As federal lawmakers devise a plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, US Senator John Kennedy says he will vote for any plan that’s better than Obamacare. …
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The state has restarted the process of selecting a contractor who will manage the distribution of one-point-six billion dollars in federal flood relief dollars for homeowners. U.S. Representative Garret Graves says this will lead to further delays, but the governor’s office says they plan to hire a program manager next month.

There are 12 confirmed cases of the mumps and it will likely keep rising, according to Dr. Frank Welch with the state Department of Health. He says the viral infection has a long incubation period which is why it’s important to know how to prevent the spread of mumps this St. Patrick’s Day weekend…:
cUT 5 (11) “through saliva”
He says know the symptoms, such as headache, fever, fatigue, and jaw swelling just below your ear.

A Washington Parish man is behind bars after police say he shot and killed five abandoned puppies in February. Chief Deputy Mike Haley with the Sheriff’s Office says a concerned citizen contacted the Humane Society after seeing the abandoned puppies on the side of the road:
Cut 9 (10) “they were dead”
25-year-old Shawn Glen Jones of Angie faces animal cruelty charges.

The major criticism with the House Republicans plan to overhaul the nation’s health care system is that fewer people will be insured as they are now under the Affordable Care Act. But Senator John Kennedy says that’s because the GOP’s plan repeals the individual and employer mandates. He says residents will decide whether they want insurance or not…
cut 8 (08) “….American way”

The State Department of Health predicts the mumps outbreak in Louisiana will get worse. Medical director of the state Immunization Program Dr. Frank Welch says the viral infection has a long incubation period so it could be a few weeks before cases are report. He says it’s a good idea to know the symptoms…:
cut 4 (08) “both sides”
So far, LDH has confirmed 12 cases.

A man in Washington Parish is facing animal cruelty charges for allegedly shooting and killing 5 puppies. Deputy Mike Haley with the Sheriff’s Office 25-year-old Shawn Glen Jones of Angie initially denied being involved in the February incident, but then the truth came out…:
CUT 10 (09) “at the location”
Jones is booked on five counts of cruelty to animals, and he’s being held in the Washington Parish Jail on a $15,000 bond.

The St. Landry Sheriff’s office announces three teenagers have been arrested for the hanging of a noose on the campus of Westminster Christian Academy. Major Eddie Thibodaux says one of the juveniled involved performed well in school, but made a very bad decision…
cut 14 (10) “….his life”
The school says all three students are no longer enrolled at Westminster.

The State Department of Health predicts the mumps outbreak in Louisiana is going to keep growing for now. Michelle Southern reports…

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Shreveport Police are reportedly investigating a fatal shooting at an apartment complex. Authorities say a man was at his home putting his kids to bed when he was shot through a window around 3 a.m. The victim reportedly died from his injuries at the scene. There’s no word yet on a suspect or motive, and the investigation is ongoing.

Three arrests have been made after a noose was hung at the baseball field of Westminster Christian Academy following an argument between three black boys and three white boys. Maj. Eddie Thibodaux with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office says even though it was meant as a joke, it’s humiliating and hateful.

Cut 13 (06) “lives”

Two juveniles and one 18-year-old are charged with public display of a noose with intent to intimidate.

A Washington Parish man is behind bars in the case of five abandoned puppies that were found shot to death on the side of the road. Chief Deputy Mike Haley says their investigation led them to 25-year-old Shawn Jones. He says Jones denied killing the puppies, until detectives learned he obtained a .22 caliber rifle just before the shooting.

Cut 11 (08) “the puppies”

Jones is booked on 5 counts of cruelty to animals.

US Senator John Kennedy isn’t entirely sold on the House GOP plan to overhaul the nation’s health care law. But he says improvements can easily be made like including more healthcare assistance for those that need it:
CUT 7 (08) “the help”
Giving states more flexibility with how they operate Medicaid is another of the changes Kennedy would like to see with the House bill.

There have been three arrests made in the case of a noose that was found hanging at Westminster Christian Academy in St. Landry Parish. Sheriff’s Office spokesman Major Eddie Thibodeaux says two juveniles and one 18-year-old, Judah Barber of Opelousas, have been charged with…:
cut 12 (06) “to intimidate”
He says Barber was booked and later bonded out, and the two juveniles were booked and released in the custody of their parents.
The number of confirmed mumps cases in Louisiana is likely going to keep rising before it goes down, according to Dr. Frank Welch with the state Department of Health. He says the viral infection has a long incubation period which is why it’s important to know how to prevent the spread of mumps this St. Patrick’s Day weekend…:
cUT 5 (11) “through saliva”
He says it’s a good idea to know the symptoms such as headache, fever, fatigue, and jaw swelling just below your ear.

LSU says they have identified a person of interest in the case of an alleged rape and abduction near a sorority house on campus. The initial incident was reported on Wednesday. Few other details are being released at this time. LSU says they’ve also identified property of interest, but that this is still an active and developing investigation.

The State Department of Health predicts the mumps outbreak in Louisiana is going to keep growing for now. Medical director of the state Immunization Program Dr. Frank Welch says the viral infection has a long incubation period so it could be a few weeks before we know how bad it will get here. He says it’s a good idea to know the symptoms…:
cut 4 (08) “both sides”
He says mumps is spread through saliva so limit kissing time and don’t share drinks when you’re celebrating St. Patty’s this weekend.

US Senator John Kennedy says there are problems with the House Republican’s plan to overhaul the nation’s health care law, but he’s confident it will be improved as it moves through the legislative process. Kennedy likes that the GOP plan is not as generous with tax credits as Obamacare, but it’s not ungenerous either…:
Cut 6 (10) “to buy insurance”
Opponents of the proposal say more people will become uninsured.

A man in Washington Parish is facing animal cruelty charges for allegedly shooting and killing 5 puppies. Deputy Mike Haley with the Sheriff’s Office 25-year-old Shawn Glen Jones of Angie initially denied being involved in the February incident, but then the truth came out…:
CUT 10 (09) “at the location”
Jones is booked on five counts of cruelty to animals, and he’s being held in the Washington Parish Jail on a $15,000 bond.

The effort to recall Jefferson Parish President Mike Yenni is over; and was not successful. Organizers say they came up more than 40,000 signatures short and they needed more than 90,000 from Jefferson Parish voters. The recall petition began in October, when reports surfaced that Yenni had sent inappropriate text messages of a sexual nature to a 17-year-old boy.

Opening arguments are slated to begin on Monday in the case of the Marksville City Marshall accused of killing a 6-year-old boy. The judge ruled today that there will not be a change of venue in Derrick Stafford’s murder trial.

The Louisiana Department of Health confirms at least 12 mumps cases, and indicates that number is likely growing. Medical director of the state Immunization Program Dr. Frank Welch says the viral infection has a long incubation period…:
Cut 3 (09) “lag time”
He says the infection spreads through saliva so preventative measures include not sharing drinks and cleaning surfaces that are often touched.

The reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible in the fatal shooting of 3 people in a New Orleans neighborhood, including two children, is now $10,000. Anyone with information in the case can call Crimestoppers.

A Washington Parish man is behind bars after police say he shot and killed five abandoned puppies in February. Chief Deputy Mike Haley with the Sheriff’s Office says a concerned citizen contacted the Humane Society after seeing the abandoned puppies on the side of the road:
Cut 9 (10) “they were dead”
25-year-old Shawn Glen Jones of Angie is booked on five counts of cruelty to animals.

After years of problems, Greater Ouachita Water Company is looking for a buyer. Ouachita Parish Police Jury President Scotty Robinson says they’re looking for a company that’s good for the citizens and good for the parish…:
Cut 25 (12) “Ouachita Parish”
Robinson says residents have been receptive to the idea of selling GOWC to another company.

Proposed changes to the state’s criminal justice system have been sent to the governor and now the work begins to get the legislature to support the plan, which supporters say would save the state 151-million dollars over the next 10 years. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger is a member of the task force that came up with the proposals…
cut 4 (10) “…across the board”
Some of the reforms that will be discussed include new sentencing guidelines and expanding probation and parole eligibilty.

Jury selection is complete in the murder trial of Derrick Stafford. Stafford, who was working as a Marksville deputy marshal, is accused of killing a six-year-old boy during a police chase in 2015. The attorneys on both sides selected two alternates today and opening arguments begin Monday.

A Tulane stufy finds cancer patients are more receptive to palliative (pay-lee-ay-tive) care once they know more about it. Researcher Michael Hoerger says there’s a resistance to this kind of care, because some patients confuse it for hospice…
cut 11 (11) “….two months longer”

The Greater Ouachita Water Company is looking for a buyer and Ouachita Parish Police Jury President Scotty Robinson says this is good news for the 25-thousand customers who have been dealing with discolored water and billing errors for year from G-O-W-C. Robinson on why the water has been bad…
cut 8 (12) “….slimy stuff”
Robinson says the police jury will have a say in the buyer.

Americans for Prosperity Louisiana launches a Tank the Gas Tax Campaign, to urge lawmakers to say no to an increase in the state’s gas tax. Though some argue that the gas tax hasn’t been raised in 30 years and doesn’t account for inflation, Americans for Prosperity Louisiana Director John Kay says taxes shouldn’t go up just because they haven’t been increased in a while…:
CUT 15 (09) “that problem first”
There’s talk of increasing the state’s gasoline tax between 17 to 23-cents to generate more money to fix Louisiana’s lousy roads.

Now that the governor has released his plan for how he’d like to see criminal justice reformed in Louisiana, the recommendations are now in the hands of lawmakers. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger is a member of the Louisiana Justice Reinvestment Task Force…:
CUT 5 (10) “this point”

All 12 jurors have reportedly been sworn in for the murder trial of Derrick Stafford, which begins Monday in Avoyelles Parish. Stafford is a former Marksville City Marshall accused of fatally shooting a 6-year-old autistic boy during a 2015 traffic stop. It’s been reported that both the prosecution and defense are challenging some of the jury selections, reportedly over race, which is expected to be a big issue in the case of a black cop allegedly shooting white child.

The Greater Ouachita Water Company is looking for a buyer. Jeff Palermo has more..:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”