Louisiana FastStart, the state’s workforce training program, has been named the best state workforce training program in the nation for the 10th year in a row…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_______________________________

LSU President F. King Alexander has heard the feedback concerning the conditions of some buildings on campus while opening a new $28 million dollar football operations center.

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

_____________________________________

 Saints training camp begins today with fans and players desperate for a second crack at a Lombardi after two straight years of playoff tragedy…

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

________________________________________

Louisiana’s workforce training program FastStart has been named the best workforce training program in the nation by Business Facilities for the tenth year in a row.

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson credits the program’s innovative new training modules that can put workers face to face with real-life situations they’ll encounter on the job.

Cut 4 (10) “…situations.” 

Pierson says the program has been so successful that Virginia officials have been visiting to get a closer look at what we’re doing so they can replicate that success in their own state.

Cut 5  (10) “… with.” 

Business Facilities also ranked Louisiana 8^th best state for overall growth potential and number two for Foreign Direct Investments.

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.3 percent is the lowest it’s been in over ten years. Pierson says that’s good news for workers, who can use FastStart to move up to that next level job.

Cut 6 (09) “…today.”

Louisiana-Job-Connection-Dot-Com allows you to post your resume right to the website.

________________

LSU President F. King Alexander was present for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new $28 million dollar football operations facility. The state of the art structure has been met with backlash due to other buildings on campus being in less than desirable conditions. Alexander says deferred maintenance has been an issue with other buildings on campus.

Cut 7 (08) “…we are tackling.”

Alexander says there has been a shift in the most recent fiscal year when it comes to donations to the school in favor of academics over athletics.

Cut 8 (10) “…went to athletics.”

Alexander says the Fierce for the Future campaign aiming to raise $1.5 billion for the school is helping shift the number of donations towards academics.

Cut 9 (11) “…been doing both.”

_______________

The Saints enter training camp today ahead of a campaign that many fans consider do-or-die after two straight years of playoff heartbreak.

One of the biggest stories heading into camp is the ongoing contract negotiations between the team and star wideout Mike Thomas. ESPN Saints reporter Mike Triplett says it may take some time for the two sides to work out an extension, but…

Cut 10 (12) “around him.”

Thomas holds the record for most receptions through a player’s first three years with 321, along with Saints franchise records for most receptions in a game, most receptions in a season, most receiving yards in a game, and most receiving yards in a season.

Last year the defensive line was a real strength, but the team lost end Alex Okafor in free agency, and tackle Sheldon Rankins to injury, and Triplett says that puts all eyes on second-year pro, Marcus Davenport…

Cut 11 (11) “…quickly.”

The 22-year-old notched 4.5 sacks last year but saw his production drop off after a midseason toe and tried to play through the pain to limited success. He later noted the same injury is often season-ending.

The offseason sidelines will be lacking one of the most beloved of the Black and Gold this year after the departure of running back Mark Ingram. Tripplett says fans are dying to see his replacement Latavius Murray in action.

Cut 12 (11) “…number 1.”

The six year vet ran for 578 yards on 4.1 yards per carry last year in Minnesota. He’s got 3,698 yards to his career with 34 TDs.

_____________________________

A political action committee backing Representative Ralph Abraham unleashes ads attacking fellow gubernatorial Republican candidate Eddie Rispone.  In the ad released on social media, it references that Rispone, a wealthy businessman, is trying to buy the election.  ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says it is part of the game when campaigning for GOP votes.

Cut 13 (08) “…attack each other.”

Rispone has poured about $10 million of his own money into his campaign war chest.

Intraparty attacks is something Louisiana Republicans have attempted to avoid in fallout of an unsuccessful 2015 run for the Governor’s mansion.  Stockley says the current race doesn’t have near the vitriol there was four years ago.

Cut 14 (11) “…need to occur.”

Stockley says he is not surprised that the attacks have begun.

Cut 15 (10) “…to do it.”

This time of year can be the hottest in Louisiana, but this week the state is receiving relief because of a rare mid-summer cold front that’s cut humidity and brought Canadian air into the bayou state.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says you can expect high temps in the mid to upper 80s.

Cut 9 (07) “…so truly refreshing outside.”

Keim advises everyone not to waste this nice weather and find an excuse to get outside.

Today the media toured the new $28 million football operations building at LSU as part of a ribbon-cutting ceremony. With a growing controversy over allegations that the building represents LSU’s commitment to sports over academics, Athletic Director Scott Woodward chimed in that the publicity of the school’s athletics is crucial as it is usually the first introduction of LSU to the public when enticing students to attend.

Cut 5 (09) “…what we are.”

Louisiana US Representatives Cedric Richmond and Mike Johnson questioned Special Counsel Robert Mueller this morning regarding the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, and allegations of crimes committed by the President during that election, and during the ensuing investigation.

Republicans, including Northwest Louisiana Congressman Johnson, accused Mueller or running a partisan witch-hunt, but Richmond, a Democrat from New Orleans used his time to get an answer from the Special Counsel about activities that Richmond believes constitute Obstruction.

Cut 12 (10) “…a summary.”

Mueller reiterated his concern about foreign interference in American elections.

Louisiana Senior Senator Bill Cassidy says the men and women who work for Customs and Border Patrol are stretched thin and need more resources. Cassidy says people are coming from around the world to get to the United States and they’ve got to do something different so that that system is not overwhelmed…

Cut 8 (12) “…bunches of people” 

Today, media toured the new $28 million football operations building at LSU as part of a ribbon-cutting ceremony.  The lavishness of the facility has caught heat from some people who feel the state of the art facility is an example of misplaced priorities in higher education when other areas of the campus, including the library, are in rough shape. Athletic Director Scott Woodward says he doesn’t see the feedback received as an outrage, saying he has seen incredible publicity and social media response.
Cut 4 (12) “…very very positive.”
Woodward says the publicity of the school’s athletics is crucial as it is usually the first introduction of LSU to the public when enticing students to attend.

Louisiana Senior Senator Bill Cassidy says the men and women who work for Customs and Border Patrol are stretched thin and need more resources. Cassidy came to that conclusion after touring border operations in McAllen, Texas
Cut 6 (08) “…overwhelmed now.”

Members of Louisiana’s Congressional Delegation questioned Special Counsel Robert Mueller today about Russian election interference and allegations of criminal conduct by the President…

cut  2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”  

This week the state is receiving relief because of a rare mid-summer cold front that’s cut humidity and brought Canadian air into the bayou state.  State Climatologist Barry Keim advises everyone not to waste this nice weather and find an excuse to get outside.

Cut 10 (08) “…waste this opportunity.”

This morning’s Robert Mueller testimony on the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and allegations of criminal conduct by the President gave two members of the Louisiana Congressional delegation a crack at asking the Special Counsel a few questions, and to make statements to the public about their view of the affair.

New Orleans Democratic Congressman Cedric Richmond questioned the Special Counsel about orders issued by the President that he feels are tantamount to Obstruction of Justice.

Cut 12 (10) “…a summary.”

But Northwest Louisiana Republican Congressman Mike Johnson, who closed for the GOP, disagreed, and called Mueller’s investigation a partisan witch-hunt…

Cut 13 (11) “…long months.”

Johnson called the testimony an effort to gain support for impeachment.

LSU officials cut the ribbon today on its new 28-million dollar football operations and performance nutrition center. Jeff Palermo was there…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

State Climatologist Barry Keim says get out there and enjoy this wonderful weather because it’s not going to last long.  Keim says the cooler temps will start to fade going into the weekend.

Cut 11 (10) “…a little bit.”

This time of year can be the hottest in Louisiana, but this week the state is receiving relief from a rare mid-summer cold front cutting humidity and bringing north Canadian air into the bayou state.  State Climatologist Barry Keim advises everyone not to waste this nice weather and find an excuse to get outside.

Cut 10 (08) “…waste this opportunity.”

The nicest weather takes place today and tomorrow with clear skies in the forecast as well.

Louisiana Senior Senator Bill Cassidy says the men and women who work for Customs and Border Patrol are stretched thin and need more resources. Cassidy came to that conclusion after touring border operations in McAllen, Texas

Cut 6 (08) “…overwhelmed now.”

Cassidy called for an overhaul of the asylum and immigration system.

Members of Louisiana’s Congressional Delegation questioned Special Counsel Robert Mueller today about Russian election interference and allegations of criminal conduct by the President…

cut 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”  

Members of the Media are touring LSU’s new privately funded 25-million-dollar football operations center that’s come under fire from some who say it’s representative of misplaced priorities in Louisiana higher education. The construction has been praised by players and those in the sports world as a world-class complex that will help the team recruit the finest talent from around the country, but opponents say the school should be focusing on emphasizing the need for donations to repair LSU’s crumbling library.

Democratic and Republican members of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation got a chance to question Special Counsel Robert Mueller this morning regarding the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, and allegations of crimes committed by the President during that election, and during the ensuing investigation.

New Orleans Democratic Congressman Cedric Richmond says the Mueller Report, and the Special Counsel’s testimony today make it clear the President broke the law…

Cut 14 (11) “…the law.”

But Northwest Louisiana Republican Congressman Mike Johnson, who closed for the GOP, assailed the Mueller team’s credibility and says the investigation was run by partisan lawyers…

Cut 15 (14) “…candidates.”

Johnson says the President did not break the law.

Louisiana Senior Senator Bill Cassidy says the men and women who work for Customs and Border Patrol are stretched thin and need more resources. Cassidy says people are coming from around the world to get to the United States and they’ve got to do something different so that that system is not overwhelmed…

Cut 8 (12) “…bunches of peopl

Cassidy toured border operations in McAllen, Texas.

This time of year can be the hottest in Louisiana, but this week the state is receiving relief from a rare mid-summer cold front cutting humidity and bringing north Canadian air into the bayou state.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says you can expect high temps in the mid to upper 80s.

Cut 9 (07) “…so truly refreshing outside.”

Keim advises everyone not to waste this nice weather and find an excuse to get outside.

Democratic and Republican members of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation got a chance to question Special Counsel Robert Mueller this morning regarding the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, and allegations of crimes committed by the President during that election, and during the ensuing investigation.

New Orleans Democratic Congressman Cedric Richmond used his time to get an answer from the Special Counsel about activities that Richmond believes constitute Obstruction.

Cut 13, 10 seconds, a summary (This cut has been swapped to Cut 12)

But Northwest Louisiana Republican Congressman Mike Johnson, who closed for the GOP, disagrees…

Cut 12, 11 seconds, long months (This cut has been swapped to 13)

Johnson also assailed the Mueller team’s alleged partisan Democratic bias.

Alexandria Police charge a mother with second degree murder in the death of her 5-year-old daughter.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

Senator Bill Cassidy recently toured the border, and says Democrats in Washington may call the crisis on the southern border manufactured, but he’s seen firsthand it’s real and urgent

Cut 7 (07) “…our laws.”

Cassidy says the men and women who work for Customs and Border Patrol are stretched thin and he’s pushing to get them more resources.

A Baton Rouge-based company that makes dog treats out of nutria meat is making a comeback and aiming for a national release… Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring the front moving into the northern portion of the Gulf of Mexico over the next few days. It may form a weak tropical / subtropical system with a 20% chance of developing into a tropical depression this week. If it does form, it is expected to more to the east and northeast along the front.

A mother is in custody as part of an active investigation by Alexandria Police into the death of a 5-year-old girl after she was brought to an emergency room, deceased with her throat cut. The mother, Jasmine Anderson reported that her daughter’s injuries were from a car accident. Cpl. Wade Bourgeois says the injury was considered questionable.

Cut 7 (07) “…during a vehicle crash”

Bourgeois says the investigators also could not locate the crash area of the vehicle that was described by Anderson.

Two parents, 37-year-old Crystal Roberts and 34-year-old Herbert Thibodeaux, along with a grandmother, 58-year-old Anthonette Thibodeaux, are under arrest after authorities discovered drug use and “deplorable” conditions at a house where a two-month-old baby lived. Calcasieu Parish Sherriff Tony Mancuso says his office got a complaint that parents of a newborn were smoking narcotics inside a home with their baby, and when deputies arrived…

Cut 10 (11) “child.”

A Baton Rouge-based company that makes dog treats out of nutria meat is making a comeback and aiming for a national release… Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_________________________

Alexandria Police charge a mother with second degree murder in the death of her 5-year-old daughter.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

_____________________________________

The National Retail Federation is forecasting record household spending for heading back to the classroom.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

________________________________________

Marsh Dog, a company out of Baton Rouge that makes nutria meat-based dog treats, is coming back after a hiatus, and aiming to go national.

The company was founded seven years ago but stopped production two years ago while they worked out a deal with a national producer. Founding partner Veni Harlan says they’re proud to continue the conservation battle.

Cut 4 (10) “…erosion.” 

Harlan says nutria meat is leaner than turkey and makes for a very healthy dog treat.

The company is still working out just how much meat they’ll need, and how many treats each nutria can provide, but Harlan says the plan is to eventually partner with the state and save taxpayers millions.

Cut 5  (11) “… challenge.” 

The product has relaunched with new packaging and three treats to chose from, using wild nutria as the no.1 ingredient.

Going national will provide a new challenge, and that’s convincing dog owners in other states that the nasty swamp rats need to be taken care of. Harlan says they’re up to the task.

Cut 6 (09) “…challenge.”

Before it’s two-year hiatus, the product was sold in about 50 specialty pet stores and vet clinics in Louisiana.

________________

A mother is in custody as part of an active investigation by Alexandria Police into the death of a 5-year-old girl after she was brought to an emergency room, deceased with her throat cut. The mother, Jasmine Anderson reported that her daughter’s injuries were from a car accident. Cpl. Wade Bourgeois says the injury was considered questionable.

Cut 7 (07) “…during a vehicle crash”

Bourgeois says the investigators also could not locate the crash area of the vehicle that was described by Anderson.

Cut 8 (12) “…a vehicle crash.”

Bourgeois says after working with the District Attorney, investigators obtained a warrant for Anderson’s arrest.

Cut 9 (09) “…second-degree murder.”

The Town Talk newspaper reports the mother’s 4-year-old son died in April choking on a soda cap and the father of the children died in 2016.

_______________

Two parents and a grandmother are under arrest after authorities discovered drug use and “deplorable” conditions at a house where a two-month-old baby lived.

Calcasieu Parish Sherriff Tony Mancuso says his office got a complaint that parents of a newborn were smoking narcotics inside a home with their baby, and when deputies arrived…

Cut 10 (11) “child.”

The two parents, 37-year-old Crystal Roberts and 34-year-old Herbert Thibodeaux, along with the child’s grandmother, 58-year-old Anthonette Thibodeaux were arrested.

Authorities say the family was consuming synthetic marijuana when deputies arrived and Mancuso says they had completely neglected the newborn for some time.

Cut 11 (10) “…so long.”

The baby is now in the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services, and “doing good”.

Mancuso says despite bringing the child into the world it’s clear the family only had one thing in mind.

Cut 12 (09) “…appropriate.”

All three of those arrested had minor criminal histories, and all three were charged with illegal use of a controlled substance in the presence of a juvenile, a paraphernalia charge, and possession of synthetic marijuana. The parents were hit with 2nd-degree cruelty to a juvenile as well.

_____________________________

As students gear up to head back to the classroom, the National Retail Federation is forecasting record spending.  Families with elementary school through high school students are planning to spend an average of nearly $700, with college families expecting to shell out just shy of a grand.  NRF spokesperson Mark Matthews says nationwide spending is nearly $80 million.

Cut 13 (11) “…saw last year.”

The biggest items for K-12 students is electronics, then clothing and accessories.  College students see those trends flip-flopped.  Matthews says the higher college spending comes from having to prepare a dorm for a student.

Cut 14 (07) “…and all that.”

Matthews says the back to school season is vital to retailers and consumers are spending more than they do for the holidays.

Cut 15 (06) “…super super important.”

The overall nationwide spending is expected to be down from last year’s $82.5 billion just slightly due to fewer homes with K-12 students.

_____________________________

2-guard JJ Reddick has officially signed his two year deal with the Pelicans, guaranteeing the young team one of the best shooters in the league, and a player known for his skills as a mentor and culture builder.

The 35-year-old Reddick, who has never missed the playoffs, could have had his pick of the litter in free agency, but he didn’t hesitate when New Orleans called…

Cut 16  (20) “…momentum.”  

Reddick recently finished a stint in Philly where he posted a career-high 18 points a game while shooting nearly 40 percent from 3.

JJ, a former Blue Devil joins a growing Duke contingent in the Crescent City with newly acquired forwards Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, alongside existing bench players Jahil Okafor and Frank Jackson…

cut 17 (19) “real” 

Pelicans head honcho David Griffin says they pined for a vet like Reddick to help set the tone for the young team, and the shooting guard says he relishes the opportunity to build a winning culture.

A Baton Rouge teen who alleged intentionally rammed his car into a woman’s vehicle at an intersection in Baton Rouge, killing her, reportedly told police “God instructed him to kill himself” before he made the fatal decision. State Trooper Taylor Scrantz says that led to a 2nd-degree murder charge for 18-year-old Jack Jordan.

Cut 5 (11) “…Mr, Jordan.”

The crash killed 51-year-old Stephanie Payne of Greenwell Springs.

LSU players are celebrating the school’s new 25-million-dollar football operations center, but some are raising concerns about it’s optics while the campus library continues to fall apart. LSU Professor of Mass Communication Bob Mann.

Cut 12 (11) “…percent.”

The football operations center was paid for with private dollars.

Methanex announces plans to spend $1.3 billion to construct a third methanol plant in Ascension Parish and the three plants combined in Geismar would make it one of the world’s largest methanol complexes. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the state is very attractive to the needs of the company.

Cut 7 (08) “…this product globally.”

Methanex is based in Canada. 

Gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone is repping his pro-Trump background in his first statewide TV ad of the campaign. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat expects the Trump focused ads to run for about three weeks before the Baton Rouge construction magnate tells voters more about his background as a businessman…

Cut 10 (07) “…Donald Trump.”

Pinsonat says the strategy is also similar to successful gubernatorial efforts from Bobby Jindal and Mike Foster.