Just four days to go until the runoff elections. Ron Faucheux with Lunchtime Politics says polls in the Republican U.S. Senate race between Julia Letlow and John Fleming indicate that it’s anyone’s contest.

Cut 9 (10)  “…the Republican primary.”

A new law signed by Governor Landry allows licensed rehabbers to have the opportunity to care for injured white-tailed deer. Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says there are certain procedures licensed rehabbers will need to adhere to when taking in one of these deer…

Cut 5 (08) “….Wildlife and Fisheries”

There were two recent incidents in Louisiana where L-D-W-F agents investigated a report of a person nursing a deer, but because it’s illegal to do so, the agents removed the deer from the home and killed the deer.

The 29 inches of rain recorded during a 12-hour period at a rain gauge in Avoyelles Parish near the town of Cottonport is likely a state record. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says the massive rain was possible due to numerous thunderstorms forming over the same area. Grymes says it’s similar to the 2016 thunderstorms that caused flooding in south Louisiana with the same designation.

Cut 8 (10) “…a thousand years.”

Grymes will meet up with the National Weather Service tomorrow in Avoyelles Parish to make sure the 29-inch rainfall event is accurate.

Meanwhile, Governor Landry continues to urge storm victims to report their damages to the damage-dot-la-dot-gov website. The state will use the information collected to make the case for a federal disaster declaration. Governor Landry says the website had some issues on Sunday, but they have since been resolved…

Cut 14 (09) “…those issues”

There are two types of federal declarations, each with a different threshold: public assistance and individual assistance. The individual assistance threshold is the one Landry says he is targeting, and the declaration will provide aid to secure temporary housing and basic home repair for flood victims.

State lawmakers have until 5pm today to vote on Governor Landry’s plan to provide public school teachers with a two-thousand-dollar stipend. Patrick Wall with The Advocate says districts have warned that reducing their budgets to fund the bonuses would negatively impact operations…:
Cut 11 (07) “the public schools”
It will take a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate for the Governor’s plan to move forward.  There’s also a legal challenge to Landry’s teacher pay plan.

Louisiana officials are urging those impacted by Tropical Storm Arthur to report damages and losses to damage-dot-la-dot-gov. Governor Jeff Landry says the data collected on the website will help the state appeal for federal disaster assistance.

Cut 12 (09) “…methodic way.”

One rain gauge in Avoyelles Parish measured 29 inches of rain in 12 hours during Tropical Storm Arthur. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Hundreds of families in Avoyelles Parish are facing the long process of recovery after their homes were flooded last Thursday. State Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says most homeowners in Avoyelles do not have flood insurance.

Cut 14 (14) “…dropped those policies.”

The massive rainfall in Avoyelles Parish is one step closer to officially being a record-breaker. A rain gauge between Cottonport and Plaucheville measured 29 inches of rain during the downpours caused by Tropical Storm Arthur. State climatologist Jay Grymes says officials just need to make sure the rain was collected properly.

Cut 7 (09) “…multiple times.”

Licensed rehabbers can now take in Louisiana white-tailed deer under a new law signed by Governor Landry. Last year on two occasions, LDWF agents seized deer from those caring for them and killed them. Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says these incidents will not be repeated thanks to a bill authored by Greenwell Springs Representative Lauren Ventrella.

Cut 4 (12) “…neurological disorders.”

The 128-million-dollar I-20 reconstruction project in Bossier and Caddo parishes was completed yesterday after nearly three years. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 23 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

LSU might not have made the College World Series, but their fans are still the Jello shot kings. This year’s runaway winner was West Virginia, whose fans scarfed down 28,221 Jello shots at Rocco’s during the tournament. While that’s impressive, it was only slightly more than half of LSU’s 2025 total of 52,390.

A rain gauge between Cottonport and Plaucheville measured 29 inches of rain during the downpours caused by Tropical Storm Arthur. State climatologist Jay Grymes is meeting with the National Weather Service in Avoyelles Parish to check and verify the rain gauges in the area. Grymes says if it’s made official, the total would be a new state record.

Cut 6 (08) “…the record.”

If you need to file claims from the damage caused by the severe weather, the Department of Insurance has some very important information for you. Commissioner Tim Temple says different policies will respond to different types of claims.

Cut 13 (10)  “…rising flood waters.”

The state is asking all flood victims, regardless of whether or not you have insurance, to report damages to damage.la.gov

Animal advocates are hailing the signing of a bill aimed at protecting Louisiana white-tailed deer. Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says House Bill 1248 was spawned by a pair of high-profile incidents, in which LDWF agents seized deer from those caring for them and killed them.

Cut 3 (09) “…by good Samaritans.”

Unlike in the primary election, where Democrats outnumbered Republicans in early voting, the numbers were swapped in early voting for the runoffs. According to the Secretary of State’s Office, more than 77-thousand Republicans cast early ballots, compared to just over 54-thousand Democrats. John Couvillon of JMC Analytics and Polling says, despite the robust Democratic turnout in early voting, he expects this to be the end of the road for Democrats.

Cut 9 (13)  “…competitive at all.”

Hundreds of families in Avoyelles Parish are facing the long process of recovery after their homes were flooded last Thursday. State Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says most homeowners in Avoyelles do not have flood insurance.

Cut 14 (14) “…dropped those policies.” 

Many of these residents will now have to count on assistance from the federal government should this historic rain event receive a federal disaster declaration.

Construction is complete on the 128-million dollar project to improve I-20 in Caddo and Bossier parishes. Erin Buchanan with DOTD says the rebuild will benefit local commuters.

Cut 5 (10) “…vehicles per day.”

What clues, if any, do the early voting numbers give us in the U.S. Senate runoffs? Jeff Palermo has some insight.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Last week we told you about the Australian who lives in Franklinton, who is now facing federal charges for voting in two federal elections as a non-U-S Citizen. Denise Migliore tells the Advocate Newspaper that she didn’t know she was breaking the law and considers herself a citizen because she has lived in the U-S for decades. Migliore also believes state and local election officials should have told her she could not register to vote.

State lawmakers have until 5 PM today to turn in their ballot on the governor’s plan to provide teachers with a two-thousand-dollar stipend and a one-thousand dollar stipend for school support workers. To pay for the stipend, 168-million dollars will be taken away that go towards operating costs for public schools. It will take a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate for legislators to approve the governor’s teacher pay plan. Advocate newspaper education reporter Patrick Wall says there could be consequences for lawmakers and their districts if they vote against the governor.

Cut 12 (08) “…in their districts.”

More than 151-thousand people voted during the early voting period that wrapped up last Saturday. John Couvillon of JMC Analytics and Polling says turnout was high in East Baton Rouge, as there are three high-profile tax renewal measures on the ballot…

Cut 7 (13) “…Democratic leaning parish”

The 128-million-dollar I-20 reconstruction project in Bossier and Caddo parishes was completed yesterday after nearly three years. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The state has been hit with another round of severe weather, this time in northwest Louisiana. Hundreds of customers are without power in Caddo and Bossier parishes. In Claiborne Parish, authorities say a woman and a child were rescued from a car in two feet deep water in Homer.

The Louisiana Department of Insurance has some important information for those needing to file claims from last week’s torrential rains. Andrew Greenstein reports…:
Cut 3 (35) “I’m Andrew Greenstein”

Eight men have been arrested across Louisiana in a statewide undercover operation targeting suspected online child predators. The Louisiana Bureau of Investigation says all face charges including indecent behavior with juveniles and computer-aided solicitation of a minor. The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office provided specialized training for officers working undercover online. Agencies from Livingston, Lafayette, Calcasieu, and St. Martin parishes also took part in the operation.

State lawmakers have until 5pm today to vote on Governor Jeff Landry’s proposal to provide public school teachers with a $2,000 stipend. Advocate Education reporter Patrick Wall says lawmakers generally support the payments, but concerns remain because the plan would reduce state funding for public schools..:
Cut 10 (07) “to potential layoffs”
It will take a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate for the Governor’s plan to move forward.

After nearly three years of construction, the I-20 rehabilitation project through Bossier and Caddo parishes is complete. The $128 million project rebuilt every lane and ramp at five major interchanges. DOTD spokeswoman Erin Buchanan says the entire state will benefit from improved infrastructure..:
Cut 6 (09) “investing in that”
The project provided major improvements to turning lanes, travel lanes, shoulders and access points.

The Secretary of State’s early voting report on the US Senate runoffs, covering ballots cast through June 20, shows Republicans well ahead of Democrats in raw totals. Overall, more than 151-thousand people cast early ballots – a decline of almost 40-percent from the May primaries. John Couvillon of JMC Analytics and Polling says the timing of the election had a lot to do with the lower turnout:
Cut 8 (12) “are used to”
Polls open statewide Saturday at 7am and close at 8pm.

If you need to file a claim for damage caused by Tropical Storm Arthur, the Louisiana Department of Insurance has issued some important reminders. Commissioner Tim Temple says one of the most important things you can do is take pictures of everything…:
Cut 15 (07) “dollars potentially damaged”
He says you can submit through damage.la.gov.

After nearly three years of construction, the I-20 rehabilitation project through Bossier and Caddo parishes is now complete. The $128 million project included a full rebuild of every lane and ramp at five interchanges. DOTD spokeswoman Erin Buchanan says those who drive that stretch regularly know how badly it was needed
Cut 4 (08) “long time coming”
She says the work marks the largest investment in the corridor in years.

A Flood Watch remains in effect today until 3pm for portions of north Louisiana as rounds of heavy rain move through the region. The National Weather Service in Shreveport says localized flash flooding is possible, especially in low-lying and poor drainage areas. Drivers are urged to use caution and never attempt to cross flooded roadways.