Serious infections caused by Flesh eating bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus, are on the rise in Louisiana. Colleen Crain reports…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Baton Rouge Community College is celebrating the completion of its $35 million nursing and allied health building. Officials say it’s a much needed upgrade that features simulated surgical settings and other healthcare programs to help address the nationwide nursing shortage.  The addition was made possible in part to a $12 million dollar donation by our Lady of the Lake Health.

———————————–

We are learning more about the case against suspended LSU freshman running back JT Lindsey.  He was arrested last week for allegedly harboring two Alexandria teenagers accused of murder in his dorm room. WAFB-TV Investigative Reporter Chris Nakamoto says that US Marshals found an excessive amount of firepower in Lindsey’s room.

Cut 8 (12) “…a glock.”

The state department of transportation is starting a new program that will allow businesses to get involved in cleaning up the litter along state highways. It’s called “Sponsor A Highway.” DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says participating businesses will partner with Adopt A Highway Maintenance Corporation. He says A-H-M-C will provide the professional litter removal services a minimum of six times a year…

Cut 12 (10) “…improvements.”

For more information go to adoptahighway.com.

Suspended LSU freshman running back JT Lindsey remains on the sidelines following his arrest last week for allegedly harboring two Alexandria teenagers accused of murder in his dorm room a few weeks before the start of preseason camp. WAFB-TV Investigative Reporter Chris Nakamoto broke the story and says investigators are questioning what Lindsey is claiming.

Cut 7 (14) “…for murder.”

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says she’s disgusted by the allegations that one of her officers was paying prostitutes for sex while on duty in the French Quarter. State Police have charged 56-year-old Terrance Johnson with prostitution and malfeasance in office. Kirkpatrick says an internal investigation is underway to determine how NOPD supervisors were not aware this was going on…

Cut 4 (07) “…and questions.”

Johnson has been with NOPD since 19-97.

————-

The state department of transportation is launching a new program that gives businesses an opportunity to get involved in the fight against litter. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana is seeing an increase in the number of people infected with Vibrio vulnificus, commonly known as flesh eating bacteria. State epidemiologist, Theresa Sokol says so far this year, 20 people have been hospitalized. She says the bacteria thrives in warm salt and brackish waters.

Cut 13 (10)  “…vibrio infections.”

Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham believes preventing SNAP recipients from using their food stamps to purchase soft drinks, energy drinks and candy will make for a healthier Louisiana. That new policy will go into effect in January. Abraham says candy and soda are high in sugar and too much of it, becomes a bad thing…

Cut 15 (09) “…of the mean.”

Louisiana Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley supports President Trump’s effort to abolish the Department of Education. Brumley says decisions about what’s taught in Louisiana public schools should be made here, not Washington D-C…

Cut 10 (12) “…can be.”

———————–

There has been a concern ULM was slashing its athletic budget, but KNOE-TV sports director Aaron Dietrich says that is not the case. Andre Champagne reports…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

The new Amtrak passenger service from New Orleans to Mobile starts Monday and for those who want to take a bus from Baton Rouge to New Orleans to catch the train, you can do it with a single ticket and in good time.  Florian Sitrin with Flix North America says they have two dedicated buses that you can book at Amtrak or Flix Bus..

Cut 6 (11) “…beautiful connection.”

The U.S. Supreme Court has set a date to revisit Louisiana’s congressional map and decide whether it violates the 14th and 15th Amendments. Colleen Crain reports…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

President Trump’s efforts to abolish the Department of Education and let states decide how to spend federal dollars has the full support of Louisiana Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley.  He says Louisiana would benefit from that kind of system, saying our literacy scores have improved, but there’s more work to be done.

Cut 12 (10) “…getting better.”

———————

New rules for SNAP recipients in Louisiana will ban the use of food stamps in purchasing soft drinks, energy drinks and candy. hat new policy will go into effect in January.  Louisiana Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham says the goal is to help prevent future health problems for children.

Cut 14 (11) “…poor child.”

ULM is set to spend just over 22-million dollars on athletics this year. That’s a little more than last year, but still one of the smallest budgets among FBS schools. Some say the Warhawks should drop down to the FCS level.

But KNOE-TV Sports Director Aaron Dietrich says the school is getting three-point-seven million dollars to play Alabama and Northwestern, because they are an FBS school…

Cut 8 (06) “…drop down.”

Come January, Louisiana SNAP recipients can no longer purchase soda, energy drinks and candy with their food stamps. As Jeff Palermo reports, Louisiana’s Surgeon General hopes is it will make for healthier children.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

One person was killed and two others were wounded in a 7th Ward shooting late Tuesday night, according to the New Orleans Police Department. Police were called just before 9:30 to the intersection of Allen Street and North Dorgenois Street, where they found two victims. We’re told three victims were taken to the hospital, but one later died. There’s no word or suspects or motive in the case.

—————————————————-

Louisiana Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley supports President Trump’s effort to abolish the Department of Education and let the states decide how to spend federal dollars. Superintendent Brumley says Louisiana is positioned to benefit from that kind of system…

Cut 11 (09) “…result.”

Amtrak’s new passenger train service from New Orleans to Mobile starts Monday and for those coming from Baton Rouge by bus, there’s good news.  Florian Sitrin with Flix North America says can take a Flixbus from the Capitol City to New Orleans and catch a train to the Mississippi or Alabama Gulf Coast with a single ticket…

Cut 5 (08) “…too long.”

Amtrak’s new passenger train service from New Orleans to Mobile starts Monday and for those who want to take a bus from Baton Rouge to New Orleans to catch the train there’s an easy way to do that. Florian Sitrin with Flix North America says you will not have to buy two different tickets…

Cut 4 (10) “…one trip.”

Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham believes preventing SNAP recipients from using their food stamps to purchase soft drinks, energy drinks and candy will make for a healthier Louisiana. Abraham says a good portion of government assistance is going towards the purchase of these items…

Cut 13 (07)  “…will be banned.”

That new policy will go into effect in January.

—————————–
Louisiana Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley supports President Trump’s effort to abolish the Department of Education. Brumley says decisions about what’s taught in Louisiana public schools should be made here, not Washington D-C…

Cut 10 (12) “…can be.”

During her visit to Louisiana, U-S Education Secretary Linda McMahon says the Trump Administration would like to move to a block funding model, letting states to decide how to spend federal dollars.

Since last week’s sudden resignation of athletics director John Hartwell, there’s been speculation ULM is cutting funding to athletics. But KNOE-TV sports director Aaron Dietrich says he’s seen the budget for this athletic year, and ULM has increased funding by 1.5 million dollars

Cut 7 (09) “…last year.”

Palermo reports officials are confident they can get fire contained by the end of the week…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Louisiana Tech University community is mourning the death of its longest-serving first lady, Linda Reneau. The university announced Reneau’s death yesterday. Linda spent 26 years as Louisiana Tech’s first lady, and left a lasting contribution on Louisiana Tech’s campus, including an endowment to care for the landscape and maintenance created by her and President Dan Reneau. The Quad’s rose garden is also named after Linda.

————————-

The five deep-water ports of the Lower Mississippi River have partnered up to develop a unified marketing strategy. Chairman of the Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission, Joe Toomy says the ports have traditionally worked independently, but two years ago discussions began that they should unify…

Cut 8 (09) “…the port.”

Fortified roofs were the main focus of last week’s annual Louisiana Department of Insurance conference. Louisiana homeowners who pay for a fortified roof can now receive a higher tax deduction thanks to recent legislation passed.  Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says in the future, he would like building codes amended so that all new homes are built with fortified roofs.

Cut 6 (06) “…it’s not fortified”

Fortified roofs were the main focus of last week’s annual Louisiana Department of Insurance conference. In the past the state had grant programs, in which homeowners entered a lottery to be selected for a discounted fortified roof. Those are none of those right now.  But Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says thanks to lawmakers in this past legislative session, homeowners can receive a higher tax deduction if they pay for fortified roof…

Cut 5 (07) “…now ten-thousand dollars.”

Firefighters hope to have wildlife burning in the Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Area in Natchitoches Parish contained by the end of the week. Kisatchie National Forest spokesperson Jim Caldwell says the they’ve seen their share of wildfires there, but this one’s a difficult battle because of the terrain…

Cut 14 (11) “…fire in.”

—————————

A strong effort is ongoing to get the “Little Cajun Saint,” Charlene Richard canonized as a Saint. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of one of its own yesterday.   CPSO says 22 year old Deputy Drakel Carter was arrested after a physical altercation involving the deputy on Saturday.  Carter is charged with malfeasance in office and simple battery.  He’s been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by State Police.

Fortified roofs were the main focus at the annual Louisiana Department of Insurance conference. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The five deep-water ports of the Lower Mississippi River have partnered up to develop a unified marketing strategy. Chairman of the Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission, Joe Toomy, says this collaboration will allow each port to emphasize their own strength…

Cut 7 (08) “…the world.”

————————-

Firefighters hope to have wildlife burning in the Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Area in Natchitoches Parish contained by the end of the week. A lighting strike on August 3rd sparked the fire that has burned 15 hundred acres. Kisatchie National Forest spokesperson Jim Caldwell says they are using various methods to extinguish the blaze, and they can use some help from Mother Nature…

Cut 13 (07)  “…a lot.”

The Vatican is considering The Little Cajun Saint for sainthood as it’s believed she has performed miracles. Charlene Richard from Acadia Parish died in 1959 from leukemia at the age of 12 years old. President of the Charlene Richard Foundation, Nanette Reiners, says Richard knew she would die at a young age, but every day she offered her suffering for other people…

Cut 10 (07) “…everybody else”

After a ten-day delay, inshore shrimp season opens today. Louisiana Shrimp Association President Acy Cooper says the later start to the season is actually a very good thing.

Cut 4 (11) “…bit bigger size.”

How much shrimp grows is dependent on water conditions, including temperature, salinity and oxygen content. The delayed start to shrimp season also means the shrimp population will remain stable.

170-year-old Elmer’s chocolate has been bought by Florida based, Hoffman Family of Companies. Geoff Hoffman with HFC says they’re not looking to change Elmer Chocolate, in fact they want to grow the company and keep it in Ponchatoula for another couple of centuries…

Cut 12 (12) “…excited about it.”

——————————-
With this month marking the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, a new documentary premiering tonight on ESPN takes a look back at the Saints’ first game back in the Superdome. “Above The Tide: 20 Years After Katrina” isdirected by Julian Gooden, who says the film highlights what saints accomplished that night…and no one in New Orleans, whether they were inside the Superdome or not, will ever forget where they were when it happened.

Cut 8 (07) “…they could take.”

The Saints dropped their preseason opener to the Chargers 27 to 13 in Los Angeles yesterday. Spencer Rattler started at quarterback and in his five offensive drives, failed to put up any points. Tyler Shough led the Saints to a field goal at the end of the half, but threw a pick six in the third quarter, only to bounce back and throw a touchdown pass on the next drive.  The black and gold will practice this week in Irvine, California and will return home later in the week to host Jacksonville on Sunday.