Lt. Clay Higgins of the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office and his CrimeStoppers videos are officially all over the place with more and more national exposure piling on. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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The East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office says a man from Clinton is charged with a hate crime for allegedly pulling down the pants of a 12-year-old and making racial slurs towards him at a gas station. Emilie Gunn reports.

CUT 2 (24) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Deville mother accused of filing a false kidnapping report. Lt. Tommy Carnline says 24-year-old Ashley Ballard reported the incident happened as she was walking down the road with her four children…

CUT 3 (09)  “and left”

Carnline says Ballard claims four men in a car knocked her down and kidnapped her 2-year-old child. Ballard says she was able to recover the child in a ditch down the road. Carnline says investigators began canvassing the area searching for the car, but things weren’t adding up…

CUT 4 (09)  “was false”

He says Ballard gave inconsistent statements leading them to determine the alleged kidnapping never took place. Ballard is charged with filing a false police report. Carnline says they have yet to determine Ballard’s motive in filing the false report. He says the Sheriff’s office always wants to err on the side of caution and they treat every call like it’s a legitimate call…

CUT 5 (07) “a good thing”

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Lt. Clay Higgins of the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office and his CrimeStoppers videos are officially all over the place after getting exposure on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon this week. In the latest video, Higgins, aka “The Cajun John Wayne,” calls out someone who robbed a local supermarket…:

CUT 6 (12)  “in a cell door”

The video, which is also making the rounds from CNN to Fox News, has over 1.3 million views on YouTube. Lt. Higgins tells us this crime is being seen by people from all over the world and remarks in the video, “Congratulations son, I’m about to make you famous,”…:

CUT 7 (09) “lead to an arrest”

After playing the video, Fallon told the audience that he believes Lt. Higgins should run for president. Lt. Higgins says creating these Crimestopper videos and getting the word out about crimes happening in the Acadiana region, even on this national stage, is his job…:

CUT 8 (10)  “responses”

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Legislation that will increase benefits for veterans has been unanimously approved by the US House.  Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish authored the measure which is his first to be approved by The House. He says under the bill vets will receive a cost of living adjustment tied to social security.

CUT 9 (08)  “our veterans”

Abraham says this is the least we can do and more should be done for our veterans. He says reforming the V-A is his top legislative priority.

cut 10 (08)  “department”

The bill will now go to the Senate for consideration. Abraham says if this becomes law, the benefits will begin in December. He says vets regularly come into the the office and tell him what a struggle it is to make ends meet in this economy.

cut 11 (11)  “the solution”

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State Police say two people from Houston were busted for allegedly cheating at Lake Charles casinos in two separate incidents. Sgt. James Anderson says 44-year-old Long Nquyen and 41-year-old Thu Vo were both playing Mini-Baccarat…:

cut 12 (10)  “then arrested”

The man and woman were each charged with counts of cheating and swindling and were booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center. Anderson says people who gamble should know that surveillance operators at all of Louisiana’s casinos are very observant and proactive…:

cut 13 (07)  “cheat the casino”

Anderson says the suspects thought they could get away with placing bonus wagers after already seeing the dealer’s winning hand, but they were being watched the entire time. Anderson says if you cheat, you will be caught and face stiff penalties…:

cut 14 (07)  “involved”

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The July campaign finance report shows that Republican David Vitter has more campaign dollars on hand than his three gubernatorial opponents combined. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

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The Republican Party of Louisiana officially endorses Jeff Landry for Attorney General in the upcoming election, instead of incumbent GOP Buddy Caldwell. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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There have been three fatal police shootings in the last three days in Louisiana. The latest occurred in Houma where a theft suspect was shot and killed by officers Monday afternoon. State Police Trooper Evan Harrell says a pursuit ensued after a failed traffic stop. He says eventually, officers were able to stop the suspect’s vehicle…

CUT 3 (08)  “at the officers”

He says the traffic stop was initiated after a Terrebonne Parish deputy recognized the 45-year-old white male from the Houma area as someone wanted for theft. Harrell says the subject emerged from his vehicle pointing a gun at the officers and they were forced to take lethal action…

CUT 4 (07)  “on the scene”

Officers fatally wounded the suspect and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Harrell says the State Police investigation is ongoing. He says it’s always difficult when police are forced to fire their weapon…

CUT 5 (08) “involved in”

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The July campaign finance report shows that Republican David Vitter has more campaign dollars on hand than his three gubernatorial opponents combined. Vitter’s campaign reports more than $5 million in cash on hand for this fall’s election. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this clearly shows Vitter’s advantages over the rest of the field…

CUT 6 (08)  “rest of them”

Republicans Jay Dardenne and Scott Angelle report $1.8 million and $1 million in cash on hand respectively, while Democrat John Bel Edwards reports $1.1 million. Pinsonat says, at this point in the race, Vitter is the guy, but the others are hoping that will change…

CUT 7 (07) “making a difference”

Despite all of this fundraising activity, Pinsonat says you probably won’t see a lot of ads or activity from these campaigns until Labor Day weekend. He says that’s when this governor’s race will really kick off…

CUT 8 (08)  “September the 4th”

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries have cited two men accused of stealing over 500 alligator eggs valued at over $10,000. LDWF spokesperson Gabe Giffin says agents observed 24-year-old Christopher Trahan of Lake Charles and 47-year-old Paul Canick of Grand Chenier taking alligator eggs from the marsh…

CUT 9 (10)  “to be on”

Giffin says Canick does have an alligator egg collector’s permit, but is not authorized to collect eggs from the area where he was caught. He says agents seized the eggs from the pair. Giffin says the department sold the eggs to an alligator farmer at market value…

cut 10 (07)  “into their pocket”

Trahan and Canick are cited for illegal possession of alligator eggs and not following refuge rules and regulations. First offense for taking unpermitted alligator eggs carries up to a $900 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Giffin says LDWF agents put in a lot of work to ensure cases like this are brought to justice…

cut 11 (05)  “and out there”

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The Louisiana Republican Party is officially endorsing Jeff Landry for Attorney General rather than the GOP incumbent, Buddy Caldwell. Party Chairman Roger Villere says they noticed how Landry performed in Congress and feel comfortable he is the right candidate to move forward with in the race.

cut 12 (09)  “better job”

Neither Landry or Villere would directly explain why Caldwell was not getting the endorsement.  Landry’s campaign says he is honest, ethical and hardworking. He says he has 80 days before the election to give reasons why he will be a better A-G than Caldwell.

cut 13 (11)  “government”

The Louisiana Republican Party says this is the first time since 1991, when the party didn’t support the Republican statewide incumbent. That year they endorsed Clyde Holloway over Governor Buddy Roemer. Villere says Landry’s always been a strong supporter of the Republican party.

cut 14 (11)  “best candidate”

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The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s office says an 81-year-old man is booked
on child rape charges which allegedly occurred in the mid-1980s. Warren Danos of LaRose is booked with Aggravated Rape. Sheriff’s Office spokesman Brennan Matherne says they were contacted by a woman who claimed she was victimized by Danos as a child about 30 years ago…:

cut 15 (11) “under the age of 10” 

Matherne says a woman claimed the rapes took place between 1984-1986 when she was less than 10 years of age. He says detectives investigated and obtained a warrant for Danos’ arrest…:(Danos was released after posting $5,000 bond.)

cut 16 (08) “for the warrant” 

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Today, the Louisiana Republican Party is expected to announce their endorsement of former Congressman Jeff Landry in this year’s Attorney General’s race.  Scott Carwile reports…

CUT 1 (28) “I’m Scott Carwile”

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The State Department of Health and Hospitals announces resources for residents having a hard time dealing with the Lafayette movie theater shooting. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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Authorities have completed an important phase of their investigation into the deadly Lafayette movie theater shooting. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Today, the Louisiana Republican Party is expected to announce their endorsement of former Congressman Jeff Landry in this year’s Attorney General’s race. Landry is seeking to unseat current AG and fellow Republican Buddy Caldwell. LaPolitics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says there is no doubting Landry’s Republican stripes.

cut 4  (09)  “with evangelicals”

West Baton Rouge prosecutor Martin Maley has also declared for this race. Alford says this endorsement would be a big blow for Caldwell, but not very surprising. He says Caldwell has rubbed a lot of people the wrong way in recent years.

Cut 5  (08)  “Republican Party”

He says Caldwell received a lot of criticism among Republicans for offering encouraging words to former Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu in her unsuccessful bid for re-election last year. Alford says the Republican Party endorsement of Landry will show that Caldwell is in for a major race this fall.

Cut 6 (08)  “2015 cycle”

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The Department of Health and Hospitals has established resources for residents who are having a hard time dealing with the Lafayette movie theater shooting and need someone to talk to. Brad Farmer is with the Acadiana Area Human Services District. He says people can reach out to professionals if you think you need help…:

CUT 7 (11)  “crisis services”

Farmer says they are also offering information to parents on how to speak to their children about such an event. He says people are affected by tragedies of this magnitude differently — possibly feeling physical or emotional draining, anger, guilt or sadness at various times…:

Cut 8  (11)  “that are available” 

You can get information on 24-hour-crisis hotlines and support groups online at dhh.louisiana.gov. Farmer says their 24-hour-crisis line is toll free at 1-877-655-8241. He says there may even be people out there who are not directly connected to the shooting, but are still struggling with dealing with it and can seek help…:

Cut 9 (07) “home community”

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The USDA has cited a UL-Lafayette research facility in New Iberia for both the injury and death of two different monkeys and for also allowing monkeys to escape their cages. According to the government report, a monkey was electrocuted to death in 2013, another primate’s leg was broken due to improper handling. Co-founder of Stop Animal Exploitation Now Michel Budkie says this isn’t the first time government regulators have come down against the research facility…

Cut 10 (04) “criminal history”

Budkie says UL Lafayette was fined 38-thousand dollars in 2011 after three young rhesus monkeys died of negligence. He says the USDA is not done investigating the facility and these new citations might mean a higher fine added against the center….

cut 11 (09) “killing animals”  

The USDA report did say corrective actions have taken place. And UL Lafayette says they remain committed to animal well-being and biomedical research. But Budkie says there are more advanced ways to conduct this type of research, without harming primates…

cut 12 (06) “last century technology”

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Republican Senators Bill Cassidy and David Vitter took a moment on the Senate floor to honor the victims and heroes in the Lafayette movie theater shooting. Jillian Johnson and Mayci Breaux were killed in the horrific attack. Cassidy says Johnson served the community with kindness and grace, while Breaux had tremendous compassion and enthusiasm for life…

Cut 13 (10)  “their memories live”

Funeral services were held yesterday for Johnson and Breaux. The Senators also thanked first responders, theater staff and school teachers Jena Meaux and Ali Martin. Cassidy says Meaux and Martin acted bravely in their efforts to stop the shooter

Cut 14 (09) “to alert authorities”

We’ve learned since the shooting that the gunman, John Russell Martin, had a history of mental illnees.  Cassidy says it’s time to reform America’s mental health system and he’s working on legislation with Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy

Cut 15  (07)  “fails to do so”

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