An Ascension Parish lawmaker wants FEMA to move faster in providing manufactured homes for flood victims. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Mandeville Police Department is investigating the disturbing case of a former nursing home kitchen worker who is accused of raping a 78-year-old resident. They say 58-year-old Jerry Kan, who was the Beau Provence cook, allegedly went inside the Memory Care Facility room of the elderly victim and forced sexual intercourse upon her. Kan is booked with first degree rape.

State Treasurer John Kennedy told lawmakers today that they should consider suspending the one cent sales tax increase for flood victims rebuilding their homes. He said the state should not reap a financial windfall from people’s tragedy, when they’ll have to pay an extra penny on items needed to rebuild their lives…:
CUT 10 (09) “the extra penny”
But New Orleans Senator JP Morrell, who chairs the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee, say this is not something that Kennedy should be proposing as feasible on the fly, because it’s not…:
CUT 11 (08) “we’re in session”
He says all Kennedy is trying to do is makes a good sound bite.

Hurricane Hunters have found that Tropical Storm Hermine has formed in the Gulf of Mexico. The system is in the Central Gulf of Mexico and looks scary for Louisiana and Mississippi as it’s moving north, but forecasters say a sharp turn toward the northeast with increasing forward speed is expected on Thursday.

The Baton Rouge Area Foundation has given over 1.6 million dollars to help those affected by the historic flooding that tore through south Louisiana. Director of Communications Mukul Verma says they’ve given dozens of grants to local nonprofits working in the field of flood relief. He says most of these donations have been made online by people throughout the country…:
CUT 3 (10) “million”
Donations can be made online at braf.org.

State Treasurer John Kennedy told lawmakers today that they should consider suspending the one cent sales tax increase for flood victims rebuilding their homes. He said the state should not reap a financial windfall from people’s tragedy. But New Orleans Senator JP Morrell, who chairs the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee, calls this a half-baked idea that shouldn’t be presented as feasible on the fly because it’s not.

Lawmakers slammed FEMA today saying aid is not getting to flood victims fast enough. 200 households have been approved for FEMA manufactured homes, but only one has been set up in Louisiana. Gonzales Representative Clay Schexnayder told FEMA today during the House Homeland Security Committee meeting that he doesn’t care how it happens, but the process needs to be expedited…:
CUT 9 (08) “at all”
FEMA responded saying that this recovery is going to be long due to the concentration and scale and scope of the damage.

Louisiana native and five-time Grammy nominee Hunter Hayes has been added to the lineup of the flood relief concert, “Louisiana Rising.” The benefit, which will be produced for broadcast and is not open to the public, is taking place on Labor Day in Baton Rouge and will be hosted by Randy Jackson and Harry Connick Jr — also both Louisiana natives.

State lawmakers grilled a FEMA administrator today in the House Homeland Security Committee meeting, asking why it’s taking so long to get assistance to flood victims. FEMA Coordinating Officer Gerard Stolar says there are 23-hundred FEMA personnel working on this disaster…:
CUT 6 (08) “this disaster”
Stolar says $289 million has been dispersed to flood victims. He says 2-thousand flood survivors are still in hotels, and less than 1-thousand are in shelters. Gonzales Representative Clay Schexnayder…:
CUT 8 (08) “their homes”
Schexnayder says he doesn’t care how it happens, but the process needs to be expedited.

The state Department of Health is partnering with FEMA to offer free counseling to children and youth struggling with depression and anxiety after the recent floods. They can call the Spirit Crisis Line at 866-310-7977.

Today the Public Service Commission is hearing Entergy’s plan to build a new $869-million natural gas powered plant in St. Charles parish. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The family of the deputy who was critically injured in an ambush on Baton Rouge Police officers say that Nick Tullier is responding to doctors commands. Tullier’s father James told WBRZ that the deputy was moving his toes and thumb when requested by the doctors. Deputy Tullier was shot in an ambush that killed three other officers in July.

The House Committee on Homeland Security is hoping to get some answers today when they hear from the Governor’s Office of Emergency Preparedness, the Small Business administration and the Department of Children and Family Services. Committee Chairman and Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says whey want to know what options there are for flood victims.

Cut 7 (10) “flood insurance”

Foil hopes Congress will assist homeowners with additional funding.

Free counseling is available to children who are struggling with depression after the recent flood. Assistant Secretary for the Office of Behavioral Health, Dr. Jim Hussey, says if parents notice changes in their kids’ behavior, they can call the Spirit Crisis Line at 866-310-7977, or go to a private practitioner or a state behavioral health clinic.

Cut 15 (08) “group therapy”

The Public Service Commission will hear from Entergy today on the company’s plan to build a new plant in St. Charles parish. Commissioner Eric Skrmetta says Entergy says the new facility would save $1.3 billion in the first 30 years of operation. But he says Entergy customers will foot the bill for construction.

Cut 5 (09) “a month”

Skrmetta says Entergy claims the facility will use natural-gas more efficiently than other plants.

The Salvation Army is trying to replenish their food supplies after their warehouse was robbed. Commanding officer of the Lafayette Salvation Army, Maj. Mel James, says there are no security cameras, and there were no signs of forced entry.

Cut 12 (10) “the place”

James says monetary donations can be sent to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 3504, Lafayette

The state Department of Health is partnering with FEMA to offer free counseling to children and youth struggling with depression and anxiety after the recent floods. Assistant Secretary for the Office of Behavioral Health, Dr. Jim Hussey, says parents should be aware of strange behaviors their children may be exhibiting after this traumatic flood…:
Cut 13 (11) “about this”
Hussey says if parents notice these changes in their kids, they can call the Spirit Crisis Line at 866-310-7977.

It’s reported that the state of Louisiana is spending more than $50 million dollars in the aftermath of the historic flooding. That figure, which continues to grow, includes the cost of rescue operations, shelters and more. About three quarters of the expenses would be covered by the federal government, but state leaders are asking that the feds increase their share to 90%.

The Salvation Army warehouse in Lafayette was burglarized, and donations are needed so they can continue to assist flood victims. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Today the Public Service Commission will discuss Entergy’s plan to build a new natural gas powered facility in St. Charles parish. The utility company says that the new St. Charles plant would save about $1.3 billion during the first 30 years of the facility’s operation. Commissioner Eric Skrmetta says Entergy customers will foot part of the bill for construction…:
Cut 5 (09) “a month”

Free counseling is available to children struggling with depression after the recent floods. FEMA and the state Department of Health have teamed up in the effort. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Tropical Depression 9 is continuing its path toward the Florida Gulf Coast and is expected to strengthen. The National Hurricane Center has issued watches and warnings saying the storm could be near hurricane strength when it makes landfall probably Thursday afternoon. As of 7am, it was moving north at 2 mph with maximum sustained winds of 35 miles per hour.

How much aid will I get if I lost everything and don’t have flood insurance. That’s what lawmakers are going to try to find out today from state and federal agencies during a House Committee on Homeland Security meeting. Chairman Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil..:
CUT 9 (08) “the flooding”
They are slated to hear from FEMA, GOHSEP, The Small Business Administration and the Department of Children and Family Services.

Sad news out of the Salvation Army in Lafayette. The center was robbed and during a time when the charity is trying to collect items for flood victims in the area. Commanding Officer of the Lafayette Salvation Army, Maj. Mel James, says the loss of food is the biggest problem. But he says they are still trying to bring hot meals to people…:
CUT 11 (09) “these folks”
He says monetary donations would really help the Salvation Army of Lafayette right now.

The state Department of Health is partnering with FEMA to offer free counseling to children and youth struggling with depression and anxiety after the recent floods. Assistant Secretary for the Office of Behavioral Health, Dr. Jim Hussey, says it’s important to give these kids a sense of normalcy as much as possible, and parents should model good behavior…:
cut 14 (08) “they’re safe”
Hussey says if parents notice changes in their kids, they can call the Spirit Crisis Line at 866-310-7977.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is demanding answers about the man who was driving the bus reported to be at fault in a St. John Parish crash that claimed the lives of two people including a fire cheif. State Police say 37-year-old Denis Yasmir Amaya Rodriguez is in the US illegally. Lawmakers say one of the things they want to know is how many times law enforcement encountered Amaya Rodriguez in the past and how was he able to rent a bus with no license.

Today the Public Service Commission will hear Entergy’s plan to build a new $869-million natural gas powered plant in St. Charles parish. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

House leaders will meet today to hear from federal and state agencies about the options available for flood victims when it comes to aid. House Committee on Homeland Security chairman Franklin Foil says hopes they can get some answers for homeowners…:
Cut 8 (09) “members”

The House Committee on Homeland Security meets today and will hear from FEMA, GOHSEP, the Small Business Administration and the Department of Children and Family Services. Committee Chairman, Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil, says people want information on what options are available for flood victims…:
CUT 7 (10) “flood insurance”
He hopes Congress will assist homeowners with additional funding, because what we have in place right now isn’t enough.

Tropical Storm Warnings have been issued for portions of the Gulf Coast of Florida as TD9 is expected to make a turn to the northeast in the Gulf of Mexico. The system has still not been upgraded to a Tropical Storm. Maximum sustained winds were at 35 mph and it was moving north at only 2 mph. The storm is virtually no threat to Louisiana according to forecasters.

The Salvation Army in Lafayette was robbed, and the charity organization is trying to restock their supplies as they continue to assist flood victims in the area. Commanding Officer of the Lafayette Salvation Army, Maj. Mel James, says the thieves stole a variety of things from the warehouse…:
Cut 10 (09) “of food” 2x
He says the loss of food is the biggest problem.

Today the Public Service Commission will discuss Entergy’s plan to build a new natural gas powered facility in St. Charles parish. Commissioner Eric Skrmetta says the company is seeking to build an 869-million state of the art generator, so they can retire several older plants…:
cut 4 (08) “more efficient”

63-hundred people applied for the Shelter At Home Program on the first day of registration, according to the Governor’s Office. Deputy Chief of Staff for the Governor, Julie Baxter Payer, says the program will not completely repair someone’s home, but it will make it livable while repairs continue.

Cut 4 (08) “your rebuilding”

Payer says people can apply at ShelterAtHome.la.gov.

The state Department of Health has confirmed 14 cases of West Nile virus in Louisiana this year. Louisiana Medical Director for the Center for Community Preparedness, Dr. Frank Welch, says none of the cases are flood related.

Cut 9 (08) “recent flooding”

Welch says we could see more West Nile cases soon, as mosquito populations will increase because of all the standing water from the flood.

Two plane crash victims have been pulled from Lake Pontchartrain along with the aircraft’s wreckage. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 2 (31)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

WBRZ reports Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy Nick Tullier, who was injured in the police ambush, is responding to doctor’s commands. Tullier reportedly responded to doctor’s requests to move his thumb and his toes. Tullier is the only surviving officer still in the hospital following the ambush.

After one full day, 63-hundred flood victims have applied for the Shelter at Home Program. The Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Julie Baxter Payer says the program awards up to $15,000, so flooded homeowners can make their homes livable while they rebuild…:
CUT 5 (11) “case basis”
Payer says people can apply at ShelterAtHome.la.gov.

Two bodies were pulled today from the wreckage of a small plane that crashed into Lake Ponchatrain on Saturday night. Director of Aviation at the New Orleans Lakefront Airport, Ben Morris, says the families were worried about finding their loved ones…
cut 14 (10) “…closure”
The two people killed have been identified in media reports as 25-year-old Reginald Hilliard of Baton Rouge and the pilot was from Thibodaux.

US Representative Garrett Graves says the largest FEMA payment for flood victims he’s heard of is around $8-thousand, but the max is $33-thousand. He says FEMA needs to be respectful that some of these victims just lost everything.
Cut 15 (11) “whatever else”
Graves says he doesn’t understand why people are still in shelters when there are 13-hundred FEMA housing units around the country.

Tropical Depression 9 in the southern Gulf of Mexico is expected to become a tropical storm by tomorrow. Alek Krautmann with the National Weather Service says the area of low pressure is not expected to have an impact on Louisiana, expect for high tides along the southeastern coast.
CUT 6 (11) “Florida coast”