A woman and toddler from St. Landry Parish after dead after their Nissan Maxima was struck by a pickup truck. State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says 35-year-old Lacy Leger of Sunset and her two-year-old passenger were traveling on the I-49 service road early Sunday when a suspected drunk driver crossed the center line…
Cut 7 (11)“…the side”
Charges are pending against 48-year-old Michael Shane Guidry of Carencro.

Eastbank returns to New Orleans today after winning the Little League World Series, 8-0 over Curaco yesterday. Coach Scott Frazier’s squad becomes the first Louisiana team to win the Little League World Series…
cut 30 (8) “…cool”
And President Trump has extended an invite to the team from River Ridge.

The 18-year-old who caused a fiery, fatal crash in Baton Rouge last month is now in the care of the state mental health hospital after a ruling from a judge. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Hundreds of AT-and-T Workers around the state are on strike claiming unfair labor practices. An estimated 20-thousand workers in Louisiana and eight other states have walked off the job. A-T-and-T says they are baffled by the walkout since they offered terms that would result in their employees being better off.

The Eastbank Little League team from suburban New Orleans returns home today after winning the Little League World Series. The team from River Ridge easily handled Curacao 8 to 0 yesterday. It’s the first time a team from Louisiana won the Little League World Series. A welcome home celebration is scheduled for four PM today and President Trump has invited them to the White House.

Governor Edwards commits $85 million toward a new Lake Charles I-10 bridge. Brooke Thorington has the story.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

An 18-year-old from Baton Rouge who claims God told him to drive his vehicle into another person’s vehicle is in a mental health hospital. The attorney for Jack Jordan, James Manasseh, says the goal is to have his client’s competency restored as he faces a second-degree murder charge…
cut 11 (10) “…case can proceed”
The fiery wreck at an intersection last month claimed the life of 51-year-old Stephanie Payne.

Louisiana’s Highway System is ranked 34th in an annual report by the libertarian think tank the Reason Foundation. Lead author Baruch Feigenbaum says the state finished in the bottom half because of its poor road and bridge conditions and the state also ranked 46th in the overall fatality rate. He says improved roads can lower the fatality rate…
cut 6 (09) “…practices”

An 18-year-old Baton Rouge teenager who said God instructed him to drive his vehicle at a high rate of speed into another car, killing the person in that vehicle, is now at the state’s mental health hospital. The attorney for Jack Jordan, James Manasseh, says his client had good grades in school and no previous criminal history, but all of sudden he has a severe mental illness…
cut 12 (10) “…quite as easily”
Jordan is facing a second-degree murder charge and his next court date is in November.

The Reason Foundation ranks Louisiana’s highway system 34th in the nation. Lead author Baruch Feigenbaum says the condition of the state’s roads is among the worst in the country…
cut 5 (10) “…problem”
Louisiana also ranks 44th worst for structurally deficient bridges.

Two people died, including a two-year-old in a two-vehicle wreck early Sunday morning in St. Landry Parish on the I-49 south service road. State Police believe 48-year-old Michael Shane Guidry of Carencro was impaired. 35-year-old Lacy Leger of Sunset was killed, so was a two-year-old child, who was restrained in a child seat. State Trooper Thomas Gossen says never drive impaired and always ensure every occupant is properly restrained…
cut 9 (11) “….possible”
Charges are pending against Guidry.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he will include 85-million dollars into the state’s construction budget next year for a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says despite the need for a new bridge, the current one is safe…
cut 15 (09) “….bridge we have”

The 18-year-old who police say intentionally caused a fatal crash in Baton Rouge last month because God allegedly instructed him to take his own life, is now at the state’s mental health hospital in East Feliciana Parish. Jack Jordan’s attorney, James Manasseh, says three doctors evaluated his client and came to the same conclusion.
Cut 10 (10) “…his own defense.”
Jordan is facing a second-degree murder charge as the fiery wreck claimed the life of 51-year-old Stephanie Payne.

State Police say an impaired driver caused a crash in St. Landry Parish that killed a woman from Sunset and her two-year-old passenger. Trooper Thomas Gossen says 48-year-old Michael Shane Guidry of Carencro suffered non-life threatening injuries, but 35-year-old Lacy Leger and the toddler in her vehicle were not as fortunate…
cut 8 (06) “…force”
Gossen says Guidry crossed the center line on a I-49 service road and hit Leger’s vehicle.

Eastbank is heading back to New Orleans today after winning the Little League World Series, 8-0 over Curaco. Head Coach Scott Frazier’s squad becomes the first team from Louisiana to win the Little League World Series…
cut 20 (18) “…be great”
And President Trump has extended an invite to the team from River Ridge.

The Edwards administration says it will commit at least 85-million dollars for a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the bridge needs to be badly replaced…
cut 14 (08) “…call it the interstate”
When President Trump visited the area in May, he said if re-elected, he’ll build a new I-10 bridge in Lake Charles.

The Reason Foundation ranks Louisiana’s highway system 34th in the nation in overall cost-effectiveness and condition. In the annual report, the Bayou State receives poor marks for urban interstate pavement condition and bridge quality but received good marks for administrative disbursements per mile. Lead author Baruch Feigenbaum (Bar-ook Fee-gan-baum)…
Cut 4 (12) “…efficient.”

The Edwards administration has committed 85-million dollars in state funding to get the process started on a new I-10 Calcasieu Bridge in Lake Charles. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says this in response to President Trump’s promise made earlier this year to replace the bridge if he’s re-elected…
cut 13 (11) “…soon as possible”

For the first time ever a team from Louisiana has won the Little League World Series. Matt Doyle has more on the squad from suburban New Orleans…

cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt doyle”

And the team has received an invite from the President.

For the first time ever a team from Louisiana has won the Little League World Series. Matt Doyle has more on the squad from suburban New Orleans…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_______________________________

The 18-year-old who caused a fiery, fatal crash in Baton Rouge last month is now in the care of the state mental health hospital after a ruling from a judge. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

______________________________

Governor Edwards commits $85 million toward a new Lake Charles I-10 bridge. Brooke Thorington has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

________________________________________

The libertarian Reason Foundation highway system study ranks Louisiana’s highways 34^th in the nation in overall cost-effectiveness and condition.

The middle of the road ranking results from near-bottom rankings in overall road and bridge quality, but high rankings for low state road spending per mile. Annual Highway Report lead author Baruch Feigenbaum (Bar-ook Fee-gan-baum)…

Cut 4 (12) “…efficient.”

Louisiana ranked 24^th in maintenance disbursements per mile, 6^th in administrative disbursements per mile, and 17^th for total disbursements per mile.

The state’s low total road conditions rankings are broken down into four measures, including rural/urban road quality breakdowns. Feigenbaum says the state’s road quality is bleak.

Cut 5 (10) “…problem”

Louisiana also ranked 44^th worst for structurally deficient bridges.

On top of its poor road condition, the report also ranked Louisiana’s roads the 4^th most deadly in the nation. Feigenbaum says increased law enforcement could help that, along with road restructuring.

Cut 6 (09) “…practices.”

Louisiana may be the 33^rd largest state by total land area, but the report says it contains the 12^th largest highway system in the nation.

____________________________

A woman and toddler were killed in St. Landry Parish early Sunday after their Nissan Maxima was struck by a Ram 2500.

State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says 35-year-old Lacy Leger of Sunset and her two-year-old passenger were traveling along the I-49 service road around 1:30 AM when a suspected drunk driver crossed the center line…

Cut 7 (11)“…the side”

A 16-year-old passenger in the Nissan survived the crash but was seriously injured.

48-year-old Michael Guidry, who drove the truck, was not restrained and suffered minor injuries. Gossen says those riding in the Nissan were not so lucky.

Cut 8 (06) “force”

The rear seat two-year-old was buckled-in in a child seat, but Gossen says new laws require that kids abide by a stricter set of rules when it comes to what kind of seat can be used.

Cut 9 (11) “…possible”

Charges are currently pending in the case.

_______________________

The 18-year-old who intentionally caused a fatal crash in Baton Rouge, saying God instructed him to take his own life, has been ordered by a judge to seek help at the state mental hospital.  Jack Jordan’s attorney James Manasseh says three doctors have all evaluated his client and have come to the same conclusion.

Cut 10 (10) “…his own defense.”

Last month, Jordan was booked on second-degree murder in the death of Stephanie Payne following the wreck that saw Jordan plow into her vehicle going at least ninety miles per hour.  Manasseh says the goal is to have his client’s competency restored for trial.

Cut 11 (10) “…case can proceed.” 

Manasseh says his client made good grades in school and didn’t have a troubled history, adding that mental illness isn’t as easy to treat as other ailments.

Cut 12 (10) “…quite as easily.”

Jordan’s next court appearance is November 21^st.
_____________________________

Governor Edwards announces a commitment of $85 million toward the replacement of the I-10 Calcasieu Bridge in Lake Charles. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says this comes in response to President Trump’s promise earlier this year to have the federal money foot the bill in having the bridge replaced.
Cut 13 (11) “…soon as possible.”

The funds are being put into place when the feds determine how much of the project they will cover. Wilson says all transportation infrastructure has a life span and this bridge is older than the interstate system itself.

Cut 14 (08) “call it the interstate.”

Wilson says despite the need for a new bridge, the current bridge is still safe.

Cut 15 (09) “…bridge we have.”

_________________________________________________________

The Saints have one more preseason game to play before they start the regular season. They ran their preseason record to 2-and-1 on Saturday with a 28-13 win over the New York Jets. Drew Brees threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Michael Thomas and Deonte Harris returned a punt 78-yards for a touchdown. The defense held the Jets to 300 total yards. Coach Sean Payton liked what he saw…

Cut 16  (17) “…touchdown”   

Brees only played in one series, which resulted in a touchdown, and he’ll likely not play on Thursday. So that means a total of eight players in preseason game action, but Payton is not concerned…

cut 17 (18) “…sharp tonight” 

__________________________________________________________________

The Eastbank Little League team from suburban New Orleans are Little League World Series champs. The team from Louisiana easily handled Curacao 8 to 0 to win the 2019 title  It’s the first time a team from Louisiana won the Little League World Series and they did so by coming out of the loser’s bracket, after losing their first game after they arrived in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Head Coach Scott Frazier says his guys would not be denied…

Cut 18 (14) “…anyway” 

The squad from River Ridge won the U-S Final with a 9-5 win over Hawaii on Saturday. Frazier says the journey was unbelievable…

 cut 19 (24)   “my life” 

After spending several weeks  on the road, the team is ready for a hero’s welcome in the Bayou State. Frazier says the kids deserve it…

cut 20 (18) “be great” 

Services are being held in Lafayette for former governor Kathleen Blanco this morning at St. John the Evangelist Cathedral. Mass is underway with her funeral to follow. Visitation was held beforehand where hundreds gathered to pay their respects to Louisiana’s first and only female governor. A private burial will be held this afternoon.

Southwest Louisiana is under a flash flood watch until seven o’clock tonight.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says thunderstorms and showers will be sporadic and unpredictable across the southern part of the state this weekend. Keim says you shouldn’t lock yourself indoors for the weekend, but don’t any big outdoor plans.

Cut 8 (05) “…inside.”

On the Brightside the rain should help keep temperatures down. As for the northern part of the state the chance of rain is minimal. And temperatures will reach into the 90s.

Louisiana Key Academy in Baton Rouge will be featured on Sunday Morning with Jane Pauley. It will focus on the school’s teaching method for dyslexia. Academy Principal Heather Bourgeois hopes the segment will encourage further advocacy of following the template set by the public charter school.

Cut 4 (10) “…get the best.”

The show airs tomorrow at 8AM.

In Baton Rouge American Idol is holding open auditions they are hoping to find another Laine Hardy. Senior Supervising Producer with American Idol Patrick Lynn says come prepared with three songs: a show-stopper, a ballad, and a more contemporary tune, and don’t bore the judge get straight to the chorus.

Cut 9 (11) “good”

Auditions are from 9 to 5 at the Hilton Capitol Center.

Visitation is underway in Lafayette for former Governor Kathleen Blanco at St. John the Evangelist Cathedral. At 10:30 Mass will be held and her funeral will follow. Friends and family members of Blanco will deliver eulogies.  Afterwards there will be a private family burial. Hundreds paid their respects Thursday at the state capitol rotunda. She was 76.

Louisiana Key Academy in Baton Rouge will receive the national spotlight when it is featured on the CBS Sunday Morning Show with Jane Pauley. The segment will focus on dyslexia and the school’s educational model to accommodate children. Academy Principal Heather Bourgeois…

Cut 3 (11) “…their full potential.”

A production team visited during the last school year and Bourgeois says parents are excited to see the final product.

American Idol is holding open auditions in Baton Rouge Sunday just one season after Laine Hardy became the first Louisianan to win the competition. Senior Supervising Producer with American Idol Patrick Lynn says anyone between the ages of 15-28 can audition and to be sure to make the most of your moment.

Cut 10 (08) “…TV”

The auditions are from 9 to 5.

But this afternoon River Ridge’s Eastbank All-Star Little League team is in the spotlight. They are the first team from the state to ever make it to the US Final of the Little League World Series. They play Hawaii at 2:30 this afternoon on ESPN.

And the Saints play their third preseason game tonight against the Jets in New York. The official season for the Saints is sixteen days away and they kickoff the first Monday Night Football of the Season against the Texans at the Dome.