The Grand Theater in Lafayette will reopen tonight for the first time since the tragic summer shootings, and the community is thrilled. Michelle Southern repors…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”
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Bobby Jindal says he has no specific political plans once his second term as governor ends in January. Jeff Palermo has the story…
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The longest serving president in the history of Northwestern State University has passed away. Emelie Gunn has more on the life of Dr. Randall Webb….
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The Grand Theater in Lafayette will reopen tonight for the first time since the tragic summer shootings, and the community is thrilled. A man opened fire on a crowd during a movie on July 23rd, killing two women and injuring several others, and since then the parking lot at The Grand on Johnston Street has been empty. Bret Fruge, a former employee, will be there tonight
The first movie, The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay Part II is scheduled for 7pm. Fruge says he goes to the movies every chance he gets and he will definitely be there tonight…:
Before the opening tonight, a dedication will take place honoring the victims of the gunfire and first responders. A small vigil will take place at 6pm, the ribbon cutting is at 6:25 then the newly renovated Grand 16 Theater box office will open at 6:45. Lafayette Mayor-President Joey Durel says he’s also happy for the owner of the theater, George Solomon…:
11 people were shot in the incident and Jillian Johnson and Mayci Breaux lost their lives. Durel says during a vigil following the incident, he told the community that he wanted to buy the first ticket when the theater reopened…:
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So what’s next for Governor Bobby Jindal now that his presidential campaign is over? He has a little over seven weeks left as Louisiana’s governor. Jindal says one of his top priorities is to help the next governor prepare for their four-year term….
Jindal says he’s already voted, but would not tell reporters who he voted for to succeed him. He does not want to get involved in Saturday’s election…
The governor and his family are preparing for life as private citizens. They are building a home in the Baton Rouge area that’s expected to be completed in early December. He says his wife, Supriya, has been working with the builder…
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The former president of Northwestern State University Dr. Randall Webb has passed away at the age of 72. Webb was the longest serving president in the history of the University, serving for 18 years, from 1996 to 2014. State Senator Gerald Long of Natchitoches knew Webb for almost 50 years and says he had a great love for the school and for life itself.
Long says Webb was an incredible leader and model of integrity. He says the former president focused greatly on enhancing the college experience for students and letting graduates leave the school feeling accomplished.
Cut 12 (09) “fully accredited”
Long says Dr. Webb was an icon because he made a commitment to the small rural school and grew it to one of the most respected in the state. He says many other university presidents looked up to him.
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The Jindal administration releases its plan to solve a 487-million dollar budget deficit. It calls for 150-million dollars in cuts to state agencies, dipping into the state’s “rainy day” fund and using revenues from lawsuit settlements. Council for a Better Louisiana president Barry Erwin says this is a short-term fix to the state’s budget woes…
Cut 14 (09) “structural problem”
The plan does NOT call for cuts to higher education or state worker layoffs. Erwin is glad to see Louisiana’s public colleges and universities spared
Cut 15 (09) “significant amount”
The proposed deficit reduction plan calls for a 130-million dollar reduction in state spending by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. The joint legislative budget committee will review the plan on Friday. Erwin says the entire legislature must approve the use of 28-million dollars from the rainy day fund…