LSU has a new mascot. Dr. Baker, Mike VII’s veterinarian, officially introduced the new live tiger this morning and released him into his newly renovated outdoor habitat. There were a ton of people out there today, and this freshman student says the 11-month-old rescue tiger looks like he’s enjoying his new home…:
Cut 9 (09) “he’s adorable”
It’s not only Mike VII’s first day, but it’s also the first day of fall classes for LSU students.

A report by Caring.com finds Louisiana is the 32nd best state to grow old. Vice President Tim Sullivan says the reason the state isn’t any closer to the top is because of the qualify of life in senior care facilities…:
Cut 7 (08) “for granted”
The study incorporated statistics on senior living community reviews, nursing home costs, in-home care prices and elderly well-being assessments.

Louisianians are getting a view of the eclipse right now, and spectators throughout the country were able to see it streamed live thanks to the help of some LSU students. A NASA based program, with the help of LSU, broadcast the historic event with a high-altitude balloon. Associate Chair of the LSU Physics and Astronomy Department Dr. Dana Browne says it took a lot of practice…:
CUT 26 (10) “invisible to you”
You can see the footage online at eclipse2017.nasa.gov.

The 2017 Tigers will begin the season at No. 13 in the Associated Press Top 25. LSU’s November opponent, Alabama, is No. 1, followed by Ohio State, Florida State, USC and Clemson.

There were no winners of Saturday night’s Powerball jackpot drawing, and the big prize now goes to $650 million dollars. The cash value of the Wednesday jackpot is $411.7 million.

It’s eclipse time. Citizens from across the US are gazing at the sky today as, and in Louisiana we’re seeing about 80% of the sun blocked. That’s according to LSU astronomy professor Michael Cherry says who says the best time for us will be between 1 and 2 p.m…:
Cut 14 (09) “in the afternoon”
He says the total eclipse is visible in a path about 70 miles wide from Oregon to South Carolina.

Child support payments made through MoneyGram in the first six months of the year have topped $530,000. DCFS Child Support Enforcement Director Lydia Scales says these electronic payments are easier for noncustodial parents who are unbanked, because they can now use cash…:
Cut 4 (12) “child support”
She says this also helps custodial parents receive their payments faster.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler is reminding citizens to register to vote, as voter registration week begins today. Don Molino has more…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Don Molino”

LSU officially has a new mascot. Harvey, who arrived on campus last week, was announced as Mike VII this morning by his veterinarian, Dr. Baker.

The Department of Children and Family Services announces over half a million dollars of child support payments have been paid through MoneyGram in the first six months of the year. Child Support Enforcement Director Lydia Scales says they’ve seen an increase in participation after allowing electronic payments…:
Cut 3 (13) “paying cash”
Payments for the first six months of the year totaled more than $530,000.

The Minden Police Department says they’ve located a kidnapped 2-month-old baby, who was feared dead, unharmed under I-20. Cops had been searching for the infant since he was reported missing around 3:30am, and a homeless man is the one who called. It’s believed 25-year-old Kyshaun Wilson placed the baby there then went to Shreveport where he told the homeless man what he’d done. The baby only had minor injuries and Wilson charged with aggravated kidnapping.

Today is the day of the long-awaited solar eclipse. Halen Doughty has more on what Louisianians can expect…:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A report by Caring.com finds Louisiana is the 32nd best state to grow old. Caring.com Vice President Tim Sullivan says they focused healthcare and senior care to come up with these rankings. He says the Bayou State did well in terms of cost of care..:
Cut 6 (09) “affordability”

Millions of Americans are getting ready to watch the first solar eclipse to pass over the country since 1979. LSU astronomy professor Michael Cherry says the total eclipse will be visible in a 70 mile wide path from Oregon to South Carolina.

Cut 13 (08) “really neat event”

The eclipse starts in Louisiana at 11:54 am and ends at 2:54 pm.

A NASA-based program of LSU students called the Louisiana Space Grant Consortium will broadcast the first ever live view of a solar eclipse from a high-altitude balloon in Illinois. Associate Chair of the LSU Physics and Astronomy Department Dana Browne says we will be able to see the eclipse in a way we’ve never seen it before.

Cut 9 (08) “viewing it”

The Greater Baton Rouge Industrial Alliance expects industrial plant workers will be in high demand through 2018. Executive Director Connie Fabre says last year changes were made to the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program, which benefits plans and attracts projects to Louisiana.

Cut 11 (08) “instability”

Last year the governor gave local governments a say in whether the exemptions were granted.

Voter registration week begins today, and Secretary of State Tom Schedler urges residents to take advantage of one of the many ways to register to vote.

Cut 4 (12) “just go online”

You can register online at sos.la.gov.

LSU students are partaking in the first ever live broadcast of a solar eclipse from a high altitude balloon. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Voter registration week begins today, and Secretary of State Tom Schedler is encouraging citizens to take part….:
Cut 6 (11) “from you”
You can do that, and register online at sos.la.gov.

What can Louisianians expect to see today during the eclipse? LSU astronomy professor Michael Cherry says the best time for us to view will be between 1pm and 2pm. He says we’ll see close to 80% of the sun blocked, but there are many, including him, who are going to a state in the path of totality:
Cut 15 (07) “is magical”
He says this is the first time since 1979 a solar eclipse has been visible from the US.

On the first day of the fall 2017 semester at LSU, Mike VII officially began his reign today, according to his attending veterinarian, Dr. David Baker. “Harvey” arrived on campus August 15th was kept in the night house of the tiger habitat. The 11-month-old, Siberian-Bengal, male tiger was quarantined and observed by LSU veterinarians to ensure that he was healthy and a good fit for LSU. Dr. Baker told LSU that he’s officially Mike the Tiger around 7:30 this morning, and he was released into his outdoor habitat.

Today is the day of the long-awaited solar eclipse. Halen Doughty has more on what Louisianians can expect. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Halen Doughty”

It’s the first day of school for LSU students, and also the first day out and about for the school’s new mascot. University officials announced via Twitter this morning that 11-month-old Harvey is now Mike VII. Dr. Baker, Mike’s veterinarian, said Harvey arrived on campus August 15th and would be monitored in a night house until they determined he’d be a good fit for LSU. Mike VII was released into his newly renovated habitat this morning.

Voter registration week in Louisiana kicks off today. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says you can register online at sos.la.gov, and the secure registration portal will walk you through the steps…:
Cut 5 (12) “very secure”
Schedler says voters must register by September 13 to vote in the October 14 election.

There is good economic news for the state as the Greater Baton Rouge Industrial Alliance says it expects a big need for plant workers in the area through 2018. Executive Director Connie Fabre says industrial crafts in most demand are things like pipe fitting, welding and electrical and instrument technicians…:
Cut 12 (11) “high school”

The big story of the day around the country is this afternoon’s solar eclipse. A NASA based program of LSU students will be the first ever to broadcast the historic event live from a high-altitude balloon. Associate Chair of the LSU Physics and Astronomy Department Dr. Dana Browne says by hanging an HD video camera underneath a weather balloon, they will be able to see the shadow of the moon crossing over the earth’s surface…:
Cut 7 (10) “Carbondale”
That will take place in Illinois.

LSU astronomy professor Michael Cherry says the best time to view in Louisiana today will be between 1 and 2pm…:
Cut 14 (09) “in the afternoon”
Cherry says most of the state will see about 80 percent of the sun blocked during the eclipse.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler is reminding citizens to register to vote, as voter registration week begins today…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Don Molino”

Slidell Police say a 2-year-old girl drowned in a family pool over the weekend. They say cops were called to a home where witnesses reported the toddler was out of site for just a few seconds when she apparently fell into the pool. Desperate attempts were made to revive the child by both family members and medical personnel. Unfortunately, the young girl was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital later Saturday evening.

Millions of Americans are getting ready to watch today’s total solar eclipse. LSU astronomy professor Michael Cherry says this is the first time since 1979 a solar eclipse has been visible from the US. He says the total eclipse will be visible in a path about 70 miles wide from Oregon to South Carolina…:
Cut 13 (08) “really neat event”
He says the best time to view it will be between 1 and 2 p.m.

Voter registration week begins today, and Secretary of State Tom Schedler is encouraging citizens to take part. He says new voters and those who have just moved back into the state should register…:
Cut 4 (12) “just go online”
That site is sos.la.gov.

It’s expected there will be a big need for industrial plant workers in Baton Rouge through 2018. Greater Baton Rouge Industrial Alliance Executive Director Connie Fabre says the demand for skilled employees will be so high because of all the new facilities that will be coming online over the next couple of years…:
Cut 10 (10) “have been announced”
She says ongoing investment in a plant is a key driver of economic development for the state.

They did it without Drew Brees, Mark Ingram or Adrian Peterson, but the Saints saw an incredible performance last night from Alvin Kamara. The rookie running back had a 50 yard touchdown run on New Orleans’ first offensive snap in a 13-7 preseason victory over the Charges.