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.

The state’s two largest teachers unions are responding to Governor Edwards’ push for a 1,000 dollar pay raise for teachers, and a 500 dollar pay raise for support personnel. But one group says it’s not enough. Louisiana Federation of Teachers spokesperson Les Landon says it would take a 1,850 dollar raise to get Bayou educators to the regional average, but the regional average is also too low.
Cut 4 (12) “…the conversation.”
Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux says her organization is seeking a 1,200 dollar a year raise for teachers.

Slidell High School teacher Valerie Scogin is facing backlash for a Facebook post that said, “Want to not be stereotyped, tell people of that color to quit acting like animals.” It’s unclear who the message was directed to, but a school official says it has been taken down and the school system is taking appropriate disciplinary actions.

The Bayou Bridge Pipeline could be facing a delay, after agreeing to cease construction on private property in St. Martinville after the owner alleged the company was there illegally. Matt Doyle has more.
voicer 2 (31) ”I’m Matt Doyle”

Walker High’s head football coach, Lester Ricard, along with an assistant coach Marcus Brown, have resigned. The resignations come days after the announcement the two had been suspended. The question of “Why?” remains. Prep writer for The Advocate, Robin Fambrough, says Ricard, a former quarterback at Tulane, had the program heading in the right direction.
Cut 11 (08) “…disappointed”
A Baton Rouge TV station reports officials are looking into suggestive comments and text messages to young women.