The National Home Education Research Institute says the number of kids who are homeschooled is growing. President of Homeschool Louisiana, Chris Chin says that’s the trend in the Bayou State too, as over 30-thousand students were registered as home schoolers last January. Chin says homeschooling is not for everyone, but it provides freedoms more parents should look into….
cut 8 (06) “….take the leap”
Chin says dissastitication with academic curriculum, school safety and wanting to include religious instruction are some of the main reasons for homeschooling a child.

President Trump has signed a defense spending bill that contains 12 million dollars for a new entrance road and gate complex Barksdale Air Force Base. It paves the way for the housing of nuclear weapons at Barksdale in the near future. Congressman Ralph Abraham made sure the 12-million was included for Barksdale, to protect the military facility and others in Louisiana, if there’s another round of base consolidations…
cut 5 (09) “…our turf”

A suspected arsonist has been arrested in Morehouse Parish. State Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says 55-year-old Philbert Bowers of Bastrop set several wild fires near the Arkansas state line from July 20th to August 3rd. Strain says Bowers faces several charges…
cut 14 (09) “…sheriffs office”
If convicted, Bowers faces up to 15 years in prison.

A second body in the last week has been recovered in Lake Ponchartrain. On Tuesday, it was 32-year-old Sadie Thibodeaux, and on Saturday 66-year-old Milton Gomez’s body was pulled out of the lake as well. State Wildlife and Fisheries Spokesman Adam Einck says neither Thibadoux nor Gomez were wearing lifejackets when their bodies were recovered. Einck says before you jump into the water, there’s three things to keep in mind.
Cut 10 (11) “your boat.”

Livingston Parish is coming back to life two years after the 2016 August flood left much of the parish under water. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 5 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

State agriculture commissioner Mike Strain announces the arrest of a serial arsonist in Morehouse Parish. Strain says between July 20th and August 3rd, 55-year-old Philbert Bowers of Bastrop intentionally set several wildlife fires near the Arkansas state line.
cut 12 (07) “…July 22nd
Strain says they are not sure on a motive for the fires.

President Donald Trump signs into law a 717-billion dollar defense package, which will result in a two-point-six percent pay raise for active duty soldiers. That’s the largest raise in nearly a decade. Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham says this should help increase spending in communities that are home to military bases…
cut 4 (09) “…the economy”
Abraham says the legislation will also mean future investments for Barksdale Air Force Base and the naval station in Belle Chasse.

A second body in the last week has been recovered in Lake Ponchartrain. On Tuesday, it was 32-year-old Sadie Thibadoux, and on Saturday 66-year-old Milton Gomez’s body was pulled out of the lake as well. State Wildlife and Fisheries Spokesman Adam Einck says lake swimming can be dangerous because distances on the water can be misleading.
Cut 9 (12) “lot further.

President Donald Trump signs a 716-billion dollar defense spending bill this afternoon. Some of that money will provide upgrades at Barksdale Air Force Base and the Naval Air Station in Belle Chesse. Congressman Ralph Abraham, who is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, made sure 12-million was included for Barksdale, so that military facility and others in Louisiana remain open, if there’s another round of base consolidations…
cut 5 (09) “…our turf”

Cox Automotive reports used car prices are rising, and so is the demand as there was a three-percent increase in used vehicle sales in July, when compared to July of 2017. But Louisiana Automobile Dealers Assocation President Will Green says the state’s slower economic growth resulting from the depression of the oil industry is keeping used car prices lower here than the rest of the nation.

Homeschooling is on the rise throughout the nation and Louisiana is not exempt from the trend. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Lafayette pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis broke an Under 20 world record as he cleared 19-feet, 10-inches at the European Championships in Berlin. The 18-year-old beat his old U20 record by nearly five inches. He’s set to begin classes at LSU next week and he’ll have one more overseas event on August 31st in Brussels.

The demand for used cars is growing and so are the prices. Cox Automotive reports a 3% increase in used car prices last month compared to July 2017 and overall used vehicle values rose 5% last month compared to the previous July. President of the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association Will Green says many people are buying cars that were once leased.
Cut 10 (06) “the market.”
Green says recent natural disasters, and the huge number of vehicles destroyed by them, have led to a greater demand too.

A look at the Secretary of State’s race, shows many of the candidates are loaning themselves huge amounts of money for the November sixth election. Campaign finance reports show Julie Stokes and Heather Cloud each made six-figure loans to their campaigns.

A second body in the last week has been recovered in Lake Ponchartrain. On Tuesday, it was 32-year-old Sadie Thibadoux, and on Saturday 66-year-old Milton Gomez’s body was pulled out of the lake as well. Both incidents are under investigation, but state Wildlife and Fisheries Spokesman Adam Einck says lake swimming can be dangerous because distances on the water can be misleading.
Cut 9 (12) “lot further.”

Two years ago, much of south Louisiana was underwater as a result of the devastating August flood that caused billions of dollars in damage and killed at least 10 people. Livingston Parish was one of the hardest hit areas, 15 schools sustained damage. Parish president Layton Ricks says two years later, 13 of those schools have been fully repaired…
cut 5 (11) “…to par”
Governor John Bel Edwards has released a statement on the two-year anniversary of the August flood. Edwards says the state’s Homeowner Assistance Program has awarded over 438-million dollars in grants to over 13-thousand homeowners to repair or reconstruct their homes.

Cox Automotive reports there’s been an increase in prices for used cars and there’s also been an increase in used car sales. President of the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association, Will Green, says used cars are becoming more popular, because cosnumers are buying vehicles that were once leased. But he says it’s not just leases behind the surge in national prices. Green says recent natural disasters, and the mass of vehicles destroyed by them, have led to a greater demand…
cut 11 (07) “…the value”

New Orleans police say a couple’s argument led to a fatal car wreck early Saturday morning. Investigators say a 32-woman left a residence after an argument with a boyfriend. The boyfriend got in his car and followed her and both drivers ended up losing control, crashing into each other. The woman died after hitting a palm tree. The investigation is ongoing.

Louisiana libraries are offering extended tutoring time for students through an online service supported by the state. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (31) ”I’m Matt Doyle”

A 400-pound life-sized bronze human statue has been found. It’s part of a 22-piece traveling art exhibit on display along the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge. President of the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, Renee Chatelain, says they were preparing to ship the exhibit to Centenary College in Shreveport, when they noticed the bolted down statue was gone.
Cut 13 (05) “…will be found”

Livingston Parish is coming back to life two years after the 2016 August flood left much of the parish under water. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

For the second time in a week, a person has died in Lake Pontchartrain. On Saturday night, the body of 66-year-old Milton Gomez of Ponchatoula was recovered about a mile south of where the Tangipahoa River feeds into the lake. Gomez boat was found unmanned, similiar to what happened to Sadie Thibodeaux last week.

The state has a website that can provide your child with live tutoring, test prepation and even job search assistance. Louisiana’s Head Liberian Rebecca Hamilton says it can be found at homework-la-dot-org….
cut 9 (10) “…to them’
Hamilton says all you need is a library card or you can use the service on a computer at your local library from Two PM until Midnight, Sunday through Thursday.

The mystery over a 400-pound statue that went missing from a downtown Baton Rouge art exhibit is over as the statue was recovered in a parking lot, with gold spray paint on it. Still no clue on who took the heavy piece of art, but President of the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, Renee Chatelain, says despite the incident, they hope these type of art displays keep coming to the capital city….
cut 14 (11) “…the future”

Two years ago, devastating flood waters were impacting Louisiana, causing eight billion dollars in property damage from Acadiana to areas east of Baton Rouge. Livingston Parish was one of the hardest hit areas and recently it was announced that money is available to complete construction of the Comite River Diversion. Livingston Parish President Layton Ricks says once that project is completed, it should mimimize flooding…
cut 6 (08) “…our parish”
Ricks says recovery from the August 2016 flood is about 85-percent complete in his parish.

A look at the Secretary of State’s race, shows many of the candidates are loaning themselves huge amounts of money for the November sixth election. Campaign finance reports show Julie Stokes and Heather Cloud each made six-figure loans to their campaigns.

Cox Automotive reports used car prices are rising, and so is the demand as there was a three-percent increase in used vehicle sales in July, when compared to July of 2017. These are national numbers. But Louisiana Automobile Dealers Assocation President Will Green says the state’s slower economic growth resulting from the depression of the oil industry is keeping used car prices lower here than the rest of the nation…
cut 12 (10) “…to that”

With a new school year getting underway or already underway for some, the state’s head librarian is reminding families about a website that can provide free online tutoring, test prep and job search assistance. Rebecca Hamilton says it’s called home-work-la-dot-org…
cut 8 (09) “…their library card”
Academic tutoring for grade school and even adult education is available from 2 PM to midnight, Sunday to Thursday.

It’s been two years since the devastating August 2016 flood that caused over 8 billion dollars in property damage and claimed 10 lives across south Louisiana. The flood led to billions of dollars in federal assistance, including hundreds of millions to help victims rebuild their homes. Livingston Parish President Layton Ricks says the recovery is about 85 percent complete…
cut 4 (11) “…Livingston Parish”
The governor’s office says the state’s Homeowner Assistance Program has awarded over 438 million dollars to homeowners who experienced flooding in 2016.

The state’s online tutoring service, homeworkla.org, is expanding hours and adding additional features that includes live tutoring, test prep, and even job search assistance. Louisiana’s Head Librarian Rebecca Hamilton says its academic assistance for anyone.
Cut 7 (09) “the tomb.”
Students can access the services at home with a library card number, or at a local library, Sunday through Thursday from 2PM to midnight.

Authorities say a Shreveport man died while driving a homemade go-kart at high speed on Sunday. 58-year-old Archie Lee Thomas ran up a curb and hit a pole. The accident remains under investigation.

A 400-pound life-sized bronze human statue along the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge has been found in a nearby parking lot after it went missing. Kevin Barnhart has the details…
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”