had turned the matter into a fiasco and that BESE is going to keep Common Core in Louisiana.

Drivers across the state are seeing gas prices around $3.30 for a gallon of regular. That’s a good deal lower from where they were last month, and have been dropping at a steady rate of about one cent a day over the last week or so. American Automobile Association fuel analyst Don Redman expects that will continue this month…:
CUT 3 (14) “last year as well”
He says the leveling off should start next month but we’ll keep seeing the price fall in August.

The Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office said in a statement two workers at a fish packing facility had to be saved yesterday evening after the became stuck in equipment for hours. Both men reportedly have severe injuries to their legs and are recovering in hospitals.

AM Newscall August 5, 2014

The American Automobile Association says the gas price is dropping fast as the current statewide average is now $3.30 and it’s been falling about a penny everyday for the past couple of weeks. Matthew Doyle has that.

CUT 1 (35) “reporting”

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Studies on eating habits in America consistently show Louisiana to be among the most obese states in the nation.  The Dare To Be Healthy initiative is working to change that.  Eric Gill has more…

Cut 2 Audio (34) “reporting”

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Drivers across the state are now seeing gas prices around $3.30 for a gallon of regular. That’s a good deal lower from where they were last month, and have been dropping at a steady rate of about one cent a day over the last week or so. American Automobile Association fuel analyst Don Redman expects that will continue this month…

Cut 3 Audio   (14) “last year as well”

International political instability historically has a direct correlation to the prices Louisiana customers pay at the pump. Redman says two things in particular kept prices high over the summer…

Cut 4  (12)  “falling apart of Iraq”

Prices tend to trend up near the end of summer, but Redman says this year, that’s not the case…

Cut 5  (06) “to our benefit”

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Over 190 new people have joined a lawsuit designed to stop the implementation of common core in Louisiana. The additions, mostly concerned Louisiana parents, joined the lawsuit over a less than 48 hour period. Jeremy Alford with LApolitics.com says the interest seems to be organic…

Cut 6 (12)  “Gravitated toward them”

The number of lawsuits in involving common core has sky rocketed over the last month, with both sides gearing up for some lengthy litigation. Alford says it appears that negotiations have failed…

CUT 7 (12)   “to the courts”

Lawsuits can be lengthy processes, but Alford says we could see some movement as soon as this month…

CUT 8 (05)   “next two weeks”

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An interactive map showing the wealthiest person in each state of the United States lists Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson as the richest person in Louisiana.  The map, by real estate website Movoto, lists Benson’s net worth at $1.5 billion.  Tulane business professor Mark Rosa says that’s a lot of money for a state like Louisiana…

CUT 9 (07)  “for himself”

Benson’s ownership of the New Orleans Saints makes up a large portion of his wealth.  But Rosa says Benson’s net worth is more than just the football team…

cut 10 (06) “where he sits”

The map shows Microsoft founder Bill Gates as the richest person in America with a net worth of $80 billion.  Rosa says owning the Saints has been good for Benson and now that he’s added ownership of the Pelicans, it could pay off big.  But Rosa says sports team ownership can be a double-edged sword…

cut 11 (12)  “of his worth”

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Studies on eating habits in America consistently show Louisiana to be among the most obese states in the nation.  One reason the state’s obesity rate is so high is because we eat out at restaurants, a lot.   Dare To Be Healthy Program Coordinator Janice Ackley says they are working to combat the obesity rate…

cut 12 (10) “on restaurant menus”

The Dare To Be Healthy initiative has launched “Eat Healthy SWLA” to help people make healthier choices at restaurants.  Entree options must be under 600 calories, less than 800 milligrams of sodium, and less than 10 percent saturated fat to get the Eat Healthy SWLA stamp of approval.  Ackley says her group enlists the help of registered dietitians to work with restaurants…

Cut 13 (06)  “local restaurant”

The initiative is funded by a grant from Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation.  Ackley says they are also educating the public on how to eat healthier when they eat out.  She says they are encouraging people to build healthier salads, cut out the salt, and use portion control when ordering at a restaurant…

Cut 14 (12)  “home for later”

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The University of Louisiana at Lafayette football team is entering the 2014 season with extremely high hopes as they return 14 starters including quarterback Terrance Broadway. The Cajuns are big favorites to win a second straight Sun Belt Conference title and head Coach Mark Hudspeth says he’s excited to see what the season will bring..:

Cut 15  (13)   “our current staff”

The Ragin Cajuns play Southern on August 30th. There is work happening on a new UL-Lafayette athletics facility and Hudspeth says the team is practicing around that construction which is a slight challenge. He says that’s a good problem to have….:

Cut 16  (16)   “love hearing those things”

Hudspeth says fans are asking questions about tailgating spots and tickets and making plans to attend big games. He says he LOVES hearing that…:

Cut 17  (18)   “in our program”

17:30 Newscast August 4, 2014

One man is dead and another is facing serious charges after a crash on I-10 in St. John the Baptist Parish.  Jacob Sellers of Sorrento is suspected of being impaired when his car careened across two lanes, struck several guard rails, crashed into another car, and then flipped several times.  An unidentified passenger was ejected from Sellers’ car and then struck by another vehicle that fled the scene.  The passenger was pronounced dead on arrival to a local hospital.  State Police spokesperson Melissa Matey is asking anyone with information to come forward…

cut 14 (08)  “give us a call”

LSU junior safety Jalen Mills participated in team practice this afternoon after the East Baton Rouge District Attorney reduced the charges against him from felony second degree battery to misdemeanor simple battery.  The charges stem from a May incident where Mills allegedly punched a woman near his apartment.  DA Hillar Moore says the felony charge was the arrest charge and his office believes the misdemeanor charge is appropriate after reviewing evidence and reports.

Governor Bobby Jindal, State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson, and Louisiana House Speaker Chuck Kleckley visited the Mexican border today for a security briefing and tour by the Texas Department of Public Safety.  Edmonson says they have no information about the undocumented immigrants coming to Louisiana and they need some answers…

cut 3 (08)  “to their health records”

The tour was to include an air and marine tour of the border.

As summer wanes and vacation season comes to a close, we’re officially in back-to-school preparation mode.  So are people excited about kids heading back to class?  These Louisiana kids aren’t…

cut 9 (09)  “I hate school”

Parents, on the other hand, say summer is great, but it’s time for their kids to get back on a schedule.

Direct TV has agreed to air the SEC Network.  The network is scheduled to debut August 14th.

16:30 08-04-14

Governor Bobby Jindal, Louisiana House Speaker Chuck Kleckley and State Police Col Mike Edmonson visited the Mexican border today for a security briefing. Edmonson says they made the trip because there are many cases where they have no information about the undocumented immigrants coming to Louisiana and they are looking for some answers…:
cut 5 :05 sec. Q: “to do things”
The Texas Department of Public Safety gave the briefing and tour.

A Thibodaux man, who was upset with the service he got at a Burger King has been arrested after he allegedly caused a crash when he jerked the steering wheel in a car he was riding in over the weekend. Thibodaux Police report the driver was unsusccesful in regaining control of the vehicle, as the car ran off the road and crashed into a pole. Thirty nine year old Travis Hymel was arrested on criminal damage to property and possession of alcohol in a vehicle.

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Louisiana State Police is investigating a fatal hit and run accident that occurred over the weekend near Kentwood. Master Trooper Greg Marchand says 22-year-old Matthew Mahler of Vacherie and a friend were riding four-wheelers in a drainage ditch along Louisiana Highway 10 when Mahler had an accident and was ejected from his vehicle into the roadway…:
cut 6 :09 sec. Q: “kept going.”
Mahler died later at a local hospital.

A large percentage of Shreveport Public Works solid waste and disposal service employees did not show up for work today. That left over 2 dozen trash trucks unmanned for Monday collections. One employee says workers were told there were no funds for pay raises, and recently, the city bought two street sweepers for about $600 thousand dollars. One unnamed employee says the organized no-show may continue tomorrow.

1645 Sportscast Monday August 4th, 2014

For the second straight practice, Saints Quarterback Drew Brees has sat out. Coach Sean Payton says Brees suffered a strained left oblique. The QB was on the practice field at the Greenbrier report in West Virginia but was not wearing pads this afternoon when the Black and Gold returned for another day of work after a day off Sunday. Payton says Brees’ injury was “day to day” and that it would be monitored.

The East Baton Rouge District Attorney has reportedly reduced the charges against LSU junior safety Jalen Mills from felony second degree battery to misdemeanor simple battery. The charges stem from a May incident where Mills allegedly punched a woman near his apartment. DA Hillar Moore says the second degree battery charge was the arrest charge and his office believes the misdemeanor charge is appropriate after reviewing evidence and reports and witness statements.

Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush, who started his NFL career with the New Orleans SAints in 2006, said today that at the age of 29 he’s not sure how much longer he’ll be able to play but if he gets to 15 more that would be a blessing. It’s a slight echo to what his former starting quarterback Drew Brees said last week that he’s “serious” about playing until he’s 45. Bush will be 44 in 15 years.

Today many of our state college football teams began practice including the University of Louisiana at Lafayette who are heading into the 2014 season with extremely high hopes as they return 14 starters including quarterback Terrance Broadway. The Cajuns are big favorites to win a second straight Sun Belt Conference title and head coach Mark Hudspeth said at media day today he’s very excited…:
CUT 2 (16) “most positions”
The Ragin Cajuns play Southern on August 30th.

15:30 08-04-14

It’s been reported that former Governor Buddy Roemer has suffered a stroke. According to his son Chas, who was speaking at the Baton Rouge Press Club today, said the former governor suffered the minor stroke about 4 weeks ago, but has already been back at work.

A Sorrento man is facing major charges, including vehicular homicide, after an early morning crash in St. John the Baptist Parish that left his passenger dead. Matthew Doyle has more…:
cut V2 :35 sec. Q: “reporting”
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The second degree felony charge of battery against LSU Junior Safety Jalen Mills has been reduced to a misdemeanor charge of simple battery charge, this resulting from a June 10 altercation with a woman, who claims Mills hit her in the mouth. East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore said in an email, “This is the charge that we believe is appropriate after reviewing the evidence and reports.” Mills’ attorney says witnesses say Mills did not hit the woman.

It’s almost back-to-school time, and if you talk to most students, they will tell you they’re not too happy about it. Parents, on the other hand…:
cut 11 :13 Q: “Drive me crazy”
Most parents agreed summer was nice, but it’s time to get the kids back on schedule.

14:30 08-04-14

Governor Bobby Jindal will be among those from Louisiana who are headed to the Mexican Border today for a security briefing. Michelle Southern has that…
cut V1 :27 sec. Q: “reporting”
2014′s States With the Best And Worst School Systems list is out, and Louisiana is ranked #48 in the nation. The only states that showed up worse was Alabama, Mississippi and Washington D.C. For many years, you might recall, Louisiana was at #49.

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State Police are investigating a St. John the Baptist Parish crash early this morning on I 10 that has claimed the life of one man, and has the driver faces serious charges. Twenty-four year-old Jacob Sellars of Sorrento lost control, flipped several times ejecting the unidentified passenger, causing the victim to be struck by another vehicle. When Sellars was asked about the accident…:
cut 13 :11 sec. Q: “of his passenger”
That’s State Police Troop B Spokesperson Melissa Matey.
A big portion of Shreveport Public Works solid waste and disposal service employees did not show up for work today, leaving over 2 dozen trash trucks unmanned for Monday collections. One employee says workers were told there were no funds for pay raises, and recently, the city bought two street sweepers for about $600 thousand dollars. The organized no-show may continue tomorrow.

PM Newscall August 4th, 2014

Governor Bobby Jindal will be among those who are headed to the Mexican Border today for a security briefing and tour by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Michelle Southern has that…:

CUT 1 (27) “reporting”

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A Sorrento man is being hit with a slew of charges, including vehicular homicide, after an early morning crash on I-10 East in St. John the Baptist Parish left his passenger dead. Matthew Doyle has more…

CUT 2 (35) “reporting”

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Governor Bobby Jindal is among those who are headed to the Mexican Border today for a security briefing and tour by the Texas Department of Public Safety. State Police Col Mike Edmonson says they have no information about the undocumented immigrants coming to Louisiana and they need some answers…:

CUT 3 (08) “to their health records”

Edmonson says there are about 1100 kids in Louisiana right now who were sent here and they need to know where they are. He says the state should have this information..:

CUT 4 (08) “give them healthcare”

The visit will include an air and marine tour of the border. House Speaker Chuck Kleckley is also making the trip because he says everyone at the Capitol needs to remain informed and take appropriate steps to ensure the stafety of Louisiana citizens. Edmonson says they know so little about what’s going on with these people coming into our state…:

CUT 5 (05) “to do things”

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Louisiana State Police is investigating a fatal hit and run accident that occurred over the weekend near Kentwood. Master Trooper Greg Marchand says 22-year-old Matthew Mahler of Vacherie and a friend were riding four-wheelers in a drainage ditch along Louisiana Highway 10 when Mahler had an accident and was ejected from his vehicle into the roadway….

CUT 6 (09) “kept going”

Marchand says Mahler’s friend was trying to help when he noticed a vehicle approaching them. He says the friend tried to alert the driver of the car, but the sedan struck Mahler and continued on the highway failing to stop. Marchand says Mahler was transported to a local hospital…

CUT 7 (12) “shortly after”

Mahler was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Marchand says they are searching for a small dark colored sedan, possibly four-door…(Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to contact Louisiana State Police or your local authorities.)

CUT 8 (07) “of the driver”

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As summer wanes away and vacation season comes to close, we’re officially in back-to-school preparation mode. So are people excited about kids heading back to class? These Louisiana kids we talked to aren’t…:

CUT 9 (09) “I hate school”

These Louisiana moms we talked to would have to disagree with their stir-crazy kids and are happy to send them back to school…:

CUT 10 (08) “your work schedule”

These Louisiana parents say while it’s great to spend the summer with your family, it’ll be nice to get back on a schedule…:

CUT 11 (13) “drive me crazy

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One man is dead and another is facing some serious charges in a crash on the I-10 East in St. John the Baptist Parish. Jacob Sellers, of Sorrento, is suspected of being impaired while his car careened arcoss two lanes, struck several guard rails, crashed into another car, and then flipped over several times. State Police Spokesperson Melissa Matey says it’s an ongoing investigation, but a number of factors are suspected…

CUT 12 (06) “in this crash”

An unknown passenger was ejected from Sellers’s vehicle while it rotated. The coroner is currently trying to identify the body, and Matey says Sellers refuses to name who it is…

CUT 13 (11) “of his passenger”

After being ejected from Sellers’s car, the unidentified passenger was then struck by a vehicle, and that person was pronounced dead on arrival. Matey is asking anyone with information to come forward…

cut 14 (08) “give us a call”

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13:30 Newscast August 4, 2014

Governor Bobby Jindal is among those heading to the Mexican Border today for a security briefing and tour by the Texas Department of Public Safety. State Police Col. Mike Edmonson says there are about 1100 undocumented kids in Louisiana right now who were sent here and they need to know where they are. He says the state should have that information…

cut 4 (08) “give them healthcare”

The visit will include an air and marine tour of the border.

One man is dead and another is facing some serious charges in a crash on I-10 in St. John the Baptist Parish. Jacob Sellers, of Sorrento, is suspected of being impaired while his car careened across two lanes, struck several guard rails, crashed into another car, and then flipped over several times. State Police Spokesperson Melissa Matey says it’s an ongoing investigation, but a number of factors are suspected…

cut 12 (06) “in this crash”

An unidentified passenger was ejected from Sellers’s vehicle, then struck by another vehicle that fled the scene, and pronounced dead on arrival to a local hospital.

Louisiana State Police is investigating a fatal hit and run accident that occurred over the weekend near Kentwood. Master Trooper Greg Marchand says 22-year-old Matthew Mahler of Vacherie and a friend were riding four-wheelers in a ditch along Louisiana Highway 10 when Mahler had an accident and was ejected from his vehicle into the roadway, then run over by a car that fled the scene. Marchand says they are searching for a small dark colored sedan…

cut 8 (07) “of the driver”

Mahler was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

According to “Governing” magazine, Louisiana is the seventh most popular state for millennials. Millennials are defined as persons born between 1981 and 2000. The magazine states that 28.5-percent of Louisiana’s population falls into the millennial age bracket. That is the largest age group living in the Bayou State. Excluding Washington, DC, Louisiana has the highest concentration of millennials in the eastern half of the United States.