Louisiana’s budget problems are worse than previously thought. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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A Monroe man is under arrest after a hate crime sent one man to the hospital. The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office says 23-year-old Tarus Williams went into a Richwood store and began harassing a store employee with racial slurs. When the employee attempted to get the suspect to leave the store, Williams smashed a glass bottle on his head. The victim was treated at a local hospital. Williams is charged with a hate crime and second degree battery.

Assumption Parish Sheriff Mike Waguespak says 18-year-old Jamal Starks is charged with negligent homicide in an accidental shooting death earlier this month. Waguespack says Starks was playing with a handgun when it accidentally discharged, shooting 17-year-old Dronald Washington in the head. He says this is a prime example of why no one should ever play with guns…

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Bail for Starks has been set at $125,000.

State Police says an Independence Police Officer is under arrest accused of using his position to steal money from non-English speaking Hispanic males during traffic stops. Spokesman Dustin Dwight says 25-year-old Laquinton Banks was arrested for three felony charges, theft, malfeasance in office and a hate crime…

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Dwight says the investigation is on-going.