Could the newly raised cigarette tax in Louisiana be leading to more people quitting smoking? The Smoking Cessation Trust says it saw its highest monthly enrollment in June. CEO Mike Rogers says research has shown that the higher the price per pack, the more people who quit. He says their goal is to help more than 210,000 Louisianians kick the habit…:
CUT 7 (06) “program ends”
You can find more information at www-dot-smokefreela-dot-org.

The LHSAA and its officials have reached a tentative agreement that will prevent a work stoppage by referees this fall. Referees were asking for a raise and other things. Louisiana High School Officials Association President Paul LaRosa is not saying publicly whether the agreement struck on Sunday will result in more pay for refs…:
CUT 5 (10) “we did”
He says they are meeting with refs to discuss the deal on Wednesday.

The Lake Charles Police Department says two officers are on administrative leave after a burglary suspect shot himself twice in the foot inside a squad car. Lt. Kevin Kirkum says 18-year-old Stacy Lamb of Lake Charles was arrested after a burglary attempt at a local business. He says officers placed Lamb in the back seat of their police unit…:
cut 12 (08) “of the weapon”
Kirkum says criminal and internal investigations are underway.

The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s office says cops are searching for a woman being held on double homicide charges who escaped from prison over the weekend. Sheriff Doug Anderson says Melissa Hayes, who was arrested in February in Alexandria, busted a lock in the dorm of the Cottonport facility and went into the rec yard…:
cut 15 (11) “down from the fence”
They believe Hayes could be headed back to Alexandria.