A state official says 2016 flood victims who’ve were barred from RESTORE grants due to receiving SBA loans should get their checks in the next month or so. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Diverted Mississippi River water into Lake Ponchartrain has resulted in trouble for marine life and financial damage to the livelihoods of those in the fishing industry.  Now the Governor is making a disaster declaration.  Kevin Barnhart has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

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Southwest Louisiana Republicans held a straw poll in the town of Iowa and Congressman Ralph Abraham is the preferred choice over fellow republican Eddie Rispone in the governor’s race. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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Former Avoyelles Correctional Center warden, Nate Cain receives 38 months behind bars and his ex-wife, Tonia Bandy-Cain, who also served as the former business manager at the prison, receives an 8-month sentence to federal prison in a corruption case.  US Attorney for Louisiana’s Western District David Joseph says the punishment shows that combating corruption is a priority.

Cut 4 (10) “…better watch out.”

Joseph says the duo spent prison funds, more than $150,000, on personal expenses.

Cut 5 (10) “…for personal things.”

The judge has ordered the two to pay back more than $42,000 in restitution to the state.  Joseph is tight-lipped about the current state of the investigation and whether to expect other arrests in connection to the case.

Cut 6 (06) “…the end of it.”
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Louisiana officials are optimistic that 2016 flood victims who did not get RESTORE grant money due to receiving SBA loans will see a check in the near future. State Office of Community Development Executive Director Pat Forbes says the state is getting final guidelines approved by HUD. After that happens, they will contact remaining flood victims…

Cut 7 (12) “…from HUD”

This action should end the “duplication of benefits” loophole.

All households below 120 percent of the Area Median Income of the area that they live in will be cleared to receive their check shortly. Forbes says if you make over that amount, HUD will have to take a closer look at your need for the funds.

Cut 8 (09) “…basis”

Forbes says the state is writing guidelines, that must be approved by HUD, for the “hardship waivers” in a way that will hopefully allow most families above the 120 AMI level to still receive their checks.

Forbes says for the most part, there will be very little, if anything, that most RESTORE applicants will need to do, other than wait just a little while longer…

Cut 9 (09) “…shortly.”

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Governor Edwards requests federal disaster declaration for flooded fisheries due to high river levels.  The Bonnet Carre Spillway has been opened twice so far this year and it currently open.  Assistant Secretary for the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Office of Fisheries Patrick Banks says the excessive fresh water is causing many issues.

Cut 10 (09) “…folks are catching.”

Banks says the fresh water from the Bonnet Carre flows through Lake Pontchartrain and east toward the Mississippi Sound and the marshes of St. Bernard Parish and has resulted in troubling mortality rates among oysters, declining fish catches and financial damage to the livelihoods of those in the fishing industry.

Cut 11 (08) “high since December.”

The spillway is opened in an effort to protect people and property in New Orleans from flooding due to the breaching of levees.  Banks says the amount of federal aid for those industries impacted right now is unclear and will remain so until the disaster event ends.

Cut 12 (09) “…make that determination.”

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Congressman Ralph Abraham grabbed 180 votes and Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone grabbed 94 votes at Saturday’s Southwest Louisiana Republican’s “Iowa Governor’s race (I-oh-way) straw poll”.

UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Abraham has to be feeling good about the results, and it appears the Congressman is solidifying his frontrunner status.

Cut 13 (06) “wants.”

The 25 dollar a head event was hosted by the Calcasieu Republican Party Executive Committee and the Republican Women of Southwest Louisiana.

It’s a small sample size, but Cross says the almost two-to-one margin in favor of Abraham amongst some of the most engaged Republicans in the state is a red flag to the Rispone campaign.

Cut 14 (10) “…problem.”

Rispone is reporting a war chest of over 10 million dollars, but it’s thought that a significant portion of that is the millionaire candidate’s own cash. Cross says the disappointing results may deter Rispone from going all in…

Cut 15 (08) “on that”

The gubernatorial primary is set for October 12^th. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff will be set for November 16^th.

Auto insurance rates for Progressive and Louisiana Farm Bureau customers are going down later this summer. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor John Bel Edwards has requested a federal fisheries disaster declaration for Louisiana. Edwards says diverting Mississippi River water into Lake Ponchartrain has resulted in troubling mortality rates among oysters, declining fish catches and financial damage to the livelihoods of those in the fishing industry. The Bonnet Carre Spillway has been operated twice this year because of high levels on the Mississippi River.

State Police say an impaired driver is to blame for a wreck that sent three victims flying off the elevated Westbank Expressway in Harvey. All three people died after a fall of about 100 feet. Trooper Monroe Dillon says the three victims were working on a disabled vehicle in the roadway…
cut 8 (11) “…in the lane of travel”
Dillon says they arrested 40-year-old Todd Williams of New Orleans and he’s facing numerous charges including three counts of vehicular homicide.

A Houma woman is sentenced to 23 years in prison for stabbing another woman to death in a dispute stemming from relationships going sour.  The altercation took place in July 2017 resulting in Miranda Gilley being charged with second-degree murder.  Terrebonne Parish Assistant DA Chris Erny says after the two wrestled around, a tactical knife got involved in the deadly dispute.
Cut 9 (08) “…couple of times”
The jury later decided on a lesser charge of manslaughter.

A deadly dispute over a man between a woman and her ex’s new love interest results in a 23 year prison sentence. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
cut 2 (29) I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The former warden of the Avoyelles Correctional Center in Cottonport, Nate Cain was sentenced today to 38-months in federal prison. He pleaded guilty in March to two counts of federal wire fraud. His ex-wife, Tonia Bandy, received an eight month sentence. Prosecutors say the duo made fraudulent pruchases with public dollars, including gun parts.

Progressive and Louisiana Farm Bureau are dropping their auto insurance rates on the heels of the state’s largest insurer, State Farm, also lowering their rates.  Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the three insurers combined account for just over 50 percent of all Louisiana auto policies…

Cut 3 (08) “…point four”

A 15-year-old is dead and two other minors are in critical condition after they were ejected from an SUV in a rollover crash south of Ponchatoula on I-55 last night. None of the children involved appear to have been buckled up, and State Trooper Dustin Dwight says it’s a good reminder that you can get into a lot of trouble for driving kids around who are not clicked in…

Cut 13 (07) “…restrained”  

15-year-old Solomon Short died from his injuries at a local hospital.

Progressive and Louisiana Farm Bureau are dropping their auto insurance rates on the heels of the state’s largest insurer, State Farm, also lowering their rates. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says part of the savings come from a peaking number of distracted driving incidents, and the rest of the decreases can be chalked up to insurers undercutting the competition.

Cut 5 (10) “…writers.”

Three people are dead after an alleged drunk driver slammed into a vehicle that broke down in the middle of the Westbank Expressway in Harvey last night. State Police trooper Monroe Dillon says the three victims were on the upper level of the overpass and standing near the broken-down car when the collision occurred.

Cut 6 (08) “feet drop”

One of the three victims, 49-year-old Claude Williams, was a pastor at Celebration Church.

A Houma woman will spend 23 years in prison for stabbing another woman to death in a dispute over a man. The homicide took place in July 2017 at Miranda Gilley’s apartment. Terrebonne Parish Assistant DA Chris Erny says he was not surprised by the lack of the maximum sentencing, as they were aiming for 30 years.  The judge’s decision not to give Gilley the maximum sentence came as the result of the defendant’s youth and not having a criminal history.

Cut 11 (11) “…it, she didn’t.”

A 15-year-old is dead and two other minors are in critical condition after they were ejected from an SUV in a rollover crash south of Ponchatoula on I-55 last night. State Trooper Dustin Dwight says it’s a tragedy that could potentially have been avoided by strapping the kids in with a child safety seat. He adds state police will install them in your vehicle free of charge…

Cut 14 (08) “…correctly” 

Auto insurance rates for Progressive and Louisiana Farm Bureau customers are going down later this summer. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor John Bel Edwards has requested a federal fisheries disaster declaration for Louisiana. Edwards says diverting Mississippi River water into Lake Ponchartrain has resulted in troubling mortality rates among oysters, declining fish catches and financial damage to the livelihoods of those in the fishing industry. The Bonnet Carre Spillway has been operated twice this year because of high levels on the Mississippi River.

A pastor was among the three pedestrians killed when they were struck by a suspected drunk driver on the Westbank Expressway in Jefferson Parish last night. State Police Trooper Monroe Dillon says the three victims were working on a stalled vehicle when they were hit and they flew off the elevated portion of the highway to their death…
cut 7 (09) “…roadway”
40-year-old Todd Williams of New Orleans is in jail and 49-year-old Claude Williams was a pastor at Celebration Church.

A 15-year-old is dead and two other minors are in critical condition after they were ejected from an SUV in a rollover crash south of Ponchatoula on Interstate 55 last night. State Trooper Dustin Dwight says they suspect the driver, 38-year-old Viola Oliver II, was impaired as she attempted to exit at US 51 when the vehicle began to roll…
Cut 12 (11) “…fatal injuries”

Two insurance companies are reducing their auto rates in Louisiana. Progressive is lowering their rates by two-percent, Louisiana Farm Bureau has proposed a four-percent decrease and this comes on the heels of State Farm’s announcement last year that they are lowering rates. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says auto insurance rates are leveling off, because the number of highway fatalities has done the same…
cut 4 (11) “….peak”
Donelon says competition among the different auto insurance providers is also driving auto rates down.

State Police say an impaired driver is to blame for a wreck that sent three victims flying off the elevated Westbank Expressway in Harvey. All three people died after a fall of about 100 feet. Trooper Monroe Dillon says the three victims were working on a disabled vehicle in the roadway…
cut 8 (11) “…in the lane of travel”
Dillon says they arrested 40-year-old Todd Williams of New Orleans and he’s facing numerous charges including three counts of vehicular homicide.

A deadly dispute over a man between a woman and her ex’s new love interest results in a 23 year prison sentence. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
cut 2 (29) I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The former warden of the Avoyelles Correctional Center in Cottonport, Nate Cain was sentenced today to 38-months in federal prison. He pleaded guilty in March to two counts of federal wire fraud. His ex-wife, Tonia Bandy, received an eight month sentence. Prosecutors say the duo made fraudulent pruchases with public dollars, including gun parts.

Progressive and Louisiana Farm Bureau are dropping their auto insurance rates this year following a rate decrease earlier in the year from the state’s largest insurer, State Farm. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the three insurers combined account for just over 50 percent of all Louisiana auto policies…

Cut 3 (08) “…point four”

State Farm owns a million policies, Farm Bureau 220,000 and Progressive 175,000.

Three people are dead after an alleged drunk driver slammed into a vehicle that had broken down in the middle of US Highway 90B last night in Harvey. State Police trooper Monroe Dillon says the three victims were on the upper level of the overpass and standing near the broken-down car when the collision occurred.

Cut 6 (08) “feet drop”

A Houma woman is sentenced to 23 years in prison for stabbing another woman to death in a dispute stemming from relationships going sour. The altercation took place in July 2017 resulting in Miranda Gilley being charged with second-degree murder. Prosecutors say Gilley had invited the victim, 24-year-old Jessica McGehee, over to her apartment to fight. Gilley claimed she acted in self-defense. Terrebonne Parish DA Chris Erny says the jury had several options on the charges, but ultimately decided to go with a lesser charge of manslaughter, which carries a maximum 40-year sentence.

Cut 10 (06) “…still a homicide.”

A Houma woman is sentenced to 23 years in prison for stabbing another woman to death in a dispute stemming from relationships going sour.  The altercation took place in July 2017 resulting in Miranda Gilley being charged with second degree murder.  Terrebone Parish DA Chris Erny says after the two wrestled around, a tactical knife got involved in the deadly dispute.
Cut 9 (08) “…couple of times”
The jury later decided on a lesser charge of manslaughter.

Three people are dead after an alleged drunk driver slammed into a vehicle that had broken down in the middle of US Highway 90B last night in Harvey.  State Police trooper Monroe Dillon says the three victims were on the upper level of the overpass and standing near the broken-down car when the collision occurred.
Cut 6 (08) “feet drop”
The three were later pronounced dead by the Jefferson Parish Coroner.

A blockbuster trade sees former Pelican Anthony Davis headed to the Lakers in return for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and a bucket of first round picks. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

An Opelousas man is dead following a shooting at his home.  Police say 49-year-old Stanley Boxie died of multiple gunshot wounds after being ambushed in his driveway at 3am this morning.  The investigation is ongoing and there are no suspects at this time.

Senator Bill Cassidy says the feds have finally relented and will allow those who suffered damage in the 2016 floods, but received SBA loans, access to Louisiana RESTORE grant money. If you make above 120 percent of the area-median income, you won’t be immediately available and will need to file for a hardship waiver, but Cassidy says the barrier to receive that waiver should be set low enough to include people above that income line.
Cut 5 (11) “…grant.”

The latest USA Today report says ULM’s athletic budget ranks last among the 130 FBS schools. New ULM athletic director Scott McDonald is not using the lack of money as an excuse for not having success. McDonald says the school plans to invest in making the sure the student-athletes are getting the proper nutrition
Cut 8 (11) “…later in life”
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Disgruntled Pelicans star Anthony Davis gets his wish and is traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for young guns Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram, along with the 4th pick in this year’s draft and a bevy of future 1st round selections. But rumor have erupted that some, and possible all of the new acquisitions could be traded off to another team for an All-Star caliber player before the season’s start…
Cut 12 (11) “…Ingram.”
That’s Locked On Pelicans Publisher Jake Madison who says the team also received young shooting guard Josh Hart, and a pick swaps and 1st rounders from the Lakers that will functionally result in New Orleans owning Los Angeles’ draft through 2025.
A New Orleans police oficer was shot and wounded early this morning after responding to a report of an armed robbery. The officer was wounded in the left shoulder and taken to a nearby hospital. One of the suspects in the armed robbery is also beilved to have been shot.

Southwest Louisiana Republicans held the state’s first-ever gubernatorial straw poll over the weekend and U-S Representative Ralph Abraham was the winner. The third-term Congressmen received 180 votes, while Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone got 94 votes. The two GOP contenders are seeking to get into a November run-off with Governor Edwards.

Tensions are rising in the Mideast as the US alleges Iran is responsible for several recent attacks against oil tankers in the vital oil shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz. LSU Center for Energy Studies Director Dr. David Dismukes says political instability could lead to a rise in fuel costs…

Cut 13 (11) “..prices.”
AAA says the current statewide average for regular gasoline is $2.29.

Disgruntled Pelicans star Anthony Davis got his wish and was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for young guns Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram, shooting guard Josh Hart and multiple first round picks. Locked On Pelicans Podcast Publisher Jake Madison says it’s the best deal the Pels could get.
Cut 10 (11) “…Davis”
The Pelicans could trade the fourth overall pick in this week’s draft and get a young veteran in exchange.