Sunday was LSU media day and the first opportunity for reporters to speak with members of the Tigers second ranked recruiting class. True freshman Quarterback Brandon Harris is battling with sophomore Anthony Jennings for a starting spot and a decision on who will start the season opener is not expected anytime soon. Even Harris admits there’s not much separating himself with Jennings…:
CUT 16 (13) “don’t know”
Most of the hype with this freshmen class is center around running back Leonard Fournette. The former St Aug star has high expectations for his freshmen season..:
CUT 17 (07) “Heisman candidate”

Once again injured New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees did not practice on Sunday as the team got back to the field for its final few days of practice at The Greenbrier resort in West Virginia. He didn’t play either in the Saints pre-season win over the St. Louis Rams on Friday night. He’s still considered day-to-day after he injured his left oblique on August 2nd and he’s been out since. Coach Sea Payton says they’re remaining caution as they hope to avoid any lingering issues.

LSU sophomore cornerback Kavahra Holmes made it official on Twitter over the weekend that he’s decided to transfer to the Ragin’ Cajuns. The Breaux Bridge native was a 3-star prospect coming out of high school and played in only one game for the Tigers last season. He’ll probably have to sit out a season before being able to play in 2015.

Former LSU & UNO basketball player Matt Derenbecker was found dead in a swimming pool of a friends house in Pontchatoula on Sunday according to reports. Derenbecker played as a Tiger in 2011 and transferred to Dayton before coming back to Louisiana to play for UNO. He was just 22.

With school starting around the state, teachers are educating kids in the classroom with no idea what assessment test will be given this year. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan says educators are frustrated and angry about all of this…:
CUT 7 (06) “very political process”
He says he hopes the state will use this year to evaluate teachers on performance in the classroom instead of end-of-year student test scores. Meanwhile the arguments over Common Core standards begin tomorrow.

State Police say a man who was pulled over on I-20 near Bossier Parish is dead after a struggle with officers while they were attempting to take him in to custody. They say the driver is identified as 34-year-old Rayshune Henry of Dallas, Texas. During the stop the driver ignored instructions by officers and refused to exit the vehicle according to investigators. They say he was tazed then started having trouble breathing. EMS later found a plastic bag containing a white substance deep in Henry’s thought. He died the next morning.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals confirms the state’s second West Nile virus death this year. Eric Gill Reports…:
CUT 3 (34) “reporting”

The New Orleans Police Department says seven people were shot while they were sitting on a porch in the Lower 9th Ward last night. They say two people died and among those injured are a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old child who are in critical condition. Investigators indicated there are no description of suspects available but witnesses observed a late model dark colored vehicle, possibly a Honda Accord, fleeing the scene.

Charlie Roberts, the President of the LSU Alumni Association is dealing with a lawsuit, alleging he offered his lover, who was also with the Association, monthly payments-similar to her salary- for the rest of her life, IF she would quit. Attorney Mary Olive Pierson says Roberts was completely shocked by the lawsuit from Kay Heath. But Heath’s attorney, Jeffry Sanford calls it “paid leave” and he has a problem with that…:

CUT 11 (08) “in this case“

Health says she will completely drop the lawsuit if Roberts resigns or is fired because he is a continuing threat to all women at the Association. Pierson says Roberts is not going to respond to threats but focus on winning the lawsuit…:

CUT 12 (04) “or get fired”
She says Roberts is going on annual leave from the Association, so he won’t be distracted by the case.

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The Department of Health and Hospitals reports 14 new cases of West Nile, bringing the state total to 29. And this past past week, there was a second Louisiana death. David Holcombe, who is the Medical Director for the Office of Public Health in Central Louisiana, says the threat of West Nile will remain until we get cold weather…;
cut 15 :09 sec. Q: “very precipitously”

Not much is known about the latest victim, except that it was reported he was from the Capital area, and he was over the age of 75.

 
Louisiana farmers will see minimal impact from Russia’s decision to ban food imports from the United States for one year. That’s according to LSU AgCenter economic Kurt Guidry…:
CUT 8 (07) “the state”
Russia is a bigger player in the livestock and poultry markets.

The President of the LSU Alumni Association goes on annual leave amidst a lawsuit claiming he paid a former female employee hush money. Mary Olive Pierson says her client, Charlie Roberts, admits to having a sexual relationship with Kay Heath but didn’t do anything unethical…:
CUT 9 (08) “sex for money thing”

Health’s attorney, Jeffry Sanford, says the two entered into a contractual financial agreement that was terminated by Roberts without notice…:
CUT 10 (06) “quit paying”
The lawsuit alleges Roberts asked Heath to quit her job and promised to pay her monthly money for the rest of her life.

In preseason football last night, the New Orleans Saints defeated the St. Louis Rams 26-24 last night. Good showings from Mark Ingram and Drew Brees’ understudy former Tulane QB Ryan Griffin.
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There has been a second Louisiana death this year resulting from the West Nile Virus. An unidentified man from the Capital Area Region 2, dies this week. David Holcombe who is the Medical Director for the Office of Public Health in Central Louisiana says, everyone needs to do what they can to fight the bite…:
cut 14 :10 sec. Q: “mosquito repellant”
A total of 29 West Nile cases have been reported so far.

He’s an ex-Fed Ex delivery guy, who is arrested for allegedly stealing packages he was supposed to deliver in the Baton Rouge area. Police believe 50 year-old Nathaniel Smith would allegedly lie about packages he was supposed to deliver and keep them for himself…:
cut 4 :08 sec. Q: “happend to us”
That’s Baton Rouge Police Department spokesman L. Jean McNeely.

The President of the LSU Alumni Association goes on annual leave amidst a lawsuit. Here’s Michelle Southern with that story…:
cut V1 :36 sec. Q: “reporting”

Reports of a drowning as a three year-old was found face down in an above-ground pool yesterday afternoon around 2pm in Breaux Bridge. KLFY reports that efforts to revive her were unsuccessful.

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The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals are confirming the state’s second West Nile virus death this year. David Holcombe, who is the Medical Director for the Office of Public Health in Central Louisiana, says there are now 29 confirmed cases in Louisiana…:
cut 13 :07 Q: “for the same period”
Not much is known about the latest victim, other than he was over the age of 75, and from the Capital Area Region.

Russia’s “full embargo” on food imports from the US, in response to sanctions over its crisis in Ukraine, will have a minimal impact on Louisiana farmers. The LSU AgCenter says, over the past five years, Russia has been a relatively minor customer for most US ag products…:
cut 6 :09 Q: “US export”
That’s LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry.

There were plenty of things to like in the Saints 26-24 win over the St. Louis Rams in the preseason opener. Running back Mark Ingram rushed for 83 yards on eight carries and had an impressive 22-yard touchdown run. Rookie Brandin Cooks also got in the end zone as he caught a 25 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ryan Griffin.

Griffin had a good game as he was 16 of 23 for 179 yards and one touchdown. Luke McCown was seven of ten for 49 yards and an interception.

It wasn’t a perfect performance. St Louis scored its first touchdown on a busted coverage by the Saints defense. Also, there were a couple of miscues on defense. Shayne Graham missed an extra point and the Rams executed a fake punt against the Saints.

New Orleans next preseason game is Friday against the Tennessee Titans in the Superdome.

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The LSU Tigers do not have much experience at defensive tackle and they’ve reportedly lost their most experienced defensive tackle for the season. Quentin Thomas of Breaux Bridge has reportedly torn his biceps, which will keep him from playing in 2014. He was expected to start this season.

In Ruston, Iowa transfer Cody Sokol (SO-cull) is battling for the starting quarterback position at Louisiana Tech. Sokul says it’s only been a few days of fall camp, but he feels comfortable with the Bulldogs offense…
cut 29 (17) “…easier on me”
Sokul is in competition for starting quarterback with several players including Ryan Higgins and freshman Price Wilson, who head coach Skip Holtz said throws it like Zeus.

The President of the LSU Alumni Association has decided to go on annual leave amidst a lawsuit claiming he paid a former female employee hush money.  Charlie Roberts admits to having sexual relations with Kay Heath.  Roberts attorney Mary Olive Pierson says Roberts is taking time off work so he can concentrate on the lawsuit.  But Heath’s attorney, Jeffry Sanford, calls it “paid leave” and says his client will drop the lawsuit if Roberts resigns or is fired because he is a continuing threat to all women at the Alumni Association…

cut 11 (08)  “in this case”

Pierson says Roberts is not going to respond to Heath’s threats and is focusing on winning the lawsuit.

The Louisiana Department of Heath and Hospitals confirms the state’s second West Nile virus death.  Not much is known of the victim other than it was an individual over the age of 75.  DHH reports 14 new West Nile virus cases this week, which brings this year’s total number of cases to 29.

The Baton Rouge Police Department says a Fed Ex man is under arrest for allegedly stealing packages he was supposed to deliver to businesses.  BRPD spokesman L’Jean McKneely says they believe 50-year-old Nathaniel Smith would lie by saying he delivered goods he’d kept for himself.  He says Fed Ex launched an investigation and that’s when they interviewed Smith and booked him for felony theft…:

cut 5 (05) “make the arrest”

McKneely says Smith was even supposed to deliver two computers to the police department that never arrived.

According to LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry, Louisiana farmers will see minimal impact from Russia’s decision to ban food imports from the United States for one year.  Guidry says over the past five years, Russia has been a relatively minor customer for most US ag products…

cut 6 (09) “US export”

Russia’s “full embargo” on food imports from the US, Europe and other western countries is in response to sanctions over its crisis in Ukraine.

Following a lawsuit filed this week, LSU Alumni Association President Charlie Roberts has decide to take an annual leave, amidst allegations he used hush money to pay off a former employee with whom he had a relationship. Jeffry Sanford is the attorney for Kay Heath, and he says the agreed upon payments to her were terminated without notice..:
cut 10 :06 sec. Q: “quit paying”
Roberts attorney, Mary Olive Pearson, says Roberts is not going to respond to the threats but focus on winning the lawsuit.

Tragedy in Terrebonne Parish around noon today, as a toddler drowned in Grand Caillou (kah lou) Bayou directly across from his home off Highway 57 in Dulac. The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office father had fallen asleep and the four year-old — Ja-son Ross — wandered out the front door. Officials pulled the little boy’s body from the water around 1:45 this afternoon.
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The Baton Rouge Police Department says a Fed Ex man is under arrest for allegedly stealing packages. BRPD spokesman L’Jean McKneely says they believe 50-year-old Nathaniel Smith would lie by saying he delivered goods he’d kept for himself…:
cut 3 :05 sec. Q: “their packages”
McNeely says the alleged thefts also happened to the Police Department, as two computers showed up missing.

LSU’s defensive line has been hit by another injury as junior defensive tackle Quentin Thomas from Breaux Bridge is out for the season with a torn bicep. Tiger Rag Editor Robert Stewart says having a significant player lost for the season at this particular position is a tough blow for the Tigers…:
cut 15 :11 sec. Q: “last year”