Here on this first day of the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season, the Colorado State University forecast team continues to predict activity will be well-below average. Their summary is based on the likely development of a strong El Nino event as well as continued unfavorable hurricane formation conditions. Report lead author Dr. Phil Klotzbach says it doesn’t mean there will be no impacts…:
CUT 7 (07) “that year”
They predict 8 named storms, three hurricanes and one major hurricane

Louisiana has the third highest obesity rate in the country at 33-percent according to a recent Gallup Poll. Pennington Biomedical Research Center Assistant Professor, Dr. Amanda Staiano (STY-ano), says obesity is a complex issue because it involves the foods we eat and the activity we get, not to mention genetics. She says when healthy options are encouraged, it really makes a difference…:
CUT 10 (07) “really really help people”
The survey lists Baton Rouge as the most obese city in the nation.

The National Weather Service says draining floodwaters from Texas and Oklahoma continue to cause waters to rise in the Red River in Louisiana. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

Legislation that would allow victims of domestic abuse to break a housing or apartment lease to get away from abusers moves closer to final legislative passage after advancing a house committee today. Baton Rouge Senator Sharon Weston Broome says someone could also be automatically evicted if they are named abusers by a state welfare agency. The Senate bill now moves to the full house for further consideration.

A recent Gallup Poll shows Louisiana has the third highest obesity rate in the country. The Bayou State’s obesity rate stands at 33-percent, compared to the national average of nearly 28-percent. Pennington Biomedical Research Center Assistant Professor, Dr. Amanda Staiano (STY-ano), says the combination of tasty food and sedentary pastimes contribute to the state’s obesity rate…:
CUT 9 (06) “the pounds off”
The survey lists Baton Rouge as the most obese city in the nation with an obesity rate of nearly 36-percent.

The Colorado State University Forecast team predicts 8 named storms, three hurricanes and one major hurricane for the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season which begins today. This is well below-average and they say it’s driven by the likely formation of a strong El Nino.

Residents in northwest Louisiana are dealing with a swollen Red River. The National Weather Service says the Red is expected to crest in Shreveport Saturday at 34 feet and close to 38 feet Monday in Alexandria.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says, starting today, anyone who buys a saltwater fishing license could win various prizes including a 22 foot bay boat and trailer. LDWF Assistant Secretary of Fisheries Randy Pausina says License to Win is a way they are working to gather a very accurate database with angler contact information.
CUT 12 (11) “entered to win”
Pausina says the prizes include YETI ice chests, Shimano gear and gift cards from Whole Foods, Academy Sports and Outdoors and Texaco.

Nobody won the Mega Millions jackpot on Friday so tomorrow night’s drawing is worth an estimated $253 million.

Here on this first day of the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season, the Colorado State University forecast team continues to predict activity will be well-below average. Report lead author Dr. Phil Klotzbach says they call for eight named storms, three hurricanes and one major hurricane…:
CUT 6 (09) “this year”
He says the highly likely development of an El Nino event reduces hurricane formation conditions in the tropical Atlantic.

LSU athletic director Joe Alleva criticized the NCAA decision Sunday night to postpone the Baton Rouge Regional finals between LSU and UNCW until Monday at noon. He called it a “ridiculous decision” and added they could’ve easily gotten the game in. UL-Lafayette is in the final round of the Houston Regional. The Cajuns are one win away from the championship. They’ll face Rice at 1PM this afternoon.

The National Weather Service says floodwaters draining from Texas and Oklahoma continue to cause rising waters in the Red River in Louisiana. Mario Valverde with NWS in Shreveport says the river is above 30 feet for the first time since 1990 in Shreveport. The Red is expected to crest there Saturday at 34 feet. Valverde says there is already flooding in the area…:
CUT 3 (10) “water’s too high”
He says normal levels likely won’t return for the river until late July, early August.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s office says they arrested three people over the weekend each for their 4th DWI. They say 29-year-old Cody Heiman of Lumberton, Texas, who ws also found to be in possession of an open pint of vodka, has a $16,000 bond. 44-year-old David Robertson of Sulpher has a $35,000 bond and 50-year-old Reco Arecenueaux of Lake Charles had bond set of $17,000.

Another republican presidential primary poll has Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal receiving just one percent of the vote. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 3 (30) “reporting”

LSU faces UNC-Wilmington today in the championship round of the Baton Rouge Regional and LSU Atehtic Director Joe Alleva is not a happy camper. The NCAA made the decision to delay the championship round of the regional last night because of a rule that an NCAA game cannot begin after 11PM. First pitch is scheduled for noon today and the game will be televised on the SEC Network.

The House Ways and Means Committee has cancelled today’s meeting due to issues with a bill that would establish the SAVE program giving colleges a tax credit for rasing fees on students. Chairman Joel Robideaux says he wants to give the administration time to address questions. A separate bill is moving through the legislature that would allow colleges to raise their own tuition and fees and Governor Bobby Jindal calls the SAVE tax credit a way to keep higher ed cost effective…:
CUT 15 (07) “affordable”

State lawmakers are looking at increasing title fees by another 50-dollars when a person purchases a new or used vehicle. Senate Transportation Chairman Robert Adley supports saying the additional revenue will go towards State Police operations, so they can stop taking money away from a fund designed to pay for road and bridge work…:
CUT 7 (07) “trust fund”
The proposed title fee increase has been amended to a bill already passed by the House that’s awaiting a vote in the Senate.

The House Ways and Means Committee delays hearing on a Senate-bill that is needed for the legislature to reach a revenue-neutral budget as required by Governor Bobby Jindal. The measure is called the SAVE tax credit, and it will provide colleges with a tax credit for raising fees on students. New Orleans Senator Karen Peterson implies that all this proposal does is help the governor’s personal ambitions…

cut 14 (11) “and unnecessary”

Committee Chairman, Lafayette Representative Joel Robideaux, says more time is needed to address questions about the measure.

LSU faces UNC-Wilmington today in the championship round of the Baton Rouge Regional. The NCAA made the decision to delay the championship round of the regional last night because of a rule that an NCAA game cannot begin after 11PM. Athletic Director Joe Alleva is not happy with the NCAA’s decision…

cut 24 (07) “whole situation”

First pitch is scheduled for noon today and the game will be televised on the SEC Network.

The 2015 Hurricane Season is officially underway and forecasters are calling for a below average season. Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesman Mike Steele says they don’t want people to be complacent just because NOAA is predicting a below normal hurricane season…

cut 6 (06) “for Louisiana”

Steele says we’ve been fortunate to have had a low level of tropical activity in recent years, but we can not let our guard down.

The trial to determine whether Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson is competent to make important decisions regarding his franchises begins today in New Orleans. Benson’s heirs are asking that the 87-year-old be declared mentally unfit to manage his affairs. Legal analyst Tim Meche says the court will use reports from doctors who evaluated Benson…

cut 10 (08) “testify”

Benson previously announced he was going to leave ownership of the teams to his wife instead of his daughter and grandchildren.

Today is the start of the 2015 Hurricane Season and even though forecasters are calling for a below average season, state officials urge you to get prepared. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 1 (30) “reporting”

The St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office says a motorcycle crash has taken the life of a Morgan City man. They say 25-year-old Trenton Helflin failed to negotiate a turn and left the roadway. His motorcycle then struck a utility pole and entered a waterway. Helflin was ejected from his bike and was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing, but authorities do not believe alcohol was a factor.

State lawmakers are looking at increasing title fees when a person purchases a new or used vehicle by another 50-dollars. Senate Transportation Chairman Robert Adley says the additional revenue will go towards State Police operations, so they can stop taking money away from a fund designed to pay for road and bridge work. Adley believes the rest of the legislature will go along with this proposal…

cut 9 (04) “right thing to do”

The proposed title fee increase has been amended to a bill already passed by the House that’s awaiting a vote in the Senate.

The trial to determine the competency of Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson begins in New Orleans today. Last week a judge ruled that the proceedings are closed to the public, because a person’s medical records should not be known to the world. Legal analyst Tim Meche believes that’s a stretch…

cut 12 (10) “over reaching”

Benson’s heirs are asking that the 87-year-old be declared mentally unfit to manage his affairs.

Legislators are looking at increasing title fees by another 50-dollars when a person purchases a new or used vehicle. Currently, residents pay a title fee of $18.50 and Senate Transportation Chairman Robert Adley says it hasn’t been adjusted since the ’80s. He says a fee increase can keep State Police from receiving money out of the Transportation Trust Fund, which pays for road repairs…

cut 8 (10) “that works”

The proposed title fee increase has been amended to a bill already passed by the House that’s awaiting a vote in the Senate.

The trial to determine whether Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson is competent to make important decisions regarding his franchises begins today in New Orleans. Benson previously announced he was going to leave ownership of the teams to his wife instead of his daughter and grandchildren. His lawyer maintains that decision was in the best interest of the sports franchises. Legal analyst Tim Meche says this is a very unusual situation…

cut 11 (05) “of case”

Benson’s heirs are asking that the 87-year-old be declared mentally unfit to manage his affairs.

Today begins the 2015 Hurricane Season and although forecasters are calling for a below average season, state officials are urging you to get prepared for a storm now. Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesman Mike Steele says in addition to hurricane preparedness items, you should also think about things like prescription medication paperwork, insurance papers and other important documents…

cut 5 (10) “to evacuate”

You can find more information at www-dot-getagameplan-dot-org.

State Police say a Thibodaux motorcyclist is dead after a crash in Terrebonne Parish. Authorities say 40-year-old Verbon Robbins was passing another motorcycle when he lost control of his bike, traveled off the roadway, and struck a utility pole. Robbins was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

The House Ways and Means Committee hears a Senate-bill today that is needed for the legislature to reach a revenue-neutral budget. The measure is called the SAVE tax credit, and it will provide colleges with a tax credit for raising fees on students. Many democrats oppose the measure as the head of the party, Senator Karen Peterson, says all the bill does is help make it look like they are not raising taxes…

cut 13 (09) “playing games”

Governor Bobby Jindal has promised he would veto any measures that weren’t “revenue neutral” which is forcing lawmakers to come up with creative ways to get bills signed.

State lawmakers are looking at increasing title fees by another 50-dollars when a person purchases a new or used vehicle. Senate Transportation Chairman Robert Adley says the additional revenue will go towards State Police operations, so they can stop taking money away from a fund designed to pay for road and bridge work…

cut 7 (07) “trust fund”

Currently, residents pay a title fee of $18.50.

Today is the start of the 2015 Hurricane Season and even though forecasters are calling for a below average season, state officials are urging you to get prepared for a storm now. Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesman Mike Steele says their message every year is “Get a Game Plan”…

cut 4 (09) “develop”

A list of hurricane supplies, evacuation information, and other critical information can be found online at www-dot-getagameplan-dot-org.

LSU will face UNC-Wilmington today at noon in the championship round of the Baton Rouge Regional. The Seahawks defeated Tulane 8-2 in a rain delayed matchup yesterday for a chance at the championship.