Governor Bobby Jindal filed a federal lawsuit against the Obama Administration today accusing it of illegally using federal money to force states to adopt the Common Core education standards. The suit alleges the US Department of Education used a $4.3 billion grant program to illegally manipulate states to adopt Common Core. This legal action claims this violates federal law prohibiting national control of education policy.

The Department of Children and Family Services says they’ve collected more than $2 million in casino winnings from deadbeat parents. Deputy Assistant Secretary Lisa Andry says this is a huge milestone for the Casino Intercept Program which launched in September 2011…

cut 7 (10) “good thing”

She says the money was taken from 1,526 non-custodial parents who owed back child support.

Natchitoches Central High Principal Bill Gordy says it was a random act of violence that led to the death of 18-year-old Johnquaries Smith. Smith died yesterday from the head injury he sustained during a fight with another student at school. Gordy says the two students had no interaction prior to their altercation…

cut 3 (07) “hit him”

The 16-year-old who punched Smith has been charged with manslaughter. His name will not be released, because he is a juvenile.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals says they have some serious problems with a swamp tour operation out of Hammond. PETA council Brittany Peet says they received the complaints from a visitor to Harvey Kliebert’s Turtle & Alligator Farm & Tours. She says the animals there are living in deplorable conditions…

cut 9 (11) “and for space”

Peet says reptiles are rarely seen suffering in the wild but when they are held in captivity it can take years for them to die from stress, malnutrition and infection.