Governor Edwards says he met with Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator about his concerns over the release of hundreds of inmates next month as part of the state’s criminal justice reform effort. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

About 200 people are reportedly sick in Caldwell Parish from food poisioning. KNOE-TV reports one person has died. The state health department is looking into the outbreak. There’s speculation the food poisioning is from a bad pot of jambalya from a charity softball event.

Pineville Police have made an arrest in the stabbing death of 42-year-old Latish White. A passerby found her body near the Pineville Expressway early Wednesday morning. Pineville Deputy Police Chief Darrell Basco says they learned 29-year-old Matthew Sonnier of Pineville was responsible for her death and arrested him in Alexandria…
Cut 6 (11) “apprehended him.”
Basco says Sonnier was a known acquaintance of White and they believe he stabbed her in his vehicle.

State tax incentives will result in the WestRock paper mill in Hodge to enhance its operations and retain over 400 jobs. State economic development Secretary Don Pierson…
cut 11 (09) “…five years”
WestRock is the larget private employer in Jackson Parish.

The Caddo Parish Commission is expected to vote this afternoon on whether a statue of a Confederate soldier in front of the Caddo Parish courthouse should come down. LSU-Shreveport Associate Political Science Professor Jeffery Sadow says the statue is on a list for National Register of Historic Places , but that likely won’t affect if the monument can be removed or not…
cut 6 (12) “…situated”
Sadow says the public has not made much noise about whether the monument should stay or go.

Governor Edwards met with Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator over his criticism of the early release of inmates as a result of recently approved criminal justice reform legislation. Prator says violent criminals will be back on the streets and “good prisoners” who perform tasks for parish government will also be free. Edwards reacted to Prator’s “good prisoner” comment…
cut 8 (10) “…policy debate”
A Jackson Parish paper mill will remain open thanks to state tax breaks which will result in an updated facility. Kelley Ray has more.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

The state health department is looking into a possible mass food poisioning outbreak in Caldwell Parish. There are reports the illness has sent 200 people to the hospital. A 56-year-old man in the area has died, but it’s unclear if food poison was the cause. There’s speculation jambalaya from a local softball fundraiser could be the cause.

In a couple of weeks, hundreds of inmates will be released as a result of a criminal justice reform package signed into law by Governor John Bel Edwards. Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator voiced concern that violent criminals will be let out early without proper rehabilitation. But Edwards says Prator didn’t have the best information…
Cut 7 (09) “best practices”
Prator also said it was important to keep “good” prisoners incarcerated, so they can pick up trash, wash cars, and cook for first responders. Edwards says these are the inmates Louisiana wants to release early, because they have proven themselves trustworthy and did not commit a violent offense.

Textron Marine and Land Services in New Orleans has received a 333-million dollar contract from the Army to build up to 255 mobile strike force vehicles, which are armored personnel carriers. Textron has previously supplied vehicles to the Afghan national army.
The Caddo Parish Commission votes today on removing the statue of a Confederate soldier outside the parish courthouse. Michelle Southern has more…
Cut 1 (23) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Pineville police detectives are seeking clues into the city’s first homicide of the year. Deputy Chief of Police Darrell Basco says early Wednesday morning the body of 42-year-old Latish White of Alexanderia was found near the Pineville Expressway….
cut 14 (07) “…crime rate”
Basco says White was stabbed multiple times. An exact cause of death will be known when the autopsy is completed.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he has met with Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator after the law enforcement officer delivered harsh criticism of the state’s criminal justice reform movement that will lead to the early release of hundreds of inmates next month. Edwards says he told the sheriff these reform efforts will do more than just reduce the incarceration rate…
cut 9 (07) “…gonna save”
Prator said dangerous criminals will be back out on the streets next month.

The Caddo Parish Commission will vote today on removing a statue of a Confederate soldier that stands outside of the parish courthouse. LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffery Sadow says a vote taken last month indicates the commission leaning towards removing the monument…
Cut 4 (11) “that monument”
The Pineville Police Department is investigating its first homicide of the year. A female body was discovered early Wednesday morning…
cut 15 (05) “…detective office”
That’s Deputy Chief of Police Darrel Basco. The victim has been identified as 42-year-old Latish White of Alexandria.

A Jackson Parish paper mill will keep playing a vital role for the north Louisiana economy. WestRock has announced that it will enhance operations at the mill, saving about 400 jobs at the facility in Hodge and another 37-hundred indirect jobs. State Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says it’s a big economic development win…
Cut 10 (13) “that mill.”
The mill’s annual payroll is 28-million dollars.

Governor Edwards met with Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator about his concerns over the release of hundreds of inmates next month as part of the state’s criminal justice reform effort. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 2 (31) “….I’m Emelie Gunn”

About 200 people are reportedly sick in Caldwell Parish from a bad case of food poisioning. KNOE-TV has reported one person has died. The Louisiana Department of Health is looking into the outbreak. There’s speculation the food poisioning is the result of a bad pot of jambalya from a softball event.

Authorities are searching for clues after a female body was found near the Pineville expressway. Deputy Chief of Pineville Police, Darrell Basco, says 42-year-old Latish White of Alexandria was stabbed multiple times..
cut 13 (11) “…at this time”

Jackson Parish’s largest private employer has announced plans to upgrade the WestRock paper mill in Hodge. State Representative Jack MacFarland says if the facility closed down, it would be catastrophic, since the mill also provides needed utilities…
cut 12 (09) “….wastewater treatment’
The mill produces 800-thousand tons of container board paper each year.

In just a few weeks, hundreds of inmates will be released in Louisiana as a result of a criminal justice reform package signed into law by Governor John Bel Edwards. Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator voiced concern that violent criminals will be released early without proper rehabilitation. But Edwards says Prator didn’t have the best information at hand…
Cut 7 (09) “best practices”

Authorities discovered humain remains in a burned out ditch on Old Boyce Road in Rapides Parish. Sheriff’s office spokesperson Tommy Carnline says an active investigation is underway….
cut 15 (11) “…their mind”
No other details have been provided.

A Jackson Parish paper mill will remain open thanks state tax breaks which will result in an updated facility. Kelley Ray has more.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

UL Lafayette softball coach Michael Lotief has been placed on administrative leave. No reason was given from the university. But Lotief’s attorney says the action arises out of a passionate conversation about gender equity between Lotief and University personnel. The statement says the Lotiefs have spent their careers fighting for better opportunities for female athletes.

An ordinance has been approved in Iberville Parish that makes it illegal to burn the American flag. Kelley Ray has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

According to the Tax Foundation, Louisiana ranks 42nd for tax competitiveness. Senior Policy Analyst Jared Walczak says the state’s tax code is so complicated, it makes it difficult for new companies to conduct business here. The report also ranks Louisiana 50th for sales tax structure.

Research from LSU political communication professor Mike Henderson finds that voter turnout for statewide elections has been on the decline for over 30 years. Is it possible having election day on Saturday is hurting the turnout? Henderson says there two trains of thought…
cut 12 (13) “….down much”
Voter turnout for last Saturday’s election was just 13-percent.

Authorities discovered humain remains in a burned out ditch on Old Boyce Road in Rapides Parish. Sheriff’s office spokesperson Tommy Carnline says an active investigation is underway….
cut 15 (11) “…their mind”
No other details have been provided.

Authorities are still trying to develop a motive on why possible serial killer Ryan Sharpe allegedly shot four people in a shooting spree in East Feliciana and East Baton Rouge Parishes. A source close to the investigation says Sharpe’s ex-girlfriend recently got married, but LSU criminologist Doctor Peter Scharf says many people experience heart break, but do not go on a shooting spree…:
Cut 4 (09) “decifpher often”
According to the arrest affidavit, Sharpe confessed to the shootings.

The largest employer in Jackson Parish announces it will enhance its operations and retain more than 400 existing jobs at the facility. WestRock Company says they are investesting in new equipment and making facility upgrades to its paper mill plant in Hodge. WestRock is utilitizing a state tax rebate and tax exemption program to keep the paper mill running.

There is a noted decline in voter turnout for Louisiana elections….
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern.”

The Iberville Parish Council approves an ordinance that makes it illegal to burn or desecrate the American flag. The council says Iberville is a patriotic parish, but Louisiana ACLU executive director Marjorie Esman says the passage of the ordinance is just the opposite…
cut 9 (12) “….unconstitutional laws”