State Police announced today that the suspected shooter in the death of East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff’s deputy Shawn Anderson is 30-year-old Brandon Wiley of Baton Rouge. The shooting took place Saturday night at a barber shop and deputies went there to talk with Wiley, because he is a suspect in the rape of a 15-year-old girl. A struggle ensued between Wiley and Anderson. Both men were shot, Wiley remains in critical condition, while Anderson was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Sheriff’s office spokesperson Casey Hicks says Sergeant Anderson was a true public servant who did whatever needed to be done…
cut 6 (10) “…of the road”
Sergeant Anderson had been with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s office for nearly 18 years and had received numerous awards. He leaves behind two children.

The latest U.S. Census report on income finds 44-percent of children under the age of 5 in New Orleans, are living in poverty. Demographer Greg Rigamer says we’ve seen statistics like this for a while…:
Cut 11 (09) “a trend”
He says focusing on improving education could help put an end to young children living in poverty.

Today is the first day of spring and the climate prediction center is calling for above-normal temperatures over the next three months and above-average rainfall. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’re probably done with the cold weather…
cut 5 (08) “…has to offer”

And LSU along with the state office of public health will provide all students and faculty with free mumps vaccinations on Wenesday and Thursday. About a dozen LSU students have been diagnosed with the mumps.