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…

cut 8 (10) “leadership post”

Scalise serves as the House Majority Whip.

LSU’s football season ended today with a 31-28 loss to Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl. The Fighting Irish won with a 32-yard field goal in the final seconds. The loss spoiled a great effort from Leonard Fournette who had 3 touchdowns, including a 100-yard kick-off return for a touchdown. But LSU’s defense gave up 449 total yards, 263 on the ground.

As the state’s industrial boom continues, Louisiana’s largest utility company finds itself needing to generate more power to meet demand. Entergy will likely build new power plants, to the tune of $1 billion apiece, which their customers will be expected to pay for. But spokesperson Mike Burns says the company believes they will still be able to keep customers electricity costs among the lowest in the nation…

cut 5 (10) “on our customers”

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…

cut 9 (10) “be done”

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