Please note the State Fire Marshal believes the Eunice fatal fire was murder-suicide.

The state Department of Revenue announce the 50th arrest under a statewide crackdown on tax fraud. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 2 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

Governor Bobby Jindal issued an angry statement in response to the ACLU of Louisiana’s letter to a Bossier City High School which accuses them of promoting Christianity due to student groups hanging prayer boxes and the principal ending an online letter with “May God Bless You All.” Jindal says this is an example of the war on Christianity going too far. He says soon the LA-ACLU says will outlaw the phrase “God Bless You” when a student sneezes.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office says they believe murder suicide is a factor in the blaze which claimed the life of a mother and her two daughters, age 16 and 8, early Sunday in Eunice. Fire Marshal Butch Browning says Eunice cops and fire investigators are working to determine how the blaze was started and what might have happened…:
CUT 7 (07) “it is suspicious”
He says preliminary investigations reveal Carla Wotford may have shot her two daughters. The fire started outside the master bedroom.

A study by WalletHub ranks Louisiana fourth in the nation for Hispanic Assimilation. Manny Blanco, President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation, says that’s a good number, but the the state’s Hispanic and unemployment and poverty rates are concerning…:
CUT 10 (09) “accomplish that”
Louisiana’s “Veteran Status for Hispanics” is 10th in the country, which Blanco says is a source of pride within the community.

The Louisiana governor’s race keeps getting more interesting. A new Advocate/WWL-TV poll shows Republican David Vitter tied with Democrat John Bel Edwards at 24% in the primary. The survey, conducted by Clarus Research Group, shows Republicans Scott Angelle and Jay Dardenne with 15-percent and 14-percent respectively. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says the spring polls, when Vitter had 38 percent, were largely based on name recognition…:
CUT 4 (10) “large numbers”
The poll shows Vitter losing to Edwards in a potential runoff by four points, Angelle by five points, and Dardenne by seven points.

Coming off a win at Syracuse, LSU Coach Les Miles spoke with the media at his weekly Monday news conference to discuss the game against Eastern Michigan in Death Valley this weekend. The Tigers are a 45 point favorite in the contest which kicks off in Baton Rouge at 6pm.

The state Department of Revenue announces the 50th arrest under a statewide crackdown on tax fraud. Joyce Gaines of Harvey is accused of filing false income tax returns for hundreds of clients. Barry Kelly, Director of Criminal Investigations, says teaming up with the Attorney General’s Office is a key to the success of the crack down…:
cut 12 (07) “to do alone”
He says LDR has saved tax payers more than $50 million through various anti-fraud programs since 2014.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office has identified the woman who drowned in the Indian Creek Recreation Area on Saturday. They say witnesses report 33-year-old Stacy Roszell of Pineville was swimming when she dove down in water which was about 20 feet deep and never resurfaced. Detectives say foul play is not suspected, but an autopsy will be conducted to determine cause of death.

A new Advocate/WWL-TV poll shows Democrat John Bel Edwards and Republicans Scott Angelle and Jay Dardenne each defeating Republican David Vitter in a potential runoff in Louisiana’s governor’s race. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (26) “I’m Eric Gill”

LSU running back Loenard Fournette is named the SEC Player of the Week for the third straight week the conference announced Monday. The Heisman Trophy candidate, who leads the nation in rushing with 210 yards per game, set a career high with 244 yards and two touchdowns in LSU’s 34-24 win over Syracuse.

The Bayou State is ranked among the top states in the country where Hispanics have adapted to the American mainstream. The WalletHub study ranks Louisiana fourth for all states for Hispanic assimilation. Manny Blanco, President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation, says Louisiana’s Hispanic population is a varied group…:
CUT 9 (07) “and Mexico”
He says Hispanic’s in Louisiana are a very unified group with strong relations helping those coming in to assimilate as best they can.

The Louisiana Lottery says there were no jackpot winners in the Powerball drawing Saturday night which means the big prize on Wednesday now goes to an estimated $301 million dollars. They say there was a ticket purchased at the Pilot in Hammond that matched four of the five numbers to win a $10,000 prize.

A new Advocate/WWL-TV poll shows Democrat John Bel Edwards and Republicans Scott Angelle and Jay Dardenne each defeating Republican David Vitter in a potential runoff in Louisiana’s governor’s race. The survey, conducted by Clarus Research Group, shows Edwards and Vitter tied at 24-percent heading into the primary. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says this is bad news for the US Senator who was polling at 38-percent this spring…:
CUT 3 (10) “a runoff”
Dubos says this survey doesn’t mean that Vitter won’t make the runoff, but he will be an underdog if he does.

LSU announces the time for the South Carolina game on the road October 10th will be another 11am kickoff contest. They also say that LSU running back Leonard Fourtnette is named the SEC Player of the Week for the 3rd week in a row.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office says they are still investigating a weekend house fire in Eunice which claimed the life of a mother and her two daughters, age 16 and 8. Fire Marshal Butch Browning says they are still working to determine the cause of the massive blaze, but they do consider it suspicious. He says it’s a very active investigation…:
CUT 6 (10) “family dwelling”
He says Eunice cops and fire investigators are on scene at this time working to determine how the blaze was started and what might have happened.

The price at the pump kept falling over the weekend. Gasbuddy.com says the current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $1.98. They say the lowest price in Louisiana right now is $1.72. Analysts predict we could see a statewide average as low as $1.50 by the end of the year.

John Boehner’s resignation as US House Speaker gives Metairie Congressman Steve Scalise a chance to improve his leadership role in the House. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Eunice Police Department says a weekend house fire has claimed the lives of three. They say a patrolman passing in the neighborhood saw the blaze then contacted firefighters. Once the fire was out, the bodies of a mother and her two daughters, age 16 and 8, were recovered from the residence. The names of the victims have not been released.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says a woman who was stabbed multiple times before her attacker was shot and killed by a deputy, remains in critical condition but is expected to survive. They say the deceased suspect, 46-year-old Anthony McKinney of Baton Rouge, was arrested last week on domestic violence charges but was released on bail hours before the stabbing incident. The unidentified deputy is on administrative leave per department policy.

After LSU’s 34-24 victory over Syracuse Saturday, all of the Tiger Nation talk once again was the incredible performance by running back Leonard Fournette. The Heisman Trophy candidate rushed for 244 yards and two touchdowns against the Orange, becoming the first player in LSU school history to have consecutive 200-yard efforts. After the game, Fournette gave credit to Syracuse’s defense for making it a hard fought day…:
Cut 14 (11) “this game”
LSU comes back to Tiger Stadium this weekend to face Eastern Michigan.

The Baton Rouge Press Club has canceled their Attorney General forum after incumbent Buddy Caldwell dropped from the event…

cut 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

State Police say a head on collision on I-20 in Ouachita Parish has left two dead and one seriously injured. They say 41-year-old Jorge Benavides of Oxford, Mississippi was driving the wrong way on the interstate when he struck a car driven by 20-year-old Thomas Williams of Delhi. Williams and a passenger, 19-year-old Jamerro May of Monroe, were pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger was seriously injured and rushed to a local hospital. Benevides is charged with two counts of vehicular homicide, among other charges.

Metairie Congressman Steve Scalise could move up to a higher leadership position in the US House after House Speaker John Boehner’s decision to resign. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says if Scalise becomes House majority leader that would mean good things for Louisiana…

cut 12 (06) “doesn’t matter”

Scalise currently serves as House Majority Whip, the number three position in the House leadership.

The Center for Louisiana Studies holds a Gun Violence Symposium today in Lafayette to discuss what they call one of the biggest problems in our state. CLS Director Michael Martin says he goal of this event is to frame reasonable discussions about gun violence…

cut 09 (07) “next steps”

He says the day long program features scholars from universities and colleges across Louisiana who study gun violence in a variety of ways.

The Center for Louisiana Studies is holding a Gun Violence Symposium in Lafayette today to discuss what they call one of the biggest problems in our state…

cut 2 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

State Police say a toddler was killed and three others injured in a single vehicle crash in St. Landry Parish. Authorities say a car driven by Shararia Citizen of Church Point ran off the roadway and struck several trees. A two-year-old sitting in the rear of the vehicle in a child safety seat suffered severe injuries and was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Citizen and two other juveniles suffered minor injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

The Baton Rouge Press Club has cancelled a candidate forum in the Attorney General’s race after Republican incumbent Buddy Caldwell pulled out of the event. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says in order for the Madison Parish resident to be reelected, he’ll need votes from Democrats because Republican Jeff Landry has the conservative vote locked up…

cut 6 (10) “black turnout”

Pinsonat says it doesn’t serve Caldwell any good to debate Republican challengers Landry and Marty Maley.

LSU’s Leonard Fournette had another 200-yard plus performance on Saturday to help the Tigers beat Syracuse 34-24. Fournette’s longest run came on a 62-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. He gives credit to his fullback…

cut 13 (07) “what I did”

The Heisman Trophy candidate rushed for 244 yards and two touchdowns against the Orange, becoming the first player in LSU history to have consecutive 200-yard efforts.

Metairie Congressman and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise has an opportunity to move up in the US House leadership with the resignation of House Speaker John Boehner. Scalise came under scrutiny several months ago when it was learned that he spoke to a group connected with former KKK leader David Duke back in 2002. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says the Congressman took steps to quiet down the controversy, but it could still hurt his chances…

cut 11 (07) “to see”

Hogan says it would be a big plus for Louisiana if Scalise becomes majority leader.

A Gun Violence Symposium will be held today in Lafayette hosted by the Center for Louisiana Studies. CLS Director Michael Martin says in the wake of the Lafayette movie theater shooting and other incidents around the country, they feel the topic of gun control needs to be discussed no matter which side of the debate you’re on. He says that’s what this meeting is all about…

cut 8 (09) “might be addressed”

The event, being held at the UL-Lafayette Alumni Center, is open to the public.

Republican incumbent Buddy Caldwell has pulled out of an Attorney General’s race forum that was set to be hosted today by the Baton Rouge Press Club. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says out of all the major candidates, Republican Jeff Landry has the most money on hand with 1.4 million dollars in the bank. He says Caldwell follows Landry with 1.2 million dollars and Republican Marty Maley only has a few thousand dollars…

cut 5 (08) “great race”

The primary election is October 24th.

The Saints are still winless after losing to Carolina 28-22. The Saints defense could not contain Panthers quarterback Cam Newton who tallied three touchdowns in the contest. Saints quarterback Luke McCown says the team will not give up, despite an 0-and-3 start…

cut 17 (11) “we face”

The Black & Gold look to break into the win column Sunday when they host Dallas.