Governor John Bel Edwards has named a 21-member task force that will oversee rebuilding of flood devastated communities. Lamar Advertising CEO Sean Reilly is on this panel and says they are not only looking to assist homeowners, but small businesses impacted by the floods in north and south Louisiana this year….
cut 5 (10) “…Rita”

How much money in federal relief assistance and when are big questions right now. A delegation from Louisiana is making the push right now. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says other states, who suffered natural disasters are making similiar requests, but the level of devastation in Louisiana speaks for itself…
cut 13 (07) “….US history”
The Obama administration has sent a two-point-six billion dollar request to Congress for Louisiana flood relief assistance.

Two elderly bodies were found in a barn in Avoyelles Parish and the search is on for the person responsible. Chief Deputy Steven Martel of the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s office says the victims have been identified as Hillman and Eloise Mayeaux and their 28-year-old grandson Michael Mayeaux is a person of interest…
cut 16 (10) “…area code 318”
Deputies forced entry into their Bordelonville home after Mrs Mayeaux did not show up for work.

Enrollment is up at Nicholls State for the first time since 2009. President Bruce Murphy says they’ve seen a one-percent increase and one possible reason is that college students from the Houma-Thibodaux area, who were attending other schools, may have moved back home, because of the reduction in the TOPS scholarship…
cut 8 (09) “…or not”

Governor John Bel Edwards has created the Restore Louisiana Task Force to oversee flood recovery. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Obama Administration has sent a $2.6 billion request to Congress for Louisiana flood relief assistance. Congressman Garrett Graves says some members don’t want to spend any money, but this event is going to cost taxpayers one way or another…:
CUT 14 (10) “in my mind”

The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office says they have located the bodies of the missing couple authorities had been searching for, and believe the victims’ grandson could be involved. Chief Deputy Steven Martel says Hillman and Eloise Mayeaux were found in a barn near their home. He says there is a person of interest in the case…:
cut 15 (10) “130 pounds”
Anyone with information on younger Mayeaux’s whereabouts is urged to contact authorities.

The longtime media spokeswoman for the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office, Maxine Trahan, has been arrested by State Police and booked into the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center on two Felony warrants. one for exploitation of the infirmed and one for felony theft. She was being investigated earlier this year accused of stealing money that was confiscated from accused criminals. Her bond is $75,000.

Governor John Bel Edwards announces the creation of the Restore Louisiana Task Force, which will oversee flood recovery and redevelopment. The task force is comprised of 21 members ranging from cabinet secretaries to state lawmakers and local mayors. There are also business people on the panel, including Lamar Advertising CEO Sean Reilly…:
CUT 3 (09) “our work”
Reilly was also on the Louisiana Recovery Authority, which was formed after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The Obama Administration has sent a $2.6 billion request to Congress for Louisiana flood relief assistance. Congressman Garrett Graves says it will be an uphill battle to get the request approved. The Baton Rouge Republican says the Louisiana delegation is trying to make other Congressional leaders understand the impact of this flood…:
cut 12 (07) “insufficient”

Will it be Brandon Harris or Danny Etling taking the first snap in LSU’s SEC opener this weekend against Mississippi State. Coach Les Miles still isn’t coming right out an naming a starter. He said on the SEC teleconference that they have spoken to Harris about being ready to play if they need him…:
cut 10 (10) “understands that”
Etling replaced Harris in the second quarter of last Saturday’s 34-13 win over Jacksonsville State. Etling led to touchdowns on three consecutive drives.

Motorists headed toward Lafayette on I-10 and other points westward will have to take an alternate route, as two 18-wheelers collided about two miles before Whiskey Bay on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. State Police say emergency crews are still working to extricate one of the drivers trapped inside of the cab of his 18-wheeler with moderate injuries.

More Louisianans than ever are now covered by health insurance, according to new census data. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

There’s plenty of action in the Atlantic Ocean today, as the National Hurricane Center says the latest is Tropical Depression 12. It’s developed off the western coast of Africa, and is just on the threshold of becoming a named storm possibly by tonight. Overnight, Tropical Storm Julia formed right on the southeastern Georgia coast. Tropical Storm Ian continues its northward movement in the central Atlantic, and is no threat to land.

LSU Football Coach Les Miles told reporters on the SEC teleconference that he would like to keep it in-house on who will start at quarterback this Saturday against Mississippi State. But the head coach still gave us a strong clue that it will be Danny Etling…:
CUT 9 (07) “don’t mind”
All-American running back Leonard Fournette did not play against Jacksonsville State, because of an injured ankle. But Miles expects Fournette to return this weekend.

Enrollment at Nicholls State University has gone up for the first time since 2009. President Bruce Murphy says freshman applications were up 300 over last year. And even though there was confusion over TOPS, fee increases and flooding — enrollment still went up…:
CUT 7 (10) “the fall”
He says they saw an increase of 103 students, which is just over a 1% hike.

New census data finds the overall median income rose 5-percent nationally in 2015, but in the south, it only climbed three percent. Jan Moller, director of the Louisiana Budget Project says 3-percent is still an improvement…
cut 15 (09) “….class family”
Moller says we can’t be sure exactly why the southern part of the country is behind but the south in general has lower levels of educational attainment.

Enrollment at Nicholls State University is up for the first time since 2009. Nicholls President Bruce Murphy says they saw an increase of 103 students, which is just over a 1% hike. He says they’ve improved their recruitment by empowering recruiters to give scholarships to potential students….
cut 6 (09) “….kind of stuff”

Solar panel customers are suing the state over the 25-million dollar cap that was placed on the solar tax credit program. New Orleans Attorney Larry Centola understands the state is in a budget crunch, but…
cut 12 (10) “…rules on them”
Centola says they are seeking 10-million dollars in damages.

This week is National Drive Electric Week and the state department of natural resources urges motorists to learn about the benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric cars. Executive Director of the Louisiana Clean Fuels program, Ann Shaneyfelt, says the range of some fully electric vehicles is up to 200 miles, which is similar to a full tank of gas.
CUT 27 (08) “every single morning” 2x
Shaneyfelt says the maintenance cost of electric vehicles is also much lower, and most public charging stations are free.

Governor John Bel Edwards is headed back to Washington, DC today to advocate for more federal flood relief, specifically to urge lawmakers to support an emergency appropriation for Louisiana. He is now asking President Barack Obama and Congress for a total of $2.8 billion in assistance. Mr. Obama made a formal request of Congress on Tuesday at the urging of Edwards and Louisiana’s congressional delegation.

The governor announced Tuesday that I-10 will be widened from four to six lanes between Highland Road in Baton Rouge and Highway 73 in Ascension Parish. He says they are also looking at elevating parts of the interstate in this 7 mile stretch…:
Cut 5 (10) “this area”
State Department of Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the project will cost more than 60-million dollars, but the state plans to use 40-million dollars in federal monies to get the project started.

Solar panel customers in Louisiana are suing the state over the cap that was placed on the solar tax credit program earlier this year. New Orleans lawyer Larry Centola says about 2-thousand homeowners installed their panels before the June 2015 vote in the legislature to cap the program:
cut 11 (09) “entitled to”
The tax credit program was capped at $25 million during the 2015 session. Centola says they will be seeking more than $10 million in the suit.

The Louisiana Clean Fuels program is encouraging residents to consider all-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric cars. Executive Director Ann Shaneyfelt, says Plugin Louisiana is one of their initiatives that encourages employers to install workplace charging. She says it’s an appealing incentive for many employees that can help attract and retain a cutting-edge workforce, while also increasing consumer exposure of electric cars…:
Cut 9 (08) “their employees”

President Barack Obama is asking Congress to pass a $2.6 billion dollar federal aid package for Louisiana housing and infrastructure needs following the destructive August floods. In a letter, The White House requests the funding be approved, “as soon as possible,” saying the need arises from an unforeseen, unanticipated event resulting in the loss of life and property.

I-10 will be widened from four to six lanes from Highland Road in Baton Rouge to Highway 73 in Ascension parish. Jeff Palermo has more on the announcement from Governor John Bel Edwards…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

This week is National Drive Electric Week and the state department of natural resources would like motorists to learn about the benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric cars. Executive Director of Louisiana Clean Fuels program, Ann Shaneyfelt, says there are tax credits available for people who purchase electric and hybrid vehicles…:
Cut 8 (08) “hundred dollars”
Shaneyfelt says the maintenance cost of electric vehicles is also much lower, and most public charging stations are free.

More Louisianans than ever before are now covered by health insurance. Director of the Louisiana Budget Project Jan Moller says nearly 212-thousand people in Louisiana signed up for coverage through the federal health insurance exchange program…:
cut 14 (09) “preventative care”
And Moller says this number doesn’t even include all the people who received coverage this summer through the expansion of Medicaid.

Governor John Bel Edwards is heading to Washington DC today to meet with congressional leaders in the House and Senate to discuss flood relief for Louisiana. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain are also traveling with Edwards.

There’s good news for motorists who travel through Baton Rouge. The governor announced Tuesday that I-10 will be widened from 4 to 6 lanes between Highland Road in the Capitol City and Highway 73 in Ascension Parish. Edwards says about 30-percent of the traffic on I-10 is moving commerce. But he says this project will benefit all drivers…:
cut 4 (10) “as well”
State Department of Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the project will cost more than 60-million dollars, but the state plans to use 40-million dollars in federal monies to get the project started in about a year.

Solar panel customers in Louisiana are suing the state over a cap that was placed on the solar tax credit program. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

New census data shows that more Louisianans than ever before are now covered by health insurance. Director of the Louisiana Budget Project Jan Moller says this is great news because for the longest time, Louisiana had one of the highest uninsured rates in the country…:
Cut 13 (10) “percent” 3x

More Louisianans than ever are now covered by health insurance, according to new census data. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Solar panel customers in Louisiana are suing the state over the cap that was placed on the solar tax credit program earlier this year. New Orleans lawyer Larry Centola says the state violated these people’s rights when they retroactively capped the program…:
Cut 10 (11) “on em”
The tax credit program was capped at $25 million during the 2015 session.

This week is National Drive Electric Week and the state department of natural resources would like motorists to learn about the benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric cars. Executive Director of Louisiana Clean Fuels program, Ann Shaneyfelt, says the range of some fully electric vehicles is up to 200 miles, which is similar to having a full tank of gas.
CUT 7 (08) “every single morning” 2x
Shaneyfelt says the maintenance cost of electric vehicles is also much lower, and most public charging stations are free.

The National Hurricane Center is tracking two tropical systems in the Atlantic Basin. Tropical Storm Julia formed just along the Florida east coast in a rare over land forming storm. It is the 10th named storm of the season. Julia is forecast to move into Georgia and weaken as it dumps rain. Tropical Storm Ian is in the central Atlantic and is forecast to stay away from land as it moves into the northern Atlantic.

The LSU AgCenter finds the total damage to agriculture from the August floods to be about 277-million dollars. Don Molino has more…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Don Molino”

Governor John Bel Edwards will be in Washington, D.C. tomorrow as the fight continues to get more federal funding for flood relief efforts in Louisiana. The governor is expected to meet with House Speaker Paul Ryan, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, and the entire Louisiana Congressional delegation.

A new book claims Republican Congressman and candidate for US Senate Charles Boustany was involved with prostitutes who were killed in Jefferson Davis Parish. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this accusation has the potential to hurt Boustany’s campaign.

CUT 6 (08) “running that”

A statement from Boustany’s campaign says these allegations are completely false.

American Cancer Society volunteers from Louisiana and many other states are in Washington, D.C, today rallying for more funding for cancer research. Director of the LSU Health Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, Augusto Ochoa, says we are at a turning point in cancer research.

CUT 3 (12)  “chronic disease”

The volunteers are asking Congress to increase funding for the National Cancer Institute by $680 million.