Governor John Bel Edwards is heading back to Washington next month to seek more federal assistance for Louisiana’s flood recovery. Halen Doughty has more…
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”
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In north Louisiana, law enforcement from around the state gave an update on the shooting and injuring of LDWF Senior Agent Tyler Wheeler. Michelle Southern reports…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”
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Governor John Bel Edwards says he will go back to Washington in February in an effort to secure more federal funds for flood recovery. Since the August flood, he has visited D.C. five times to advocate for flood recovery dollars, but Louisiana is still $2 billion short for a full, robust recovery.
Cut 3 (12) “recovery efforts”
Edwards is confident President-elect Donald Trump is willing to help flood victims. So far, Congress has allocated $1.6 billion for Louisiana’s flood recovery. The first $438 million will got to moderate income homeowners who are elderly or disabled, while the additional $1.2 will go to other homeowners. But Edwards says no homeowners who had flood insurance will be eligible for any of the $1.6 billion Louisiana has secured so far.
cut 4 (09) “housing recovery alone”
Edwards says helping homeowners isn’t the only flood recovery need in the state. He says federal dollars are also needed for flood mitigation projects and for rebuilding infrastructure.
Cut 5 (11) “to Congress”
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We just got over a historic election cycle, but there is another big race kicking off in Louisiana for state treasurer as John Kennedy exits for US Senate. Today, Covington Representative John Schroder announced his candidacy for the job. Political Analyst Clancy Dubos says the Republican lawmaker is likely the first of many to get into this race:
Cut 6 (11) “fiscal posture”
The special election to replace Kennedy won’t occur until October, the same day as the New Orleans mayoral election. Dubos says this means voters in The Big Easy will play a major role in this race…:
CUT 7 (07) “term limited”
Kennedy’s deputy treasurer, Ron Henson, will serve as interim treasurer for most of 2017 and during budget talks in the legislature. Dubos says this race is wide open and it’s hard to predict the direction it will take…:
Cut 8 (07) “be a front runner”
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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agent who was shot multiple times in Morehouse Parish is in stable condition. That’s according to State Police Col. Mike Edmonson, who says it’s a miracle 25-year-old Tyler Wheeler is doing so well, after being shot in the head, neck, and arm early Saturday morning.
Cut 9 (11) “in control”
Edmonson says Wheeler cannot speak yet, but they know when he can that the two and a half year LDWF veteran will have a lot to say. He says officials are still trying to figure out exactly what happened when Wheeler encountered 31-year-old Amethyst Baird of Monroe along Highway 165.
Cut 10 (09) “side of the road”
Baird has been arrested on one count of attempted first degree murder of a police officer, and 34-year-old Jeremy Gullette has been charged with accessory after the fact. Edmonson says the investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are possible as the case unfolds.
cut 11 (08) “into this”
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The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says two people are behind bars amid allegations children in their care tested positive for drugs. Captain Tommy Carnline says the complaint originally came in from the Department of Children and Family Services in regards in a November incident..:
cut 12 (10) “for the parents”
Carnline says 19-year-old Stephan Deshon Matthews and 22-year-old Katie Meshell Bordelon each face 2nd degree cruelty to juveniles…:
Cut 13 (10) “bond each”
Carnline says they are not releasing information on how the narcotics got into the systems of the children…:
cut 14 (09) “their day in court”