AM Newscall, September 1st, 2016

The Senate Homeland Security Committee is set to hear from the agencies involved in the flood recovery, and hopefully get some answers for flood victims. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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About 12-hundred Tiger Fans leave for Green Bay today for Saturday’s season opener against Wisconsin. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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FEMA is encountering a lot of problems trying to get manufactured homes set up for flood victims. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Senate Homeland Security Committee will once again hear from disaster response agencies in the hopes of getting some answers for flood victims. Chairman and Baton Rouge Senator Bodi White says they still don’t know whether or not homeowners whose houses received damage worth more than half the value of their home will have to elevate their house before they rebuild.

cut 4  (08)  “to do”

White says he’s invited mayors from the greater Baton Rouge area to see what their plans are for building permits. He says the Commissioner of Insurance is also expected to attend to answer questions about flood insurance for these homes in the future.

Cut 5  (08)  “flood insurance”

White says he’s heard of people getting different answers from different agencies. He has some advice for people meeting with FEMA administrators or even their personal insurance agents.

Cut 6 (11) “something completely different”

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About 12-hundred Tiger fans are headed to Lambeau Field this morning with the LSU Alumni Association to watch LSU take on the Wisconsin Badgers for the 2016 season opener. Rhett Butler with the Alumni Association says they have chartered six planes and rented out four hotels in Green Bay for the big game….

CUT 7 (10)  “ever done”

LSU officials are projecting around 30-thousand Tiger fans will attend the game. Butler says most of the fans making the trip for the game have always wanted to see a game in Lambeau Field…

Cut 8 (10) “engagement team” 

Butler says they’ve set up tours at Lambeau Field on Friday and tailgating will begin as soon as they wake up on Saturday for the 2:30 kickoff. He says unfortunately some flood victims had to cancel and can’t go…

Cut 9 (06)  “new folks”

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St. Amant High School lost everything during the floods, including their band equipment. The St. Amant Gators got a surprise this week when the Northwestern State band loaned them nine snare drums, four sets of tenor drums, and five bass drums. Northwestern Director of Bands Dr. Jeff Mathews says they wanted to help others during this difficult time.

Cut 10 (10) “these drums”

Craig Millet is the St. Amant Director of Bands and says they can’t put into words how much this gesture means. Mathews says Northwestern State has been reaching out to their students who were affected by the flooding.

cut 11 (10) “the other”

Mathews says the band at Northwestern State was so pleased to have this opportunity to help another marching band.

cut 12 (08) “down south”

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Getting FEMA mobile homes set up for flood victims is proving to be more difficult than anyone anticipated. It was a significant part of the conversation during a legislative hearing at the state capitol. FEMA Coordinating Officer Gerard Stolar told legislators a lot goes into setting up these new HUD approved manufactured homes.

Cut 13 (10) “with that”

Stolar says first they have to get someone out to inspect the area, then a contractor has to come set it up and connect the utilities, so ideally it’s a 5 to 7 day process. He says a possible alternative to setting up the mobile home on a person’s property is to put a lot of units on a large piece of land.

cut 14 (11)  “to accomodate”

Only one FEMA mobile home has been installed on a flood victim’s property. After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, thousands of displaced residents lived in FEMA trailers, but they were heavily criticized because they were small and toxic with formaldehyde. But Shreveport Representative Cedric Glover says these bigger units are not feasible either.

Cut 15 (12) “trailer would”

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After rushing for nearly two-thousand yards last season, LSU running back Leonard Fournette enters this season as one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. Fournette is considered one of the most talented players in college football, but the junior from New Orleans says there’s outstanding talent across LSU’s roster…

Cut 16  (12)  “so much better”

Fournette also likes the level of confidence starting quarterback Brandon Harris is showing….

Cut 17 (14)  “tremendous change “

Fournette needs nearly 16-yards on the ground this season to become LSU’s all-time leading rusher. But he says individual success is not what’s driving him….

Cut 18 (10) “a lot”

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The final tune-up before the regular season is tonight as the Saints host the Baltimore Ravens. New Orleans is 0-3 in the preseason and the Black and Gold have not looked good, which is why the starters are expected to play tonight. Offensive tackle Zach Strief understands the urgency to play better…

Cut 19 (10) “the garbage”

The Saints offensive line has not looked good and Coach Sean Payton said this week they may move last year’s first round pick Andrus Peat to left guard. Strief says maybe a move like that can help the o-line gel…

Cut 20 (10) “perform well”