A Public Policy Polling survey and a CNN poll both show Congressman Bill Cassidy with a three-percentage point lead over Senator Mary Landrieu in a possible December runoff. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the Cassidy campaign has to be pleased with the polls that show him leading a three-term incumbent…

cut 5 (07) “about now “

Cross says two reputable polls showing Cassidy in the lead is significant.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s office says an Amite Police Officer is under arrest on multiple charges of kidnapping, sexual battery and rape. Spokeswoman Dawn Panepinto says investigators identified 25-year-old Grant Carruth of Husser as the suspect. She says Carruth would pose as a narcotics agent to trick the victims…

cut 13 (09) “the remote location”

Panepinto says Carruth is charged with two counts of second degree kidnapping, one count of aggravated rape, one count of sexual battery and one count of theft.

The federal government begins sending out refund checks to those homeowners who overpaid for their insurance premiums. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the refunds will go to those residents who purchased or renewed coverage after 2012 and paid higher premiums, until Congress passed another law to re-adjust flood insurance rates

cut 6 (05) “refund check”

The federal government estimates that about one-million policyholders nationwide will receive refunds that average one-hundred dollars.

Today’s October 1st and so far we’ve basically had an uneventful hurricane season. But state climatologist Barry Keim says we’re not out of the woods just yet. He says October can still be a pretty active month…

cut 9 (14) “in 2002″

Keim says this is not the time to put our guard down when it comes to hurricanes.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says an Amite Police Officer is under arrest on multiple charges of kidnapping, sexual battery and rape. Spokeswoman Dawn Panepinto says they got a report from a woman in August about a man who had kidnapped her, taken her to a remote location, and forced her to perform sexual acts. She says they got a similar report last month…

cut 12 (13) “as well”

Panepinto says investigators identified 25-year-old Grant Carruth of Husser as the suspect. He was arrested and taken into custody early this morning.

A Destrehan High School teacher has been arrested accused of having sexual contact with a 16-year-old male student. The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office says 34-year-old Shelly Dufresne is charged with one count of carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Kenner Police is expected to arrest a second teacher, Rachel Respess, who is alleged to also be in an inappropriate relationship with the student.

A second statewide poll shows Congressman Bill Cassidy with a three-percentage point lead over Senator Mary Landrieu in a possible December runoff. Public Policy Polling has Cassidy at 48-percent, Landrieu at 45-percent. A CNN poll also shows Cassidy with a three-percentage point lead. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Republican attacks claiming Landrieu is out of touch with Louisiana and tied to President Obama are working for Cassidy. He says Landrieu needs to keep countering those claims…

cut 4 (07) “record”

Cross says it is significant for two reputable polls to have Cassidy in the lead.

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office reports a Campti couple died last night after their mobile home caught on fire. Florence Berguin and John Berguin, both 68, were pronounced dead at the scene. The victims were the mother and step-father of Campti Police Chief Greg Eldridge.

Another statewide poll shows Congressman Bill Cassidy with a three-percentage point lead over Senator Mary Landrieu in a possible December runoff. Public Policy Polling has Cassidy at 48-percent, Landrieu at 45-percent. A CNN poll also had Cassidy with a three-percentage point lead. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it is significant for two reputable polls to have Cassidy in the lead…

cut 3 (06) “in peril”

Cross says Republican attacks that claim Landrieu is out of touch with Louisiana and tied to President Barack Obama are working for Cassidy.

According to a recent Public Policy Poll, 78-percent of Louisiana voters oppose sentences longer than six months for marijuana possession, up from 59-percent last year. Louisiana American Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Marjorie Esman believes numbers are up because people are starting to realize Louisiana is out of sync with the rest of the country on this issue…

cut 15 (11) “thinking about it now”

LSU’s Public Research Policy Lab’s 2014 Election Report shows Republican voters in Louisiana are more committed to casting to casting ballots in the upcoming election than Democrats. However, in Baton Rouge, 87-percent of black Democrats say they intend to vote. Research Director, Dr. Michael Henderson, says that’s likely due to the 6th Congressional District race, in part, because it’s an open seat…

cut 12 (13) “Democratic voters”

The survey polled over 1,000 Louisiana adults.

Today’s October 1st and so far in 2014 we’ve basically had an uneventful hurricane season. But state climatologist Barry Keim says we’re not out of the woods just yet. He says in another couple of weeks the chances of a MAJOR hurricane developing drop considerably…

cut 11 (05) “hurricane threat“

Keim says a great example of an October Hurricane was Juan in 1985 which Louisiana was dealing with all the way through to Halloween.

A state judge has ruled a Metairie man, who spent 17 years in prison for an attempted rape he did not commit, is entitled to up to $330,000 in compensation. Innocence Project New Orleans attorney Kristin Wenstrom says this money doesn’t make up for 17 years of wrongful incarceration, but it will help 40-year-old Nathan Brown restart his life…

cut 6 (10) “foundation whatsoever”

Brown was released from prison in June after DNA tests proved his innocence.

Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says many Entergy Customers will soon receive a small refund after they were victorious in a fight to expose inflated bills. Campbell says it’s the PSC’s job to make sure utility companies like Entergy are doing everything they can to keep bills accurate and not overcharge customers…

cut 9 (12) “we’re gonna get it back”

He says the refund on a typical Gulf States residential customer bill will be about $15.

According a recent Public Policy Poll, support for marijuana reform continues to grow in Louisiana. Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 3 (32) “reporting”

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Destrehan High School teacher accused of having sexual contact with a 16-year-old male student. 34-year-old Shelly Dufrensne is charged with one count of carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Kenner Police is expected to arrest a second teacher, Rachel Respess, who is alleged to also be in an inappropriate relationship with the student.

Should marijuana laws be loosened up in Louisiana? There’s a new Public Policy Poll out saying many voters here are against extended jail time for pot possession offenders. And Louisiana ACLU Executive Director Marjorie Esman says 2/3 of those surveys even admitted they knew someone who has had marijuana…:
CUT 14 (10) “that they know someone”
The survey also shows that 68% of people support letting certain seriously ill patients use medical marijuana with a doctor’s prescription — up 3% from last year.

State Police say a man from Geismar is dead after an accident on Highway 61 last night in East Feliciana Parish. They say 43-year-old James Kent Jr ran off the road for unknown reasons and crashed into a tree. He wasn’t bucked up, was ejected and suffered fatal injuries as a result.

A Metairie man who was wrongfully locked up for 17 years was told this week he’s entitled up to $330,000 in compensation. 40-year-old Nathan Brown was found guilty of an attempted rape he didn’t commit. Innocence Project New Orleans attorney Kristin Wenstrom says wrongful imprisonment money is capped at $250K but Brown can also get $80,000 for things like medical expenses and education…:
CUT 5 (12) “wait for months”
She says this doesn’t make up for 17 years of wrongful incarceration.

Public Service Commission member Foster Campbell says many Entergy Customers will soon receive a small refund after they were victorious in a fight to expose inflated bills. He says it’ll be $8 and Entergy Gulf States customers will get $15 and the PSC will be voting on it today…:
CUT 8 (11) “immediately”
He says they brought the suit against Entergy after finding some red flags in their billing process.

Republicans in Louisiana are following the November 4th election more closely than Democrats according to a LSU Public Policy Research study. Research Director Dr. Michael Henderson says the lack of enthusiasm among Democrats could hurt Senator Mary Landrieu…:
CUT 11 (07) “to show up”
But he says black Democrats in the Baton Rouge area are fired up about the election likely because of the 6th Congressional open seat.

Public Service Commission member Foster Campbell says many Entergy Customers will soon receive a small refund after they were victorious in a fight to expose inflated bills. Campbell says the typical residential customer is in line for a one-time refund of $8. He says they brought the suit against Entergy after finding some red flags in their billing process…:
CUT 7 (08) “a refund”
The PSC is scheduled to vote on the issue today.

A state judge has ruled a Metairie man, who spent 17 years in prison for an attempted rape he did not commit, is entitled to up to $330,000 in compensation. Scott Carwile has the story…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s office says the teacher from Destrehan High who is accused of having sexual contact with a 16-year-old student is out on $200,000 bond. They say 34-year-old Shelley Dufresne of Montz was booked with carnal knowledge of a juvenile after the male student bragged about the inappropriate behavior to other students.

A state judge has ruled a Metairie man, who spent 17 years in prison for an attempted rape he did not commit, is entitled to up to $330,000 in compensation. 40-year-old Nathan Brown was released in June after DNA tests proved he wasn’t guilty. Innocence Project New Orleans attorney Kristin Wenstrom says Brown is not immediately eligible for the entire sum…:
CUT 4 (11) “was in prison”
Brown is entitled to petition the court for an additional $80,000 for loss of life opportunities.

They are calling it one of the biggest meth busts in the country and it happened in Baton Rouge Monday afternoon. Police say a passenger on a commercial bus that was pulled over on I-12 between Airline and Sherwood around 12:15 that day, had 36 bottles of liquid meth in her suitcase. The estimated street value of the drugs is $700,000. 34-year-old Vanessa Hernandez was booked into EBR Parish prison.

According to a LSU Public Policy Research Lab survey, Republican voters in Louisiana are following the election more closely and are more committed to casting ballots than Democratic voters. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (31) “reporting”

Officials at Barksdale Air Force Base say an Air Force security K-9 handler has been removed from his position after a 7-year-old German Shepard, tasked with sniffing out explosives, died after being left in a hot car. They say an investigation determined the K-9′s death was due to handler negligence. The unidentified handler could face other disciplinary action.

According a recent Public Policy Poll, support for marijuana reform continues to grow in Louisiana. The survey done last week of a sampling of registered voters here found that 78% oppose sentences of longer than 6 months for pot possession — up from 59% last year. Louisiana American Civil Liberties Union Executive Dir Marjorie Esman:
CUT 13 (08) “possessing marijuana”
Esman says 2/3 of those surveyed also acknowledged they knew someone who has been in possession of marijuana.

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s office says a teacher from Destrehan High School is under arrest for allegedly having inappropriate sexual contact with one of her students. They say 34-year-old Shelley Dufresne (doo-frane) is booked on one count of carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Apparently the 16-year-old student was bragging about the incident which is how it got back to law enforcement. The suspect was released on a $200,000 bond.

According to a recent survey, Republican voters in Louisiana are following the election more closely and are more committed to casting ballots than Democratic voters. The results are part of LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab’s 2014 Election Report. Research Director, Dr. Michael Henderson, says the report shows Republicans, statewide, are more enthusiastic about the November elections…:
CUT 10 (13) “vote and turnout”
However, he says black Democrats in the Baton Rouge area are particularly engaged. The report shows an amazing 87-percent say they intend to vote in November.