A Morning Consult poll shows Governor John Bel Edwards’ approval rating slipped under 50 percent during the brutal legislative sessions between April and June. Edwards’ has maintained one of the highest approval ratings for a Democratic governor, but ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says it appears the threats to public services during the sessions took their toll.
Cut 6 (10) “at that.”
Despite the slip in total approval rating, the Governor’s unfavorable rating is still 15 points lower at 35 percent.

For the last decade, more than one million Entergy customers throughout the state have been paying charges to cover the cost of repairs to damage from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says he’s got good news for those feeling the pinch on the power bill.
Cut 3 (07) “…rate reduction in September.”
Former Entergy Louisiana customers will see an average monthly reduction of $5.44. Former Entergy Gulf States will see an average reduction of $3.14 to their bill.

Fifty years ago, there wasn’t a single brown pelican to be found in the pelican state. The demise of the population can be traced back to the use of the pesticide DDT. But the population of the bird has since rebounded to about 100,000 throughout Louisiana. LDWF Nongame Bird Biologist Michael Seymour says the rejuvenation effort began in the late 1960s.
Cut 13 (12) “…north of Grand Isle.”
Seymour says there’s now over eight-thousand adult pelicans on Queen Bess island.

A chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy has appealed a federal judge’s decision that allows for the removal of a confederate monument from the courthouse grounds in Caddo Parish. The United Daughters of the Confederacy says the Caddo Parish Commission does not have the authority to remove the monument, because it’s on private land.

Five Amite residents are now facing federal charges for allegedly beating and forcing an autistic woman to eat dog feces. The victim was held captive for a year in mobile home after her mother died. According to court documents, when authorities found the woman, she was malnourished, covered in insect bites and living oustide in a six-by-eight foot chicken cage. The five people facing federal charges range in age from 20 to 45-years-old.

The state’s brown pelican population went from zero in the 1960s to now 100-thousand as a result of the state’s repopulation program, which started when seven-hundred young birds were brought from Florida to Queen Bess Island, northeast of Grand Isle. LDWF nongame bird biologist Michael Seymour says efforts are underway to restore that island, which has been eroding away and the BP spill didn’t help either…
cut 14 (08) “…several thousand birds”

A Grambling State Communications graduate student is getting a boost from Queen B, in the form of a 25,000 dollar scholarship award. Becca Dill has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Becca Dill”

With a new high school sports season set to begin, the Louisiana High School Athletic Association is once again looking for officials for the sports they oversee. Lee Sanders is the new director of officials at the LHSAA…
cut 12 (06) “…love being around it”
Go to LHSOA.com for more information.

Two people were shot in New Orleans historic French Quarter this morning and two people are in custody. The shooting was caught on camera and the suspects were seen fleeing the scene. The victims suffered non-life threatening injuries.

The Louisiana National Guard is distributing water in East Feliciana Parish where a water line broke in Clinton. Mayor Lori Bell says workers have repaired the pipe, but a boil water advisory is in effect as it will take a couple of days to test the water, before determining its safe to drink.

Grambling State grad student Cletus Emokpae (E-mok-pay)has received a 25-thousand dollar scholarship from Beyonce’s BeyGood Foundation. He’s one of eight students nationwide to receive this gift. The New York native says it’s an incredible honor and he hopes the story of him receiving help from Beyonce will teach others about the value of community…
cut 9 (08) “….your way”

Fifty years ago, there wasn’t a single brown pelican to be found in the pelican state. Kevin Barnhart spoke with LDWF biologist Michael Seymour about the plan 50 years ago that led to the reintroduction of the birds
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The state has seen lower humidity levels the last couple of days, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says that’s about to change…
cut 4 (11) “…next week”
Rain chances will increase this weekend and there’s a good chance for rain on Monday.

Fifty years ago, there wasn’t a single brown pelican to be found in the pelican state. The demise of the population can be traced back to the use of the pesticide DDT. But the population of the bird has since rebounded to about 100,000 throughout Louisiana. LDWF Nongame Bird Biologist Michael Seymour says the rejuvenation effort began in the late 1960s.
Cut 13 (12) “…north of Grand Isle.”
Seymour says there’s now over eight-thousand adult pelicans on Queen Bess island.

A Grambling State grad student studying communications is one of eight people in the country to receive a 25,000 dollar scholarship funded by music superstar Beyonce. Cletus Emokpae is from New York and struggled to pay for his own education, until he received this amazing gift from Beyonce
Cut 7 (11) “of support”

A chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy has appealed a federal judge’s decision that allows for the removal of a confederate monument from the courthouse grounds in Caddo Parish. The United Daughters of the Confederacy says the Caddo Parish Commission does not have the authority to remove the monument, because it’s on private land.

The drought monitor says extreme drought conditions have reached northwest Louisiana, but state climatologist Barry Keim says relief is on the way…
cut 6 (11) “…needed most”
But before the rain gets here on Sunday, expect hot and humid conditions.

The Saints began training camp today with Super Bowl aspirations. Last year, New Orleans struggled on punt returns. Coach Sean Payton says that will be a point of emphasis, plus there are new kick-off rules to learn…
cut 28 (19) “…blocking for em”
Saints Quarterback Drew Brees has a new look as he’s wearing a helmet designed to reduce concussions. Brees says the helmet he wore last year is not up to NFL standards. The veteran Q-B says the change is no big deal…
cut 29 (14) “…totally different”

The preparation is underway for the next voice of the Saints as Zach Strief transitions from the playing field to the press box. Strief, who has no previous broadcasting experience, spent more than a decade as an offensive tackle with the black and gold. Strief looks forward to working with color analyst Duece McAllister and hopes this is something truly special to be shared with the Who Dat Nation.
Cut 5 (12) “…on the field.”

In other NFL news…former LSU Tiger Jarvis Landry says the Browns, who did not win a single game last season, can win the Super Bowl this year. Landry, who was traded to Cleveland in the offseason, believes the Browns offense can put up 40 points a game.

Landry’s former teammate at LSU, Odell Beckham Junior, has reported to Giants camp. New York has indicated they are ready to discuss a new contract for O-B-J.

The US House has passed the National Defense Authorization Act which provides the largest pay raise for troops in nine years. Congressman Ralph Abraham says the pay raises doen’t just help soldiers, but communities that house military bases too
cut 9 (07) “dollars.”
The legislation also contains 295-million dollars to update B-52 bombers, which frequently take off at Barksdale Air force Base. There’s also 12-million dollars for a new entrance to Barksdale, so a nuclear weapons storage facility can be built there.

A federal judge has ruled the Caddo Parish Commission can remove a confedrate monument that stands in front of the parish courthouse. The judge rejected the claims by the Daughters of the Confederacy that said the monument was on private land and their free speach was violated. Commissioner Steven Jackson…
cut 14 (10) “…not ture”
It’s unclear when the statue will be taken down.

The Natchitoches mother arrested in connection with the burning death of her six-month old child faces an additional criminal charge. Twenty-two-year-old Hannah Baker is a now facing a charge of Criminal Conspiracy to go along with the previous charge of Principle to 1st Degree Murder. So far two people have been arrested as the investigation continues.

The new voice of the Saints is making the transition from the playing field to the press box. Kevin Barnhart has more.
voicer 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The mother of an infant that died from severe burns last week in Natchitoches has been charged with principle to 1st Degree Murder. She’s the second person arrested this week and State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the investigation is ongoing…
cut 15 (06) “…this arrest”
The infant’s mother, 22-year-old Hannah Baker, claimed that two people forced their way into her home, maced her and then took the child. Browning says that story turned out to be a lie.

A federal judge has permitted the removal of a confederate monument in Caddo Parish. The monument sits in front of the parish courthouse. The Judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Daughters of the Confederacy, deciding the group had not proved that the statue stood on private land. Caddo Parish Commissioner Steven Jackson says it’s a great step forward
cut 12 (10) “be equal.”
No word on if an appeal has been filed.

Louisiana has been awarded for having the best workforce training program in the nation. Matt Doyle has the story.
voicer 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The LaFourche Parish Sheriff’s office has determined the death of a man found with his arms and legs bound by rope in Bayou Lafourche as a suicide. 69-year-old Terry Angelle’s body was found on Sunday. Detectives believe he used slip knots to tie up his arms and legs. Family and friends also say the Galliano man was battling depression.