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.

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

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.
————————————

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”

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency preparedness is sending a team to assist with storm efforts in Hawaii. Michelle Southern has that…;
cut V2 :32 sec. Q: ‘reporting’
A couple’s fight in Shreveport this morning ends with a man being stabbed in his upper body with a pair of scissors at local library. KTBS TV reports Shreveport police say the man was transported to University Hospital in an disclosed condition.

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

The President of the LSU Alumni Association is going on annual leave following 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 sec. Q: “sex for money thing”

Heath’s attorney, Jeffry Sanford, says the two entered into a contractual financial agreement that was terminated by Roberts without notice in July.

A Baton Rouge 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 4 :08 Q: “happened to us”
Smith has been booked on felony theft.

Charlie Roberts, the President of the LSU Alumni Association goes on annual leave following a lawsuit claiming he paid a former female employee hush money. Michelle Southern has that…:
cut V1 :36 sec. Q: “reporting”
Governor Bobby Jindal is on the road again heading toward Iowa after speaking to the RedState Gathering in Fort Worth. Tomorrow he will visit the Iowa State Fair where he will voluteer to man the Republican Party of Iowa booth.

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

The Russian ban on food products from the US For one year will have a minimal impact on Louisiana farmers. That’s according to LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry, who says Russia is a bigger player in the livestock and poultry markets…:
cut 8 :07 sec. Q: “the state”
There could be some short-term effects to poultry and livestock prices.
A potential starter on LSU’s defensive line is reportedly out for the season with a torn bicep. Tiger Rag Editor Robert Stewart says the injury to Junior Defensive tackle Quentine Thomas from Breaux Bridge comes at a position where they don’t have much experience…
cut 13 :12 sec. Q: “that line”
Now they could be calling the number of redshirt freshman Frank Herron to help pick up the slack.

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. 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”

Heath’s attorney, Jeffry Sanford, says the two entered into a contractual financial agreement that was terminated by Roberts without notice in July…

cut 10 (06) “quit paying”

Pierson says Roberts was completely shocked by this lawsuit and is taking time off work so that he’s not distracted.

Governor Bobby Jindal is in Iowa today and tomorrow. He’s scheduled to speak at the Iowa Renewal Project’s “Pastor’s Policy Briefing” today. Tomorrow he’ll make several appearances including visiting the Iowa State Fair where he’ll volunteer at the Republican Party of Iowa’s booth.

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.

The Baton Rouge Police Department says a Fed Ex man is under arrest for allegedly stealing packages he was supposed to deliver to businesses. Authorities say surveillance video from a victim shows the suspect, 50-year-old Nathaniel Smith, delivering only part of an order including one package of more than $1200 worth of cigarettes. Smith has been charged with felony theft.

Governor Bobby Jindal is in Iowa today and tomorrow. This is the governor’s third trip to the site of the first presidential primary in 2016. Jindal says he will not make any calls on a presidential bid until after the November elections have ended. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says if Jindal declares, he could be in it for the long haul…

cut 9 (07) “two or three states”

Pinsonat says early primary states are influential for candidates looking to break through.

The Baton Rouge Police Department says a FedEx man is under arrest for allegedly stealing packages he was supposed to deliver. BRPD spokesman L’Jean McKneely says they believe 50-year-old Nathaniel Smith would lie by saying he delivered goods he kept for himself…

cut 3 (05) “their packages”

McKneely says Smith was even supposed to deliver two computers to the police department that never arrived. Smith has been charged with felony theft.

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry says the state will lose jobs and energy prices will rise if the EPA’s proposed ozone standards are enacted. The EPA will finalize the new ozone regulations in December. The agency says history proves you can reduce pollution and grow the economy at the same time. But LABI President Stephen Waguespack disagrees…

cut 15 (07) “press the pause button”

He says a National Association of Manufacturers report indicates the regulations would hurt the state’s booming economy.

Louisiana State Police is now offering the sale of crash photographs online through their website. Sgt. James Anderson says attorneys and insurance firms are the departments main clientele for crash scene photos. He says they hope this speeds up the process in obtaining this evidence…

cut 12 (10) “we serve”

Anderson says fatality photographs will not be available online.