US Representative Garrett Graves criticizes FEMA for being slow to get people into temporary housing units. Graves says he understand there are 1,300 FEMA manufactured homes available around the country, but as far as he knows only one has been set up in Louisiana…:
Cut 13 (07) “these folks”
Graves is also not happy that the largest FEMA payment he’s heard of being awarded is around $8-thousand, and the max is $33-thousand.

According to the personal finance website Kiplinger, Louisiana is the sixth most tax-friendly state in the US. Sandra Block with Kiplinger says Louisiana’s property taxes are the third lowest in the country, and the state also did well in other categories…:
Cut 10 (09) “very low”
Louisiana’s gas tax is 10-cents below the national average, and the income tax rate is about 3%.

The US Senate race in Louisiana has taken a backseat to other major events, like a tragic police ambush followed by historic flooding. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Depression Nine is expected to become a tropical storm today in the Gulf of Mexico, as it moves away from Cuba on a westward path. They say the system will make a turn back toward Florida over the next two days where it is expected to make landfall.

The Governor’s Office announces registration is now open for the Shelter At Home Program. Communications Director Richard Carbo says registering for FEMA does not register someone for this program. He encourages everyone to register for federal aid, but reminds people they need to apply for this program separately.

CUT 4 (09)  “dot gov”

He says the program awards up to $15-thousand for home repairs so that people can get back into their homes quickly.

Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain announces pets that were lost in the flood are being moved from the shelter at the River Center to a new shelter at the Dixon Correctional Institute in Baton Rouge. He says the move comes as a result of a donation from the Humane Society.

cut 12 (10) “at Dixon”

Today is the 11th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, and right now south Louisiana is experiencing a similar aftermath and recovery from flooding: Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

State troopers have arrested a wanted California sex offender who was travelling through Louisiana. Master Trooper Brooks David says they also rescued four missing children who were in the vehicle with 37-year-old Joseph Moreno and 37-year-old Penny Rascon. David says the children were ages 4, 6, 7 and 8, and all were missing out of California

The US Senate race in Louisiana has taken a backseat to other major events, like a tragic police ambush followed by historic flooding. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

______________________________________

Louisiana is the sixth most tax-friendly state in the nation, according to a new report from the personal finance website Kiplinger. Don Molino has more…

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Don Molino”

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US Representative Garrett Graves of Baton Rouge is not pleased with FEMA’s slow response getting displaced flood victims into long term housing. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Between a police ambush and historic flooding, the US Senate race has taken a backseat. But Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com says the campaign should start to ramp up soon and one of the front-runners, Republican Charles Boustany is already running ads.

cut 4  (08)  “as well”

Alford says a favorite to make the run-off, Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy, is holding off on running ads because the flooding in south Louisiana continues to dominate headlines. He says the unofficial start date for the election cycle is usually after Labor Day, but Republican Congressmen John Fleming and Charles Boustany are not waiting.

Cut 5  (12)  “congressional districts”

Alford says with things getting off to a slow start, we haven’t seen any secondary candidates making headway in the race. He says there’s still 10 weeks to go before the election day, which can be an eternity in politics, especially in Louisiana.

Cut 6 (09) “paying attention”

_______________________________________________

Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish and the rest of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation sent a letter to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, asking for a flood relief cost-share reduction for not only the south Louisiana flood, but also the one that hit north Louisiana in March. Abraham says the feds will cover 75% of the flood response and relief costs, while state and local governments are on the hook for the other 25%.

CUT 7 (07)  “afford it”

Abraham says they are asking that the federal government cover 90% of the cost for both historic floods, leaving only state and local governments to pay 10-percent. He says 49 parishes were declared federal disaster areas at some point this year, and some parishes were impacted by both floods.

Cut 8 (07) “two events” 

Abraham says reducing the cost-share statewide will lessen the financial burden on Louisiana as the recovery effort continues. He says we got through this together, and we will be a stronger state if we rebuild together.

Cut 9 (08)  “very long”

___________________________________________________________

According to the personal finance website Kiplinger, Louisiana is the sixth most tax-friendly state in the US. Sandra Block with Kiplinger says Louisiana’s property taxes are the third lowest in the country, and the state also did well in other categories.

Cut 10 (09) “very low”

Louisiana’s gas tax is 10-cents below the national average, and the income tax rate is about 3%. Block says Louisiana did not do well in the sales tax category, as the state sales tax is now up to 5-cents.

cut 11 (09) “sales tax”

Wyoming came in first in the study as the most tax-friendly state, and California came in last. Block says there are tradeoffs in states with lower taxes, because there are less dollars for schools, public services, and roads.

cut 12 (09) “bad shape”

_______________________________________________________

US Representative Garrett Graves of Baton Rouge toured the flood devastated areas of the state with Florida Congressman John Mica, and Mica then criticized FEMA for being slow to get people into temporary housing units. Graves says they understand there are 1,300 FEMA manufactured homes available around the country, but as far as he knows only one has been set up in Louisiana.

Cut 13 (07) “these folks”

Graves says he is not pleased that FEMA won’t let people set up the manufactured homes in their yards if they’re in a flood plain.

cut 14 (09)  “trailer park”

Graves is also not happy that the largest FEMA payment he’s heard of being awarded is around $8-thousand, and the max is $33-thousand. He says FEMA needs to be respectful of the fact that some of these flood victims just lost everything.

Cut 15 (11) “whatever else”

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Redshirt freshman J’mar Smith gets the nod over Price Wilson and Smith will start at quarterback for Louisiana Tech this Saturday when they kick-off the season at Arkansas. Coach Skip Holtz on how he arrived to the decision for Smith to start against the Hogs

Cut 16  (19)  “three weeks”

Smith is taking the place of Ryan Higgins as the starting quarterback. Higgins will not start because he was arrested on DWI charges before the start of fall camp. Higgins could play against Arkansas. The Razorbacks are known for their power run game and Holtz says it will be a test for his defense…

Cut 17 (21)  “of football”

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The 5th ranked LSU Tigers will kick-off the season on Saturday against an unranked Wisconsin squad, who will start a fifth year senior quarterback. Twenty-three-year-old Bart Houston is set to make his first collegiate start and LSU Coach Les Miles says he’s a talented kid from California..

Cut 18 (10) “with the ball

For the first time during the Les Miles era at LSU, both coordinators Cam Cameron and Dave Aranda will coach from the sidelines, instead of the press box. Miles says both guys wanted to be on the field, which means part-time coaches, like graduate assistants, will be the eyes in the sky

Cut 19 (19) “this will change”

LSU running back Leonard Fournette enters this game 13 rushing yards shy of reaching three-thousand for his career. He will likely become the fastest player in school history to three-thousand rushing yards. Fournette is set to play in his 26th collegiate game and Miles says that kind of experience should benefit him well…

Cut 20 (20) “he’s had”

This is the 11th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and many in south Louisiana recall similar storm recovery images of what can be seen on the roads today in the aftermath of The Great Flood of 2016. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser was the Plaquemines Parish President in 2005. He says we’ve learned from Katrina that rushing cleanup is not a good idea…:
CUT 9 (11) “back up”

After Hurricane Katrina hit , there was a huge population shift out of New Orleans. Will we see a similar event again? Demographer Greg Rigamer says that will depend largely on what kind of government assistance flood victims can receive…:
Cut 15 (08) “the community”

Registration is underway for flood victims who want to apply for the Shelter At Home Program. This allows for the federal government to pay up to 15-thousand dollars so a flooded home is livable, while more extensive repairs are done. The governor’s communications director, Richard Carbo, says people who do not qualify, have other options…
cut 5 (10) “….for you”
Go to gov-dot-louisiana-dot-gov for more details.

Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says pets separated from their displaced owner during the flood have been moved from their mobile shelter to a new shelter at the Dixon Correctional Institute in East Feliciana Parish. Strain says many of the pet owners are in a shelter in Baton Rouge…
cut 14 (07) “their pets”
The mobile shelter was housing 45 dogs and 34 cats.

Registration is now open for the Shelter At Home Program. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The state department of health has confirmed three more travel-related Zika cases in Louisiana, bringing the total number of Louisiana cases to 26, but there has not been local transmission yet in Louisiana. LDH also confirms 14 cases of West Nile virus in the state, but officials say they are not related to the recent flood.

Today is the 11^th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, and many Louisianans are once again recovering from a historic flood. Overall, at least 1,245 people died in Hurricane Katrina and subsequent floods, making it the deadliest US hurricane since the 1928. 13 fatalities have been confirmed following the recent flooding, and Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says it’s incredible that number isn’t higher…:

cut 10 (10)  “remarkably well”

Forecasters are still monitoring Tropical Depression 9. State climatologist Barry Keim says the system could become a tropical storm by the end of today or overnight and it should move into the center of the Gulf by tomorrow. He says it will basically be aimed at Louisiana, but a front should push the storm to the northeast.

CUT 7 (10) “Florida”

Registration is underway for the Shelter At Home Program. Communications Director for the governor, Richard Carbo, says federal assistance of up to $15-thousand for home repairs is available, so flood victims can get back into their homes quickly…:
CUT 3 (07) “this process”
You can register at ShelterAtHome.la.gov.

Today is the 11th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, and flood weary south Louisiana is experiencing a similar recovery….
voicer 4 (25) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The state department of agriculture has re-located dozens of pets from its mobile pet shelter to the Dixon Correctional Institute in East Feliciana Parish. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the new shelter is better for long-term care…
cut 13 (11) “…there daily”
Strain says the mobile shleter was housing 45 dogs and 34 cats that have been separated from their owners who are flood victims.

The latest track on Tropical Depression 9 still has the storm moving west towards Louisiana, but models show the system turning eventually and making landfall Thursday in Florida. State climatologist Barry Keim says if the current forecast stands, TD 9 will not be Louisiana’s problem…:
CUT 8 (09) “actually happen”
Keim says the depression could become a tropical storm by the end of today or overnight.

Today is the 11-year anniversary of when Hurricane Katrina made landfall in southeast Louisiana. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser was the parish president at that time and says Katrina is an example of how the state can rebound from such a devastating natural disaster…
cut 11 (10) “…after Katrina”
The governor’s office estimates over 100-thousand homes were damaged in this latest flooding disaster.

Tropical Depression number nine in the southeast Gulf of Mexico is expected to turn towards the general direction of Louisiana, but eventually move northeast towards Florida. It’s also expected to become a tropical storm, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says forecasters are having trouble predicting it’s eventual intensity…
cut 6 (08) “…wide range”

Registration is underway for those flood victims who want to apply for the Shelter At Home Program. This allows for the federal government to pay up to 15-thousand dollars so flooded home is livable, while more extensive repairs are done. The governor’s communications director, Richard Carbo, says people who do not qualify, have other options…
cut 5 (10) “….for you”
Flood victims can apply for Shelter at Home y going to shelter-at-home-dot-gov.

The search continues in north Louisiana for three inmates who escaped from the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center on Saturday. Authorities say Michael Elliot, Walshea Mitchell and Willie Ethridge scaled a fence with two rolls of razor wire to gain freedom. The three men are serving time for convictions that range from attempted to second-degree murder to theft. If you spot one of these escaped jail birds, contact 9-1-1.

Flood victims wishing to live in their home while they rebuild could be eligible for assistance under the Louisiana Shelter at Home Program, which is now accepting applications. Richard Carbo with the Governor’s Office says this registration process is separate from FEMA…:
CUT 4 (09) “dot gov”
He says the program awards up to $15-thousand for home repairs so that people can get back into their homes quickly.

It appears as though Tropical Depression 9 in the southeast Gulf of Mexico will not be a threat to Louisiana. State climatologist Barry Keim says the storm is coming this way, but a front should push it northeast…:
CUT 7 (10) “Florida”
Keim says the depression could become a tropical storm by the end of today or overnight.

Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain announces pets that were lost in the flood are being moved from the shelter at the River Center to a new shelter at the Dixon Correctional Institute in Baton Rouge. He says the Department of Transportation will be offering rides everyday beginning at 9 am…:
cut 14 (07) “their pets”
He says the new shelter will be better for long term care, as there will be a vet hospital on site.

A man who was in this country illegally is in jail in connection with a deadly crash on I-10 near LaPlace that claimed the lives of two people including the St. John Fire Chief. State Police Trooper Melissa Matey says the driver of the at-fault party bus did not have a license and faces several charges, including negligent homicide…
CUT 1 (08) “illegally”
In addition to the two fatalities, over 30 people were injured in the crash.

Registration is now open for the Shelter At Home Program. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain announces pets that were lost in the flood are being moved from the shelter at the River Center to a new shelter at the Dixon Correctional Institute in Baton Rouge. He says the move comes as a result of a donation from the Humane Society…:
cut 12 (10) “at Dixon”

On this 11th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, many in south Louisiana recall similar storm recovery images of what can be seen on the roads today in the aftermath of The Great Flood of 2016. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser was the Plaquemines Parish President in 2005. He says we’ve learned from Katrina that rushing cleanup is not a good idea…:
CUT 9 (11) “back up”
He says the rescue operations following the flood were remarkable considering how fast the water came up in places that had never seen it before.

Forecasters says the latest models of Tropical Depression No. 9 in the Gulf of Mexico show there is a very good chance Louisiana will not be impacted by this system. Nearly all tracks put the storm off to the east and into Florida on Thursday.

The Governor’s Office announces registration is now open for the Shelter At Home Program. Communications Director Richard Carbo says the program awards up to $15-thousand for home repairs so that people can get back into their homes quickly…:
CUT 3 (07) “this process”
You can register at ShelterAtHome.la.gov or call 1-800-927-0216.

The latest track on Tropical Depression 9 still shows the storm moving west towards Louisiana, but models show the system turning eventually and making landfall Thursday in Florida. State climatologist Barry Keim says if the current forecast stands, TD 9 will not be Louisiana’s problem…:
CUT 8 (09) “actually happen”
Keim says the depression could become a tropical storm by the end of today or overnight.

Two people are dead, including a firefighter, after a party bus driven by someone who was in the US illegally slams into several vehicles on Interstate 10 near LaPlace. Jeff Palermo has more…:

CUT 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
The driver faces many charges including negligent homicide.

After Hurricane Katrina hit 11 years ago today, there was a huge population shift from New Orleans to Baton Rouge. Will we see this trend again after the Great Flood of 2016? Demographer Greg Rigamer says that will depend largely on what kind of government assistance flood victims can receive…:
Cut 15 (04) “the community”