The Louisiana Department of Education announces that nearly 23,000 recent public high school graduates enrolled in college in 2014, a 6 percent increase from 2013 and an all-time high for the state. Education Superintendent John White says the numbers in this report are very exciting…:
CUT 4 (08) “several years”
He says this year’s gains are fueled by an increase in low-income and minority students attending college.

The Easter bunny will be delivery lots of Elmer’s chocolate this Sunday as the Ponchatoula based company product has become one of the Holiday’s longest running traditions in Louisiana. President Rob Nelson says even though Easter is falling a little early this year, sales have been great.
CUT 8 (10) “this weekend”

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office is investigating an officer involved shooting which left one man dead in Pineville. Lt. Tommy Carnline says deputies responded to reports of a disturbance in which someone was threatening another person in the residence and also threatening to do harm to himself…:
CUT 13 (11) “deputies”
Carnline says the subject did not listen to orders to drop the weapon which is when he was shot and killed by cops. The case remains under investigation.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s office says at least two people were hurt in a plant fire at the Renewable Energy Group facility in Geismar. They say one of the people injured has moderate injuries and the other minor injuries. Louisiana State Police has taken over the investigation into the cause of the blaze.

US Senator David Vitter has picked up the endorsement of fellow Republican Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany in this year’s governor’s race. Here’s Eric Gill with more…
CUT 1 (27) “reporting”

State Education Superintendent John White is reporting there’s been about a 6 percent increase in the number of public high school seniors entering college. Based on the numbers released today almost 23,000 public high school graduates enrolled in college last year. According to the Education department, that’s an increase of more than 1,200 students from the previous year.

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For the third year in a row, Louisiana has increased the number of tourists and set another record for the industry. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says there were 27.7 million people who visited Louisiana in 2014 which is a 5 percent increase over the year before…:
cut 12 (09) “who don’t live here”
And he says marketing had over a 38 to one return on investment.

He lost his bid for Louisiana’s 6th District Congressional Seat in a run-off, so now former Governor Edwin Edwards has become a licensed real estate agent, forming a team with his wife Trina, who is also a licensed agent. Edwards says he’s ready to go to work…
CUT 11 (10) Q; ‘to list it”
Edwards says his focus will be on commercial real estate.

US Senator David Vitter has picked up the endorsement of fellow Republican Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany in this year’s governor’s race. Vitter is one of three Republicans eyeing the job. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says being endorsed by a sitting congressman is a good thing…
CUT 3 (05) “means something”
Vitter has also picked up the endorsment of Lafayette City-Parish President Joey Durel.

A guard at a mental facility in East Feliciana Parish has been arrested in connection with the escape of a man charged with murder. State Trooper Melissa Matey says this arrest came after some fact-finding from other employees at the Eastern Louisiana Mental Health Hospital housing prisoner Lorenza Connor…
CUT 8 (12) Q: ‘to his escape’
Webb has been charged with Malfeasance in Office.
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It’s another record year for the Louisiana tourism industry, as the visitor numbers went over 27 million in 2014, which was a five percent increase over the previous year. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says, it’s fairly obvious the reasons why…
cut 14 (10) “major conventions”
There was $11.2 billion dollars in total visitor spending in 2014, and Dardenne says they had more than a 38 to one return on investment for state funding in marketing.

A Pineville man is dead following an incident with Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Deputies inside a residence this morning. Reports say the man threatened another person inside with a gun, then threatened to do harm to himself. After talking withe deputies for almost an hour, the subject returned with a firearm; pointing it at the officers. When he refused to lower the weapon, he was shot in the chest, and pronounced dead at the scene. the investigation continues.

Some more endorsements for US Senator David Vitter in his run for governor; this time from fellow Republicans Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany and Lafayette City-Parish President Joey Durel. It’s sort of a slap in the face for Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle, as these endorsements came from his home region. It’s also not helpful for Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne…
CUT 5 (07) Q: “and Angelle”
That’s UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross.

Former Governor Edwards is now all about location, location and location, as he is now a licensed real estate agent. His wife Trina also received her real license, and Edwards says he will concentrate on commercial properties while she will focus on residential properties…
CUT 10 (10 ) Q: “very much doing”
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For the third year in a row, Louisiana has increased the number of tourists and set another record for the industry.
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

A Shriever woman could be facing in life in prison for the shooting of her husband, as a grand jury upgraded the original manslaughter charge to 2nd-degree murder. Thirty-two year-old Crystal Welch is accused of the August 2013 fatal shooting of 35 year-old Chade Welch. Her defense attorney says the upgrade in charges will not affect his plan to claim self-defense.

In the state’s governor’s race — US Senator David Vitter has picked up a couple of significant endorsements in Republican Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany and three-term Lafayette City-Parish President Joey Durrel. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross…:
CUT 4 (05) “to beat”
Cross says this is kind of a slap in the face for gubernatorial candidate Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle as these endorsements come from his home region.

An escaped inmate charged with murder has been captured and a guard at a mental facility in East Feliciana Parish has been arrested in connection with the prisoner’s escape. State Police trooper Melissa Matey says now-former guard 37-year-old Antonio Webb was arrested for Malfeasance in office. She says the investigation into the escape of Lorenza Conner is ongoing…:
CUT 7 (06) “he escaped”
She says they believe Webb helped Conner escape somehow.

Louisiana has once again set a record for tourism. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says there were a more than a million more people visiting The Bayou State in 2014 than in the previous year. He says this is great news for Louisiana and also means a lot of spending around the state at restaurants, bars, attractions, hotels and more…:
CUT 13 (09) “generated”
Dardenne says there was $11.2 billion dollars in total visitor spending in 2014.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s office says a 19-year-old man from Sulpher died when his motorcycle crashed into a tractor that was turning into a driveway. They say David Guidry was likely speeding when he tried to pass the tractor but ended up slamming into it. Guidry was pronounced dead at the scene.

For the third year in a row, Louisiana has increased the number of tourists and set another record for the industry. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says there were 27.7 million people who visited Louisiana in 2014 which is a 5 percent increase over the year before…:
CUT 12 (09) “who don’t live here”
He says the revenue generated through visitors represents a more than 38-1 return on investment of state funding.

Former four-term governor Edwin Edwards is now a licensed real estate agent. Edwards says he got his broker’s licence last week and he’s excited at the prospect of getting back to work. He says that just because his political career has ended, he’s not completely retired…:
CUT 9 (09) “obvious reasons”
Edwards says that while he wants to focus on commercial properties, he’s just getting started and all options are open.

US Senator David Vitter has picked up the endorsement of fellow Republican Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany in this year’s governor’s race. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 1 (27) “reporting”

If you’re traveling for the Easter Holiday the price at the pump will be much nicer than this time last year when we were paying $3.33 a gallon on average statewide. The current price is $2.20 and falling.

US Senator David Vitter has picked up the endorsement of fellow Republican Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany in this year’s governor’s race. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says being endorsed by a sitting congressman is a good thing…:
CUT 3 (05) “means something”
Vitter is one of three Republicans eyeing the state’s highest elected office.

State Police say they’ve arrested a guard at a mental facility in East Feliciana Parish on charges related to the escape of an inmate who was being held on murder charges and remains at large. Spokeswoman Melissa Matey says they interviewed several employees at the Eastern Louisiana Mental Health Hospital where prisoner Lorenza Conner was being held..:
CUT 6 (07) “helped Conner escape”
Webb is charged with Malfeasance in Office. Matey says Conner got out of a DHH transport vehicle in Orleans Parish and there is currently a $3500 reward being offered for his capture.

Opelousas Senator Elbert Guillory wants Louisiana residents to vote on whether an unborn child should have legal rights at the moment of conception. Scott Carwile has the story…:
CUT 3 (26) “reporting”

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s office says they’ve arrested a man on domestic violence charges after his wife reported she was headbutted by her husband. They say the victim told cops Jason Edward Banks of West Monroe was drunk when he got mad at her over money then shoved her down, pulled her up by the air and headbutted her. He was arrested without incident.

The legislative session starts Monday after next and Opelousas Senator Elbert Guillory plans to bring up a constitutional amendment which he says would give unborn children the same legal rights as all other people..:
CUT 13 (11) “is pro life”
Guillory says it would also make abortions automatically illegal if Row vs. Wade is ever overturned.

The Louisiana SPCA is encouraging people to think before you buy bunnies and chicks as Easter presents. Spokeswoman Destinie Hammond they are cute when they are babies…:
CUT 9 (09) “they come here”
Hammond says rabbits can live 10-15 years and require as much care as a dog or a cat.

The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested an Avoyelles Parish corrections officer in connection with the escape of a female inmate last week. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

State Police say they’ve arrested a guard at a mental facility in East Feliciana Parish on charges related to the escape of an inmate who was reportedly being held on murder charges and remains at large. They say the guard, 37-year-old Antonio Webb is booked with Malfeasance in Office. Cops are still looking for Lorenza Conner who should be considered armed and dangerous.