A dramatic day of testimony on Capitol Hill concluded yesterday with this exchange between Louisiana Senator John Kennedy and Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, who strongly denied allegations he sexually assaulted Christine Blasey Ford in high school…
cut 15 (14) “….swear to God”
Kennedy and the rest of the Senate Judiciary Committee meet this morning, where it is expected they will vote along party lines to confirm Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. A vote by the full Senate is expected next week.

The LSU men’s basketball team was set to begin practice for the upcoming season today, but tragedy has hit the program. Baton Rouge Police say junior forward Wayde Sims was fatally shot during the overnight hours near the Southern University campus. Detectives are seeking clues into his murder. Sims played in 32 games last season and started 10 of them.

Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch says there’s been a 36-percent increase in filings of disability-access complaints from 2011 to 2016. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

LSU will unveil a statue of the late football legend Billy Cannon tonight. Cannon passed away in May, but knew about tonight’s ceremony. His daughter, Bunnie Cannon, on what her father said after learning about this great honor…
cut 5 (08) “…was really thrilled”
Cannon is the first LSU football player to have a statue erected on the campus in his honor.

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy concluded an emotional day of testimony on Capitol Hill with this question to Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh…
cut 14 (09) “…as to me”
Earlier in the day, California psychology professor, Doctor Christine Blasey Ford told Senators she is 100-percent certain Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her in high school. A vote on Kavanaugh’s confirmation is expected today and the Republican members on that committee, like Kennedy, are expected to vote for his confirmation.

LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade says his team is devasted over the news that junior forward Wayde Sims was killed overnight across the street from the Southern University Football Stadium. Baton Rouge Police have not released many details on the fatal shooting. They are asking for the public’s help in finding the gunman. Sims was just 20 years-old and three-time state champion at University High in Baton Rouge.

A CDC report finds Louisiana leads the country for the rate of congenital syphilis among newborns and nationwide the number of infants born with syphilis has more than doubled during the last four years. Assistant state health officer. Doctor Joseph Kanter, says the data emphasizes the need that all women should receive early prenatal care and that includes syphilis testing….
cut 9 (12) “….into that category”
The CDC says only one in three women who gave birth to a baby with syphilis in 2016 got tested during pregnancy.

LSU will unveil a statue of the late Dr. Billy Cannon, the school’s only Heisman Trophy Winner at a ceremony tonight. Daughter of the LSU football legend, Bunnie Cannon, says the family is looking forward to the unveiling.
Cut 4 (08) “…feel about it.”
Cannon passed away in May.

The US Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote today on whether Brett Kavanaugh should be confirmed as the next justice on the U-S Supreme Court. The panel, which includes Louisiana Senator John Kennedy, heard emotional testimony yesterday from Kavanaugh’s accuser, Christine Ford, who claims the judge sexually assaulted her in high school. Kennedy closed out yesterday’s hearing with these thoughts…
cut 13 (13) “…could have been avoided”
Political experts anticipate the Judiciary committee will vote to confirm Kavanaugh, setting up a vote by the full senate next week.

20-year-old Wayde Sims, a forward on the LSU basketball team, was killed last night in a fatal shooting near the Southern University campus. Baton Rouge Police say the shooting happened at around 12:25 in the morning, across the street from Southern’s football stadium. Authorities are searching for suspects.

According to Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch, there’s been a 36-percent increase in the filing of disability-access complaints in Louisiana from 2011 to 2016. Executive Director Lana Venable says many of these are frivolous lawsuits directed at small businesses….
cut 10 (09) “….in many cases”
Venable says they are advising businesses to take steps to protect themselves from lawsuits of this nature.

The CDC has released a new report that shows the rate of babies born with congenital syphilis has been on the rise throughout the United States. When compared to other states, Louisiana ranks at the very top. Administrator and Medical Director with the Louisiana Department of Health Dr. Joseph Kanter…
Cut 7 (10) “…last year as well.”
Baton Rouge and the Shreveport areas have especially high rates.

A State Police Trooper used deadly force during a traffic stop in downtown Hammond. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Senator Bill Cassidy has chimed in on the testimony of Christine Ford, saying in a tweet:

“This morning there was still no corroborating evidence or witnesses to any of the allegations against Judge Kavanaugh. That is still the case. And if it remains the case after today, the Senate should vote to #ConfirmKavanaugh without delay.”

Disney Cruise Line announced they will start sailing out of the Port of New Orleans in 2020 during Mardi Gras season. The 27-hundred passenger Disney Wonder is scheduled for six different Caribbean and Bahamian cruises from February 7th to March 6th.  Port of New Orleans CEO Brandy Christian says there is a reason why Disney chose to set sail from New Orleans during Mardi Gras…

Cut 14 (11) “…to New Orleans.”

Four Louisiana State Police Troopers are recovering from injuries after a juvenile attempted to evade and flee from them in a police pursuit on LA Highway 1 that saw speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. LSP spokesperson Scott Moreau says it all started with a traffic stop on 18 year old Torie Lewis of Alexandria.  When Lewis stepped out of the vehicle, that’s when the action began.

Cut 6 (12) “…seat and fled.”

State Police say one of their Troopers used deadly force on a suspect in Hammond just before 1 AM this morning. Authorities identify the deceased suspect as 23-year-old Coltin Brennan Leblanc of Loranger. A witness grabbing a late night snack at a local restaurant says after being pulled over during what appeared to be a routine traffic stop, LeBlanc sped away after exchanging words with the officer…

Cut 4 (08) “…started firing”

Authorities say Leblanc later died at North Oaks Hospital.

Four Louisiana State Police Troopers are recovering from injuries after a juvenile attempted to evade and flee from them in a police pursuit on LA Highway 1 that saw speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. LSP spokesperson Scott Moreau says the second driver is facing the heftiest charges of the three.

Cut 7 (10) “…up to the judge.”

All three subjects were arrested.

The Fifth US Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a Louisiana Law that would require doctors at abortion clinics to have admitting privileges at a local hospital. A similar law was struck down last year by the Supreme Court. Center for Reproductive Rights Senior Council TJ Tu says across the nation abortion doctors can run into serious roadblocks when trying to obtain admitting privileges, and Louisiana is no different.

Cut 11 (10)“…stop providing.”

But Solicitor General Liz Murrill says the clinics did a poor job proving requiring admitting privileges would be an undue burden for operation. She says there were contradictory statements about how difficult it is to actually obtain the privileges in the state.

Cut 12 (09)   “…hospital” 

Admitting privileges for abortion doctors would allow them to admit a patient to a local hospital if they had a medical emergency during a procedure.

A federal appeals court has ruled in favor of a Louisiana law that would require abortion doctors to obtain admitting privileges at a local hospital before they can take on patients. I’m Jeff Palermo.

Cut 2 (33) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Warrants were put out for sixteen former inmates and five former Washington Parish Sheriff’s Deputies related to incidents at the Washington Parish jail involving the rape of one inmate and the beating of another. The sixteen have been booked into the parish jail.

State Police say one of their Troopers used deadly force on a suspect in Hammond just before 1 AM this morning. Authorities identify the deceased suspect as 23-year-old Coltin Brennan Leblanc of Loranger. L-S-P says one of their troopers pulled LeBlanc’s vehicle over in the downtown area. A Hammond resident who witnessed the event while at a late night restaurant says it started as a normal traffic stop.

Cut 3 (11) “…took off.” 

That’s when the witness says the car drove away, with the officer on it, a few seconds later shots were fired.

Disney Cruise Line announced they will start sailing out of the Port of New Orleans in 2020 during Mardi Gras season.  Port of New Orleans CEO Brandy Christian says they are thrilled with Disney’s decision

Cut 13 (08) “…for all of us.”