Two new reports say the demand for fossil fuels, like oil, will begin to decline in five years, because of the growth of solar and wind energy. But LSU economist Doctor Loren Scott doesn’t see a demise in the petroleum industry any time soon, because it fuels the needs for transportation…
cut 5 (07) “….be fueled too”
Risk-management company DNV forecasts in the year 2050 there will be a 50-50 split between fossil and non-fossil energy.

Three medical leaders are calling on the state legislature to raise the tobacco purchasing age to 21. The presidents of the Orleans and Jefferson Parish Medical Societies along with Smoking Cessation Trust CEO Mike Rodgers are behind the effort. Rodgers says raising the legal age from 18 to 21 could prevent thousands from smoking.
Cut 7 (10) “…birthday.”
There are six states who prohibit the purchase of tobacco products for those under the age of 21.

Westwego police say an alleged rape victim told investigators she bit her attacker’s genitals in effort to get out of a very difficult situation….
Cut 10 (11) “…his genitals“
That’s Lt. Eric Orlando who says 54-year-old John Patton was eventually arrested at the home where the attack occurred. Orlando says the woman also used a coffee table, when Patton used a knife to attack her.

The east coast is bracing for Hurricane Florence, which is a Category Four storm. There’s also Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Isaac. Isaac will make its way into the Caribbean later this week, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s way too early to determine if Isaac will reach the Gulf…
cut 15 (08) “….before then”
Keim says there’s also tropical system in the Gulf that has a medium chance of developing into a tropical cyclone. The biggest threat to Louisiana is heavy rain.

Two groups are forecasting the end of the oil era is coming, with the shift beginning in the next five years, but LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott is skeptical…
Voicer 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Bossier Parish School Board votes unanimously to fight a lawsuit that claims the district’s schools are promoting Christianity in classes and during school activities. The Americans United for the Separation of Church and State say students have been called out for not attending church or identify themselves as a Christian.

The presidents of the Orleans and Jefferson Parish medical societies have begun a push to raise the legal age to purchase tobacco products in Louisiana to 21 years. Smoking Cessation Trust CEO Mike Rodgers is a co-sponsor of a letter sent to lawmakers and Rogers says by raising the age, it could reduce the millions spent every year on health care costs associated with smoking…
cut 8 (12) “….a toxic substance”
There are six states where you have to be 21 to buy a pack of smokes.

Westwego Police say a rape victim bit her attacker’s genitals and then used a coffee table to prevent getting stabbed. Lt. Eric Orlando says several hours later 54-year-old John Patton let the woman go and then police surrounded the home…
cut 12 (09) “….to police”
Patton faces numerous charges including second-degree rape.

Medical leaders are calling on Louisiana’s legislature to raise the legal age to buy tobacco products to 21. Don Molino has the story.
Voicer 2 (27) ”I’m Don Molino”

Governor John Bel Edwards has asked House Speaker Taylor Barras to draft legislation that would protect 849-thousand Louisiana residents with pre-exisiting conditions from losing their health care coverage if a lawsuit is successful that argues the Affordable Care Act is illegal. Edwards has criticzed Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry for signing on as plaintiff and not considering the ramifications.

The National Hurricane Center says a tropical wave in the southern Gulf has a medium chance for further development as it moves into the Western Gulf. State Climatologist Barry Keim….
cut 13 (11) “…become Joyce”
If Joyce does form, a landfall is more likely on the Texas coast than in Louisiana.

LSU’s passing game has yet to take off under new starting quarterback Joe Burrow. The Tigers threw for just 151 yards in Saturday’s 31-0 win over Southeastern Louisiana. LSU had a chance against an FCS opponent to get its passing game up to speed before they play Auburn this Saturday. Burrow says despite average production, the experience was beneficial
Cut 16 (12) “ and grow”
The Tigers are 9.5 point underdogs.

Two groups are forecasting that the end of the oil era is coming. The Carbon Tracker Initiative says demand for fossil fuels will peak around 2023, while Norwegian risk-management company DNV also predicts oil demand will max out in five years’ time. But LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott disagrees, because of the emerging economies in China and India…
Cut 4 (11) “…continue to rise.”

The Orleans and Jefferson Parish Medical Societies are asking the state legislature to raise the age to 21 to buy tobacco products. Six states and hundreds of municipalities already have this law on the books. Smoking Cessation Trust CEO Mike Rogers says the legislation should also include vaping products…
cut 9 (09) “…vaping”

Authorities say a Westwego woman was able to fend off an alleged would be rapist in dramatic fashion after she says he assaulted her in his home. Matt Doyle has more, and as a warning, the story involves graphic details.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana first responders are on their way to the Carolinas as Hurricane Florence barrels it’s way to the East Coast as a Category Four storm…
cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The National Hurricane Center says there’s now a high chance that a tropical disturbance at the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula has a chance of developing into a tropical depression by Thursday night as it moves through the western Gulf of Mexico. If it reaches tropical storm strength, it will be called Joyce with landfall expected along the Texas coastline.

Optimism among small business owners is at an all-time high. That’s according to the National Federation of Indpendent Business, who has been surveying its members for 45-year. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says improved federal economic policy has business owners looking to expand and hire…
Cut 6 (08) “…job openings perspective.”
Starns says it might only get better for small businesses when much of the federal tax reform plans kick in next year.

A lawsuit filed by New Orleans-area parents against a catholic school because of its hair policy prohibiting braids has been dismissed. Christ the King School has rescinded that policy and Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the plaintiffs got what they wanted and it would have been difficult to get much more…
cut 14(10) “…its settled”
The case garnered national attention thanks to a viral video showing a girl wearing braids and crying because she was sent home from school.

The governor’s office says they will look to increase public school teacher pay by at least a thousand dollars next year. The state legislature will have to agree with that proposal. Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux says they’re also demanding an increase in public school funding….
cut 7 (09) “….ten years”
Average teacher pay in Louisiana is just below 50-thousand dollars a year, which is about two-thousand dollars lower than the Southern Regional Average.

A major hurricane is bearing down on the southeast coast of the United States and Louisiana Fire Marshal is sending resources towards the Carolinas. Teams specializing in Swift Water Rescue and disaster response management left yesterday from fire departments and districts from the New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport areas.

Walker High School has accepted the resignations of head football coach Lester Ricard and an assistant coach, as two are reportedly under investigation by school officials for allegedly making inappropriate comments and sending text messages to young women…
Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Saints are eager to put Sunday’s bad loss to Tampa Bay behind them. Linebacker Demario Davis says it was humbling to watch the game film of Bucs Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing for 417 yards…
Cut 16 (10) “ get it fixed”
The Saints host Cleveland Sunday.

The state’s largest two teacher unions have mixed responses to the governor’s plan for educators to receive a 1,000 dollar pay raise next year. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Hundreds gathered at Susan Park in Kenner to protest Mayor Ben Zahn’s decision to ban Nike products from being purchased by local booster clubs. Saints players Cameron Jordan and Terron Armstead were among those in attendance. Zahn says he doesn’t want taxpayer dollars used in a political campaign. Nike has a marketing campaign featuring former NFL quarterback Collin Kapernick, who started the National Anthem protests.

A section of Bayou Bridge Pipeline construction has been put on hold. Energy Transfer Partners agreed to cease construction on private property in St. Martinville after the land’s owner alleged the company was building there illegally. Louisiana Bucket Brigade Director Anne Rolfes says ETP did not get permission to build on the land
Cut 8 (12) “…pipeline.”
But E-T-P says this will not have any impact to their construction schedule or the timing on completing the project.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron is planning on making changes on his offensive line, but he also wants to see better play from his receivers….
cut 15 (10) “…football player”
The Tigers rank dead last in the SEC in total offense heading into LSU’s game against Auburn.