Today the U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments in the case of a St. Tammany man who is protesting the U-S Fish and Wildlife Service designation that a portion of his land is off limits for unfettered development due to its importance to the endangered dusky gopher frog. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says it’s a ruling that could restrict the scope of the Endangered Species Act.
Cut 4 (09) “…species.”
Edward Poitevent, the land owner, argues that because the land is not habitable for the frog in its current form, it should not be classified as critical habitat.

For the first time this season, the Saints game did not have a heart pumping finish. Instead, New Orleans methodically took care of the New York Giants with a 33-18 win. Alvin Kamara had three rushing touchdowns in the second half and the defense had three sacks and two forced fumbles.

Governor John Bel Edwads has led a delgation to California where they’ll meet today with executives from Netflix, Warner Brothers, NBC Universal and Walt Disney Studios. Executive Director of Louisiana Entertainment, Chris Stelly, says they will promote Louisiana as a prime location for motion picture production and an ideal location for permanent investment…
cut 15 (10) “…all of their business”
Tomorrow, the delegation will meet with executives from HBO, Hulu, CBS and Sony.

The Board of Regents will conduct an audit on admission policies at Louisiana universities and colleges after LSU made the decision to not automatically disqualify a student if he or she scores under a 22 in the ACT. Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says they want to make sure students are enrolled at schools where they can be most academically successful.
Cut 11 (07) “…are the students.”

Governor John Bel Edwards and other state officials are in California today where they’ll meet with Hollywood Studios to promote the state’s film tax credit program, which was changed in 2017. Executive Director of Louisiana Entertainment Chris Stelly says they are highlighting the benefits of those changes…
cut 14 (08) “…they may have”
Meetings are scheduled with Netflix, Warner Brothers, NBC Universal and Walt Disney Studios today.

The Board of Regents will conduct an audit on admission policies for Louisiana’s universities. It’s in response to LSU’s decision to no longer simply disqualify an applicant who doesn’t score at least a 22 on the ACT. Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says they want to find out if admission standards are identifying students who will graduate…
cut 12 (08) “…in Louisiana”
The audit is expected to be completed next Spring.

The dusky gopher frog will have its day in front of the US Supreme Court today as a St. Tammany man challenges the scope of the Endangered Species Act. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

20-year-old Dyteon Simpson of Baker is behind bars charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of LSU basketball player Wayde Sims. Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul says Simpson shot Sims as he tried to defend a friend who was getting punched while on the ground. Simpson’s bond has been set at 350-thousand dollars.

The F-B-I has started its investigation into claims of sexual misconduct by U-S Supreme court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Kennedy says Kavanaugh and his first accuser appeared credible during their Thursday appearances before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Kennedy says it’s likely that neither of the two is lying…
cut 8 (11) “….be certain”

The U-S Supreme Court, with just eight justices, begins its fall term today and they will hear a case out of St. Tammany Parish, where a landowner has filed suit against the federal government because they will not allow him to develop a portion of his land, because of the dusky gopher frog. The endangered species no longer resides in Louisiana, but possibly could on the plaintiff’s land. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino…
cut 6 (08) “….means”

Governor Edwards is leading a delegation aimed at promoting Louisiana’s film tax credit program to big studios in California. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Voicer 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Alvin Kamara ran for three second-half touchdowns on Sunday as the Saints defeated the New York Giants 33-18. Will Lutz made a career-tying four field goals and the Saints defense gave up just 299 yards on the day. New Orleans is 3-1 and in sole possession of first place in the NFC South.

Senator John Kennedy says unless an FBI investigation uncovers any concerning new material about allegations of sexual assault against Judge Brett Kavanaugh, he expects a final confirmation vote for his lifetime appointment to the US Supreme Court to be held later this week. The Senator says as of now, he knows where he stands…
Cut 7 (06) “…produces”
The FBI has spoken with Deborah Ramirez. She claims Kavanaugh exposed himself at a party when he was a freshman at Yale. Kavanaugh has strongly denied the accusation.

The Board of Regents has made the decision to perform an audit on universities, looking at admission policies. Universities will begin submitting data in January and a report is expected to be complete a few months later. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says the questions they are hoping to answer are clear.
Cut 10 (05) “…in Louisiana.“
Of the 200-thousand students enrolled in the public institutions in the state last year, about a thousand were admitted by exception.

Governor John Bel Edwards is in California to promote Louisiana as a prime location for television and film production. A delegation from Louisiana is meeting with executives from Netflix, Hulu, HBO and Walt Disney Studios just to name a few. Executive Director of Louisiana Entertainment Chris Stelly say they will promote the state’s revised film tax incentives.
Cut 13 (08) “…to do business.“
The governor’s office says the film industry has spent about one-point-three-billion dollars in Louisiana since mid-2016, including 634-million dollars on Louisiana resident payroll.

The Saints won their third straight yesterday as New Orleans beat the New York Giants 33-18.

Baton Rouge Police announce the arrest of 20-year-old Dyteon Simpson of Baker in the fatal shooting of LSU basketball player Wayde Sims. Police Chief Murphy Paul says DNA evidence led them to Simpson, who admitted to authorities that he shot Sims.

Paul says Sims stepped into a fight to defend a friend that was being punched on the ground. Authorities say Simpson was doing the punching and when Sims stepped in that’s when Simpson fired the weapon.

East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says they had a lot of help from the public….
cut 30 (14) “…very quickly”
Simpson was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison and charged with second-degree murder. His case will be brought before a grand jury soon.

Senator John Kennedy says unless an FBI investigation uncovers any concerning new material about allegations of sexual assault against Judge Brett Kavanaugh, he expects a final confirmation vote for his lifetime appointment to the US Supreme Court to be held later next week. The Senator says as of now, he knows where he stands…
Cut 7 (06) “…produces”
Senator Bill Cassidy has also indicated he will vote for Kavanaugh’s confirmation. Louisiana Democratic Party Chair Karen Carter Peterson says she believes Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s allegations, and says the two senators support for the judge sends the wrong message to assault survivors.
Cut 23, 13 seconds, is wrong.

Senator John Kennedy says after a day of testimony, he believes Judge Brett Kavanaugh did not sexually assault Dr. Christine Blasey Ford….
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

But before a vote is taken in the Senate on Kavanaugh’s confirmation, the F-B-I will have a chance to look into Ford’s allegations she was sexually assaulted by Kavanaugh when the two were teens.

Baton Rouge Police say they’ll have an update at 10 AM on the murder of LSU basketball player Wayde Sims. We’ll have more in our next newscast.

Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch says there’s been a 36-percent increase from 2011 to 2016 in lawsuits claiming businesses are violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Voicer 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A 14-year-old in Jefferson Davis Parish has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals and criminal damage to property after he allegedly shot a calf. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain…
cut 15 (09) “…butchered or slaughtered”

Louisiana’s John Kennedy was one of the 11 Republican Senators to advance a confirmation vote for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh to the full Senate. Kennedy says he’s disgusted by what he calls political theatre that was on display during the hearings, and is ready to move on to a final confirmation vote.
Cut 11 (10) “…irreparably”
The vote was 11-10 along party lines. But before a full Senate vote happens, the FBI will investigate the claim made by Doctor Christine Blasey Ford that Kavanaugh tried to rape her in high school. Louisiana Democratic Party Chairperson Karen Carter Peterson…
cut 19 (15) “…this committee

LSU’s Will Wade says it’s a coach’s worst nightmare as he spoke hours after the shooting death of junior forward Wayde Sims. The 20-year-old Baton Rouge native was killed after an altercation broke out near the Southern University campus early Friday morning. Wade says when he received the phone call he rushed to the hospital…
cut 8 (14) “….the toughest”
The search continues for the gunman who killed Sims.

The reward is now up to 50-thousand dollars for information that leads to the arrest and indictment of the person who killed Josh Woodruff in a hit and run in the early morning hours of January 1, 2016 at the intersection of Decatur and Dumaine Streets in New Orleans. Woodruff’s family believes someone saw something as the hit and run driver dragged Woodruff’s body for six miles.

Senator John Kennedy says after a day of testimony, he believes Judge Brett Kavanaugh did not sexually assault Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

The floor vote may be delayed if an FBI investigation into the allegations is authorized.

A Jefferson Davis Parish teenager is accused of shooting and killing a calf in the Iowa (Eye-oh-way) community.  Following an anonymous tip, investigators gathered sufficient evidence and charged a 14-year-old with criminal damage to property.  Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the teen’s legal issues don’t end there.

Cut 13 (05) “…cruelty to animals.”

LSU men’s basketball player Wayde Sims was fatally shot during the overnight hours near the Southern University campus. Baton Rouge Police Sergeant Don Coppola says an intense investigation is ongoing and it’s a sad for the capitol city…

Cut 3 (06) “…act of violence.” 

LSU basketball Coach Will Wade calls Wayde Sims an unbelievable person during a tearful press conference, just hours after learning the 20-year-old Baton Rouge native was killed in a shooting.  Wade says everybody on the team loved Sims…

Cut 6 (11) “…be around.”

Sims was a junior on the team. He played in 32 games last season and started 10 of them. He won three state championships at University High and was named the Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year in the 2014-15. His father, Wayne Sims, played for Dale Brown at LSU from 1987-91.

It’s a difficult day on the LSU campus as basketball player Wayde Sims was killed in a fatal shooting during the overnight hours near the Southern University campus. Jeff Palermo has reaction from the Tigers head coach…
voicer 1 (30) “….I’m Jeff Palermo reporting”

Sims was set to begin his junior season on a team that has hopes of making the NCAA Tournament.
Meanwhile, Baton Rouge Police are talking with witnesses and looking at cell phone video to determine who shot Sims. He was just 20-years-old.

It will be a late night in Tiger Stadium tomorrow as 5th ranked LSU hosts Ole Miss. The game is slated for an 8:15 PM kick-off. Coach Ed Orgeron knows Tiger Nation will be loud at kick-off, but it will up to the team to keep them in the game…
cut 20 (15) “…something else”
Expect to see some points in this game as Ole Miss can throw it around, but they are not good on defense.

Drew Brees says he’s looking forward to playing a pair of New Orleans boys in Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. on Sunday as the Saints visit the Giants in New Jersey. Drew has gotten to know the two, which he says can occasionally lead to some funny moments…
Cut 16 (14) “.. 52 49
Kick-off on Sunday is at 3:25.

The LSU basketball team is trying to come to grips with the murder of Wayde Sims. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

And “Drag Queen Story Time”, and event oringally scheduled to take place at the Lafayette Public Library has seen such high demand that the event sponsors and hosts say they’re going to have to move it to a bigger venue. The new location will at South Louisiana Community College, where a UL-Lafayette fraternity will dress in drag and read stories to kids about accepting their LGBT classmates. The event is still planned for October 6^th.

Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination vote to the US Supreme Court advanced to the full Senate, but it will be delayed a week while Republicans whip for votes, and the FBI investigates the allegations.  Senator John Kennedy says he supports the judge and is disgusted by what he calls political theatre that was on display during the hearings, and is ready to move on to a final confirmation vote.

Cut 11 (10)“…irreparably.”

The delay comes as Arizona Senator Jeff Flake expressed concerns about giving the judge his final vote, a vote that would likely be needed for Kavanaugh to be appointed, amidst requests for an FBI investigation.

But Louisiana Democratic Party Chairperson Karen Carter Peterson says Kennedy and Cassidy’s support for the judge sends a terrible message to sexual assault survivors in Louisiana.

Cut 12 (13)   “…is wrong” 

Senator Bill Cassidy expressed his support for the judge on twitter, calling for a final confirmation vote to be held without delay.