Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany plans to meet with Veterans Affairs officials today over their decision to push back the completion date of two new VA clinics in Lafayette and Lake Charles. Scott Carwile reports…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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A public demonstration is being held this evening in downtown Opelousas to protest grand jury decisions in Missouri and New York where charges were not pressed in officer involved deaths. Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

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Christmas is one week from today and many people would call the next 7 days the most stressful of the year. Michelle Southern talks with an LSU AgCenter Life specialist…:

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

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Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany plans to meet with Veterans Affairs officials today over their decision to push back the completion date of two new VA clinics in Lafayette and Lake Charles. It’s reported that the opening of both clinics are delayed by almost a year to 2016. Boustany says these delays are unacceptable…

cut 4  (12)  “purely ridiculous”

Boustany says his office has not been contacted by the VA in regard to this issue. He says he learned of the delays second-hand. Boustany says the VA is sending mixed signals to veterans and he intends to get to the bottom of this…

Cut 5  (07)  “they’re doing”

It’s reported that VA officials made the announcement of the delay at a town hall meeting in Lake Charles. Boustany says he’s determined to get answers becuase our veterans deserve to be treated a whole lot better than this. He says this mistreatment of veterans has gone on long enough…

Cut 6 (10)  “sounds like it”

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A public demonstration is being held this evening in downtown Opelousas to protest grand jury decisions in Missouri and New York where charges were not pressed in officer involved deaths. It’s being organized by newly-elected alderman Tyrone Glover who says the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, Opelousas Police, the DA’s office and the city marshal are all participating…:

CUT 7 (13)  “we are concerned”

In New York, Eric Garner died in a choke hold while saying, “I can’t breathe” and the officer detaining him is not being indicted. Glover says today’s rally will not be a march but a dialogue among all participants to make sure everyone is on the same page should something like this happen in St. Landry Parish…:

Cut 8 (12)  “to make peace” 

The rally will begin at 5pm in Opelousas’ Courthouse Square. Glover says he’s good friends with Sheriff Bobby Guidroz and they both agree law enforcement responded the wrong way in Garner’s case and in the Ferguson case of Michael Brown. Glover says this rally will be a peaceful one, not negative…:

Cut 9 (10)  “suffer for the bad”

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The super low gas prices are making car salesmen happy this Holiday season as vehicle sales rise. Bob Isreal, Executive Director of the Automobile Dealers Association, says the consumer in general is feeling more confident with their money because of the lower price at the pump…:

Cut 10 (14) “three months” 

Isreal says motorists in Louisiana almost always prefer to buy a truck or SUV but they move toward more fuel efficient vehicles when the price at the pump is high…:

cut 11 (06) “and the SUVs”

Isreal says economists are predicting oil prices will stay low for the next 12-18 months which will be great for the car business…:

cut 12 (08)  “new vehicles”

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Christmas is one week from today and many people would call the next 7 days the most stressful of the year. LSU AgCenter Life specialist Diane Sasser says it’s a good idea to get plenty of rest and if you’re too tired — slow down. She says it’s important to keep smiling and stay positive because getting too easily irritated is unproductive…:

Cut 13 (09)  “what this is about”

Sasser says you’ll be doing yourself a big favor if you get solid plans in place now so there isn’t a big scramble next week. She says trying to achieve the “perfect” Holiday can cause worry and tension…:

Cut 14 (11)  “you feel”

Sasser says if you’re lonely or missing a loved one, attending a community holiday event may brighten your spirits. She says it’s always good to stay on budget and keep a list of everything if at all possible…:

Cut 15  (09)  “stick to it”

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The Saints can win the NFC South this Sunday, if they can beat their biggest rival, the Atlanta Falcons, and if Carolina loses to Cleveland. Even though this has not been a great season for the Black and Gold, Quarterback Drew Brees says they are still in position to accomplish one of their main goals

Cut 16  (17)    than this”  

The Saints are trying to snap a four-game losing streak at home. Coach Sean Payton says he doesn’t feel any extra pressure to make sure his team is ready to play Sunday, with so much on the line…

Cut 17  (19)   “each week”

Even though Atlanta comes in with a record of five and nine, Quarterback Matt Ryan is playing at a high level. He’s thrown for 300 or more yards in his last three games and for the season he has 41-hundred passing yards and 27 touchdowns. Payton says the Falcons have an explosive offense

Cut 18 (17) “defense”

There are plenty of faculty and students at LSU who aren’t happy about the planned prayer rally at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center next month. The event features Governor Bobby Jindal and is funded by the American Family Association. English Professor Chris Barrett considers AFA a hate group because of it’s stance on homosexuality…:
CUT 12 (06) “community”
AFA spokesman Bryan Fisher says he’s not surprised by the outrage but he doesn’t think it’s necessary…:
CUT 14 (08) “repent”
The Prayer Rally is scheduled for January 24th.

The former star of Sons of Guns, William Hayden, has reportedly been formally indicted by an East Baton Rouge Parish Grand Jury on two counts of aggravated rape and one count of forcible rape. A total of four victims have made claims against the founder of Red Jacket Firearms.

Governor Bobby Jindal announced today that the video game developer High Voltage Software will open a new studio in New Orleans and starting hiring soon. The company has worked with many major brands including LEGO and Star Wars. The company CEO says the state’s tax incentives were fundamental in the decision to open a studio in Louisiana.

The Chairman of the Cuban-American National Foundation is not happy about President Obama’s restoring diplomatic relations with Cuba. George Fowler lives in New Orleans and is a native of Cuba. He condemns the action by the President because it will put Americans everywhere in the world in danger…:
CUT 10 (11) “be in jail”
He says one benefit of resuming trade though might be getting back good Cuban cigars.

Some members of LSU ‘s faculty and student body are expressing concern that the American Family Association is involved with a prayer rally at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in January…
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office have arreste two men for a 26 year-old homicide. The recent investigation shifted attention to a brother-in-law and cousin of the victim, 44 year-old Claudell Staten, whose body was found on the side of the road in South Caddo Parish. Will Rogers Robinson and Jake Robinson face second-degree murder charges.

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President Obama has announced the restoration of diplomatic relations with Cuba, but not everybody is onboard with the move. George Fowler, a native of Cuba, and Vice Chairman of the Cuban-American National Foundation, says the proposed prisoner exchange could be very dangerous, and there’s very little – if any – economic benefit, with the exception of one…
CUT 11 (07) Q: ‘of our country’

A highway construction worker putting down road reflectors on Highway 165 near Columbia has been killed after his work truck was rear-ended by a motorist, trying to go around. Trooper Michael Reichardt says every driver needs to use extreme caution around work crews….
CUT 08 (09) Q: “in a lane”
Thirty year-old Michael Roberts of Monroe died later at an Alexandria hospital. Two other workers were also injured.

Republican Congressman Steve Scalise of Metairie says he supports US Senator David Vitter in his campaign to become governor. The House Majority Whip thinks Vitter would do a great job…
CUT 3 (08) “our state back”
Scalise made his comments on The Jim Engster Show.

Tragedy stikes construction workers on Highway 165 near Columbia, after their stopped construction truck with a large arrow board was re-ended. State Trooper Michael Reichardt says 42 year-old Jan Williams of Columbia was traveling northbound and attempted to go around, then hit the truck and three workers…
CUT 07 (08) Q: “died last night”
The victim is 30 year-old Michael Roberts of Monroe, and that crash remains under investigation.

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A native of Cuba, who lives in New Orleans, blasts President Obama for restoring diplomatic relations with Cuba. George Fowler, Vice Chairman of the Cuban-American National Foundation, says one of the reasons for a prisoner exchange is a bad idea…
CUT 10 (11) Q: “be in jail”
He says there is not much benefit for the US to do business with a bankrupt Communist country.

A Grambling State University student traveling at a high rate of speed is dead, and another student injured following a crash near campus. Witnesses said the driver over-corrected, flipped multiple times and burst into flames. Twenty-one year-old Carl Robinson was pronounced dead at the scene and his passenger 23 year-old Arceneau Robinson was airlifted to the hospital in serious condition.

Republican Congressman Steve Scalise of Metairie says he supports US Senator David Vitter in his campaign for governor…
CUT 1 (28) “reporting”

An impaired driver in West Carroll Parish crashing into another car on Highway 2 last night has claimed the life of a North Carolina woman. State Police say that 43 year-old James Bell of Oak Grove crossed the center line in his F-150 truck, striking the car driven by 22 year-old of NorthCarolina. His passenger, Lydia Snyder, was prounounced dead at the scene.
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A prayer rally on January 24th at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center featuring Governor Bobby Jindal is facing some opposition. The event is funded by American Family Association, and L-S-U Associate English Professor Chris Barrett says that the A-F-A is gay hate group, and the governor needs to re-think this…
CUT 13 (07) Q: “doesn’t”
A-F-A spokesperson Bryan Fisher says keep those complainest coming…
CUT 15 (07) Q: ‘our benefit’

With President Obama restoring diplomatic relations with Cuba, some people are blasting the decision, saying it could be dangerous for Americans with a proposed prisoner exhange. George Fowler, Vice Chairman of the Cuban-American National Foundation is against it, although he does admit the one befefit of being able to get Cuban cigars.

Some members of LSU ‘s faculty and student body are concerned the American Family Association is involved in a prayer rally at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on January 23rd. Jeff Palermo has the story:
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

The Jeanerette Police Department says they are investigating the death of a man they believe was shot and killed by his juvenile son. They say the 57-year-old was pronounced dead Tuesday night and they are still working to determine if the incident was an accident. The case is under investigation.

On the Jim Engster Show Tuesday, Republican Congressman Steve Scalise essentially endorsed David Vitter for Governor of Louisiana next year. The House Majority Whip says the Senator would be a good choice in moving the state forward…:
CUT 4 (04) “in our state”
Two other Republicans in the race are Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne, and Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle. Amite Representative John Bel Edwards is the lone Democrat.

A native of Cuba, who lives in New Orleans, blasts President Obama for restoring diplomatic relations with Cuba. George Fowler, Vice Chairman of the Cuban-American National Foundation, feels that there will probably be some cosmetic changes in US-Cuba policy but nothing significant…:
CUT 9 (09) “on the embargo”
Fowler says he condemns this action by the President because it will put Americans everywhere in the world in danger.

House Majority Whip Republican Congressman Steve Scalise says he’s got David Vitter’s back in the Louisiana Governor’s race next year. He says he’s worked with the Senator on several issues in Washington and has seen Vitter’s commitment to Louisiana…:
CUT 5 (09) “in that race”

Many people on LSU’s campus are not happy the Pete Maravich Assembly Center will be hosting Governor Bobby Jindal’s prayer rally next month. The event is funded by The American Family Association which LSU Associate English professor Christ Barrett considers a hate group for its views on homosexuality…:
CUT 12 (06) “community”
But AFA spokesman Bryan Fisher doesn’t see the controversy…:
CUT 14 (08) “repent”
The event is salted for January 24th.

State Police say a highway construction worker has been killed in a Caldwell Parish crash. Trooper Michael Reichardt says there were two trucks stopped in the northbound outside lane of Highway 165, just north of Columbia, putting down center reflectors on the roadway…:
CUT 6 (12) “the left lane”
He says a woman struck the truck and all three construction workers. 30-year-old Michael Roberts died and the two others were injured.

Everyone keeps buzzing about the price at the pump. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.34 which is down two cents from yesterday and almost 13 cents lower than this time last week.

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Republican Congressman Steve Scalise of Metairie says he supports US Senator David Vitter in his campaign to become governor. Scalise made his comments on The Jim Engster Show. Scalise thinks Vitter would do a great job as Louisiana’s governor…:
CUT 3 (08) “our state back”
Vitter is one of three Republicans running for Louisiana’s highest elected office, with Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne and Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle being the other two.

Out of West Carroll Parish: State Police say a 43-year-old man is charged with vehicular homicide after crashing head on into a car — killing a passenger in that vehicle and seriously injuring a 5-year-old in his truck. They say James Bell of Oak Grove crossed the centerline on Highway 2 and hit 22-year-old Gabriel Snyders car and her passenger Lydia Snyder of North Carolina died. LSP says Bell was impaired and also faces two counts of negligent injury.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says a Mississippi man has been cited for allegedly drowning a deer in the Mississippi River in Concordia Parish. Adam Einck with L-D-W-F says a witness observed 40-year-old David Hayes of Natchez, Mississippi, drive his boat up to a deer swimming in the river…:
CUT 13 (06) “in his boat”
Hayes admitted to drowning the deer on the Louisiana side. He faces fines and up to 90 days in jail if convicted.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office says a woman is dead and a man is in critical condition after a shooting last night in Terrytown. Authorities say a store clerk saw a man get out of a vehicle then collapse in front of the store. Officers discovered a woman lying in the back floorboard with several gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at a local hospital.