The oldest chartered harvest festival in the Bayou State kicked off yesterday in St. Mary Parish. Connor Ferrill has the story.

Cut 1 (31)  “I’m Connor Ferrill”

A plane crash in Vermillion Parish has left one person dead.  The Sheriff’s Office has secured the scene and has made contact with the NTSB, who are responsible for handling such investigations.

Governor John Bel Edwards announces the state is receiving 80-million dollars in federal transportation dollars that will be used to resurface portions of I-12 and I-20 and improve I-10 at US 171 in Lake Charles.

With Labor Day Weekend being the swan song to summer, travelers are hitting the highways in search of a final road trip of the season.  AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says Louisiana has seen the statewide average price of a regular gallon of gas has dropped mildly just ahead of the holiday weekend but is still higher than this time in 2017.

Cut 7 (10) “…this time last year.”

Tigers fans are invading the Dallas area this weekend ahead of the big opener against number 8 Miami in AT&T stadium just up the road in Arlington. Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO Phillip Jones says Dallas is a foodie’s city with a plethora of options for the discerning Louisianan who’s got some of the highest expectations for local cuisine. But it is Texas, and if you’re in Texas, you better get some Texas-style barbeque…

Cut 11 (10) “…a visit” 

Attorney General Jeff Landry signs a legal brief that has signatures featuring 15 other Republican leaders that asks the US Supreme Court to overturn an appellate court’s ruling that said it’s unlawful for Michigan woman to be fired from a funeral home, because she’s transgender. Solicitor General Liz Murrell says the Louisiana A-G is arguing federal labor laws do not cover transgender individuals, so the courts shouldn’t be re-writing legislation…
cut 15 (11) “…rewrite the law”
But Louisiana Trans Advocates Board Chair Dylan Waguespack says Landry is sending a message that trans people are not worthy to protect from discrimination.

The Saints concluded the preseason schedule with a 28-0 win last night over the Los Angels Rams. New quarterback Teddy Bridgewater told reporters after the game he doesn’t mind waiting behind Drew Brees for at least one year.

LSU fans taking the pilgrimage to Dallas this weekend for the Miami opener will have more than a few ways to entertain themselves in the Lone Star state. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Voicer 2 (30) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart”

In Morgan City this weekend, it’s the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival. There will be plenty of shrimp and Festival director Darby Ratcliffe says Frito Lay will be on hand so festival goers can try their latest potato chips…
cut 6 (08) “…Cajun spice flavors.

Attorney General Jeff Landry has signed a legal brief that asks the US Supreme Court to overturn an appellate court ruling so that private employers can fire a transgender worker based on their gender identity. Louisiana Trans Advocates Board Chair Dylan Waguespack is concerned the A-G’s legal move gives the greenlight for anti-trans employers to discriminate…
cut 14 (10) “….the state”
Landry’s office argues the 1964 Civil Rights Act protects employees from sex discrimination, not gender identity.

Forecasters are monitoring a tropical wave over Hispaniola that’s expected to cross over Florida and reach the eastern Gulf. But at this time, the National Hurricane Center gives the tropical wave a 10-percent chance of developing into a tropical storm by Tuesday. The system could increase rain chances next week.

Tigers fans are invading the Dallas area this weekend ahead of the big opener against number 8 Miami in AT&T stadium just up the road in Arlington. Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO Phillip Jones if you decided this week to make the trip, he recommends grabbing a hotel in Dallas because there are not many near the stadium. He says if you do, it’s a short drive up to AT&T.
Cut 10 (10) “…on traffic“
Kick-off Sunday between the Tigers and Hurricanes is at 6:30.

An if you are driving to Dallas, the statewide average price for a regular gallon of gasoline is $2.59. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says that’s nearly 40-cents more than a year ago…
cut 9 (10) “….almost $3.50 a gallon”
Redman anticipates gas prices will go down after the Labor Day holiday weekend.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is joining 15 other Republican leaders calling for the US Supreme Court to reject a trans employment protection decision from the Appellate Court. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor John Bel Edwards announces the state is receiving 80-million dollars in federal transportation dollars that will be used to resurface portions of I-12 and I-20 and improve I-10 at US 171 in Lake Charles.

If you plan on driving this Labor Day weekend, Triple-A says the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.59. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says that’s well below the national average, which is $2.83….
cut 8 (09) “….found in Louisiana”
But gas prices for this Labor Day holiday are at their highest level in four years.

The oldest chartered harvest festival in the Bayou State is this weekend in St. Mary Parish. Morgan City hosts the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival every year to recognize their two biggest industries. Organizer Darby Radcliffe says this Labor Day weekend festival began in 1936 after a historic fishing day…
Cut 4 (11) “…shrimp festival”
The festival will feature music, fireworks, a street parade, and a children’s village with inflatables and games.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is joining 15 other attorneys general and governors who are petitioning the US Supreme Court to shoot down workplace protections that would prevent transgender workers from being fired for being transgender. Louisiana Trans Advocates Board Chair Dylan Waguespack says the amicus brief is another anti-LGBT statement from the AG.
Cut 13 (10) “…his career.”
But the state’s Solicitor General Liz Murrill says trans workplace protections should be written in law, because judicially protecting trans workers from employment discrimination takes away rights from employers….
Cut 16 (12) “. elses conduct”

The oldest chartered harvest festival in the Bayou State is this weekend in St. Mary Parish. Connor Ferrill has more….
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

The Saints concluded the preseason with a 28-0 win over the Rams.

The oldest chartered harvest festival in the Bayou State kicked off yesterday in St. Mary Parish. Connor Ferrill has the story.

Cut 1 (31)  “I’m Connor Ferrill”

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LSU fans taking the pilgrimage to Dallas this weekend for the Miami opener have more than a few ways to entertain themselves when they aren’t watching the Purple and Gold take the wind out of the Hurricanes. Kevin Barnhart has more.

Cut 2 (31) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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Attorney General Jeff Landry is joining 15 other Republican governors and AG’s calling for the US Supreme Court to reject a trans employment protection decision from the Appellate Court. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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The oldest chartered harvest festival in the Bayou State kicked off yesterday in St. Mary Parish. Morgan City hosts the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival every year to recognize some of their economic staples. Director of the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival Darby Radcliffe says the festival began in 1936 after a historic fishing day…

Cut 4 (11) “…shrimp festival”

The festival will feature a variety of activities like fireworks, a street parade, and a children’s village with inflatables and games on the weekend.

A variety of food is available and Radcliffe says any shrimp enthusiast has plenty of options…

Cut 5 (11) “…different ways”

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With Labor Day Weekend being the swan song to summer, travelers are hitting the highways in search of a final road trip of the season.  AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says Louisiana has seen the statewide average price of a regular gallon of gas has dropped mildly just ahead of the holiday weekend but is still higher than this time in 2017.
Cut 7 (10) “…this time last year.”

Redman says at $2.59 a gallon, the statewide average price of regular gas may be higher than last year, but compared to the national average, Louisiana is seeing a break at the pump.
Cut 8 (09)  “…found in Louisiana.”

Redman says it’s been four years since the last time the statewide average price of a regular gallon of gas exceeded this year’s price tag of $2.59
Cut 9 (10)  “…almost $3.50 a gallon.”

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Tigers fans are invading the Dallas area this weekend ahead of the big opener against number 8 Miami in AT&T stadium just up the road in Arlington. Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau Spokesman Phillip Jones recommends grabbing a hotel in Dallas because there aren’t many right near the stadium. He says if you do, it’s a short drive up to AT&T.

Cut 10 (10)   “…on traffic“

Jones says Dallas is a foodie’s city with a plethora of options for the discerning Louisianan who’s got some of the highest expectations for local cuisine. But it is Texas, and if you’re in Texas, you better get some Texas-style barbeque…

Cut 11 (10) “…a visit” 

And if the game doesn’t go our way and you need to blow off some steam with a stiff drink, a bite to eat, and some local music, he’s got just the place for you.

Cut 12 (11) “…your hotels”

The game kicks off Sunday at 630PM.

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Attorney General Jeff Landry is joining 15 other attorneys general and governors from across the nation who are petitioning the US Supreme Court to shoot down workplace protections that would prevent transgender workers from being fired for being transgender. Louisiana Trans Advocates Board Chair Dylan Waguespack says the amicus brief is another anti-LGBT statement from the AG.

Cut 13 (10) “…his career.”

The brief was inspired by a Court of Appeals decision that supported a Michigan trans woman’s claim that she was unlawfully fired from a funeral home she worked at for her gender identity.

Waguespack says the National Trans Survey recently showed substantial amounts of discrimination against trans people in employment, housing, education, and more. Waguespack says there’s plenty of precedent for trans protections, and the AG’s decision to back the brief gives the green light for anti-trans employers in Louisiana to begin discriminating.

Cut 14 (10) “…the state”

The amicus brief outlines why the group of Republican leaders feels that the current Title Seven law does not include protections for gender identity. It is not a lawsuit or an official legal challenge.

But Solicitor General Liz Murrill says that’s just not the case, and that the AG’s decision to join with the 15 other Republicans will not lead to increased discrimination. Murrill says if trans people feel that their gender identity deserves protection from employment discrimination, they should take their case up with the legislature, not the courts or the Governor.

Cut 15 (11) “…the law”

In 2016 Landry successfully challenged an Edwards’ administration order that would have protected LGBT state workers from employment discrimination and harassment. Landry’s legal team says their primary objection was with the inclusion of trans workers in the order, not the gay, lesbian, or bisexual protections.

Murrill says the current approach to trans workplace protections is unconstitutional because it sidesteps congressional and legislative processes in favor of judicial and executive decisions. Murrill says the decision must be made by lawmakers because judicially protecting trans workers from employment discrimination takes away rights from employers.

Cut 16 (12) “. elses conduct” 

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Louisiana Tech will begin the 2018 campaign in Mobile on Saturday as they’ll visit South Alabama. The Bulldogs have won a bowl game the last four years, but Coach Skip Holtz says his seniors are hungry for achieving a bigger goal and that’s a  Conference USA Championship….

Cut 17 (24)  ” team has” 

Cut 18 (19) “…attack it” 

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For the first time in several years, LSU doesn’t start the season with a primary running back. But LSU sideline reporter Gordy Rush says Coach Ed Orgeron has several different options to carry the football

Cut 19 (21) “  come Sunday night” 

It’s a big question mark how successful LSU’s offense will be with long-time assistant Steve Ensminger now calling plays. Rush says Ensminger has the personnel to have a very good offense…

Cut 20 (15) “on the roster” 

In the past week, Lake Charles area authorities have seen an uptick in synthetic marijuana overdoses, where the users would become unconscious shortly after they ingested it. Acadian Ambulance Medical Director Dr. Chuck Burnell says during a four-day period they transported 45 people to a local hospital that had similar symptoms.

Cut 4 (13) “…episodes of unconsciousness.”

A teenager lost his life this morning in a single vehicle crash in LaFourche Parish. Trooper Jesse LaGrange says 19-year-old Robbie Istre (East) of Cut Off was heading north in his pick up truck on LA 308 when he failed to stay in his lane as he entered a curve…

Cut 12 (09)   “…a tree”

The deal to transfer control of University Health Hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe from BRF to Oschner has been agreed to and should become effective October 1^st.  Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the new partnership should lead to expanded services, and provide a more fertile training ground for the state’s future doctors.

Cut 7 (11) “…be better”

LSU is looking for fans who want to serve on a council that will provide input and recommendations about the game day experience on the Baton Rouge campus. Senior Associate Athletic Director Robert Munson says the fan experience is a top priority and this could will help develop what that looks like for years to come…

Cut 9 (10) “…first place”

LSU is looking for 25 fans to sit on a council that will provide suggestions to the athletic department on how to improve the game day experience on campus. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s office has arrested a man who allegedly threatened to harm his estranged wife, who works at Martha Vineyard Elementary School in Ponchatoula. The threat led to an increase in police presence and deputies have arrested the suspect 39-year-old Chad Milton of Ponchatoula.

The deal to transfer control of University Health Hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe from BRF to Oschner has been agreed to and should become effective October 1st.  The 294-million dollar deal with Oschner is a 40-million dollar increase over the current contract with BRF. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says it’s a fitting end to a long saga.

Cut 6 (07) “…going forward”

In the past week, Lake Charles area authorities have seen an uptick in synthetic marijuana overdoses, where the users would become unconscious shortly after they ingested it. Acadian Ambulance Medical Director Dr. Chuck Burnell says the users told authorities the product was called Gumbo or Bubblegum

Cut 3 (13) “…the weird effects.”