A 67-year-old Opelousas woman is facing animal cruelty charges after she shot her pet llama four times. St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Major Eddie Thibodaux says Madeline Bourgeois is facing the felony charge, because the llama had finished attacking her and she didn’t need to use the weapon to defend herself…
cut 4 (09) “…to animals”
The Llama is recovering at a local animal hospital.

A record seven local governments now have a state-appointed administrator to help those communities who are under financial distress. State legislative auditor Daryl Purpera says the fiscal mess was so bad, these local entities usually welcome the help…
cut 12 (08) “…administrator”
Bogalusa and Sterlington are the latest cities to receive an administrator.

The Humane Society is working to find homes for 16 horses that will march in this year’s carnival parades. It’s the third year of the program and has so far saved 32 horses from potentially being sent to slaughter. Humane Society of Louisiana CEO Jeff Dorson says these horses are brought into the area to accommodate equine demand during Mardi Gras.
Cut 6 (13) “…sale barns.”
If you are interested in purchasing any of the horses go to the Facebook page for the Louisiana Mardi Gras Parade Horse adoption program.

A record seven local governments in Louisiana are under control of a fiscal administrator appointed by the state, because of budget woes. Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera says the administrators have broad authority to address the fiscal crisis by laying off employees or raising rates….
Cut 10 (10) “…making decisions”
This week the Fiscal Review Committee appointed administrators to handle the finances of Bogalusa and Sterlington.

A 67-year-old Opelousas woman faces criminal charges after she allegedly shot her pet llama after it attacked her. St. Landry Sheriff’s Major Eddie Thibodaux says Madeline Bourgeois has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty.
Cut 3 (11) “…shot at him.”
The Llama is recovering at a local animal hospital.

Louisiana Community and Technical College System president Monty Sullivan responds to Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed’s comments on the cost of attending a community college. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office took into custody a student at St. Martinville High School after the subject posted video on social media that had him brandishing a handgun on a school bus and also inside a classroom. The arrest took place yesterday morning.

The state health department reports the number of flu cases has spiked with Louisiana reporting widespread flu activity. Immunization director for the Louisiana Department of Health, Doctor Frank Welch, says the flu season could get worse with Mardi Gras parades and celebrations set to ramp up. He recommends washing your hands frequently and do not share drinks…
cut 8 (11) “….that flu shot”
The flu causes about 500 deaths and three-thousand hospitalizations every year in Louisiana.

A cold front is sweeping across the state today. It’s in the mid 40s for most of the state today, but the cold front has yet to move through southeast Louisiana. So it’s still in the low 70s there. But the temperature will fall fast once the front moves through. Stormy weather will return on Friday.

Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says Louisiana students use a larger part of their income to attend a community college compared to their peers in the South and nationally. But president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College system, Monty Sullivan, says the state’s community and technical schools have not raised tuition in four years and fees in three years…
cut 5 (11) “….affordable”
Reed encourages students to apply for financial assistance.

Teacher pay is expected to be a big topic when the legislative session begins in April. Abbeville Senator Bob Hensgens has filed a bill that would give teachers a 250-dollar tax deduction for supplies paid out of pocket. The Vermillion Parish Republican hopes passing the legislation will inspire more school districts to help teachers pay for supplies.
Cut 15 (06) “…do more.” (2x)
The deduction would apply to anyone who is employed as a teacher or aid in a qualified school, and works on average fifteen hours a week.

The state health department says one out of ten visits to a health care provider are for flu-like symptoms. Flu bug expert Dr. Frank Welch says flu season has peaked just in time for Mardi Gras.
Cut 7 (05) “…go get it.”
The flu causes about 500 deaths and nearly three-thousand hospitalizations every year.

Abbeville Senator Bob Hensgens has pre-filed a bill for the legislative session that begins in April that would give teachers a 250 dollar tax deduction for buying school supplies, reviving a temporary deduction that expired in 2008. Hensgens says a similar bill failed two years ago, but is bringing the legislation back after reading a report on teacher spending…
Cut 13 (10) “…should encourage.”

Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed said this week the cost of attending a community college is too expensive when compared to what students in other southern states are paying. But Chancellor of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System Monty Sullivan, says their schools only receive state funding and tuition, while other states have three funding sources.
Cut 4 (11) “…oranges.”
Sullivan says their board is constantly looking at keeping costs down for students, while raising the value of the education.

Seven different local governments are using state-appointed administrators to help manage their financial books. Legislative auditor Daryl Purpera says they’ve never had so many state administrators at one time and the goal is to quickly get a town’s finances back in order so control can be handed back to the local elected officials….
Cut 11 (08) “…the situation.”
Purpera says the longest running case of fiscal administration is Madison Parish Hospital, which has been under administration for three years.

With Mardi Gras parades beginning to roll, state health officials warn it’s the perfect opportunity for the flu virus to spread. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Voicer 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barhhart”

The former longtime executive director of the national Delta Kapp Epsilon fraternity told the Advocate it was known for 30 years the LSU chapter had severe hazing problems and the university knew it too. Nine DKEs were arrested last week on hazing charges and LSU has placed multiple administrators on leave for failing to act properly after hearing rumors.

A record seven local governments now have a state-appointed administrator to handle their finances. State legislative auditor Daryl Purpera says the fiscal mess was so bad, these local entities usually welcome the help…
cut 12 (08) “…administrator”
Bogalusa and Sterlington are the latest towns to receive an administrator and Purpera says up to eight more muncipalities are also on the brink of getting one.

Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed said this week the cost to attend one of the state’s community colleges is too high for Louisiana residents, but the leader of the state’s community and technical college system, Monty Sullivan, says a degree from one of their institutions, usually allows a person to double their income compared to the state’s per capita income.
Cut 6 (10) “…partners.”

A record seven local governments in Louisiana are under control of a fiscal administrator appointed by the state, because of budget woes. Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera says the administrators have broad authority to address the fiscal crisis by laying off employees or raising rates….
Cut 10 (10) “…making decisions”
This week the Fiscal Review Committee appointed administrators to handle the finances of Bogalusa and Sterlington.

Increasing teacher pay will be a big initiative in the upcoming legislative session, Abbeville Senator Bob Hensgens has also pre-filed a bill that would give teachers a 250-dollar tax deduction for school supplies they purchase for the classroom. Hensgens says there’s been some movement to address the substantial costs of supplies, but not enough…
Cut 14 (09) “…jobs done”

Chancellor of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System Monty Sullivan responds to Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed’s comments on the cost of attending a community college. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

24-7 sports ranks LSU football’s 2020 recruiting class as the best in the country after receiving a commitment from a four-star defensive end in Texas…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Higher Education Commission Kim Hunter Reed says more needs to be done to protect college students from hazing….
cut 5 (11) “…goes wrong”
Reed is disappointed over last week’s arrest of nine LSU students suspected of hazing at fratnerity that’s since been closed.

A Gonzales man has been arrested and charged with his 3rd DWI following an overnight crash in Ascension Parish that left one dead. The head-on collision happened just before 11:30 last night when 28-year-old Greg Rivere was traveling eastbound on Highway 43. State Trooper Tayler Scrantz says for an unknown reason, Rivere crossed the center line, striking an oncoming vehicle.
Cut 6 (08) “…for minor injuries.”
30-year-old Daniel Cox of Prairieville was killed in the accident.

Heavy rainfall came down in north Louisiana this morning and Michael Berry with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says more downpours are expected today and in the overnight hours…
cut 12 (10) “…east in the morning”
Berry says forecasters are also keeping their eye on the potential of severe weather on Saturday, a day full of Mardi Gras parades across the state