Governor John Bel Edwards says his office will push to fund at least a one-thousand dollar pay raise for public school teachers, when the legislature meets in April. The governor’s education policy advisor, Donald Songy, believes the state can afford it, thanks to a strengthening economy…
cut 8 (06) “…additional revenues”
Teachers unions say Louisiana educators are getting paid on average about two-thousand dollars less than their regional peers.

It was a tough Monday morning for several motorists in Livingston Parish as several vehicles traveling along I-12 had to pull over because of a flat tire. State Police Trooper Bryan Lee says a bunch of nails apparently punctured the tires…
cut 13 (09) “…left out’
Lee says they are not sure if some purposely scattered the nails along the interstate.

Could we see a tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico this week? Don Molino has more on that…
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Don Molino”

LSU football coach Ed Orgeron said today he plans on making some changes on his offensive line after the Tigers front five failed to protect quarterback Joe Burrow on a consistent basis in Saturday’s win over Southeastern Louisiana. Starting guard Garrett Brumfield is optimistic the unit can get it together…
cut 30 (11) “…with time”

Governor John Bel Edwards has plans to recommend a raise of at least a grand for public school teachers, the first substantial raise in about a decade.  The plan would also see cafeteria workers and other personel get a pay boost of $500 annually.  The governor’s education policy advisor Edward Songy says the message from Edwards to the teachers is clear.

Cut 6 (06) “…southern regional average.”

Songy says the extra money to fund the pay raises will likely come from a stronger economy.

Drivers on I-12 West approaching Baton Rouge got a nasty surprise today as the road was littered with nails, leading to over a dozen flats for commuters. Authorities aren’t sure if this was intentional, or just a case of bad luck, but either way State Police Spokesperson Trooper Bryan Lee says it sure did cause a lot trouble for quite a few drivers.

Cut 12, 9 seconds, those issues

I-12 West is now open to traffic.

There are concerns about LSU’s offensive line heading into Saturday’s SEC opener against Auburn. For the second straight week, the Tigers had trouble protecting quarterback Joe Burrow, who was sacked twice and completed just 10 passes in a 31-0 win over Southeastern Louisiana. Head Coach Ed Orgeron says they got a lot of work to do…

Cut 13 (10) “…there are concerns”

And the Saints D got an Ivy League Education yesterday from Harvard grad Ryan Fitzpatrick who took Cam Jordan and Co. to school to the tune of 417 yards through the air and 5 total touchdowns in the Bucs upset 48-40 win over the Black and Gold. It’s yet another year in a row New Orleans has failed to win their opening game. They went 0-2 to start the year last year.

A disorganized area of thunderstorms in the northwest Caribbean Sea is grabbing the attention of forecasters. Seth Warthen, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says the chances of development of anything major are low.
Cut 3 (10) “…developing into anything.”
The disturbance is expected to make it into the Gulf of Mexico and forecasters say an eventual landfall is more likely along the Texas coastline.

An Alexandria woman faces second-degree murder in the death of her husband in front of their three children Saturday in the parking lot of a Walmart. Alexandria Police say 31-year-old Kayla Coutee shot her 30-year-old estranged husband, Thomas Coutee. Corporal Wade Bourgeois.
Cut 9 (10) “…that day”
The three children in the vehicle were unharmed, but may have witnessed the shooting.

Southeastern may not have fared so well against LSU on the football field, but according to a report, at least their students graduate with a lot less debt…
Voicer 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow took some big hits in the 31-0 win over Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday night. Coach Ed Orgeron says Burrow needs to do more to avoid injury….
cut 15 (11) “…two quarterbacks”
But Burrow says he doesn’t know how to slide and doesn’t want to learn.

The National Hurricane Center is watching three hurricanes and that should come as no surprise as today marks the statistical peak of the Atlantic Hurricane season. Kevin Barnhart talks with State Climatologist Barry Keim…
Voicer 2 (31) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Kenner Mayor Ben Zahn issued a memo that asks boosters they can not buy shoes, clothes or anything from Nike or with the Nike swoosh. No reason was given, but it comes after Nike began a marketing campaign with former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who started the movement of national anthem protests against racial inequality.

Southeastern Louisiana University students graduate with less debt than any other university in Louisiana, that according to a report from LendEDU. The average Louisiana student’s debt clocks in at 26,800 dollars, but SELU President John Crain says his university’s average is thousands of dollars lower….
cut 10 (08) “…in state”
Grambling State students graduated with the most debt in the state.

We learned two things during LSU’s 31-0 win over Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday. The Tigers offensive line needs to improve and quarterback Joe Burrow will not slide to avoid contact…
cut 16 (04) “….will slide”
Coach Ed Orgeron says he would like to see Burrow slide, because there are only two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster. 12th ranked LSU faces a big challenge this Saturday as they will visit 7th ranked Auburn. The Bayou Bengals are a 10-point underdog.

Today marks the statistical peak of the Atlantic hurricane season and there are three hurricanes forecasters are watching. State Climatologist Barry Keim says sea surface temps are just right in the storm breeding grounds…
Cut 7 (07) “…near September 10th.”
None of the hurricanes are an immediate threat to the Gulf of Mexico, but the National Hurricane Center is monitoring an area in the northwest Caribbean Sea that has a medium chance of developing into a tropical depression in the Gulf later this week.

An announcement from Senator John Kennedy on his intentions to run for governor next year may be coming soon. Kennedy says he’s spoken with consultant Fred Davis
Cut 4 (05) “…the race yet.”
Kennedy says he’s done some polling and 51-percent of respondents say they would vote for him, while 37-percent would vote for Governor John Bel Edwards. Attorney General Jeff Landry and US Representative Ralph Abraham are also considering a campaign.

31-year-old Kayla Coutee faces a charge of second-degree murder after Alexandria Police say she fatally shot her husband in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart on Saturday. Authorities say Coutee and the 30-year-old victim met there to exchange custody of the children. Three children were present and none of them were injured.

For the fifth straight season, the Saints lose their season opener as Tampa Bay came into the Mercedes Benz Superdome and shocked New Orleans 48-40. Bucs journeymen quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick had a career passing day with 417 passing yards and four touchdowns, he also rushed for 36 yards and a touchdown. The Saints came into the game as a 9.5 point favorite. Coach Sean Payton agreed with everyone else, the defense played poorly…
Cut 19 (13) “ many positives”
The Saints have lost seven of their last eight openers.

The National Hurricane Center says there’s a medium chance a tropical depression will form in the Gulf of Mexico this week. But the system is expected to head to Texas. Meanwhile, there are three hurricanes in the Atlantic as today marks the statistical peak of the hurricane season. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we could see tropical cyclone development become suppressed later in the season, because of an El Nino weather pattern could emerge….
cut 9 (06) “…formation of the storms”

There are concerns about LSU’s offensive line heading into Saturday’s SEC opener against Auburn. For the second straight week, the Tigers had trouble protecting quarterback Joe Burrow, who was sacked twice and completed just 10 passes in a 31-0 win over Southeastern Louisiana. Head Coach Ed Orgeron…
Cut 13 (10) “…there are concerns”
Saturday’s game against Auburn will kick off at 2:30.

US Senator John Kennedy admits he’s met with a consultant as he continues to look at running for governor next year…
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Ten people were injured when a floor collapsed during a funeral service at a church in Hammond over the weekend. Officials say termites weakened the floor and about dozen people fell into a four-foot-hole. Two people were taken to a hospital, while the rest suffered minor injuries.

Miss Louisiana Holli Conway finished second runner up in last night’s Miss America pageant.

Today marks the statistical peak of the hurricane season and there are three hurricanes churning in the Atlantic Ocean. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 8 (10) “…kinds of storms”
None of the hurricanes are an immediate threat to the Gulf of Mexico. But there is an area of disturbed weather in the northwest Caribbean that forecasters say could develop into a tropical cyclone in the Gulf of Mexico later this week.

Will Senator John Kennedy run for governor? Well, Kennedy says he has a poll that shows he’ll be an easy winner, if he challenges Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards…
cut 5 (05) “…was at 37”
Kennedy is not saying when he’ll make a decision. Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry and U.S. Representative Ralph Abraham have also expressed interest in running against Edwards.

Kenner Mayor Ben Zahn reportedly sent out a memo that says the Jefferson Parish city will not purchase Nike products for its recreational facilities. Last week, Nike unveiled a marketing campaign featuring former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who began the wave of protests against racial inequality by kneeling during the National Anthem.

Saints fans are down today after a stunning 48-40 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. New Orleans was a 9.5 point favorite.

LSU won on Saturday as expected, but the offensive line played poorly. Senior offensive guard Garrett Brumfield admits they didn’t play to the best of their abilities….
cut 14 (11) “…with time”
The Tigers need to get better up front quickly as they visit seventh ranked Auburn this Saturday.

Today marks the statistical peak of the Atlantic hurricane season and there are three hurricanes forecasters are watching. State Climatologist Barry Keim says sea surface temps are just right in the storm breeding grounds…
Cut 7 (07) “…near September 10th.”
None of the hurricanes are an immediate threat to the Gulf of Mexico, but the National Hurricane Center is monitoring an area in the northwest Caribbean Sea that has a 30-percent chance of developing into a tropical cyclone in the Gulf over the next five days.

The chances seem to be increasing Senator John Kennedy will run for governor next year. The Republican admits he’s spoken with a consultant and conducted an internal poll in a potential race against Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards. Kennedy says he disagrees with the direction Edwards is taking the state…
cut 6 (04) “….of government is”

Miss Louisiana Holli Conway of Monroe finished as a second runner up at last night’s Miss America Pageant. Nia Franklin won the pageant that for the first time didn’t include a swimsuit competition. Conway won the talent competition for a vocal performance.

A new report shows Southeastern Louisiana students graduate with less than debt than any other university in the state. S-E-L-U president John Crain says they have a program that ensures a student’s tuition will not go up…
cut 12 (10) “…attendance fees”
Grambling State students graduated with the most debt according to the report.

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy says he’s ready to vote for Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s appointment to the US Supreme Court.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

The Louisiana Department of Health reports 47 women died from pregnancy-related causes in a six-year span starting in 2011, one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the nation. L-D-H Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee says those numbers do reflect the previous administration, and they’re hoping for better results from the Medicaid expansion that substantially increased insurance coverage levels statewide.

Cut 5 (10)  “…after pregnancy .” 

The LSU Tigers will welcome Southeastern Louisiana into Tiger Stadium tonight for the first meeting between the schools on the football field since 1949. LSU is coming off a victory over Miami, with starting quarterback Joe Burrow threw for just 140 yards against the Hurricanes.  Head Coach Ed Orgeron says they want to throw the ball more on tonight…

Cut 8 (10) “…points.”

LSU has adopted and begun enforcing a new policy that bars on campus organizations from distributing hard liquor at their gatherings and events. The policy has also been adopted by 6,100 fraternities across the nation in a push to curb alcohol abuse. LSU Dean of Students Mari Fuentes-Martin says they considered the proposal in spring, and got everyone on board to start the year.

Cut 12 (10)   “information” 

The LSU Tigers will welcome Southeastern Louisiana into Tiger Stadium tonight for the first meeting between the schools on the football field since 1949. LSU is coming off a victory over Miami, while the Lions lost last week to ULM. But Southeastern Quarterback Chason Virgil threw for 358 yards. LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says he’s impressed with the Fresno State transfer

Cut 7 (10) “…well coached.”

The Louisiana Department of Health reports 47 women died from pregnancy-related causes in a six-year span starting in 2011, one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the nation. L-D-H Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee says it’s a startling problem, specifically within one population.

Cut 3 (10) “…up call” 

LSU has adopted and begun enforcing a new policy that bars on campus organizations from distributing hard liquor at their gatherings and events, this as a result of the suspected hazing death of Maxwell Gruver last September, where authorities say the Phi Delta Theta pledge was pressured into chugging 190 proof booze as part of his fraternity initiation. Fuentes-Martin says it will take a lot of effort to undo the boozing cultures in frats, where even mentorship interactions involve liquor

Cut 13 (09) “are happening”

After four days of hearings, Lousiaina Senator John Kennedy says will vote to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh as the newest member of the US Supreme Court.  Democrats are upset the White House has yet to release documents from Kavanaugh’s time as a top White House aide to President George W Bush. But Kennedy says committee chairman and Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley already released 450-thousand pages of documents about Judge Kavanaugh

Cut 11 (12) “…put together.”