The statistical peak off hurricane season is behind us, and State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s likely we will exceed earlier predictions. But he says right now, it looks as if things are calming down compared to last week…:
Cut 7 (11) “or two”
He says there have already been 11 named storms so far in 2017, and if we doubled that it would rank among the second busiest in history.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is deploying crews to help with response efforts from Hurricanes Irma and Harvey. Spokesman Mike Steele also says officials in Texas are considering the Shelter at Home Program with some of the improvements recommended by Louisiana…:
Cut 5 (10) “that housing crunch”
He says GOHSEP’s deputy director is going to assist with that effort.

A Christmas tree farm owner in St. Tammany is trying to figure out who’s killing trees on the property, now about 20 times. Clarke Gernon heads up Shady Pond Tree Farm in Pearl River and says it’s been difficult for him to express to law enforcement the idea that these are more than just trees…:
Cut 10 (09) “than animal abuse”
Gernon says because of the physical size of the 50 acre farm, it’s very difficult to put in an effective security system.

Thibodaux Police have arrested a man who they found passed out behind the wheel in the drive-through of a restaurant. They say 37-year-old John Sewell Jr allegedly tried to drive off when cops woke him up, but his key had already been removed by officers. The man apparently told detectives he was tired and high. He was booked for Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Kaplan Police Chief Boyd Adams is under arrest for allegedly stealing money from the department. State Police allege Adams used nearly $7000 in funds for himself.

The statistical peak of the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane season is now behind us but we can still expect an active season. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Louisiana is deploying a major effort to help with Hurricanes Irma and Harvey response and recovery in Florida, Georgia and Texas. GOHSEP spokesman Mike Steele says Louisiana has a lot of experience in what to do after a storm:
Cut 4 (07) “as well”

An intriguing matchup to start the season for the Saints as they visit the Minnesota Vikings to kick-off the 2017 campaign. New Orleans led the NFL in total offense last year, while the Vikings had the league’s third-ranked defense, and return most of their starters from 2016. Saints Quarterback Drew Brees says this one won’t be handed to them…:
Cut 15 (12) “absolute best”
Kickoff tonight is slated for 6pm.

Tropical Storm Irma continues to weaken as the storm moves inland over the southeastern US, but is still doing plenty of damage. The storm ravaged nearly the entire Florida peninsula, wreaking havoc from the state’s southernmost point up to the Georgia line.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is deploying employees and coordinating assistance from other state agencies for Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Harvey response and recovery efforts. GOHSEP spokesman Mike Steele says there is a wide range of needs right now in Florida and Georgia, and ongoing cleanup in Texas, and the state is happy to help.:
CUT 3 (11) “and rescue teams going”
He says the state-to-state system was developed after Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

We’ve have moved past the statistical peak of what has been a very active 2017 Atlantic hurricane season. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s already been 11 named storms…:
cut 6 (10)”this season”
That would rank among the second busiest in history.

A Christmas Tree farm in St. Tammany Parish has been hit by vandals for the about the 20th time, and the owner is not happy. Clarke Gernon heads up Shady Pond Tree Farm in Pearl River and says nobody has ever been caught destroying the trees..:
CUT 9 (08) “a living thing”
He says it’s been difficult for him to express to law enforcement the idea that these are more than just trees.

During LSU’s 45-10 win over Chattanooga on Saturday night, the Tigers showed the ability to throw the football down the field..:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Congress approves a measure to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program for the next 90 days, as federal lawmakers work on a long-term solution for the program. US Senator John Kennedy says extending the deadline gives lawmakers time to look at all their options…:
Cut 9 (09) “the program”
With this new extension, the program will now expire on December 8th.

Should be a good one tonight as the Saints take on the Vikings to open the 2017 campaign. Saints Quarterback Drew Brees says it’s a tough match-up to start the season…:
Cut 15 (12) “absolute best”
New Orleans led the NFL in total offense last year, while Minnesota had the league’s third-ranked defense, and return most of their starters from 2016.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking the public to limit the transportation of Roseau cane, as the species that helps the coastal region is rapidly dying off. LDWF Biologist Manager Vaughn McDonald says fishermen should take precautions after being around large perennial grasses found in wetlands…:
Cut 11 (10) “soapy water”
He says the Roseau cane scale, which is a bug, is killing off the beneficial plant life.

A weakened but-still dangerous Irma pushed further inland this morning as the tropical storm continued to pound Florida with winds and floodwaters. Irma’s outer bands are now blowing into Georgia, where the storm’s center is expected to arrive later in the day. In Louisiana we can still expect to see sunny and blue skies today as we did over the weekend, but thanks to Irma you’ll start to see breezes picking up this afternoon and into tonight.

The National Flood Insurance Program has been given a 90 day extension by Congress while they work out a long-term solution. US Senator John Kennedy says he’d like to establish integrity in the NFIP while also not undermining the purpose of the program by causing premiums to skyrocket…:
Cut 8 (09) “a bus”
He says he’s trying to strike a balance between sustainability and affordability.

75 Soldiers from the Louisiana National Guard’s 165th Combat Sustainment and Support Battalion are set to deploy to Afghanistan. Col. Ed Bush says after their sendoff party today, troops will undergo training at Fort Hood.:
Cut 6 (08) “11 months”
He says these troops will be overseas for about a year.

An intriguing matchup to start the season for the Saints as they visit the Minnesota Vikings to kick-off the 2017 campaign. New Saints running back Adrian Peterson gets a chance to stick it to his old team…:
Cut 16 (10) “New England”

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking sportsman to limit the transport of Roseau cane, as a non-native tiny insect is consuming the plant…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Congress approves a measure to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program for the next 90 days, as federal lawmakers work on a long-term solution. US Senator John Kennedy says he’s glad congressional leaders didn’t let the clock run out on the program that expired September 30…:
Cut 7 (11) “permanent re authorization”
With this new extension, the program will now expire on December 8th.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking the public to limit the transportation of Roseau cane, as the species is rapidly dying off. Biologist Manager Vaughn McDonald says the Roseau cane scale, which is a bug, is killing off the beneficial plant life…:
Cut 10 (11) “from there”
Roseau cane helps to protect the coastal region.

During LSU’s 45-10 win over Chattanooga on Saturday night, the Tigers showed the ability to throw the football down the field..:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Irma has now weakened into a topical storm, as it moved about 100 miles north of Tampa, Florida according to the National Hurricane Center. Forecasters say Irma was still producing some wind gusts near hurricane force. The storm battered the Florida Peninsula Sunday, flattened homes, flooded the Keys and caused more than 5 million power outages.

Congress passed a bill to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program, which was set to expire on September 30. Halen Doughty has the story…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

75 Soldiers from the Louisiana National Guard’s 165th Combat Sustainment and Support Battalion are set to deploy to Afghanistan. Col. Ed Bush says these troops will be overseas for about a year…:
Cut 4 (08) “they need”
A deployment ceremony is set for 11am this morning at Bossier Parish Community College.

The LSU football team is 2-0, but the Tigers still have a lot to work on as they head into this Saturday’s SEC opener versus Mississippi State in Starkville. Quarterback Danny Etling has looked sharp. Through two games, he’s completed 71-percent of his passes for nearly 400 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions. Head Coach Ed Orgeron…:
Cut 14 (19) “do it”
LSU remains No. 12 in the AP top 25 poll.

Hurricane Irma is slated to be downgraded to a tropical storm later today as it continues to move inland from Florida into Georgia. Rough conditions persist across the peninsula, where more than 160,000 people are waiting in shelters.

Amazon is looking for a location for its second corporate headquarters, and Louisiana could be a contender. Economic development secretary Don Pierson says Louisiana will likely make a bid because the Bayou State has a lot to offer, like an international airport and two major interstates.
Cut 5 (11) “…for commerce”

New Orleans plans to make a bid to host World Cup soccer games if North America is named as a host site for one of the biggest sporting events in the world in 2026. President and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, Jay Cicero, says the Big Easy has so much to offer to international sports fans.

Cut 8 (10) “….to Louisiana”
The state department of transportation reports an increase in accidents on I-10 in Acadiana as work is underway to widen the interstate from I-49 to the Atchafalaya Basin. DOTD spokesperson Deidra Druilhet says they’ve placed speed trailers along the highway to clock drivers.
Cut 10 (11) “…construction zone”
Durilhet says they’re also putting a solid line in the area to deter drivers from changing lanes.

Cleco is sending crews to help with potential power outages in Georgia as Hurricane Irma barrels towards the US. Spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says crews will be on hand as long as necessary to make sure power is restored for Georgia Power’s 2.5 million customers.

Cut 14 (10) electrical systems”

Louisiana could be a contender for Amazon’s new corporate headquarters as the online retail giant plans to spend five billion dollars on a second headquarters. Don Molino has more…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

Hurricane Irma is once again approaching the threshold for Category 5 strength. The storm weakened to a Category 4 this morning, but the National Hurricane Center says Irma could regain its strength as it moves over Cuba and heads towards Florida. Either way, forecasters say the storm could still be devastating to the Sunshine State.

The state department of transportation is raising awareness about construction zone safety after seeing an increase in accidents on I-10 as work is underway to widen the interstate. DOTD spokesperson Deidra Druilhet says work zones comes with different driving conditions.
Cut 9 (10) “those areas”

Louisiana utility crews are heading to Georgia to help with any potential power outages as Hurricane Irma tracks north towards the US. Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says crews are meeting at the St. Tammany Service Center Monday to make the trip to Macon, Georgia.

Cut 12 (11) “Hurricane Irma”
Cleco also assisted Georgia Power following Hurricane Matthew.