Employment numbers released by the Louisiana Workforce Commission find the state has added nearly 15-thousand non-farm jobs over the last last year. And the state’s unemployment rate has dropped slightly to five-point-one percent. The leisure and hospitality sector continues to be one of the fastest growing job sectors.

A federal lawsuit has been filed to stop the removal of a Confederate monument at the Caddo Parish Courthouse. The legal action comes after the Caddo Parish Commission voted to remove the statue from where it currently stands. Commissioner Louis Johnson voted for the monument’s removal and he says he can’t control what the courts will do…
cut 9 (09) “…respect and integrity…
The lawsuit was filed by the Shreveport Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, which owns the monument and they claim the statute is on private property.

After a pair of victories over teams ranked in the Top 25, LSU visits Ole Miss tonight. The Tigers are looking for their first win in Oxford since 2011. The Rebels are coming off their first SEC win, a 57-35 victory over Vanderbilt. Kick-off is at 6:15.

Two big games in Lincoln Parish. At two o’ clock, Grambling hosts Alcorn State in a matchup of the two best teams in the SWAC and tonight Southern Miss visits Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs need to win to stay alive for a Conference USA western division title.

The Saints look for their first four game winning streak since 2013 when they visit the Green Bay Packers tomorrow. The Saints have forced nine turnovers in the prior three games and have found their running game. Quarterback Drew Brees says the team is heading in the right direction…
Cut 11 (11) “bit more.”
Kickoff is at noon.

The state health department now reports 125 cases of gastrointestinal illness from a chicken and sausage jambalya at a softball team’s fundraiser in Caldwell Parish. Thirty-seven people have been hospitalized. Health officials are still trying to determine if a death that was reported is associated with the salmonella outbreak. Also, health investigators have found a second bacteria associated with raw meat and poultry in stool samples from those who became ill.

The Caddo Parish Commission is facing a federal lawsuit after voting to approve the removal of a Confederate monument on the grounds of the parish courthouse. Rex Dukes has been a vocal supporter of keeping the monument where it currently stands…
cit 8 (07) “….and intergrity”
A Shreveport TV station reports a majority of the public present for Thursday’s vote were in support of the monument’s removal.

Jefferson Parish authorities have recovered the body of a Texas man who was killed Sunday in an explosion on an oil rig in Lake Pontchartrain. Interim Sheriff Joe Lopinto says 44-year-old Timothy Morrison’s body was found on the shoreline, about three miles or so from the damaged platform. The cause of the blast is still under investigation. Seven others were injured, three critically.

Robert Myer has resigned as the mayor of New Roads. Myer just reached a plea deal with prosecutors on allegations that he misused city-issued credit cards. Myer pleaded no contest to one count of malfeasance in office and must pay back the city for any outstanding balances owed for personal charges made with the city credit cards. He will avoid a year in jail.

There’s a marginal risk for severe weather in northwest Louisiana today. A strong cold front is heading towards Louisiana. Rain chances are high today and tomorrow and on Monday we’ll see high temperatures in the 70s.

The state health department has now identified 125 people with gastrointestinal illness as a result of a Salmonella outbreak from a bad pot of jambalya in Caldwell Parish. 37 people have been hospitalized. In their testing of stool samples, a second bacteria that’s commonly found on raw meat and poultry has also been identified.

Doctor David Holcombe, with the state office of public health, says make sure you cook chicken thorougly and don’t let it sit out…
cut 21 (11) “….prolifereate”
A death has been reported in this Salmonella outbreak. Health officials are still trying to determine if the death can be attributed to the outbreak.

24th ranked LSU goes after its third straight win tonight when they visit Ole Miss. The Rebels are 3-3 and coming off a 57-35 win over Vanderbilt.

Caddo Parish Commissioners vote to remove a Confederate monument and not all are happy. Don Molino has more…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

State Attorney General Jeff Landry announces the arrest of eight people in the Acadiana area on Medicaid welfare fraud charges. Landry says Medicaid fraud occurs when providers use the Medicaid program to obtain money they are not entitled to. He encourages residents to report Medicaid fraud or abuse to his office.
Cut 5 (10) “6885”

The Caddo Parish Commission has voted seven to five to remove a Confederate monument that has stood in front of the courthouse for 111 years. Commissioner Louis Johnson voted in favor of removal. Johnson says he cast his vote based on his constituent’s feelings…

Cut 6 (12) “to represent.”

A motion was made to put the issue up for a public vote, but that recommendation was voted down.  Gulf Coast Patriot Network’s Rex Dukes is upset the public is not being allowed to make the decision on keeping or removing the statue.

Cut 7 (08) “the council.” 

The lawsuit was filed by the Shreveport Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, which owns the monument and they claim the statue is on private property.

Search crews have found the body of a missing oil platform worker following an explosion Sunday on Lake Pontchartrain.  Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says Timothy Morrison’s body was on the shoreline about three miles west of the Jefferson-St. Charles Parish line.  Crews are still investigating the exact cause of the explosion.  Crews had been searching for the 44-year-old from Katy, Texas since the Sunday explosion.

A Prairieville man has been arrested in connection to the fatal shooting of one man and critically injuring another on Wednesday in Ascension Parish. Chief Deputy Bobby Webre says detectives arrested 46-year-old David Foreman Jr. last night.

Cut 15 (10) “people involved”

Foreman faces multiple charges including first degree murder, attempted first degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Webre says Foreman may face more charges and they are still activing investigating.

Eight people were arrested in Acadiana on multiple charges of Medicaid welfare fraud. Attorney General Jeff Landry says there is a tremendous amount of abuse in Louisiana and his office will continue to fight to root out welfare fraud. He says Louisiana spends 14 billion dollars a year under the Medicaid expansion.

Cut 3 (10) “are spending”

The individuals arrested allegedly submitted time sheets and service logs for Medicaid services while working other jobs.

Search crews have found the body of a missing oil platform worker following an explosion Sunday on Lake Pontchartrain.  Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says Timothy Morrison’s body was on the shoreline about three miles west of the Jefferson-St. Charles Parish line.  Crews are still investigating the exact cause of the explosion.  Crews had been searching for the 44-year-old from Katy, Texas since the Sunday explosion.

It was a violent night in Baton Rouge as a 56-year-old woman was fatally shot while stopped at an intersection and a 17-year-old was found shot to death in a park. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

LSU goes after its third striaght victory on Saturday when they visit Ole Miss. The Tigers rallied from 20 points down to beat Auburn 27-23 last week. Head Coach Ed Orgeron says they can’t afford to fall behind early to the Rebels…

Cut 12 (10) “start fast” 

Kickoff is 6:15 Saturday night in Oxford at Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium.

The Caddo Parish Commission has voted seven to five to remove a Confederate monument that has stood in front of the courthouse for 111 years. A motion to put the issue up for a public vote failed. Gulf Coast Patriot Network’s Rex Dukes is upset the public will not have a say…
Cut 7 (08) “the council.”
A federal lawsuit has been filed to stop the removal of the monument.

Attorney General Jeff Landry says work by his Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has resulted in the arrests of eight people out of the Acadiana area. Landry says the individuals arrested submitted time sheets and service logs for Medicaid services, while working other jobs….
cut 4 (11) “…run efficiently”
Landry says if you suspect Medicaid fraud, contact his office.

A Prairieville man has been arrested in connection to a Thursday morning shooting that left one man dead and critically injured another in Ascension Parish. Chief Deputy Bobby Webre says detectives believe 46-year-old David Foreman Jr. opened fire on the victims in their home, but more arrests are possible.
Cut 13 (10) “violent act”
61-year-old Byron Hayes died from injuries, while 70-year-old Douglas Tillotson is in the hospital.

The Saints are looking for their first four game winning streak since 2013 when they visit the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. New Orleans finished with a winning record that year and quarterback Drew Brees says it remains to be seen if this team will make the playoffs
Cut 10 (11) “right direction.”

The Caddo Parish Commission has voted seven to five to remove a Confederate monument that has stood in front of the courthouse for 111 years. Commissioner Louis Johnson voted in favor of removal. Johnson says he cast his vote based on his constituent’s feelings…

Cut 6 (12) “to represent.”

A motion was made to put the issue up for a public vote, but that recommendation was voted down.  Gulf Coast Patriot Network’s Rex Dukes is upset the public is not being allowed to make the decision on keeping or removing the statue.

Cut 7 (08) “the council.” 

The lawsuit was filed by the Shreveport Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, which owns the monument and they claim the statue is on private property.

A Prairieville man has been arrested in connection to the fatal shooting of one man and critically injuring another on Wednesday in Ascension Parish. Chief Deputy Bobby Webre says 46-year-old David Foreman Jr. is in custody.  61-year-old Byron Hayes was found dead at a Prairieville home and 70-year-old Douglas Tillotson remains in critical condition.  Webre says there is a possibility the shooting was drug related…

Cut 14 (10) “wasn’t good.”

The Saints are looking for their first four game winning streak since 2013 when they visit the Green Bay Packers Sunday. The Saints have forced nine turnovers in the prior three games and have found their running game, rushing for 193 yards in last week’s win over Detroit.  Brees says the team is heading in the right direction…

Cut 11 (11) “bit more.”

Kickoff is at noon Sunday.