The Louisiana Health Department has received a 24-million dollar grant from the federal government to combat the opioid epidemic. Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Behavioral Health Dr. Janice Petersen says the money will fund a comprehensive recovery program for addicts…
Cut 10 (10) “support services.“
The CDC says over one-thousand Louisiana residents died from an opioid overdose in 2016.

The trust fund that covers unemployment benefits for the state is projected to hit one billion dollars this year. The trust fund, managed by the Louisiana Workforce Commission, is the twelfth strongest in the nation. LWC executive director Ava Dejoie….
Cut 13 (10) “…at this mark.”
Dejoie says the fund also helps sustain the state’s Incumbent Worker Training Program.

The state has reopened its disaster assistance program for those impacted by the 2016 floods as it’s expected Congress will approve legislation to end the duplication of benefits ban, which has prevented thousands of flood victims from receiving additional assistance, because they received an S-B-A loan. Division of Administration Executive Director Pat Forbes says once the legislation is approved two additional hurdles will need to be cleared before the federal dollars become available…
cut 9 (10) “…that difficult”
2016 flood victims have until October 19th to complete the initial survey to secure federal grants through the Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program and the application deadline is November 16th.

Present for months, scaffolding used to restore limestone and mortar at the Louisiana Capitol is gone, but the job isn’t quite done as it’s been put on hold until it gets more funding.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31)  “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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 The application process for RESTORE grants has been reopened for those who suffered damage in the 2016 floods.

Cut 2 (30) ”I’m Matt Doyle” 

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Louisiana receives a 24 million dollar grant from the feds to help fight the opioid epidemic. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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Visitors to the Louisiana Capitol may have noticed that scaffolding used to restore the building’s limestone and mortar is gone.  But work is still needed on the 86 year old building, so a new walkway is being built to shelter those walking into the front doors from falling mortar.  Louisiana Division of Administration spokesman Jacques Berry says the front doors are expected to be reopened before the end of the calendar year.

Cut 4 (11) “…top of the steps.”

Berry says with the new covered walkway, those entering the building will be able to walk from the first platform at the steps to the doorway.

Cut 5 (07) “…to the tourist.”

Berry says the building is designed to sway a little bit, and when that happens, that’s when you see the chunks of mortar fall.

Cut 6 (10) “…falling on anybody.”

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The Louisiana Restore Homeowners Assistance program has reopened its application process for those who suffered damage in the floods of 2016, on the heels of reports that say Congress is nearing a deal that would allow those who filed for SBA loans to receive federal grant rebuilding money. Division of Administration Executive Director Pat Forbes says the change to “Duplication of Benefits” policy is incredibly meaningful.

Cut 7 (12) “…debt burden”

The Edwards Administration says expanding the Restore Louisiana program to SBA recipients will lead to an additional 215 million dollars in benefits making their way into flood victims’ hands. Forbes says those hundreds of millions will be headed to thousands of households.

Cut 8 (12)  “…additional funds”

Louisiana has reopened the survey that must be completed to receive RESTORE grants, with a new deadline of October 19^th. The deadline to finish completing the application for the funds has been pushed back to November 16^th.

Congressman Garret Graves says the deal to end Duplication of Benefits, and rewrite laws governing FEMA aid to school districts and nonprofits is “99 percent complete.” Forbes says there are two last hurdles the potential new policy would have to clear before the checks get sent out.

Cut 9 (10)  “…that difficult”

Visit Restore.la.gov for more information, and the necessary forms.

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The Bayou State is getting a 24-million dollar boost from the federal government to help us rehabilitate opioid addicts and keep them from falling back into the habit that’s killing thousands across the country every year. The federal grant will go to the state Department of Health. Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Behavioral Health Dr. Janice Petersen says it’ll fund a comprehensive recovery program.

Cut 10 (10)   “support services.“

LDH says the funds will help them expand recovery programs in rural areas that are currently under-served.

Petersen says the grant can help pay for more accurate assessments when it comes to finding the right services for each patient, as well as determine which medication may be needed for recovery, and the funds to pay for that medication when people can’t afford it. And that’s not all…

Cut 11 (09)   “…provided”

Petersen says a major part of the initiative is helping addicts support themselves by helping them build the skills necessary to hold down a job that can pay the bills, while they work towards ridding themselves of their opioid addiction. She says there’s cash set aside to help those folks get work.

Cut 12 (07)   “…society.”

The grant comes courtesy of the CDC and the US Department of Health.

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The trust fund that covers unemployment benefits for the state is projected to hit one billion dollars this year.  The trust fund, managed by the Louisiana Workforce Commission, is the twelfth strongest in the nation.  LWC director Ava Dejoie says the size of the fund has exceeded expectations.

Cut 13 (10) “…at this mark.”

Dejoie says the next big milestone for the trust fund will be 1.275 billion, which will trigger beneficial results for employers who pay into the fund as well as those that draw the benefits from it.

Cut 14 (08) “…will go up.”

Dejoie says the milestone is made even more notable considering the fund went broke in the eighties due to a decline in the oil industry, which we are seeing again at present day.

Cut 15  (08) “ part of this”

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LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron wants to put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. That will be important this week as the Tigers host the SEC’s top passing team. The Ole Miss Rebels are averaging 348 yards through the air. Coach Ed Orgeron says Andre Anthony is a guy who can get after the passer…

Cut 16 (16) “..   job of that  . 

On other side of the ball, Orgeron wants to see more explosive plays on offense…

Cut 17 (15)  “behind the chains” 

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Top ranked Alabama is a 49-point favorite on Saturday as they welcome the Ragin Cajuns to Tuscaloosa. UL Lafayette is coming off a disappointing home loss to Coastal Carolina, while the Crimson Tide have won their four games by an average score of 41 points. Cajuns Coach Billy Napier doesn’t see a weakness with Alabama’s offense

Cut 19 (23) “ the play” 

Napier spent five seasons on Nick Saban’s staff as his wide receivers coach. During that time, the Crimson Tide went 63-7 and won two national championships. Napier says he’s looking forward to playing Alabama on Saturday….

Cut 20 (18) “ head coach” 

The deal to transfer management of two hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe to Oschner and LSU has been finalized. The new system, called Oschner LSU Health System of North Louisiana, will begin October 1st. Health Secretary Rebekah Gee says the partnership will bring new services to the area.

Cut 4 (06) “…specialty care.”

That includes tele-health, and the renovation and expansion of surgical operating rooms and the intensive care unit.

A Many man has been arrested after he attempted to steal an ATM kiosk by driving a stolen vehicle through the front of Curtis Grocery early Sunday morning. Sabine Parish Sheriff Ronny Richardson says 37-year-old Leo Mitchell drove off and a police chase ensued…

cut 9 (10) “…still driveable”

Mitchell was later found hiding in the woods.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is confident legislation will pass Congress this week that would allow thousands of homeowners who flooded in 2016 to receive federal grants through the Restore Louisiana program, even if they received an SBA loan. Graves says that means if you filed RESOTRE paperwork, but were ineligible, you could see the cash soon.

Cut 11 (08“…the law”

Graves says if you’ve completed your paperwork, you shouldn’t have to make any changes or do anything else before your check is mailed.

State Police say a fatal train wreck in Webster Parish this morning left 33 year old Jason Fory of Minden dead. Troop G spokesperson Glenn Younger says the no one on the train was injured and that the incident doesn’t pose a threat to residents in the area.

Cut 16 (10) “…as far as hazmat.”

Police are still investigating why his truck was on the train tracks at that time.

A deal to let SBA loan recipients from the 2016 flood receive RESTORE money is “99 percent complete” according to a Baton Rouge Congressman. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

The deal to transfer management of two hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe to Oschner and LSU has been finalized. The new system, called Oschner LSU Health System of North Louisiana, will begin October 1st. Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s a ten-year deal that had to get done.

Cut 3 (10) “…in life.” 

A Many man has been arrested after he attempted to steal an ATM kiosk by driving a stolen vehicle through the front of Curtis Grocery early Sunday morning. Sabine Parish Sheriff Ronny Richardson says 37-year-old Leo Mitchell’s master plan did not work

Cut 8 (07) “…of the contents”

Mitchell, who has an extensive criminal history for theft and drug charges, was later found hiding in the woods after abandoning his vehicle. Richardson says Mitchell now faces several new charges.

State Police say a fatal train wreck in Webster Parish this morning left 33 year old Jason Fory of Minden dead. Troop G spokesperson Glenn Younger says for some unknown reason Fory’s pick-up truck stopped on the tracks at the Stuckey Road crossing and the train couldn’t stop in time.

Cut 14 (12) “…vehicle upon impact.”

Younger says investigators are unsure as to the reason the truck was in the path of the train.

The deal to transfer management of two hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe to Oschner and LSU has been finalized. The new system, called Oschner LSU Health System of North Louisiana, will begin October 1st. Health Secretary Rebekah Gee says the partnership will offer new services that will mean north Louisianans won’t have to leave home to get healed.

Cut 4 (06) “…specialty care.”

LSU says the deal puts to rest rumors of the the medical school closing.

A Jonesville man is dead following a wreck where he attempted to evade police on his motorcycle.  LSP spokesperson Senior Trooper Michael Reichardt says the 32-year-old Uel Beard was wearing a helmet at the time, but it wasn’t enough.

Cut 6 (11) “…at the scene.”

The investigation is ongoing.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is confident legislation will pass Congress this week that would allow thousands of homeowners who flooded in 2016 to receive federal grants through the Restore Louisiana program, even if they received an SBA loan. Graves says it’s been an uphill climb trying to convince Washington to change the policy, but they appear to finally hit the summit.

Cut 13 (11) “on this”

The program has been reopened, new deadline to fill out the homeowner survey is October 19^th.

A 28-year old Bayou Blue woman has been arrested and charged with murder after allegedly stabbing her boyfriend in the chest with a large kitchen knife. Investigators say the two were in a verbal dispute that turned physical before the eventual stabbing that sent her 28-year-old boyfriend to the hospital, where he later died. Shannel Thompson had her bond set at a million dollars.

Congress is on the verge of addressing the duplication of benefits rule that’s prevented thousands of 2016 flood victims from receiving federal grants through the Louisiana Restore Homeowners Assistance Program. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says the legislation should be sent to the President later this week….
cut 12 (10) “….ineligible”
The new deadline to fill out the homeowner survey at restore-dot-la-dot-gov is October 19th.

Governor Edwards and LSU President F King Alexander were in north Louisiana today to finalize the agreement for Oschner Health System to take over as the manager of safety-net hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe. Alexander says the deal should end the rumors that the LSU Medical School in Shreveport will close…
cut 5 (11) “…this state”

A 32-year-old Catahoula Parish man lost his life during a police chase. State Police spokesperson Michael Reichardt says 32-year-old Uel Beard of Jonesville didn’t pull over when an officer attempted a traffic stop on him Saturday morning on Highway 566…
cut 7 (07) “…this point why”
Reichardt says Beard’s motorcycle sideswiped a jeep and he died at the scene.

Sabine Parish Sheriff Ronny Richardson says 37-year-old Leo Mitchell of Many attempted to steal an ATM kiosk when he drove a stolen vehicle into a grocery store. The rear end of the vehicle ended up in the store, but Mitchell was unsuccessful in stealing the ATM machine. Richardson says Mitchell was caught a short time later and faces several charges…
cut 10 (12) “…ATM machine”
Mitchell already has an extensive criminal history.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is confident legislation will pass Congress this week that would allow thousands of homeowners who flooded in 2016 to receive federal grants through the Restore Louisiana program, even if they received an SBA loan. Graves says that means if you filed RESOTRE paperwork, but were ineligible, you could see the cash soon.
Cut 11 (08)“…the law”
Graves and other Louisiana leaders have complained about the federal government’s “duplication of benefits” rule.

State Police say a fatal train wreck in Webster Parish this morning left 33 year old Jason Fory of Minden dead. Troop G spokesperson Glenn Younger says for some unknown reason Fory’s pick-up truck stopped on the tracks at the Stuckey Road crossing and the train couldn’t stop in time.
Cut 14 (12) “…vehicle upon impact.”
No one was injured on the train.

LSU and Oschner have finalized the take-over agreement of safety-net hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe. Jeff Palermo has more.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Bad injury news for 5th ranked LSU. Coach Ed Orgeron says starting guard left guard Garrett Brumfield is out for Saturday’s game against Ole Miss. Brumfield hurt his knee in the win over La Tech and Coach O is not sure how many games the Baton Rouge product will miss. Freshman Chasen Hines will start in Brumfield’s place.

A Jonesville man is dead following a wreck that occurred as he attempted to evade police on his motorcycle.  The crash happened just before 7 AM on Saturday.  LSP spokesperson Senior Trooper Michael Reichardt says the 32-year-old Uel Beard was wearing a helmet at the time, but it wasn’t enough to protect him with the excessive speed in the collision.

Cut 6 (11) “…at the scene.”

The deal to transfer management of two hospitals in Shreveport and Monroe to Oschner and LSU has been finalized. The new system, called Oschner LSU Health System of North Louisiana, will begin October 1^st, and the Governor’s administration says the new partnership will allow for the expansion of services. Health Secretary Rebekah Gee says this will mean north Louisianans won’t have to leave home for treatment.

Cut 4 (06) “…specialty care.”

A Many man has been arrested after he attempted to steal an ATM kiosk by driving a stolen vehicle through the front of Curtis Grocery early Sunday morning. Sabine Parish Sheriff Ronny Richardson says 37-year-old Leo Richardson says Mitchell drove off and a police chase ensued…

cut 9 (10) “…still driveable”

Mitchell, who has an extensive criminal history for theft and drug charges, was later found hiding in the woods after abandoning his vehicle. Richardson says Mitchell now faces several new charges.

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