Texas Senator Ted Cruz has officially announced that he is running for the Republican presidential nomination. Cruz is the first major presidential hopeful to officially declare his intent to run. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says now that Cruz has entered, you can expect Governor Bobby Jindal to officially throw his hat into the ring soon…:
CUT 3 (06) “he actually announces”
Cruz formally launched his campaign at an event in Virginia this morning.

A Baton Rouge man is now facing attempted manslaughter charges after police say he shot his son during an argument over orange juice. Baton Rouge Police say 58-year-old Eldridge Dukes and his son 18-year-old Brentin Dukes began arguing over the fact there was no more orange juice. Cops say the dad then grabbed a gun then shot his son in his backside. He was charged with attempted manslaughter and illegal use of a dangerous weapon.

A Shreveport lawmaker feels the state legislature should look at different options in trying to shrink the state’s $1.6 billion budget deficit. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

State Police say a man from St. Bernard died in a crash around 2:30am. They say 37-year-old Wayne Melerine Jr ran off a road and struck a tree. Speed and impairment are not considered factors in the crash according to investigators, but Melerine was not wearing his seat belt.