First responders along the east coast are utilizing an LSU developed storm surge model to better position resources along the expected path of Hurricane Dorian. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (29) “..I’m Matt Doyle”

NBC Dateline reporter Lester Holt thought it was a joke when his coworkers proposed he spend a few nights in prison in the Bayou State. But they weren’t joking. Holt spent two nights in Angola on death row alongside prisoners who were locked inside except for one hour a day.  You can see how his stay went this Friday on Dateline NBC and again on Sunday on MSNBC.

A University of Louisiana at Lafayette study finds deficiencies with the coastal seafood industry in Acadiana. Moody-endowed chairman of regional business development at UL, Geoffrey Stewart, says Transportation is a day-to-day hurdle and fresh seafood from the Acadiana coast is not shipped out of the region and that’s because they do not have enough product to make it cost-effective for truckers…

Cut 13 (12) “the volume.”

This Saturday the LSU Tigers are gearing up to play the Texas Longhorns and fans are loading up on fan gear. Purple and Gold Store Owner Sara Sanders says there’s lots of excitement with the Tigers ranked 6^th in the polls and a big game this Saturday, the store is seeing plenty of traffic.

Cut 4 (08) “…over there”

Over 40 handguns were reportedly stolen from a shooting range in Youngsville over the weekend. Youngsville Police Chief Ricky Boudreaux says they may see a spike in crime across the Acadiana region as a result.

Cut 7 (06) “…crimes.”

The business, Sentry Defense, reports that no electronics or money were stolen.

The White House and Homeland Security are utilizing a storm surge model developed by LSU to better respond to Hurricane Dorian as it creeps it’s way up the east coast. Director of Louisiana Sea Grant Robert Twilley says the Coast Guard has been big fans of The Coastal Emergency Risks Assessment program since 2017 when Irma struck…

Cut 11 (10) “…system.” 

You can see up-to-date storm surge predictions at cera-dot-coastal-risk-dot-live.

LSU merchandise is selling well ahead of Saturday’s showdown versus ninth-ranked Texas. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut  2 (30) I’m Jeff Palermo”  

A 51-year-old Lafayette man was arrested after allegedly bringing a gun into the parish courthouse. Authorities saw the weapon and magazines in his backpack as he passed through an x-ray scan. When they searched his bag they also discovered an empty bottle of vodka, but Police say the man did not appear to be intoxicated at the time.

The White House and the U-S Department of Homeland Security are using a storm surge model developed by LSU to help prepare for Hurricane Dorian as it moves up the east coast. Director of Louisiana Sea Grant Robert Twilley says the U-S Coast Guard has been a big fan of the Coastal Emergency Risk Assessment program since 2017 when Hurricane Irma hit Florida…
cut 11 (10) “…system”

LSU fans will soon make their way to Austin, Texas for Saturday night’s showdown against the 9th ranked Texas Longhorns. Sara Sanders with Purple and Gold sports says they’ve seen an increase in sales since the 55-3 blowout victory over Georgia Southern…
cut 5 (10) “…good sign”
No need for long sleeve shirts this Saturday. The high temperature in Austin on Saturday is forecasted to be 102-degrees.

A University of Louisiana at Lafayette study has come up with recommendations on how to improve the coastal seafood industry in Acadiana. Moody-endowed chairman of regional business development at UL, Geoffrey Stewart, says one issue is not having a central point of contact for the seafood industry when problems arise…
cut 12 (12) “….and confusion”
Transportation is also a day-to-day hurdle.

Police in the Lafayette Parish town of Youngsville are investigating the theft of over 40 handguns from a business called Sentry Defense. Police Chief Ricky Boudreaux says no electronics or money were stolen, so the objective was clear…
cut 8 (03) “….of it”
Boudreaux says he’s concerned the influx of stolen guns will lead to a spike in crime for the region.

Over 40 handguns were reportedly stolen from a shooting range in Youngsville over the weekend. Youngsville Police Chief Ricky Boudreaux says it’s likely the guns will find their way into criminal hands.

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Persons of interest have been identified, but no arrests have been made.

The Louisiana GOP picks their horse in the Insurance Commissioner race; incumbent Jim Donelon. He’s being challenged by Republican Tim Temple who’s brought on former Democratic Insurance Commissioner Robert Wooley to consult his campaign. LSU-Shreveport Poli Sci Professor Jeff Sadow says that’s likely one of the reasons the state party opposes Temple.

Cut 9 (07) “…clothing.”

Wooley resigned from the position in 2006. he was replaced by his deputy at the time, Jim Donelon. 

Former Governor Edwin Edwards is expected to be released from the hospital today following yesterday’s news that he was discovered unresponsive at home due to low blood sugar. Edwards’ biographer Leo Honeycutt says despite the incident the 92-year-old was still as outgoing as ever at a recent event.

Cut 12 (13) “…still do it.”

The Louisiana Department of Health is hoping to raise awareness and share best practices for fighting the opioid epidemic this week at the Opioid Action Summit and Town Hall. OBH Assistant Secretary Dr. Janice Petersen says the Slidell summit is a great way to continue to increase awareness of the epidemic’s devastating consequences.

Cut 15 (10) “…resources”

In 2018 there were more than 450 opioid-involved deaths in Louisiana.

Former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards is expected to be released to from the hospital today. Yesterday his wife found him unresponsive. Edwards’ biographer Leo Honeycutt tells us that it appears the former governor was suffering from low blood sugar and is in much better condition now. Despite the 92 year old former governor’s age, Honeycutt says Edwards is still extremely spry.

Cut 10 (11) “…an hour”

The Louisiana Republican Party releases endorsements for the statewide races and they are supporting both Congressman Ralph Abraham and Eddie Rispone in the governor’s race. LSU-Shreveport political science professor Jeff Sadow says there’s little to gain from picking a side.
Cut 7 (13)“…doesn’t win”
Along I-49 in Caddo Parish DOTD will begin installing cable barriers along the medians north of Shreveport. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says for the last eleven years they’ve invested more than $50 million in safety improvements to install the cable barriers across the state.

Cut 5 (05) “…effectiveness”

The project begins Sept 15 and weather pending should wrap in the spring.

The Louisiana Department of Health is hoping to raise awareness and share best practices for fighting the opioid epidemic this week at the Opioid Action Summit and Town Hall.

OBH Assistant Secretary Karen Stubbs says there’s a few major themes for the week.

Cut 14 (11) “…recovery” 

Former Governor Edwin Edwards could be released from the hospital today after he was found unresponsive at his home yesterday morning. His biographer, Leo Honeycutt, says the Cajun Prince felt better after getting an I-V…
cut 11 (06) “…fine”
Edwards’ family tells the Associated Press that the former governor was dehydrated after suffering from a stomach virus over the weekend.

The Louisiana Republican Party endorses both Congressman Ralph Abraham and Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone for governor, but the state GOP is taking sides in the Insurance Commissioner Race between Republican incumbent Jim Donelon and GOP challenger Tim Temple. LSU-Shreveport Poli Sci Professor Jeff Sadow says former Democratic Insurance Comissioner Robert Wooley works for Temple’s campaign and that may have led to the endorsement of Donelon…
cut 9 (07) “….clothing”

The Opioid Action Summit and Town Hall kicks off in Slidell today, and Matt Doyle spoke with the Louisiana Department of Health about what to expect…
Cut 3 (30) “…Matt Doyle”

LSU fans have started a GoFund me page for a pair of Georgia Southern fans who were killed in a car crash on their way home after attending the season opener in Tiger Stadium. Authorities say Danny and Julie Hagan were killed when their vehicle hydroplaned on I-16 near Swainsboro in Georgia and struck a tree. The deceased couple leaves behind three children.

The state GOP issues endorsements for all incumbent statewide Republicans and the party is supporting both of the major Republicans challenging Governor Edwards. Matt Doyle has more…
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The National Hurricane Center is monitoring three named storms. Hurricane Dorian has picked up speed as it moves towards Georgia and the Carolinas. There’s Tropical Storm Fernand which will make landfall along the Mexico coast today and Tropical Storm Gabrielle in the middle of the Atlantic and not a threat to land.

The Louisiana Department of Health is hoping to raise awareness and share best practices for fighting the opioid epidemic at the Opioid Action Summit and Town Hall, which begins today at the Slidell Harbor Center. Office of Behavioral Health Deputy Assistant Secretary Dr. Janice Petersen says the three-day event is open to the public and there will be breakout sessions covering a range of topics….
cut 13 (09) “…stigma”
And they’re hoping for a wide range of attendees from recovering addicts to those who work local outreach.

Starting this month, the department of transportation will install 35-miles of median cable barriers along I-49 north of Shreveport in Caddo Parish. DOTD spokesperson Erin Bucnahan says the life-saving barriers will stretch from Martin Luther King Drive in Shreveport to the Arkansas state line….
cut 4 (07) “…roadway”
Since 2008, DOTD has invested 50-million dollars in roadway safety improvements across the state.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards spent the night in the hospital after he was found unresponsive. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Edwards’ family tells the Associated Press that the Cajun Prince could be released from the hospital today.

Sad news out of Lake Charles as police there report a five-year-old was struck by a vehicle turning into a driveway. The child died at the scene. Impairment is not suspected and the investigation into the tragic incident continues.

The Louisiana Republican Party releases endorsements for the statewide races and the G-O-P is backing both Congressman Ralph Abraham and Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone in the governor’s race. LSU-Shreveport political science professor Jeff Sadow says there’s little to gain from picking a side.
Cut 7 (13)“…doesn’t win”
But the Louisiana G-O-P has endorsed Incumbent Jim Donelon over Republican challenger Tim Temple in the insurance commissioner’s race.

Later this month, work will begin on installing cable barriers on I-49 north in Caddo Parish. Department of transportation spokesperson Erin Buchanan says crews should be done with the seven-million dollar project next spring…
cut 6 (07) “…installed”
DOTD’s goal is to have median cable barriers installed on interstates across the state by 2022.