A documentary that tells the story of how more than 18,000 evacuees called the Cajundome their temporary home following Hurricane Katrina will air on LPB at 7 tonight. Teiko Foxx has the story…

Cut 1 (32)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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A new online tool allows parents to get a better idea of potential child support obligations. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The heat has been relentless and new all-time record high temperatures are predicted today and tomorrow. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Louisiana Public Broadcasting will air the first public broadcast of Cajundome City, a new documentary that explores sheltering efforts for 18,500 evacuees in the Cajundome following Hurricane Katrina, tonight at 7 PM. Co-Director Christopher Allain (Ah-lan) says the documentary shows the massive efforts of the Acadiana community in a time of need.

Cut 4 (10) “…be done.”

The documentary includes interviews with volunteers, hurricane survivors, and Cajundome management. Allain says the film shows how management at the Cajundome stepped up to provide all of the essentials the evacuees needed…

Cut 5 (11) “…medical clinic.”

The film comes after a book in 2017 – “The Day of the Cajundome Mega-shelter.” The documentary includes interviews with hurricane survivors, volunteers, and those involved in the sheltering operation.

Allain says it’s a story that will resonate with the community and show the unity of Acadiana.

Cut 6 (12) “…of you.”

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The Department of Children and Family Services unveils its online Child Support Estimator. DCFS Child Support Director Konitra (Co-knee-tra) Jack says families can simply enter their income and a few other steps and get an estimated payment. Normally she says attorneys and a judge are involved to set the order…

Cut 7 (10) “…right there.”

Jack says the online tool is comparable to a mortgage calculator, the estimator gives parents a ballpark idea of monthly child support payments.  And for parents who already have a determined amount, Jack says if there are changes the estimator is useful because it can give you an idea of what the new amount would be.

Cut 8 (10) “…the amount.”

The estimator was launched about two weeks ago and the DCFS says it’s been thoroughly tested and gives parents a better understanding of what factors are involved in determining payment amounts. Besides the estimator, Jack says their website offers even more insight for parents.

Cut 9 (09)  “…our website.”

For more information go the Department of Children and Family Services website.

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The Bayou State continues to bake and several cities in Louisiana are on tap for record-breaking high temps today and tomorrow. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the highest ever recorded temperature for Shreveport was 110 degrees, in Baton Rouge, it was 105, and in New Orleans 102 degrees. But today…

Cut 10 (10) “…in New Orleans (x2).”

Keim says the previously recorded highs for Baton Rouge were 110 and 108, on back-to-back days in August of 1909. But historical records do not show similar temps in surrounding cities. Keim and other forecasters believe those recordings could be inaccurate. The consensus is that 105 is most likely the record high for the Red Stick.

As for the present, Keim says record highs will either be matched or broken today and tomorrow.

Cut 11 (10) “…oppressive (x2).”

So, brace yourself, as Keim says the summer from hell looks like it’s not going away anytime soon…

Cut 12 (07) “…even beyond.”

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The first Republican presidential primary debate is tonight in Milwaukee, but the former President will not be there. Donald Trump, who has a large lead in the polls over the other GOP candidates, is skipping the event. LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow says front-runners do not see the advantage of debating their opponents…

Cut 13 (10) “…these situations”

There will be eight Republicans on the stage, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Sadow says there are many GOP voters who do not find DeSantis to be a dynamic candidate…

Cut 14 (12) “…very well” 

Sadow says he expects former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will try to stand out because he’s been the most outspoken in criticism of Trump….

Cut 15 (07) “…with Trump.”

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Louisiana Tech is gearing up for the week zero matchup against Florida International on Saturday night at 8 PM in Ruston. Quarterback Hank Bachmeier is set to make his first start with the Bulldogs and talked with the media on Tuesday about how his relationship with head coach Sonny Cumbie.

Cut 16 (16) “…I can be.”

Bachmeier started 29 games during four seasons at Boise State and knows what he needs to do on Saturday.

Cut 17 (19) “…my mentality.”

Last season, FIU beat Tech in double overtime 42-34.

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LSU started two freshmen at left and right tackle last season and could start another freshman at one of the tackle positions again this season. Five-star prospect Lance Heard took snaps with the first team at right tackle during last Saturday’s scrimmage. Coach Brian Kelly says Heard dominated at Neville High School last season, but now he’s getting tested every day at practice…

Cut 18 (18) “…in season.”

Last year Will Campbell as a freshman started at left tackle and rookie Emery Jones started at right tackle. If Heard gets in the starting line-up, Jones would line up at right guard.

Freshman running back Kaleb Jackson also stood out during Saturday’s scrimmage, scoring two touchdowns, including a 70-plus yard TD reception on a screen pass, but Kelly says to keep expectations in check.

Cut 19 (20) “…bit of both.”

The No. 7 and No. 18 jerseys are two of the most coveted jerseys among LSU players. With the season approaching, Kelly says when to expect the word on who will represent those jerseys….

Cut 20 (13) “…of announcement”

The number seven jersey goes to the team’s top playmaker, while #18 goes to a leader on and off the field.

An audit finds $112 million was spent on Medicaid recipients who live out-of-state from 2016 to February of this year. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Changes could be coming again to the structure of the high school football playoffs. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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A Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s report reveals more than $100 million was paid for Medicaid coverage for individuals who don’t even live in the Bayou State. Data Analytic Manager Chris Magee says the payments were made to the insurance companies that provide managed care for Medicaid recipients.

Cut 3 (12) “…out of state.”

The audit was on data from 2016 to February of this year.

Magee says the Louisiana Department of Health cites COVID as one reason for the oversite. During the pandemic the federal government would not allow states to end Medicaid coverage for recipients, however, living out-of-state was an allowable reason to end coverage.

Cut 4 (12) “…the pandemic.”

Another problem the audit uncovered is that the health department does not use driver’s license data to identify individuals who’ve moved out of state. As a result, Magee says their office is recommending the offices share such data and LDH has agreed to do so going forward.

As for recovering the millions spent on out-of-state recipients, because the program is federally driven Magee says the state was following eligibility rules. He says only if it’s proven an individual committed Medicaid fraud can those funds be recouped.

Cut 5 (07) “…the door.” (2x)

Magee says a previous audit revealed that providers were providing services for out-of-state recipients and that prompted this to see if out-of-state recipients were receiving coverage.

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Summer wildfires that started August 14 in Sabine Parish have been contained but crews are still keeping an eye on fire lines. Office of Emergency Preparedness Director Scott Gowen says fires have charred acres of land across the parish…

Cut 6 (12) “…big fire” 

One of the Sabine fires near Florien, consumed 14 structures and 19 vehicles, 10 or 11 families were displaced but there were no injuries or fatalities. Gowen says excessive heat continues to be a threat.

Cut 7 (05) “…out there.” 

Firefighters from Baton Rouge, St. George, and Scott are on hand to provide assistance to crews in Sabine. Gowen says the parish has also requested help from the governor’s office. While there are three fire departments in the parish, he says the wildfires have been hard to handle with only volunteer firefighters.

Cut 8 (08) “…you know.”

A state burn ban has been in place since August 7.

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The high school football season begins next week and it’s unclear what the playoff brackets will look like in November. A Baton Rouge judge has ruled the LHSAA can’t use the current definition that determines a “select” school. Plaintiffs’ attorney Brian Blackwell says the LHSAA will likely need to call a special meeting so high school principals can make that determination…

Cut 9 (07) “…select school”

Last year, the LHSAA Executive Committee changed the definition of a “select” school which resulted in dozens of traditional public schools switching from non-select to select and competing against private schools in the playoffs. Blackwell says high school principals never had a chance to vote on this major change to the LHSAA’s constitution…

Cut 10 (09) “…require”

Blackwell represents nine public schools from Rapides Parish and the Monroe area that filed the suit. The LHSAA executive committee redefined a select school as any school that has a magnet component, is a charter school, or is an open-enrollment parish.

Blackwell is not sure what this means for the high school football playoffs in November and December, but he believes a special meeting should be called, so high school principals can vote…

Cut 11 (07) “…of that membership”

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The State Department of Transportation says motorists can do their part in preventing grass or wildfires. Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says cigarette butts or chains being dragged off trailers can throw sparks into hot and dry grassy areas

Cut 12 (10) “…on the interstate.”

Looking ahead there appears to be no relief from the oppressive temperatures and the chance of any significant rain is practically nill. Wildfires have easily started due to the harsh conditions and Mallett fears another blaze is merely a spark away…

Cut 13 (07) “…more often.”

The statewide burn ban remains in place and Louisiana is under a State of Emergency due to the heat until September 9^th. Mallet says you should never be littering or throwing a cigarette out the window, to begin with…

Cut  14 (12)  “…very dangerous.”

Even though the cause of the blaze has yet to be determined, the Lafayette Fire Department has responded to eight grass fires within a 48-hour period.

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