An updated forecast shows Louisiana will run a 500 million dollar surplus for the last fiscal year, up from the previously expected 300 million dollar surplus. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says there’s two reasons for the rising surplus, starting with the 2017 federal tax reform.

Cut 9, 11 seconds, well

Critics say the surplus is evidence that the Governor’s .45 percent sales tax increase was ultimately unnecessary.

Governor Edwards is pacing his gubernatorial challengers in fundraising, pulling in over twice as much as the top polling Republican in the race Ralph Abraham.  UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this could tank Abraham’s chances in a potential run-off.

Cut 4 (08) “…gets there.”

Congressman Abraham has one-point-four million in cash on hand.

The Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild expresses their concerns about Tiger Stadium’s local craft beer selection being limited to Abita Strawberry Lager at a small portion of sales kiosks. Guild executive director Cary Koch says of the seven beers offered, two come from a neighboring state.

Cut 6 (10) “…tell you that.”

LSU senior associate athletic director Robert Munson says the beverages that are available in the stadium were selected LSU athletics, it’s vendor Aramark, and a fan input.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is touring the state in an effort to drum up support for constitutional amendment 4 on the October ballet that she says would help to combat the affordable housing shortage.

Cut 15 (09) “…we’re not alone.”

Cantrell will be visiting Alexandria and Lafayette today.

Governor Edwards continues to raise more money than his two Republican challengers. New campaign finance reports show Edwards raised one-point-seven-million dollars in the latest quarter and has nearly six-million dollars available as he tries to avoid a runoff. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross…
Cut 3 (08) “…runoff.”
Edwards raised twice as much as Republican challenger Ralph Abraham, while Republican businessman Eddie Rispone has loaned his campaign another one-point-five million dollars

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the state has a 500-million dollar surplus from last fiscal year. Previous estimates were for a 300-million dollar surplus. Dardenne credits higher-than-expected corporation and personal income tax collections. Republican lawmakers say the state can afford to give out tax cuts.

The Tropical Disturbance over the hurricane-ravaged Bahamas is not a threat to Louisiana, but the heat continues.…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs is holding its second annual suicide prevention summit today in Baton Rouge. L-D-V-A spokesperson Alex Juan says the attendees are learning more about the risk factors for veteran populations, plus suicide prevention and intervention…
cut 12 (09) “…do that”
The National Suicide Prevention hotline is 1-800-273-8255.

More hot weather today and through the weekend. High temperatures will reach the mid-to-upper 90s for central and north Louisiana. Mid-90s across south Louisiana. But state climatologist Barry Keim says the high pressure system producing this hot and dry weather is keeping the tropics quiet in the Gulf of Mexico….
cut 9 (11) “….with that accordingly”
A developing storm in the Bahamas is expected to stay out of the Gulf.

A statewide poll shows voters are for the most part undecided on who they’ll cast their ballot for Insurance Commissioner in October. Incumbent Jim Donelon polled with just 35-percent compared to his challenger Tim Temple’s 20-percent. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says for a long-time incumbent it’s not ideal.
Cut 4 (10) “…Louisiana.”
45-percent of voters surveyed are undecided.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has spent the last couple of days visiting numerous Louisiana cities to speak with faith-based leaders, affordable housing advocates and mayors as she looks to drum up support for Constitutional Amendment 4 on the October 12 ballot. The amendment would allow New Orleans to establish property tax exemptions for residential properties that provide affordable housing…
cut 14 (11) “….rest of the state”
It takes statewide approval because the proposal will change the state’s constitution.

The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs is holding a suicide prevention summit today in Baton Rouge. L-D-V-A spokesperson Alex Juan says for each suicide, over 100 people are directly impacted…
cut 11 (10) “….suicide”

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is pleading her case to get voters to Vote Yes on Constitutional Amendment number 4 on the October ballot. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Numerous parishes are under a burn ban as a result of the hot and dry weather. Caldwell, Franklin, LaSalle, Lincoln, Richland, Sabine, Union and West Carroll parishes are all under the ban. Meanwhile, the tropical disturbance over the Bahamas could make landfall in Florida as a tropical storm over the weekend and not enter the Gulf

The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs hosts the Second Annual Suicide Prevention Summit today in Baton Rouge. L-D-V-A spokesperson Alex Juan says the event is open to everyone and not limited to veterans. Juan says a simple small act of support can have a big impact.

Cut 10 (10) “…don’t know.”
Juan says they are trying to get the word out that anyone can help prevent suicide.

A statewide poll on the Insurance Commissioner’s race shows that Republican Incumbent Jim Donelon is receiving 35-percent of the vote, while his GOP challenger Tim Temple has 20-percent, 45-percent are undecided. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Temple has to increase his name recognition…
cut 6 (12) “….better job”
Early voting for this election begins two weeks from tomorrow.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is touring the state this week in an effort to drum up support for constitutional amendment 4 on the October ballot that she says would create affordable housing in Orleans Parish…
Cut 13 (11) “…generated in New Orleans.”
The measure would exempt properties with no more than 15 residential units from taxes as a way to create more affordable housing units. It’s a constitutional amendment, so that’s why it needs statewide approval.

The job of Insurance Commissioner is also on the October 12th ballot. A poll released this week finds 45-percent of the voters are undecided. Republican Incumbent Jim Donelon is seeking a fourth full term, while GOP challenger Tim Temple has over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry as he seeks his first political office…
cut 5 (08) “…now he does”
That’s pollster Bernie Pinsonat.

The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs holds its second annual Suicide Prevention Summit today in Baton Rouge. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Get ready for another hot weekend…
cut 8 (10) “…just as bad”
That’s State Climatologist Barry Keim who says the high-pressure system giving us the hot and mostly dry weather, is keeping a developing storm in the Bahamas from crossing Florida and getting into the Gulf.

A statewide poll shows voters are for the most part undecided on who they’ll cast their ballot for Insurance Commissioner in October. Surprisingly, incumbent Jim Donelon polled with just 35-percent compared to his challenger Tim Temple’s 20-percent. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says for a long-time incumbent it’s not ideal.
Cut 4 (10) “…Louisiana.”
45-percent of voters surveyed are undecided.

The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs is hosting its second annual suicide prevention summit today at an American Legion Post in Baton Rouge. L-D-V-A spokesperson Alex Juan says the attendees will learn more about the risk factors for veteran populations, plus suicide prevention and intervention…
cut 12 (09) “…do that”
The National Suicide Prevention hotline is 1-800-273-8255.

The Tropical Disturbance over the hurricane-ravaged Bahamas is no longer a threat to Louisiana, but the heat continues. Kevin Barnhart has more…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The National Hurricane Center says there is a high chance we’ll see tropical development from a wave north of Haiti. National Weather Service Slidell Meteorologist Tim Destri says the system is expected to move northwest towards Florida and is expected to have minimal effects on Louisiana, but could bring some rain if the storm tracks more westward.
Cut 4 (07) “…to be beneficial.”
Destri says if Louisiana sees any rain from the system, the timing likely will not impact any college football plans for this weekend.
Trust for America’s Health says the U-S Obesity rates are at historic highs, with nine states reaching an adult obesity rate above 35-percent. Louisiana’s adult obesity rate is at 37-percent, fourth highest in the nation. President of T-F-A-H John Auerbach says to reverse the trend more than just one or two things need to change

Cut 6 (11) “…worse and worse.”

A Denham Springs man is arrested after taking two schools buses for a late-night joy ride.  Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says the suspect 30-year-old Zachary Anderson was identified after cameras on one of the buses captured the culprit’s image.

Cut 9 (09)  “..bus this morning.”

A warrant was issued, but Anderson posted on Facebook that he would turn himself in, before doing so.

A fifteen year old Sam Houston High School Student is behind bars after threatening to shoot his fellow classmates. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Kim Myers says fortunately students reported the incident to the school resource officer.

Cut 14 (09) “own students”

The teen was booked at the Juvenile Detention Center and charged with terrorizing.

Livingston Parish Sheriff’s deputies arrest a man after taking two school buses for a spin. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut  2 (30) I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

The Louisiana Department of Education has revoked the license at Assembly Kidz Care in West Monroe and pulled funding after an investigation shows the mistreatment of several three year olds. Police have charged 48-year old Yolanda Jackson with felony cruelty to juveniles. Video was obtained showing Jackson dropping, grabbing and dragging children.  She’s also been accused of hitting and shaking children.

A Sam Houston High School Student is behind bars after threatening to shoot his fellow classmates in Moss Bluff. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Kim Myers says they might not know if the student intended to carry thru with the threat or not but classmate took the threat seriously and reported it to the school resource officer.

Cut 13 (05) “officer”

The teen was booked at the Juvenile Detention Center and charged with terrorizing.

The National Hurricane Center says it looks like are developing from a wave north of Haiti. National Weather Service Slidell Meteorologist Tim Destri says if Louisiana sees any rain from the system, the timing likely will not impact any college football plans for this weekend.

Cut 5 (11) “…30 to 50%.”

Right now the system is moving west towards the Florida peninsula

The National Hurricane Center says there is a high chance we’ll see tropical development from the disturbance in the Bahamas. National Weather Service Slidell Meteorologist Tim Destri says the system is expected to move northwest towards the Florida peninsula.
Cut 3 (10) “…day or so.”
Based on the latest National Hurricane Center model, this developing storm doesn’t look like a major threat to Louisiana.

A report from the Trust for America’s Health says Louisiana’s adult obesity rate is at 37-percent, fourth highest in the nation. President for T-F-A-H, John Auerbach says obesity puts people at risk for type two diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke and many types of cancers. He says obesity is also estimated to increase national healthcare spending by 149-million dollars a year…
Cut 8 (09) “different ways.”
One recommendation to help reduce the rate of obesity, taxes on sugary drinks.

A Sam Houston High School Student has been charged with threatening to shoot his fellow classmates in Moss Bluff. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Kim Myers says deputies took a 15-year-old into custody
Cut 12 (13) “…terrorizing”
Detectives spoke with the suspect and confirmed he did make the threats when students were present.

The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 30-year-old man for taking two school buses for a joyride. Sheriff Jason Ard says surveillance footage from inside the bus was distributed to the public, which helped them nab the want a be bus driver…
cut 11 (13) “…in very quickly”
Ard says they don’t know why Zachary Anderson decided to drive the school buses around late at night.

A Denham Springs man is behind bars now after a late night joy-ride on two school buses. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says the suspect 30-year-old Zachary Anderson’s image was captured on camera on one of the buses. Ard says a motive is unclear.

Cut 10 (08) “…some of that.”

A warrant was issued, but Anderson posted on Facebook that he would turn himself in, before doing so.

A fifteen year old Sam Houston High School Student is behind bars after threatening to shoot his fellow classmates. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Kim Myers says fortunately students reported the incident to the school resource officer.

Cut 14 (09) “own students”

The teen was booked at the Juvenile Detention Center and charged with terrorizing.

Trust for America’s Health says the U-S Obesity rates are at historic highs. Louisiana’s adult obesity rate is at 37-percent, the fourth highest in the nation. President of T-F-A-H John Auerbach recommends sugary drink taxes and expanded SNAP and WIC nutrition support programs as ways to combat the epidemic.

Cut 7 (12)“. makes sense” 

National Weather Service Slidell Meteorologist Tim Destri says the developing system in the Atlantic is expected to move to northwest towards Florida. Destri says this particular system is expected to have minimal effects on Louisiana, but could bring some rain if the storm tracks more westward.

Cut 4 (07) “…to be beneficial.”