Congress is expected to take up the matter of getting more federal aid to Louisiana during their fall session which begins today. US Senator Bill Cassidy says 49 parishes have been declared disaster areas in the March and August floods and the entire state is trying to recover…:
CUT 9 (09) “the job”
Governor John Bel Edwards wants Congress to approve a two-billion dollar federal aid package that will cover housing, economic development and infrastructure repairs.

The American Red Cross is now providing casework that can connect flood victims with other resources other than FEMA. Spokesperson Anthony Tornetta says after registering, at redcross.org they are able to provide limited financial assistance in 48 to 72 hours. He says the amount of aid available is done on a case by case basis…:
Cut 5 (09) “by home”

Fort Polk is in the process of trying to find homes for 750 horses that roam on the grounds of the military base in Vernon Parish. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

An Alabama man who died from injuries sustained during flood relief efforts in Denham Springs will be laid to rest today. According to the First Baptist Church of Stasuma, Alabama, 72-year-old Sonny Ellis was helping to wash victims’ clothes at the New Covenant Church in Denham Springs on September 1st, when he fell backward and hit the sidewalk. He died later that evening from a head injury.

The American Red Cross is providing limited financial aid and casework for people affected by the flooding. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Congress convenes for the fall session today and US Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s already spoken to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell about Louisiana’s need when it comes to getting more federal flood aid…:
CUT 8 (10) “to help”

The Department of Children and Family Services issued over $44 million in disaster food benefits to nearly 110,000 households in the first two weeks of operations. They are open to nine additional parishes today. This is not for people who already receive regular food stamps. DCFS spokesperson Sammy Guillory says if you were denied food stamps you can appeal…:
CUT 12 (07) “by a supervisor”
You can pre-register online at dcfs.la.gov.

Fort Polk has about 750 horses on their property and the military base in Vernon Parish is looking to give them a new home. Public Affairs Officer Troy Darr says the horses were probably abandoned over the years and started to reproduce. He says they are willing to give the horses to animal welfare groups or private citizens…:
Cut 13 (08) “the horses”

The discussion about getting more aid to flood victims in Louisiana begins on the federal level today when Congress reconvenes for the fall session. Governor John Bel Edwards wants a two-billion dollar package that will cover housing, economic development and infrastructure repairs. Republican US Senator Bill Cassidy is optimistic Congress will help…:
CUT 7 (08) “pretty generous”
He says 49 parishes have been declared disaster areas this year from the March and August floods and the entire state is trying to recover.

State Police in Slidell are investigating a three-vehicle fatal Labor Day crash on I-10 that claimed the life of a 26-year-old man from New Jersey. They say, during a time when it was pouring rain and the roadway was wet, 66-year-old Milton Frank of Lacombe lost control of his vehicle and cross through the median into the opposite lanes of traffic. At that time a 2016 BMW driven by Steven Fernandez hit Frank’s vehicle head on. Fernandez died on the scene.

The third phase of the disaster food stamp program begins today as flood victims in nine more parishes can receive DSNAP benefits. Sammy Guillory, with the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services, says if you lost food or income as a result of the floods and do NOT receive regular food stamps, you could be eligible…:
Cut 10 (05) “by the floods”
D-SNAP operations open in Evangeline, Iberville, Jefferson Davis, St. James, St. Martin, Washington, West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana and western parts of St. Tammany.

The American Red Cross is now providing casework that can connect flood victims with other resources, including financial aid. Spokesperson Anthony Tornetta says, in some cases, they could start to give people who didn’t get money through FEMA spending cash…:
cut 4 (10) “case basis”

The US Senate race in Louisiana should start to heat up, as Labor Day is known to kick off the election season. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Tigers Head Coach Les Miles has suspended offensive lineman Josh Boutte (Boo-tay) for one game after his personal foul on D’Cota Dixon, a Wisconsin defensive back. Boutte will sit out this Saturday’s game against Jacksonville State in Tiger Stadium. Miles says plays like this don’t belong in football even though Boutte made a mistake. Miles says Boutte personally called Dixon today to apologize.

The Louisiana Rising nationally broadcasted flood relief concert takes place tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Baton Rouge River Center. WAFB Baton Rouge anchor Lauren Westbrook is co-hosting along with Randy Jackson and Harry Connick Jr.
Cut 4 (07) “La flooding fund”

The concert will feature a few big name artists like Aaron Neville, Hunter Hayes, Better than Ezra, Rebirth Brass Band and more. Tickets are not on sale for the general public but the audience will be filled with those who were on the front lines during the flooding.

What is the state of labor in Louisiana on this Labor Day Holiday? LSU Economist Loren Scott says some industries are thriving, depending on where you live. He says Lake Charles and Baton Rouge are doing well with a boom in construction employment but Houma and Lafayette are not looking so good…
Cut 7 (10) “than that.”

The Labor Day Holiday is today and many Louisiana’s are enjoying time off with their friends and family, but what is the actual state of labor in the state? LSU Economist Loren Scott says Shreveport has taken a small hit because of a downturn in the energy industry but things remain stagnant in the central part of the state.
Cut 9 (07) “Monroe area.”

Scott says Baton Rouge and Lake Charles are doing well with a big boom in construction employment.

This weekend typically kicks off fall and football season, but it’s also the beginning of the election season. The big statewide election in Louisiana in the US Senate race with 24 candidates on the ballot. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says message and visibility will be important before election day because there are so many candidates in the race.
Cut 13 (10) “make it.”

 
A nationally broadcasted flood relief concert takes place tonight at the Baton Rouge River Center theater. Michelle Southern has more…
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The Monroe County, Florida Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a Natchitoches man who was snorkeling in the Dry Tortugas. Authorities say 67-year-old Bryan Wimberly was diving from a commercial vessel when his dive partner noticed he was panicking underwater. Wimberly was retrieved by a rescue diver and CPR was performed. Wimberly was the director of the Natchitoches utility system and served as a fire chief.

It’s Labor Day, so what is the actual state of labor in Louisiana? LSU Economist Doctor Loren Scott says depending on where you live, some industries are booming. He says Baton Rouge and Lake Charles are doing very well, but it’s not so good in areas like Houma or Lafayette….
cut 7 (10) “…than that”
The Louisiana Workforce Commission says Lafayette has lost 73-hundred jobs over the year.

There’s a big flood relief concert tonight in Baton Rouge that will feature dozen of artists like Aaron Neville, Hunter Hayes and the Rebirth Brass Band. Raycom Media will present the concert and W-A-F-B TV anchor Lauren Westbrook says Randy Jackson and Harry Connick Junior will co-host….
cut 5 (10) “…American Idol”
The concert will air from 7-9 PM.

The US Senate has race not received much attention, but that should change as we are about two months away from election day. Political Analyst Clancy Dubos says in-state fundraising could be difficult, because many big-money donors are giving to flood relief efforts instead…
cut 14 (10) “…hurting right now’
Dubos says that means national super PACs could have more influence on this race.

For the first time since 2002, the LSU Tigers start the season with an 0-1 record after an embarrassing 16-14 loss to Wisconsin. Tiger Rag Associate editor James Moran says LSU can still play in the college football playoffs this year, but the offense has to get much better…
cut 12 (09) “…are killers’
The Tigers had just 257 yards of total offense on Saturday.

Labor Day usually marks the start of the political season. In Louisiana, there’s the US Senate race and two Congressional races where the seat is vacant. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says it’s difficult for the 24 candidates in the US Senate race to set themselves apart, so message and visibility will be important before the November eighth election…
cut 13 (10) “….make it”

Tonight there will be a flood relief concert that will be broadcast nationwide featuring big named arists Aaron Neville, Hunter Hayes and Better than Ezra. WAFB-TV Anchor Lauren Westbrook will host alongside Louisiana natives Randy Jackson and Harry Connick Junior…
cut 4 (07) “…flooding fund”
The concert airs from 7 to 9 PM tonight and you can find out more at louisiana-rising-flood-relief-dot-com.

Governor John Bel Edwards tells the White House that the flood damage in Louisiana is nearing nine billion dollars as they continue to assess the damage to roads and other public infrastructure. The governor provided that total in a request for Congress to approve two-billion dollars in federal aid that’s needed for housing, economic development and infrastructure. Edwards says it’s a reasonable request.

What is the state of labor in Louisiana on this Labor Day? Don Molino has more…
voicer 2 (29) “…I’m Don Molino”

Labor Day is traditionally considered the start of the political season, the big run-up to the November 8th election. It’s been a quite US Senate race, even though there’s 24 candidates on the ballot. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says expect to see the candidates ramp up their get the vote out campaign, which means you’ll start to hear more from them….
cut 15 (04) “….process”
Dubos says the major candidates will rely on fundraising from the national Super PACs, but in state donations maybe down because of all of the flood relief efforts.

On this Labor Day, LSU Economist Doctor Loren Scott says the oil industry continues to take on employment losses, while the job market is strong in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles. Scott says elsehwere in the state, the employment picture remains stagnant….
cut 9 (07) “….Monroe area”

A nationally broadcasted flood relief concert takes place tonight at the Baton Rouge River Center theater. Michelle Southern reports…:
voicer 1 (32) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

The LSU Tigers played horrible and lost to Wisconsin on Saturday to start the season 0-1 for the first time since 2002. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says the 2016 season has already reached a crossroad…
cut 10 (07) “…quickly”
LSU hosts F-C-S member Jacksonville State this Saturday at 6:30.

A new report from Trust for America’s Health finds Louisiana has the highest adult obesity rate in the country, at 36-percent. Bob Johannessen with LDH says studies dating back to 2008 have shown Louisiana as one of the heaviest states in the nation…:
CUT 3 (09) “on this”
Johannessen says they recommend that everyone eat at least five fruits and vegetables a day and eliminate sugary drinks from their diet.

According to the governor’s office, work has started in 15 homes as part of the Shelter at Home Program, which pays up to 15-thousand dollars to make a home livable, while other repairs continue. Workers were at Patricia Lee’s home and she’s thankful for the program…
cut 12 (08) “….and everything”
15-thousand flood victims have registered for the program.

Disaster unemployment benefits are available for flood victims. Director of the Unemployment Insurance Program, Renita Ward Williams, says anyone whose employment was interrupted by the disaster can apply through October 14.
Cut 14 (10) “to apply”
Visit LaWorks.Net to register.

What could be a very memorable football season in the history of LSU kicks off today as the 5th ranked Fighting Tigers face the Wisconsin Badgers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Junior defensive tackle Davon Godchaux believes LSU could have the best defense in the country…:
Cut 18 (13) “special”
Kick-off is at 2:30.

Crews with the Shelter at Home Program have started construction on 15 homes that were damaged by flood waters. Patricia Lee’s home was one of thousands destroyed by the historic rain event. Lee says the workers are fixing a bedroom and a bathroom, so she can live in the home while the rebuilding process continues…:
Cut 11 (08) “and everything”
To register for the program visit shelter-at-home-dot-la-dot-gov.

If you lost your job or income as a result of last month’s flooding, you can apply for disaster unemployment benefts at L-A-works-dot-net through October 14th. Director of the Unemployment Insurance Program, Renita Ward Williams…
cut 15 (11) person’s income”
Williams says over 57-hundred people have already applied.

Louisiana has the highest adult obesity rate in the country, according to a new report from Trust for America’s Health. Don Molino has more…
voicer 1 (28) “…I’m Don Molino”

The LSU Tigers finally return to the football field as they battle the Wisconsin Badgers this afternoon at 2:30 at historic Lambeau Field. Also today, the Ragin Cajuns host Boise State, Louisiana Tech is at Arkansas and ULM hosts Southern. It’s the first game as Warhawks Head Coach for Matt Viator.