AM Newscall August 19, 2014

The LSU Ag Center is conducting research to determine the extent of damage done by feral hogs in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has that…:

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

______________________________________

Beginning today, United Airlines is offering nonstop flights from Lafayette to Denver, CO. Scott Carwile has more…

Cut 2 Audio (29) “reporting”

______________________________________

Louisiana’s private sector labor force grew to an all-time high in July with just over 2.1 million people employed statewide. Eric Gill has more…

Cut 3 Audio  (32) “reporting”

______________________________________

The LSU Ag Center is conducting research to determine the extent of damage done by feral hogs in Louisiana. Forestry economist Shaun Tanger says they’ve been getting reports from farmers and landowners about property damage, but they want to get a better picture of the problem with a couple of detailed surveys…:

Cut 4  (13)  “feral hog damage”

Tanger says they want to get an idea of overall damage feral hogs are causing and, from there, what can be done about the problem. He says Louisiana has never done a study like this…:

Cut 5  (12)  “1.5 billion”

Tanger says the animals cause major damage to agricultural crops because they can be used for wallows, for forage and for protection. He says the first step to reaching a resolution to the problem is to find out exactly how big the problem is…:

Cut 6 (10)  “to fix that problem”

______________________________________

Beginning today, United Airlines is offering nonstop flights from Lafayette to Denver, CO. The flight will be offered seven days a week departing at 4PM. Lafayette Regional Airport Director Michael Burrows says, in part, this flight is in response to oil and gas industry workers traveling to the northwest corridor…

CUT 7 (04) “being direct”

Burrows says the airport will receive additional revenue through landing fees and passenger facility charges. He says this direct flight is not only attractive to the oil and gas industry, but recreational travelers will take advantage of it as well…

CUT 8 (07)   “for ski season”

A fifty seat jet will transport passengers from Lafayette to Denver. Burrows says initially, Lafayette’s direct flight to Denver seems to be popular…

CUT 9 (11)  “flights go on”

______________________________________

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office confirms the body that was found along the levee in Donaldsonville last week is that of 15-year-old Brandon Augusta. Chief Deputy Tony Bacala says they’ve been investigating this case as a homicide since they discovered the body…

cut 10 (10)  “by the pathologist”

Bacala says the cause of death has not yet been determined. He says now that they’ve received confirmation that the deceased is Augusta, the investigation is full steam ahead…

cut 11 (11)  “make an arrest” 

He says investigators are making progress in the case, but they are not at the point, right now, to make an arrest. Bacala asks anyone with information about this homicide, to please contact the Sheriff’s Office…

cut 12 (07) “say something”

______________________________________

Louisiana’s private sector labor force grew to an all-time high in July. Statistics show just over 2.1 million people employed across the state. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Curt Eysink says several industry sectors hit all-time employment records in July…

Cut 13 (13)  “number of sectors”

While the labor force grew to record numbers in July, the state’s unemployment rate rose to 5.4 percent, up from 5 percent in June. Eysink thinks that may partially be due to more people joining the workforce in Louisiana to look for work…

Cut 14 (08)  “for work now”

He says every part of the state will benefit from the employment growth. Eysink says the commission has looked at short-term and long-term forecast models and they show the job market in Louisiana has a strong future…

Cut 15  (12)   “through 2022″

______________________________________

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees is on track to see his first action of the preseason when New Orleans visits Indianapolis on Saturday night. Brees has spent most of this training camp recovering from an oblique injury, but has taken a majority of the snaps with the first team offense the last two days. Coach Sean Payton liked what he saw from number nine yesterday

Cut 16  (13)   “fairly well”

Saturday makes the third preseason game and then we’ll see some roster cuts. One guy that’s fighting for a roster spot is rookie wide receiver Brandon Coleman. Payton says he likes what he’s seen from the former Rutgers standout and he looked good during yesterday’s drills…..

Cut 17  (16)   “that’s encouraging”

A priority for Saturday’s preseason game against the Colts will be to reduce the number of penalties called against the team. The Black and Gold were flagged 22 times for 184 against Tennessee on Friday. Linebacker Curtis  Lofton says they came away with a victory last week, but there’s room for improvement

Cut 18 (11)  “tough defense”