The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Danny’s five day forecast shows the system will grow to a near Category 2 hurricane strength. Senior Hurricane Specialist Stacy Stewart says the storm could gain 90 to 95 mile per hour winds…:
CUT 4 (05) “per hour winds”
He says they predict the storm will move past the northernmost Lesser Antilles and the Leeward Islands on Monday.

The Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control Commissioner Troy Hebert announces the firing of a veteran enforcement agent supervisor after learning of several violations including racial and sexual text messages found on his state phone. The man is Brette Tingle. The release indicates one of the messages said Tingle hoped a former agent would bomb Hebert’s office. The ATC also says “certain” recently discovered information is being sent to law enforcement agencies. Hebert’s state vehicle was stolen from his home over the weekend and investigators believe someone tried to set it on fire.

Republican US Senator David Vitter is set to hit the television airwaves with the first commercial of his gubernatorial campaign. The spot will begin airing tomorrow, but is available to view now at davidvitter-dot-com. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says this move is a sign that Vitter is ready to campaign…:
CUT 6 (07) “front runner status”
Vitter has the most money in his campaign warchest. Republican Scott Angelle has been running ads this summer but we’ve heard little so far from Republican Jay Dardenne and Democrat John Bel Edwards as far as advertising goes.

The White House anounces President Barack Obama will visit New Orleans on Thursday August 27th to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. They say he will visit several neighborhoods in the city that day.

The White House announces President Obama will visit New Orleans on Thursday August 27th to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says it’s a big deal for southeast Louisiana and this visit shows the federal government is recognizing the tragedy and remembers the massive destruction…:
CUT 9 (10) “about New Orleans”
The administration says the President will deliver remarks on the region’s rebirth and what’s possible when a city comes together in efforts to bounce back.

Republican David Vitter’s campaign says the US Senator will start airing commercials on television tomorrow in the Louisiana governor’s race. The new spot can be viewed online at davidvitter.com. Vitter has by far the most money in his campaign account and so far other than Republican Scott Angelle, Republican Jay Dardenne and Democrat John Bel Edwards have done very little advertising.

The National Hurricane Center predicts that Tropical Storm Danny will become the first hurricane of the 2015 season. Senior Hurricane Specialist Stacy Stewart says Danny has sustained winds of 50 miles per hour with higher gusts. He says the storm is expected to strengthen…:
CUT 3 (07) “Lesser Antilles”
Stewart says the five day forecast has Danny growing to near Category 2 hurricane strength.

Gonzales Police arrest a woman who they believe stole the identity of an 82-year-old woman she used to work for in order to purchase a BMW. They say 23-year-old Brelle Ford is charged with bank fraud and one count of felony identify theft after she allegedly used the elderly woman’s social security number to get a $25,000 loan which she used to buy the 2011 luxury car. Authorities say Ford was the victim’s personal care attendant who she befriended then betrayed to steal her information.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is watching Tropical Storm Danny in the Atlantic as it moves toward the Caribbean. Scott Carwile reports…:
CUT 3 (30) “I’m Scott Carwile”

Republican David Vitter will finally be hitting the television airwaves with ads in his bid for Louisiana governor. Campaign spokesman Luke Bolar says the 30 second TV commercials will run across the state starting Thursday. So far, of the four major candidates, Republican Scott Angelle has been running the most commercials with the others doing little to no advertising. The primary election is October 24th.

According to a study by WalletHub, Lafayette is the 9th least educated city out of 150 of the largest US metropolitan statistical areas. In the 2015 Most & Least Educated Cities report, WalletHub says about 20% of adults in Lafayette hold a college degree. UL-Lafayette’s vice president for enrollment DeWayne Bowie says they are always looking at new ways to ramp up recruitment efforts…:
CUT 5 (10) “college degree”
He believes, Louisiana’s high poverty rate and low education rate go hand and hand.

The first of six public hearings of the Standards Review Committee on whether or not changes should be made to Common Core is underway in Baton Rouge. Regina Sanders has been selected to chair the committee that’s made up of teachers, principals and others…:
CUT 7 (11) “Louisiana students”

The first of six public hearings to review the controversial Common Core education standards takes place today in Baton Rouge. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office says a McKinley High School student is under arrest after bringing a loaded gun to school. Authorities say the student had been involved in an altercation with another student at a bus stop. Once arriving at school, officials searched both students and found the handgun in the arrested student’s book bag. The 17-year-old junior is charged with illegally carrying a weapon on school property and having a gun with an obliterated serial number.

At a forum on the campus of Nicholls State, each of the four major gubernatorial candidates were asked what three actions they would take to advance coastal restoration. Republican Scott Angelle says he’ll ask the legislature to pass a law that makes it a felony to misappropriate any state or local dollars that are designated for coastal restoration and hurricane protection…

cut 16 (11) “wrong way”

He says Louisiana has to show its serious about fixing the coast.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is keeping a watchful eye on Tropical Storm Danny as it moves toward the Caribbean. Although it’s been several years since a major hurricane has impacted Louisiana, GOHSEP Director Kevin Davis says that’s no reason to let your guard down…

cut 12 (08) “monitor it”

He says this would be a good opportunity to make sure you have a plan in place in case a hurricane threatens.

During a forum on the campus of Nicholls State University, the four major gubernatorial candidates were each asked what three actions they would take to advance coastal restoration. Republican David Vitter says he’ll take three to five major projects from the coastal master plan and push for them to be completed soon…

cut 15 (09) “to death”

Louisiana’s gubernatorial primary is October 24th.

The first of six public Standards Review Committee meetings takes place today in Baton Rouge to discuss Common Core. Public testimony will take place at these meetings and parents can also provide comments on the Department of Education’s website. Committee Chair Regina Sanford says their recommendations are due to BESE in February…

cut 9 (10) “classroom instruction”

Future public meetings will take place in each of the state’s six congressional districts over the next several months.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office says an arson attempt in Ascension Parish has left one dead and another critically injured. They say 28-year-old Larry Morrison of New Orleans and 68-year-old Joel Morrison of Marrero were caught in a flash fire while attempting to set a house on fire. Both were transported to an area hospital. Larry succumbed to his injuries while Joel remains in critical condition. The investigation is ongoing.

According to a study by WalletHub, Lafayette is the 9th least educated city out of 150 of the largest US metropolitan statistical areas…

cut 1 (32) “I’m Michelle Southern”

As Tropical Storm Danny spins toward the Caribbean, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is keeping a watchful eye. Director Kevin Davis says this would be a good opportunity to make sure you have a plan in place in case a hurricane threatens…

cut 11 (10) “outside of the area”

Danny is expected to reach hurricane strength later in the week.

During a recent forum the four major candidates running for governor were asked what three actions they would take to advance coastal restoration. Democrat John Bel Edwards says he’ll look to the federal government for resources as well, but the state also has to make coastal funding a top priority…

cut 14 (09) “that is gone”

The forum was held at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux.

The Standards Review Committee meets today in Baton Rouge to discuss Common Core. There are many who believe Common Core should be replaced with education standards developed by Louisiana. Committee Chair Regina Sanford says she goes into this process with an unbiased mindset…

cut 8 (11) “daily basis”

This is the first of six public hearings on whether or not changes should be made to Common Core.

In WalletHub’s 2015 Most & Least Educated Cities report, Lafayette is the 9th least educated city out of 150 of the largest US metropolitan statistical areas (MSA). DeWayne Bowie (Boo-ee), UL Lafayette’s vice president for enrollment, says Louisiana’s poverty problem is an uphill battle for education…

cut 4 (10) “type of degree”

New Orleans ranked 106 out of 150, Baton Rouge was 108, and Shreveport-Bossier was 127.

The first of six public hearings on whether or not changes should be made to Common Core takes place today in Baton Rouge. It’s the first meeting of the Standards Review Committee, which was created by lawmakers in the last legislative session. Regina Sanders has been selected to chair the committee that’s made up of teachers, principals and others…

cut 7 (11) “Louisiana students”

Common Core has been a hot button topic over the last two years.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is keeping an eye on Tropical Storm Danny in the Atlantic as it moves toward the Caribbean. Director Kevin Davis says the storm is expected to reach hurricane strength later this week. He says it’s important for people to take notice now…

cut 10 (11) “next few days”

Davis says on its current track, the storm could possibly enter the Gulf of Mexico.

The four major candidates running for governor discussed coastal issues during a forum on the campus of Nicholls State University. Each candidate was asked what three actions they would take to advance coastal restoration. Republican Jay Dardenne says he would look towards for the federal government for assistance and that includes one of his opponents…

cut 13 (10) “in Washington” (2x)

Dardenne says he’ll also make plans to hold a coastal summit. Louisiana’s gubernatorial primary is October 24th.