While much of the focus of storm readiness with Hurricane Florence is on the coastal areas, inland flooding is a rising risk for those in the path of the storm.  Kevin Barnhart has the story

Cut 1 (31)  “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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A St. Tammany man is set to make his case in front of the US Supreme Court next month in a battle between property rights and frogs. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) ”I’m Matt Doyle” 

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The annual Tiger Bowl kicks off this Saturday as LSU travels to Jordan-Hare stadium. Connor Ferrill has the story.

Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Connor Ferrill”

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While much of the focus of storm readiness with Hurricane Florence is on the coastal areas, inland flooding is a rising risk for those in the path of the storm.  LSU Department of Geography & Anthropology Professor Craig Colten says those that evacuate inland may be inadvertently traveling into areas at risk for river flooding.

Cut 4 (08) “…taken into account.”

Colten says historically, the inland areas of the Carolinas have not fared well following other hurricanes.

Cut 5 (08) “…the most part.”

Colten says better planning for inland area flooding isn’t just an issue in the Carolinas.

Cut 6 (08) “…so we’ve had.”

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The Supreme Court is taking up the appeal of a St. Tammany man who says US Wildlife and Fisheries is illegally blocking him from developing his property on the Mississippi border. The site has been designated a critical habitat for the dusky gopher frog. But property owner’s lawyer, Mark Miller, says it’s a government overreach because don’t actually live there.

Cut 7 (11) “…in Louisiana”

Wildlife and Fisheries estimates only 100 of the frogs are still alive and are currently confined to a small area near Pearl River.

But Center for Biological Diversity lead lawyer Collette Adkins says the frogs may not yet be living in that area, but for them to have a chance in the future, the land must be kept available.

Cut 8 (09)  “…in Louisiana”

The property owner, Edward Poitevent, owns tens of thousands of acres in the area, 1,600 of which has been designated a critical habitat.

Miller says Wildlife and Fisheries is placing an undue burden on his client’s request for development, and transforming the land into something habitable for the frog would require some substantial, and risky, behavior.

Cut 9 (11  “want that.”

But Adkins says that’s just not true, and only minor adjustments, like ones made across the border at a complex in Mississippi, would be needed to accommodate the frogs.

Cut 10 (11)   “…in Mississippi.“

They’ll have their day in court on October 1^st.

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Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington is joining a nationwide collective of sheriffs who are raising money for a campaign to build awareness about the need for a border wall with Mexico. The group, backed by the Federation of Americans for Immigration Reform, has set a 100,000 dollar goal. Whittington says he’s joined, despite being over 500 miles away from the border.

Cut 11 (10)“…for ICE”

Whittington says illegal immigration is a public safety issue

Cut 12 (10) “…about it”

He says it’s a move that’s getting a good deal of support from the Bossier community.

Cut 13 (08) “…around us”

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The annual Tiger Bowl kicks off this Saturday as LSU travels to Jordan-Hare Stadium to take on Auburn. Both teams come into the match-up undefeated but LSU has an uphill battle as this game tends to be dominated by the home team. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says LSU’s offensive line struggled against Southeastern last week and that won’t fly playing the war eagles…

Cut 14 (10) “…praise that is”

Each team is a defensive powerhouse and Moran says LSU’s versatile safeties could be the difference makers…

Cut 15 (12) “…are doing”

The heated rivalry is always a barn burner and Moran says the series recent history will bring a mixed bag of emotions throughout the LSU community…

Cut 16 (10) “…admit it or not” 

The game will air at 2:30 PM on September 15^th.

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There’s a big Top 25 FCS matchup in Lake Charles on Saturday night as 15th ranked McNeese hosts 12th ranked Nicholls State. Cowboys Coach Lance Guirdy trying to contain Colonels quarterback Chase Fourcade will be difficult…

Cut 17 (15)  “the play” 

The Cowboys are 2-0 as they’ ve defeated Northern Colorado and Houston Baptist. Nicholls is 1-1 after losing to Tulane last week. Last season, it was Nicholls who got into the FCS playoffs over McNeese. Guidry says playoff implications are on the line again, but the entire season won’t be determined by what happens in Cowboy Stadium…

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The Saints will welcome the Cleveland Browns to the Superdome on Sunday. It will be a homecoming for new Browns receiver Jarvis Landry, who was traded to Cleveland in the offseason. Coach Sean Payton says the former LSU wide out brings toughness to the Browns offense…

Cut 19 (13) “  as well” 

Sunday also marks the return of former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Williams now leads Cleveland’s defense. Payton knows Williams likes to be aggressive…

Cut 20 (15) “ the field” 

Congressman Clay Higgins wants his colleagues to be subject to mandatory random drug tests. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

Entergy Louisiana is sending a team of 200 employees and contractors to the East Coast.  Hurricane Florence is expected to pack a mighty punch that could cause some extensive power outages. Entergy Louisiana Spokesperson Lee Sabatini says extending a helping hand is very rewarding for the company and its employees.

Cut 8 (07) “…to do this.”

Nine former softball players have filed complaints with the Office of Civil Rights for Title Nine violations alleging that while attending the University of Louisiana at Lafayette they were deprived of appropriate trainers, training facilities, equipment, and supplies when compared to the resources provided to male athletes. Attorney Allison Jones says the goal of the players is to correct the wrongdoings of the university for future students.

Cut 5 (05)  “…at that university.” 

The university released a statement disputing the claims, saying it will “strongly defend itself” from false allegations.

Seven escaped inmates are back in custody after yesterday’s breach at Madison Parish Detention Center in Tallulah. LaSalle Corrections Development Executive Kevin Sumrall says it doesn’t not appear to be a premeditated prison break and were able to escape through a wired fence, with no apparent planned goal in mind.

Cut 11 (09)“…thought process”

Nine former softball players have filed complaints with the Office of Civil Rights for Title Nine violations alleging that while attending the University of Louisiana at Lafayette they were deprived of appropriate trainers, training facilities, equipment, and supplies when compared to the resources provided to male athletes. Attorney Allison Jones says the players also faced retaliation for bringing up the claims.

Cut 3 (11) “…people were hitting.” 

The University strongly denies the allegations.

Entergy Louisiana is sending a team of 200 employees and contractors to the East Coast.  Hurricane Florence is expected to pack a mighty punch that could cause some extensive power outages. Entergy Louisiana Spokesperson Lee Sabatini.

Cut 6 (06) “…possible to customers.”

Seven escaped inmates are back in custody after yesterday’s breach at Madison Parish Detention Center in Tallulah. LaSalle Corrections Development Executive Kevin Sumrall says they did not make it far, after a perimeter was set up.

Cut 10 (10) “partners”

All inmates were recovered by 9:15 last night.

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins introduces legislation that would mandate random drug tests for U-S House and Senate members. If there’s a failed test, the Ethics Committee can take further action. Higgins says you wouldn’t want emergency personnel to be intoxicated on the job, you sure wouldn’t want legislators to be under the influence either.

Cut 13 (11) “do you”

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins introduces legislation that would mandate random drug tests for U-S House and Senate members. If there’s a failed test, the Ethics Committee can take further action. Higgins says many middle class Americans are drug tested for their jobs, so why shouldn’t congressmen?

Cut 12 (12)   “the nation” 

Nine former softball players have filed complaints with the Office of Civil Rights for Title Nine violations alleging that while attending the University of Louisiana at Lafayette they were deprived when compared to the resources provided to male athletes. Attorney Allison Jones says the university has a history of gender inequity as she has represented female professors how have also had issues.

Cut 4 (07) “…at the university.”

The university strongly denies the allegations.

Seven escaped inmates are back in custody after yesterday’s breach at Madison Parish Detention Center in Tallulah. LaSalle Corrections Development Executive Kevin Sumrall says it didn’t take long to apprehend the seven, most of whom were incarcerated for robbery.

cut 9 (10) “…procedure”

Sumrall says it doesn’t not appear to be a premeditated prison break. All inmates were recovered by 9:15 last night.

Entergy Louisiana is sending a team of 200 employees and contractors to the East Coast.  Hurricane Florence is expected to pack a mighty punch that could cause some extensive power outages. Entergy Louisiana Spokesperson Lee Sabatini says  in addition to line workers, they are sending over people for various duties in the cleanup effort.

Cut 7 (09) “…wires are down.”

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins introduces legislation that would mandate random drug tests for U-S House and Senate members. If there’s a failed test, the Ethics Committee can take further action. Higgins says the bill wasn’t inspired by a colleagues in particular, but he has seen a few things in the halls of Congress that might raise eyebrows.

Cut 14 (11) “…to wonder”

The bill would enact a random drug test once per congress, which would be paid for by those taking the test.

Seven escaped inmates are back in custody after yesterday’s breach at Madison Parish Detention Center in Tallulah. LaSalle Corrections Development Executive Kevin Sumrall says they suspect the inmates took advantage of a breach that occurred, and were able to escape through a wired fence, with no apparent planned goal in mind.

Cut 11 (09)“…thought process”

An attorney says thirteen women are pursuing complaints involving gender discrimination against University of Louisiana at Lafayette.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

The Haynesville Shale is producing more natural gas than at any time since 2012. The shale seemed to be on it’s way out after cratering several years ago, but since 2016 has seen extraction levels rise. The shale produced 6.4 billion cubic feet of natural gas a day in June, good for 8.5 percent of all US production. The shale occupies a portion of north west Louisiana.

The National Hurricane Center gives a broad area of low pressure in the central Gulf of Mexico a high chance of developing into a tropical depression before it makes landfall on the south Texas coast. Roger Erickson, with the National Weather Service, says models indicate a Texas landfall, but the potential tropical depression or storm could bring south Louisiana more rain

Cut 14 (09) “…this week”

A LaFourche Parish Council member was arrested after violating a protective order filed against him by another councilman for the second time in four months. 51-year-old James Bourgeois Sr. had been ordered to stay clear of Jerry LaFont after a fist fight broke out at a council meeting back in April. Lafourche Parish Sheriffs Spokesperson Brennan Matherne says its politics.

cut 9 (11) “…for this”

Louisiana receives  a seven- million dollar grant to build a new veterans cemetery in Jennings that’s set to break ground November 1^st. Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Joey Strickland says currently, southwest Louisiana families have to drive at least 80 miles to the nearest veterans cemetery.
Cut 3 (08) “…Leesville” 

A new report says Louisiana is ranked eighth in obesity for the age group between 10 and 17.  CEO of Trust for America’s Health, John Auerbach says when it comes to obesity among youth, he recommends healthier eating options in schools as well as the increased importance of PE and recess.

Cut 7 (10) “…help as well.

Louisiana has an obesity problem, and the latest numbers show it’s on the rise.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

The mayor of Kenner has rescinded his original order banning the cities recreational department and booster club from purchasing Nike products. This in the wake of national attention paid to the decision that likely would have come under legal challenge. Mayor Ben Kahn stated he did not want city money used for political reasons after Nike named activist Colin Kaepernick as the face of a new campaign. Zahn says he made the decision after input from city lawyers.

A LaFourche Parish Council member was arrested after violating a protective order filed against him by another councilman for the second time in four months. 51-year-old James Bourgeois Sr. had been ordered to stay clear of Jerry LaFont after a fist fight broke out at a council meeting back in April. which is how Bourgeois got his first violation.  Lafourche Parish Sheriffs Spokesperson Brennan Matherne he got busted when…

Cut 10 (10) “order”

It’s made for an awkward situation for the two who have to run into each other twice a month. The restraining order bars Bourgeois from coming within 50 yards of LaFont, except for council meetings, where the two must enter through separate doors.

The National Hurricane Center gives a broad area of low pressure in the central Gulf of Mexico a high chance of developing into a tropical depression before it makes landfall on the south Texas coast. Roger Erickson, with the National Weather Service.

Cut 12 (05)   “of year” 

A LaFourche Parish Councilman was arrested after violating a restraining order… against another councilman.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  
Eleven law enforcement officers from various parishes are taking part in a new sniper school hosted by the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office.   The forty hour course is for designated marksmen involved in situations involving active shooters, hostages and barricades.  They will also receive training in shooting moving targets, sniper deployment, maintaining data books, and range estimation.

A new report says Louisiana has the sixth highest adult obesity rate in the nation as 36-percent of the adult population is obese, up 23-percent in 2000 and 12-percent in 1990.  The state is also ranked eighth in obesity for the age group between 10 and 17.  CEO of Trust for America’s Health, John Auerbach says the state needs to do better to encourage healthier lifestyles.

Cut 6 (13) “…will go down.”

The National Hurricane Center gives a broad area of low pressure in the central Gulf of Mexico a high chance of developing into a tropical depression before it makes landfall on the south Texas coast. Roger Erickson, with the National Weather Service, says it’s unlikely this tropical disturbance can ramp up quickly into a hurricane, but the system is moving into an area that will allow for the shower activity to become better organized

Cut 13 (06) “tropical development”

The National Hurricane Center gives a broad area of low pressure in the central Gulf of Mexico a high chance of developing into a tropical depression before it makes landfall on the south Texas coast. Roger Erickson, with the National Weather Service, says rain chances for south Louisiana will increase on Friday and Saturday…

Cut 12 (05)   “of year” 

Louisiana receives  a seven- million dollar grant to build a new veterans cemetery in Jennings that’s set to break ground November 1^st. Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Joey Strickland says  the grounds, located just behind the Jennings veteran’s home, will feature a walkway that cuts through the land, landscaping, fountains, and a notable landmark.

Cut 4 (09) “…beautiful”

The grounds will serve nearly 37,600 veterans.

A new report says Louisiana has the sixth highest adult obesity rate in the nation as 36-percent of the adult population is obese, up 23-percent in 2000 and 12-percent in 1990.  The state is also ranked eighth in obesity for the age group between 10 and 17.  CEO of Trust for America’s Health, John Auerbach says WIC is an example that government policies that can be implemented to improve health.

Cut 8 (09) “…board has improved.”

A LaFourche Parish Council member was arrested after violating a protective order filed against him by another councilman for the second time in four months. 51-year-old James Bourgeois Sr. had been ordered to stay clear of Jerry LaFont after a fist fight broke out at a council meeting back in April. Lafourche Parish Sheriffs Spokesperson Brennan Matherne says Bourgeois ran into LaFont at a restaurant Tuesday night, and decided to stay.

Cut 11 (07)“…was there”

Louisiana has the sixth highest adult obesity rate in the nation as 36% of the adult population is obese.  That’s up from 12% in 1990.  The state is also ranked eighth in obesity for the age group between 10 and 17.  CEO of Trust for America’s Health, John Auerbach says when it comes to obesity among youth, he recommends healthier eating options in schools as well as the increased importance of PE and recess.

Cut 7 (10) “…help as well.

A LaFourche Parish Council member was arrested after violating a protective order filed against him by another councilman for the second time in four months. The restraining order bars 51-year-old James Bourgeois Sr. from coming within 50 yards of Jerry LaFont, except for meetings where the two must enter through separate doors, which is how Bourgeois got his first violation. Lafourche Parish Sheriffs Spokesperson Brennan Matherene says the second violate came when…

Cut 10 (10) “order”

The VA has awarded Louisiana a 7.2 million dollar grant to building a new veterans cemetery in Jennings that’s set to break ground November 1^st.  Southwest Louisiana has a rich military history, and used to be the site of an airbase in Lake Charles that closed in 1995. Louisiana VA Secretary Joey Strickland says Louisiana in particular is a magnet for those who’ve served our country in the armed forces.
Cut 5 (05)  “…small state.” 

Be on the lookout for seven escapees from the Madison Parish Detention Center. It is not known at this time which direction they traveled in, if they were picked up by someone in a vehicle or if they are still on foot in the area. Madison Parish Sheriffs Department is asking for the public’s help, and says call 911 if you see any suspicious people in the area. Do not try to confront them yourself.