Three tax preparers from Westwego are arrested on felony charges of defrauding the state’s disaster relief program. Starr Carbo, Johnnie Mae Ricard and Erica Williams all work for Global Tax Service in Jefferson Parish. Department of Revenue spokesman Byron Henderson says investigators learned they charged clients as much as $110, and inflated the value of losses when submitting for a refund on sales tax they paid on items lost during a declared disaster…:

CUT 13(04)      “…their client.”

All three are charged with Injuring Public Records.

Louisiana is receiving $134-million in federal funds to offset the effects of climate change and reduce chronic flooding. Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says money will be spread out over the next five years, so the state is expected to receive 25 million dollars this fiscal year…:

CUT 04(05)      “…road elevations.”

Wilson says the money can also be used to update pumping capacity.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon wants the state to set aside a pot of money to lure new insurance companies to Louisiana, just as it successfully did after the 2006 impact of Katrina and Rita. Since Ida last year and the storms of 2020, a number of insurers have left the state; leaving nearly 90-thousand homes and businesses scrambling for coverage with just weeks until the height of storm season. Donelon says he’ll ask the Governor and House & Senate leaders for the money, which could come from the huge sums of federal money flowing in for storm recovery and the pandemic…:

CUT 08(09)      “…to come write.”

State Police report a small plane crashed today ON an I-49 off-ramp near Cheneyville. The plane was dusting crops nearby and only the pilot was aboard. At this time, LSP has not released the pilot’s condition or what caused the plane to go down. The FAA will presumably take over the investigation.

LDH reports another 1500 new cases of COVID, with 686 currently hospitalized with symptoms. They also report 20 new COVID-related deaths.

The Shreveport mayoral race this fall gets interesting, as incumbent Mayor Adrian Perkins is disqualified from running. A Caddo Parish judge ruled Perkins used an incorrect home address on qualifying paperwork, which violates state election law. Perkins says it was an error, because he was distracted by reporters and cameras at qualifying. He is expected to appeal the decision; all the way to the state Supreme Court if needs be.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon wants the state to set aside a pot of money to lure new insurance companies to Louisiana, as it did when companies abandoned the market after the 2006 double wallop from Katrina and Rita. Donelon says that program successfully employed a fund of over $29-million state dollars, and brought new property insurers to help reduce the Louisiana Citizens book of business…:

CUT 07(11)      “…Go-Zone parishes.”

About 90-thousand homes and businesses are currently in insurance limbo, with the height of storm season just weeks away.

Three tax preparers from Westwego face felony charges for allegedly defrauding the state’s disaster relief program. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson identifies the three people arrested, Starr Carbo, Johnnie Mae Ricard and Erica Williams, employees of Global Tax Service in Jefferson Parish…:

CUT 12(11)      “…value of the losses.”

All three are charged with Injuring Public Records.

The next time you’re in the Dome watching the Saints, thanks to a new partnership with Waitr (soon to be known as ASAP) you won’t have to stand in line to order concessions. Dean Turcol with ASAP says you can use your handy app to order food and then get a notice when to pick it up…:

CUT 09(10)      “…the Saints.”

Waitr was founded in 2013 and is currently based in Lafayette.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon will ask state leaders to set aside a big pot of money to lure new insurance companies to the state. Donelon says his agency did the same after Hurricanes Katrina & Rita overwhelmed insurers with over 700-thousand claims. That resulted in companies leaving the state and forcing thousands to the state’s bulwark insurer, Louisiana Citizens. He says an incentive program back then successfully brought a number of new companies to take on Louisiana coverage…:

CUT 06  (07)        “…a global marketplace.”

He hopes to meet with the Governor and legislative leaders soon to officially make the request.

The incumbent Mayor of Shreveport, Adrian Perkins has been disqualified from the race.  This comes after a Caddo resident called to attention that Perkins allegedly used false address information. And a judge agreed. Perkins says he was distracted by TV cameras at qualifying.

Louisiana is receiving federal help to fight flooding caused by climate change, and it’s FIVE TIMES the amount the state is currently spending per year. More from Marsanne Golsby…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Golsby.”

An Ascension Parish Sheriff’s deputy has been picked to sing the National Anthem for the New Orleans Saints’ home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He’s 1^st Lieutenant Mike Brooks, and he’ll take the mic to open the game on October 16^th, in the Caesar’s Superdome.

Louisiana is receiving 134 million dollars in federal money to offset the effects of climate change and reduce chronic flooding. Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says projects that will receive this funding are currently being identified…

Cut 3 (07) “…harden infrastructure.” 

Wilson says the 134 million dollars will be spread out over the next five years

Adopted persons who are 24 years of age or older can obtain a copy of their original birth certificate as a result of a new law that went into effect yesterday. Elise Lewis is a co-founder of Louisiana Coalition for Adoption and says they’ve lobbied for years at the state legislature for this law and she credits the bill’s author Rosepine Representative Chuck Owens who shared his personal story of adoption…
cut 11 (11) “….from their families”
A birth certificate can be requested through the Louisiana Department of Health’s vital statistics website.

A new law that took effect Monday paves the way for Louisiana’s growing wind energy industry. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Adoptees who are 24 and older can now request a copy of their original birth certificate thanks to a state law that went into effect Monday. Elise Lewis, co-founder of the Louisiana Coalition for Adoption Reform says they’ve received positive feedback from adoptees…

Cut 10 (12) “…to know.”
Lewis credits Rosepine Representative Chuck Owens for sharing his personal story of adoption for the bill finally becoming law.

We are moving closer to primetime when it comes to the hurricane season. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says use the time now to take photos or a shoot video of the contents of your home…

Cut 14 (13)  “…your claim processed.”
As of today the tropics are quiet.

A another that took effect Monday helps pave the way for Louisiana’s developing wind energy industry. Authored in the legislature by Houma Representative Jerome Zeringue (zer-ANG), the new law increases a previously set limit of just 5000 acres for the development of wind farms to 25-thousand acres.

Cut 4 (11)  “…particular wind farm.”

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is embarking on two studies that will look at female athletes’ mental and physical resilience. Pennington’s Director of the Behavior Technology Laboratory Doctor Tiffany Stewart says one project will recruit 500 female athletes nationwide to assess overall mental health and resilience while a second study will focus on 50 female athletes at LSU…

Cut 8 (12)  “…with that”

Former Chairwoman of the Louisiana Democratic Party and state senator Karen Carter Peterson enters a guilty plea to a wire fraud charge. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (27) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

The Louisiana Department of Health has released a list of exemptions of when an abortion can take place because the pregnancy is medically futile. The list contains 24 conditions that would affect parts of the fetus. The absence of a heart is one condition. The law also calls for two Louisiana physicians to sign off on an abortion before it can happen.

If you’re adopted and 24 or older you can now request a copy of your original birth certificate. Elise Lewis, one of the founders of the Louisiana Coalition for Adoption Reform says can make the request online at the department of health’s vital statistics website.

Cut 12 (11) “…pre-adoption birth certificate.” 

A law was passed in the most recent legislative session give adoptees the right to their pre-adoption birth certificate.

August is when hurricane season starts to really heat up, and Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says prepare now for a possible storm damage claim. Donelon says read your property insurance declaration page thoroughly…:

Cut 13 (11) “…Named Storm Deductible.”
Donelon says the Named Storm Deductible applies for hurricanes and tropical storms and requires you to put up 5-percent of your property’s value before insurance kicks in.

Adoptees who are 24 years of age or older can request a copy of their original Louisiana birth certificate thanks to a law that went into effect on Monday…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Former state lawmaker and chairwoman of the Louisiana Democratic Party, Karen Carter Peterson, has pleaded guilty to a federal wire fraud charge. Prosecutors say Peterson used 150-thousand dollars from the party and her own campaign to help feed a gambling addiction. Peterson has reportedly paid the money back and faces a December seventh sentencing date.

Another new law that went into effect this week raises the limit on how large a wind farm can be on state land and waters from five-thousand acres to 25-thousand acres. Houma Representative Jerome Zeringue says the legislation is designed to help grow a wind energy industry in Louisiana and he expects oil and gas companies to participate…
cut 6 (12) “….build a wind turbine”

We are moving closer to primetime when it comes to the hurricane season. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says use the time now to take photos or a shoot video of the contents of your home…
cut 14 (13) “…you claim processed”
As of today the tropics are quiet.

A new law that took effect Monday paves the way for Louisiana’s growing wind energy industry. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Louisiana Department of Health has released a list of conditions that could allow for the termination of a pregnancy under the state’s new abortion ban. Several of the health conditions listed, like underdeveloped lungs, will lead to the baby only living a few days. But Doctors say the list still does not provide enough clarity over what care is allowed.

Adopted persons who are 24 years of age or older can obtain a copy of their original birth certificate as a result of a new law that went into effect yesterday. Elise Lewis is a co-founder of Louisiana Coalition for Adoption and says they’ve lobbied for years at the state legislature for this law and she credits the bill’s author Rosepine Representative Chuck Owens who shared his personal story of adoption…
cut 11 (11) “….from their families”
A birth certificated can be requested through the Louisiana Department of Health’s vital statistics website.

Heavy rain is falling across southeast Louisiana this morning. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says it’s a good reminder to buy flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program if you currently do not have a policy to cover you from flooding…
cut 15 (05) “…can make”
Donelon says you local insurance agent should be able to help you secure flood insurance through the N-F-I-P.

Adoptees who are 24 and older can now request a copy of their original birth certificate thanks to a state law that went into effect Monday. Elise Lewis, co-founder of the Louisiana Coalition for Adoption Reform says they’ve received positive feedback from adoptees…
Cut 10 (12) “…to know.”
Lewis credits Rosepine Representative Chuck Owens for sharing his personal story of adoption for the bill finally becoming law.

Also becoming law this week is legislation that expands the limit from five thousand to 25-thousand acres for windfarm development. Houma Representative Jerome Zeringue says the wind industry needs about one-thousand acres per turbine…
cut 5 (10) “…economically feasible”

August is when hurricane season starts to really heat up, and Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says prepare now for a possible storm damage claim. Donelon says read your property insurance declaration page thoroughly…:
Cut 13 (11) “…Named Storm Deductible.”
Donelon says the Named Storm Deductible applies for hurricanes and tropical storms and requires you to put up 5-percent of your property’s value before insurance kicks in.

A researcher at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is studying female athletes at LSU and nationwide to find better ways to help them cope with mental health. Doctor Tiffany Stewart says little research ahs been done to identify the best resilience-based strategies for athletes…
cut 9 (07) “….in the future”
One of Stewart’s studies will focus on 50 LSU female athletes to measure their mental, physical, hormonal and immune resilience during normal to high stress periods.

Former Chairwoman of the Louisiana Democratic Party and state senator Karen Carter Peterson enters a guilty plea to a wire fraud charge. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (27) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Louisiana Department of Health has released a list of exemptions of when an abortion can take place because the pregnancy is medically futile. The list contains 24 conditions that would affect parts of the fetus. The absence of a heart is one condition. The law also calls for two Louisiana physicians to sign off on an abortion before it can happen.

A new law that took effect Monday is designed to help Louisiana’s developing wind energy industry. Houma Representative Jerome Zeringue says the new law increases a previously set limit of five-thousand acres for development of wind farms to 25-thousand acres…
Cut 4 (11) “…particular wind farm.”
The law also adds wind to forms of energy for which the state may officially enter into lease sales – either offshore or on land.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is embarking on two studies that will look at female athletes’ mental and physical resilience. Pennington’s Director of the Behavior Technology Laboratory Doctor Tiffany Stewart says for too long, sports have focused solely on wins and losses, while ignoring athletes’ mental health…
cut 7 (09) “…difficult times.”
Stewart says one project will recruit 500 female athletes nationwide to assess overall mental health and resilience while a second study will focus on 50 female athletes at LSU