Fewer Louisiana medical school graduates are choosing to stay in the state for their residencies, according to Dr. Steve Nelson, Dean of the School of Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans. Jeff Palermo has more…
voicer 2 (30) “….I’m Jeff Palermo”

State lawmakers are still waiting to hear from the Edwards administration about an additional 70-million dollars in cuts to this fiscal year’s budget. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says he’ll be able to provide that information later this week, but he says it appears most agencies will receive painful cuts of about 30-percent.

Two more Disaster Recovery Centers opened today in Louisiana, one in Monroe and the other in Slidell. Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says flood survivors can find personnel from all of the agencies involved in disaster recovery at these centers…:
CUT 3 (06) “assisting people”
He says these centers are open from 8 to 6 Monday through Saturday, and noon to five on Sunday.

The general curator of the Baton Rouge zoo, Sam Winslow, admits they are taking criticism after two of their giraffes died over the weekend. They had to put two giraffes in the same stall as severe weather rolled in on Friday. Winslow says ne of the giraffes was already dealing with a chronic condition that worsened and the one that was sick knocked the other one down resulting in her death.
cut 14 (10) “…like that”
The two giraffes that died were 30 and 24 years old.

Two more disaster recovery centers opened today, one in Slidell and the other in Monroe. Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says flood victims can receive assistance from various agencies at these locations. He says you don’t have to visit one of these centers to register for financial assistance…
cut 5 (09) “…assistance”
Steele says a disaster recovery center was also opened in Bossier Parish last week.

There is still extensive flooding in the Monroe area. Neal Brown, director of the Ouachita Parish Homeland Security, says some neighborhoods will see high water for another few days. He is glad to see volunteers coming together to help flood victims…
cut 8 (11) “…greatly appreciated”

Officials at the Baton Rouge zoo are mourning over the loss of two of their giraffes. The 30 and 24-year-old giraffes were in the same stall when severe weather rolled in and one of the animals knocked the other one down, which caused injuries that led to her death. The zoo’s general curator, Sam Winslow, says they had to euthanize the other girafee because his chronic illness, which they have been treating for a long time, worsened after the event…

cut 13 (06) “…discouraging”

It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that basketball star Ben Simmons has played his final game at LSU. Simmons has told ESPN he’s turning pro. Despite failing to lead the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament, he’s expected to be the number one pick. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says it remains to be seen if it was a positive that Simmons even played for the Tigers…
cut 16 (12) “…bad thing”
Simmons averaged 19 points, 12 rebounds and five assists last season.

The discussion over the use of medical marijuana is expected to occur during the legislative session. Legislation was passed last year to allow certain patients to use it, but it’s still not available in the Bayou State. State Senator Fred Mills says there are plenty of people who are waiting to get it…
cut 15 (08) “…medical condition”
Mills says the department of agriculture and a couple of other other groups are still working on the details to make the drug available here.

The state legislature is also expected to address the growing playoff split with the Louisiana High School Atheltic Association. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot has a bill that would prevent a high school from receiving state funds, if they participate in an association with a split postseason…
cut 8 (07) “…A,B-C”
Talbot says the ultimate goal is to bring the LHSAA back together again.

The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee meets at noon today to begin going over the 400 or so different tax credits and deductions the state hands out to businesses and individuals. Chairman JP Morrell of New Orleans says the credits or exemptions that are deemed unnecessary will be removed in a potential second special session or during next year’s fiscal session…
cut 12 (06) “….budget crisis”
Morrell says it will take most of this session to go over the different tax credits.

State Health officials are gearing up for a potential outbreak of the Zika Virus, which is a mosquito borne disease which has been linked to birth defects in other countries. Dr. Frank Welch, with the state department of health says once the weather warms up, they’ll have to increase surveillance…
cut 6 (07) “….transmission”
A study from the National Center for Atmospheric Research finds New Orleans is at a high risk because of the high poverty rate and a lot of visitors from countries where Zika is prevalent.

A Slidell Teacher has been arrested for allegedly having sexual contact with students. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 1 (31) “…reporting”

A disaster recovery center opened today in Bossier City to help flood victims. It’s open seven days a week at the Bossier Parish Public Safety Complex on Shed Road. Several agencies are housed there to answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest disaster loans.

The Red River is expected to crest Sunday night at a level that hasn’t been seen in over 30 years. Avoyelles Parish Director of Homeland Security Joey Frank says so far no homes have been flooded.
cut 16 (09) “this time”
Good news for motorists heading to Texas, Interstate 10 is now open in both directions at the Texas state line.

All the flood waters and recent rainfall could lead to more mosquitoes and heath officials are urging folks to make sure they are taking precautions. Dr. Frank Welch with the Department of Health and Hospitals says this is typical for this time of year, but the flooding makes it worse…:
CUT 9 (09) “mosquitoes”
Welch says people need to remove standing water around their home to help lower the mosquito population.

Residents living in central Louisiana are keeping a close eye on the Red River as its expected to crest at its highest level in over 30 years. Avoyelles Parish Director of Homeland Security Joey Frank says there is a low spot in the levee at Brouillette and they’re using large sandbags to raise it a foot and a half. He says they’ve also raised the Vick levee 18 inches….
cut 15 (07) “…Monday morning”
Officials are asking motorists not to drive around barricades that have closed off roads because of high water.

A man suspected of stealing a generator from a home drowned as he tried to flee from the scene. LaFourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre says 37-year-old Michael Gonzales dropped the generator in the driverway and ran from a home in Golden Meadow after he was spotted by the homeowner. A witness says he saw Gonzales jump into a bayou and his body was recovered later that day.

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says his office will announce next week how much of a cut higher education and health care will receive as a result of a 70-million dollar deficit for this fiscal year. Dardenne says unfortunately these two areas are on the chopping block, because cuts have already been made to other state agencies…
cut 11 (09) “…those out”
And Dardenne says public colleges have already received a 28-million dollar loss in funding this fiscal year, because the state ran out of money to pay for TOPS scholarships.

Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden says he is almost 100% sure he’ll run for the 2nd Congressional District seat in the fall. The seat is currently held by US Representative Cedric Richmond. Political analyst Clancy Dubos….
CUT 3 (05) “for Holden”
An official announcement from Holden is expected next month.

Good news for motorists that need to travel to Texas. I-10 is open in both directions as all lanes have been re-opened, after flood waters covered the interstate on the Texas side of the highway. And the state will begin distributing disaster food stamps next week. Flood victims are encouraged to register now at DCFS’ website. To see if you qualify call 1-888-LA-HELP-

Rapides and Avoyelles Parish are preparing to protect themselves from flooding as the Red River is expected to crest at a level that hasn’t been seen in more than 30 years. Rapides Parish Homeland Security Director Sonya Wiley-Gremillion urges residents in the most flood prone areas to take action now and don’t wait until it’s too late.
Cut 13 (08) “that area”
The Red River is expected to crest at Sunday night at 39.5 feet.

Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden says he’s fairly certain he’ll run for the 2nd Congressional District seat. Holden would challenge US Representative and fellow Democrat Cedric Richmond. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says Holden ran a good campaign when he ran for Lt. Governor last year, but he did not raise a lot of campaign money…
Cut 4 (08) “not just here”
Holden plans to make an official announcement next month.

Slidell Police have arrested a girls basketball coach at Slidell High for allegedly having sexual relations with students. Police Chief Randy Smith says there were several students in which 35-year-old Raymond Winzy exhibited inappropriate behavior with…
cut 7 (10) “…with him”
Smith says police searched Winzy’s home and classroom and found nude photos and videos on multiple electronic devices.