The Restore Louisiana Task Force, a group charged with putting a mechanism in place to get federal aid into the hands of flood victims, meets today. The state has just been told it will receive at least 438-million dollars. Co-chairman of the Task Force and former Denham Springs Mayor Jimmy Durbin says they are confident that money is a down payment:
CUT 12 (09) “additional funding”
He says they’ll get an update on that effort today by US Senator Bill Cassidy.

It’s been nice out but we’re running a little warm in Louisiana for October. That’s according to State climatologist Barry Keim. He says when it comes to rainfall this year, we’ve been feast or famine, and right now its famine…:
CUT 7 (09) “abnormally dry”
Keim says there is a possibility of a front coming through towards the end of next week, which could bring some rain and lower temperatures.

An East Baton Rouge Parish flood victim has won $1 million from the Powerball. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says they were thrilled to find out 72-year-old James Lapeze was the winner…:
Cut 13 (09) “good use”
Chopin says after federal and state withholdings, Lapeze will take home $700-thousand.

LSU Health New Orleans is looking for patients to participate in a clinical trial to treat Merkel cell carcinoma. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

LSU won’t be playing South Alabama on November 19th, they’ll instead make up the missed game against SEC foe Florida and inside Tiger Stadium. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says this could be good for Interim Head Coach Ed Orgeron who is looking to get the job on a permanent basis…:
CUT 17 (08) “might be yours”
Those five games are Ole Miss, Alabama, at Arkansas, Florida and at Texas A&M.

Louisiana is set to receive about $438 million dollars in federal disaster aid for the March and August floods, but when flood victims will see money is uncertain. Restore Louisiana Task Force co-chairman Jimmy Durbin they meet today and the Ocean County Long Term Recovery Group is giving a presentation…:
CUT 11 (10) “Sandy damage”
He says lots of work is being done on this initial funding and how it will be going out.

LSU Health New Orleans is searching for patients to participate in a clinical trial for a new treatment for Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare form of skin cancer. Director of LSU Health New Orleans Cancer Center Dr. Augusto Ochoa says for the first time in Louisiana, people suffering from this cancer will be treated with an immunotherapy drug…:
cut 4 (10) “those sites”
He says with this treatment the initial tests found over 2/3 of patients showed a dramatic reduction in the tumor.

A 12-year-old and a 14-year-old have been arrested amid allegations they desecrated 50 grave sites at an Independence cemetery in Tangipahoa Parish. The Sheriff’s Office says the graves were broken into or ashes were opened and dumped, personal items were damaged or completely broken and American flags thrown to the ground. The children face many charges.

LSU will play Florida this season and the game will be held in Death Valley on November 19th, instead of the Swamp. LSU’s previously scheduled game for that day against South Alabama has been cancelled. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says swapping out the Jaguars for the Gators, creates a difficult finish to the season….:
Cut 16 (08) “and Texas A&M”
As part of the deal, LSU agreed to play Florida in Gainesville the next two years.

We’re halfway through October, but you wouldn’t know it by the weather. State climatologist Barry Keim it’s abnormally warm and dry this month. He says a lack of clouds and rain is keeping temperatures higher than usual for this time of year.
Cut 8 (07) “future”
He says so far this month Louisiana has only seen one one-hundredth of an inch of rain.

Flood victims could get more answers about recovery during today’s meeting of the Restore Louisiana Task Force. The state will receive at 438-million dollars in federal disaster aid. Co-chairman of the Task Force and former Denham Springs Mayor Jimmy Durbin says the Office of Community Development will provide a recommendation on how to spend it.
Cut 10 (09) “going out”
Durbin says they still aren’t sure exactly when the federal assistance will get into the hands of flood victims.

A Baton Rouge judge ruled that the US Senate debate next week will remain unchanged with no additional candidates being added. In the suit, Republican Troy Hebert argued it wasn’t fair to voters to only hear from the 5 richest candidates. But the judge said the LBP debate can go on as scheduled.

The deadline for August flood victims to register for federal assistance through FEMA has been pushed back until to November 14th. FEMA spokesperson Kurt Pickering says it’s a sign the federal government remains committed to the recovery in Louisiana, despite the recent destruction from Hurricane Matthew…
cut 6 (08) “….set up”
And the US Housing and Urban Development has made it official. Louisiana will receive 438-million dollars in flood recovery dollars as part of a 500-million dollar disaster aid package approved by Congress last month.

A Baton Rouge judge hears arguments for a second day today regarding a lawsuit concerning next week’s US Senate debate in Ruston. Candidate Troy Hebert believes a government funded organiziation like Louisiana Public Broadcasting should not exclude candidates from the debate. LPB invited five candidates and there’s 24 names on the ballot.

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s office says the three inmates who escaped their detention center in August are finally back in police custody. Captain Tony Moran on how they fled…
cut 8 (09) “…and escaped”
The last inmate to be caught was 35-year-old Walshea Mitchell and he was found in Oklahoma. The other two jail birds were located in Colorado and Oregon.

Tulane University researchers are pulling together a number of their researchers and staff in an effort to learn more about the brain. Doctor Laura Levy says they received a 3.7 million dollar donation to jump start the effort and they are also expected to receive federal grants…
cut 15 (09) “….national objective”
She says scientists don’t know much about the brain, and they hope this university-wide collaboration will help them learn more.

22 people have died on Louisiana’s waterways in 2016, compared to 13 fatalities last year through September. Halen Doughty reports…:
Cut 2 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The deadline for August flood victims to apply for FEMA aid or low interest loans from the Small Business Administration has been extended until to November 14th. FEMA spokesperson Kurt Pickering wants people to know that even though they are responding to the east coast hurricane disaster, agents are still on the ground here…:
CUT 6 (08) “set up”

Three escaped Natchitoches parish inmates are once again behind bars, after being missing now for over 6 weeks. Capt. Tony Moran with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office says the trio had been gone from the detention center since August 27th…:
CUT 8 (09) “and escaped”
He says the men were all in other states and they are working to determine how they managed to get so far.

Tulane University researchers are teaming up to learn more about the brain in a new collaboration called the Brain Institute. Tulane Vice President for Research, Dr. Laura Levy, says the National Institute of Health is expected to contribute grants to help with this effort..:
Cut 15 (09) “national objective”
She says scientists don’t know much about the brain, and they hope this university-wide collaboration will help them learn more.

The deadline for August flood victims to apply for FEMA assistance is extended to November 14th….:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Over six weeks and three thousand miles later, three escaped Natchitoches parish inmates are once again behind bars. Capt. Tony Moran with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office says the men were all captured in different states, and they’re working to figure out how they managed to get that far…:
CUT 7 (08) “the escape”

Tulane University researchers are teaming up to learn more about your thinker in a new collaboration called the Brain Institute. Vice President for Research, Dr. Laura Levy, says the purpose of the effort is to bring people together from across the university to share ideas…:
cut 14 (08) “make progress”
She says the teachings include how your brain functions normally to encode memory, cognition, emotion, and how function is impaired by disease states.

LSU fans gathered Wednesday to remember Mike VI at his habitat on campus. The tiger died this week following a months long battle with a rare form of cancer, which his vet called the most aggressive he’d ever seen. Fans are encouraged to keep sharing their stories and photos on social media using #MikeVI.

The Iowa Fire Chief who was arrested in September on drug charges has resigned her post. Authorities in Calcasieu Parish accuse Sandi Miller of purchasing pills online containing heroin.

FEMA is now giving August flood victims until November 14th to apply for federal assistance. Spokesman Kurt Pickering says the extended deadline will allow residents to not only sign up for FEMA aid, but also start the process to receive an SBA loan. He says that can provide flood victims up to 200-thousand dollars, and up to 2 million for businesses…:
CUT 5 (11) “from us”
You can sign up at disasterassistance.gov.

More people are dying on Louisiana’s waterways this year than last — as there have been 22 deaths in 2016 compared to 13 fatalities through September of 2015. Adam Einck with the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says there were 7 alone in September – most involving something being hit in the water…:
cut 12 (08) “your speeds”
LDWF has investigated 110 boating crashes so far this year, 12 of which happened in September.

Tulane researchers are teaming up in a university-wide collaboration to learn more about the brain. Jeff Palermo has more on the school’s new Brain Institute…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

An Albany man is facing several charges out of Tangipahoa Parish for allegedly fatally shooting a woman from Loranger then setting her car on fire. The Sheriff’s Office say 30-year-old Gregory Anthony is accused in the death of 27-year-old Heather Cox. He is charged with second degree murder, one count of attempted second degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, burglary, simple criminal damage, simple battery, felony theft, simple arson and two counts of auto theft.

August flood victims now have until November 14th to apply for federal disaster aid or an SBA loan. FEMA spokesperson Kurt Pickering says so far, individual households in Louisiana have received 699 million dollars in grants to repair their homes…:
cut 4 (04) “150,000”
He assures flood victims here that the despite the damage the East Coast received from Hurricane Matthew, FEMA is not leaving Louisiana.

Fatalities on Louisiana’s waterways are well above what they were at this time last year, as 7 people died in boating accidents in September alone. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says most of the deaths could have been prevented…:
CUT 10 (08) “the water”
There have been 22 deaths this year, compared to only 13 through September of last year.

Tulane University researchers are teaming up to learn more about the brain in a new collaboration called the Brain Institute. Tulane Vice President for Research, Dr. Laura Levy, says scientists don’t know much about the brain and they hope this university-wide effort will help them learn more…:
Cut 13 (09) “disease states”
Levy says they received a $3.7 million donation to jump start the initiative, and a fundraising goal of $50 million has been set.

A man in Livingston Parish was fatally shot by a deputy following an incident with another cop the suspect shot at numerous times. They say it started when 31-year-old Blaine Beason fled from a deputy, then was located hours later in a barn and was still resisting with the weapon. The deputy fired in return and killed Beason. The officers were not injured. State Police is investigating.

A regulation that calls for aspiring teachers to complete a full-year residency has been approved by BESE. Louisiana Association of Educators president Debbie Meaux says she’s worried these teachers will only go to schools near universities.

Cut 9 (07) “fully yet”
Supporters of the program say it will better prepare teachers for the classroom.

A petition has been filed to recall Jefferson Parish President Mike Yenni from office, in the midst of a sexting scandal with a 17-year-old boy. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says the petition will need 87-thousand signatures for a recall vote to occur, but they recommend petitioners try to get more.

Cut 12 (08) “kick out”

He says if the petition gets enough signatures, it will go to the governor for the final decision.

A report from 24/7 Wall Street finds the rate of college grads in Louisiana is 23%, eight percentage points below the national average. Michelle Southern reports…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Livingston Parish deputies fatally shot a suspect after he allegedly shot at officers during a traffic stop, then fled into a barn and pointed his weapon at officers. LPSO spokesperson Lori Steele says 31-year-old Blaine Beason was wanted on several charges.

Cut 17 (08) “initial stop”

BESE has approved one year residency as a redesign to how teachers are prepared to be in the classroom. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

According to the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, a suspect who was on the run this morning was located and fatally shot by a deputy after the suspect allegedly pointed a gun at the officer. 31-year-old Blaine Beason was found in a barn when the standoff took place following an incident in which Beason allegedly shot at another deputy.

About 23-percent of Louisiana adults have at least a four year degree, according to a new report from 24/7 Wall Street. That’s 8 percentage points below the national average. Demographer Greg Rigamer says the low rate is due in part to Louisiana’s jobs.

Cut 14 (09) “college degrees”
He also says Louisiana has a high poverty rate and some families need to work instead of go to school.

In the wake of two historic floods in Louisiana, Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana wants the public to know that research shows child abuse rates usually go up three months to a year after a disaster. Executive Director Amanda Brunson says tensions tend to rise as the family experiences more stress.

Cut 3 (09) “to wane”

She says parents can call their KIDLINE at 1-800-CHILDREN.