An audit of the state’s foster care program unveiled some not-so-surprising shortcomings. Karen Leblanc with the legislative auditor’s office says they found not all foster care providers had the required criminal background checks. They either had no check, or they were not completed in a timely manner….:
Cut 12 (10) “foster care provider”
Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says they’ve been trying to call attention to the problem after the department lost 2,000 workers under the previous administration. She says they average 16 cases each, putting a heavy burden on vital employees..:
Cut 13 (12) “of caseloads”
Walters blames a high turnover rate and increasing number of foster kids in the system.

A year ago today 77% of the city of Denham Springs was impacted by at least 18 inches of water during the historic floods of 2016. Mayor Gerard Landry says for the most part, businesses that were impacted have either rebuilt or relocated, but the it’s the citizens that are having the hardest time in the recovery, especially those not insured…:
Cut 10 (10) “these folks”
US Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson is touring Denham today and will speak this afternoon.

The Baton Rouge Advocate reports the Saints are looking to trade cornerback Delvin Breaux. The report says the team is frustrated with the number of games he’s missed because of injuries the last three years.

US Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson is touring Denham Springs today, one year after the majority of the town was under water in the August 2016 floods. He is slated to be with Mayor Gerard Landry who said on Talk Louisiana memories of the devastating event are something no resident in the Livingston Parish town will ever forget…:
CUT 9 (10) “not a sprint”

Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham said in an interview with the Fox network that he does not stand by any of the comments made by David Duke who was on hand at the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville. Fellow Republican Congressman Tom Garrett of Virginia blamed the violence on outsiders from states like Louisiana, like Duke. Abraham said he’s offended by the comment and that the former KKK grand wizard does not speak for Louisiana.

Today, a new boutique paddle wheeler cruise ship makes her maiden voyage from the Port of New Orleans. Port spokesperson Donnell Jackson says the American Duchess is an all-suite 166-guest ship offering inland cruises in the Lower Mississippi River…:
Cut 6 (11) “loft suites”
The American Duchess is the third vessel in the American Queen Steamboat Company’s fleet.

Quarterback Lindsey Scott is transferring from LSU. The redshirt-freshman from Zachary announced his decision on twitter this morning. Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says Scott is behind starter Danny Etling and true freshman Myles Brennan on the depth chart…:
Cut 3 (10) “too much”
Head Coach Ed Orgeron said in a statement that Scott is a great young man and they wish him all of the best in the future.

A newly formed PAC supporting cops in the state is trying to get the word out about who they are, and what they’re all about. Chris Stewart is the Executive Director of the Louisiana Law Enforcement PAC. He says their group plans to tackle matters that affect police officers statewide…:
Cut 13 (08) “that they have on them”
You can find out more online at LLEPAC.com.

It’s been two months since congressional leaders were the target of an attack at a Virginia ball park. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise continues to recover from a gunshot wound to the hip. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves.
Cut 7 (10) “that is amazing”
Graves believes Scalise will return to Capitol Hill when lawmakers re-convene following the August recess.

Health officials urge the public to protect themselves against mosquitos after an Alexandria man died from West Nile Virus. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Quarterback Lindsey Scott is transferring from the LSU program. The redshirt-freshman quarterback from Zachary announced his decision on twitter this morning. Head Coach Ed Orgeron said in a statement that Scott is a great young man and they wish him all of the best in the future. Scott was behind starter Danny Etling and true freshman Myles Brennan on the depth chart.

There is a new political action committee looking out for the best interests of police officers and deputies. Executive Director of the Louisiana Law Enforcement PAC, Chris Stewart, says they are supporting law enforcement by promoting policies and candidates for elected office that will help officers serve and protect communities more safely and effectively. Stewart says they also want to lure more people to the law enforcement profession….
cut 14 (10) “…to it”

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise could return to Capitol Hill soon. Here’s Congressman Garret Graves with an update….
cut 8 (10) “…very high”
Scalise has undergone several surgeries since he was shot in the hip two months ago. He’s currently undergoing intense rehabilition.

LSU researchers found the Gulf of Mexico has some of the highest concentrations of microplastics in the world. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Mississippi man is in jail after he drove on to the runway of the Slidell Municipal Airport and started doing donuts. Police say 49-year-old John Robertson of Kilmichael, Mississippi, told officers he was just being stupid. He was charged with reckless operation of a motor vehicle. Airport officials are trying to determine how Robertson gained access to the runway.

A new statewide political action committee has been formed to support law enforcement officers. Executive director of Louisiana law enforcement PAC says one issue they plan to address is police officer recruiting. He says many agencies are reporting a decline in applicants…
cut 15 (10) “…way too much lately”

Louisiana has reported its first death from the West Nile virus this year. A 71-year-old Alexandria man died from West Nile after first complaining about flu symptoms. There’s been 19 human cases of West Nile in Louisiana this year. Doctor David Holcombe, with the state office of public health, says we could be looking at a more active season this year…
cut 12 (08) “…than last”

LSU oceanographer Mark Benfield has determined the Gulf of Mexico is home to the highest concentrations of microplastic in the world. The plastic is small, about the size of a Mardi Gras bead down to the microscopic level. Benfield says they’re concerned the plastic is being consumed by marine life. That’s a problem because chemicals can stick to the surface of plastic….
cut 6 (10) “….into the animal”
Benfield says they believe the Mississippi River draining into the Gulf has brought a lot plastic into that body of water.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Doctor Ben Carson will be in Livingston Parish this afternoon to tour a Denham Springs neighborhood that continues to recover from last year’s historic flood. He’ll be joined by Governor John Bel Edwards and US Senator John Kennedy and Congressman Garret Graves.

A newly formed PAC supporting cops in the state is trying to get the word out about who they are, and what they’re all about. Chris Stewart is the Executive Director of the Louisiana Law Enforcement PAC. He says their group plans to tackle matters that affect police officers statewide…:
Cut 13 (08) “that they have on them”
You can find out more online at LLEPAC.com.

71-year-old Donald Austin of Alexanderia has died after contracting the West Nile Virus. His family tells KALB-TV that he got sick two weeks prior to his death and they thought it was the flu. Doctor David Holcombe with the State Office of Public Health…
cut 11 (10) “….are asymptomatic.
There have been 19 cases of West Nile in Louisiana this year and this is the first death.

An LSU researcher has discovered the Gulf Mexico has the highest concentrations of microplastic in the world. Oceanographer Mark Benfield says you can blame the Mississippi River….
cut 5 (12) “…Gulf of Mexico”
Benfield says the plastic he sees in the Gulf is as big as a Mardi Gras bead and there’s a concern marine life is consuming the plastic.

U-S Representative Garret Graves anticipates House Majority Whip Steve Scalise will return to work after the August recess….
cut (08) “…of recovery”
It’s been two months since Scalise was shot in the hip. Scalise tweeted out a message in response to the deadly protests in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Republican from Jefferson Parish says he was disgusted by the violence and the vile white supremacist bigotry that inspired it.

An Alexandria man has died after contracting the West Nile Virus, and health officials are urging the public to protect themselves. Dr. David Holcombe with the Office of Public Health says the virus is transmitted by household mosquitos, but you can keep the pesky bugs away.
Cut 10 (10) “they’re outside”
Seventy-one-year-old Donald Austin died last Tuesday.

Researchers found the Gulf of Mexico is home to some of the highest concentrations of microplastic in the world. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a well-known area in the central Pacific where plastic accumulates because of the current. LSU oceanographer Mark Benfield says the concentration in the Gulf is much higher.
Cut 4 (11) “in the world”

A newly formed PAC supporting cops in the state is trying to get the word out about who they are, and what they’re all about. Michelle Southern reports…:
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Several peaceful rallies took place across the state last night in response to the white supremacist rally that turned violent in Charlottesville, Virginia on Saturday. Governor John Bel Edwards tweeted that white supremacists represent the very worst of society.

The state’s budget deficit for fiscal year 2018, which begins next July, is up to one-point-five billion dollars. Most of the shortfall is due to the loss of temporary taxes. But rising costs and inflationary expenses also make up the budget gap. Some don’t feel inflation should be included, but Barry Dusse, with the governor’s budget office, responded that’s the law:
Cut 14 (07) “look like”
Legislators and the governor have yet to reach an agreement on how to handle the fiscal cliff.

Former prison warden Nate Cain, the son of former Angola Warden Burl Cain, is facing 18 federal fraud charges over purchases he allegedly made with state credit cards during his tenure at Avoyelles Correctional Center in Cottonport. The 50-year-old and his wife, Tonia, each face one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 17 counts of wire fraud. Nate Cain resigned his post last year amid multiple investigations surrounding his family’s links to alleged corruption.

First Lady Donna Edwards launched a website that provides a network of support for foster parents. Edwards says at Louisiana-fosters-dot-la-dot-gov, there’s a list of organizations who can provide much needed assistance to help foster parents take care of their children…..
cut 12 (10) “….foster parents”
The website also contains information how you can become a foster parent.

Another inch of rain is expected to fall across Louisiana this weekend as the daily showers and thunderstorms will not stop. State Climatologist Barry Keim says at least the wet ground is helping to cool things off during one of Louisiana’s hottest months of the year…
cut 4 (10) “…creeping up”
He says the wet pattern is caused by summer fronts crossing Louisiana and stalling along the coast.

The state’s budget deficit for fiscal year 2018, which begins next July, is up to one-point-five billion dollars. Most of the shortfall is due to the loss of temporary taxes. But rising costs and inflationary expenses also make up the budget gap. But Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin questions why inflationary costs are included in the fiscal cliff deficit..:
Cut 13 (07) “scares everybody”
An agreement between the governor and legislators on how to close the budget gap has yet to be reached and it will likely take a special session to do so.

The Lafayette Police Department has made an arrest in the bizarre kidnapping incident last weekend. Lawrence Handley was apprehended at a Slidell hotel after an extensive manhunt. He was wanted in connection with the case of a woman who was abducted by two men who later drowned in West Baton Rouge when trying to evade police, who located the victim in a van the men were driving. Cops said the incident appears to have stemmed from an ongoing domestic dispute between Handley and the female victim.

First Lady Donna Edwards is teaming up with the Department of Children and Family Services to launch a new program supporting foster parents…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Department of Transportation says it’s been given the all clear to go ahead with the project to widen I-10 from Highland Road in Baton Rouge, to LA 73 in Ascension Parish. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says it’s very exciting…:
Cut 7 (08) “on a regular basis”
Wilson says it will take around two and a half years to widen the interstate by one lane in each direction.

Louisiana’s budget deficit for the fiscal year that starts next July is now up to one-point-five billion dollars. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Police in Baton Rouge say a 22-year-old man is dead and his cousin recovering from a gunshot wound after the two were lured to an apartment complex in hopes of selling a phone to someone they met online. Investigators believe the victims were robbed then shot while inside their vehicle before the suspect or suspects fled. 22-year-old Austin Rashaad Norwood was killed. Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact authorities.

It’s been a wet couple of weeks in the Bayou State, and State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s not showing any signs of stopping. He says the wet pattern is caused by summer fronts crossing Louisiana and stalling along the coast. He says that’s what led to the downpour in New Orleans, and now there’s another front heading our way…:
Cut 3 (10) “a few days”
A 60% chance of coverage is forecast for Southeast Louisiana. The rest of the state can expect a stray shower or two this weekend.

The Department of Transportation says it’s been given the all clear to go ahead with the project to widen I-10 from Highland Road in Baton Rouge, to LA 73 in Ascension Parish. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says motorists should start seeing activity before the end of the year…:
Cut 6 (04) “of 2018″
Wilson says it will take around two and a half years to widen the interstate by one lane in each direction.