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 Legal analyst Dane Ciolino says there was no reason to move forward once the Christ the King school rescinded the policy last month…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”

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. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the crew, comprised of fire departments across the state, will be based out of Columbia, South Carolina.

cut 9 (09) “…trapped people”

A lawsuit claiming a catholic school’s hair policy in Jefferson Parish was discriminatory against black students has been dismissed after it was ended by their parents. This story received national attention after a video went viral showing a sixth-grader tearfully leaving the school after being told her hairstyle broke the school’s rules. Ciolino says the only reason to keep the lawsuit alive would have been to seek damages.

Cut 13 (07) “that purpose”

Optimism of small business owners hits a new high nationally. Kevin Barnhart has more.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

A Slidell high school teacher is out of a job after making a racially charged comment on Facebook. Valerie Scogin made a post saying, in reference to African Americans that if they “want not to be stereotyped, tell people of color to quit acting like animals and perpetuating the stereotype.” Along with another commentary about Africans selling other Africans into slavery. The school district responded after the dismissal saying “this incident does not reflect our districts values.”

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 storm…
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.

Optimism among small business owners is at an all-time high. That’s according to the National Federation of Indpendent Business, who has been surveying its members for 45-year. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says improved federal economic policy has business owners looking to expand and hire…
Cut 6 (08) “…job openings perspective.”
Starns says it might only get better for small businesses when much of the federal tax reform plans kick in next year.

A lawsuit filed by New Orleans-area parents against a catholic school because of its hair policy prohibiting braids has been dismissed. Christ the King School has rescinded that policy and Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the plaintiffs got what they wanted and it would have been difficult to get much more…
cut 14(10) “…its settled”
The case garnered national attention thanks to a viral video showing a girl wearing braids and crying because she was sent home from school.

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” 

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 Thursday night.  Louisiana is no stranger to natural disasters.  State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says you could call us experts.

Cut 10 (09) “harms way”

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” 

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 the federal tax reform legislation approved in December has contributed to the boost in optimism.

Cut 8 (11) “…board has improved.”

The National Hurricane Center says there’s sa medium chance for tropical development in the western Gulf of Mexico later this week. If this tropical disturbance can strengthen into a tropical storm it will be called Joyce.  Seth Warthen, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says at this time they are not expecting any major impacts to Louisiana…

Cut 5 (05)  “…into the weekend.” 

The month of August saw small business optimism 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 Thursday night. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the crew, comprised fire departments across the state, will be based out of Columbia, South Carolina.

cut 9 (09) “…trapped people”

The latest report indicates the storm may strengthen to category five before landfall.

Here’s a look at your commodities…

The National Hurricane Center says there’s sa medium chance for tropical development in the western Gulf of Mexico later this week. Seth Warthen, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says the area of the disturbed weather remains disorganized and it might not have enough to time to strengthen into a major tropical storm before it makes landfall along the Gulf Coast…

Cut 4 (10) “…into the Gulf”

If this tropical disturbance can strengthen into a tropical storm it will be called Joyce.

The month of August saw small business optimism 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.  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 section of Bayou Bridge Pipeline construction has been put on hold. Parent company ETP agreed to cease construction on private property in St. Martinville, the site of clashes between activists and Sherriff’s deputies, after the land’s owner alleged the company was building there illegally. Louisiana Bucket Brigade Director Anne Rolfes says those clashes have led to felony charges for the activists, despite the fact that they were invited to the land by the owner.

Cut 9 (10)  “in handcuffs.”

ETP says “This does not have any impact to our construction schedule.”

Walker High’s head football coach, Lester Ricard, along with an assistant coach Marcus Brown, have resigned, and reports now say the resignation was linked to allegedly inappropriate text messages sent to female students. Prep writer for The Advocate, Robin Fambrough, says the situation is a huge deal to the school’s football program.

Cut 12 (07) “…for the program.”

The state’s two largest teachers’ unions are responding to Governor Edwards’ push for a 1,000 dollar pay raise for teachers, and a 500 dollar pay raise for support personnel. Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux says her organization is seeking a 1,200 dollar a year raise for teachers, as well the establishment of living wages for support personnel.

Cut 6 (11) “…eroded away.”

A section of Bayou Bridge Pipeline construction has been put on hold. The pipeline was paused after parent company ETP agreed to cease construction on private property in St. Martinville after the land’s owner alleged the company was building there illegally. The pipeline was on track to finish construction by October, but Bucket Bridge Director Anne Rolfes says that’s unlikely now.

Cut 10 (08)   “…in state.“

ETP says “This does not have any impact to the timing of our project.”

Two games into the season and LSU is already ranked dead last in the SEC in total offense, averaging just 316 yards a game. The Tigers are second to last in pass offense. Coach Ed Orgeron has said the offensive line needs to get better, but that’s not the only group struggling

Cut 14 (11) “…do that”

The National Hurricane Center says there’s  a medium chance for tropical development in the western Gulf of Mexico later this week. Seth Warthen, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says a tropical wave is moving into the Gulf….

Cut 3 (12) “…Texas coast” 

The governor’s office says they will look to increase public school teacher pay by at least a thousand dollars next year. The state legislature will have to agree with that proposal. Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux says they’re also demanding an increase in public school funding….
cut 7 (09) “….ten years”
Average teacher pay in Louisiana is just below 50-thousand dollars a year, which is about two-thousand dollars lower than the Southern Regional Average.

A major hurricane is bearing down on the southeast coast of the United States and Louisiana Fire Marshal is sending resources towards the Carolinas. Teams specializing in Swift Water Rescue and disaster response management left yesterday from fire departments and districts from the New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport areas.

Walker High School has accepted the resignations of head football coach Lester Ricard and an assistant coach, as two are reportedly under investigation by school officials for allegedly making inappropriate comments and sending text messages to young women…
Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Saints are eager to put Sunday’s bad loss to Tampa Bay behind them. Linebacker Demario Davis says it was humbling to watch the game film of Bucs Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing for 417 yards…
Cut 16 (10) “ get it fixed”
The Saints host Cleveland Sunday.

The state’s largest two teacher unions have mixed responses to the governor’s plan for educators to receive a 1,000 dollar pay raise next year. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Hundreds gathered at Susan Park in Kenner to protest Mayor Ben Zahn’s decision to ban Nike products from being purchased by local booster clubs. Saints players Cameron Jordan and Terron Armstead were among those in attendance. Zahn says he doesn’t want taxpayer dollars used in a political campaign. Nike has a marketing campaign featuring former NFL quarterback Collin Kapernick, who started the National Anthem protests.

A section of Bayou Bridge Pipeline construction has been put on hold. Energy Transfer Partners agreed to cease construction on private property in St. Martinville after the land’s owner alleged the company was building there illegally. Louisiana Bucket Brigade Director Anne Rolfes says ETP did not get permission to build on the land
Cut 8 (12) “…pipeline.”
But E-T-P says this will not have any impact to their construction schedule or the timing on completing the project.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron is planning on making changes on his offensive line, but he also wants to see better play from his receivers….
cut 15 (10) “…football player”
The Tigers rank dead last in the SEC in total offense heading into LSU’s game against Auburn.

The state’s two largest teachers unions are responding to Governor Edwards’ push for a 1,000 dollar pay raise for teachers, and a 500 dollar pay raise for support personnel. But one group says it’s not enough. Louisiana Federation of Teachers spokesperson Les Landon says it would take a 1,850 dollar raise to get Bayou educators to the regional average, but the regional average is also too low.
Cut 4 (12) “…the conversation.”
Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux says her organization is seeking a 1,200 dollar a year raise for teachers.

Slidell High School teacher Valerie Scogin is facing backlash for a Facebook post that said, “Want to not be stereotyped, tell people of that color to quit acting like animals.” It’s unclear who the message was directed to, but a school official says it has been taken down and the school system is taking appropriate disciplinary actions.

The Bayou Bridge Pipeline could be facing a delay, after agreeing to cease construction on private property in St. Martinville after the owner alleged the company was there illegally. Matt Doyle has more.
voicer 2 (31) ”I’m Matt Doyle”

Walker High’s head football coach, Lester Ricard, along with an assistant coach Marcus Brown, have resigned. The resignations come days after the announcement the two had been suspended. The question of “Why?” remains. Prep writer for The Advocate, Robin Fambrough, says Ricard, a former quarterback at Tulane, had the program heading in the right direction.
Cut 11 (08) “…disappointed”
A Baton Rouge TV station reports officials are looking into suggestive comments and text messages to young women.