US Representative Steve Scalise admits to speaking to a white supremacist group while serving in the Louisiana legislature in 2002, but the Republican from Jefferson Parish says he detests any kind of hate group. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this story shouldn’t hurt his influence on the rest of the US House of Representatives…

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Scalise serves as the House Majority Whip and he’ll help shape the Republican Party’s agenda when a new Congress convenes next year.

The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested two teen-aged hitchhikers for allegedly stealing a limousine from a Napoleonville funeral home. Deputy Robert Martin says 18-year-old Trey Hebert and 17-year-old Brandon Morris didn’t have a ride home from an area hospital and began hitchhiking…

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Each are charged with felony theft of a motor vehicle.

The Baton Rouge Police Department has arrested the mother of a 2-year-old who died Monday night as a result of trauma. They say 21-year-old Candice Smith told investigators that she pushed her daughter, Da’Laijah Smith, forcefully causing the child to hit her head against a shower wall. Smith also confessed to other physical abuses against her child. Smith is charged with second degreee cruelty to juveniles. Other charges are possible pending the autopsy which is scheduled for tomorrow.

Pineville police have arrested an Alexandria couple who allegedly called in bomb threats at a Wal-Mart as part of a scheme to steal merchandise from the store. Police Chief Donald Weatherford says 57-year-old Hardtner Greenhoward and 33-year-old LaShonda Anderson made the threats on December 21st and 26th…

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Weatherford says Greenhoward and Anderson were charged with felony theft, two counts of terrorizing and criminal conspiracy.