It’s the 13th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina today, and unlike past years there’s not much in the way of official ceremonies and remembrances. Jeff Palermo has more.
Cut 1 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards spent today along the coast with a stop this morning at an oyster processing plant in Houma and then traveled to Cocodrie for an offshore tour with those in the shrimping industry.

The Saints have made some news as they’ve reportedly traded for Jets Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to serve as a back-up to Drew Brees.

Residents will have the opportunity in the November sixth election to vote for a constitutional amendment that would keep those convicted of a felony from running for elected office until five years after they complete their sentence. Metairie Senator Conrad Appeal authored the amendment and says a similar law was on the books, until it was thrown out by the courts…
cut 11 (11) “…thrown out”
LaPolitcs-dot-com recently reported there are at least three former mayors who have been convicted of felonies seeking their old job.

The historic Hotel Bailey in Bunkie can be leased for one-dollar a month for the next two years. Real estate agent Robert Burke says the Bailey is in good condition, but has been closed since the early 2000s…
cut 4 (10) “…falling apart”
Burke says whoever agrees to the lease, must have a plan on what they’ll do with the building in downtown Bunkie.

13 years ago today, Louisiana began to suffer from one of the worst natural disasters in U-S history as Hurricane Katrina made landfall. It claimed the lives of 18-hundred people in the region and caused billions of dollars in damage. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says the aftermath of Katrina was a dark time in US history…
cut 8 (12) “…really suffering”
After Katrina, Actor Brad Pitt built homes in New Orleans’ 9th Ward through his “Make it Right” Foundation. But 13 years later, many of those homes are supposedly falling apart. Attorney Ron Austin says the homeowners he represents were happy to find a home, now they are very frustrated…
cut 14 (12) “…home”
Austin says he will file a lawsuit in an effort to get the Make the Right Foundation to respond to his clients’ complaints.

If you’re tired of convicted politicians running for office in Louisiana, then there’s an amendment for you on the November ballot.
Cut 2 (24) “I’m Matt Doyle”

You can lease the historic Bailey Hotel in Bunkie for one-dollar a month for 24 months. There is a catch, the person who leases the 110-year-old building must have a business plan that includes how they would renovate the property. Real Estate agent Robert Burke on why he’s offering to lease the property for just one-dollar a month…
cut 3 (10) “…make it”
The Bailey has been closed since the early 2000s.

Today marks the 13^th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina making landfall, and official recognitions across the state are… notably sparse. 1833 deaths have been attributed to the Hurricane both in its natural, and manmade disasters. Political Analyst Clancy Dubos says the lack of statewide remembrances isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as it indicates people are moving on from the tragedy.

Cut 7 (10) “…your life.”

This November voters will get to decide whether or not ex-cons will have a five year waiting period before they’ll be allowed to pursue a public office. The constitutional amendment, brought by Metairie Senator Conrad Appel, is the second such effort in the last two years. Appel say’s the Bayou State is no stranger to crooks in office, and that needs to change.

Cut 9 (10) “…than that”

The Bayou State looks to grow agricultural tourism after the Lieutenant Governor took a trip to Iowa. Connor Ferrill has the story.

Cut 2 (33) ”I’m Connor Ferrill” 

Heres commodities

13 years ago on this date, Hurricane Katrina slammed into southeast Louisiana killing 18-hundred people in the region and leaving much of New Orleans under water. The storm’s fierce winds, combined with flooding made it difficult to communicate. Mike Steele, spokesperson with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says they now have a more secure communication network…
cut 5 (08) “….that was established”
The 4748 days since that fateful moment has left an indelible mark on the Pelican State, particularly Southeast Louisiana. Publisher of the Gambit Weekly Clancy DuBos says it’s hard to forget…
Cut 6 (10) “…tremendous loss”
Earlier this morning, there’s was a wreath laying ceremony at the Katrina Memorial in new Orleans.

The Mississippi legislature has approved legislation that creates a lottery in the Magnolia state. Chief Legislative economist Greg Albrecht says once Mississippi begins selling lottery tickets, it’s less likely Mississippi residents will buy lottery tickets in Lousiaina, which means less money for our state…
cut 14 (12) “….do that”
At least 35-percent of all lottery proceeds are transferred to the state treasury and the state constitution says that money must go to K-through-12 education.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser met with Iowa officials to discuss how the Bayou State can promote agri-tourism. Nungesser says if the weather permits, tourists like spending time outdoors and agri-tourism can take advantage of that desire…
cut 11 (06) “…capitalize on that”

Mississippi’s legislature has approved its own state lottery, which could put a dent in Louisiana’s education revenue. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Forbes has named the city of Kenner as the best place to retire in Louisiana and Lafayette would be the second best place to retire in the state. Among the pros for Kenner, low serious crime rate, while Forbes says Lafayette has good air quality and doctors per capita are near the national average.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser went to Iowa with State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain to learn how Louisiana can do a better job promoting agri-tourism….
Cut 10 (12) “…within reason“
Nungesser says the state already has a partnership with Luckett Farms near St. Francisville. Luckett Farms plans opening a corn maze next month and give the public an opportunity to pick their own vegetables and flowers.

A new eight-million dollar Delta Community College campus will be constructed in Ruston and anchor the city’s planned technology park. Louisiana Community and Technical College System President Monty Sullivan says the facility will help produce high-skilled workers for area businesses….
cut 9 (09) “….north central Louisiana”
Sullivan says construction will begin next year and be completed in 2020.

It was 13 years ago today when Hurricane Katrina made landfall near Buras, Louisiana as a Category 3 storm. It remains one of the deadliest and costliest storms in US history. It also taught many valuable lessons for emergency management officials. Mike Steele is with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness….
cut 6 (07) “…that’s available”
Steele says communication is much more improved during disasters since Katrina.

A state lotto is coming to Mississippi after it was approved by their state legislature. It’s expected to take about a year before it gets going, but legislative chief economist Greg Albrecht says it could result in fewer Louisiana Lottery sales, which means less money for the state treasury…
cut 15 (10) “…through 12″
35-percent of Louisiana lottery revenues goes to the state treasury, which is then used for public education.

The Bayou State looks to grow agricultural tourism after the Lieutenant Governor took a trip to Iowa. Connor Ferrill has the story.
Cut 2 (32) ”I’m Connor Ferrill”

You can lease the historic Bailey Hotel in Bunkie for one-dollar a month for the next two years. There is a catch, the person who leases the 110-year-old building must have a business plan that includes how they would renovate the property. The Bailey has been closed since 2001 and Real Estate agent Robert Burke says it does not have to come back as a hotel.

Mississippi’s legislature has approved a state lottery that could end up taking a bite out of Louisiana lottery revenues that fund K-12 education. Louisiana Legislative Chief Economist Greg Albrecht says after Texas approved it’s lotto, Louisiana’s finances took a hit….
cut 13 (09) “…in half”
The Louisiana Lottery has transferred over three-point-five billion dollars to the state treasury since Louisiana lottery operations began in 1991.

A new eight-million dollar Delta Community College campus is coming to Ruston. President of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System Monty Sullivan says it means more trained workers for the area.
Cut 7 (09) “…interstate 20 corridor.”
Delta Chancellor Dennis Epps says the campus will attract high-tech jobs to the region.

On the 13th anniversary of one of the worst natural disasters in history, Kevin Barnhart speaks with Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesperson, Mike Steele on how Hurricane Katrina changed emergency management planning.
Voicer 1 (28) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Attorney Ron Austin tells a New Orleans TV station that he’s planning to sue Brad Pitt’s “Make It Right” foundation, because the homes the movie actor helped build in the Lower Ninth Ward after Katrina are falling apart. Make It Right never responded to WWL-TV’s calls seeking comment.