Louisiana has the third highest poverty rate in the nation, according to new census data. Don Molino has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

The statewide average for a gallon of regular gas is $2. Don Redman with AAA expects that trend to continue as refineries transition to the less expensive winter-grade gasoline. He says there may be a slight price increase in October though…:
cut 4 (09) “the consumer”

This week is National Truck Driver Awareness Week. Department of Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says there have been several wrecks involving truck drivers around the state recently. He says the most important thing we can do to make the roads safer for everyone is bring attention to the issue…:
Cut 13 (12) “with you”
Wilson says it’s up to everyone on the road to drive safely, not just truckers.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says they’ve recovered the bodies of two men from Bayou Teche in St. Martin Parish. They say 21-year-old Reese Hebert and 20-year-old Timothy Guidry set out to go fishing in a pirogue around 1am Thursday, and authorities were called when they did not return later that afternoon. Agents found the men soon after. The St. Martin Parish Coroner’s Office is investigating cause of death.

The ACLU of Louisiana says they are getting reports about students being punished for sitting during the Pledge of Allegiance. Executive Director Marjorie Esman says they sent a letter to the superintendents of all Louisiana public school districts reminding them about the First Amendment:
Cut 10 (10) “stand for the pledge”
She hopes this won’t be an issue moving forward.

New census data finds Louisiana has the third highest poverty rate in the country. Demographer Greg Rigamer says Louisiana’s median household income of about $45-thousand is well below the national average, which is over $55-thousand…:
CUT 7 (07) “poorest states”
The national poverty rate is just under 15%, almost 5% lower than Louisiana.

Department of Transpiration Secretary Shawn Wilson is travelling the state in an 18-wheeler this week for National Truck Driver Awareness Week. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Gov. John Bel Edwards today will participate in a bipartisan meeting at the White House to discuss the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Officials of both parties from around the country will participate, including Gov. John Kasich of Ohio.

During today’s Senate Small Business Committee meeting, US Senator David Vitter says many flood victims are having an extremely hard time cutting through the red tape to get federal aid. He says today’s hearing is an important step to getting more assistance and helping his colleagues understand the level of devastation from this flood.

Cut 11 (10) “the way”

According to the Governor’s Office, construction is underway in 357 homes in the Shelter at Home program. Deputy Chief of Staff for the Governor’s Office, Julie Baxter Payer, 850 homes are in the process of getting work orders and 4 are complete. She says once construction begins, the homeowners can get back in their homes soon after.

Cut 5 (07) “these days”
Payer says more than 2-thousand home inspections are scheduled.

An arrest has been made in connection with the murders of an elderly couple found in a barn in Avoyelles Parish. Chief Deputy Steven Martel says the grandson of the victims, 28-year-old Michael Mayeaux, has been charged with two counts of first degree murder. He says Mayeaux does have a record but no previous violent crimes.

Cut 7 (08) “of violations”

Martel says there is a known motive, but they are not releasing it publicly.

Congressman Charles Boustany says allegations that he was involved with prostitutes who were killed in Jefferson Davis Parish are false. Political Analyst Clancy Dubos says when it comes to the politics of all this, it’s really up to voters to decide who to believe and what to believe.

Cut 13 (10) “on this”
The allegations were made in a new book about the murders.

Congressman and US Senate candidate Charles Boustany denies allegations that he was involved with prostitutes who were killed in Jefferson Davis parish. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says no real evidence supports the claims that were published in a new book.

Cut 12 (10) “out there”

The author of the book stands by what he wrote.

Only four of the 18-thousand homes in the Shelter At Home Program have been repaired. Deputy Chief of Staff with the Governor’s Office, Julie Baxter Payer, says it’s taken them a while to get a team put together for the brand new program. She says they started with just five contractors.

Cut 4 (10) “the homeowners”

Payer says construction is underway in 357 homes.

Flood victims testified at a meeting of the Senate Small Business Committee this morning to voice their concerns about the federal flood response. Halen Doughty has more…

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The ACLU of Louisiana says they are getting reports of students being punished for sitting during the Pledge of Allegiance. Executive Director Marjorie Esman they sent a letter to the superintendents of all Louisiana public school districts saying nobody can be forced to stand for the Pledge, salute the flag or anything of that nature.

Four homes in the Shelter At Home program have been repaired so far. Deputy Chief of Staff with the Governor’s Office, Julie Baxter Payer, says with so many households registered for the program, it’s taking a while to get to everyone.

Cut 3 (08) “as possible”

Payer says 357 homes are under construction right now.

Flood victims expressed their concerns about the federal flood response at a meeting of the Senate Small Business Committee this morning. State Representative Clay Schexnayder says spoke at the hearing and says lack of communication from FEMA has been a big problem.

Cut 9 (13) “right now”

Schexnayder says some people are living in tents or just repairing their homes on their own.

The grandson of the elderly couple who was found dead in Avoyelles parish has been arrested for the murder. Avoyelles Parish Chief Deputy Steven Martel says 28-year-old Michael Mayeaux faces two counts of first degree murder. He says this crime was shocking to everyone in the small town of Bordelonville.

Cut 8 (10) “the family”

Martel says Hillman and Eloise Mayeaux were found in a barn near their property.

Congressman Charles Boustany says the allegations that he was involved with prostitutes who were killed in Jefferson Davis parish are completely false. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says voters will likely wait to see if more information comes out and how Boustany handles it.

Cut 14 (10) “they wanted”

The allegations were released in a new book about the murders.

LSU kicks off SEC play on Saturday by hosting the Mississippi State Bulldogs and all signs point to Danny Etling getting the start at quarterback for the Tigers. Senior tight end Colin Jeter says Etling gave them a spark against Jacksonville State that was definitely needed at the time…
cut 19 (15) “…the game”
Teammates have described Etling as cool, calm and collected in the huddle.

The Ragin Cajuns and Mississippi State have agreed to a two-game series in football starting in 2018 and one of the games will be played at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. UL Lafayette will travel to Starkville on November 3rd, 2018 and the Bulldogs and Cajuns will play each other the following year on Labor Day weekend in New Orleans.

Teams that start 0-2 in the NFL, usually don’t make the playoffs. That’s why this Sunday’s game against the Giants is a big one for the Saints, who lost their season opener against Oakland. Quarterback Drew Brees says there’s a sense of urgency to get in the win column…
cut 17 (13) “…it happen”
Brees threw for an NFL record-tying seven touchdowns and 511 yards in last year’s 52-49 win over the Giants in the Dome.

In other NFL news…former LSU Tiger Michael Brockers has received a three-year contract extension from the Los Angeles Rams. The defensive tackle has made 61 starts since he was selected in the first round in 2012.

And another former LSU Tiger, Kevin Gausman, pitched eight scoreless innings to help the Orioles blank the New York Yankees one to nothing last night.

US Senator David Vitter led a meeting of the Senate Small Business Committee this morning to address concerns of Louisiana flood victims. President and CEO of the Central Chamber of Commerce, Ron Erickson Sr., raised concerns about flood victims possibly having to elevate their homes:
cut 10 (09) “thousand dollars”
Vitter says this meeting is an important step to expediting this process.

An arrest has been made in the case of the elderly couple found murdered in a barn near their Avoyelles parish home….
cut 6 (08) “…be determined”
That’s Chief Deputy Steven Martel with the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office, who says the couple’s grandson, 28-year-old Michael Mayeaux, has been charged with two counts of first degree murder. No word on motive at this time.

Four of the 18-thousand homes that have registered for the Shelter At Home program have been repaired. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A teenage student in Baton Rouge is under arrest on attempted murder charges for allegedly shooting someone that was trying to make him go to school. The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says 17-year-old D’Vonte Green was allegedly arguing with someone in front of a house, when he took out a gun and began shooting. Green apparently told cops he shot the victim because he didn’t want to go to school. The victim is at a hospital. Green is in jail pending $60,000 bond.

This morning during a meeting of the Senate Small Business Committee, US Senator David Vitter says many flood victims are having an extremely hard time cutting through federal red tape when it comes to getting aid. He says today’s hearing is an important step to getting more assistance and helping his colleagues understand the level of devastation from this flood…:
Cut 11 (10) “the way”

The Governor’s Office says 357 homes are under construction now under the state’s Shelter at Home program, while 850 are in the process of getting work orders and 4 are complete. Deputy Chief of Staff for the Governor’s Office, Julie Baxter Payer, says one construction begins, the homeowners can get back in their homes soon after…:
CUT 5 (07) “these days”
Payer says over 12-hundred homes have been inspected, and more than 2-thousand inspections are scheduled.

The Bond Commission agreed today that Louisiana could borrow up to $400 million dollars from two banks to help keep bills paid. The money must be paid back by August of next year.

US Representative Charles Boustany says allegations that he was involved with prostitutes who were killed in Jefferson Davis Parish are false, and Treasurer John Kennedy is behind it. Political Analyst Clancy Dubos says when it comes to the politics of all this, it’s really up to voters to decide who to believe and what to believe…:
Cut 13 (10) “on this”
Boustany says he values his faithfulness as a husband. Kennedy said he didn’t write the book containing the allegations.

According to FEMA, last month’s flood will not cause flood insurance to rise above already scheduled annual increases. They said the event does not trigger remapping of flood zones are change base flood elevation.

Flood victims testified at a meeting of the Senate Small Business Committee this morning to voice their concerns about the federal flood response. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Cops says they’ve made an arrest in connection with the murders of an elderly couple found in a barn in Avoylless Parish. Chief Deputy Steven Martel with the sheriff’s office says the grandson of the victims, 28-year-old Michael Mayeaux, does have a record but nothing like these two first degree murder charges…:
CUT 7 (08) “of violations”

Only four houses have been repaired to the point of becoming livable under the state’s Shelter at Home program. Governor’s Office spokeswoman Julie Baxter Payer says initially they had five contractors, but they are hiring more…:
CUT 4 (10) “the homeowners”
Payer says 357 homes are under construction now, while 850 are in the process of getting work orders.

US Representative Charles Boustany says allegations that he was involved with prostitutes who were killed in Jefferson Davis Parish are false and hurtful. He says operatives working for State Treasurer John Kennedy are spreading these lies. Political Analyst Clancy Dubos says there is no actual evidence that Boustany had anything to do with those women…:
cut 12 (10) “out there”
The accusations are published in a new book about the murders. A spokesperson for the Kennedy campaign says the book speaks for itself.

Four of the 18-thousand homes that have registered for the Shelter At Home program have been repaired. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A former deputy with the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office has been arrested for the second time this year amid allegations of stealing large amounts of cash at her job and from an elderly person. State Police say, in April, 57-year-old Maxine Trahan allegedly took monies that had been seized from drug dealers, and it was recently discovered the suspect allegedly took nearly $47,000 from an 86-year-old woman she was caring for. She is facing felony theft charges and exploitation of the infirmed.

US Senator David Vitter led a meeting of the Senate Small Business Committee this morning to address concerns of Louisiana flood victims. State Representative Clay Schexnayder of Gonzales owns Car Craft Automotive and spoke at the hearing. He says communication between state and local officials and FEMA have been a big problem…:
CUT 9 (13) “right now”
Vitter encouraged people to contact his office if they are having trouble cutting through the red tape with federal agencies.

Gas prices in Louisiana are back down to the $2 per gallon mark. The cheaper winter blend switch is underway meaning you can expect the price to continue to fall in the coming months.