The Restore Louisiana Task Force approves the plan recommended by Governor John Bel Edwards to expand the number of flood victims eligible for recovery aid. Executive director of the Office of Community Development, Pat Forbes, says this means all homeowners now qualify for assistance.

Cut 9 (08) “homes rebuilt”

Members of the board approved the changes without objection.

The 96th Cadet Class will begin the Louisiana State Police Training Academy this Sunday. For about 20 weeks, thirty-six men and women from a variety of backgrounds will officially begin an intensive training regimen. Sgt. Jared Sandifer…

Cut 12 (08) “impaired drivers”

Sandifer says after graduating, the new troopers will participate in a 10 to 14 week field training program.

The state department of transportation has redesigned the concrete barriers on interstates amid allegations the wall worsened flooding in Livingston Parish last year. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Louisiana’s unemployment rate is falling. The jobless rate dipped to 5.3 percent, according to the AP, down from 6.2 a year ago. Total, 110,000 Louisianans are unemployed, down 5,000 from July. Louisiana’s unemployment rate is still the third highest in the country.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ recommendation to expand the homeowner assistance program for flood victims was approved by the Restore Louisiana task force today. Office of Community Development executive director Pat Forbes says flood victims who already completed repairs will now get back more money.

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This Sunday the Louisiana State Police training academy begins the 96^th cadet class. Sgt. Jared Sandifer says they are continually looking for the best and brightest men and women to embark on a professional law enforcement career.

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New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says he will not push for the removal of any more confederate monuments. He says the Andrew Jackson statue was put in place for all the right reasons. He says after the violent protests in Charlottesville, it’s important to remember we have the right to protest, but peacefully.

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The state department of transportation has redesigned concrete barriers on the interstate after concerns a wall on I-12 worsened flooding last year. But DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says the new walls featuring two inch tall openings won’t act as a drainage system.

Cut 7 (12) “thousand year flood”

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says he won’t push for the removal of any more monuments in the city. He says taking down four confederate era statues was the right thing to do, and he notes the recent violence in Charlottesville proves how important security was during their removal.

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The Restore Louisiana task force approves Governor John Bel Edwards recommendations to expand the homeowner assistance program. Office of Community Development Executive Director Pat Forbes says this means some recipients will qualify for larger financial awards.

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Members approved the changes without objection.

The 96^th Louisiana State Police cadet class begins the training academy this Sunday. Sgt. Jared Sandifer says this class was chosen after completing an extensive hiring and recruitment process.

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Graduates will participate in a 10 to 14 week field training program after the academy.

No one matched Wednesday night’s Powerball numbers, so the jackpot soared to a whopping $535 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison reminds players to get their tickets by 9 pm Saturday for their chance to win.

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This is the fifth largest jackpot in Powerball history.

State Police announces its 96th Cadet Class will begin at the LSP Training Academy this Sunday..:
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The Restore Louisiana Task Force has approved the plan recommended by Governor John Bel Edwards that would expand the number of flood victims eligible for aid. Pat Forbes, executive director of the Office of Community Development, says this means all homeowners now qualify for assistance..:
CUT 9 (08) “homes rebuilt”
The first step toward getting access to an award is filling out the survey online at Restore.la.gov.

Amid claims a concrete barrier on I-12 worsened flooding last year, the state department of transportation will redesign the walls on new construction projects. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says they are adding openings which won’t compromise the integrity of the barriers…:
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He says three projects featuring the new design are currently underway.

One man is in custody and State Police is looking for two others accused of taking part in manipulating a casino “craps” game at a Baton Rouge casino. Staff told LSP about a group of men who they say fraudulently won nearly $56,000 playing “craps” by a method known as “dice sliding.” One man was charged with theft and the other two remain at large.

State Police announces its 96th Cadet Class will begin at the LSP Training Academy this Sunday. For about 20 weeks, thirty-six men and women, hailing from a variety of backgrounds, will officially begin an intensive training regimen. Sgt. Jared Sandifer…:
CUT 12 (08) “impaired drivers”
He says upon successful completion of the LSP Training Academy, the newly graduated Troopers will participate in a 10-14 week field training program.

The Powerball jackpot is up to $535 million since no one matched all the numbers in the drawing Wednesday night. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says this is the fifth largest jackpot in the history of the game…:
Cut 15 (09) “billion dollars”
The cash payout value of the jackpot is a whopping $340 million.

The Restore Louisiana Task Force has approved the plan recommended by Governor John Bel Edwards that would expand the number of flood victims eligible for aid. Members of the board approved the changes without objection. This would also mean some recipients will qualify for larger financial awards.

Eye experts can’t stress enough the importance of wearing certified eclipse glasses if you’re going to experience the historic event on Monday. LSU Health New Orleans retina specialist Maria Reinoso says good way to check if your shades are ISO 12312-2, you should be able to see absolutely no light when you put them on…:
Cut 26 (11) “around it”

Amid claims a concrete barrier on I-12 worsened flooding last year in Livingston Parish, DOTD says it will redesign the walls on new construction projects. Secretary Shawn Wilson says two inch tall openings stretching 12 to 24 inches wide will be put in the walls every so many feet. He says three projects currently underway will feature the new design…:
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Wilson wants to be clear that the change is not an admission of guilt. He says there was no way to prepare for what happened in August.

Officials with the Louisiana Lottery announced this morning that the jackpot for the Powerball drawing tomorrow night has increased to $535 million, up from the original estimate of $510 million. It’s the fifth largest in the history of Powerball and the eighth largest in U.S. lottery history.

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu stated he’s not going to push to remove any more Confederate monuments. Landrieu says taking down the statues of Robert E. Lee, P.G.T. Beauregard, and Jefferson Davis were the right thing to do but removing Andrew Jackson is a step too far…:
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The comments come as the Confederate monuments debate rages nationwide.

A months-long investigation into the collapse of an obstacle at the 2016 Warrior Dash in West Feliciana Parish that injured nearly two-dozen participants has resulted in charges. Brant Thompson with the State Fire Marshal’s Office says the five individuals arrested are from out of state…:
Cut 12 (10) “the charges”
The investigation established that the structural collapse, causing the injuries, was the result of shoddy construction.

It’s important to remember eye protection when watching Monday’s solar eclipse. LSU Health New Orleans retina specialist Maria Reinoso says the sun’s damaging rays can serious harm your eyes so make sure your glasses are ISO 12312-2 certified because regular sunglasses aren’t enough protection.
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For a list of approved vendors of solar eclipse glasses, visit the American Astronomical Association’s website.

Governor John Bel Edwards recommends expanding the homeowner assistance program to assist more victims of last year’s historic floods. The proposed changes include increasing grant amounts and including homeowners who had flood insurance. He says more people need help…
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The Thibodeaux area saw a 1.8 million dollar economic impact during the four day Manning Passing Academy, according to the South Louisiana Economic Council. SLEC President and CEO Vic Lafont says it meant a lot to have Payton and Eli Manning on the Nicholls Campus to supervise. He says you can’t buy that kind of coverage.
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Charges have been filed after months of investigation into the obstacle course that collapsed at a Warrior Dash in St. Francisville. Chief Deputy Brant Thompson with the state fire marshal’s office says when the Diesel Dome collapsed in October of 2016, twenty people were injured.
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Today the flood recovery board is looking at expanding the homeowner assistance program at the recommendation of Governor John Bel Edwards. He wants grant amounts to be higher and also include homeowners who had flood insurance. He reminds flood victims you cannot get assistance without completing the survey at Restore.La.Gov…:
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He says only about 40,000 homeowners have already taken the survey.

A months-long investigation into the collapse of an obstacle at the 2016 Warrior Dash in West Feliciana Parish that injured nearly two-dozen participants has resulted in charges being filed. Brant Thompson with the State Fire Marshal’s office says the contractors were not licensed to practice in Louisiana…:
Cut 11 (12) “negligent injuring”

When you’re out watching the eclipse Monday, it’s extermely important that you use something to protect your eyes. LSU Health New Orleans retina specialist Maria Reinoso offers this tip if you’re using glasses…:
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The South Louisiana Economic Council finds the four-day Manning Passing Academy had an economic impact of more than $1.8 million for the Thibodaux area…:
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Today the flood recovery board will look at expanding the homeowner assistance program at the recommendation of Governor John Bel Edwards.:
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The National Hurricane Center is watching three disturbances in the Atlantic. Tropical Storm Harvey is located near Barbados and not a threat to the United States on its current forecast track. Another disturbance is expected to become a depression or tropical storm a bit further north. A third area of interest is expected to stay out to sea and not threaten land.

Eye experts can’t stress enough the importance of wearing certified eclipse glasses if you’re going to experience the historic event on Monday. LSU Health New Orleans retina specialist Maria Reinoso says good way to check if your shades are ISO 12312-2, you should be able to see absolutely no light when you put them on…:
Cut 5 (11) “around it”

The economic impact of the four-day Manning Passing Academy held at Nicholls State University this summer was about $1.8 million, according to recent data from the South Louisiana Economic Council. President and CEO Vic Lafont says almost all the SEC quarterbacks turned out to assist with coaching, and it was huge for the Thibodaux community…:
Cut 14 (10) “or agriculture”

The Restore Louisiana Task Force is meeting this morning to consider Governor John Bel Edwards’ request to expand the homeowner assistance program. He says in terms of timing, Louisiana is ahead of any reimbursement program that has ever been undertaken by a state following a disaster…:
Cut 8 (12) “million dollars”
Edwards asks that all homeowners who experienced damage from the March and August floods of 2016, even those with flood insurance, be included in the homeowner assistance program.

While many people are excited to view the solar eclipse on Monday, it’s important not to forget to protect your eyes from the sun’s damaging rays. LSU Health New Orleans retina specialist Maria Reinoso explains why…:
Cut 4 (08) “it better”

A months-long investigation into the collapse of an obstacle at the 2016 Warrior Dash in West Feliciana Parish that injured nearly two-dozen participants has resulted in charges being filed. Brant Thompson with the State Fire Marshal’s Office all five individuals arrested in this case are from out of state…:

Cut 12 (10) “the charges”
The investigation established that the structural collapse, causing the injuries, was the result of shoddy construction.

The four-day Manning Passing Academy had a $1.8 million economic impact for the Thibodaux area, according to the South Louisiana Economic Council. SLEC President and CEO Vic Lafont says the study looked into how much revenue the football camp generated for the region…:
Cut 13 (10) “bayou region”