Today marks the 13th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which slammed into southeast Louisiana as a Category three storm, killing over 1,000 people along the Gulf Coast and leaving much of the New Orleans area under water for days. Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesperson, Mike Steele, says Katrina was a milestone event for emergency planners.
Cut 4 (07) “…strategies for recovery.”

State officials have announced that Louisiana Delta Community College plan to build a brand new campus in Ruston. Louisiana Community and Technical College System President Monty Sullivan says the eight-million dollar campus will provide future employees with high-tech skills….
cut 8 (10) “…well beyond that”
Construction is expected to be complete in 2020.

Mississippi’s legislature has approved its own state lottery, which could put a dent in Louisiana’s education revenue. Matt Doyle has more.
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Dangerous synthetic marijuana is being distributed in southwest Louisiana. Acadian Ambulance reports they have transported 45 people to the hospital after ingesting synthetic marijuana the left the user in an unconscious state quickly. Lake Charles Police say synthetic marijuana labled as Bubblegum and Gumbo could be sending citizens to local hospitals.

13 years ago on this date, Hurricane Katrina slammed into southeast Louisiana killing 18-hundred people in the region and leaving much of New Orleans under water. The storm’s fierce winds, combined with flooding made it difficult to communicate. Mike Steele, spokesperson with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says they now have a more secure communication network…
cut 5 (08) “….that was established”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser visited the Hawkeye state to learn how Iowa promotes agri-tourism. Nungesser says there’s some interesting possibilities for Louisiana…
cut 12 (11) “….organge trees”
Nungesser says Luckett Farms near St. Francisville will open a corn maze in September that will also give the public the opportunity to pick their own vegetables and flowers.

The Mississippi legislature has approved legislation that creates a lottery in the Magnolia state. Chief Legislative economist Greg Albrecht says once Mississippi begins selling lottery tickets, it’s less likely Mississippi residents will buy lottery tickets in Lousiaina, which means less money for our state…
cut 14 (12) “….do that”
At least 35-percent of all lottery proceeds are transferred to the state treasury and the state constitution says that money must go to K-through-12 education.

On the 13^th anniversary of one of the worst natural disasters in history, Kevin Barnhart speaks with Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesperson, Mike Steele on how Hurricane Katrina changed emergency management planning.

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The Bayou State looks to grow agricultural tourism after the Lieutenant Governor took a trip to Iowa. Connor Ferrill has the story.

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Mississippi’s legislature has approved its own state lottery, which could put a dent in Louisiana’s education revenue. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Today marks the 13^th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which slammed into southeast Louisiana as a Category three storm, killing over 1,000 people along the Gulf Coast and leaving much of the New Orleans area under water for days. Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesperson, Mike Steele, says Katrina was a milestone event for emergency planners.

Cut 4 (07) “…strategies for recovery.”

Steele says one of the biggest changes was the establishment of LWIN Radio Network, which was needed because of the communications breakdown that crippled first responders during the storm and the aftermath.

Cut 5 (08) “…that was established”

Steele says just about every phase of emergency management & planning changed as a result of Katrina.

Cut 6 (07) “…technology that’s available.”

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The city of Ruston will see a new campus of Delta Community College as the state is putting $8 million into the project.  President of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System Monty Sullivan says the excitement for the project is high in the area as it means more potential workers for jobs in the area.

Cut 7 (09) “…interstate 20 corridor.”

Sullivan says the facility will house tools needed to prepare its students for the local workforce.

Cut 8 (10)  “…well beyond that.”

Sullivan adds the demand is high for skilled workers from area businesses.

Cut 9 (09)  “…north central Louisiana.”

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Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser made a trip to Iowa with Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain for a tour of the Ag Expo. Iowa has some of the strongest Ag tourism in the country and Nungesser says the goal is to learn from them…

Cut 10 (12)   “…within reason“

Nungesser says as they expand agricultural tourism the target audience is one you would not expect: Millennials…

Cut 11 (10) “…capitalize on that” 

The Lieutenant Governor is implementing new strategies to grow the industry but says there are lots of opportunity for staycations already…

Cut 12 (11) “…orange trees”

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Mississippi’s Legislature has approved a state lottery that will likely end up taking a bite out of Louisiana’s lottery’s that help fund K-12 education. The legislation is backed by Mississippi’s governor, and state legislators who hope to use it for infrastructure funds. Legislative Fiscal Office Chief Economist Greg Albrecht says after Texas approved its lotto in 1991, Louisiana’s finances took a hit.

Cut 13 (09) “…in half.”

Louisiana approved its lottery in 1990.

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant, who backs the move, suspects it could lead to his state pilfering nearly 15 million dollars in tax revenue from Louisiana. Albrecht says one thing is for certain, Mississippi residents will be less likely to buy a ticket in Louisiana.

Cut 14 (12) “…do that”

If the state were to lose cash, it couldn’t just write it off, as the money would be coming out of a constitutionally protected education fund that has mandated funding levels. Albrecht says the lotto brings in a ton of money every year.

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If signed by the governor, it’s estimated it would take at least a year for the rival lotto to get up and running.

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There’s certainly a curiosity factor heading into Sunday’s season opener between LSU and Miami. Graduate transfer Joe Burrow is set to make his first collegiate start for the Tigers. Hurricanes Coach Mark Richt does have a scouting report on the former Ohio State signal caller…

Cut 16 (20) “.       for that” 

Miami will have the edge when it comes to experience at the quarterback position, Malik Rosier is in his fifth year on campus and was the starter for the Hurricanes last season. Richt likes how Rosier is developing…

Cut 17 (22)  ”           replace that” 

Cut 18 (15) “…on Saturday

Napier has not named a starting quarterback for Saturday, it will be either Andre Nunez or Levi Lewis. The coach says both guys will play…

Cut 19 (24) “           football team” 

A Lafayette organization plans to bring a petition Parish-City Council members, demanding they make a public statement on whether or not they support  “Drag Queen Story Time”. Jeff Palermo has more.

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24-year-old Marquita Wright, A Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office dispatcher was murdered outside her Deridder home early Monday morning as her children slept just inside, and Deridder Police Chief John Gott says it’s been a shock to the town.

Cut 6 (06) “…very well.”

Every year, 250,000 members of the military transition out of service and into civilian work. Now, Google has a new tool to help those vets on the job hunt. Google Project Leader, Joy Xi, (She) says when the term “Jobs for Veterans” is searched on Google, the search engine will then match vets with potential employers via the vet’s military occupational specialty code. Xi says the tool reinforces that vets have gained valuable skills in the military.

Cut 11 (13) “…you might like .”

DCFS is offering a second chance to delinquent dads and moms who’ve had their driver’s license revoked for not paying child support. The “Back on the Road” program allows you to pay a smaller portion of your back owed debts so you can get behind the wheel again. Child Support Enforcement Director Lydia Scales says it’ll cost you some cash first.

Cut 4 (09) “…Their Arrears”

An organization is pushing the Lafayette Parish-City Council to take an official position on the upcoming Drag Queen Story time event at the city’s public library. The “Citizens for a New Louisiana” petition states “the use of taxpayer funds to promote sexual deviancy to three-year-olds is shocking.” Executive Director Michael Lunsford says there’s a lot of opposition to the reading.

Cut 12 (09)   “represent them”

DCFS is offering a second chance to delinquent dads and moms who’ve had their driver’s license revoked for not paying child support. The “Back on the Road” program allows you to pay a smaller portion of your back owed debts so you can get behind the wheel again. Child Support Enforcement Director Lydia Scales says if they can get parents road eligible, they’re more likely to pay their debts.

Cut 3 (09) “…extra funding

A Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office dispatcher was murdered outside her Deridder home early Monday morning as he children slept just inside. 24-year-old Marquita Wright was shot on her porch just before 5AM, after wrapping up her shift at 430AM. Deridder Police Chief John Gott says seeing a member of the law enforcement family go down is always a difficult moment.

Cut 7 (08) “…much worse.”

Every year, 250,000 members of the military transition out of service and into civilian work. Now, Google has a new tool to help those vets on the job hunt. Google Project Leader, Joy Xi, (She) says when the term “Jobs for Veterans” is searched on Google, the search engine will then match vets with potential employers via the vet’s military occupational specialty code.

Cut 9 (07) “…well qualified for.”

(There are 284,000 veterans in Louisiana.)

DCFS is giving parents who’ve lost their license due to not paying child support an easier option for getting back on the road….
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

The director of the Office of State Procurement has put a halt on contract negotiations regarding new voting machines between the Secretary of State’s office and Dominion Voting Systems. The reason for the delay is that one of the losing bidders for the contract claim the bid process was mishandled by interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin.

A group called the “Citizens for a New Louisiana” is collecting signatures for peitition that attempts to get the Lafayette Parish-City Council to state their position on a scheduled Drag Queen story time event at the public library in October. Executive director Michael Lunsford says the public should know how the council feels about men dressed in drag reading to children…
cut 13 (08) “…on it”
The council heard public testimony from two dozen speakers on the Drag Queen Story time event last week and all but one opposed it.

Authorities in southwest Louisiana are trying to determine who fatally shot a Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s office dispatcher on Monday morning in front of her home. DeRidder Police John Gott is seeking the public’s help….
cut 8 (10) “…a call”
Gott says they have no suspects in the shooting death of 24-year-old Marquita Wright.

DCFS is giving parents who’ve lost their license due to not paying child support an easier option for getting back on the road. Don Molino has the story.

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A Lafayette organization plans to bring a petition Parish-City Council members, demanding they make a public statement on whether or not they support  “Drag Queen Story Time”. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

A Lafayette organization plans to bring a petition Parish-City Council members, demanding they make a public statement on whether or not they support  “Drag Queen Story Time”. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Google has a new tool that helps veterans seeking work match up with buisinesses seeking their skills. Google Project Leader, Joy Xi.

Cut 10 (07) “…very passionate about.”

A Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office dispatcher was murdered outside her Deridder home early Monday morning as he children slept just inside. 24-year-old Marquita Wright was shot on her porch just before 5AM, after wrapping up her shift at 430AM. Deridder Police Chief John Gott says it’s been a shock to the town of 13,000.

Cut 6 (06) “…very well.”

They’re asking anyone with information to reach out to Deridder Police or the Parish Sheriff.

DCFS’s “Back on the Road” program is letting parents who’ve lost their driver’s licenses for delinquent child support a opportunity to get back on the road by paying a smaller amount of the back owed debts. Child Support Enforcement Director Lydia Scales says there’s a few ways parents can get the process of road reinstatement started.

Cut 5 (08)  “service number”