4:30 LRN Newscast

Investigators say the apartment fire in Lafayette Parish that killed a nine-year-old girl early yesterday morning was the result of arson. Chris Cormier with the sheriff’s office says Julian Jacob faces several charges.

Cut 13 (11) “…narcotics.” 

No word on a motive or Jacob’s relationship with the people who lived inside the apartment that was set on fire.

While the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living is hailing a new report from the New England Journal of Medical Evidence that shows the national smoking rate falling below ten-percent, it acknowledges that it has more work to do in the state. Interim Director Taslim van Hattum (HATE-um) says 14-percent of Louisiana adults smoke cigarettes, and that’s just the beginning.

Cut 3 (12) “…amongst certain populations.”

The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily blocked an appeals court ruling that halted the ability to obtain a pair of abortion drugs by mail. The order signed by Justice Samuel Alito will allow people to obtain mifepristone and misoprostol through the mail without seeing a doctor in person for the time being.

Ruston High School two-sport star Ahmad Hudson has committed to play football at LSU and also wants to play hoops for coach Will Wade. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”