Former Avoyelles Correctional Center Warden Nate Cain has pleaded guilty to charges in his federal trial on corruption charges. US Attorney David Joseph for the Western District of Louisiana says Cain’s guilty plea admits to stealing more than 150-thousand dollars in taxpayer money for personal items…
Cut 6 (08) “…at all”

Joseph says the guilty plea means Cain conspired with his ex-wife to use department of corrections banks cards to purchase furniture, pet supplies, toilet paper, gun parts, Christmas decorations and other items for personal use. Sentencing is set for June 17^th.

The number of abortions in Louisiana last year fell to a 10-year low. 8,048 abortions were reported to have been performed in the state, and Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Ben Clapper says it’s part of a years long trend.

Cut 10 (10)“…we’ve released.”

LSU and suspended basketball coach Will Wade fired off new statements and it doesn’t look like Wade’s status is changing anytime soon. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Here’s a look at your commodities.

LSU basketball coach Will Wade has asked for his suspension to be lifted, so he can return to his coaching duties immediately. LSU’s legal counsel also released its own statement today saying Coach Wade will remain suspended until he talks with unversity administration about a reported FBI wire tap that has Wade allegedly discussing an offer to a recruit. Glen Guilbeau, who covers LSU for the USA Today Network, says LSU is just trying to stay in the NCAA’s good graces.
Cut 4 (12) “..Will Wade siuattion″
Caddo authorities are on the hunt for a 56-year-old James Sloan, who allegedly broke into a home where his ex girlfriend was living, and initiated a confrontation that led to a shooting. Sloan reportedly shot a man, identified as Terry Jones, twice in the buttox during the incident, and then tied and gagged his ex and her two children. Sloan ultimately escaped and is on the run, but did shoot at deputies while leaving the house.
Former Avoyelles Correctional Center Warden Nate Cain has pleaded guilty to charges in his federal trial on corruption charges. US Attorney David Joseph for the Western District of Louisiana says Cain’s guilty plea admits to stealing more than 150-thousand dollars in taxpayer money for personal items, but Defense attorney John McLindon says Cain has only pleaded guilty to purchasing gun parts for personal use with state dollars, the other charges have been dismissed…
Cut 8 (11) “…replaced it.”
Cain will be sentenced June 17th. He faces up to 20 years in prison, a 250-thousand dollar fine per count and restitution. McLindon says Cain is ready to face whatever consequences come his way…
Cut 9 (11) “…differently.”

LSU basketball coach Will Wade has asked for his suspension to be lifted, so he can return to his coaching duties immediately. But Glen Guilbeau, who covers LSU for the USA Today Network, doesn’t expect LSU to reinstate Wade, because the coach says in the statement, he still will not talk with LSU about reports that link him to potential recruiting violations…

Cut 3 (10) “..said before”

LSU returns to the hardwood on Friday as they will play in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament.

Spring has finally arrived, and with it the possibility for spring showers that could dump enough water to flood your home, and National Flood Insurance Chief Executive David Maurstad says it’s time to get covered. he says 30 percent of all flood claims are from moderate to low risk areas, something southeast Louisiana learned the hard way in 2016…

Cut 10 (08) “…flood.”

Former Avoyelles Correctional Center Warden Nate Cain has pleaded guilty to charges in his federal trial on corruption charges. US Attorney David Joseph for the Western District of Louisiana says Cain’s guilty plea admits to stealing more than 150-thousand dollars in taxpayer money for personal items…

Cut 6 (08) “…at all”

Joseph says the guilty plea means Cain conspired with his ex-wife to use department of corrections banks cards to purchase furniture, pet supplies, toilet paper, gun parts, Christmas decorations and other items for personal use. He says the conviction should serve as a warning to public officials…

Cut 7 (09) “…taxpayers”

Nathan Cane faces up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 and restitution.  Sentencing is set for June 17^th.

LSU basketball coach Will Wade has released a statement asking for his suspension to be lifted. Wade was suspended last Friday after reports came out he was caught on an FBI wiretap discussing a strong offer to a recruit. LSU officials want Wade to discuss the report, but in this latest statement, Wade says he’s been advised by his lawyers not to discuss the matter.

Louisiana US Senator John Kennedy always likes to talk about how government mismanages taxpayer dollars. During a senate budget hearing, Kennedy questioned the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought about what he believes is his questionable spending by the federal government and he says it needs to stop…
cut 15 (13) “…try a trillion dollars”

With the weather warming up, the potential for flooding increases from spring time thunderstorms and snow melts from up north will increase river levels. National Flood Insurance Chief Executive David Maurstad says flood insurance is required if you live in a flood zone. He says for residents living outside of a flood zone, he still encouarges you get flood insurance and it comes at a low price…
cut 12 (10) “….event”

The app known as Sick Weather ranks Louisiana fifth for most active US flu and allergy symptoms. Sick Weather app CEO Graham Dodge says if you are an allergy suferer, prepare now for a rough season…
cut 9 (10) “….as opposed to allergies”
Health officials are warning about a secondary late flu season because of the emergence of the H-3-N-2 strain.

Spring is here and the threat for flooding increases. National Flood Insurance Chief Executive David Maurstad says if you aren’t covered, the longer you wait to get it done, the higher the risk, because you can’t get the coverage fast enough to respond to an immediate threat….

Cut 11 (10) “effect”

A strong line of storms of is making its way through the state this morning, with the strongest storms in northeast Louisiana.

Senator John Kennedy, who sits on the Senate Budget Committee, questioned the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought over transactions that took place in the final month of the fiscal year.

Cut 14 (11) “…that’s a disgace.”

Kennedy says the government spent $97 billion on contracts in the last month of fiscal year 2018.  The total for contract spending for the entire fiscal year was $544-billion

The peak of the crawfish season is right around the corner and there’s a concern there will not be enough H-2B Visa workers to peel crawfish to meet the demand. Louisiana Farm Bureau public policy coordinator Brian Breaux says that means large amounts of crawfish could be potentially tossed out…

Cut 5 (11) “…crawfish.”

Breaux says fewer Louisiana residents are willing to work as a crawfish peeler, so the demand for foreign workers is growing.

The app Sick Weather says Louisiana ranks in the top 5 states with flu and allergy symptoms. According to Sick Weather App CEO Graham Dodge the app follows and forecast illness trends across the states. The app tracks social media sites when people posts their symptoms.

Cut 7 (10) “…we also collect.”

Dodge says if you have allergies you need to prep now.

Former Avoyelles Correctional Center warden Nate Cain has entered a guilty plea on wire fraud charges. The plea comes during his federal corruption trial in Alexandria and right before his ex-wife was set to testify against him. With the plea, Cain admits to purchasing gun parts with state money. The 51-year old will be sentenced June 17^th and is facing time in Federal prison and pay restitution.

There’s concern that processors who sell pre-peeled crawfish meat won’t have enough foreign H-2B visa workers to peel all of the crawfish on the market. Only 33,000 visas are made available every six months, and Farm Bureau public policy coordinator Brian Breaux says around 100,000 applicants generally pursue the economically vital manual laborers.

Cut 4 (11) “…local workers.”

An AgCenter report indicates Louisianans eat about 10 and a half pounds of crawfish every year.

The app Sick Weather has issued an alert for allergy sufferers.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

Spring has finally arrived, and with it the possibility for spring showers that could dump enough water to flood your home, and National Flood Insurance Chief Executive David Maurstad says it’s time to get covered. He says 30 percent of all flood claims are from moderate to low risk areas, something southeast Louisiana learned the hard way in 2016…

Cut 10 (08) “…flood.”

Senator John Kennedy, who sits on the Senate Budget Committee, questioned the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought over transactions that took place in the final month of the fiscal year. A recent report showed several federal agencies spending habits that Kennedy wanted answers for.

Cut 13 (12) “…looking into it.”

Whenever people get sick, they often take to social media to tell everyone. Now there is an app, call Sick Weather that’s tracks social media posts about illness. CEO Graham Dodge says the app’s algorithm has been collecting data for the past eight years and right now is seeing a late flu peak for Louisiana and is forecasting a more severe allergy season in the bayou state.

Cut 8 (06) “…than last year.”

Dodge says if you suffer from allergies you need to prepare.

Will Louisiana have enough visa workers to peel the coming haul of crawfish this season? A Farm Bureau analyst says he’s concerned we may come up short.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A strong line of thunderstorms has moved thru northwest Louisiana and hundreds are without power this morning.

Here are a look at today’s commodity prices.

Will Louisiana have enough visa workers to peel the coming haul crawfish this season? A Farm Bureau analyst says he’s concerned we may come up short.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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The app Sick Weather has issued an alert for allergy sufferers.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

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Springtime floods are a threat to uninsured homes in presumably flood safe areas. Matt Doyle talked to the National Flood Insurance Chief Executive about getting insured before they hit…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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There’s concern that processors who sell pre-peeled crawfish meat won’t have enough foreign H-2B visa workers to peel all of the crawfish on the market. Only 33,000 visas are made available every six months, and Farm Bureau public policy coordinator Brian Breaux  says around 100,000 applicants generally pursue the economically vital manual laborers.

Cut 4 (11) “…local workers.”

A 2011 AgCenter report indicated Louisianans eat about 10 and a half pounds of crawfish every year.

Breaux says that means large amounts of the crawfish crop potentially could be thrown out, as there isn’t enough demand for non-peeled mudbugs. He says you have to peel them relatively shortly after harvest, because you can’t store non-peeled crawfish.

Cut 5 (11) “…crawfish.”

Louisiana farms about 130-150 million pounds of crawfish per year, over 90 percent of the national crop.

The cap on H-2B workers has been in place for years, so why is this now becoming such an issue? Experts say it’s because the low unemployment rate and improving economy means Louisianans are more interested in peeling crawfish recreationally than professionally. Breaux adds it’s also a generational issue.

Cut 6 (08) “…of work.”

The work is seasonal, and generally not high paying.

___________________________________________________

Whenever people get sick, they often take to social media to let the world know about it. Now there is an app that’s been tracking social media posts about sickness and comparing it to clinical data to forecast when an illness is expected to be on the rise. CEO of the app Sick Weather Graham Dodge says social media inclusion enables to the app to give a real time outlook for an area.

Cut 7 (10) “…we also collect.”

Dodge says the app’s algorithm has been collecting data for the past eight years and right now is seeing a late flu peak for Louisiana and is forecasting a more severe allergy season in the bayou state.

Cut 8 (06) “…than last year.”

The app has issued and alert ahead of allergy season. Dodge says it’s important that people who know that they are allergy sufferers prep for this season.

Cut 9 (10) “…as opposed to allergies″

__________________________

Spring has finally arrived, and with it the possibility for spring showers that could dump enough water to flood your home, and National Flood Insurance Chief Executive David Maurstad says it’s time to get covered. he says 30 percent of all flood claims are from moderate to low risk areas, something southeast Louisiana learned the hard way in 2016…

Cut 10 (08) “…flood.”

Much of the areas flooded in 2016 were not high risk, which led to many residents not getting flood insurance, and needing to turn to SBA loans to recover.

Maurstad says if you aren’t covered, the longer you wait to get it done, the higher the risk, because you can’t get the coverage fast enough to respond to an immediate threat.

Cut 11 (10) “effect”

If you’re in a high risk zone, you’re federally required to get coverage if you have a mortgage, but for folks outside of those areas, it’s optional. Maurstad say for those residents, it’s a low price to pay to cover yourself in the event of a catastrophe.

Cut 12 (10) “…event”

______________________________

Senator John Kennedy, who sits on the Senate Budget Committee, questioned the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought over transactions that took place in the final month of the fiscal year. A recent report showed several federal agencies spending habits that Kennedy wanted answers for.

Cut 13 (12) “…looking into it.”

Kennedy’s questions didn’t just stop with the military’s fondness of seafood. The federal government spent $97 billion on contracts in the last month of fiscal year 2018.  The total for contract spending for the entire fiscal year was $544.1 billion

Cut 14 (11) “…that’s a disgace.”

Kennedy also expressed his displeasure with a recent report showcasing cases of fraud with government assistance programs in Louisiana as additional examples of government waste in taxpayer dollars.

Cut 15 (13) “…try a trillion dollars.”