A New Orleans judge today denied a motion to dismiss the petition seeking to have New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson declared mentally incapacitated, and said Benson will have to undergo a medical exam. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Tom Benson is learning it’s not going to be easy to disinherit his heirs…:
CUT 14 (09) “lot more ugly”
He says the three doctors assessments must be done by March 15th.

Cops say The King of the Houma Mardi Gras Krewe this year was arrested because he’s a sex offender that rode in a parade with a mask last year. Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Dawn Foret says 34-year-old Glynn Matherne has been a registered sex offender since 2003…:
CUT 4 (11) “have to agree to”
No word on whether or not Matherne will remain the king this year.

A bill will once again be taken up by Louisiana lawmakers this legislative session that considers whether or not the use of medical marijuana should be authorized. The measure is by Baton Rouge Representative Dalton Honore the main push back to such a proposal is that it would legalize marijuana for recreational use…:
CUT 7 (11) “any of this”
He says his proposed law contains strict regulations on what doctors are allowed to prescribe the drug.

Monroe Police say an officer has been fired because of racially offensive comments he made on social media about the Ferguson Missouri incident in which a black unarmed teen was shot by a white officer. Officials announced Monday that Officer Doug Lambert, who’s been on leave since November, is no longer with the department after an internal investigation. The Chief said the comments are not at all what the department stands for.

In the ongoing Benson family legal feud, New Orleans Judge Kern Reese has ordered that Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson undergo an examination. Benson will face three exams performed by three different doctors. Legal analyst Tim Meche says this ruling is not in Benson’s favor…:
CUT 12 (07) “in New Orleans”
He says the rulings are evidence that Benson’s actions are subject to legal scrutiny.

The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s office says a woman is in critical condition after they believe she fell out of the back of a truck her estranged husband was driving. Spokeswoman Cindy Chadwick says 46-year-old Allen Wray and 48-year-old Sherri Wray were talking while sitting on the back of a truck’s tailgate…:
CUT 9 (10) “according to Allen”
Foret says Allen then confessed he drove erratically and Sherri fell out of the back. He is booked with aggravated second degree battery. Sherri clings to life.

When the legislative session begins in April, lawmakers will once again discuss whether or not to authorize the use of medical marijuana in Louisiana. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

Louisiana gas prices are shooting back up. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is now $2.04 up almost 15 cents from this time last week according to AAA.

In New Orleans today a judge has ordered a medical exam for Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson. Civil District Court Judge Kern Reese decided the 87-year-old billionaire will have to undergo the evaluation if he wants to get rid of the lawsuit from his former heirs who claim he is mentally incapacitated and is not fit to decide his wife Gayle will get his inheritance including the sports franchises.

When the legislative session begins in April, lawmakers will once again discuss whether or not to authorize the use of medical marijuana in Louisiana. Democratic Baton Rouge Representative Dalton Honore’s measure was defeated in the Senate last year. He says he’s bringing it back up due to the results of recent polls on the issue…:
CUT 6 (05) “in favor of it”
State associations of sheriffs and district attorneys successfully blocked efforts to pass this legislation last year.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says a 47-year-old school bus driver is under arrest for allegeldy having sex with a 16-year-old girl. They say Clint Woods of Lacombe was found in his truck with the juvenile. He was booked into the parish jail on one count of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile.

Sasol announces they’ve selected Louisiana-based construction contractors to begin work on its ethane cracker and derivatives project in Southwest Louisiana. Spokesman Mike Hayes says they are Cajun Constructors, James Industrial Constructors, ISC Constructors, LLC and MMR Constructors Inc and Turner Industries…:
CUT 10 (10) “that are out there”
He says now the hiring will begin. You can get more information online at sasolnorthamerica.com.

The Jindal administration’s $3.5 million dollar mid-year budget cut to the department of Tourism means lay-offs and reduced hours at state parks and museums. Scott Carwile reports…:
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

A New Orleans judge today denied a motion to dismiss the petition seeking to have New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson declared mentally incapacitated, and said Benson will have to undergo a medical exam. The hearing came as a result of Benson’s daughter and grandchildren suing the 87-year-old billionaire. They claim his mental capacity is diminished.

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s office says the 2015 King of Houma’s Krewe of Mardi Gras is under arrest for allegedly violating the sex offender restriction that you can’t wear masks which they believe he did in last year’s parade. Captain Dawn Foret says 34-year-old Glynn Matherne has been a registered sex offender since 2003 and is not allowed to participate in certain Mardi Gras activities…:
CUT 3 (08) “age of 18″
She says they arrested him based on his ride last year and to keep him from riding this year.

The Louisiana Family Forum says the 2015 Longest Known Married Couple is Lawrence and Varrie Player of Benton married 80 years. Executive Director Gene Mills says they asked Mrs. Player how you make a marriage last as long as they have…:
CUT 15 (09) “will be okay”

The Jindal administration’s $3.5 million dollar mid-year budget cut to the department of Tourism means lay-offs and reduced hours at state parks and museums. Scott Carwile reports…:
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

A New Orleans judge will decide if Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson is mentally fit to make decisions about his sports empire. The hearing going on right now came as a result of Benson’s daughter and grandchildren suing the 87-year-old billionaire. They claim his mental capacity is diminished, and that he has been coerced by his third wife to give her the teams when he dies.

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s office says the 2015 King of Houma’s Krewe of Mardi Gras is under arrest for allegedly violating the sex offender restriction that you can’t wear masks which they believe he did in last year’s parade. Captain Dawn Foret says 34-year-old Glynn Matherne has been a registered sex offender since 2003 and is not allowed to participate in certain Mardi Gras activities…:
CUT 3 (08) “age of 18″
She says they arrested him based on his ride last year and to keep him from riding this year.

The Louisiana Family Forum says the 2015 Longest Known Married Couple is Lawrence and Varrie Player of Benton married 80 years. Executive Director Gene Mills says they asked Mrs. Player how you make a marriage last as long as they have…:
CUT 15 (09) “will be okay”

Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says the Jindal administration’s $3.5 million dollar mid-year budget cut to the state department of Tourism has lead to lay-offs and reduced hours at state parks and museums. Dardenne says the size of this cut is disproportionate than what other agencies are experiencing…

cut 7 (10) “fiscal year” 2X

Dardenne says no state parks will be closed due to the cut, but they’ve had to close three state historic sites and layoff 106 employees.

Sasol announces they’ve selected five Louisiana-based construction contractors to begin work on its ethane cracker and derivatives project in Westlake. They predict the $8.1 billion dollar complex will create about 5,000 construction jobs. Spokesman Mike Hayes says the naming of these companies is just the beginning…

cut 12 (09) “bring it all to life”

All contact information for each of the companies is listed online at sasolnorthamerica-dot-com.

Broussard Police say a motorcyclist was killed in a multi-vehicle accident Monday. They say 51-year-old Anthony Gage of Youngsville was hit from behind by an SUV while waiting to make a left turn. The impact ejected Gage from his motorcycle into oncoming traffic where he was run over by a passing pickup truck. Gage was pronounced dead at the scene. The SUV driver, 30-year-old Megan Malespin of Lafayette, was cited for reckless operation and driving under suspension.

Louisiana’s Longest Known Married couple for 2015 has been announced by the Louisiana Family Forum. Michelle Southern reports.

cut 3 (32) “reporting”

Sasol announces they’ve selected Louisiana-based construction contractors to begin work on its ethane cracker and derivatives project in Westlake. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (28) “reporting”

The low cost of oil has lead to the shuttering of a facility in Terrebonne Parish. Baker Hughes is closing its electric cabling plant in Houma. The closure will result in 60 employees losing their jobs. In a released statement, Baker Hughes says the company needs to reduce its cost structure company-wide in order to remain competitive.

The Jindal administration’s $3.5 million dollar mid-year budget cut to the state department of Tourism has resulted in lay-offs and reduced hours at state parks and museums. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says next fiscal year’s budget will determine if there will be any more layoffs or state park closures. Dardenne is hopeful about the future of the state’s parks…

cut 9 (08) “lose the revenue”

Dardenne says this fiscal year they’ve had to close three state historic sites and layoff 106 employees.

A fatal shooting in Sabine Parish has left one 16 year old is dead and another behind bars. The 16-year-old suspect is charged with second degree murder. Sabine Parish Warden Joe Dewil says they are being assisted in the investigation by the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s office and the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s office…

cut 5 (05) “where he was found”

Dewil says 24-year-old Porsha Aldredge of Many was arrested for accessory after the fact of second degree murder for allegeldy driving the shooter from Many to Natchitoches to help him evade arrest.

A $3.5 million dollar mid-year budget cut to the state department of Tourism by the Jindal administration results in lay-offs and reduced hours at state parks and museums. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says no state parks will be closed due to the cut, but they will operate under reduced hours through the rest of the fiscal year. Dardenne says the cuts left him with no other alternative…

cut 8 (08) “of the solution”

He says next fiscal year’s budget will determine if there will be any more layoffs or state park closures.

One 16 year old is dead and another behind bars after a fatal shooting in Sabine Parish. It happened at an apartment complex just outside the Many city limits according to authorities. Sabine Parish Warden Joe Dewil says they believe the two got into some sort of argument, but exactly what led to the shooting is under investigation…:

cut 4 (09) “single gunshot wound”

The 16-year-old suspect is charged with second degree murder.

Sasol announces they’ve selected Louisiana-based construction contractors to begin work on its ethane cracker and derivatives project in Westlake. All contact information for each of the companies is listed online at sasolnorthamerica-dot-com. Spokesman Mike Hayes says these appointments reflect Sasol’s commitment to using Louisiana businesses on the project…

cut 11 (07) “from this project”

Hayes says construction of the complex will begin soon and they hope to launch commercial production in 2018.

The Louisiana Family Forum has announced that Lawrence and Varrie Player of Benton is Louisiana’s Longest Known Married couple for 2015. Executive Director Gene Mills says Mr. Player goes by the nickname “Hawk” because he’s been such a hard worker in the railroads, cotton and oil industries…

cut 14 (09) “will come your way”

The Players celebrated 80 years of marriage last month.