17:30 LRN Newscast Sept 29

An independent poll on the Louisiana governor’s race reveals that 44-percent of voters view Republican David Vitter unfavorably. The poll was paid for by The Advocate and WWL-TV. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says, during Vitter’s years in public office, it appears the Senator has managed to alienate some voters…:
CUT 9 (09) “don’t like you”
The survey also shows that over 40-percent of voters could not give a favorability rating to any of the other three major candidates.

Blueprint Louisiana, which is a group of businessmen and executives, is calling on the next governor to expand Medicaid. Blueprint chairman, Doctor Phillip Rozeman, says the group doesn’t necessarily agree with the Affordable Care Act, but an expansion of Medicaid could save the state 165-million dollars over five years…
cut 7 (10) “…this state”
Rozeman says the group would also like to see an increase in the gasoline tax to pay for better roads.

The American Civil Liberties Union is accusing the Bossier Parish School Board of violating the US Constitution by allowing the Fellowship of Student Athletes to set up prayer boxes at Airline High School in Bossier City. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says this does appear to go against the First Amendment’s Establishment of Religion Clause…:
CUT 3 (09) “particular Christianity”
The School Board says they plan to address the issue at their next meeting.

The US Marshals office along with Louisiana authorities are looking for a convicted killer who was mistakenly released from prison. He’s 32-year-old Benjuiel Johnson and an error led to him being released on bond. He was serving time at the Dixon Correctional Center and Iberville Parish Sheriff Major Ronnie Hebert says they are not sure where Johnnson my have gone…
cut 14 (04) “…this time”
Johnson was convicted on manslaughter for a fatal shooting in Plaquemine in 2010.