A new statewide poll by MarblePoint Polling shows support for higher cigarette taxes, but residents do not approve of Common Core or Governor Bobby Jindal’s job performance. Eric Gill reports…:
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State Police say a former detective with the Ville Platte Police Department has been arrested on multiple charges. Authorities say Nathanial Savoy, who also owns a roofing business, was allegedly spotted on surveillance video stealing roofing materials from a local business. He was reportedly in a police unit when the crime was committed.

A Natchitoches man is facing hate crime and battery charges after an incident in which he is accused of grabbing a woman’s back side. Police Captain Chris Payne says 35-year-old Roderick Rachal is a repeat offender…:
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Payne says it appears that in each case Rachal targets a specific race and gender which is why he also is charged with hate crimes.

Gas prices appear to be remaining steady and at least dropping a bit. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is now $2.24 down a penny from the day before and a little over two cents lower than last week.