LSU announces the search has begun to find a new live mascot to replace the ailing Mike VI. Halen Doughty has more…
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”
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The new president of the University of Louisiana system has all but been selected, as there is only one candidate for the position. Jeff Palermo has more…
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As Hurricane Mathew churns towards the Florida coast, University of Florida officials say they will not move Saturday’s LSU-Florida game out of Gainesville. Emelie Gunn has more…
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In the wake of heartbreaking news that Mike the Tiger’s cancer is spreading, LSU announces the search is on for a new live mascot. Mike’s veterinarian Dr. David Baker says they intend to find a young male tiger in need of a good home. He says many times the government places animals in sanctuaries and doesn’t provide the fund for their care.
Baker says in 2007, it took about three months to find Mike VI, who was originally named Roscoe and living at the Great Cats of Indiana. He says they will focus on finding the tiger that’s best for LSU to become Mike VII.
Cut 5 (09) “wildlife conservation”
But Manager of Captive Wildlife Protection with the Humane Society, Debra Leahy, says the university will be fueling the exotic animal trade, if they get a new tiger. She says no reputable facility would turn over a tiger to be used as a mascot.
Leahy says sanctuaries take in tigers for the purpose of giving them lifetime care, not to pass them along to someone else. She says the Humane Society has started a petition to end the live mascot program because it would be tragic, if LSU contributes to the cruel animal trade industry.
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Northwestern State University President Jim Henderson is expected to become the new president of the University of Louisiana System, as he is the only candidate that will go before the Board of Supervisors today. Henderson says if selected for the position, there are some obvious problems he plans to tackle.
Henderson says if the job didn’t allow him to continue to work with Northwestern, he wouldn’t even consider it. He says he has immense love for the Natchitoches school, as he and his wife, Tonia, both graduated from NSU, but he says he has ties to many Louisiana universities.
Cut 9 (11) “Southeastern grad”
Henderson has been the Northwestern president since January of 2015. He says he wants to do what he can to provide more opportunities for students in Louisiana.
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The federal government has set a goal for zero traffic fatalities within the next 30 years. The Transportation Department has outlined a plan that includes increasing seatbelt use and more rumble strips. Louisiana Highway Safety Commissioner Dr. Katara Williams says that’s the perfect ultimate goal, because even one traffic fatality is one too many.
cut 11 (08) “slight increases”
Williams says the first step to reducing these deaths is raising awareness about safe driving habits. She says drivers must put down their cellphones when they’re behind the wheel, buckle up, and never drive drunk.
The federal transportation department says self-driving cars and other new technologies could make zero fatal crashes possible. Williams believes autonomous vehicles could play a role in safer highways. But she says it’s too early to tell just yet, as many of these self-driving cars are still in the prototype phase.
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The University of Florida announces that Saturday’s LSU-Florida game will not be moved out of Gainesville, even as Hurricane Matthew is approaches the Sunshine State. But it’s still up in the air on whether or not the 11am kickoff will have to be delayed. LSU’s Sports Information Director, Michael Bonnette, says they expect to have more information by noon today.
Bonnette says they’re doing their best to keep Tiger fans in the loop about game decisions. He says they are looking at all of their options, but the safety of the fans and the players is most important.
Bonnette says delaying the kickoff could pose problems for airing the game on television. He says the Gators are not interested in playing the game in Tiger Stadium, but they may have to consider moving to a neutral location.
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Louisiana Tech hosts Western Kentucky in a big Conference USA matchup at Joe Aillet Stadium tonight. The Hilltoppers are considered one of the favorites to win the league and they have won 12 straight conference games. Tech Coach Skip Holtz says it’s important Bulldog nation comes out tonight, because they need that homefield advantage…
The Bulldogs were the alst team to defeat the Hilltoppers in league play, when they defeated W-K-U in 2014. Western Kentucky comes into this game as one of the top passing teams in the league. Holtz says it’s impressive to see them move the football…
This team features the top two wide receivers in the conference, Trent Taylor for Louisiana Tech adn Taywan Taylor for Western Kentucky. Holtz says Bulldogs running back Jarred Craft of Haughton could have a major impact in this game