US Senator John Kennedy will speak with reporters today about US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation. A woman accusses Kavanaugh that he sexually assaulted her at a high school party in the 1980s. Kennedy sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has invited Christine Blasey Ford to give her side of the story. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross…
cut 9 (08) “…day in court”

Lousiaina ranks second in the nation for the rate of women murdered by men and according to the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence it’s the fifth straight year the rate has increased. Nationally, in 93-percent of all murders of women by men, the victim knew her killer. Kristen Rand is with the Violence Policy Center….
cut 14 (10) “…by strangers”

ULM has broken ground on a new Osteopathic Medicine building. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

After hearing from more than 70 public speakers at last night’s Lafayette City-Parish Council meeting, a resolution seeking to denounce the Lafayette public library’s October 6th drag queen story time event failed to pass. The library is moving forward with the event that will have male UL Lafayette students reading to children in drag.

ULM has broken ground on a new Osteopathic Medicine building.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31)  “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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Senator John Kennedy is set to address the media today concerning US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.  Kevin Barnhart speaks with UL Lafayette Poli-Sci professor Pierson Cross on what to expect.

Cut 2 (33) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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Louisiana nearly leads the nation when it comes to the rate women who are murdered by men. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30“…I’m Matt Doyle”

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ULM has broken ground on a new Osteopathic Medicine building. A 100 thousand square foot facility is being built on the campus that is currently scheduled to begin classes in fall of 2020. ULM President Nick Bruno says it’s a very exciting time for the school.

Cut 4 (10) “…and so forth.”

And Bruno says that’s important because students who study and take residencies in one state tend to stay there once they finish their education. The President says that could help address the reported 19 percent shortfall in the number of physicians needed by 2024.

Cut 5 (09) “…in all areas.”

Bruno says there is excitement for the widening variety of programs to be offered on the campus.

Cut 6 (12) “…come to Monroe.”

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In the time since Senator John Kennedy announced he is ready to vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the US Supreme Court, allegations of sexual misconduct from Kavanaugh’s past have surfaced. Kennedy will hold a conference call with reporters today regarding Kavanaugh’s nomination today.  UL-Lafayette Poli-Sci Professor Pearson Cross says he expects the Senator’s support will go unchanged.

Cut 7 (10) “…still supports Kavanaugh.”

Cross says that Kennedy will likely not want to spurn a woman claiming harassment in the “Me Too” era.

Cut 8 (06)  “…on the court.”

Cross says in the past, the allegations probably would not have gotten the same attention they get today.

Cut 9 (08)  “…day in court.”

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A study from Accountemps shows workers who listen to music at work tend to be more productive, and happier while clocked in. The survey backs up older results indicating increased productivity at warehouses that play music. Recruiting manager with Robert Half Carrie Lewis says it’s something employers should begin looking into.

Cut 10 (11)   “…distractions.“

But of course not everyone is going to be a fan of the same kinds of music. While Pop topped the list of the most recommended genres, there’s a lot of people who’d quit before sitting through top 40 for eight hours a day. Lewis says when it comes to music, to each their own…

Cut 11 (12)“…your coworkers”

But she says there are some limits to this program. Lewis says not all workplaces are good spots for music, and it has the potential to make employees customer-unfriendly if things get out of hand.

Cut 12 (08) “your colleagues”

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Louisiana has the second highest rate of male on female murder in the United States according to a report from the Violence Policy Center. It’s a continuing trend as the state has found itself in the top five since 2016. Legislative Director Kristen Rand says there’s a number of factors that go into the state’s high rate, but one in particular stands out.

Cut 13 (09) “with guns.”

1,800 women were murdered in the US by men last year.

The national rate has gone up 11 percent in the last four years, with 93 percent of all murders of women by men being done by someone the victim knew beforehand. Rand says that number should dispel the myth that women at most at risk of being killed by strangers…

Cut 14 (10) “…by strangers.”

82 percent of all murders of women were not linked to another criminal activity.

Rand says Louisiana’s best shot at addressing the issue is by raising awareness of the dangers of domestic murders, and by expanding programs aimed at getting women out of abusive households.

Cut 15  (10) “…domestic abuse.”

Black women were more than twice as likely to be murdered by a man than white women were.

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It seems like sixth ranked LSU has bought into the role as the underdog, with big upset wins over Miami and Auburn. But Linebacker Devin White says that’s not the reason why LSU won those games….

Cut 16 (22) “…to win” 

White says LSU has the right ingriedients to keep winning…

Cut 17 (13)  “each week” 

LSU hosts Louisiana Tech on Saturday. The Bulldogs are 2-0 and coming off a bye week. White says he’ll make sure the guys on defense do not over look the Bulldogs…

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ULM is back at home this Saturday for its Sun Belt opener against the Troy Trojans, one of the co-favorites to win the league this year. Troy is coming off an impressive win over Nebraska. Warhawks Coach Matt Viator says this will be a tough game to win, because the Trojans have looked good this year

Cut 19 (23) “ do to win” 

ULM enters league play with a 2-1 record after losing to Texas A&M 48-10 last Saturday. The Warhawks started conference play with a 3-0 record last season and Viator says it’s critical they get off to a good start again…

Cut 20 (17) “ important game” 

The civil case involving the Alton Sterling shooting has uncovered a communication sent one year before Sterling’s shooting death by Officer Blane Salamoni where one his superiors questioned the former Baton Rouge cop’s sanity. Sterling Family Attorney Chris Stewart says his clients are pushing for a quick resolution to the civil case, and warns they’re ready to make life uncomfortable for city officials if they refuse a settlement.

Cut 8 (10) “this case.”

Blane Salamoni was cleared of criminal charges.

Some of Louisiana’s 100-person contingent of first responders in South Carolina are coming home, while the others will continue rescue operations for the next week as waters continue to rise. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning:

Cut 12 (07)   “model here” 

Browning says they’re focusing on the flooded Darlington county.

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LSU place-kicker Cole Tracy is reaching folk hero status after kicking the game winning field goal versus Auburn. Cole is a graduate transfer from Assumption College in Massachusetts.  Now, that school is seeing donations from LSU fans in Cole’s honor.  Assumption College Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Tim Stanton, says the donations started coming after LSU’s win over Miami.

Cut 3 (07) “…$4000 total.” 

If enough funds are raised, Stanton says they’ll renamed their football field for Tracy.

A report out of the UK says it’s discovered at least 200 couples say video game phenomenon Fortnite is turning their marriage into a battle royale, and risking divorces. It’s the biggest game on the market at the moment, and LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Psychologist Dr. Michelle Moore says like all popular hobbies, it needs to be done in moderation.

Cut 10 (08) “the day”

40 million players log into Fortnite monthly.

LSU’s star place-kicker Cole Tracy came to LSU as a graduate transfer from Assumption College in Massachusetts.  Now, that school is seeing donations come from LSU fans in Cole’s name.  Assumption College Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Tim Stanton says if the donations continue to accumulate, the school may do something big to honor the grad.

cut 5 (10)  “…call it Tracy Field” 

Stanton says the donations have almost hit $4,000.

The civil case involving the Alton Sterling shooting has uncovered a communication sent one year before Sterling’s shooting death by Officer Blane Salamoni where one his superiors questioned the former Baton Rouge cop’s sanity. Attorney Michael Adams says the new information raises some serious questions about BRPD’s hiring and discipline process.

Cut 7 (11) “…the country”

A report out of the UK says it’s discovered at least 200 couples say video game phenomenon Fortnite is turning their marriage into a battle royale, and risking divorces. It’s the biggest game on the market at the moment, and LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Psychologist Dr. Michelle Moore says if you say your relationship is failing because of a game, there’s likely something else going on…

cut 9 (10) “…a concern”
The World Health Organization estimates two or three percent of gamers have a gaming disorder that stimulates compulsive play.

Some of Louisiana’s 100-person contingent of first responders in South Carolina are coming home, while the others will continue rescue operations for the next week as waters continue to rise as a result of Florence. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says South Carolina is not out of the woods yet when it comes to more flooding, which is why their search and rescue teams will stay there for another week

Cut 13 (10) “right now”

An Alton Sterling family attorney says they’ve uncovered a Baton Rouge Police Department internal email that shows one of Blane Salamoni’s superiors questioned the former Baton Rouge cop’s sanity. Chris Stewart…
Cut 6 (11) “…the streets.”
Stewart says the email was produced about a year before Salamoni fatally shot Sterling. The civil case against B-R-P-D, the city and officers involved is set to go to trial in April of 2020. Salamoni has been cleared of criminal wrongdoing.

A report from the U-K finds that there are at least 200 couples who have listed fortnite as a reason for their divorce. LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Psychologist Doctor Michelle Moore has this advice for couples fighting over a video game…
cut 11 (12) “…you’re playing”
Moore says usually it’s more than a video game causing problems in a marriage.

Assumption College in Massachusetts has seen a heavy influx in donations from LSU fans. Kevin Barnhart tells us why.
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

A big groundbreaking ceremony for a new medical school on the ULM campus took place today. ULM has entered a land lease agreement with Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, which will construct a building at Heritage Park and the Grove. The university says no state funds will be used on the project.

The attorneys for Alton Sterling say they have a Baton Rouge Police Department email that describes Blane Salamoni as borderline nuts. Salamoni was cleared of criminal wrongdoing in the 2016 shooting of Sterling, but the civil case against B-R-P-D and the city continues. Sterling’s family Attorney Michael Adams says it would be best if their suit was settled out of court….
cut 8 (10) “…this case”
Adams says their suit does not specify the damages they are seeking.

State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the Louisiana emergency personnel in South Carolina are focusing their efforts in Darlington County, where significant flooding is possible because of the overtopping of a local dam. Browning is hopeful the worst of Florence is over…
cut 14 (07) “….so bad”
Browning says they plan on staying for another week.

A report out of the U-K finds that at least 200 divorce petitions have been filed where the main reason for the split is the popular video game Fortnite. LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Psychologist, Doctor Michelle Moore, says if you are married and play Fortnite, it’s best to do it in moderation….
cut 10 (08) “…the day”
Moore says the key to keeping a favorite hobby and staying married, is communication with your spouse.

LSU place-kicker Cole Tracy is reaching folk hero status after kicking the game winning field goal versus Auburn. Cole is a graduate transfer from Assumption College in Massachusetts. Now, that school is seeing donations from LSU fans in Cole’s honor. Assumption College Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Tim Stanton, says the donations started coming after LSU’s win over Miami.
Cut 3 (07) “…$4000 total.”
Stantion says he’s amazed by the generosity of LSU fans and if enough donations come in as a result of Tracy’s kicks, they’ll name their football field after him.

A report out of the UK says it’s discovered at least 200 couples say video game phenomenon Fortnite is turning their marriage into a battle royale, and risking divorces. It’s the biggest game on the market at the moment, and LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Psychologist Dr. Michelle Moore says if you say your relationship is failing because of a game, there’s likely something else going on…

cut 9 (10) “…a concern”
The World Health Organization estimates two or three percent of gamers have a gaming disorder that stimulates compulsive play.

Some of Louisiana’s 100-person contingent of first responders in South Carolina are coming home, while the others will continue rescue operations for the next week as waters continue to rise as a result of Florence. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says South Carolina is not out of the woods yet when it comes to more flooding, which is why their search and rescue teams will stay there for another week

Cut 13 (10) “right now”

LSU’s star place-kicker Cole Tracy came to LSU as a graduate transfer from Assumption College in Massachusetts.  Now, that school is seeing donations come from LSU fans in Cole’s name.  Assumption College Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Tim Stanton says if the donations continue to accumulate, the school may do something big to honor the grad.

cut 5 (10)  “…call it Tracy Field” 

Stanton says the donations have almost hit $4,000.

The civil case involving the Alton Sterling shooting has uncovered a communication sent one year before Sterling’s shooting death by Officer Blane Salamoni where one his superiors questioned the former Baton Rouge cop’s sanity. Attorney Michael Adams says the new information raises some serious questions about BRPD’s hiring and discipline process.

Cut 7 (11) “…the country”

Some of Louisiana’s 100-person contingent of first responders in South Carolina are coming home, while the others will continue rescue operations for the next week as waters continue to rise as a result of Florence. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says Louisiana firefighters have already assisted in the rescue of 500 individuals from flood waters
Cut 12 (07)   “model here” 

LSU place-kicker Cole Tracy has gotten quite a bit of attention with the team’s victories this season over two top ten ranked opponents.  Cole came to LSU as a graduate transfer from Assumption College in Massachusetts and now, that school is seeing donations come from LSU fans in Cole’s honor.  The school’s Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Tim Stanton says he regularly speaks with Tracy, who has expressed his excitement over the donations which have nearly reached $4,000.

Cut 4 (10) “…about this happening.”

An email sent one year before Blane Salamoni shot Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge is raising new questions about the former officer’s temperament. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (32) “I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Here’s a look at your commodities…

The civil case involving the Alton Sterling shooting has uncovered a communication sent one year before Sterling’s shooting death by Officer Blane Salamoni where one his superiors questioned the former Baton Rouge cop’s sanity. Sterling Family Attorney Chris Stewart.

Cut 6 (11) “…the streets.”

Blane Salamoni was cleared by both federal and state investigations of criminal wrong doing.

LSU place-kicker Cole Tracy has gotten quite a bit of attention with his contributions to the team’s victories this season over two top ten ranked opponents.  Cole came to LSU as a graduate transfer rom a school in Massachusetts. . Assumption College Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Tim Stanton, says the donations started coming in after LSU’s victory over Miami.

Cut 3 (07) “…$4000 total.” 

A Donaldsonville man is facing battery and hate crime charges after an altercation at a Gonzales store that was allegedly sparked when he told a Latino family to “go back to Mexico.” Authorities say 60-year-old Robert Ray approached a 19-year-old girl at the store, made the comments, and then shoved her and her father. Gonzales Police Chief Sherman Jackson says after hearing the inflamtory comments, the man was approached by the family’s daughter…

Cut 8 (12)  “…fighting”

Ray is facing one hate crime charge long with two counts of simple battery and criminal damage to property.

Drag Queen Story Time will go on as planned on October sixth at the Lafayette Public Library despite some calls for the event’s cancellation. The library board met last night and took no action on postponing or cancelling the event, but they heard public comment. There were more people who spoke in opposition to a group of UL Lafayette students dressing in drag and reading to children.

The Louisiana Board of Medical Examiners is lifting the cap on how many medical marijuana patients a doctor can treat. Previously doctors were limited to 100 patients a year. Medical Marijuana expert and prescriber Dr. Victor Chou, says this will dramatically increase access to the treatment for those who are eligible.
Cut 10 (10) “…this program.“
Medicinal marijuana is expected to be available later this year in a pill or oil form.

Louisiana is receiving a nine-million dollar grant to expand mental health services at 34 schools in the city of Monroe, Jefferson Parish and St. Bernard Parish school systems. State Department of Education spokesperson Sydni Dunn says this funding will help establish a comprehensive School Mental Health Support program…
cut 5 (09) “…academically socially”

A Donaldsonville man is facing battery and hate crime charges after an altercation at a store that allegedly started when he told a Latino looking family to “go back to Mexico.” Authorities say 60-year-old Robert Ray approached a 19-year-old girl at the store, made the comments, and then shoved her father. Gonzales Police Chief Sherman Jackson…
Cut 7 (11) “…to Mexico”
Jackson says one of the victims is a US marine.

And a former State Police cadet has been arrested by the L-S-P for sending lewd photographs in an apparent blackmail attempt of a former US Army coworker. State Police Sergeant Jared Sandifer says the Army’s investigation into 26-year-old Jimmy Kassis of Thibodaux started in May when Kassis was enrolled in the L-S-P training academy…
cut 15 (09) “…from state police”
Kassis was arrested in Michigan and extradited back to Louisiana.