Governor John Bel Edwards has signed a budget that provides millions of additional dollars towards public education. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Jeff palermo”

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Louisiana is once again ranked 49^th in overall child well-being.  A major contributing factor is poverty.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

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If you’ve got some bats on your land, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries wants you to count them. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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Governor John Bel Edwards has signed the 30-billion dollar budget that lawmakers approved in the recently completed legislative session. Edwards says the spending plan that goes into effect July 1st contains the first teacher pay raise in a decade

Cut 4 (12) “…our children.”

Teachers will receive a one-thousand dollar pay raise, school support workers get a five-hundred dollar boost in pay. The budget also contains an additional 39-million dollars in block grant funding for public schools and the budget increases funding so that additional children can attend pre-K education classes

Cut 5 (08) “…get a slot.”

Edwards says if re-elected, he’ll push Louisiana teacher salaries to the Southern Regional Average…

Cut 6 (08) “…that happens.”

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Louisiana continues to be ranked 49th in overall child well-being. KIDS COUNT manager at Agenda for Children Teresa Falgoust says a big factor into the low ranking is that the state ranks 50^th in childhood poverty, with 307-thousand children living in poverty, roughly 28% of the state’s child population.

Cut 7 (10) “…basic need met.”

The state has dropped in ranking for education from 47^th to 48^th. Falgoust says another troubling trend is the number of children getting ready to enter high school not doing well in math. In 2009, 80% of eighth graders were not proficient in math. That has risen to 81% in 2017.

Cut 8 (06) “…slightly as well.”

Falgoust says the state is also low in the ranking when it comes to child and teen deaths and underweight births.

Cut 9 (07) “…worse since 1990.”

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking for the public to help count how many bats live in the Bayou State, so they can find out if a bat-based disease is spreading.

LDWF State Wildlife Veterinarian Jim LaCour says over 80 percent of the state is private property, which can make it tough to track bat populations, so if you got some bats on your land…

Cut 10 (09) “…to us.”

Louisiana has 12 species of bats.

LaCour says the white nose syndrome has ravaged bat populations in other states, but has not yet been detected in Louisiana.

Cut 11 (10) “you will.”

The disease is not a danger to humans.

LaCour says filling out the form about how many bats are on your land could be a big help to the Louisiana economy, and Louisiana healthcare as bats love to chow down on nasty bugs.

Cut 12 (12) “…people”

If you’ve got some bats and want to help out, email nanderson@wlf.gov (N-Anderson-At-W-L-F-Dot-Gov)

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Four people are behind bars, with three charged with human trafficking and the fourth being charged with carnal knowledge after an investigation by the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the investigation began in March when a tip was called into authorities alerting them to the location of 14-year-old girl previously reported as a runaway.

Cut 13 (09) “…that we made.”

The victim indicated she had been forced into sex trafficking since January.  Mancuso says combatting sex trafficking is a high priority for his agency and encourages victims to come forward.

Cut 14 (10) “…and we’re not.”

Among those arrested are 24-year-old Mariah Miller of Iowa, 21-year-old Kaleb Citizen, 28-year-old Darius Landry, and 25-year-old Antonio Tompkins, all of Lake Charles.  Mancuso says he believes there will be more arrests in the case.

Cut 15 (08) “…this particular case.”

Many motorists crossing the Causeway Bridge in New Orleans are hitting the car wash after swarms of bugs left marks on their vehicles. The insects are known as the non-biting midge.  Research Entomologist Ed Freytag says many of the bugs being hit are carrying eggs, and not washing them off a vehicle as soon as possible to have detrimental effects on a car’s aesthetics.
Cut 8 (10) “…to your paint.”
The bugs do not pose a health risk to humans

The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control is accepting permit applications from retailers who want to sell C-B-D products. A-T-C Commissioner Juana Marine Lombard says they will begin processing applications immediately…

Cut 9 (12) “…C-B-D products”

43-year-old Franklin Welzbacher was arrested after allegedly stealing some items from a neighbor’s garage, including a live streaming surveillance camera that he forgot to turn off…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”
Four people are behind bars, with three charged with human trafficking and the fourth being charged with carnal knowledge after an investigation by the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office. The investigation began in March when a tip was called into authorities alerting them to the location of 14 year old girl previously reported as a runaway. Upon arrival at a motel, the girl was located in a room along with one of the suspects. The victim says she had been forced into sex trafficking since January.

A Haughton man was arrested after allegedly stealing items from his neighbor’s garage, including a live streaming surveillance camera he didn’t turn off.  Bossier Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis says the footage made it easy to catch the thief, and the incident is a good example of how effective a simple surveillance camera can be.
Cut 5 (08) “…badguy.”
43-year-old Franklin Welzbacher was booked on Simple Burglary. The victim is accusing Welzbacher of also taking some workout equipment and boxing gloves.
Many motorists crossing the Causeway Bridge in New Orleans are hitting the car wash after swarms of bugs left marks on their vehicles. The insects are known as the non-biting midge.  Research Entomologist Ed Freytag says it’s uncertain how much longer these swarms will occur.

Cut 7 (11) “…still coming out.”
The bugs do not pose a health risk to humans

The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control is accepting permit applications from retailers who want to sell C-B-D products.A-T-C Commissioner Juana Marine Lombard says C-B-D can only be added to food if approved by the F-D-A and C-B-D can’t be marketed as a dietary supplement and the labeling cannot make medical claims.

Cut 11 (10) “…are making.”

Five Louisiana nursing homes are in hot water after a report by the Center for Medicaid and Medicare services shows poor conditions and subpar treatment of patients.

Louisiana Department of Health spokesperson Bob Johannessen says it’s the first time the feds have made the annual report public, and it’s important information for families…

Cut 12 (11)   “…needs.”

The list identified over 400 problem facilities nationwide.

A Haughton man was arrested after allegedly stealing items from his neighbor’s garage, including a live streaming surveillance camera he didn’t turn off.  Bossier Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis says the victim installed the camera because his garage door was malfunctioning, which led to the theft by 43-year-old Franklin Welzbacher…
Cut 3 (12) “…House”
The victim is accusing Welzbacher of also taking some workout equipment and boxing gloves.
Many motorists crossing the Causeway Bridge in New Orleans are hitting the car wash after swarms of bugs left marks on their vehicles. The insects are known as the non-biting midge.  Research Entomologist Ed Freytag says the high numbers are likely due to the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway.
Cut 6 (10) “…not salty anymore.”

The bugs do not pose a health risk to humans

The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control is accepting permit applications from retailers who want to sell C-B-D products.Once an application is approved, the retailer will receive a temporary permit that will expire at the end of February. In order to receive a permanent permit, L-D-H must certify the product and C-B-D. A-T-C Commissioner Juana Marine Lombard says state law prohibits the sale of any alcoholic beverage containing C-B-D

Cut 10 (09) “…food and beverages.”

Five Louisiana nursing homes are in hot water after a report by the Center for Medicaid and Medicare services shows poor conditions and subpar treatment of patients. Among them, Belle Maison Nursing Home in Hammond is a repeat offender, and has been given a “special focus” designation. Louisiana Department of Health spokesperson Johannessen says that will likely lead to improved care, because most facilities only get an annual inspection…
Cut 14 (06) “…months” 

The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control is accepting permit applications from retailers who want to sell C-B-D products. A-T-C Commissioner Juana Marine Lombard says they will begin processing applications immediately…
cut 9 (12) “…C-B-D products”

Five Louisiana nursing homes are on a federal list that identifies facilities who fail to meet certain health and safety requirements. Louisiana Department of Health spokesperson Bob Johanessen has this advice when looking for a nursing home for a loved one…
cut 13 (09) “…homes”
Tioga Community Care Center, St. Helena Parish Nursing Home, Lake Charles Care Center, South Lafourche Nursing and Rehab, and Belle Maison Nursing Home in Hammond were named.

Many Motorists who use the Causeway Bridge in New Orleans are having to find a car wash right away because they are hitting huge swarms of non-biting midges. Research Entomologist Ed Freytag says many of the flies are carrying eggs when they are hit…
cut 8 (10) “…to your paint”
Freytag blames the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway for creating the huge swarms of bugs.

Bossier Parish deputies say a homeowner in Haughton caught his neighbor stealing items from his garage, including his surveillance camera. Lt. Bill Davis says 43-year-old Franklin Welzbacher never turned the camera off, so it was easy to catch him….
cut 5 (08) “….bad guy”
Welzbacher has been charged with simple burglary.

Five Louisiana nursing homes are in hot water after a report by the Center for Medicaid and Medicare services shows poor conditions and subpar treatment of patients. Louisiana Department of Health spokesperson Bob Johannessen says it’s the first time the feds have made the annual report public, and it’s important information for families…

Cut 12 (11)   “…needs.”

Tioga Community Care Center, St. Helena Parish Nursing Home, Lake Charles Care center, South Lafourche Nursing and Rehab, and Belle Maison Nursing Home were named.

A Haughton man was arrested after allegedly sneaking into a neighbor’s garage and stealing a number of items, including a live streaming surveillance camera that he didn’t turn off. Bossier Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis says the footage made it easy to catch the thief…

Cut 5 (08) “…badguy.”

Swarms of bugs are causing lower visibility at times for those crossing Lake Pontchartrain.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut 2 (32) I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

The Executive Director of the Louisiana State Troopers union is under arrest for a Father’s Day incident where he allegedly shot at his daughter’s boyfriend. When East Baton Rouge Parish Sherriff’s deputies responded to a report of shots fired, David Young allegedly admitted to firing one shot over the boys head after he found the man inside of his daughter’s vehicle, and had attempted to detain him.

Governor Edwards requests federal disaster declaration for flooded fisheries due to high river levels.  The Bonnet Carre Spillway has been opened twice so far this year and is currently open.  Assistant Secretary for the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Office of Fisheries Patrick Banks says the excessive fresh water is causing many issues.

Cut 10 (09) “…folks are catching.”

People crossing the Causeway in New Orleans are likely hitting the car wash after swarms of bugs are leaving their mark on vehicles.  The bugs are a type of fly known as the non-biting midge and they breed in water like mosquitos, and the high numbers are likely due to the opening of the spillway.  Research Entomologist Ed Freytag says there is uncertainty on how much longer these swarms will be occurring.

Cut 7 (11) “…still coming out.”

43-year-old Franklin Welzbacher was arrested after allegedly stealing some items from a neighbor’s garage, including a live streaming surveillance camera that he forgot to turn off…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A federal judge sentences Nate Cain, the former warden of the Avoyelles Correctional Center, to 38-months to federal prison, and his ex-wife Tonia Bandy was given an eight-month sentence for spending more than 150-thousand dollars in public funds on personal expenses. U-S Attorney David Joseph…
cut 30 (10) “…personal things”
The duo has been ordered to pay more than $42,000 in restitution.

A Haughton man was arrested after allegedly sneaking into a neighbor’s garage and stealing a number of items, including a live streaming surveillance camera that he didn’t turn off. Bossier Sheriff’s spokesperson Lt. Bill Davis says the victim installed the camera because his garage door was malfunctioning…
Cut 3 (12) “…House”
Davis says the homeowner shared the footage with deputies, which made for an easy arrest of 43-year-old Franklin Welzbacher.

Congressman Ralph Abraham grabbed 180 votes, while fellow GOP gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone received 94 votes in a straw poll of southwest Louisiana Republican voters. It’s a small sample size, but UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the almost two-to-one margin in favor of Abraham is a red flag to the Rispone campaign.
Cut 14 (10) “…problem.”

Many motorists crossing the Causeway Bridge in New Orleans are hitting the car wash after swarms of bugs left marks on their vehicles. The insects are known as the non-biting midge and they breed in water like mosquitos, but only live three to five days. Research Entomologist Ed Freytag says the high numbers are likely due to the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway.
Cut 6 (10) “…not salty anymore.”
Freytag says its uncertain how much longer these swarms will occur.