A Slidell Teacher has been arrested for allegedly having sexual contact with students. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (31)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The extensive flooding in Louisiana is raising concerns for a boom in the mosquito population. Halen Doughty reports health officials are concerned about the diseases carried by these pesky insects….

CUT 2 (29)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden says he is 90% sure he’ll run for the 2^nd Congressional District seat this fall. Holden would challenge US Representative Cedric Richmond, who has held the seat since 2011. The term-limited Baton Rouge mayor is expected to make an official decision next week. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says if Holden gets in, it will make for an interesting race….

CUT 3 (05)  “for Holden”

Dubos says although Holden ran a good campaign when he ran for Lt. Governor last year, he did not raise a lot of campaign money, which would pose a problem…

CUT 4 (08)  “not just here”

Dubos says while it is not easy to unseat an incumbent, there is a level of dissatisfaction with the federal government, which could help Holden. Dubos says the outgoing Baton Rouge mayor and former state legislator would present a challenge for Richmond.

CUT 5 (11)  “a pushover”

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A Slidell High School teacher has been arrested after allegations of inappropriate behavior with students were reported to police. Slidell Police Chief Randy Smith says 35-year-old Raymond Winzy allegedly would start casual conversations with his students, which turned into sexual conversations. He says once Winzy gained their trust he would invite them into his classroom…

CUT 6 (11) “classroom”

Winzy was also the girls basketball coach at Slidell High School. Smith says police searched Winzy’s home and classroom and found nude photos and videos on multiple electronic devices. He says Winzy has been fired and this type of behavior will not be tolerated.

CUT 7 (10) “with him”

Winzy is charged with two counts of molestation of a juvenile by an educator, nine counts of production of child pornography, and three counts of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Smith says some students at Slidell High School have been bullied and threatened regarding this case and anyone involved will be arrested if a complaint is filed.

CUT 8 (10) “victims”

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All the flood waters are bringing in more mosquitoes and health 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”

Flooding can cause excessive mosquito breeding, which means there’s a possibility of diseases being carried by these insects. Welch says the mosquito that carries the Zika virus is active in southeast Louisiana. He says people need to remove standing water in and around their yards to keep those mosquitoes away.

cut 10 (09)  “a tire”

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Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says his office will announce next week how much of a cut in state funding 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”

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 and that cost is being absorbed by universities

cut 12 (07) “cuts around”

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Rapides and Avoyelles Parish are making preparations to protect themselves from flooding as the Red River is expected to crest over the weekend at a level that hasn’t been seen in over 30 years. The Homeland Security Director of Rapides Parish Sonya Wiley-Gremillion urges people in the most flood prone areas to take action now and not wait until it’s too late.

Cut 13 (08)  “that area”

Wiley-Gremillion says the Red River is expected to crest at 10 o’clock Sunday night at 39.5 feet. She says their main concern is the safety of the people in Rapides Parish, not their property.

cut 14 (10)  “our office”

Avoyelles Parish Director of Homeland Security Joey Frank says there is a low spot in the levee at Brouillette and they’re placing super sack 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” 

Frank says so far no homes have been flooded but many are surrounded by water.

cut 16 (09)  “this time”

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A bill to allow pet owners to have their furry friends buried alongside them will be heard in the current legislative session. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 1 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Governor John Bel Edwards’ approval rating has climbed 9-percent in just three weeks, according to a new UNO poll. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Flood victims can pre-register for disaster food stamps through the Department of Children and Family Services. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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As more rain is expected today, could that cause a problem with more flooding? State Climatologist Barry Keim says it shouldn’t contribute to more river basin flooding, but it could slow down the recovery process. But 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. He says all parts of Louisiana will receive rain but southeast Louisiana is expected to get the most today at about one to two inches.

Cut 5  (10)  “parishes”

Keim says scattered thunderstorms are also expected to move in across Louisiana but we shouldn’t see any additional problems with flooding

. Cut 6 (05)  “last week”

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A proposed bill for the current regular legislative session would allow pet owners to have their deceased pets buried alongside them in a human graveyard. Author of the legislation, Metairie Senator Conrad Appel, says currently it’s illegal in Louisiana. He says he was approached by a veterinarian who suggested creating a law because many people have strong connections with their cats and dogs.

CUT 7 (09)  “areas”

Appel says he and his family are big pet lovers and are keen on the idea of being buried with their furry friends. He says being buried with a pet is legal in a few other states and many people get upset it’s not allowed in Louisiana.

Cut 8  (08)  “cemetery “

Appel expects the legislation will get a hearing within the next few weeks. He says he doesn’t see anything wrong with allowing a pet owner this option…

Cut 9 (07)  “that option”

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Forty-three percent of Louisiana voters have a positive view of the governor, according to a new poll from the University of New Orleans. That’s compared to a 34% favorability just three weeks ago. UNO pollster Ed Chervanek says that could be because the legislature was unable to resolve the state’s budget deficit during the special session.

Cut 10 (08) “his numbers”

The poll also shows that nearly half of Louisiana residents blame former-Governor Bobby Jindal for the state’s budget crisis. Chervanek says this could be contributing to Governor John Bel Edwards’ approval rating.

cut 11 (04) “current governor”

The legislature has a much lower approval rating, receiving only a 15% favorability rating. Twenty-four percent of respondents blame the legislature for the budget deficit. Chervanek says these numbers are comparable to the ratings for Washington politicians.

cut 12 (07) “happening here”

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The Department of Children and Family Services is asking flood victims to pre-register for disaster food stamps. Distribution begins next week in 23 parishes that were declared federal disaster areas as a result of the catastrophic flooding. Deputy Assistant Secretary of DCFS, Sammy Guillory, says people can pre-register online.

Cut 13 (08)  “SNAP”

DSNAP provides food support to eligible families who were impacted by the flooding and do not currently receive food stamps.

Cut 14 (11)  “related expenses” 

Guillory says individuals who pre-registered can go to one of the sites in the affected parishes to get their cards. He says the benefits should be available rather quickly.

Cut 15 (06) “or two”

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The sixth ranked LSU baseball team begins SEC play tonight against Alabama. Coach Paul Mainieri has made a change to his weekend rotation. Last year’s national freshman of the year, Alex Lange, has been starting the second game of the three-game sets, but tonight he’ll get the ball to start the series and he’s looking forward to it…

Cut 16  (16)  “to that“

Through four starts this season, Lange has not been as sharp as his freshman campaign. His ERA is 4.24 and he’s walked 13 hitters in 23.1 innings. Coach Paul Mainieri believes moving him up a day to pitch, may help him…

Cut 17 (20)  all year”

LSU will not have third baseman O’Neal Lochridge for the start of conference play. His back continues to give him problems. Mainieri says he’ll start Chris Reid at the hot corner and he likes what he sees from Reid…

Cut 18 (20) “really well”