More than 430 new laws go into effect today as a result of the spring legislative regular session. One of those bills is the Max Gruver Act, which increases the penalties and makes it a felony to orchestrate hazing that leads to serious injuries or death. Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry is the author of the legislation…
Cut 14 (08) “the future”
It’s also now legal to carry around switchblades. Decades ago, they were banned because switchblades were considered a dangerous weapon based on how they were used in mob and greaser moves in the 1950s and 60s. Covington Representative Mark Wright authored the legislation to make them legal again. He says it’s common sense legislation…
cut 5 (08) “…own these”
But Wright says it remains illegal to conceal them from officers during traffic stops.

Good news for 45-hundred low income families on a waiting list to receive assistance to send their young kids to child care. They will be removed from that list and have the opportunity enroll in a child care center thanks to a 39-million dollar one-time investment by the federal government. Executive Director of the Early Childhood operations, Lisa Brochard, this will not only benefit the children, but parents too…
cut 7 (12) “….way of assisting families”
Letters are going out today to those families that are coming off the waiting list.

Four-star wide receiver Trey Palmer from Kentwood High School announced his commitment to LSU. Shea Dixon with 24-7 sports says Palmer’s decision could cause a domino effect for other high profile recruits…
cut 11 (12) “…for them”
Palmer is rated as the number one receiver in the Class of 2019.

Over 430 new state laws take effect today, one of them will allow you to get married 24 hours after receiving a marriage license. The previous law said eager couples had to wait 72 hours. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson says the change puts Louisiana in line in with what other states do and it still keeps overenthusiastic couples from tying the knot while on an alcoholic bender…
cut 16 (09) “….as marriage’
Switchblades are also legal in Louisiana as of today. Covingston Representative Mark Wright says legislators banned them decades ago, because switchblade was the made weapon used in mob and greaser gang movies in the 1950s and 60s. Wright says he’s glad his legislation makes them legal now, but you still can’t conceal them during a traffic stop…
cut 4 (09) “…with that”
There are more serious laws going into effect today, like the legislation that makes hazing a felony.

The Louisiana Department of Education is removing 45-hundred children from a waiting list seeking to enroll into a child child care program. Executive Director of the Early Childhood operations, Lisa Brochard, says 39-million dollars in federal one-time money will pay for kids from low-income families to attend a child care center, but there’s still a lot more children on the list…
cut 6 (09) “…going to affect”
Letters notifying families they will be removed from the waiting list go out today.

18-year-old Louisiana Tech student Mason Andrews who is attempting to become the youngest pilot to fly solo around the world has already broken one world record during his journey. Andrews has become the youngest pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic. This morning he takes off from France, where he’ll stop in Croatia and then it’s on to Egypt.

The National Flood Insurance Program, which writes flood insurance policies for 500-thousand Louisiana residents, has been extended for four months as a result of a favorable vote in the US Senate. It was set to expire before midnight last night. Senator John Kennedy is frustrated Congress will not approve a reformed version of the NFIP..
cut 6 (09) “….the Senate”
Tweleve Senators voted against extending the the N-F-I-P for four months.

And starting this afternoon, you can place sports bets at two Mississippi casinos, Beau Rivage in Biloxi and Gold Strike in Tunica. Executive Director of the Mississippi Gaming and Hospitality Association, Larry Gregory, says they expect to see Louisiana license plates in their parking garages….
cut 12 (09) “…in sports then”
The state legislature failed to approve legislation in this year’s legislative session to permit sports betting at Louisiana casinos. The issue is expected to be discussed again next year.

Starting today, switch blades are legal to own in Louisiana. The devices have been banned for decades. If it comes as a surprise to you, you’re not alone, it was a surprise to bill sponsor Covington Representative Mark Wright. Wright says he looked into the background of the ban, and found it was rooted in a funny bit of six-decade-old hysteria.
Cut 3 (09) “dangerous weapons”
He says while switchblades may be legal, you can’t conceal it from officers during a traffic stop.

We are getting closer to the peak of the hurricane season. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the latest long-range forecasts have predicted a near normal season, but that doesn’t mean Louisiana will not see any storms…
cut 8 (10) “…quiet years”
A look at the tropics today, shows nothing is expected to develop this week.

Louisiana residents can go to Mississippi to place bets on sporting events starting today. The initial casinos to offer sports betting are Beau Rivage in Biloxi and Gold Strike in Tunica. On the most recent Ask the Governor radio show, John Bel Edwards said he expects legislation next year to bring sports betting to Louisiana…
Cut 13 (07) “…in the upcoming session.”

There are over 430 new state laws that go into effect today. One of them allows eager couples to get married 24 hours after they get their licensed, instead of waiting 72 hours. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson says it’s an odd law that needed to be addressed…
cut 17 (09) “….effect Louisiana”
Also switchblade knives are now legal in Louisiana. We’ll have more on that in future newscasts.

The National Flood Insurance Program has been given a four month extension. What happens next? Jeff Palermo has the story.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

We are getting closer to the heart of the hurricane season. State Climatlogist Barry Keim says Louisiana has seen its share of major storms during August.
cut 9 (11) “…paying attention”
The National Hurricane Center is not expecting any tropical activity for at least the next two days.

More than 430 new laws go into effect today as a result of the spring legislative regular session. One of those bills is the Max Gruver Act, which increases the penalties and makes it a felony to orchestrate hazing that leads to serious injuries or death. Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry is the author of the legislation…
Cut 14 (08) “the future”
The National Flood Insurance Program, which writes flood insurance policies for 500-thousand Louisiana residents, has been extended for four months as a result of a favorable vote in the US Senate. It was set to expire before midnight last night. Senator John Kennedy is frustrated Congress will not approve a reformed version of the NFIP..
cut 6 (09) “….the Senate”

Those who like to wager on sports can legally place bets on games starting today at Beau Rivage and the Gold Strike Casino in Mississippi. Executive director of the Missississippi Gaming and Hospitality Association, Larry Gregory, says sports betting begins in the Magnolia State, 26 years to the day the first casino opened in Biloxi…
cut 11 (07) “…across the country”
Louisiana still needs to pass legislation allowing sports betting at its gaming establishments.

The start of August means we are getting closer to the peak of the hurricane season. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the latest long-range forecasts have predicted a near normal season, but that doesn’t mean Louisiana will not see any storms…
cut 8 (10) “…quiet years”
A look at the tropics today, shows nothing is expected to develop this week.

Over 430 new state laws take effect today, one of them will allow you to get married 24 hours after receiving a marriage license. The previous law said eager couples had to wait 72 hours. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson says the change puts Louisiana in line in with what other states do and it still keeps overenthusiastic couples from tying the knot while on an alcoholic bender…
cut 16 (09) “….as marriage’
There are more serious laws going into effect today, like the legislation that makes hazing a felony.

We enter the third month of the 2018 hurricane season today. Three named storms have formed so far. State Climatologist Barry Keim predicts an increase in storms towards by end of this month.
Cut 7 (08) “hurricanes to form”
But as we start August, the tropics are quiet.

Louisiana residents can head to Mississippi starting today as sports wagering is available at two of the state’s casinos. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart”

18-year-old Louisiana Tech student Mason Andrews who is attempting to become the youngest pilot to fly solo around the world has already broken one world record during his journey. Andrews has become the youngest pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic. This morning he takes off from France, where he’ll stop in Croatia and then it’s on to Egypt.

Congress has extended the National Flood Insurance Program for another four months. It was set to expire before midnight, but the Senate voted to keep it going. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s not happy they settled for another short term fix, but it had to be done temporarily.
Cut 4 (07) “more sustainable”
Cassidy says he’d like Congress to approve 400-million dollars in funding on flood protection projects.

And with today being the start of August, it means we are getting closer to the heart of the hurricane season. State Climatlogist Barry Keim says Louisiana has seen its share of major storms during this month….
cut 9 (11) “…paying attention”
But as of right now, the National Hurricane Center is not expecting any tropical activity for at least the next two days.

An anti-hazing and a marriage law are among the hundreds of new state laws that go into effect today.
Voicer 3 (32) “I’m Matt Doyle”

And starting this afternoon, you can place sports bets at two Mississippi casinos, Beau Rivage in Biloxi and Gold Strike in Tunica. Executive Director of the Mississippi Gaming and Hospitality Association, Larry Gregory, says they expect to see Louisiana license plates in their parking garages….
cut 12 (09) “…in sports then”

Over 430 new state laws take effect today, including the Max Gruver Act, which makes having a felony and it can result in a prison sentence of up to five years if the victim dies or is seriously injured. The legislation is named after an LSU student who died in a suspected hazing incident last year. Max’s father, Stephen Gruver…
cut 15 (06) “…real deterent”

The National Flood Insurance Program which supplies 500-thousand Louisiana policyholders with flood insurance has been extended for another four months as a result of legislation approved by Congress. Senator Bill Cassidy says in order to make the N-F-I-P sustainable long term, the feds should spend 400-million dollars on flood protection projects…
cut 5 (9) “…many people”

Louisiana residents can go to Mississippi to place bets on sporting events starting today. The initial casinos to offer sports betting are Beau Rivage in Biloxi and Gold Strike in Tunica. Executive Director of the Mississippi Gaming and Hospitality Association, Larry Gregory….
cut 10 (10) “…offer a sports bet”
On the most recent Ask the Governor radio show, John Bel Edwards said he expects legislation next year to bring sports betting to Louisiana…
Cut 13 (07) “…in the upcoming session.”

Northwest Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson is throwing his hat in the ring to be the next Chairman of the House Republican Study Committee. It’s not a position for the faint of heart. The Committee Chairman is responsible for identifying policy objectives, and then wrangling support to get those ideas off the white board and onto a bill. Johnson says he’s got the background to both build consensus, and champion conservative values.

Cut 5 (07) “those ideas”

The election for RSC chairman will take place in mid-November.

An approaching cold front is destabilizing the atmosphere, bringing thunderstorm activity for parts of southeast Louisiana today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the front is expected to stall along the Louisiana coastline, keeping rain chances relatively high through Friday.

Cut 7 (08) “…rest of the work week.”

No one in the town of Palmetto in St. Landry Parish is interested in becoming the town’s police chief. The top cop and only police officer in Palmetto, David Krull, is moving and no one qualified to run to replace him. Alderman Guyton Budden says they might ask the state if they can appoint someone to be the police chief, because none of the current residents of Palmetto are interested….

Cut 14 (06) “…doing that.”

HUD has approved Governor John Bel Edwards’ request to increase reimbursements on RESTORE grants to 100 percent, which means more federal assistance for homeowners who suffered flood damage in 2016. Edwards’ Communications Director Shauna Sanford says the first people to receive their checks will be those who had already qualified, and received their 50 percent reimbursement. She says that group will have the other 50 percent on its way in the next couple of days, with homeowners who have yet to receive grant money coming after.

Cut 10 (13) “percent level”

Louisiana homeowners that received financial assistance from the State’s recovery program will soon receive checks to pay for the entire cost to rebuild their homes flooded in 2016. Matt Doyle spoke with the governor’s spokesperson…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m  Matt Doyle” 

An approaching cold front is destabilizing the atmosphere, bringing thunderstorm activity for parts of southeast Louisiana today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the rain is actually good news for the area.

Cut 8 (10) “…dousing of rain.”

Northwest Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson is throwing his hat in the ring to be the next Chairman of the House Republican Study Committee. The committee, the largest caucus of conservatives in the House, is influential in crafting and guiding conservative legislative policy. Johnson, who’s been a member since joining Congress in 2017, says the committee will be hugely relevant in the coming years, and has already made its mark.

Cut 4 (10) “RSC members.”

No one in the town of Palmetto in St. Landry Parish is interested in becoming the town’s police chief. The top cop and only police officer in Palmetto, David Krull, is moving and no one qualified to run to replace him. Alderman Guyton Budden says they may see if the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s office can provide protection for the village that has a population of 170….

Cut 13 (07) “…appoint somebody.”