Hurricane Harvey hit Texas a month ago which knocked out about 30% of the nation’s refining capacity, but things are slowly recovering. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says a man has been arrested for allegedly running over and killing his brother with his vehicle early this morning. Jeff Palermo reports…:

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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An Oklahoma man has been arrested in Lafayette for allegedly breaking into a woman’s home and sexually assaulting her then demanding she drive him to an ATM. Cpl. Karl Ratcliff with the Lafayette Police Department says they were able to catch 22-year-old Devon Bell after a dispatcher remembered a recent call about a suspicious person in the neighborhood.

Cut 3 (10) “sexual assault”

Bell is charged with home invasion, sexual battery, aggravated kidnapping, and criminal trespassing. Ratcliff says this case is also now considered a kidnapping. He says detectives were able to receive surveillance video showing that Bell was in fact the suspect they were looking for.

Cut 4  (11) “here”

Ratcliff says this was a very scary experience for the victim and she called authorities to report the incident after she was away from Bell and felt safe. He says Bell has only been in the area for a few days and police are not looking for other suspects.

Cut 5  (09)  “relatives here”

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It’s been a month since Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas, knocking out nearly 30% of the nation’s refining capacity, but motorists are now starting to see consistent declines in gas prices. That’s according to Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst at GasBuddy. He says we’re likely about to start seeing the downward momentum accelerate…:

Cut 6 (09)  “these storms “

DeHann says the current statewide average for a gallon of regular in Louisiana stands at $2.35. He says with the switch-over to winter-blend gasoline, consumer demand beginning to slow and Gulf Coast refineries getting back closer to normal, consumers can expect to see much lower prices at the pump next month:

Cut 7 (06)  “today”

Hurricane Irma caused mass evacuations in Florida, which DeHann says further crippled the supply in the US….:

Cut 8 (09) “weeks”

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A councilwoman in Arcadia has been suspended from her position after she was convicted of stealing more than 37-thousand dollars when she was the town water clerk. Louisiana Inspector General Stephen Street says Patricia Hampton was found guilty of theft charges from an investigation sparked by an audit that found discrepancies in the water department’s records.

Cut 9 (08)  “that way”

Street says Hampton was taking payments for water bills and collecting them for her personal use.

Cut 10 (10) “understand that”

Under Louisiana law, Hampton will be required to resign from the Town Council if the felony conviction is upheld. Street says it’s important to have the Inspector General’s and the District Attorney’s offices involved to hold these individuals accountable.

Cut 11 (11) “to steal”

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The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says a man has been arrested for allegedly running over and killing his brother with his vehicle early this morning. EBRSO spokeswoman Casey Hicks says they were called about 3:40am..:

Cut 12 (08) “his vehicle” 

Hicks says deputies arrived on the scene in a parking lot to find 30-year-old Stephen Hebert half asleep behind the wheel of a truck that was running..:

Cut 13 (08)  “of the vehicle”

Stephen Hebert is charged with negligent homicide and DWI in the death of the victim, 32-year-old Kirk Hebert, because Hicks says he appeared to be very intoxicated and admitted that he and his brother had been drinking. She says beyond that, the suspect didn’t remember much…:

Cut 14 (09) “his vehicle”

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The U.S. Senate will not vote on a measure co-authored by Senator Bill Cassidy to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Cassidy says they don’t have the support, so they have postponed the vote. He says this is extremely disappointing to many American families who pay too much through Obamacare.

Cut 15 (11) “afford”

Cassidy says on a bi-partisan level, lawmakers believe Obamacare isn’t doing well. He says the alternative is Senator Bernie Sanders’ bill which has 15 co-sponsors to create a single payer plan…

Cut 16  (09)  “federal government”

There’s yet another reality show with northeast Louisiana ties that is quickly becoming the latest TV craze. Jeff Palermo reports…:

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Baton Rouge Rep. Ted James strongly disagrees with a fellow lawmaker who wants to cut state tax dollars to the New Orleans Saints. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Louisiana ranks third in the country in the rate of women who are murdered by men. Michael Farrar gets reaction from the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Michael Farrar”

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There’s yet another reality show with northeast Louisiana ties that is quickly becoming the latest TV craze. Rednecks 4 Hire follows three men who do nasty jobs that nobody else wants to deal with. David Yelton says he and Mike Myers and Kevin Dodd will do almost anything…:

Cut 4  (08) “”beaver damns”

Yelton says the three of them know each other from church, and decided to work together to help people out. He says everything you see on the show actually happened the exact way it’s presented…:

Cut 5  (05)  “no way to script it”

Yelton says so far they’ve filmed 6 episodes which air on the CW at 6:30am on Saturdays, and 12:30pm on Sundays. You can also like Rednecks 4 Hire on Facebook, and watch the show through their YouTube Channel. Yelton says people like it most when he gets hurt….:

Cut 6 (11) “filming the whole thing”

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Congressman Clay Higgins is another lawmaker voicing his disapproval of NFL players refusing to stand during the national anthem. Higgins says growing up, football season was always something he looked forward to and found it grounding in times of instability. But he says now it’s sickening to watch.

Cut 7 (08)  “America”

Higgins says there was a time when the NFL was patriotic but he says this group of players has hurt what the NFL once stood for.

Cut 8 (11) “my field”

Higgins says these athletes have the right to disrespect the national anthem and he has the right to turn off the TV.

Cut 9 (11)  “to me”

____________________________________________________

Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says fellow House member Kenny Havard is wrong to suggest that the state should stop providing tax dollars to the Saints because they had players who did not stand for the national anthem. James says Havard must have forgotten that legislators take an oath to uphold the constitution and that violates the first amendment.

Cut 10 (09)  “black athletes”

In the 2016 legislative session, Havard was in hot water after he made a joke suggesting strippers should weigh under 160 pounds and be young. James hopes Havard is only seeking attention because it’s obvious the protesting athletes are not disrespecting our military. He says he welcomes a discussion if the lawmaker genuinely wants to talk about incentives and address the deficit problems in our state.

Cut 11 (10) “approach it”

James hopes this is just grandstanding and suspects Havard is not alone with this sentiment.

Cut 12 (11) “the table”

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Once again Louisiana ranks in the top five for the rate of women who are murdered by men. The Violence Policy Center looked at the latest data available, which is 2015, and found the rate in Louisiana is double the national average and the Bayou State has the third highest rating in the country. Executive director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Mariah Wineski, says the report saddens her

Cut 13 (09) “this data”

Wineski says one factor is inadequate funding for domestic violence services, for those seeking immediate safety….

Cut 14 (09) “our state”

Wineski says another factor is easy firearm access for abusers. She says state and federal law prohibit many abusers from possessing firearms, but Louisiana lacks any consistent process for actually implementing these prohibitions

Cut 15 (09) “their guns”

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25th ranked LSU continues preparations today for its final nonconference game of the year as the Tigers will host Troy on Saturday night. Last week, LSU focused on not committing penalties and they only had three called against in the Syracuse game. Head Coach Ed Orgeron says they look to get more consistent on offense this week…

Cut 16  (24)  “this week”

The Tigers had trouble protecting their quarterbacks last Saturday as Syracuse did a good job of pressuring Danny Etling and Myles Brennan. Orgeron says the offensive line can’t get beat in one-on-one battles…

Cut 17 (12)  “one on ones” 

Coach “O” says expect to see true freshman Myles Brennan continue to get snaps while the game is still on line. Brennan played three series in the Syracuse game and guided the team on a touchdown and threw an interception in another. Etling says it’s important he stays in a rhythem and have the proper mindset…

Cut 18 (09) “supposed to do” 

Etling threw two touchdown passes last week to Drake Davis and Stephen Sullivan. The Q-B says these are two wide receivers who should keep getting better as the season goes along…

Cut 19 (20)   and learn“

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees and Coach Sean Payton responded to the president’s comments regarding players who do not stand during the national anthem. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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St. Francisville Representative Kenny Havard wants to cut state funding to the New Orleans Saints after multiple players did not kneel during the national anthem. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Following the Panthers game, Saints Quarterback Drew Brees and Coach Sean Payton each responded to President Donald Trump’s comments regarding players who do not stand during the national anthem. The President said owners should, “get that son of a b” off the field, and fire those who protest racial inequality in that way. Payton is disappointed in Mr. Trump’s position…:

Cut 3 (08) “that’s how I feel”

Payton applauded members of his team for standing up for what they believed in, as a handful decided to sit during the national anthem Sunday. This is upsetting some fans who are now calling for a boycott of the team. Brees says he disagrees with what the president said…:

Cut 4  (09) “disappointed a lot of people”

Some fans are posting pictures on social media of black and gold memorabilia on fire, and others changing their profile picture to the Saints and NFL logos upside down, or crossed out. Brees agrees there is plenty of inequality in this country…

Cut 5  (09)  “for our country”

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A Louisiana lawmaker would like to cut state tax dollars for the New Orleans Saints after multiple players didn’t stand during the national anthem during yesterday’s game. St. Francisville Rep. Kenny Havard says Louisiana has made dramatic cuts to departments across the board and now is the perfect time to redistribute the money given to an organization that is not grateful.

Cut 6 (09)  “appreciated “

Havard says he supports the first amendment fully and believes these players do have a right to protest, but they should not do it during the anthem.

Cut 7 (10)  “for that”

According to a story by Forbes Magazine in 2015, the Saints will receive 392 million dollars in state subsidies through 2025. Havard says they have looked at cutting funding to the Saints in the past. He says the state also rents office space in Benson Tower for an extremely expensive price…

Cut 8 (08) “the state”

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State Police say a 7-year-old was killed Sunday in a single vehicle crash in St. Charles Parish. Trooper Melissa Matey says they believe the driver, 32-year-old Islam Ezzo of Hahnville was impaired when he ran off the road…:

Cut 9 (08)  “later died”

Ezzo is charged with Vehicular Homicide, Vehicular Negligent Injuring and Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle. Additional charges may be forthcoming. Matey says the child was not properly restrained…:

Cut 10 (10) “height and weight”

7 year old Alina Ezzo of Luling was transported to St. Charles Hospital and pronounced deceased. Islam Ezzo was transported to University Medical Center with serious injuries. Matey says this is a very tragic crash…:

Cut 11 (11) “made a poor choice”

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Lake Charles Police are investigating a shooting that occurred last night that left a 10-year-old dead and a 17-year-old injured. Deputy Chief Mark Kraus says police are actively searching for a suspect or suspects. He says authorities discovered a grim scene when they responded to the call.

Cut 12 (10) “what happened” 

The 10-year-old has been identified as Jaylyn Citizen of Lake Charles. Kraus says the 17-year-old underwent surgery at a local hospital. He says this isn’t a case where two children were playing with a gun and it accidentally went off, this was an intentional shooting.

Cut 13 (09)  “some arrests”

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Six Winnfield Senior High School students were recognized on the House floor by Congressman Ralph Abraham after serving as pallbearers for a World War II veteran. 93-year-old Thomas Hunter had no close family so the football players stepped up after learning about the situation. Abraham says this is an inspiring story about a community rallying to honor a hero.

Cut 14 (10) “so deserved”

Hunter outlived all of his siblings and was never married or had children. Abraham says it’s a privilege to represent this rural North-Central Louisiana community.

Cut 15 (09) “great nation”

Abraham hopes other people in the country learn from the example set by these young men. He says their actions speak volumes of what is truly important in our community.

Cut 16  (10)  “without question”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is visiting Germany and the United Kingdom along with 17 tourism partners, to promote Louisiana and the direct flights into New Orleans. Jeff Palermo reports…:

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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People who suffer from ALS or similar disease have the chance to bank their voice before losing it for good. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A hearing is set for today on a motion to change the venue of Norris Greenhouse Jr.’s trial in the death of 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis in Avoyelles Parish. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 3 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is visiting Germany and the United Kingdom, leading a mission along with 17 tourism partners, to promote Louisiana and the direct flights into New Orleans. Nungesser says so far the international flights have been extremely popular…:

Cut 4  (09) “the interest”

Nungesser says Germans are required to take 24 days of paid vacation every year, and he wants them to come to Louisiana. During the mission, Nungesser will be a guest on several radio shows in Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Hannover. He plans to talk about the music, the food and other great things to see here in Louisiana…:

Cut 5  (09)  “anywhere else”

The group will host several events to promote Louisiana’s authentic experience to travel agents, media partners, and tour operators of several high-profile German travel and tourism companies. Nungesser says we have a ton of tourist-friendly, major events on the horizon, like the Tri-centennial of New Orleans, and the 150th anniversary of Tabasco…:

Cut 6 (07) “opportunities”

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The US Supreme Court is expected today decide today whether to accept a petition
by a New Orleans man who was convicted on a 10-2 vote of murder in 2015.
Louisiana is one of two states where a unanimous decision is not necessary for a
felony. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says for years the nation’s high court
has allowed non-unanimous verdicts in Louisiana and Oregon…:

Cut 7 (10)  “strong argument”

Dale Lambert, who received a mandatory life prison sentence, wants the high
court to hear his challenge of the Louisiana law that allows felony convictions
by a vote of less than 12 jurors. Ciolino says some have argued that the jury
laws here were put in place long ago to diminish the voting power of black
jurors. But he says in present day, DA’s strongly favor the 10-2 verdicts…:

Cut 8 (11) “retrials”

Ciolino says the best argument these petitioners can make is that 10-2 is not
constitutionally sufficient…:

Cut 9 (10)  “well over 200 years ago”

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LSU’s Speech Language Hearing Clinic has a program that allows people with a medical condition like ALS to bank their voice. Speech Language Pathologist Sara Green Mele (me-lee) says individuals with a degenerative disease come to the clinic and record their voice in a sound proof booth using a third party recording software…

Cut 10 (07)  “placements”

LSU has used this technology for two years. Mele says by using head or eye control, people are unable to talk can communicate with their friends and family. She says one might think they could download the software on their computer and bank their voice from home but that’s not the case.

Cut 11 (09) “successful”

WAFB news anchor Donna Britt was recently diagnosed with ALS and has banked her voice. The process takes about six to eight hours. Mele says with ALS, even with the loss of voice, a patient’s cognition remains strong. She says all hope isn’t lost if someone has already lost their voice.

Cut 12 (10) “voice”

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A hearing is set for today on a motion to change the venue of Norris Greenhouse Jr.’s trial. He and Derrick Stafford, former Marksville City Marshals, are accused in the death of 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis. Stafford was already convicted for attempted manslaughter and manslaughter in Avoyelles Parish. Legal Analyst Tim Meche believes there’s a good chance Greenhouse’s trial will be moved…:

Cut 13 (09) “adjudicated guilty”

Greenhouse is facing charges of attempted second degree murder in the injuring of the father, Christopher Few, and second degree murder for the death of Mardis. Meche says change of venue decisions are strictly up to the judge, and a recent trend in Louisiana is to bring in a jury from another Parish…:

Cut 14 (10) “move it”

Meche says Greenhouse’s lawyer has a good case, because there was been a TON of publicity about this case, on a local, state and national level. He also points to the fact that the victim’s family has been extensively interviewed by electronic and print media…:

Cut 15 (06) “this one”

____________________________________________

So does LSU have a quarterback controversy? Starter Danny Etling was 10-of-17 for 188 yards and two touchdowns, but freshman Myles Brennan entered the game in the third and led the Tigers on a touchdown drive, but he also threw an interception. Head Coach Ed Orgeron on why he put Brennan in the game…

Cut 16  (16)  “on the line”

The two quarterbacks did enough good things to help the Tigers beat Syracuse 35-26, as LSU improved to 3-1. Orgeron says it was a good win after losing by 30 points the week before….

Cut 17 (16)  “for us” 

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The Saints put together one of their better performances in a long time as they defeated NFC South rival Carolina 34-13. Quarterback Drew Brees threw three touchdown passes and the defense forced three turnovers and held a struggling Panthers offense to 288 total yards. Coach Sean Payton says the Black and Gold had a good week of practice and it showed in their performance on Sunday….

Cut 18 (13) “get a win” 

Carolina came into the game ranked number one in the NFL in total defense. But the Saints were able to sustain a balanced attack with the run and the pass throughout the game. Payton says it was nice to see…

Cut 19 (13)   went against“

Sunday marks the 12-year anniversary of Hurricane Rita, the last major hurricane to hit Louisiana. Don Molino has more…:

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Don Molino”

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Governor John Bel Edwards is requesting a review of campus policies regarding hazing and alcohol. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A Breaux Bridge Police Officer is under arrest amid allegations he was engaging in sexual relations with a 16-year-old juvenile. State Police is investigating and Master Trooper Brooks David says Breaux Bridge Police Chief Rollie Cantu contacted LSP detectives about the claims against 29-year-old Craig David…:

Cut 3 (10) “this juvenile”

Officer David was charged with carnal knowledge of a juvenile, computer aided solicitation of a minor and malfeasance in office. Master Trooper David says it’s a shame when LSP has to arrest someone sworn to protect the public:

Cut 4  (09) “and do the right thing”

State Police is investigating a fiery crash in St. Landry Parish Thursday night which claimed the lives of two people. Master Trooper Brooks David says officers attempted to stop a vehicle for traveling the wrong way on a one-way road. He says the driver did not stop and he feld from police, later failing to negotiate a curve…:

Cut 5  (08)  “that building”

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Sunday marks the 12-year anniversary of Hurricane Rita making landfall near the Texas-Louisiana boarder. State Climatologist Barry Keim says nationwide it’s a forgotten storm, because of the destruction left behind by Hurricane Katrina, but Rita had higher maximum sustained winds and

Cut 6 (10)  18,7 feet”

Keim says Rita even re-flooded parts of New Orleans. But he says the hardest hit areas were low-lying communities in southwest Louisiana….

Cut 7 (11)  “once were”

Rita is the last major hurricane to hit Louisiana. It still ranks number four all-time for lowest atmospheric pressure and seventh for highest maximum sustained winds, which was 180-miles per hour. Keim says Rita was also relatively a quick moving storm

Cut 8 (08) “at Bunkie”

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East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore sent an email to local school administrators alerting them police have seen an increase in possession of alcohol and intoxication among high school students at LSU home games. Moore says law enforcement agencies that provide security on LSU game days will increase their presence

Cut 9 (12)  “his future”

The letter comes ad the campus is reeling from the death of an 18-year-old fraternity pledge. Hospital tests show Maxwell Gruver had a high level of alcohol in his system. There was also the arrest of an 18-year-old, who was caught on video knocking out an LSU student on the Parade Grounds.  Moore says he wants LSU tailgaiting to remain a safe atmosphere…

Cut 10 (08) “out here”

Meanwhile Governor John Bel Edwards is requesting university officials to review their hazing, drug and alchol abuse policies. Edwards does not want to see another student die as a result of a possible hazing incident

Cut 11 (11) “redouble our efforts”

Edwards says it’s up to the state to ensure students who attend a Louisiana university are safe from harm….

Cut 12 (10) “what happened” 

________________________________________________

Saturday is National Hunting and Fishing Day and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is celebrating by hosting four events to get people outdoors. L-D-W-F spokesperson Joel Courtney says if you don’t have opportunities to fish or hunt, then come to one of these celebrations…

Cut 13 (08)       hunter educators”

Courtney says the events are at rifle ranges in West Monroe, Woodworth and Haughton, plus the Waddill Willdlife Refuge in Baton Rouge….

Cut 14 (11) “we’re doing”

Hunters for the Hungry is hosting their annual “Clean out your Freezer Day” to benefit food banks throughout Louisiana. On Sunday from 1pm to 4pm, hunters with leftover meat are encouraged to donate before they stock up this hunting season. H-F-H Executive Director Jimmy Anthony says the donations will be directly distributed to nearly 400 agencies across the state:

Cut 15 (11) “bounty of nature”

Even frozen items that are non-hunting related are acceptable donations. The program started nearly 25 years ago when a group of hunters thought it was a shame to waste all of last year’s frozen game. Anthony says they keep growing and growing every year…:

Cut 16  (09)  “for us”

To find a collection site in your area visit hunters-the-number-4-hungry-Louisiana-dot-org (hunters4hungrylouisiana.org).

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Louisiana is the second hungriest state in the nation. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

______________________________________

This is Louisiana Craft Brewers Week, designated to commemorate beers brewed right here in the state, and the people who make it possible. Jeff Palermo reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A new report from the USDA finds there are over 41 million Americans, including 13 million children, who lived at risk of hunger in 2016. Bread for the World, a movement in the US to end hunger, broke the numbers down by state, and found that Louisiana is the second hungriest in the nation. President David Beckmann says this should be a wake-up call…:

Cut 3 (11) “or eating at all”

Beckmann said the hunger problem in the state is concentrated among African Americans where about 1 out of 3 families may run out of food for the month.

Cut 4  (07) “white families”

Beckmann said there are several ways to reverse this trend such as maintaining funding for Medicaid, SNAP, and providing tax credits for low-income families:

Cut 5  (10)  “roughly”

________________________________________________

Good budget news for the state has been hard to find, but we finally found some. Governor John Bel Edwards says the state ended up with a 143-million dollar surplus for the fiscal year that ended June 30th. Edwards says it’s a sign Louisiana’s economy is improving….

Cut 6 (08) “forecasts”

The Edwards administration had to close two mid-year shortfalls last year, but a higher than anticipated increase in personal income and sales tax collections helped create the surplus. The governor says the state’s constitution limits how the surplus money can be used…

Cut 7 (10)  “debt”

Because of limits on how the surplus money can be spent, it can not be used to help the state close an anticipated one-billion dollar budget gap next fiscal year. Edwards says he’s having positive meetings with legislators and business leaders over how the state can replace the loss of temporary taxes that expire in July….

Cut 8 (12) “many decades”

__________________________________________________________

This is Louisiana Craft Brewers Week, designated to commemorate beers brewed right here in the state, and the people who make it possible. Cary Koch (COKE), Executive Director of the Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild, says when this designation was made by the State Legislature in 2013, there were just 7 breweries that took part, and three brewpubs…:

Cut 9 (10)  “this industry”

LACBW events include tap takeovers, samplings of cask ales, special beer releases, and opportunities to meet the brewers. Koch says this week is about giving back to Louisiana Craft Beer, and you can log on to la-beer.org to find a brewery near you…:

Cut 10 (12) “far away”

Koch says Louisiana has over 30 breweries and brew pubs — and establishments in every corner of the state are opening up their taps and shevles to carry these locally made beers. He says these brewers make it a priority to use as many Louisiana-made products as possible…:

Cut 11 (08) “so heavily”

__________________________________________________________

There is a tragic story out of Denham Springs. Police say a 5-year-old child was run over and killed in the street moments after leaving an ice cream truck. Amber Fairburn with Denham Springs PD says officers were dispatched Wednesday evening…:

Cut 12 (09) “to Ochsner” 

No charges are filed in the incident. Fairburn says the child was pronounced dead at a local hospital. She says the driver of the vehicle indicated he did not see the little boy…:

Cut 13 (09) “Toyota Tundra”

_________________________________________________________

An off-duty Slidell Police Lieutenant was killed last night in a motorcycle accident on Brownswitch Road. Trooper Dustin Dwight says a 29-year-old Gina Marie Groglio of Pearl River was attempting to make a left hand turn into a private drive when she struck the motorcycle driven by 52-year-old Ray Dupuy

Cut 14 (09) “didn’t see”

Dupuy served on the Slidell Police Department for over two decades. Impairment is not suspected to be a contributing factor in the crash, but Dwight says Groglio was cited for improper turning…

Cut 15 (12) “DOT helmet”

Governor John Bel Edwards confirmed on his monthly call in radio show that Amazon is set to build a distribution center in Louisiana. Michael Farrar reports…:

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Michael Farrar reporting”

______________________________________

A report by the Fordham Institute finds public school teachers are absent much more than charter school educators. Emelie Gunn gets reaction from a teacher’s union.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

LSU’s star running back will not play on Saturday night against Syracuse. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

___________________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards confirmed on his monthly call in radio show that Amazon is set to build a distribution center somewhere in Louisiana, but details are limited at the time. He says either way, it’s great news that the online retail giant is bringing a part of its operation to the state…:

Cut 4  (08) “from Amazon”

Other states report a single Amazon distribution center has the potential to create hundreds of jobs. Edwards says he doesn’t know where the distribution center will be located, because there is still more than one site under consideration. He says, once it happens, it will be great for brick and mortar retailers as well…:

Cut 5  (10)  “sales tax”

The state has also said they are very interested in being the home of the second Amazon headquarters which the company said would bring an investment of $5 billion dollars and 50,000 jobs. Edwards says the state is still working with Amazon in order to finalize the site selection…:

Cut 6 (07) “to select”

________________________________________________________

A Fordham Institute study finds 28-percent of public school teachers missed more than 10 days of work compared to charter school teachers at 10-percent. But Louisiana Federation of Teachers spokesperson Les Landon says Fordham skews data to show public education isn’t doing well. He says the report also claims generous collective bargaining agreements lead to an increase in teacher absences…

Cut 7 (11)  “arguement”

Landon says teachers in charter schools are often much younger than traditional public school teachers. He also says they are extremely mobile, as many educators in charter schools come from the Teach for America Program.

Cut 8 (10) “spouses”

Landon says teachers are entitled to 10 sick days according to state law. He says traditional public school educators and charter schools teachers are not comparable.

Cut 9 (08)  “situation”

____________________________________________________

After a long wait, the car-sharing service, Uber, is finally available in Monroe, West Monroe and areas governed by Ouachita Parish. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says his office has spent the last six months working on a contract with Uber and he knows the city is excited it’s finally official…

Cut 10 (08) “with em”

Mayo says he’s also hoping to work out a deal with Lyft as well. Mayo says ride-sharing services are needed because they have many visitors coming into the city, because of businesses like CenturyLink, Chase, Advantage and Gardner Denver Thomas

Cut 11 (07) “accommodate them”

Mayo says he knows Uber has already signed up a lot of drivers who are looking to make some extra money driving people around town. The mayor thanks the city council and the city attorney’s office for helping to make Uber a reality in Monroe…

Cut 12 (08) “our citizens “

__________________________________________________________

Louisiana Tech University has set an enrollment record for this fall as nearly 13-thousand students are taking classes this fall, which is 17-percent increase since the fall of 2013. Jim King is the Vice President for Student Advancement…

Cut 13 (09) “academically prepared”

King says the average ACT score of 24.71 for first-time freshmen is also a university record….

Cut 14 (09) “have em”

King says they’ve been able to boost enrollment at Louisiana Tech, despite state budget cuts. He says when you are listed on U.S. News and World Report’s 2018 Best Colleges list, it helps attracts students to your school….

Cut 15 (06) “come up here”

____________________________________________

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says star running back Derrius Guice will not play in Saturday’s home game against Syracuse. Guice reportedly has a knee injury. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran believes LSU is being cautious with its best offensive player. Moran says this gives senior Darrell Williams a chance to start…

Cut 16  (15)  “of carries”

There is some positive injury news. Orgeron says starting defensive end Rashard Lawerence should play against the Orange. Moran says the former Neville star’s return to the field is critical…

Cut 17 (16)  “thin at”

It’s rare that an LSU football team loses by 30 points. Moran expects the Tigers to bounce back this Saturday and they performed well last season after losses with Orgeron at the helm….

Cut 18 (14) “as a coach” 

LSU’s suspension on Greek activities in the wake of the death of fraternity pledge Max Gruver, is rife with constitutional concerns, according to attorney Scott Sternberg. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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The number of babies born in Louisiana that are exposed to illegal substances has tripled from 2008 to 2016, according the DCFS. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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LSU’s suspension on Greek activities in the wake of the death of fraternity pledge Max Gruver, is rife with constitutional concerns, according to attorney Scott Sternberg. LSU officials said fraternities and sororities can’t tailgate in a group of more than 10, or do most things together as an organization. Sternberg says LSU is trying to teach these students a lesson, but:

Cut 3 (11) “constitutional rights”

Sternberg also questions the prohibition of wearing Greek attire on LSU’s gameday. He fails to see how that has anything to do with educating students about making good decisions…:

Cut 4  (07) “with your group”

Sternberg said a public institution should not be allowed to tell these adult students that they can’t exercise their basic rights of association. He says telling an organization that they can’t have a group gathering in a public forum, where everyone else can, is incredibly problematic…:

Cut 5  (12)  “organization” (2x)

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Last night on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the TV host bashed the health care plan being pushed by US Senator Bill Cassidy. “The Jimmy Kimmel Test” is what Cassidy had previously said on the show the nation’s healthcare system should pass, but Kimmel on Tuesday accused Louisiana’s Senator of being a liar..:

Cut 6 (10) “none of those things”

Cassidy responded soon after on CNN and implied Kimmel didn’t understand the bill. The Jimmy Kimmel test would mean no family should be denied medical care, because they can’t afford it. But Kimmel said the Graham-Cassidy bill is a scam that’s trying to sneak in confusing language which does nothing they claim it does…:

Cut 7 (10)  “insurance companies”

Kimmel listed organizations that oppose the Graham-Cassidy bill, then flashed a goofy picture of Cassidy and asked who people should trust. He then urged people to call Cassidy’s Congressional office…:

Cut 8 (08) “wants this bill”

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The State Department of Children and Family Services reports that the number of babies born in Louisiana who are exposed to alcohol and drugs while in the womb has tripled from 2008 to 2016. Assistant Secretary for Child Welfare Rhenda Hodnett says last year, that number reached nearly 17-hundred.

Cut 9 (10)  “newborns”

Hodnett says DCFS works to push prevention, awareness, and intervention for children born addicted to drugs. She says caseworkers are assigned to help in the areas with the biggest problems.

Cut 10 (11) “intervention”

Hodnett says they are partnering with the Children’s Trust Fund to prevent mothers with substance abuse problems from using while pregnant. She says an awareness campaign has also been initiated.

Cut 11 (10) “general public”

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From three to six PM tomorrow, young adults can attend a job fair in their area to find seasonal work and possibly a full-time job. The Louisiana Workforce Commission Business and Career Solutions Center is hosting job fairs at 25 locations across the state. L-W-C Executive Director Ava Dejoie says to find the job fair closest to you go to la-works-dot-net…

Cut 12 (11) “these jobs” 

Dejoie says the average wages for these jobs are starting at 10-dollars an hour….

Cut 13 (10) “difficult circumstances

Walmart is one of the companies participating in the Seasonal Job Fair as the national retail giant plans to hire 12-hundred workers in Louisiana for the holiday season. Dejoie says providing job opportunities for young adults helps their professional development and the state’s economy…

Cut 14 (10) “work experience”

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A former BREC Commissioner was found shot to death outside of his home in Pride at around 5:45 Tuesday night. East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Casey Rayborn Hicks says when police arrived they attempted to resuscitate 66-year-old Carroll Breeden but he died at the scene.

Cut 15 (08) “shots fired”

Breeden was the BREC Commissioner from 2001 to 2007. Hicks says the investigation is ongoing and urges anyone who may have seen something to contact the police or call Crime Stoppers. She says family members inside the house and neighbors heard the gunshots and called 911.

Cut 16  (09)  “to justice”

Could LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva be worried about his job if football tanks this season? Jeff Palermo reports…:

Cut 1 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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After the tragic death of LSU freshman Max Gruver, the dangers of hazing have become an important conversation in Louisiana. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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An email poll by Governor John Bel Edwards asks his supporters if they back a higher minimum wage. Michael Farrar has more on why this question was asked…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Michael Farrar”

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After LSU’s 30-point loss to Mississippi State last Saturday, some are wondering if Head Coach Ed Orgeron was the right man to choose for the job.
But Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says one thing to keep in mind is that Athletic Director Joe Alleva’s fate lies with the Board of Supervisors…:

Cut 4  (10) “do that”

Worsham says right now it’s a little too early to saw if there will be any changes in leadership with the athletic department, as there has only been one SEC game this season. But he says the hire of Coach O was strictly a call made by Alleva, and if things remain bleak there will be consequences…:

Cut 5  (10)  “reprecutions there”

Some were skeptical of Orgeron’s hire because of his 10-25 record at Ole Miss from 2005 to 2007. Worsham says there’s no doubt Alleva will be judged by how well Coach O handles the job. He says if this ends up being a let-down football season, it won’t matter that Alleva made a good hire in men’s basketball coach Will Wade…:

Cut 6 (10) “most fans”

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The dangers of hazing have become an important conversation in the wake of LSU freshman Max Gruver’s death. Gruver was pledging at Phi Delta Theta and high amounts of alcohol were found in his system.  Executive Director of HazingPrevention.org Emily Pualwan says hazing has been around for centuries. She says it’s different than bullying.

Cut 7 (11)  “that badly”

Pualwan says universities can look back and see a pattern of hazing, but only realize the escalation after something as terrible as a death occurs. She says hospitalization and death are the only way for the public to know about hazing and unfortunately it can have fatal consequences…

Cut 8 (10) “involved”

LSU has temporarily shut down their entire Greek system after Gruver’s death. Pualwan says there are couple of private schools that have eliminated Greek life and they hope universities and fraternities learn from the mistakes that have led to tragedy on college campuses…

Cut 9 (09)  “involved”

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Governor John Bel Edwards released an email poll asking if Louisiana residents support raising the minimum wage. ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says this survey is more about fundraising, as many of his supporters already want to increase the state’s minimum wage, which is $7.25.

Cut 10 (09) “minimum wage”

Stockley says this message was also sent out to raise awareness that this is a campaign pledge the governor ran on and he continues to support it. He says Edwards is looking for more public support, as this issue is not gaining traction in the legislature.

Cut 11 (10) “minimum wage”

Bills to increase the minimum wage have been introduced in the legislature the last two years, but despite the governor’s support they have failed to make it through the process. Stockley says since the governor has made it known he plans on running for reelection in 2019, it’s important that he continues to fight for a higher minimum wage.

Cut 12 (09) “arguments “

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The Louisiana Association of Educators says a poll of Louisiana parents finds that 65-percent believe the state places too much emphasis on student testing. L-A-E President Debbie Meaux says parents and their children are not excited about filling out bubbles on a test….

Cut 13 (11) “standardized test”

The L-A-E survey also found 55-percent of respondents believe a student’s  test performance should not play a major role in determining a teacher’s effectiveness. Meaux says tomorrow a new 25-member panel will meet to examine whether public school students are over tested…

Cut 14 (12) “kids are learning”

Meaux says they hope the Commission on Assessment Review and Use in Public schools, which meets tomorrow in Baton Rouge, will consider that it’s important to maximize the amount of time teachers have to actively engage students…

Cut 15 (10) “in learning”

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The Warhawks and Ragin Cajuns renew their rivalry this Saturday as they face each other in Lafayette. ULM Head Coach Matt Viator is impressed with UL-Lafayette’s offense, which is averaging 38 points a game and led by quarterback Jordan Davis….

Cut 16  (15)  “making plays”

In years past, these two teams have met late in the year, but this season it’s the Sun Belt opener for both teams. Hudspeth says that raises the importance of this contest…

Cut 17 (18)  “the season”

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For the first time since 2007, Nicholls State is ranked in a college football poll. The Colonels come in at number 23 in the FCS Coaches Poll. Head Coach Tim Rebowe says it’s a nice honor, but he’s more concerned about playing defending Southland champion Sam Houston state this Saturday….

Cut 18 (13) “mean anything” 

Last year, Sam Houston beat Nicholls 38-21 in Thibodaux. Rebowe says Bearkats quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe is a major concern…

Cut 19 (20)   the ball“

U.S Senator John Kennedy plans to vote for Senator Cassidy’s bill to repeal and replace the ACA but, says it needs improvement. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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23-year-old Kenneth Gleason, who cops said could be racially motivated, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of two black men in Baton Rouge. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services has received a grant to increase the number of child welfare workers. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says her staff has decreased by 600 employees over the last 10 years and this is an opportunity to address the high turnover rate.

Cut 3 (10) “very best”

Nearly half of the child welfare workers who left DCFS in 2016, had less than three years of service. Walters says there is a direct correlation between the case load and the turnover rate.

Cut 4  (08) “Baton Rouge”

A study finds children with more case workers have less stability. Walters says with this grant, they will be able to find out what are the solutions to the increased rate of turnover.

Cut 5  (10)  “for them”

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U.S. Senator John Kennedy supports his fellow Louisiana lawmaker’s health care bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Kennedy says he plans to vote for U.S Senator Bill Cassidy’s measure but it can be better. He says for example, Cassidy’s legislation gives states the choice if they want to impose a work requirement.

Cut 6 (08) “healthcare”

Kennedy also advises adding a plan to prevent Medicaid fraud. He say currently, patients do not really know how much a procedure costs and he wants to change that.

Cut 7 (09)  “actually cost”

Kennedy says another amendment he will propose would prevent states from taking block grant funding and establishing a single payer health insurance system. He says he’d rather have private insurance companies provide coverages that could help lower healthcare costs.

Cut 8 (10) “real work”

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The Baton Rouge Police Department announces 23-year-old Kenneth Gleason is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the random deaths of two black men last week that cops had said could be racially motivated. BRPD Interim Police Chief Jonny Dunnam said Gleason is also being charged for allegedly shooting up a black family’s home near his parents’ house…:

Cut 9 (07)  “killed again”

East Baton Rouge DA Hillar Moore said the suspect’s DNA was found on shell casings, which he added normally doesn’t happen. He said they were initially able to connect the shootings because of the disturbing way each incident unfolded…:

Cut 10 (10) “continues to fire”

Moore said the suspect allegedly prepared for the killings by purchasing weapons and multiple types of ammunition. He added that while the suspect is innocent until proven guilty, based on the allegations this case would qualify for the death penalty…:

Cut 11 (09) “and defenseless”

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There could be a number of legal issues if any type of hazing related charges are pressed against fraternity members at LSU where an 18-year-old pledge died last week. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says a major grey area in a case like that of Max Gruver, is whether the hazing victim consented to some extent

Cut 12 (09) “be a battery” 

Ciolino says if the conduct surpasses what the victim has agreed to, that’s when the law is broken. He says clearly the DA is involved in this case and it will likely come down to whether there was gross negligence in serving alcohol to Gruver…:

Cut 13 (05) “prosecution“

Ciolino says there are laws that protect social hosts and bars from liability for serving alcohol to adults, but not to minors…:

Cut 14 (10) “was the victim”

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