New Iberia Police have charged a 20-year-old man in last month’s shooting death of 17-year-old Garon Lewis, who was found dead in a vehicle at an intersection on August 16th. Captain John Babin says 21-year-old Trevonce Bernard was taken into police custody last night…
cut 9 (07) “….of a firearm”
Bernard’s bond has been set at 220-thousand dollars. Police did not release any other details about the murder.

Members of Congress are back in Washington D-C after a summer recess and Democratic leaders are pushing for the passage of gun control legislation. Louisiana Republican Congressman Clay Higgins says making religion more of a priority is a better solution…
cut 14 (08) “…Satan showed up”
There were three deadly mass shootings last month that resulted in 38 deaths.

An inmate at David Wade Correctional Center in Homer remains in critical condition as he was one of ten prisoners hit by lightning yesterday while playing flag football in the yard. Department of Corrections spokesperson Ken Pastorick says lighting had not been detected in the area before that strike that injured several inmates…
cut 5 (05) “…immediately”
Pastorick says the nine prisoners released from the hospital were treated for cuts, bruises, headaches, dizziness and disorientation.

Texas officials say the air conditioning in the visitor’s locker room at the football stadium is in good working order. LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says they had to bring fans in to cool the room down before Saturday’s game in Austin. Several Tigers suffered muscle cramps and Orgeron says the heat got to them…
cut 7 (10) “…at halftime”
LSU hosts Northwestern State this Saturday.

Ten inmates at David Wade Correctional Center in Homer suffered injuries after lightning strikes the field where they were playing flag football. Department of Corrections spokesperson Ken Pastorick says a weather event was closing in, but the flag football game was not called off because there were no signs of imminent danger.

Cut 3, 11 seconds, hospital

The strike hit just adjacent to where the inmates were playing.

The University of Texas claims LSU Coach Ed Orgeron’s comments about the visitor’s locker room having no air conditioning was the first time they were made aware of the issue.  Coach O says he had intel about the situation before showing up.

Cut 6 (11) “…blowers in there.”

Didn’t stop LSU from taking down the Longhorns 45-38.

Today is the statistical peak of hurricane season, but it is a little soon to binge on your remaining storm snacks. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

A dramatic finish gives the Black and Gold their first season-opening win since 2013 as the Saints took down the Texans last night in the Dome 30-28. Sean Payton’s teams have started notoriously slowly in season openers, losing 48-40 last year to the Bucs, 29-19 against the Vikings in 2017, 35-34 against the Raiders in 2016, 31-19 to the Cardinals in 2015, and 37-34 to the Falcons in 2014. Kicker Wil Lutz’s boot broke the streak…

Cut 4 (09) “…turn down

It wasn’t without controversy as the Dome erupted after the refs erroneously started the clock at 26 seconds instead of 41 seconds when the original play was completed after reviewing a Mike Thomas first down catch. QB Drew Brees…

Cut 6 (11) “…closer”

Members of Louisiana’s Congressional Delegation say they have serious concerns about a series of gun control proposals that will be discussed in the upcoming Congressional session…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

New Iberia Police arrest a man in the shooting death of the son of an Iberia Parish School Board member. 21-year-old Trevonce Bernard is facing second-degree murder, aggravated criminal damage, and illegal use of a weapon related to the death of 17-year-old Garon Lewis on August 16^th.

Today is the statistical peak of the hurricane season, but it is a little soon to binge on your remaining storm snacks. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

With Congress back in session following the summer recess, Democrats are pushing to pass legislation to expand background checks for gun purchases. Louisiana Republican Senator Clay Higgins says he wants to protect second amendment rights…
cut 13 (06) “…and the Senate”
Republican leaders say they will not pass any gun control bill without the blessing of President Trump.

Medical marijuana has been available in Louisiana for a little over a month and the program’s future is a major issue in the race for Agriculture Commissioner, the department in charge of regulation. Incumbent Ag Commissioner, Republican Mike Strain, says 10,000 vials have been produced under his department’s watch, and he expects the medical marijuana program to keep growing.
cut 7 (07) “…session”
Democratic challenger, Charlier Greer from Natchitoches Parish, says now that the product is available, the state needs to do more research…
cut 8 (09) “….forward”
Another Democratic challenger, Margee Green, wants to legalize the recreational use of marijuana….
cut 9 (07) “….to do”
The election is October 12th.

Life is good this morning for Saints fans after the team’s thrilling 30-28 win over the Texans to open the 2019 season. Wil Lutz booted a 58-yard field goal as time expired for the game-winning points. If New Orleans lost, fans would have pointed towards another mistake by the refs, when they failed to run 10 seconds off the clock at the appropriate time. Quarterback Drew Brees says it ended up costing them three points right before halftime..
cut 6 (11) “…closer”
Brees ended up throwing for 370 yards and two touchdowns.

Today is the statistical peak of the hurricane season. State Climatologist Barry Keim says don’t let your guard down…
cut 11 (11) “…traverse this area”
The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a tropical disturbance in the southwestern Atlantic that’s expected to move over the southern Florida Peninsula into the Gulf of Mexico this weekend. Forecasters are giving the tropical wave a low chance of developing.

Louisiana’s Republican House delegation say they are ready to contribute to the national discussion surrounding gun violence in the session. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

10 inmates from the David Wade Correctional Center in Homer are in the hospital this morning after they were hit by lightning while playing flag football at around 6 PM yesterday. Nine prisoners are in stable condition and one is in critical condition. The Department of Corrections says the lightning strike came without warning.

Wil Lutz’s career-long 58-yard field goal as time expired gave the Saints their first season-opening win since 2013. New Orleans was down 14-3 at halftime but rallied for a 30-28 win. The fourth-year pro nailed the game-winner after the offense led a last-second drive after Houston went ahead by one point in the last minute of the game….
cut 4 (09) “…turn down”
There were two lead changes in this game in the final minute.

Today marks the statistical peak of the Atlantic hurricane season as conditions are favorable for storm development. So far, there have been seven named storms and State Climatologist Barry Keim says the current rate of storm development is in line with NOAA’s latest forecast.
Cut 10 (07) “…right on target.”
So far, Hurricane Barry has been the only storm to impact Louisiana this season, but Keim says it’s too soon to let your guard down.

Congress has returned from its summer recess and the debate over gun control intensifies. Democratic leaders want expanded background checks for nearly all gun buyers. Louisiana Republican Congressman Mike Johnson says the ideas presented from the left so far, offer little hope of finding a bipartisan solution…
cut 15 (09) “…forward for everyone”
Johnson serves on the House Judiciary Committee that will oversee three Democrat-sponsored bills on the issue as early as today.

Medical marijuana is a key issue in the race for Agriculture Commissioner. Republican Incumbent Mike Strain is overseeing the regulation of medicinal pot and one of his Democratic challengers, Charlier Greer from Natchitoches Parish, says now that the product is available, the state needs to do more research…
cut 8 (09) “….forward”
Another Democratic challenger, Margee Green, wants to legalize the recreational use of marijuana.

Who Dats woke up with a smile on their face this morning as the Black and Gold pulled out a 30-28 victory to open the season with a win for the first time since 2013. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

10 inmates playing flag football at David Wade Correctional Center in Homer are hospitalized this morning after they were struck by lightening last night at around 6 PM. The state Department of Corrections says the lightening strike came without warning as protocol calls for prison officials to clear the yard when potentially dangerous weather approaches. Nine prisoners are listed in stable condition, one in critical condition.

The national discussion over measures to stop gun violence heats up as lawmakers are back in Washington DC after the summer recess. Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins says solutions need to be found that do not infringe on the second amendment rights of citizens.
Cut 13 (06) “…and the Senate.”
Democrats in the House are pushing legislation to limit access to high capacity gun magazines and prevent a person convicted of a hate crime from buying a firearm.

Today is the statistical peak of the hurricane season. So far there have been seven named storms and if we get seven more that’s right in the middle of NOAA’s projection. Hurricane Rita and Juan are big storms that hit Louisiana in the second half of the hurricane season. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Louisiana has not experienced a hurricane landfall after October…
cut 12 (10) “…news for us”

What a way to kick-off the season for the Black and Gold as the Saints topped the Texans 30-28 in a game that saw two lead changes in the final minute. New Orleans won it on Will Lutz’s 58-yard field goal with no time left. Lutz missed a 56-yard field goal at the end of the first half and was glad to have another chance…
cut 5 (10) “…for me”
The Saints will now look to avenge last year’s loss in the NFC Championship game when they travel to face the Los Angeles Rams.

Members of Congress are back in Washington D-C and Democrats are making a push for more gun control legislation. Louisiana Republican Congressman Clay Higgins says making religion more of a priority is a better solution…
cut 14 (08) “…Satan showed up”

Medical marijuana has been available in Louisiana for a little over a month and the program’s future is a major issue in the race for Agriculture Commissioner, the department in charge of regulation.

Incumbent Ag Commissioner, Republican Mike Strain, says 10,000 vials of the product have been created under his department’s watch, and he expects the program to continue to grow…
Cut 7 (07)“..session”
New Orleans Democrat Margee Green says medical legalization isn’t enough, and the state’s goal should be the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Cut 9 (07) “…to do”
Evangeline Parish Democrat Charlie Greer criticized Strain for the slow roll out of medical marijuana.

The Saints win a 30-28 nailbiter to open the season with a win for the first time in six years. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_______________________________

Today is the statistical peak of hurricane season, but it is a little soon to binge on your remaining storm snacks. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

________________________

Lawmakers from Louisiana say they are ready to contribute to the national discussion surrounding gun violence in the session.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

________________________

Wil Lutz career-long 58-yard field goal gives the saints their first season-opening win since 2013.

The saints were down 14-3 at halftime but clawed their way back to a 30-28 win with Lutz’s last-second kick. The fourth-year pro nailed the game-winner after the offense lead a last-second drive after Houston went ahead by one in the last minute of the game.

Cut 4 (09) “…turn down”

Houston grabbed the last-minute lead after marching 75 yards in just two plays with only 50 seconds on the clock. Texans QB DeSean Watson ended with 268 yards passing, while his superstar receiver DeAndre Hopkins nuked the Saints secondary for 111 yards and two touchdowns.

The Saints offense looked abysmal to start the game, and the defense began to crumble after a Drew Brees red zone interception late in the first quarter. Lutz says they didn’t panic and knew if they could close the gap in the second half the game would be theirs.

Cut 5 (10) “…for me”

It was yet another Saints game marred by officiating controversy that could have cost the Black and Gold the game. The team was erroneously docked 10 seconds at the near end of the first half on an officiating review. QB Drew Brees says it’s unacceptable.

Cut 6 (11) “…closer”

Brees ended the game with 370 yards and two tds, but looked questionable in the first half.

_____________________

Medical marijuana has been legal for a little over a month and the program’s future is set to be a major issue in the race for Agriculture Commissioner, the department in charge of regulation.

Incumbent Agriculture Commissioner, Republican Mike Strain says 10,000 vials of the product have been created under his department’s watch, and he expects the program to continue to grow…

Cut 7 (07)“..session” 

Strain adds the program will soon see it’s production capabilities expand when Southern opens it’s growing facility in the near future.

Evangeline Parish Democrat Charlie Greer has criticized what he called the Ag Department’s slow rollout of the product, but he says now that the product is out the state needs to make sure it’s effective.

Cut 8 (09) “forward ”

New Orleans Democrat Margee Green says medical legalization isn’t enough, and the state’s goal should be the full legalization of recreational marijuana.

Cut 9 (07) “…to do”

She adds recreational legalization should also create a pathway to the expungement of non-violent petty drug offenses.

_____________________________

Today marks the statistical peak for the Atlantic hurricane season as conditions are favorable for storm development.  So far, there have been seven named storms and State Climatologist Barry Keim says the current rate of storm development is in line with NOAA’s August forecast.

Cut 10 (07) “…right on target.”

So far, Hurricane Barry has been the only storm to impact Louisiana this season, but Keim says it’s too soon to let your guard down.

Cut 11 (11) “…traverse this area.” 

While hurricane season may not conclude until the end of November, Keim says Louisiana has not experienced a hurricane landfall after October.

Cut 12 (10) “…news for us.”
______________________________

The national discussion over measures to stop gun violence heats up as lawmakers are heading back into session in DC.  Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins says solutions need to be found that do not infringe on second amendment rights of citizens.

Cut 13 (06) “…and the Senate.”

Higgins says there is no amount of gun regulation changes that would have prevented much of the recent gun violence, but it is a shift in culture that is needed.

cut 14 (08) “…Satan showed up.” 

North Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson serves on the House Judiciary Committee that will oversee three Democrat bills on the issue as early as today.  Johnson says the biggest hurdle facing lawmakers is finding a reasonable middle ground, as he says many of the ideas presented from the left offer false hope.

Cut 15 (09) “…forward for everyone.”

State Police say an 87-year-old Winnsboro man riding a lawnmower on the road was killed when he was hit by a pick-up truck. Master Trooper Michael Reichardt says 87-year-old Elmer Jennings was driving a zero-turn style lawn mower on U-S Highway 425 at a slow rate of speed Sunday morning…

Cut 3 (05) “…the rear.”

Routine toxicology samples were obtained and will be submitted for analysis and the crash is under investigation.
For the second straight week, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow has been named SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Burrow threw for a career-high 471 yards and four touchdowns in the 45-38 win over Texas. Coach Ed Orgeron is glad Burrow is leading his offense

Cut 12 (12) “…of success”

LSU hosts Northwestern State with a 6:30 kickoff Saturday night.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is taking part in a nationwide research project that seeks to dig down to the molecular level to find out why exercise provides health benefits. Associate Executive Director for Clinical Science at Pennington Dr. Eric Ravussin says they’ll be creating a comprehensive molecular map of what happens when people exercise, and how it impacts health.
Cut 9 (08)  “..Mechanisms.”
The study will feature 1,980 participants across the US at 11 different sites.

Governor Edwards met with equal pay advocates this morning to brainstorm solutions to reduce the largest gender pay gap in the nation. Edwards says in the Bayou State the average pay disparity is 69-cents to every dollar and adds the majority of the voters in Louisiana are for equal pay and want the legislature to pass legislation.

Cut 6 (07) “…in the country”