The state’s budget deficit for fiscal year 2018, which begins next July, is up to one-point-five billion dollars. Most of the shortfall is due to the loss of temporary taxes. But rising costs and inflationary expenses also make up the budget gap. Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin questions why inflationary costs are included in the fiscal cliff deficit…:
Cut 13 (07) “scares everybody”
An agreement between the governor and legislators on how to close the budget gap has yet to be reached and it will likely take a special session to do so.

It’s been a wet week and it looks to be a wet weekend. State climatologist Barry Keim says all that moisture in the air is pushing humidity levels way up, but at least it’s not as hot…:
Cut 5 (10) “any day”
He says the wet pattern is caused by summer fronts crossing Louisiana and stalling along the coast.

First Lady Donna Edwards is teaming up with the Department of Children and Family Services to launch a new program supporting foster parents…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu today announced an update on flooding concerns saying that repairs and tests have been completed and crews were able to put a damaged power providing turbine back into service. But he says even though the reinstall was successful, the pump system still has limits. Two of the five turbines that power the pumps are now functional. Two more are scheduled to return to service later this month.

Louisiana foster parents can find support thanks to a new website launched by First Lady Donna Edwards. Louisiana-fosters-dot-la-dot-gov connects parents with businesses, church groups and nonprofits to help meet the child’s needs. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says these groups can provide parents with assistance that the state can’t offer…:
Cut 9 (08) “to be supported”
At any given time, there are about 4,300 children in foster care in Louisiana.

The Department of Transportation says it’s been given the all clear to go ahead with the project to widen I-10 from Highland Road in Baton Rouge, to LA 73 in Ascension Parish. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says motorists should start seeing activity before the end of the year…:
CUT 6 (04) “of 2018”
Wilson says it will take around two and a half years to widen the interstate by one lane in each direction.

Louisiana’s budget deficit for the fiscal year that starts next July is now up to one-point-five billion dollars. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

It’s been a wet couple of weeks in the Bayou State, and State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s not showing any signs of stopping. He says the wet pattern is caused by summer fronts crossing Louisiana and stalling along the coast….:
Cut 3 (10) “a few days”
He says we can expect to stay in a wet pattern at least through the weekend.

One year ago today, rains began pouring down on south Louisiana, causing a flood of biblical proportions.The Lafayette Parish town of Youngsville saw most of its residents displaced because of the water. Mayor Ken Ritter says to this day, crews work seven days a week in drainage channels to stay a step ahead of the next rain event…:
Cut 10 (10) “great results”
20 parishes were declared federal disaster areas as a result of the flood.

Louisiana has moved up a couple of spots to number two when it comes to the most expensive car insurance rates in the country. Don Molino has the story:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

If you’re going to be viewing the August 21st eclipse with special glasses to protect your eyes, Executive Director of the Optometry Association of Louisiana Dr. James Sandifer says make sure they’re authentic…:
Cut 6 (10) “and viewers”
He adds you should never stare directly at the eclipse without special glasses.

Today and this weekend marks the one year anniversary of the historic August flood of 2016. 75-percent of the homes flooded in Livingston and parish president Layton Ricks says many are still rebuilding. Ricks says one cause for the delay could be money, but financial assistance could be available if homeowners fill out the survey at restore-dot-la-dot-gov….
cut 8 (11) “….funding from it”

Louisiana has moved up two spots to number two in Insure-dot-com’s ranking of states with the most expensive auto insurance. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says an excessive amount of litigation is one factor..:
Cut 14 (07) “claims to litigation ratio”
He says distracted driving is also pushing auto rates up.

A 30-year-old St. Martinville man was killled and two young children were injured when an ATV collided with a vehicle on Wednesday night in Avoyelles Parish. Trooper Scott Moreau says none of the ATV riders were wearing a helmet…
cut 13 (09) “…a helmet”

Eye doctors urge people who plan to watch the solar eclipse to do so safely. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

One year ago today, rains began pouring down on south Louisiana, causing a flood of biblical proportions. Jeff Palermo reports on the recovery…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A senior student at Acadiana High School was arrested is under arrest for allegedly punching a school safety officer multiple times on the first day of school. The Scott Police Department said the incident happened after the student, 17-year-old Robert Hebert was sent to the office for a dress code violation because his hair was dyed red.

According to Insure.com’s latest study, Louisiana drivers are paying the second highest amount in annual car insurance premiums at just over $1900. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says there is new technology that can help lower rates like a product called usage-based insurance, which measures how far and how you drive..:
Cut 16 (11) “travel at”

State Police is investigating a fatal ATV crash in Avoyelles Parish that claimed the life of a man, and injured two young children. Trooper Scott Moreau says 30-year-old Jeremy Armand of St. Martinville crossed into an oncoming lane of traffic on a roadway, and collided head on with a van traveling in the other direction…:
Cut 12 (09) “trauma center”
The public is reminded that it is illegal to operate off-road vehicles on any public roadway in this state.

It was a year ago today that torrential rains began pouring down on south Louisiana, causing a flood that’s been called the worst US natural disaster since Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The Lafayette Parish town of Youngsville saw most of its residents displaced because of the water. Mayor Ken Ritter says it looks now like all is well, but debt is what you don’t see…:
Cut 9 (10) “make ends meet”
By the time the rain stopped ten days later, 20 parishes had been declared federal disaster areas, and 13 people lost their lives.

In Caddo Parish, a monument advisory committee voted down a recommendation to take down the Confederate statue outside the courthouse in downtown Shreveport. What did pass was an idea to keep the monument where it is, but erect a plaque nearby adding historical context and erect two new structures around the courthouse dedicated to the Civil Rights movement.

Louisiana has moved up two spots to number two in Insure-dot-com’s ranking of states with the most expensive auto insurance rates. The website says Louisiana drivers pay, on average, $1900 a year, which is 46-percent higher than the national average. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says one factor is that 40-percent of drivers carry minimum car insurance limits and that also leads to more lawsuits…:
Cut 15 (12) “of that”

The eclipse is coming up August 21st and eye experts are urging spectators not to stare at the event without proper protection. Executive Director of the Optometry Association of Louisiana Dr. James Sandifer says looking directly at the sun can damage or destroy the photo receptors in the retina, which can cause permanent damage…:
Cut 5 (08) “gone forever”

Louisiana has moved up a couple of spots to number two when it comes to the most expensive car insurance rates in the country. Don Molino has the story:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

As the city of New Orleans and the Sewerage and Water Board work to restore pumping capacity to the drainage system, schools and other institutions have decided to remain closed today “out of an abundance of caution.” Forecasters say the threat of thunderstorms over the city will continue today as residents worry about neighborhoods left vulnerable to flooding because of a damaged water pumping system.

As Louisianans gear up to watch the upcoming solar eclipse on August 21st, doctors remind the public to do so safely. Executive Director of the Optometry Association of Louisiana Dr. James Sandifer says in Louisiana, only a partial eclipse will be visible, which is why it’s so important for viewers to protect their eyes…:
Cut 4 (12) “at the sun”
Sandifer says many of their members are giving away genuine viewing glasses on a first come, first serve basis.

Two children are recovering in Avoyelles Parish after being thrown from an ATV when it collided with a vehicle on Wednesday night. State Trooper Scott Moreau says the driver, 30-year-old Jeremy Armand of St. Martinville, was killed in the crash…:
Cut 11 (10) “with the van”
The 8-year-old girl on the ATV suffered serious injuries, and the 3-year-old occupant sustained moderate injuries.

One year ago today, torrential rains began pouring down on south Louisiana. By the time the rain stopped ten days later, 20 parishes had been declared federal disaster areas, and 13 people lost their lives. Livingston Parish was one of the most devastated, with 75 percent of the homes deemed a total loss. Parish President Layton Ricks says the parish is making a good comeback…:
Cut 7 (08) “is good”
An estimated 146,000 homes were damaged in the August flood.

Louisiana has moved up two spots to number two in Insure-dot-com’s ranking of states with the most expensive auto insurance rates. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says an excessive amount of litigation is one factor..:
Cut 14 (07) “claims to litigation ratio”

Eye doctors urge people who plan to watch the solar eclipse to do so safely. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”