August is ending with no named tropical storm or hurricane for the first time since 1997. As a matter of fact there hasn’t been a named storm since early July, and that hasn’t happened since 1941. State Climatologist Barry Keim says dust from the Sahara desert in Africa has contributed to the quiet storm season so far…:

CUT 10  (09)        “…air layer.”

The peak of the season comes in about two weeks, and Keim says that’s abundant time for a big one to develop.

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help to find a man who disappeared nearly 33 years ago. Investigators say Robert Fulton Browning was last seen walking away from his home on November 27^th 1989 after an argument. Deputy Glenn Springfield says they are hoping to find new information to lead them to Browning…:

CUT 03(06)      “…in the case.”

A woman was killed Tuesday at Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans, when her hair got tangled in a baggage conveyor. 26-year-old Jermani Thompson was transported to a nearby hospital, where she later died. She worked for GAT Airline Ground support, and was off-loading an airliner.

An East Carrol Parish group called Delta Interfaith is trying to keep some internet providers from derailing broadband expansion…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington.”

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for help to find Robert Fulton Browning, who disappeared almost 33 years ago. Browning would be 85 now and was last seen walking away from his Monroe home on November 27^th, 1989, after an argument. Deputy Glenn Springfield says the investigation at the time found no leads. He says Browning’s family hasn’t given up either.

Cut 5  (06) “…actually happen.”

If you have any information contact the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Delta Interfaith a group from East Carroll Parish is calling on the state to keep internet provider Sparklight from derailing broadband expansion. Nathanael Wills with Delta Interfaith says they are hoping Governor Edwards and Commissioner Jay Dardenne will assist their efforts.

Cut 8 (07) “..unfeasible projects.”

He says Sparklight is protesting  and wants to remain the sole provider.

August is ending without a named storm for the first time since 1997. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’ve gone since early July without a named storm and that’s the first time since 1941 that there have been no named storms between July 3^rd and August 31^st. He says it’s been an odd hurricane season….

Cut 9 (09)  “…above  normal year.”

Keim says we can’t let our guard down as September 10^th is the peak and there’s still time for a major storm to develop.

American Cruise Line announces its newest river cruise ship, the American Symphony, will call Natchez, Mississippi its port of origin by 2025. The American Symphony currently sails out of New Orleans up the Mississippi River. American Cruise Lines CEO Charles Robertson on why Natchez…

Cut 13 (09) “it all” 

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for help to find Robert Fulton Browning, who disappeared almost 33 years ago. Browning would be 85 now and was last seen walking away from his Monroe home on November 27^th, 1989, after an argument. Deputy Glenn Springfield says even though it’s been three decades he believes Browning can still be located.

Cut 4  (05) “…with him.”

If you have any information, please contact the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office.

American Cruise Line announces its newest river cruise ship, the American Symphony, will call Natchez, Mississippi its port of origin by 2025. Vidalia Mayor Buz Craft says it’s wonderful news for the Miss-Lou region….

Cut 12 (08) “…Miss-Lou”  

The American Symphony currently sails out of New Orleans up the Mississippi River.

Delta Interfaith a group from East Carroll Parish is calling on Governor Edwards to keep internet provider Sparklight from derailing broadband expansion. Nathanael Wills with Delta Interfaith says current laws favor incumbent providers and because Sparklight serves a small portion of the area, they can stop competing providers from coming in.

Cut 7 (10) “…pretty messed up.” 

He says Sparklight is trying to stop expansion in 26 Louisiana communities.

A group from East Carroll Parish is in Baton Rouge today hoping to keep the broadband expansion project on track. Nathanael Wills with Delta Interfaith says it’s on hold due to a subsidiary of Cable One protesting the grant awards that they didn’t even apply for to stop competition from providing service.
Cut 6 (08) “…to do.”
Wills says current laws and rules favor incumbent providers and a company that serves even a portion of an area, they can stop competing providers from establishing service and basically block access.

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help to find a man who disappeared nearly 33 years ago. Investigators say Robert Fulton Browning was last seen walking away from his home on November 27th 1989 after an argument. Deputy Glenn Springfield says they haven’t given up on finding Browning.
Cut 3 (06) “…in the case.”
Browning was 53 when he disappeared and would be 85 now.

The White House says it’s sending another six-thousand additional doses of the monkeypox vaccines to Louisiana to administer at vaccination events surrounding the Southern Decadence Festival in New Orleans, which is one of the largest L-G-B-T-Q plus gatherings in the United States. Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis (Dousk ah lock -ss) says Decadence allows them to reach those who are less likely to go to a clinic.
Cut 12 (04) “..the event.”
In addition to Decadance this weekend the federal response team will also be doing similar outreach at Atlanta Black Proud.

The Saints have traded fan favorite Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and a 2025 seventh round pick to the Eagles for three draft picks, a fifth round selection in 2023 and two sixth round picks in 2024. Coach Dennis Allen addressed the trade with reporters…
cut 16 (10) “….wish him the best”
Gardner-Johnson is expected to start at safety for Philadelphia. He was looking for a new contract with the Saints and those talks reportedly broke down, which led to the trade.

To help mitigate the spread of Monkeypox, a federal response team will work with state healthcare workers at Southern Decadence Festival. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

There’s a happy ending to the kidnapping case of a Louisiana nun who was abducted almost five months ago while doing missionary work in West Africa. Sister Suellen Tennyson is alive and in U-S Hands. Officials are not saying when the 83-year-old Kenner native will be brought back to the United States.

Louisiana will receive another 98-million dollars in federal transportation funds that other states failed to use, while Louisiana used its full allotment in federal highway money for 2021-22. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the additional federal money has happened before but this is one of the largest such infusions to date…
cut 14 (07) “…to good use”
Wilson says no determination has been made yet on how this latest allocation will be spent.

15-million dollars in state funding will go towards a new College of Engineering Building at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Dean of the College of Engineering Doctor Ahmed Khattab says the building will provide a cutting-edge learning environment for students
cut 9 (06) “….and develop”
Construction is set to begin next year and it will take 16 to 18 months to complete.

Louisiana will receive an additional 98-million in federal transportation dollars as this is money other states failed to spend. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says Louisiana has many infrastructure needs and they will use the redistributed funds across the state…
cut 15 (08) “…get it done”

The federal government is also sending Louisiana six-thousand additional doses of the monkeypox vaccine ahead of the Southern Decadence Festival, which is a large LGBTQ- gathering. Edwards says it’s an ideal opportunity to reach a vulnerable demographic.
cut 11 (08) “….important”
There will be a large-scale vaccination site at Louis Armstrong Park in New Orleans starting tomorrow and running through Labor Day.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette announces a plan for its new engineering building. Whitney Thomas has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

A Louisiana Internet for All Summit takes place in Alexandria today. Executive Director of Louisiana Broadband and Connectivity Veneeth Iyengar says an estimated 1.5 million people in Louisiana do not have high-speed internet and it’s because of a number of reasons…
cut 6 (05) “…access issue”

The federal government awards Louisiana an additional $98 million to put toward planned road and infrastructure needs. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

A spokesperson for New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says the recall effort against her is a Republican-backed maneuver by people with an agenda. The statement praises the mayor for leading the city through the pandemic and Hurricane Ida. Recall organizers say the mayor’s political action committee is spreading lies to try and discredit their effort.

Stakeholders involved in the implementation of high-speed internet for the state are meeting in Alexandria today. Veneeth Iyengar, Executive Director of Louisiana Broadband and Connectivity, says it’s an opportunity to discuss what’s been done so far and anticipated challenges…
Cut 4 (10) “…not sooner.”
Among the attendees are Senator Bill Cassidy and Governor John Bel Edwards.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette announces plans to construct a 70,000-square-foot Engineering building. The mission is to increase students’ resources in and out of the classroom. Dr. Ahmed Khattab, Dean of the College of Engineering, says the building will offer a plethora of opportunities
Cut 7 (10) “…industry partners.”
Construction will begin next year and 15-million dollars in state funds, along with 35-million dollars in private and public funds will be used to pay for the building.

To help mitigate the spread of Monkeypox, a federal response team will work with state healthcare workers at Southern Decadence Festival. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

There’s a happy ending to the kidnapping case of a Louisiana nun who was abducted almost five months ago while doing missionary work in West Africa. Sister Suellen Tennyson is alive and in U-S Hands. Officials are not saying when the 83-year-old Kenner native will be brought back to the United States.

Louisiana will receive another 98-million dollars in federal transportation funds that other states failed to use, while Louisiana used its full allotment in federal highway money for 2021-22. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the additional federal money has happened before but this is one of the largest such infusions to date…
cut 14 (07) “…to good use”
The previous high was 80-million dollars in 2018.

15-million dollars in state funding will go towards a new College of Engineering Building at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Dean of the College of Engineering Doctor Ahmed Khattab says the building will provide a cutting-edge learning environment and will be an improvement over two existing buildings…
cut 8 (11) “….we currently have”
Construction is set to begin next year.