Congressman Ralph Abraham tells the USA Today Network he has not made a decision on whether he will seek re-election next year. ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says Abraham has good reason to decline a fourth term, as his temperament doesn’t fit the bitter and escalating partisanship of D.C.
Cut 4 (10) “…works”
And Abraham is coming off a third-place finish in the gubernatorial primary.

While the national average is decreasing by 4%, health insurance rates in Louisiana for those policies available in the Obamacare marketplace will see an average premium increase of 10% in 2020. Deputy commissioner with the Louisiana Department of Insurance Frank Opelka says part of the reason is that Louisiana saw a rate decrease between 2018 and 2019.
Cut 10 (08) “…to go up.”
Annual enrollment for the program begins November 1 for 2020 coverage.

Senate Republicans introduce a resolution condemning the House’s impeachment inquiry. Matt Doyle spoke to one of the co-signers…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Heavy rain at times today and there’s a flash flood watch in effect for much of south Louisiana and the Delta parishes.

Child rape and porn charges have a former high ranking Livingston Parish Sheriff’s deputy and his school teacher wife behind bars. The charges could result in the Denham Springs husband and wife serving a life prison sentence. Legal analyst Tim Meche says a jury will take their professions into account, which will make it difficult on the defense lawyers…
cut 14 (06) “…the community”
Meche says if their cases go to trial, he expects the defense lawyers to seek a change of venue.

A 51-year-old Monroe man has been charged with negligent homicide and felony hit and run. Corporal Reggie Brown says Daniel Ross’s vehicle struck and killed 15-year-old Ashley Dorsey who was riding her skateboard. Brown says Ross drove away without rendering aid and its disappointing he didn’t come forward when news came out about the hit and run…
cut 11 (11) “…did not”
Monroe P-D also Ross was charged with D-W-I in a separate incident earlier this month.

The State Fair has kicked off in Shreveport. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “..Matt Doyle”

Fifth District Congressman Ralph Abraham from Richland Parish tells Greg Hilburn from the USA Today Network that he may not seek a fourth term in the U-S House of Representatives next year. Abraham just finished third in the gubernatorial primary and tells Hilburn he always planned to serve three or four teams in Congress. Abraham plans to make his decision known before the end of the year.

A 51-year-old Monroe man is in custody in the fatal hit-and-run case that claimed the life of 15-year-old Neville High student Ashley Dorsey. Corporal Reggie Brown with the Monroe Police Department says tips from the public led to the arrest of Daniel Ross…
cut 9 (10) “…wide open”
Brown says Ross has confessed to the crime and he’s been charged with negligent homicide and felony hit-and-run.

The End All Hazing Act is making its way through Congress. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says one provision he likes would force universities to publicly share which student organizations have been involved in hazing…
cut 15 (10) “…informed deciisions”
The End All Hazing Act also requires institutions to report any allegation of hazing that involves serious bodily injury or risk of injury to a student to law enforcement within 72 hours.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is adding a metabolic surgery center that will allow the Baton Rouge facility to research new tools in the fight against obesity. Pennington’s Executive Director John Kirwan says the new program will help them research how lap band surgery can reverse Type Two diabetes.
Cut 4 (10) “…the surgery”
The program is expected to create 55 jobs and attract more than 20-million dollars in obesity research money

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees says the plan is for him to play Sunday in the Dome against the Cardinals. The QB says he’ll track his progress in practice this week, but if he feels ready, Sean Payton will play him. Brees says he will have to wear a brace to protect his surgically repaired hand….
Cut 10 (11) “both.”
Payton says it will be a game-time decision on whether Brees will play.

A new bariatric and metabolic surgery center is coming to the Pennington Biomedical Research Center and Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge. Pennington Executive Director John Kirwan estimates the project could generate over 20-million dollars a year in additional funding for obesity research and also create 55 new jobs…
cut 6 (09) “…positions”
The new center will be led by Doctor Phil Schauer, who established the nation’s premier program in obesity surgery in Cleveland.

With a national outbreak of lung illnesses associated with the use of vaping, the state health department is alerting residents they can dispose of their e-cigarette devices and cartridges at drop off sites on Saturday for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says there have been 25 cases associated with the outbreak in Louisiana…
cut 8 (08) “….it’s still there”

The End All Hazing Act has the support of parents who have lost their children to hazing and Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees believes he’ll be able to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. He’s been out since Week 2 when a tendon in his throwing thumb was damaged. The future Hall of Famer says he’s used unconventional ways to regain strength in his hand…
cut 12 (09) “…of balls”
The Saints take on the Cards at noon on Sunday.

Vape products are now being listed among the items accepted as part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which is this Saturday. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Over 40 students at two schools in Tangipahoa Parish have been arrested for fighting. 32 students are facing a disturbing the peace charge at Independence High School for fights that happened Tuesday and yesterday. Eight more students at Ponchatoula High School are facing the same charge and possible penalties include expulsion.

Louisiana will invest nearly six-million dollars into a new center for bariatric and metabolic surgery at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge. Pennington executive director John Kirwan says the center will help them investigate the relationship between gastric bypass surgery and the reversal of Type Two Diabetes…
cut 5 (11) “…physiology”
Senator Bill Cassidy is getting behind a bill called the End All Hazing Act. This week Cassidy and lawmakers met with parents who have buried children because of hazing, one of those parents was Steve Gruver the father of former LSU student Maxwell Gruver. Cassidy says the main emphasis of the legislation is to require schools to publicly share info about student organizations that have been disciplined for hazing…
Cut 14 (11) “…their act.”

In the wake of the Maxwell Gruver death on the LSU campus in 2017, the state approved tougher anti-hazing laws and now there’s a bill in Congress that would require college officials to publicly share information about student organizations that have been disciplined for hazing. Senator Bill Cassidy supports the legislation….
cut 13 (12) “…informed decision”
The End All Hazing Act has been amended to the Higher Education Act.

A sheriff’s deputy and teacher in Livingston Parish are in jail on child porn charges. 44-year-old Dennis Perkins and 34-year-old Cynthia Perkins, a teacher at Westside Junior High in Walker, are each facing 60 counts of producing child pornography and two counts of first-degree rape. Dennis Perkins has also been booked on two counts of video voyeurism.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is adding a metabolic surgery center that will allow the Baton Rouge facility to research new tools in the fight against obesity. Pennington’s Executive Director John Kirwan says the new program will help them research how lap band surgery can reverse Type Two diabetes.
Cut 4 (10) “…the surgery”
The program is expected to create 55 jobs and attract more than 20-million dollars in obesity research money.

For the first time, Louisianans will have the opportunity this Saturday on National Prescription Drug Take Back day to also dispose of their vaping and e-cigarette devices and cartridges. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says here will be over 100 drop-off locations on Saturday and you can find all the details at….
cut 9 (09) “…close to you”
The state reports vaping products have been linked to 25 cases associated with a national outbreak of lung injury cases.