The East Baton Rouge Flood Risk Reduction Project receives the greenlight on federal dollars needed to complete the $255 million undertaking.  Transportation and Drainage Director for EBR Parish Fred Raiford says it is a project that many in the area have waited years to see come to fruition.

Cut 9 (10) “…know that.”

Raiford says about 66 miles of drainage channels will be improved as part of the project.

The 2020 SEC schedule has officially dropped for all teams, with LSU set to start the year September 5th against UT San Antonio before taking on Texas September 12th, and finishing out their Texas trio with a contest against Rice September 19^th at a neutral site in Houston. The team has a brutal stretch from October 10^th-November 7^th where they’ll play, Florida, MS State, and Alabama in less than a month. They end the regular season with Auburn November 21^st and a major revenge game November 28^th against A&M. 

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the future of agriculture in Louisiana may look a lot different in five years. Strain says internationally, they’re working on a new trade deal with Britain, which appears set to leave the European Union in the near future, but it’s the trade war with China that has many farmers in Louisiana stuck in the middle.

Cut 5 (11) “…a fair deal.”

Louisiana accounts for one percent of the soybean production in the US, with 60% of the national export sent to China.

A Clinical Psychologist at LSU Health New Orleans says the mass panic and conflicting reports of a shooter at a Walmart in Baton Rouge yesterday may be the psychological effects of recent mass shootings. Authorities say a gun was drawn during an altercation, but despite multiple eyewitness accounts, no shot was ever fired. Michelle Moore says when in fight or flight the nervous system just takes over…

Cut 12, 11 seconds, actually is

On Tuesday in Baton Rouge initial reports of an active shooter at a Walmart  had many wondering if the Bayou State was the next location of a public mass shooting. East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office Col. Bryan White says the Sheriff’s gave a statement to the media that a man was at that hospital listed in stable condition with gunshot wounds. White now says that statement was inaccurate as they were still trying to gather details of what actually happened.

Cut 12 (09) “…between two people.”

However on the scene yesterday a witness I spoke to Herman Green said he heard differently.

Cut 27

:14 jett off

This story remains under investigation.

While the China trade deal uncertainties still linger, Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says trade deals with other nations are looking promising. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (25) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Navy veteran Patrick “Livewire” Landry is the third Republican to enter the governor’s race alongside Eddie Rispone and Congressman Ralph Abraham. Landry previously ran for Governor as an independent in 2003. The candidate had a specific pitch for voters who cross the nation’s largest bridge during their commute…

Cut 7 (09) “…Louisiana.”

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the state is moving ahead with it’s hemp program, but now that the Legislative hurdles have been cleared they’ll have to work out the details with the feds, including specific testing mechanisms, and getting an exact pin on how much THC is allowed in the products. He says expect the crop to take off next year.

Cut 4 (05) “…largest alternative crops.”

Strain made the comments at qualifying.

Navy veteran Patrick “Livewire” Landry is the third Republican to enter the governor’s race alongside Eddie Rispone and Congressman Ralph Abraham. Landry says the 300-million-dollar state surplus from the last budget year is evidence that the state is collecting too much in taxes, and that money needs to be returned.

Cut 6, 10 seconds, nonsense

Landry previously ran for Governor as an independent in 2003.

Chaos and confusion in Baton Rouge on Tuesday as a suspected shooting incident at the Burbank Walmart is now thought to be a false alarm, with one man arrested for sparking the incident.
Cut 2 (32 ) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

44-year-old Robert Tucker is reportedly under arrest in connection to the Baton Rouge Walmart panic that police say can be traced back to an altercation between two men at customer service that ended when one pulled out a gun. Throughout the day authorities believed the altercation led to a shooting due to eyewitness accounts, but they say after reviewing the film, a gun was pulled out, but never fired. Sheriff’s Office Col. Bryan White says he’s not sure why people thought they heard gunfire.

Cut 11 (12) “…in the store.”

The panic has made national news.

The City of Baton Rouge has reached an agreement with the feds on a massive drainage project that will dredge, widen and upgrade 66 miles of waterways in East Baton Rouge Parish to prevent another event like the Great Flood of 2016. The state has agreed to kick in 40 million, the city roughly 20 million, while the feds will cover the rest of the projects estimated 255 million dollar overhaul. The City of Central is also contributing four million.

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain addresses some of the issues Louisiana’s agriculture industry in the future following filing qualifying paperwork to run for reelection.  Strain says with observations of climate change, farmers are seeing the ability to grow crops in a latitude further north than the crops’ typical area.

Cut 3 (08) “…of marketable crops”

Strain is facing two Democratic opponents.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says he is not worried about the million-dollar war chest Tim Temple has in the race for his position. Donelon made the statement after filing his qualifying paperwork. Donelon says he has many qualities that make him the best many for the job.

Cut 15 (10) “…of my responsibilities.”

Donelon is aiming to serve a fourth term, but insurance commsioner is expected to be a hotly contested race

Governor John Bel Edwards message at qualifying was clear: a vote for me is a vote for further increases to education funding.

Edwards says his administration’s dedication to education is what sets him apart from his Republican rivals, and precursor.

Cut 9 (08) “…well served by.”

Edwards is hoping to earn over 50 percent of the vote in the October primary to avoid a November run-off.

With the governor’s race officially on the two Republicans contenders say they’re ready to take the fight to Governor Edwards, in their own ways. Congressman Ralph Abraham says the Governor has presided over substantial tax increases, and he’d begin unraveling those policies if he takes the Mansion…

Cut 4 (10) “…in the nation.”

Initial reports of an active shooter a Baton Rouge Walmart on Tuesday had many wondering if the Bayou State was the next location of a public mass shooting. East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office Col. Bryan White says after a security sweep of the store, they began to talk to witnesses.

Cut 10 (08) “…video in Walmart.”

Baton Rouge wasn’t the only place startled by a false alarm. A motorcycle muffler backfire last night in New York City’s Times Square caused a panic for those in area.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says he is not worried about the million-dollar war chest Tim Temple has in the race for his position. Donelon made the statement after filing his qualifying paperwork. Donelon says he has been the funding underdog before.

Cut 13 (11) “…and won handily.”

Donelon is aiming to serve a fourth term.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is officially qualified to run for a fourth term and is up against a challenger with a self-funded million dollar war chest in Tim Temple. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

22 people were indicted on conspiracy and drug trafficking charges following a federal and state investigation on drugs in Louisiana’s largest prison…Angola. In the indictment prisoners are heard openly discussing drug deals on recorded telephone lines.

With the governor’s race officially on the two Republicans contenders say they’re ready to take the fight to Governor Edwards, in their own ways.

GOP gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone says Governor Edwards has been lax on illegal immigration, and the governor has stood by as large numbers of undocumented immigrants have come to the state.
Cut 6 (09) “…Louisiana.”

Initial reports of an active shooter a Baton Rouge Walmart on Tuesday had many wondering if the Bayou State was the next location of a public mass shooting. East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office Col. Bryan White says after a security sweep of the store, they began to talk to witnesses.But as the day went on, the story changed, to the point where it appears there was an altercation between a man with scissors and a man with a gun at customer service, but no shots were fired. White says he is not sure what was heard by people who claimed they heard shots.
Cut 11 (12) “…in the store.”

Chaos and confusion in Baton Rouge on Tuesday as a suspected shooting incident at the Burbank Walmart is now thought to be a false alarm. Kevin Barnhart has the situation.
Cut 2 (32 ) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says he is not worried about the million-dollar war chest Tim Temple has in the race for his position. Donelon made the statement after filing his qualifying paperwork. Donelon says he has been the funding underdog before.
Cut 13 (11) “…and won handily.”

Governor John Bel Edwards message at qualifying was clear: a vote for me is a vote for further increases to education funding.
The last session was defined by Edwards’ ability to secure a 1,000 dollar pay raise for public school teachers. He says if given another term, he will seek at least another 1,000 dollar raise for educators.
Edwards says his administration’s dedication to education is what sets him apart from his Republican rivals, and precursor.
Cut 9 (08) “…well served by.”

With the governor’s race officially on the two Republicans contenders say they’re ready to take the fight to Governor Edwards, in their own ways.
Congressman Ralph Abraham says the Governor has presided over substantial tax increases, and he’d begin unraveling those policies if he takes the Mansion…
Cut 4 (10) “…in the nation.”

The two Republican contenders in the governor’s race only have two months to show voters why they should make the run off. Matt Doyle has the story on how each positioned themselves at qualifying….
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle ”

Governor John Bel Edwards message at qualifying was clear: a vote for me is a vote for further increases to education funding.
Edwards says the budget stability his administration provided has allowed the state to begin reinvesting in education, and a vote for him in fall would continue that reinvestment process…
Cut 8 (06) “…in education.”

Initial reports of an active shooter a Baton Rouge Walmart on Tuesday had many wondering if the Bayou State was the next location of a public mass shooting. East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office Col. Bryan White says after a security sweep of the store, they began to talk to witnesses.
Cut 10 (08) “…video in Walmart.”

22 people were indicted on conspiracy and drug trafficking charges following a federal and state investigation on drugs in Louisiana’s largest prison…Angola. In the indictment prisoners are heard openly discussing drug deals on recorded telephone lines.

The two Republican contenders in the governor’s race only have two months to show voters why they should make the run off. Matt Doyle has the story on how each positioned themselves at qualifying….

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle ”

_______________________________

Chaos and confusion in Baton Rouge on Tuesday as a suspected shooting incident at the Burbank Walmart is now thought to be a false alarm. Kevin Barnhart has the situation.

Cut 2 (32 ) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

___________________________________

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is officially qualified to run for a fourth term and is up against a challenger with a self-funded million dollar war chest in Tim Temple. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

________________________________________

With the governor’s race officially on the two Republicans contenders say they’re ready to take the fight to Governor Edwards, in their own ways.

Congressman Ralph Abraham says the Governor has presided over substantial tax increases, and he’d begin unraveling those policies if he takes the Mansion…

Cut 4 (10) “…in the nation.”

The last time a governor cut taxes wholesale, healthcare and education received massive cuts to balance the books. Abraham says his tax cut proposals won’t have the same results Bobby Jindal’s did…

Cut 5 (11) “…assure you that.”

Abraham says his waste, fraud, and abuse target number one would be the Medicaid program, but he reiterated his support for Governor Edwards’ Medicaid expansion.

GOP gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone says Governor Edwards has been lax on illegal immigration, and the governor has stood by as large numbers of undocumented immigrants have come to the state.

Cut 6 (09) “…Louisiana.”

Immigration law is almost entirely governed by the Feds, but Rispone says he would empower local authorities to more actively participate in immigration policing.

There are no sanctuary cities in Louisiana, but Rispone repeated his claim that New Orleans facilitates undocumented immigration. He says if the Crescent City refuses to cooperate with him on immigration…

Cut 7 (08) “start with”

_____________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards message at qualifying was clear: a vote for me is a vote for further increases to education funding.

Edwards says the budget stability his administration provided has allowed the state to begin reinvesting in education, and a vote for him in fall would continue that reinvestment process…

Cut 8 (06) “…in education.”

The last session was defined by Edwards’ ability to secure a 1,000 dollar pay raise for public school teachers. He says if given another term, he will seek at least another 1,000 dollar raise for educators.

Edwards says his administration’s dedication to education is what sets him apart from his Republican rivals, and precursor.

Cut 9 (08) “…well served by.”

Edwards is hoping to earn over 50 percent of the vote in the October primary to avoid a November run-off.

_______________________

Initial reports of an active shooter a Baton Rouge Walmart on Tuesday had many wondering if the Bayou State was the next location of a public mass shooting. East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office Col. Bryan White says after a security sweep of the store, they began to talk to witnesses.

Cut 10 (08) “…video in Walmart.”

But as the day went on, the story changed, to the point where it appears there was an altercation between a man with scissors and a man with a gun at customer service, but no shots were fired. White says he is not sure what was heard by people who claimed they heard shots.

Cut 11 (12) “…in the store.”

White says the Sheriff’s initial report that there was someone at a local hospital in stable condition with gunshot wounds was inaccurate as they were still trying to gather details of what happened.

Cut 12 (09) “…between two people.”

_____________________________

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says he is not worried about the million-dollar war chest Tim Temple has in the race for his position. Donelon made the statement after filing his qualifying paperwork. Donelon says he has been the funding underdog before.

Cut 13 (11) “…and won handily.”

Donelon is aiming to serve a fourth term. While Temple highlights that Louisiana insurance rates are much higher than the rest of the country, Donelon says policyholders are seeing some recent relief.

Cut 14 (11) “…Louisiana Farm Bureau.”

Donelon says he has many qualities that make him the best many for the job.

Cut 15 (10) “…of my responsibilities.”

The race is considered the most hotly contested of the statewide seats outside of the Governor’s race.

Candidates lined up to qualify for the governor’s race today, with Eddie Rispone, who is one of two Republicans taking on Governor Edwards, opening the day…

Cut 9 (12) “…bat girl”

Rispone was heading out the door as GOP Congressman Ralph Abraham arrived. Abraham says Governor Edwards’ tax increases are running people out of the state, like his daughter who works in Texas…

Cut 11 (08) “…residents”

Governor Edwards arrived last, and brought a crowd chanting four more years along with him. Edwards says if elected, he’ll keep ensuring education gets the proper funding…

Cut 14 (07) “…that we want.”

The run-off is October 12th.

Chaos and confusion in Baton Rouge today as a suspected shooting incident at the Burbank Walmart is now thought to be a false alarm, despite multiple on scene eyewitnesses telling LRN reporters that they heard a loud argument, followed by two men drawing guns, and eventual gunfire.

East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux told reporters during a press conference at the Walmart later that day that shots had been fired, that one unrelated victim had been hit, and they were actively searching for another gunman. LRN reporter Brooke Thorington was at the chaotic scene…

28

Authorities now believe that a panic ensued when the two men drew weapons, but that shots were never fired. They say in the panic and confusion that eyewitnesses heard things that were not real.