Police in Lafayette say drug-related violence led to the shooting death of a juvenile last night. Lafayette PD’s Sgt. Robin Green says the victim was only 15…:

CUT 12(08)      “…drug transaction.”

Green says the suspect fled the scene in an unknown vehicle prior to the officers’ arrival. She says they hope to make an arrest soon, as citizens are helping police in the investigation.

Officials broke ground on a $97-million expansion of the WestRock paper mill in the Jackson parish town of Hodge today. Jonesboro state Representative Jack McFarland says the dollars will increase the footprint and modernize the containers plant…:

CUT 04(05)      “…decade or two.”

The mill has been in operation since 1928.

Baton Rouge Police arrested two of their own today, after an investigation turned up evidence they were sharing sensitive information with a drug dealer. Officers Richard Barrow and Wade Hill were taken into custody this morning. Barrow had recently quit his job because of the allegations.

The first week of the college football season kicks off tonight and two new sports betting parlors open today in Louisiana. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says there’s the Caesars Sportsbook at Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans and last night he toured the DraftKings sportsbook at the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles…:

CUT 09(10)      “…it’s huge.”

Johns says the L’Auberge Casino in Baton Rouge is expected to open its Barstool sportsbook soon and the Caesars Sportsbook opened at Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City last night. In all, 17 sportbook license have been granted in Louisiana. Three of those have yet to open or announce an opening date.

WestRock has broken ground on a 97-million dollar expansion at its paper mill in Hodge. The paper mill has been a major employer in Jackson Parish for 90 years as it’s responsible for 450 direct jobs. State Representative Jack McFarland says the facility is also a driver of economic activity for surrounding parishes…:

CUT 03(11)      “…wood chip community.”

Construction is expected to continue into 2024.

With the NFL regular season starting just over a week from now, New Orleans Saints safety Marcus Maye has been arrested; accused of a road rage incident in which he allegedly brandished a pistol at a carload of young girls. He faces multiple counts of aggravated assault with a firearm. Maye’s attorney says Maye (quote) “vehemently denies the allegation” and “looks forward to defending himself when all the facts come out.”

Morgan City’s Shrimp and Petroleum Festival begins today, and organizers are excited it’s back after a two-year absence…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington.”

We have this year’s “D Storm”, but it poses no threat to the Gulf Coast. Tropical Storm Danielle is in the mid-Atlantic; several hundred miles off the East Coast. Our weekend looks to be rainy, but hurricane-free.

WestRock has broken ground on a 97-million-dollar expansion in Jackson Parish. The governor’s office says the company is expected to utilize the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program. State Representative Jack McFarland thanks WestRock for securing jobs and supporting contractors who rely on the paper mill.

Cut 5  (11) “…as well”

Morgan City’s Shrimp and Petroleum Festival is back and Carrie Stansbury, Executive Director of the Cajun Coast Visitor’s Bureau says the oldest charted harvest festival in the state began as an event to pay homage to shrimpers with the blessing of their boats and has grown to also honor the oil & gas industry.

Cut 8 (06) “…gas industry.”

There’s also plenty of music, food, arts and crafts, and fireworks.

The first week of college football kicks off tonight and that also means a boon to sports betting in Louisiana. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says in the first half of this year one-point-four billion dollars in legal sports bets were made, which has generated 16.5 million dollars in tax revenue for the state.

Cut 11 (12)  “…that goal.”

Johns says most sports bets are made on a person’s phone or computer, with mobile sports betting accounting for 80 percent of the sports betting business.

And Tropical Storm Danielle has formed in the Atlantic and it’s expected to strengthen into the first hurricane of the 2022 Atlantic season. It’s not expected to impact Louisiana whatsoever and poses no immediate threat to land. Last month was the first August without a named storm in the Atlantic since 1997.

The first week of the college football season kicks off tonight and two new sports betting parlors open today in Louisiana. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says there’s the Caesars Sportsbook at Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans and the DraftKings sportsbook at the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles. He says the L’Auberge Casino in Baton Rouge is expected to open its Barstool sportsbook soon.

Cut 10 (10) “..their market” 

The Shrimp and Petroleum Festival in Morgan City kicks off today. Carrie Stansbury, Executive Director of the Cajun Coast Visitor’s Bureau says the annual event includes continuous music, plenty of seafood, along with arts and crafts. She says Sunday however is their traditional day.

Cut 7 (07) “…fireworks at night.” 

It’s the oldest charted harvest festival in the state.

There’s big economic news to report for a rural part of north Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The first week of the college football season kicks off tonight and two new sports betting parlors open today in Louisiana. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says there’s the Caesars Sportsbook at Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans and last night he toured the DraftKings sportsbook at the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles…

Cut 9 (10)  “…it’s huge.”

And L’Auberge in Baton Rouge is expected to open its Barstool sportsbook soon.

WestRock has broken ground on a 97-million-dollar expansion at its paper mill in Hodge. State Representative Jack McFarland says Jackson Parish mill will expand and modernize the facility which produces high-quality containerboard used in manufacturing containers…

Cut 4  (05) “…decade or two.”

The mill began operations in 1928.

Morgan City is gearing up for the first Shrimp and Petroleum Festival since 2019. The festival was canceled the last two years due to the pandemic and Ida. Carrie Stansbury, Executive Director of the Cajun Coast Visitor’s Bureau says the annual event celebrates two of the state’s largest industries.

Cut 6 (07) “…culture of our community.” 

The five-day event, which kicks off today and wraps up Labor Day.

The Ad Council and the U.S Department of veteran affairs launches the “Don’t Wait Reach Out” campaign to assist veterans with mental health issues. Veteran’s Affairs executive director Lisa Kearney says normalizing the discussion of suicide is the objective of the campaign the website VA.gov forward slash reach offers instant support.  

Cut 12 (11) “…to get to us.” 

WestRock has broken ground on a 97-million-dollar expansion at its paper mill in Hodge. The paper mill has been a major employer in Jackson Parish for 90 years as its responsible for 450 direct jobs. State Representative Jack McFarland says the facility is also a driver of economic activity for surrounding parishes

Cut 3 (11) “…wood chip community” 

McFarland says the 97-million dollars will expand and modernize the facility.

The University of Louisiana – Lafayette embarks on two new projects that will create a “biopharmaceutical corridor” in the state and advances in medicine. ULL President Dr. Joe Savoie (SAV-wah) says the projects are the result of a $50-million investment made by the Legislature and Governor Edwards…:

Cut 7 (06) “…the economy for Louisiana.”

An LSU study of how football players reacted to COVID indicates their immune system fared better compared to older adults with co-morbidities. And LSU’s School of Kinesiology Associate Professor Guillaume (gee-um) Spielman says the research continues, in addition to comparing immune system responses of older adults now, they are looking at the responses of sedentary adults and athletes.

Cut 14 (06)  “…non-athletes.”

The Ad Council and the U.S Department of veteran affairs have collaborated, creating a “Don’t Wait Reach Out” campaign that assists veterans with mental health issues.  Veteran’s Affairs executive director Lisa Kearney says veterans will gain support in numerous ways.  

Cut 10 (09) “…connect to support .”

For more information visit  VA.Gov/reach  

Louisiana is donating up to 300 travel trailers, originally acquired for Hurricane Ida to assist flood survivors in Eastern Kentucky.  GOHSEP Director Casey Tingle, says the trailers are ones that have been returned to the state by Louisiana residents and some displaced individuals are working directly with FEMA on temporary housing in Louisiana.

Cut 5 (10) “…recovery process.”

An LSU study of how football players reacted to COVID shows their immune system fared better compared to older adults with co-morbidities. LSU’s School of Kinesiology Associate Professor Guillaume (gee-um) Spielman says early studies indicated an increased risk of myocarditis in athletes with COVID, but extended research proved otherwise.

Cut 15 (10)  “…athletic populations.”

UL-Lafayette embarks on two projects to establish it as part of a biopharmaceutical corridor in Louisiana. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (31) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

During an event in Alexandria where federal, state, local and community leaders were on hand for the Broadband Solutions Summit, Governor John Bel Edwards announced over 35-million dollars in grants will help bring affordable high-speed internet within the next two years to nearly 15-thousand locations in Vernon and LaSalle Parishes

Louisiana is donating up to 300 travel trailers to eastern Kentucky, which is suffering from severe flooding. They were used by residents who suffered severe damage to their homes from Hurricane Ida. Kentucky is paying for the transportation. Director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Casey Tingle says the state still has a good supply of travel trailers if another hurricane hits Louisiana…
cut 6 (11) “….need them”

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette announces plans to invest 50-million dollars in state money to create a biopharmaceutical corridor. 25-million dollars will go towards a creating a Level 3 biosafety Lab at the New Iberia Research Center and U-L-L President Doctor Joe Savoie says the other 25-million is for the construction of the Iberia Bio-Innovation Accelerator…
cut 9 (13) “…out of Louisiana”

WestRock has broken ground on a 97-million dollar expansion of its paper mill in Hodge. The governor’s office says the company is expected to utilize the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program to expand and modernize the facility which is responsible for more than 450 direct jobs in Jackson Parish.

September is national suicide prevention awareness month and the U-S Department of Veterans Affairs has a website where vets can get instant support at V-A-dot-gov-slash reach…
cut 3 (31) “…I’m Whitney Thomas”