LSU takes on Wisconsin tomorrow at historic Lambeau Field in Green Bay, and an organization in Madison is helping out with flood relief donations during the game. Judd Schemmel, with American Family Insurance, says they want to use all of the media attention around the contest to remind fans across the country that there are flood victims in Louisiana that can use some help…:
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He says they are encouraging football fans to donate to the Red Cross by texting “LAFLOOD” to 90999.

Additional criminal charges have been filed against the driver of the bus who crashed into emergency vehicles in St. John Parish, causing the death of three people including the fire chief. The third victim succumbed to injuries on Thursday. State Police say Denis Yasmir Amaya Rodriguez, an illegal alien, is booked with 3 counts of Negligent Homicide, 41 counts of Negligent Injuring, Reckless Operation and No Driver’s License.

A new report from Trust for America’s Health finds Louisiana has the highest adult obesity rate in the country, at 36-percent. Bob Johannessen with LDH says it might be a new report, but it’s certainly not new news. He says studies dating back to 2008 have shown Louisiana as one of the heaviest states in the nation…:
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Johannessen says they recommend that everyone eat at least five fruits and vegetables a day and eliminate sugary drinks from their diet.

The Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday begins today and lasts through Sunday. Department of Revenue Spokesperson Byron Henderson says you can find a list of items eligible for a two percent discount online…:
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He says many sportsmen are eager to purchase new supplies with hunting season right around the corner.

Tomorrow’s game between LSU and Wisconsin means the start of the season for many fans, and also some much needed relief for flood victims. Jeff Palermo has more…:
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Today Governor John Bel Edwards is touring construction sites under the new Shelter at Home program throughout communities that were damaged in the recent historic flood. His office says 15 homes have already qualified to receive up to $15,000 in work done to their home so that they can live there while they rebuild. You can register for the program at shelter-at-home-dot-la-dot-gov.

Louisiana has received an additional 40-million dollars in federal highway funding. State Department of Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the state has already received 60-million in federal dollars for the I-10 widening project between I-49 and the Atchafalya Basin. So this additional 40-million, will free up funds to improve the access into Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City…:
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He says they also plan to address the Washington Street exit problem in Baton Rouge.

The second amendment sales tax holiday is underway. Eligible items like guns and ammo will be eligible for a discount on the state sales tax. Byron Henderson with the state Department of Revenue says it’s not completely tax free this year because the holiday was changed during this year’s legislative session…:
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You can get more information online at revenue.louisiana.gov.

Tomorrow is the big game between LSU and Wisconsin, and Madison-based American Family Insurance is partnering with Wisconsin athletics to raise money that will go towards American Red Cross’ flood relief efforts in Louisiana. Judd Schemmel is with American Family Insurance..:
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He says they are encouraging football fans to donate to the Red Cross by texting “LAFLOOD” to 90999.

State Police say a third person has succumbed to injuries sustained in the St. John Parish bus crash that also claimed the life of a fire chief. They say 33-year-old Vontarous Kelly of Moss Point, MS, a passenger in a vehicle that was hit, died Thursday. The driver of the bus, a man who is in the US illegally, is facing more charges in addition to the two counts of negligent homicide. St. John Fire Chief Spencer Chauvin of Gramercy, LA and 21 year old Jermaine Starr of Moss Point, MS also died in the crash.

Over a dozen homes have already been approved for the Louisiana Shelter at Home Program and will have construction begin today. Eligible flood victims could get up to $15,000 to fix their homes so they can live in them while they rebuild. Julie Baxter Payer is with the Governor’s Office. She says once approved, a contractor is contacted…:
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You can still register online at shelter-at-home-dot-la-dot-gov.

The 2nd Amendment sales tax holiday kicked off today and will run through Sunday. Eligible items will get a two percent discount on the state sales tax…:
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That’s Byron Henderson with the state Department of Revenue.

The Louisiana Shelter at Home Program is moving right along. Julie Baxter Payer with the Governor’s office says construction has become on at least 15 homes to make livable while the residents rebuild. She says they plan on ramping up construction on other homes next week and the response so far has been great…:
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Louisiana has picked up $40 million dollars in federal aid for highway projects, adding to the $60 million dollar grant the state has already received. State Department of Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the money will go toward a number of projects, including relocating the Washington Street exit in Baton Rouge near the Mississippi River Bridge…:
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The announcement is also a boost to work on the entrance of Barksdale Air Force Base near Shreveport. And also the I-10 widening project between I-49 and the Atchafalya Basin.

After a rough summer for Louisiana with shootings and flooding, the state can enjoy some LSU football on Saturday. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
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More artists have been added to the Labor Day benefit concert for flood relief called Louisiana Rising. Hosted by Louisiana natives Harry Connick Jr and Randy Jackson, featured musicians include Aaron Neville, Hunter Hayes and Better Than Ezra. The show will be broadcast from Baton Rouge’s River Center Theater and will benefit the American Red Cross Louisiana Flood Relief. Find out where to watch at louisiana-rising-flood-relief.com.

Construction begins today on 15 homes that have been approved for the Shelter At Home Program. The Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff Julie Baxter Payer says they’re moving as quickly as possible to get flood damaged homes ready to live in. She says they’ve received nearly 15-thousand applications and the number keeps growing…:
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Flood victims can register for the program at shelter-at-home-dot-la-dot-gov.

If you’re looking for temporary work, FEMA is hiring. They are advertising through the Louisiana Workforce Commission to fill open positions at disaster recovery centers. They are full time jobs with benefits, but temporary. To apply, visit www.laworks.net, and click Disaster Relief Work.

Louisiana has received an additional 40-million dollars in federal highway funding. State Department of Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson on how the state received this cash…:
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Wilson says this grant money will go towards the I-10 widening project between I-49 and the Atchafalya Basin.

The Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday begins today and lasts through Sunday. Department of Revenue Spokesperson Byron Henderson says you can find a list of items eligible for a two percent discount online…:
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Volunteer attorneys are offering legal advice to flood victims who are denied by FEMA. New Orleans attorney Graham Ryan says this program does not take on cases, they just help guide people through the confusing process. But he says there are plenty of organizations around the state that will take up a flood victim’s case…:
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That hotline number is 1-800-310-7029.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says he’s been told the August flood event will be the fourth most costly event for the National Flood Insurance Program…:
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Donelon says there have been 28-thousand claims filed with the N-F-I-P and expects the number to grow past 30-thousand.

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is reminding motorists about their responsibilities on the road when approaching an upcoming accident. The plea comes in the wake of the tragic crash that killed two people, including a district fire chief in St. John Parish. LHSC spokeswoman Jessica Bedwell:
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Bedwell says the recent crash illustrates why drivers must exercise caution when encountering parked emergency vehicles on the roadway.

Shreveport Police are searching for burglary suspects who stole a service animal. Cpl. Marcus Hines says police were called to a home after the residence had been forcefully entered and items were taken, including “Major, a Rottweiler service dog, who is trained to understand sign language…:
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Anyone with information on Major’s whereabouts is urged to contact authorities.

August of 2016 was certainly a wet one for the entire state of Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has more…:
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The Louisiana Workforce Commission is extending the disaster unemployment assistance application period to October 14, 2016 for individuals affected by the August 2016 flooding. The funding is available to workers and self-employed people who lost work or earnings as a result of the disaster. You can submit an application online at laworks.net.

The FEMA assistance process has been extremely confusing for many, and there are those who lost everything who don’t know what they received denial letters. Well there’s free legal advice available to people by calling 1-800-310-7029. New Orleans attorney Graham Ryan says one common reasons people get denial letters is that the name on the deed of the flooded home didn’t match the name on the application…:
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The free hotline number again is 1-800-310-7029.

More than 50 students from the University of Alabama will spend Labor Day weekend working with LSU students to help Baton Rouge flood victims, according to university officials. According to officials with the University of Alabama, students filled the open spots in about 15 minutes and there is a waiting list for other students who want to come to Louisiana to help with flood relief.

August of 2016 is certainly one for the record books, going down as the wettest August recorded in the state of Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says data shows the state averaged 12 and a half inches for the month, crushing the previous record of 9.71 inches back in August of 1940. However, he says this August was only the ninth wettest month ever when looking at all the months of the year…:
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Keim says August 2016 was the wettest month ever in Baton Rouge, recording a little over 30 inches in the Capital City.

100,000 insured vehicles were flooded in Louisiana following the August downpours and historic flooding, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. They add that the number of uninsured vehicles that were flood damaged could be even more, since many owners choose to drop their policy’s comprehensive coverage as the vehicle ages.

As flood victims are working to repair their homes and get as much federal assistance as possible, volunteer attorneys are offering legal advice to those who are denied by FEMA. New Orleans attorney Graham Ryan says you can call 1-800-310-7029, or…:
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Ryan says some of the denials can easily be reversed.

St. Amant High School lost everything during the floods, including their band equipment. The St. Amant Gators got a surprise this week when the Northwestern State band loaned them nine snare drums, four sets of tenor drums, and five bass drums. Northwestern Director of Bands Dr. Jeff Mathews says they wanted to help others during this difficult time…:
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Craig Millet is the St. Amant Director of Bands and says they can’t put into words how much this gesture means.

The Senate Homeland Security Committee is meeting at this hour with state and federal officials regarding FEMA’s response to flood victims. Chairman and Baton Rouge Senator Bodi White says many residents have been getting conflicting information from agents so he has some advice in that regard…:
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White says he’s invited mayors from the flooded areas to see what their plans are for building permits.

Meanwhile the feds are encountering various road blocks when it comes to getting the FEMA manufactured housing units to residents. The post-Katrina FEMA trailers were heavily criticized, but Shreveport Representative Cedric Glover says these bigger units are not feasible either…:
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Only one FEMA mobile home has been installed on a flood victim’s property.

Today is the funeral for St. John District Chief Spencer Chauvin. Police say an illegal immigrant crashed a bus into Chauvin’s fire truck, several other vehicles and then into Chauvin and two other firefighters. It threw them off the I-10 Three Mile Bridge and into the water below. Chauvin died a short time later. Another person died in the incident.

Governor John Bel Edwards is in Acadiana today where he is slated to speak at an event, then tour a neighborhood in Lafayette that experienced significant damage from the historic flooding event.

The LSU Alumni Association’s “Traveling Tigers” say, in 33 years of hitting up away games, the trip they are making today to Green Bay is the largest they have ever done. Rhett Butler with the Alumni Association says most of the fans making the trip for the LSU/Wisconsin game have always wanted to see a game in Lambeau Field…:
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LSU officials are projecting around 30,000 Tiger fans will attend the game.