Thousands of homes are under water and more rain is on the way today. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
Governor John Bel Edwards and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser are traveling to north Louisiana today to visit shelters and assess storm damage. The governor has now declared a state of emergency for the entire state.

Several roads are closed across southeast Louisiana that’s getting pelted with rain right now, and the Tangipahoa Parish Office of Homeland Security is reporting residents in nearly 100 homes had to be rescued as the large system moves through the area.

A majority of Louisiana residents are willing to pay higher taxes to support education and roads, according to a new survey from LSU. Fifty-one percent of respondents want the state to spend more on K through 12 public education, and 50-percent say the same for higher ed. Michael Henderson, with the LSU Public Policy Research Lab, says those surveyed were asked if they’d pay higher taxes for public education and higher ed…:
CUT 13 (04) “are important”
He says a majority of respondents were also in favor of increased spending, and higher taxes, for healthcare.

Authorities remind the public to NOT attempt to drive through high water or cross barricades. You can log on to the DOTD website, 511la.org to get updated information on road closures or download the “Way to Geaux” app.

Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a state of emergency for 22 parishes and activated 750 National Guard members to help combat the widespread flooding in north Louisiana. State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson says the water continues to rise and the storm is shifting into southeast Louisiana. He says if you don’t need to be out on the road, don’t go out and sightsee.

Cut 12 (09) “do so”

In Bienville parish, Sheriff John Balance says the flood waters turned fatal in a small community just east of Lucky. He says they received a call this afternoon about a vehicle stuck in the water on a bridge over Saline Creek.

Cut 7 (10) “from drowning”

The man who died was identified as 63-year-old Jerry Garrett. His 70-year-old wife was rescued from the vehicle. A six-year-old girl also died when her mother lost control of the vehicle in the flooded road, and a 22-year-old man also died from drowning.

DeSoto Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle says several emergency shelters have been set up throughout the parish as evacuations are ongoing. He says countless homes in the area have flooded.

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Arbuckle says the Sabine River is expected to crest at 40 feet, which is the highest it’s been since the 1940s.

Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal and one of his top lieutenants have been indicted on civil rights violations for their alleged involvement in the beatings of five jail inmates. The indictment claims Ackal directed officers to beat the inmates in the jail’s chapel in 2011. Eight former employees of the sheriff’s office have already pleaded guilty to related federal charges. Former US attorney Harry Rosenberg says the combined testimonies from the former jail employees and the inmates will make for a difficult case for the sheriff.

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If convicted, Ackal could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine for each civil rights violation.

Governor John Bel Edwards has activated 750 Louisiana National Guard members to help combat the widespread flooding in north Louisiana. Edwards urges the public to stay inside and off the flooded roadways. He says there are now three confirmed deaths, one including a six-year-old girl…

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Officials say the 6-year-old died when her mother lost control of her vehicle due to the road conditions. A 64-year-old man from Bienville and a 22-year-old man from Ouachita also died in drownings. Edwards says many roads in northern parishes are closed and warns drivers not to cross barricades.

National Guard spokesperson Rebekah Malone said the Guard has evacuated over 360 people from their homes in Bossier, Ouachita, and Morehouse parishes. In Bossier City, about 3,500 homes were under a mandatory evacuation as a precaution because the bayou was approaching the top of the levee. Authorities in Bossier parish rescued about 1,000 people using high-water vehicles.

Rain totals in Louisiana today range from 11 to 20 inches, according to Jaon Hansford from the National Weather Service. Congressman Ralph Abraham of Alto says lives and livelihoods are at stake in this storm. Abraham says he has talked with FEMA and asked that the area be declared a federal disaster area so resources and funding can come this way. He says everyone in north Louisiana is pitching in to help.

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Emergency shelters have been established in several parishes, as more rain is expected to come.

Lawmakers rushed to pass several bill in the final minutes of the special session last night, and today they sorted through the implications. This fiscal year’s budget could still face a $50-million deficit, but that number remains unclear as the legislature’s fiscal analysts are estimating how much the sales tax increases passed in the session would raise. What is certain is the deficit for next fiscal year, which stands at about $800-million dollars.

Governor John Bel Edwards says heavy rainfall and flooding has caused three fatalities in Louisiana. Emelie Gunn has more…

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Jason Hansford, with the National Weather Service, says rainfall totals in Louisiana range from 11 to over 20 inches. Hansford says the state could see up to 5 more inches of rain, but he says this massive storm should clear out by this weekend.

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DeSoto Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle says several emergency shelters have been set up throughout the parish as evacuations are ongoing. He says countless homes in the parish have flooded.

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Arbuckle says the Sabine River in DeSoto is rising to a dangerously high level, and people near the river are being evacuated.

Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal and one of his top lieutenants have been indicted on civil rights violations for their alleged involvement in the beatings of five jail inmates. The indictment claims Ackal directed officers to beat the inmates in the jail’s chapel in 2011. Former US attorney Harry Rosenberg says there have already been an array of civil lawsuits filed against the sheriff’s by inmates that are pending, but this federal suit will be different.

cut 14 (08)  “if convicted”

Eight former employees of the sheriff’s office have already pleaded guilty to related federal charges.

Governor Edwards has declared a state of emergency for 22 parishes as an massive storm is pounding north and central Louisiana. DeSoto Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle says multiple emergency shelters have been set up throughout the parish. He says people along the Sabine River are being evacuated as it’s rising to a dangerously high level.
CUT 6 (07) “that high”

Arbuckle says the last time the river was that high was in the 1940s.

Bienville Parish Sheriff John Ballance says flood waters have turned fatal in a small community just east of Lucky. He says they received a call Wednesday afternoon about a vehicle stuck in the water on a bridge over Saline Creek…:
CUT 7 (10) “from drowning”

Ballance says the man who died is identified as 63-year-old Jerry Garrett of Friendship.

In Lincoln Parish, the Ruston Fire Department has had to rescue over a dozen people from their homes or vehicles because of flooding. State Representative Robert Shadoin says state and local officials are doing all they can to aid flood victims.
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Governor John Bel Edwards plans to make a trip to north Louisiana tomorrow if weather permits to see the damage.

Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal and one of his top lieutenants have been charged with civil rights violations for their alleged involvement in the beatings of five jail inmates. If convicted, Ackal could face 10 years in prison and a fine for each civil rights violation. Former US attorney Harry Rosenberg says the collective testimonies of former jail employees and the inmates will make for a hard case for the sheriff.
cut 16 (06) “these charges”

Several roads are closed as result of the heavy rainfall that’s occurred across the state. State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson says stay off the roads in flooded areas of the state, there’s no reason to go out and sightsee…
cut 12 (09) “….do so”
There’s two strong lines of heavy rainfall moving through southeast Louisiana at this hour.

In Bienville Parish, a 63-year-old man lost his life when his vehicle got stuck in the water on a bridge over Saline Creek. Sheriff John Ballance says 63-year-old Jerry Garrett of Friendship drowned, while his 70-year-old wife was rescued…
cut 8 (06) “….Mrs Garrett”
Governor Edwards says three people have died as a result of the storm, including a six-year-old girl in Ouachita Parish.

A state of emergency has been declared in 22 parishes, because of the massive flooding. US Representative Ralph Abraham says everyone in north Louisiana is pitching in to help…
cut 4 (05) “…literally”
Abraham says he’s already talked with FEMA and asked that the area be declared a federal disaster area.

Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal and one of his top deputies have been indicted on civil rights violations. The US Attorney is accusing the sheriff of directing his officers to beat five inmates inside the jail’s chapel in April of 2011. Eight former employees of the sheriff’s office have already pleaded guilty to related federal charges. Former US Attorney Harry Rosenberg says that while the inmates’ testimonies may not be as credible, the former employees’ statements will….
cut 15 (09) “….these charges”
If convicted, Ackal and Lt. Colonel Gerald Savoy face up to ten years in prison.

Much of Louisiana is still experiencing heavy rains today. Parts of the state have seen an excess of 20 inches of rain, and the governor declared a state of emergency for 22 parishes. Halen Doughty reports…:
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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents says they’ve rescued 161 people and two dogs from flooded areas in north Louisiana.

Governor John Bel Edwards says three people have died as a result of the storms…a 63 year old man, a 22 year old and a 6-year-old..:
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Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal and one of his top lieutenants have been indicted on civil rights violations for their alleged involvement in the beatings of five jail inmates in 2011. Former US attorney Harry Rosenberg says there have already been an array of civil lawsuits filed against the sheriff’s office by inmates that are pending, but this federal suit will be different:
cut 14 (08) “if convicted”
The indictment claims Ackal directed officers to beat the inmates in the jail’s chapel in 2011. If convicted, Ackal could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine for each civil rights violation.

The National Weather Service says the storm system that’s dumped from 11 to over 20 inches of rain on Louisiana, is intermittent. Meteorologist Jason Hansford..:
CUT 9 (06) “on the way”
Hansford says the state could see up to 5 more inches of rain.