LSU men’s basketball player Wayde Sims was fatally shot during the overnight hours near the Southern University campus. Baton Rouge Police Sergeant Don Coppola says an intense investigation is ongoing and it’s a sad for the capitol city…

Cut 3 (06) “…act of violence.” 

Coppola says they are talking with witnesses and examining cell phone video of the shooting. He says they are asking for the public’s help in identifying an individual seen wearing red pants with a white strip down the leg and a gray shirt…

Cut 4 (07) “…man’s death”

A video released by the Baton Rouge Police department shows a large group of individuals fighting in the street, just off the Southern University campus. Coppola says there are a lot of unanswered questions…

Cut 5 (12)  “…possibilty.” 

______________________________________

LSU basketball Coach Will Wade calls Wayde Sims an unbelievable person during a tearful press conference, just hours after learning the 20-year-old Baton Rouge native was killed in a shooting.  Wade says everybody on the team loved Sims…

Cut 6 (11) “…be around.”

Athletic Director Joe Alleva calls today the worst day of his career…

Cut 7 (10) “…last night.”

Sims was a junior on the team. He played in 32 games last season and started 10 of them. He won three state championships at University High and was named the Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year in the 2014-15. His father, Wayne Sims, played for Dale Brown at LSU from 1987-91. Wade says a player getting killed is a coach’s worst nightmare

Cut 8 (14) “…the toughest.”

__________________________

Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination vote to the US Supreme Court advanced to the full Senate, but may be delayed a week if an FBI investigation is authorized. Senator John Kennedy says after hearing from both Judge Kavanaugh and the woman who accused him of sexual assault, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, he’s decided to support the judge’s nomination.

cut 9 (12) “…was involved”

Senator Bill Cassidy expressed his support for the Kavanaugh on Twitter, calling for a final confirmation vote without further delays.

But Louisiana Democratic Party Chairperson Karen Carter Peterson says Kennedy was wrong to distrust Ford’s allegations. Peterson says Ford had nothing to gain from the allegations, and she believes her.

Cut 10 (12) “…a nominee”

Kennedy says he’s disgusted by what he calls political theatre that was on display during the hearings, and is ready to move on to a final confirmation vote.

Cut 11 (10)“…irreparably.”

Peterson says Kennedy and Cassidy’s support for the judge sends a terrible message to sexual assault survivors in Louisiana.

Cut 12 (13)   “…is wrong” 

__________________________

A Jefferson Davis Parish teenager is accused of shooting and killing a calf in the Iowa (Eye-oh-way) community.  Following an anonymous tip, investigators gathered sufficient evidence and charged a 14-year-old with criminal damage to property.  Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the teen’s legal issues don’t end there.

Cut 13 (05) “…cruelty to animals.”

Strain says the extent of teen’s punishment isn’t clear quite yet, but he will have to fork over money to the farmer.

Cut 14 (08) “…juvenile court system.”

Strain says the aggravated cruelty to animals charge comes as a result of the suffering that took place as the animal died.

Cut 15 (09) “…butchered or slaughtered.”

State Police say one of their Troopers used deadly force on a suspect in Hammond just before 1 AM this morning. Authorities identify the deceased suspect as 23-year-old Coltin Brennan Leblanc of Loranger. L-S-P says one of their troopers pulled LeBlanc’s vehicle over in the downtown area. A Hammond resident who witnessed the event while at a late night restaurant says it started as a normal traffic stop.

Cut 3 (11) “…took off.” 

That’s when the witness says just before the car got away, the Trooper wrapped an arm around one of the doors and was taken for a ride as the vehicle sped off down the street. Less than ten seconds later, the vehicle came to a stop and the witness says he heard shots fired.

Cut 4 (08) “…started firing”

After the dramatic incident, the witness says the officer and a bystander rushed to the vehicle to attempt to assist the driver.

Cut 5 (10)  “…ambulance over.” 

The suspected died shortly after arriving at North Oaks Hospital.

______________________________________

Four Louisiana State Police Troopers are recovering from injuries after a juvenile attempted to evade and flee from them in a police pursuit on LA Highway 1 that saw speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. LSP spokesperson Scott Moreau says it all started with a traffic stop on 18 year old Torie Lewis of Alexandria.  When Lewis stepped out of the vehicle, that’s when the action began.

Cut 6 (12) “…seat and fled.”
All three subjects were arrested.   Moreau says the second driver is facing the heftiest charges of the three.

Cut 7 (10) “…up to the judge.”
Moreau says the level of danger in the situation could have seen things end much worse.

Cut 8 (08) “…have to happen.”

__________________________

The Fifth US Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a Louisiana Law that would require doctors at abortion clinics to have admitting privileges at a local hospital. A law that included some similar language in Texas was shot down by the Supreme Court. Solicitor General Liz Murrill says Louisiana’s attempt at the law was more focused, and as a result, cleared the court challenge.

cut 9 (08) “…very gratifying.”

But Center for Reproductive Rights Senior Council TJ Tu says it’s a decision that fly’s in the face of the Supreme Courts previous decisions, and could make access to abortion in the Bayou State difficult to obtain.

Cut 10 (10) “…the state.”

Tu says across the nation abortion doctors can run into serious roadblocks when trying to obtain admitting privileges, and Louisiana is no different.

Cut 11 (10)“…stop providing.”

Admitting privileges for abortion doctors would allow them to admit a patient to a local hospital if they had a medical emergency during a procedure.

But Murrill says the clinics did a poor job proving requiring admitting privileges would be an undue burden for operation. She says there were contradictory statements about how difficult it is to actually obtain the privileges in the state.

Cut 12 (09)   “…hospital” 

The law will not go into effect immediately, and it is likely that the decision will be challenged or appealed, and could end up in front of the US Supreme Court.

__________________________

Disney Cruise Line announced they will start sailing out of the Port of New Orleans in 2020 during Mardi Gras season. The 27-hundred passenger Disney Wonder is scheduled for six different Caribbean and Bahamian cruises from February 7th to March 6th.  Port of New Orleans CEO Brandy Christian says they are thrilled with Disney’s decision

Cut 13 (08) “…for all of us.”

Port NOLA is the sixth-largest cruise port in the United States and is on pace to set a new cruise passenger record this year, with over one-million passengers. Christian says there is a reason why Disney chose to set sail from New Orleans during Mardi Gras…

Cut 14 (11) “…to New Orleans.”

Bookings start on October 4th. Disney Cruise Line spokesperson Yolanda Cane says there will be four, six and seven-night Western Caribbean cruises….

Cut 15 (12) “…Panama Canal”

At a 5.9 percent increase, Louisiana has seen a relatively strong growth in personal income in the second quarter of 2018, ranking second in the nation only to Texas at 6%.  The construction sector was responsible for most of the growth.  LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott says two things really stick out.

Cut 3 (12) “…at the national level.” 

Scott says the oil industry seeing an uptick is also a contributing factor.

Cut 4 (10) “…a little bit.”

Scott says while the healthcare sector is seeing growth, it’s following a national trend.

Cut 5 (10)  “…to go up.” 

______________________________________

Most of the Zachary Fire Department emergency response team returned home last night from the Carolinas after a 14 day mission responding to floods and damage from Hurricane Florence in South Carolina. Chief Mike Kimble says Louisiana crews evacuated hundreds of people, and were responsible for saving the lives of six, including a few Carolina firemen.

Cut 6 (11) “…the vehicle.”

Three boats were dispatched and the men returned home safe.

Another rescue saw Louisiana emergency crews responding to a dangerous situation involving a flooded car full of people trying to escape the rising waters.

Cut 7 (11) “…those people.”

Kimble says Louisiana emergency response teams are quickly becoming veteran first responders who are called upon by state’s across the nation.

Cut 8 (09) “…South Carolina”

Kimble says twos of his team are still in South Carolina.

__________________________

Former soldier Ryan Taylor of New Llano has been sentenced to over 11 years in prison for manufacturing and detonating a chemical weapon at a Fort Polk training area. US Attorney David Joseph says a device containing chlorine gas exploded in the Kisatchie National Forest in April 2017. He says two responding soldiers inhaled the chlorine gas, had their military careers end because of the damage to their bodies…

cut 9 (06) “…shortness of breath”

Joseph says one of the former soldiers may need a lung transplant because of the damage from inhaling the chlorine gas. He says they don’t know Taylor’s motivation, but they know he liked constructing devices that would explode…

Cut 10 (10) “…kind of a bomb”

Taylor plead guilty in June for producing, possessing and using a chemical weapon. Joseph says the chemical weapon created by Taylor is banned under international and national laws because of the effects it can have on the human body. He says the two victims are pleased with the 135-month sentence…

Cut 11 (08)“…forever altered”

__________________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards was in Lake Charles today for the dedication ceremony of the newly renovated two-mile runway at Chennault International Airport.  Edwards says the 18-million dollar renovation of this runway, which is one of the longest along the Gulf Coast,  is an investment into the future of the region.

Cut 12 (10)   “…for Lake Charles.” 

Chennault serves as a major hub for military and commercial maintenance, repair and overhaul employers, like Northrop Grumman and Citadel Completions. Edwards says the latest runway, taxiway and lighting improvements will enhance operations for existing tenants and help attract future tenants…

Cut 13 (10) “…of companies.”

While in Lake Charles, Edwards also welcomed the Houston Rockets to the area. The NBA team will hold training camp practice this week at the new on-campus arena at McNeese State University. Edwards says the Rockets are impressed with the new health and human performance complex…

Cut 14 (11) “…in the NBA.”

______________________

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.”

______________________________________

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.

_________________________________________

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” 

______________________________________

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”

_____________________________________

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.