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”

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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”

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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”

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As more rain is expected today, could that cause a problem with more flooding? State Climatologist Barry Keim says it shouldn’t contribute to more river basin flooding, but it could slow down the recovery process. But 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. He says all parts of Louisiana will receive rain but southeast Louisiana is expected to get the most today at about one to two inches.

Cut 5  (10)  “parishes”

Keim says scattered thunderstorms are also expected to move in across Louisiana but we shouldn’t see any additional problems with flooding

. Cut 6 (05)  “last week”

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A proposed bill for the current regular legislative session would allow pet owners to have their deceased pets buried alongside them in a human graveyard. Author of the legislation, Metairie Senator Conrad Appel, says currently it’s illegal in Louisiana. He says he was approached by a veterinarian who suggested creating a law because many people have strong connections with their cats and dogs.

CUT 7 (09)  “areas”

Appel says he and his family are big pet lovers and are keen on the idea of being buried with their furry friends. He says being buried with a pet is legal in a few other states and many people get upset it’s not allowed in Louisiana.

Cut 8  (08)  “cemetery “

Appel expects the legislation will get a hearing within the next few weeks. He says he doesn’t see anything wrong with allowing a pet owner this option…

Cut 9 (07)  “that option”

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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. Chervanek says this could be contributing to Governor John Bel Edwards’ approval rating.

cut 11 (04) “current governor”

The legislature has a much lower approval rating, receiving only a 15% favorability rating. Twenty-four percent of respondents blame the legislature for the budget deficit. Chervanek says these numbers are comparable to the ratings for Washington politicians.

cut 12 (07) “happening here”

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The Department of Children and Family Services is asking flood victims to pre-register for disaster food stamps. Distribution begins next week in 23 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”

DSNAP provides food support to eligible families who were impacted by the flooding and do not currently receive food stamps.

Cut 14 (11)  “related expenses” 

Guillory says individuals who pre-registered can go to one of the sites in the affected parishes to get their cards. He says the benefits should be available rather quickly.

Cut 15 (06) “or two”

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The sixth ranked LSU baseball team begins SEC play tonight against Alabama. Coach Paul Mainieri has made a change to his weekend rotation. Last year’s national freshman of the year, Alex Lange, has been starting the second game of the three-game sets, but tonight he’ll get the ball to start the series and he’s looking forward to it…

Cut 16  (16)  “to that“

Through four starts this season, Lange has not been as sharp as his freshman campaign. His ERA is 4.24 and he’s walked 13 hitters in 23.1 innings. Coach Paul Mainieri believes moving him up a day to pitch, may help him…

Cut 17 (20)  all year”

LSU will not have third baseman O’Neal Lochridge for the start of conference play. His back continues to give him problems. Mainieri says he’ll start Chris Reid at the hot corner and he likes what he sees from Reid…

Cut 18 (20) “really well”

A survey out of LSU shows nearly two thirds of Louisiana residents think the state is heading in the wrong direction. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (31)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The total number of parishes to receive federal aid for flood damage is up to 26 now, as three more parishes were added last night. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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A proposed constitutional amendment that asks voters if convicted felons should be allowed to run for state or local office for 15 years after completion of their sentence is making its way through the legislative process. The author of the measure, Norco Representative Gregory Miller, says it’s similar to a constitutional provision that was recently thrown out by the state Supreme Court…

CUT 3 (11)  “both houses”

The state’s highest court removed the former constitutional amendment on this subject, because the language on the ballot was not the same as what the legislature approved in 1998. Miller says he’ll make sure his legislation doesn’t make that same mistake again

CUT 4 (06)  “the people”

Miller’s proposed amendment received strong support from the House Governmental Affairs committee. Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins asked whether some felons should be exempted from the 15-year ban from running for office

CUT 5 (12)  “that long”

Jenkins’ argument did not result in any change to the legislation.

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An LSU Public Policy Research lab survey finds 63 percent of Louisianans believe the state is heading in the wrong direction. This is the most on record since the survey began tracking opinions in 2003. Director Dr. Michael Henderson says usually when a new governor takes office we start to see residents become more optimistic.

CUT 6 (07) “received”

Henderson says some Louisianans are likely displeased because of a mix of politics and the recent struggles with the massive budget deficit. He says there is also a huge increase in the number of people who say the state’s business conditions are worse than a year ago.

CUT 7 (10) “Louisiana”

Henderson says for many years people believed the economy and education were the most important problems in the state, now it’s the budget.

CUT 8 (10) “important”

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Flooding in West Carroll Parish is hurting the corn crop. LSU Ag Center Extension Agent Bruce Garner says some fields will survive better than others.

CUT 9 (11) “severe degree”

Garner says it doesn’t look like it’s getting any better because more water is spilling over into the fields from the bayous. He says the damage to the corn varies, even in just one field.

cut 10 (08)  “across the board”

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Twenty-six parishes impacted by the flooding are now eligible for federal assistance from FEMA. Governor John Bel Edwards says the list of parishes to receive federal aid keeps growing.

Cut 11 (08) “parishes”

Edwards says they are looking at 11 additional parishes to see if they met the threshold for FEMA assistance. FEMA Director Craig Fugate says they will be here as long as it takes. He encourages people to register for federal aid by going to DisasterAssistance-dot-gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA.

cut 12 (12) “32,000”

Fugate says they will offer assistance to people who did not have flood insurance. He advises people to add flood coverage to their policies, even if they are not in a high risk area.

Cut 13 (11)  “lost everything”

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Due to flooding from the Sabine River, I-10 at the Louisiana/Texas state line is expected to remain closed for at least a of couple days. Sgt. James Anderson with State Police encourages motorists to plan an alternate route if headed to The Lone Star State….:

cut 14 (10)  “into Texas”

Anderson says you don’t have to travel all the way to I-20, as US 190 into Texas crosses in northern Beauregard Parish. He says traffic has been moderate, but it’s flowing well…:

cut 15 (06) “thus far” 

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