A survey out of LSU shows nearly two thirds of Louisiana residents think the state is heading in the wrong direction. Emelie Gunn has more…
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The total number of parishes to receive federal aid for flood damage is up to 26 now, as three more parishes were added last night. Halen Doughty has more…
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”
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A proposed constitutional amendment that asks voters if convicted felons should be allowed to run for state or local office for 15 years after completion of their sentence is making its way through the legislative process. The author of the measure, Norco Representative Gregory Miller, says it’s similar to a constitutional provision that was recently thrown out by the state Supreme Court…
The state’s highest court removed the former constitutional amendment on this subject, because the language on the ballot was not the same as what the legislature approved in 1998. Miller says he’ll make sure his legislation doesn’t make that same mistake again
Miller’s proposed amendment received strong support from the House Governmental Affairs committee. Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins asked whether some felons should be exempted from the 15-year ban from running for office
Jenkins’ argument did not result in any change to the legislation.
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An LSU Public Policy Research lab survey finds 63 percent of Louisianans believe the state is heading in the wrong direction. This is the most on record since the survey began tracking opinions in 2003. Director Dr. Michael Henderson says usually when a new governor takes office we start to see residents become more optimistic.
Henderson says some Louisianans are likely displeased because of a mix of politics and the recent struggles with the massive budget deficit. He says there is also a huge increase in the number of people who say the state’s business conditions are worse than a year ago.
Henderson says for many years people believed the economy and education were the most important problems in the state, now it’s the budget.
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Flooding in West Carroll Parish is hurting the corn crop. LSU Ag Center Extension Agent Bruce Garner says some fields will survive better than others.
Garner says it doesn’t look like it’s getting any better because more water is spilling over into the fields from the bayous. He says the damage to the corn varies, even in just one field.
cut 10 (08) “across the board”
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Twenty-six parishes impacted by the flooding are now eligible for federal assistance from FEMA. Governor John Bel Edwards says the list of parishes to receive federal aid keeps growing.
Edwards says they are looking at 11 additional parishes to see if they met the threshold for FEMA assistance. FEMA Director Craig Fugate says they will be here as long as it takes. He encourages people to register for federal aid by going to DisasterAssistance-dot-gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA.
Fugate says they will offer assistance to people who did not have flood insurance. He advises people to add flood coverage to their policies, even if they are not in a high risk area.
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Due to flooding from the Sabine River, I-10 at the Louisiana/Texas state line is expected to remain closed for at least a of couple days. Sgt. James Anderson with State Police encourages motorists to plan an alternate route if headed to The Lone Star State….:
Anderson says you don’t have to travel all the way to I-20, as US 190 into Texas crosses in northern Beauregard Parish. He says traffic has been moderate, but it’s flowing well…:
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