There’s a heavy police presence at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital after authorities say a man with a gun walked into the hospital and made his way up to the sixth floor. A SWAT team has detained that man and no shots were fired. The sixth floor of the hospital has been evacuated.

The FDA has approved a new flu drug that can reduce the severity of the flu, and it can work against drug-resistant strains. Studies indicate Xofluza, which is an oral pill, can reduce symptoms if the patient has been sick with the flu for less than 48 hours. LSU Health New Orleans Professor and Infectious Disease Specialist Fred Lopez says it compares favorably to TamiFlu.
Cut 9 (12) “two days.”
But Lopez stressed it’s still no replacement for getting a flu shot and flu shots are now available.

The Board of Regents will will ask for a $172 million increase in state funding for public colleges next year. The request would push state funding for higher ed to $1.2 billion for the 2019-20 budget year that begins July 1. Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says the additional funding will help students who are struggling with the rising cost of education.
Cut 3 (11) “…students to participate”
Reed says Louisiana students have seen their costs to attend college increase 107-percent over the last 11 years.

The State Fair of Louisiana gets underway today. General gate admission is 12-dollars, with discounts on the weekdays. Fair spokesperson Russell Adams says if live music is what you are looking for, the fair has you covered….
cut 11 (06) “…your gate admission”
Adams says the live entertainment is a good mix of country and rock.

Kenner Senator Danny Martiny told a Senate Committee he plans to bring back a bill next legislative session that would ask Louisiana residents if they want to legalize sports betting. Martiny made the statement after hearing testimony from Louisiana State Police Audit Director Jeff Taylor, who provided estimates from the American Gaming Association on how much revenue legalized sports betting can create…
cut 13 (12) “…could be high”
Martiny says there are more lawmakers who support sports betting now that the Supreme Court legalized it outside of Nevada in May.

Louisiana is receiving a $3 million grant over the next three years from Youth Villages, which has a program to help transition-aged foster youth. The money will pay for the nonprofit organization to train DCFS staff on making sure foster children become successful adults
Cut 7 (08) “…exiting foster care.”

That’s the state’s Child Welfare Manager Christy Tate.

The East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s office has dismissed at least seven felony cases in the past week following the firing of a Baton Rouge officer. B-R-P-D dismissed Yuseff Hamadeh after an investigation determined he lied about getting shot at it during an officer involved shooting. D-A Hillar Moore says Hamadeh was involved in the arrests of the cases dropped and his testimony would probably not hold up in court.

The 112th Annual State Fair gets kicked off today in Shreveport…
Voicer 2 (29) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says he’ll make another push in the next legislative session to legalize sports betting in Louisiana. Martiny made the statement after hearing from Mississippi Gaming Commission Executive Director Allen Godfrey, who described how Mississippi casinos are seeing an increase in business since the first sports bets were made last month…
cut 14 (10) “…long time”
Nine states have legalized sports betting.

The remnants of Hurricane Willa is producing heaving rain in southeast Louisiana. Willa hit the western coast of Mexico as a Category 3 storm and the remnants of that storm has traveled thousands of miles to impact our weather today. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 6 (10) “…on occassion”
The rain should move out today and the weekend weather looks great.

Federal drug enforcement agents raided a home and business office associated with the father of Saints and LSU superfan Jarrius Robertson, who lives in St. John the Baptist Parish. The 16-year-old has received national attention for his battle against a rare liver condition and his mother says the investigation has to with the father’s foundation called It Takes Lives to Save Lives.

Louisiana is receiving a $3 million dollar grant from a national nonprofit called Youth Villages to help youths aging out of foster care….
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Metairie Senator Danny Martiny plans to file legislation next year that would get the ball rolling on Louisiana legalizing sports betting. Martiny made the statement after hearing from the executive director of the Mississippi Gaming Commission, who says legalized sports betting has generated 650-thousand dollars in state revenue in the last two months. Martiny says legalized sports betting can help Louisiana’s budget issues…
cut 15 (05) “…we can do it”
Nine states have legalized sports betting.

In Shreveport, the 112th annual State Fair of Louisiana gets underway today. Spokesperson Russell Adams says they’ll have nightly free concerts, livestock shows and a large collection of animals will be on hand, including a petting zoo…
cut 12 (09) “…feed the giraffes”
The fair is closed on Monday and Tuesday, with exception of election day November sixth as schools will be out that day.

Louisiana has received a three-million dollar grant from a national nonprofit called Youth Villages, which works to make sure foster children who age of the system have successful adult lives. Department of Children and Family Services Child Welfare Manager Chrsty Tate says the funding comes at a great time…
cut 8 (12) “…of the same”
Louisiana passed legislation earlier this year that allows some foster kids to stay in the system until they are 21.

We’re seeing heavy rainfall this morning in southeast Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 4 (07) “….an inch”
Keim says the rain will move out later today and we are looking at an excellent weekend weather wise.

A state senate committee hears from a Mississippi gaming official on how the Mangolia State is reaping the financial benefits of legalized sports betting. Matt Doyle files this report….
voicer 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana’s top higher education board is seeking an additional 172-million dollars in state funding for public colleges next year. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says the extra money can help students afford college after seeing tuition and fees rise to offset state budget cuts.

Louisiana is receiving funding to help young adults successfully transition out of the state’s foster care system. The money from Youth Villages seeks to prevent former foster kids from becoming homeless, unemployed or incarcerated after they age out of the system. Louisiana’s Child Welfare Manager Christy Tate says they are appreciative of the grant….
cut 9 (11) “….three million dollars”
Tate says they are excited to implement the program as part of Louisiana’s efforts to extend foster care through age 21.

The 112th Annual State Fair gets kicked off today in Shreveport. With about sixty carnival rides, rodeo events, parades and more, there is plenty to do for every member of the family. The event first took place in 1906 and State Fair spokesperson Russell Adams says it has grown into a tradition for many families.
Cut 10 (09) “…years ago.“
The fair features nightly free concerts, livestock shows and you can eat cricket pizza.

Heavy rain is moving across southeast Louisiana this morning and the rest of the state is seeing spotty showers and cool weather. But State Climatologist Barry Keim says this wet weather should be out of the state by the end of today….
cut 5 (10) “…the weekend”
High temperatures today range from the mid-60s to the mid-70s.

Kenner Senator Danny Martiny told a Senate Judiciary Committee that he plans to bring back a bill next legislative session that would ask Louisiana residents if they want to legalize sports betting. Martiny made the statement after hearing testimony from Louisiana State Police Audit Director Jeff Taylor, who provided estimates from the American Gaming Association on how much revenue legalized sports betting can create…
cut 13 (12) “…could be high”

Governor John Bel Edwards says the Sunshine Bridge in St. James Parish will not re-open until January 2019 as crews will attempt to work around the clock to fix the structure after it was hit by large crane. Edwards says Marquette Transportation which was towing the crane barge should pay for the five-million dollars in repairs.

The 112th Annual State Fair gets kicked off today in Shreveport…
Voicer 2 (29) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Louisiana is receiving a $3 million in grant money from Youth Villages to implement a new program for youths aging out of foster care. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31)  “I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

__________________________________
The 112^th Annual State Fair gets kicked off today in Shreveport.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

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The legislature heard from a Mississippi gaming official who says the Magnolia State is reaping the financial benefits of legalized sports betting. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle..”

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We’ll see heavier than normal rains today as the remnants of a Pacific hurricane passes through Louisiana, after initially making landfall in Isla Del Bosque, Mexico. State Climatologist Barry Keim says that system will augment existing cloudy weather to bring some nasty weather.

Cut 4 (07) “…an inch”

But it’s not going to last. The climatologist predicts the system will be out of our hair by the end of the work week, leaving us with perfect weekend weather.

Cut 5 (10) “..the weekend” 

And it’s not all that common that a storm that first hit in Pacific Mexico makes it’s way to the bayou, but Keim says there’s at least one recent example it reminds him of.

Cut 6 (10) “…on occasoin.”

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Louisiana is receiving a $3 million grant over the next three years from Youth Villages, a nonprofit organization offering services to young people aging out of foster care. The organization will be training DCFS staff to implement their program known as YVLifeSet. DCFS Child Welfare Manager Christy Tate says the research on the program indicates positive outcomes.

Cut 7 (08) “…exiting foster care.”

Tate says the funding comes at the great time for the state’s foster care programs.
Cut 8 (12) “…of the same.”

Tate says the intent is to keep the YVLifeSet program going, even after the grant ends.
Cut 9 (11) “…three million dollars.”

___________________

The 112^th Annual State Fair gets kicked off today in Shreveport. With about sixty carnival rides, rodeo events, parades and more, there is plenty to do for every member of the family.  The event first took place in 1906 and State Fair spokesperson Russell Adams says the fair is tradition for many families.

Cut 10 (09)   “…years ago.“

General gate admission is $12, with discounts on the weekdays.  Adams says if live music is what you are looking for, the fair has you covered every night.

Cut 11 (06)   “…your gate admission.”

Adams says they’ve got a large collection of animals for a petting zoo as well.

Cut 12 (09)  “…feed the giraffes.”
The fair is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, with the exception of Election Day, and runs through November 11^th.

________________________________

The Legislature is investigating the effects of sports gaming legalization in Mississippi, now that the Magnolia State has a few months of the activity in the books to look at. They heard testimony from the Louisiana State Police Audit Director Jeff Traylor, who says there estimates an American Gaming Association study says legalization would contribute a hefty sum to state coffers.

Cut 13 (12)   “…be high.”

The Senate also sat down with Mississippi Gaming Commission Executive Director Allen Godfrey, who says they’ve been impressed with the rapid expansion of the activity since allowing the first bets to be placed on August 1^st.

Cut 14 (08)   “…sports book”

Godfrey says August and September gaming revenue numbers are up 23 million relative to last year in Mississippi.

And Metairie Senator Danny Martiny brought up the financial success and substantial participation numbers from online sports betting. Godfrey says while Mississippi does not have online betting, it’s something they would consider to combat illegal betting.

Cut 15 (07)   “…is big.”

_______________________________________________________

LSU’s players say Devin White is maintaining a positive attitude even though he’ll miss the first half of the Alabama game on November 3rd, because of the targeting penalty called on him last Saturday. Fellow linebacker Michael Divinity says White’s focus is on helping the Tigers beat the Crimson Tide, even though he can’t play in the first half…

Cut 16 (16) “.to have”

Coach Ed Orgeron said on the SEC teleconference either Patrick Queen or Micah Baskerville will fill in for White during his first half suspension. Orgeron says Jacob Phillips will make the calls and checks in White’s absence. Phillips says he’s ready for the extra responsibility…

Cut 17 (10)  “to everybody”

Billboards that read hashtag free Devin White have gone up in Birmingham, Alabama, the home of SEC headquarters. They were paid for by LSU fans. Phillips says White appreciates the love he’s receiving from Purple and Gold nation…

Cut 18 (08) “…they love us” 

________________________________________________________

Saints Coach Sean Payton says they are hopeful newly acquired cornerback Eli Apple will play in Sunday night’s game against Minnesota. Apple had highs and lows during his 2.5 seasons in New York, but Payton feels good about the trade after talking with players on their roster who played with Apple at Ohio State….

Cut 19 (15) “.with him” 

The Saints sent a 2019 fourth round pick and a 2020 seventh round pick to the Giants to complete the trade. New Orleans doesn’t have a first, third or fourth round pick for the 2019 draft, but that’s not a big concern…

Cut 20 (19) “team better” 

A Benton Elementary School teacher who’s facing rape and video voyerism charges involving students may have more charges on the way. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Alongside the announcement that John Kennedy will announce his gubernatorial intentions by December 1^st, the U.S. Senator released a poll showing Kennedy had the highest approval rating in the state at 57 percent, eclipsing his potential Republican rival Jeff Landry, who sat at 41 percent. UL Lafayette Political Sci Professor Pearson Cross.

Cut 13 (08) “…between them.”

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has released the results of its latest analysis on national and state-by-state obesity rates among youth and it ranks Louisiana as the fourth worst in the nation.  Senior Program Officer for the foundation, Jamie Bussel says  while the rate is still far too high across the board, the obesity rate held steady from 2016 to 2017.

Cut 4 (09) “…state of Louisiana.″

After touring the damaged Sunshine Bridge in St. James Parish, Governor John Bel Edwards announced plans for it to re-open in January 2019. The estimated cost to repair the damage is five-million dollars. Edwards says crews will be working around the clock to fix the bridge, but windy conditions could cause delays…

Cut 10 (08)  “…this bridge is reopened.”

The bridge has been closed for nearly two weeks.