Cut 3 (06) “…three weeks.” 

Houma, Baton Rouge and even central Louisiana received extensive wind damage. The recovery was slow at first because of the lack of power and Holeman remembers frustration levels were high

Cut 4 (10) “…serious thing”

Holeman says utility crew workers from 26 states and Canada came into Louisiana to help restore power lines destroyed by Gustav’s fierce winds

Cut 5 (12)  “…unaffected.” 

48 deaths in Louisiana were blamed on Gustav. Several people died as a result of trees falling on their homes.

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The St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a parish employee on felony charges of aggravated cruelty to animals and illegal use of a weapon.  54 year old Brian Lambert allegedly committed the crime in front of several school children waiting at a bus stop.  Director of the Humane Society of Louisiana Jeff Dorson says the dog, a Russell Terrier/ Shih Tzu mix named Rocky, wandered onto the Lambert’s property.

Cut 6 (05) “…into the canal.”

Dorson says unless livestock is being harmed, it’s unlawful to kill a pet for going onto private property.

Cut 7 (07) “…in your property.”

Dorson says acts like shooting and killing pets in front of school children can have long lasting effects.

Cut 8 (08) “…the wrong values.”

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Get ready for monsoon season in Louisiana, because the next week is going to be one long rain storm if current models are correct about a tropical wave that’s set to enter the gulf. The wave, just off Hispaniola, is projected to impact the area early next week. National Weather Service Slidell Meteorologist Frank Rivett says it’ll be a lot of rain, but not much more than that.

Cut 9 (08) “…possible”

Rivett says the extended period of rain could lead to some flood prone areas getting hit.

Cut 10 (07) “…certainly possible”

And before that tropical wave washes over the state…

Cut 11 (08) “…the weekend”

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The Ragin’ Cajuns are upping their sustainability game on game days. UL Lafayette has removed all of the trash bins at Cajun Field, and replaced them with options for either organic composting, or bins for recycling to address the environmental impact of the over ten tons of trash produced at games. Office of Sustainability Director Gretchen Vanicor says it’s taken a lot of coordination to pull off.

Cut 12 (11)   “…it work”

She estimates the work will generate about 20 cubic yards of compost.

And anyone familiar with composting knows… it stinks, but Vanicor says that’s been taken into account and the actual composting work will be done far away from discerning noses.

Cut 13 (12) “surrdouning it”

Its part of the school’s ongoing sustainability efforts that started in 2014 when the Cajuns set a target of zero waste at all school events. Vanicor says the program’s popularity became obvious when the volunteers began to flood in after it was announced.

Cut 14 (11) “…to volunteer”

The new composting efforts will be in effect for the season opener tomorrow against Grambling. The game kicks off at 6PM.

Cut 3 (13) “…the weird effects.” 

Burnell says during a four-day period they transported 45 people to local hospitals with  similar symptoms.

Cut 4 (13) “…episodes of unconsciousness.”

Burnell says first responders found users passed out in human piles.

Cut 5 (10)  “…pretty rapid onset.” 

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The deal to transfer control of University Health Hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe from BRF to Oschner has been agreed to and should become effective October 1st.  The 294-million dollar deal with Oschner is a 40-million dollar increase over the current contract with BRF. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says it’s a fitting end to a long saga.

Cut 6 (07) “…going forward”

The contract is for 10 years, with two five year extension options.

LSU now returns to a more direct role in the management of the facility that trains hundreds of LSU medical students every year. The university and BRF clashed often since BRF took over in 2013. Dardenne says the new partnership should lead to expanded services, and provide a more fertile training ground for the state’s future doctors.

Cut 7 (11) “…be better”

BRF will receive a 13 million dollars as a result of the transfer.

Some may be concerned about the price tag of the new partnership enterprise between LSU and Oscher, but Dardenne says despite the larger contract number, the total expense to the state will remain the same.

Cut 8 (11) “…of healthcare”

LSU’s governing board must still accept the contract, and the legislature will have a chance to review it before it the deal is set in stone.

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LSU is looking for fans who want to serve on a council that will provide input and recommendations about the game day experience on the Baton Rouge campus. Senior Associate Athletic Director Robert Munson says the fan experience is a top priority and this could will help develop what that looks like for years to come…

Cut 9 (10) “…first place”

Munson says they are looking for 25 people to sit on the New Tiger Fan Council. He says you don’t have to be a season ticket holder or live in Baton Rouge to be a part of the panel that can help shape the future game day experience at LSU…

Cut 10 (07) “…for the fans”

Those selected to the council will be asked to commit to four quarterly meetings lasting at least a half a day and serve for two years. Munson says tickets, traffic and parking, concessions and in-game entertainment are among the issues that will be discussed…

Cut 11 (04) “…our sports”

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A teenager lost his life this morning in a single vehicle crash in LaFourche Parish. Trooper Jesse LaGrange says 19-year-old Robbie Istre (East) of Cut Off was heading north in his pick up truck on LA 308 when he failed to stay in his lane as he entered a curve…

Cut 12 (09)   “…a tree”

LaGrange says Istre was not buckled up and impairment does not appear to be a factor…

Cut 13 (07) “under investigation”

You can lease the historic Bailey Hotel in Bunkie for one-dollar a month for 24 months. But the person who leases the 110-year-old building must have a business plan that includes how they would renovate the property. Real Estate agent Robert Burke on why he’s offering to lease the property for just one-dollar a month

Cut 3 (10) “…make it” 

Burke says the Bailey is in good condition, but has been closed since the early 2000s. …

Cut 4 (10) “…falling apart”

Burke says whoever leases the building, doesn’t have to re-open it as a hotel…

Cut 5 (12)  “500 feet” 

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Today marks the 13^th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina making landfall, and official recognitions are… notably sparse, the governor is not holding any events, while New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell attending a wreath laying. Political analyst Clancy DuBos says it’s a storm no one has forgotten…

Cut 6 (10) “…tremendous loss”

1833 deaths have been attributed to the Hurricane both in its natural, and manmade disasters. Dubos says the lack of statewide remembrances isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as it indicates people are moving on from the tragedy.

Cut 7 (10) “…your life.”

The storm’s aftermath left the city of New Orleans decimated, and it’s hundreds of thousands of residents scattered across the country. At the time it led to political leaders saying “never again” but DuBos says that hasn’t been the case in places like Puerto Rico, which lost 2,975 American citizens after a widely criticized federal response.

Cut 8 (12) “…really suffering”

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This November voters will get to decide whether or not ex-cons will have a five year waiting period before they’ll be allowed to pursue a public office. The constitutional amendment, brought by Metairie Senator Conrad Appel, is the second such effort in the last two years. Appel say’s the Bayou State is no stranger to crooks in office, and that needs to change.

Cut 9 (10) “…than that”

The Republican says it’s a good way to improve the state’s reputation for political corruption.

Cut 10 (08) “…the country”

A similar amendment used to be on the books in Louisiana before it was tossed out by the courts following a challenge from a candidate who himself had a criminal record for money laundering. Appel says this time around, they’ve dotted their I’s and crossed their T’s, and says he fully expects it to pass, and then stick.

Cut 11 (11) “…thrown out .”

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Following Hurricane Katrina, actor Brad Pitt helped build homes for displaced families in one of the hardest hit areas, the lower ninth ward, as part of the Make it Right Foundation. Thirteen years later, the homeowners are planning to bring a lawsuit against the foundation that sold them the affordable dwellings as they have not withstood the test of time.  Attorney Ron Austin says his clients are seeking legal action as the homes were built with substandard materials and quality.

Cut 12 (11)   “…to assist them”
Austin says the homes were not handouts, and that tenants are paying mortgages on the dilapidated structures.

Cut 13 (10) “you and I.”

Austin says the homeowners he represents were happy to find a home, now they are very frustrated…1

Cut 14 (12) “…a sub standardly built home.”

Despite the digital revolution, the forestry industry continues to grow in Louisiana. A new report says forestry accounts for 13 billion dollars in economic output to the state, and one billion in inflation adjusted with state and local taxes. LSU Ag Center Professor Shaun Tanger says while paper is down, paper related products are up.

Cut 3 (11) “…middle class”

The report says the forestry industry accounted for 290 million dollars of income through 4,000 jobs, and 30.8 million in state taxes in East Baton Rouge Parish alone.

The Forest Economics professor says the industry accounts for roughly 50,000 jobs state wide through direct and indirect employment, and that it’s been on a statewide uptick for nearly a decade.

Cut 4 (09) “…upward trend”

Tanger says the increase in shipping needs from companies like Amazon has also helped buoy the industry, along with a rebounding housing market, but warns that there could be a bump in the road just ahead.

Cut 5 (10)  “or two” 

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries have issued a quarantine on the transportation and transplanting of Roseau Cane out of Southern Louisiana.  A small invasive insect known as the Roseau can scale was first discovered in the state in fall of 2016, and has destroyed wide swaths of the plant in coastal Louisiana.  LDWF Biologist Director Todd Baker says hunters often use the plant to build hunting blinds.

Cut 6 (05) “…cannot move cane.”

Baker says there is only one exception for moving cane.

Cut 7 (05) “…and move it.”

Baker says one of the big reasons for the quarantine is, among the unknowns about the scale, it may affect more than just Roseau cane.

Cut 8 (06) “…into agriculture crops.”

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The 2018 Atlantic hurricane season has delivered on its projections for below-average or near normal storm activity.  The season has only produced five named storms with two becoming hurricanes.  The hurricanes fizzled out in the Atlantic.  With nearly a month and a half without a hurricane, State Climatologist Berry Keim says that’s a relief that doesn’t occur often.

Cut 9 (07) “…August the 27th.”

Keim says we are currently in the often most-active portion of the season.  History will show late August hasn’t always been kind to the Bayou State.

Cut 10 (11) “…Isaac in 2012.”

Keim says despite the lack of hurricane activity so far, residents still need to keep their head on a swivel as anything could happen.

Cut 11 (05) “…with hurricane activity.”

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Joe Burrow is listed on the depth chart as the starting quarterback on Sunday night against eighth ranked Miami. Coach Ed Orgeron held off on publicly announcing a starter when he met with the media earlier today, because he wanted to tell the team first. Coach O says Burrow and Myles Brennan were told of the decision this morning

Cut 12 (11)   “second team quarterback”

Orgeron says the battle to be LSU’s starting quarterback went right down to the end…

Cut 13 (06) “won out”

Orgeron says the quarterbacks were graded after each practice, so Brennan and Burrow shouldn’t be surprised who won the competition

Cut 14 (08) “…deciding factor”

Cut 3 (09) “…few days”

Steele says when major natural disasters strike, emergency management officials in that state, usually look towards Louisiana for expertise…

Cut 4 (10) “…help provide”

Hurricane Lane has already dropped over two feet of rain on the Big Island and the Category Two storm as of Friday afternoon is expected to impact Hawaii all weekend. Steele says Hawaii has dozens of shelters open and Dawson can help lead those operations.  He says the Aloha State may ask for the additional help

Cut 5 (08)  “to provide” 

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A decision by the US District Court in Texas orders the IRS to repay Louisiana and five other states more than $839 million due to an unlawfully imposed fee on state Medicaid programs.  Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says if the decision stands, the IRS will have to repay the state over $172 million.   Landry says fees were imposed on health insurance companies by the government for the influx of new customers.

Cut 6 (11) “…the bill directly.”
Landry says taxpayers should have never had to foot the bill for those fees.

Cut 7 (07) “…taxpayers of Louisiana”
Landry says the ruling will protect the state from paying millions more in the future.

Cut 8 (08) “…for this year.”

The Louisiana Department of Health says it’s reviewing the ruling to determine what it could mean for the state.

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LSU’s defense is getting an added boost as highly touted cornerback Kristian Fulton has been reinstated effective immediately. He was serving a two-year suspension for tampering with a NCAA drug test. Head Coach Ed Orgeron delivered the good news following practice on Thursday

Cut 9 (10) “…proud of him.”

Athletic Director Joe Alleva argued Fulton actually violated a rule that carried a one-year suspension, instead of two and the NCAA agreed. Orgeron says during his time away from the football field, Fulton kept attending classes and practice and now has a chance to be a big part of the team…

Cut 10 (08) “…paid the price.”

The other big story at LSU camp is the battle for starting quarterback. Orgeron says he’s not opposed to playing both Joe Burrow and Brennan Myles in the regular season opener against Miami

Cut 11 (11) “…and play”

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2.8 million people die globally every year from alcohol related deaths, that according to medical journal The Lancet. The study revealed nearly one in ten deaths of people 15 to 49 years old were alcohol related. Associate Director of the LSU Health Alcohol and Drug Abuse Center Nicholas Gilpin says it showcases all the ways consumption can cut your life short.

Cut 12 (11)   “traffic accdients”

The study determined alcohol was the seventh leading factor in premature deaths, and claims the damaging effects of alcohol consumption were far worse than what’s previously been reported. The final verdict was a call for increased regulations on alcohol consumption.

Gilpin says reducing alcohol related deaths is a difficult task, because consumption patterns can pass from generation to generation, evidenced by studies where animals were given free access to the drug.

Cut 13 (09) “prefer alcohol.”

The paper ticked off the myriad ways that booze can break you down, and highlighted the effects the drug has on different age groups. Gilpin says each age group suffers differently from the side effects of binge, or prolonged alcohol consumption.

Cut 14 (10) “…Cancer risk”

Gilpin says the study revealed that there is no “safe” level of consumption, and that any consumption has potential to create health risks.

A judge will allow evidence of previous hazing behavior in the trial of two former LSU students, Sean-Paul Gott and Ryan Isto, who were some of those allegedly responsible for Maxwell Gruver’s hazing death. Legal Analyst Tim Meche says its powerful evidence that could sway a jury, but says using that kind of evidence could backfire.

Cut 3 (11) “that evidence”

22-year-old Gott and 19-year-old Isto have been charged with misdemeanor hazing. Another former student, 21-year-old Andrew Forde is also facing hazing charges, with a fourth, 20-year-old Matthew Naquin, facing charges of Negligent Homicide.

Meche says while the evidence could be damning come court time, it could be used by a skillful defense attorney to get an upper hand in jury selection.

Cut 4 (11) “previously”

At the moment the two’s trial is set for December 4^th, but Meche says don’t hold your breath because further revelations like these could end up pushing that further back.

Cut 5 (11)  “the trial 

Court papers revealed yesterday have revealed that two students were allegedly involved in a similar incident September 6^th that left another pledge violently ill. Gruver died September 14^th.

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McDonalds is pumping 114 million dollars into 200 Louisiana restaurants to overhaul everything from the exterior of the building to how you order your food. It’s part of a 6 billion dollar national facelift for one of the biggest food chains on earth. McDonalds Vice President of US Restaurant Development Rob Lancaster says that’s a lot of changes for the iconic chain.

Cut 6 (10) “to order.”

The overhaul includes new digital video screens in the drive thrus, as well as designated parking areas for customers who order online pickups.

McDonalds is going all in on online ordering as part of the revamp. Customers can now order a Micky D’s delivery using the Uber Eats service, and download an app that lets them place an early order ahead of time to skip the lunch time long lines. Lancaster says it’s easy to use and should get you in and out fast.

Cut 7 (07) “few minutes.”

But Lancaster says just because the exterior is going to look a lot different, doesn’t mean their touching the classics.

Cut 8 (10) “to change.”

Lancaster estimates most of the upgrades should be completed by the end of 2019.

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According to a new study by the American Federation of Teachers, Louisiana spends more than one billion dollars less on education, when adjusted for inflation, now than it did prior to the recession of 2008.  Louisiana Federation of Teachers spokesman Les Landon says it’s time to pay attention to the education in the state.

Cut 9 (09)  “…colleges and universities.”

If the state wanted to keep even with the level of spending in 2008, it would need to invest $834 million in colleges and universities, and $248 million in K through 12 education.

Landon cites the reasoning behind the billion dollar figure as the state not keeping up with inflation, as well as the budget cuts in education over the last ten years.

Cut 10 (09) “…over the last decade.”

Landon says if education is going to be the cornerstone of Louisiana’s future, it’s time to pony up.

Cut 11 (09) “…for a better future.”
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A 72-year-old New Orleans woman has been arrested for an August 8th hit and run incident on the interstate on ramp in Jefferson Parish. Elva Lafaye has been charged with felony Hit and Run in relation to the incident where authorities say she hit a man, and then sped away from the scene. State Police Spokesperson Melissa Matey says the public was key in making the arrest.

President Trump has signed a 717-billion dollar defense spending bill. It includes pay raises for troops, and substantial investments in Louisiana based military bases. Northeast Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham says it’s the biggest pay raise for the military in nearly a decade.

Cut 3 (07) “eight years”

Abraham says those pay raises aren’t just big for the troops, they’re big for communities like Bossier City, Vernon Parish, and Belle Chasse that will see more spending in local businesses near the bases.

Cut 4 (09) “the economy”

The bill a 12-million dollar entry gate to Barksdale Airforce Base, which will pave the way for an eventual 500-million dollar nuclear storage facility for the base’s bomber fleet, and 39-million in upgraded detection equipment for the Naval Station in Belle Chasse. Abraham says this makes it much more unlikely those facilities would close in the event of base consolidations.

Cut 5 (09)  “our turf” 

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The National Home Education Research Institute says homeschooling is on the rise.  It’s a trend that is likely becoming a more popular option when factoring in a tailored curriculum, a difference in values, and an uptick in school violence.  President of Homeschool Louisiana, Christopher Chin, says the Bayou State is not exempt from the rise in homeschooling.

Cut 6 (13) “…largest in the state.”

Chin explains the concerns with school violence encompasses more than just school shootings.

Cut 7 (10) “…unfortunately physical assaults.”

Chin says homeschooling may not be for everyone, but says the freedoms that come with the option is something more parents should look into.

Cut 8 (06) “…take the leap.”

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A second body in the last week has been recovered in Lake Ponchartrain. On Tuesday, it was 32-year-old Sadie Thibodeaux, and on Saturday 66-year-old Milton Gomez’s body was pulled out of the lake as well. State Wildlife and Fisheries Spokesman Adam Einck says lake swimming can be dangerous because distances on the water can be misleading.

Cut 9 (12)  “lot further.”

Neither Thibadoux nor Gomez were wearing lifejackets when their body was recovered, and Einck says before you jump into the water there’s three things you need to keep in mind.

Cut 10 (11) “your boat.”

And before you head out on the water, Einck says make sure you check up on the conditions out on the lake, because even though it’s not the gulf, it can still be dangerous.

Cut 11 (07) “the weather”

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State agriculture commissioner Mike Strain announces the arrest of a suspected serial arsonist in Morehouse Parish. Strain says between July 20^th and August 3^rd, 55-year-old Philbert Bowers of Bastrop intentionally set several wildlife fires near the Arkansas state line…