Despite the digital revolution, the forestry industry continues to grow in Louisiana. A new report says forestry accounts for 13 billion dollars in economic output to the state, and one billion in inflation adjusted with state and local taxes. LSU Ag Center Professor Shaun Tanger says the industry accounts for roughly 50,000 jobs state wide through direct and indirect employment, and that it’s been on a statewide uptick for nearly a decade.

Cut 4 (09) “…upward trend”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries have issued a quarantine on the transportation and transplanting of Roseau Cane out of Southern Louisiana.  A small invasive insect known as the Roseau can scale was first discovered in the state in fall of 2016, and has destroyed wide swaths of the plant in coastal Louisiana.  LDWF Biologist Director Todd Baker says hunters often use the plant to build hunting blinds.

Cut 6 (05) “…cannot move cane.”

It appears the issues that caused dangerous levels of lead to contaminate the water supply for Tensas Parish schools have been corrected. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

commodity time

Governor John Bel Edwards says the United States has lost a great statesman and an American hero. He’s of course talking about Arizona Senator John McCain, who passed away at the age of 81 from a battle with brain cancer. Political consultant Roy Fletcher of Baton Rouge was McCain’s Deputy National Campaign Manager when he ran for President in 2000. Fletcher ays McCain’s time as a P-O-W left him badly scarred…

Cut 14 (10) “…of thing”

Despite the digital revolution taking reading off the pages of paperbacks and onto the screens of tablet, the Forestry Industry continues to grow in Louisiana, according to a report that says in 2015 it accounted for 13 billion dollars in economic output, and one billion in inflation adjusted state and local taxes. LSU Ag Center Professor Shaun Tanger says while paper is down, paper related products are up.

Cut 3 (11) “…middle class”

An LSU professor has invented an asphalt sealant that he says can extend the lifespan of problematic roads by years, and keep the asphalt from constantly cracking. Engineering Professor Dr. Guoqiang (Go-Chung) Li says his invention has been in the works since a 2009 grant kick started the project, and is almost road ready. Li says the project has received several federal grants and a lot of interest from state agencies, and now that the sealant has demonstrated its functionality, they’ll have to figure out how to make it cost effective.

Cut 6 (09) “…viable”

LSU Football Head Coach Ed Orgeron is set to have a 1230 press conference where we anticipate that he will name his starting Quarterback for Sunday’s opening game against number 8. Miami in Dallas. Reports say Ohio State transfer Joe Burrow has locked up the position and will helm coach O’s new more spread out, quick passing game.

Senator John Kennedy says John McCain was tough as a boot, while Governor John Bel Edwards says McCain’s death is a great loss for our country. Jeff Palermo has more from a Louisiana political consultant who knew McCain well…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

In the wake of recent threatening social media posts, Grambling State University will increase police patorls.  The Facebook post concerning a potential shooting on the campuses of Grambling and Louisiana Tech also saw authorities visiting the subject’s apartment, who claims his Facebook was hacked and the threatening message was sent by the hacker.  Investigators determined there was no credible threat.

An LSU professor has invented an asphalt sealant that he says can extend the lifespan of problematic roads by years. Engineering Professor Dr. Guoqiang (Go-Chung) Li says the thermodynamic science behind asphalt roads has plagued city planners for over a 100 years, with, until now, no option other than a complete repaving for a broken road. He says the trick is creating a sealant that sits over the asphalt and can adapt to temperature swings while still repelling water.

Cut 5 (06) “…expand”

It appears the issues that caused dangerous levels of lead to contaminate the water supply for Tensas Parish schools have been corrected.  After flushing out water lines, updating drinking fountains, and other steps were taken, the risk of danger associated with the water supply appear to be in the rearview mirror.  LDH Medical Director Dr. Jimmy Guidry says lead exposure to children can have adverse effects on development.

Cut 8 (10)  “…down their development.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says the United States has lost a great statesman and an American hero. He’s talking about Arizona Senator John McCain, who passed away at the age of 81 from brain cancer. Political consultant Roy Fletcher of Baton Rouge was McCain’s Deputy National Campaign Manager when he ran for President in 2000. Fletcher calls McCain a brilliant politician
Cut 13 (08) “…he needed to.”
Flags at the White House have returned to full staff after they were lowered to half staff to mark the death of Senator McCain.

Louisiana Tech student Mason Andrews’ attempt to become the youngest pilot to fly around the world has been delayed because of monsoon conditions in India. A Facebook post by his father says Andrews had been in India for a week and we’ll continue his journey to Thailand once the weather clearns. Andrews left Monroe on August 1st.

Two years after his home burned down under suspicious circumstances, a Walker man has been charged with Arson with Intent to Defraud. Authorities says Jerry Avants Sr. and his alleged co-conspirators burned down his massive home to collect on the substantial insurance policy. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue….
Cut 10 (08) “…on it.“
Three other people have been arrested as well.

An LSU Engineering Professor has a bold new invention to keep Louisiana’s notoriously finicky roads from falling apart after just a few years. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Many in Louisiana are remembering the life of Arizona Senator John McCain who died from brain cancer at the age of 81. His last significant moment in politics was in 2017 when he voted against President Donald Trump’s health care bill, killing the legislation. Political consultant Roy Fletcher of Baton Rouge worked on McCain’s presidential campaign in 2000 and says McCain was a true political maverick…
Cut 15 (10) “…his own way.”

It appears the issues that caused dangerous levels of lead to contaminate the water supply for Tensas Parish schools have been corrected. It took flushing out water lines, updating drinking fountains, and other steps. LDH state health officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry…
Cut 7 (08) “…has been addressed.”
Students at the schools are accustomed to drinking water from coolers and not the water fountains.

LSU mechanical enginerinning professor Doctor Guoqiang Li (Go-Chung) says he’s developed a sealant that he believe can help keep cracks sealed on Louisiana roadways for many years to come. Li says the sealant has already demonstrated its functionality, now they’ll have to figure out how to make it cost effective…
cut 6 (09) “…viable”
Li says further testing on the sealant will take place with three departments of transportation, Texas, Louisiana and Minnesota.

A two-year investigation into a home fire in Walker has resulted in four arrests. The large home belonged to 54-year-old Jerry Avants of Walker and he was out of town at time of the blaze. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says 42-year-old Adrian Lee Everett of Prairieville admitted to burning down the home….
cut 11 (11) “…this home”
Everett and Avants were two of the suspects arrested.

Funeral services are set for the late John McCain who passed away at the age of 81 from brain cancer. McCain was first elected to Congress in 1982 after a long career in the US Navy. He spent over five years as a prisoner of war. Louisiana political consultant Roy Fletcher worked on McCains 2000 presidential campaign and says the Senator’s time as a P-O-W left him badly scarred…
Cut 14 (10) “…of thing”

The state fire marshal’s office says a two-year investigation into a home fire in Walker has resulted in the arrests of four Baton Rouge-area residents. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the suspects were involved in a scheme to collect insurance money…
cut 12 (10) “…difficult cases’
Rodrigue says a confession by one of the suspects was the key break in the case.

The lawyers for the families of the two girls who were sent home from the Christ the King Catholic School in Jefferson Parish because of braided hair extensions will meet with church officials today. The plantiffs’ attorneys say the rules for hair at the school discriminate based on race. While Catholic schools superintendent Doctor RaeNel Houston says the administration is seeking racial harmony.

It appears the issues that caused dangerous levels of lead to contaminate the water supply for Tensas Parish schools have been corrected. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
cut 2 (31) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Governor John Bel Edwards says the United States has lost a great statesman and an American hero. He’s of course talking about Arizona Senator John McCain, who passed away at the age of 81 from a battle with brain cancer. Political consultant Roy Fletcher of Baton Rouge was McCain’s Deputy National Campaign Manager when he ran for President in 2000. Fletcher calls McCain a brilliant politician
Cut 13 (08) “…he needed to.”
Senator John Kennedy says McCain was tough as a boot.

The Louisiana Health Department says the problem of lead in the drinking water of Tensas Parish schools has been corrected. But the state’s health officer, Doctor Jimmy Guidry, says they will soon test drinking water in schools in other parishes…
cut 9 (05) “….fixtures with lead”

An LSU professor has invented an asphalt sealant that he says can extend the lifespan of problematic roads by years, and keep the asphalt from constantly cracking. Mechanical Engineering Professor Dr. Guoqiang (Go-Chung) Li says his invention has been in the works since a 2009 grant kick started the project, and is almost road ready. Li says he thinks his invention could save the state a lot of money.
Cut 4 (09) “…our goal”
Dr. Guoquiang says the department of transportation will test the sealant in a loading facility, where a modified truck will run over the pavement for three months straight, which is equivalent to 20 years of traffic wear and tear.