Two suspects in a Lafayette kidnapping apparently drowned in the Intracoastal Canal after evading deputies in a chase. That’s according to West Baton Rouge Sheriff Mike Cazes (Caze), who says Iberville Parish deputies called for assistance in a pursuit down I-10…:
Cut 10 (08) “his problem”
He said the chase ended in a manhunt, then the two bodies were later found in the canal. Lafayette Police believe these two individuals were connected to an aggravated kidnapping.

Livingston Parish students and teachers are looking forward to a normal school year as they head back to school today. School superintendent Rick Wentzel says crews worked extensively on 8 campuses damaged in the flood last year. Three of those are complete, but five in the Denham Springs area will not be fully rebuilt for some time…:
Cut 4 (11) “next summer”
This year all students in the parish will receive free breakfast and lunch.

LSP in Troop C, which covers southeast Louisiana, is worried about the uptick in preventable traffic fatalities in the area. Emelie Gunn has more.:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

There were no jackpot winner’s in last nights Mega Millions drawing which now goes to a whopping $382 million dollars. The top prize for Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing is $307 million. This is the first time ever that, U.S. lottery players will have a choice of games offering jackpots topping $300 million.

Livingston Parish students and teachers are looking forward to a year of normalcy as they begin classes today just ahead of the one year anniversary of the 2016 flood. Livingston Superintendent Rick Wentzel says this year all students in the parish will receive free breakfast and lunch through the USDA…:
Cut 5 (11) “parents”

State Police in the Troop C area, which covers parishes in the Deep South of Louisiana, is concerned about the recent increases in preventable traffic fatalities in the area. Troop Commander Captain Frank Besson (Bay-sawn) says not wearing seat belts and impaired driving are the biggest factors…:
Cut 7 (10) “the crashes”
He says they have investigated 31 fatality crashes, resulting in 37 deaths, so far this year.

The controversy over how the pumps operated in the city of New Orleans during the weekend flooding event is not over. The city council called a meeting just before Sewerage & Water Board Executive Director Cedric Grant announced his retirement. The board’s Superintendent, Joe Becker, said that the system is not designed to handle that much rain in a short period…:
Cut 13 (11) “four and five hundred more pumps”
But the board admitted to not being totally honest about pump capacity during the event. Mayor Mitch Landrieu said he is going to recommend the termination of Becker.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch through this evening for East Carroll, Madison, Morehouse, Richland and West Carroll parishes. Forecasters say thunderstorms in northeast Louisiana could produce rainfall amounts of one to two inches in a short period that could lead to flash flooding.

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Coastwide Nutria Control Program is looking for south Louisiana landowners and hunters to help combat the invasive rodent. LDWF Biologist Catherine Normand says these pests can cause serious damage to an already vulnerable coast.

Cut 9 (11) “in place”

Normand says the goal is to reduce Nutria induced marsh damage by removing about 400-thousand rodents per season.

Mandeville Police have arrested a 25-year-old man accused of brutally raping a 53-year-old woman inside her home. Chief Gerald Sticker says they were able to catch up with Ronald Moore Jr. of Lacombe at his home after releasing to the media a photo of him on surveillance video.

Cut 12 (08) “of this rape”

A man in Caddo Parish has been charged with cruelty to animals after allegedly fatally shooting his neighbor’s dachshund, because he thought it was an alligator. Caddo Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Bobby Herring says the dog was found in the pond with multiple gunshot wounds.

Cut 7 (07) “on it”

Tommy Collinsworth Jr told cops he thought the dog was an alligator.

Louisiana Lottery players have two shots at millions this week. Tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot is up to $350 million, while the Powerball is also soaring at $307 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesman Dustin Annison encourages everyone to check their numbers right away and sign the ticket if it has any winning numbers.

Cut 16 (08) “to everybody”

Mega Millions cash value for tonight’s drawing is $218 million.

West Baton Rouge Sheriff Mike Cazes is certain the two bodies recovered from the Intracoastal Canal are the suspects wanted in a Lafayette kidnapping. He announced today the two black males were speeding down the shoulder of I-10 when the interstate was closed. After a chase, their van got stuck, and the two fled on foot, apparently drowning in the canal.

About 15,000 Louisiana teachers will face evaluations this year that are linked to student test scores. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A 25-year-old man is behind bars after allegedly brutally raping a woman at her home in Mandeville. Mandeville Police Chief Gerald Sticker says the public was essential in helping to locate Ronald Moore Jr of Lacombe.

Cut 14 (10) “as we did”

Moore is charged with first-degree rape, aggravated burglary, and attempted first-degree murder.

A Caddo Parish man is facing a felony after mistaking his neighbor’s dog for an alligator. Bobby Herring with the sheriff’s office says the owners of the 11-year-old dachshund found their pet in Tommy Collingsworth’s yard.

Cut 6 (06) “alligator”

The dog suffered multiple gunshot wounds, and Collingsworth is charged with cruelty to animals.

About 15,000 Louisiana teachers will face job reviews tied to student test scores under the value added model. Education specialist Brigitte Neiland with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry says this review provides accountability to ensure students are learning.

Cut 3 (10) “a student”

Thirty-five percent of the teacher ratings are based on test scores.

The state department of wildlife and fisheries is looking for hunters in south Louisiana to help reduce the nutria rat population through the Nutria Control Program. LDWF biologist Catherine Normand says eradicating the rodent is impossible, but…

Cut 11 (09) “manageable”

The only requirement to sign up for the program is a trapping license.

Both the Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots have topped $300 million. Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says tonight’s Mega Millions pot of $350 million is the seventh largest ever, and the Powerball has reached a whopping $307 million.

Cut 15 (08) “same time”

Ticket sales have pushed the Mega Millions jackpot up about $4 million in just the past few hours.

A Caddo Parish man made a grave mistake when he allegedly shot his neighbor’s dog because he thought it was an alligator. Bobby Herring with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office says Tommy Collingsworth was in no way justified when he killed the 11-year-old dachshund named Chloe.

Cut 8 (08) “applied here”

Collingsworth has been charged with cruelty to animals.

There is a heated back and forth going on right now before the New Orleans City Council over the operation of the pumps during the flood event on Saturday. The public has asked for answers of the the Sewerage and Water Board about whether more could have been done to prevent a repeat of the flooding. Joe Becker, superintendent of S&WB, maintains that the pumps were working at the capacity that was available to them, whereas before the word was all were working at 100%. The board’s executive director admitted the system didn’t entirely work, then said he would retire.

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Coastwide Nutria Control Program is looking for south Louisiana landowners and hunters to help combat the invasive rodent. LDWF Biologist Catherine Normand says applications to become a trapper with the program are available online at nutria.com…:
Cut 10 (09) “March”
She says the goal is to reduce Nutria induced marsh damage by removing about 400-thousand rodents per season.

A man in Caddo Parish has been charged with cruelty to animals after allegedly fatally shooting his neighbor’s dachshund, because he thought it was an alligator. Caddo Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Bobby Herring says the dog was found in the pond with multiple gunshot wounds…:
Cut 7 (07) “on it”
He says Tommy Collinsworth Jr told cops he thought the dog was an alligator which didn’t fly so he was arrested.

Louisiana Lottery players have two shots at millions this week. Tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot is up to $350 million, while the Powerball is also soaring at $307 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesman Dustin Annison encourages everyone to check their numbers right away and sign the ticket if it has any winning numbers…:
Cut 16 (08) “to everybody”
Mega Millions cash value for tonight’s drawing is $218 million.

This school year, some Louisiana teachers will face evaluations that are tied, in part, to student test scores. A poor rating could cost teachers their tenure and even their job. Brigitte Neiland with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry says the principal will determine which teachers remain in the classroom…:
Cut 5 (11) “weaknesses lie”
About 15,000 of the state’s 50,000 educators will be reviewed by the Value Added Model.

Louisiana Lottery players have two shots at millions this week. Tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot is up to $350 million with a cash value of $218 million. Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says is the seventh largest jackpot in the game’s history. The Powerball jackpot is also soaring at $307 million…:
Cut 15 (08) “same time”

Mandeville Police have arrested a 25-year-old man accused of brutally raping a 53-year-old woman inside her home. Cops say the victim reported she was sleeping when she woke up to the suspect rubbing her body when an altercation ensued and she was overpowered then raped and beaten. Chief Gerald Sticker says the victim is strong, but she’s still struggling…:
Cut 13 (08) “emotionally as well”
Ronald Moore Jr. of Lacombe has been charged with first-degree rape, aggravated burglary and attempted first-degree murder.

A man in Caddo Parish has been charged with cruelty to animals after allegedly fatally shooting his neighbor’s dachshund, because he thought it was an alligator. Caddo Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Bobby Herring says Chloe was found in the yard of Tommy Collinsworth Jr…:
Cut 6 (06) “alligator”
Herring says the shooting of Chloe was in no way justified.