Gunfire on Bourbon Street puts several in the hospital and claims the life of a New Orleans Nurse. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may open the Bonnet Carrie Spillway in St. Charles Parish on Wednesday to relieve pressure on the levees along the lower Mississippi River. New Orleans district Corps Spokesperson Ricky Boyett says high water levels have arrived earlier than expected, because of rainfall flowing down from the Midwest…
Cut 4 (07) “…Louisiana.”
A New Orleans Senator has pre-filed a bill for the upcoming session that would exempt feminine products and diapers from the state sales tax. Currently food, residential utilities, and prescription drugs are exempted, and Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moller says Women’s advocates have long pointed out that women have to pay more for basic expenses, a phenomenon known as the “Pink Tax”. Moller says exempting those items from tax would help close that gap, even if it comes with a price tag and subsequent budget hit.
Cut 11 (10) “…the rule.”
Earl, the llama that was shot three times by its owner last week, continues to recover from his injuries. He was at LSU’s vet clinic, but recently returned to the St. Landry Animal Control facility. Animal Control Director Stacey Alleman McKnight says Earl still has a long way to go.
Cut 13 (09) “…keep him comfortable.”

With four more regular season games left, 13th ranked LSU is in a three-way tie for first place in the Southeastern Conference after the Tigers thrilling 82-80 overtime win over 5th ranked Tennessee on Saturday. Starting point guard Tremont Waters missed the game, because of an illness, but Javonte Smart and Skylar Mays combined for 52 points, Smart had 29. Coach Will Wade says Smart was phenomenal…
cut 16 (20) “…our team”
Tennessee and Kentucky are the other two teams tied with LSU for first place. The Vols and Wildcats will play each other on Saturday, while the Tigers will play three teams down the stretch that have a losing record in conference play, including Texas A-and-M on Tuesday.

For the first time since 2014, LSU is off to a 7-0 start. The Tigers completed a three-game sweep of Bryant with a 4-3 victory over the Bulldogs on Sunday. Josh Smith and Zach Watson each had two hits, while Antoine Duplantis drove in the go-ahead run with a single in the sixth inning. Aaron George was the winning pitcher as he struck out three in relief and Todd Peterson had a six-out save.

Louisiana Tech split a Sunday doubleheader with Troy. The Bulldogs hit four home runs in an 11-4 victory over the Trojans. Taylor Young and Mason Mallard each had three hits, including a home run. Troy took Game two 7-5.

ULM also split a doubleheader with S-I-U Edwardsville, Sam Houston State defeated the Ragin Cajuns nine to two. Nicholls swept a doubleheader from Grambling, while Southern split a doubleheader from Northwestern State.

Texas State defeated McNeese five to three in eleven innings and Southeastern Louisiana shutout Stony Brook 8 to 0.
And in the NBA tonight, the Pelicans, who are coming off a win over the Lakers, are at the 76ers.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may open the Bonnet Carrie Spillway in St. Charles Parish on Wednesday to relieve pressure on levees from a rising Mississippi River. Connor Ferrill has the story.
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Connor Ferrill”
A 36-year-old New Orleans nurse was shot dead on Bourbon Street in the early Sunday morning hours. Julie Couvillion was an innocent bystander who was struck by bullets originating from a altercation at Willie’s Chicken Shack. NOPD Chief Shaun Ferguson says the shooting began when a security guard attempted to remove an uncooperative patron…
Cut 7 (11) “…the area
A New Orleans Senator has pre-filed a bill for the upcoming session that would exempt feminine products and diapers from the state sales tax. Currently food, residential utilities, and prescription drugs are exempted, and Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moller says diapers and feminine products are no less mandatory to everyday life for a majority of the population.
Cut 10 (08) “…sales tax.”
Pig guts

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may open the Bonnet Carrie Spillway in St. Charles Parish on Wednesday to relieve pressure  on levees from a rising Mississippi River.  Connor Ferrill has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

____________________________

Gunfire on Bourbon Street puts several in the hospital and claims the life of a New Orleans Nurse. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

_______________________________

Should diapers and feminine products be exempted from the state sales tax? Lawmakers will have to answer that question in the upcoming session. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

__________________________________

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may open the Bonnet Carrie Spillway in St. Charles Parish on Wednesday to relieve pressure on the levees along the lower Mississippi River. New Orleans district Corps Spokesperson Ricky Boyett says high water levels have arrived earlier than expected, because of rainfall flowing down from the Midwest…

Cut 4 (07) “…Louisiana.”

Boyett says when gates are opened on the  Spillway, water from the Mississippi River is diverted into Lake Pontchartrain at 250,000 feet per second…

Cut 5 (12) “…contributing.”

If the spillway is opened, it would be the third time in four years despite only being activated 13 times since 1931. Boyett says the Corps of Engineers will investigate why we are seeing high Mississippi River levels more often…

Cut 6 (06) “…consider.”

If river levels reach 15 feet at the Carrollton Gage in New Orleans,  the Corps of Engineers will restrict activity on or around levees.

___________________________________________________

A 36-year-old New Orleans nurse was shot dead on Bourbon Street in the early Sunday morning hours. Julie Couvillion was an innocent bystander who was struck by bullets originating from a altercation at Willie’s Chicken Shack. NOPD Chief Shaun Ferguson says the shooting began when a security guard attempted to remove an uncooperative patron…

Cut 7 (11) “…the area”

Willie’s reportedly attempted to remove 37-year-old Louis Barnes for selling drug on the premises.
Barnes, a registered sex offender, is facing Second Degree Murder, and Attempted Second Degree Murder charges for the incident. Ferguson says after Barnes disarmed the security guard, he began firing wantonly…

Cut 8 (12) “…expired.”

Barnes served two years in jail for Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile related to a 15 year old in 2015.

Ferguson says they’ve made several arrest and seized seven guns on Bourbon Street since Friday night. He says there’s a cop on every block of the famous street, and is asking the public to leave their pieces at home for Carnival.

Cut 9 (12) “…responsible″

____________________________

A New Orleans Senator has pre-filed a bill for the upcoming session that would exempt feminine products and diapers from the state sales tax. Currently food, residential utilities, and prescription drugs are exempted, and Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moller says diapers and feminine products are no less mandatory to everyday life for a majority of the population.

Cut 10 (08) “…sales tax.”

Women’s advocates have long pointed out that women have to pay more for basic expenses, a phenomenon known as the “Pink Tax”. Moller says exempting those items from tax would help close that gap, even if it comes with a price tag and subsequent budget hit.

Cut 11 (10) “…the rule.”

Advocates says the “Pink Tax” can be demonstrated by comparing the cost of similar goods for men and women, such as deodorant. They’ve noted that the equivalent women’s good tends to be marked up by as much as 13 percent, per NPR.

Last year, legislation promoting equal pay for women failed to cross the finish line in a bitterly divided session, but Moller says this type of legislation is noticeably different, and anyone who votes against it could face a rebuke just half a year later at the ballot box.

Cut 12 (13) “…small cost”

________________________

Earl, the llama that was shot three times by its owner last week, continues to recover from his injuries.  He was at LSU’s vet clinic, but recently returned to the St. Landry Animal Control facility.  Animal Control Director Stacey Alleman McKnight says Earl still has a long way to go.

Cut 13 (09) “…keep him comfortable.”

Bullets are lodged in the animal’s neck, shoulder, and abdomen, causing a fractured rib.

Authorities say Earl was shot by his owner, 67 year old Madeline Bourgeois of Opelousas ,after she says her pet llama attacked her. McKnight says it appears Earl is of good temperament.

Cut 14 (10) “…he’s done that.”

McKnight says they have seen people reach out in concern for Earl, adding any sort of monetary contributions would certainly help with the financial burden of Earl’s care.

Cut 15 (08) “life for Earl.”

____________________________________________________________

With four more regular season games left, 13th ranked LSU is in a three-way tie for first place in the Southeastern Conference after the Tigers thrilling 82-80 overtime win over 5th ranked Tennessee on Saturday. Starting point guard Tremont Waters missed the game, because of an illness, but Javonte Smart and Skylar Mays combined for 52 points, Smart had 29. Coach Will Wade says Smart was phenomenal

Cut 16 (20) “…our team.”

Tennessee and Kentucky are the other two teams tied with LSU for first place. The Vols and Wildcats will play each other on Saturday, while the Tigers will play three teams down the stretch that have a losing record in conference play. Wade says his team has played well in big games, but have struggled against teams down in the standings

 cut 17 (25)   “the league” 

LSU beat the 5th ranked Volunteers without Waters and their best pro prospect, Naz Reid, finished with just one points. But Wade has belief in the rest of the team…

Cut 18 (18)  different times” 

37-thousand people enrolled in Medicaid have been told they no longer qualify for the taxpayer funded health care coverage, because they make too much money. Louisiana Health Secretary Rebekah Gee says a new computer system does a more thorough job of checking to make sure a Medicaid recipient qualifies for the program…
cut 8 (08) “…effectively managing”
If you received one of these notifications and can’t prove you no longer meet the income qualifications, your Medicaid coverage will end by March 31st.

LSU announces the administrators put on leave last week so an investigation can be conducted into what they knew about the hazing allegations at Delta Kappa Epsilon have been cleared of any wrongdoing. LSU says an investigation determined they did not try to sweep under the rug accusations of hazing that were allegedly taking place inside the DKE frat house.

Federal and state officials signed an agreement to allow construction on a $760 million flood protection project estimated to benefit over 60,000 people in St. James, St. John and St. Charles parishes. Congressman Garret Graves says it took 45 years for the state to gain the funding and construction on 18.5 miles of earthen levees should begin later this year.
Cut 5 (08)“…being made here.”
The levees will protect against storm surge that impaced the river parishes during Hurricane Isaac in 2012.

Six men will be inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame in Winnfield today. They are former Secretary of State Paul Hardy, former first gentleman Raymond Blanco, the husband of former governor Kathleen Blanco, the C-E-O of Acaidan Ambulance Richard Zuschlag, former state representative Ron Gomez, Fourth circuit court of appeals judge Edwin Lombard and Marion Edwards, who is the late brother to former governor Edwin Edwards.

Thousands of Medicaid patients have been told they are no longer eligible for the taxpayer financed health care coverage after an improved computer system found they no longer meet the income requirements. Louisiana Health Secretary Rebekah Gee says most of those who no longer qualify are low-wage income workers, and may qualify for subsidies through the Affordable Care Act.
Cut 7 (09) “…for it.”
Gee says they usually find about 18,000 individuals every month who no longer qualify for Medicaid, this month the total was 37,000.

The Edwards administration has recommended a 30-million dollar budget plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. It includes pay raises for public school teachers, fully funds TOPS and provides more money for juvenile justice. But funding is uncertain, since House Republican leadership has yet to go along with a recommendation to raise the state’s income forecast.

Governor Edwards and the U-S Army Corps of Engineers has signed an agreement that allows construction to begin on a $760 million flood protection project that would protect an estimated 60,000 people in St. James, St. John and St. Charles parishes. This area saw extensive flooding during Hurricane Isaac in 2012. Congressman Garret Graves says it’s estimated this massive flood control project can reduce annual damaged from flooding by 865-million dollars over the next 50 years….
Cut 4 (12) “…of the interstate″
The 760-million dollars will pay for 18.5 miles of earthen levees.

A large portion of the state from I-10 to the north is under a slight risk for severe weather today. Northeast Louisiana is under an enhanced risk. Strong winds, hail and tornadoes are possible.

The Edwards administration has submitted a spending plan to lawmakers for next fiscal year that fully funds TOPS, gives public school teachers a raise and increases funding for social services, but it remains unclear if the funding is available. State economists project higher tax revenues than previously estimated, but Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras has blocked efforts to raise the income forecast. Barras says the economy is volatile and the Revenue Estimating Conference has been wrong before, so why not wait…
cut 10 (05) “…smaller and smaller”
Barras says he doesn’t want to appropriate money the state might not have.

Somebody missed out on a chance to claim a one million dollar Powerball prize. A ticket worth that amount from an August 26th drawing expired Thursday, with no one claiming the prize. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says the money will go into an unclaimed prize fund…
cut 13 (05) “….throughout the years”
The ticket was sold in New Oleans.

Officials have signed an agreement that sets into motion the construction of a $760 million flood protection project for the river parishes. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Some strong thunderstorms are set to move through northwest Louisiana this morning. Most of the state from I-10 to the north is under a slight risk for thunderstorms. Northeast Louisiana is under an enhanced threat as damaging winds and tornadoes are possible later today.

Thanks to a computer upgrade, the Louisiana Health Department has notified 37-thousand Medicaid recipients they may no longer be eligible for the taxpayer funded program, because they make too much money. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

Thursday was the deadline for the owner of a million dollar Powerball ticket to claim their prize. The ticket was sold in New Orleans for the August 25^th drawing.  Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says the excitement around the lottery headquarters was high as the staff waited to see if anyone would show up in time to claim the prize.

Cut 14 (06)  “…it’s surprising.” 

The Edwards administration has presented state lawmakers with a proposed 30-billion dollar spending plan for next fiscal year that would give teachers a pay raise and increase funding for education and health care. But Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says funding remains uncertain, because an official forecast that shows increased revenues coming into the state has yet to be adopted

Cut 9 (08) “…recognized.”

An agreement to begin construction on a $760 million flood protection project estimated to benefit more than 60,000 people in river parish region has been signed. Congressman Garret Graves says for 45 years the state has been attempting to gain the funding for the project and says construction should begin later this year.

Cut 5 (08)“…being made here.”

An agreement to begin construction on a $760 million flood protection project estimated to benefit more than 60,000 people in river parish region has been signed. Communities on the west shore of Lake Pontchartrain saw extensive flooding during Hurricane Isaac in 2012.  Congressman Graves says it’s estimated this massive flood control project can reduce annual damaged from flooding by 865-million dollars over the next 50 years….

Cut 4 (12) “…of the interstate″

Thursday was the deadline for the owner of a million dollar Powerball ticket to claim their prize. The ticket was sold in New Orleans for the August 25^th drawing.  So did someone show up at Louisiana Lottery headquarters to claim the prize?  Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison has the answer.

Cut 12 (05)   “…claim the prize.”

The prize money will now go into the unclaimed prize fund.

Thousands of Medicaid patients have been told they are no longer eligible for the program after a new computer system showed they no longer meet the income requirements for the government health insurance. Louisiana Health Secretary Rebekah Gee says the new system of checks will make it easier for prospective Medicaid recipients to figure out whether or not they qualify.

Cut 8 (08) “…navigate.”

The Edwards administration has presented state lawmakers with a proposed 30-billion dollar spending plan for next fiscal year that would give teachers a pay raise and increase funding for education and health care. Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras has blocked efforts to raise the income forecast, in an effort to gather more information.  But Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says eventually state lawmakers will need an official forecast in order to make decisions on funding…

Cut 11 (06)   “…do that.”