Tomorrow’s game between LSU and Wisconsin means the start of the season for many fans, and also some much needed relief for flood victims. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

Construction starts today on 15 homes that have qualified with the Shelter at Home program. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

After a rough summer for Louisiana with shootings and flooding, the state can enjoy some LSU football on Saturday. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

The Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday begins today and lasts through Sunday. Department of Revenue Spokesperson Byron Henderson says many sportsmen are eager to purchase new supplies with hunting season right around the corner. He says this year, shoppers will get a two percent discount on the state sales tax for eligible items…

cut 4  (10)  “vehicles”

Henderson says also animal feed and apparel are eligible. He says anyone interested can find the entire list of items included in the sales tax holiday online.

Cut 5  (04)  “flood insurance”

Go-carts, dirt bikes, and other motorized vehicles that can legally be driven on the road are not included in the exemption. Henderson says this sales tax holiday is not completely tax free this year, after it was amended during the 2016 Legislative Session.

Cut 6 (10) “sales tax” 3x

_______________________________________________

Tomorrow is the big game between LSU and Wisconsin, and Madison-based American Family Insurance is partnering with Wisconsin athletics to raise money that will go towards American Red Cross’ flood relief efforts in Louisiana. Judd Schemmel, with American Family Insurance, says they are encouraging football fans to donate to the Red Cross by texting “LAFLOOD” to 90999.

CUT 7 (08)  “to help”

Schemmel says they will match every donation made on game day up to $50-thousand. He says helping others is what their organization is all about.

Cut 8 (08) “people’s dream” 

Saturday’s game between LSU and Wisconsin is one of marque games during the opening weekend of college football. Schemmel says they want to use all of the media attention around the contest to remind fans across the country that there are flood victims in Louisiana that can use some help.

Cut 9 (09)  “on-going need”

___________________________________________________________

Construction begins today on 15 homes that have been approved for the Shelter At Home Program. The Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff Julie Baxter Payer says they’re moving as quickly as possible to get flood damaged homes ready to live in. She says they’ve received nearly 15-thousand applications and the number keeps growing.

Cut 10 (12) “rebuild”

Flood victims can register for the program at shelter-at-home-dot-la-dot-gov. Payer says once a flood victim applies, an inspector visits the home and if approved, a local contractor is contacted.

cut 11 (10) “family’s home” 

The Shelter at Home Program pays up to 15-thousand dollars in repairs to make a flooded home livable, while additional repairs are completed. Payer says they plan on ramping up construction on other homes next week and the response so far has been great.

cut 12 (10) “we can”

_______________________________________________________

Louisiana has received an additional 40-million dollars in federal highway funding. State Department of Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson on how the state received this cash….

Cut 13 (10) “spend”

Wilson says this grant money will go towards the I-10 widening project between I-49 and the Atchafalya Basin. He says the state has already received 60-million in federal dollars for this project, so this additional 40-million, will free up funds to improve the access into Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City….

cut 14 (09)  “of I-20”

Wilson says an environmental study needs to be completed first, before they can put bids out for the Barksdale Air Force Base. He says at least 100-million dollars will be spent along I-10 in the coming years, including a project to alleviate severe congestion just past the Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge..

Cut 15 (04) “early 18”

_______________________________________________________

Louisiana Tech will start redshirt freshman J’mar Smith at quarterback tomorrow afternoon against the Arkansas Razorbacks. Senior wide receiver Trent Taylor says the former three-star high school prospect from Mississippi made great strides during preseason camp…

Cut 16  (13)  “come around”

Louisiana Tech won nine games a season ago and they’ve notched 22 victories over the last three seasons. Taylor says the Bulldog players look forward to the opportunity to knock off a team from the SEC…

Cut 17 (08)  “make it happen “

____________________________________________________________

What could be a very memorable football season in the history of LSU football kicks off tomorrow as the 5th ranked Fighting Tigers face the Wisconsin Badgers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Many college football analysts believe LSU has enough talent to play in the College Football playoff. Junior defensive tackle Davon Godchaux (duh-Von God-chaw) believes LSU could have the best defense in the country

Cut 18 (13) “special”

LSU’s defense will face a quarterback that will make his first collegiate start. Bart Houston is a fifth-year senior for the Badgers. Safety Jamal Adams anticipates Houston will play well…

Cut 19 (09) “a challenge”

August of 2016 was certainly a wet one for the entire state of Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has more…

CUT 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo” 

================

Around 135-thousand people have applied for FEMA assistance since the flood, and many have been denied. Michelle Southern has more on a new hotline offering legal advice to these victims…

CUT 2 (31)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

===============================================

August of 2016 goes down as the wettest recorded August in Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says data shows the state averaged 12 and a half inches for the month, crushing the previous record of 9.71 inches back in August of 1940. However, he says this August was only the ninth wettest month ever when looking at all the months of the year…

CUT 3 (08)  “ago”

Keim says August 2016 was the wettest month ever in Baton Rouge, recording a little over 30 inches in the Capital City. He says that’s also the case for the Acadiana region and the Felicianas that were hammered by the recent rain event.

CUT 4 (11)  “24.74”

Keim says the majority of the rainfall this August came over a three to four day period…

CUT 5 (10)  “of rain”

==================================================

As flood victims are working to repair their homes and get as much federal assistance as possible, volunteer attorneys are offering legal advice to those who are denied by FEMA. New Orleans attorney Graham Ryan says they’ve established a hotline to provide quick answers. He says people can call 1-800-310-7029, and there are other ways to reach these volunteers.

CUT 6 (08) “affected areas”

Ryan says some of the denials can easily be reversed. He says one common problem is that the name on the deed of the flooded home didn’t match the name on the application, like when people move into their deceased parent’s home.

CUT 7 (07) “FEMA benefits”

Ryan says it’s important for people to know these attorneys are not taking on cases, just offering legal advice. But he says there are plenty of organizations around the state that will take up a flood victim’s case.

CUT 8 (10) “can do”

==================================================

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says he’s been told the August flood event will be the fourth most costly event for the National Flood Insurance Program.

CUT 9 (10) “insurance program”

Donelon says there have been 28-thousand claims filed with the N-F-I-P and expects the number to grow past 30-thousand. He says most of the calls they are getting lately are from people who thought their homeowners insurance covered flooding. He says people should know what they’re covered for and what they’re not.

cut 10 (10)  “my house”

Donelon says Louisiana has the third most flood insurance policies in the nation, at 450-thousan policies. He says people are also benefitting from comprehensive coverage on their vehicles. He says State Farm has already reported 18-thousand claims have been made for flooded vehicles.

Cut 11 (10) “those vehicles”

===================================================

Shreveport Police are searching for burglary suspects who stole a service animal. Cpl. Marcus Hines says police were called to a home after the residence had been forcefully entered and items were taken, including “Major, a Rottweiler service dog, who is trained to understand sign language.

cut 12 (10) “his chest”

Hines says if anyone has information on where Major could be, call Crime Stoppers. He says they’re unsure why someone would take the dog but hope to reunite Major with his owner as soon as possible.

Cut 13 (09)  “doing it”

===================================================

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is reminding motorists about their responsibilities on the road when approaching an upcoming accident. The plea comes in the wake of the tragic crash that killed two people, including a district fire chief in St. John Parish. LHSC spokeswoman Jessica Bedwell says drivers need to move away from crashes…:

cut 14 (10)  “first responders”

Bedwell says the recent crash illustrates why drivers must exercise caution when encountering parked emergency vehicles on the roadway. She says Louisiana law mandates that motorists safely change lanes when approaching emergency vehicles parked on or near the highway…:

cut 15 (09) “the area”