09:30 Newscast, September 2nd, 2016

Tomorrow’s game between LSU and Wisconsin means the start of the season for many fans, and also some much needed relief for flood victims. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Today Governor John Bel Edwards is touring construction sites under the new Shelter at Home program throughout communities that were damaged in the recent historic flood. His office says 15 homes have already qualified to receive up to $15,000 in work done to their home so that they can live there while they rebuild. You can register for the program at shelter-at-home-dot-la-dot-gov.

Louisiana has received an additional 40-million dollars in federal highway funding. State Department of Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the state has already received 60-million in federal dollars for the I-10 widening project between I-49 and the Atchafalya Basin. So this additional 40-million, will free up funds to improve the access into Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City…:
cut 14 (09) “of I-20″
He says they also plan to address the Washington Street exit problem in Baton Rouge.

The second amendment sales tax holiday is underway. Eligible items like guns and ammo will be eligible for a discount on the state sales tax. Byron Henderson with the state Department of Revenue says it’s not completely tax free this year because the holiday was changed during this year’s legislative session…:
CUT 6 (10) “sales tax”
You can get more information online at revenue.louisiana.gov.

 

08:30 Newscast, September 2nd, 2016

Tomorrow is the big game between LSU and Wisconsin, and Madison-based American Family Insurance is partnering with Wisconsin athletics to raise money that will go towards American Red Cross’ flood relief efforts in Louisiana. Judd Schemmel is with American Family Insurance..:
CUT 7 (08) “to help”
He says they are encouraging football fans to donate to the Red Cross by texting “LAFLOOD” to 90999.

State Police say a third person has succumbed to injuries sustained in the St. John Parish bus crash that also claimed the life of a fire chief. They say 33-year-old Vontarous Kelly of Moss Point, MS, a passenger in a vehicle that was hit, died Thursday. The driver of the bus, a man who is in the US illegally, is facing more charges in addition to the two counts of negligent homicide. St. John Fire Chief Spencer Chauvin of Gramercy, LA and 21 year old Jermaine Starr of Moss Point, MS also died in the crash.

Over a dozen homes have already been approved for the Louisiana Shelter at Home Program and will have construction begin today. Eligible flood victims could get up to $15,000 to fix their homes so they can live in them while they rebuild. Julie Baxter Payer is with the Governor’s Office. She says once approved, a contractor is contacted…:
CUT 11 (10) “family’s home”
You can still register online at shelter-at-home-dot-la-dot-gov.

The 2nd Amendment sales tax holiday kicked off today and will run through Sunday. Eligible items will get a two percent discount on the state sales tax…:
CUT 4 (10) “vehicles”
That’s Byron Henderson with the state Department of Revenue.

 

07:30 Newscast, September 2nd, 2016

The Louisiana Shelter at Home Program is moving right along. Julie Baxter Payer with the Governor’s office says construction has become on at least 15 homes to make livable while the residents rebuild. She says they plan on ramping up construction on other homes next week and the response so far has been great…:
cut 12 (10) “we can”

Louisiana has picked up $40 million dollars in federal aid for highway projects, adding to the $60 million dollar grant the state has already received. State Department of Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the money will go toward a number of projects, including relocating the Washington Street exit in Baton Rouge near the Mississippi River Bridge…:
CUT 15 (04) “early 18”
The announcement is also a boost to work on the entrance of Barksdale Air Force Base near Shreveport. And also the I-10 widening project between I-49 and the Atchafalya Basin.

After a rough summer for Louisiana with shootings and flooding, the state can enjoy some LSU football on Saturday. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

More artists have been added to the Labor Day benefit concert for flood relief called Louisiana Rising. Hosted by Louisiana natives Harry Connick Jr and Randy Jackson, featured musicians include Aaron Neville, Hunter Hayes and Better Than Ezra. The show will be broadcast from Baton Rouge’s River Center Theater and will benefit the American Red Cross Louisiana Flood Relief. Find out where to watch at louisiana-rising-flood-relief.com.

 

06:30 Newscast, September 2nd, 2016

Construction begins today on 15 homes that have been approved for the Shelter At Home Program. The Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff Julie Baxter Payer says they’re moving as quickly as possible to get flood damaged homes ready to live in. She says they’ve received nearly 15-thousand applications and the number keeps growing…:
Cut 10 (12) “rebuild”
Flood victims can register for the program at shelter-at-home-dot-la-dot-gov.

If you’re looking for temporary work, FEMA is hiring. They are advertising through the Louisiana Workforce Commission to fill open positions at disaster recovery centers. They are full time jobs with benefits, but temporary. To apply, visit www.laworks.net, and click Disaster Relief Work.

Louisiana has received an additional 40-million dollars in federal highway funding. State Department of Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson on how the state received this cash…:
Cut 13 (10) “spend”
Wilson says this grant money will go towards the I-10 widening project between I-49 and the Atchafalya Basin.

The Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday begins today and lasts through Sunday. Department of Revenue Spokesperson Byron Henderson says you can find a list of items eligible for a two percent discount online…:
CUT 5 (04) “second amendment”

 

17:30 LRN Newscast Sept 1st

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the August flood event is the fourth costliest for the National Flood Insurance Program, with 28-thousand claims already filed. Donelon says this devastating flood should be a lesson for all homeowners to find out what they’re covered for and what they’re not…
cut 10 (10) “…my house”

August goes down as the wettest month in the history of Baton Rouge , with over 30 inches of rain. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there were also high rain totals in Acadiana and the Felicianas….
cut 4 (11) “…of rain”
Keim says a majority of the rain fell over a three to four day period.

Around 135-thousand people have applied for FEMA assistance since the flood, and many have been denied. Michelle Southern has more on a hotline offering legal advice…
voicer 2 (31) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

Shreveport Police are looking for a stolen service dog that can understand sign language. Corporal Marcus Hines says a rottweiler named “Major” was taken during a home invasion…
cut 13 (09) “…doing it”
Hines says the dog looks very much like a rottweiler, but it has distinctive long tail and bears a white patch on his chest.

16:30 LRN Newscast

As flood victims are working to repair their homes and get as much federal assistance as possible, volunteer attorneys are offering legal advice to those who are denied by FEMA. New Orleans attorney Graham Ryan says you can call 1-800-310-7029, or…:
CUT 6 (08) “affected areas”
Ryan says some of the denials can be reversed.

August 2016 goes down as the wettest recorded August in Louisiana history. State Climatologist Barry Keim says data shows the state averaged 12 and a half inches for the month, crushing the previous record of 9.71 inches back in August of 1940. However, he says it’s not the wettest month ever…
cut 3 (08) “…ago”
Keim says August 2016 was the wettest month ever for Baton Rouge and Lafayette.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says he’s been told the August flood will be the fourth most costly event for the National Flood Insurance Program…:
CUT 9 (10) “insurance program”
Donelon says there have been 28-thousand claims filed with the N-F-I-P and he expects the number to grow past 30-thousand.

Shreveport Police are searching for burglary suspects who stole a service animal. Cpl. Marcus Hines says police were called to a home after the residence was forcefully entered and items taken, including “Major, a Rottweiler service dog, who is trained to understand sign language…:
cut 12 (10) “his chest”
Hines says they are not sure why someone would take “Major”.

15:30 LRN Newscast September 1st

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon appeared before a legislative committee today and provided some statistics on the deadly August flood event. Donelon says there have been 28-thousand claims filed with the National Flood Insurance Program and State Farm has already reported 18-thousand claims for flooded vehicles…
cut 11 (10) “…those vehicles”

The devastating flood led to record rainfall totals for the month of August for Baton Rouge and Lafayette. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the majority of the rainfall came during a three-to-four day period…
cut 5 (10) “….of rain”
Keim says the state averaged 12 and a half inches last month, which is also a record for August.

The FEMA assistance process has been extremely confusing for many, and there are those who lost a lot and don’t know why they received a denial letter. Well, there’s free legal advice available, if you call 1-800-310-7029. New Orleans attorney Graham Ryan says one common reason for a denial letter is that the name on the deed of the flooded home didn’t match the name on the application…:
CUT 7 (07) “FEMA benefits”
The free hotline number again is 1-800-310-7029.

Attorney General Jeff Landry announces the former utility clerk for the town of Jonesville in Catahoula Parish has been arrested on theft and malfeasance charges. 47-year-old Leigh Ann Ingram of Jena is accused of receiving cash from customers who paid their utility bills and using that money for her own personal use.

Tomorrow begins a three-day second amendment sales tax holiday. Customers who purchase firearms and clothing for the outdoors, only pay a three-percent state sales tax, instead of five-percent.

14:30 LRN Newscast September 1st

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the August flood event is the fourth costliest for the National Flood Insurance Program, with 28-thousand claims already filed. Donelon says this devastating flood should be a lesson for all homeowners to find out what they’re covered for and what they’re not…
cut 10 (10) “…my house”

August goes down as the wettest month in the history of Baton Rouge , with over 30 inches of rain. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there were also high rain totals in Acadiana and the Felicianas….
cut 4 (11) “…of rain”
Keim says a majority of the rain fell over a three to four day period.

A third person has reportedly died from the weekend crash on Interstate 10 near LaPlace that involved a bus, which hit a fire truck that was responding to a single vehicle wreck. The third victim is from Mississippi. Jessica Bedwell, with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, reminds motorists that state law mandates vehicles to safely change lanes when approaching emergency vehicles on the side of the road…
cut 15 (09) “…the area”

And Shreveport Police are looking for a stolen service dog that can understand sign language. Corporal Marcus Hines says a rottweiler named “Major” was taken during a home invasion…
cut 13 (09) “…doing it”
Hines says the dog looks very much like a rottweiler, but it has distinctive long tail and bears a white patch on his chest.

13:30 Newscast, September 1st, 2016

Volunteer attorneys are offering legal advice to flood victims who are denied by FEMA. New Orleans attorney Graham Ryan says this program does not take on cases, they just help guide people through the confusing process. But he says there are plenty of organizations around the state that will take up a flood victim’s case…:
CUT 8 (10) “can do”
That hotline number is 1-800-310-7029.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says he’s been told the August flood event will be the fourth most costly event for the National Flood Insurance Program…:
CUT 9 (10) “insurance program”
Donelon says there have been 28-thousand claims filed with the N-F-I-P and expects the number to grow past 30-thousand.

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is reminding motorists about their responsibilities on the road when approaching an upcoming accident. The plea comes in the wake of the tragic crash that killed two people, including a district fire chief in St. John Parish. LHSC spokeswoman Jessica Bedwell:
CUT 14 (10) “first responders”
Bedwell says the recent crash illustrates why drivers must exercise caution when encountering parked emergency vehicles on the roadway.

Shreveport Police are searching for burglary suspects who stole a service animal. Cpl. Marcus Hines says police were called to a home after the residence had been forcefully entered and items were taken, including “Major, a Rottweiler service dog, who is trained to understand sign language…:
cut 12 (10) “his chest”
Anyone with information on Major’s whereabouts is urged to contact authorities.

 

12:30 Newscast, September 1st, 2016

August of 2016 was certainly a wet one for the entire state of Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission is extending the disaster unemployment assistance application period to October 14, 2016 for individuals affected by the August 2016 flooding. The funding is available to workers and self-employed people who lost work or earnings as a result of the disaster. You can submit an application online at laworks.net.

The FEMA assistance process has been extremely confusing for many, and there are those who lost everything who don’t know what they received denial letters. Well there’s free legal advice available to people by calling 1-800-310-7029. New Orleans attorney Graham Ryan says one common reasons people get denial letters is that the name on the deed of the flooded home didn’t match the name on the application…:
CUT 7 (07) “FEMA benefits”
The free hotline number again is 1-800-310-7029.

More than 50 students from the University of Alabama will spend Labor Day weekend working with LSU students to help Baton Rouge flood victims, according to university officials. According to officials with the University of Alabama, students filled the open spots in about 15 minutes and there is a waiting list for other students who want to come to Louisiana to help with flood relief.