North Louisiana is still hurting from the massive downpour that dumped upwards of two feet of rain in some areas. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth is concerned how parish governments will pay for the damage, even if they are eligible for federal assistance and only have to pay a quarter of the cost for a road that was washed away by the floods…:
Cut 13 (07) “25-percent”
Some areas of Ouachita Parish are still flooded and the process of recovery has barely begun for several home owners and renters.

Animal shelters are bracing again for an influx of bunnies given as gifts to children for Easter, because families soon find out they are unable to care for them. Alicia Haefele (HAY-flee), with the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, says parents should educate themselves before getting a bunny…:
Cut 10 (09) “a bunny”

A bill set to be reviewed by the House Natural Resources Committee today proposes to add “blaze pink” as an approved color for hunters…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Donaldsonville residents in Ascension Parish should not drink or cook with water until further notice, according to the state Department of Health and Hospitals.

A multi-agency investigation finds that former Louisiana State Penitentiary Warden Burl Cain did not participate in any illegal activity. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Former NFL Saints player Darren Sharper has plead guilty again to charges of drugging and raping women in four states. This time he’ll leave the length of his sentence up to a federal judge. His plea deal resulting in a 9-year sentence was rejected, and he now faces 15to 20 years.

The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is encouraging emergency personnel to learn CPR for animals.  Professor Dr. Kirk Ryan says dogs are susceptible to smoke inhalation, so in the event of a house fire, EMS or firefighters should know how to help an animal. He says giving CPR to pets is different than humans.

Cut 4 (10) “CPR”

Ryan says they’re hosting multiple events to train first responders because they often come across animals that need help.

State Police rescue two abducted North Carolina teens that were traveling with their uncle on Interstate 10. Sgt. Nick Manale says authorities in Winston-Salem called LSP to report 40-year-old Jose Melchor was likely traveling west through New Orleans, possibly on his way to Mexico. He says both the 15-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl were found unharmed. Manale says Melchor was booked into the St. James Parish Jail and is awaiting extradition back to North Carolina.

Cut 13 (04)  “abduction”

Legislation is heading to the Senate floor that would allow Louisiana to comply with the security measures of the federal REAL ID act. The bill is similar to one that former Governor Bobby Jindal vetoed over privacy concerns in 2014. But Governor John Bel Edwards supports this legislation that would allow Louisiana residents to decide if they want REAL-ID compliant licenses. Supporters say refusal to comply with the REAL ID law could result in residents needing a passport to fly domestically next year.

Also heading to the Senate floor, is a bill that would allow any Louisiana voter to vote by mail. State law only allows an absentee vote if that person has a reason they can’t vote in person. The Secretary of State’s office did not speak in opposition to the legislation, but said the new law would increase the cost of a ballot by over a dollar. Despite cost concerns, the Senate Government Affairs committee approved the legislation.

The House education committee is expected to debate tomorrow legislation that would prohibit school boards from requiring school uniforms. The bill’s author, Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater, says he’s heard a lot of postive and negative feedback about the proposal…
cut 29 (09) “….supportive concept”
Broadwater says the bill was the result of an exercise he did with fourth graders, who approved this legislation during a field trip to the state capitol.

The House Natural Resources panel is scheduled to hear a bill tomorrow that would add “blaize pink” as an alternative for the hunter oranger requirements. Bogalusa Representative Malinda White says this would give female hunters more options, without taking away from safety…
cut 24 (09) “…hunters”
White says the legislation has the support of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Two of the top 10 fattest metro areas in the country are in Louisiana, according to a study from WalletHub. Shreveport ranked second and New Orleans came in at number five. WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says the study looked at obesity in children and teens as well, and she says Louisiana did not perform well in that category either.

CUT 8 (08) “very closely”

The fattest metro area is Memphis, Tennessee, and the thinnest is Honolulu, Hawaii.

The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine wants emergency personnel to learn animal CPR. Professor Dr. Kirk Ryan says they’re hosting multiple events to train first responders because they often come across animals that need help. He says cats and dogs can’t receive the same method of CPR as humans.

CUT 3 (10)  “compressions”

State Police rescued two abducted North Carolina teens that were traveling with their uncle on Interstate 10. Sgt. Nick Manale says authorities in Winston-Salem called LSP to report 40-year-old Jose Melchor was likely traveling west through New Orleans, possibly on his way to Mexico. He says both the 15-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl were found unharmed.

cut 12 (06) “their family”

Manale says everyone is happy to see this incident come to a safe resolution.

The president isn’t the only one making a trip to Cuba this week as LSU coach Les Miles is also in the country. Former Tiger baseball star Mikie Mahtook, who currently plays for Tampa Bay, tweeted that Miles would watch the Rays play the Cuban National Team. LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette says this is Miles’ spring break trip…:

CUT 9 (08) “to Cuba”

Bonnette says Miles planned on visiting several schools during his trip.

A new study from WalletHub finds two Louisiana cities came in the top 10 fattest metro areas in the country. Halen Doughty has more…
CUT 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Former NFL star and member of the Saints Super Bowl team, Darren Sharper, has reportedly plead guilty again to charges of drugging and raping women in four states. This time he’ll leave the length of his sentence up to a federal judge. Last month, US District Court Judge Jane Triche Milazzo, rejected a nine-year sentence for Sharper and said his sentence should range from 15 to 20 years.

State Police have rescued two North Carolina teens that were abducted by their uncle. Sgt. Nick Manale says authorities in Winston-Salem called LSP to report 40-year-old Jose Melchor was possibly driving through New Orleans, likely headed to Mexico. He says Melchor was booked into the St. James Parish Jail and is awaiting extradition back to North Carolina.

Cut 13 (04) “abduction”

Manale says the investigation is still ongoing to determine why Melchor took the children.

The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine wants first responders to learn animal CPR. Professor Dr. Kirk Ryan says previously, in different veterinary schools there were different methods of CPR for pets. He says they want to standardize a method to get all emergency personnel on the same page.

CUT 5 (10) “not helpful”

Ryan says dogs are susceptible to smoke inhalation, so in the event of a house fire it’s important EMS or firefighters know how to help an animal.

President Obama is in Cuba today and so is LSU football coach Les Miles. LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette says Miles decided to take advantage of Spring Break by visiting a country with a unique culture and making several rounds while here’s there…
cut 10 (08) “….with him”
Miles is also expected to attend today’s historic exhibition baseball game between the Cuban national team and the Tampa Bay Rays.

Two cities rank in the Top 5 in Wallethub’s report on the fattest metro areas in the country. Shreveport comes in at number two, while New Orleans is number five. Wallethub analyst Jill Gonzles says Louisianans unhealthy lifestyles contribute to the high obesity numbers…
cut 7 (09) “….physicall inactive”
Gonzales says Americans spend 316-billion dollars a year on obestity-related medical treatment.

State Police say they rescued two teenagers from North Carolina that were abducted by their uncle. Troopers apprehended 40-year-old Jose Melchor, with a 15-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl in the vehicle on Interstate 10 in St. James Parish. State Police Sergeant Nick Manage says this is great example of how law enforcement work together and he urges the public to come forward with any information that maybe suspicious…
cut 14 (07) “….they are”
Melchor is awaiting extradition back to North Carolina.

The LSU vet school is planning on holding seminars so first responders can learn animal CPR. Professor Kirk Ryan says CPR for pets is a little different than humans…
cut 4 (10) “…CPR”
Ryan says they want to train first responders, because they often come across pets in distress.

State Police rescue two abducted North Carolina teens that were traveling with their uncle on Interstate 10. Sgt. Nick Manale says authorities in Winston-Salem, North Carolina called LSP to report 40-year-old Jose Melchor was likely traveling west through New Orleans, possibly on his way to Mexico. He says both the 15-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl were found unharmed…:
cut 12 (06) “their family”
He says Melchor is charged with two counts of felony child abduction.

With spring break underway on the LSU campus and no practice, Coach Les Miles is in Cuba and according to former LSU baseball star Mikie Mahtook he’ll watch the Tampa Bay Rays take on the Cuban National Team this afternoon. LSU Sports Information Director MIchale Bonnette says Miles is going to meet with the media next week and share his experience with all of us…:
Cut 11 (04) “stay tuned”

The LSU Study Abroad program tweeted today that they’ve contacted their students who are taking courses while on an exchange trip in Brussels, and learned that they are safe. Officials reported this morning that multiple suspected terrorists attacks resulted in 34 deaths and hundreds of injuries in Brussels. Authorities are telling everyone there to remain where they are.

The LSU Vet School is hosting seminars to teach first responders how to perform CPR on animals. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Two Louisiana cities came in the top 10 fattest metro areas in the country, according to a new study from WalletHub. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Two children who were allegedly abducted by their uncle in North Carolina were found safe overnight by State Police in St. James Parish. Troopers say an investigation determined that 40-year-old Jose Melchor of Clemmons, North Carolina, was traveling west on I-10 through New Orleans possibly headed to Mexico with the teen siblings. That’s where they were located by cops and the kids are being reunited with their family today.

The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine wants emergency personnel to learn animal CPR. Professor Dr. Kirk Ryan says they’re hosting multiple events to train first responders because often times they come across animals in need of assistance. He says cats and dogs usually can’t receive the same method of CPR as humans..:
CUT 3 (10) “compressions”
Ryan says dogs are susceptible to smoke inhalation, so in the event of a house fire it’s important EMS or firefighters know how to help an animal.

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival today unveiled times and stage for performers. The giant music and food celebration kicks off exactly one month for today. You can see today’s released cubes at nojazzfest.com.

Shreveport and New Orleans rank in the top 10 fattest metro areas in the country, according to a new study from WalletHub. Shreveport came in number 2 and The Big Easy No. 5. WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says the study analyzed fat prevalence, weight-related medical problems, and a healthy environment. She says this isn’t good as health problems typically mean money problems..:
CUT 6 (12) “obesity treatment”
Lafayette also ranked high on the list, coming in at number 17.

4 Fed Ex employees in Kenner are booked with theft charges for allegedly stealing more than $13,000 worth of electronics in the shipping department, according to cops. Kenner Police say an anonymous tip came in which resulted in the arrest of the four men from New Orleans each for theft of over $1500.

Gas prices in Louisiana are up almost a quarter from the prior month to a statewide average of about $1.80, according to AAA. Fuel analyst Don Redman says refineries are shutting down as they transition from the winter to summer blend gasoline, but we should start to see the price at the pump level off in a couple months…:
CUT 12 (09) “fairly soon”

The president isn’t the only one making a trip to Cuba this week as LSU coach Les Miles is also in the Pearl of the Antilles. Former Tiger baseball star Mikie Mahtook, who currently plays for Tampa Bay, tweeted that The Mad Hatter would be on hand to watch the Rays play the Cuban National Team. LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette says this is Miles’ spring break trip…:
CUT 9 (08) “to Cuba”
The rare baseball game is scheduled for 1:50 this afternoon and will be televised on ESPN.

The state is handing out disaster food aid to flood victims. Assistant Secretary with the Department of Children and Family Services, Sammy Guillory, says many people in the Covington area are applying, but not so much in north Louisiana, where it’s rare for the state to provide disaster food stamps….
cut 4 (11) “….hurricanes”
Guillory recommends pre-registering for food assistance if you live in one of the 23 parishes that have been declared a federal disaster.

Louisiana voters are split over whether or not elected officials should compromise, according to a new LSU survey. LSU pollster, Doctor Michael Henderson, says this does not bode well for getting things done in the legislature…:
cut 7 (09) “…have become”
Henderson says with a Democratic governor and a Republican legislature, it’s likely state politicians will have a hard time coming to agreements.

Gas prices are going up in Louisiana. Halen Doughty has more…
voicer 2 (30) “…Halen Doughty”

Former NFL star and member of the Saints Super Bowl team, Darren Sharper, has reportedly pleaded guilty again to charges that he drugged and rapped women in four states. This time he’ll leave the length of his sentence up to a federal judge. Last month, US District Court Judge Jane Triche Milazzo, rejected a nine-year sentence for Sharper and said his sentence should range from 15 to 20 years.