New campaign finance numbers show Governor Edwards is collecting more cash than his opponents. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (32) “..I’m Jeff Palermo”

The projected surplus for the fiscal year that ended in June has grown from 300-to 500-million dollars. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne credits higher-than-expected corporation and personal income tax collections. Republican lawmakers say now that the state keeps coming up with extra revenues, it’s time to look at tax cuts.

It will be another hot night in Tiger Stadium tomorrow when LSU hosts Northwestern State and fans now have the option to purchase cold beer, but LSU is only offering one beer from Louisiana, Abita’s Strawberry Lager. Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild executive director Cary Koch says it would be a win-win, if LSU offered more homegrown beers…
cut 7 (09) “…for sale”
LSU says they plan on expanding their beer choices soon.

A statewide charity is encouraging those hunters that need to clear their freezers of last year’s bounty to donate that meat to those that may be less fortunate. Hunters for the Hungry executive director Julie Grunewald says Clean Out Your Freezer Day will be held this weekend, with various donation points around Louisiana.
Cut 13 (08) “they service”
For more information go to clean-out-your-freezer-dot-com.

An updated forecast shows Louisiana will run an anticipated 500 million dollar surplus for the last fiscal year, up from the previously expected 300 million dollar surplus. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says they plan to use some of the funds to help replenish the state’s depleted “Rainy Day” savings fund, which was drained in the Jindal years.

Cut 10, 7 seconds, need

Critics say the surplus shows the state’s tax burden is unnecessarily high.

New campaign finance reports show Republican Eddie Rispone, who’s in third place in the gov’s race according to two recent independent polls, has six-point-three-million dollars in cash on hand after loaned his campaign another one-point-five million dollars.  UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross…

Cut 5 (09) “…Eddie Rispone”

The Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild wants to see more local brews sold at Tiger Stadium, and LSU responds saying fan input, The Tiger Athletic Association, and Aramark made the call on what beers will are offered, but different beers will soon be added. Guild executive director Cary Koch says he hopes LSU will make the right decision.

Cut 8 (06) “to do so.”

Only one Louisiana beer, Abita Strawberry, is currently offered.

Texas coach Tom Herman’s wife, Michelle Herman, released video on twitter of an apparent phone call she received from LSU fans prior to last weekend’s game where the fans berated her using racial slurs and other profanity after she answered the phone call in Spanish.

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