Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany will spearhead an effort to re-write the nation’s welfare reform laws. The country’s welfare system hasn’t seen any major changes since 1996 and Boustany has been asked by House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan to lead a rewrite. Boustany says his desire is that welfare recipients find permanent work…
CUT 7 (09) “opportunity ladder”
He says the goal this time around is not only employment, but an opportunity to increase earning potential over time.

State Police say a Lake Charles man was arrested Sunday after crashing into a building while driving drunk. They say 26-year-old Justin Gillard slammed his truck into a business causing significant damage. Cops say the man later submitted to a breath test where the result indicated his blood alcohol level was over two and half times the legal limit. He faces many charges including DWI number 3.

The four candidates for governor say they want to improve access for mental health care as a way to prevent another mass shooting incident like the deadly Lafayette movie theater shooting. Democrat John Bel Edwards says you can’t put a price on mental healthcare and he’s been fighting for more access to it for years.
Cut 10 (11) “and theirs”
We’ll report on the remaining candidate responses throughout the morning.

The American Automobile Association says the current statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.39, down a nickle from this time last week.