13 years ago on this date, Hurricane Katrina slammed into southeast Louisiana killing 18-hundred people in the region and leaving much of New Orleans under water. The storm’s fierce winds, combined with flooding made it difficult to communicate. Mike Steele, spokesperson with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says they now have a more secure communication network…
cut 5 (08) “….that was established”
The 4748 days since that fateful moment has left an indelible mark on the Pelican State, particularly Southeast Louisiana. Publisher of the Gambit Weekly Clancy DuBos says it’s hard to forget…
Cut 6 (10) “…tremendous loss”
Earlier this morning, there’s was a wreath laying ceremony at the Katrina Memorial in new Orleans.

The Mississippi legislature has approved legislation that creates a lottery in the Magnolia state. Chief Legislative economist Greg Albrecht says once Mississippi begins selling lottery tickets, it’s less likely Mississippi residents will buy lottery tickets in Lousiaina, which means less money for our state…
cut 14 (12) “….do that”
At least 35-percent of all lottery proceeds are transferred to the state treasury and the state constitution says that money must go to K-through-12 education.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser met with Iowa officials to discuss how the Bayou State can promote agri-tourism. Nungesser says if the weather permits, tourists like spending time outdoors and agri-tourism can take advantage of that desire…
cut 11 (06) “…capitalize on that”

Mississippi’s legislature has approved its own state lottery, which could put a dent in Louisiana’s education revenue. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Forbes has named the city of Kenner as the best place to retire in Louisiana and Lafayette would be the second best place to retire in the state. Among the pros for Kenner, low serious crime rate, while Forbes says Lafayette has good air quality and doctors per capita are near the national average.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser went to Iowa with State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain to learn how Louisiana can do a better job promoting agri-tourism….
Cut 10 (12) “…within reason“
Nungesser says the state already has a partnership with Luckett Farms near St. Francisville. Luckett Farms plans opening a corn maze next month and give the public an opportunity to pick their own vegetables and flowers.

A new eight-million dollar Delta Community College campus will be constructed in Ruston and anchor the city’s planned technology park. Louisiana Community and Technical College System President Monty Sullivan says the facility will help produce high-skilled workers for area businesses….
cut 9 (09) “….north central Louisiana”
Sullivan says construction will begin next year and be completed in 2020.

It was 13 years ago today when Hurricane Katrina made landfall near Buras, Louisiana as a Category 3 storm. It remains one of the deadliest and costliest storms in US history. It also taught many valuable lessons for emergency management officials. Mike Steele is with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness….
cut 6 (07) “…that’s available”
Steele says communication is much more improved during disasters since Katrina.

A state lotto is coming to Mississippi after it was approved by their state legislature. It’s expected to take about a year before it gets going, but legislative chief economist Greg Albrecht says it could result in fewer Louisiana Lottery sales, which means less money for the state treasury…
cut 15 (10) “…through 12”
35-percent of Louisiana lottery revenues goes to the state treasury, which is then used for public education.

The Bayou State looks to grow agricultural tourism after the Lieutenant Governor took a trip to Iowa. Connor Ferrill has the story.
Cut 2 (32) ”I’m Connor Ferrill”

You can lease the historic Bailey Hotel in Bunkie for one-dollar a month for the next two years. There is a catch, the person who leases the 110-year-old building must have a business plan that includes how they would renovate the property. The Bailey has been closed since 2001 and Real Estate agent Robert Burke says it does not have to come back as a hotel.

Mississippi’s legislature has approved a state lottery that could end up taking a bite out of Louisiana lottery revenues that fund K-12 education. Louisiana Legislative Chief Economist Greg Albrecht says after Texas approved it’s lotto, Louisiana’s finances took a hit….
cut 13 (09) “…in half”
The Louisiana Lottery has transferred over three-point-five billion dollars to the state treasury since Louisiana lottery operations began in 1991.

A new eight-million dollar Delta Community College campus is coming to Ruston. President of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System Monty Sullivan says it means more trained workers for the area.
Cut 7 (09) “…interstate 20 corridor.”
Delta Chancellor Dennis Epps says the campus will attract high-tech jobs to the region.

On the 13th anniversary of one of the worst natural disasters in history, Kevin Barnhart speaks with Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesperson, Mike Steele on how Hurricane Katrina changed emergency management planning.
Voicer 1 (28) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Attorney Ron Austin tells a New Orleans TV station that he’s planning to sue Brad Pitt’s “Make It Right” foundation, because the homes the movie actor helped build in the Lower Ninth Ward after Katrina are falling apart. Make It Right never responded to WWL-TV’s calls seeking comment.

Today marks the 13th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which slammed into southeast Louisiana as a Category three storm, killing over 1,000 people along the Gulf Coast and leaving much of the New Orleans area under water for days. Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesperson, Mike Steele, says Katrina was a milestone event for emergency planners.
Cut 4 (07) “…strategies for recovery.”

State officials have announced that Louisiana Delta Community College plan to build a brand new campus in Ruston. Louisiana Community and Technical College System President Monty Sullivan says the eight-million dollar campus will provide future employees with high-tech skills….
cut 8 (10) “…well beyond that”
Construction is expected to be complete in 2020.

Mississippi’s legislature has approved its own state lottery, which could put a dent in Louisiana’s education revenue. Matt Doyle has more.
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Dangerous synthetic marijuana is being distributed in southwest Louisiana. Acadian Ambulance reports they have transported 45 people to the hospital after ingesting synthetic marijuana the left the user in an unconscious state quickly. Lake Charles Police say synthetic marijuana labled as Bubblegum and Gumbo could be sending citizens to local hospitals.

13 years ago on this date, Hurricane Katrina slammed into southeast Louisiana killing 18-hundred people in the region and leaving much of New Orleans under water. The storm’s fierce winds, combined with flooding made it difficult to communicate. Mike Steele, spokesperson with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says they now have a more secure communication network…
cut 5 (08) “….that was established”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser visited the Hawkeye state to learn how Iowa promotes agri-tourism. Nungesser says there’s some interesting possibilities for Louisiana…
cut 12 (11) “….organge trees”
Nungesser says Luckett Farms near St. Francisville will open a corn maze in September that will also give the public the opportunity to pick their own vegetables and flowers.

The Mississippi legislature has approved legislation that creates a lottery in the Magnolia state. Chief Legislative economist Greg Albrecht says once Mississippi begins selling lottery tickets, it’s less likely Mississippi residents will buy lottery tickets in Lousiaina, which means less money for our state…
cut 14 (12) “….do that”
At least 35-percent of all lottery proceeds are transferred to the state treasury and the state constitution says that money must go to K-through-12 education.

DCFS is giving parents who’ve lost their license due to not paying child support an easier option for getting back on the road….
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

The director of the Office of State Procurement has put a halt on contract negotiations regarding new voting machines between the Secretary of State’s office and Dominion Voting Systems. The reason for the delay is that one of the losing bidders for the contract claim the bid process was mishandled by interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin.

A group called the “Citizens for a New Louisiana” is collecting signatures for peitition that attempts to get the Lafayette Parish-City Council to state their position on a scheduled Drag Queen story time event at the public library in October. Executive director Michael Lunsford says the public should know how the council feels about men dressed in drag reading to children…
cut 13 (08) “…on it”
The council heard public testimony from two dozen speakers on the Drag Queen Story time event last week and all but one opposed it.

Authorities in southwest Louisiana are trying to determine who fatally shot a Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s office dispatcher on Monday morning in front of her home. DeRidder Police John Gott is seeking the public’s help….
cut 8 (10) “…a call”
Gott says they have no suspects in the shooting death of 24-year-old Marquita Wright.

DCFS is giving parents who’ve lost their license due to not paying child support an easier option for getting back on the road. Don Molino has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

_____________________________________________

A Lafayette organization plans to bring a petition Parish-City Council members, demanding they make a public statement on whether or not they support  “Drag Queen Story Time”. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”