An auto insurance rate task force had its first meeting to address the state’s incredibly high insurance rates. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot is chairing the task force and the panel wants to address the elephant in the room that’s keeping insurance companies away.
Cut 4 (11) “…business here”
Talbot says along with tort reform, legislation designed to prevent distracted driving could help lower rates.

LaFourche Parish Sheriff deputies have arrested 30-year-old Cody Toups of Thibodaux for allegedly killing a cat with a machete. Lt. Brennan Matherne says the cat belonged to his girlfriend and Toups initially threw the cat in the bayou, but then took the brutal crime a step further…
cut 14 (09) “…with the machete”
Toups has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals.

The Louisiana Department of Health is urging residents to take precautions against mosquitoes and the spread of the West Nile Virus. This coming on the news the state has the most cases of the virus in the country this year with 53 human cases, including two deaths. State Epidemiologist Dr. Raoult Ratard says the number of cases can vary from year to year.
Cut 10 (13) “…be fairly high.“
Out of the 53 cases reported, 31 of them have been neuroinvasive, which is the more serious form of the disease that can lead to death, paralysis and brain damage.

A task force aimed at tackling Louisiana’s sky high insurance rates met for it’s first meeting on Tuesday. Kevin Barnhart has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “I’m  Kevin Barnhart”

__________________________________

A Thibodaux man was arrested on Tuesday afternoon after allegedly throwing his girlfriend’s cat into a bayou, then killing it with a machete.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (32) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

__________________________________

Louisiana has had the most cases of the West Nile Virus in the country this year with 53 human cases so far, including two deaths stemming from the ailment.  Kevin Barnhart spoke with State Entomologist Dr. Raoult Ratard for more details.

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

__________________________________

An auto insurance rate task force had its first meeting to address the state’s incredibly high insurance rates. The commission, appointed by State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is composed of leaders from multiple industries, as well as state officials, and legislators. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says the task force wants to address the elephant in the room keeping insurance companies away.

Cut 4 (11) “…business here”

Louisiana has the highest auto insurance in the nation, while neighboring Mississippi sits at 22^nd highest, and Alabama at 30^th highest.

He says along with looking at Tort Reform, and distracted driving legislation that could help cut costs for insurance companies, they’ll also be addressing a quirk of Louisiana law that leaves the state a notable outlier.

Cut 5 (08) “…awarding damages”

Efforts to address insurance rates by attacking distracted driving and allowing seatbelt information into court proceedings all crashed and burned during the regular legislative session in spring. Talbot says he’s more optimistic this time do to a rising appreciation from legislators on both sides of the isle about how insurance rates hit the working class.

Cut 6 (12) “…better school”

_____________________________________________

A nationwide prison strike saw prisoners in 17 states participate in a call for prison reform and an end to prison labor, with reports saying there may have been strike activity in Louisiana as well. Angola was the site of the state’s last prison strike, which occurred in earlier May. People’s Assembly New Orleans Organizer Christina Nesheiwat says these kinds of strikes can take many forms.

Cut 7 (10) “…visitation

Nesheiwat says one of the primary motivations for the strikes involves concerns about labor conditions in prisons, where prisoners are often made to work creating products not just for the state, but for private companies.

Cut 8 (06)  “…slave labor”

Nesheiwat says they hope the strikes will draw attention to the plight of the country’s prisoners.

Cut 9 (11)  “…about it”

_________________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Health is urging residents to take precautions against mosquitos and the spread of the West Nile Virus.  This coming on the news the state has the most cases of the virus in the country this year with 53 human cases so far, including two deaths.  Those that contract of the virus may be asymptomatic, experience flu-like symptoms, or even the most severe symptoms with neuroinvasive disease.  State Entomologist Dr. Raoult Ratard says the number of cases can vary from year to year.
Cut 10 (13)   “…be fairly high.“

Ratard says the number of cases depends on various conditions pertaining to the weather.
Cut 11 (08) “…virus will multiply.” 

Ratard says those with the worst cases of the virus could result in long term issues.
Cut 12 (06) “…have a permanent disability.”

The doctor says mosquitos do not fly far, so reduce breeding grounds by eliminating standing water around your home.

__________________________________

A Thibodaux man was arrested on Tuesday afternoon after allegedly throwing his girlfriend’s cat into a bayou, then killing it with a machete.  Authorities with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office say 30 year old Cody Toups is now charged with aggravated cruelty to animals in the incident. Agency Spokesperson Lt. Brennan Matherne…

Cut 13 (08) “…into the bayou.”

Matherne says when Toups returned to the home after throwing the cat into the bayou, his girlfriend’s father asked him to leave.

Cut 14 (09) “…with the machete.”

Matherne says Toupes don’t end with just the animal cruelty charge.

Cut 15 (10) “…against the girlfriend.”

Toups bond was set at $15,000

________________________________________

There’s been plenty of off the field news for the LSU Tigers this month. Three players have been suspended because of arrests, two quarterbacks have left the team and suspended cornerback Kristian Fulton’s attempt to get reinstated by the NCAA has been denied. Defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko says despite the distractions, the team remains close…

Cut 16 (19) “…brotherhood”

The Tigers enter the season ranked 25th in the AP preseason poll. LSU is usually ranked much higher at the beginning of the season. Fehoko, who transferred in from Texas Tech, says the preseason ranking is extra motivation…

Cut 17 (17)  “..get out there”

Cut 18 (13) “…well together”

The Louisiana Nation Guard’s 139^th Regional Support Group are back in Louisiana today after an extended stay in Iraq. 84 troops, 60 of those from the New Orleans area, and the rest from Alexandria, returned from a deployment that began in December. The guard worked at Taji and Al Asad in Iraq, and Erbil Air Base in Iraqi Kurdistan. Sergeant First Class Denny Ricou says they were there as part of the fight against the Islamic State.
Cut 4 (10) “…the base.”

Lafayette-Mayor President Joel Robideaux believes the Lafayette public library should cancel an event called Drag Queen Story Time. The library’s newsletter says the October 6th event will be an afternoon of books, songs and activities led by drag queens. Several appeared at last night’s city-parish council meeting to support the event, high school teacher Caleb Powell says it’s very important that children are read to at a young age…
Cut 7 (09) “no matter what”

A Baton Rouge Rouses’ employee whose act of kindness toward an autistic teen became a viral video, now has a new set of wheels.  Jordan Taylor already received six-figures for his college education and is enrolled at Grambling State, so he did not attend the presentation of the car from Neighbors Federal Credit Union.  His mother, Teresa Taylor says the act of kindness of her son was a great showcase of his character.

Cut 10 (10) “…appreciative of it.”

A Katrina Museum is open to the public today after a morning ceremony christened the exhibit showcasing the extensive damage many homes suffered after the levees broke in New Orleans. Levees.org Founder Sandy Rosenthal says a new generation of Crescent City kids just don’t know what it was like.

Cut 13 (10) “…the country.”

Next time you’re in the Fillmore Gardens neighborhood in New Orleans, take a side trip to a new Katrina museum.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  
The Louisiana Nation Guard’s 139^th Regional Support Group are back in Louisiana today after an extended stay in Iraq. 84 troops returned from a deployment that began in December. Sergeant First Class Denny Ricou explains the group’s role.

Cut 5 (11)  “…communication system” 

Lafayette-Mayor President Joel Robideaux believes the Lafayette public library should cancel an event called Drag Queen Story Time. The library’s newsletter says the October 6th event will be an afternoon of books, songs and activities led by drag queens. At last night’s Lafayette City-Parish Council meeting, Reverend Dale Hoffpauir was the only who spoke to support Mayor Robideaux’s idea…

Cut 6 (10) “to you”

A Baton Rouge Rouses’ employee whose act of kindness toward an autistic teen became a viral video, now has a new set of wheels.  Jordan Taylor already received six-figures for his college education and is enrolled at Grambling State, so he did not attend the presentation of the car from Neighbors Federal Credit Union.  His mother, Teresa Taylor, was on hand to express the family’s gratitude.

Cut 9 (08) “…he was going to do it.”

There are reports former LSU Quarterback Justin McMillan will transfer to Tulane University. McMillan left the Tigers last week, but the school reportedly would not allow him to transfer to any other SEC school or a team that the Tigers will play this season or next year. New NCAA Transfer rules go into effect in October that will prevent teams from blocking student-athletes from transferring to a particular school.

Saints backup quarterback Taysom Hill had four turnovers in last Friday’s preseason game against Arizona. Saints Q-B Drew Brees expects Hill to play better this Saturday against the Los Angeles Chargers…
cut 29 (23) “…evolution”
Brees and the Saints had a joint training camp practice with the Chargers today. They’ll do it again tomorrow and then play each other in an exhibition game on Saturday.

Louisiana Tech Footbal Coach Skip Holtz says they had their most spirited practice of fall camp today as his team is getting close to play a real game…
cut 30 (25) “…a successful”
Tech will wrap up camp on Friday and then get ready to play South Alabama in the season opener on September 1st.

A USA Today report alleges former Northwestern State Head Coach and LSU assistant Bradley Dale Peveto gave former Texas A-and-M linebacker Santino Marchiol 700 dollars over the course of two separate occasions to host recruits on unofficial visits. Marchiol transferred to Arizona and is seeking a waiver to play this season, instead of having to sit out.

Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux calls on the Lafayette Public Library to either cancel or move a Drag Queen Story Time event scheduled for October. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Louisiana Health Department is urging residents to protect themselves from West Nile Virus as the state leads the nation in reported human cases. 53 human cases this year as Louisiana has already doubled the number of cases it had for all of 2017. Also two people have died from West Nile, 31 have developed the neuroinvasive form of the disease.

The Louisiana Nation Guard’s 139th Regional Support Group are back in Louisiana today after a nearly year long stay in Iraq. 84 troops, 60 of those from the New Orleans area, and the rest from Alexandria, returned from a deployment that began in December. Sergeant First Class Denny Ricou says the 139th was re-united with family and friends.
Cut 3 (09) “…with excitment”
The 139th provided security, logistics and garrison command at a camp 17 miles north of Baghdad.

The Rouses employee had his act of kindness toward an autistic teen has received a free car from Neighbors Federal Credit Union. Jordan Taylor allowed an autistic teen to help fill a cooler with orange juice, the video went viral. Congressman Garret Graves on the positive recognition Taylor has received….
cut 11 (11) “…that we are”

Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux is not excited about Drag Queen Story Time, which will be men dressed in drag reading to young kids at the Lafayette Public Library. Robideaux has asked the library to either move or cancel the event scheduled for October sixth, but high school teacher Caleb Powell told the Lafayette City-Parish council it’s a good idea…
cut 7 (09) “…teach tolerance”
The library says they have no plans to cancel Drag Queen Story Time.

The state economic development department has ended its contract with Bell Helicopter, which opened a manfufacturing facility in Lafayette. L-E-D says Bell helicopter has not created the number of jobs it promised when it received 26-million dollars from the state. Secretary Don Pierson says state has met its obligation, Bell Helicopter has not. Bell Helicopter disagrees and the company says it has filed a lawsuit.

A new Katrina Museum is open to the public today after a morning ceremony christened the exhibit showcasing the extensive damage many homes suffered after the levees broke in New Orleans. Levees.org Founder Sandy Rosenthal.
Cut 12 (12) “home too.”
The house in the hard-hit Gentilly area had water to its roof after Katrina.

Good things keep happening for Jordan Taylor, who worked as a store clerk at a Baton Rouge Rouses. His kindness towards an autistic teen turned into a viral video. It led to donations so he can attend Grambling State and Neighbors Federal Credit Union presented his mother with a new car. Teresa Taylor says her son’s kindness showcases his character…
cut 10 (10) “…appreciative of it”

Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux calls on the Lafayette Public Library to either cancel or move a Drag Queen Story Time event scheduled for October. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

_____________________________________________

Next time you’re in the Fillmore Gardens neighborhood in New Orleans, take a side trip to a new Katrina museum that’s open to the public as long as it’s light out. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

The Louisiana Nation Guard’s 139^th Regional Support Group are back in Louisiana today after an extended stay in Iraq. 84 troops, 60 of those from the New Orleans area, and the rest from Alexandria, returned from a deployment that began in December. Sergeant First Class Denny Ricou says they were there as part of the fight against the Islamic State.
Cut 4 (10) “…the base.”
Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards has announced the two women for fraud.  In April, the two were falsely presenting themselves as members of a church raising money for a young girl suffering from leukemia.  Investigators have been actively looking into the case since then.  Upon arrest, the woman admitted their roles in the fraud, claiming their addiction to heroin was to blame for the act.

Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux calls on the Lafayette Public Library to either cancel or move a Drag Queen Story Time event scheduled for October. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Here’s a look at your commodities…