Louisiana still has a team in the Carolinas helping to respond to massive flooding from Florence. Louisiana State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the group packed for a five to seven day stay…
cut 11 (08) “…longer if necessary”
Rodrigue says one of things they’ve assisted with is clearing fallen trees from roadways.

The state economic development department has set up a mentorship program to assist entrepreneurs with getting their business off the ground. L-E-D Secretary Don Pierson says just because a business newbie has a great idea and the work ethic to make it happen, doesn’t mean they’re ready for prime time…
cut 5 (10) “…marketing”
If you are starting a business, you can find out more at opportunity-Louisiana-dot-com-slash-mentorprotege.

The Saints made a lot of mistakes but still beat the Cleveland Browns 21-18 yesterday as Drew Brees connected with Michael Thomas for two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter. It also helped that Cleveland kicker Zane Gonzales missed four kicks.

LSU is up to number six in both national polls after a thrilling 22-21 win over Auburn. Coach Ed Orgeron on silencing the critics who didn’t think LSU would have a good season…
cut 16 (14) “….for the Tigers”
LSU hosts Louisiana Tech this Saturday.

Dozens of volunteers with the Baton Rouge-based United Cajun Navy are rescuing flood victims in the wake of Hurricane Florence. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

That tropical disturbance in the western Gulf of Mexico is close to moving into Texas without developing into a tropical storm. And over the weekend, we’ll have to keep an eye on Tropical Depression Isaac. It should remain a depression as it moves through the Caribbean past Jamica.

State Treasurer John Schroder estimates the state ended up with over a 300-million dollar budget surplus from the fiscal year that ended June 30th. Schroder says it’s a pleasant surprise considering all of the money troubles they’ve dealt with…
Cut 12 (10) “the state”
Under Louisiana’s constitution, the surplus dollars can only be used on one-time expenses, like debt, construction work and coastal projects.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says legislation is moving to the House floor that would send more money to Louisiana and other Gulf States for supporting offshore energy production. Graves calls a significant victory…
cut 8 (09) “….do this”
Graves is hopeful for passage in the House, but admits this bill faces an uphill climb in the Senate.

Hurricane Florence made landfall this morning in North Carolina and severe flooding has already taken place. Dozens of members of the United Cajun Navy from Louisiana are there to help. Founder of the group, Todd Terrell, says they haven’t rested since they arrived in the Carolinas…
cut 3 (07) “…on the roofs”
Florence remains a Category One hurricane near Cape Fear, North Carolina.

A bill that would increase the share of offshore energy revenues for Gulf States sailed out of a U-S House committee with little opposition. Currently, states with land-based energy production receive a substantially higher percentage of revenues than states that support offshore drilling. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says the money would pay for flood protection projects.
Cut 6 (10) “…a disaster.”
The legislation still needs full House and Senate approval.

When US Supreme Court re-convenes next month, they will hear a case involving a St. Tammany Parish landowner and dusky gopher frogs. The landowner wants to develop his land, but can’t because the federal government has preserved a portion of land to breed the nearly extinct frog. The landowner says the frog can’t survive on his his land, but Center for Biological Diversity attorney Collette Adkins disagrees…
cut 10 (11) “…in Mississippi”
The nation’s highest court hears oral arguments October 1st.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says a Winnsboro man had roadkill in the cooler of his restaurant and then took it home to butcher it. 61-year-old Somchanh Chanthapanya was cited for possession of a spotted fawn. L-D-W-F’s Adam Einck says…
cut 9 (10) “…clean it for later”
Einck it’s against the law to be possession of a spotted fawn, even if it’s dead. The state department of health has also investigated the incident.

While much of the focus of storm readiness with Hurricane Florence is on the coastal areas, inland flooding is a rising risk for those in the path of the storm. Kevin Barnhart has the story
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The National Hurricane Center says there’s little chance an area of low pressure in the western Gulf will develop before moving into Texas. And we’ll watch Tropical Depression Isaac as it moves through the Caribbean Sea. If it holds together, Isaac could threaten the Gulf next week.

On October 1st, the US Supreme Court will hear a St. Tammany Parish landowner’s case against the federal government. Edwards Poitevant wants to develop on his land in St. Tammany Parish, but the US Fish and Wildlife Services will not let him, because they want to preserve some of the land to breed the dusky gopher frog. Poitevant’s attorney, Mark Miller, argues that transforming the land into something habitable for the frog would require substantial and risky behavior…
cut 9 (11) “….want that”
So far a federal district judge and appellate court have ruled in favor of the federal government.

A low scoring game is very possible tomorrow between LSU and Auburn. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says LSU’s offensive line has not given quarterback Joe Burrow much time to throw, so the Tigers might need to throw some short passes to the running backs…
cut 15 (09) “…do it”
Kick off is at 2:30.

Hurricane Florence has moved on land and we are seeing significant flooding along the North Carolina coast and more is expected in the inland areas of the Carolinas. LSU Geography and Anthropology Professor Craig Colten says those that evacuated inland, may have inadvertently traveled into areas at risk for flooding…
cut 4 (8) “…taken into account”
Over one million people were ordered to evacuate.

LSU heads to Auburn today for their SEC West showdown tomorrow on the Plains. Connor Ferrill has a preview…
voicer 3 (27) “….I’m Connor Ferrill”

The US Supreme Court will hear a case from Louisiana on October first that pits a landowner in St. Tammany Parish against environmentalists who are attempting to protect the dusky gopher frog. There’s only about 100 of these frogs still in existence and the Center for Biological Diversity attorney Collette Adkins says a portion of land in St. Tammany is a place where the frog can live…
cut 8 (09) “…in Louisiana”
The landowner in St. Tammany wants to develop the land, but the US Wildlife and Fisheries says he can’t because its critical habitat.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says a Winnsboro man had roadkill in the cooler of his restaurant and then took it home to butcher it. 61-year-old Somchanh Chanthapanya was cited for possession of a spotted fawn. Agents says the man said he found the fawn on the side of the highway as roadkill and put it in his cooler at the Garden Hen restaurant. He then took it home after a sheriff’s deputy spotted the baby deer in the cooler during a security check.

Hurricane Florence made landfall this morning and now the Category One storm is expected to linger over the Carolinas. The National Hurricane Center says isolated storm totals of 30 to 40 inches are possible. LSU Geography and Anthropology Professor Craig Colten says Florence should be a wake up call to other cities off the coast, as this is the second straight year we’ll see significant flooding from a slow moving hurricane…
cut 6 (08) “…we’ve had”

The LSU football team leaves for Alabama today where they’ll play Auburn tomorrow afternoon. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says LSU’s offensive line struggled last week and that won’t fly against the War Eagles’ defense…
cut 14 (10) “….praise that is”
Kick-off is at 2:30.

A St. Tammany man is set to make his case in front of the US Supreme Court next month in a battle between property rights and frogs. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (32) ”I’m Matt Doyle”

Builders of the Bayou Bridge pipeline say it will take a little longer to complete the 163-mile pipeline from Lake Charles to St. James. The project was expected to be completed next month, but the end date has been pushed back to the fourth quarter of this year as litigation has halted constructed in some areas.