The deal to transfer management of two hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe to Oschner and LSU has been finalized. The new system, called Oschner LSU Health System of North Louisiana, will begin October 1st. Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s a ten-year deal that had to get done.

Cut 3 (10) “…in life.” 

The Governor’s administration says the new partnership will allow for the expansion of services, including tele-health, and the renovation and expansion of surgical operating rooms and the intensive care unit. Health Secretary Rebekah Gee says those expansions will mean north Louisianans won’t have to leave home to get healed.

Cut 4 (06) “…specialty care.”

LSU President F. King Alexander says the deal puts to rest rumors of the north Louisiana branch of the medical school being closed or relocated, a concern that grew as tensions rose between LSU and the facilities’ previous manager, BRF, over the past few years.

Cut 5 (11)  “…this state” 

BRF had managed the hospitals since 2013.

______________________________________

A Jonesville man is dead following a wreck that occurred as he attempted to evade police on his motorcycle.  The crash happened just before 7 AM on Saturday.  LSP spokesperson Senior Trooper Michael Reichardt says the 32-year-old Uel Beard was wearing a helmet at the time, but it wasn’t enough to protect him with the excessive speed in the collision.

Cut 6 (11) “…at the scene.”

Reichardt says the investigation is ongoing as to 32-year-old Uel Beard did not stop for police.

Cut 7 (07) “…this point why.”

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A Many man has been arrested after he attempted to steal an ATM kiosk by driving a stolen vehicle through the front of Curtis Grocery early Sunday morning. Sabine Parish Sheriff Ronny Richardson says 37-year-old Leo Mitchell’s master plan did not work

Cut 8 (07) “…of the contents”

Richardson says Mitchell drove off and a police chase ensued…

cut 9 (10) “…still driveable”

Mitchell, who has an extensive criminal history for theft and drug charges, was later found hiding in the woods after abandoning his vehicle. Richardson says Mitchell now faces several new charges

Cut 10 (12) “…ATM machine.”

_______________________

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is confident legislation will pass Congress this week that would allow thousands of homeowners who flooded in 2016 to receive federal grants through the Restore Louisiana program, even if they received an SBA loan. Graves says that means if you filed RESOTRE paperwork, but were ineligible, you could see the cash soon.

Cut 11 (08“…the law”

Graves says if you’ve completed your paperwork, you shouldn’t have to make any changes or do anything else before your check is mailed. But, if you did not file RESTORE paperwork because you thought your SBA loans disqualified you, then there’s some good news…

Cut 12 (10)   “..ineligible.” 

The new deadline to fill out the homeowner survey is October 19^th.

It’s a two year old fight that’s been a constant source of angst for thousands of people who’ve recently watched their neighbors cash the RESTORE checks. Graves says it’s been an uphill climb trying to convince Washington to change the policy, but they appear to finally hit the summit.

Cut 13 (11) “on this”

RESTORE grants now pay out 100 percent reimbursement for flood damage suffered in 2016.

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State Police say a fatal train wreck in Webster Parish this morning left 33 year old Jason Fory of Minden dead. Troop G spokesperson Glenn Younger says for some unknown reason Fory’s pick-up truck stopped on the tracks at the Stuckey Road crossing and the train couldn’t stop in time.

Cut 14 (12) “…vehicle upon impact.”

Younger says investigators are unsure as to the reason the truck was in the path of the train.

Cut 15 (06) “…all of that out.”

Younger says the no one on the train was injured and that the incident doesn’t pose a threat to residents in the area.

Cut 16 (10) “…as far as hazmat.”

Louisiana’s unemployment rate worsened for a fifth straight month and reached five percent in August, but the number of people employed last month was the second highest number for a August in the state’s history. Louisiana Workforce Commission Director Ava Dejoie says any rise in unemployment can be attributed to a decline of jobs in the hospitality sector.

Cut 3 (07) “…sort of thing.” 

Dejoie says manufacturing continues to see the biggest job gains as that sector added 54-hundred jobs over the last year and there’s been an increase in the number of  jobs related to the oil and gas industry

Cut 4 (08) “…over the year.”

Dejoie says Baton Rouge and New Orleans metro areas saw the largest job gains, and chemical plant construction activity in the Lake Charles area also led to 2,600 new jobs over the last year….

Cut 5 (13)  “…employment” 

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It’s been a week since the landfall of Hurricane Florence on the east coast.  Although some have come back to the Bayou State, first responders from Louisiana are still in South Carolina helping with the aftermath of the storm.  State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the building collapse groups have been sent home.

Cut 6 (10) “…the subsequent water rescues.”

Browning says the Louisiana crew is made up of fire departments from New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Monroe areas as well as Fire Marshal employees that assist in logistics.

Cut 7 (07) “…rescue task forces.”

Browning says dozens Louisiana emergency personnel are in Horry County, South Carolina, helping local authorities and first responders with evacuations as waters continue to rise from Florence.

Cut 8 (11) “…see them.”

Browning says their deployment ends Tuesday, but could be extended.

_________________________________

Saturday is National Hunting and Fishing day, a celebration of all things outdoors. As the Sportsmen’s Paradise, Louisiana has an interest in promoting the day, with events in four cities across the state. Delhi Senator Francis Thompson says a good time to remember just how much outdoors activities contribute to state coffers.

cut 9 (11) “…taxes”

Thompson says the great outdoors supports tens of thousands of jobs, from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, to private hunting and fishing retailers.

Cut 10 (08) “…state wide.”

The national event was first started in 1972 as a way to appreciate hunters and anglers contributions to conservation. Thompson says that’s certainly the case in Louisiana, as license fees along with excises on hunting and fishing equipment are the major drivers behind state conservation funding.

Cut 11 (08)“…paying for”

The events will be held in Baton Rouge, Haughton, Woodworth, and West Monroe.

________________________________

A former McKinley High Marching Band member was awarded 185,000 dollars for damages related to a 2015 incident where he required to do 200 push-ups. The incident led to a five day stay in the hospital for Tristen Rushing due to his urine turning coke colored. Rushing family attorney Sean Fagan says that’s because the hyper exertion caused Rushing’s muscles to begin to die.

Cut 12 (10)   “…turn dark.” 

Medical professionals who saw Rushing testified the injuries were potentially life threatening.

He was required to do the pushups in 15 minutes, about 13 push-ups a minute. Fagan says the band director pressured his client into pushing himself too far as a punishment for tardiness…

Cut 13 (10) “English teacher”

Fagan says the Rushing family hopes the settlement and public reaction to the event will send a message to other schools about disciplinary policies. He says in particular he hopes it sparks a policy shift from McKinley High administrators, who Fagan says backed the punishment at multiple levels.

Cut 14 (08) “…the family”

The administration argued that the risk of injury was not reasonably foreseeable.

Governor John Bel Edwards says Louisiana finished the fiscal year that ended June 30th with a budget surplus of approximately 300-million dollars. Edwards says the state’s economy is performing better than what the Revenue Estimating Conference predicted…

Cut 3 (10) “…improve.” 

Critics of the Edwards administration say the surplus shows the legislature didn’t need to renew millions of dollars in temporary sales taxes earlier this year. But Edwards says…

Cut 4 (07) “…a deficit.”

The state constitution limits how state surplus dollars can be spent, but construction is one of those areas. Edwards says they may use some of this money to fund long-awaited highway projects.

cut 5 (10)  “…state of Louisiana” 

______________________________________

The Public Service Commission launches an investigation into the spending habits of rural energy coops. Commissioner Foster Campbell says he’s discovered excessive board member compensation and expenses in several parishes. Campbell singled out Claiborne Electric Co-op for paying their GM 195,000 a year.

Cut 6 (06) “…sickening.”

Campbell says the excessive pay is driving up electric bills.

But Claiborne Co-op General Manager Mark Brown says they pay a fair wage. He says the nine member board clocked about 4500 hours of work last year, and their pay is not exorbitant, it’s in line with national coop compensation averages.

Cut 7 (12) “…our employees”

Campbell highlighted what he says were completely unnecessary educational and lobbying trips to places like Las Vegas and Washington, where he says costs for expensive meals and hotels would end up back on customer bills. He says the co-op’s justifications don’t hold up.

Cut 8 (10) “…see them.”

Brown says the trips are needed, as they give co-op leaders the opportunity to learn about new advancements in the electric industry. He says they take those new lessons home to provide better service to coop customers.

cut 9 (08) “…travel expenses”

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After seeing losses in 2017, movie theatres are experiencing their best summer in two decades.  It’s quite the feat considering the popularity of at home video on demand services such as Netflix.  North American ticket sales will close out the summer season with more than a 14% increase.  Entertainment columnist for the New Orleans Advocate Keith Spera says the weather might play a factor.

Cut 10 (08) “…and watch movies.”

Spera says the strong showing of support for historically popular franchises is a major contributing factor to the boom.

Cut 11 (09)“…a lot of fun”

Spera says offerings at theatres include more than just soda, popcorn, and a flip down seat as now the multiplexes are offering a deeper menu, and seeing much more comfortable plush reclining seats.

Cut 12 (10)   “…very good job.” 

______________________

A Denham Springs woman has been charged with a D-W-I after she drove into a Baton Rouge Police cruiser. B-R-P-D Sergeant Don Coppola says 39-year-old Tia Jones attempted to make a left turn into a parking lot on Government Street last night when the collision happened…

Cut 13 (06) “non life threatening”

Coppola says after doctors checked on Jones injuries, she was then sent to the East Baton Rouge jail for booking on charges of D-W-I, careless operation and vehicular negligent injuring…

Cut 14 (09) “…the charges”

Coppola says the police unit suffered severe damage as a result of the wreck. He says Jones could have avoided the whole ordeal, if she was sober when she got behind the wheel…

Cut 15 (10) “any chances”

US Senator John Kennedy wants to hear from Christine Ford before deciding on whether to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Ford alleges Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her at a high school party in the 1980s. Kennedy sits on the Senate Judiciary committee and says a hearing is scheduled Monday, so the California professor can tell her story…

Cut 3 (10) “…too though.” 

Ford’s attorneys are requesting an FBI investigation before she shows up before the Senate. Kennedy is not sure what will happen if Ford doesn’t show up for the hearing. The senator from Louisiana says he personally asked Kavanaugh if the allegations are true and the judge said they are not and he’s ready to testify again

Cut 4 (09) “…defend himself.”

Kennedy has previously said he would vote to confirm Kavanaugh and today called him a legal “Rock Star.” But the Senator wants to hear more about this allegation that dates back 35 years ago

cut 5 (10)  “…serious allegation” 

______________________________________

The attorney for Blane Salamoni is responding to the recent document brought up by the legal team of the family of Alton Sterling.  Yesterday, an email from a year before the Sterling shooting, was unearthed that called the former Baton Rouge police officer “nuts” during an altercation with another officer.  Attorney John McLindon says the email will likely not make it into court during the civil case.

Cut 6 (08) “…hear about this.”

McLindon says he expects the email was recently brought to light as part of a strategy ahead of the civil case.

Cut 7 (12) “…this is really nothing.”

McLindon says in order for the Sterling family to win the civil case, they have to prove liability, which he doesn’t see happening.

Cut 8 (06) “…what was legal.”

The case is set to go to trial in April 2020.

_______________________________________

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says it appears the state’s auto insurance market is stabilizing as there’s only been a two-percent average increase in rates this year. In 2017, auto insurance rates rose on average nearly nine percent. Donelon on why we are not seeing sharp increases in premiums this year…

cut 9 (12) “…accounted for”

Donelon says State Farm, the state’s largest auto insurance provider, has already announced a five-percent decrease in rates. He says companies are also offering discounts for good drivers. The commissioner advises policy holders to ask their provider about a Usage Based Insurance Rate Discount

Cut 10 (10) “cautious driver”

Louisiana has some of the highest auto insurance rates in the country. Donelon says passage of the federal tax reform bill has also kept premium costs from jumping up even higher than they already are

Cut 11 (10)“…policyholder”

___________________________

A vote to denounce the drag queen story time event at Lafayette’s main branch of the public library did not pass at last night Lafayette Parish-City Council meeting.  UL-Lafayette students dressed up as women are set to read stories to children on October 6th about accepting LGBTQ individuals. There were passionate arguments from both sides last night, including a speaker against the normalization of drag.

Cut 12 (11)   “going down” 

Another resident protested library officials’ decision to proceed with the event.

Cut 13 (10) “later on”

But There were several speakers who asked the council to refrain from voting for the resolution to denounce the story time event, including the event’s organizer.

Cut 14 (11) “…this day”

And a resident who participates in drag, lobbyied the council to vote no.

Cut 15 (11) “to hate”

Three members of the council voted “yes” for the resolution, the rest of the members abstained, so the vote failed.

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.” 

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.”

Stanton says with nearly $4,000 received so far, if the donations continue to accumulate, the school may do something big in Tracy’s honor.

cut 5 (10)  “…call it Tracy Field” 

______________________________________

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 the revelation validates the family’s claim that Salamoni should have never been given his badge.

Cut 6 (11) “…the streets.”

Sterling’s attorneys say unless the city agrees to settle the case, they plan on doing a deep dive into communications between everyone in elected positions, from the city council to the mayor, to discover if anyone else knew about Salamoni’s history.

Attorney Michael Adams says the new information raises some serious questions about BRPD’s hiring and discipline process.

Cut 7 (11) “…the country”

A trial date is set for April 20th, 2020.

Adams 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 by both federal and state investigations of any criminal wrong doing in the shooting death of Alton Sterling in July of 2016.

_______________________________________

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”

40 million play the game every month, along with hundreds of millions of views on streaming platform for the 25 minutes matches, but like all popular hobbies, Moore says it needs to be done in moderation.

Cut 10 (08) “the day”

Moore says before diving into a match, make a game plan with your significant other about just how long you intend to play.

Cut 11 (12)“…youre playing”

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 Louisiana firefighters have already assisted in the rescue of 500 individuals from flood waters

Cut 12 (07)   “model here” 

The remnants of Florence are in the northeast, but 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”

Browning says they are focused on Darlington County, where significant flooding is possible because of the overtopping of a local dam. But he’s hopeful that the worst from Florence is over…

Cut 14 (07) “…so bad”

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 temperatures are also in the mid-90s…

Cut 3 (10) “into Louisiana” 

Keim says the good news is that we will get a little break from the high humidity after today

Cut 4 112) “…not 100% sure.”

Some records have fallen during this latest heat wave. The first day of Fall is Saturday. 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” 

______________________________________

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.”

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.”

Nungesser says he believes Louisiana could see its own direct flight service with China in the next few years.

Cut 8 (12) “traveler to 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 as a result. State Police Spokesperson Sgt. Jared Sandifer.

cut 9 (10) “…the fatality”

The three kids and one 27-year-old woman who were riding in Henderson’s car received injuries as a result, one of them fatal. Sandifer says neither of the adults put restraints on the 2-year-old who died.

Cut 10 (08) “situation”

Sandifer says this tragedy can be traced to two decisions on the part of Henderson.

Cut 11 (10)“…safety restraints”

___________________________

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” 

It’s the farthest the Cajun Navy has ever traveled for rescue missions, and Terrell says despite the dangerous conditions, most of the Navy is on its way home with no major injuries, and only some maintenance work on the boats to take care of.

Cut 13 (06) “go home”

But not everyone is going home just yet. Isolated, rural parts of North Carolina are  flooded with little to no accessibility, located in counties with limited resources. Terrell says they hope to continue assisting those areas, while cleaning up the command center they built to coordinate rescues.

Cut 14 (08) “…good terms”

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.” 

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.”

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.

______________________________________

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 providing help to other utility companies is part of a long standing mutual assistance agreement.

Cut 6 (06) “…possible to customers.”

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.”

Sabatini says extending a helping hand is very rewarding for the company and its employees.

Cut 8 (07) “…to do this.”

_______________________________________

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”

All inmates were recovered by 9:15 last night. Sumrall says they did not make it far, after a perimeter was set up.

Cut 10 (10) “partners”

Sumrall says it doesn’t not appear to be a premeditated prison break. Instead he 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”

_______________________________________

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” 

Members of Congress would pay for the drug test.

Higgins says drug tests are an important part of professional life, and that 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”

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”

Higgins says early polling shows the legislation is unlikely to make it out of committee, but says he’s looking forward to hearing explanations from no voters.