A report from 24/7 Wall Street ranks New Orleans and Baton Rouge among the most segregated cities in the country. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A National Watchdog believes the 100-thousand dollar fine against UL-Lafayette is not enough after allegations of animal abuse against monkeys. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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12 million dollars from the Volkswagen settlement will be distributed by the DEQ to projects that will benefit the community and propane fueled school buses could be a major investment. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The state Department of Environmental Quality will distribute 12 million dollars from the Volkswagen settlement to projects proposed by public agencies that offer long term benefits to the community. Thursday is the last day to submit a proposal.  Randy Hayden with the Louisiana Propane Gas Association says one option is to replace diesel fueled school buses 10 years and older with ones that run on propane, which would reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by over 92-percent.

Cut 4  (11) “not good”

Hayden says propane is less expensive than conventional fuels as the cost falls in between the price of oil and natural gas.

Cut 5  (09)  “comparable”

There is already a handful of school systems who use propane school buses, Lafayette, East Baton Rouge, Lafourche and Caddo Parishes. Hayden says East Baton Rouge used the historic flooding last August to start the process of switching over to propane powered school buses when they lost 168 vehicles.

Cut 6 (10) “vehicle”

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New Orleans and Baton Rouge are among the most segregated cities in the nation, according to a report from 24/7 Wall Street. New Orleans came in at number six on the list, and Baton Rouge ranked thirteenth. Editor-In-Chief Doug McIntyre says that’s because of population concentration in the cities.

Cut 7 (07)  “heavily black”

In both Baton Rouge and New Orleans, the black poverty rate is roughly 30 percent, while the white poverty rate is only about 10 percent. McIntyre says that demonstrates one big problem with segregation because black neighborhoods tend to be much poorer than white neighborhoods.

Cut 8 (10) “health outcomes”

In New Orleans, about 43 percent of the black population lives in black neighborhoods, compared to 32 percent in Baton Rouge. McIntyre says the fact that those groups of people are isolated from groups that have better outcomes means that segregation helps to keep those kinds of outcomes in place.

Cut 9 (08)  “over time”

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National watchdog, Stop Animal Exploitation Now, believes the 100-thousand dollar fine against the University of Louisiana at Lafayette for animal abuse at its New Iberia research center does not go far enough. SAEN Co-founder Michael Budkie says the USDA previously took significant action against another facility for killing a large number of animals…

Cut 10 (07) “ULL”

This is the fifth largest fine levied against a laboratory in the U.S. University spokesperson Kathleen Thames released a statement saying these incidents occurred as part of routine housing and care of nonhuman primates. But Budkie disagrees as there are multiple occurrences of monkeys being neglected or killed.

Cut 11 (10) “hemorrhage”

Budkie says other allegations against the New Iberia laboratory claim three monkeys were lost during a transfer and were not found until they all died and one primate had a broken arm that was not treated for five days. He says entities that continue to criminally abuse animals should not be allowed to break the law.

Cut 12 (06) “ever again”

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The hunt is on for a new chief of the Baton Rouge Police Department. Lt. Johnny Dunnam was appointed as interim when Chief Carl Dabadie resigned, but Dunnam is not a candidate for the full time position. East Baton Rouge Parish Constable Reginald Brown says it’s not surprising Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome would not keep the interim in the position.

Cut 13 (10) “new chief”

Brown says he isn’t surprised Dabadie stepped down, as Broome has been trying to fire the police chief since she took office in January. Civil service laws prevented the mayor from ousting the chief. Brown says it appears as though she is trying to follow through with her campaign promises.

Cut 14 (10) “stepped down”

But Brown says the timing was a bit odd. Murder in Baton Rouge is up 70 percent from a year ago, according to the district attorney. Brown says that’s a sign of the times and growing disrespect for the law. He says now is the time for law enforcement agencies to come together and address the problem.

Cut 15 (10) “East Baton Rouge Parish”

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At Sun Belt Football Media Day in New Orleans, ULM players have a positive outlook for the upcoming season, despite winning just four games last season. Senior offensive lineman Frank Sutton says last year’s team performed better than most expected and they expect to do the same again this season…

Cut 16 (24)  “from there”

Senior defensive end Caleb Tucker says players are more comfortable heading into this season, after getting to know Coach Viator’s staff last year…

Cut 17 (15) “this year”

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Mark Hudspeth is entering his 7th season as head coach of UL Lafayette. The Cajuns are projected to finish in the middle of the pack in the Sun Belt. Hudspeth’s team has seven road games this year and the coach says none of them will be easy…

Cut 18 (24) “at a time” 

Jordan Davis has been named the starting quarterback. Hudspeth is expecting a big year from the junior in Texas…

Cut 19 (19) “security”

High demand is driving up prices at the pump. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Acadia Parish authorities arrest a man with a history of drunk driving arrests for a fatal hit and run. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Gas prices are on the rise in the Bayou State. Don Redman with AAA says gas prices in June were the lowest we’ve seen all year, which is unusual for the summer months. He says we’re already seeing an uptick in prices at the pump.

Cut 3 (09) “statewide”

Redman says that’s almost 10 cents higher than we were this time last year. He expects prices will continue to climb as we get closer to Labor Day, as refineries struggle to keep up with this summer’s record demand for gasoline.

Cut 4  (11) “a gallon”

Redman says we could be looking at a 10 cent a gallon hike by the time we reach Labor Day. But he notes that’s an educated guess because a lot of factors affect prices at the pump, especially in the Gulf South.

Cut 5  (10)  “much higher”

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Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie has submitted his letter of retirement, and today will be his last day. It’s not a huge surprise as Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome had said since she took office that new leadership was needed at BRPD in the wake of the Alton Sterling shooting. She said Monday that Dabadie is an honorable man…:

Cut 6 (10) “to law enforcement”

Weston-Broome was not able to fire Dabadie without cause as the chief’s job is protected by civil service laws. But Political Analyst and Baton Rouge radio host Clay Young says Dabadie probably had had enough…:

Cut 7 (11)  “time to move on”

Weston-Broome ran a campaign on the promise that she’d appoint a fresh face to the department that would help ease tensions between people and police officers. But Young says Dabadie is not a person who would be unwilling to try to work with anyone to try to make the city of Baton Rouge and the community better…:

Cut 8 (11) “emotion”

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A Rayne man, with a history of DWI arrests, is behind bars after police say he hit a man on a bicycle while driving intoxicated. Acadia Parish Sheriff K. P. Gibson says 61-year-old Ricky Joyner of Rayne was pronounced dead at the scene, and the driver, 42-year-old Ivy Roger, was nowhere to be found.

Cut 9 (08)  “with assistance”

Gibson says deputies were able to identify the driver and track him down inside the city limits of Rayne. He says they are waiting for toxicology results to charge Roger with a DWI, but he already faces a slew of criminal charges.

Cut 10 (10) “to confirm it”

Roger has already been charged with 5 DWIs, and Gibson says three of them were fairly recently. As Roger’s license is currently suspended, the sheriff says he shouldn’t have been driving at all.

Cut 11 (08) “for life”

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Calcasieu Parish authorities have made an arrest in a 2009 cold case. The body of 19-year-old Sierra Bouzigard was found on the side of the road in November of 2009, and police have been searching for a suspect ever since. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says they used phenotyping technology to create a suspect profile from DNA found on the victim, which led to today’s arrest of 31-year-old Blake Russell.

Cut 12 (08) “either one”

Mancuso says his agency was the first in the state to use the Snapshot DNA Phenotyping technology. Russell was arrested this morning in DeQuincy on a charge of second degree murder. Mancuso says it means everything to give closure to the family, who have been waiting seven years for justice.

Cut 13 (09) “weep with joy”

The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. Mancuso says Russell did not know the victim at all. He says Bouzigard lived a “risky lifestyle” but did not elaborate because he says it doesn’t matter, and he doesn’t think it’s important.

Cut 14 (07) “absolutely no reason” 

Business Facilities names Louisiana Economic Development’s FastStart the best workforce training program in the country. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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An LSU Health New Orleans School of Public Health Professor warns smart phones carry more bacteria than the bathroom. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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As you might expect, a poll on the state Treasurer’s race shows the lack of a front-runner. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Louisiana’s FastStart workforce training program has been named the best in the nation by Business Facilities magazine for a record eight years in a row. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says this can help LED bring more companies to the Bayou State.

Cut 4  (07) “in Louisiana”

Pierson says per capita, Louisiana attracts more jobs and major projects than any other state. He says although as a state we’re small in stature – having a statewide population comparable to just the Houston area – we’re standing out in a big way.

Cut 5  (12)  “Louisiana Economic Development”

Business Facilities also ranked Louisiana third for infrastructure, seventh for cost of doing business, ninth for exports and economic growth potential, and tenth for industrial electricity rates. Pierson says that’s evidenced by job growth in the state.

Cut 6 (11) “of our state”

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A professor at LSU Health New Orleans School of Public Health says it’s never a good idea to carry your cell phone to the bathroom. Dr. James Diaz says a smart phone can contain more bacteria than the bathroom. He says what gets spread to our phones can get on a lot of other things we touch.

Cut 7 (10)  “your hands”

Diaz says people need to be wary of what they’re touching every day, from door knobs to computer keyboards. He says fecal oral transmission to inanimate objects occurs when individuals don’t wash their hands after leaving the bathroom.

Cut 8 (09) “by touch”

Diaz suggests using an antiseptic to clean your phone screen on a regular basis. He says it’s best to never bring your cell phone into the bathroom because it poses the risk for dropping it in the toilet.

Cut 9 (09)  “like cholera”

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A poll on the State Treasurer’s race finds it to be a wide open contest. The October 14th election features three well-funded Republicans, Angele Davis, Neil Riser and John Schroder. JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon says the GOP candidates are polling in the high single digits

Cut 10 (06) “front runner status”

Couvillon says the biggest number from his poll is the undecided, which is at 60-percent…

Cut 11 (12) “they were”

There is a major Democrat in the race, New Orleans attorney Derrick Edwards. Couvillon says in the horse race portion of the survey, Edwards polled at 18-percent, which is higher than the three GOP candidates….

Cut 12 (10) “make the runoff”

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The Department of Children and Family Services launches a program aimed at improving the foster care system. On any given day, there are more than 4,000 Louisiana children in foster care. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says they want to raise expectations for foster parents and caregivers through the new Quality Parenting Initiative.

Cut 13 (11) “a relative”

Walters says DCFS will work closely with foster parents, give them more authority to take care of the child, and offer help when needed. She says being a quality parent means doing everything for that child that a parent would do for their birth child.

Cut 14 (12) “all the time”

Walters says this initiative is about allowing foster parents to act more as parents instead of temporary caregivers. Assistant Director for Child Welfare Renda Hodnett says this also means DCFS will expect more of foster parents.

Cut 15 (10) “child’s future”

Mentally ill inmates at the David Wade Correctional Center in Homer claim they were forced to bark like dogs for food. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Louisiana’s unemployment rate is at a three-year-low, 5-point-five percent. Don Molino has more on the latest jobs report…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

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Investigators are trying to get to the bottom of claims that some Louisiana inmates are being forced to bark like dogs for food. A lawsuit on behalf of the Advocacy Center alleges the organization has a right to investigate this kind of claim. Attorney Katie Schwartzmann with the McArthur Justice Center says they are concerned about conditions at the David Wade Correctional Center in Homer based on letters they received from inmates.

Cut 3 (12) “suicide watch”

Schwartzmann says they filed the suit to get access to the prisoners. She says it’s the Advocacy Center’s job to go in and conduct an investigation when they hear claims of abuse, and unfortunately they’ve received a lot of complaints from inmates at this prison.

Cut 4  (11) “of that prison”

Schwartzmann says one of those allegations is that prison staff has forced inmates to bark like dogs to get their food. If these allegations prove true, another suit could be filed to address the issue. She says this suit is only about getting access to the inmates.

Cut 5  (09)  “Advocacy Center in”

The Department of Corrections has not issued a comment on the suit.

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Louisiana will be able to export rice to China for the first time ever under a landmark trade agreement involving the U.S. and the Asian country. Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain says this is a huge achievement for the rice industry.

Cut 6 (06) “13 days”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts China will import 5 million tons of rice in 2017 and 2018. Strain says it took so long for the trade agreement to be finalized because of safety protocols.

Cut 7 (09)  “product”

Louisiana produces the most rice in the U.S. just behind Arkansas and California. Strain says China also imports rice from other countries in south Asia but now Louisiana is in the hunt.

Cut 8 (07) “good news”

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Twenty-one-hundred soldiers from Fort Polk will deploy to Iraq this fall for antiterrorism operations. Base spokesperson Kim Reischling says members of the 3^rd Brigade Combat Team have trained for the last year.

Cut 9 (07)  “training center”

Reischling says they are committed to providing support to the families of deployed soldiers from the Vernon Parish military base. She says Fort Polk provides many services to the spouses and children to help them with any services needed when their loved ones are in Iraq.

Cut 10 (10) “support group”

Reischling says 60-percent of the unit will be deployed to Iraq. She says less than 2-thousand men and women of the combat team will remain in Fort Polk…

Cut 11 (06) “here anyway”

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The Old Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge will be closed this weekend as crews work to repair the railroad track there. Rodney Mallet with the state department of transportation says US 190 will be closed there from 8 p.m. today until 5 a.m. Monday. So drivers will have to use an alternate route.

Cut 12 (10) “US 190”

Motorists can get back on the highway using either LA 1 or LA 415. Mallet says Kansas City Southern railroad got a permit from DOTD to replace the tracks. He says drivers should expect some delays, but DOTD is doing what they can to make people aware of the closure.

Cut 13 (09) “avoid the area”

For up to date travel information, visit 511la.org.

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New data from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics shows Louisiana’s unemployment rate is at a three-year low at five-point-five percent. The June employment report shows nonfarm jobs increased by nearly 21-thousand over the last 12 months. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie says three industry sectors reached all-time highs in employment.

Cut 14 (11) “people” 

Dejoie credits the film tax credit program for helping to boost the leisure and hospitality sector. She says they are also seeing positive signs with the oil and gas industry. She says the Houma area has gained 600 jobs from May and Lafayette has added jobs in four out of the six months…

Cut 15 (06) “some increases”

Construction is the industry that saw the largest one-month gain, an additional four-thousand workers. Dejoie says Lake Charles continues to be the fastest growing market with an increase 55-hundred jobs over the last year…

Cut 16  (07)  “region”

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More woman and minorities are receiving concealed handgun permits than men, according to a national report from the Crime Prevention Research Center…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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After a two-year-old from Arkansas spent 15 minutes underwater, doctors at LSU Health New Orleans helped regrow her lost brain matter. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Just over one year after an ambush attack on Baton Rouge police officers, one wounded deputy is back at work. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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A Crime Prevention Research Center report finds more women and minorities are receiving concealed handgun permits compared to white males. Wade Duty, co-owner of Precision Firearms in Baton Rouge says he’s seen the exact same trend in recent years. He credits this spike to the increased awareness of domestic violence issues.

Cut 4  (09) “obtaining permits”

The national report finds permits for men grew 22-percent from 2012 to 2016 and permits for women increased by a whopping 93-percent. Duty says minorities seeking concealed carry permits also increased. He says personal security cuts across all demographics.

Cut 5  (09)  “their safety”

Duty expects these trends to continue as more people become aware of concealed carry laws that support personal defense in Louisiana. He also says women are more likely to seek out a concealed carry class based on a cultural shift.

Cut 6 (11) “own protection”

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Now is the time for lawmakers to work on a plan to address the looming fiscal cliff in 2018. That’s the message of a letter Governor John Be Edwards sent to House Speaker Taylor Barras. Lawmakers failed to address the cliff during this year’s fiscal session. Edwards says they simply cannot wait until next year to start working.

Cut 7 (09)  “that cliff”

Over a billion dollars in temporary taxes are set to expire in July of next year. The governor advises Barras to form a working group of both Democrats and Republicans to find a way to replace that lost revenue. Edwards says something must be done to fill that budget hole.

Cut 8 (11) “expect”

Edwards has proposed several recommendations for addressing the cliff and says he welcome other ideas from lawmakers. The governor will hold meetings around the state to gather public input on the matter. He says it is in everyone’s best interest to devise a plan sooner rather than later.

Cut 9 (09)  “to act”

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Doctors at LSU Health New Orleans helped regrow a toddler’s brain after she drowned. Two-year-old Eden Carlson of Arkansas lost a significant amount of brain tissue after spending 15 minutes underwater. Director of Hyperbaric Medicine, Dr. Paul Harch, says she made remarkable improvements after being treated with oxygen for 45 minutes twice a day. Weeks later, Eden’s parents brought her to New Orleans, and Harch put her in a hyperbaric chamber.

Cut 10 (11) “just accelerated”

In February of 2016, Eden escaped the baby gate in her home and fell into a near-freezing pool. Eden’s heart did not beat on its own for two hours, as doctors performed CPR for 100 minutes.

Harch says after multiple hyperbaric treatments, Eden could walk and talk again, something doctors said she would never be able to do. He says even more incredible was her brain, as the toddler actually regrew the brain matter she had lost. That was evident in the MRI scans of her brain.

Cut 11 (09) “entire brain”

Harch says Eden continues to improve today. This is the first known case of growing back both white and gray brain matter. He says the potential for future patients with similar problems is enormous. He says it will allow for a forum to look at hyperbaric oxygen treatments.

Cut 12 (08) “of this therapy”

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Lt. Bruce Simmons is back to work at the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, just over a year after being shot in the police ambush. Casey Rayborn Hicks with the sheriff’s office says it means a lot to the department to have Simmons back.

Cut 13 (09) “that direction”

Simmons was shot in the left arm by a gunman who targeted Baton Rouge law enforcement officers following the Alton Sterling shooting. Doctors had to put a titanium bar in his arm because the bone was shattered. Even so, Hicks says Simmons was determined to get back on his patrol bike.

Cut 14 (11) “for all of us”

Sheriff Sid Gautreaux welcomed Simmons back by promoting him from sergeant to lieutenant and his fellow deputies gave him a standing ovation. Hicks says Simmons cleared his qualifying tests with flying colors.

Cut 15 (10) “it felt great”

State Education Superintendent John White reacts to speculation he may lose his job, because he was not confirmed by the Senate during the legislative session. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Arizona Senator John McCain has been diagnosed with brain cancer. Don Molino spoke with a Louisiana doctor on what this means for the former Republican Presidential candidate…

Cut 2 (27) “I’m Don Molino”

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Work begins this week to waterproof the first six floors of the State Capitol. Jacques Berry with the Division of Administration says scaffolding is up around the base of the building. And he says the front doors to the tallest building in the city will remain closed over the next year.

Cut 3 (07) “of caution”

Berry says the two entrances on the ground level will remain open. He says crews will use this as an opportunity to reattach some of the limestone panels. He says new technology gave them a closer look at the structure and showed pieces coming loose from the 80-year-old building.

Cut 4  (12) “of the building”

Berry says construction began Monday and is expected to take one year. The project will cost roughly $5 million. He says the waterproofing and limestone repair will only be for the first six floors of the capitol.

Cut 5  (10)  “needs to happen”

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State Education Superintendent John White could be on his way out, because he was not reconfirmed by the Senate during the legislative session. Governor John Bel Edwards says confirmation is a legal requirement for White to keep his job. But White says…

Cut 6 (11) “our kids”

A lawsuit seeking to remove White as superintendent was dismissed, because only a few elected officials, including the governor, have the authority to take such legal action.  White says he’s made great strides in his years as superintendent and students are showing improvement.

Cut 7 (10)  “same test”

If the governor decides not to take legal action, a two-thirds vote from BESE could remove White from office. White says it’s time to focus on the students, not on politics.

Cut 8 (11) “our kids”

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Louisiana elected officials says they are praying for Arizona Senator John McCain’s who has been diagnosed with brain cancer. Neuro-Oncologist Dr. Aaron Mammoser with LSU Health New Orleans says glioblastoma is the most common primary brain tumor doctors see, and unfortunately it’s also the most aggressive. He says there are more than 15,000 of these tumors diagnosed every year in the US.

Cut 9 (11)  “called temozolomide”

Mammoser says a variety of factors impact how a patient responds to treatment. He says McCain is 80-years-old and elderly patients tend not to do as well. But he says the senator does have some things working in his favor.

Cut 10 (11) “as well”

Mammoser says the middle survival is somewhere in the 16 to 18 month range. He says the senator will need lots of support in the coming months. He says McCain will be surrounded by a remarkable medical staff at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale.

Cut 11 (12) “forms of cancer”

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A heat advisory is in effect for all of north Louisiana until 7 p.m. tomorrow as sweltering temperatures bake the state. Michael Berry with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says it is not unusual to see temperatures in the high 90s during July but when you factor in the high dew point…

Cut 12 (10) “again tomorrow”

Berry says while temperatures are where they usually should be given the time of year, the higher than usual humidity is the result of recent rainfall.

Cut 13 (09) “values”

Berry says it’s important to take precautions when being outside in this heat. He advises individuals working outside to take frequent breaks to avoid heat stroke.

Cut 14 (09) “have water” 

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St. Landry Congressman Clay Higgins is spearheading an effort to reform the National Flood Insurance Program as the current one expires September 30^th. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Could state Education Superintendent John White’s job be in jeopardy? Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A Grant Parish man missed the birth of his child after he was arrested for speeding his wife to the hospital. Halen Doughty has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Female military veterans will have a new support system, as the state Department of Veterans Affairs is set to launch monthly Coffee Conversations in August. Female veterans outreach coordinator Alex Juan says this will offer a safe space for military women to talk about the issues affecting them. She says the discussions will be live streamed and open to all of female veterans in the state.

Cut 4  (07) “the conversation”

Louisiana is home to more than 32,000 women veterans. Juan says military women can be more hesitant to seek services from the VA than their male counterparts because females are not always well-received. She says she even ran into a similar incident yesterday morning.

Cut 5  (09)  “his medicine”

Juan says this is about changing the conversation and recognizing that both men and women serve their country. She says it’s also an opportunity for these women to talk about specific struggles they’ve faced with someone who can understand.

Cut 6 (12) “so many of them”

Female veterans interested in serving as program coordinators are encouraged to call 225-219-5005.

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Louisiana’s Congressional delegation is getting behind an effort to reform the National Flood Insurance Program. Congressman Clay Higgins is one of the co-sponsors and the Republican from St. Landry Parish says the proposal would protect policyholders from skyrocketing premiums. He says currently, rates can increase by as much as 25 percent annually.

Cut 7 (09)  “more reasonable”

The current National Flood Insurance Program expires on September 30^th, which is why there is a big push reauthorize the program for another six years. Higgins says it’s their desire to limit rate increases to no more than 10 percent a year.

Cut 8 (07) “a window”

Higgins says the bill authorizes $500 million per year for six years for flood control programs. He says flooding is a problem all over the country, which is why this legislation has support from both Republicans and Democrats.

Cut 9 (11)  “happened everywhere”

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Governor John Bel Edwards is pleased with job growth and creation in the Bayou State. On his monthly radio call in show, the governor said several sectors of the economy are improving, especially health care thanks to expansion of the Medicaid program.

Cut 10 (11) “more people”

Edwards says in January of 2016, the state’s unemployment rate was at 6.2-percent and the latest numbers show the unemployment rate in May of 2017 was 5.7-percent and predicts that will drop even lower when the June numbers are released.

Cut 11 (09) “increasing”

Edwards says Lafayette, the hub of the state’s oil and gas sector, is also making great strides. He says in the last year and a half, the city saw four separate months of steady job increases.

Cut 12 (08) “this too”

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A man rushing his pregnant wife to the hospital missed the birth of his child after being arrested in Rapides Parish. Creola Police Chief Heath Landry says one of his officers clocked a vehicle doing 108 in a 55 mph speed zone. He says the officer witnessed more dangerous driving as he attempted to pull over Zak Evans.

Cut 13 (09) “off the road”

Landry says the officer radioed ahead to Pineville, where officers set up a road block because Evans would not stop. He says when officers finally pulled over Evans and got him out of the vehicle, he was livid.

Cut 14 (11) “at the glass”

An ambulance took Evans’ wife Bridget to a local hospital, and Evans was arrested on charges of flight from an office and careless operation, as well as ticketed for speeding. Evans told KALB-TV that he didn’t have time to look at the speedometer because he was worried about his wife and baby. Landry says they understand it was an emergency, but there was still a safety concern.

Cut 15 (09) “and wife”

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Over half of the races in the October 14 election have already been settled. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Governor Edwards announces 220 million dollars in federal money will be allocated across the Baton Rouge area to protect against future floods and storms. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (27) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Three months ahead of the October 14 election, more than half of the races have already been settled. Candidates in 41 races had no opponents, while 16 saw no candidates at all. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says they saw a similar rate just over a year ago when 44 percent of the races were settled before reaching the ballot.

Cut 3 (08) “no one qualifies”

Schedler blames the public’s frustration with government for the disinterest in running for public office. He says these positions don’t pay much and they come with a lot of stress. He says these demanding jobs are true public service.

Cut 4  (10) “cussing you out”

Schedler says in cases where an incumbent is unopposed, he or she is simply reelected. He says the law used to allow his office to reopen qualifying if no one qualified, but often times they still wouldn’t see any candidates. That’s why there’s a new policy for such occurrences.

Cut 5  (10)  “operate as such”

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Zachary Police have made an arrest in the case of a fatal home invasion that occurred last night. Chief David McDavid says the deceased, 20-year-old Damon Hayes Jr, allegedly broke in with 20-year-old Jordale Carter and possibly two other suspects…:

Cut 6 (08) “began shooting”

Hayes died in the incident and Carter was booked on many charges including murder because his accomplice died during a crime. McDavid says two other suspects are still at large.

Cut 7 (09)  “more suspects”

McDavid says one of the suspects was reportedly trying to get a ride away from the scene, saying he was being shot at. He says the robbery occurred in an elderly neighborhood, and they seldom have shootings like this.

Cut 8 (11) “burden to society”

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Governor John Bel Edwards announced today federal funding for flood control projects in the Baton Rouge area. Edwards says 220 million dollars will go to local governments in the Capital region as part of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Cut 9 (07)  “future floods”

Edwards says each parish will submit a plan to FEMA before the money will be allocated.  He says some of the money will be used to buy back significantly damaged homes from last year’s flood and make it a green space. He says the rest of the funds will go to….

Cut 10 (07) “projects”

None of this money will go toward the much talked about Comite Diversion Canal Project because funding for that must come from a different source. Edwards says after Hurricane Katrina, a majority of hazard mitigation grant dollars went towards elevating homes but that won’t be the case this time.

Cut 11 (08) “structures”

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Monroe Police Chief Quentin Holmes has announced he is going to retire from his post. In a joint news conference with Mayor Jamie Mayo, Holmes said he has been thinking about returning to teaching for quite some time. News outlets had reported that Mayo asked for a resignation which he says is 100% not true…:

Cut 12 (07) “with that”

Mayo says Holmes will remain chief until July 30th, and during that time his office will work to name someone to serve in the interim. Holmes was named police chief in 2011 and received a no confidence vote from the union in August 2014, but he says that has nothing to do with this retirement…:

Cut 13 (10) “good grounds”

KNOE said they had received anonymous calls from people saying there was bad blood between Holmes and the Mayor over the rising crime problem in the Monroe area. Mayo says he hopes they have now cleared the air that it’s just not the case..:

Cut 14 (10) “anonymous calls” 

NOLA Brewing Company and Tulane Athletics teamed up to launch the new Green Wave Beer. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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The publisher of LaPolitics.Com, Jeremy Alford, says with the race for state treasurer underway, now might be a good time to talk about eliminating the post for good. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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At a FAST Act hearing, Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves said something must be done about the wall between the lanes of I-12. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 3 (25) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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Tulane University is the latest Louisiana school to trademark its own brew, after partnering with NOLA Brewing Company to release the Green Wave Beer. Brewery president Kirk Coco says the new brew is a filtered version of a Heffeweizen, a dry, wheat beer with a little bitterness. He says this Kristalweizen is similar without all the floating yeast.

Cut 4  (10) “wheat beer”

Coco says the partnership with Tulane Athletics was a no brainer because the school is such a big part of the city, and NOLA Brewing is all about New Orleans. He says this will also be a money maker for the university athletics. He says it should be available just in time for football season to kick off.

Cut 5  (09)  “late September”

Coco says the new brew has been about two years in the making. He says they had to wait and see what the future of university beers would be, as legislation threatened the partnerships because of arguments college beers encourage underage drinking. Coco disagrees.

Cut 6 (10) “these students”

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As the race for State Treasurer is underway, now might be a good time to start the conversation about eliminating the position for good. That’s according Jeremy Alford, the publisher of LaPolitics.com, who says this is the first time in 17 years there has been an open race for the seat.

Cut 7 (10)  “state government”

Alford says there are currently 16 states that don’t elect their state treasurer. He says he doesn’t foresee any of the major candidates running on the “hire-me-to-fire-me” campaign, but it has happened before with Suzanne Terrell in the 1999 race for Election Commissioner.

Cut 8 (07) “over there”

Alford says many voters had come to view the post of state treasurer as an unofficial watchdog to second guess and review the governor and legislature’s spending. He says candidates could at least address the idea of merging this position with another department.

Cut 9 (10)  “themselves”

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Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves expressed his frustrations over the barrier between lanes of I-12 at a FAST Act hearing in Washington. Graves says the barrier seemed to contribute to flooding in communities north of I-12. He says something has to be done to address drainage concerns on the highway.

Cut 10 (07) “makes sense”

Graves says there was about a six foot difference in water levels on the north and south sides of the interstate. He says offsetting walls could also be a solution, as it would leave gaps to allow the water to drain. He says that feature would also be helpful in the event of a disaster.

Cut 11 (09) “what have you”

It’s been nearly a year since the August flood, yet nothing has been done to address the issue. Graves says one reason for the delay is a lawsuit filed by the city of Walker filed claiming the barrier worsened flooding. But he says the problem can be addressed without the state admitting guilt because other groups want the wall fixed too.

Cut 12 (11) “save lives”

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Three Louisiana cities are among the most stressed in the country, according to a new study from the personal finance website Wallethub. Shreveport came in at number ten on the list. Jill Gonzales with Wallethub says Shreveport did particularly badly in the health category.

Cut 13 (12) “past month”

Less than 70 percent of the Shreveport population reported working out in the last month, which was one of the lowest rates in the country. Gonzales says residents of the city are also seeing more work related stress.

Cut 14 (11) “across the board”

New Orleans, which came in at number 19, and 21^st ranked Baton Rouge are also seeing similar problems related to health and work stress. Gonzales says these Louisiana cities did fare well in other areas, like having a low suicide rate. She says although the poverty rate is high, we’re seeing financial benefits in other areas.

Cut 15 (11) “living wage”

Readers of Travel + Leisure magazine named New Orleans the number four city in the US. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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LSU head gymnastics coach DD Breaux has been named the Most Outstanding Coach in Louisiana by the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation. Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 2 (27) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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New Orleans has been named the number four city in the US by readers of Travel +Leisure. Kristian Sonnier with the New Orleans CVB says the magazine ranked cities based on six categories, including culture, friendliness, shopping, and overall value. He says the Big Easy stood out in some key areas.

Cut 3 (10) “six categories”

Sonnier says one key draw to the city of New Orleans is that it’s always changing, giving visitors something new to see on each trip. He says the restaurant boom has been huge, and new hotels are popping up and transforming whole neighborhoods.

Cut 4  (09) “to come visit”

Sonnier says the CVB works around the clock to ensure New Orleans remains at the top of these rankings. He says when you’re beating cities like Boston, Chicago, and New York, you’re clearly doing something right.  He hopes this newest recognition will attract more visitors to the Crescent City.

Cut 5  (11)  “in those rankings”

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LSU head gymnastics coach DD Breaux has been named the Most Outstanding Coach in Louisiana by the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation. Also the Dean of Southeastern Conference Coaches, Breaux just completed her 40th season in 2017, which was the Tigers most dominant in school history. Breaux says being recognized by people outside of gymnastics means a lot:

Cut 6 (07) “total body of work”

LSU finished as the NCAA National Runner-up for the 2nd straight year this past season. Breaux was named to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in June. She credits her success in her tenure to a great staff and dedicated student athletes…:

Cut 7 (08)  “to do that”

Breaux along with 23 other individuals and three teams will be honored at the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame Banquet on August 5th at the Mercedes Benz Superdome. LSU gymnastics is famous for packing the PMAC for their meets and having a ton of fan interest. Breaux says the school does a great job at branding gymnastics…:

Cut 8 (13) “Tiger fans”

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A recreational fisherman’s group in Louisiana calls the lawsuit filed by two environmental organizations over the extended red snapper season in the Gulf of Mexico ridiculous. The suit claims the additional fishing time puts red snapper recovery at risk. But David Cresson of the Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana says suing is what these groups do:

Cut 9 (10)  “recreational anglers”

Cresson says at the rate the extended 39 day season is currently going, Louisiana will be able to catch red snapper without overfishing the state’s overall portion of the quota. He says the notion that Louisiana would mismanage this opportunity was ridiculous to begin with…:

Cut 10 (08) “out of stock”

One of the groups filing the lawsuit is the Environmental Defense Fund. Its Director of the Gulf of Mexico Oceans Program, Robert Jones, says the expanded season causes concern for 7.4 million pounds of overfishing:

Cut 11 (09) “favorite restaurant”

Jones says his hope is to get rid of fixed seasons because they are of no benefit to the anglers. He says this suit catalyzes change for more flexible access in the future…:

Cut 12 (11) “management failure”

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A new national poll by Morning Consult finds Governor John Bel Edwards has a 58-percent approval rating. Southern Media and Opinion research had Edwards at 54% in May, and pollster Bernie Pinsonat says being in the mid to upper 50s is good for any governor, especially a Democrat in Louisiana.

Cut 13 (08) “budget problem”

Pinsonat says Edwards was in the 60-percentage range in the fall of last year, and depending on the future of the economy here, that could end up happening for the governor again…:

Cut 14 (09) “the 60s” 

Pinsonat says even though Edwards saw a drop in his approval ratings in the spring, it appears that’s leveling off…:

Cut 15 (08) “right now”