A state judge will allow evidence of alleged past hazing behavior into the trial of two of the former LSU students who authorities say participated in Maxwell Gruver’s suspected hazing death. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

In Lafayette, 27-year-old Carlos Guzman-Sanchez is facing kidnapping charges after deputies learned he allegedly held two men captive inside a home for a week. The victims were allegedly bounded by the wrist with chain and secured with a padlock. One of the victims escaped and alerted authorities.

McDonalds is pumping 114 million dollars into 200 Louisiana restaurants to overhaul everything from the exterior of the building to how you order your food. It’s part of a 6 billion dollar national facelift for one of the biggest food chains on earth. McDonalds Vice President of US Restaurant Development Rob Lancaster.
Cut 6 (10) “to order.”
Lancaster estimates most of the upgrades should be completed by the end of 2019.

A GoFundMe drive is underway for a St. Mary Parish man who lost his pregnant wife and one-year-old child to a suspected drunk driver. Chris Sintiere is the grieving father and husband.
Cut 10 (08) “the hospital“
Three of Sintiere’s children suffered serious injuries from the wreck that happened last Tuesday. 25-year-old Dylan LeBlanc of Youngsville is in jail on several charges.

A judge will allow evidence of previous hazing behavior in the trial of two former LSU students, Sean-Paul Gott and Ryan Isto, who were some of those allegedly responsible for Maxwell Gruver’s hazing death. Legal Analyst Tim Meche says its powerful evidence that could sway a jury, but says using that kind of evidence could backfire.

Cut 3 (11) “that evidence”

Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries are rolling out signs alerting people of a threatened species you might not expect to encounter in the Bayou State: Manatees.  The signs are showing up along coastal areas and taking some residents by surprise.  LDWF Endangered Species Biologist Keri Lejeune says the sea cows are highly susceptible to injury from boats.

Cut 7 (07) “…with boat propellers.”

29 year old Brittany Mackie of Prairieville is charged with a multitude of crimes for a fatal hit and run that killed 31-year-old Christian Martinez of Kenner, who was walking on LA-73 in Ascension Parish Monday morning. State Trooper Bryan Lee says multiple tips from the public helped them track down Mackie…

Cut 13 (06) “…the driver”

The family of the St. Mary Parish man who lost his pregnant wife and one-year-old child to a drunk driver is fundraising to help pay for the expenses related to the tragedy that shocked the family, and community. Chris Sintiere, the father and husband, says his 11-year-old and three-year-old are almost ready to leave the hospital, but his nine-year-old daughter remains under medical supervision.

Cut 11 (10) “by day.” 

20,000 homeowners who were flooded in 2016 did not fill out the survey to qualify for RESTORE grant money. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries are rolling out signs alerting people of a threatened species you might not expect to encounter in the Bayou State: Manatees. LDWF Biologist Keri Lejeune says if you encounter a manatee, snap pictures.

Cut 8 (08)  “…when they should be.”

The family of the St. Mary Parish man who lost his pregnant wife and one-year-old child to an alleged drunk driver is fundraising to help pay for the expenses related to the tragedy that shocked the family, and community. The GoFundMe account is over half way to its final 20,000 dollar goal. Chris Sintiere, the father and husband, says s they’re still having a hard time processing the trauma.

Cut 12 (10) “a sudden.”

25-year-old Dylan LeBlanc, the alleged drunk driver, is facing four counts of Vehicular Negligent Injuring, First Degree Feticide, and Reckless Operation.

Court papers have revealed that  two former LSU students, Sean-Paul Gott and Ryan Isto, who were some of those allegedly responsible for Maxwell Gruver’s hazing death were involved in a similar incident just a few days before Gruver’s death shocked the state. Gruver died September 14^th, and the two are suspected to be responsible for a September 6^th incident that left another pledge violently ill.

About 20-thousand homeowners who received major flood damage in 2016 never filled out a survey that could have made them eligible to receive a portion of the one-point-three billion dollars in federal grant money. Those who qualified for RESTORE grants can now receive 100 percent reimbursement on their claims. Director of the Office of Community Development Pat Forbes says the low participation rate led to more money for some homeowners…
cut 5 (09) “…percent reimbursement”

A GoFundMe drive is underway for a St. Mary Parish man who lost his pregnant wife and one-year-old child to a suspected drunk driver. Chris Sintiere is the grieving father and husband.
Cut 10 (08) “the hospital“
Three of Sintiere’s children suffered serious injuries from the wreck that happened last Tuesday. 25-year-old Dylan LeBlanc of Youngsville is in jail on several charges.

State Police arrested 29-year-old Brittany Mackie of Prairieville on numerous charges after investigators determined she struck a pedestrian early Monday morning on LA-73 in Ascension Parish. Trooper Bryan Lee says Mackie’s Lexus struck and killed 31-year-old Christian Martinez of Kenner…
cut 14 (09) >…LA 73″
Mackie is facing several charges including negligent homicide.

Recent manatee sightings in New Iberia and St. Mary Parish has led state wildlife managers to install manatee area signs at boat launches along the Louisiana coast. L-D-W-F Endangered Species Biologist Keri Lejeune says boaters are urged to travel with caution in manatee areas and notify LDWF immediately if you see an injured sea lion…
cut 9 (11) “…is injured”
Biologists say Manatees travel along the Gulf Coast during the warmest part of the summer.

Louisiana received one-point-three billion dollars in federal money to help homeowners who suffered major flood damage in 2016, but so far only 438-million dollars has been handed out. The state says they believe there were 20,000 flooded homeowners who never completed a short survey to determine eligibilty for the Restore Grants. So what does Louisiana plan to do with the rest of the money?

Director of the state Office for Community Development, Pat Forbes, says the remaining funds could be spent on additional homeowners who qualify for the grants, along with other flood related expenses.
Cut 6 (10) “economic development.”
Forbes says they are waiting on the federal government to change the rules so that flood victims who received SBA loans can also receive this federal grant money.

29 year old Brittany Mackie of Prairieville is facing multiple charges in a fatal hit and run that killed 31-year-old Christian Martinez of Kenner, who was walking on LA-73 in Ascension Parish Monday morning. State Trooper Bryan Lee says tips from the public helped them track down Mackie…
Cut 13 (06) “…the driver”
Mackie was booked on charges of negligent homicide, felony hit and run, careless operation and failure to report a crash.

A GoFundMe drive supporting a St. Mary Parish man who’s pregnant wife and one-year-old child were killed by a suspected drunk driver has passed the half way point. Matt Doyle.
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

20,000 homeowners who suffered major flood damage in 2016 did not complete a short survey to see if they were eligible for the 1.3 billion dollars in federal recovery aid. Anyone who suffered one foot of flooding or at least 8,000 dollars’ worth of damage was eligible to potentially receive RESTORE grants. Division of Administration Executive Director Pat Forbes says that’s despite a substantial media blitz and…
cut 4 (11) “…FEMA database”
Forbes says many flood victims chose to do the recovery on their own or decided they were not eligible for the federal grant money, because they already received an SBA loan.

State Police have arrested a 29-year-old Prairieville woman in a fatal hit-and-run that took place yesterday morning on Jefferson Highway in Ascension Parish. Trooper Bryan Lee says Brittany Mackey faces multiple charges…
cut 15 (06) “….a crash”
31-year-old Christian Martinez of Kenner died in the hit-and-run.

Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries are rolling out signs alerting people of a threatened species you might not expect to encounter in the Bayou State: Manatees. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (31) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

20,000 homeowners who were flooded in 2016 did not fill out the survey to qualify for RESTORE grant money. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries are rolling out signs alerting people of a threatened species you might not expect to encounter in the Bayou State: Manatees.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

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A GoFundMe supporting a St. Mary man who’s pregnant wife and one-year-old child were killed by a drunk driver has passed the half way point. Matt Doyle.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

__________________________________

20,000 homeowners who suffered flood damage from the 2016 deluge did not file paperwork to tap into the 1.3 billion dollars in recovery aid money available. Anyone who suffered one foot of flooding or at least 8,000 dollars’ worth of damage was eligible to potentially receive RESTORE grants. Division of Administration Executive Director Pat Forbes says that’s despite a substantial media blitz and…

Cut 4 (11) “FEMA database.”

More than half of those who did not fill out forms were from the hardest hit parishes of East Baton Rouge, Ascension, and Livingston.

Governor John Bel Edwards recently announced that those who qualified for RESTORE grants would receive 100 percent reimbursement on their claims, up from the original estimation of 50 percent. Forbes says the lower than estimated participation rate definitely played a part in getting those who did fill out the forms a bigger return

Cut 5 (11) “percent reimbursement.”

44 percent fewer households filled out the five minute survey than the state originally estimated would.

About half of the 1.3 billion allotted has been spent, but the state is cautiously waiting before spending the rest. Forbes says the remaining funds could be spent on additional homeowners who qualify for the grants, along with other flood related expenses.

Cut 6 (10) “economic development.”

_____________________________________________

Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries are rolling out signs alerting people of a threatened species you might not expect to encounter in the Bayou State: Manatees.  The signs are showing up along coastal areas and taking some residents by surprise.  LDWF Endangered Species Biologist Keri Lejeune says the sea cows are highly susceptible to injury from boats.

Cut 7 (07) “…with boat propellers.”

Manatees will explore the gulf coast in the summer time with warmer waters, but it’s important they head home to Florida before temps drop too low.  Lejeune says if you encounter a manatee, snap pictures and notify LDWF.

Cut 8 (08)  “…when they should be.”

Lejeune adds if a manatee you encounter appears injured, notify LDWF immediately.

Cut 9 (11)  “it is injured.”

_________________________________________

The family of the St. Mary Parish man who lost his pregnant wife and one-year-old child to a drunk driver is fundraising to help pay for the expenses related to the tragedy that shocked the family, and community. Chris Sintiere, the father and husband, says they’re raising the funds to help cover the costs associated with such a tragedy.

Cut 10 (08)   “the hospital“

The family is also raising funds by selling T-shirts and other items on their Facebook page.

Three of Sintere’s other children were in the vehicle at the time, and incurred serious injuries. He says his 11-year-old and three-year-old are almost ready to leave the hospital, but his nine-year-old daughter remains under medical supervision.

Cut 11 (10) “by day.” 

The GoFundMe account is over half way to its final 20,000 dollar goal, which Sintere says has meant a lot to the family. He says they’re still having a hard time processing the trauma.

Cut 12 (10) “a sudden.”

25-year-old Dylan LeBlanc, the alleged drunk driver, is facing four counts of Vehicular Negligent Injuring, First Degree Feticide, and Reckless Operation.

29 year old Brittany Mackie of Prairieville is charged with a multitude of crimes for a fatal hit and run that killed 31-year-old Christian Martinez of Kenner, who was walking on LA-73 in Ascension Parish Monday morning. State Trooper Bryan Lee says multiple tips from the public helped them track down Mackie…

Cut 13 (06) “…the driver”

Lee says Martinez’s early morning walk on Jefferson Highway is still a mystery to investigators…

Cut 14 (09) “…LA 73”

Lee says Mackie faces multiple charges…

Cut 15 (06) “…a crash.”

President Trump has signed a 717-billion dollar defense spending bill. It includes pay raises for troops, and substantial investments in Louisiana based military bases. Northeast Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham says it’s the biggest pay raise for the military in nearly a decade.

Cut 3 (07) “eight years”

The National Home Education Research Institute says homeschooling is on the rise.  It’s a trend that is likely becoming a more popular option when factoring in a tailored curriculum, a difference in values, and an uptick in school violence.  President of Homeschool Louisiana, Christopher Chin, explains the concerns with school violence encompasses more than just school shootings.

Cut 7 (10) “…unfortunately physical assaults.”

A second body in the last week has been recovered in Lake Ponchartrain. On Tuesday, it was 32-year-old Sadie Thibodeaux, and on Saturday 66-year-old Milton Gomez’s body was pulled out of the lake as well. State Wildlife and Fisheries Spokesman Adam Einck says lake swimming can be dangerous because distances on the water can be misleading.

Cut 9 (12)  “lot further.”

And before you head out on the water, Einck says make sure you check up on the conditions out on the lake, because even though it’s not the gulf, it can still be dangerous.

State agriculture commissioner Mike Strain announces the arrest of a suspected serial arsonist in Morehouse Parish. Strain says between July 20^th and August 3^rd, 55-year-old Philbert Bowers of Bastrop intentionally set several wildlife fires near the Arkansas state line…

Cut 12 (09)   “…July 22nd”

Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham says the 717 billion dollar defense spending bill signed by the president has some substantial investments for the state. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

State ag commissioner Mike Strain announces the arrest of a suspected serial arsonist in Morehouse Parish. Strain says 55-year-old Philbert Bowers of Bastrop intentionally set several wildlife fires near the Arkansas state line and adds preventing these kind of crimes benefits the community in multiple ways.

A second body in the last week has been recovered in Lake Ponchartrain. On Tuesday, it was 32-year-old Sadie Thibodeaux, and on Saturday 66-year-old Milton Gomez’s body was pulled out of the lake as well. State Wildlife and Fisheries Spokesman Adam Einck says make sure you check up on the conditions out on the lake, because even though it’s not the gulf, it can still be dangerous.

Cut 11 (07) “the weather”

The National Home Education Research Institute says homeschooling is on the rise.  It’s a trend that is likely becoming a more popular option when factoring in a tailored curriculum, a difference in values, and an uptick in school violence.  President of Homeschool Louisiana, Christopher Chin, says the Bayou State is not exempt from the rise in homeschooling.

Cut 6 (13) “…largest in the state.”