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LSU fans can expect a new layer of security when attending games at Tiger Stadium as select gates will now be equipped with metal detectors.  LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette says the experience will be similar to going through screenings at an airport or NFL games.

Cut 3 (06) “…in New Orleans” 

Bonnette says upon completion of a bag inspection, fans will then go through the additional screening.

Cut 4 (10) “…watches or anything.”

Bonnette says this is a pilot program leading up to an SEC mandate that all events have metal detectors by 2020.

Cut 5 (05)  “…the SEC mandate .” 

 

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Two of the students involved in the alleged hazing death of Max Gruver have pleaded no contest, and a third has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors in a move that narrows the scope of the trial. 20-year-old Matthew Naquin still faces negligent homicide charges. Legal analyst Tim Meche says the development is a blow to Naquin’s defense, but could be used by a skillful defense lawyer.

Cut 6 (11) “…my client.”

Gruver died last year in the alleged hazing incident at the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity house. The coroner says Gruver’s blood alcohol content was .495.

Sean-Paul Gott and Ryan Isto plead no contest to misdemeanor hazing, while Patrick Forde agreed to cooperate with prosecutors, and will have his case decided later. Meche says it’s a good turn of events for the three defendants not charged with Negligent Homicide.

Cut 7 (06) “…to anything.”

Pleading no contest will prevent the charges from being brought up in the pending civil case where the Gruver family sued LSU, the Fraternity, the defendants, and other for 25 million dollars, but Meche says that’s not likely to hurt the family’s chances in the civil proceedings.

Cut 8 (08) “…their side.”

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There are many negative effects that come from the lack of the recommended amount of sleep, which is seven to eight hours nightly.  A recent study by Mattress Clarity indicates one out of five workers in Louisiana are sleeping for only five hours or less each night.  LSU Health New Orleans Associate Professor Dr. Benjamin Springgate…

Cut 9 (09) “…probably their relationships.”

Springgate says negative effects can be had on a wide variety of areas in day to day life.

Cut 10 (06) “…or think clearly”

Springgate says things that happen on the job can be part of the issue.

Cut 11 (11) “…stress can carry over.”

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says their enforcement agents issued 39 citations to 29 subjects over the Labor Day weekend for alleged dove baiting. L-D-W-F spokesperson Adam Einck says for the opening weekend of dove season, they were keeping a close eye on several different fields across the state…

Cut 12 (10)   “    current regulations” 

Citations were issued to hunters in Franklin, Rapides, St. Helena, West Feliciana, Avoyelles and Evangeline Parishes. Einck says it’s illegal to  scatter salt, grain or other feed on a field to attract migratory game birds..

Cut 13 (04) “for it”

Einck says dove baiting is illegal for a reason

Cut 14 (08) “…game birds”

 

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A Baton Rouge man who’d been accused of attempted murder of a police officer during a traffic stop last month has had his charges dropped by the DA. The officer says while retreating, 21-year-old Raheem Howard fired at him, but the DA says there’s just not enough evidence to back that up. Howard’s lawyer, Ron Haley, says it’s a troubling incident that needs further investigation.

Cut 3 (07) “…looked at” 

Hamadeh fatally shot another man during during a traffic stop in 2017. No video evidence exists of that incident.

Officer Yuseff Hamadeh initiated the traffic stop on August 7^th over a missing license plate. During the stop Howard fled the scene and was pursued, at which point the Hamadeh says he was shot at, which prompted the officer to open fire. But Haley says it’s obvious at this point that Howard never shot at the officer during the chase.

Cut 4 (10) “…the officer”

District Attorney Hillar Moore says after searching the ground for additional bullet casings and questioning witnesses, they determined there was insufficient evidence to maintain Hamadeh’s version of events.

BRPD says they plan on releasing audio from the night, but the delay has rankled some community leaders who are concerned about the slow pace at which the department has released evidence, despite post-Alton Sterling claims of an expedited process. Haley says the department is in need of additional reforms.

Cut 5 (10)  “…at large .” 

Neither Howard nor Officer Hamadeh were injured in the incident. Howard is being held in jail on other warrants.

 

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Tropical Storm Gordon had little effect on Louisiana.  The storm made landfall last night near the Alabama-Mississippi line.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says when it comes to monitoring the weather, better safe than sorry.

Cut 6 (07) “…was an overreaction.”

Keim says Louisiana was spared from more serious effects from Gordon due to two factors. As it came into shore, it was further east in the cone of uncertainty, and it wasn’t as fierce as some had projected the storm to be.

Cut 7 (08) “…being a hurricane.”

Keim says portions of the state will still see much needed rainfall.

Cut 8 (08) “…today and tomorrow.”

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A conference committee began discussions on a new Farm Bill today on Capitol Hill, with Republicans pushing for major reforms to food stamp eligibility.  Congressman Ralph Abraham from Richland Parish is on the committee and he supports a work or educational requirement for an able bodied adult to be eligible for SNAP. Abraham says employers are desperate for labor, and this is a good step towards pushing the unemployed into the workforce.

 

Cut 9 (10) “…not working”

But many of those seven million job openings are minimum to low wage jobs that likely are dissuading the unemployed from joining the workforce. Abraham says a key part of the reform is finding ways to get people jobs that pay enough to get them off the dole.

Cut 10 (09) “…that issue”

Abraham says part of the food stamp reform effort is a push to provide additional financial support for SNAP beneficiaries who want to pursue job training or advance their education.

Cut 11 (07) “…to success”

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LSU’s impressive win over Miami and big move up the rankings has resulted in an increase in sales for LSU merchandise. Owner of the Purple and Gold Sports Shop, Pat Randazza, says winning on the football field always brings in more foot traffic

Cut 12 (09)   “    we know” 

Randazza says men’s polo shirts and tank tops for women are big sellers heading into Saturday’s home opener against Southeastern Louisiana.

Cut 13 (07) “kids jerseys”

Expectations were not as high heading into this season among the LSU fan base. But the Tigers showed something in their victory in Dallas over the Hurricanes. Randaazza expects an uptick in sales for at least the next couple of weeks…

Cut 14 (12) “…huge”

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St. Tammany, Washington and Tangipahoa are among the parishes in the cone of uncertainty as Gordon moves closer to the northern Gulf Coast. St. Tammany President Pat Brister says 40-thousand sandbags were distributed yesterday as there’s the potential they could see up to four inches of rain

Cut 3 (06) “…bit of water.” 

Brister says forecasters say Mississippi will get the brunt of Gordon, but St. Tammany could experience tropical storm force winds, heavy downpours and minor coastal flooding…

Cut 4 (10) “…every call”

Brister says St. Tammany government has been preparing for Gordon for most of the weekend and the public should do its part…

Cut 5 (12)  “…unaffected.” 

 

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Tropical Storm Gordon looks more like a problem for Mississippi and Alabama, as the storm is expected to make landfall late tonight on the Mississippi Gulf Coast as a category 1 hurricane. Danielle Manning, with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says Gordon’s impact to Louisiana might be minimal

Cut 6 (07) “…like that.”

Gordon has maximum sustained winds at 65 miles per hour and its moving northwest at 15 miles per hour. Manning says Gordon is expected to reach hurricane strength before landfall…

Cut 7 (07) “…radar data.”

Manning says Gordon is expected to move through Mississippi tomorrow and enter northeast Louisiana as a tropical depression by night fall

Cut 8 (10) “…that area.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards is asking residents in southeast Louisiana not to take Tropical Storm Gordon lightly, even though forecast models predict a landfall in Mississippi later tonight. Edwards says there is still a chance for some nasty weather in the Bayou State…

Cut 9 (12) “…four feet”

Edwards says Gordon could also deliver some bad weather to northeast Louisiana tomorrow as that region of the state is under a flash flood watch….

Cut 10 (09) “…too late”

200 Louisiana National Guardsmen have been activated in southeast Louisiana. General Glenn Curtis says they are ready to assist if water rescues are necessary…

Cut 11 (12) “…in Hammond”

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A contractor accused of ripping off customers across five parishes after the 2016 flood receives a four-year prison sentence and is forced to repay 84-thousand dollars to 11 Livingston Parish victims. 41-year-old Matthew Morris was indicted on 51 counts, but ended up pleading guilty to only one. Legal Analyst Tim Meche says the state got what it needed to out of the case.

Cut 12 (10)   “…done justice

Authorities say Morris would sign contracts with victims of the 2016 flood, and then either not finish, or never even begin work. After the clients would cease payments, Morris would place leans on their properties.

While the four-year sentence may seem light for a heinous crime, Meche says if he’s in jail for the rest of his life, he can’t complete the restitution.

Cut 13 (07) “make payment”

Morris is still facing charges in Ascension, East Baton Rouge, St. John the Baptist, and Terrebonne Parishes, But Meche says there’s a likely reason why the first cases were tried in Livingston.

Cut 14 (08) “…at that”

 

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Saturday marks the 10-year anniversary of Hurricane Gustav making landfall near Cocodrie with 105 miles per winds. The storm left 1-point-5 million  without power in Louisiana and former Entergy spokesperson Jeff Holeman told Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster the outages were extensive…

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.

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In the past week, Lake Charles area authorities have seen an uptick in synthetic marijuana overdoses, where the users would become unconscious shortly after they ingested it. Acadian Ambulance Medical Director Dr. Chuck Burnell says the users told authorities the product was called Gumbo or Bubblegum

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”

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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.”

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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”