While much of the focus of storm readiness with Hurricane Florence is on the coastal areas, inland flooding is also a major risk for those in the path of the storm….
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The National Hurricane Center says its unlikely the area of low pressure in the western Gulf of Mexico will develop before reaching landfall in Texas. And we are keeping an eye on Tropical Depression Isaac in the Eastern Caribbean Sea. The storm, if it holds together, could threaten the Gulf of Mexico next week.

Bossier Parish Sheriff Julian Whittington was the lone Louisiana sheriff at a Washington D-C discussion on illegal immigration. Whittington is in agreement with the other sheriffs who were there, if you don’t secure the border first, great plans after that do not matter…
cut 12 (10) “…about it’
According to K-T-B-S-TV, Bossier Parish houses about 200 I-C-E detainees.

LSU and Auburn continue their rivalry tomorrow afternoon on the Plains. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says expect the unexpected…
cut 16 (09) “…Tiger bowl”
Moran says the biggest question mark is LSU’s offense. Can it perform better than it did in a lackluster performance against Southeastern Lousiaina last week?

Hurricane Florence has made landfall in North Carolina, with the threat for life-threatening storm surge. LSU Department of Geography and Anthropology Professor Craig Colten says inland areas of the Carolinas have also not fared well with hurricanes…
cut 5 (08) “….the most part”
Colten says this storm could be another example that more needs to be done to prevent inland flooding.

Bossier Parish Sheriff Julian Whittington is back from a visit to Washington D-C where he had a chance to discuss border security with Trump administration officials. Whittington and other sheriffs around the country are raising money for a campaign to raise awareness about greater security along the U-S Mexico border. Whittington says the effort has the support of his home parish…
cuit 13 (08) “….around us”
The goal is to raise 100-thousand dollars.

The US Supreme Court will hear the appeal of a St. Tammany man who says the US Wildlife and Fisheries is illegally blocking him from developing his property on the Mississippi border. The site has been designated a critical habitat for the dusky gopher frog. But the property owner’s lawyer, Mark Miller, says it’s a government overreach because this particular frog doesn’t live there.
Cut 7 (11) “…in Louisiana”
But The Center for Biological Diversity says that’s not true and the landowner can still develop his property while still leaving habitat for the dusky gopher frogs.

Fifth-year senior offensive lineman Garrett Brumfield knows LSU will face a tough test on Saturday when they visit seventh ranked Auburn. Brumfield was at Jordan-Hare Stadium two years when the Tigers lost in the final seconds to Auburn. He says the games in this series are always close…
cut 30 (16) “…dot our Is”
LSU is a 10.5 point underdog.

The Saints are big favorites at home again this Sunday as they take on the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland has not won a road game since October 2015. A loss for New Orleans and it will be difficult for them to repeat an 0-2 start and still make the playoffs. Gregg Williams who was the defensive coordinator for the Saints Super Bowl season, is now the heading up the Browns defense.

ULM will bring a 2-0 record to College Station this Saturday where’ they’ll face Texas A-and-M who is coming off a two-point loss to the number two team in the country, the Clemson Tigers. The Warhawks are feeling good about themselves after a road win at Southern Miss. ULM Coach Matt Viator says it was good to see the defense make a big stop at the end of that game…
cut 20 (19) “…adversity”
These two teams last met in 2014 and the Aggies only won by five points.

Hahnville Quarterback Andrew Robison remains ineligible for the season after his appeal was denied by the LHSAA executive committee today. Robison transferred from Vandebilt Catholic to Hahnville, but was ruled ineligible prior to the season as the association cited “undue influence” recruiting rule.

Republican Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins files legislation to enact random drug tests for members of the U-S House and Senate. Higgins says you wouldn’t want emergency personnel to be intoxicated on the job and you sure wouldn’t want legislators to be under the influence either.
cut 13 (11) “…do you”
But Higgins says he knows this legislation will likely not receive approval from a House committee.

13 women are pursuing complaints involving discrimination against the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Attorney Allison Jones represents nine former softball players who complained they were not getting the same amount of resources as men to compete and then faced retalition after their complaints were made to school officials…
cyut 5 (07) “…at that university”
The university strongly denies the allegations.

The seven inmates that climed a perimeter fence at Madison Parish Detention Center in Tallulah are back behind bars today. The jail break occurred around mid-day yesterday and the last of the prisoners on the run were caught at 9:15 last night. LaSalle Corrections Development Executive Ken Sumrall says they did not make it far, after a perimeter was set up…
cut 10 (10) “…partners”
Sumrall says the inmates took advantage of a breach and this was not a planned escape.

Hurricane Florence looks to cause substantial flooding and knock out power to millions along the East Coast when it makes landfall tomorrow. Entergy Louisiana has sent 200 employees and contractors to the region to help restore the power. Company spokesperson Lee Sabatini says extending a helping hand is very rewarding for the company and its employees…
cut 8 (07) “…to do this”

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins introduces legislation that would mandate random drug tests for U-S House and Senate members. If there’s a failed test, the Ethics Committee can take further action. Higgins says many middle class Americans are drug tested for their jobs, so why shouldn’t congressmen?
cut 12 (12) “the nation”
Higgins is optimistic the bill can receive committee approval.

Seven escaped inmates are back in custody after a breach yesterday at Madison Parish Detention Center occurred midday yesterday. LaSalle Corrections Development Executive Kevin Sumrall says it didn’t take long to apprehend the seven, most of whom were incarcerated for robbery.
cut 9 (10) “…procedure”
All inmates were recovered by 9:15 last night. Sumrall says they did not make it far, after a perimeter was set up.

Nine former softball players have filed complaints with the Office of Civil Rights for Title Nine violations alleging that while attending the University of Louisiana at Lafayette they were deprived of appropriate trainers, training facilities, equipment, and supplies when compared to the resources provided to male athletes. Attorney Allison Jones says the players were then retaliated against after bringing up the claims.
Cut 3 (11) “…people were hitting.”
In a statement, the university says it disputes the claims and will strongly defend itself against what they call false allegations.

Hurricane Florence is expected to produce life-threatening storm surge and rainfall when it makes landfall in North Carolina and the Cajun Navy will be there to help with rescues. United Cajun Navy founder Todd Terrell says 67 volunteers left Louisiana Wednesday armed with boats and emergency supplies..
cut 13 (07) “…chip in”
Terrell says they will set up shop in Columbia, South Carolina, where they will assist with rescues and also cook for the local first responders.

Entergy Louisiana has sent a team of nearly 200 employees and contractors to the East Coast. The storm is expected to pack a mighty punch that could have an adverse effect on utility poles in the area, so crews will work with Duke Energy in North Carolina to help avoid prolonged power outages. Entergy Louisiana Spokesperson Lee Sabatini says providing help to other companies in times of disaster is part of a long standing mutual assistance agreement.
Cut 6 (06) “…possible to customers.”

The Governor’s DWI Task Force has been re-formed and is beginning to discuss what can be done to lower the number of intoxicated drivers on our roadways. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission executive director Lisa Freeman says they’ll also look at legislation to combat drugged drivers….
cut 12 (10) “….top of things”
Freeman says two-thirds of the blood samples that the State Police Crime Lab analyzes contains at least one drug to go along with alcohol
Amazon is set to start shipping seven foot tall Christmas trees come November A North Carolina Frasier will run customers about 115 bucks and will be shipped to your house within ten days of being cut down, but Allen Parish Christmas Tree farmer Gray Anderson says that takes the fun out of getting a real tree.
Cut 4 (10) “…a tree”

The United Cajun Navy is setting up shop in South Carolina as Hurricane Florence has the potential of dumping 30 inches of rain on the Carolinas and the coastline is bracing for a storm surge of up to 13 feet. These volunteers were critical in rescuing individuals during the flood of 2016 and Hurricane Harvey. Founder Todd Terrell says they will do more than just rescues…
cut 15 (07) “….just boat rescues”
Entergy is also sending 200 employees and contractors to the region.

Meanwhile, the weather disturbance in the western Gulf of Mexico is running out of time to develop as its moving closer to the Texas coast. The National Hurricane Center gives it a medium chance of developing into a tropical depression. Forecasters say the impact to Louisiana will be minimal.

The next possible threat to the Gulf is Tropical Storm Isaac. It’s currently moving through the Eastern Caribbean Sea.

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission wants to do more about drug impaired driving. Kevin Barnhart reports two-thirds of the blood samples that the State Police Crime Lab analyzes contains at least one drug to go along with alcohol….
Cut 2 (28) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Via Airlines begins direct service today to Austin, Texas, and Orlando, Florida, from the Baton Rouge Metro Airport. Airport spokesperson Jim Caldwell says they expect business travelers to utilize the flights to Austin, but he says Austin isn’t just for work…
cut 8 (10) “…music”
Orlando flights are on Mondays and Thursdays, and Austin flights are on Monday, Thursday, and Friday.