Two State Fire Marshal deputies have been arrested in separate investigations. Jeff Palermo reports one of the deputies was taken into custody after it was learned his K-9 died from malnourishment…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”
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The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality sustained a 30 percent budget cut between 2008 and 2018 according to a study out of D.C. Matt Doyle has more…
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”
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The State Fire Marshal’s Office announces the arrest of two of their deputies on malfeasance charges. An investigation began on one of the deputies after it was determined his K-9 died from a lack of food and water. Executive Director of the Louisiana Humane Society Jeff Dorson
Cut 3 (06) “…food and water”
Corporal Robert Fain from Bossier Parish faces several charges including a count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals. Another corporal, Clay Barrett of Calcasieu Parish, has also been arrested on malfeasance as a result of a separate investigation.
A necropsy of Maily revealed neglectful malnourishment as the cause of death as opposed to a lengthy illness as claimed by Fain. Dorson says agency supervisors should conduct random inspections of their issued police dogs …
Cut 4 (10) “…healthy”
Fain is also facing additional charges for allegedly claiming fraudulent hours and expenses related to working with the dog. Investigators have also learned Fain took steps to cover up incomplete investigative work. Dorson says Fain should receive a stiff sentence…
Cut 5 (12) “…high penalties”
Barrett’s charges are the result of investigators finding out that he allegedly took steps to cover-up incomplete and -or incorrect investigative work in two of his fire cases.
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A Brookhaven, Mississippi man is $1.2 million richer after purchasing a jackpot-winning Louisiana Lotto ticket at a Circle K store in Kentwood. Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says it is not every day that someone line 72-year-old Darryl Jordan comes in and claims such a large prize.
Cut 6 (04) “…of this year.”
Jordan won the prize during the Wednesday night drawing. Mississippi now has its own lottery, but Annison says that won’t keep Jordan from playing in Louisiana as he has done for years.
Cut 7 (08) “…to play it.”
Annison says Jordan already has plans for his winnings.
Cut 8 (05) “…his big win.”
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A Calhoun man is in jail accused of holding his girlfriend captive for days and beating her multiple times at various locations. Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s spokesperson Glen Springfield says the harrowing episode ended when witnesses called authorities after seeing 22-year-old Michael Vaughn taking the victim by the hair…
Cut 9 (11) “…her abdomen.”
Springfield says the victim claims multiple attacks took place over two days later when she was attacked at their home with a closed fist and a baseball bat.
Cut 10 (13) “…the phone was.”
Springfield says if it wasn’t for the quick response of witnesses calling authorities, this situation could have seen a different conclusion.
Cut 11 (07) “…as it was.”
Vaughn was already on probation and now faces four felonies.
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A report by the D.C. based Environmental Integrity Project shows the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality saw it’s budget cut by 35 percent between 2008 and 2018.
Those cuts came while the state saw an increasing number of petrochemical projects take hold, but DEQ Secretary Chuck Brown says it hasn’t significantly hampered their capabilities.
Cut 12 (10) “we have”
The department also saw a 35 percent decline in staffing during that period, the fourth-highest percentage of cuts to staffing of any state during that period, but LDEQ spokesperson Greg Langley says much of the losses were not to regulatory staff.
Brown notes the department does not get money from the state general fund, but their staffing levels, and how much they can charge in fees are determined by the state.
Cut 13 (08) “…sustained”
The Secretary says despite the cuts in staff and funding, they’ve never failed to obtain key benchmarks set by the EPA.
Cut 14 (09) “…St. Bernard”
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Governor John Bel Edwards pledges more money for higher education. Edwards increased funding for public colleges by 47-million for this fiscal year, but the Board of Regents is requesting a 156-million-dollar boost for the upcoming budget. UL System President Jim Henderson says the increase in funds would entice high quality faculty…
Cut 15 (12) “…faculty.”
Henderson says additional money is also needed to ensure that TOPS students will have their tuition paid for throughout a four-year college career…
Cut 16 (10) …bargain.”