Gas prices are slowly falling in Louisiana as the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.53. That’s according to the American Automobile Association. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says this is about a nickel cheaper than last month…:
CUT 6 (05) “to drop”
He says the slowing of the economy in Europe strengthens the US dollar which greatly affects the cost of oil.

According to financial reports filed today by federal regulators, Governor Bobby Jindal raised about $579,000 in his first week as a Republican presidential candidate. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says this is not a very strong first step for the Governor…:
CUT 9 (06) “presidential field”
However, the Washington Examiner reports that Jindal also has almost $9 million in his corner because of supportive outside groups like the Believe Again Super PAC and America Next.

Officials in Pineville are happy today about the Huey P. Long Medical Center getting on the National Register of Historic Places. The 76-year-old hospital’s last day of operation was June 30th, 2014 and city leaders have been urging that the building be repurposed. Being on the National Register doesn’t guarantee the building won’t be torn down, it will reduce the likelihood and increase chances the building will get back up and running.

State Police announce the arrest of nine people for filing fraudulent insurance claims and keeping the money received. Sgt. James Anderson says the Kemper Home Service Group contacted them concerned that some of their employees in the Lake Charles area were filing false claims…:
CUT 3 (07) “of that investigation”
The fraudulent claims totaled over $55,000.

The national Confederate flag controversy could be causing problems at a Louisiana High School. Emelie Gunn has the story…:
CUT 3 (30) “reporting”

According to financial reports filed Wednesday by federal regulators, Governor Bobby Jindal has raised about $579,000 for his Republican presidential campaign. Since Jindal announced his candidacy on June 24th, the report shows he’s drawing most of his money from a base of supporters in Louisiana.

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry has handed out “F” grades to 94 lawmakers in their annual legislative scorecard. LABI’s Vice President for Policy and Research Camille Conaway says lawmakers who received an “F” grade voted for more than 600 million dollars in new taxes on businesses…:
cut 4 (10) “failing grades”
Lawmakers say the tax increases were necessary to prevent big budget cuts to higher education and health care.

The St. John The Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office says a man is under arrest after cops say he used his 5-year-old son to break into his mother’s house through an air conditioning vent to unlock the door. They say 30-year-old Anthony Wilson are accused of robbing the residence then fleeing with the child and his wife. The couple was caught after cops responded to a burglar alarm. They face multiple charges after the child confessed.

A new report finds Louisiana has the third highest average combined state and local sales tax rate in the country. Jeff Palermo has the details…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Monroe man accused of stabbing three women. They say 44-year-old Earl Haynes was involved in an altercation with several people when he grabbed a large kitchen knife. The victims tried to flee, but Haynes followed them outside where he allegedly stabbed three of them. The three victims were transported to a local hospital. Haynes is being held on three counts of aggravated battery.

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry’s annual legislative scorecard shows 94 lawmakers received “F” grades for approving $600 million in new taxes on businesses. LABI’s Camille Conaway says there will certainly be an impact on the election cycle as a result of the tax increase…

cut 6 (11) “scorecard”

Many lawmakers who received “F”s are up for reelection or running for another political office this year.

The national Confederate flag controversy has prompted some to create a Facebook page calling for the “Rebels” mascot to be changed at West Monroe High School. Alumnus Shane Acree, who supports the current mascot, says West Monroe High has generational pride and students and alumni don’t want their mascot changed…

cut 15 (09) “from us”

Acree has started a counter page called “Hands off my West Monroe High School mascot.”

LABI handed out 94 “F” grades to lawmakers on their yearly scorecard. Scott Carwile has more on why so many failed…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Scott Carwile”

Lake Charles Police are searching for a suspect who allegedly shot at several people outside a home. Authorities say the five victims said a green SUV stopped and someone got out of the vehicle and began shooting at them. No one was seriously injured in the incident. No arrests have been made, at this time, but police say they do have several leads. The investigation is ongoing.

A recent report by the Tax Foundation shows Louisiana has the third highest average combined state and local sales tax in the nation. Economist Scott Drenkard says Louisiana has one of the highest rates, because of its generous homestead tax exemption, which reduces the amount of property taxes homeowners pay…

cut 9 (09) “in a different tax”

He says Louisiana’s average combined state and local sales tax rate is 9.01 percent.

The controversy over the Confederate flag and monuments has caused some to question whether the “Rebels” mascot is appropriate for West Monroe High School. 1989 Alumnus Shane Acree says their mascot has nothing to do with what’s going on with the Confederate flag controversy across the country…

cut 14 (10) “our mascot”

A Facebook page has been started calling for a new nickname for West Monroe High, but Acree says he’s heard it isn’t being seriously considered by the School Board Superintendent.

According to the Tax Foundation, Louisiana has moved past Alabama for the third highest average combined state and local sales tax in the nation. Economist Scott Drenkard says Louisiana’s average combined state and local sales tax rate is 9.01 percent. He says that’s because a few local governments raised their sales taxes

cut 8 (10) “previous tabulation”

The Tax Foundation puts together a report every July on sales tax rates.

94 state lawmakers received “F” grades in the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry’s annual legislative scorecard. LABI’s Camille Conaway says this past session saw the highest tax increase in Louisiana in decades and it was unnecessary because there were other avenues that the legislature could’ve used to balance the budget.

cut 5 (10) “you believe”

Many of the lawmakers who received “F” grades are up for reelection or running for another political office.

The controversy over the Confederate flag and monuments has spilled over to whether the “Rebels” mascot is appropriate for West Monroe High School. A Facebook page has been started calling for a new nickname for the school. But 1989 Alumnus Shane Acree has started a counter page called “Hands off my West Monroe High School mascot.”

cut 13 (09) “no different”

The West Monroe High School Rebel Mascot Change Facebook page states their message is: “we have seen the rebel mascot and partnering Confederate flag cause much harm and suffering to many of our friends, family, and business associates.”

Livingston Sen. Dale Erdey is asking the Department of Transportation to study the possibility of turning the inside shoulder of I-12 into a travel lane between Baton Rouge and Walker. He says, right now, the process is in the early stages…

cut 11 (06) “from DOTD”

Erdey says not only would this help the many motorists who use I-12 through Baton Rouge, it would be good for commerce as well.

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry has handed out “F” grades to 94 lawmakers in their annual legislative scorecard. LABI’s Vice President for Policy and Research Camille Conaway says lawmakers who received an “F” grade voted for more than 600 million dollars in new taxes on businesses…

cut 4 (10) “failing grades”

Lawmakers say the tax increases were necessary to prevent big budget cuts to higher education and health care.

Louisiana has moved past Alabama for the third highest average combined state and local sales tax according to the Tax Foundation. Economist Scott Drenkard says Louisiana ranks high on their list, because it has the highest average local tax rate in the country…

cut 7 (10) “everyday”

Drenkard says Louisiana’s average combined state and local sales tax rate is 9.01 percent.

Livingston Senator Dale Erdey is asking the Department of Transportation to check the feasibility of turning the inside shoulder of I-12 into a travel lane between Baton Rouge and Walker. The proposal would make the 15 mile corridor grow from six to eight lanes between the I-10/12 split and Walker. Erdey believes this would be a huge help…

cut 10 (10) “their employers”

Erdey says the request is contained in a Louisiana Senate approved resolution he has sponsored and is about to get a review by DOTD.

Louisiana’s Republican Congressional delegation does not support the Iran nuclear deal President Obama has agreed to. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

Sixty-one-percent of state House members and 77-percent of the senate received “F” grades from the powerful lobbying group, the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. LABI says these legislators received “F” grades for voting on bills that raised taxes on businesses.

The release of Harper Lee’s “Go Set a Watchman,” which is a sequel to “To Kill a Mockingbird” is creating some controversy. Because prominent character Atticus Finch is portrayed as a racist in this latest book. Jessica Lacher-Feldman, head of LSU’s Libraries’ Special Collections division, says each reader needs to form their own opinion…:
CUT 13 (11) “racism”

Louisiana’s most popular summer-blooming tree, the crepe myrtle, is blooming later and less than normal this year. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Allen Owings says we’re seeing a decrease flower development because of weather conditions this past spring…:
CUT 3 (08) “this summer”
Owing says there’s nothing that can be done, at this point, to improve the bloom of crepe myrtles for this year.