Governor John Bel Edwards has written a letter to House Speaker Taylor Barras that says now is the time to discuss proposals to address the loss of over one-billion dollars in revenue that will expire July 1st, 2018. The governor suggests Barras form a working group of Republicans and Democrats. The governor also says he plans to hold meetings accross the state to discuss how to address the fiscal cliff.

State Superintendent of Education John White says he is committed to his job despite speculation he may lose it, because he was not reconfirmed by the Senate during the legislative session. White says he’s made great strides in his years as superintendent…
Cut 7 (10) “same test”
A spokesperson says the governor is reviewing his options when it comes to White’s jobs status.

Louisiana elected officials says they are praying for Arizona Senator John McCain’s who has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. Neuro-Oncologist Dr. Aaron Mammoser with LSU Health New Orleans says there are more than 15,000 of these tumors diagnosed every year in the US.
Cut 9 (11) “called temozolomide”
Mammoser says the middle survival is somewhere in the 16 to 18 month range.

Very difficult to spend a lot of time outside today, with the heat index over 100-degrees. Michael Berry is with the National Weather Service….
cut 12 (10) “…again tomorrow’
Berry says possibly a slight break from the dangerous heat on Saturday as rain chances increase.

It turns out an 84-year-old found dead in a Metairie retirement home died of natural causes. Yesterday authorities announced Pauline Ballon was strangled, because of some initial physical findings. But after looking at all of the information the coroner says Balloon’s death was not a homicide.

Arizona Senator John McCain has been diagnosed with brain cancer. Don Molino spoke with a Louisiana doctor on what this means for the former Republican Presidential candidate…
Voicer 2 (28) “I’m Don Molino”

Education Superintendent John White’s job status is under scrutiny, because he was not confirmed by the state senate during the legislative session. State law says Louisiana’s top public education leader must be conferred by the Senate. The governor could take legal action to have him removed. White says he’d rather focus on the students, not on politics….
cut 8 (11) “…our kids”
A two-thirds from BESE could also remove White as education superintendent.

A strong ridge of high pressure is producing the hottest temperatures of the year. Michael Berry with the National Weather Service advises individuals working outside to take frequent breaks to avoid heat stroke….
cut 14 (09) “…have water”
The forecast calls for more hot temperatures tomorrow and then a slight break on Saturday as rain chances go up for the weekend.

State Education Superintendent John White reacts to speculation he may lose his job, because he was not confirmed by the Senate during the legislative session. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The northern half of the state is under a heat advisory. Michael Berry with the National Weather Service says it’s not unusual to see temps in the mid 90s in July, but the high humidity makes it even worse…
cut 12 (10) “…again tomorrow”

Arizona Senator John McCain is in the battle for his life after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. Neuro-oncologist Doctor Aaron Mammoser with LSU Health New Orleans says McCain will be surrounded by a great team of doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale…
cut 11 (12) “…forms of cancer”
But Mammoser says middle survival for this type of cancer is in the 16 to 18 month range.

Work began this week on water proofing the first six floors of the exterior of the State Capitol building. Division of Administration spokesperson Jacques Berry says new technology gave engineers a closer look that pieces of limestone were coming loose from the 80-year-old building…
cut 4 (12) “…of the building”
The front doors of the Capitol will remain closed for the next year as rehab work continues.

State Education Superintendent John White could be on his way out, because he was not reconfirmed by the Senate during the legislative session. Governor John Bel Edwards says confirmation is a legal requirement for White to keep his job. But White says …
Cut 6 (11) “our kids”
A lawsuit seeking to remove White as superintendent was dismissed, because only a few elected officials, including the governor, have the authority to take such legal action.

Edwards is pleased with job growth in the Bayou State. The governor says several sectors of the economy are improving, especially health care thanks to the expansion of the Medicaid program.
Cut 10 (11) “more people” (2x)

Work begins this week to waterproof the first six floors of the State Capitol. Jacques Berry with the Division of Administration says scaffolding is up around the base of the building. And he says the front doors to the tallest building in the city will remain closed over the next year.
Cut 3 (07) “of caution”
Berry says the two entrances on the ground level will remain open.

A Dad rushing his pregnant wife to the hospital missed the birth of his child after being arrested in Rapides Parish. Creola Police Chief Heath Landry says one of his officers clocked Zak Evans’ vehicle doing 108 in a 55 mph speed zone. He says the officer witnessed more dangerous driving as he attempted to pull over Evans…
cut 13 (09) “…off the road”
An ambulance took Evans’ wife to the hospital, where she gave birth to a girl, but the Dad now faces several charges.

The heat index is already over 100-degrees in some places as the northern half of the state is under a heat advisory until Friday night. The National Weather Service says afternoon temps will climb into the mid to upper 90s. When combined with the humidity, the heat index can reach 109 degrees.

Creola Police Chief Heath Landry says one of his officers clocked an expecting Dad going 108-miles per hour in a 55 miles per hour speed zone as they were making their way out of Grant Parish. He says when officers finally pulled over Zak Evans and got him out of the vehicle, he was livid….
cut 14 (11) “….at the glass”
An ambulance took Evans’ wife Bridget to a local hospital where she gave birth, and Evans was arrested on charges of flight from an officer and careless operation, as well as ticketed for speeding.

Could state Education Superintendent John White’s job be in jeopardy? Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Meanwhile in DC, Louisiana’s Congressional delegation is working on legislation to limit annual federal flood insurance rate hikes to 10-percent. U-S Representative Clay Higgins says homeowners nationwide would approve of this…
cut 9 (11) “…happened everywhere”

An expecting father rushing his pregnant wife to the hospital missed the birth of his child after being arrested in Rapides Parish. Creola Police Chief Heath Landry says one of his officers clocked Zak Evans’ vehicle doing 108 in a 55 mph speed zone. He says the officer witnessed more dangerous driving as he attempted to pull over Evans…
cut 13 (09) “…off the road”
An ambulance took Evans’ wife to the hospital, where she gave birth to a girl, but the Dad now faces several charges.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s been encouraged by the latest employment numbers which show the state’s unemployment rate dropping and the number of employed increasing. Edwards says they are also seeing positive signs in the Lafayette area, the heart of the state’s oil and gas sector….
cut 12 (08) “….this too”
June employment numbers could be out tomorrow.

St. Landry Congressman Clay Higgins is spearheading an effort to reform the National Flood Insurance Program as the current one expires September 30th. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Elected officials from Louisiana are sending prayers to Arizona Senator John McCain who has been diagnosed with an aggressive type of brain tumor. Louisiana’s Senior Senator Bill Cassidy describess Senator McCain a fighter and Junior Senator John Kennedy calls McCain a colleage, friend and American hero. Medical experts say Cain has a slim chance of beating this type of brain tumor.

Jefferson Parish authorities are trying to determine who killed an 84-year-old woman found strangled in her bed at a Metairie senior facility. At first it was determined Pauline Ballon died of natural causes, but an autopsy revealed she was choked to death. Detectives have not established a motive or suspects.

A Grant Parish man missed the birth of his child after he was arrested for speeding his wife to the hospital. Halen Doughty has the story…
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Governor John Bel Edwards says the state’s unemployment rate has dropped a half-percent since January 2016. Based on the latest numbers from the Louisiana Workforce Commission its at five-point-seven percent. Edwards predicts when the June employment numbers are released, it will be even lower….
cut 11 (09) “…increasing”
Edwards says even the state’s oil and gas sector is showing positive signs.

Female military veterans will have a new support system, as the state Department of Veterans Affairs is set to launch monthly Coffee Conversations. Cordinator Alex Juan says this will offer a place for military women to talk about issues affecting them. She says the discussions will be live streamed and open to all female vets.
Cut 4 (07) “the conversation”
For more information go to the state department of veterans affairs website.

Governor John Bel Edwards is pleased with job growth and creation in the Bayou State. On his monthly radio call in show, the governor said several sectors of the economy are improving, especially health care thanks to expansion of the Medicaid program.
Cut 10 (11) “more people” (2x)

A central Louisiana man rushing his expecting wife to the hospital is facing several charges after law enforcement clocked him traveling 108-miles an hour and driving recklessly. Creola Police Chief Heath Landry says they understand it was an emergency, but…
cut 15 (09) “…a wife”
Zak Evans missed the birth of his child, because he was arrested.

Louisiana’s Congressional delegation is behind an effort to reform the National Flood Insurance Program. Congressman Clay Higgins is one of the co-sponsors and the Republican from St. Landry Parish says the proposal would protect policyholders from skyrocketing premiums. He says currently, rates can increase annually by as much as 25 percent.
Cut 7 (09) “more reasonable”
The state Department of Veterans Affairs is set to launch a monthly program called “Coffee Conversations” and it’s designed to help female military veterans. Coordinator Alex Jaun says military women can be more hesitant to seek services from the VA and she provided a personal example…
cut 5 (09) “….his medicine”
For more information go to the state department of veterans affairs website.