Tropical Storm Cindy is heading towards the Louisiana coast, bringing with it the potential for a foot of rain in some areas. State climatologist Barry Keim says the heaviest rains are expected in southeast Louisiana, but the entire coast is vulnerable.

Cut 8 (09) “heavy rainfall”

Residents are already preparing in St. Tammany Parish. Parish President Pat Brister says the National Weather Service is calling for as much as 10 inches of rain in her parish. She says river and street flooding are their biggest concerns.

Cut 12 (08) “anything else”

Forecasters have also issued a flash flood watch for north Louisiana from Wednesday night through Friday morning, with four to 8 inches of rain expected.

The Department of Education announces beginning July 1 all new applicants for the state’s Childcare Assistance Program will be placed on a wait list. Michelle Southern has more…

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State Police are searching for two New Iberia children who are believed to be in imminent danger. Authorities say 7-year-old Easten Alfred and 4-year-old Endie Dacosta were last seen this morning. The children are believed to be with their mother Raven Dacosta, who was last seen on Highway 14 between New Iberia and Delcambre.

Heavy rainfall is expected across Louisiana, as Tropical Storm Cindy moves towards the southwestern part of the coast. Jeff Palermo has more:
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Coastal Parishes are getting ready with sandbags like Lafourche. Brennan Matherne with the Sheriff’s Office urges residents who flood during heavy rain events to take precautions…:
Cut 10 (11) “changes”

Public schools will no longer be permitted to physically punish children with developmental disabilities after a measure was signed into law by Governor Edwards. Senate Education Chairman Blade Morrish:
Cut 13 (06) “those students”
He says schools didn’t push back against this legislation.

As demand for state childcare assistance rises, the Department of Education announces beginning July 1, new applicants will be placed on a waiting list. Assistant superintendent of early childhood development Jenna Conway says applications will be processed until June 30 so families should apply now…;
Cut 5 (10) “immediately”
The program grew exponentially when DOE lowered the work threshold for families to qualify, from 30 to 20 hours a week, and the lack of funding keeps them from accommodating everyone.

A potential tropical system that’s churning the Gulf of Mexico is expected to dump a ton of rain on South Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says storm surge could be an issue in coastal areas, and it’s possible a tornado could form. But he says rain and potential flash flooding will be the biggest problems…:
Cut 7 (09) “rain volumes”
Total rain accumulations of 6 to 9 inches are expected, with isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches over southeastern Louisiana. The National Hurricane Center says the system has become better organized since yesterday, but still lacks a well-defined center.

St. Tammany Parish President Pat Brister is getting her residents prepared. She says the parish does not have many drainage pumps so the rely on gravity…:
Cut 11 (08) “the parish”

The Department of Education says, beginning July 1, new applicants for state childcare assistance will be placed on a waiting list. Assistant superintendent of early childhood development Jenna Conway says the federally funded program offers subsidies for working families to choose a childcare provider…:
Cut 3 (11) “afford childcare”
She says more people are going back to work which means more childcare is needed, hence the need for a waiting list.

Sheriff’s deputies in St. Tammany are investigating a double homicide and have released the name of the suspect at large. They say Jason Magee III is wanted on two counts of first degree murder in the death of his ex-wife and her boyfriend.

Potential tropical storm three could drop a foot in southeast Louisiana. State climatologist Barry Keim says the system is expected to make landfall as a tropical storm near the Texas-Louisiana border late Wednesday or early Thursday morning, but the largest rain totals will occur to the east of the storm’s center…:
Cut 6 (08) “15 inches”
Flash flood watches are in effect across south Louisiana through Thursday evening.

Lafourche Parish is gearing up for the rain. Brennan Matherne with the Sheriff’s Office says officials are continuing to pump down drainage canals, and sandbags are available at all field office locations:
Cut 9 (09) “your own”
He urges residents who flood during heavy rain events to take precautions.

As demand for state childcare assistance rises, the Department of Education announces beginning July 1, new applicants will be placed on a waiting list. The program grew exponentially when DOE lowered the work threshold for families to qualify, from 30 to 20 hours a week. Assistant superintendent of early childhood development Jenna Conway…:
Cut 4 (10) “dramatically increased”
Conway says unfortunately, the program is underfunded to sustain this kind of growth, which is why the date-based wait list is necessary.

Louisiana’s craft beer industry is growing rapidly, according to Executive Director of the Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild, Cary Koch. He says 6 new breweries opened last year, and even more are in the planning stages..:
Cut 25 (08) “out of state”
Louisiana is currently home to 30 craft breweries.

The National Hurricane Center says the area of low pressure in the Gulf of Mexico is becoming better organized. They say the disturbance will likely become a tropical or subtropical cyclone later today. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says many parishes are already handing out sandbags in preparation for what is mostly forecast now to be a rain event, and is expected to peak Wednesday and Thursday…:
Cut 14 (12) “another issue”
A Tropical Storm Warning continues along the Louisiana coast.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a double homicide, which they say occurred yesterday evening in the Pearl River area. No further details are currently available.

The LSU Tigers are licking their wounds today after an embarrassing 13-1 loss last night to Oregon State in the College World Series. The Bayou Bengals now head into an elimination game against Florida State tomorrow night.

Louisiana becomes the first state to “ban-the-box,” prohibiting state colleges from inquiring about a potential student’s criminal history during the application process. Annie Freitas, the program director with the Louisiana Prison Education Coalition, says this bill, that the governor signed, had bi-partisan support after public testimony…:
Cut 6 (o9) “people’s lives”
She says the recidivism rate drops by at least 40-percent when a convicted felon is able to access any kind of higher education.

The 10th annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off gets underway today at the CajunDome in Lafayette. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says it’s great that the Acadiana region is hosting such a high profile event…:
Cut 9 (10) “for Lafayette”
The cook-off, which is relocating from New Orleans, will feature a dozen Louisiana chefs competing.

Tropical storm conditions are expected to reach the state late today. The National Weather Service is calling for four to eight inches of rain across southeast Louisiana, with isolated amounts of 10 inches…:
Cut 13 (12) “red flag”
That’s Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesperson, Mike Steele who encourages the public to get ready now.

Louisiana is the first state in the country to ban the box on college admissions asking if a prospective student has a criminal record. Annie Freitas, with the Louisiana Prison Education Coalition, says this is a step in the right direction for prison reform…:
Cut 4 (10) “criminal conviction”
She says the recidivism rate drops by at least 40-percent when a convicted felon goes back to school.

The Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off gets underway in Lafayette today…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Louisiana’s craft beer industry keeps growing, as 6 new breweries opened last year, and even more are in the planning stage. That’s according to Executive Director of the Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild, Cary Koch, who says they hope policymakers will create more incentives for the industry, like the option for self-distribution…:
Cut 12 (10) “the distributors”

The National Hurricane Center says a tropical storm warning is in effect for most of Louisiana’s coast, as a system churns in the central Gulf of Mexico. They say the disturbance is expected to be near the Bayou State late Wednesday. GOHSEP spokesman Mike Steele says one of the biggest problems from this could be flash flooding on the roads…:
Cut 15 (10) “still applies”
Forecasters are calling for 3-6 inches of rain statewide, and up to 15 inches in some areas.

LSU’s 17-game winning streak came to a screeching halt as the Oregon State Beavers devoured the Tigers 13-1 in a winner’s bracket contest in the College World Series last night. Coach Paul Mainieri says the turning point of the game was when starter Eric Walker left the in the third with forearm soreness. The Tigers play an elimination game tomorrow night against Florida State.

Louisiana is the first state to prohibit public colleges from asking about criminal history on a prospective student’s application…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The 10th annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off gets underway today at the CajunDome in Lafayette. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says a dozen Louisiana chefs are taking part…:
Cut 7 (09) “next year”
This is the first year the event will be held in Acadiana, as it usually takes place in New Orleans.

LSU’s 17-game winning streak came to a screeching halt as the Oregon State Beavers devoured the Tigers 13-1 in a winner’s bracket contest in the College World Series last night. Coach Paul Mainieri says it was not a pretty game for the Bayou Bengals…:
Cut 16 (16) “excellent ball club”
LSU’s offense managed just four hits as Oregon State pitcher Bryce Fehmel pitched eight strong innings. Tigers center fielder Zach Watson says Fehmel kept them off balanced…:
Cut 18 (09) “struggled to hit him”
The Tigers play an elimination game against Florida State tomorrow night.

LSU announced Monday senior center Elbert Robinson will leave the basketball team due to medical reasons, but will remain in school to graduate. Coach Will Wade’s roster now consists of 12 scholarship players, following Robinson’s departure.

Ragin’ Cajuns baseball player Jam Williams officially joined the UL-Lafayette football team on Monday. Williams becomes the fifth dual-sport athlete for the Ragin’ Cajuns in the past four years.

A wrestler from Airline High School in Bossier City is the 16-year-old that was murdered on Father’s Day, according to reports. Cops say an ongoing dispute is likely what lead to the death of Jamarcus Gay who had competed in the LHSAA Wrestling Championships in February. 19-year-old Phillip Woods of Springhill is charged with second degree murder in the incident.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries cited two men for allegedly selling red snapper illegally in Terrebonne Parish, which agents say also lead to drug charges. They say the men did not have a commercial wholesale dealer’s license, and drugs and pot were found on their boat.

Tropical storm conditions are expected to reach the state later today and state officials are gearing up for potential flooding…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A tropical storm warning is in place for portions of Louisiana’s coast as that weather system approaches from the Gulf of Mexico.

In the College World Series last night, LSU found out why Oregon State has just four losses, but the struggling Tigers also helped them in a 13-1 defeat to the top seeded Beavers. LSU plays an elimination game against Florida State tomorrow night.

Louisiana is the first state in the country to ban the box on college admissions asking if a prospective student has a criminal record. Annie Freitas with the Louisiana Prison Education Coalition says the recidivism rate drops by at least 40-percent when a convicted felon goes back to school…:
Cut 5 (05) “public safety”
She says it was great to see this measure signed into law with bi-partisan support.

Louisiana’s craft beer industry is growing rapidly, according to Executive Director of the Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild, Cary Koch. He says 6 new breweries opened last year, and even more are in the planning stages…:
Cut 10 (08) “out of state”

State officials are preparing for potential flooding as a strong storm moves towards the southwestern coast of Louisiana. Mike Steele with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness says the National Weather Service is calling for three to six inches of rain across much of the state, with some areas a foot of rain.

Cut 23 (12) “red flag”

Steele encourages the public to prepare for the coming storm now.

Governor John Bel Edwards says there’s no guarantee he will call a special session to address the fiscal cliff, when temporary taxes are set to expire in 2018. Edwards says the options before the legislature won’t be any different than they were this year.

Cut 7 (09) “more seriously”

Edwards remains skeptical a special session would be any more effective than this year’s disappointing fiscal session.

It was three years ago today, Jefferson Parish Congressman Steve Scalise was elected US House Majority Whip. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says Scalise says both parties and the national media view Scalise as a rising political star.

Cut 13 (09) “for his party”

Scalise continues to recover from a gunshot wound incurred at a Virginia shootout on members of congress.

Louisiana needs to improve the way it serves older adults and those with disabilities, according to a scorecard from AARP. Advocacy Director for AARP Louisiana, Andrew Muhl, says Louisiana has an unbalanced long term care system because Medicaid dollars tend to go towards nursing homes when many older adults want to stay at home with help from family and friends.

Cut 15 (10) “doing that”

He says as a state, we have a lot of work to do.