While Louisiana’s unemployment rate worsened for a fifth straight month and reached five percent in August, a report from the Louisiana Workforce Commission indicates the number of people employed in August was 2.02 million, the second highest number for August in recorded history. L-W-C Director Ava Dejoie says any rise in unemployment can be attributed to a decline of jobs in the hospitality sector.
Cut 3 (07) “…sort of thing.”

Meanwhile, dozens of Louisiana emergency personnel are in Horry County, South Carolina helping local authorities and first responders with evacuations as waters continue to rise from Florence. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning…
cut 8 (11) “…GOHSEP
Browning says their deployment to the Carolinas is set to end Tuesday.

A 2015 incident where a McKinley High School Band member went to a Baton Rouge hospital after he was ordered to do 200 push-ups for being late to band practice ends with a 185,000 dollar settlement. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Hahnville Quarterback Andrew Robison will reportedly not play in tonight’s game versus Destrehan, despite a court order allowing Robison to take the field and not face additional LHSAA punishment. The association has ruled Robison is ineligible to play for Hahnville, because recruiting violations occurred when he transferred from Vandebilt Catholic to Hahnville.

It’s been a week since the landfall of Hurricane Florence on the east coast.  First responders from Louisiana are in the Conway, South Carolina area helping with the issues from overflowing rivers.  State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the remaining Louisiana crew is made up of fire departments from New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Monroe areas as well as Fire Marshal employees that assist in logistics.

Cut 7 (07) “…rescue task forces.”
Browning adds the deployment is scheduled to end Tuesday, but could be extended.

Saturday is National Hunting and Fishing day, a celebration of all things outdoors. As the Sportsmen’s Paradise, Louisiana has an interest in promoting the day, with events in four cities across the state. Delhi Senator Francis Thompson says the great outdoors supports tens of thousands of jobs, from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, to private hunting and fishing retailers.
Cut 10 (08) “…state wide.”

A former McKinley High Marching Band member was awarded 185,000 dollars for damages related to a 2015 incident where he required to do 200 push-ups. The incident led to a five day stay in the hospital for Tristen Rushing due to his urine turning coke colored. Rushing family attorney Sean Fagan says that’s because the hyper exertion caused Rushing’s muscles to begin to die.

Cut 12 (10)   “…turn dark.” 
The administration argued that the risk of injury was not reasonably foreseeable.

Here’s a look at your commodities…

It’s been a week since the landfall of Hurricane Florence on the east coast.  Although some have come back to the Bayou State, first responders from Louisiana are still in South Carolina helping with the aftermath of the storm.  State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the building collapse groups have been sent home.

Cut 6 (10) “…the subsequent water rescues.”

Browning adds the deployment is scheduled to end Tuesday, but could be extended.

Tomorrow the nation celebrates Hunting and Fishing day, a celebration of all things outdoors. Delhi Senator Francis Thompson says a good time to remember just how much outdoors activities contribute to state coffers.

cut 9 (11) “…taxes”

Louisiana will have events in four cities across the state.

A new study shows Louisiana is the fifth least innovative state in the country.  Kevin Barnhart has more.

Cut 2 (31) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

A former McKinley High Marching band member was awarded 185,000 dollars for damages related to a 2015 incident where he had to do 200 push-ups in 15 minutes. Attorney for the student Sean Fagan says he was pressured to push far past his physical capabilities, causing his muscles to die.

Cut 12 (10)   “…turn dark.” 

With funding not keeping up with call volume, Via Link, the answering program for the National Suicide Hotline in Louisiana, is in danger of closing. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A jury in Baton Rouge has awarded a former McKinley High School band member 185-thousand dollars in damages, because he was ordered to do 200 pushups for arriving late to marching band practice in 2014. The physical punishment led to a five-day hospital stay for Tristen Rushing.

A temporary restraining order issued by a St. Charles Parish judge clears the way for Andrew Robison to play football tonight for the Hahnville Tigers. The LHSAA has ruled Robison can’t play for Hahnville this season, because of violations that occurred when he transferred in from Vandebilt Catholic. Robison’s attorney, Michael Moyer, says the LHSAA is not taking into account all of the facts…
cut 15 (10) “…the report”
Hahnville has yet to say if Robison will play tonight.

A new study finds Louisiana is the fifth least innovate state, because over the past five years, Louisiana has been issued the fifth lowest number of patents, per capita. Roxy Fata, with Digital Third Coast, says Louisiana faces a steep climb to catching the most innovative state in the nation…
cut 30 (07) “…getting patent issues”

New Orleans-based Via Link, which provides crisis intervention for many Louisiana residents who call the National Suicide Lifeline, could close in December, as it doesn’t have enough funding to keep up with the increased demand. Via Link CEO LaVondra Dobbs says they receive very little funding from the federal government.
Cut 4 (12) “…hotline for Louisiana.”
Dobbs says donations are their main source of funding, but they are also seeing if they can work out a 175-thousand contract with the Louisiana Department of Health.

A federal appeals court has upheld a lower court’s ruling that blocks Louisiana from enforcing a law that prohibits women under the age of 21 from working as an exotic dancer at a strip club. The state legislature passed a law in 2016 requiring a minimum age of 21 for strippers at clubs. Lawmakers will have to rewrite the legislation next year.

Attorney David Moyer has successfully received a temporary restraining order that prohibits the LHSAA from punishing Hahnville if quarterback Andrew Robison plays tonight against rival Destrehan. The LHSAA says because of recruiting violations Robison can’t play for the Tigers this season, but Moyer says the evidence provided by the LHSAA doesn’t justify the punishment…
cut 14 (10) “….to them”
Hahnville has not said if Robison will play tonight.

LSU is 3-0 despite starting quarterback Joe Burrow completing only 46-percent of his passes so far. Burrow knows he can be better
Cut 16 (11) “…to improve”
6th ranked LSU hosts Louisiana Tech tomorrow night.

Via Link in New Orleans is the contact center for many people in Louisiana who call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, but the organization says it doesn’t have enough money to keep up with the increasing demand and may have to close in December. ViaLink CEO LaVondra Dobbs says if that happens, calls to the suicide prevention hotline will go to a backup center, which could result in a 45-minute wait time…
cut 6 (06) “….time on hold”
Via Link is accepting donations at Via-Link-dot-org.

A new study ranks Louisiana is the fifth least innovate state in the country. That’s because over the last five years, Louisiana was issued the fifth lowest number of patents, per state. Roxy Fata with Digital Third Coast says Louisiana could do better than that…
cut 12 (06) “…happen as well”
At least Mississippi has a beat again as they are ranked as the least innovative state.

A senior quarterback ruled ineligible to play at Hahnville High School has been given the okay to play tonight by a St. Charles Parish judge. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”
A full court hearing will take place Wednesday.

Former UL Lafayette softball coach Michael Lotief has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the university. The suit claims a breach of contract, defamation and accuses the university of gender inequity. But the school says Lotief was dismissed for a physical and verbal attack of a female co-worker and the use of sexually violent language and physical abuse towards former players.

With funding not keeping up with call volume, Via Link, the answering program for the National Suicide Hotline in Louisiana, is in danger of closing….
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A man has told his story to a New Orleans TV station that he was sexually assaulted by a school janitor at Jesuit High School and a priest watched as the act unfolded in the 1970s. Richard Windmann says he was 12-years-old at the time. And 11 men have filed a suit against the Lafayette Diocese allegeding sex abuse from the late priest Kenneth Morvant in the 1970s.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office recently issued its 10 millionth patent. But, over the past five years, Louisiana was issued the fifth lowest number of patents per capita compared to other states. Content Strategist at Digital Third Coast Roxy Fata says that makes the Bayou State one of the least innovative states..
Cut 10 (10) “…nice baseline.“
Fata says several other southeastern states rank at the bottom of the list.

The Gueydan Duck Festival has kicked off, bringing sportsmen from around the world to the small town known as the Duck Capital of America. The Vermilion Parish town has been putting on the festival for 41 years. Festival President Jerrod Broussard says it’s the place to be for duck hunters.
Cut 7 (08) “…apparel.”
Broussard says it’s a family friendly event with food, music, and all kinds of other entertainment, like skeet shooting.

A New Orleans organization that provides crisis intervention for those in Louisiana who call the National Suicide Hotline could close in December, because of a lack of funding. Via LInk CEO LaVondra Dobbs…
cut 5 (07) “….30-per call”
The National Suicide Hotline receives about 40 calls every day from Louisiana and as the demand grows for help, so do the costs for Via Link.

A St. Charles Parish judge has issued a temporary restraining order that could allow Hahnville quarterback Andrew Robison to play tonight against rival Destrehan. The LHSAA has said Robison can’t play at Hahnville, after he transferred from Vandebilt Catholic in Houma. Attorney David Moyer says Robison never received due process from the LHSAA….
Cut 13 (08) “a case”
Hahnville has yet to say if Robison will play tonight.

A new study shows Louisiana is the fifth least innovative state in the country, but in the Southeast, we’re not alone at the bottom of the list…
Cut 2 (31) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Rain chances increase today and high temperatures will range from the low to mid 90s.

With funding not keeping up with call volume, Via Link, the answering program for the National Suicide Hotline in Louisiana, is in danger of closing up.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31)  “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

__________________________________

A new study shows Louisiana is the fifth least innovative state in the country, but in the Southeast, we’re not alone at the bottom of the list.  Kevin Barnhart has more.

Cut 2 (31) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

__________________________________

A Hahnville quarterback who was suspended for the year by the LHSAA has had that suspension temporarily blocked by the courts until a hearing next week. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

_________________________________________

New Orleans-based Via Link, which provides crisis intervention for many Louisiana residents who call the National Suicide Hotline, is on the verge of closing, as it can no longer rely on private donations to cover the costs of the service.  Via Link CEO LaVondra Dobbs says they receive very little funding from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Cut 4 (12) “…hotline for Louisiana.”

Dobbs says the program receives some grant money but really needs closer to $350,000 to cover its annual operating costs.

Cut 5 (07) “…$30 per call.”

Via Link also connects callers to local resources and performs follow-ups.  Dobbs says if Via Link goes away, the calls will then go to a backup center, where callers can spend around 45 minutes on hold before talking to a specialist.

Cut 6 (06) “…time on hold.”

Those that wish to make a donation to the program can do so at ViaLink.org.

____________________________________________

The Gueydan Duck Festival has kicked off, bringing sportsmen from around the world to the small town known as the Duck Capital of America. The town, south of Lafayette, has been putting on the festival for 41 years. Festival President Jerrod Broussard says it’s the place to be this weekend for duck hunters.

Cut 7 (08) “…apparel.”

Broussard says it’s a family friendly event with food, music, and all kinds of other entertainment, like shooting skeet.

Cut 8 (09)  “…to shoot”

If you hear duck and your first thought isn’t shooting them, but smoking them, then the festival has some options for you, but you might want to wait until the Sunday cook-off. While there will be food available today and Saturday, if you’re looking for duck, Broussard says come for the cookout.

Cut 9 (10)  “…cook off.”

______________________________

Over the summer, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued its 10 millionth patent.  But where are those patents being issued?  Over the past five years, Louisiana was issued the fifth lowest number of patents per capita compared to other states.  Content Strategist at Digital Third Coast Roxy Fata says the metrics shown by a recent study indicate the Bayou State is one of the least innovative states in the nation.

Cut 10 (10)   “…nice baseline.“

Fata says it’s a pretty steep climb to catch up with the number one most innovative state in the nation.

Cut 11 (07)   “…getting patent issues.”

Fata says there is potential for improvement with the industries that are present in the state.

Cut 12 (06)   “…happen as well.”

Fata says there is no shortage of Southeastern states at the bottom of the list with Arkansas just behind Louisiana and Mississippi coming in dead last.

____________________________

A court has issued a temporary restraining order blocking the LHSAA suspension of now Hahnville quarterback Andrew Robison until an appeals hearing, that would make the senior eligible to play tonight, but there’s still an open question as to whether or not his coach will play him. Robison Family Lawyer David Moyer says the whole process so far has been unfair.

Cut 13 (08) “a case”

Robison, and Hahnville head coach Nick Saltaformaggio were suspended after the LHSAA alleged the quarterback was illegally recruited by Hahnville from his old school, Vandebilt Catholic. Saltaformaggio received a four game ban, while Robison was barred from playing for his new school.

Moyer says the LHSAA has been mostly mum about the reasoning behind suspending the senior for his last year in high school. He alleges the LHSAA did not include crucial evidence supporting his client in the final report justifying the suspension.

Cut 14 (05) “…to them”

Robison says one of the primary reasons for his client wanting to transfer was his treatment by officials at Vandebilt Catholic, a point he says the LHSAA refuses to acknowledge.

Cut 15  (10) “…the report”

The stay sets the stage for a Wednesday appeals hearing where the Robison family will aim to have the suspension ended.

___________________________________________

LSU is 3-0 despite starting quarterback Joe Burrow completing only 46-percent of his passes so far. Burrow knows he can be better

Cut 16 (11) “…to improve” 

A lot of people are patting LSU on the back this week after upsetting Auburn last week. But Burrow says the players are blocking out the noise…

Cut 17 (20)  “really good” 

LSU has moved since the beginning of the season from 25th in the country to sixth. Linebacker Michael Divinity says the goal is to keep moving up in the polls

_____________________________________________________

A matchup to watch in Sunday’s Saints-Falcons game is Atlanta wide receiver Julio Jones versus New Orleans cornerback  Marshon Lattimore. The second year defensive back knows he has his work cut out for him…

Cut 19 (12) “ my game” 

Saints defensive end Cam Jordan says if Lattimore and the Saints secondary can do their job, they hope to get pressure on Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan…

Cut 20 (12) “ with this one” 

Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s a good sign Louisiana ended up with a 300-million dollar surplus from the budget year that ended June 30th. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

After seeing losses in 2017, movie theatres are experiencing their best summer in two decades.  It’s quite the feat considering the popularity of at home video on demand services such as Netflix.  North American ticket sales will close out the summer season with more than a 14% increase.  Entertainment columnist for the New Orleans Advocate Keith Spera says the weather might play a factor.

Cut 10 (08) “…and watch movies.”

The Public Service Commission launches an investigation into the spending habits of rural energy coops. Commissioner Foster Campbell highlighted what he says were completely unnecessary educational and lobbying trips to places like Las Vegas and Washington DC, where he says costs for expensive meals and hotels would end up back on customer bills. He says the co-op’s justifications don’t hold up.

Cut 8 (10) “…see them.”

But Claiborne Co-op General Manager Mark Brown says those accusations are not correct, and the trips are needed, as they give co-op leaders the opportunity to learn about new advancements in the electric industry. He says they take those new lessons home to provide better service to coop customers.

cut 9 (08) “…travel expenses”

Campbell criticized the salary being paid to brown, which he says is 195,000 dollars a year.