Ten years ago today, thousands of lives were changed when a slow-moving weather system dumped torrential rain across south Louisiana, causing catastrophic flooding from the Lafayette area to southeast Louisiana. Denham Springs Mayor Gerard Landry remembers planning a meeting for the morning of August 12th, only to have it cancelled because the water was rising.

Cut 13 (05)  “…inches of water.”

Coca-Cola has announced that it’s investing more than 100-million dollars to modernize and expand its warehouse and distribution operations in Alexandria. Louisiana Central President and CEO Chris Masingill…

Cut 7 (15) “…of their work.”

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A 17-year-old girl in Tangipahoa Parish died due to injuries from a reckless driving incident two weeks ago. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The Powerball jackpot has once again hit ten figures. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery says even if you don’t win the billion-dollar prize, you can still win a seven-figure prize by matching all five white balls, as evidenced by a certain drawing back in April.

Cut 12 (08) “…here in Louisiana.”

One of the most destructive floods in Louisiana’s history happened ten years ago this week. Jeff Palermo has a look back at the Great Flood of 2016.

Cut 3 (40) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

In the aftermath, billions of dollars in federal aid were sent to south Louisiana to rebuild homes and businesses, elevate houses and improve flood-control systems.

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An 18-year-old is facing a negligent homicide charge, and a 17-year-old is dead after being thrown from a pickup truck.  Tangipahoa Parish. Sheriff Gerald Sticker says Josean (ho-ZAY-in) Martinez was driving his truck recklessly when 17 year old Dulce (DUL-chay) Rudas and a 20 year old were thrown from the vehicle and Martinez fled the scene.  Sheriff Sticker says parents need to teach their children the importance of driving safely and taking that responsibility seriously.

Cut 6 (09) “…have been made.”

The Powerball jackpot has once again hit ten figures once again.  It’s been happening more often ever since a 2015 change that added ten white balls and removed nine red balls from the drawing…reducing the odds from less than one in 175-million to less than one in 292-million. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery…

Cut 11 (06) “…of this run.”

Another huge economic development win for central Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Here we go again – the Powerball jackpot has once again hit ten figures. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery says be sure to buy your tickets for tonight’s billion-dollar drawing.

Cut 10 (05) “…a billion dollars.”
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An 18-year-old is facing a negligent homicide charge, and a 17-year-old is dead as a result of a dangerous driving stunt in Tangipahoa Parish. Sheriff Gerald Sticker says Josean (ho-ZAY-in) Martinez was driving his truck recklessly while Dulce (DUL-chay) Rudas was sitting outside the passenger window and another 20-year-old was standing in the bed of the vehicle. He says this is a tragedy with a sobering lesson.

Cut 4 (11) “…go home again.”

Sticker says Martinez drove away from the scene and tried to hide his truck, leaving the two passengers injured in the street.

It’s believed to be one of the largest methamphetamine busts in Louisiana history. Deputies with the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office pull over an 18-wheeler on eastbound I-12 in Denham Springs and found almost 800 pounds of meth in the trailer. A Russian national was arrested and is now in ICE custody.

Louisiana’s cyclosporiasis cases continue to climb. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Authorities are still searching for an East Feliciana Parish mother and her 10 year old daughter reported missing  late last month and believed to be in St. Martin Parish. Officials say 39-year-old Danielle Escue Lea and her daughter Alayna Lee were reportedly with 42-year-old James Michael Nona of Mongomery County, Texas before his arrest in Texas on unrelated charges.  Anyone with information is urged to call St. Martin Crime Stoppers at 337-441-3030.
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Legendary Saints quarterback Drew Brees delivered a deeply emotional, humble and grateful speech as he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.  He thanked his family, the late Tom Benson, current Saints owner Gayle Benson, and GM Mickey Loomis, along with the many black and gold teammates he played with over the years.
Cut 12 (13) “…of my teammates.”

ULM is renaming Malone Stadium to FMOL Health St. Francis Stadium as part of an expanded partnership with the healthcare ministry. Warhawks Athletics Director SJ Tuohy says it’s great to partner with a local organization committed to building the Northeast Louisiana community.

Cut 17 (19) “…need to improve.”

A new report shows Presidents Trump’s approval rating in Louisiana has fallen below 50 percent. Joe Gallinaro has the story…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

With just hours left to qualify, Republican Blake Miguez ended the speculation entering the race for the Baton Rouge-area sixth district…

Cut 4 (12) “…freshman at LSU.”

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The number of cyclosporiasis cases continues to go up across the country, including here in Louisiana. Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen) says while Louisiana’s number pales in comparison to the hardest-hit state, Michigan, the cases here continue to rise.

Cut 7 (10) “…happily no deaths.”

Legendary Saints quarterback Drew Brees was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame over the weekend.  Brees, who arrived in New Orleans as a free agent months after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city and took the Saints to new heights, including a Super Bowl Championship in 2009 after that, had an emotional thank you for the city.

Cut 11 (11) “…that calling.”  (cheering)

Blake Miguez ends the speculation with just hours to go until the end of qualifying – he’s running in the sixth district. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A new report shows President Trump’s approval rating in Louisiana has fallen to just 49%.  ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says it’s not unusual for presidential approval ratings to fall when the economy struggles…

Cut 13 (09)  “…in Iran.”

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Legendary Saints quarterback Drew Brees delivered a deeply emotional, humble and grateful speech as he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. His former head coach in New Orleans, Sean Payton, was his presenter, and Brees spoke about how Payton pushed him to his full potential…

Cut 10 (14) “…be great.”

ULM is renaming Malone Stadium to FMOL Health St. Francis Stadium as part of an expanded partnership with the healthcare ministry. Warhawks Athletics Director SJ Tuohy

Cut 16 (16) “…future with them.”

Following the Supreme Court ruling in the Callais case, Louisiana’s Republican-led legislature redrew the state’s congressional map with the purpose of flipping district six back to GOP control. But that hasn’t stop Democrats Pat Forbes and Rubia Garcia from taking a stab at the seat that Cleo Fields is vacating as a direct result of the redistricting. Forbes was an aide to former Governor John Bel Edwards and says the Republicans vying for the sixth district seat seem to have lost their focus.

Cut 10 (08) “…to most people.”

Garcia previously qualified in the fifth district and has shifted her focus to the sixth, since she lives within that district’s boundaries. She and Forbes agree that affordability is one of the biggest issues facing voters.

Cut 12 (08) “…with groceries.”

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Saints quarterback Drew Brees will be enshrined in Canton, Ohio, as a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer tomorrow. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Former LSU wide receiver Barion Brown has made a splash at Saints training camp. Brown was picked in the sixth round of this year’s draft as the last of three receivers selected by the Saints. Despite his strong start, he says he can’t listen to his own hype.

Cut 17 (09) “…good plays or bad plays.”

The sixth district was redrawn specifically so that a Republican would get elected, but that hasn’t stopped two Democrats from running for the seat. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Colorado State and NOAA have both revised their hurricane forecast for this year.  It’s down slightly from eight to 14 named storms to seven to 13.  Forecaster Matthew Rosencrans…

Cut 8 (09) “…things in May.”

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A 69-year-old New Orleans man who spent 42 years in prison for a murder a judge later said he did not commit is seeking 480-thousand dollars in state compensation. But Attorney General Liz Murrill says Elvis Brooks is not eligible because he pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2019 in connection with the 1977 fatal shooting. Reporter Richard Webster…

Cut 4 (12) “…that should hold.”

Big weekend ahead for the legendary Drew Brees who’ll be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame tomorrow. The Super Bowl MVP says there are so many people to thank along his 20-year career.

Cut 15 (08) “…so much gratitude.”

A New Orleans man thinks the state of Louisiana owes him up to 480-thousand dollars for serving 42 years in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

State Police have made three arrests in a fatal hit and run that claimed the life of a 24-year-old Folsom man back in April.  Troopers say it was 34-year-old Megan J. Kyle of Bogalusa who was driving the vehicle when it hit Rodrigo Ornelas Jr.  She’s charged with felony hit and run.  Kyle’s parents are also facing charges, including accessory after the fact.
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On the heels of Colorado State putting out its revised hurricane forecast, NOAA is following suit. Forecaster Matthew Rosencrans has the updated numbers. (Revised forecast calls for seven to 13 named storms, including two to six hurricanes, with up to two being major hurricanes.)

Cut 7 (07) “…two major hurricanes.”

Saints legend Drew Brees will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame tomorrow. The Super Bowl MVP helped to revive the team and the city of New Orleans when he arrived as a free agent after Hurricane Katrina. He says it was a rebirth for both him and the community.

Cut 14 (12) “…the other side.”

Applications for the Louisiana Black Bear Hunting Lottery are open. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

LSU held the second of two meetings with top donors last night. According to ESPN who spoke with an anonymous source, the meetings focused on the potential creation of an LSU-controlled LLC that could generate sustained revenues. This to combat the rising costs of sponsoring Division I sports after the 2025 settlement that paved the way for colleges to pay athletes directly.

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Qualifying for the upcoming U.S House election continues today. Rick Edmonds qualified in district six yesterday, but we still don’t know whether Blake Miquez will run in District 5 or 6.  Edmonds hammered Miguez on the fact that, while it’s legal, Migues doesn’t live within the boundaries of the sixth district.

Cut 5 (12) “…disaster relief, infrastructure.”

Edmonds wasn’t the only one to throw his hat into the district six race. Larry Davis qualified yesterday. He said his campaign is a grassroots campaign.

Cut 7 (08) “…vote this way.”

Another candidate who qualified is Michael Mebruer (MEE-brewer), who like Edmonds originally qualified in the fifth district in February but has since shifted his campaign to the sixth. They, along with Monique Appeaning, are all Republicans running in the district which was redrawn specifically to elect someone from that party.