Three of the four major candidates are expected to attend today’s gubernatorial forum hosted by the Baton Rouge Press Club. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat doesn’t think Senator David Vitter’s absence will hurt his chances of making the runoff. He says the fact that Vitter isn’t attending this debate won’t change how his supporters view him…

cut 5 (09) “their guy”

He says Vitter has enough money to get his message out through TV commercials.

Latest U.S. Census data shows Louisiana had the third highest rate of poverty in the country for 2014 at just below 20 percent. Jan Moller, Director of the Louisiana Budget Project, says we have a lot of work to do to create an economy that works for everybody. He says there are policies out there that could easily help us move the needle…

cut 11 (11) “do so”

Almost 897-thousand Louisiana residents lived below the poverty line in 2014.

Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is making a campaign stop in Baton Rouge today. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says even though her poll numbers have drastically declined over the summer, he believes Clinton still has a good shot at the White House…

cut 14 (11) “one in four chance”

Clinton is holding what is described as a “grassroots organizing event” this morning at the Louisiana Leadership Institute.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the number of people employed in mining and logging, and that includes the oil sector, is at its lowest level since December 2005. Executive director of the L-W-C Curt Eysink says you can blame the low price of oil…

cut 7 (07) “those impacts”

There are 46-thousand people employed in this sector of the state’s economy, a decline of 78-hundred over the last year.

The Baton Rouge Press Club is holding a gubernatorial forum today and three of the four major candidates are expected to attend. Senator David Vitter will not be at the forum. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says even with the other debates he’s missed, he doesn’t think this will hurt Vitter’s chances of making the runoff.

cut 4 (10) “big risk”

Pinsonat says Vitter’s base is strong and want him as the next governor because he’s proven to be a strong conservative.

Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton makes a campaign fundraising stop in Baton Rouge today. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it’s been a rough few weeks for the former Secretary of State because of an email scandal…

cut 13 (10) “kinds of things”

The fundraiser is being held at businessman Jim Bernhard’s home and it costs $2700 to attend.

According to the latest U.S. Census data, Louisiana had the third highest rate of poverty in the country for 2014, just below 20 percent. Jan Moller, Director of the Louisiana Budget Project, says he hopes the gubernatorial candidates will create plans to reduce poverty in the state because it’s often a topic that gets swept under the rug…

cut 10 (08) “solutions”

Almost 897-thosuand of Louisiana residents lived below the poverty line, which is 24-thousand dollars for a family of four. Moller says we have a lot of work to do to create an economy that works for everybody.

According to numbers from Gasbuddy-dot-com, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has officially dropped below two-dollars a gallon. Jeff Palermo reports…

cut 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A disturbing story out of Livingston Parish finds 56-year-old Minton Morris and 52-year-old Nina Morris in jail after they allegedly produced pornography involving bestiality. They each face 250 counts of crimes against nature. Minton was also charged with child pornography and bothface drug charges. Each were booked with a bond over $6 million.

Governor Bobby Jindal raised $350,000 during a Thursday presidential campaign fundraiser in New Orleans. The governor resumes campaign efforts in Iowa this weekend. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says the key for Jindal is to beat expectations…

cut 11 (09) “second look” 2X

Hogan feels Jindal’s message resonates with a sizable number of very conservative voters.

Former state Senator Derrick Shepherd, who spent time in jail on a money laundering charge, has been disqualified from next month’s election. Shepherd was seeking a return to the state legislature, but state Judge Stephen Enright ruled Friday that Shepherd’s name should be removed from the ballot. Legal Analyst Chick Foret says Shepherd can take his case to the Court of Appeals…

cut 7 (09) “and see”

A 1998 constitutional amendment prevents convicted felons from running for election unless they’ve been pardoned or 15 years have passed since their prison sentence.

A Thursday fundraiser in New Orleans raised $350,000 for Governor Bobby Jindal’s presidential campaign. Emilie Gunn has more…

cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Democratic presidential hopeful Hilary Clinton will make a campaign stop in Baton Rouge next week. Clinton will hold what is described as a “grassroots organizing event” Monday morning at the Louisiana Leadership Institute. Supporters can sign up to attend the event online at Clinton’s campaign website. There will also be a private campaign fundraiser while she is in town.

Gasbuddy-dot-com reports that the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has officially dropped below two-dollars a gallon. Senior Petroleum Analyst Gregg Laskoski says the average price has fallen to $1.99 a gallon. Laskoski reminds motorists that $1.99 is Louisiana’s average price…

cut 4 (07) “$1.67″

Laskoski it’s uncertain just how low gas prices will go.

The US House of Representatives passed two abortion related bills Friday. The actions come on the heels of Planned Parenthood’s alleged use fetal tissue. One measure would freeze government funding for the organization for a year. Another would establish criminal penalties on medical personnel who do not try to save a baby if an abortion fails. Minden Representative John Fleming says this will put a stop to the double murder attempt on a baby’s life…

cut 14 (06) “medical attention”

Governor Bobby Jindal raised $350,000 during a campaign fundraiser in New Orleans Thursday. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says despite mixed reviews the governor received for his performance in Wednesday’s debate, Jindal is still able to raise funds for his presidential campaign…

cut 9 (10) “anti-big government”

In an email, the Jindal campaign says the fundraiser shows the governor’s debate performance resonated with supporters in Louisiana.

According to numbers from Gasbuddy-dot-com, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has dropped below two-dollars a gallon. Senior Petroleum Analyst Gregg Laskoski says the average price has fallen to $1.99 a gallon. He says this downward pressure on gas prices was something they noticed in August…

cut 3 (08) “fall season”

He says the the lowest gas price in the state is $1.67.

The US House of Representatives passed the Defund Planned Parenthood Act. The measure would freeze funding for the organization for one year. Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany supported passage of the measure saying he became an original co-sponsor of the bill after viewing the controversial leaked videos…

cut 12 (09) “of atrocious”

The bill passed on a 241-187 vote.

Former state Senator Derrick Shepherd, who was convicted of money laundering, has been disqualified from running for the legislature. A 1998 constitutional amendment bars convicted felons from seeking public office. Legal analyst Chick Foret says Shepherd tried to use a technicality to get his name on the ballot…

cut 6 (12) “vote on”

He says Shepherd now can appeal, but doesn’t think he’ll be successful.

It’s going to be a hot one in Tiger Stadium as the LSU Tigers host the Auburn Tigers this afternoon. Brandon Harris will be at quarterback for LSU for his first official start in Tiger Stadium. Harris started as a true freshman against Auburn last season and the results were not good in a 41-7 loss. But LSU head coach Les Miles says Harris is much different player now…

cut 18 (17) “forward to it”

High temperatures are expected in the mid-90’s today and LSU is asking fans to drink plenty of water and water bottles will be sold at discounted prices.

Also today: Tulane hosts Maine, Louisiana Tech is at Kansas State, Southeastern Louisiana travels to Ohio, Nicholls State is at Incarnate Word, Northwestern State visits Mississippi State, and McNeese State is on the road at Stephen F. Austin.

The Saints will have their home opener tomorrow as they take on Tampa Bay. Buccaneers rookie quarterback Jameis Winston will be making his first start on the road in the NFL. Saints Linebacker David Hawthorne on how they’ll try to stop the former Heisman winner…

cut 30 (10) “our game plan”

Kick-off on Sunday is at noon in the Mercedes Benz Superdome.

Saints running back CJ Spiller is listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game. Cornerback Keenan Lewis, safety Jairus Byrd and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe have been ruled out for the game.

In high school football: Notre Dame defeated Teurlings Catholic 28-24, it was Amite over Kentwood 34-22, Minden got past North Webster 27-20, Ouachita Christian upended Cedar Creek 30-6, and West Monroe squeeked by Madison Central, Mississippi 23-22.

According to numbers from Gasbuddy-dot-com, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has officially dropped below two-dollars a gallon. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Authorities in Livingston Parish say an undercover online child pornography sting has led to the arrest of a Denham Springs couple on 250 counts of crimes against nature and several drug charges. The suspects are 56-year-old Minton Morris and 52-year-old Nina Morris. It’s reported that investigators found evidence of bestiality during a raid on the Morris’ home. Bond is set at $12 million dollars.

Former state Senator and convicted felon Derrik Shepherd has been disqualified from the October 24th election. Under a consitutional amendment in Louisiana, you can’t seek public office if you’ve been convicted of a felony. Shepherd spent time in jail for money laundering and legal analyst Chick Foret says this ruling is not surprising…:
CUT 8 (11) “even qualify”
Shepherd was seeking a return to the state legislature and qualified to run for a House seat based in Jefferson Parish.

The US House of Representatives passed two abortion related bills Friday. The actions come on the heels of Planned Parenthood’s use fetal tissue. One measure would defund the organization for a year. Another bill makes it a crime to not try to save a baby if the abortion fails. Minden Representative John Fleming says this will put a stop to the double murder attempt on a baby’s life…:
cut 14 (06) “medical attention”

Gasbuddy.com says the price at the pump is now below the $2 mark at $1.99 for a gallon of regular. Senior Petroleum Analyst Gregg Laskoski doesn’t know just how low gas prices will go, but he feels they’ll continue to fall through the rest of the year. He says today’s prices are a far cry from 2014…:
CUT 5 (07) “a gallon”
He says there are several stations in the West Monroe area have regular gas prices as low as $1.67.

Governor Bobby Jindal raised $350,000 during a campaign fundraiser in New Orleans Thursday. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says this shows Jindal is still able to get money from supporters in Louisiana despite mix reviews about his debate performance…:
CUT 11 (09) “second look” (2x)
Jindal says they are formally filing to run in the South Carolina primary today.

The US House voted today to defund Planned Parenthood for one year. Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany says he decided to co-author the bill after controversial videos surfaced of alleged Planned Parenthood leaders discussing the sale of fetuses. He says investigations are underway into the group’s practices and the public deserves to know the truth…:
CUT 13 (08) “of activity”
Also passed by the US House is a bill that would establish criminal penalties on medical personnel who do not aid an infant born alive after an attempted abortion.

LSU says they will be offering discounted bottles of water inside Tiger Stadium tomorrow afternoon as the temperature is forecast to be in the 90s at the 2:30 kickoff. They are urging fans attending the Auburn game to stay hydrated throughout the day and ask for medical assistance if you need it.

A Thursday fundraiser in New Orleans raised $350,000 for Governor Bobby Jindal’s presidential campaign. Emilie Gunn has more…:
CUT 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

It’s expected to be about 95 degrees when LSU kicks off against Auburn tomorrow and Tiger Athletics is urging fans going to the game to stay well hydrated. They say start drinking fluids now and throughout the game where Tiger Stadium concessions are offering discounted bottled water. The Tigers and the Tigers kick off at 2:30.

The US House of Representatives passed the Defund Planned Parenthood Act today. This bill would freeze the organizations funding for one year. Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany supported passage of the measure. He says he decided to become a co-sponsor of the bill after viewing the controversial leaked videos…:
CUT 12 (09) “of atrocious”
The bill passed on a 241-187 vote.

The latest US Census data shows 20% of people who lived in Louisiana last year were in poverty, the same level it was the year before. In 2014, Louisiana is number three in the nation in the rate of poverty, only behind New Mexico and Mississippi. The report puts the poverty line at about $24,000 for a family of four. It shows the rate of children living in poverty is at nearly 28%.