The Cajun Navy has volunteers heading to Texas as the remnants of Tropical Depression Imelda has forced numerous water rescues in an area east of Houston. United Cajun Navy founder Todd Terrell says they are receiving frantic phone calls and Facebook messages from those that are stranded…
cut 13 (09) “….expecting more rain”
The heavy rainfall has also closed a part of I-10 in Texas.

A new poll on the governor’s race has Governor Edwards receiving 41-percent of the vote, Ralph Abraham at 24-percent and Eddie Rispone garnering 16-percent. JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillon says two main questions in this governor’s race, can Edwards gain additional support from undecideds and can Rispone catch Abraham and get in a November run-off with the incumbent
Cut 5 (11) “…week away”

A Webster Parish woman who ran a non-profit that oversaw a program to help feed low-income children has admitted to stealing one-point-one million dollars from the federal government. 59-year-old Myrna Thomas Quarles of Cotton Valley faces up to 10 years in prison. U-S Attorney David Joseph says Quarles deposited checks from a federal feeding service program into her own banking account…
cut 8 (11) “…this lady”
Joseph says Quarles also used the Greater Horizons credit card to the tune of 370-thousand dollars on herself.

The Edwards administration is taking criticism for an estimated 500-million dollar surplus. Many Republicans say residents are getting taxed too much. But Edwards says the surplus is the result of an improving economy and the surplus dollars will be invested into long-overdue projects…
cut 10 (10) “…dollars”

A new poll on the governor’s race funded by the Nexstar Media Group has Governor Edwards receiving 41-percent of the vote, Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham 24-percent and GOP businessman Eddie Rispone at 16-percent. John Couvillon with JMC Analytics and Polling polled the governor’s race in April and he says Rispone has seen his support grow because of an aggressive media campaign. He says Edwards has also seen his support increase among white Democrats, white Independents and even Republicans
Cut 4 (10) “…some voters”
The United Cajun Navy dispatches to east Texas in response to the catastrophic flooding from Tropical Depression Imelda.  United Cajun Navy founder Todd Terrell says they’ve got boats out helping victims and first responders.

Cut 12 (09) “…do their job.”

With more intense rain in the forecast, some areas could see rain totals between 25 and 35 inches through Friday.

A Webster Parish woman pleads guilty to stealing over a million dollars from a program designed to feed poor, hungry children. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut  2 (30) “Matt Doyle”  

A new poll on the governor’s race shows that it’s more likely than not a November run-off will be needed. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”
A Hackberry man is in jail after allegedly firing a shotgun at a Cameron Parish Sheriff’s deputy. 64-year-old Timothy Raffield was being pursued by the deputy last night when he crashed his vehicle. The crash was then followed by gunfire from the suspect. The deputy was not hurt and Raffield later surrendered.

A Cotton Valley woman has pleaded guilty to stealing 1.1 million dollars from a federal program dedicated to feeding poor children. US Attorney David Joseph says 59-year-old Myrna Quarles set up a program claiming to feed economically disadvantaged children during summer months when they were not at school.
Cut 6 (11) “…entitled to.”
Joseph says some meals were provided during the program’s two-year run, but the reported numbers were greatly inflated.

House Minority Whip Steve Scalise rallied with other three other congressmen and shooting survivors to push back against a Democratic effort in the House to pass gun control in the upcoming session. Scalise says Democrats are politicizing mass shooting tragedies and grandstanding with their recent gun control offerings and should adopt a different tactic instead.
Cut 10 (07) “…pray.”
The rally was put on by the Tea Party Patriots.

A new poll on the governor’s race funded by the Nexstar Media Group has Governor Edwards receiving 41-percent of the vote, Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham 24-percent and GOP businessman Eddie Rispone at 16-percent. John Couvillon with JMC Analytics and Polling says the race appears headed to a run-off
Cut 3 (10) “…Omar Dantzler”
16-percent of those polled are undecided and Couvillon says most of the undecided voters are African-Americans and Republicans.
The three major candidates for Governor square off tonight at LSU for the first gubernatorial debate of the race. Eddie Rispone has begun attacking fellow GOP candidate Ralph Abraham on TV over missed Congressional votes and comments about the President. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’ll be fascinating to see if he does it in front of a crowd, because…
Cut 6 (06) “…damage”
The next debate will be held at the Press Club on Monday.

According to the 2019 Lawsuit Climate Survey, Louisiana ranks second-worst in the nation in the eyes of business owners.  The study was released by the US Chamber Institute for Legal Reform and COO Harold Kim says the results are important as many business decisions made by companies can hinge on the litigious environments.

Cut 8 (09) “…under complete assault.”

Kim says the environment is impacting insurance rates, adding the state needs to send a message to businesses that Louisiana is moving toward an environment not steered by trial lawyers.

As the election season heats up, candidates are looking for more ways to get their messages to potential voters.  Sending text messages to voters’ cell phones appears to be the medium of choice in getting to constituents. LSU Manship School of Mass Comm Professor Bob Mann says, don’t be surprised if these messages start burning through your phone battery.

Cut 13 (09) “…ruins text messages.”

The first televised debate featuring the three major candidates for governor is tonight at 7 PM at LSU’s Union Theatre. It will air on Nexstar TV stations. A poll funded by the Nexstar Media Group has Governor Edwards receiving 41-percent of the vote. Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham has 24-percent and GOP businessman Eddie Ripspone is receiving 16-percent.

Political campaigns are attempting to reach voters by phone, but it’s not with a phone call. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

According to the 2019 Lawsuit Climate Survey, Louisiana ranks second-worst in the nation in the eyes of business owners. The study was released by the US Chamber Institute for Legal Reform and COO Harold Kim says there are two contributing factors that produce the state’s poor ranking.
Cut 7 (11) “…culture of litigation.”
Kim says the results are important as many business decisions made by companies can hinge on the legal environment.

Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise spoke at a second amendment rights rally on Capitol Hill. Scalise says there are some Democrats like presidential candidate Beto O’ Rourke, who want a mandatory buy-back of all assault weapons…
cut 11 (11) “…agenda”

LSU hosts the first televised gubernatorial debate of the governor’s race tonight at 7PM. Brooke Thorington has a preview…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Parishes along the Louisiana-Texas border are under a flash flood watch as a tropical depression continues to move through eastern Texas. The Shreveport area could see about two inches of rain through tomorrow night, while the Lake Charles area could see between two to four inches.

Several political campaigns are using text messages now to reach voters. If you are receiving the robo text messages and wondering how they got your number, they get them from third-party vendors, who get them when people place an order on Amazon or order food online. Many people who receiving these text messages are not happy, but LSU political communication professor Bob Mann says the messages can be effective…
cut 14 (10) “…to do that”
Mann says you should be able to set up your smart phone to block the messages.

Louisiana Republican Congressman Steve Scalise says the gun control legislatiion approved by the Democratic-controlled House earlier this year would not have prevented recent mass shootings. Scalise spoke at a second amendment rally on Capitol Hill….
cuit 12 (11) “…a friend”

The first televised debate in the governor’s race is tonight at 7 PM on LSU’s campus and you can watch on Nexstar television stations. Republican challengers Ralph Abraham and Eddie Rispone hope to dent Governor Edwards’ incumbent armor and force a November run-off. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s a big night for the GOP candidates…
cut 5 (10) “…themselves”
A new poll on the governor’s race was released yesterday and it has Edwards at 41-percent, Abraham 24-percent and Rispone 16-percent.

Some political candidates and groups are using text-ivism as a way to reach voters. LSU political communication professor Bob Mann says if the text messages are overwhelming, there’s technology to block them…
cut 15 (08) “….way around it”
Louisiana’s legal climate is ranked second-worst in the country according to a new survey….
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

U-S House Minority Whip Steve Scalise was one of the featured speakers at a second amendment rights rally outside of the U-S Capitol. Scalise says Democrats are politicizing mass shooting tragedies and grandstanding with their recent gun control offerings and should adopt a different tactic…
Cut 10 (07) “…pray.”
The rally was put on by the Tea Party Patriots.

The three major candidates for Governor will square off tonight at LSU for the first televised gubernatorial debate of the race. Governor Edwards hopes to remain as the southeast’s only Democratic governor. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says polls show he could win re-election without a runoff, so…
Cut 4 (09) “…him”
The debate begins at 7 PM and can be seen on Nexstar television stations.

As the election season heats up, candidates are looking for more ways to get their messages to potential voters. Sending text messages to voters’ cell phones appears to be the medium of choice. LSU Manship School of Mass Comm Professor Bob Mann says, don’t be surprised if these messages start burning through your phone battery.
Cut 13 (09) “…ruins text messages.”

In a poll of senior business executives, Louisiana ended up ranked as the second-worst legal system in the country, behind Illinois. U-S Chamber Institute for Legal Reform’s C-O-O Harold Kim says the lawsuit climate in the Bayou State is impacting insurance rates and the state needs to send a message to businesses that Louisiana wants a legal environment not steered by trial lawyers…
cut 9 (10) “….consistency and dependability”
The survey also found 89-percent of business leaders say a state’s lawsuit climate impacts important company decisions such as where to locate or expand.

LSU hosts the first gubernatorial debate of the governor’s race tonight at 7PM. Brooke Thorington has a preview…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Thorington”

_______________________________

Louisiana’s legal climate is ranked second-worst in the state according to new research. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

________________________

Politicians are attempting to reach voters by phone, but they aren’t placing calls. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

________________________

The three major candidates for Governor will square off tonight at LSU for the first gubernatorial debate of the race.

Governor Edwards hopes to hold on as the southeast’s only Democratic governor. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says a recent poll shows he’s in a strong position to avoid a run-off, so…

Cut 4 (09) “…him”

The debate starts at 7 pm at LSU’s Student Union Theatre, and all guests must register ahead of time to reserve a seat.

Republicans Congressman Abraham and Eddie Rispone hope to dent the governor’s incumbent armor and force a November run-off. Pinsonat says more so than Edwards, these two need to shine.

Cut 5 (10) “…themselves.”

Pinsonat’s recent poll shows Rispone in third place at 16 percent, with Abraham at 24 percent, and Edwards at 47 percent. 14 percent remain undecided.

Rispone has begun attacking Abraham on TV over missed Congressional votes and comments about the President. Pinsonat says it’ll be fascinating to see if he does it in front of a crowd, because…

Cut 6 (06) “…damage”

The next debate will be held at the Press Club on Monday.

____________________

According to the 2019 Lawsuit Climate Survey, Louisiana ranks second-worst in the nation in the eyes of business owners.  The study was released by the US Chamber Institute for Legal Reform and COO Harold Kim says there are two contributing factors that put the state is such poor rankings.

Cut 7 (11) “…culture of litigation.” 

Kim says the results are important as many business decisions made by companies can hinge on the litigious environments.

Cut 8 (09) “…under complete assault.”

Kim says the environment is impacting insurance rates, adding the state needs to send a message to businesses that Louisiana is moving toward an environment not steered by trial lawyers.

Cut 9 (10)  “…consistency and dependability.”

_______________________

House Minority Whip Steve Scalise rallied with other three other congressmen and shooting survivors to push back against a Democratic effort in the House to pass gun control in the upcoming session.

Scalise says Democrats are politicizing mass shooting tragedies and grandstanding with their recent gun control offerings and should adopt a different tactic instead.

Cut 10 (07) “…pray.”

The rally was put on by the Tea Party Patriots.

The whip pointed to recent comments by Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke, who called for the mandatory buy-back of all assault weapons, as an example of the party’s extreme views.

Cut 11 (11) “…agenda.” 

House Democrats passed a gun control law that expands background checks and prohibits the transfer of weapons in certain person to person transactions. Scalise says they’re pointless.

Cut 12 (11) “…a friend.”

______________________________

As the election season heats up, candidates are looking for more ways to get their messages to potential voters.  Sending text messages to voters’ cell phones appears to be the medium of choice in getting to constituents. LSU Manship School of Mass Comm Professor Bob Mann says, don’t be surprised if these messages start burning through your phone battery.

Cut 13 (09) “…ruins text messages.”

Politicians get phone number lists from third-party vendors.  Mann says texting is a quick way to get a message in front of someone at a glance.

Cut 14 (10) “…to do that.” 

Mann says if the messages become overwhelming, the technology is available in various smartphones to block and report the messages.

Cut 15 (12) “…way around it.”

________________________

The Tiger’s blazing hot offense rolls into Nashville Saturday to take on Vanderbilt for the team’s first SEC matchup of the season.

Commodores coach Derek Mason has yet to coach against LSU since his 2014 hire, but he’s watched tape on the team and can tell this year’s Tigers are different.

Cut 16  (15) “…way around”   

LSU is 22-1-7 in the series dating back to 1902 and won the two team’s last matchup 27-3 in 2010.

Mason had high praise for Heisman candidate, QB Joe Burrow. He compared the senior to one of Louisiana’s most beloved sports icons.

cut 17 (18) “…Brees” 

Vandy let Purdue pass for 420 yards in their last game.

Vanderbilt is 0-2 on the year after being crushed by Georgia to start the year and dropping a 42-24 game to Purdue two weeks ago. Mason says he won’t let the rough start keep them down.

Cut 18 (21) “to win” 

___________________________________________

cut 19 (19)   “eye discipline.”   

cut 20 (13) “plays out 

Clay Higgins is the first Republican from Louisiana’s House delegation to give an endorsement in the governor’s race. Higgins is backing fellow Congressman Ralph Abraham. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the endorsement comes after Republican candidate Eddie Rispone attacked Abraham in a campaign ad…

Cut 3 (08) “…towards other Republicans.”

The Republican Party has previously request there be no interparty attack ads.

With Saints hero and QB Drew Brees out for the next six weeks or so after injuring his hand the team says they’ll turn to a 2 quarterback system featuring both Taysom Hill and Teddy Bridgewater. Sean Payton says fans shouldn’t feel uneasy about Bridgewater after Sunday’s performance…

Cut 11 (10) “…playing” 

_________________________________

Louisiana has the second-highest rate of women who were murdered by men in the country according to the Violence Policy Center. VPC Legislative Director Kristen Rand says there were a shocking number of these murders in the Bayou State in 2017, which is the latest year for which data is available from the FBI.

Cut 6 (11) “…thousand.”

The national rate was 1.29 male on female murders per 100,000 in 2017.

Health experts issue a new set of science-based beverage recommendations for kids age 5 and under. Dr. Marie-Pierre St. Onge with the American Heart Association says in the first year of life, the recommendation is to not provide sugary beverages. St. Onge says half of all two-to-five-year-olds consume sugary beverages daily which can increase the risk of poor health outcomes.

Cut 13 (11) “…and proper growth.”