The deal to transfer control of University Health Hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe from BRF to Oschner has been finalized and should become effective October 1st. The 294-million dollar deal with Oschner is a 40-million dollar increase over the current contract with BRF. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says it’s a fitting end to a long saga.
Cut 6 (07) “…going forward”
Dardenne says the new partnership should lead to expanded services and gets LSU more involved in the training of future doctors.

LSU is the highest ranked Louisiana university and in the top half of the SEC at fifth, according to the Washington Monthly 2018 College Guide. Forbes also recognizes the purple and gold in its top college rankings. LSU President F. King Alexander credits the accolades to the return on investment students see upon graduation.
Cut 13 (06) “…that we like.”

In the past week, southwest Louisiana authorities have seen an uptick in synthetic marijuana overdoeses, where the users would become unconscious shortly after they ingested it. Acadian Ambulance Medical Director Dr. Chuck Burnell says the users told authorities the product was called Gumbo or Bubblegum…
Cut 3 (10) “…unconscious”
Burnell says no fatalities were reported.

The Louisiana Lottery is not too concerned about a revenue drop now that Mississippi has passed legislation to create its own state lottery. Louisiana lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says they know some of their retailers near the Mississippi border will see some impact…
cut 11 (10) “…total sales”
It will take about a year for Mississippi to get its own lottery going.

A recent study finds nine percent of visitors to Louisiana were influenced to travel to this state after watching a film or TV show shot here. Kevin Barnhart reports that’s why the Lt. Governor wants to establish a movie trail for visitors to follow…
cut 1 (31) “….I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The governor’s office says on October 1st, Ochsner and LSU will take over the management of safety-net hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe. The new deal will cost an additional 40-dollars, but Commissioner of Adminsitration Jay Dardenne says federal money will cover the extra cost.

State Representative Blake Miguez appears in two commercials produced by the Louisiana Republican Judiciary PAC that urge voters to support the constitutional amendment on the November sixth ballot that seeks to end the use of non-unanimous jury verdicts in felony cases. Miguez says it should be a 100-percent decision by a jury, before someone is sent to jail…
cut 9 (06) “…for you”
The unanimous jury question is amendment two on the ballot.

LSU President F King Alexander says this year’s freshman class is the largest in school history…
cut 15 (08) “…coming into the university”
When fall classes started last week, there were 58-hundred freshmen enrolled, which is just ahead of the previous record set six years ago.

One of the most conservative members of the Louisiana Legislature says he’s supporting the unanimous jury verdict constitutional amendment on the November 6th ballot…
Voicer 2 (30) ”I’m Matt Doyle”

A new state education department report on academic achievement finds students are progressing at a faster pace in English Language Arts than Math. Historically disadvantage groups, which includes black students and students from low-income families demonstrated the top growth statewide, but more needs to be done to close the achievement gaps with peers.

The Louisiana Lottery is not too concerned about the new competition they will soon face from the east, as Mississippi has passed legislation to create its own lotto. Mississippi’s governor has projected an annual 15-million dollar loss in revenue for the Bayou State. But Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says they are not expecting a big drop in revenues and there’s only a handful of Mississippi winners every year…
Cut 10 (10) “…addresses“

LSU ranks in the top half of the SEC in two separate college ranking reports. President F King Alexander says one reason why LSU performs well in these rankings is that one out of three students gradudate with debt from student loans, when the national average is 82-percent….
cut 14 (09) “…to a great start”

Conservative state lawmaker Blake Miguez of Erath has released two commercials in partnership with the Louisiana Republican Judiciary PAC that call on voters to support a constitutional amendment on the November 6th ballot that would end the use of non-unanimous juries in felony cases. Miguez says a jury of our peers should not be able to take away a person’s right to freedom, unless their decision is 100-percent unanimous…
cut 8 (12) “…verdict”
The measure will appear as Constitutional Amendment Two on the November sixth ballot.

The Edwards administration says Ochsner Health System and LSU are set to take over day-to-day operations of University Health Hospital in Shreveport and Monroe on October 1st. BRF is the current manager and they have clashed with LSU leaders, who have doctors and students at these hospitals.

The Bayou State is home to the production of many famous movies and television programs, and the state wants to make it easier for tourists to scope out where those films were shot with a movie trail. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says Hollywood South has contributed to Louisiana’s recent record tourist numbers.
Cut 4 (09) “…movies were shot.”
Nungesser says the still developing movie trail will have about two-dozen locations on it.

Louisiana Lottery officials are not too concerned about Mississippi creating its own lottery through legislation that passed in a special session. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says they are not expecting a big drop in sales…
cut 12 (10) “…here too”
Louisiana lottery revenues help fund public education in this state.

The state Office of Tourism is working on plans to develop a new movie trail, which will make it easier for residents and tourists to see locations where movies and TV shows were shot in Louisiana. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says a recent survey found that nine-percent of visitors were heavily influenced to visit the Bayou State after watching a movie that was filmed here…
cut 6 (08) “….industry in Louisiana”
Over 25-hundred films have been shot in Louisiana.

The Louisiana Lottery is not too concerned about a revenue drop now that Mississippi has passed legislation to create its own state lottery. Louisiana lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says they know some of their retailers near the Mississippi border will see some impact…
cut 11 (10) “…total sales”
It will take about a year for Mississippi to get its own lottery going.

LSU is listed in the top half of the SEC in two separate rankings. Kevin Barnhart has the details.
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s office has charged 38-year-old Natalie Robinson of Calhoun with a felony count of practicing law without a license. Deputies booked Robinson after they found evidence that showed she allegedly drew up child custody papers and other legal documents for people for a fee.

The Republican Judiciary PAC backs a constitutional amendment on the November 6th ballot that would require unanimous jury verdicts in felony cases. It’s yet another conservative organization who backs the legislation. Erath Representative, Republican Blake Miguez, is backing the amendment and hopes other right leaning voters will as well.
Cut 7 (10) “…it right.”

LSU is the highest ranked Louisiana university and in the top half of the SEC at fifth, according to Washington Monthly 2018 College Guide and Rankings. The favorable result follows Forbes also recognizing the purple and gold in its top college rankings. LSU President F. King Alexander credits the accolades to the return on investment students see upon graduation.
Cut 13 (06) “…that we like.”

A recent study finds nine percent of visitors to Louisiana were impacted by by watching a film or TV show shot here and now the state wants to showcase those production locations with an all-new movie trail…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

It’s the 13th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina today, and unlike past years there’s not much in the way of official ceremonies and remembrances. Jeff Palermo has more.
Cut 1 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards spent today along the coast with a stop this morning at an oyster processing plant in Houma and then traveled to Cocodrie for an offshore tour with those in the shrimping industry.

The Saints have made some news as they’ve reportedly traded for Jets Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to serve as a back-up to Drew Brees.

Residents will have the opportunity in the November sixth election to vote for a constitutional amendment that would keep those convicted of a felony from running for elected office until five years after they complete their sentence. Metairie Senator Conrad Appeal authored the amendment and says a similar law was on the books, until it was thrown out by the courts…
cut 11 (11) “…thrown out”
LaPolitcs-dot-com recently reported there are at least three former mayors who have been convicted of felonies seeking their old job.

The historic Hotel Bailey in Bunkie can be leased for one-dollar a month for the next two years. Real estate agent Robert Burke says the Bailey is in good condition, but has been closed since the early 2000s…
cut 4 (10) “…falling apart”
Burke says whoever agrees to the lease, must have a plan on what they’ll do with the building in downtown Bunkie.