A poll from UNO shows Governor John Bel Edwards’ approval rating has shot up nine-percentage points in the last three weeks to 43-percent. The same poll only gives the state legislature a favorability rating of 15 percent. UNO pollster Ed Chervanek says those numbers are comparable to Washington politicians…
cut 12 (07) “….happening here”
About half of the survey respondents also blame former Governor Bobby Jindal for the state’s budget problems.

The Department of Children and Family Services will begin distributing next week disaster food stamps to families impacted by the flooding. Sammy Guillory, with D-C-F-S, says individuals can pre-register now by going to D-C-F-S website and they can also find out where benefit cards will be distributed…
cut 15 (06) “…or two”
You can also call 1-888-LA-HELP-U.

Much of south and central Louisiana are under a slight risk for severe thunderstorms today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it shouldn’t contribute to more river basin flooding, but it could slow down the recovery process. And he says flash flooding in urban areas is always a possibility….
cut 4 (10) “…even more”
Keim says a stationary front has locked in across the state and isn’t likely to clear until Sunday.

A bill that will be debated in this regular legislative session would allow individuals to one day be buried with the remains of their favorite pet. Metairie Senator Conrad Appel is the author of the legislation…
cut 8 (08) “…cemetery”
Appel says cemeteries would have designated areas where pets and owners can be buried together.

A study finds nearly two-thirds of Louisiana residents believe the state is heading in the wrong direction and the budget deficit is Louisiana’s biggest problem. Doctor Michael Henderson, director of the LSU public policy research lab, says the budget has soared past subjects like the economy and education…
cut 8 (10) “…important”
Henderson says only 34-percent of the respondents are confident state government can address the budget problems.

A UNO telephone survey found Governor John Bel Edwards approval rating has risen from 34-percent to 43-percent over a three-week period. UNO pollster Ed Chervanek says the legislature’s inability to resolve the state’s budget deficit may have helped the governor’s popularity…
cut 30 (05) “…is not”

A proposed constitutional amendment that asks voters if convicted felons should be allowed to run for state or local office for 15 years after completion of their sentence is making its way through the legislative process. The author of the measure, Norco Representative Gregory Miller, says it’s similar to a constitutional provision that was recently thrown out by the state Supreme Court…
cut 3 (11) …both houses”
Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins asked whether some felons should be exempted from the 15-year ban from running for office…
cut 5 (12) “…that long”
Jenkins’ argument did not result in any change to the legislation as it cleared the House Government Affairs Committee.

A survey out of LSU shows nearly two thirds of Louisiana residents believe the state is heading in the wrong direction. Emelie Gunn has more….
voicer 1 (31) “….I’m Emelie Gunn”

Texas Transportation officials say I-10 heading into Texas will remain closed through the weekend and may not re-open until late Monday afternoon. Flood waters from the Sabine River continue to cover the heavily used interstate. US 190 is one option for Louisiana motorists to get into Texas.

Twenty-three parishes are under a federal disaster declaration and 11 more could be added. FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate says they are assessing the damage, but it could take time because some areas are still under water. Fugate encourages flood victims to register for federal aid by going to disaster-assistance-dot-gov or calling 1-800-621-FEMA…
cut 12 (12) “…32,000”
Fugate says they’ll be in Louisiana for as long as it takes.

The flooding is reeking havoc on the corn crop in West Carroll Parish. LSU Ag Center Extension Agent Bruce Garner it doesn’t look like it will get any better because more water is spilling over into the fields from the bayous. He says the damage to the corn varies, even in just one field…:
cut 10 (08) “across the board”
Hundreds of acres have been under water for several days now.

The total number of parishes eligible for federal aid from flood damage is up to 26. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…reporting”

A survey finds 63% of Louisianians believe the state is headed in the wrong direction — the most since the LSU Public Policy research lab began tracking opinions in 2003. Director Dr. Michael Henderson says usually when a new governor takes office, residents are more optimistic.
CUT 6 (07) “received”

The state legislature is working on approving a constitutional amendment that would prevent a convicted felon from holding public office for 15 years after that person finishes their sentence. The state’s highest court removed the former constitutional amendment on this subject, because the language on the ballot was not the same as what the legislature approved in 1998. Norco Representative Gregory Miller says he’ll make sure his legislation doesn’t make that same mistake again…
cut 4 (06) “…the people”
The measure has already passed one House committee and heads to the House floor for more discussion.

I-10 is closed heading into Texas and State Police say motorists could use I-20 as an alternate route. Sgt James Anderson says US 190 is another option and traffic has been flowing well on the highway…:
cut 15 (06) “thus far”
I-10 on the Texas said is expected to remain closed through the weekend.

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate says his agency has already doled out two-point-five million dollars in advance payments for flood insurance. Fugate urges residents without flood insurance, to purchase it, even if they are not in a high risk area…
cut 13 (11) “…..lost everything”
Fugate says those who don’t have flood insurance and had damage, could be eligible for grant money or Small Business Administration loans.

An LSU study finds that nearly two-thirds of Louisiana residents believe the state is heading in the wrong direction. Doctor Michael Henderson, with the public policy research lab, says the budget is now become the biggest concern for Louisiana adults…
cut 8 (10) “…important”

Due to flooding from the Sabine River, I-10 at the Louisiana/Texas state line is expected to remain closed until Monday afternoon. Sgt. James Anderson with State Police encourages motorists to plan an alternate route…:
CUT 14 (10) “into Texas”

Flooding in West Carroll Parish is hurting the corn crop. LSU Ag Center Extension Agent Bruce Garner says some fields will survive better than others:
CUT 9 (11) “severe damage”
He says hundreds of acres of of corn has been under water for for or five days.

And a severe thunderstorm watch has been issued until 8 PM for areas north of I-10 to Monroe and just south of Shreveport. The main threats are large hail and damaging wind gusts.

Highway officials announce I-10 at the Louisiana-Texas state line will remain closed through Monday because of flood waters. The official detour is I-20. State Police Sergeant James Anderson advises against using LA 27 and LA 82 in Cameron Parish, because those routes are extremely congested.

A new LSU study finds that nearly two thirds of Louisiana residents think the state is heading in the wrong direction. That’s the most on record since the Louisiana Survey began tracking opinions in 2003.

There are many high schools displeased with the direction the LHSAA is heading, because of the public-private split in the postseason. Former Bobby Jindal staffer, Paul Rainwater, has sent out a letter to schools seeking their interest in starting another organization and holding their championship events at LSU….
cut 11 (07) “…out costs’
Rainwater says they need at least 60 schools to commit.

A north Louisiana lawmaker introduces the Pastor Protection Act which will be debated during the regular legislative session. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 2 (31) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

Another bill worth watching in this session is a measure by New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop which requires public schools to develop a plan to help students who are expecting or parenting a child in high school. Bishop says this legislation also seeks to reach out to males, who become fathers at an early age…
cut 6 (05) “…this particular challenge”