There are more opioid prescriptions in Louisiana than there are residents. That’s according to research by the Associated Press and the Center for Public Integrity. Medical Director with the state Office of Public Health, Dr. David Holcombe, says it’s a problem in the Deep South, as Louisiana is one of 8 states with a high rate of prescriptions per resident. He says part of the problem is that it’s easier for doctors to write a prescription…
cut 6 (07) “….the math”
Louisiana’s opioid prescription rate was 1.03 per capita in 2015.

The LSU vet school says Mike the Tiger’s cancer is getting worse and officials are holding a press conference at this hour to discuss the next steps of his treatment. His caretakers found a tumor on his face earlier this year and a CT scan this week discovered that the tumor is spreading.

And we are still waiting to hear if there will be any changes with this Saturday’s LSU game at Florida, because of Hurricane Matthew.

Alexandria is mourning the death of Ned Randolph, who was the city’s mayor from 1986 to 2006. Current mayor, Jacque Roy, says Randolph will be missed, because he always wanted what’s best for the Cenla Region…
cut 9 (08) “….to him”
Randolph battled Alzheimer’s Disease for the last several years of his life.

Today the last shelter for south Louisiana flood victims will close. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

LSU officials are holding a news conference this morning to update the public on Mike the Tiger’s condition. They said the cancer Mike VI has been battling has spread and that the tumor in his face is growing again. The news conference will provide information on Mike’s prognosis.

Congressman Charles Boustany is taking legal action against the author of “Murder in the Bayou” for making claims that the US Senate candidate was involved with prostitutes who were murdered in Jefferson Davis parish. Boustany’s attorney Jimmy Faircloth says he doesn’t believe it’s a coincidence the book was published shortly after Boustany announced his candidacy for Senate…:
cut 11 (09) “the truth”
Ethan Brown’s book alleges Boustany spent a lot of time at a Jennings motel soliciting prostitutes.

A fake news article alleges the mayor of DeQuincy in Calcasieu parish fired a firefighter for praying at the scene of a fire. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Ned Randolph, former Alexandria Mayor, has passed away from Alzheimer’s at the age of 74. In the 20 years that Randolph was mayor, I-49 was built through the city and the Alexandria Riverfront Center opened. Current Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy says the former beloved mayor came into office at a very tumultuous time…:
Cut 8 (11) “him credit”

Nearly two months after the historic flood in south Louisiana, the last remaining shelter for flood victims is closing today at noon. Red Cross spokesperson Todd James says they’ve reached the point, where they can leave the movie studios, so Celtic can get back to work…:
Cut 15 (08) “their business”
He says they’ve been working diligently to help these flood victims at the shelter find another living arrangement as quickly as possible.

There are lots of folks in the Greater Baton Rouge area who are upset that the popular cult following gas station Buc-Cee’s has decided not to open on a 15 acre site in the Capitol City. Reports indicate the developer was informed last week the Texas chain had decided to pull out saying they just couldn’t get things lined up in Louisiana.

Hurricane Matthew is roaring toward the Bahamas on its way to southern Florida. The National Hurricane Center says, “The Florida Peninsula and the Florida Keys should monitor the progress of Matthew.”

Former mayor of Alexandria, Ned Randolph, passes away at 74 from Alzheimer’s. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The town of DeQuincy in Calcasieu Parish keeps getting picked on by a satire news site, and this time a fake article claims that the mayor terminated a firefighter for praying at the scene of a blaze. But Mayor Lawrence Henagan says that’s ridiculous…:
CUT 5 (11) “like that”

The lawyer for Congressman Charles Boustany says his client is taking legal action against the author of a book that claims the US Senate candidate was involved with prostitutes in Jefferson Davis Parish. Attorney Jimmy Faircloth says no one was able to confirm these allegations before they were published in the novel by Ethan Brown:
cut 12 (10) “shame on em”
The legal action was filed just over a month before the Nov. 8 primary in the U.S. Senate race.

The law that would ban strippers from exotic dancing if they are under 21 has been temporarily blocked by a judge in a lawsuit filed by three women affected. Hearings have not yet been set in the case.

Florida school officials say they are keeping an eye on Hurricane Matthew as it continues too drift northward towards Florida and the US east coast, but Tuesday said the status of the Saturday morning LSU game has thus far not changed. Meanwhile Tulane says a decision on the UCF road game will be made this afternoon.

The final shelter set up for victims of the south Louisiana flood will close today at noon. Red Cross spokesperson Todd James says they will help anyone who is still in the Baton Rouge shelter at Celtic Studios find their next place to go…:
Cut 13 (07) “next step”
James says as of yesterday there were still 69 people in the Celtic Studios shelter.

Ned Randolph, former Alexandria Mayor, has passed away from Alzheimer’s at the age of 74. Randolph was a five term mayor, serving the city from 1986 to 2006. Current Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy says Randolph left his imprint everywhere in central Louisiana and treated everyone with decency…:
CUT 7 (09) “about him”
He died Tuesday morning at a hospice care facility in Alexandria. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

In four games this season, LSU starting quarterback Danny Etling has thrown just one interception. He goes up against a Florida defense this Saturday that has picked off eight passes. Etling says the Gators have a very talented defense…:
Cut 16 (16) “be easy”
LSU will face Florida at 11 AM on Saturday. School officials say they are keeping an eye on Hurricane Matthew as it continues too drift northward towards Florida and the US east coast, but Tuesday said the status of the game has thus far not changed. Tulane is scheduled to take on UCF Friday night, and they say a call will be made on that game sometime this afternoon.

After playing three straight games on the road, ULM returns to Malone Stadium on Saturday night to host Idaho. Warhawks Coach Matt Viator says he’s impressed with Vandals offense, which is led by junior quarterback Matt Linehan…:
Cut 19 (13) “they do”
Last week, ULM lost to Auburn 58-7.

The 76ers say former LSU star and the No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons has had surgery to repair a broken bone in his right foot. Simmons suffered the injury in Philadelphia’s final training camp scrimmage last week, and there is no timetable yet for his return.

In the first preseason home game for the Pelicans, New Orleans fell to the Pacers 113-96. It was the first time in the nest for first round pick Buddy Hield, who ended up making 14 of 21 shots for 35 points.

Today the last shelter for south Louisiana flood victims will close, almost two months after the historic flood. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The City of DeQuincy in Calcasieu parish is once again the subject of a satire news article, this time alleging that the mayor fired a firefighter for praying at the scene of a fire. Mayor Lawrence Henagan says that couldn’t be further from the truth…:
cut 4 (08) “alongside him”

Congressman Charles Boustany is taking legal action against the author of “Murder in the Bayou” for making claims that the US Senate candidate was involved with prostitutes who were murdered in Jefferson Davis parish. Boustany’s attorney Jimmy Faircloth says they filed a lawsuit to defend his integrity and the honor of his family…:

Cut 10 (10) “published them”
Brown has said he stands by what is written in the book.

Governor John Bel Edwards on Tuesday signed agreements with Cuba in the Caribbean island which points towards a deeper trade relationship as the situation between it and the US moves toward normalcy. State leaders say this sets the stage for Louisiana’s major ports to have a primary role when trade restrictions with Cuba are lifted.

Congressman Charles Boustany is suing author Ethan Brown and publisher Simon and Schuster for making prostitution allegations. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 2 (27) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

State Senator Troy Brown has entered a plea of “not guilty” to a domestic abuse charge. Brown is accused of biting his wife’s arm during an argument at their home in Ascension Parish. A trial date has been scheduled for December.

A federal judge has ruled state can not yet enforce a new law that prohibits strip clubs from hiring strippers under the age of 21. There is a suit seeking to get the law thrown out.

District Attorney Jerry Jones is retiring after 26 years as DA for Ouachita and Morehouse Parishes. He cites health reasons and says he hopes to remain practicing some type of law with his son…:
CUT 11 (12) “lot of em”
Jones helped write several state laws that called stronger punishments for those victimize women and children.

Two Central Lafourche High school students have been arrested for wearing clown masks while riding around the school. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Brennan Matherne says they have evidence that Jordan Boudreaux and Taylor Defelice were wearing the masks, because one of them posted it on Snap Chat.
Cut 15 (10) “certain holidays”

Congressman Charles Boustany has filed a lawsuit against the author and publisher of a new book that claims the US Senate candidate frequented a Jennings motel looking for prostitutes. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says very few public officials succeed in libel or defamation lawsuits.
Cut 7 (10) “or falsity”
The author, Ethan Brown, stands by what he wrote.

Congressman Garret Graves is holding a town hall meeting in Baker tonight. Graves expects there will be a lot of discussion about the FEMA requirement to elevate flood damaged homes and what additional measures the federal government should take to protect residents from future floods.
Cut 10 (07) “other projects”

Longtime northeast Louisiana district attorney Jerry Jones will step down on November 1st, because of health reasons. Michelle Southern has more…
Voicer 1 (31) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

Two south Louisiana teens have been charged with terrorizing after they were allegedly caught wearing a clown mask at Central LaFourche High School…
Cut 14 (10) “…on campus”
LaFourche Parish Sheriff spokesperson Brennan Matherne says the 17-year-olds from Raceland face up to three years in jail if convicted.

Candidate for U.S. Senate, Congressman Charles Boustany, has filed suit against author Ethan Brown and publisher Simon and Schuster for claiming Boustany had relationships with prostitutes in a recently published book. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says it will be hard to prove Brown wrote these allegations knowing they were false.
CUT 6 (11) “or defamation”

Congressman Garret Graves is holding a town hall meeting at 6 p.m. tonight in Baker to talk with flooded homeowners. Graves believes he’ll hear from victims wanting to recover but cannot because of government obstacles. He says many things are getting in the way of having families get back to a normal life.
Cut 9 (09) “assistance”

Two 17-year-olds have been charged for wearing a clown mask and riding around their Lafourche Parish high school. Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Brennan Matherne says they made it very clear that the creepy clown activity that’s been going on around the country won’t be tolerated here.
Cut 16 (10) “country”

The two were identified as Jordan Boudreaux and Taylor Defelice of Raceland.

In another clown incident, a 14-year-old Bossier Parish girl has been arrested for making clown threats online. Lt. Bill Davis with the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office says she was arrested for terrorizing on a fake Instagram page.
Cut 3 (09) “very seriously.”

Congressman Charles Boustany is suing the author and publisher of the book “Murder in the Bayou” because it contains allegations that the US Senate Candidate was involved with prostitutes.  Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino says there’s no way the suit will be settled before the November 8 election, but it makes a statement that Boustany is serious about putting these claims to rest.

Cut 8 (09) “publisher”

Author Ethan Brown stand by what he wrote in his book.

The Fourth Judicial District’s longest serving District Attorney, Jerry Jones, has announced he’s retiring after 26 years. During his 5 terms, Jones authored several pieces of legislation to support children and established programs like Teen Court and Juvenile Drug Court to give youth offenders a second chance.

Cut 13 (09) “normal life”

Two Central Lafourche High school students have been arrested for wearing clown masks while riding around the school. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Brennan Matherne says they have evidence that Jordan Boudreaux and Taylor Defelice were wearing the masks, because one of them posted it on Snap Chat.

Cut 15 (10) “certain holidays”

Another teen has been arrested in Bossier parish in connection with the creepy clowning. Lt. Bill Davis with the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office says a 14-year-old’s Instagram threat from a fake account was enough to raise authorities’ concerns. He encourages parents to talk to their kids about being responsible online.

Cut 5 (09) “cross the line”

The teen was charged with terrorizing.