The New Orleans Police Department says they’ve brought in homicide investigators as the search continues for 32-year-old Sadie Thibodeaux of Baton Rouge. She was last seen on a sailboat in Lake Ponchatrain, along with 43-year-old Michael Lee Farley. Farley was rescued Monday and NOPD Third District Commander Jeff Walls says a thorough investigation continues…
cut 11 (11) “…for Sadie”
Walls says foul play is not suspected at thsi time.

The state’s gaming control board chairman, Ronnie Jones, says three of the state’s 15 riverboat casino operators are interested in moving their gaming operations onshore. Jones says the Belle of Baton Rouge and Treasurer Chest in Kenner have made their intentions known, while other casinos, like one in Lake Charles, are content with where they are at…
cut 5 (10) “….they are”
Jones says rules should be finalized by the end of the year that will allow interested casinos begin construction.

A government report says gasoline demand is nearing an all-time high and that’s causing prices to rise at the pump. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular fuel is $2.61, the most expensive August price since 2014. AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says the price of crude oil is also playing a hand in the price increase.
Cut 12 (11) “…time of the year.”
The statewide average for a gallon of gasoline was $2.16 a year ago.

Former governor Edwin Edwards says he’s content with life as he turns 91-years-old today. Edwards appeared on Talk Louisiana and told host Jim Engster that he’s not a suprise he’s lived for nine decades….
cut 8 (10) “….my family”
Edwards says he spends a lot of his time keeping up with his five-year-old son, Eli Wallace Edwards.

The search for 32-year-old Sadie Thibodeaux in Lake Ponchatrain, who was reported missing Sunday night. Authorities say she was a passenger on a sailboat found unmanned. It’s believed she was on a boat with 43-year-old Michael Lee Farley, who was rescued Monday morning. Police questioned and released Farley that afternoon. New Orleans Police Third District Commander Jeff Walls confirmed Farley and Thibodeaux had been dating, but foul play is not suspected at this time…
Cut 10 (07) “…how we’ll investigate it.”
Thibodeaux is from Baton Rouge, but recently moved to New Orleans.

Gaming Control Board chairman Ronnie Jones expects rules will be finalized by the end of the year that will allow riverboats to expand gaming operations onto land. Jones says he knows of three of the state’s 15 riverboat casinos have expressed interest in moving onshore…
cut 4 (10) “…existing buildings”

Edwin Edwards celebrates his 91st birthday today. Jeff Palermo reports the former four-term governor appeared on Talk Louisiana today.
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.61, which is the highest we’ve paid for gasoline in August since 2014. That’s according to Triple-A fuel analyst don Redman, who credits a growing economy…
cut 14 (11) “…growing economy”

A few riverboats have hired consultants as they eye expansions onto land as a result of legislation from the regular session…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

Edwin Edwards turns 91-years-old today. His youngest son, Eli Wallace Edwards, is now five years and the former four-term governor has political aspirations just like his Dad…
cut 7 (07) “…2053”
Edwars appeared this morning on Talk Louisiana.

The New Orleans Police Department says it is treating the case of a missing boater in Lake Pontchartrain as a homicide. 32-year-old Sadie Thibodeaux was reported missing on Sunday after an unmanned sailboat was found in the water. Several agencies are searching for her and NOPD Third District Commander Jeff Walls says anytime the agency handles a missing person’s case, they treat it as a homicide investigation as well….
cut 9 (08) “…invlolving foul play”
Thibodeaux recently moved from Baton Rouge to New Orleans. It’s believed she was on a boat with 43-year-old Michael Lee Farley, who was rescued Monday morning. Walls confirms Farley and Thibodeaux had been dating.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara has become one of the more popular players in the NFL after a sensational rookie season. Kamara has also had a busy offseason, with an appearance at the ESPY awards, he’s in the August edition of G-Q magazine and Kamara also appears in a recently released music video for Drake. Kamara says he’s done a lot of fun things and had great opportunities, but now he’s concentrating on the upcoming season…
cut 29 (11) “…my team”
Kamara and the Saints players are off from practice today. The first preseason game is Thursday at Jacksonville.

The Pelicans have released their five game preseason schedule. The first four games will be on the road, starting with the Chicago Bulls on September 30th. New Orleans will host Toronto on October 11th and the regular season should be released later this month.

The state’s top gambling regulator confirms three riverboat casinos are interested in expanding their operations on land, which is now legal as a result of legislation approved during the regular session. Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones spoke at the Baton Rouge Press Club…
Cut 3 (09) “for them.”
Jones cautioned that just because the laws have been relaxed, not every riverboat casino will look to move onto land.

Governor Edwards will be one of a handful of governors who will meet with President Donald Trump in New Jersey on Thursday to discuss criminal justice reforms. Republican Senator John Kennedy and Attorney General Jeff Landry say the governor’s reforms are soft on crime. Deputy Chief of Staff, Richard Carbo, says Kennedy and Landry are playing politics with a critical issue…
cut 15 (08) “…Kennedy have”

Edwin Edwards turns 91 today. The former four-term governor says he’s in good spirits and good health, and looking forward to many more years with his 39-year-old wife, Trina Edwards, and five-year-old son Eli. Edwards says he couldn’t have asked for a better way to start today.
Cut 6 (12) “be happier”.

Louisiana has collected 250-thousand dollars in fines from private companies that manage care for most of the state’s Medicaid patients. Louisiana Medicaid Director Jen Steele says the companies had incorrect records for health providers, making it difficult for patients to make appointments or determining if a doctor is able to take new patients. Steele says the inaccurate data has been corrected.

Governor Edwards will be in New Jersey on Thursday for a meeting with President Donald Trump and a handful of other governors to discuss criminal justice reform. Edwards was successful in getting the legislature to support proposals to lower the incarceration rate and programs designed to reduce the recidivism rate. Edwards’ Deputy Chief of Staff, Richard Carbo, says the president is reaching out to a leader who knows how to craft bipartisan legislation…
cut 14 (11) “…broad spectrum”

Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones says he’s heard from Louisiana casino operators that they want to provide their players with a chance to offer sports betting. Jones says it will take legislative action…
cut 8 (08) “….in Louisiana” (2x)
Some legislators raised concerns about expanding gambling in Louisiana as a reason why sports betting was not approved in the last regular session

The state health department has fined five private companies that manage Medicaid health care plans a total of 250-thousand dollars for failing to provide accurate records of doctors, so that patients can make appointments and determine if a doctor is accepting new patients. Louisiana Medicaid Director Jen Steele says as part of their new agreements with Managed care organizations, the state is able to fine these companies if the error rates exceed 10-percent…
cut 12 (07) “…additional penalty”
Steele says failure to meet these minimum standards will result in continued monetary penalties.

Just in time for a new school year, the department of education has posted on its website back-to-school resources for parents and educators. Director of Family and Educator Communication, Annie Morrison…
cut 5 (11) “…our high school students”

Governor John Bel Edwards will fly to New Jersey Thursday to talk criminal justice reform with President Donald Trump. Kevin Barnhart spoke with the governor’s deputy chief of staff.
Voicer 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Coast Guard continues to search Lake Pontchartrain for 32-year-old Sadie Thibodeaux, who has been missing since Sunday night. Thibodeaux was a passenger on a sailboat found unmanned. The Baton Rouge woman was on the boat with 43-year-old Michael Lee Farley, who was found in the water Monday morning. He’s been questioned by police and released.

Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones predicts the state legislature will once again look at passing legislation to give voters an opportunity to decide if sports betting should be legal at Louisiana casinos. Jones says some lawmakers will look at it as a way to generate more revenue for the state, but how much is hard to say…
cut 9 (07) “…the state”
Jones says there’s a big concern about players going to Mississippi, because sports betting is available there.

A new school year begins for many this week and the Department of Education has provided parents and teachers with back-to-school resources that align with the state’s academic goals. Director of Family and Educator Communication, Annie Morrison, says the guidance can be found at Lousiaina-Believes-dot-com and they are available in different languages…
cut 6 (09) “…can be intimidating”

Mississippi has sports betting, but Louisiana may not be out of the game for long. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (31) ”I’m Matt Doyle”

A 62-year-old man was fatally shot yesterday afternoon at a skate park in Shreveport and at this time the gunman is not facing any charges. Investigators say the shooting victim armed himself with a blunt object as a well as a handgun and that’s when the gunman fired his weapon.

Louisiana has collected 250-thousand dollars in fines from private companies that manage care for most of the state’s Medicaid patients. Louisiana Medicaid Director Jen Steele says the companies had incorrect records for health providers, making it difficult for patients to make appointments or determing if a doctor is able to take new patients. Steele says the inaccurate data has been corrected…
cut 11 (07) “…their system”
Steele says additional fines could be coming if managed care companies fail to maintain accurate provider information.

Governor Edwards will be one of a handful of governors who will meet with President Donald Trump in New Jersey on Thursday to discuss criminal justice reforms. Republican Senator John Kennedy and Attorney General Jeff Landry say the governor’s reforms are soft on crime. The governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Richard Carbo, says Kennedy and Landry are playing politics with a critical issue…
cut 15 (08) “…Kennedy have”