The National Hurricane Center says there’s a medium chance for tropical development in the western Gulf of Mexico over the next two days. Seth Warthen, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says a tropical wave entering the Gulf is becoming more organized….

Cut 3 (12) “…Texas coast” 

About 90 Bayou State first responders are on their way to the Carolinas to assist in what’s likely to be a significant natural disaster as Category Four Hurricane Florence is set to smash into the east coast Thursday night.  Louisiana is no stranger to natural disasters.  State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says you could call us experts.

Cut 10 (09) “harms way”

A lawsuit claiming a catholic school’s hair policy in Jefferson Parish was discriminatory against black students has been dismissed. Federal court records show the parents of two New Orleans-area girls who filed the lawsuit ended the legal battle. Legal analyst Dane Ciolino says there was no reason to move forward once the Christ the King school rescinded the policy last month…

Cut 12 (06)   “be seen” 

Small business optimism has hit an all-time high according to the latest survey by the National Federation of Independent Business.  It’s a new record for the 45-year history of the survey, topping the previous record set in July 1983.  NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says the federal tax reform legislation approved in December has contributed to the boost in optimism.

Cut 8 (11) “…board has improved.”

The National Hurricane Center says there’s sa medium chance for tropical development in the western Gulf of Mexico later this week. If this tropical disturbance can strengthen into a tropical storm it will be called Joyce.  Seth Warthen, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says at this time they are not expecting any major impacts to Louisiana…

Cut 5 (05)  “…into the weekend.” 

The month of August saw small business optimism hit an all-time high according to the latest survey by the National Federation of Independent Business.  It’s a new record for the 45 year history of the survey, topping the previous record set in July 1983.  NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says capital spending is the highest it has been since 2007, which means business owners are expanding.
Cut 7 (09) “…effect for them.”

About 90 Bayou State first responders are on their way to the Carolinas to assist in what’s likely to be a significant natural disaster as Category Four Hurricane Florence is set to smash into the east coast Thursday night. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the crew, comprised fire departments across the state, will be based out of Columbia, South Carolina.

cut 9 (09) “…trapped people”

The latest report indicates the storm may strengthen to category five before landfall.

Here’s a look at your commodities…

The National Hurricane Center says there’s sa medium chance for tropical development in the western Gulf of Mexico later this week. Seth Warthen, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says the area of the disturbed weather remains disorganized and it might not have enough to time to strengthen into a major tropical storm before it makes landfall along the Gulf Coast…

Cut 4 (10) “…into the Gulf”

If this tropical disturbance can strengthen into a tropical storm it will be called Joyce.

The month of August saw small business optimism hit an all-time high according to the latest survey by the National Federation of Independent Business.  It’s a new record for the 45 year history of the survey.  NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says much of the credit for the high marks goes to improved economic policy.

Cut 6 (08) “…job openings perspective.”

A section of Bayou Bridge Pipeline construction has been put on hold. Parent company ETP agreed to cease construction on private property in St. Martinville, the site of clashes between activists and Sherriff’s deputies, after the land’s owner alleged the company was building there illegally. Louisiana Bucket Brigade Director Anne Rolfes says those clashes have led to felony charges for the activists, despite the fact that they were invited to the land by the owner.

Cut 9 (10)  “in handcuffs.”

ETP says “This does not have any impact to our construction schedule.”

Walker High’s head football coach, Lester Ricard, along with an assistant coach Marcus Brown, have resigned, and reports now say the resignation was linked to allegedly inappropriate text messages sent to female students. Prep writer for The Advocate, Robin Fambrough, says the situation is a huge deal to the school’s football program.

Cut 12 (07) “…for the program.”

The state’s two largest teachers’ unions are responding to Governor Edwards’ push for a 1,000 dollar pay raise for teachers, and a 500 dollar pay raise for support personnel. Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux says her organization is seeking a 1,200 dollar a year raise for teachers, as well the establishment of living wages for support personnel.

Cut 6 (11) “…eroded away.”

A section of Bayou Bridge Pipeline construction has been put on hold. The pipeline was paused after parent company ETP agreed to cease construction on private property in St. Martinville after the land’s owner alleged the company was building there illegally. The pipeline was on track to finish construction by October, but Bucket Bridge Director Anne Rolfes says that’s unlikely now.

Cut 10 (08)   “…in state.“

ETP says “This does not have any impact to the timing of our project.”

Two games into the season and LSU is already ranked dead last in the SEC in total offense, averaging just 316 yards a game. The Tigers are second to last in pass offense. Coach Ed Orgeron has said the offensive line needs to get better, but that’s not the only group struggling

Cut 14 (11) “…do that”

The National Hurricane Center says there’s  a medium chance for tropical development in the western Gulf of Mexico later this week. Seth Warthen, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says a tropical wave is moving into the Gulf….

Cut 3 (12) “…Texas coast” 

The governor’s office says they will look to increase public school teacher pay by at least a thousand dollars next year. The state legislature will have to agree with that proposal. Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux says they’re also demanding an increase in public school funding….
cut 7 (09) “….ten years”
Average teacher pay in Louisiana is just below 50-thousand dollars a year, which is about two-thousand dollars lower than the Southern Regional Average.

A major hurricane is bearing down on the southeast coast of the United States and Louisiana Fire Marshal is sending resources towards the Carolinas. Teams specializing in Swift Water Rescue and disaster response management left yesterday from fire departments and districts from the New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport areas.

Walker High School has accepted the resignations of head football coach Lester Ricard and an assistant coach, as two are reportedly under investigation by school officials for allegedly making inappropriate comments and sending text messages to young women…
Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Saints are eager to put Sunday’s bad loss to Tampa Bay behind them. Linebacker Demario Davis says it was humbling to watch the game film of Bucs Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing for 417 yards…
Cut 16 (10) “ get it fixed”
The Saints host Cleveland Sunday.

The state’s largest two teacher unions have mixed responses to the governor’s plan for educators to receive a 1,000 dollar pay raise next year. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Hundreds gathered at Susan Park in Kenner to protest Mayor Ben Zahn’s decision to ban Nike products from being purchased by local booster clubs. Saints players Cameron Jordan and Terron Armstead were among those in attendance. Zahn says he doesn’t want taxpayer dollars used in a political campaign. Nike has a marketing campaign featuring former NFL quarterback Collin Kapernick, who started the National Anthem protests.

A section of Bayou Bridge Pipeline construction has been put on hold. Energy Transfer Partners agreed to cease construction on private property in St. Martinville after the land’s owner alleged the company was building there illegally. Louisiana Bucket Brigade Director Anne Rolfes says ETP did not get permission to build on the land
Cut 8 (12) “…pipeline.”
But E-T-P says this will not have any impact to their construction schedule or the timing on completing the project.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron is planning on making changes on his offensive line, but he also wants to see better play from his receivers….
cut 15 (10) “…football player”
The Tigers rank dead last in the SEC in total offense heading into LSU’s game against Auburn.

The state’s two largest teachers unions are responding to Governor Edwards’ push for a 1,000 dollar pay raise for teachers, and a 500 dollar pay raise for support personnel. But one group says it’s not enough. Louisiana Federation of Teachers spokesperson Les Landon says it would take a 1,850 dollar raise to get Bayou educators to the regional average, but the regional average is also too low.
Cut 4 (12) “…the conversation.”
Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux says her organization is seeking a 1,200 dollar a year raise for teachers.

Slidell High School teacher Valerie Scogin is facing backlash for a Facebook post that said, “Want to not be stereotyped, tell people of that color to quit acting like animals.” It’s unclear who the message was directed to, but a school official says it has been taken down and the school system is taking appropriate disciplinary actions.

The Bayou Bridge Pipeline could be facing a delay, after agreeing to cease construction on private property in St. Martinville after the owner alleged the company was there illegally. Matt Doyle has more.
voicer 2 (31) ”I’m Matt Doyle”

Walker High’s head football coach, Lester Ricard, along with an assistant coach Marcus Brown, have resigned. The resignations come days after the announcement the two had been suspended. The question of “Why?” remains. Prep writer for The Advocate, Robin Fambrough, says Ricard, a former quarterback at Tulane, had the program heading in the right direction.
Cut 11 (08) “…disappointed”
A Baton Rouge TV station reports officials are looking into suggestive comments and text messages to young women.

Governor John Bel Edwards will urge lawmakers next year to support giving public school teachers a one-thousand dollar pay raise. But Louisiana Federation of Teachers spokesperson Les Landon says a one-thousand dollar salary boost would still leave the average salary in this state below the Southern Regional Average….
cut 5 (08) “….of teachers”
Landon says a recent survey of his organization found support for a potential strike, if teachers do not receive an adequate pay bump, and increased funding for public schools.

The company building the Bayou Bridge pipeline has agreed to stop work on a parcel of land in St. Martin Parish until an eminent domain dispute can be settled with a property owner. Louisiana Bucket Brigade Director Anne Rolfes says they’ve had protesters demonstrating near work sites arrested and they believe this is a victory in their efforts…
cut 9 (05) “…in handcuffs”
Energy Transfer Partners says completion of the project has not been delayed.

Hundreds gathered at a park in Kenner in an effort to convince Mayor Ben Zahn to rescind his decision to ban booster clubs from buying Nike products. Saints players Cam Jordan and Terron Armstead were among those who attended. In a statement, Zahn says he’s trying to protect taxpayer dollars from being used in a political message.

Two games into the season and LSU is already ranked dead last in the SEC in total offense, averaging just 316 yards a game. The Tigers are second to last in pass offense. Coach Ed Orgeron has said the offensive line needs to get better, but that’s not the only group struggling
Cut 14 (11) “…do that”
LSU is a 9.5 point underdog heading into Saturday’s game against seventh ranked Auburn.