Governor John Bel Edwards is becoming more popular according to a new poll from the University of New Orleans. UNO pollster Ed Chervanek says they found 43% of Louisiana voters have a positive view of Edwards, up from 34% just three weeks ago. Chervanek believes most people are blaming the budget issues on former Governor Bobby Jindal, and see Edwards as someone who is working hard to fix it:
CUT 11 (04) “current governor”
Twenty-four percent of respondents blame the legislature for the budget deficit.

Would you want to be buried with your pet? A bill to be taken up in the current legislative session would allow owners to be laid to rest next to their deceased furry friends. The measure is by Metairie Senator Conrad Appel…:
CUT 9 (07) “that option”
Appel expects the legislation will get a hearing within the next few weeks.

Flood victims can pre-register for disaster food stamps through the Department of Children and Family Services. Jeff Palermo has more…:
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A dad is behind bars today after the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office charge him with negligent homicide in the death of his son following a car crash. Cops say 32-year-old Elmer Menendez of Utah was driving a vehicle on LA 42 on March 12th when he lost control while speeding and crossed into the opposite lane of traffic until being hit by another car. His 9-year-old son was not restrained and was ejected from the vehicle.

A bill to allow pet owners to have their furry friends buried alongside them will be heard in the current legislative session. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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More rain is expected today, but state climatologist Barry Keim says it doesn’t look like this event will contribute to more river basin flooding…:
CUT 6 (04) “last week”
He says most of Louisiana will receive rain but the southeast is expected to get the most today at about one to two inches.

If you’re in a disaster declared parish, the Department of Children and Family Services says they will start setting up food stamp distribution sites for residents impacted by flooding beginning Monday. Assistant Secretary of DCFS, Sammy Guillory, says DSNAP provides support to those eligible families who do not currently receive benefits…:
Cut 14 (11) “related expenses”
The’re encouraging applicants to pre-register now at dcfs.la.gov/SNAP.

State Police say anyone who normally uses I-10 to Texas needs to allow extra time to get to their destination as it remains closed. The Cameron Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking motorists NOT to use LA 27 to LA 82 through Holly Beach as detour due to extremely high traffic volumes and congestion during the day. The route troopers recommend remains I-49, to 165, to 171, to 190 west.

Forty-three percent of Louisiana voters have a positive view of the governor, according to a new poll from the University of New Orleans. That’s compared to a 34% favorability just three weeks ago. UNO pollster Ed Chervanek says that could be because the legislature was unable to resolve the state’s budget deficit during the special session….:
Cut 10 (08) “his numbers”
The poll also shows that nearly half of Louisiana residents blame former-Governor Bobby Jindal for the state’s budget crisis.

The Department of Children and Family Services is asking flood victims to pre-register for disaster food stamps. Distribution begins next week in certain parishes that were declared federal disaster areas as a result of the catastrophic flooding. Deputy Assistant Secretary of DCFS, Sammy Guillory, says people can pre-register online…:
Cut 13 (08) “SNAP”

Lawmakers will take up a bill this session that would allow people to have their deceased pets buried alongside them in a human graveyard. Metairie Senator Conrad Appel says he’s bringing the measure because it’s currently illegal in Louisiana, which is unfortunate because so many people have strong connections with their furry friends…:
CUT 7 (09) “areas”

Forecasters say a cold front is bringing the chance for showers and thunderstorms through Saturday, but the wet weather is not expected to have a significant impact on additional river basin flooding. However, they say it could slow the recovery process.

State Police say I-10 at the Texas state line remains closed.

A study finds nearly two-thirds of Louisiana residents believe the state is heading in the wrong direction and the budget deficit is Louisiana’s biggest problem. Doctor Michael Henderson, director of the LSU public policy research lab, says the budget has soared past subjects like the economy and education…
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Henderson says only 34-percent of the respondents are confident state government can address the budget problems.

A UNO telephone survey found Governor John Bel Edwards approval rating has risen from 34-percent to 43-percent over a three-week period. UNO pollster Ed Chervanek says the legislature’s inability to resolve the state’s budget deficit may have helped the governor’s popularity…
cut 30 (05) “…is not”

A proposed constitutional amendment that asks voters if convicted felons should be allowed to run for state or local office for 15 years after completion of their sentence is making its way through the legislative process. The author of the measure, Norco Representative Gregory Miller, says it’s similar to a constitutional provision that was recently thrown out by the state Supreme Court…
cut 3 (11) …both houses”
Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins asked whether some felons should be exempted from the 15-year ban from running for office…
cut 5 (12) “…that long”
Jenkins’ argument did not result in any change to the legislation as it cleared the House Government Affairs Committee.

A survey out of LSU shows nearly two thirds of Louisiana residents believe the state is heading in the wrong direction. Emelie Gunn has more….
voicer 1 (31) “….I’m Emelie Gunn”

Texas Transportation officials say I-10 heading into Texas will remain closed through the weekend and may not re-open until late Monday afternoon. Flood waters from the Sabine River continue to cover the heavily used interstate. US 190 is one option for Louisiana motorists to get into Texas.

Twenty-three parishes are under a federal disaster declaration and 11 more could be added. FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate says they are assessing the damage, but it could take time because some areas are still under water. Fugate encourages flood victims to register for federal aid by going to disaster-assistance-dot-gov or calling 1-800-621-FEMA…
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Fugate says they’ll be in Louisiana for as long as it takes.

The flooding is reeking havoc on the corn crop in West Carroll Parish. LSU Ag Center Extension Agent Bruce Garner it doesn’t look like it will get any better because more water is spilling over into the fields from the bayous. He says the damage to the corn varies, even in just one field…:
cut 10 (08) “across the board”
Hundreds of acres have been under water for several days now.

The total number of parishes eligible for federal aid from flood damage is up to 26. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…reporting”

A survey finds 63% of Louisianians believe the state is headed in the wrong direction — the most since the LSU Public Policy research lab began tracking opinions in 2003. Director Dr. Michael Henderson says usually when a new governor takes office, residents are more optimistic.
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The state legislature is working on approving a constitutional amendment that would prevent a convicted felon from holding public office for 15 years after that person finishes their sentence. The state’s highest court removed the former constitutional amendment on this subject, because the language on the ballot was not the same as what the legislature approved in 1998. Norco Representative Gregory Miller says he’ll make sure his legislation doesn’t make that same mistake again…
cut 4 (06) “…the people”
The measure has already passed one House committee and heads to the House floor for more discussion.

I-10 is closed heading into Texas and State Police say motorists could use I-20 as an alternate route. Sgt James Anderson says US 190 is another option and traffic has been flowing well on the highway…:
cut 15 (06) “thus far”
I-10 on the Texas said is expected to remain closed through the weekend.

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate says his agency has already doled out two-point-five million dollars in advance payments for flood insurance. Fugate urges residents without flood insurance, to purchase it, even if they are not in a high risk area…
cut 13 (11) “…..lost everything”
Fugate says those who don’t have flood insurance and had damage, could be eligible for grant money or Small Business Administration loans.

An LSU study finds that nearly two-thirds of Louisiana residents believe the state is heading in the wrong direction. Doctor Michael Henderson, with the public policy research lab, says the budget is now become the biggest concern for Louisiana adults…
cut 8 (10) “…important”

Due to flooding from the Sabine River, I-10 at the Louisiana/Texas state line is expected to remain closed until Monday afternoon. Sgt. James Anderson with State Police encourages motorists to plan an alternate route…:
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Flooding in West Carroll Parish is hurting the corn crop. LSU Ag Center Extension Agent Bruce Garner says some fields will survive better than others:
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He says hundreds of acres of of corn has been under water for for or five days.

And a severe thunderstorm watch has been issued until 8 PM for areas north of I-10 to Monroe and just south of Shreveport. The main threats are large hail and damaging wind gusts.