06:30 Newscast, August 25th, 2017

What will Category 2 Hurricane Harvey bring to Louisiana? Stephen Carboni
with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says the storm is expected
to deliver Texas damaging winds and life-threatening flooding. He says
Louisiana is also in for wet weather…:
Cut 13 (11) “storm surge”
In Cameron Parish, a mandatory evacuation has been issued for all areas south
of the Intracoastal Waterway.

Louisiana Department of Education is seeking to train over 500 Louisiana
educators so they can serve as mentors to future teachers. Assistant
Superintendent of Talent Hannah Diestsch says they are looking for passionate
teachers…:
Cut 12 (10) “most useful”
You can find out more online at LouisianaBelieves.com

A southwest Louisiana mother won $2 million in the Powerball…:
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Baton Rouge Police have charged a 20-year-old Ponchatoula man with negligent
homicide for fatally shooting a 19-year-old Hammond girl as they were driving
down Florida Boulevard on Tuesday. Authorities say James Seymore was playing
with a hand gun, when it off, striking Briana Hornsby, who died at a local
hospital.

 

18:30 Newscast August 24

Hurricane Harvey is expected to reach Category 3 strength by the time the storm makes landfall in Texas. Eric Blake with the National Hurricane Center says the storm isn’t expected to move far inland, as it makes landfall early Saturday morning.

Cut 7 (08) “southeastern Louisiana”

Models show Harvey moving east towards Louisiana after making landfall, and Governor John Bel Edwards has already declared a state of emergency in anticipation of the storm. Extensive rainfall is expected, and the governor says citizens should prepare now.

Cut 11 (13) “government assistance”

Edwards says the biggest concern is in southwest Louisiana, but the entire state could see high rainfall totals.

Louisiana customers now have access to Walmart’s new Express Money Services. Company spokesperson Erin Hulliberger says this new feature will help shoppers save time while making in store money transfers.

Cut 14 (08) “our customers”

She says with Express Lanes in most Walmart stores, all Louisiana customers can enjoy this new feature.

More jobs are coming to Union Parish, as Foster Farms announces a $30 million expansion that will result in 50 new direct jobs and 42 indirect jobs. Farmerville Mayor Stein Baughman says this is huge for the parish.

Cut 4 (12) “Union Parish”

The poultry processing facility will also maintain over 1,000 existing jobs.

LRN AM NEWSCALL AUGUST 25, 2017

A southwest Louisiana mother won $2 million in the Powerball. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The state Department of Education is seeking to train 500 teachers to become mentors for aspiring educators. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Texas is bracing for the landfall of major hurricane, but Louisiana is not of the woods. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Louisiana is home to the third worse drivers in the nation, according to a report by SmartAsset. Vice President of Financial Education AJ Smith says they looked at vehicle fatalities, insurance rates, and Google searches to determine the rankings. She says the Bayou State did not fare well in any of those categories.

Cut 4  (08) “of that factor”

Smith says at 86 percent, Louisiana has the 16th lowest rate of insured drivers in the country. Smith says high rates of uninsured drivers can drive insurance costs up for other motorists. She adds a lot of Louisianans are looking up speeding tickets and parking tickets on the web, which could mean they’re accumulating tickets at higher rates.

Cut 5  (08)  “parking tickets”

Eight of the top ten states with the worst drivers are in the South. Florida and Mississippi were the only states that had worse drivers than Louisiana. Hulliberger says there was one area where Louisiana did not rank in the bottom.

Cut 6 (10) “in the country”

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A southwest Louisiana mother of four is now a millionaire after winning $2 million in the Powerball. The woman works as an assistant manager at the Tiger Mart in Lake Arthur. Store manager April Lemaire says if anyone deserves to win, it’s her.

Cut 7 (09)  “giving person”

The Tiger Mart will receive a bonus of 20-thousand dollars for selling the ticket. Lemaire says the whole community is thrilled for the winning player. The woman from Jefferson Davis Parish actually picked her own numbers, and five of them matched Wednesday night’s drawing.

Cut 8 (11) “happy for her”

Lemaire says the assistant manager plans to keep working at the convenience store. She says the lucky winner doesn’t have any plans yet for how she will spend the money, but it will likely go towards helping her kids.

Cut 9 (09)  “she actually won”

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Louisiana Department of Education is seeking to train over 500 Louisiana educators so they can serve as mentors to future teachers. Assistant Superintendent of Talent Hannah Diestsch says the Bayou State is changing the way teachers learn how to teach. She says the new method will be similar to how medical students become doctors.

Cut 10 (11) “teacher”

Diestsch says the residency takes place along with a mentor who can guide the aspiring teacher’s development and growth. She says these expert teachers will receive a one thousand dollar stipend and are selected by their school district.

Cut 11 (11) “resources”

Mentors have to be nominated by their school systems by September 8th and training will begin this fall.  The plan is to train an additional two-thousand teachers over the next two years. Dietsch says they’re looking for passionate teachers.

Cut 12 (10) “most useful”

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What will Hurricane Harvey bring to Louisiana? Stephen Carboni with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says the storm is expected to deliver Texas damaging winds and life-threatening flooding. Carboni says Louisiana is also in for wet weather.

Cut 13 (11) “storm surge”

Carboni says Cameron and Vermilion Parishes will see the minor storm surge. The state is on guard for potential flooding statewide. Carboni says large rainfall totals are expected in southwest Louisiana.

Cut 14 (10) “at this point”

The forecast track from the National Hurricane Center calls for Harvey to make landfall either Friday night or Saturday morning and then stall at the middle of the Texas coast through the weekend. Carboni says several models show Harvey will eventually turn east towards the Bayou State.

Cut 15 (12) “or storm surge”

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The Saints are set to the play the Texans in exhibition game number three. Quarterback Drew Brees is expected to get his first action of the preseason and he’s excited to finally play in a game…

Cut 16 (19) “that I’m proud of”

Veteran running back Adrian Peterson is expected to make his preseason debut as well. Brees says he’s been impressed with the future Hall of Famer during camp…

Cut 17 (15)  “right after”

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The LSU Tigers will count on a lot of young players during 2017 season. Defensive coordinator Dave Aranda says his young linebackers Tyler Taylor, Patrick Queen and Jacob Phillips strive to be great…

Cut 18 (19) “love to see” 

Aranda says he’s also impressed with freshman K’Lavon Chaisson’s pass rushing abilities…

Cut 19 (23) “do that”

13:30 Newscast, August 24th, 2017

Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency in Louisiana as the state prepares for potential impacts from Hurricane Harvey. Extensive rainfall is the major concern as the storm is expected to linger and possibly turn towards Louisiana next week. Edwards says citizens need to prepare:
Cut 11 (13) “government assistance”
He says this is a serious storm that everyone should take seriously.

They are getting ready in Cameron Parish. OEP spokeswoman Ashely buller says the path of Harvey is hard to predict at this point…:
Cut 10 (10) “or Thursday”

Foster Farms announces it will make a $30 million capital investment to expand and upgrade its poultry processing facilities in Farmerville. Mayor Stein Baughman says this is great for all of Union Parish…:
Cut 4 (12) “Union Parish”
The expansion will maintain the more than 1,000 existing jobs at the facility. LED estimates it will also result in an additional 42 indirect jobs for a total of more than 90 new jobs in North Louisiana.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office has ruled the death of a 53-year-old man whose body was found in the backyard of a home in an overgrown area, as a homicide. They say Dale Sands had been reported missing by the Sheriff’s Office, and officials say he was shot in the chest and head. Investigators have not yet established a motive or suspect.

 

12:30 Newscast, August 24th, 2017

We now have Hurricane Harvey. The storm in the Gulf that’s headed for the Texas coast is now producing winds of 80 miles per hour, according to the National Hurricane Center. Eric Blake with the N-H-C says Louisiana could see up to 15 inches of rain over the next 7 days, but as of right now Texas will get the worst of Hurricane Harvey…:
Cut 8 (10) “storm surge”
Harvey is expected to make landfall late Friday or early Saturday in Corpus Christi, Texas.

The Cameron Parish OEP is bracing for the all the rain. Spokesperson Ashley Buller says no evacuations have been ordered, but they are monitoring the situation closely…:
Cut 9 (10) “inundated”
Governor John Bel Edwards is giving an update at GOHSEP at this hour.

Foster Farms announces a $30 million upgrade to its Union Parish poultry processing plant. Don Molino has more…:
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Don Molino”

The $759 million dollar Powerball jackpot was hit in Massachusetts last night, but here in Louisiana a Lake Arthur convenience store employee won $2 million after buying a ticket from her own store for the drawing.

11:30 Newscast, August 24th, 2017

The National Hurricane Center is now calling for Tropical Storm Harvey to become a Category 3 hurricane tomorrow before hitting Texas. Eric Blake with the N-H-C says the storm is quickly strengthening…:
Cut 6 (09) “in Texas”
Blake says Louisiana faces the potential for 6 to 15 inches of rain, the heaviest in the southwest part of the state and some coastal flooding.

Twenty-five years ago today Hurricane Andrew made landfall in Florida and then took its aim on Louisiana…:
Cut 25 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Foster Farms in Union Parish announces a $30 million investment to expand and upgrade the poultry processing facilities in Farmerville. Louisiana Economic Development expects this will create 50 new direct jobs. Farmerville Mayor Stein Baughman says the town has a good relationship with the company..:
Cut 3 (11) “available here”
Foster Farms will receive a $500,000 Modernization Tax Credit, and it’s expected the company will utilize the Industrial Tax Exemption Program.

The state Department of Education announces a new program has launched that would let experienced teachers statewide get training to become mentors to aspiring educators. They say beginning in the fall and over the next three years, Louisiana will establish at least 2,500 professionals equipped with the necessary skills to help guide a new generation of teachers.

 

09:30 Newscast, August 24th, 2017

Forecasters say Tropical Storm Harvey is expected to drop 10 to 15 inches of rain with isolated maximum amounts of 25 inches over the Texas coast through next Wednesday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says tracking of the system once it hits Texas near Corpus Christi is not certain, but they do know it’s extremely slow moving…:
Cut 15 (08) “for this entire region”

Local officials in Southwest Louisiana are preparing for the worst. Calcasieu Parish Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Dick Gremillion says with heavy rain and flash flooding still the primary threats, the public needs to be reminded not to drive through water of unknown depth…:
Cut 12 (10) “events”
Forecasters say over the next several days rainfall totals of 7 to 10 inches are possible here with isolated amounts of over 12 inches.

Twenty-five years ago today one of the most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history made landfall in Florida and then crossed the Gulf of Mexico and made landfall near Morgan City. Former WAFB Meteorologist Mike Graham says we’ve seen bigger disasters since then from Hurricane Katrina to last year’s devastating floods..:
Cut 8 (11) “weather events”

LSU quarterback Danny Etling is excited about being named the stater when the Tigers hit the field September 2nd against BYU in Houston. The fifth year senior says he’s never entered a season without competing hard for that starting job…:
Cut 16 (13) “that I’m proud of”
Coach O said QB true freshman Myles Brennan was a close second.

 

08:30 Newscast, August 24th, 2017

Tropical Storm Harvey is expected to make landfall on Friday in Texas and Calcasieu Parish is getting prepared. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Hurricane Andrew made landfall in Florida 25 years ago today, and slammed into Louisiana on August 26th, 1992. Edwin Edwards was the governor then.:
Cut 9 (06) “federal government”
Private property damage from Andrew was estimated at one billion dollars.

There was just one ticket that hit the $759 million dollar Powerball jackpot last night, which will pay the largest single lottery prize in US history. The winning ticket was sold in Chicopee, Massachusetts to an unnamed winner. The all-time biggest Powerball jackpot in the America was the $1.6 billion split among three winners in January 2016.

St. Martinville wants to be officially designated as the “The Pepper City of the World.” Mayor Pro Tem Mike Fuselier says they are already known for their pepper products internationally, and they also host the popular pepper festival now going on 26 years. He says St. Martinville is a big tourist attraction and adding this title will only boost visitors…:
Cut 5 (10) “good stuff”
He says they plan to ask the legislature for the distinction during next year’s session.

 

07:30 Newscast, August 24th, 2017

Harvey was upgraded to a tropical storm late last night and strengthened even more this morning, as it is still expected to reach hurricane strength before making landfall along the Texas coast. State Climatologist Barry Keim says that should happen tomorrow evening as the storm turns east and slows down. He says there’s the potential that over 20 inches of rain will fall, with Houston/Galveston being ground zero…:
Cut 14 (09) “the state”
Keim says 5 to 10 inches of rain over any given area of the state can not be ruled out over the next week.

Calcasieu Parish is putting their guard up. Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness for the parish, Dick Gremillion, says they anticipate a lot of rain and depending on the track, storm surge is also a possibility:
Cut 10 (08) “inches”

Twenty-five years ago today one of the most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history made landfall in Florida and then crossed the Gulf of Mexico and made landfall near Morgan City. Former WAFB Meteorologist Mike Graham was working at the Baton Rouge TV station and remembers the anxiety as the storm took aim on Louisiana…:
Cut 7 (11) “Louisiana coast”
Andrew slammed into Louisiana on August 26th, 1992.

St. Martinville hopes to become “The Pepper City of the World.” Mayor Pro Tem Mike Fuselier says they will ask the state legislature to pass a resolution giving them the prestigious title. He says for nearly a century, St. Martinville has had a pepper industry, like Pepper’s Unlimited…:
Cut 4 (07) “internationally”
St. Martinville is also known for the company Cajun Chef, which produces 250 different products.

 

06:45 Sportscast, August 24th, 2017

LSU quarterback Danny Etling is excited about being named the stater when the Tigers hit the field September 2nd against BYU in Houston. The fifth year senior says he’s never entered a season without competing hard for that starting job…:
Cut 16 (13) “that I’m proud of”
Coach O said it was important to make the announcement about a starter a couple of weeks before the season started so that Etling knew the team believed in him.

LSU placed six players on the 2017 Preseason Coaches All-Southeastern Conference Football Team. Linebacker Arden Key and running back Derrius Guice were once again named to a preseason first team. Defensive back Donte Jackson, along with offensive linemen K.J. Malone and Will Clapp, earned a spot on the All-SEC second team. Defensive lineman Christian LaCouture was named to the All-SEC third-team.

In New Orleans Saints news…the starters are expected to play in Saturday night’s preseason game against the Houston Texans. Drew Brees, Adrian Peterson, Mark Ingram, Zach Strief and Cam Jordan have yet to play in the preseason, but Coach Sean Payton strongly hinted they’ll see action against the Texans. Also, center Max Unger has been removed from the physically unable to perform list.

The Southland Conference’s 2017 football television plans for the August and September portion of the schedule have been announced. The ESPN3 Game of the Week schedule begins as Nicholls hosts McNeese in the season-opener for both teams on Thursday, Aug. 31. 6 other games are expected to stream live September 2nd including Northwestern State at Louisiana Tech and Southeastern at UL Lafayette.

Facebook has announced it will stream several NCAA football games this year, including the Louisiana Tech home game against North Texas on November 4th.

Not only does Shreveport mayor Ollie Tyler want to build a 30-million dollar sports complex for an NBA minor league team for the New Orleans Pelicans, she’s also proposing a training camp practice facility for the Saints.