The Washington Parish Community is outraged today over the news about the mother and daughter who are accused of neglecting more than 40 animals at their home in Bogalusa for years. Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says they took in more than 40 dogs and cats, a duck and a rabbit from the property and the vet bills are skyrocketting…:
CUT 4 (09) “off the top”
Dorson says they’re seeking donations from the community.

The State Department of Health and Hospitals announces a new online tool available to Louisiana residents that could help improve overall well-being. Secretary Kathy Kleibert says makemyhealth-dot-me contains resources and information designed to help Louisianians become more engaged in their health and health care…:
cut 13 (11) “healthier outcomes”

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved the adoption of scoring levels which align with other states on the Common Core testing. Cut Scores determine a student’s skill level on the test as mastery, advanced, basic, approaching basic or unsatisfactory. State Superintendent of Education John White says cut scores allow them to release reports to schools and parents after announcing Monday Common Core test results that show just 22-40 percent of Louisiana students have “mastered” a certain skill they say is needed to move on to the next level.

LSU star running back Leonard Fournette is on the cover of this week’s national Sports Illustrated magazine. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

LSU star running back Leonard Fournette is on the cover of this week’s national Sports Illustrated magazine. The No. 6 Tigers remain undefeated on the year thanks to help from the sophomore who has averaged more than 200 yards per game and scored 12 of the team’s 22 touchdowns this season. LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette says Fournette is also a great guy and teammate off the field…:
CUT 9 (05) “he enjoys it”
LSU takes on No. 8 Florida this Saturday night in Tiger Stadium and it’s being hailed as one of the most anticipated matchups of the week.

The Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office says a year-long undercover drug operation nets 54 suspected criminals, and 8 suspects remaining at large. They say “Operation Who’s Next” is one of the largest undercover operations in the history of the department. Sheriff Lonnie Greco says they were able to seize massive amounts of heroin, prescription drugs, crack cocaine, meth and much more.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals has launched a statewide campaign to educate Louisiana patients and families on how to use available health information technology. DHH Secretary Kathy Kliebert says the campaign is called “Your Health in Your Hands”…:
cut 12 (08) “health care cost”
She says the website makemyhealth-dot-me contains information about how to request copies of medical records and how to use them to improve your health.

The High Court is hearing the case of a man who’s been imprisoned at Angola for a murder he committed when he was a teenager where his lawyers are arguing the man deserves a new sentencing. 51 years ago, Henry Montgomery shot and killed an East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Deputy when he was 17. The lawyers claim a 2012 ruling by the US Supreme Court banning life sentences for juveniles means their client should get parole..

The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a mother and daughter accused of neglecting more than 40 animals at their home in Bogalusa. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

Steve Spurrier announced today that he is resigning as the head coach of the South Carolina football team effective immediately meaning his last game came against LSU last Saturday in Tiger Stadium. USC lost to the Tigers 45-24 which was the fourth consecutive loss in league play for the Gamecocks. Spurrier is also the school’s all-time winningest coach.

Early voting for the October 24th primary began last Saturday and Secretary of State Tom Schedler reported just over 60,000 ballots have been casted through two days. He hopes early voting totals will pick up later in the week because there’s still a large contingent of people registered who remain undecided on the key races…:
CUT 7 (07) “statewide elections”
He anticipating an overall turnout below 50-percent for next Saturday’s election day.

The Baton Rouge Police Department is investigating the case of the shooting death of a 15-year-old which happened early this morning. Cops are not releasing much information on the incident, but The Advocate is reporting the victim was accidentally shot by his 17-year-old best friend.

Through two days of early voting, the Secretary of State’s office reports just over 60-thousand ballots have been casted. That’s seven-thousand fewer voters than during the same period last year for the Congressional election. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says he’s anticipating an overall turnout below 50-percent for the October 24th primary…:
CUT 6 (09) “hold true”
East Baton Rouge Parish has the most early votes after two days, as 41-hundred ballots have been casted.

The Times-Picayune endores Republican David Vitter for governor. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this is a big deal for Vitter’s campaign which is facing attacks from the three other candidates and supporting groups…:
Cut 14 (08) “David Vitter”
NOLA.com’s editorial staff says Vitter is committed, a resolute chief executive that has a desire to govern and lead on many fronts.

Authorities in Sabine Parish found the missing 6-year-old girl who was the subject of an AMBER Alert out of Texas, and the suspected abductor has been taken into custody. Lexi Johnson was found less than 24 hours after the alert was issued. Officials believe 40-year-old Harvey York Jr. of Zwolle took the child from Houston after getting into a fight with her mother. York was booked into the Sabine Parish Detention Center before being extradited back to Texas to face kidnapping charges.

The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a mother and daughter accused of neglecting more than 40 animals at their home in Bogalusa. Terri Turner and Frannie Fisher are charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty. Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says the Sheriff’s Office was aware of the poor condition of the animals…:
CUT 3 (08) “to the authorities”
He says they removed more than 20 dogs, 20 cats, a duck, and a rabbit from the property.

Lawyers of the Angola inmate who is serving life for murdering a sheriff’s deputy when he was a teenager in 1963 will argue before the US Supreme Court today. The feds did away with life sentences for teens in 2012. Legal analyst Tim Meche says if the courts rule in favor of Henry Montgomery, it will open the door for many inmates to seek parole…:
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The state department of corrections estimates there are about 300 inmates who were sentenced to life for crimes they committed as teenagers.

Anticipation is already building for Saturday night in Death Valley and the top 10 matchup between LSU and Florida. Cameron Papp with StubHub.com says the average ticket price for the game is currently nearly $250. He says this is a huge game, but they always see a lot of demand LSU tickets…:
Cut 6 (06) “pay a lot”

The Times-Picayune and NOLA.com endorses Republican David Vitter for governor. Jeff Palermo looks at what this means for Vitter’s campaign…:
Cut 3 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana State Police have released the identity of the man who was killed when his log truck was struck by a train in North Bossier Parish Monday. They say 70-year-old Phillip Rivers of Zwolle drove his 18-wheeler onto the tracks and the train hit the rig and pushed it nearly half a mile. Investigators say Rivers was not restrained, was ejected and died at the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

The four Lt. Governor candidates talked about how they would improve the film industry in the state at a forum hosted by the Baton Rouge Press Club. Democrat Kip Holden says it’s time to close the loopholes in the film tax credit incentive program that could lead to fraud and wasteful spending…

cut 9 (09) “criminal penalties”

The primary election is October 24th. Early voting is currently underway.

Saturday night’s game between No. 6 LSU and No. 8 Florida is one of the hottest college football matchups in the country this week. Cameron Papp with StubHub says tickets aren’t impossible to find, but you’ll have to dig deep in your wallet if you want a good seat..

cut 5 (08) “lower level seat”

Papp says the average ticket price for the LSU/Florida game in Baton Rouge is about $220.

The US Supreme Court will hear a case from an Angola inmate who was convicted of the murder of a police officer in 1963 when he was 17-years-old. Emelie Gunn has more…

cut 2 (25) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

According to the Associated Press, the cost of Governor Bobby Jindal’s security detail has more than doubled to over $3.1 million a year since he took office in 2008. State Police says the price increase for protective services for the governor isn’t chiefly driven by Jindal’s frequent travel. They say a sizable pay raise for state troopers accounted for much of an $830,000 increase in salary and benefits for the protective detail over the last year alone.

Improving the film industry is one topic the four candidates running for Lt. Governor discussed at a forum hosted by the Baton Rouge Press Club. Republican Elbert Guillory says we shot ourselves in the foot when we made changes to the film tax credits and we need to cap each movie rather than capping the entire industry. He says every movie filmed here projects Louisiana…

cut 10 (10) “tax credit”

The primary election is October 24th.

The Times-Picayune and NOLA.dot com endorses Republican David Vitter for governor. NOLA’s editorial staff says Vitter is a committed, resolute chief executive that has a desire to govern and lead on many fronts. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says an endorsement from a credible newspaper is a big boost for the Senator’s campaign…

cut 16 (08) “for him”

But Pinsonat says newspaper endorsements do not guarantee victory on election day.

State Police say 6-year-old Alexis Johnson, who was the subject of an AMBER Alert out of Texas has been found safe and her alleged abductor is in police custody. They say Johnson was found just after 5PM Monday. 40-year-old Harvey York, Jr. turned himself in to deputies and faces extradition back to Texas where he’ll face kidnapping charges. Officials say York and his ex-girlfriend, the child’s mother, reportedly got into an argument Sunday and York left the residence with the child.

The game this Saturday night in Tiger Stadium between No. 6 LSU and No. 8 Florida is one of the most anticipated matchups of the week…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Republican gubernatorial candidate David Vitter has grabbed the endorsement of The Times-Picayune and NOLA-dot-com. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says newspaper endorsements don’t guarantee victory on election day, but it’s definitely a boost for a candidate that has endured many personal attacks…

cut 15 (08) “for Vitter”

He says this endorsement is great plus for Vitter.

During a Lt. Governor candidate forum, the four candidates discussed how they would improve the film industry in the state. Republican John Young says before this most recent legislative session, Louisiana was number one in the world for film production. He says people from all over the country travel to the state to visit the Duck Commander Warehouse in West Monroe and the Swamp People in Pierre Part…

cut 8 (07) “from scratch”

The forum was hosted by the Baton Rouge Press Club.

Lawyers for Henry Montgomery will argue before the US Supreme Court today in hopes they will make their 2012 ban on life sentences for teenagers retroactive. When Montgomery was 17-years-old, he shot Deputy Charles Hurt to death while playing hooky from school. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Montgomery has a solid argument to make and a number of Justices will be sympathetic…

cut 12 (09) “retroactive”

Meche says we should know the Supreme Court’s decision by the end of the year.

The game this Saturday night in Tiger Stadium between No. 6 LSU and No. 8 Florida is one of the most anticipated matchups of the week. Cameron Papp with StubHub says this is the best selling LSU game of the season on their online ticket marketplace…

cut 4 (08) “upper level seat”

The game in Death Valley kicks off at 6pm and will be televised on ESPN.