A new reports ranks Louisiana as having the sixth highest adult obesity rate at 36-percent. CEO of Trust for America’s Health, John Auerbach says the state needs to do better to encourage healthier lifestyles.
Cut 6 (13) “…will go down.”
Auerbach says when it comes to obesity among youth, he recommends healthier eating options in schools as well as the increased importance of PE and recess.

A LaFourche Parish council member was arrested after violating a protective order filed against him by another councilman. 51-year-old James Bourgeois Sr. had been ordered to stay 50 feet away from Jerry LaFont after a fist fight broke out at a council meeting back in April.
cut 9 (11) “…for this”
That’s LaFourche Parish Sheriff’s office Lt. Brennan Matherne who says Bourgeois violated the order when he entered a restaurant where Lafont was present.

Two groups are now forecasting that the end of oil is coming, with the shift beginning in the next five years, but LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott is skeptical. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The presidents of the Orleans and Jefferson Parish medical societies have begun a push to raise the legal age to purchase tobacco products in Louisiana to 21 years. Smoking Cessation Trust CEO Mike Rodgers is a co-sponsor of a letter sent to lawmakers and Rogers says by raising the age, it could reduce the millions spent every year on health care costs associated with smoking…
cut 8 (12) “….a toxic substance”
There are six states where you have to be 21 to buy a pack of smokes.

The National Hurricane Center says a tropical wave in the southern Gulf has a medium chance for further development as it moves into the Western Gulf. State Climatologist Barry Keim….
cut 13 (11) “…become Joyce”
If Joyce does form, a landfall is more likely on the Texas coast than in Louisiana.

Westwego police say an alleged rape victim used her teeth and a coffee table on her attacker. Lt. Eric Orlando says the woman bit down on the assailant’s genitals and then used a coffee table to fend off an attack with a knife….
cut 11 (12) “….to her”
Orlando says the victim eventually fled the home and they arrested 54-year-old John Patton on various charges, including second-degree rape.

Louisiana is the recepient of a seven-million dollar federal grant that will result in the construction of a new veterans cemetery in Jennings. Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Joey Strickland says currently Southwest Louisiana families have to drive at least 80 miles to find the nearest veterans cemetery.
Cut 3 (08) “…leesville”
Groundbreaking is set for November 1st.

Medical leaders are calling on Louisiana to raise the legal age to buy tobacco products to 21. Don Molino has the story.

Cut 2 (27) ”I’m Don Molino” 

Two Lafayette City-Parish councilmen are co-sponsoring a resolution opposing the upcoming library event known as Drag Queen Story Time.  Councilmen Williams Theriot and Jared Bellard are behind the resolution which will be on next Tuesday’s meeting agenda.  This comes after the council heard comments from the public about the event, with a majority speaking in favor of the event.

Two groups are now forecasting that the end of oil is coming.  The Carbon Tracker Initiative says demand for fossil fuels will peak around 2023, while Norwegian risk-management company DNV also predicts oil demand will max out in five years’ time.  But LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott says he thinks it is wishful thinking.  Scott explains that solar and wind have made mild progress in providing power to homes and businesses.

Cut 6 (06) “…for electricity generation.”

A tropical depression has the potential to form tomorrow in the Gulf of Mexico. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the area of disturbed weather in the southern part of the gulf is gradually becoming more organized.  Keim says the storm is most likely headed to an area between Brownsville and Houston, but Louisiana shouldn’t let it’s guard down yet…

Cut 14 (07) “…storm is going to go”

Two new reports say the demand for fossil fuels, like oil, will begin to decline in five years, because of the growth of solar and wind energy. But LSU economist Doctor Loren Scott doesn’t see a demise in the petroleum industry any time soon, because it fuels the needs for transportation…
cut 5 (07) “….be fueled too”
Risk-management company DNV forecasts in the year 2050 there will be a 50-50 split between fossil and non-fossil energy.

Three medical leaders are calling on the state legislature to raise the tobacco purchasing age to 21. The presidents of the Orleans and Jefferson Parish Medical Societies along with Smoking Cessation Trust CEO Mike Rodgers are behind the effort. Rodgers says raising the legal age from 18 to 21 could prevent thousands from smoking.
Cut 7 (10) “…birthday.”
There are six states who prohibit the purchase of tobacco products for those under the age of 21.

Westwego police say an alleged rape victim told investigators she bit her attacker’s genitals in effort to get out of a very difficult situation….
Cut 10 (11) “…his genitals“
That’s Lt. Eric Orlando who says 54-year-old John Patton was eventually arrested at the home where the attack occurred. Orlando says the woman also used a coffee table, when Patton used a knife to attack her.

The east coast is bracing for Hurricane Florence, which is a Category Four storm. There’s also Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Isaac. Isaac will make its way into the Caribbean later this week, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s way too early to determine if Isaac will reach the Gulf…
cut 15 (08) “….before then”
Keim says there’s also tropical system in the Gulf that has a medium chance of developing into a tropical cyclone. The biggest threat to Louisiana is heavy rain.

Two groups are forecasting the end of the oil era is coming, with the shift beginning in the next five years, but LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott is skeptical…
Voicer 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Bossier Parish School Board votes unanimously to fight a lawsuit that claims the district’s schools are promoting Christianity in classes and during school activities. The Americans United for the Separation of Church and State say students have been called out for not attending church or identify themselves as a Christian.

The presidents of the Orleans and Jefferson Parish medical societies have begun a push to raise the legal age to purchase tobacco products in Louisiana to 21 years. Smoking Cessation Trust CEO Mike Rodgers is a co-sponsor of a letter sent to lawmakers and Rogers says by raising the age, it could reduce the millions spent every year on health care costs associated with smoking…
cut 8 (12) “….a toxic substance”
There are six states where you have to be 21 to buy a pack of smokes.

Westwego Police say a rape victim bit her attacker’s genitals and then used a coffee table to prevent getting stabbed. Lt. Eric Orlando says several hours later 54-year-old John Patton let the woman go and then police surrounded the home…
cut 12 (09) “….to police”
Patton faces numerous charges including second-degree rape.

Medical leaders are calling on Louisiana’s legislature to raise the legal age to buy tobacco products to 21. Don Molino has the story.
Voicer 2 (27) ”I’m Don Molino”

Governor John Bel Edwards has asked House Speaker Taylor Barras to draft legislation that would protect 849-thousand Louisiana residents with pre-exisiting conditions from losing their health care coverage if a lawsuit is successful that argues the Affordable Care Act is illegal. Edwards has criticzed Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry for signing on as plaintiff and not considering the ramifications.

The National Hurricane Center says a tropical wave in the southern Gulf has a medium chance for further development as it moves into the Western Gulf. State Climatologist Barry Keim….
cut 13 (11) “…become Joyce”
If Joyce does form, a landfall is more likely on the Texas coast than in Louisiana.

LSU’s passing game has yet to take off under new starting quarterback Joe Burrow. The Tigers threw for just 151 yards in Saturday’s 31-0 win over Southeastern Louisiana. LSU had a chance against an FCS opponent to get its passing game up to speed before they play Auburn this Saturday. Burrow says despite average production, the experience was beneficial
Cut 16 (12) “ and grow”
The Tigers are 9.5 point underdogs.

Two groups are forecasting that the end of the oil era is coming. The Carbon Tracker Initiative says demand for fossil fuels will peak around 2023, while Norwegian risk-management company DNV also predicts oil demand will max out in five years’ time. But LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott disagrees, because of the emerging economies in China and India…
Cut 4 (11) “…continue to rise.”

The Orleans and Jefferson Parish Medical Societies are asking the state legislature to raise the age to 21 to buy tobacco products. Six states and hundreds of municipalities already have this law on the books. Smoking Cessation Trust CEO Mike Rogers says the legislation should also include vaping products…
cut 9 (09) “…vaping”

Authorities say a Westwego woman was able to fend off an alleged would be rapist in dramatic fashion after she says he assaulted her in his home. Matt Doyle has more, and as a warning, the story involves graphic details.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Two groups are now forecasting that the end of oil is coming, with the shift beginning in the next five years, but LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott is skeptical.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32)  “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

__________________________________

Medical leaders are calling on Louisiana to raise the legal age to buy tobacco products to 21. Don Molino has the story.

Cut 2 (27) ”I’m Don Molino” 

__________________________________

A Westwego woman was able to fend off an alleged would be rapist in dramatic fashion after she says he assaulted her in his home. Matt Doyle has more, and as a warning, the story involves graphic details.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

_________________________________________

Two groups are now forecasting that the end of oil is coming.  The Carbon Tracker Initiative says demand for fossil fuels will peak around 2023, while Norwegian risk-management company DNV also predicts oil demand will max out in five years’ time.  But LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott says he thinks it is wishful thinking.  Scott cites the emerging economies in China and India will continue to contribute to the continued demand.

Cut 4 (11) “…continue to rise.”

Scott adds he doesn’t believe solar and wind power will be able to contribute to the fuel needs of transportation in the next five years.

Cut 5 (07) “…be fueled too.”

Scott explains that solar and wind have made mild progress in providing power to homes and businesses.

Cut 6 (06) “…for electricity generation.”

____________________________________________

Three major medical leaders in a letter are calling on the state legislature to pass a law that would raise the tobacco purchasing age to 21. The presidents of the Orleans and Jefferson Parish Medical Societies along with Smoking Cessation Trust CEO Mike Rodgers are behind the effort. Rodger says raising the legal age roadblock smokers at a crucial age.

Cut 7 (10) “…birthday.”

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals estimates 7,200 people die every year in Louisiana from complications linked to smoking.

Louisiana has one of the highest adult smoking rates in the nation at 23 percent, which is notably higher than the national average of 15.5 percent. Rogers says that’s costing the state billion medical costs and lost productivity every year, a sky high cost that could barely be recouped in cigarette taxes.

Cut 8 (08)  “…a pack.”

Six states and hundreds of municipalities have adopted the requirement to be 21.

And after decades of declining smoking rates, numbers are back on the rise in wake of a new, tech fueled trend…

Cut 9 (09)  “vaping.”

______________________________________________

A man is under arrest for an alleged rape in Westwego that ended with a police standoff. The victim says 54-year-old John Patton invited her back to his home after the date. When they arrived she says Patton then covered her mouth and dragged her into the bedroom. Police Spokesman Lt. Eric Orlando says that’s when Patton began to force himself on her, (warning, this content is graphic)…

Cut 10 (11)   “…his genitals“

The victim says she entered Patton’s home on the pretext of meeting his sister. She says one else was at the residence.

That’s when authorities say she fled the bedroom into the living room, where she discovered locked doors that required a key. That’s when she says Patton assaulted her with a knife…

Cut 11 (12)“…to her”

The victim says she managed to hold off Patton for several hours, until he decided to let her leave around 9 in the morning, at which time she fled to a nearby business and called police. Police arrived, at which point Orlando says Patton refused to exit his house until…

Cut 12 (09) “…to police.”

Orlando has a past record involving cocaine possession, and was on parole for the Texas based offense. Police do not believe he was under the influence during the alleged rape.

_________________________________

Hurricane season is at its peak as a tropical depression has potential to form today in the Gulf of Mexico. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the area of disturbed weather in the southern part of the gulf is gradually becoming more organized…

Cut 13 (11) “…become Joyce”

Keim says the storm is most likely headed to the Houston area but it’s too early for the Bayou State to take a sigh of relief…

Cut 14 (07) “…storm is going to go”

Keim says there are two other storms in the Atlantic moving this way, but he says Helene and Isaac aren’t expected to have a huge impact…

Cut 15 (08) “…before then”

_______________________________________

LSU’s passsing game has yet to take off under new starting quarterback Joe Burrow. The Tigers threw for just 151 yards in Saturday’s 31-0 win over Southeastern Louisiana. LSU had a chance against an FCS opponent to get its passing game up to speed before they play Auburn this Saturday. Burrow says despite average production, the experience was beneficial

Cut 16 (12) “  and grow” 

Burrow says after beating Miami in the season opener, they may have over looked the S-L-U Lions…

Cut 17 (19)  “on Saturday” 

Cut 18 (15) “…get rolled” 

__________________________________________________

The Ragin Cajuns return from the bye week to face 16th ranked Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are 2-0 and lead the SEC in rushing, averaging 302 yards a game. UL Lafayette Coach Billy Napier says they need to practice hard in order to slow down State’s running game…

Cut 19 (19) “  on Saturday” 

Napier says he’s also impressed with Mississippi State’s front seven on defense. He says it’s a good combination of talent and depth…

Cut 20 (15) “ really well” 

Louisiana first responders are on their way to the Carolinas as Hurricane Florence barrels it’s way to the east coast as a Category Four. Matt Doyle has more

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle” 

The National Hurricane Center says there’s now a high chance that a tropical disturbance at the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula has a chance of developing into a tropical depression by Thursday night as it moves through the western Gulf of Mexico. If it reaches tropical storm strength, it will be called Joyce with landfall expected along the Texas coastline.

Small business optimism has hit an all-time high according to the latest survey by the National Federation of Independent Business.  It’s a new record for the 45-year history of the survey, topping the previous record set in July 1983.  NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says much of the credit for the high marks goes to improved economic policy.

Cut 6 (08) “…job openings perspective.”

A lawsuit claiming a catholic school’s hair policy in Jefferson Parish was discriminatory against black students has been dismissed. Federal court records show the parents of two New Orleans-area girls who filed the lawsuit ended the legal battle. Legal analyst Dane Ciolino says the plaintiffs got what they wanted and that was for the policy prohibiting hair extensions to be repealed, once that was done, it would have been difficult to get much more from the school….

Cut 14 (10) “…its settled”

A lawsuit claiming a catholic school’s hair policy in Jefferson Parish was discriminatory against black students has been dismissed. Federal court records show the parents of two New Orleans-area girls who filed the lawsuit ended the legal battle. Legal analyst Dane Ciolino says there was no reason to move forward once the Christ the King school rescinded the policy last month…

Cut 12 (06)   “be seen” 

The National Hurricane Center says there’s a medium chance for tropical development in the western Gulf of Mexico over the next two days. Seth Warthen, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says a tropical wave entering the Gulf is becoming more organized….

Cut 3 (12) “…Texas coast” 

Small business optimism has hit an all-time high according to the latest survey by the National Federation of Independent Business.  It’s a new record for the 45-year history of the survey, topping the previous record set in July 1983.  NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says capital spending is the highest it has been since 2007, which means business owners are expanding.

Cut 7 (09) “…effect for them.”

About 90 Bayou State first responders are on their way to the Carolinas to assist in what’s likely to be a significant natural disaster as Category Four Hurricane Florence is set to smash into the East Coast. Louisiana is no stranger to natural disasters.  State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says you could call us experts.

Cut 10 (09) “harms way”