The U-S Department of Health and Human Services is sending nearly five-million dollars to Louisiana to help in the fight against the opioid crisis. Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Health Doctor Alex Billioux says while the state’s number of opioid deaths continues to grow, the rate of growth has slowed…
cut 14 (09) “…you can reverse”
Billioux says this additional federal grant will go towards prevention and getting a better idea of the size of the problem.

Louisiana State Police is on the cusp of a milestone, they are prepping to recruit men and women for their 100th Cadet Class. Sgt Melissa Matey…
Cut 7 (10) “…State Police.”
If you are interested in becoming a State Trooper, check out L-S-P’s new Facebook page dedicated to the recruitment of new troopers.

The Superintendent of Education gets a 3 out of 4 rating from BESE in his annual performance review. Kevin Barnhart spoke with the state’s top education official John White…
Cut 3 (26) “…I’m Kevin barnhart”

Ruston High School has to change its logo because its block “R” is identical to the R that Rutgers University has trademarked. Ruston High has 10 years to replace the logo on their uniforms, building facilities and social media platforms. Supervisor of Secondary Education for Lincoln Parish Schools, Ricky Durrett admits Ruston Bearcat supporters would purchase Rutgers Scarlet Knights gear, but he sees those sales coming to a halt.

State Superintendent of Education John White has received a favorable rating from the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. With White at the helm for public education, the state’s high school graduation rate has eclipsed 80-percent for the first time ever and White says steps have been taken to make sure these young adults are successful professionals…
cut 11 (11) “…first job” (2x)
White has been the state’s top education official since 2012.

The US Department of Health and Human Services awards nearly $400 million nationally in grant funding to combat the opioid crisis with nearly $5 million heading to Louisiana. Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Health Dr. Alex Billioux on how they plan to spend the money.
Cut 13 (07) “…other is prevention.”

Louisiana State Police is recruiting men and women who want to be part of their Historical 100th Cadet Class. Brooke Thorington has more…
voicer 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Louisiana Democratic Party says there are a record number of women qualified to run for State House and Senate seats this year. Executive Director of the L-D-P, Stephen Handwerk, says 43 of the 77 women running are Democrats…
cut 4 (08) “…Louisiana”
Only 15 percent of Louisiana legislators are women, the third-lowest rate in the nation.

The State Central Democratic Committee will deliver official endorsements on Saturday for the fall election. There are eleven Democrats on the ballot in the various statewide elections. There are multiple Democratic candidates running for governor and Ag Commissioner…
cut 5 (10) “….Republicans”
That’s State Party Executive Director Stephen Handwerk.

State Police has launched a new Facebook page to help with recruiting future troopers as they are looking for cadets for their 100th class. Sergeant Melissa Matey says they are trying to make it easier to apply…
cut 9 (09) “…in the past”
The 99th State Police cadet class will begin training soon and training for the 100th class is expected to begin in the next year.

Louisiana is receiving nearly five million dollars from the U-S Department of Health and Human Services to help in the fight against the opioid crisis. The Bayou State continues to see an increase in overdose deaths, but it has shown signs of slowing down. The state also has high rates for H-I-V and Hepatitis C and Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Health Doctor Alex Billioux says this money can help with reducing those rates as well…
cut 15 (13) “….as other substances”

The State Bond Commission is meeting and the panel is expected to approve a 450-million dollar financing plan to renovate the Superdome. The 44-year-old venue is in need of modifications to keep the venue competitive for hosting major events and the proposal is tied to keeping the Saints in New Orleans for 30 more years. State Treasurer John Schroder says the investment into the dome is a good one.
Cut 5 (08) “…I’m seeing done.”
The renovations would take three to four years to complete.

A poll of one-thousand likely Louisiana voters finds that 71-percent of them believe in climate change and 68-percent believe extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and Pollster Greg Rigamer says a majority of them are concerned about those impacts…
cut 8 (10) “…no”
And 80-percent believe extreme weather will have a greater impact on future generations.

Hurricane Barry was the last-named storm and that was a month ago. State Climatologist Barry Keim says do not let your guard down, the last time we had zero storms in August, September was very active.
Cut 15 (10) “…September”
NOAA is predicting an above-average season because El Nino weather conditions have faded.

Louisiana ranks number one on CenturyLinkQuote’s ranking of safest states for kids online. The report says Louisiana has one of the lowest victim rates and is well under the national average for malware infection rates. Spokesperson Elaine Thompson says while Louisiana does have the top spot, the state is not immune to cyber dangers and parents need to express the importance of best practices online.
Cut 12 (12) “…upcoming school year.”

Today the state bond commission is scheduled to vote on the financing plan for the $450 million overhaul to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington ”

Former St. Tammany Sheriff Jack Strain will be arraigned today on eight sex crime charges, four of those crimes allegedly occurred 44 years ago, when he was 17. State Police arrested Strain on aggravated rape, aggravated incest and sexual battery charges last June. Authorities say his alleged victims were under the age of 18.

A survey of one-thousand likely Louisiana voters finds that 71-percent of them believe in climate change. Pollster Greg Rigamer says many of those same respondents say it’s impacting the weather…
cut 9 (12) “….future”
Restore the Mississippi Delta paid for the poll, which was conducted to find out voters’ opinions about coastal restoration.

We are moving into the teeth of the hurricane season, but it’s been a month since a named storm popped up in the Atlantic Basin, despite NOAA’s prediction of an above-average season. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the lack of a named storm from July 15th to August 15th is rare….
cut 13 (10) “…common”
Keim says so far we’ve been lucky, but don’t count on that luck to continue.

A poll finds nearly three out of four Louisiana residents believe in climate change and half of the respondents say it’s impacting their lives. Matt Doyle spoke with the pollsters…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education gives state education superintendent John White a satisfactory job evaluation for the seventh year in a row. White credits a rising high school graduation rate and an increase in high school students who qualify for TOPS.

The state bond commission is scheduled to vote on the financing plan for the proposed $450 million upgrade to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. State Treasurer John Schroder says he doesn’t foresee any hurdles in getting a green light on the overhaul.
Cut 4 (10) “…without any objection.”
The cost will be split between the state, the Superdome Commission and the Saints.

Louisiana takes the top spot for the safest state for kids to be online in a study conducted by CenturyLinkQuote. Spokesperson Elaine Thompson says the ranking takes into consideration the number of victims of internet crimes and the reported rates of malware infections.
Cut 10 (11) “…malware infection rates.”
And Thompson says Louisiana has over 10 different cyberbullying and sexting laws.