New FBI Crime stats show the state’s murder rate is down eight percent while the overall violent crime rate declined at the national average of three percent. LSU Health New Orleans Criminologist Peter Sharf credits reinvestment from the criminal justice reform, new crime prevention programs in New Orleans, and statewide adoption of 21st-century police training programs.

Cut 4 (12) “…occur”

Despite the improvements, Louisiana’s murder rate remained the highest in the nation.

Ruston’s recovery from last April’s deadly EF-3 tornado has stalled due to the wait for FEMA assistance reimbursement. Mayor Ronny Walker says debris was removed and power restored in the days after the twister, but recovery efforts have slowed.

Cut 6 (13) “…it goes through.”

A Monroe dog trainer was arrested after allegedly faking the death of one of his client’s 25,000 dollar duck hunting dogs so that he could sell the pup to a dog club. Ouachita Parish Chief Deputy Marc Mashaw says about a week ago 44-year-old Lester Langley called his clients and told them the dog had died, and he had buried it, but he refused to provide the body or allow the clients to see the grave.  Mashaw says when deputies arrived to investigate the matter, Langley couldn’t produce a body…

Cut 14 (12) “…a dog” 

Mashaw says they’re now searching nationwide to try to find the prized canine.

Violent crime in Louisiana was down three percent year to year in 2018, and the murder rate is down eight points according to new FBI crime data.

LSU Health New Orleans Criminologist Peter Sharf says the murder rate decline is largely thanks to an 8 percent drop in the Crescent City.

Cut 3 (10) “…elsewhere”

But despite the decline in violent crimes, Louisiana continues to lead the United States for its homicide rate.

Bayou Steel in St. John Parish announces it is closing, resulting in the layoff of 376 workers…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Louisiana Good Roads and Transportation Association says a new survey is out that puts Louisiana as having the ninth-worst overall transportation infrastructure in the country. Association president Ken Perret points to a 14-billion dollar backlog in transportation projects and that will not go away until the state raises its gasoline tax…
cut 11 (12) “…loss of lives”
Louisiana’s 20-cent a gallon gasoline tax has not been adjusted in 30 years and Perret says the gubernatorial and legislative candidates need to have an open discussion with voters on transportation funding.

A new gasoline tax goes into effect today in Arkansas as the gas tax in the Natural State will rise by three-cents to 24.5 cents a gallon and diesel fuel goes up an additional six-cents. It’s the first change in Arkansas fuel taxes in 20 years and it’s expected to generate an additional 95-million dollars.

Hundreds of workers have learned they will soon be without a job. Bayou Steel in LaPlace has announced its closing, resulting in layoff notices for 376 employees. St John Parish President Natalie Robottom says the closure comes as a shock…
Cut 4 (12) “…this was coming.”
The Louisiana Workforce Commission says they’ve deployed a mobile unit at the local American Job Center Office in LaPlace to provide re-employment assistance.

The Attorney General’s office announces the Broussard Police Department is the home to the newest prescription drug dropbox. Special projects coordinator at the AG’s office, Monica Taylor describes the boxes similar to a mailbox where items drop in, but they don’t come out.

Cut 9 (10)  “…can destroy it.”

A Blue Cross Blue Shield grant has paid for the boxes.

A new study ranks Louisiana as having the ninth-worst overall transportation infrastructure in the United States. Louisiana Good Roads and Transportation Association President Ken Perret says the study shows poor roads cost the average Louisiana driver 624-dollars a year in vehicle and operating costs and only six states have a higher percentage of structurally deficient bridges than Louisiana…
Cut 10 (10) “…timber pilings.”
Perret calls on all gubernatorial and legislative candidates to be open and honest with voters on how they will address transportation issues.

A dog trainer is under arrest after allegedly faking the death of his client’s 25,000-dollar duck hunting Labrador.  Ouachita Parish Chief Deputy Marc Mashaw says 44-year-old Lester Langley of Monroe had been tasked with training a local family’s pet during the hunting offseason when, out of the blue, he called the family with some bad news…

Cut 13 (10) “the dog”

A steel plant in St. John Parish is closing. The announcement comes as a sudden shock to the 376 workers there who will be without a paycheck after November 30th. Parish President Natalie Robottom says the trade war with China and higher tariffs could have led to the sudden closure…
cut 5 (07) “….have jobs’
The Louisiana Workforce Commission says re-employment assistance is available for the laid-off workers.

A Monroe man faces one count of felony theft for allegedly stealing a labrador retriever that he was paid to train for duck hunting. Ouachita Parish Chief Deputy Marc Mashaw says Lester Langley claims the dog died…
cut 14 (12) “…a dog”
Mashaw says they suspect Langley sold the lab to a dog club.

The Attorney General announces an additional prescription drug drop box where people can discard their old meds in an effort to keep them off the street. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Attorney General Jeff Landry’s press secretary has resigned after he was arrested on a domestic violence charge. Authorities say Jacques Ambers chocked his pregnant girlfriend as he allegedly dragged her out of an apartment. Ambers admits to pushing his pregnant girlfriend, but denies grabbing her neck.

Louisiana Good Roads and Transportation Association says a new survey is out that puts Louisiana as having the ninth worst overall transportation infrastrucutre in the country. Association president Ken Perret points to a 14-billion dollar backlog in transportation projects and that will not go away until the state raises its gasoline tax…
cut 11 (12) “…loss of lives”
Louisiana’s 20-cent a gallon gasoline tax has not been adjusted in 30 years.

A new gasoline tax goes into effect today in Arkansas as the gas tax in the Natural State will rise by three-cents to 24.5 cents a gallon and diesel fuel goes up an additional six-cents. It’s the first change in Arkansas fuel taxes in 20 years and it’s expected to generate an additional 95-million dollars.

Hundreds of workers have learned they will soon be without a job. Bayou Steel in LaPlace has announced its closing, resulting in layoff notices for 376 employees. St John Parish President Natalie Robottom says the closure comes as a shock…
Cut 4 (12) “…this was coming.”
The Louisiana Workforce Commission says they’ve deployed a mobile unit at the local American Job Center Office in LaPlace to provide re-employment assistance.

Ouachita Parish sheriff deputies are looking for a missing five-year-old black Labrador Retriever by the name of “Ace.” Chief Deputy Marc Mashaw says they suspect 44-year-old Lester Langley of Monroe sold the dog after he was paid by Ace’s owners to train the lab for duck hunting…
cut 15 (10) “…locate it”
Langley hs been charged with one count of felony theft.

A steel mill in LaPlace is closing its doors resulting in the layoffs of 375 employees. St. John Parish President Natalie Robottom says the mill has been in operation since 1979…
cut 6 (08) “…the work there”
No official word has been given on why Bayou Steel is shutting down, but Governor Edwards says a company like this is vulnerable to tariffs.

Louisiana Good Roads and Transportation Association says the state ranks as having the ninth worse overall transportation in the country. President Ken Perret says the state has a 14-billion dollar backlog in projects and it will take an outcry from Louisiana drivers to change that…
cut 12 (08) “… grassroots level”
Perret says the state’s 20-cent-per-gallon gasoline tax is the state’s primary means of funding, but the tax has not been adjusted in 30 years.

Ouachita Parish Deputies are searching for a missing 25,000 dollar duck hunting dog after authorities say the animal’s trainer faked its death. Matt Doyle has more.
cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Louisiana Attorney General’s office says its new prescription drug take-back box at the Broussard Police Department has been emptied after just a few months…
cut 8 (08) “…from the box”
That’s Monica Taylor with the A-G’s office. She says there are over 70 prescription drug take-back boxes in the state.

A new study ranks Louisiana as having the ninth-worst overall transportation infrastructure in the United States. Louisiana Good Roads and Transportation Association President Ken Perret says the study shows poor roads cost the average Louisiana driver 624-dollars a year in vehicle and operating costs and only six states have a higher percentage of structurally deficient bridges than Louisiana…
Cut 10 (10) “…timber pilings.”
Perret calls on all gubernatorial and legislative candidates to be open and honest with voters on how they will address transportation issues.

Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson has reportedly donated 50-thousand dollars to the Gumbo PAC, which is a Super PAC dedicated to re-electing Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards. Gumbo PAC has produced TV ads attacking Edwards two Republican challengers, Ralph Abraham, and Eddie Rispone.

Bayou Steel in St. John Parish announces it is closing, resulting in the layoff of 376 workers…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Attorney General’s office announces the Broussard Police Department is the home to the newest prescription drug dropbox. Special projects coordinator at the AG’s office, Monica Taylor, says the boxes are having a huge impact in the state’s effort to combat the state’s opioid epidemic…
Cut 7 (07) “…put in place.”
A Blue Cross Blue Shield grant has paid for the boxes.

Bayou Steel announces its closure, resulting in the layoff of 376. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

_______________________________

The Attorney General announces an additional prescription drug drop box where people can discard their old meds in an effort to keep them off the street. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

________________________

Ouachita Parish Deputies are searching for a missing 25,000 dollar duck hunting dog after authorities say the animal’s trainer faked it’s death. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

________________________

Hundreds have learned they will be without a job in St. John Parish.  376 employees at Bayou Steel were blindsided to hear of the closure, and Parish President Natalie Robottom says they were not the only ones caught off guard by the announcement.

Cut 4 (12) “…this was coming.”

Robottom says the official date of closure is set for November 30^th and the community is being proactive in finding job placement.

Cut 5 (06) “…be laid off.”

Robottom says the company has been a major employer in the area for many years.

Cut 6 (09) “…the work there.”

____________________

The office of the Attorney General announces the Broussard Police Department is the home of the newest prescription drug drop box.  Special projects coordinator at the AG’s office Monica Taylor says the boxes are having a huge impact on the number of drugs being taken out of circulation.

Cut 7 (07) “…put in place.” 

The drop boxes are paid for with a Blue Cross Blue Shield grant in an effort to combat the state’s opioid epidemic.  Taylor says the box has been in place for several months and is already seeing a huge impact.

Cut 8 (10) “…from the box.”

Taylor describes the boxes similar to a mailbox where items drop in, but they don’t come out.

Cut 9 (10)  “…can destroy it.”

_______________________

A recent study shows that Louisiana ranks 9^th in the U-S with one of the most underfunded transportation infrastructures.  That equates to more problems for drivers on the road like potholes, but most alarmingly, structurally unsound bridges. Louisiana Good Road Transportation Association President Ken Perret…

Cut 10 (10) “…timber pilings.”

Perret says major bridges in the state have an average lifespan of 50 years. Smaller bridges also have an impact on rural traffic when weight-bearing loads like buses have to be rerouted during construction.

Perret says right now only eight states have worse road conditions than Louisiana. The state’s 20-cent-per-gallon gasoline tax is the state’s primary means of funding road project and it’s one of the lowest in the country. Perret fears the $14 billion backlog of needed road projects will remain underfunded until there’s a disaster.

Cut 11 (12) “…loss of lives.” 

The Louisiana Good Roads Transportation Association study shows poor roads cost the average driver in the state $624 a year in vehicle and operating costs.  Perret says lawmakers continue to ignore the issue and it’s going to take voters reaching out to their legislators to bring about change.

Cut 12 (08) “…grassroots level”

_____________________________

A dog trainer is under arrest after allegedly faking the death of his client’s 25,000-dollar duck hunting Labrador.

44-year-old Lester Langley of Monroe had been tasked with training a local family’s pet during the hunting offseason when authorities say out of the blue he called the family with some bad news…

Cut 13 (10) “the dog”

That’s Ouachita Parish Chief Deputy Marc Mashaw who says after the initial call Langley refused to respond to future calls or house visits.

After refusing to communicate with the family, they called authorities who showed up with a warrant. Mashaw says Langley could not comply when deputies demanded he turn over the body, and…

Cut 14 (12) “…a dog” 

Mashaw says Langley has refused to say what actually happened to the canine, but authorities suspect he sold the pup on one of his out of state trips. The hope to find out where the dog went.

Cut 15 (10) “…locate it”

For more information on the missing black lab visit www.OPSO.com

________________________

Two teams good at throwing the football will meet Saturday in Tiger Stadium, when 5th ranked LSU hosts Utah State. The Tigers are averaging 432 yards per game through the air, while the Aggies are averaging 326 a contest. Utah State is led by six-foot-four junior Jordan Love, who Coach Ed Orgeron says will play on Sundays soon

Cut 16  (18) “…all areas

Orgeron says Utah State also plays an up tempo offense as they like to get off a bunch of snaps in a short period…

cut 17  (16) “…job of it” 

LSU’s defense has struggled defending pass, allowing 224 yards a game through the air. Orgeron says they’ve spent time on tackling, improving the players technique…

Cut 18 (18)      right plays” 

____________________________________________

The Pelicans begin training camp today as the Zion Williamson is ready to take off in New Orleans. The first overall pick says he’s excited and also feels at home in the Big Easy, thanks to love he’s only received from the state and the veteran leadership on the team…

cut 19 (21)   “help a lot”   

Williamson is already considered one of the best players in the NBA and he’s yet to play a game yet. Zion says he can’t focus on the outside noise…

cut 20 (15) “make a run 

So far early voting turnout for the primary is nearly double that of the 2015 election, and state officials say it could indicate higher than average interest in this year’s election. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the early results are incredibly promising as people packed polling stations Saturday.

Cut 6 (09) “…thousand”

If turnout does hit the mid-40s Ardoin says they’ll still have plenty enough stickers, having printed 3.2 million.

25 years after the first riverboat set anchor in Baton Rouge the market is now struggling mightily. Baton Rouge peaked in the fiscal year ending June 2017 at $308.8 million and has slumped the last two years. Revenue has fallen to nearly one-fourth to  $235.6 million for June 2019. Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board Ronnie Jones says bans are partly to blame.

Cut 13 (06) “…an impact.”

The Louisiana Tumor Registry adds a new interactive data visualization tool to their website. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

365 workers are out of a job in LaPlace after the unexpected closure of Bayou Steel in St. John the Baptist Parish. Local officials say they have not been given a reason for the closure yet, but the Governor’s office is indicating it may be tariff related as the company imports scrap recycled metals. The state says they’re working quickly to get the workers back into a job.

So far early voting turnout for the primary is nearly double that of the 2015 election, and state officials say it could indicate higher than average interest in this year’s election. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the 2015 election only saw turnout in the upper 30s, but if these numbers hold we could be in for noticeably better numbers.

Cut 8 (07) “prognostication”

If turnout does hit the mid-40s Ardoin says they’ll still have enough stickers, as they printed over 3 million.

The Saints defense came alive in the Black and Gold’s 12-10 win last night over the Dallas Cowboys.The Teddy Bridgewater led offense has not lived up to the usual sky-high offensive expectations of Saints fans. Safety Von Bell says they’re comfortable carrying the team while the offense works out some of the kinks.

Cut 5 (08) “…position.”

The Louisiana Tumor Registry adds a new data visualization tool to their website.  Registry spokesperson Lauren Maniscalco says it is a new resource for everyone in Louisiana to better understand the burden of cancer.

Cut 9 (08) “…specific parish.”

Maniscalco says the tool is very interactive in breaking down data on the types of cancer, parish by parish.  She adds having the tool may lead to targeting areas for awareness of specific cancers.

25 years after the first riverboat set anchor in Baton Rouge the market is now struggling as revenues are cratering in one of the biggest gaming regions of the state.

Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board Ronnie Jones says unfortunately today’s milestone is also a reminder of a prolonged slump casino revenues for the area that need intervention.

Cut 12 (14) “…employed”