Louisiana flood victims have received over one billion dollars in flood insurance payments in less than three months after the historic flooding. Wayne Berggren (Berg-gren) with the National Flood Insurance Program says they’ve seen over 29-thousand claims submitted for review and payment and of that 48-percent have been closed out…:
CUT 7 (08) “flood insurance”
Berggren says the average payment a homeowner covered under the National Flood Insurance Program is about $68,000.

A dangerous couple is behind bars following a traffic stop in Covington that led to a disturbing discovery. Capt. Daniel Seuzeneau with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says Monroe Myers and his girlfriend, Winter Flowers, were pulled over for a missing taillight…:
Cut 13 (07) “drug paraphernalia”
He says deputies also discovered a sawed off 20 gauge shotgun disguised as a children’s toy. The two face several charges.

LSU Health New Orleans is offering free well water testing in areas affected by the historic flooding in August. Assistant Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Adrienne Katner says test kits that could be used to analyze for metals and bacteria will be distributed to French Settlement in Livingston Parish this week…:
cut 4 (10) “the well”
To learn more about the study email well-testing-at-L-S-U-H-S-C-dot-edu.

Two former high ranking officials at Angola are expected to turn themselves in today amid allegations they stole at least $160,000 dollars from a fund intended to benefit employees at the Louisiana State Penitentiary. Col. Shirley Whittington and former Lt. Col. Deborah Leonard, are each wanted on warrants of felony theft over $25,000.

Research from the American Cancer Society finds Louisiana ranks fifth in the nation for the number of smoking-related cancer deaths. Michelle Southern reports…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A dangerous couple is behind bars following a traffic stop in Covington that led to a disturbing discovery. Capt. Daniel Seuzeneau with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says Monroe Myers and his girlfriend, Winter Flowers, were pulled over for a missing taillight. He says detectives discovered methamphetamine, heroin, and paraphernalia, as well as a gun that was disguised as a children’s toy.

Voters around the state are exercised their right to vote on this first day of early voting. Charles and Kathleen Gendusa were among those that cast their vote on the first day the polls opened. They were so eager to vote, they even showed up a day early.

Cut 12 (09) “back today”

Early voting will be open every day but Sunday until November 1.

There is serious conversation about an east-west interstate that would cross central Louisiana through Alexandria, connecting western Texas to Georgia. Malcom Morris with the Gulf Coast Strategic Highway Coalition, says they’re working on getting a federal designation and Texas has already been issued one.

Cut 3 (11) “designation”

Morris says I-14 is probably 10 years out from being constructed.

Voters in Baton Rouge and around the state are exercising their right to vote today on this first day of early voting. Charles and Kathleen Gendusa were among those that cast their vote on the first day the polls opened. They say they were hoping to go before the lines got long, and they were so eager to vote, they even showed up a day early.

Cut 12 (09) “back today”

Early voting will be open from 8:30 am until 6 pm every day except Sunday through November 1.

With only two weeks to go until the election, there are concerns about parties being able to reunite after US Senate candidates have been bashing one another within their own party. Executive Director of the Louisiana Democratic Party, Stephen Handwerk, expects this will make it harder for the party to come together behind whoever makes the runoff.

Cut 6 (07) “attacking you”

Thirty two percent of all cancer deaths in Louisiana are related to smoking, according to data from the American Cancer Society. Melissa Martin with the Louisiana Department of Health says they’re doing what they can to reduce the number of smokers, which starts with keeping kids from lighting up in the first place.

Cut 9 (07) “our state”

Louisiana came in fifth in the nation on the report.

Conversations are underway about building a new interstate through central Louisiana. Malcom Morris with the Gulf Coast Strategic Highway Coalition says a new interstate that runs east and west would have tremendous benefits for the military bases in and around CENLA.

Cut 5 (12) “…to them”

He says it will be at least a decade before construction begins.

Early voting begins today for the November 8th election. Secretary of State Tom Schedler expects a high turnout this year…:
CUT 5 (10) “we can’t”
There are changes to early voting locations and you can find that information at geauxvote.com.

Party leaders on both sides in Louisiana seem to agree that US Senate candidate & former KKK leader David Duke should be allowed to participate in the debate if he polled high enough. Executive Director of the Louisiana Democratic Party Stephen Handwerk says they also share the same opinion on whether or not they would like to hear what Duke has to say…:
CUT 7 (10) “opinion”
Duke is one of six candidates who polled above five percent, making them eligible for the debate that will be held November 2 at Dillard University in New Orleans.

There’s talk of central Louisiana getting a second interstate, called I-14, connecting Texas to Georgia. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Louisiana ranks fifth in the nation for the number of smokers who died from lung cancer, according to research from the American Cancer Society. Chronic Disease Director with the Louisiana Department of Health, Melissa Martin, says smokers can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for help…:
cut 11 (09) “replacement therapy”

There is serious conversation about an east-west interstate that would cross central Louisiana through Alexandria, connecting western Texas to Georgia. Malcom Morris of Leesville, who is with the Gulf Coast Strategic Highway Coalition, says the chance of a new interstate called I-14, is very likely…:
Cut 3 (11) “designation”
Morris says once a designation is received, a corridor is selected but the interstate is probably 10 years out from being constructed.

Today is the first day of early voting and taking selfies in the booth of all things has been a big topic of controversy this cycle. Louisiana GOP executive director Jason Dore says social media is a huge part of the world today and sees this as an extension of that…:
Cut 8 (07) “great thing”
Early voting runs through November 1st but not Sunday.

Louisiana ranks fifth in the nation for the number of smokers who died from lung cancer, according to research from the American Cancer Society. Thirty-two percent of all cancer deaths in Louisiana are attributed to smoking. Chronic Disease Director with the state Department of Health, Melissa Martin, says smoking prevention starts with kids…:
Cut 9 (07) “our state”
The report shows Louisiana ranks second for the number of male smokers who died from lung cancer, at 38-percent.

The LSU-Alabama game is still over a week and a half away and the hype is building. Tigers running back Leonard Fournette appeared on SEC Now with Peter Burns and played a game of “fact or fiction.” Leonard was asked if LSU will beat Alabama this year and Fournette said fact.

We’re two weeks away from Election Day, and party leaders on both sides are facing similar struggles. Candidates for US Senate have been going at it with opponents from their own party. Executive Director of the Louisiana Democratic Party Stephen Handwerk says those vicious blows will make it harder for the party to come together after November 8th…:
Cut 6 (07) “attacking you”
Early voting got underway today and runs through November 1st, but not Sunday. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says reminds voters that Election Day is on a Tuesday, so it might be easier for people to early vote, especially flood victims…:
cut 4 (07) “office again”
Some early voting locations have changed sites and you can get that information online at geauxvote.com.

Only 30-percent of state judgeships are held by women in Louisiana, and racial minorities make up only 23 percent of those on the bench. That’s according to a study by Tulane University and Political scientist Sally Kenney. She says there are over 100 judicial vacancies in the country, and many senators have declined to give approval to fill those positions:
cut 12 (10) “judicial districts”
She says we need to start conversations about women and minority inclusion.

A Baton Rouge teacher is under arrest amid allegations he made lewd sexual comments to a student after watching a video of her twerking. The Sheriff’s Office says 32-year-old Christopher Shepard, now on leave from Scotlandville High, was booked on a a misdemeanor charge of prohibited sexual conduct between educator and student.

Early voting begins today for the November 8th election and officials are expecting a high turnout. Secretary of State Tom Schedler reminds residents that this year you’ll get a Blue Dog sticker once you cast your ballot and that includes early voting. He says this year’s I Voted stickers are a hot item…:
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Schedler says in addition to the president race, there are 220 races statewide involving more than 700 candidates.

Executive Director of the Louisiana Democratic Party on why he believes Donald Trump is the front runner in Louisiana..:
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The GOP in Louisiana believes voters here like Trump because they share the same values.

There aren’t many women or racial minorities in Louisiana’s judicial system, according to a study by Tulane University. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Former LSU star and NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal is now an owner of a Krispy Kreme Doughnut franchise and global spokesperson for the brand. Shaq is a known superfan of Krispy Kreme and in 2009 was filmed staring longingly at a glazed variety as Mariah Carey’s We Belong Together played int he background. He’s taking ownership of the historic Krispy Kreme shop on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Atlanta.

Republican Donald Trump leads Democrat Hillary Clinton in the statewide polls with only two weeks left until Election Day. Emelie Gunn has more:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Early voting begins today for the November 8th election. Secretary of State Tom Schedler expects a high turnout this year…:
CUT 5 (10) “we can’t”
There are changes to early voting locations and you can find that information at geauxvote.com.

Officials in Tangipahoa Parish continue to look for a man who is accused of shooting his ex-wife in the head outside of her home. Dawn Panepinto with the Sheriff’s Office says 53-year-old Jerry Williams Jr. has a history of physical abuse against the murder victim, 50-year-old Linda Williams…:
CUT 8 (10) “etc”
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Williams Junior is urged to contact authorities.

A study by Tulane University finds that women and racial minorities are not widely present in Louisiana’s judicial system. Political scientist Sally Kenney with Tulane’s Newcomb College Institute says white males dominating the court can affect how fair people perceive the system to be
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They found only 30-percent of state judgeships are held by women, and 23 percent are racial minorities.