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.

The Department of Children and Family Services is asking flood victims to pre-register for disaster food stamps. Distribution begins next week in certain 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”

Lawmakers will take up a bill this session that would allow people to have their deceased pets buried alongside them in a human graveyard. Metairie Senator Conrad Appel says he’s bringing the measure because it’s currently illegal in Louisiana, which is unfortunate because so many people have strong connections with their furry friends…:
CUT 7 (09) “areas”

Forecasters say a cold front is bringing the chance for showers and thunderstorms through Saturday, but the wet weather is not expected to have a significant impact on additional river basin flooding. However, they say it could slow the recovery process.

State Police say I-10 at the Texas state line remains closed.

If you’re in one of the 26 parishes that have been declared by the president as disaster areas, officials encourage you to register for federal aid at the website: disaster-assistance-dot-gov. Governor John Bel Edwards says the number of parishes eligible keeps growing…:
CUT 11 (08) “parishes”
Edwards says they are looking at 11 additional parishes to see if they met the threshold for FEMA assistance.

The flooding is reeking havoc on the corn crop in West Carroll Parish. LSU Ag Center Extension Agent Bruce Garner it doesn’t look like it’s getting any better because more water is spilling over into the fields from the bayous. He says the damage to the corn varies, even in just one field…:
cut 10 (08) “across the board”
Edwards says they do not anticipate that any of the rain today is going to make matters worse.

A survey out of LSU shows nearly two thirds of Louisiana residents think the state is heading in the wrong direction. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A proposed constitutional amendment that asks voters if convicted felons should be allowed to run for state or local office for 15 years after completion of their sentence is making its way through the legislative process. Norco Representative Gregory Miller, says his bill is similar to a constitutional provision that was recently thrown out by the state Supreme Court…:
CUT 3 (11) “both houses”

Governor John Bel Edwards says there are now 26 parishes in Louisiana that are declared federal disaster areas, as Allen, Ascension and Calcasieu were added today. He says the meeting with FEMA on the ground today was productive in illustrating just how dire the flooding situation here is…:
CUT 1 (10) “can remember”
I-10 is closed going into Texas and State Police say motorists should go north onto I-49 in Lafayette, U.S. 165 near Iowa, and U.S. 171 in Lake Charles then west onto U.S. 190 into Texas. Sgt James Anderson says traffic on 190 has been moderate, but it’s flowing well…:
cut 15 (06) “thus far”
Edwards encourages residents to apply for federal assistance online at la.louisiana.gov.

A new poll shows residents of The Bayou State aren’t too happy with the way things are going right now. The Public Policy Research Lab found 63% of respondents felt Louisiana is headed in the wrong direction, and that’s the most since they started taking opinions in 2003. Director Michael Henderson there is also a large increase in the number of people who say the state’s business conditions are worse than a year ago…:
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He says despite the complaining, 40 percent of those surveyed say they still like living in Louisiana.

Due to flooding from the Sabine River, I-10 at the Louisiana/Texas state line is expected to remain closed until Monday afternoon. Sgt. James Anderson with State Police encourage motorists to plan an alternate route if headed to The Lone Star State…:
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He says you don’t have to travel all the way to I-20 as US 190 into Texas crosses in northern Beauregard Parish and traffic is moving well.

A recent survey finds 63% of Louisianians think the state is headed in the wrong direction — the most since the LSU Public Policy research lab began tracking opinions in 2003. Director Dr. Michael Henderson says usually when a new governor takes office, we start to see residents becoming more optimistic.
CUT 6 (07) “received”

Flooding in West Carroll Parish is hurting the corn crop. LSU Ag Center Extension Agent Bruce Garner says some fields will survive better than others:
CUT 9 (11) “severe damage”

The bill to raise the state’s sales tax by a penny has been signed into law by the governor, and it will take effect April 1. Jeff Palermo has more…”
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The one cent sales tax increase will go into effect April 1st as the bill has officially been signed by the governor. Experts say you might want to purchase big ticket items before then, but for the most part consumers probably won’t even notice the small increase. Gina Rachel, Treasurer for the Society of Louisiana CPAs,
says businesses will likely see the biggest impact…:
CUT 15 (09) “of time”

A New Orleans lawmaker files legislation that seeks to develop a plan to help out students who get pregnant or who parent children while they’re still in school. Senator Wesley Bishop says the ultimate goal is to keep these students from dropping out of school because of the demands of pregnancy and parenting:
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He says the number one cause of females dropping out of high school is pregnancy.

The Texas Department of Transportation says they expect the closure of I-10 at the state line to remain closed in both directions until 6pm on Monday. The Sabine River has covered the road almost completely in some places. Governor John Bel Edwards will meet with the administrator of FEMA this morning to discuss flooding in Louisiana. Following the meeting, they will both hold a briefing to provide updates to the public.

Some schools in the LHSAA aren’t happy with certain mandates within the organization so they want to form their own called the Louisiana High School Sports Cooperative, or LHSSC. Paul Rainwater would be the Executive Director and he says it will take 60 schools’ commitments to form a new group, which would be open to both public and private schools. He says there is only an initial fee..:
Cut 10 (09) “annual basis”
Rainwater says the LHSSC could be in place for the 2016-2017 school year, if things go smoothly.

Consumers will soon be paying an extra penny of sales tax as the revenue raising bill was signed into law by Governor John Bel Edwards Thursday. But Treasurer for the Society of Louisiana CPAs Gina Rachel says this won’t make much of a dent in your day-to-day shopping bill…:
Cut 14 (06) “additional penny”
Medicine, gas and food for your home are excluded from the “clean” penny which begins April 1st.

A Bossier City lawmaker files a bill that wouldn’t require church leaders to take part in same sex weddings if it goes against their beliefs. Representative Mike Johnson says this legislation is needed to ensure protection from the government…:
Cut 8 (08) “belief”
He says this is aimed to prevent courts and public officials from trampling on the first amendment right of freedom of religion, like they’re seeing around the country.

New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop is co-sponsoring a bill that would create a plan to better assist pregnant high school students. Halen Doughty has more..:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The swelling Red River is now causing problems in Avoyelles Parish in Central Louisiana as some residents are seeing several inches of water creeping up to their homes with more on the way. Grant Parish officials also report that they are facing the worst disaster ever. The historic crest is also flooding Rapides. The Red is set to top out Sunday at 40.5 feet.

The governor has signed into law a bill that raises the state sales tax by a penny beginning April 1. Treasurer for the Society of Louisiana CPAs, Gina Rachel, says people who are planning to buy something big, you should do it before the higher tax takes effect…:
Cut 13 (08) “few dollars”
She says, for the most part, you probably won’t even notice the increase when making day-to-day purchases. Medicine, gas and food for your home are excluded from the “clean” penny.

New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop has filed a bill that will develop a plan to better support students who are expecting or parenting a child while in high school. He says it would establish the Louisiana Expectant and Parenting Students Act…:
cut 4 (11) “to graduate”
SB353 will be heard in the Senate Education Committee.

A north Louisiana lawmaker introduces the Pastor Protection Act which will be debated during the regular legislative session. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Schools in the LHSAA are not satisfied with the current state of affairs in Louisiana, so Paul Rainwater and others are proposing a new option, the Louisiana High School Sports Cooperative. Rainwater says it will take 60 schools’ commitments to form a new organization, and they have extended the offer to schools throughout the state. Rainwater says, at the end of the day, it’s all for the kids…:
cut 12 (04) “all about”

The only school in Louisiana to make it to the NCAA tournament is coming back home. Southern University had one of their worst shooting games in the 59-55 loss to Holy Cross Thursday evening. Southern finished the season with a 22-13 record.

UL-Lafayette is still alive as the Cajuns hit 11 of their final 18 shots from 3-point range, pick up a 96-72 win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in the first round of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament.

The U.S. Basketball Writers Association named LSU’s Ben Simmons its USBWA’s freshman of the year.

The New Orleans Saints announce they’ve re-signed backup quarterback Luke McCown to a two-year contract and free agent linebacker Nate Stupar to three years. In 2015, McCown played in 8 games with one start and completed 32-39 passes. Stupar played for the Falcons last season.

In the NBA, the Pelicans snapped a four game losing streak as New Orleans got the win over the Sacramento Kings 123-108.

Schools in the LHSAA are not satisfied with the current state of affairs in Louisiana, so Paul Rainwater and others are proposing a new option, the Louisiana High School Sports Cooperative, or LHSSC. Rainwater says it will take 60 schools’ commitments to form a new organization, which would be open to both public and private schools. He says this group would only have an initial fee:
Cut 10 (09) “annual basis”
Rainwater would be the Executive Director.

The LSU baseball team had an easy time at the Box last night against UNO, picking up a 9-4 win. The Tigers improve to 13-3 on the year and begin conference play on Friday against Alabama.

In Thibodaux, Nicholls State put forth tough effort over Southern as a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth lifted the Colonels to a 9-8 win over the Jags.

Grambling fell to Arkansas 3-2. UL-Lafayette trounced Northwestern State 10-1. ULM got a 12-4 win over McNeese State. Louisiana Tech beat Alcorn State 15-4.