A deal has been reached to turn control of University Health Hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe over to Oschner and LSU. Matt Doyle has more.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s office has arrested a man who allegedly threatened to harm his estranged wife, who works at Martha Vineyard Elementary School in Ponchatoula. The threat led to an increase in police presence and deputies have arrested the suspect 39-year-old Chad Milton of Ponchatoula.

First responders in the Lake Charles area have seen an uptick in individuals rushed to the hospital in an unconscious state after indigesting synthetic marijuana labeled as Gumbo or Bubblegum. Acadian Ambulance Medical Director Doctor Chuck Burnell says no fatalities, but…
cut 5 (10) “….pretty rapid onset”
Burnell says during a four-day period they transported 45 people to local hospitals with similar symptoms.

Are you an LSU fan who has ideas on how to improve the gameday experience? Then LSU wants you to serve on a 25-member council that will suggest ideas and recommendations when it comes to tickets, traffic, concessions and seating. Senior Associate Athletic Director Robert Munson says you don’t have to be a season ticket holder or live in Baton Rouge to be a part of the panel…
Cut 10 (07) “…for the fans”
Those selected to the council will be asked to commit to four quarterly meetings lasting at least a half a day and serve for two years.

In the past week, Lake Charles area authorities have seen an uptick in synthetic marijuana overdoses, where the users would become unconscious shortly after they ingested it. Acadian Ambulance Medical Director Dr. Chuck Burnell says during a four-day period they transported 45 people to a local hospital that had similar symptoms.

Cut 4 (13) “…episodes of unconsciousness.”

The deal to transfer control of University Health Hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe from BRF to Oschner has been agreed to and should become effective October 1st.  The 294-million dollar deal with Oschner is a 40-million dollar increase over the current contract with BRF. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the new partnership should lead to expanded services, and provide a more fertile training ground for the state’s future doctors.

Cut 7 (11) “…be better”

LSU is looking for fans who want to serve on a council that will provide input and recommendations about the game day experience on the Baton Rouge campus. Senior Associate Athletic Director Robert Munson says the fan experience is a top priority and this could will help develop what that looks like for years to come…

Cut 9 (10) “…first place”

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s office has charged 38-year-old Natalie Robinson of Calhoun with a felony count of practicing law without a license. Deputies booked Robinson after they found evidence that showed she allegedly drew up child custody papers and other legal documents for people for a fee.

Here’s a look at your commodities…

The deal to transfer control of University Health Hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe from BRF to Oschner has been finalized and should become effective October 1st. The 294-million dollar deal with Oschner is a 40-million dollar increase over the current contract with BRF. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says it’s a fitting end to a long saga.
Cut 6 (07) “…going forward”
Dardenne says the new partnership should lead to expanded services and gets LSU more involved in the training of future doctors.

LSU is the highest ranked Louisiana university and in the top half of the SEC at fifth, according to the Washington Monthly 2018 College Guide. Forbes also recognizes the purple and gold in its top college rankings. LSU President F. King Alexander credits the accolades to the return on investment students see upon graduation.
Cut 13 (06) “…that we like.”

In the past week, southwest Louisiana authorities have seen an uptick in synthetic marijuana overdoeses, where the users would become unconscious shortly after they ingested it. Acadian Ambulance Medical Director Dr. Chuck Burnell says the users told authorities the product was called Gumbo or Bubblegum…
Cut 3 (10) “…unconscious”
Burnell says no fatalities were reported.

The Louisiana Lottery is not too concerned about a revenue drop now that Mississippi has passed legislation to create its own state lottery. Louisiana lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says they know some of their retailers near the Mississippi border will see some impact…
cut 11 (10) “…total sales”
It will take about a year for Mississippi to get its own lottery going.

A recent study finds nine percent of visitors to Louisiana were influenced to travel to this state after watching a film or TV show shot here. Kevin Barnhart reports that’s why the Lt. Governor wants to establish a movie trail for visitors to follow…
cut 1 (31) “….I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The governor’s office says on October 1st, Ochsner and LSU will take over the management of safety-net hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe. The new deal will cost an additional 40-dollars, but Commissioner of Adminsitration Jay Dardenne says federal money will cover the extra cost.

State Representative Blake Miguez appears in two commercials produced by the Louisiana Republican Judiciary PAC that urge voters to support the constitutional amendment on the November sixth ballot that seeks to end the use of non-unanimous jury verdicts in felony cases. Miguez says it should be a 100-percent decision by a jury, before someone is sent to jail…
cut 9 (06) “…for you”
The unanimous jury question is amendment two on the ballot.

LSU President F King Alexander says this year’s freshman class is the largest in school history…
cut 15 (08) “…coming into the university”
When fall classes started last week, there were 58-hundred freshmen enrolled, which is just ahead of the previous record set six years ago.

One of the most conservative members of the Louisiana Legislature says he’s supporting the unanimous jury verdict constitutional amendment on the November 6th ballot…
Voicer 2 (30) ”I’m Matt Doyle”

A new state education department report on academic achievement finds students are progressing at a faster pace in English Language Arts than Math. Historically disadvantage groups, which includes black students and students from low-income families demonstrated the top growth statewide, but more needs to be done to close the achievement gaps with peers.

The Louisiana Lottery is not too concerned about the new competition they will soon face from the east, as Mississippi has passed legislation to create its own lotto. Mississippi’s governor has projected an annual 15-million dollar loss in revenue for the Bayou State. But Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says they are not expecting a big drop in revenues and there’s only a handful of Mississippi winners every year…
Cut 10 (10) “…addresses“

LSU ranks in the top half of the SEC in two separate college ranking reports. President F King Alexander says one reason why LSU performs well in these rankings is that one out of three students gradudate with debt from student loans, when the national average is 82-percent….
cut 14 (09) “…to a great start”

Conservative state lawmaker Blake Miguez of Erath has released two commercials in partnership with the Louisiana Republican Judiciary PAC that call on voters to support a constitutional amendment on the November 6th ballot that would end the use of non-unanimous juries in felony cases. Miguez says a jury of our peers should not be able to take away a person’s right to freedom, unless their decision is 100-percent unanimous…
cut 8 (12) “…verdict”
The measure will appear as Constitutional Amendment Two on the November sixth ballot.

The Edwards administration says Ochsner Health System and LSU are set to take over day-to-day operations of University Health Hospital in Shreveport and Monroe on October 1st. BRF is the current manager and they have clashed with LSU leaders, who have doctors and students at these hospitals.

The Bayou State is home to the production of many famous movies and television programs, and the state wants to make it easier for tourists to scope out where those films were shot with a movie trail. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says Hollywood South has contributed to Louisiana’s recent record tourist numbers.
Cut 4 (09) “…movies were shot.”
Nungesser says the still developing movie trail will have about two-dozen locations on it.

Louisiana Lottery officials are not too concerned about Mississippi creating its own lottery through legislation that passed in a special session. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says they are not expecting a big drop in sales…
cut 12 (10) “…here too”
Louisiana lottery revenues help fund public education in this state.

The state Office of Tourism is working on plans to develop a new movie trail, which will make it easier for residents and tourists to see locations where movies and TV shows were shot in Louisiana. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says a recent survey found that nine-percent of visitors were heavily influenced to visit the Bayou State after watching a movie that was filmed here…
cut 6 (08) “….industry in Louisiana”
Over 25-hundred films have been shot in Louisiana.

The Louisiana Lottery is not too concerned about a revenue drop now that Mississippi has passed legislation to create its own state lottery. Louisiana lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says they know some of their retailers near the Mississippi border will see some impact…
cut 11 (10) “…total sales”
It will take about a year for Mississippi to get its own lottery going.

LSU is listed in the top half of the SEC in two separate rankings. Kevin Barnhart has the details.
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s office has charged 38-year-old Natalie Robinson of Calhoun with a felony count of practicing law without a license. Deputies booked Robinson after they found evidence that showed she allegedly drew up child custody papers and other legal documents for people for a fee.

The Republican Judiciary PAC backs a constitutional amendment on the November 6th ballot that would require unanimous jury verdicts in felony cases. It’s yet another conservative organization who backs the legislation. Erath Representative, Republican Blake Miguez, is backing the amendment and hopes other right leaning voters will as well.
Cut 7 (10) “…it right.”

LSU is the highest ranked Louisiana university and in the top half of the SEC at fifth, according to Washington Monthly 2018 College Guide and Rankings. The favorable result follows Forbes also recognizing the purple and gold in its top college rankings. LSU President F. King Alexander credits the accolades to the return on investment students see upon graduation.
Cut 13 (06) “…that we like.”

A recent study finds nine percent of visitors to Louisiana were impacted by by watching a film or TV show shot here and now the state wants to showcase those production locations with an all-new movie trail…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A recent study has shown nine percent of visitors to Louisiana were impacted by something they saw in a film or on television and now the state is showcasing those production locations with the all-new movie trail.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31)  “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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One of the most conservative members of the Louisiana Legislature says he’s supporting the unanimous jury verdict constitutional amendment that will be on the ballot November 6th.

Cut 2 (30) ”I’m Matt Doyle” 

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The university’s value ranking is out doing its SEC football ranking, as LSU is listed in the top half of the SEC according to both Washington Monthly’s College Guide and Rankings as well as Forbes American’s Top Colleges.  Kevin Barnhart has the details.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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The Bayou State is home to the production of many famous movies and television programs, and the state wants to make it easier for tourists to scope out where those films were shot with a movie trail.  Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says it’s a big visitor draw for the state.

Cut 4 (09) “…movies were shot.”

Nungesser says the movie trail will showcase locations from both modern and classic films.

Cut 5 (08) “…the historical movies”

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The Republican Judiciary PAC is backing a constitutional amendment on the fall ballot that would require unanimous jury verdicts in all criminal cases. It’s yet another conservative organization who’s backing what was legislation that began with one of the Capitol’s most liberal lawmakers. Erath Representative, Republican Blake Miguez says he’s backing the amendment and hopes other right leaning voters will as well.

Cut 7 (10) “…it right.”

He says he was swayed after discussing the amendment with other conservative legal experts who detailed the amendment’s solid credentials, and past support from luminaries such as…

Cut 8 (10)  “…verdict.”

Miguez, one of the most conservative lawmakers in the state, says if the founding father’s support for unanimous juries doesn’t sway you, then this should…

Cut 9 (06)  “…for you.”

Louisiana is one of only two states in the nation that does not require a unanimous jury verdict for conviction in criminal cases.

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The Louisiana Lottery says they aren’t too concerned about facing some new competition to the East next year from Mississippi, who’s passed legislation authorizing the creation of their own lotto. Mississippi’s governor projected the net tax loss for Louisiana at 15 million dollars a year. Louisiana Lotto Communications Director Kimberly Chopin says the Magnolia State does contribute to Bayou State.

Cut 10 (10)   “…addresses“

The I-10 and I-20 Corridors feature a ton of cross state traffic, which Chopin estimates is where most of the Mississippi lotto purchases occur at. She says there’s who a few sellers who may notice a drop in lotto ticket purchases as a result.

Cut 11 (10) “…total sales” 

If the state were to see a the possible six percent drop from Mississippi traffic taking its business away from Louisiana, it would roughly correspond to a 10 million dollar drop in revenue for K through 12 funding. But Chopin says she doesn’t anticipate the rival will be a significant drain on state coffers.

Cut 12 (10) “…here too”

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LSU is the highest ranked Louisiana university and in the top half of the SEC at fifth, according to Washington Monthly 2018 College Guide and Rankings.  The favorable result comes just days following Forbes also recognizing the purple and gold in its top college rankings.  LSU President F. King Alexander says he credits the latest accolades to the return on investment students see upon graduation.

Cut 13 (06) “…that we like.”

Alexander says only one out of three students graduate with any undergraduate debt, when the national average is eighty-two percent.

Cut 14 (09) “…off to a great start.”

Alexander says the most recent freshmen class is looking promising in continuing the positive trends of the school.

Cut 15 (08) “…coming into the university.”

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The college football season gets underway tonight and there are two games in Louisiana. Tulane hosts Wake Forest and Southeastern Louisiana visits ULM. The Warhawks are coming off a 4-8 campaign, but Coach Matt Viator believes his squad can be much better this season

Cut 16 (11) “.    to see it” 

ULM returns Caleb Evans at quarterback, who accounted for 30 touchdowns rushing and passing. Lions Head Coach Frank Scelfo says he’s impressed with Evans and the Warhawks defense…

Cut 17 (19)  ”  on defense” 

Cut 18 (18) “…good about it” 

The Demons are huge underdogs in tonight’s game on the SEC Network. Laird says he wants his team to play as well as they can…

Cut 19 (12) “    to do” 

Today marks the 13^th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina making landfall, and official recognitions are… notably sparse, the governor is not holding any events, while New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell attending a wreath laying. Political analyst Clancy DuBos says it’s a storm no one has forgotten…

Cut 6 (10) “…tremendous loss”

Following Hurricane Katrina, actor Brad Pitt helped build homes for displaced families in one of the hardest hit areas, the lower ninth ward, as part of the Make it Right Foundation. Thirteen years later, the homeowners are planning to bring a lawsuit against the foundation that sold them the affordable dwellings as they have not withstood the test of time.  Attorney Ron Austin says his clients are seeking legal action as the homes were built with substandard materials and quality.

Cut 12 (11)   “…to assist them”

You can lease the historic Bailey Hotel in Bunkie for one-dollar a month for 24 months. But the person who leases the 110-year-old building must have a business plan that includes how they would renovate the property. Real Estate agent Robert Burke says whoever leases the building, doesn’t have to re-open it as a hotel…

Cut 5 (12)  “500 feet” 

This November voters will get to decide whether or not ex-cons will have a five year waiting period before they’ll be allowed to pursue a public office. The constitutional amendment, brought by Metairie Senator Conrad Appel, is the second such effort in the last two years. Appel says it’s a good way to improve the state’s reputation for political corruption.

Cut 10 (08) “…the country”