A Slidell Teacher has been arrested for allegedly having sexual contact with several students in exchange for food and better grades. Emelie Gunn has more:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

More than 11,000 homes have received some type of flood damage according to the the Governors Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. They also say that this disaster is, just like any, is increasing the risk for scams as cleanup and repairs begin. The Attorney General says don’t donate to any charity that asks for cash and make sure any contractors you hire are licensed through the state.

The Department of Health and Hospitals says with all the flooding Louisiana is experiencing right now, residents should be aware that more mosquitoes will be flying around. Dr. Frank Welch with the Department of Health and Hospitals says mosquito eggs can remain dormant for years without water, and those eggs could be hatching now. He says people need to do whatever they can to protect themselves against mosquitoes…:
Cut 11 (07) “your windows”
He says flooding can cause excessive mosquito breeding, which means there’s a possibility of diseases being carried by these insects.

And more rain is on the way. The National Weather Service says a cold front is moving through the state today and tomorrow and with it the potential for showers and thunderstorms. Southeast Louisiana is expected to see one to three inches of rain, but they don’t expect the rain will significantly impact flood waters, but would hinder and slow the recovery process. Cooler weather is expected to settle in over the weekend.

A now EX-Slidell High school teacher and girls basketball coach has been arrested for allegedly having sex with several of his students and possessing pictures and videos of the acts. Slidell Police Chief Randy Smith says 34-year-old Raymond Winzy is accused of dirty talking to his students then asking for pictures then sex. He says anyone threatening or bullying victims will be arrested…:
CUT 8 (10) “be victims”
Winzy faces several charges.

All the flood waters are bringing in more mosquitoes and heath officials are urging folks to make sure they are taking precautions. Dr. Frank Welch with the Department of Health and Hospitals says this is typical for this time of year, but the flooding makes it worse…:
CUT 1 (09) “mosquitoes”

Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden says he is 90% sure he’ll run for the 2nd Congressional District seat this fall. Holden would be challenging US Representative Cedric Richmond, who has held the seat since 2011. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says although Holden ran a good campaign when he ran for Lt. Governor last year, he did not raise a lot of campaign money, which would pose a problem…:
CUT 4 (08) “not just here”

More rain is expected today, but state climatologist Barry Keim says it doesn’t look like this event will contribute to more river basin flooding…:
CUT 2 (04) “last week”
He says most of Louisiana will receive rain but the southeast is expected to get the most today at about one to two inches.

A Slidell High school girls basketball coach and teacher is under arrest for allegedly having sex with some of his students, according to cops. They say 34-year-old Raymond Winzy is charged with two counts of molestation of a juvenile by an educator, 9 counts of child porn and 3 counts carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Slidell Police Chief Randy Smith…:
CUT 6 (11) “classroom”
Slidell High says Winzy has been fired from his job.

Beginning Monday the Department of Children and Family Services will have locations in 23 parishes set up for people affected by floods to apply for food stamps. They say it’s for eligible residents who don’t normally receive SNAP benefits. Deputy Assistant Secretary of DCFS, Sammy Guillory, wants you to pre-register….:
Cut 13 (08) “SNAP”

Term-limited Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden says he is 90% sure he’ll run for the 2nd Congressional District seat this fall, but an official announcement won’t be made until next week. He’d be challenging US Representative Cedric Richmond, who has held the seat since 2011. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says if Holden gets in, it will make for an interesting race…:
CUT 3 (05) “for Holden”

Governor John Bel Edwards’ approval rating has climbed 9-percent in just three weeks, according to a new UNO poll. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A poll from UNO shows Governor John Bel Edwards’ approval rating has shot up nine-percentage points in the last three weeks to 43-percent. The same poll only gives the state legislature a favorability rating of 15 percent. UNO pollster Ed Chervanek says those numbers are comparable to Washington politicians…
cut 12 (07) “….happening here”
About half of the survey respondents also blame former Governor Bobby Jindal for the state’s budget problems.

The Department of Children and Family Services will begin distributing next week disaster food stamps to families impacted by the flooding. Sammy Guillory, with D-C-F-S, says individuals can pre-register now by going to D-C-F-S website and they can also find out where benefit cards will be distributed…
cut 15 (06) “…or two”
You can also call 1-888-LA-HELP-U.

Much of south and central Louisiana are under a slight risk for severe thunderstorms today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it shouldn’t contribute to more river basin flooding, but it could slow down the recovery process. And he says flash flooding in urban areas is always a possibility….
cut 4 (10) “…even more”
Keim says a stationary front has locked in across the state and isn’t likely to clear until Sunday.

A bill that will be debated in this regular legislative session would allow individuals to one day be buried with the remains of their favorite pet. Metairie Senator Conrad Appel is the author of the legislation…
cut 8 (08) “…cemetery”
Appel says cemeteries would have designated areas where pets and owners can be buried together.

More rain is on tap for The Bayou State today but forecasters don’t believe it will have any major impacts on the current river basin flooding. State Climatologist Barry Keim says most all of Louisiana will see rain but the southeast region is expected to get hit hardest. He says a stationary front has locked in and isn’t likely to clear until Sunday…:
Cut 5 (10) “parishes”
He doesn’t see the system contributing to flooding, but it could slow the recovery process.

The American Red Cross and LSU are partnering up again in support of disaster relief efforts by sending volunteers to Alex Box Stadium before tomorrow’s game versus Alabama to collect money for Louisiana floods. They say Tiger fans always stepped up like last year for the South Carolina floods. As of Thursday, the Red Cross has provided more than 1600 overnight stays in 28 shelters statewide.

A bill to allow pet owners to have their furry friends buried alongside them will be heard in the current legislative session. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A new poll out of UNO shows 24% of respondents blame the legislature for the state’s budget woes and give them a 15% approval rating. Pollster Ed Chervanek says that’s in line with Washington politicians…:
CUT 12 (07) “happening here”
Governor John Bel Edwards approval ratings, however, have gone up almost 10% in just three weeks.

Just a copy note. I used voicer 2 in the 7:30 newscast, not voicer 1 as originally written. Thanks.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ approval rating has climbed 9-percent in just three weeks, according to a new UNO poll. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

More rain is expected today, but state climatologist Barry Keim says it doesn’t look like this event will contribute to more river basin flooding…:
CUT 6 (04) “last week”
He says most of Louisiana will receive rain but the southeast is expected to get the most today at about one to two inches.

If you’re in a disaster declared parish, the Department of Children and Family Services says they will start setting up food stamp distribution sites for residents impacted by flooding beginning Monday. Assistant Secretary of DCFS, Sammy Guillory, says DSNAP provides support to those eligible families who do not currently receive benefits…:
Cut 14 (11) “related expenses”
The’re encouraging applicants to pre-register now at dcfs.la.gov/SNAP.

State Police say anyone who normally uses I-10 to Texas needs to allow extra time to get to their destination as it remains closed. The Cameron Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking motorists NOT to use LA 27 to LA 82 through Holly Beach as detour due to extremely high traffic volumes and congestion during the day. The route troopers recommend remains I-49, to 165, to 171, to 190 west.

Governor John Bel Edwards is becoming more popular according to a new poll from the University of New Orleans. UNO pollster Ed Chervanek says they found 43% of Louisiana voters have a positive view of Edwards, up from 34% just three weeks ago. Chervanek believes most people are blaming the budget issues on former Governor Bobby Jindal, and see Edwards as someone who is working hard to fix it:
CUT 11 (04) “current governor”
Twenty-four percent of respondents blame the legislature for the budget deficit.

Would you want to be buried with your pet? A bill to be taken up in the current legislative session would allow owners to be laid to rest next to their deceased furry friends. The measure is by Metairie Senator Conrad Appel…:
CUT 9 (07) “that option”
Appel expects the legislation will get a hearing within the next few weeks.

Flood victims can pre-register for disaster food stamps through the Department of Children and Family Services. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A dad is behind bars today after the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office charge him with negligent homicide in the death of his son following a car crash. Cops say 32-year-old Elmer Menendez of Utah was driving a vehicle on LA 42 on March 12th when he lost control while speeding and crossed into the opposite lane of traffic until being hit by another car. His 9-year-old son was not restrained and was ejected from the vehicle.

A bill to allow pet owners to have their furry friends buried alongside them will be heard in the current legislative session. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

More rain is expected today, but state climatologist Barry Keim says it doesn’t look like this event will contribute to more river basin flooding…:
CUT 6 (04) “last week”
He says most of Louisiana will receive rain but the southeast is expected to get the most today at about one to two inches.

If you’re in a disaster declared parish, the Department of Children and Family Services says they will start setting up food stamp distribution sites for residents impacted by flooding beginning Monday. Assistant Secretary of DCFS, Sammy Guillory, says DSNAP provides support to those eligible families who do not currently receive benefits…:
Cut 14 (11) “related expenses”
The’re encouraging applicants to pre-register now at dcfs.la.gov/SNAP.

State Police say anyone who normally uses I-10 to Texas needs to allow extra time to get to their destination as it remains closed. The Cameron Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking motorists NOT to use LA 27 to LA 82 through Holly Beach as detour due to extremely high traffic volumes and congestion during the day. The route troopers recommend remains I-49, to 165, to 171, to 190 west.

Forty-three percent of Louisiana voters have a positive view of the governor, according to a new poll from the University of New Orleans. That’s compared to a 34% favorability just three weeks ago. UNO pollster Ed Chervanek says that could be because the legislature was unable to resolve the state’s budget deficit during the special session….:
Cut 10 (08) “his numbers”
The poll also shows that nearly half of Louisiana residents blame former-Governor Bobby Jindal for the state’s budget crisis.

The Department of Children and Family Services is asking flood victims to pre-register for disaster food stamps. Distribution begins next week in certain parishes that were declared federal disaster areas as a result of the catastrophic flooding. Deputy Assistant Secretary of DCFS, Sammy Guillory, says people can pre-register online…:
Cut 13 (08) “SNAP”

Lawmakers will take up a bill this session that would allow people to have their deceased pets buried alongside them in a human graveyard. Metairie Senator Conrad Appel says he’s bringing the measure because it’s currently illegal in Louisiana, which is unfortunate because so many people have strong connections with their furry friends…:
CUT 7 (09) “areas”

Forecasters say a cold front is bringing the chance for showers and thunderstorms through Saturday, but the wet weather is not expected to have a significant impact on additional river basin flooding. However, they say it could slow the recovery process.

State Police say I-10 at the Texas state line remains closed.