The state Department of Health and Hospitals confirms a second death this year from the West Nile Virus. State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says there are now 54 confirmed cases in 2015 and 2 deaths, compared to 123 cases and 5 deaths the prior year. He says even as we move into October, the threat of infected mosquitoes is still there..:
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He says the latest West Nile death is out of the Baton Rouge area.

Authorities are still searching for a convicted killer out of Iberville Parish who they say was released from prison by mistake. 32-year-old Benjueil Johnson got 40 years after pleading guilty to manslaughter in a 2010 fatal shooting of a man from Plaquemine. The DOC says this was as staff error. If you see this man please call 911.

Hurricane Joaquine was updated from tropical storm status early this morning as the system approaches the Bahamas. The National Hurricane Center says the center of Joaquine is expected to pass over or near the central Bahamas tonight or tomorrow.

The Saints return to practice today to get ready for Sunday night’s game against Dallas. Michael Farrar has the latest on injured quarterback Drew Brees…:
Cut 2 (25) “I’m Michael Farrar”

And ESPN is reporting that the Saints have restructured Brees’ contract to turn $5.2 million dollars of his salary into a signing bonus. The report shows that this creates $2.6 million dollars in cap space.

The group Blueprint Louisiana, comprised of businessmen, is recommending the next governor raise the gasoline tax, expand Medicaid and alter the TOPS program. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

According to ESPN, Saints quarterback Drew Brees had a successful throwing session today and it’s said that he will take practice reps starting tomorrow if nothing unexpected happens. Number 9 missed the Carolina game due to a rotator cuff injury. A return to practice could mean that Brees will be able to play Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys in the Mercedes Benz Superdome.

A recent media poll conducted on behalf of The Advocate and WWL-TV finds 44% of voters view US Senator David Vitter unfavorably in the governor’s race. The Clarus survey also shows that over 40-percent of voters could not say one way or the other on Republicans Scott Angelle and Jay Dardenne and Democrat John Bel Edwards. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this is a sign that people are not quite fully engaged with the election…:
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Cross believes this is a sign thought that Vitter is already alienating some voters.

The state Department of Ag and Forestry says two men are accused of animal cruelty for allegedly shooting and killing a calf while four men total are accused of stealing the animal for its meat. Austin Leonard, James Devillier, Kale David, and Dustin Vidrine were arrested after a cattleman found a dead calf on the spillway levee near Gonzales.

A recent Clarus Research Group poll on Louisiana’s governor’s race reveals that 44-percent of voters view Republican David Vitter unfavorably. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says, be that as it may, this doesn’t mean the US Senator couldn’t win he if made the runoff..:
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The Advocate/WWL-TV survey also shows that over 40-percent of voters could not even give a favorability rating to any of the other three major candidates.

The American Civil Liberties Union is accusing the Bossier Parish School Board of violating the US Constitution by allowing prayer boxes to set at Airline High School in Bossier City. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the nation’s highest court stands firm on prayer in school…:
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The School Board will discuss the situation at their next meeting Thursday.

Authorities in Iberville Parish are searching for a convicted murderer who was released from prison by mistake. 32-year-old Benjuiel Johnson pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2013. Major Ronnie Hebert, with the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office, says the Department of Corrections computer system did not list the manslaughter conviction and Johnson was released on bond due to a glitch..:
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The encourage anyone who may know where Johnson is to please call 911.

The Denham Springs Police Department says a woman was stabbed to death in her front yard this morning allegedly by her boyfriend. They say 52-year-old Kent Scott and the victim were arguing when the fight moved outside and the suspect stabbed her multiple times. The woman died at an area hospital. Scott is expected to be charged with either first or second degree murder.

Blue Print Louisiana, a group made up of businessmen, is recommending to the next governor that the TOPS scholarship program should be reformed so that the full tuition is not automatically included. Chairman Dr. Phillip Rozeman says this way it could be used more in the community and technical college system…:
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The group would also like to see Medicaid expanded and a gas tax for transportation funding.

The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office is searching for a convicted killer who was released from prison due to a computer glitch. 32-year-old Benjuiel Johnson was serving 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in 2013. Major Ronnie Hebert says Johnson was sent to East Feliciana Parish to face some prior charges…:
cut 12 (09) “he was released”
If you see Johnson, you are asked to immediately call 9-1-1.

A recent Clarus Research Group poll on the Louisiana governor’s race reveals that 44-percent of voters view Republican David Vitter unfavorably. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 2 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

The Louisiana Department of Revenue says as of this Friday, taxpayers will no longer be able to choose the Louisiana MyRefund Prepaid Debit Card as an option to receive their state return. They say the reason is that JPMorgan chase is ending its line of business for prepaid debit card services.

The group of businessmen Blueprint Louisiana is recommending the next governor raise the gasoline tax, expand Medicaid and alter the TOPS program. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

In a letter today to US House GOP colleagues, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Jefferson said he’s officially running to become House Majority Leader. It was expected Scalise would look to move up after current Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said he wanted to replace House Speaker John Boehner, who announced his resignation last week.

The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office says they are trying to locate a man convicted on a manslaughter charges who was released from prison by mistake due to a computer glitch. 32-year-old Benjuiel Johnson was discharged on September 23rd from the Dixon Correctional Institute but the error was not noticed until Monday. Johnson pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2013. If you see this man please call 911.

The Louisiana ACLU is asking a school in Bossier City to immediately remove prayer boxes set throughout campus. They assert Airline High School is promoting Christianity and thus violating the US Constitution. The School Board will discuss the situation at their next meeting. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says it won’t serve the public well for Bossier Parish School officials to take this issue to court…:
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Governor Bobby Jindal says this is an example of the war on Christianity going too far.

The group Blueprint Louisiana, comprised of businessmen and executives, has released their recommendations for the next governor. They include expanding Medicaid, raising the gasoline tax and revamping TOPS so that it no longer covers the full cost of tuition. Chairman Dr. Phillip Rozeman says roads in Louisiana need about a billion dollars a year in improvements and a higher gasoline tax could help defer the cost…:
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He says working residents would benefit from Medicaid expansion and TOPS needs to be restructured to make it sustainable for the future.

The Denham Springs Police Department says a woman was stabbed to death in her front yard this morning allegedly by her boyfriend. They say 52-year-old Kent Scott and the victim were arguing when the fight moved outside and the suspect stabbed her multiple times. The woman died at an area hospital. Scott is still being processed and is expected to be charged with either first or second degree murder.

A recent Clarus Research Group poll on the Louisiana governor’s race reveals that 44-percent of voters view Republican David Vitter unfavorably. The poll was paid for by The Advocate and WWL-TV. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says, during Vitter’s years in public office, it appears the Senator has managed to alienate some voters…:
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The survey also shows that over 40-percent of voters could not give a favorability rating to any of the other three major candidates.

Southern University has launched a fund to help provide financial assistance for wide receiver Devon Gales, who suffered a neck injury in the loss to Georgia. A link to the fund can be found at gojagsports.com.

The American Civil Liberties Union is accusing the Bossier Parish School Board of violating the US Constitution by allowing the Fellowship of Student Athletes to set up prayer boxes at Airline High School in Bossier City. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says this does appear to go against the First Amendment’s Establishment of Religion Clause…:
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The School Board says they plan to address the issue at their next meeting.

The Baton Rouge Police Department says nine siblings have been removed from their home after state authorities found little food and zero beds at the residence. The mother, 27-year-old Leticia Brothers was arrested on charges of child endangerment, cruelty to juveniles and criminal neglect of family. A report indicates investigators found that all nine children slept in one room together on the floor. Bond has not been set for Brothers and she remains in parish prison.

New Orleans based Glo Airlines announces it will soon be offering flights out of MSY. They say the public charter flights will include two daily, non-stop trips from New Orleans to Shreveport, Little Rock and Memphis and one on Saturdays and Sundays. Glo CEO Trey Fayard said they created the airline because more travel options are needed in the Gulf and Mid-South regions.

After months of wrangling, the US Department of Veterans Affairs announces it has awarded a lease for a permanent Veterans Clinic in Lake Charles. Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany has been applying pressure on the V-A to get this done…:
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He says the 24-thousand square foot building is expected to be ready for use by 2017 at a 4.5 acre site on Gerstner Memorial Parkway.

And According to ESPN, Saints Quarterback Drew Brees will be testing out his injured shoulder today for the first time since Friday.

Constant state funding cuts to higher education are concerning LSU President and Chancellor F. King Alexander. He feels if the trend keeps up, Louisiana will become the second state in the nation that doesn’t pay public colleges and universities. Dr. Alexander says there is no consistent source of cash to address the problem of the more than one billion dollars in deferred maintenance on campuses…:
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He says he hopes the matter will addressed by the next governor.

A fund has been set up by Southern University athletics and the Southern University System Foundation to help the family of injured Jaguars football player Devon Gales with medical expenses. Gales suffered a severe spinal injury in the third quarter of Saturday’s game at Georgia. You can find the link to the fund’s website at gojagsssports.com. Gales’ parents weren’t at the game, but they are with him at the hospital after being flown in on the University of Georgia’s dime.

The US Department of Veterans’ Affairs announces it has awarded a lease for a permanent Veterans Clinic in Lake Charles. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

ESPN’s Ed Werder is reporting that Saints quarterback Drew Brees will again test his injured rotator cuff today by throwing passes. This will be the first time Number 9 is giving his passing shoulder another try since Friday when the team determined he wasn’t ready to play against Carolina. The Saints take on the Cowboys in the Mercedes Benz Superdome this weekend.

LSU President F. King Alexander hopes the next governor reverses the trend of fewer state dollars going towards higher ed. Emelie Gunn has more…

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Baton Rouge Police have arrested the mother of nine children found living in deplorable conditions. Authorities say the home had little furniture, no beds, and minimal food in the pantry and refrigerator. They say all nine children slept huddled together on the floor of the bedroom. 27-year-old Leticia Brothers is charged with criminal neglect of family and child endangerment, among other charges. The children were placed in the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services.

Authorities are still trying to determine why 39-year-old Carla Watford of Eunice may have shot and killed her two daughters before setting their house on fire then killing herself. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says investigators have learned the fire started near the master bedroom, and they also found a note believed to have been written by Watford…

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Browning says they recovered the weapon they believe was used in the murder suicide and also the chemical accelerant used to set the fire.

After months of back-and-fourth, the US Department of Veterans Affairs announces it has awarded a lease for a permanent Veterans Clinic in Lake Charles. Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany says it’s been a long journey to get this point. He says the 24-thousand square foot building is expected to be ready for use by 2017….

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The permanent clinic will be located on Gerstner Memorial Parkway.