16:30 LRN Newscast September 6

Category Five Hurricane Irma is starting to spread hurricane conditions over portions of Puerto Rico. National Hurricane Center Meterologist David Zelinsky on what we can antcipate from Irma in the near future….
cut 8 (10) “….and the Keys”
The official forecast track from the hurricane center still has Irma taking aim on Florida and staying away from Louisiana.

Jennings Senator Blade Morrish says the TOPS Task Force met for the first time today, where discussions on the future of the program kicked off..:
Cut 4 (07) “on it”
Morrish says they want to see where TOPS is going, what needs to be done, and what the legislative intent is of the scholarship program.

Governor John Bel Edwards is pushing for changes in the federal disaster grant program. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Major refineries in Texas are starting to come back online, and gas prices across the nation are finally starting to level off. Patrick Dehaan, Senior Petroleum Analyst with GasBuddy.com, says Louisiana saw a 16 cent increase over the last week..:
Cut 10 (05) “plateau”
Today’s statewide average is $2.39.

15:30 LRN Newscast September 6

According to Gas-buddy-dot-com, prices at the pump have increased 16-cents over the last week as a result of Hurricane Harvey. Senior Petroleum Analyst with Gas-Buddy-dot-com, Patrick DeHaan….
cut 9 (11) “….higher”
But Dehaan says many of those refinieries that closed as a result of Harvey are starting to get back up and going and gas prices are showing signs of leveling off.

Hurricane Harvey survivors sheltering in Louisiana are heading back home, as DCFS is closing the shelters in both Shreveport and Alexandria. Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says they began the sheltering operation with one goal in mind…:
Cut 15 (11) “first class experience”

A task force examinging all aspects of the TOPS scholarship met for the first time today at the state capitol. Senate Education Chairman Blade Morrish says the purpose of today’s meeting was to get a general overview of the taxpayer funded scholarship program….
cut 5 (12) “…costing us’
The task force will issue a report in February.

Governor Edwards wants Congress to tweak a rule that allows flood victims and those impacted by this year’s disasters to be able to receive federal aid, if they were also approved for an SBA loan….
cut 14 (13) “…just approved for”
That’s Richard Carbo, with the governor’s office, who says many flood victims from last year can not receive assistance from the Restore Louisiana program.

LRN PM Newscall September 6

The TOPS Task Force met for the first time today to discuss the future of the scholarship program. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 1 (25) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Governor John Bel Edwards is pushing for changes in the federal disaster grant program. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Today the TOPS Task Force met for the first time, as state leaders take a closer look at the scholarship program. Jennings Senator Blade Morrish authored the legislation that created the group. He says almost no changes have been made to TOPS in the past 20 years, but a lot has changed in higher education…:

Cut 3 (11) “and we do now”

Morrish says they want to see where TOPS is going, what needs to be done, and what the legislative intent is of the scholarship program. He says the goal is to collect all the information available on TOPS so lawmakers can make decisions about the future of the program.

Cut 4  (07) “on it”

The task force will meet twice a month for the next four months before issuing their report in February. Morrish says the purpose of today’s meeting is to get a general overview of the taxpayer funded scholarship program.

Cut 5  (12)  “costing us”

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The National Hurricane Center says the eye of Cat-5 Irma is closing in on the Virgin Islands, but most models still show it shifting east and staying away from Louisiana. NHC Meteorologist David Zelinsky says the 5 day cone of probability currently shows Irma impacting Florida…:

Cut 6 (11)”does shift”

Zelinsky says encourages people not to focus on the exact forecast track, especially at longer ranges. He says there is a mid-level trough that is causing Irma to turn…:

Cut 7 (04)  “actually occur”

Zelinsky says atmospheric conditions and sea surface temperatures will likely keep the storm a major hurricane as it heads towards the Bahamas and southern Florida. He says Irma is going to hit Puerto Rico this afternoon or tonight:

Cut 8 (10) “and The Keys”

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Major refineries in Texas are starting to come back online, and gas prices across the nation are finally starting to level off. Senior Petroleum Analyst with GasBuddy.com, Patrick Dehaan says, the Bayou State saw a 16 cent increase at the pump over the last week. The current statewide average is $2.39. He says we can blame this spike on Hurricane Harvey.

Cut 9 (11)  “higher”

Dehaan says it seems like gas prices have begun to peak and Louisiana is already seeing subtle decreases.

Cut 10 (05) “plateau”

Dehaan says Louisiana’s average, although it has increased by 16 cents, it’s lower than the national average of a 21 cent jump.

Cut 11 (10) “unscathed”

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In the wake of devastating storms with more on the way, Governor John Bel Edwards hopes to change the way disaster grants are awarded to impacted homeowners. Richard Carbo with the governor’s office says SBA loans are the only funding available immediately after a disaster, but they may not be the best option.

Cut 12 (11) “Restore Louisiana program”

Carbo says a provision called a “duplication of benefits” prohibits families who took out loans from receiving any federal funding. He says the problem is FEMA almost insists that homeowners apply for these loans without telling them what that will mean down the road.

Cut 13 (08) “to pay back”

Carbo says the governor is pushing to end that provision and allow disaster victims to receive any assistance that’s available. He says the loan program isn’t fair to homeowners because they can be punished for taking out a loan, whether or not they use it.

Cut 14 (13) “just approved for”

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11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU won its season opener easily over BYU, but mistakes were made. The Tigers had a couple of trips into the red zone and did not score, plus they were flagged 10 times. Quarterback Danny Etling blames first game jitters….
cut 17 (20) “…we’ll be okay”

The Saints first regular season game is Monday night against the Vikings. Minnesota was 8-and-8 last season, but they have one of the best defenses in the NFC led by two-time powler Harrison Smith at safety. Sam Bradford is Minnesota’s QB, but will he have a running game this season. They drafted Dalvin Cook and signed free agent Latavius Murray.

Nicholls State is coming off a great win over McNeese and the Colonels opponent this Saturday is coming off one of the worst losses in college football history. Texas A-and-M coughed up a 34-point lead in the third quarter and lost to UCLA. There were already questions about Aggies Head Coach Kevin Sumlin’s job security before the game and the pressure has really turned up on the 53-year-old Sumlin who has three years left on his contract.

ULM is at Florida State and Head Coach Matt Viator plans to play two quarterbacks once again. In the loss to Memphis, Caleb Smith started and threw for 108 yards and a touchdown, while Garrett Smith threw for 171 yards and a touchdown, plus an intercetion. The Warhawks scored touchdowns on three of their last four possessions in their 37-29 loss to Memphis.

After giving up 48 points to Southeastern Louisiana last Saturday, the Cajuns will face a very good Tulsa offense this Saturday. The Hurricane scored 40 or more points in 10 of their 13 contests last season.

17:30 LRN Newscast September 5

Hurricane Irma is a dangerous Category 5 storm as it nears the northern Leeward Islands. National Hurricane Center Forecaster Chris Landsea says the models show the storm turning north once it reaches south Florida this weekend, and not impacting Louisiana. But adds nobody along the coast should let their guard down…:
Cut 10 (08) “premature”
State Officials got together today to discuss Louisiana’s response plan should another storm hit us while Texas recovers from Hurricane Harvey. Mike Steele with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness says we are still in the heart of hurricane season, and resources in Louisiana could be strained:
CUT 6 (09) “Houston and in Texas”
He says as part of the exercise, state agencies and emergency managers were asked to take actions without support from Texas.

The Department of Children and Family Services says evacuees who have been taking refuge at state run mega shelters in Alexandria and Shreveport are heading back to their home state for a shelter in Dallas. Most of the storm victims are from the Orange, Texas area. The move to the shelter in Dallas should be completed Thursday.

Lafayette Sheriff Mark Garber’s daughter and babysitter were found safe this morning following an all-night search for the missing girls…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

16:45 LRN Sportscast September 5

LSU has moved one spot to number 12 in the AP Top 25 poll and they are also ranked 12th in the coaches poll, which were released today. The Tigers had little trouble knocking off BYU 27-0 at the Mercedes Benz Superdome. Head Coach Ed Orgeron says he likes what he saw from his offense….
cut 30 (29) “…171 yards”
But Coach Ed Orgeron would rather not see Derrius Guice receive 27 carries like he did against BYU. Also, Orgeron said that outside linebacker Arden Key is still not cleared for contact.

The Saints have placed cornerback Delvin Breaux on injured reserve, so he’ll miss the first seven games because of a broken fibula. That opened a roster spot so the team can sign offensive tackle Bryce Harris. Harris provides depth in case Ryan Ramczyk or Zach Streif get hurt.

Cajuns Sophomore running back Raymond Calais was named Sun Belt conference special teams player of the week. Calais returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in the UL Lafayette’s 51-48 victory over Southeastern Louisiana.

The latest high school football polls are out…here are your number one ranked teams…John Curtis, St. Thomas More, De La Salle, Riverside and Haynesville. In One-A….Haynesville is followed by Logansport, Ouachita Christian, Oak Grove and Kentwood.

16:30 LRN Newscast September 5

Hurricane Irma is a potentially catastrophic Category 5 storm in the northeast Carribbean Sea. National Hurricane Center Forecaster Chris Landsea says weather conditions will deteriorate over the northern Leeward Islands soon.…
cut 9 (12) “…south Florida”
The models show Irma turning north before it reaches the Gulf and not impacting Louisiana.

Tropical Depression number 13 has formed in the Bay of Campeche. It’s expected to become a tropical storm tomorrow, but only impact Mexico. Still, Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says we need to be prepared….
cut 8 (11) “…headed our way”

Many are asking what they can do to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey. Halen Doughty has the answer from the Red Cross…
Voicer 5 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

CEO World magazine names UL Lafayette’s petroleum engineering department as the seventh best in the nation and 13th in the world. Department Head Fathi Boukadi (Fah-tee Boo-kah-dee) says this ranking and a rebounding oil market will lead to more students for the program…
cut 14 (10) “…in the South”

15:30 LRN Newscast September 5

A Category 5 hurricane is heading towards the Leeward Islands with maximum sustained winds at 185 miles per hour. Chris Landsea with the National Hurricane Center, says Irma is the strongest Atlantic hurricane on record….
cut 11 (09) “…gonna produce”
But as of now Irma is not expected to impact Louisiana.

State emergency preparedness officials conducted an exercise today on how Louisiana would respond if a major hurricane threatened our coast. Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says Texas has historically been one of our strongest allies, but much of that support may not be available while Hurricane Harvey recovery begins…:
cut 7 (08) “…things in place”

The daughter and babysitter of Lafayette Sheriff Mark Garber have been found safe after the two went missing in a canoe overnight. John Mowell with the sheriff’s office says 21-year-old Juliana Brooks took 7-year-old Cora Garber canoeing in the sheriff’s pond, which is adjacent to a swamp.
Cut 3 (10) “right now”
They were found this morning in the Lake Martin area, covered in mosquito bites and a little dehydrated.

CEOWORLD magazine ranks U-L Lafayette’s petroleum engineering department the seventh best in the nation and 13th in the world. Job placement rate was a key factor. Department Head Doctor Fathi Boukadi (Fah-tee Boo-kah-dee) despite the struggles in the oil and gas industry, UL Lafayette grads are holding down jobs….
cut 13 (08) “….during the downturn”

LRN PM Newscall September 5

Lafayette Sheriff Mark Garber’s daughter and babysitter were found safe this morning following an all-night search for the missing girls. Don Molino has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

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State Officials got together today to discuss Louisiana’s response plan should another storm hit us, while our neighbors are recovering. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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The daughter and babysitter of Lafayette Sheriff Mark Garber have been found safe after the two went missing in a canoe overnight. John Mowell with the sheriff’s office says the 21-year-old Juliana Brooks took 7-year-old Cora Garber canoeing in the sheriff’s pond, which is adjacent to a swamp.

Cut 3 (10) “right now”

Mowell says when the sheriff saw the babysitter’s phone and car at his home and no sight of the girls, he immediately deployed search and rescue teams. He says local law enforcement agencies joined in the effort, along with volunteers in canoes who searched throughout the night before finding the girls in the Lake Martin area near an oil well.

Cut 4  (11) “precautionary measure”

Mowell says the girls used mud from the swamp to protect themselves from mosquitos. He says the babysitter is a skilled kayaker with survival skills, which came in handy during the long night in the swamp.

Cut 5  (11)  “good judgement”

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State Officials got together today to discuss Louisiana’s response plan should another storm hit us while portions of the Gulf Coast region are still recovering from prior events. Mike Steele with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness says we are still in the heart of hurricane season, and resources in Louisiana could be strained:

Cut 6 (09) “Houston and in Texas”

Steele says Texas has historically been one of our strongest allies during an emergency, but much of that support may not be available now while their Hurricane Harvey recovery begins…:

Cut 7 (08)  “things in place”

Steele says not only is the state dealing with it’s own recovery from Harvey impacts, there are many Louisiana residents still living in temporary housing from the 2016 floods. He says even if Irma doesn’t hit Louisiana, there are other storms already starting to stack up…:

Cut 8 (11) “headed your way”

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Hurricane Irma is a potentially catastrophic Category 5 storm heading toward the Leeward Islands. National Hurricane Center Forecaster Chris Landsea says Irma will reach the Lesser Antilles today…

Cut 9 (12)  “south Florida”

The models show Irma turning north once it reaches south Florida and not impacting Louisiana, but Landsea says Louisiana should not let it’s guard down….

Cut 10 (08) “premature”

Landsea says Irma is the strongest Atlantic Ocean hurricane on record with maximum sustained winds of 185 miles per hour….

Cut 11 (09) “gonna produce”

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CEOWORLD magazine ranks UL-Lafayette’s petroleum engineering department the seventh best in the nation and thirteenth in the world. Department Head Dr. Fathi Boukadi (Fah-tee Boo-kah-dee) says this is the result of years of hard work by students, faculty, and staff. He says it’s an honor for the program to be ranked among the best in the world, and he hopes to continue to improve the department.

Cut 12 (09) “our students”

Job placement rate and recruiter feedback were key factors in the report. Boukadi says his students aren’t having much trouble finding work. He notes even in the face of a struggling oil and gas industry, UL-Lafayette students are holding down jobs in the field.

Cut 13 (08) “during the downturn”

Boukadi says students in his department get lots of hands on experience from the local oil and gas sector, which makes UL-Lafayette students even more competitive in the sector. He hopes this ranking and a rebounding oil market helps attract more students to the program.

Cut 14 (10) “in the South”

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11:30 LRN Newscast September 5

Hurricane Irma is a potentially catastrophic Category 5 storm heading toward the Leeward Islands. National Hurricane Center Forecaster Chris Landsea says Irma will reach the Lesser Antilles today…
cut 9 (12) “…south Florida”
The models show Irma turning north once it reaches south Florida and not impacting Louisiana, but there’s still a lot of uncertainity.

The daughter and babysitter of Lafayette Sheriff Mark Garber have been found safe after the two went missing in a canoe overnight. John Mowell with the sheriff’s office says the 21-year-old Juliana Brooks took 7-year-old Cora Garber canoeing in the sheriff’s pond, which is adjacent to a swamp.
Cut 3 (10) “right now”
They were found this morning in the Lake Martin area, covered in mosquito bites and a little dehydrated.

On October 1st, the CONGO TV network begins airing programs on-line. It’s founded by Monroe-native Ro Wright, who says the network will air a reality show based in Louisiana that follows a group of black students who have decided NOT to attend HBCU’s, because they don’t see the importance of them in this day and age….
cut 12 (11) “….our own state”

Doctor Vince Weaver at Baton Rouge General is having success performing a new stroke prevention procedure that prevents blockage and stroke. Weaver says the surgery is an hour long and patients are released the next day. He says certain criteria must be met ,before the procedure can be done…
cut 15 (09) “…both sides”
For more information contact Baton Rouge General.