We are expecting a break today from heat indices climbing over 110 degrees. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front will bring cloud cover and an increased chance of rain.
Cut 7 (10) “…across the state.”
Most of the state is under a marginal risk for severe weather today.

A Public Religion Research Institute survey finds Louisiana has the lowest level of support for abortion rights in the nation, with only 34 percent saying they support the right to legal abortion in most, or all cases. ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says this is a big reason why the Democratic party in Louisiana has trouble winning statewide races…
cut 13 (10) “…that”

The Halloween and Costume Association has a petition that calls for the federal government to designate a National Trick or Treat Day to take place annually on the last Saturday of October. Kevin Barnhart has more…
cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

144-thousand people have signed the petition at change-dot-org.

The Halloween & Costume Association is pushing to expand Halloween celebrations to include the final Saturday of October. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart ”

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Medical marijuana enters it’s second week of availability in the state. Matt Doyle spoke to grower GB Sciences about the historic first seven days…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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 Only 34 percent of Louisianans support the right to an abortion in most, or all cases, the lowest in the nation according to a survey. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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The Halloween & Costume Association is pushing an effort to have Halloween celebrations on the last Saturday of October.  Founder and CEO of Pet Krewe and HCA member Allison Albert says the idea is to hold more of the festivities on the weekend will help kids with a day to recover after a candy binge.

Cut 4 (10) “…bag of chocolates.”

Albert says more awareness for celebrations on a weekend will lead to safer Halloween experiences.

Cut 5 (10) “…little more cautious.”

Albert says the group is not attempting to remove Halloween from the last night of the October but to add to the celebration.

Cut 6 (11) “…fully celebrate Halloween.”

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A very mild drop in temps is expected today, offering modest relief from a heat index that has been in excess of 110 degrees in recent days.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front is coming and will bring with it cloud cover and an increased chance of rain.

Cut 7 (10) “…across the state.”

Keim says the drop should bring conditions closer to normal, but the high humidity will present dangerous heat index values.

Cut 8 (07) “…115.”

Keim says hotter weather should present itself again at the work week wraps up.

Cut 9 (07) “…to offer here.”

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It’s been a week since medical marijuana became available to patients in Louisiana and grower GB Sciences says about 10,000 vials of the treatment have been sent out to select pharmacies.

GB President John Davis says all nine of the state’s medical marijuana pharmacies have received product, and the pharmacies are reporting few hiccups, and steady demand.

Cut 10 (09) “community”

GB is partnered with the LSU AgCenter in growing the plants that are turned into the non-psychoactive treatment.

We don’t know exactly how many people have participated in the program so far due to doctor-patient confidentially, but Davis says they estimate it’s between 5,000-10,000 residents.

Cut 11 (10) “…mission”

Each vial purchased by a patient with an authorized prescription runs about 80-200 dollars.

Davis says with a seamless rollout behind them, they’re looking forward to offering oral strips by September/October, creams by later this year, and inhalable product by the first quarter of next year.

Cut 12 (10) “…tweaks”

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A survey says Louisiana has the lowest level of support for abortion rights in the nation, with only 34 percent saying they support the right to legal abortion in most, or all cases.

60 percent of state respondents said abortion should be illegal in most or all cases. ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says that has a direct effect on the kinds of candidates the Democratic party can run locally…

Cut 13 (10) “…that.”

Nationally 54 percent of respondents supported  abortion in most or all cases, and 40 percent said they opposed legal abortion in most or all cases.

The national Democratic Party is firmly pro-choice, and Stockley says this poll is an example of the biggest problem local Democrats have when running for statewide office.

Cut 14 (08) “…parts.”

The study broke the numbers down by ethnic group, with Asians/Pacific Islanders (60%) and African Americans (58%) having the most support for legal abortion, while Hispanics were the only group with majority opposition (48%-45%).

Stockley says the overwhelming opposition to abortion rights in Louisiana creates a clear order of operations for candidates seeking statewide office.

Cut 15 (09) “…of them”

The survey was conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute.

This week marks the three-year anniversary of the 2016 south Louisiana flood. The state received one-point-two billion dollars from the feds to rebuild. Office of Community Development Executive Director Pat Forbes says 90-percent of the homeowners eligible for Restore grant dollars have received checks, the other 10-percent will get their money soon…
cut 4 (09) “…cleared up”
Forbes says 15-thousand households have received assistance through the Restore Louisiana program.
It’s been a brutal few days of heat but National Weather Service Slidell meteorologist Robert Ricks says relief may be on the way tomorrow in the form of a weak cold frontal boundary coming into the area and increasing the rain chances.
Cut 8 (05) “…break the heat.”
Today saw heat indexes above 110 in a few cities.
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Gumbo PAC, a super PAC supporting Governor Edwards, rolls out two new statewide television ads attacking his Republican rivals. Kevin Barnhart has more.
cut 2 (32) I’m Kevin Barnhart”
A Public Religion Research Institute study shows Louisiana has the lowest levels of support for abortion rights in the nation, with only 34 percent saying it should be legal. 60 percent of respondents replied that abortion should be illegal in most or all cases. This compares to 54 percent nationwide who said abortion should be legal in most or all cases, while only 40 percent said the procedure should be illegal in most or all cases.

The Advocate releases a report showing only a third of 2016 flood RESTORE applicants received funds, but the state is countering, saying most people who applied were not eligible…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The excessive heat warning issued for north Louisiana is now extending into the southeastern portion of the state. National Weather Service Slidell meteorologist Robert Ricks says the temps are expected to get into the mid to upper 90s, but it’ll feel much hotter.

Cut 6 (05) “…to 118 range.”

Ricks says relief may be on the way tomorrow with increased rain chances.

Pro-Edwards super PAC Gumbo PAC releases two statewide television ads attacking both major Republicans in the race, Eddie Rispone and Congressman Ralph Abraham.  UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says the Gumbo PAC spent millions four years ago, and it appears they are going for a repeat.

Cut 9 (07) “…way through it.”

The anti-Rispone ad claims the Baton Rouge businessman failed to properly pay workers and attempted to hire foreign workers instead of labor from Louisiana.  Rispone’s campaign says the ad is an attempt to distract voters that Louisiana ranks dead last in almost every category.

A grisly scene in New Orleans East as a rock band shooting a music video stumbles upon the charred remains of several dogs.  Authorities say they’re not sure what happened to the dogs, but, Louisiana Humane Society Executive Director Jeff Dorson says the crime scene contains clues pointing to two different criminal acts…

Cut 13 (08) “burning them”

Office of Community Development Executive Director Pat Forbes says 90 percent of those who were eligible to receive RESTORE 2016 flood grant funds have been sent a check so far, but only 36 percent of those who applied were deemed eligible to receive the federal money due to the program’s strict requirements.

Cut 3 (11) “…eligible”

Louisiana received 1.2 billion from the feds for homeowner relief.

Sweltering hot temperatures now blanket the entire state. National Weather Service Slidell meteorologist Robert Ricks says we’ve got heat indexes over 110 in some areas, so keep hydrated and keep indoors the best that you can because the recent string of hot days can be hazardous.

Cut 7 (04) “…taxing on the body.”

We should get a brief reprieve tomorrow as summer showers glide into the Bayou State.

Pro- Governor Edwards super PAC, Gumbo PAC, has begun hammering Republicans Eddie Rispone and Congressman Abraham with statewide TV ads. One clip attacks Abraham for not keeping his word of donating his congressional salary to charity, while the other accuses Rispone of hiring foreign workers, not paying employees, and not covering employees’ medical bills. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says it’s a strong line of attack.

Cut 10 (09) “…voting for them.”

Rispone’s campaign says it’s an effort to distract from the state’s poor performance.

A grisly scene in New Orleans East as a rock band shooting a music video stumbles upon the charred remains of several dogs. Louisiana Humane Society Executive Director Jeff Dorson says the corpses were discovered in an overgrown grassy area just off a main roadway…

Cut 12 (11) “…a third”

The Advocate releases a report showing only a third of 2016 flood RESTORE applicants received funds, but the state is countering, saying most people who applied were not eligible…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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Gumbo PAC, a super PAC supporting Governor Edwards, rolls out two new statewide television ads attacking his Republican rivals. Kevin Barnhart has more.

cut  2 (32) I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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A report says only a third of people who applied for RESTORE 2016 flood grant money have actually received any cash, but the state says that statistic is misleading.

Office of Community Development Executive Director Pat Forbes says 90 percent of those who were eligible to receive RESTORE funds have been sent a check, and most of those who didn’t get money were not eligible…

Cut 3 (11) “…eligible”

The report was on the front page of the Advocate this morning.

Forbes says if you’re eligible you’ve likely already received the cash, and the other 10 percent who are left will likely get their check soon.

Cut 4 (09) “…cleared up.”

Louisiana received 1.2 billion from the feds, 700 million of which Forbes estimates will ultimately be spent on homeowners, the rest will be spent to repair and construct affordable rental units.

After the flood, the state called for anyone impacted by the flood to fill out RESTORE paperwork. Forbes says even if most applicants ultimately weren’t eligible, 15,000 households were helped.

Cut 5 (11) “…eligible”

43,000 people applied for RESTORE funds.

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The excessive heat warning issued for north Louisiana is now extending into the southeastern portion of the state. National Weather Service Slidell meteorologist Robert Ricks says the temps are expected to get into the mid to upper 90s, with the humidity levels expected to make conditions feel even more unbearable.

Cut 6 (05) “…to 118 range.”

Ricks says keep hydrated and keep indoors the best that you can because the recent string of hot days can be hazardous.

Cut 7 (04) “…taxing on the body.”

Ricks says relief may be on the way tomorrow in the form of a weak cold frontal boundary coming into the area and increasing the rain chances.

Cut 8 (05) “…break the heat.”

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Pro-Edwards super PAC Gumbo PAC releases two statewide television ads attacking both major Republicans in the race, Eddie Rispone and Congressman Ralph Abraham.  UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says the Gumbo PAC spent millions four years ago, and it appears they are going for a repeat.

Cut 9 (07) “…way through it.”

One clip attacks Abraham for not keeping his word of donating his congressional salary to charity, while the other accuses Rispone of hiring foreign workers, not paying employees, and not covering employees’ medical bills.  Cross does not believe voters pay much attention to the source of the ads but says they are effective in getting a message to voters.

Cut 10 (09) “…voting for them.”

Cross says the initial mudslinging is a sign of things to come throughout this race, as they can be an effective tactic.

Cut 11 (12) “…know very much.”

Rispone has responded saying, “John Bel Edwards and his liberal cronies are trying to distract you from the fact that under his leadership we are ranked dead last in almost every category. From jobs to healthcare, liberal John Bel has failed Louisiana.”

________________________________

A grisly scene in New Orleans East as a rock band shooting a music video stumbles upon the charred remains of several dogs.

Louisiana Humane Society Executive Director Jeff Dorson says the corpses were discovered in an overgrown grassy area just off a main roadway. He describes the disturbing scene.

Cut 12 (11) “…a third”

The band was filming on scene with a few former Saints players, and Rockin Doopsie when they said they could smell something putrid, and followed the stench to the scene.

Authorities say they’re not sure what happened to the dogs, but Dorson says the crime scene contains clues pointing to two different criminal acts…

Cut 13 (08) “burning them”

Dorson says if you’re in New Orleans east and are missing a dog, or have information about the crime please contact the Humane Society.

Cut 14 (10) “…for it”‘

You can call the humane society at 901-268-4432, or message them at their Facebook page.

Cut 16 (08) “…pharmacy.”
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Gumbo PAC, a super PAC supporting Governor Edwards, rolls out two new statewide television ads attacking his Republican rivals. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Voicer 2 (32) I’m Kevin Barnhart”

West Monroe police arrested a teacher’s aide at a daycare facility after she was allegedly caught on video hitting, shaking and dropping children on the floor. Police say 48-year-old Yolanda Jackson abused two three-year-olds and a four-year-old. The Assembly Kidz Care on Gleenwood Drive says Jackson was fired immediately.

The Advocate reports that only a third of the 2016 flood victims who applied for assistance through the Louisiana Restore Program actually received money. But Office of Community Development Executive Director Pat Forbes says many of the applicants were not eligible for the federal funds and 15-thousand households that received the money are grateful…
cut 5 (11) “…eligible”

The Humane Society is seeking clues after charred dog remains were found in New Orleans East. Louisiana Humane Society Executive Director Jeff Dorson says if you’re in New Orleans East and are missing a dog, or have information about the crime please contact the Humane society…
cut 14 (10) “….for it”
You can also send a message to the Humane Society’s Facebook page.

The Advocate releases a report showing only 36 percent of 2016 flood RESTORE applicants received funds, but the state is countering, saying most people who applied were not eligible…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Surveillence video has been released that shows the punch that knocked comedian Andy Dick to the ground after a performance in the French Quarter this past weekend. In the video you can see an unidentified man sucker punch Dick outside of One eyed Jack’s and then walk away. No arrests have been made.

The SuperPAC that supports Governor John Bel Edwards has released two TV ads that attack the governor’s republican challengers, Ralph Abraham and Eddie Rispone. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says mudslinging can be an effective tactic…
cut 11 (12) “….know every much”
Rispone responded to the ad by saying the Edwards administration continues to have Louisiana ranked dead last in almost every category.

It’s another scorcher outside, with the northern half of the state and southeast Louisiana under an excessive heat warning, which means heat indicies exceeding 113 degrees. National Weather Service meteorologist Robert Ricks says relief may be on the way tomorrow in the form of a weak cold front moving into the South, increasing rain chances.
Cut 8 (05) “…break the heat.”

This week marks the three-year anniversary of the 2016 south Louisiana flood. The state received one-point-two billion dollars from the feds to rebuild. Office of Community Development Executive Director Pat Forbes says 90-percent of the homeowners eligible for Restore grant dollars have received checks, the other 10-percent will get their money soon…
cut 4 (09) “…cleared up”
Forbes says 15-thousand households have received assistance through the Restore Louisiana program.

LSU Assistant Professor of Research Doctor Vincent Brown has found that thunderstorms in Louisiana have become more intense and dropped more rain over the last six decades. Brown points to rising Gulf sea temperatures…
cut 11 (08) “…the air”
Brown says the higher the humidity, the more water available in the air for storm systems to utilize, thus increasing the chance of an intense downpour.

The GumboPAC, which is a super-PAC that supports Governor John Bel Edwards has released two television ads, one of them goes after Republican challenger Eddie Rispone, the other fellow GOP contender Ralph Abraham. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the GumboPAC was instrumental in Edwards winning the governor’s race four years ago…
cut 9 (07) “…through it”
The anti-Rispone ad claims the Baton Rouge businessman failed to properly pay workers and attempted to hire foreign workers instead of labor from Louisiana. Rispone’s campaign says the ad is an attempt to distract voters that Louisiana ranks dead last in almost every category.

The excessive heat warning issued for north Louisiana is now extending into the southeastern portion of the state. National Weather Service Slidell meteorologist Robert Ricks says the temps are expected to get into the mid to upper 90s, with the humidity levels expected to make conditions feel even more unbearable.
Cut 6 (05) “…to 118 range.”
Ricks says relief may be on the way tomorrow with increased rain chances.
A report from The Advocate says only 36 percent of people who applied for RESTORE 2016 flood grant money have actually received any cash, but Office of Community Development Executive Director Pat Forbes says that’s a misleading statistic. Forbes says 90 percent of those who were eligible to receive RESTORE funds have been sent a check, and those who didn’t get money…

Cut 3 (11) “…eligable”

The other 10 percent who are still waiting for money fell into the Duplication of Benefits loophole.

Governor John Bel Edwards visited Saints training camp on Monday and discussed the 450-million dollar plan to renovate the Mercedes Benz Superdome. Edwards says it is vital for the Superdome, which opened in 1975, to see optimizations that keep the facility competitive in being able to host many major events.

Cut 9 (10) “…and we upgrade.”

Artist renderings may be available by the end of the week. The renovation process is expected to start immediately after the current football season.

An LSU study shows over the last six decades rain events have gotten more intense and drop more rain in a shorter period of time, causing increased risk of flash flood events. LSU Assistant Professor of Research Dr. Vincent Brown was on the research team and says it’s not that all rain events are more intense on average, but we are seeing an increasing number of more severe downpours…

Cut 10 (10) “trend.”