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.

Gas prices are climbing in Louisiana. The average price for a gallon of gas in the state has surpassed $1.80. AAA Spokesperson Don Redman says the transition from winter-grade to summer-grade gas means refineries have to shut down for a while. He says that, coupled with more people out on the road, keeps gas prices higher…:
cut 11 (10) “prices up”
Redman says we should see a decline in gas prices by the time summer arrives.

Disaster Food Stamps are now being issued by the state for flood victims. DCFS Deputy Assistance Secretary Sammy Guillory recommends pre-registering for food assistance if you live in one of the 23 parishes that have been declared a federal disaster. He says the amount you’ll get depends on certain factors…:
Cut 5 (07) “from there”

Louisiana voters are split over whether or not elected officials should compromise, according to a new LSU survey. Doctor Michael Henderson, director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab, says 87% of Louisiana Republicans have an unfavorable opinion of the Democratic Party in Louisiana, while 67% of Democrats in Louisiana have a negative opinion of the Republican Party. He says this could be why the two parties are having a hard time compromising…:
Cut 9 (10) “be able to”
He says 55-percent of Democrats would like their representatives to compromise, while 52% of Republicans want their elected officials to stand their ground.

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne is urging legislators to do what they can, until the administration plugs in the 750-million dollar deficit into the budget for the budget year that begins July 1st…:
Cut 15 (09) “2016 year”

Would you like to see lawmakers compromise on matters in the session? Or hold their ground? An LSU Public Policy Research Lab survey finds voters are split almost even on the matter. Director Michael Henderson says with a Democratic governor and a Republican legislature, it’s likely state politicians will have a hard time coming to agreements. He says we’re starting to see Washington-style politics here in Louisiana…:
Cut 8 (10) “by the wayside “

Meanwhile Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says it appears state agencies won’t have to resort to their “worst case scenario” plan for budget cuts in the fiscal year that begins July 1st. But he says delivery of services around the state will still be impacted”
Cut 14 (09) “government level”
He says some government agencies are looking at a 30-percent cut in state funding.

The Kenner Police Department says four men who worked for Fed Ex are under arrest accused of stealing electronics in the shipping center. They say 21-year-old Earl Jones, 25-year-old Joshua Davis, 20-year-old Daquan Thomas and 25-year-old Christopher Washington, all from New Orleans, are booked with theft over $1500. It’s estimated the loot stolen was worth over $13,000.

Disaster food assistance for residents impacted by extreme flooding is now being issued by the state. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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Jazz Fest organizers are announcing the cubes today with info on stages and times for each performer.

Louisiana has begun issuing disaster food aid to families who have been impacted by flooding. Sammy Guillory, Deputy Assistant Secretary with the Department of Children and Family Services, says approved flood victims that have a last name starting with with E through K, can get their emergency benefit card today. He encourages all flood victims to apply…:
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The food aid benefit cards are being distributed at 25 sites in parishes impacted by the floods.

You may notice gas prices have started to inch up. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular, according to AAA, is $1.80. Fuel analyst Don Redman says that’s a quarter higher than the prior month. He says those prices could continue to go up for a couple more months, as refineries shut down for annual maintenance…:
Cut 10 (06) “a gallon”

According to a recent LSU poll, Louisiana voters are split on whether or not they want their elected officials to compromise. Jeff Palermo has more..:
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The Governors Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is urging those residents receiving aid due to damage from flooding, to make smart decisions with that money. They say more than $4.3 million dollars in individual assistance has already been passed out, and that’s meant to help flood victims pay for necessities needed to get back on their feet. If survivors use payments on anything else, they may have to repay the funds.

Gas prices are going up in Louisiana as refineries shut down for annual maintenance. Halen Doughty has more…:
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Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne told the House Appropriations Committee that despite the additional one-point-two billion dollars in taxes raised, some government agencies are still looking at a 30-percent cut in state funding for next fiscal year…:
Cut 13 (07) “throughout the year”
Louisiana voters are split over whether or not elected officials should compromise, according to a new LSU survey. Doctor Michael Henderson, director of the LSU Public Policy Research Lab, says 55-percent of Democrats would like their representatives to compromise, while 52% of Republicans want their elected officials to stand their ground. 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.

Only 51% of LSU Health New Orleans medical graduate are staying in Louisiana for their residencies. Dr. Steve Nelson, Dean of the School of Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans, blames talk of budget cuts for the lower number. But, he says it is positive to see 50% of LSU Health New Orleans graduates are entering primary care in Louisiana.

Cut 11 (08) “the state”

Forty percent of LSU Health Shreveport grads and only 10% of Tulane grads will take residencies in Louisiana.

Two of the three people struck by lightening at a music festival in Lafource parish have been treated and released. The third person, 28-year-old Jaqui Stavis and her black lab, were killed when the bolt of lightening struck the concert goers. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Louisiana is the second most lightening prone state in the country.

Parts of Ouachita parish are still underwater, as the Monroe area received over two feet of rain in the recent flooding event. Halen Doughty has more…
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Mike Steele, with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says flood victims can receive assistance from various agencies at the disaster recovery centers in Monroe, Bossier City and Slidell. But he reminds residents you don’t have to visit one of these centers to register for financial assistance…
cut 5 (09) “…assistance”