ULM has broken ground on a new Osteopathic Medicine building.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31)  “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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Senator John Kennedy is set to address the media today concerning US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.  Kevin Barnhart speaks with UL Lafayette Poli-Sci professor Pierson Cross on what to expect.

Cut 2 (33) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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Louisiana nearly leads the nation when it comes to the rate women who are murdered by men. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30“…I’m Matt Doyle”

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ULM has broken ground on a new Osteopathic Medicine building. A 100 thousand square foot facility is being built on the campus that is currently scheduled to begin classes in fall of 2020. ULM President Nick Bruno says it’s a very exciting time for the school.

Cut 4 (10) “…and so forth.”

And Bruno says that’s important because students who study and take residencies in one state tend to stay there once they finish their education. The President says that could help address the reported 19 percent shortfall in the number of physicians needed by 2024.

Cut 5 (09) “…in all areas.”

Bruno says there is excitement for the widening variety of programs to be offered on the campus.

Cut 6 (12) “…come to Monroe.”

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In the time since Senator John Kennedy announced he is ready to vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the US Supreme Court, allegations of sexual misconduct from Kavanaugh’s past have surfaced. Kennedy will hold a conference call with reporters today regarding Kavanaugh’s nomination today.  UL-Lafayette Poli-Sci Professor Pearson Cross says he expects the Senator’s support will go unchanged.

Cut 7 (10) “…still supports Kavanaugh.”

Cross says that Kennedy will likely not want to spurn a woman claiming harassment in the “Me Too” era.

Cut 8 (06)  “…on the court.”

Cross says in the past, the allegations probably would not have gotten the same attention they get today.

Cut 9 (08)  “…day in court.”

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A study from Accountemps shows workers who listen to music at work tend to be more productive, and happier while clocked in. The survey backs up older results indicating increased productivity at warehouses that play music. Recruiting manager with Robert Half Carrie Lewis says it’s something employers should begin looking into.

Cut 10 (11)   “…distractions.“

But of course not everyone is going to be a fan of the same kinds of music. While Pop topped the list of the most recommended genres, there’s a lot of people who’d quit before sitting through top 40 for eight hours a day. Lewis says when it comes to music, to each their own…

Cut 11 (12)“…your coworkers”

But she says there are some limits to this program. Lewis says not all workplaces are good spots for music, and it has the potential to make employees customer-unfriendly if things get out of hand.

Cut 12 (08) “your colleagues”

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Louisiana has the second highest rate of male on female murder in the United States according to a report from the Violence Policy Center. It’s a continuing trend as the state has found itself in the top five since 2016. Legislative Director Kristen Rand says there’s a number of factors that go into the state’s high rate, but one in particular stands out.

Cut 13 (09) “with guns.”

1,800 women were murdered in the US by men last year.

The national rate has gone up 11 percent in the last four years, with 93 percent of all murders of women by men being done by someone the victim knew beforehand. Rand says that number should dispel the myth that women at most at risk of being killed by strangers…

Cut 14 (10) “…by strangers.”

82 percent of all murders of women were not linked to another criminal activity.

Rand says Louisiana’s best shot at addressing the issue is by raising awareness of the dangers of domestic murders, and by expanding programs aimed at getting women out of abusive households.

Cut 15  (10) “…domestic abuse.”

Black women were more than twice as likely to be murdered by a man than white women were.

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It seems like sixth ranked LSU has bought into the role as the underdog, with big upset wins over Miami and Auburn. But Linebacker Devin White says that’s not the reason why LSU won those games….

Cut 16 (22) “…to win” 

White says LSU has the right ingriedients to keep winning…

Cut 17 (13)  “each week” 

LSU hosts Louisiana Tech on Saturday. The Bulldogs are 2-0 and coming off a bye week. White says he’ll make sure the guys on defense do not over look the Bulldogs…

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ULM is back at home this Saturday for its Sun Belt opener against the Troy Trojans, one of the co-favorites to win the league this year. Troy is coming off an impressive win over Nebraska. Warhawks Coach Matt Viator says this will be a tough game to win, because the Trojans have looked good this year

Cut 19 (23) “ do to win” 

ULM enters league play with a 2-1 record after losing to Texas A&M 48-10 last Saturday. The Warhawks started conference play with a 3-0 record last season and Viator says it’s critical they get off to a good start again…

Cut 20 (17) “ important game” 

The civil case involving the Alton Sterling shooting has uncovered a communication sent one year before Sterling’s shooting death by Officer Blane Salamoni where one his superiors questioned the former Baton Rouge cop’s sanity. Sterling Family Attorney Chris Stewart says his clients are pushing for a quick resolution to the civil case, and warns they’re ready to make life uncomfortable for city officials if they refuse a settlement.

Cut 8 (10) “this case.”

Blane Salamoni was cleared of criminal charges.

Some of Louisiana’s 100-person contingent of first responders in South Carolina are coming home, while the others will continue rescue operations for the next week as waters continue to rise. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning:

Cut 12 (07)   “model here” 

Browning says they’re focusing on the flooded Darlington county.

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LSU place-kicker Cole Tracy is reaching folk hero status after kicking the game winning field goal versus Auburn. Cole is a graduate transfer from Assumption College in Massachusetts.  Now, that school is seeing donations from LSU fans in Cole’s honor.  Assumption College Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Tim Stanton, says the donations started coming after LSU’s win over Miami.

Cut 3 (07) “…$4000 total.” 

If enough funds are raised, Stanton says they’ll renamed their football field for Tracy.

A report out of the UK says it’s discovered at least 200 couples say video game phenomenon Fortnite is turning their marriage into a battle royale, and risking divorces. It’s the biggest game on the market at the moment, and LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Psychologist Dr. Michelle Moore says like all popular hobbies, it needs to be done in moderation.

Cut 10 (08) “the day”

40 million players log into Fortnite monthly.

LSU’s star place-kicker Cole Tracy came to LSU as a graduate transfer from Assumption College in Massachusetts.  Now, that school is seeing donations come from LSU fans in Cole’s name.  Assumption College Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Tim Stanton says if the donations continue to accumulate, the school may do something big to honor the grad.

cut 5 (10)  “…call it Tracy Field” 

Stanton says the donations have almost hit $4,000.

The civil case involving the Alton Sterling shooting has uncovered a communication sent one year before Sterling’s shooting death by Officer Blane Salamoni where one his superiors questioned the former Baton Rouge cop’s sanity. Attorney Michael Adams says the new information raises some serious questions about BRPD’s hiring and discipline process.

Cut 7 (11) “…the country”

A report out of the UK says it’s discovered at least 200 couples say video game phenomenon Fortnite is turning their marriage into a battle royale, and risking divorces. It’s the biggest game on the market at the moment, and LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Psychologist Dr. Michelle Moore says if you say your relationship is failing because of a game, there’s likely something else going on…

cut 9 (10) “…a concern”
The World Health Organization estimates two or three percent of gamers have a gaming disorder that stimulates compulsive play.

Some of Louisiana’s 100-person contingent of first responders in South Carolina are coming home, while the others will continue rescue operations for the next week as waters continue to rise as a result of Florence. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says South Carolina is not out of the woods yet when it comes to more flooding, which is why their search and rescue teams will stay there for another week

Cut 13 (10) “right now”

A report out of the UK says it’s discovered at least 200 couples say video game phenomenon Fortnite is turning their marriage into a battle royale, and risking divorces. It’s the biggest game on the market at the moment, and LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Psychologist Dr. Michelle Moore says if you say your relationship is failing because of a game, there’s likely something else going on…

cut 9 (10) “…a concern”
The World Health Organization estimates two or three percent of gamers have a gaming disorder that stimulates compulsive play.

Some of Louisiana’s 100-person contingent of first responders in South Carolina are coming home, while the others will continue rescue operations for the next week as waters continue to rise as a result of Florence. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says South Carolina is not out of the woods yet when it comes to more flooding, which is why their search and rescue teams will stay there for another week

Cut 13 (10) “right now”

LSU’s star place-kicker Cole Tracy came to LSU as a graduate transfer from Assumption College in Massachusetts.  Now, that school is seeing donations come from LSU fans in Cole’s name.  Assumption College Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Tim Stanton says if the donations continue to accumulate, the school may do something big to honor the grad.

cut 5 (10)  “…call it Tracy Field” 

Stanton says the donations have almost hit $4,000.

The civil case involving the Alton Sterling shooting has uncovered a communication sent one year before Sterling’s shooting death by Officer Blane Salamoni where one his superiors questioned the former Baton Rouge cop’s sanity. Attorney Michael Adams says the new information raises some serious questions about BRPD’s hiring and discipline process.

Cut 7 (11) “…the country”

Some of Louisiana’s 100-person contingent of first responders in South Carolina are coming home, while the others will continue rescue operations for the next week as waters continue to rise as a result of Florence. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says Louisiana firefighters have already assisted in the rescue of 500 individuals from flood waters
Cut 12 (07)   “model here” 

LSU place-kicker Cole Tracy has gotten quite a bit of attention with the team’s victories this season over two top ten ranked opponents.  Cole came to LSU as a graduate transfer from Assumption College in Massachusetts and now, that school is seeing donations come from LSU fans in Cole’s honor.  The school’s Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Tim Stanton says he regularly speaks with Tracy, who has expressed his excitement over the donations which have nearly reached $4,000.

Cut 4 (10) “…about this happening.”

An email sent one year before Blane Salamoni shot Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge is raising new questions about the former officer’s temperament. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (32) “I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Here’s a look at your commodities…

The civil case involving the Alton Sterling shooting has uncovered a communication sent one year before Sterling’s shooting death by Officer Blane Salamoni where one his superiors questioned the former Baton Rouge cop’s sanity. Sterling Family Attorney Chris Stewart.

Cut 6 (11) “…the streets.”

Blane Salamoni was cleared by both federal and state investigations of criminal wrong doing.

LSU place-kicker Cole Tracy has gotten quite a bit of attention with his contributions to the team’s victories this season over two top ten ranked opponents.  Cole came to LSU as a graduate transfer rom a school in Massachusetts. . Assumption College Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Tim Stanton, says the donations started coming in after LSU’s victory over Miami.

Cut 3 (07) “…$4000 total.” 

A Donaldsonville man is facing battery and hate crime charges after an altercation at a Gonzales store that was allegedly sparked when he told a Latino family to “go back to Mexico.” Authorities say 60-year-old Robert Ray approached a 19-year-old girl at the store, made the comments, and then shoved her and her father. Gonzales Police Chief Sherman Jackson says after hearing the inflamtory comments, the man was approached by the family’s daughter…

Cut 8 (12)  “…fighting”

Ray is facing one hate crime charge long with two counts of simple battery and criminal damage to property.

Drag Queen Story Time will go on as planned on October sixth at the Lafayette Public Library despite some calls for the event’s cancellation. The library board met last night and took no action on postponing or cancelling the event, but they heard public comment. There were more people who spoke in opposition to a group of UL Lafayette students dressing in drag and reading to children.

Louisiana receives a five-year, $1.8 million annual federal grant that will be used to expand mental health services in public schools. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31)  “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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Doctors can now take on as many medical marijuana patients as they can handle after a ruling removed the previous, 100 patient cap. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) ”I’m Matt Doyle” 

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A former LSP cadet is behind bars, facing blackmail allegations.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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Louisiana will receive $1.8 million annually over five years after receiving a grant from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.  The funding will be used to establish a comprehensive Louisiana School Mental Health Support Program within thirty-four schools throughout Louisiana.  Louisiana Department of Education spokesperson Sydni Dunn says it’ll help provide special training to school personnel.

Cut 4 (07) “…to help them.”

Dunn says students facing mental health challenges have a serious burden placed on their overall health and well-being.

Cut 5 (09) “…academically and socially.”

Dunn says the state reviewed all of the school systems to see where the funds were most needed.

Cut 6 (10) “…persistently struggling schools.”

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A Donaldsonville man is facing battery and hate crime charges after an altercation at a Gonzales store that was allegedly sparked when he told a Latino family to “go back to Mexico.” Authorities say 60-year-old Robert Ray approached a 19-year-old girl at the store, made the comments, and then shoved her and her father. Gonzales Police Chief Sherman Jackson says it came out of nowhere.

Cut 7 (11) “…to Mexico”

After making the inflammatory comments, Jackson says the family’s daughter approached the man…

Cut 8 (12)  “…fighting”

The man Mr. Ray began to fight with was actually a Texas born marine, who stepped in after his Louisiana born daughter was allegedly shoved.

Jackson says he hasn’t seen an incident in Gonzales like this for decades, and says that kind of hateful behavior won’t be tolerated on his watch.

Cut 9 (07)  “you said”

Ray is facing one hate crime charge along with two counts of simple battery and criminal damage to property.

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The Louisiana Board of Medical Examiners is lifting the cap on how many medical marijuana patients a doctor can treat. Previously doctors were limited to 100 patients a year. Medical Marijuana expert and prescriber Dr. Victor Chou, one of only three or four dozen in the state, says this will dramatically increase access to the treatment for those who are eligible.

Cut 10 (10)   “…this program.“

The state expanded the number of illnesses that qualify for medical marijuana treatment in the last regular legislative session.

Chou estimates about 50 doctors are participating in the program in Louisiana, which is a bit lower than the number of doctors who participate in other states who have legalized the practice. But he says he expects that number to balloon now that the practice is profitable.

Cut 11 (08)“…a year.”

Medical marijuana is currently being grown in the state by GB Sciences, which is working with LSU to produce the oil and pill based treatment.

The cap vote was decided eight to one, but another medical cannabis based regulation passed along a much tighter five to four line. That decision removes the need for medical marijuana patients to see their doctor every 90 days to maintain their treatment. But Chou says since the “prescriptions” only last 30 days, they’ll be in frequent communication with their doctor regardless.

Cut 12 (08) “…or so.”

To get access to the treatment, a patient is given a physician recommendation form, because technically prescriptions are still illegal under federal laws.

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State police have arrested a former LSP cadet following an investigation that revealed he was involved in an attempt at blackmail against a former US Army coworker.  LSP spokesperson Sgt. Jared Sandifer says 26 year old Jimmy Kassis was let go from the state police in June upon hearing of the investigation from the US Army.

Cut 13 (07) “…reach out to us.”

Sandifer says there’s no word on why Kassis was motivated to commit the alleged acts of blackmail.

Cut 14 (08) “…an active investigation.”

Sandifer says the Army’s investigation began in May while Kassis was enrolled in the LSP training academy.

Cut 15  (09) “…from state police.”

State Police made the arrest in Michigan and he is now booked into the Lafourche Parish Jail.
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Sixth ranked LSU is the talk of college football with its two victories over top 10 ranked teams. Coach Ed Orgeron says they still have several tough games left to play this season and they have to get better if they want to win those contests…

Cut 16 (12) “…improvement” 

LSU’s offensive line play improved against Auburn. Orgeron credits moving Austin Deculus to right tackle and quarterback Joe Burrow didn’t hold the ball long…

Cut 17 (25)  “all of it” 

LSU is nearly a three touchdown favorite to beat Louisiana Tech this Saturday. Orgeron says the key to staying successful is to stay humble

State Police say a 2 year old is dead and other children sustained injuries after their father drunkenly flew through an intersection in Donaldsonville on Highway 70 and got t-boned. 27-year-old John Henderson of Baton Rouge, the driver, has been arrested as a result. State Police Spokesperson Sgt. Jaded Sandifer says neither of the adults put restraints on the 2-year-old who died.

Cut 10 (08) “situation”

The United Cajun Navy wraping up operations in the Carolinas after spending nearly a week saving people from treacherous flood waters. 23 deaths have been attributed to the storm so far. United Cajun Navy founder Todd Terrell says not everyone is coming home yet, as they hope to continue assisting areas with limited resources, while cleaning up the command center they built to coordinate rescues.

Cut 14 (08) “…good terms”

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser has returned to the Bayou State following a ten day trip to China as part of a Louisiana tourism mission in an attempt to lure more visitors from Asia.  The trip included a stop at the 12^th annual China-US Tourism Leadership Summit. Nungesser says he believes the “Lights Camera Louisiana” film trail, which shows where many movies and TV shows were produced in the state, will be a huge draw for Chinese tourists.

Cut 7 (09) “…here in Louisiana.”

This is the last week of summer, but it feels like the middle of the summer with heat index values over 100-degrees. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the good news is that we will get a little break from the high humidity after today

Cut 4 (12) “…not 100% sure.”

This is the last week of summer, but it feels like the middle of the summer with heat index values over 100-degrees. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we are still a couple of weeks away from that first significant cold front that brings a touch of fall to Louisiana

cut 5 (10)  “…gonna happen” 

State Police say a 2 year old is dead and other children sustained injuries after their father drunkenly flew through an intersection in Donaldsonville on Highway 70 and got t-boned. 27-year-old John Henderson of Baton Rouge, the driver, has been arrested as a result. State Police Spokesperson Sgt. Jaded Sandifer.

cut 9 (10) “…the fatality”

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser has returned to the Bayou State following a ten day trip to China as part of a Louisiana tourism mission in an attempt to lure more visitors from Asia.  The trip included a stop at the 12^th annual China-US Tourism Leadership Summit. Nungesser says they took two Louisiana chefs along to showcase our exquisite cuisine

Cut 6 (08) “…exposure for Louisiana.”

The United Cajun Navy wraping up operations in the Carolinas after spending nearly a week saving people from treacherous flood waterss. 23 deaths have been attributed to the storm so far. United Cajun Navy founder Todd Terrell says the situation is beginning to de-escalate after a Friday landfall that swamped the region.

Cut 12 (07)   “into them” 

The United Cajun Navy found itself farther away from home than ever before as it rescued Carolinians from their flooded homes in the wake of Hurricane Florence. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

It’s supposedly the last days of summer, but it sure doesn’t’ feel like it with heat indexes over 100. Thankfully, state Climatologist Barry keim has some good news for us.

Cut 4 112) “…not 100% sure.”

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser has returned to the Bayou State following a ten day trip to China as part of a Louisiana tourism mission in an attempt to lure more visitors from Asia. Nungesser says he believes the “Lights Camera Louisiana” film trail, which shows where many movies and TV shows were produced in the state, will be a huge draw for Chinese tourists.

Cut 7 (09) “…here in Louisiana.”

State Police say a two-year-old is dead and other children sustained injuries after their father drunkenly flew through an intersection in Donaldsonville on Highway 70 and got t-boned. 27-year-old John Henderson of Baton Rouge, the driver, has been arrested. State Police Spokesperson Sgt. Jared Sandifer. Says this tragedy can be traced to two decisions on the part of Henderson.

Cut 11 (10)“…safety restraints”