LSU officials cut the ribbon today on its new 28-million dollar football operations and performance nutrition center. Jeff Palermo was there…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

_________________________

Members of Louisiana’s Congressional Delegation questioned Special Counsel Robert Mueller today about Russian election interference and allegations of criminal conduct by the President…

cut  2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”  

________________________________________

Today the media toured the new $28 million football operations building at LSU as part of a ribbon-cutting ceremony.  Athletic Director Scott Woodward says his goal is to see LSU have the best of everything.

Cut 3 (09) “…here at LSU.”

The lavishness of the facility has caught heat from some people who feel the state of the art facility is an example of misplaced priorities in higher education when other areas of the campus, including the library, are in rough shape.

Woodward says he doesn’t see the feedback received as an outrage, saying he has seen incredible publicity and social media response.

Cut 4 (12) “…very very positive.”

Woodward says the publicity of the school’s athletics is crucial as it is usually the first introduction of LSU to the public when enticing students to attend.

Cut 5 (09) “…what we are.”

_____________________________

Louisiana Senior Senator Bill Cassidy says the men and women who work for Customs and Border Patrol are stretched thin and need more resources. Cassidy came to that conclusion after touring border operations in McAllen, Texas

Cut 6 (08) “…overwhelmed now.”

Cassidy says Democrats in Washington call the crisis on the southern border manufactured, but he’s seen first hand it’s real and urgent

Cut 7 (07) “…our laws.”

Cassidy says people are coming from around the world to get to the United States and they’ve got to do something different so that that system is not overwhelmed…

Cut 8 (12) “…bunches of people” (2x)

___________________________________

This time of year can be the hottest in Louisiana, but this week the state is receiving relief because of a rare mid-summer cold front that’s cut humidity and brought  Canadian air into the bayou state.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says you can expect high temps in the mid to upper 80s.

Cut 9 (07) “…so truly refreshing outside.”

Keim advises everyone not to waste this nice weather and find an excuse to get outside.

Cut 10 (08) “…waste this opportunity.”

The nicest weather takes place today and tomorrow with clear skies in the forecast as well.  Keim says the cooler temps will start to fade going into the weekend.

Cut 11 (10) “…a little bit.”

___________________

Louisiana US Representatives Cedric Richmond and Mike Johnson questioned Special Counsel Robert Mueller this morning regarding the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, and allegations of crimes committed by the President during that election, and during the ensuing investigation.

Richmond, a Democrat from New Orleans used his time to get an answer from the Special Counsel about activities that Richmond believes constitute Obstruction.

Cut 12 (10) “…a summary.”

But Northwest Louisiana Republican Congressman Mike Johnson, who closed for the GOP, disagrees…

Cut 13 (11) “…long months.”

Richmond says the Mueller Report, and the Special Counsel’s testimony today make it clear the President broke the law…

Cut 14 (11) “…the law.”

But Johnson assailed the Mueller team’s credibility and says the investigation was run by partisan lawyers…

Cut 15 (14) “…candidates.”

State Police charge an 18-year-old Baton Rouge teenager for intentionally causing a crash that killed 51-year-old Stephanie Payne of Greenwell Springs. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

_________________________

Republican Eddie Rispone has launched his first statewide governor’s race ads, and his message to the voters is pretty straight forward…

cut  2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”  

________________________________________

A Baton Rouge teen faces second-degree murder after he allegedly admitted to intentionally causing a crash that killed 51-year-old Stephanie Payne of Greenwell Springs last night. State Trooper Taylor Scrantz says Jack Jordan hit the gas and plowed into the back of Payne as she waited at a Baton Rouge intersection…

Cut 3 (11) “…resting.”

Impairment is not suspected to be a factor. The arrest warrant says Jordan told investigators that God instructed him to kill himself. Scrantz says they continue to investigate why Jordan hit Payne’s Nissan Rogue at an estimated 90-miles per hour

Cut 4 (05) “…happened”

Scrantz says Jordan told Troopers he intentionally caused the crash. The L-S-P spokesperson says that admission led to a second-degree murder charge…

Cut 5 (11) “…Mr, Jordan.”

Jordan has also been charged with reckless operation and simple escape.

_____________________________

Methanex announces plans to spend $1.3 billion to construct a third methanol plant in Ascension Parish and the three plants combined in Geismar would make it one of the world’s largest methanol complexes. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the plant will create 62 new direct jobs with competitive wages.

Cut 6 (08) “…next three years.”

Methanex is based in Canada. Pierson says the state is very attractive to the needs of the company.

Cut 7 (08) “…this product globally.”

Pierson says with the wide variety of uses, methanol is a product critical to all economies.

Cut 8 (12) “…the global economy.”

The operation is expected to begin in 2022.

___________________________________

Gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone has released his first statewide TV ad of the campaign, the content of which heavily leans on Rispone’s historical support for President Trump. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the ad targets a crucial part of the Republican voting base.

Cut 9 (10) “…Donald Trmp.”

Pinsonat says Trump is one of the highest polling political figures in recent Louisiana history.

The political analyst expects the Trump focused ads to run for about three weeks before Rispone tells voters more about his background as a businessman…

Cut 10 (07) “…Donald Trump.”

Pinsonat says the strategy is also similar to successful gubernatorial efforts from Bobby Jindal and Mike Foster.

The light polling we do have available indicates Rispone has a lot of work to do to catch Republican frontrunner Congressman Ralph Abraham, but Pinsonat says Rispone’s self-funding gives him a huge financial advantage that he can put to work building support in south Louisiana.

Cut 11 (10) “…known”

Rispone has a war chest of over ten million dollars, most of which comes from his own wealth. Abraham has just over a million dollars, all through fundraising.

___________________

LSU has a brand new football operations center, and while it was paid for with private dollars, several other portions of the campus, as well as college campuses around the state, remain in need of repairs.  LSU Professor of Mass Communication Bob Mann says many feel that the state and the public should put the same emphasis on academics that go into athletics.

Cut 12 (11) “…percent.”

Mann says says various buildings need to be renovated as some are around 70 to 100 years old.  Among the buildings most in need of attention is the library.

Cut 13 (10) “…being pumped out.”

Mann says in order to see a change, there needs to be a paradigm shift in the way the state’s leaders and residents look at education.

Cut 14 (11) “…side of campus.”

The national unemployment rate rose slightly in June, but Louisiana is on the decline, powered by a robust job market in New Orleans. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

_________________________

Louisiana casino revenues are down 10 percent year to year and industry experts are warning gaming may be shrinking in Louisiana…

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

_____________________________________

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins scoped out border security operations in McAllen, Texas. Kevin Barnhart has more.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

__________________________________________

Louisiana’s unemployment rate decreased to 4.3 percent in June, down .7 percent from the same time last year. Louisiana’s unemployment rate is it’s lowest since January 2008.

Louisiana Workforce Commission Chief Economist Ali Bustamante says the state gained 300 jobs from May to June, which is better than most places in the US during the same period.

Cut 4 (10) “…direction.” 

The field that added the most jobs was healthcare and social assistance, which added 1,200 jobs from the previous month, and 9,400 jobs over the year.

New Orleans powered the state’s above national average performance in June, adding 1,600 jobs, the only metro area in the state to add jobs during that period.

Cut 5  (11) “… right now.” 

The city has added 8,800 jobs year to year, followed by Lafayette at 1,500 and Lake Charles at 1,100.

Houma continues to bleed jobs in the most recent report. Bustamante says the city has shed 2,900 in the last year, and 400 over the last month.

Cut 6 (10) “…competitive.”

Shreveport is down 2,400 jobs year to year, and Baton Rouge is down 1,700.

________________

Louisiana casinos have seen substantial declines in revenue in the last year, leading casino advocates to sound the alarm that the state’s gaming industry is shrinking.

Shreveport casinos are down 11.6 percent, Lake Charles 10 percent, New Orleans five percent, and Baton Rouge 13 percent. Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones…

Cut 7 (11) “…operate”

Jones says gaming revenue now exceeds oil and gas revenue in funding the state.

There was a nasty fight in the legislature to get sports betting legal in Louisiana, but that attempt failed. Jones says that, plus new offerings in other states are drawing customers away…

Cut 8 (10) “…kicked.”

Seven casinos saw 10 percent or more declines in revenue year to year, but the Belle of Baton Rouge posted the most shocking decline, at 43 percent. Jones says the owner is trying to get out…

Cut 9 (11) “…yet”

On a whole, Louisiana casino revenues fell 10.2 percent from last year.

_______________

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins recently visited McAllen, Texas, where US Customs and Border Protection agents process immigrants coming across the border from Mexico. Higgins says if compassionate law enforcement is the goal in America, no one is doing it better than those at the southern border.

Cut 10 (11) “…broken a law.”

Higgins is the Republican leader of the Homeland Security subcommittee. The congressman says after seeing first-hand how the operations at the border work, he believes many media outlets are casting the treatment of immigrants in the wrong light, and the reports are being twisted to reflect the agenda of the left.

Cut 11 (10) “…totally false, man.”

Higgins says the biggest hurdle being faced at the southern border is the mass amount of people trying to be processed into the United States and the first step to fixing the situation is up to lawmakers.

Cut 12 (13) “…and Chuck Schumer.”

_____________________________

Louisiana’s Justice Reinvestment Reforms 2019 Annual Performance Report indicates the state has saved more than $12 million from criminal justice reform, twice the anticipated savings. Secretary of the Department of Corrections James LeBlanc says while it is still very early in the implementation, the numbers are a positive sign for long term goals.

Cut 13 (08) “…would be today.”

LeBlanc says the further evidence of reform efforts having an effect is the fact that Louisiana is no longer known for being the incarceration leader it once was. The report highlights a reduced total prison population for the state, falling from around 40-thousand at its peak at the end of 2012.

Cut 14 (08) “…had in 2012.”

LeBlanc says after three to five years of the implementation, the state will have a better idea of the recidivism rates under the reforms, but so far so good.

Cut 15 (07) “…of these reform efforts.”

Governor Edwards signs legislation inspired by a fatal crash in 2017 that permits drug testing in traffic crashes with severe injuries.  Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________

A Baton Rouge chef Beat Bobby Flay on his own Food Network TV show by challenging the iconic chef to a crawfish boil…

cut  2 (32) I’m Matt Doyle”  

________________________________________

Governor Edwards holds a ceremonial bill signing this afternoon for “Katie Bug’s Law.” It requires drug testing of all drivers involved in crashes that result in serious injury. Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti says the bill is named for 4-year-old Katie Grantham who died in the days following a wreck in 2017.

Cut 3 (12) “…he was incapacitated.”

The driver of the vehicle involved in the crash that killed Katie only pleaded guilty to running a red light.

Gatti says the new law brings justice to families who didn’t give up hope in trying to save the life of their loved ones.

Cut 4 (06) “…rules”

Gatti says Katie’s mother regularly drove back and forth from Bossier City to Baton Rouge pushing for the legislation to pass in the hopes it will prevent a similar tragedy happening to another family.

Cut 5 (07) “…remember her daughter.”

_____________________________

Baton Rouge Chef Jay Ducote Beat Bobby Flay on the Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay by challenging the world-renown chef to a crawfish boil. The program lets local chefs challenge Flay to a dish of their choice and both sides have 45 minutes to cook it. Ducote says he couldn’t thinking of a better way to represent Louisiana…

Cut 6 (09) “…home.”

Ducote, who has been featured on other Food Network programs, says he got the idea last year during crawfish season. He first thought of crawfish etouffee, but…

Cut 7 (11) “…anyway.”

While Flay went for a “deconstructed” boil with items like crawfish mayo potato salad, and crawfish tarragon buttered corn. Ducote kept it classic, and even tried for a traditional presentation.

Cut 8 (10) “…reasons.”

Flay appeared frazzled during the program, and only let his crawfish boil for five minutes. 

___________________________________

An Orleans Parish judge is allowing a Saints fan’s lawsuit over the ending of the NFC championship game to move forward. Judge Nicole Sheppard denied the NFL’s motion to dismiss the suit.  Attorney Tony LeMon says the purpose of his lawsuit is to hold the league accountable and just because the NFL is big, does not mean they are untouchable.

Cut 9 (10) “…for civil liability.”

The judge also ruled that LeMon could get the chance to question NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and game officials in depositions, something the league has already appealed.

Cut 10 (12) “…it took place.”

LeMon says if the league has nothing to hide, they should not resist being questioned in court, adding they should apologize if they did something wrong.

Cut 11 (60) “…going on.”

The suit seeks $75,000 in damages. LeMon says any sort of monetary winnings  would go to charity, he says he’s more interested in the truth.

___________________

Media at Southeastern Conference Media Days pick LSU to finish second in the Western Division behind Alabama. LSU was picked to finish fifth last year, but the Tigers outperformed the low expectations. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says LSU is once again thought of as the Crimson Tide’s biggest challenger in the West

Cut 12 (08) “…last year.”

The Tigers are set to report for preseason camp on August 1st. Moran says LSU landed eight players on the preseason All-Southeastern Conference teams, which is why LSU is picked to finish near the top of the division standings

Cut 13 (12) “…second team”

All offseason Coach Ed Orgeron has talked about an improved offense that will feature quick passes out of the shot-gun formation, but remaining physical in the running game. Moran says most people believe the hiring of Joe Brady passing game coordinator will pay dividends

Cut 14 (09) “…design things”

After nearly seven years of dormancy, Hubig’s Pies announces plans to resume production of their fried fruit pies in 2020. Kevin Barnhart has the details.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

____________________________

Matt Deggs is the new head coach of the Ragin Cajuns baseball team. Jeff Palermo has more on an emotional press conference from Lafayette….

cut  2 (29) I’m Jeff Palermo”  

________________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality has put their fish and swim advisories in an app for on the go anglers. DEQ Administrator Jonathan McFarland says the LA Water Advisories gives you the information you need to know before leaving the house just by opening the app.

Cut 3 (11) …“bodies”

The app contains information for families who are looking to do some swimming in state waters, but McFarland says it’s really useful for getting info and what fish are off-limits in certain areas.

Cut 4 (08) “…consumption.”

It’s the same information that is publicly available on DEQ’s webpage, but McFarland says not everyone has a phone that can read the format, so the app fills the gap…

Cut 5 (07) “…rescinded.”

To find the app in Google Play or the Apple Store enter the search term L-D-E-Q fish advisories.

_____________________________

An iconic New Orleans company is returning as Hubig’s Pies announces plans to restart production after a fire burned down their old facility. The longtime producer of fried fruit pies will open a new $1.3 million dollar facility in Jefferson Parish. Jefferson Economic Development Commission President Jerry Bologna says many Louisianans grew up on the treats and they will bring back their original recipes.

Cut 6 (10) “…those flavors again.”

A 2012 fire resulted in the dormancy of the brand that had been in New Orleans for 90 years. Bologna says Hubig’s pies will bring in quality jobs with annual salaries that average just over $40,000.

Cut 7 (08) “…thirty new jobs.”

Bologna says the planned launch is set for 2020 and are currently looking to finalize a facility location to accommodate local distribution and e-commerce.

Cut 8 (10) “…export those goods.”

___________________________________

Matt Deggs is the new head baseball coach of the Cajuns. Deggs spent three years as an assistant to former head coach Tony Robichaux, who died earlier this month. With Coach Robe’s family in attendance at the introductory press conference, Deggs says it’s an honor to be asked to follow in his footsteps

Cut 9 (11) “around him.”

Deggs was an assistant coach at U-L Lafayette from 2012-to-2014. He says Robichaux wanted his players to stand up and not go into the fetal position during tough times

Cut 10 (10) “…Ragin Cajun baseball.”

Deggs left Lafayette to become the head coach at Sam Houston State in 2014. Since that time he’s led the Bearcats to their first Super Regional Series appearance and back-to-back Southland titles. Deggs says he and his family prayed on whether it was the right decision to return to Lafayette

Cut 11 (11) “…Crowley, Louisiana.”

___________________

A teenager who was riding in the back of a pickup truck in Jefferson Davis Parish is dead after an accident on Gro Racca Road. State Police Trooper Derek Senegal says 18-year-old Adam Sandhoff of Iowa died at a local hospital from his injuries…

Cut 12 (10) “…to happen.”

The driver of the truck is underage so their name will not be released, but they have been cited with careless operation and no driver’s license.

Sandhoff was legally allowed to ride in that pickup bed, but Senegal says it’s not a safe choice, and for some younger people, it is in fact illegal.

Cut 13 (07) “…of 12.”

Lafourche Parish Sherriff deputies are investigating an incident where a woman and her daughter were held captive over the weekend and a rape occurred. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

____________________________

Former LSU student Matthew Naquin faces up to five years in prison after a jury found him guilty of negligent homicide in the alcohol-induced hazing death of Phi Delta Theta fraternity pledge Max Gruver.

cut  2 (31) I’m Jeff Palermo”  

________________________________________

While the state prepared for Hurricane Barry,  Lafourche Parish authorities say a woman was raped and held captive along with her daughter by a Cut Off man. Lt Brennan Matherne with the Lafourche Parish Sherriff’s says 52-year old Morgan Radley faces several charges. Matherne says the victims escaped Sunday morning after being held against their will since Friday night.

Cut 3 (10) …“got away”

Matherne says Ratley used duct tape to restrain the woman and her daughter tried to use her cellphone to call for help.

Cut 4 (14) “…get away.”

Matherne says the suspect would not give the victims a reason as to why he held them captive or what motivated the incident.

Cut 5 (10) “…specific reason.”

Radley was booked at the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex and bail is set at $135,000. The identities of the victims are being withheld to protect them

_____________________________

The latest data from LSU’s Center for Geoinformatics shows Louisiana is sinking.  A closer look at elevation changes over the last three decades shows Alexandria is down by 49 millimeters, Old River down by 34mm, and Lake Charles down by 16mm.  LSU Chief of Geodesy Cliff Mugnier says there are several factors that may be causing the sinking.

Cut 6 (08) “…last ice age.”

Boothville sunk by 13 mm with Ruston sinking by 9mm.  But places like Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Oakdale, Hammond, and Shreveport remained unchanged.

Mugnier says the research measures the changes in elevation to apparent subsidence and it generates data for the National Geodetic Survey.

Cut 7 (06) “…in 2022.”

Some areas gained elevation over the last thirty years, including Thibodaux by 7mm, Sicily Island by 8mm, Rayville by 13mm, and Natchitoches by 17mm.

Mugnier says the data will also be important for emergency operations.

Cut 8 (10) “…the roads flood.”

__________________

It took jurors less than an hour to convict Former LSU fraternity member Matthew Naquin of Negligent Homicide in the hazing death of Maxwell Gruver in 2017. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says no matter what today’s verdict was going to be, the case will have a lasting impact on combatting hazing with the legislative passage of a much harsher set of felony-level hazing penalties.

Cut 9 (10) “now in place.”

The prosecution says Naquin was the ringleader of the hazing incident where Gruver was pressured into drinking himself to death.

The victim’s father, Stephen Gruver, says this trial will send a loud message to the nation about the hazing culture on college campuses.

Cut 10 (09) “…cannout be tolerated.”

The 21-year-old Naquin faces anywhere from probation to five years in prison and he’ll be sentenced in October. He’s also been charged with Obstruction of Justice for deleting hundreds of files and texts from his cell phone before turning the device over to authorities.

Lead Prosecutor Morgan Johnson says the way the victim’s family handled the case was inspiring.

Cut 11 (10) “…in this case.”

The incident resulted in the banning of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity from campus until at least 2033.

___________________

US Representative Mike Johnson calls recently spotlighted tweets from President Trump unfortunate. Johnson, a Republican from Bossier City, says he has a good relationship with the four progressive representatives in the crosshairs of the President’s tweets, but is not surprised at Trump’s retort to their criticism of the way the nation is being run.

Cut 12 (12) “…fighter by nature.”

Johnson says the bigger issue facing the country is the partisan divide keeping bipartisan legislation from moving forward.

Cut 13 (10) “…this partisan squabbling.”

Johnson says there are only a handful of moderate Democrats left in the House, and those people are on edge from the partisan squabbling. But it’s the loudest element of the chamber that garners all of the attention, and may result in the party as a whole making a shift.

Cut 14 (10) “…force it that way.”

Campaign finance reports are out, with Governor Edwards sitting pretty with 9.6 million on hand while his Republican challengers fight it out for a spot in the run-off…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

____________________________

An East Feliciana Parish man has been arrested for the second time in four months for his role in a fatal wreck. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut  2 (31) I’m Jeff Palermo”  

________________________________________

A 60-year-old East Feliciana Parish man is arrested for a second time in less than four months for negligent homicide, after striking a pedestrian with his truck on LA Hwy 10 in West Feliciana Parish. State Trooper Taylor Scrantz says Salvatore Euggino of Ethel was involved in another fatal accident in March.

Cut 3 (11) “…survive the crash.”

The pedestrian who died on Monday has been identified as 50-year-old Ricky Pourciau of St. Francisville.  Scrantz says Euggino fled the scene after the crash but was later located at a local business.  A breath test has ruled out the possibility of alcohol involvement.

Cut 4 (08) “…negligent driving.”

Scrantz says it is rare for anyone to be arrested twice for vehicular homicide in such a short amount of time.

Cut 5 (10) “…the deceased individuals.”

Euggino is charged with Negligent Homicide, Hit and Run Driving, and Careless Operation.

_____________________________

The Bonnet Carre Spillway will remain open longer than officials hoped because of Hurricane-slash-Tropical Storm Barry. Corps of Engineers spokesperson Ricky Boyett says before they can close the Spillway, the Mississippi river must drop to 21 feet at the structure in St. Charles Parish, but that has yet to happen…

Cut 6 (10) “…to us.”

21 feet at the Spillway would put the river around 16 feet in New Orleans.

Boyett says they aren’t concerned that the additional water will put any of the levee system in danger.

Cut 7 (11) “…slow fall.”

Toxic algae blooms linked to the Spillway’s opening have continued to shutter Mississippi beaches during a peak tourist season.

The Spillway has been open for a record number of days this year, and has even had to be opened twice in one year for the first time ever. Boyett says they were hoping to put that streak to an end…

Cut 8 (10) “…right now.”

The structure has had to remain open as record rainfall in the Midwest pushed the river’s height to dangerous levels. There was hope before Barry arrived that the Corps could begin closing Bonnet Carre Spillway in mid-July.

__________________

Governor’s race finance reports are out and Governor Edwards has 9.6 million cash on hand, while Republicans Eddie Rispone and Congressman Abraham have 9.8 and 1.3 million dollars respectively.

John Bel Edwards was barred from fundraising during the legislative season, but UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the Gov had already built up a substantial warchest.

Cut 9 (10) “race.”

Edwards is the only candidate so far to run statewide TV ads.

Congressman Ralph Abraham, the leading Republican in the so far limited polling available, raised 800,000 dollars during the most recent fundraising period. Cross says he’s picking up steam, but…

Cut 10 (08) “….come in”

Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone has reportedly dumped 10 million dollars of his own money into the campaign. Cross says Rispone is running out of time to boost his name recognition.

Cut 11 (10) “…short”

Rispone raised 277,000 dollars from contributions during that period.

___________________

Baton Rouge Police arrest 38-year-old Ronn Bell in the murder of civil activist Saide Roberts-Joseph. The 75-year-old was found dead in her trunk on Friday. Chief Murphy Paul says Bell has been charged with first-degree murder. Paul says they don’t have an exact motive, but Bell was a tenant in one of her rent houses

Cut 12 (08) “…was owed.”

Roberts-Joseph was the founder of Baton Rouge’s African American history museum and her murder shook the community because she was known her kindness. Paul credits great police work for making a timely arrest

Cut 13 (09) “…your efforts”

A preliminary autopsy found that Roberts-Joseph died from being suffocated. Since Bell has been charged with first-degree murder, prosecutors can seek the death penalty. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says no decision has been made on that…

Cut 14 (11) “…other case”

A jury recommends the death penalty for the gunman in a 2015 shooting death of a state trooper in Calcasieu Parish. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

____________________________

Cleanup and restoration is underway following Hurricane Barry. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut  2 (30) I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

_____________________________________________

A jury recommends the death penalty for 57-year-old Kevin Daigle, convicted in the “cold blooded”2015 ambush shooting death of a State Trooper in Calcasieu Parish.

Calcasieu District Attorney John DeRosier says the murder was so shocking that it’s the first time in his 14 years as DA that he’s stuck with a death penalty request.

Cut 3 (08) “…conduct”

Daigle was caught on dashcam footage blasting Trooper Steven Vincent with a sawed-off shotgun after the officer responded to what appeared to be a person in duress.

DeRosier says the jury appeared to be moved by testimony from Vincent’s family about the trooper’s last moments before he headed out to his fatal rendezvous.

Cut 4 (13) “…house.”

It took less than 15 minutes for the jury to agree with the death penalty request.

The state has not executed someone since 2010 because it says it can’t obtain lethal injection chemicals. DeRosier says the death penalty is law, and he intends to pursue it regardless.

Cut 5 (08) “…Louisiana”

A judge will give a final ruling on Daigle’s sentence in October.

_____________________________

People around Louisiana are surveying the aftermath of Hurricane Barry today.  Many are feeling they dodged a bullet.  Director of the St. Mary Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness David Naquin says the parish did not receive the copious amounts of rain forecasters expected, but it wasn’t until yesterday afternoon they say most of the rainfall.

Cut 6 (10) “…before that hit.”

Naquin says while many were spared from flooding, there were a few homes that were not so lucky.

Cut 7 (12) “…it as well.”

The main issue facing homes and businesses is power outages.  Entergy has 24,000 customers without power, down from 89,000.  Cleco crews are entering their second day of restoration, with about 17,000 still without power.  Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says crews are working feverishly to get power back to 100%.

Cut 8 (11) “…to our customers.”

Cahill says Iberia Parish and St. Mary Parish were among the hardest hit with power outages.

Cut 9 (08) “…St. Mary Parishes.”
___________________________________________________

Longtime Ruston Daily Leader sports editor Buddy Davis passed away over the weekend at the age of 72. Lousiana Tech sports information director Malcolm Butler says Davis spent five decades covering sports in Lincoln Parish

Cut 10 (08) “…national standpoint.”

Davis covered icons like Terry Bradshaw and Karl Malone, the great Louisiana Tech women’s basketball teams and Eddie Robinson and his championship Grambling State football teams. Butler says Davis received criticism for writing stories about Coach Rob and Grambling, but Buddy wasn’t afraid to do it

Cut 11 (12) “…Louisiana Tech is”

Davis was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2009 and enshrined into the Louisiana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013. The press box at Joe Aillet Stadium is named after him. Butler says David had the ability to make everyone feel like a hall of famer…

Cut 12 (10) “…made up Buddy.”

_____________________________

Police are hunting suspects in the murder of Baton Rouge African American History Museum founder Sadie Roberts-Joseph, who was found dead in the trunk of a car from asphyxiation.

The Capital City icon was found dead three days ago, and Baton Rouge Police spokesperson Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says they were tipped off as to her whereabouts earlier Friday.

Cut 13 (11) “…the car”

After arriving on the scene, McKneely says they discovered the body around 3:45 that afternoon, as the rest of the community was preparing for Hurricane Barry.

Cut 14 (11) “…trunk”

Roberts-Joseph was 75.

Roberts-Joseph was a celebrated and beloved member of the Baton Rouge community, and McKneely says her death is tragedy…

Cut 15 (11) “…on this.”

Police are tracking down leads and asking anyone with additional information to call Crimestoppers at 225-344-7867.

Tropical Storm Barry appears set to slam into south-central Louisiana and inundate the region with incredible levels of rainfall. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

____________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards says Louisiana is looking at a major rain event as Tropical Storm Barry shows signs of strengthening into a hurricane. Jeff Palermo has the story….

cut  2 (30) I’m Jeff Palermo”  

_____________________________________________

Tropical Storm Barry has picked up strength, and is projected to be a category one hurricane when it makes landfall near Morgan City around seven in the morning on Saturday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s still some uncertainty, but forecasters are increasingly confident about the system’s track.

Cut 3 (11) “…Louisiana”

Keim says the slow-moving storm could still be in central Louisiana by late Saturday night.

Several feet of storm surge is predicted along the coast, but Keim says the biggest concern is the 10-20 inches of rain that will fall across south Louisiana, particularly on the east side of the track.

Cut 4 (10) “…right now.”

There’s been debate as to whether or not the system will be a tropical storm or hurricane when it makes landfall, but Keim says, either way, the amount of rain will be nearly identical.

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Governor John Bel Edwards says Louisiana residents need to be ready for a major rain event as Tropical Storm Barry approaches Louisiana’s coastline. Edwards says the National Hurricane Center predicts 10 to 20 inches over south-central and southeast Louisiana, with isolated maximum amounts of 25 inches

Cut 6 (14) “…to drain”

Edwards expects Barry will produce numerous power outages mainly caused by trees falling on power lines

Cut 7 (12) “…the state”

Edwards says they also expect to conduct search and rescue missions

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Individuals who are rescued by first responders could be taken to the state’s mega-shelter in Alexandria.

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Heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Barry is expected to close numerous roads, especially south of Interstate 10. State Department of Transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallett says check 5-1-1-la-dot-org for road closures

Cut 9 (08) “…across the state”

Mallett says the slogan he likes to use during heavy rainfall events, don’t drown, turn around, which means don’t drive through high water

Cut 10 (08) “…let’s just be safe.”

Mallett says in preparation for this flash flooding event, D-O-T-D crews have been cleaning out ditches

Cut 11 (11) “…our pumps”

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Caddo and Bossier Parish deputies are being deployed to south Louisiana as part of the Louisiana Sheriff’s Task Force.  Caddo Sheriff’s spokesperson Bobby Herring says rescue teams and equipment are making the trip at the request of the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s office.

Cut 12 (11) “…high water trucks.”

Herring says deputies that remain in their jurisdiction will likely also remain very busy with concerns created from the storm.

Cut 13 (09) “…could be dangerous.”

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President Trump makes a federal declaration of emergency for Louisiana as Tropical Storm Barry approaches.  Congressman Garret Graves says the declaration allows for Homeland Security and FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts.

Cut 14 (09) “…for this storm.”

Graves says with an imminent disaster, there are many uncertainties and it is vital government officials and residents to be over prepared.

Cut 15 (08) “…to under prepare.”

Graves says there are open lines of communication between the Bayou state and DC and says the feds are keeping a finger on the pulse of the situation.

Cut 16 (06) “…the President’s radar.”

Tropical Storm Barry has formed in the Gulf and projected to make landfall along the Louisiana coast sometime Saturday morning. Matt Doyle has more.

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Coastal parishes are advising residents in low-lying areas to seek higher ground as Tropical Storm Barry is expected to produce a dangerous storm surge and heavy rains. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut  2 (30) I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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Slow-moving Tropical Storm Barry is projected to make landfall along the Louisiana coast sometime Saturday morning. The center of prediction tracks has Barry making landfall somewhere in south-central Louisiana around 7AM, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s still highly unpredictable.

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Keim says the system will only be at hurricane one strength winds when it makes landfall, but the biggest concern is storm surge and rainfall.

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Storm surge levels are estimated at between three to six feet at the mouth of the Atchafalaya River to Shell Beach in Cameron Parish.

Keim says tropical storm conditions will begin Friday night and take a noticeable turn for the worse Saturday morning along the coast, and that afternoon in the Baton Rouge area.

Cut 5 (09) “…tricky”

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Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for the low-lying areas of Jefferson and Plaquemines Parishes. A voluntary evacuation has been called for areas south of Leon Theriot Lock in Golden Meadow and Port Fourchon in Lafourche Parish. Lafourche Sheriff’s office spokesperson Brennan Matherne says they expect water will cover Highway One in that area

Cut 6 (12) “…shut down”

Matherne says they are anticipating strong winds and heavy rainfall in Lafourche and residents there are taking this storm seriously…

Cut 7 (10) “…aware”

Plaquemines Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesperson Jade Duplessis says the height of the Mississippi River and the potential for levees to overtop is their main concern…

Cut 8 (10) “…available.”

Duplessis says their mandatory evacuation order affects eight to ten-thousand residents in low-lying areas of the parish…

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Governor Edwards says Tropical Storm Barry will be a major weather event for much of Louisiana. The storm is expected to make landfall Saturday morning as a Category One hurricane. But Edwards provided has some good news. He says the storm surge forecast at the mouth of Mississippi River has been lowered…

Cut 10 (12) “…Mississippi River.”

Edwards says flooding is the biggest concern. Power outages are also likely. He says if you have yet to prepare for this storm, now is the time to do it…

Cut 11 (11) “…hurricane force winds”

Louisiana National Guard Major General Glenn Curtis says three-thousand of their soldiers have been deployed…

Cut 12 (08) “…be needed.”

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The United Cajun Navy has been activated in anticipation of Barry’s Saturday landfall along the Louisiana coast. Founder Todd Terrell says many of the Louisiana based members are scrambling to protect their own homes, so in a twist, it’s Cajun Navy members from outside of Louisiana coming here to help…

Cut 13 (08) “…volunteers.”

The organization has built a nationwide volunteer base after operations in other disaster zones over the past three years.

Terrell says they’ve mobilized their volunteers to help make sandbags in the Baton Rouge area, which is set to potentially see over a foot of rainwater.

Cut 14 (09) “…half.”

Hurricane preparation can be difficult for those who can’t carry heavy loads of supplies and sandbags, so Terrell says they’re reaching out to see if people in the community could use some help with sandbags.

Cut 15 (06) “…get em”