An audit of the state’s foster care program unveiled some not-so-surprising shortcomings. Karen Leblanc with the legislative auditor’s office says they found not all foster care providers had the required criminal background checks. They either had no check, or they were not completed in a timely manner….:
Cut 12 (10) “foster care provider”
Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says they’ve been trying to call attention to the problem after the department lost 2,000 workers under the previous administration. She says they average 16 cases each, putting a heavy burden on vital employees..:
Cut 13 (12) “of caseloads”
Walters blames a high turnover rate and increasing number of foster kids in the system.

A year ago today 77% of the city of Denham Springs was impacted by at least 18 inches of water during the historic floods of 2016. Mayor Gerard Landry says for the most part, businesses that were impacted have either rebuilt or relocated, but the it’s the citizens that are having the hardest time in the recovery, especially those not insured…:
Cut 10 (10) “these folks”
US Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson is touring Denham today and will speak this afternoon.

The Baton Rouge Advocate reports the Saints are looking to trade cornerback Delvin Breaux. The report says the team is frustrated with the number of games he’s missed because of injuries the last three years.

US Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson is touring Denham Springs today, one year after the majority of the town was under water in the August 2016 floods. He is slated to be with Mayor Gerard Landry who said on Talk Louisiana memories of the devastating event are something no resident in the Livingston Parish town will ever forget…:
CUT 9 (10) “not a sprint”

Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham said in an interview with the Fox network that he does not stand by any of the comments made by David Duke who was on hand at the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville. Fellow Republican Congressman Tom Garrett of Virginia blamed the violence on outsiders from states like Louisiana, like Duke. Abraham said he’s offended by the comment and that the former KKK grand wizard does not speak for Louisiana.

Today, a new boutique paddle wheeler cruise ship makes her maiden voyage from the Port of New Orleans. Port spokesperson Donnell Jackson says the American Duchess is an all-suite 166-guest ship offering inland cruises in the Lower Mississippi River…:
Cut 6 (11) “loft suites”
The American Duchess is the third vessel in the American Queen Steamboat Company’s fleet.

Quarterback Lindsey Scott is transferring from LSU. The redshirt-freshman from Zachary announced his decision on twitter this morning. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says Scott is behind starter Danny Etling and true freshman Myles Brennan on the depth chart…:
Cut 3 (10) “too much”
Head Coach Ed Orgeron said in a statement that Scott is a great young man and they wish him all of the best in the future.

The state’s budget deficit for fiscal year 2018, which begins next July, is up to one-point-five billion dollars. Most of the shortfall is due to the loss of temporary taxes. But rising costs and inflationary expenses also make up the budget gap. Some don’t feel inflation should be included, but Barry Dusse, with the governor’s budget office, responded that’s the law:
Cut 14 (07) “look like”
Legislators and the governor have yet to reach an agreement on how to handle the fiscal cliff.

Former prison warden Nate Cain, the son of former Angola Warden Burl Cain, is facing 18 federal fraud charges over purchases he allegedly made with state credit cards during his tenure at Avoyelles Correctional Center in Cottonport. The 50-year-old and his wife, Tonia, each face one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 17 counts of wire fraud. Nate Cain resigned his post last year amid multiple investigations surrounding his family’s links to alleged corruption.

First Lady Donna Edwards launched a website that provides a network of support for foster parents. Edwards says at Louisiana-fosters-dot-la-dot-gov, there’s a list of organizations who can provide much needed assistance to help foster parents take care of their children…..
cut 12 (10) “….foster parents”
The website also contains information how you can become a foster parent.

Another inch of rain is expected to fall across Louisiana this weekend as the daily showers and thunderstorms will not stop. State Climatologist Barry Keim says at least the wet ground is helping to cool things off during one of Louisiana’s hottest months of the year…
cut 4 (10) “…creeping up”
He says the wet pattern is caused by summer fronts crossing Louisiana and stalling along the coast.

The state’s budget deficit for fiscal year 2018, which begins next July, is up to one-point-five billion dollars. Most of the shortfall is due to the loss of temporary taxes. But rising costs and inflationary expenses also make up the budget gap. But Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin questions why inflationary costs are included in the fiscal cliff deficit..:
Cut 13 (07) “scares everybody”
An agreement between the governor and legislators on how to close the budget gap has yet to be reached and it will likely take a special session to do so.

The Lafayette Police Department has made an arrest in the bizarre kidnapping incident last weekend. Lawrence Handley was apprehended at a Slidell hotel after an extensive manhunt. He was wanted in connection with the case of a woman who was abducted by two men who later drowned in West Baton Rouge when trying to evade police, who located the victim in a van the men were driving. Cops said the incident appears to have stemmed from an ongoing domestic dispute between Handley and the female victim.

First Lady Donna Edwards is teaming up with the Department of Children and Family Services to launch a new program supporting foster parents…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Department of Transportation says it’s been given the all clear to go ahead with the project to widen I-10 from Highland Road in Baton Rouge, to LA 73 in Ascension Parish. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says it’s very exciting…:
Cut 7 (08) “on a regular basis”
Wilson says it will take around two and a half years to widen the interstate by one lane in each direction.

Louisiana’s budget deficit for the fiscal year that starts next July is now up to one-point-five billion dollars. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Police in Baton Rouge say a 22-year-old man is dead and his cousin recovering from a gunshot wound after the two were lured to an apartment complex in hopes of selling a phone to someone they met online. Investigators believe the victims were robbed then shot while inside their vehicle before the suspect or suspects fled. 22-year-old Austin Rashaad Norwood was killed. Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact authorities.

It’s been a wet couple of weeks in the Bayou State, and State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s not showing any signs of stopping. He says the wet pattern is caused by summer fronts crossing Louisiana and stalling along the coast. He says that’s what led to the downpour in New Orleans, and now there’s another front heading our way…:
Cut 3 (10) “a few days”
A 60% chance of coverage is forecast for Southeast Louisiana. The rest of the state can expect a stray shower or two this weekend.

The Department of Transportation says it’s been given the all clear to go ahead with the project to widen I-10 from Highland Road in Baton Rouge, to LA 73 in Ascension Parish. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says motorists should start seeing activity before the end of the year…:
Cut 6 (04) “of 2018″
Wilson says it will take around two and a half years to widen the interstate by one lane in each direction.

A weeklong search for a suspected kidnapper has ended, as Lafayette authorities say Lawrence Michael Handley is in custody. Handley is accused of kidnapping a woman who was found in the back of a van in West Baton Rouge Parish. Two suspects evaded police and drowned in the Intracaostal Canal. Handley is charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping, attempted and second degree kidnapping, and violation of a protective order.

The state’s budget deficit for next fiscal year has grown to $1.5 billion, up from $1.2 billion. Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin questions why the deficit has been increased to one-point-five billion dollars, when legislators do not have to fund inflationary costs.

Cut 15 (11) “this year”

It will likely take a special session to address the fiscal cliff.

Louisiana Fosters is a new program that seeks to help connect foster parents with community resources. Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says these organizations can offer the kind of support her department cannot.

Cut 9 (08) “to be supported”

For more information, visit LouisianaFosters.La.gov.

It’s looking like a wet weekend in the Bayou State. But State Climatologist Barry Keim says the good news is the rain is cooling things off during one of the hottest months of the year.

Cut 4 (10) “creeping up”

Keim says fronts stalling along the coast are the cause of the continued rains.

Louisiana foster parents can find support thanks to a new website launched by First Lady Donna Edwards. DCFS Secretary Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says it takes more than government to raise a child. That’s why this program gets the community involved to help…:
Cut 10 (08) “little bit of respite”
Louisiana-fosters-dot-la-dot-gov connects parents with businesses, church groups and nonprofits to help meet the child’s needs.

The Department of Transportation says it’s been given the all clear to go ahead with the project to widen I-10 from Highland Road in Baton Rouge, to LA 73 in Ascension Parish. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says it’s very exciting that this major improvement to infrastructure is being made on such a heavily traveled thoroughfare…:
Cut 7 (08) “on a regular basis”
Wilson says it will take around two and a half years to widen the interstate by one lane in each direction.

The state’s budget deficit for fiscal year 2018, which begins next July, is up to one-point-five billion dollars. The previous budget deficit estimate was one-point-two billion dollars. Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin questions why the deficit has been increased to one-point-five billion dollars, when legislators do not have to fund inflationary costs…:
Cut 15 (11) “this year”
An agreement between the governor and legislators on how to close the budget gap has yet to be reached and it will likely take a special session to do so.

Cops in Tangipahoa Parish say a man, who reportedly refused to leave someone’s property and allegedly was threatening residents with a knife, was shot and killed Thursday evening. They say 53-year-old Ronald Morgan was found dead outside of a Ponchatoula home. Detectives say the homeowner had an active protective order against Morgan. TPSO said the deadly shooting remains under investigation, but no charges have been filed as of now.

The state’s budget deficit for fiscal year 2018, which begins next July, is up to one-point-five billion dollars. Most of the shortfall is due to the loss of temporary taxes. But rising costs and inflationary expenses also make up the budget gap. Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin questions why inflationary costs are included in the fiscal cliff deficit…:
Cut 13 (07) “scares everybody”
An agreement between the governor and legislators on how to close the budget gap has yet to be reached and it will likely take a special session to do so.

It’s been a wet week and it looks to be a wet weekend. State climatologist Barry Keim says all that moisture in the air is pushing humidity levels way up, but at least it’s not as hot…:
Cut 5 (10) “any day”
He says the wet pattern is caused by summer fronts crossing Louisiana and stalling along the coast.

First Lady Donna Edwards is teaming up with the Department of Children and Family Services to launch a new program supporting foster parents…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu today announced an update on flooding concerns saying that repairs and tests have been completed and crews were able to put a damaged power providing turbine back into service. But he says even though the reinstall was successful, the pump system still has limits. Two of the five turbines that power the pumps are now functional. Two more are scheduled to return to service later this month.

Louisiana foster parents can find support thanks to a new website launched by First Lady Donna Edwards. Louisiana-fosters-dot-la-dot-gov connects parents with businesses, church groups and nonprofits to help meet the child’s needs. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says these groups can provide parents with assistance that the state can’t offer…:
Cut 9 (08) “to be supported”
At any given time, there are about 4,300 children in foster care in Louisiana.

The Department of Transportation says it’s been given the all clear to go ahead with the project to widen I-10 from Highland Road in Baton Rouge, to LA 73 in Ascension Parish. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says motorists should start seeing activity before the end of the year…:
CUT 6 (04) “of 2018”
Wilson says it will take around two and a half years to widen the interstate by one lane in each direction.

Louisiana’s budget deficit for the fiscal year that starts next July is now up to one-point-five billion dollars. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

It’s been a wet couple of weeks in the Bayou State, and State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s not showing any signs of stopping. He says the wet pattern is caused by summer fronts crossing Louisiana and stalling along the coast….:
Cut 3 (10) “a few days”
He says we can expect to stay in a wet pattern at least through the weekend.

One year ago today, rains began pouring down on south Louisiana, causing a flood of biblical proportions.The Lafayette Parish town of Youngsville saw most of its residents displaced because of the water. Mayor Ken Ritter says to this day, crews work seven days a week in drainage channels to stay a step ahead of the next rain event…:
Cut 10 (10) “great results”
20 parishes were declared federal disaster areas as a result of the flood.

Louisiana has moved up a couple of spots to number two when it comes to the most expensive car insurance rates in the country. Don Molino has the story:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

If you’re going to be viewing the August 21st eclipse with special glasses to protect your eyes, Executive Director of the Optometry Association of Louisiana Dr. James Sandifer says make sure they’re authentic…:
Cut 6 (10) “and viewers”
He adds you should never stare directly at the eclipse without special glasses.