The Saints begin training camp today with expectations of making a deep run in the playoffs. New Orleans won the NFC South last year and since that time they’ve drafted a potential pass rusher in Marcus Davenport and signed free agent wide receiver Cameron Meredith and veteran tight end Ben Watson to provide additional targets for Drew Brees. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says the Saints have a deep roster and one of the stories to follow in camp is who will be able to nail down punt return duties…
cut 17 (17) “…hidden yardage”
The Saints first practice is tomorrow and wide receiver Brandon Coleman will not be on the field. The role player on the Black and Gold last season has an undisclosed injury that also forced him to miss all of the team’s offeseason conditioning work.

The Pelicans have signed free agents Garlon Green and Kenrich Williams. Both players will get a chance to earn a roster spot in training camp. The 27-year-old Garlon Green went undrafted out of TCU in 2013 and has played professionaly in Japan, Germany and Beligium. He played on the Pels Summer League Team and averaged nine points a game. Williams played on the Nuggets Summer League team and averaged five points and five rebounds a game. He also played at T-C-U, where he averaged 13 points and nine rebounds his senior season.

In college football…Tulane is picked to finish fifth in the West Division of the American Athletic Conference. Memphis is the preseason favorite in the West, while Central Florida is expected to repeat as champs in the East. The third season of the Willie Fritz era begins with a Thursday night matchup against Wake Forest.

The Astros scored six runs in the tenth inning last night and beat the Colorado Rockies eight to two. Alex Bregman hit his 21st home run in the first inning. Rough night for the Rangers as they blew a 10-2 lead and lost to Oakland 13-10.

Louisiana had one of the top 15 highest GDP growths in the nation for the first quarter. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (32) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart”

An elderly Baton Rouge woman has died after she was found in what authorities call “deplorable” conditions. 77-year-old Barbara Lews-Brown’s two granddaughters, 36-year-old Chasity Lewis and 22-year-old Charlnessa Butler have been charged with manslaughter-cruelty to the Infirmed.

Scientists have associated the climate with mental health problems before, but a new study out of California suggests a heat wave can bring about an increase in suicides. Clinical Psychologist at LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Michelle Moore weighs in on the research published in Nature Climate Change.
Cut 4 (11) “rates of depression”
The research suggests climate change can lead to a higher suicide rate in the future.

US Senator John Kennedy had a private meeting with President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Kennedy say sthe conversation stuck mostly to personal topics, so he can get to know the man.
Cut 13 (13) “at LSU”
Kennedy says harder questions will come when Kavanaugh goes before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis says Louisiana’s Gross Domestic Product rose faster than 35 other states during the first quarter of 2018 at two-point-three percent. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says it’s a postive indictor the state’s economy is heading in the right direction, but the G-D-P doesn’t represent the full picture…
cut 11 (10) “…rate”
The state’s unemployment rate in June was 4.7 percent a half-a-percent lower than the previous year.

The US Agriculture Department is seeking to provide 12-billion dollars in direct assistance for farmers who have been hurt in the trade war with China where both countries have slapped billions of dollars in tariffs on products traded between the two countries. Louisiana exports five-point-seven billion dollars in ag products in China and State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain has faith this can provide some relief…
cut 9 (06) “…some stability”

Senator John Kennedy met one-on-one with Supreme Court Justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh, as Kennedy sits on the committee that will make the first vote regarding Kavanaugh’s confirmation. Kennedy says he’s looking forward to asking the judge hard questions before he makes his final call on whether or not he’d support him. He says its crucial the Senate gets this right, because the appointment is for life…
Cut 15 (12) “be sure”

California researchers release a report that links warmer temperatures to an increase in suicides. The study estimates by 2050 climate change may increase suicide rates by 1.4 percent in the U.S. resulting in 14,000 more deaths. Clinical pscychologist at LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Michelle Moore says further research must be done to understand the extent of the mental implications of climate change.
Cut 6 (09) “for the future”

There’s good news on the economic front. The Bureau of Economic Analysis says Louisiana’s Gross Domestic Product grew at a rate of two-point-three percent, faster than 35 other states. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson credits recent expansions by Louisiana companies, like Tuesday’s announcement that Shintech Louisiana in Plaquemine plans to spend 1.4 billion dollars expanding its chemical manufacturing operations…
cut 12 (12) “…be signficant”

Louisiana US Senator John Kennedy met with Supreme Court Justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Kennedy, who sits on the committee that will make the first vote on his confirmation, says he’s impressed with Kavanaugh’s temperament. He says they discussed the perception the Supreme Court has become yet another partisan battle ground…
cut 14 (06) “….has caused”

A new study out of California suggests warmer temperatures will lead to higher suicide rates. Becca Dill has more.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Becca Dill“

In a sign that summer will soon be over, the Saints report for training camp today.

Eight people have been arrested in connection to a dismembered male body found in the woods outside of Walker. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Bureau of Economic Analysis says Louisiana’s Gross Domestic Product grew for the first quarter of this year at a rate of two-point-three percent, which is faster than 35 other states. In a statement, Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s a sign Louisiana’s economy is steadily improving and his administration continues to work towards bringing record economic development deals.

The exchange on capital punishment between Gov. John Bel Edwards and Attorney General Jeff Landry continues to escalate. The last execution in Louisiana took place in 2010, when the drugs for a lethal injection were last available. Solictor General for the AG’s office, Liz Murrill, says they still believe the governor can do more to get executions scheduled….
Cut 12 (11) “…where he stands.”
But the governor’s office points out that Landry hasn’t offered a single bill dealing with capital punishment since he took office in 2016.

Interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin provided the big surprise at qualifying when he decided in the final minutes to enter the special election for Secretary of State. Ardoin had said he was not interested in running for the elected position and said today he never purposely misled anyone…
cut 10 (07) “….anticipating doing it”
Ardoin says he came to the decision after encouragement from friends and family.

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise is expected to be elected to a sixth term as Congressman of Louisiana’s 1st District. There are five long shot challengers on the November 6th ballot, including Covington Democrat Jim Francis, who says Scalise has been negligent on gun control…
cut 5 (10) “…the schools”
Scalise has millions of dollars in his campaign war chest, but he’s expected to use that money to help vulnerable Republican House members in other parts of the country.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund objects to a camel taking the place of a deceased tiger at the Tiger Truck Stop along Interstate 10 in Iberville Parish. The A-L-D-F says wild animals do not belong in captivity, especially near gas fumes. But Tiger Truck Stop owner Mike Sandlin says he’s had tigers live past 20 years under his care…
cut 10 (09) “….20 years of age’

Louisiana Tech student Mason Andrews is trying to become the youngest solo pilot to fly around the world. The 18-year-old expects his journey will take 30 to 40 days to complete and La Tech Aviation Department Head Jordan Lyons says Andrews has been trained how to bail, if the worst happens…
cut 13 (08) “….survival school”
Andrews will spend 15 hours over the water when he flies from Japan to Alaska. He departed from Monroe on Sunday.

State Police has arrested five people for allegedly staging a two vehicle crash near Ville Platte in an effort to receive insurance claims for damaged property and fake bodily injuries. Master Trooper Brooks David says staging crashes is unfortunately a crime they see too often…
cut 16 (09) “…your money”
The five people arrested are from the Acadiana area and range in ages from 24 to 66 years old.