Tonight, the Investigation Discovery show “Web of Lies” will feature the story of the kidnapping, murder, and arrest of 12-year-old Justin Bloxom’s killer. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 1 (27) “reporting”

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A proposal designed to control the cost of TOPS will be promoted an 11:00 press conference today. Scott Carwile has more…

Cut 2 (29) “reporting”

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An $8,500 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who shot a bald eagle in Caddo Parish. Jeff Palermo has more…

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Tonight, Investigation Discovery’s documentary style show “Web of Lies” will feature the story of the kidnapping, murder, and arrest of 12-year-old Justin Bloxom’s killer. Bloxom’s body was found in a shallow pool of water in Stonewall in March of 2010. DeSoto Parish Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle says the show can bring to light how vulnerable our children are and how predators operate…

cut 4  (10)  “in this case”

Brian Horn, a previously convicted sex offender, was sentenced to death for Justin’s murder last year. Horn lured Bloxom to his death with fake text messages, pretending to be a girl from his school. Arbuckle says Justin’s story should be a reminder to parents to keep up with what their kids are doing…

Cut 5  (09)  “on with them”

Amy Bloxom Fletcher, Justin’s mom, agreed to share the story to remind people about the dangers children can face from predators through social media and texting. Several people involved in the case were interviewed for the show. Arbuckle says he supports the program airing tonight at 9…

Cut 6 (07)  “what they’re doing”

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Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue files legislation that he says will control the cost of the TOPS scholarship program. Donahue says under his bill a baseline would be set on how much a student receives for tuition and that dollar amount will not go up in future years, unless the legislature votes to change it

CUT 7 (09)  “school increases”

Every year the cost of the TOPS program for the state grows by the millions, because of rising tuition costs at public colleges. Donahue under his bill the TOPS award stays the same for a student through their college career, even if tuition goes up

Cut 8  (08)  “53 hundred” 

Higher education officials and the Taylor Foundation, which started the TOPS program, will promote Donahue’s bill at an 11 o’ clock press conference today in Baton Rouge. Donahue says there’s support for each TOPS recipient receiving the same amount of money, regardless if tuition is up from the year before

Cut 9 (10)  “increased by the legislature”

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It’s the peak of crawfish harvest season and the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s office is increasing patrols around crawfish ponds to deter thieves from stealing crawfish. Lt. Clay Higgins says deputies have been guarding ponds annually since 2011…

Cut 10 (08) “across the parish”

Higgins says the sheriff’s office is determined to protect the crop for the parish’s crawfish farmers. He says officers often are waiting in the dark, blacked out in their patrol unit, watching for any suspicious activity. Higgins says if you steal just $300 in crawfish, that’s a felony and the penalty is very stiff…

cut 11 (04) “hard labor”

He says a thief could get two years of hard labor for stealing just a few sacks of crawfish. Higgins says these additional patrols have been very successful in keeping the number of crawfish thefts down…

cut 12 (08)  “over four years”

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Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards, blames republican candidate Scott Angelle for helping to create the state’s one-point-six billion dollar budget deficit. Angelle is currently a Public Service Commissioner, but he previously served in Bobby Jindal’s administration. Edwards made the swipe at Angelle during a governor’s forum in Baton Rouge

Cut 13 (09)  “light the match”

During Angelle’s opening statement, he said his door would be open to solutions from anyone when it comes to the state’s budget problems

Cut 14 (11) “tax program”

Governor Bobby Jindal is using the Americans for Tax Reform and it’s “no tax” pledge to develop solutions for the state’s current budget woes, but Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says the answer to Louisiana’s problems are not in Washington D-C

Cut 15  (06)  “our state”

The candidates appeared at a lunchtime forum that was put together by Louisiana’s small business community. Republican Senator David Vitter expressed his strong opposition to Jindal’s plan to scale back the state’s inventory tax credit as a way to raise revenues for state government

Cut 16  (12)  “job creators”

A poll from LSU finds Louisiana residents like the concept behind Common Core, until you call it “Common Core.” Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 1 (28) “reporting”

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The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana alleges that Albert Hardison, principal at Walnut Hill Elementary/Middle School in Shreveport, engaged in unlawful religious coercion by using God, prayer, and Christianity in school publications. Eric Gill reports…

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As body cameras are being introduced to more law enforcement agencies across the state, a Baton Rouge lawmaker wants to make it a requirement that all law enforcement officers are equipped with the new technology. State Representative Dalton Honore says the use of body cameras can protect both citizens and police officers…

CUT 3 (08)  “down tremendously”

Honore says body cameras can solve a lot of issues between citizens and law enforcement, similar to what dashboard cameras on police vehicles have done…

CUT 4 (05)  “a vehicle”

He says there have been recent incidents around the country where the use of body cameras would have answered a lot of questions. Honore feels that a body camera is a great tool in keeping everyone honest…

CUT 5 (07)  “great protection”

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A poll conducted by LSU finds Louisiana residents oppose education standards that are called Common Core, but support the concept. Doctor Michael Henderson, director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab, says when citizens were asked if they support Common Core, only 39-percent said yes….

CUT 6 (07)  “67-percent support it”

Henderson says when they didn’t use the term “Common Core” and asked residents if they support higher academic standards that allows Louisiana to compare student achievement with other states 67-percent support it.

Henderson says the poll also shows the public is poorly informed on who developed the education standards for common core. He says that’s based on the answers they got when they asked who developed the standards, the federal government or the state

CUT 7 (06)  “some guessing”

Henderson says the political fighting over Common Core shows that it has tainted the Common Core brand….

CUT 8 (11)  “Common Core”

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The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana allegesthat Albert Hardison, principal at Walnut Hill Elementary/Middle School in Shreveport, engaged in unlawful religious coercion by using God, prayer, and Christianity in school publications. Louisiana ACLU Executive Director Marjorie Esman says they recently learned of a newsletter Hardison sent home to parents ahead of standardized testing…

CUT 9 (09)  “on the test”

She says the school’s website also features a “Principal’s Message” that includes references to God and Christ. Esman says these references are a direct violation of the separation of Church and State. She says it’s troubling because Hardison should know what the Constitution says about this…

cut 10 (11) “good example” (2x)

In a statement, Caddo Parish Public Schools say they are investigating and taking steps to ensure school employees are not violating the Constitution. Esman says a letter has been sent to Caddo Parish School Superintendent Lamar Goree asking that all religious references be removed from the school’s website…

cut 11 (08)  “breaking the law”

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Indiana is taking a lot of heat for its new “religious freedom” law. Sarah Jane Brady, with the Forum for Equality, hopes Louisiana can learn from Indiana when they push a law in the upcoming session that protects discrimination against people based on their sexual orientation and gender identity…

cut 12 (10)  “here in Louisiana”

Every year, lawmakers in Baton Rouge shoot down bills to protect the L-G-B-T community and there’s also a constitutional amendment on the books that bans gay marriages in Louisiana. Brady hopes what has happened in Indiana will lead to changes with Lousiaina’s discrimination laws

cut 13 (10)  “need protection”

Critics of Indiana’s law says it allows businesses to discriminate against gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender individuals. Brady says they’ll seek to pass a law in the upcoming session to make sure the LGBT community is protected from discrimination in Louisiana

cut 14 (11)  “community”

The four announced candidates for governor will discuss issues impacting small businesses in a forum hosted by National Federation of Independent Business. Jeff Palermo has more…

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A Lafayette legislator proposes a bill that would require state high school students to pass a test equal to the civics portion of the US Naturalization Test. Scott Carwile reports…

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

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Supporters for Common Core in Louisiana public schools have won a legal battle. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

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Today the National Federation of Independent Business, along with the Louisiana Restaurant Association and the Louisiana Retailers Association, will host a panel discussion featuring the four announced candidates for governor. Louisiana NFIB Director Dawn Starns expects a good crowd to listen to what these candidates have to say…

cut 4  (08)  “business in mind”

The 90-minute forum will take place in Baton Rouge. Starns expects the candidates to address several issues regarding small business…

Cut 5  (09)  “incentive programs”

Starns says this is a great opportunity for small business owners to make an informed decision on who they will support in this year’s governor’s race…

Cut 6 (08)  “of our economy”

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A Lafayette legislator proposes a bill that would require state high school students to pass a test equal to the civics portion of the US Naturalization Test. Senator Page Cortez says 92-percent of immigrants pass the naturalization test, while studies have shown that less than 4-percent of US born high school students are capable of getting a passing grade…

CUT 7 (10)  “natural born citizens”

He says there is a concern nationally that that naturalized citizens know more about our government than natural-born citizens. Cortez says his bill ultimately make this test a requirement for graduation…

Cut 8  (08)  “pass civics” 

Cortez says this is part of a national movement called the “Civics Initiation Initiative” that hopes to have this implemented in all 50 states by 2017. He says there’s more to this than just smarten up kids in civics class…

Cut 9 (06)  “public service”  (2x)

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A Bossier Parish man’s bond is set at three-million dollars and he faces up to 120 years in prison if convicted on child pornography charges. State Police trooper Matt Harris says during a search of 60-year-old Robert Childs’ home they found cameras that were recording houses in the neighborhood where children lived

Cut 10 (08) “to a DVR”

Harris says state police had a warrant to search Childs’ home after an IP address located inside his house was found to be downloading child pornography. He says once inside, agents located strategically placed  cameras

cut 11 (10) “were recording”

Harris says child pornography was also being downloaded at the time of the search. Childs was charged with 300 counts of possession of child pornography and three counts of distribution of child porn. He says Childs faces up to 120 years in prison if convicted on these charges

cut 12 (06)  “number one priority”

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A state judge throws out a lawsuit that sought to remove Common Core from Louisiana’s public schools. Judge Tim Kelley says he dismissed the suit, because it should have been filed within two years after BESE approved Common Core in 2010. State Education Superintendent John White applauds the decision

Cut 13 (09)  “five years ago”

White says he’s glad the courts dismissed an attempt to force teachers back to the drawing board when there’s solid education standards already in place.

Cut 14 (10) “Thursday morning quarterbacking”

Seventeen lawmakers filed the lawsuit, which is backed by Governor Bobby Jindal. Lake Charles Representative Brett Geymann says they plan to appeal. Geymann disagrees with Judge Kelley’s ruling, because the adoption of Common Core was done illegally and without public comment….

Cut 15  (08)  “first place”

Despite Judge Kelley’s ruling, Geymann says they’ll continue efforts to eliminate Common Core through the courts and the upcoming legislative session…

Cut 16  (06)  “have that removed”

The Louisiana Democratic Party endorses Amite Representative John Bel Edwards as its candidate in Louisiana’s governor’s race. Jeff Palermo reports…

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The National Wildlife Federation releases a report that finds dolphins along Louisiana’s coast dying in large numbers and sea turtles having trouble nesting. Jeff Palermo has more…

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries continues its investigation into a fatal boat wreck on the Pearl River in St. Tammany Parish. The incident claimed the life of 41-year-old Terry O’ Keefe Junior of Folsum and his 31-year-old girlfriend Jonie Morgan still has not been found. L-D-W-F spokesperson Adam Einck says their 14 foot aluminum vessel capsized on Saturday near lock number 3…

CUT 3 (07)  “went into water”

Einck says there were three children on the boat, who survived because they wore life jackets. He says a 16-year-old came upon the scene and tried to drag two of the children and the mother to safety

CUT 4 (08)  “she went under”

The youngest person on the boat was a four-year-old girl. Einck says it appears at this time she was stuck under the vessel….

CUT 5 (09)  “to shore”

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The Louisiana Democratic Party endorses Amite Representative John Bel Edwards as its candidate in Louisiana’s governor’s race. It is believed that this move will deter other major Democratic candidates from jumping into the race. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat thinks this shows that Edwards is the Democrats last, best hope for governor…

CUT 6 (10)  “where he is”

Pinsonat says this is a sign that New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu has told people privately that he will not run for the governor’s seat. Pinsonat says the party’s endorsement, on top of others Edwards has received, puts him in a good position…

CUT 7 (08)  “the runoff”

Pinsonat says this is a good endorsement for Edwards, but it is a mixed bag. He says Louisiana voters haven’t been kind to Democrats in recent statewide elections…

CUT 8 (10)  “Democrats in Louisiana”

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The state Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating an early morning fatal fire in Caddo Parish that claimed the lives of a husband and wife. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says firefighters found the mobile home fully engulfed in flames when they arrived shortly after 2AM…

CUT 9 (11)  “unsuccessfully”

53-year-old Richard Fowler and his wife, 54-year-old Wanda Fowler were pronounced dead at the scene. Browning says the investigation is in its initial stages and information is limited…

cut 10 (10) “quickly escape”

Investigators were informed by relatives that the couple were heavy smokers who suffered from COPD. Browning says they have found no indications of foul play in this fire. He says investigators did find the remains of smoke alarms in the trailer…

cut 11 (11)  “know right now”

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A report from the National Wildlife Federation provides evidence that sea turtles, dolphins, fish and birds are still suffering from the BP oill spill that occurred nearly five years ago. Lead author of the report, Ryan Fikes, says the number of Kemp’s ridley sea turtle nests have declined on average since 2010….

cut 12 (10)  “poor health”

The National Wildlife Federation report looked at how 20 types of wildlife are faring in the wake of the spill. Fikes says the exposure to oil has been shown to cause abnormal development in many species of fish and dolphins on the Louisiana coast were found dead at four times the historic rates in 2014.

cut 13 (06)  “deep water horizon”

Fikes says comprehensive modeling estimates that 12-percent of the brown pelicans and 32-percent of the laughing gulls in the northern gulf died as a result of the oil spill

cut 14 (09)  “laughing gulls”