A federal judge gives final approval to a 48-million dollar class action lawsuit filed by Bayou Corne residents who saw their lives disrupted as a result of a sinkhole that opened two years ago in Assumption Parish. One of the plantiff attorneys, Larry Centola, says residents should begin to see settlement money within the next few months….
cut 8 (09) “….late as January”
Texas Brine is the defendant in this case as its believed a salt mine they operated caused the sinkhole.

The former chief finanical officer at the Catahoula Sheriff’s office faces theft and malfeasance charges after he allegedly gave himself unauthorized pay increases that totaled over 22-thousand dollars. Trooper Albert Paxton says the state legislative auditor began looking into the alleged crime after Sheriff James Kelley came forward with information about the crime…
cut 15 (09) “….everything done”
Paxton says Tosspon faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals has issued a warning for travelers, beach goers and fishermen about two diseases, vibrio vulnificus (vul-nif-ick-us) and the chikungunay (chik-un-gun-yuh) virus. Eric Gill has more…
cut 3 (29) “….reporting”

A Slidell woman has been charged with medicaid fraud for allegedly using her dead sister’s name when she received medical treatment at Slidell Memorial Hospital. Investigators say 26-year-old Diondre Jones thought she would avoid having to pay any medical bills by identifying herself as her sister.

A federal judge has approved a 48-million dollar class action settlement for Bayou Corne residents affected by a sinkhole that was discovered nearly two years ago in Assumption Parish. Scott Carwile has more…
cut 2 (32) “….reporting”

The police chief of Kinder, which is located in Allen Parish, has entered a plea of not guilty to allegations of malfeasance and theft. Gary Pelican is is accused of using town credit cards to purchase thousands of dollars worth of fuel for himself and family members.

If you’re heading to the Caribbean, the Louisiana department of health and hospitals is asking residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites so you don’t get the Chikungunya virus. State Health officer Jimmy Guidry says the virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and its inital symptoms resemble the flu….
cut 11 (13) “….your physician”
Louisiana has confirmed eight travel related cases of chikungunya.

The SEC Network begins airing on cable and satellite channels at five o’ clock today. SEC Associate Commissioner Herb Vincent says the network dedicated to the SEC will feature live games, daily shows similar Sportcenter and documentaries like ESPN’s 30 on 30. …
cut 5 (09) “….specific to LSU”
LSU’s first football game on the SEC Network will be September sixth when the Tigers host Sam Houston State in the home opener.

The state department of health and hospitals issues a warning about two diseases for beach goers, whether its the Gulf Coast or the Caribbean. State health officer Jimmy Guidry says take precautions against vibrio vulnificus (vul-nif-ick-us), a flesh-eating bacteria found in warm seawater, and if you’re heading to the Caribbean, take steps to prevent mosquito bites, so you don’t get the Chikungunya (chik-un-gun-yuh) virus….
cut 12 (06) “….with these issues”
Louisiana has confirmed eight travel related cases of chikungunya.

The former chief financial officer at the Catahoula Sheriff’s office faces theft and malfeasance charges after he allegedly gave himself two unauthorized pay increases. State Police Trooper Albert Paxton says the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office provided the evidence that led to the arrest of 61-year-old George Tosspon…
cut 13 (09) “…didn’t work”
Paxton says Tosspon faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

A captain of a tugboat was killed in New Orleans around midnight when crane arm struck a bridge and then that crane arm came crashing down on the pilot hosue of the tug boat. The bridge was raised at the time, but the crain arm still hit the structure. The victim’s identity has not been released.

The SEC Network begins broadcasting on satellite and cable TV providers at five o’ clock today. The channel will be available to 90-million homes across the country and SEC Associate Commissioner Herb Vincent says all of the schools worked hard to make this happen…
cut 6 (13) “….SEC Network is”
LSU says it spent over two million dollars on new high definition TV cameras, graphic packages and fiber optic cables so they can produce sporting events for the SEC Network.

The state department of health and hospitals issues a warning for travelers, beach goers, and fisherman about two diseases, vibrio vulnificus (vul-nif-ick-us) and the chikungunya (chik-un-gun-yuh) virus. State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says vibrio vulnificus is a flesh-eating bacteria found in brackish water or salt water…
cut 10 (12) “put it off”
DHH says the flesh-eating bacteria has infected 8 people in Louisiana this summer. And Guidry says the chikungunya virus is usually transmitted by mosquitoes in the Caribbean.

Authorities say a 47-year-old man was stabbed to death last night in the French Quarter. The victim is believed to be homeless and witnesses say he was involved in a physical fight with another man. The search for the suspect is ongoing.

State Police announce the arrest of the former chief financial officer at the Catahoula Sheriff’s office. Trooper Albert Paxton says a state audit revealed 61-year-old George Tosspon of Jonesville received over 22-thousand dollars in excess wages from August 2009 to November 2013….
cut 14 (09) “….dollars”
Paxton says Tosspon faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on theft and malfeasance charges.

State district Judge Todd Hernandez has decided to let a lawsuit against Governor Jindal over Common Core to proceed. But Hernandez says the plantiffs, which is a group of parents and teachers, will not be allowed to question Jindal under oath. The lawsuit alleges Jimdal violated laws when he suspended state contracts tied to Common Core. A full blown hearing on that issue is scheduled for Monday.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue says the state will hold another tax amnesty period from October 15th through November 14th. Revenue Secretary Tim Barfield says there’s something new this year: the option that delinquent taxpayers can pay their debt through payments..:
cut 9 :08 sec. Q: “amount due”
But the tax payer will have all penalties waived and only have to pay 50% of the interest that is due.

For the first half of 2014, Louisiana has had a 9.3 percent increase in exports compared to the same period last year. According to the World TRade Center of New Orleans report, the Bayou State exports hit $32.1 billion dollars. That’s good enough for 6th out of the top ten exporting states.

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A Lafayette mother is facing serious charges in connection with the death of her 3 year-old toddler. It’s alleged that the mother had the child go 25 hours without food or fluids. Lafayette Police Corporal Paul Mouton says 27 year-old Sara Leblanc will be charged with negligent homicide. As for other charges, …:
cut 14 :11 sec. Q: “investigation”

 
New research provided to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries shows Louisiana Black Bear population is making great strides toward recovery. Large Carnivore Program Manager, Maria Davidson, says they believe there are at least 250 female bears…:
cut 6 :09 sec. “hear from them”
They’re hopeful to have the Louisiana Black Bear removed from the endangered species list.

Lafayette Police arrest a 27-year-old mother in connection with the death of her three-year-old child. Jeff Palermo has the story..

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

It’s been 2 years since the Bayou Corne sinkhole showed up in Assumption Parish, and now Federal Judge Jay Zainey has approved a $48.1 million dollars class action settlement which will compensate 269 residents. There were no objections to the settlement.

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The Coast Guard says they are investigating a multi-vessel collision that happened on the Mississippi River near Gretna last night, which caused some oil to be spilled into the water. Spokesman Jonathan Lally says one ship carrying grains lost power and control and crashed into another vessel and barge that was fueling up…:

cut 3 :08 sec. “into the river”

There were no injuries reported.
The state is about to kick off another tax amnesty period to begin in October on the 15th and last through November 14th. Department of Revenue Secretary Tim Barfield says it’s a good opportunity for Louisianians to get caught up on back taxes..:
cut 11 :10 sec. Q: “back taxes.”
The state collected $452 millions dollars last year in back taxes for the program last year.

Louisiana will hold another tax amnesty period this fall. Jeff Palermo has the details…:
CUT 1 (32) “reporting”

The Lake Charles Police Department says a 16-year-old Barbe High School student was hit by a car while she was crossing McNeese St around 7:20 this morning. The driver told cops she couldn’t see the pedestrian due to glare from the sun. The student is at a hospital with minor injuries.

A woman from Lafayette is facing negligent homicide charges in the death of her 3-year-old child. Lafayette Police Corporal Paul Mouton says 27-year-old Sara LeBlanc allegedly failed to check on her sick toddler the entire day she passed away and went to get fast food…:
CUT 13 (09) “negligent homicide”
Mouton says the investigation revealed the child went 25 hours without food or fluids.

New research provided to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries shows Louisiana Black Bear populations are making great strides toward recovery. Large Carnivore Program Manager, Maria Davidson, says scientists have observed female black bears breeding on a regular basis…:
CUT 8 (13) “for the bears”
The Ultimate Goal of the findings is to have the Black Bear removed from the endangered species list.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue says the state will hold another tax amnesty period from October 15th to November 14th. Revenue Secretary Tim Barfield says says the state held an amnesty program last year and Louisiana collected 452-million dollars in back taxes, but the goal this year is only 100-million…

cut 10 (09) “as much”

During the tax amnesty period all penalties will be waived and the taxpayer only owes 50-percent of the interest that’s due.

A Lafayette mother is facing charges in the death of her 3-year-old child. Lafayette Police Corporal Paul Mouton says 27-year-old Sara Leblanc told investigators the child was sick for a couple of days and their investigation revealed the child went 25 hours without food or fluids during her illness…

cut 12 (07) “dehydration”

Leblanc has been charged with negligent homicide.

The US Coast Guard is investigating a multi-vessel collision that happened on the Mississippi River near Gretna last night. Spokesman Jonathan Lally says a ship carrying grains lost power and control and crashed into another vessel and barge that was fueling up. He says about 588 gallons of marine grade fuel was spilled into the river and the Gretna water intake was shut off as a safety precaution…

cut 5 (12) “the sheen went”

Jefferson Parish officials say there is no concern for the water supply.

New research provided to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries shows Louisiana Black Bear populations are making great strides toward recovery. Large Carnivore Program Manager Maria Davidson says the future of the black bear is looking bright…

cut 7 (07) “a hundred years”

The hope is to have the Louisiana Black Bear removed from the endangered species list.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue says the state will hold another tax amnesty period from October 15th to November 14th. Revenue Secretary Tim Barfield says new to this amnesty program is the option that delinquent taxpayers can pay their debt owed to the state through payments…

cut 9 (08) “amount due”

He says the state held an amnesty program last year and collected 452-million dollars in back taxes.

The US Coast Guard says they are investigating a multi-vessel collision that happened on the Mississippi River near Gretna last night. Spokesman Jonathan Lally says a ship carrying grains lost power and control and crashed into another vessel and barge that was fueling up. The barge broke free causing some oil to be discharged into the water…

cut 4 (09) “that was spilled”

No injuries were reported in the incident.

A 27-year-old Lafayette woman has been arrested in connection with the death of her ill 3-year-old daughter. The Lafayette Police Department’s investigation determined Sara Leblanc’s daughter went over 24 hours without food or fluids before she died. Leblanc has been charged with negligent homicide in her daughter’s death.

New research provided to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries shows Louisiana Black Bear populations are making great strides toward recovery. Large Carnivore Program Manager, Maria Davidson, says they’ve learned there are at least 250 female bears in the state, which is a good number…

CUT 6 (09) “hear from them”

The hope is to have the Louisiana Black Bear removed from the endangered species list.

Another cold front has settled over Louisiana. Scott Carwile reports…

cut 1 (30) “reporting”

In one week candidates will begin qualifying for the November elections. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat doesn’t expect any surprise candidates to enter the US Senate race…

cut 10 (13) “before now”

He says Democratic incumbent Mary Landrieu will face two main Republican challengers, Bill Cassidy and Rob Maness.

The US Coast Guard is investigating a multi-vessel collision that happened last night on the Mississippi River near Gretna which caused some oil to be spilled into the water. Spokesman Jonathan Lally says a ship carrying grains lost power and control and crashed into another vessel and barge that was fueling up…

cut 3 (08) “into the river”

Lally says about 588 gallons of marine grade fuel was spilled into the river. No injuries were reported in the incident.

The New Orleans Police Department is still searching for the gunman who opened fire on a house in the Lower Ninth Ward that killed two and injured five, including two young children. 33-year-old Terrance McBride and 16-year-old Jasmine Anderson were killed in the shooting. Police Chief Ronal Serpas says McBride was a felon in possession of a firearm facing charges on that plus distribution of heroin. He says this case does not appear to be a gang member involved event…

cut 15 (05) “involved event”

The investigation is ongoing.