Louisiana travelers are now able to get federal identification for future domestic air travel, as the state Office of Motor Vehicles began issuing REAL ID licenses today. OMV Commissioner Karen St. Germain says you’ll need this ID in order to fly domestically without a passport beginning in October 2020..:
CUT 3 (07) “other identification”
St. Germain says the new REAL ID licenses will cost $13 for a four year duplicate, and $17 for a six year duplicate.

The YWCA of Greater Baton Rouge says it’s received a substantial donation from Taylor Swift to support flood relief efforts. CEO Dianna Payton says the money is going towards building a new Early Head Start Center because the one at Glen Oaks High School flooded and had to close…:
cut 15 (08) “and floors”
The money is part of the pop star’s $1 million dollar pledge to Louisiana.

“Love the Boot, Don’t Pollute” – is the new slogan of Keep Louisiana Beautiful. Executive Director Susan Russell says they hope the new phrase will resonate with citizens and we’ll see less garbage in years to come. She says volunteers were still slammed with trans last year…:
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She says “Love the Boot, Don’t Pollute” will provide a consistent message to Louisianans not to trash the state.

LSU interim coach Ed Orgeron said at the Florida game preview lunch that one of the things he’s trying differently with the team is having a different theme each practice, such as “Competition Tuesday.”..;
CUT 1 (08) “great coaches”
Coach O is coming off a thrilling 42-7 beat down of Missouri and says he hopes to carry that momentum to Gainsville Saturday.

Keep Louisiana Beautiful has unveiled a new slogan they hope will reduce littering in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Hundreds of Denham Springs residents in Livingston Parish who flooded in August could be forced to elevate their homes. Mayor Gerard Landry says about 1200 residents were told that initial FEMA assessments show the structure was “substantially damaged” by the flood:
cut 12 (07) “your home”
H encourages everyone who got a letter to appeal through the city because their numbers could change.

Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans found a link between certain types of cancer and sugary drink consumption. Dr. Melinda Sothern with LSU Health New Orleans says they want to be clear that added sugar was found to be correlated to some cancers, not natural sugars…:
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She recommends not having more than 3, 12 oz sugary drinks a week as a treat but the rest of the time drink water.

The governor’s office says the trip to Cuba this week is still on as planned, as they have consulted forecasters regarding the approaching Hurricane Matthew. They say Governor Edwards has been on the phone with the national weather service and consulted with Cuban officials who said to move forward with the trip. There doesn’t appear to be any threat to Havana, where Gov. Edwards will visit. The storm is expected to hit the far east side of the island.

Today is the first day Louisiana travelers can get a Real ID — a federal type of identification that will been needed in order to fly domestically without a passport starting in OCtober of 2020. OMV Commissioner Karen St. Germain says it will also be necessary to enter federal buildings that year…:

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St. Germain says there’s no rush to get the new license if yours doesn’t expire for two or three years.

A new slogan from Keep Louisiana Beautiful aims to raise awareness about the state’s litter problem. Executive Director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful, Susan Russell, says they hope “Love the Boot, Don’t Pollute” will provide a consistent message to Louisianans not to trash the state:
CUT 6 (08) “that love”
Rogers says the slogan appears on bumper stickers that will be placed on 12-thousand state vehicles.

A scientist at ULM has received the biggest single grant award to a faculty member in the university’s history. Dr. Karen Briski is getting 1.7 million dollars to study a breakthrough treatment for diabetes. She says she is humbled by this honor and happy to have a chance to improve a diabetic’s quality of life…:
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She says the treatment would reduce the harmful effects of hypoglycemia.

What a win for the LSU Tigers Saturday night in Death Valley. In Ed Orgeron’s first game as interim head Coach, The Bayou Bengals pounded Missouri 42-7. Orgeron on what changed with him at the helm..:
Cut 1 (09) “middle of the season”
And the New Orleans Saints barely got their first win of the season Sunday after beating the Chargers 35-34.

Governor John Bel Edwards boarded a plane this morning for Cuba. He’ll spend the week talking with leaders of the island country about trade opportunities. Edwards says before the Cuban Revolution in 1959, Louisiana had a long standing relationship with Cuba and was a strong trade partner and they want to rebuild that relationship, but they face competition from other states…
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Louisiana’s delgation will meet with the Cuban ministers of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Foreign Investment, as well as the National Port Administration of Cuba.

The state office of Motor Vehicles begins issuing Real ID driver’s licenses today. OMV Commissioner Karen St. Germain says you’ll need this type of identification in order to fly domestically without a passport beginning in October 2020…
cut 4 (09) “…entire country”

LSU Ag Center President Bill Richardson says they’ll meet with third-party investors later this month about investing in the production of medical marijuana that will be available to some Louisiana residents. Richardson says they are also having ongoing talks with law enforcement officials…
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Richardson says they hope to start growing the medicinal weed early next year.

And ULM Professor, Doctor Karen Briski, has received the largest grant in school history ever awarded to a single faculty member for her research on the treatment of Type-1 diabetes. Briski hopes her research can protect the brain during strict insulin therapy…
cut 14 (06) “…hypoglycemia”
Briski says she is humbled by this honor and happy to have a chance to improve a diabetic’s quality of life.

The state is getting closer and closer to getting medical marijuana into the hands of patients in need. LSU AgCenter President Dr. Bill Richardson says they hope to get started growing in 2017. He says legislation passed this year helped them move forward with the process and gave them exclusive rights to produce the drug…:
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Richardson says no students and no one under 21 will be able to work in the growing facility.

Police in New Orleans are investigation a tow truck crash that claimed the lives of three pedestrians and injured two others. They say the truck was traveling in Mid-City when it left the road and hit four people on the sidewalk. It then went through a fence into a parking lot and hit several parked cars. Three pedestrians died, and a fourth and the two truck driver were sent to an area hospital. The investigation is ongoing. No other details have been released at this time.

According to a report by CNBC, Bass Pro Shops is going to purchase Cabela’s in a deal worth $5.5 billion dollars. There are three of the outdoor equipment stores in Louisiana. Bass Pro has locations in Denham Springs and Bossier City, and there’s a Cabela’s in Gonzales.

Several state leaders, including the governor, are headed to Cuba today to continue trade and other talks. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the island nation will import up to $2 billion dollars worth of food next year, and as much as $1 billion of that could be from the US…:
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For the second straight week, LSU remains unranked in both major polls released Sunday, but the Tigers are getting more votes following a thrilling 42-7 victory over Missouri in interim coach Ed Orgeron’s debut. The Bayou Bengals faces their next test against Florida at 11am Saturday in Gainesville.

The LSU AgCenter is making progress with plans to grow and produce medical marijuana. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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Powerful Hurricane Matthew is moving northward over the central Caribbean Sea this morning, according to the National Hurricane Center. On the forecast track, the center of the category 4 storm will approach Jamaica and southwestern Haiti tonight, and eastern Cuba on Tuesday. Although the official forecast continues to show a track east of Florida, it is still too soon to rule out possible hurricane impacts there.

A group of scientists conducted a study of the effects of the BP oil spill on coastal marshlands, and found the threshold at 90-100% of oiling means erosion is irreversible. Marine conservation biology professor at Duke University, Brian Silliman, on the importance of such a study:
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He says knowing this helps determine how best to restore those ecosystems.

A ULM professor receives a 5 year, 1.7 million dollar grant that could possibly lead to a new treatment of Type-1 diabetes. Dr. Karen Briski is working to improve the quality of life of diabetics, by reducing harmful effects of hypoglycemia. She is researching how to protect the brain during strict insulin therapy..:

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This grant is the biggest single grant awarded to a faculty member in ULM’s history.

The LSU AgCenter is continuing with plans to grow medical marijuana and hopes to have seeds in the ground early next year. AgCenter President Dr. Bill Richardson says they should have a business plan in place this month and they are working closely with law enforcement to ensure they are comfortable with every aspect…:
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Richardson says security is their number one priority.

What a win for the LSU Tigers Saturday night in Death Valley. In Ed Orgeron’s first game as interim head Coach, The Bayou Bengals pounded Missouri 42-7. Orgeron on what changed with him at the helm..:
Cut 1 (09) “middle of the season”
And the New Orleans Saints barely got their first win of the season Sunday after beating the Chargers 35-34.

State officials will be in Cuba today to discuss trade options between island nation and Louisiana. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

State Police is mourning the loss of Bobby Smith, the trooper that lost his sight in 1986 when he was shot in the face by an assailant on a traffic stop. Smith did not let several tragedies in his life stop him. He later earned a PhD before writing several books setting on a path to help others. To learn more about Smith’s legacy, visit visionsofcourage.com. Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.