Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome joined a commitment to reduce the amount of plastics in the Mississippi river. Plastic waste such as litter can eventually wash into the Gulf of Mexico where it can dissolve into dangerous micro-plastics.

NOLA.com cited an LSU study finding the Gulf is among the most polluted water bodies from plastic debris on planet earth.

Vidalia Mayor Buzz Craft and St. Gabriel Mayor Lionel Johnson also made the commitment to try to reduce plastic pollution by 20 percent in 2 years.

She stands five feet, ten inches tall, and weighs 9 thousand pounds. It’s a concrete figure proudly representing female military veterans throughout the state.

This life-sized statue was recently installed at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home in Bossier City.

The statue is a female service member wearing a tactical military uniform and shouldering an M-16 rifle with a bronze-like finish.

The realistically styled figure is made to withstand the weather as it “stands watch” on the grounds of the veterans’ facility.

The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs operates the home in Bossier City for veterans and installed the statue to honor the more than 28 thousand female veterans it estimates live in the state.

A 2015 incident where a McKinley High School Band member went to a Baton Rouge hospital after he was ordered to do 200 push-ups for being late to band practice ends with a 185,000 dollar settlement. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

It’s National Hunting and Fishing Day.

Outdoor activities connected to fishing and hunting supports tens of thousands of jobs, from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, to commercial retail outlets.

Senator Francis Thompson says hunting and fishing has a major impact.
Cut 10 (08) “…state wide.”

National Hunting and Fishing Day began in 1972.

For the past five months, unemployment figures have gone up. The Louisiana Workforce Commission attributes the rise in unemployment to a decline of hospitality jobs in August.

However, agency Director Ava (DUE-ZZ-WW-AH) Dejoie says there are encouraging signs for the state’s employment trends.

Cut 4 (07) “…over the year.”

Dejoie (DUE-ZZ-WW-AH) says Baton Rouge and New Orleans metro areas saw the largest job gainst.

Forty million dollars is the price tag total for 21 announced by the Louisiana Department of Transportation.

The most expensive DOTD project announced by far, was just shy of 15 million dollars for improvements to the 1-10 roadway in St. Tammany parish.

Meanwhile the least expensive project on the list is for pavement marking replacement in both Jefferson Davis parish and Calcasieu parish which is just over 107 hundred thousand dollars.

DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson noted some of the money spent will elevate and level Interstate 10 on-ramps that are prone to flooding in Slidell which he said are part of a critical hurricane evacuation route.

The east coast continues to recover from the battering it took from Hurricane Florence. Louisiana first responders traveled to South Carolina to help.

State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says there was considerable damage.

Cut 6 (10) “…the subsequent water rescues.”

Although some first responders have returned to Louisiana, many continue to help recovery efforts.

Saturday is National Hunting and Fishing day, a celebration of all things outdoors.

As the Sportsmen’s Paradise, Louisiana has an interest in promoting the day, with events in four cities across the state.

Senator Francis Thompson says it’s important to remember just how much outdoors activities put into state’s tax base.
Cut 9 (11) “…and local taxes”

National Hunting and Fishing day events will be held in Haughton, Woodworth, and West Monroe and Baton Rouge.

Louisiana first responders brought their skills to South Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Florance’s devastation. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

$40 million in Louisiana Department of Transportation bids were recently announced for 21 projects.

Among the projects that topped a million dollars in cost are: 2.8 million dollars to repair inter-coastal bridges on LA highway 101 in West Baton Rouge,  3.1 million dollars in Madison parish to replace concrete on Delta scales along Interstate 20,  and just over 3.4 million dollars in Rapides parish for paving, milling, and patching of U.S. highway 71.

A former McKinley High Marching Band member was awarded 185,000 dollars for damages related to a 2015 incident where he required to do 200 push-ups. The incident led to a five day stay in the hospital for Tristen Rushing due to his urine turned brown in color. The Rushing family attorney Sean Fagan says that’s because the hyper exertion caused Rushing’s muscles to begin to die.

Cut 12 (10) “…turn dark.”
Medical professionals who saw Rushing testified the injuries were potentially life threatening.

The 10th Annual New Orleans Burlesque Festival’s Queen of Burlesque Competition takes place Saturday night. Performers will be accompanied by a live traditional jazz band as they present their best burlesque for the judges and the audience at the Civic Theatre.

Other festival workshops and showcases took place at the House of Blues on Decatur street. The Queen of Burlesque competition promises to feature dancers from around the world and will close a decade of the New Orleans Burlesque Festival.

A 2015 incident where a McKinley High School Band member went to a Baton Rouge hospital after he was ordered to do 200 push-ups for being late to band practice ends with a 185,000 dollar settlement. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

Saturday is National Hunting and Fishing day, a celebration of all things outdoors. As the Sportsmen’s Paradise, Louisiana has an interest in promoting the day, with events in four cities across the state. Delhi Senator Francis Thompson says a good time to remember just how much outdoors activities contribute to state coffers.

cut 9 (11) “…taxes”

Louisiana’s unemployment rate worsened for a fifth straight month and reached five percent in August, but the number of people employed last month was the second highest number for a August in the state’s history. Louisiana Workforce Commission Director Ava Dejoie says manufacturing continues to see the biggest job gains as that sector added 54-hundred jobs over the last year and there’s been an increase in the number of jobs related to the oil and gas industry

Cut 4 (08) “…over the year.”

It’s been a week since the landfall of Hurricane Florence on the east coast.  State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says dozens Louisiana emergency personnel are in Horry County, South Carolina, helping local authorities and first responders with evacuations as waters continue to rise from Florence.
Cut 8 (11) “…see them.”
Browning says their deployment ends Tuesday, but could be extended.

It’s been a week since the landfall of Hurricane Florence on the east coast.  Although some have come back to the Bayou State, first responders from Louisiana are still in South Carolina helping with the aftermath of the storm.  State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the building collapse groups have been sent home.

Cut 6 (10) “…the subsequent water rescues.”

The deployment is set to end Tuesday.

Louisiana’s unemployment rate worsened for a fifth straight month and reached five percent in August, but that’s still good for the second best august on record. Louisiana Workforce Commission Director Ava Dejoie says any rise in unemployment can be attributed to a decline of jobs in the hospitality sector.

Cut 3 (07) “…sort of thing.” 

manufacturing added 54-hundred jobs over the last year.

A former McKinley High Marching Band member was awarded 185,000 dollars for damages related to a 2015 incident where he required to do 200 push-ups. The incident led to a five day stay in the hospital for Tristen Rushing due to his urine turning coke colored. Rushing family attorney Sean Fagan says that’s because the hyper exertion caused Rushing’s muscles to begin to die.

Cut 12 (10)   “…turn dark.” 

Medical professionals who saw Rushing testified the injuries were potentially life threatening.

Saturday is National Hunting and Fishing day, a celebration of all things outdoors. Delhi Senator Francis Thompson says the great outdoors supports tens of thousands of jobs, from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, to private hunting and fishing retailers.

Cut 10 (08) “…state wide.”

The national event was first started in 1972 as a way to appreciate hunters and anglers contributions to conservation.

Louisiana’s unemployment rate worsened for a fifth straight month and reached five percent in August, but the number of people employed last month was the second highest number for a August in the state’s history. Louisiana Workforce Commission Director Ava Dejoie says any rise in unemployment can be attributed to a decline of jobs in the hospitality sector.

Cut 3 (07) “…sort of thing.” 

A former McKinley High Marching Band member was awarded 185,000 dollars for damages related to a 2015 incident where he required to do 200 push-ups. The incident led to a five day stay in the hospital for Tristen Rushing due to his urine turning coke colored. Rushing family attorney Sean Fagan says the band director pressured his client into pushing himself too far as a punishment for tardiness…

Cut 13 (10) “English teacher”

It’s been a week since the landfall of Hurricane Florence on the east coast.  Although some have come back to the Bayou State, first responders from Louisiana are still in South Carolina helping with the aftermath of the storm.  State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the Louisiana crew is made up of fire departments from New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Monroe areas as well as Fire Marshal employees that assist in logistics.

Cut 7 (07) “…rescue task forces.”

A federal appeals court has upheld a lower court’s ruling that blocks Louisiana from enforcing a law that prohibits women under the age of 21 from working as an exotic dancer at a strip club. The state legislature passed a law in 2016 requiring a minimum age of 21 for strippers at clubs. Lawmakers will have to rewrite the legislation next year.

It’s been a week since the landfall of Hurricane Florence on the east coast.  First responders from Louisiana are in the Conway, South Carolina area helping with the issues from overflowing rivers.  State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the remaining Louisiana crew is made up of fire departments from New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Monroe areas as well as Fire Marshal employees that assist in logistics.

Cut 7 (07) “…rescue task forces.”
Browning adds the deployment is scheduled to end Tuesday, but could be extended.

Saturday is National Hunting and Fishing day, a celebration of all things outdoors. As the Sportsmen’s Paradise, Louisiana has an interest in promoting the day, with events in four cities across the state. Delhi Senator Francis Thompson says the great outdoors supports tens of thousands of jobs, from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, to private hunting and fishing retailers.
Cut 10 (08) “…state wide.”

A former McKinley High Marching Band member was awarded 185,000 dollars for damages related to a 2015 incident where he required to do 200 push-ups. The incident led to a five day stay in the hospital for Tristen Rushing due to his urine turning coke colored. Rushing family attorney Sean Fagan says that’s because the hyper exertion caused Rushing’s muscles to begin to die.

Cut 12 (10)   “…turn dark.” 
The administration argued that the risk of injury was not reasonably foreseeable.

Here’s a look at your commodities…

It’s been a week since the landfall of Hurricane Florence on the east coast.  Although some have come back to the Bayou State, first responders from Louisiana are still in South Carolina helping with the aftermath of the storm.  State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the building collapse groups have been sent home.

Cut 6 (10) “…the subsequent water rescues.”

Browning adds the deployment is scheduled to end Tuesday, but could be extended.

Tomorrow the nation celebrates Hunting and Fishing day, a celebration of all things outdoors. Delhi Senator Francis Thompson says a good time to remember just how much outdoors activities contribute to state coffers.

cut 9 (11) “…taxes”

Louisiana will have events in four cities across the state.

A new study shows Louisiana is the fifth least innovative state in the country.  Kevin Barnhart has more.

Cut 2 (31) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

A former McKinley High Marching band member was awarded 185,000 dollars for damages related to a 2015 incident where he had to do 200 push-ups in 15 minutes. Attorney for the student Sean Fagan says he was pressured to push far past his physical capabilities, causing his muscles to die.

Cut 12 (10)   “…turn dark.” 

With funding not keeping up with call volume, Via Link, the answering program for the National Suicide Hotline in Louisiana, is in danger of closing up.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31)  “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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A new study shows Louisiana is the fifth least innovative state in the country, but in the Southeast, we’re not alone at the bottom of the list.  Kevin Barnhart has more.

Cut 2 (31) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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A Hahnville quarterback who was suspended for the year by the LHSAA has had that suspension temporarily blocked by the courts until a hearing next week. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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New Orleans-based Via Link, which provides crisis intervention for many Louisiana residents who call the National Suicide Hotline, is on the verge of closing, as it can no longer rely on private donations to cover the costs of the service.  Via Link CEO LaVondra Dobbs says they receive very little funding from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Cut 4 (12) “…hotline for Louisiana.”

Dobbs says the program receives some grant money but really needs closer to $350,000 to cover its annual operating costs.

Cut 5 (07) “…$30 per call.”

Via Link also connects callers to local resources and performs follow-ups.  Dobbs says if Via Link goes away, the calls will then go to a backup center, where callers can spend around 45 minutes on hold before talking to a specialist.

Cut 6 (06) “…time on hold.”

Those that wish to make a donation to the program can do so at ViaLink.org.

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The Gueydan Duck Festival has kicked off, bringing sportsmen from around the world to the small town known as the Duck Capital of America. The town, south of Lafayette, has been putting on the festival for 41 years. Festival President Jerrod Broussard says it’s the place to be this weekend for duck hunters.

Cut 7 (08) “…apparel.”

Broussard says it’s a family friendly event with food, music, and all kinds of other entertainment, like shooting skeet.

Cut 8 (09)  “…to shoot”

If you hear duck and your first thought isn’t shooting them, but smoking them, then the festival has some options for you, but you might want to wait until the Sunday cook-off. While there will be food available today and Saturday, if you’re looking for duck, Broussard says come for the cookout.

Cut 9 (10)  “…cook off.”

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Over the summer, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued its 10 millionth patent.  But where are those patents being issued?  Over the past five years, Louisiana was issued the fifth lowest number of patents per capita compared to other states.  Content Strategist at Digital Third Coast Roxy Fata says the metrics shown by a recent study indicate the Bayou State is one of the least innovative states in the nation.

Cut 10 (10)   “…nice baseline.“

Fata says it’s a pretty steep climb to catch up with the number one most innovative state in the nation.

Cut 11 (07)   “…getting patent issues.”

Fata says there is potential for improvement with the industries that are present in the state.

Cut 12 (06)   “…happen as well.”

Fata says there is no shortage of Southeastern states at the bottom of the list with Arkansas just behind Louisiana and Mississippi coming in dead last.

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A court has issued a temporary restraining order blocking the LHSAA suspension of now Hahnville quarterback Andrew Robison until an appeals hearing, that would make the senior eligible to play tonight, but there’s still an open question as to whether or not his coach will play him. Robison Family Lawyer David Moyer says the whole process so far has been unfair.

Cut 13 (08) “a case”

Robison, and Hahnville head coach Nick Saltaformaggio were suspended after the LHSAA alleged the quarterback was illegally recruited by Hahnville from his old school, Vandebilt Catholic. Saltaformaggio received a four game ban, while Robison was barred from playing for his new school.

Moyer says the LHSAA has been mostly mum about the reasoning behind suspending the senior for his last year in high school. He alleges the LHSAA did not include crucial evidence supporting his client in the final report justifying the suspension.

Cut 14 (05) “…to them”

Robison says one of the primary reasons for his client wanting to transfer was his treatment by officials at Vandebilt Catholic, a point he says the LHSAA refuses to acknowledge.

Cut 15  (10) “…the report”

The stay sets the stage for a Wednesday appeals hearing where the Robison family will aim to have the suspension ended.

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LSU is 3-0 despite starting quarterback Joe Burrow completing only 46-percent of his passes so far. Burrow knows he can be better

Cut 16 (11) “…to improve” 

A lot of people are patting LSU on the back this week after upsetting Auburn last week. But Burrow says the players are blocking out the noise…

Cut 17 (20)  “really good” 

LSU has moved since the beginning of the season from 25th in the country to sixth. Linebacker Michael Divinity says the goal is to keep moving up in the polls

_____________________________________________________

A matchup to watch in Sunday’s Saints-Falcons game is Atlanta wide receiver Julio Jones versus New Orleans cornerback  Marshon Lattimore. The second year defensive back knows he has his work cut out for him…

Cut 19 (12) “ my game” 

Saints defensive end Cam Jordan says if Lattimore and the Saints secondary can do their job, they hope to get pressure on Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan…

Cut 20 (12) “ with this one” 

Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s a good sign Louisiana ended up with a 300-million dollar surplus from the budget year that ended June 30th. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

After seeing losses in 2017, movie theatres are experiencing their best summer in two decades.  It’s quite the feat considering the popularity of at home video on demand services such as Netflix.  North American ticket sales will close out the summer season with more than a 14% increase.  Entertainment columnist for the New Orleans Advocate Keith Spera says the weather might play a factor.

Cut 10 (08) “…and watch movies.”

The Public Service Commission launches an investigation into the spending habits of rural energy coops. Commissioner Foster Campbell highlighted what he says were completely unnecessary educational and lobbying trips to places like Las Vegas and Washington DC, where he says costs for expensive meals and hotels would end up back on customer bills. He says the co-op’s justifications don’t hold up.

Cut 8 (10) “…see them.”

But Claiborne Co-op General Manager Mark Brown says those accusations are not correct, and the trips are needed, as they give co-op leaders the opportunity to learn about new advancements in the electric industry. He says they take those new lessons home to provide better service to coop customers.

cut 9 (08) “…travel expenses”

Campbell criticized the salary being paid to brown, which he says is 195,000 dollars a year.