Fifty years ago, there wasn’t a single brown pelican to be found in the pelican state. The demise of the population can be traced back to the use of the pesticide DDT. But the population of the bird has since rebounded to about 100,000 throughout Louisiana. LDWF Nongame Bird Biologist Michael Seymour says the rejuvenation effort began in the late 1960s.
Cut 13 (12) “…north of Grand Isle.”
Seymour says there’s now over eight-thousand adult pelicans on Queen Bess island.

A Grambling State grad student studying communications is one of eight people in the country to receive a 25,000 dollar scholarship funded by music superstar Beyonce. Cletus Emokpae is from New York and struggled to pay for his own education, until he received this amazing gift from Beyonce
Cut 7 (11) “of support”

A chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy has appealed a federal judge’s decision that allows for the removal of a confederate monument from the courthouse grounds in Caddo Parish. The United Daughters of the Confederacy says the Caddo Parish Commission does not have the authority to remove the monument, because it’s on private land.

The drought monitor says extreme drought conditions have reached northwest Louisiana, but state climatologist Barry Keim says relief is on the way…
cut 6 (11) “…needed most”
But before the rain gets here on Sunday, expect hot and humid conditions.

The Saints began training camp today with Super Bowl aspirations. Last year, New Orleans struggled on punt returns. Coach Sean Payton says that will be a point of emphasis, plus there are new kick-off rules to learn…
cut 28 (19) “…blocking for em”
Saints Quarterback Drew Brees has a new look as he’s wearing a helmet designed to reduce concussions. Brees says the helmet he wore last year is not up to NFL standards. The veteran Q-B says the change is no big deal…
cut 29 (14) “…totally different”

The preparation is underway for the next voice of the Saints as Zach Strief transitions from the playing field to the press box. Strief, who has no previous broadcasting experience, spent more than a decade as an offensive tackle with the black and gold. Strief looks forward to working with color analyst Duece McAllister and hopes this is something truly special to be shared with the Who Dat Nation.
Cut 5 (12) “…on the field.”

In other NFL news…former LSU Tiger Jarvis Landry says the Browns, who did not win a single game last season, can win the Super Bowl this year. Landry, who was traded to Cleveland in the offseason, believes the Browns offense can put up 40 points a game.

Landry’s former teammate at LSU, Odell Beckham Junior, has reported to Giants camp. New York has indicated they are ready to discuss a new contract for O-B-J.

The US House has passed the National Defense Authorization Act which provides the largest pay raise for troops in nine years. Congressman Ralph Abraham says the pay raises doen’t just help soldiers, but communities that house military bases too
cut 9 (07) “dollars.”
The legislation also contains 295-million dollars to update B-52 bombers, which frequently take off at Barksdale Air force Base. There’s also 12-million dollars for a new entrance to Barksdale, so a nuclear weapons storage facility can be built there.

A federal judge has ruled the Caddo Parish Commission can remove a confedrate monument that stands in front of the parish courthouse. The judge rejected the claims by the Daughters of the Confederacy that said the monument was on private land and their free speach was violated. Commissioner Steven Jackson…
cut 14 (10) “…not ture”
It’s unclear when the statue will be taken down.

The Natchitoches mother arrested in connection with the burning death of her six-month old child faces an additional criminal charge. Twenty-two-year-old Hannah Baker is a now facing a charge of Criminal Conspiracy to go along with the previous charge of Principle to 1st Degree Murder. So far two people have been arrested as the investigation continues.

The new voice of the Saints is making the transition from the playing field to the press box. Kevin Barnhart has more.
voicer 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The mother of an infant that died from severe burns last week in Natchitoches has been charged with principle to 1st Degree Murder. She’s the second person arrested this week and State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the investigation is ongoing…
cut 15 (06) “…this arrest”
The infant’s mother, 22-year-old Hannah Baker, claimed that two people forced their way into her home, maced her and then took the child. Browning says that story turned out to be a lie.

A federal judge has permitted the removal of a confederate monument in Caddo Parish. The monument sits in front of the parish courthouse. The Judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Daughters of the Confederacy, deciding the group had not proved that the statue stood on private land. Caddo Parish Commissioner Steven Jackson says it’s a great step forward
cut 12 (10) “be equal.”
No word on if an appeal has been filed.

Louisiana has been awarded for having the best workforce training program in the nation. Matt Doyle has the story.
voicer 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The LaFourche Parish Sheriff’s office has determined the death of a man found with his arms and legs bound by rope in Bayou Lafourche as a suicide. 69-year-old Terry Angelle’s body was found on Sunday. Detectives believe he used slip knots to tie up his arms and legs. Family and friends also say the Galliano man was battling depression.

There’s a shocking turn in the case of a 6-month-old Natchitoches baby who died from extensive burns suffered in a barn fire….
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The LaFourche Parish Sheriff’s office has determined the death of a man found with his arms and legs bound by rope in Bayou Lafourche as a suicide. 69-year-old Terry Angelle’s body was pulled to shore on Sunday detectives believe he used slip knots to tie up his arms and legs. Family and friends also say the Galliano man was battling depression.

Republican Attorney General and Senator John Kennedy question whether Governor John Bel Edwards supports capital punishment. Landry has said Edwards could do more to make sure executions happen in Louisiana and Kennedy shared these thoughts with L-R-N….
cut 6 (07) “…just play games”
But the Edwards administration says the lack of available drugs needed to carry out an execution under Louisiana law is keeping the state from executing death row inmates.

The Saints are holding their first practice of training camp this morning. Fans will be allowed to attend practices starting Saturday and New Orleans Chief Operation Officer Ben Hales says if you want to go, you need to get your free tickets by logging on to the Saints website…
cut 11 (06) “…ready for the season”
For the first time in 33 years, Tom Benson is not there to watch the team get ready for an NFL season.

The mother of a six-month old child burned to death in Natchitoches last week has been charged with one count of principal to first degree murder. Twenty-two-year-old Hannah Baker told investigators two people broke into her home, sprayed her with mace and kidnapped the toddler. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says that’s not what happened and it appears the people involved wanted to end the child’s life…
cut 14 (05) “…first degree murder”
Earlier this week, Felicia Smith was charged with first-degree murder.

Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry has criticized Governor John Bel Edwards for not doing more to make sure death penalty sentences are carried out. Landry and Republican Senator John Kennedy wonder if the governor even supports capital punishment…
cut 5 (10) “…death penalty”
The Edwards administration has said Landry’s suggestions on restrating executions are not doable under Louisiana law.

Louisiana has been awarded for having the best workforce training program in the nation. Matt Doyle has the story.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Saints first training camp practice for 2018 is today and the first practice that’s open to the public is Saturday. In order to watch, you need to get your free tickets at the Saints website. Chief Operating Officer Ben Hales says the players enjoy the fans support during these hot practices…
cut 12 (08) “…anywhere in sports.

Authorities have now arrested the mother of the 6-month-old Natchitoches baby who died from severe burns last week. 22-year-old Hannah Baker has been charged with Principle to 1st Degree Murder for her role in the tragic death. Baker claimed she was maced during a home invasion that saw her child taken from her, but State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says that likely was a lie.
Cut 13 (08) “this crime”
Baker is the second person charged in this crime and Browning says more arrests are possible.

Federal Judge Robert James has ruled the Caddo Parish Commission can remove a confederate monument that stands outside the parish courthouse. The United Daughters of Confederacy filed a lawsuit claiming that the statue was located on private property, but Judge James dismissed that argument. It’s unknown when the commission will remove the statue.

Louisiana Economic Development’s FastStart program has been ranked the nation’s number one state workforce training program for a record ninth consecutive year by Business Facilities. LED Secretary Don Pierson says this isn’t possible without the huge pool of talent that makes up the program…
Cut 7 (13) “…digital training”
The program works with growing companies to recruit and train new employees.

The Saints hold their first training camp practice today and starting Saturday practices will be open to the public. The team’s Chief Operating Officer Ben Hales on what Black and Gold fans can expect….
cut 10 (12) “…keep you entertained”
Fans will have to register to attend practice by going to the team’s website.