Tropical Storm Gordon is moving quickly across the eastern Gulf of Mexico eyeing a landfall, possibly as a hurricane, along the Mississippi coast around midnight tonight. Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency in advance of the storm as flooding is a major concern…
cut 14 (10) “….three to five feet”
Edwards says 200 Louisiana National Guardsmen will be positioned in southeast Louisiana today.

Louisiana has an agreement with the federal government on a plan to borrow 650-million dollars to pay for major highway projects, like the widening of I-10 in Baton Rouge and a new road from I-20 directly into Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson….
cut 6 (09) “…infrastructure”

STDs are on the rise in a big way across the country….
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Pineville Police Chief Don Weatherford says an internal investigation is underway into the arrest of Sergeant Edric Smith, who allegedly punched an umpire at a softball game on the University of Louisiana at Monroe campus. Smith’s daughter was playing in the game and Smith alleges the ump threatened his daughter, so he grabbed the official and punched him in the face repeatedly. Smith has been charged with battery of a recreation athletic official.

Projections for Tropical Storm Gordon have the storm tracking on a more easterly path than previously thought, likely resulting in a land fall Tuesday night that is currently projected to be along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This is putting the North Shore of Lake Ponchartrain in the cone of uncertainty. Forecasters are also giving the system a stronger chance to develop into a Category One hurricane before landfall. Gordon is expected to track across North Louisiana as a tropical low by Wednesday.

On this Labor Day, the percentage of unemployed workers is less than last year, and now Employers and job seekers can go to La-Works-dot-net and click on the Hire tab, which is a website tool that connects businesses with those looking for a job. Chief Economist for the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Dr. Ali Bustamante ays for those that are working and looking to climb the income ladder, the state has just the resource for you with its incumbent worker training program.

Cut 5 (08) “…by 7.8 percent”

The LA Wallet App has a few new tricks up it’s sleeve. Now Louisiana residents who’ve purchased the app that features a digital copy of your driver’s license will be able to verify the suspension status, whether or not someone is of the legal age from across the room, if they agree to it. Envoc President Calvin Fabre says it’s useful for everyone from rideshare customers to real estate agents, but first…

Cut 6 (13) “…number”

The Louisiana Department of Education has a new grading system to check year to year academic growth progress of students and it’s already beginning to show interesting results. Assistant Superintendent Jessica Baghian (Bahg-e-ON) says they noticed a gap between growth in English scores and Math scores.

Cut 12 (09) “…in math”

Projections for Tropical Storm Gordon have the storm tracking on a more easterly path than previously thought, likely resulting in a land fall Tuesday night that is currently projected to be along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This is putting the North Shore of Lake Ponchartrain in the cone of uncertainty. Forecasters are also giving the system a stronger chance to develop into a Category One hurricane before landfall. Gordon is expected to track across North Louisiana as a tropical low by Wednesday.

On this Labor Day, the percentage of unemployed workers is less than last year.  Chief Economist for the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Dr. Ali Bustamante, says for those looking for work, the health care industry continues to look for qualified workers…

Cut 4 (12) “…home health care services”

The LA Wallet App has a few new tricks up it’s sleeve. Now Louisiana residents who’ve purchased the app that features a digital copy of your driver’s license will be able to verify the suspension status, whether or not someone is of the legal age from across the room, if they agree to it. And in other LA Wallet news, Envoc President Calvin Fabre says says they’re almost finished getting official  permission for bars to take nothing but your wallet app

Cut 8 (06)  “…LA Wallet.”

Louisiana recently announced an additional 80-million in federal transportation dollars, but Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the days of the state getting extra money from the feds for road improvements might stop. Wilson says state resources have become so tight, it will be difficult for Louisiana to put up the matching dollars

Cut 9 (07)  “…we’re seeing.”

Projections for Tropical Storm Gordon have the storm tracking on a more easterly path than previously thought, likely resulting in a land fall Tuesday night that is currently projected to be along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This is putting the North Shore of Lake Ponchartrain in the cone of uncertainty. Forecasters are also giving the system a stronger chance to develop into a Category One hurricane before landfall. Gordon is expected to track across North Louisiana as a tropical low by Wednesday.

The LA Wallet App has a few new tricks up it’s sleeve. Now Louisiana residents who’ve purchased the app that features a digital copy of your driver’s license will be able to verify the suspension status, whether or not someone is of the legal age from across the room, if they agree to it. Envoc President Calvin Fabre says they put layers of security on the service, and consulted privacy advocates like…

Cut 7 (11) “…peaking eyes.”

Louisiana is receiving an additional 80-million dollars federal transportation money, but Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson is concerned bonus highway dollars from the feds may soon stop.

Cut 2 (31) ”I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The Louisiana Department of Education has a new grading system to check year to year academic growth progress of students and it’s already beginning to show some concerning results. Assistant Superintendent Jessica Baghian (Bahg-e-ON).

Cut 14 (09) “…above”

A Tropical Storm warning is posted for southeast Louisiana as tropical-storm force winds are expected to impact the northern gulf coast late tomorrow night and early Wednesday morning. Tropical storm Gordon is located near south Florida and is expected to pick up steam and strength tomorrow before making landfall on the Louisiana or Mississippi border early Wednesday morning.

State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson is concerned Louisiana will see less federal transportation dollars in the future, because the state budget has become so tight, it will be difficult for Louisiana to put up the matching dollars. Wilson says the state legislature had a chance to generate more revenue for Louisiana highway projects by raising the gasoline tax in 2017…
cut 10 (07) “…very difficult”
At the time, several lawmakers said residents opposed seeing the state gasoline tax go up from the current 20-cents per gallon.

LSU football proved a lot of doubters wrong last night with an impressive 33-17 win over 8th ranked Miami. Head Coach Ed Orgeron says he knew the team was ready to play after a distraction filled preseason camp…
cut 30 (15) “…it did”
On this Labor Day, Louisiana workforce officials are pleased with the state’s unemployment rate….
Voicer 1 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Tropical Storm Gordon has formed near the Florida Keys and is expected to intensify as it moves northwest towards the northern Gulf Coast. Gordon’s maximum sustained winds are currently 45 miles per hour and the National Hurricane Center projects 60 mile per hour sustained winds when Gordon reaches the Louisiana-Mississippi coast early Wednesday morning.

Louisiana’s Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson is concerned the state will see fewer federal highway dollars in the future, because the state is not able to provide enough state money to bring down more matching federal dollars. Wilson says the state’s gasoline tax of 20-cents per gallon is not generating enough money….
cut 11 (11) “…keeping up”
Wilson says the state receives between 700 to 800 million dollars a year from the federal government.

On this Labor Day, the percentage of unemployed workers is less than last year. Chief Economist for the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Dr. Ali Bustamante, (Ah-lee Boost-uh-monty)…
Cut 3 (10) “…numbers in employment.”
Bustamante says health care remains a sector of the economy in need of qualified workers.

The LA Wallet App has a few new tricks up it’s sleeve. Now Louisiana residents who’ve purchased the app that features a digital copy of your driver’s license will be able to verify the suspension status, whether or not someone is of the legal age from across the room, if they agree to it. Envoc President Calvin Fabre says it’s useful for everyone from rideshare customers to real estate agents, but first…
Cut 6 (13) “…number”

Southeast Louisiana is under a tropical storm warning as tropical storm conditions are expected within the next 36 hours. The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Gordon formed near south Florida and it’s expected to move northwest with a landfall anticipated along the Louisiana or Mississippi coastline early Wednesday morning.

The Hurricanes were no match for the LSU Tigers last night as the Bayou Bengals upset 8th ranked Miami 33-17.

Louisiana recently announced an additional 80-million in federal highway construction dollars, but Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the days of the state getting extra money from the feds for road improvements might stop. Wilson says state resources have become so tight, it will be difficult for Louisiana to put up the matching dollars
Cut 9 (07) “…we’re seeing.”
Wilson says the state legislature had a chance to generate more revenue for Louisiana highway projects by raising the gasoline tax in 2017.

It’s Labor Day, a day to celebrate hard working Americans. Dr. Ali Bustamante, with the Louisiana Workforce Commission, says for those looking to improve their work skills, the state has just the resource for you with its incumbent worker training program…
cut 5 (08) “…by 7.8-percent”
For more information go to L-A works-dot-net.

The state department of education has pointed out LaFourche and Ascension Parish school systems as two of the best when it comes to academic growth among its students. Assistant state Superintendent of Education Jessica Baghian says best practices from those two districts will be incorporated statewide…
cut 13 (08) “…every day”

Southeast Louisiana is under a tropical storm warning and flash flood watches are also posted as forecasters are anticipating a tropical storm will hit either southeast Louisiana or Missisippi early Wednesday morning. The National Hurricane Center anticipates Tropical Storm Gordon will form in the eastern Gulf of Mexico later today.

On this Labor Day, there are just over two-million people working in Louisiana, nearly 28-thousand more than last year. Chief Economist for the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Doctor Ali Bustamante, says for those looking for work, the health care industry seeks qualified workers…
cut 4 (12) “….home health care services”
Manufacturing continues to be a growing sector in the economy as there are 48-hundred more manufacturing jobs than a year ago.

The LSU Tigers are 1-0 after an impressive performance in Dallas as the Bayou Bengals beat Miami 33-17. Senior running back Nick Brossette rushed for a career-high 125 yards and two touchdowns and new starting quarterback Joe Burrow played mistake free football, while also throwing for 140 yards. Coach Ed Orgeron says Burrow played great, despite some heavy pressure from the Hurricane defense…
cut 28 (12) “….all camp”
LSU will now get ready to host Southeastern Louisiana in Tiger Stadium on Saturday night.

The Louisiana Department of Education has a new grading system to check year to year academic growth progress of students and it’s already beginning to show interesting results. Assistant Superintendent Jessica Baghian (Bahg-e-ON) says they noticed a difference in English scores and Math scores.
Cut 12 (09) “…in math”
Baghian says the state needs to continue to work on closing the achievement gap between the general population and black students.

Ten years ago today, Hurricane Gustav made landfall near Cocodrie and left 1.5 million Louisiana utility customers in the dark. Former Entergy spokesperson Jeff Holeman appeared on Talk Louisiana and says utility crew workers from 26 states and Canada came to restore power lines…
Cut 5 (12) “…unaffected.”
Some Entergy customers were without power for three weeks.

LSU is a slight underdog heading into Sunday’s season opener against eighth ranked Miami. The Tigers have several question marks on offense, but LSU sideline reporter Gordy Rush says the Tigers have the personnel to be good on offense…
cut 20 (15) “….the right”
Kick-off on Sunday is at 6:30.

Attorney General Jeff Landry signs a legal brief that has signatures featuring 15 other Republican leaders that asks the US Supreme Court to overturn an appellate court’s ruling that said it’s unlawful for a Michigan woman to be fired from a funeral home, because she’s transgender. Solicitor General Liz Murrell says the Louisiana A-G is arguing federal labor laws do not cover transgender individuals, so the courts shouldn’t be re-writing legislation…
cut 15 (11) “…rewrite the law”
But Louisiana Trans Advocates Board Chair Dylan Waguespack says Landry is sending a message that trans people are not worthy to protect from discrimination.

Tallulah Mayor Paxton Branch has passed away. The Monroe News-Star reports Branch had heart surgery earlier this week in Jackson. No other details of his death are known. Branch was re-elected this year, but Tallulah residents had just started a recall petition against him. One major complaint is the lack of clean drinking water.

State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson is concerned Louisiana will see less federal transportation dollars in the future, because the state budget has become so tight, it will be difficult for Louisiana to put up the matching dollars. Wilson says the state legislature had a chance to generate more revenue for Louisiana highway projects by raising the gasoline tax in 2017, but it didn’t happen
cut 10 (07) “…very difficult”
At the time, several lawmakers said residents opposed seeing the state gasoline tax go up from the current 20-cents per gallon.

Another company who was seeking to supply the state with new voting machines is asking Louisiana to do the selection process all over again. Hart InterCivic says in a letter to the state that the original bid process was flawed and lacked transparency. The Office of State Procurement has halted contract negotiations so they can review the process.

It’s the opening weekend of the college football season and The Ragin’ Cajuns are upping their sustainability on game days. UL Lafayette has removed all of the trash bins at Cajun Field, and replaced them with options for either organic composting, or bins for recycling. It’s part of the school’s ongoing sustainability efforts that started in 2014 when the Cajuns set a target of zero waste at all school events. Office of Sustainability Director Gretchen Vanicor says the program’s popularity became obvious when the volunteers began to flood in after it was announced.
Cut 14 (11) “…to volunteer”
The Cajuns game tonight is at 6:00 as they host F-C-S powerhouse Grambling State.

Also at six o’ clock, Louisiana Tech is at South Alabama. The Bulldogs have not had much success in season openers on the road as they’ve won only one away game to open a season since 2000