Today the state bond commission is scheduled to vote on the financing plan for the $450 million overhaul to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Brooke Thorington has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington ”

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A new poll shows most Louisianans believe in climate change, and half of state residents think it’s currently impacting their lives. Matt Doyle spoke with the two men behind the poll…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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It’s been a month straight since a named storm has formed in the Atlantic Basin despite high sea level temperatures and a non-existent El Nino. Kevin Barnhart asked a state climatologist what’s going on…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin barnhart”

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The state bond commission is scheduled to vote on the financing plans for the $450 million upgrade to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. State Treasurer John Schroder says he doesn’t foresee any hurdles in getting the greenlight on the overhaul.

Cut 4 (10) “…without any objection.”

The venue, which first opened in 1975, is in need of modifications to keep the venue competitive for hosting major events and keep the Saints in New Orleans for 30 more years. Schroder says although there has been some public pushback, the investment into the dome is a good one.

Cut 5 (08) “…I’m seeing done.”

The renovation process will take place over three to four years with plans to implement new features to heighten the game day experience for fans. Schroder says the cost will be shared among the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District, the Saints, and the state.

Cut 6 (06) “…putting up 90.”

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71 percent of Louisianans believe in climate change according to a survey that was aimed at measuring support for coastal restoration.

While a strong majority of Louisianans agree climate change is real, pollster Greg Rigamer says the percentage of those who believe in the phenomenon can vary wildly between different regions.

Cut 7 (11) “…percent.”

62 percent agree that climate change is real in the Lafourche/Terrebonne Parish region, where a significant amount of the state’s coastal erosion is taking place.

68 percent of respondents agree that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, and Rigamer says a majority are concerned about those impacts.

Cut 8 (10) “…no.”

While 71 percent may agree that climate change is real, only half of the respondents think it’s having an impact on their lives right now.

But Rigamer says there appears to be some difference in the number who believe in climate change, and the number who believe that weather events are getting more extreme.

Cut 9 (12) “…future”

The poll was commissioned by Restore the Mississippi River Delta.

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Louisiana takes the top spot for the safest state for kids to be online.  CenturyLink Quote spokesperson Elaine Thompson says the rankings take into consideration the number of victims of internet crimes, and the reported rates of malware infections.

Cut 10 (11) “…malware infection rates.”

Thompson says few other states have more law pertaining to cyberbullying and sexting.

Cut 11 (09) “…than 10 laws.”

Thompson says while Louisiana does have the top spot, the state is not immune to cyber dangers and it is up to parents to express the importance of best practices online.

Cut 12 (12) “…upcoming school year.”

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It may be peak hurricane season, but it’s been a month since any named storm has popped up in the Atlantic Basin despite estimates from NOAA that this season would see above-average activity.

State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s eerily quiet out there and this type of lull from July 15th-August 15th is rare…

Cut 13 (10) “…common”

It’s been calm seas for the most part, and NOAA’s tropical outlook does not foresee any new storms forming over the next five days. Keim says the last time that happened a lot of listeners weren’t even born.

Cut 14 (09) “…1982.”

That being said Keim warns not to let your guard down even if we escape the month of August without any trouble because the last time that happened the Atlantic woke up in a rage for September.

Cut 15 (10) “…September”

NOAA’s prediction of an above average season was due to the disappearance of the El Nino this year.

A poll shows near-unanimous support for coastal restoration efforts, strong majority support for sediment diversion projects, and majority support for taxes dedicated to funding the projects. Authorities believe diverting large amounts of sediment from the Mississippi River into the wetlands is the best policy to stop coastal erosion, and 55 percent of Louisianans are familiar with that concept…

Cut 4 (09) “…new land.”

That’s pollster Greg Rigamer who says support for sediment diversion is even above 60 percent in coastal parishes whose fishing industries would be impacted.

Medical marijuana may be legal but it’s still against the law to drive while under the influence of the substance, even if you have a prescription. State Police Lt. Nick Manale says…

Cut 13 (12) “or not”

Marijuana can stay in your system for up to 90 days.

Two Eunice men, 21-year-old Logan Bertrand, and 18-year-old Carlos Juan Flores, have been arrested for setting fire to a neighboring mobile home. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the fire is one of two to rock the Eunice community in recent days, including an unrelated blaze in a fourplex that displaced the families that lived there.

Cut 10 (09) “…other as well.”

No one was injured in the fires.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees has teamed up with Governor John Bel Edwards to help get the word out about the state’s new Veterans First Business Initiative. In a P-S-A, Brees encourages the public to visit l-a-veterans-first-dot-org to search for Louisiana veteran-owned businesses.

Cut 7 (06) “…their team.”

The goal is to encourage consumers to do business with Louisiana’s veteran-owned firms.

A new poll shows nearly all Louisianans want action on coastal restoration, and a strong majority would support higher taxes if it meant saving our coast. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees has teamed up with Governor John Bel Edwards to help get the word out about the state’s new Veterans First Business Initiative. The two shot a P-S-A together and Edwards says the program will promote veteran-owned businesses through certification…

Cut 6 (08) “…your business”

Two Eunice men, 21-year-old Logan Bertrand, and 18-year-old Carlos Juan Flores, have been arrested for setting fire to a neighboring mobile home. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the home had recently been vacated and there were two separate attempts to burn the structure down.

Cut 8 (06) “…as being involved.”

No one was injured in the fire. The two have been charged with simple arson and criminal trespassing.

Medical marijuana may be legal but it’s still against the law to drive while under the influence of the substance, even if you have a prescription. Medical marijuana is designed to not include some of the psychoactive properties of recreational pot, but State Police Lt. Nick Manale says the substance can still impact your perception.

Cut 12 (07) “…ability”

Due to the effects of THC, employers still have a legal right to deny you work if you test positive, even if you have a prescription.

A poll shows near-unanimous support for coastal restoration efforts, strong majority support for sediment diversion projects, and majority support for taxes dedicated to funding the projects. 63 percent said they would support a state tax dedicated to coastal restoration projects. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says 2/3rds support for a tax is a crucial number for the Legislature…
Cut 5 (08) “…payers”
Support levels varied from region to region, with only 49 percent of north Louisianans supporting a coastal restoration tax.

Medical marijuana may be legal but it’s still against the law to drive while under the influence of the substance, even if you have a prescription. State Police Lt. Nick Manale says you can be charged a DWI under any type of impairment that causes a driver to operate their vehicle in an unsafe way.
Cut 11 (10) “…different.”
The man accused of punching comedian Andy Dick outside a New Orleans nightclub early Saturday morning has been arrested. I’m Brooke Thorington…

cut  2 (28) I’m Brooke Thorington”  

Two Eunice men, 21-year-old Logan Bertrand, and 18-year-old Carlos Juan Flores, have been arrested for setting fire to a neighboring mobile home. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says no motive was discovered in when the suspects were questioned.

Cut 9 (10) “…with our deputies.”

The two are charged with simple arson and criminal trespassing.

The expectation is that LSU will be good on offense this season. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says the offensive production will start with quarterback Joe Burrow and the second-year starter sure seems more comfortable in this offense, compared to the one he ran last year…
cut 30 (28) “…quarterback”
Former LSU standout and ESPN football analyst Ryan Clark posted on twitter the Tigers finally got their guy after watching Burrow practice yesterday. Clark says Burrow made some big-time NFL throws.

Louisiana Tech head football coach Skip Holtz says his guys continue to grind through fall camp under sweltering temperatures in Ruston. Holtz says even though they are in the dog days of camp, the team is coming together well…
cut 29 (20) “…with”
The Bulldogs will have their second scrimmage of preseason camp on Saturday. Fanfest is also this Saturday at the Thomas Assembly Center from 12:30 to 2:00.

The Saints left their training facility in Metairie today for California, where they’ll have two joint practices with the Chargers on Thursday. New Orleans and Los Angeles will also face each other in a preseason game on Sunday. The temperatures will be much more comfortable in Cali, 80s instead of a heat index around 110-degrees.

An estimated five to ten-thousand individuals are now medical marijuana patients under the state’s new medicinal pot program. State Police is warning drivers that using medical marijuana can impair your judgment and there’s a new law in the state that calls for blood tests in wrecks that cause a serious injury…
cut 13 (12) “….or not”
That’s State Police Lt. Nick Manale.

A new poll finds near-unanimous support for coastal restoration efforts. Scientists believe diverting large amounts of sediment from the Mississippi River into the wetlands is the best policy. 55 percent of Louisianans are familiar with that concept, and…
Cut 4 (09) “…new land.”
That’s pollster Greg Rigamer.

State Fire Marshal deputies have arrested two Eunice men for allegedly setting fire to a vacant mobile home at a Eunice trailer park. 21-year-old Logan Bertrand and 18-year-old Carlos Juan Flores have been charged with simple arson and criminal trespassing. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says this blaze comes on the heel of an unrelated fire in Eunice of a fourplex that displaced the families that lived there…
cut 10 (09) “….as well”
No one was injured in the fires.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees is in a P-S-A with the governor that promotes the state’s new Veterans First Business Initiative. In the P-S-A, Brees encourages the public to visit l-a-veterans-first-dot-org to search for Louisiana veteran-owned businesses…
cut 7 (06) “….their team”
Through this program, the state Economic Development Department will offer support to veteran-owned businesses.

A new poll shows nearly all Louisianans want action on coastal restoration, and a strong majority would support higher taxes if it meant saving our coast. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees has teamed up with Governor John Bel Edwards to help get the word out about the state’s new Veterans First Business Initative. The two shot a P-S-A together and Edwards says the program will promote veteran-owned businesses through certification…
cut 6 (08) “…your business”
In the P-S-A, Brees encourages the public to visit l-a-veterans-first-dot-org to search for Louisiana veteran-owned businesses.

It’s been a week now since medical marijuana has been available to patients in Louisiana. GB Sciences is the contracted grower for LSU and President John Davis says with a seamless rollout behind them, they’re looking forward to offering products like oral strips, creams and inhalable products in the near future.
Cut 12 (10) “…tweaks”
Davis says they estimate there are between five and 10-thousand medical marijuana patients in Louisiana.

Two Eunice men, 21-year-old Logan Bertrand, and 18-year-old Carlos Juan Flores, are under arrest, accused of simple arson and criminal trespassing following an investigation into a trailer fire. Firefighters received three calls to the address in just over 24 hours. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the home has recently been vacated.
Cut 8 (06) “…as being involved.”
Rodrigue says there were no injuries.

A poll shows near unanimous support for coastal restoration efforts, strong majority support for sediment diversion projects, and majority support for taxes dedicated to funding the projects. The poll shows 98 percent of Louisianans want government to tackle coastal erosion. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says you just don’t see that number for other state issues.
Cut 3 (10) “…the boards”
77 percent believe coastal erosion will impact them within the next decade.

It’s been a week since medical marijuana became available to patients in Louisiana and grower GB Sciences says about 10,000 vials of the treatment have been delivered to nine licensed pharmacies licensed to sell the product. GB President John Davis…
Cut 10 (09) “community”
Davis says they estimate five to ten-thousand patients are participating in the state’s medical-marijuana program.

The man accused of punching comedian Andy Dick outside a New Orleans nightclub early Saturday morning has been arrested. I’m Brooke Thorington…

cut  2 (30) I’m Brooke Thorington”  

Sports Illustrated ranks LSU’s Mike the Tiger as the third best mascot in college football, behind only Oregon’s Duck and Georgia’s Bulldog, Uga.

A poll from the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute finds 34-percent of Louisiana residents say abortion should be legal in most or all cases, nationally the percentage is 54. The national Democratic Party is firmly pro-choice, and ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says this poll is why local Democrats face an uphill battle running for statewide office.
Cut 14 (08) “…parts.”

The State completes its first week of medical marijuana availability and grower GB Sciences says about 10,000 vials of the treatment have been sent out to select pharmacies. GB President John Davis says they don’t know exactly how many patients, but he estimates it’s between 5,000-10,000 residents.

Cut 11 (5) “…works”

Davis says they are also looking to roll out a variety products like creams, and inhalables in the near future.

A break from the heat is on the way. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the drop should bring conditions closer to normal, but the high humidity will still present dangerous heat index values.

Cut 8 (07) “…115.”

The Halloween & Costume Association is pushing to have Halloween celebrations on the last Saturday of October.  Founder and CEO of Pet Krewe in New Orleans and HCA member Allison Albert says the idea is to hold more of the festivities on the weekend to help kids with a day to recover after a candy binge.

Cut 4 (10) “…bag of chocolates.”

The petition can be found at change-dot-org. The Association says they still want Halloween to be recognized at the end of the month just celebrations to be on the weekend.