The Louisiana Department of Health announces a new approach to end the 25-year-old waiting list for thousands of citizens with developmental disabilities who are seeking home and community-based services. L-D-H’s Deputy Secretary Mark Thomas says a tiered waiver system puts poeple and their needs first….
cut 11 (07) “…services ASAP”
Previously, these community-based services were offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

After looking at all of the numbers, the Tax Foundation has determined Tennessee holds the distinction of having the highest combined state and local sales tax rate in the nation, barely beating out Louisiana. The Tax Foundation’s Scott Drenkard….
cut 5 (11) “…as high as six percent”

Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy announces he will not seek a fourth-term in office. Roy says he’s sticking to a self-imposed limit of three terms, which will allow for new blood, fresh ideas and new players which are vital to democracies.

LSU took its turn at SEC Media Days yesterday, and got peppered with questions about the new offense, and just who will run it in August. Matt Doyle has the story.
Voicer 3 (32) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Due to the renewal of a partial penny state sales tax and a tax rate drop in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana no longer holds the dubious distinction of the highest sales tax rate when combining the state’s rate and the average local sales tax rate. An economist for the Tax Foundation, Scott Drenkard, says that title now belongs to Tennessee.
Cut 4 (10) “…less than Tennessee.”
Drenkard says Louisiana could lower it’s sales tax rate, if it expands the sales tax to services that it currently doesn’t cover, like salons, barbers and veterinary services.

Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garret Graves says he strongly disagrees with what President Donald Trump had to say when it comes whether Russia meddled in the 2016 US Election. Mr. Trump questioned American intelligence findings after a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. But Graves says multiple investigations have proved Russia meddled in the US elections and the President should provide additional clarity on the United States relationship with Russia.

The Louisiana Department of Health says they are ending a 25-year waitlist for people with developmental disabilities that are in need of home-based medical support and personal care assistance. L-D-H’s Deputy Secretary, Doctor Mark Thomas, says the new plan prioritizes the needs of people instead of the date they applied for services…
cut 12 (11) “…losing their home place”
Thomas says anyone who has an urgent need for home and community based services gets those vital services much sooner.

Carb rinsing, the spitting out of sports drinks was a popular practice at the just concluded World Cup. But Assistant Professor at LSU Health New Orleans, Doctor Henry Nuss, has better advice for those looking to achieve peak physical performance…
cut 9 (09) “…better than that”

A new approach by the Louisiana Department of Health in providing home and community services will end the waiting list for thousands of citizens with developmental disabilities. Deputy Secretary of LDH, Mark Thomas, explains the new method will now prioritize the over 16,000 on the list by urgency.
Cut 10 (08) “…of our department”
Thomas says the new plans means individuals with a greater urgency of need will be priorities for receiving the most approprate home and community-based services.

During the World Cup you saw a lot of the athletes spitting out their sports drinks in a practice known as “Carb Rinsing.” LSU Health New Orleans, Doctor Henry Nuss, says there are studies indicate its works and the theory comes down to a mental shell game with your body….
cut 8 (07) “…start working harder”
Nuss staying hydrated and cosuming the appropriate number of calories is the best way to acheive peak physical performance.

All nine of the animals attacked by an escaped jaguar at the Audobon Zoo in New Orleans have now died. Zoo officials believe the young male jaguar busted a steel cable barrier which allowed him to get out of the roof of his enclosure.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron admitted during SEC Media Days it was a mistake to hire Matt Canada as the Tigers offensive coordinator last season. But Orgeron is confident new coordinator and former tight ends coach Steve Ensminger will do a great job…
cut 13 (10) “….with Steve”
Orgeron also told reporters he’s looking to have the never-ending quarterback question solved by the time the regular season starts.

Louisiana no longer holds the dubious distinction of the highest sales tax rate when combine state level and the average local sales tax rate.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (25)  I’m Kevin Barnhart“

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The Louisiana Department of Health has a new approach in providing home and community services to those with developmental diabilities.  Kevin Barnhart has more.

Cut 2 (29) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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LSU coaches and stars rolled into Atlanta yesterday for SEC Media Days, and got peppered with questions about the new offense, and just who’s going to be running it come August. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (27) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Due to the renewal of a partial penny state sales tax rate and a tax rate drop in St. Tammany Parish,  Louisiana no longer holds the dubious distinction of the highest sales tax rate when combining state level and the average local sales tax rate.  An economist for the Tax Foundation, Scott Drenkard, says that title now belongs to Tennessee.

Cut 4  (10) “…less than Tennessee.”

But Drenkard says Tennessee makes up for its high sales tax rate in places the Bayou State does not.

Cut 5  (09)  “…as high as 6 percent.”

In 2015, The Tax Foundation wrote a book on its recommendation of the tax situation in Louisiana. Among the suggestions is expanding the sales tax to cover services.

Cut 6 (09) “…helping out all tax payers.”

Drenkard says a rate between 6.5 and 7 percent would land Louisiana in the middle of the rankings.

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Carb washing… It’s the latest trend seen on football fields, boxing rings, and recently the world cup.  Some athletes say the practice of rinsing a carb solution around in their mouth, but not consuming it, is providing a boost. Assistant Professor at LSU Health New Orleans, Dr. Henry Nuss says scientists are not so sure of the validity of the claims.

Cut 7 (12)  “…I should try it. ”

Nuss says the theory comes down to a mental shell game with your body.

Cut 8 (07)  “…start working harder.”

Nuss does offer advice for those that do want to achieve peak performance in athleticism.

Cut 9 (09)  “…better than that.”

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A new approach by the Louisiana Department of Health in providing home and community services will end the waiting list for thousands of citizens with developmental disabilities.  Deputy Secretary of LDH, Mark Thomas, explains that the new method will now prioritize the over 16,000 on the list by urgency.

Cut 10 (08)   “…of our department”

The new plan will also effectively end the 25-year-old Request for Service registry waiting list.  Thomas says the new method sees those in the most urgent of need, some who have been waiting years, see services very quickly.

Cut 11 (07) “services ASAP” 

The governor released a statement praising LDH’s new approach, but Thomas says the residents are also recognizing the change in a positive light.

Cut 12 (11) “…losing their home place.”

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The eyes of the college football world are on Georgia this week for SEC Media Days. LSU coaches and stars took the mike yesterday to talk shop. Head Coach Ed Orgeron is on the hottest seat in the SEC after a tumultuous season that ended with the departure of expensive OC Matt Canada. Orgeron says it’s for the best though, praising new coordinator and former tight ends coach Steve Ensimnger.

Cut 13 (10)  “with steve” 

Orgeron also told reporters he’s looking to have the never-ending quarterback question solved by the time the regular season starts.

Team leaders also got the chance to talk with media, including senior tight end Foster Moreau. Moreau, who’s gained a reputation for his astute post-game observations and expansive vocabulary, says being a sesquipedalian can get him into trouble with his teammates.

Cut 14 (09) “would say”

And of course every single member of the tigers, and mostly likely every other member of every other team outside of Tuscaloosa got asked how they plan on bringing down the Saban dynasty. Even after two straight loses to the powerhouse Crimson Tide, Devin White says it doesn’t hurt any worse than any other loss.

Cut 15 (10) “of me”

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29 people have been arrested since March in St. Tammany Parish in a parish wide crackdown on the crystal meth that has been flowing into the rural portions of the region. The arrests have targeted smaller distributors, and have resulted in the seizes of guns, drugs, and money, and St Tammany Parish Sherriff Randy Smith says they do not suspect that the dealers who’ve been busted are part of a largescale, organized criminal effort to take over distribution in the parish.

Cut 13 (08) “distributing” 

Two adults and one juvenile are dead after a fire engulfed a trailer in Campti over the weekend. Investigators are still unsure exactly how the fire erupted and claimed the family’s lives. State Fire Marshal Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says investigators aren’t sure why the family did not respond to the inferno but says early reports indicate they may not have been awake to react to it.

Cut 10 (09) “the time”

With the latest nomination to the Supreme Court, the discussion of overturning Roe v. Wade has hit fever pitch. In Louisiana, a fifteen-week abortion ban comfortably passed in the regular session, being signed by Gov. John Bel Edwards.   During an appearance on Talk Louisiana, Shreveport Democratic Senator John Milkovich says  Louisiana has a history favoring pro-life legislation and that the state is ready to do its part.

Cut 7 (10)  “…business in Louisiana.”

The summer in Louisiana means high temps.  State climatologist Barry Keim says get ready for the seasonal peak.

Cut 3 (07) “…the next month.”

Keim says temps can be expected in the low 90s during the work week for the southern portion of Louisiana, which are typical for this time of year.  But he warns the humidity levels will be above average.

St. Tammany Parish Sherriff’s have grabbed over 2 dozen people in a drug sting that goes back to March. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle” 

The summer in Louisiana means high temps.  State climatologist Barry Keim says get ready for the seasonal peak.  Keim says for the northern portions of Louisiana expect temps in the upper 90s, or even higher.

Cut 5  (11) “…between 100 and 110.”

With the latest nomination to the Supreme Court, the discussion of overturning Roe v. Wade has hit fever pitch. In Louisiana, a fifteen-week abortion ban comfortably passed in the regular session, being signed by Gov. John Bel Edwards.   During an appearance on Talk Louisiana, Shreveport Democratic Senator John Milkovich says he’s excited about the possibility.

Cut 6 (04)  “…for unborn babies.”

Two adults and one juvenile are dead after a fire engulfed a trailer in Campti over the weekend. Investigators are still unsure exactly how the fire erupted and claimed the family’s lives. State Fire Marshal Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says investigators discovered the bodies in the wreckage and sent them off to be examined by the coroner. She says it appears the family did not get to spend their last moments together.

Cut 11 (11) “the structure”

The hangovers in France today are fierce as the country celebrates its second ever world cup win, and its second win in the last 20 years. Les Blues toppled Croatia 4-2 in a thrilling final that was dominated in large part by the Croatians, who fell victim to a series of unfortunate mistakes that let through key goals at just the wrong times. This year’s final had as many goals scored as the last four world cup finals combined in what appears to be a tipping point for the sport facilitated by the introduction of Video Assisted Review.

Video Reviews did wonders for the game. Scores went up, and red cards went down to a decades long all time low as defenders, now facing increased scrutiny, cut back on overly physical play. The days of unskilled giants on defense hacking their way past more talent teams may be behind.

England’s Harry Kane took home the golden boot, and Luka Modric won tournament MVP.

The first day of SEC Media days is coming to a close with the college football universe packing into Atlanta Georgia at the college football hall of Fame to hear from the biggest names in college football’s best conference. Commissioner Greg Sankey and Texas A&M kicked things off, with Kentucky and LSU coming to the stage after. Coach O addressed the media crowd today covering LSU’s quarterback situation and new offensive coordinator Steve Ensimnger’s offense.

Tomorrow it’s Georgia, Ole Miss, Arkansas, and Florida. Wednesday sees Bill Hancock, Executive Director of the College Football Playoffs, Mississippi State, and Tennessee, and Thursday wraps things up with Auburn, Vanderbilt, and South Carolina.

Former Saint’s stand-out Darren Sproles has decided to hang up the cleats after this football season. Sproles, 35, is coming off a torn ACL, and a broken arm, made the announcement yesterday afternoon. He did promise the SuperBowl champions Philadelphia Eagles one more year however. Sproles has been in the league 13 years.

The summer in Louisiana means high temps.  State climatologist Barry Keim says get ready for the seasonal peak and expect temps in the low 90s during the week for the southern portion of Louisiana, which are typical for this time of year.  But he warns the humidity levels will be above average.

Cut 4  (09) “…going to be very uncomfortable.”

With the latest nomination to the Supreme Court, the discussion of overturning Roe v. Wade has hit fever pitch. In Louisiana, a fifteen-week abortion ban comfortably passed in the regular session, being signed by Gov. John Bel Edwards.   During an appearance on Talk Louisiana, Shreveport Democratic Senator John Milkovich touched on the subject of unwanted pregnancies as the result of rape and incest, saying his pro-life stance remains unchanged.

Cut 8 (08) “…committing a second crime.”

Two adults and one juvenile are dead after a fire engulfed a trailer in Campti over the weekend. Investigators are still unsure exactly how the fire erupted and claimed the family’s lives. State Fire Marshal Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says it’s not common to see fires that are this devastating.

cut 9 (07)  “the ground”

Governor John Bel Edwards and Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain are taking a trip out to the farm. They will be meeting with local sugarcane farmers July 19^th to discuss tariffs among other issues. Strain says they’re putting together some of the biggest names in Louisiana agriculture as the Governor takes a hard look at the roots of rural economic development…

Louisiana has already passed a fifteen-week abortion ban in the regular session, and now with the latest nomination to the Supreme Court, the discussion of overturning Roe V. Wade is at a fever pitch.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

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St. Tammany Parish Sherriff’s have grabbed over 2 dozen people in a drug sting that goes back to March. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle” 

cut 9 (07)  “the ground”

The fire occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning on the 1800 block of Clark Road. Rodrigue says investigators aren’t sure why the family did not respond to the inferno but says early reports indicate they may not have been awake to react to it.

Cut 10 (09) “the time”

Rodrigue says investigators discovered the bodies in the wreckage and sent them off to be examined by the coroner. She says it appears the family did not get to spend their last moments together.

Cut 11 (11) “the structure”

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29 people have been arrested since March in St. Tammany Parish in a parish wide crackdown on the crystal meth that has been flowing into the rural portions of the region. The arrests have targeted smaller distributors, and have resulted in the seizes of guns, drugs, and money, and St Tammany Parish Sherriff Randy Smith says this meth isn’t being made in the USA.

Cut 12 (12)   “from Mexico”

Smith says they do not suspect that the dealers who’ve been busted are part of a largescale, organized criminal effort to take over distribution in the parish.

Cut 13 (08) “distributing” 

The crackdown has involved the sheriff’s narcotics taskforce, as well as assistance from local St. Tammany police departments. Smith says the drugs aren’t being shipped in by sea or air, but taking the interstate system from Border States.

Cut 14 (07) “our country”