A vote is expected by the New Orleans City Council on a controversial ordinance that would prohibit smoking in bars and casinos. Alex Fine, President of the French Quarter Business League, points out that there are already over 100 bars in the city that do not allow smoking. He says owners should be allowed to make the decision on whether or not they want to be smoke-free…

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Supporters of the measure say this is much bigger than a business decision, it’s a public health issue.

Phillip DeSelle, a self-confessed child killer, is set to be released from prison today and the family of the victim and Evangeline Parish citizens are outraged. Erin Keyser (Kie-Zer) is the aunt of Averie Evans of Natchitoches who was killed by DeSelle when she was 11 years old. She says they are spreading the word and putting his picture out there so people know this is happening.

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DeSelle served just 24 years in prison of a 50 year sentence.

Governor Bobby Jindal is not backing down from his comments claiming that there are neighborhoods in Europe where authority is ceded to a more harsh version of Islamic law. While speaking with Neil Cavuto on Fox News, Jindal expressed concern a similar situation could develop in this country, if our federal government doesn’t take appropriate measures to make sure immigrants are not trying to overturn our culture

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Fox News had reported the same claims, but has since said those reports were false and apologized.

As a result of falling oil prices, Stone Energy Corp. which is based out of Lafayette, announces it will cut spending this year by more than half of what the company spent a year ago. Gifford Briggs, Vice President of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association, says the brunt of the impact will be felt by the companies who were doing business with companies that are making reductions…

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The price of oil has been steadily dropping and closed Wednesday at $47.28.