The search continues for the convicted killer who was accidentally released from the East Feliciana Parish jail on September 22nd. 32-year-old Benjueil Johnson was serving a 40 year sentence for a shooting death in Plaquemine back in 2010. State Department of Corrections spokesperson Pam Laborde says they hope they can get Johnson back in custody soon.
CUT 9 (11) “DOC custody”
The state Department of Health and Hopsitals confims a second death in 2015 from West Nile Virus. State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says now there are 54 confirmed cases this year compared to 123 cases and 5 deaths in 2014. He says even though we’re approaching the cooler months, there is still the threat of infected mosquitoes.
CUT 3 (09) “mosquito repellent”
The Louisiana chapter for Americans for Prosperity releases a statewide radio ad to inform voters about lawmakers who voted for tax increases and the expansion of Medicaid. A-F-P State Director Phillip Joffrion says they want to shine a light on those legislators who voted to raise taxes so they aren’t re-elected.
CUT 7 (10) “term fixes”
He says the public can view their lawmakers record at Louisiana score card-dot-com.
There is concern over whether LSU sophomore running back Leonard Fournette should sit out next season so he doesn’t risk an injury before entering the NFL. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says sure there is always a threat in playing football, but college is where athletes learn to grow…:
cut 13 (07) “would want”
Fournette recently tweeted on the topic saying, “I will never jump ship, I’m drowning with my brothers.”

There are many law enforcement agencies with boots on the ground today looking for a murderer who was released from prison by mistake in East Feliciana Parish. Thirty-two-year-old Benjueil Johnson was serving 40 years for manslaughter. State Department of corrections spokesperson Pam Laborde says an employee at Dixon Correctional Institute in Jackson, Louisiana, overlooked the fact that Johnson was a convicted killer and didn’t do the due diligence needed to make sure he would not be accidentally released…:
CUT 11 (08) “make sure”
She says Crime Stoppers is offering a $1000 reward for information leading to Johnson’s capture.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees spoke after practice today and said he is getting better and better everyday and feels really good about the Sunday game against the Cowboys in the Dome. Brees missed his first game to an injured shoulder last weekend, but Number 9 says he’ll be able to make a lot of progress in 4 days.

There have now been two West Nile deaths in Louisiana according to the state Department of Health and Hospitals. State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says there are now 54 confirmed cases in 2015 and 2 deaths. He says it’s important to protect yourself from mosquitoes at least until the end of the year…:
CUT 5 (07) “into December”
Guidry says the latest West Nile death is out of the Baton Rouge area.

The Louisiana Chapter of the Americans for Prosperity is out with an ad letting voters know which of their lawmakers up for re-election in the fall voted for tax increases and Medicaid expasion. A-F-P State Director Phillip Joffrion says the public can view legislators records at LouisianaScoreCard.Com…:
CUT 8 (09) “that site”
The Tea Party affiliated group wants to spotlight lawmakers who voted to raise taxes.

The search continues for a convicted killer from Iberville Parish who was accidentally released from prison. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A debate has started over whether star LSU sophomore running back Leonard Fournette should sit out his junior season so he doesn’t risk injury before heading to the NFL. The Heisman Trophy candidate is not eligible for the draft until after next season. But NFL analyst Mike Detillier says this argument is ridiculous…:
CUT 12 (09) “like that”

There has been a second death this year from the West Nile virus according to DHH and there are now 54 total reported cases. State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says the latest death is out of the Baton Rouge area. He says about 90 percent of the cases they see are asymptomatic, but about 10 percent will develop West Nile Fever…:
CUT 4 (06) “highest risk”
He says even though it’s starting to cool off, mosquitoes remain active through the end of the year in Louisiana and it’s important to protect yourself.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler says the ballots for the upcoming elections have gone to the printer but there’s a chance some races listed will be removed before election day for various reasons. He says when you go to the precinct October 24th you should make sure the person you are voting for is still active…:
CUT 1 (07) “will not count”
He says the sample ballots at geauxvote.com are always up to date.

Authorities still can’t locate a convicted murderer who was released from jail in East Feliciana Parish by mistake last week. 32-year-old Benjueil Johnson pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2013. State Department of corrections spokesperson Pam Laborde says they are working with Crime Stoppers to offer a one-thousand dollar reward for information leading to Johnson’s capture…:
cut 10 (10) “right thing”
Laborde says Johnson’s accidental release was the result of a DOC employee not being diligent.

New Orleans Police are investigating an armed robbery that happened this morning at a school in Treme. They say a teacher was walking into the Success Preparatory Academy around 7am while no children were at the school, when she was approached by a suspect with a gun who robbed her. Police say it also happened to another teacher. The gunman remains at large.

The Louisiana Chapter of the Americans for Prosperity is out with an ad letting voters know which of their lawmakers up for re-election in the fall voted for tax increases and Medicaid expasion. A-F-P State Director Phillip Joffrion says the radio spot includes information about how legislators dealt with the state’s fiscal crisis in the last session..:
CUT 6 (08) “the budget”
He says the public can view their lawmaker’s record at Louisiana Score Card-dot-com. Louisiana AFP has ties to the Tea Party.

ESPN is reporting that Saints quarterback Drew Brees has agreed to convert part of his base salary into a signing bonus. That would give the team more financial flexibility to possibly make a roster move this year.

The manhunt continues for a convicted killer who was mistakenly released from the East Feliciana Parish jail on September 22nd. 32-year-old Benjueil Johnson is supposed to be in prison, serving a 40 year sentence for a 2010 fatal shooting in Plaquemine. State Department of Corrections spokesperson Pam Laborde says they hope to bring Johnson back into custody soon…:
CUT 9 (11) “DOC custody”
Johnson was released as the result of an error made by a DOC employee.

The Monroe Police Department says they are still looking for a suspect in the case of two people who were found shot dead at a bail bondsman’s office. They’ve identified the victims as Ivan Webb, who owns the business, and Catrina Wallace who worked there. Cops say no arrests have been made at this time but the investigation is ongoing.

The state Department of Health and Hospitals confirms a second death this year from the West Nile Virus — this time out of the Baton Rouge area. Emelie Gunn reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says 120 workers in the state died on the job in 2014 according to a preliminary count by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Industries reporting the most fatalities last year were trade, transportation and utilities followed by natural resources and mining.

The state Department of Health and Hospitals confirms a second death this year from the West Nile Virus. State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says there are now 54 confirmed cases in 2015 and 2 deaths, compared to 123 cases and 5 deaths the prior year. He says even as we move into October, the threat of infected mosquitoes is still there..:
CUT 3 (09) “mosquito repellent”
He says the latest West Nile death is out of the Baton Rouge area.

Authorities are still searching for a convicted killer out of Iberville Parish who they say was released from prison by mistake. 32-year-old Benjueil Johnson got 40 years after pleading guilty to manslaughter in a 2010 fatal shooting of a man from Plaquemine. The DOC says this was as staff error. If you see this man please call 911.

Hurricane Joaquine was updated from tropical storm status early this morning as the system approaches the Bahamas. The National Hurricane Center says the center of Joaquine is expected to pass over or near the central Bahamas tonight or tomorrow.

The Saints return to practice today to get ready for Sunday night’s game against Dallas. Michael Farrar has the latest on injured quarterback Drew Brees…:
Cut 2 (25) “I’m Michael Farrar”

And ESPN is reporting that the Saints have restructured Brees’ contract to turn $5.2 million dollars of his salary into a signing bonus. The report shows that this creates $2.6 million dollars in cap space.

The manhunt continues for a convicted killer who was mistakenly released from prison. According to officials, Benjuiel Johnson was able to bond out, because a department of corrections employee didn’t see he was serving a sentence for manslaugther, after completing time for three other felony convictions. Johnson fatally shot a 31-year-old man in Plaquemine in 2010.

Hundreds of cancer patients and surviors have been lobbying members of Congress this week in an attempt to make the fight against cancer more of a national priority. Amber Stevens of Metairie says they are calling for legislation that will ensure cancer patients and doctors are working together when it comes to treatment..
cut 5 (09) “…same page”
With oil prices at around 45-dollars a barrel, Houston-based Hercules Offshore is forced to lay-off 50 rig support workers. The cuts will occur in Cameron parish and Port Fourchon.

In Monroe, police are investigating a double homicide that occurred at a bondsman’s office. The owner of the business, Ivan Webb and an employee, Catrina Wallace, have been identified as the victims. They were were found dead yesterday and the shooter, who authorities believe is associated with the bonding company, remains on the run.

Two men are accused of animal cruelty after shooting and killing a calf and a total of four people are accused of stealing the calf’s meat in Morganza. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says Point Coupee Parish Sheriff’s deputies we’re alerted about a dead calf on the spillway levee. He says investigators discovered the four suspects went to the area with the intention of killing a calf….
cut 10 (10) “…shot gun”
Strain says all four of the suspects have been arrested and booked into the Point Coupee Parish Jail.

Hundreds of cancer patients and survivors are in Washington to lobby Congress to make the fight against cancer a national priority. Amber Stevens of Metairie says they’re calling on the federal government to increase funding for cancer research by an additional six billion dollars over the next two years…
cut 4 (05) “…research”
Stevens says legislation is also needed to be signed that ensures cancer patients and doctors are on the same page when it comes to treatment.

A new airline will offer daily non-stop flights between New Orleans and Shreveport. The airline is called Glo and founder Trey Fayard says they’ll also have flights from Louis Armstrong to Little Rock and Memphis. Fayard says he started the airline after experiencing years of trouble getting around the mid-South….
cut 13 (10) “…these cities”
Flights begin in mid-November.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler says the ballots for the October 24th primary were sent to the printer, but it’s possible more names will be removed before election day. Michelle Southern reports…:
voicer 1 (31) “…reporting”

A couple of employers in Louisiana have notified the Louisiana Workforce Commission about layoffs. The ALCOA Lake Charles-Anode Production company plans to lay off 130 employees. Hercules Offshore is letting 50 employees go, who are part of efforts to transport workers to offshore rigs from Cameron Parish and Port Fourchon.