Drivers across the state are now seeing gas prices around $3.30 for a gallon of regular. That’s quite a bit lower from last month. Historically, international political instability has a direct correlation to prices at the pump. American Automobile Association fuel analyst Don Redman says two things in particular kept prices high over the summer…

cut 4 (12) “falling apart of Iraq”

Prices have been dropping at a steady rate of about one cent a day over the last week.

US Senator Mary Landrieu has agreed to participate in four televised debates leading up to the November 4th election. The first debate is scheduled for October 2nd in New Orleans. Other debates will be held in Baton Rouge, Monroe, plus a second debate in New Orleans. Republican candidate Congressman Bill Cassidy has not announced what debates he will attend. Rob Maness, a favorite of the Tea Party, has agreed to the first three and is expected to participate in the fourth, as well.

Over 190 new people have joined a lawsuit designed to stop the implementation of Common Core in Louisiana. There are lawsuits filed on both sides of the issue. Lapolitics-dot-com’s Jeremey Alford says it appears that negotiations have failed…

cut 7 (12) “to the courts”

Alford says we could see some movement with the lawsuits this month.

The Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office says they are investigating an industrial incident where two men got trapped in some equipment which caused extensive damage to their legs. Spokesman Commander Eric Becnel says deputies responded to the scene of the accident at Daybrook Fisheries around 6PM Monday…

cut 9 (08) “raw take”

He says after several hours the men were freed and taken to the hospital with serious leg injuries. The accident remains under investigation.

There are now hundreds of people in on the anti-common core lawsuit filed by lawmakers. The suit claims BESE and the Department of Education didn’t follow proper procedure when implementing the new education standards. There is still not a standadized text in place for the school year that begins in just days but Jeremy Alford with LaPolitics.com says we could see some movement this month…:
CUT 8 (05) “next two weeks”
BESE President Chas Roemer said Monday there are no plans to get rid of Common Core and that Bobby Jindal had turned this situation into a disaster.

An interactive map showing the wealthiest person in each state of the United States lists Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson as the richest person in Louisiana. The map, by real estate website Movoto, lists Benson’s net worth at $1.5 billion. Tulane business professor Mark Rosa says Benson’s net worth is more than just the football team…:
CUT 10 (06) “where he sits”

Studies on eating habits in America consistently show Louisiana to be among the most obese states in the nation. One reason the state’s obesity rate is so high is because we eat out at restaurants, a lot. Dare To Be Healthy is a program in southwest Louisiana and Coordinator Janice Ackley says they are encouraging restauarnts to offer healthier choices and people to cut out the salt, and use portion control when ordering at their favorite spot…:
CUT 14 (12) “home for later”
She says little things like this make a big difference.

US Senator Mary Landrieu has said she will participate in four TV debates in the upcoming November 4th election race. They are in north and south Louisiana and are set for dates near the end of October. Her Republican challenger, Congressman Bill Cassidy, has not yet said what debates he’ll attend.

Despite some international political turmoil, the gas price market is being kind to the consumer. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular according to AAA is $3.30 and fuel analyst Don Redman says this is typically the time of year we see the price trend up but that’s not the case for 2014…:
CUT 5 (06) “to our benefit”
We’re 18 cents down from this time last month in Louisiana.

The Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office said in a statement two workers at a fish packing facility had to be saved yesterday evening after the became stuck in equipment for hours. They say it was an industrial  accident at Daybrook Fisheries and the two men conducting maintenance on a fish counter/sorter became trapped in the equipment. Both men reportedly sustained severe injuries to one or both of their legs and are in the hospital. The cause of the incident is under investigation.

Studies on eating habits in America consistently show Louisiana to be among the most obese states in the nation. The Dare To Be Healthy initiative is working to change that. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 2 (34) “reporting”

The National Hurricane Center says Bertha has been downgraded to a tropical storm. The second named storm of the Atlantic Hurricane season is expected to continue to weaken out at sea and poses no threat to land.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees didn’t practice with the team for the second time Monday. Coach Sean Payton said Brees is day to day with an abdominal injury.

The American Automobile Association says the gas price is dropping fast as the current statewide average is now $3.30 and it’s been falling about a penny everyday for the past couple of weeks. Matthew Doyle has that.
CUT 1 (35) “reporting”

A potential starter at safety for LSU is back with the team after spending most of the summer suspended for allegedly hitting a woman near his apartment last May. Jalen Mills suspension was lifted after his charge of second-degree battery was reduced to misdemeanor simple battery.

A group in southwest Louisiana is trying to combat the obesity issue we have in our state by reaching out to eateries we love to flock to. Dare to be Healthy Program Coordinator Janice Ackley says they’ve launched the “Eat Healthy SWLA” campaign to help people make better choices at restaurants…:
CUT 12 (10) “on restaurant menus”
She says the are offering restaurants the opportunity to get the Healthy SWLA stamp of approval which means you’d have to have an entree option under 600 calories, less than 800 milligrams of sodium and less than 10 percent saturated fat.

Shouldn’t be any surprise but a new list out shows Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson is the richest person in Louisiana. Movoto says Benson’s net worth is at $1.5 billion dollars. Tulane business professor Mark Rosa says that’s a lot of dough for Louisiana…:
CUT 9 (07) “for himself”
The list shows Microsoft founder Bill Gates as the richest person in America with a net worth of $80 billion.

Governor Bobby Jindal, State Police Col Mike Edmonson and Speaker of the House Chuck Kleckly are back from their trip to the Mexican border for a security briefing and tour by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Jindal spoke at the airport when they returned and blamed President Obama for creating a situation that allows more people to cross into the US illegally. The governor wants the president to secure the border.

Over 190 new people have joined a lawsuit designed to stop the implementation of common core in Louisiana. The additions, mostly concerned Louisiana parents, joined the lawsuit over a less than 48 hour period. Jeremy Alford with LApolitics.com says the interest seems to be organic…:
CUT 6 (12) “toward them”
Meanwhile the Bord of Elementary and Secondary Education President Chas Roemer said Monday at the Baton Rouge press club that Governor Jindal had turned the matter into a fiasco and that BESE is going to keep Common Core in Louisiana.

Drivers across the state are seeing gas prices around $3.30 for a gallon of regular. That’s a good deal lower from where they were last month, and have been dropping at a steady rate of about one cent a day over the last week or so. American Automobile Association fuel analyst Don Redman expects that will continue this month…:
CUT 3 (14) “last year as well”
He says the leveling off should start next month but we’ll keep seeing the price fall in August.

The Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office said in a statement two workers at a fish packing facility had to be saved yesterday evening after the became stuck in equipment for hours. Both men reportedly have severe injuries to their legs and are recovering in hospitals.

One man is dead and another is facing serious charges after a crash on I-10 in St. John the Baptist Parish.  Jacob Sellers of Sorrento is suspected of being impaired when his car careened across two lanes, struck several guard rails, crashed into another car, and then flipped several times.  An unidentified passenger was ejected from Sellers’ car and then struck by another vehicle that fled the scene.  The passenger was pronounced dead on arrival to a local hospital.  State Police spokesperson Melissa Matey is asking anyone with information to come forward…

cut 14 (08)  “give us a call”

LSU junior safety Jalen Mills participated in team practice this afternoon after the East Baton Rouge District Attorney reduced the charges against him from felony second degree battery to misdemeanor simple battery.  The charges stem from a May incident where Mills allegedly punched a woman near his apartment.  DA Hillar Moore says the felony charge was the arrest charge and his office believes the misdemeanor charge is appropriate after reviewing evidence and reports.

Governor Bobby Jindal, State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson, and Louisiana House Speaker Chuck Kleckley visited the Mexican border today for a security briefing and tour by the Texas Department of Public Safety.  Edmonson says they have no information about the undocumented immigrants coming to Louisiana and they need some answers…

cut 3 (08)  “to their health records”

The tour was to include an air and marine tour of the border.

As summer wanes and vacation season comes to a close, we’re officially in back-to-school preparation mode.  So are people excited about kids heading back to class?  These Louisiana kids aren’t…

cut 9 (09)  “I hate school”

Parents, on the other hand, say summer is great, but it’s time for their kids to get back on a schedule.

Direct TV has agreed to air the SEC Network.  The network is scheduled to debut August 14th.

Governor Bobby Jindal, Louisiana House Speaker Chuck Kleckley and State Police Col Mike Edmonson visited the Mexican border today for a security briefing. Edmonson says they made the trip because there are many cases where they have no information about the undocumented immigrants coming to Louisiana and they are looking for some answers…:
cut 5 :05 sec. Q: “to do things”
The Texas Department of Public Safety gave the briefing and tour.

A Thibodaux man, who was upset with the service he got at a Burger King has been arrested after he allegedly caused a crash when he jerked the steering wheel in a car he was riding in over the weekend. Thibodaux Police report the driver was unsusccesful in regaining control of the vehicle, as the car ran off the road and crashed into a pole. Thirty nine year old Travis Hymel was arrested on criminal damage to property and possession of alcohol in a vehicle.

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Louisiana State Police is investigating a fatal hit and run accident that occurred over the weekend near Kentwood. Master Trooper Greg Marchand says 22-year-old Matthew Mahler of Vacherie and a friend were riding four-wheelers in a drainage ditch along Louisiana Highway 10 when Mahler had an accident and was ejected from his vehicle into the roadway…:
cut 6 :09 sec. Q: “kept going.”
Mahler died later at a local hospital.

A large percentage of Shreveport Public Works solid waste and disposal service employees did not show up for work today. That left over 2 dozen trash trucks unmanned for Monday collections. One employee says workers were told there were no funds for pay raises, and recently, the city bought two street sweepers for about $600 thousand dollars. One unnamed employee says the organized no-show may continue tomorrow.