Tourism leaders are looking to capitalize on the increasing trend of international tourists visiting Louisiana. Scott Carwile reports…

cut 1 (29) “reporting”

State Police say a Donaldsonville man was killed when his vehicle crashed into a dump truck in a construction zone in Ascension Parish. Authorities say 42-year-old Kirt Canova ignored and drove past a flag man late last night and struck the dump truck that was parked in the construction zone on LA 30. Canova, who was unrestrained, received fatal injuries as a result of the crash.

The Department of Transportation says they’ve come up with a plan to save 13 Live Oak Trees along 182 in Jeanerette that were set to be cut down for safety reasons. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett says they worked out new ways to help restore the ride quality of the roadway like adding signage and rumble striping…

cut 8 (09) “and safely”

Governor Bobby Jindal asked DOTD to preserve the trees because of their importance to the parish and the state.

The Les Miles to Michigan rumors are back now that Miles’ alma mater, Michigan, has fired Brady Hoke. Michigan went 5 and 7 this season. And LSU beat reporter for Gannett Newspapers, Glen Guilbeau says it will take a lot of hard work to get Michigan to become a title contender again, while LSU is closer to competing for national titles…

cut 15 (08) “coming in.”

Guilbeau says Miles won’t consider taking the Michigan job.

More international tourists are visiting Louisiana and tourism officials are looking to capitalize on the trend. The Bayou State had an 18-percent increase in international visitors last year, the highest increase of any state in the nation according to the National Travel and Tourism Office. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says international tourists are great for Louisiana…

cut 6 (09) “prosperous industry”

The top four international markets for Louisiana tourism are Canada, UK, Germany, and France.

Louisiana Tech has receive a one-point-four million dollar grant to produce more secondary math and science teachers. Louisiana Tech’s interim dean of the College of Education, Doctor Don Schillinger, says because of the curriculum, the university has created many partnerships with local school districts to ensure the students get field experience….

cut 12 (10) “actual content areas.”

The grant is from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

After a community effort to save 13 Live Oak Trees along 182 in Jeanerette that were set to be cut down for safety reasons, the Department of Transportation says they’ve come up with a new plan. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (32) “reporting”

State Police say a 22-year-old man is dead after a two vehicle crash last night in Vermillion Parish. Authorities say Brandon Demette of Maurice was diving his motorcycle on LA 92 when he struck a truck, pulling both a trailer and a vehicle, as the truck was turning onto the highway. Demette was ejected from his motorcycle and received fatal injuries as a result.

Louisiana Tech is one of the five universities nationwide to receive a one-point-four million dollar grant to produce more secondary math and science teachers. The grant money comes from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Louisiana Tech’s interim dean of the College of Education, Doctor Don Schillinger, says the grant is for a five year time period but he hopes their teacher preparation will remain sustainable for many years to come…

cut 11 (08) “a long time.”

Schillinger says this grant focuses on the STEM area of education, which means science, technology, engineering and math.

State Police say a three vehicle crash in Tensas Parish has claimed the lives of two people. They say, for unknown reasons, a vehicle driven by 95-year-old Ralph Cooper of Newellton crossed the center line in the path of a Mack dump truck which was followed by another dump truck. Cooper’s vehicle struck the lead dump truck head-on and that truck was struck by the second dump truck. Cooper and his passenger, 90-year-old Jewel Lee of Newellton, were pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

There are more international tourists coming to Louisiana and tourism leaders are looking to capitalize on the trend. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says there are an increasing number of visitors from Brazil and Australia coming to Louisiana and there will be an effort to get more tourist from those countries to come to the Bayou State…

cut 5 (05) “more effective”

Louisiana had an 18-percent increase in international visitors last year, the highest increase of any state in the nation according to the National Travel and Tourism Office.

After a community effort to save 13 Live Oak Trees along 182 in Jeanerette that were set to be cut down for safety reasons, the Department of Transportation says they’ve come up with a new plan. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett says the oaks are interfering with a measure that requires a 10 foot space between the road and any obstacle..:

cut 7 (12) “the safety needs”

The stretch extends 4.73 miles between the Iberia Parish line to La 670 in St. Mary Parish.

Tourism leaders are looking to capitalize on the increasing trend of international tourists visiting Louisiana. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says they have been very aggressive in marketing Louisiana to international visitors and those efforts are definitely paying off…

cut 4 (10) “those efforts”

Dardenne says international tourists are great for Louisiana because they typically stay longer and spend more money.

Louisiana Tech is one of the five universities nationwide to receive a one-point-four million dollar grant to produce more secondary math and science teachers. The grant money comes from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Louisiana Tech’s interim dean of the College of Education, Doctor Don Schillinger, says they are very excited about this…

cut 10 (09) “across the region.”

Schillinger says the grant is for a five year time period.

The Les Miles to Michigan rumors are back. That’s because Miles’ alma mater, Michigan, is searching for a new football coach after firing Brady Hoke. LSU beat reporter for Gannett Newspapers, Glen Guilbeau, says Miles has been offered the Michigan job two previous times and said no and will likely say no again, if offered a third time…

cut 13 (12) “at best.”

Guilbeau says Miles won’t consider taking the job.

Democratic US Senator Mary Landrieu and her Republican challenger Bill Cassidy got into it last night…
CUT 2 (25) “reporting”

The Les Miles to Michigan rumors are back as Michigan Head Coach Brady Hoke has been fired…
CUT 20 (16) Q: “very best”
Miles responded to those questions last week.
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The pitbull named Zeus WILL be able to stay with his family, following the Moreauville Town Council’s reversal of their vicious dog ban last night. Moving forward, Mayor Timmy Lemoine says the town now will adopt the Louisiana state statute in regard to dangerous dogs…
CUT 5 (08) “state statute”
An online petition to save Zeus received over 340 thousand signatures, and the town received numerous phone calls, along with pressure from PETA.

There’s been an arrest in connection with the Grambling State University theft of numerous metal units that were sold for scrap. The Legislative Auditor’s Office says the school discovered the thefts from some of their buildings, and have since outlined a plan to increase security for the future…
CUT 14 (05) Q: ‘a good track’
That’s Legislative Auditor Bradley Cryer.

A rather feisty Senate debate last night between Democratic incumbent Mary Landrieu and Republican challenger Bill Cassidy. Landrieu attacked Cassidy for receiving taxpayer dollars for work as an LSU physician that he allegedly did not fully earn. While Cassidy continued to hammer Landrieu for the Obama agenda…
CUT 9 (10) “in others”
That’s UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross.

The Grant Parish Sheriff’s office says the 85-year-old Pollock woman who was viciously mauled by suspected stray dogs last week, died last night. Sheriff Steve Martin says they got a frantic call last Wednesday evening from Bobbie Cheveallier’s (shuh-VAHL-yay) neighbor…:
CUT 6 (10) “scare them away”
They’ve rounded up about 15 dogs so far in the investigation.

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Efforts to keep a pit bull named Zeus in Moreauville from being separated from the family that owns him came to a happy conclusion for the family last night. Eric Gill has the story…
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

Authorities in Missouri have made an arrest of a New Iberia man in connection with the 2008 strangulation death of 61 year-old Judy Blanchard Landry. Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal says sixty-year old Keith Leleux will be extradicted back to New Iberia to face first-degree murder charges.

A rather spirited debate last night between Democratic Senator May Landrieu and Republican Congressman Bill Cassidy. Cassidy used the Obama voting card against Landrieu, while Landrieu countered with questions about his pay with the LSU Health System he did not earn.
CUT 11 (08) Q: “at all”
That’s ULL Political Science Professor Pearson Cross.

Sad story from Central Louisiana; as the elderly woman from Pollack who was mauled by dogs has died. Eighty-five year old Bobbie Cheveallier was attacked last week, and the search for the dogs continues…
CUT 8 (11) “for this”
That’s Grant Parish Sheriff Steve Martin.
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The controversial vicious dog ban in the town of Moreauville was liffted last night, allowing a pit bull named Zeus to stay with his family. Mayor Timmy Lemoine says they had gotten several complaint phone calls and PETA pressure…
CUT 4 (11) “shut down”

More than 130 thousand dollars in theft at Grambling State University has been revealed in a recent Legislative Audit report. One person has been arrested in connection with a variety of stolen metal units that were being sold for scrap. Auditor Bradley Cryer says, they’ve made some recommendations…
cut 13 (08) “in the future”
He feels confident that Grambling State University will be able to prevent future problems of theft.

Democratic US Senator Mary Landrieu and her republican challenger Bill Cassidy engaged in a spirited debate last night. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 2 (25) “reporting”

Speaking of debates, should be another interesting one tonight as Former Governor Edwin Edwards and political newcomer Garret Graves face off in Denham Springs in their runoff bid for the 6th Congressinonal District Seat. The two are set to square off at 6pm. The debate is hosted by the Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce.

Sad story out of Grant Parish as the 85-year-old Pollock woman who was mauled by dogs last week died last night. Sheriff Steve Martin says they got the call Wednesday evening from a neighbor who said he heard screaming then found Bobbie Cheveallier(shuh-VAHL-yay) on the ground with two “wolf-type” dogs near her…:
CUT 7 (09) “both of her legs”
Cheveallier hung on until last night. Martin says they are still looking for the dogs responsible with DNA evidence.

A state audit of Grambling State University revealed equipment thefts totaling more than $130,000. Legislative Auditor Bradley Cryer says, in this case, it was the university that actually found that items had been taken from some of its buildings…:
CUT 12 (08) “and fixtures”
He says one person has been arrested in connection with the thefts and they are working on new procedures to limit the key access to facilities that are vacant moving forward.