06:30 Newscast October 21, 2014

Former President Bill Clinton tells a crowd of Mary Landrieu supporters he doesn’t see how the senior senator is not a clear favorite in Louisiana’s US Senate race over her republican challengers. Clinton says Landrieu has a history of getting things done…

cut 13 (15) “(loud cheers)”

Clinton spoke at a Landrieu rally in Baton Rouge Monday.

The early voting period for the November 4th election kicks off today. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says early voting will take place through October 28th from 8:30AM to 6PM, excluding Sunday. Schedler says early voter participation is on the rise…

cut 4 (08) “of early voting”

Schedler says, statewide, this is the biggest election in the state in decades.

A grand jury indicted two St. John the Baptist Parish utilities workers in connection with an investigation into a deadly amoeba which was found in the parish’s drinking water in August. Kurt Wall with the state Attorney General’s office says there was a question about whether or not samples being collected were accurate…:

cut 10 (13) “randomly testing”

Kevin Branch of LaPlace and Danielle Roussel of Pauline were each charged with one count of malfeasance in office and one count of filing and/or maintaining false public records.

AM-Newscall October 21st, 2014

The early voting period for the November 4th election kicks off today and runs through October 28th. Michelle Southern reports…

CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

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Louisiana State Police and several other agencies will host a “Heroin Summit” today to educate the public about heroin use and address the recent rise in heroin deaths. Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 2 (33) “reporting”

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Former President Bill Clinton makes a campaign stop in Louisiana to help Senator Mary Landrieu with her re-election efforts. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

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The early voting period for the November 4th election kicks off today. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says early voting will take place through October 28th from 8:30AM to 6PM, excluding Sunday. Schedler says early voter participation is on the rise…

Cut 4  (08)  “of early voting”

This year’s election is highlighted by a hotly contested US Senate race and several contested Congressional races. Schedler wants to remind voters that there are 14 Constitutional Amendments on this year’s ballot. He says voters should expect a lengthy ballot…

Cut 5  (06)  “available, statewide”

Schedler says, statewide, this is the biggest election in the state in decades. He says for sample ballots and early voting locations, you can go online at geauxvote-dot-com. Schedler says he expects a voter turnout between 45 and 50-percent for this US Senate election…

Cut 6 (12)  “high participation”

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Louisiana State Police and several other agencies will host a “Heroin Summit” today to educate the public about heroin use and address the recent rise in heroin deaths. Trooper Jared Sandifer says Col Mike Edmonson is going to be the keynote speaker and joined by several other people from around the state who know a lot about heroin…:

CUT 7 (11)  “the area”

The event is being held between 9am-5pm at the BREC Independence Park Theatre and the public is urged to participate. Sandifer says in Louisiana last year there were at least 310 heroin-related arrests made by LSP and law enforcement agencies across the state…:

Cut 8 (11)   “in 2012”

Sandifer says the CDC named the Greater Baton Rouge area as the 19th worse in the nation per capita for heroin over dose deaths in 2013. He says it’s a huge problem it’s important to sit down and address it:

Cut 9 (07)  “could be passed” 

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A grand jury indicted two St. John the Baptist Parish utilities workers in connection with an investigation into a deadly amoeba which was found in the parish’s drinking water in August. Kurt Wall with the state Attorney General’s office says there was a question about whether or not samples being collected were accurate…:

Cut 10 (13)  “randomly testing”

Wall says the workers were reporting the chlorine levels in the water supply were up to par but DHH did random testing and discovered, instead, the amoeba. He says that’s when State Police stepped in and decided to check GPS coordinates on the vehicles these parish employees were using at the time they said samples were taken…:

cut 11 (13)  “correctly”

Kevin Branch of LaPlace and Danielle Roussel of Pauline were each charged with one count of malfeasance in office and one count of filing and/or maintaining false public records. Each felony count carries up to 5 years in prison. Wall says the St. John Parish Government is fully cooperating and are taking corrective steps to ensure that this doesn’t happen again…:

cut 12 (10)  “from here forward”

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Former President Bill Clinton tells a crowd of Mary Landrieu supporters he doesn’t see how the senior senator is not a clear favorite in Louisiana’s US Senate race over her republican challengers. Clinton says Landrieu has a history of getting things done

Cut 13 (15)  “(loud cheers)”

Clinton was in Baton Rouge Monday and spoke at a Landrieu rally. Her main opponent, Bill Cassidy, constantly ties Landrieu and her voting record to policies supported by President Obama. But Clinton says Louisiana voters should not look at the Senate race as a chance to vote against Obama

Cut 14 (07)  “crowd that’s right”

During a nearly 30-minute speech, Clinton spoke about Landrieu’s efforts to help college students afford their education, her support for a higher minimum wage and chairmanship of the Senate Energy Committee

Cut 15  (12)  ” I do”

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The U-L Lafayette Ragin Cajuns look to keep their winning ways going on Tuesday nights when they host Arkansas State in a matchup of unbeaten teams in Sun Belt play. Coach Mark Hudspeth’s team has won its last three games played on Tuesday, dating back to last season

Cut 16  (21)   “Arkansas State team”

Tonight’s game can be seen nationlly on ESPN Two. Hudspeth wants to see a big crowd, because it’s a game that can show the university in a positive light…

Cut 17  (10)   “12th man”

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LSU gets another chance to beat a team ranked in the Top 5 this Saturday when they host the third ranked Ole Miss Rebels. The Tigers lost earlier this season to Auburn, who is ranked fifth and Mississippi State who is now number one. Coach Les Miles thinks his improving defense is up to the challenge…

Cut 18 (21) “that matchup”

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The Saints are 2-and-4 and some in the Who Dat nation are putting part of the blame on Quarterback Drew Brees. The veteran signal caller’s interception in the late stages on Sunday set up Detroit’s game-winning touchdown. But Coach Sean Payton is defending Brees’ play…

Cut 19 (16)   “are worries”

Even though the Saints have a losing record, they are in second place and not that far behind division leader Carolina, who is 3-and-3-and-1 on the season. But Payton says the players are not worried about the standings

Cut 20 (11)  “ourselves”

17:30 Newscast October 20th, 2014

Former President Bill Clinton tells a crowd of Mary Landrieu supporters he doesn’t see how the senior Senator is not a clear favorite in Louisiana’s US Senate Race over Republican Challengers Bill Cassidy and Rob Maness. Clinton says Landrieu has a history of getting things done…:
CUT 13 (15) “loud cheer”
Clinton spoke at a rally in Baton Rouge today.

The Department of Health and Hospitals says they plan to stop billing rape victims for exams and tests. Advocacy groups and lawmakers were critical of the fact that women who had been raped were getting big hospital bills after checking in to be treated for the assault. DHH says they now plan to seek reimbursement for such visits from the Crime Victim’s Reparation Board.

Cleanup crews are continuing to work a major crude oil spill in Caddo Parish that has killed dozens of fish and some reptiles. The oil leaked into Tete Bayou due to the rupture of a Mid-Valley pipeline. Workers were able to stop the spill from reaching into Caddo Lake. It’s estimated that approximately 4,000 barrels of crude oil flowed into the Bayou.

The Gonzales Police Department has released new information about the man who was found dead in his car in the Wal-Mart parking lot over the weekend. They say 26-year-old Lucas Sanchez of Pascagoula, Mississippi was seen on video purchasing computer keyboard cleaner at the store then returning to his car. Sgt. Stephen Nethken says foul play is not suspected in this case and they believe Sanchez died of a drug overdose…:
CUT 16 (13) “aerosol cans”
He says they are waiting on the coroner to determine official cause of death.

16:30 Newscast October 20th, 2014

The Department of Health and Hospitals says they plan to stop billing sexual assault victims for exams and tests. DHH spokeswoman Olivia Watkins says they intend to work with the legislature to prohibit the cost of hospital visits by rape survivors to be charged to the victims for the care they receive:
CUT 12 (06) “of that nature”
She says, under the plan, hospitals would be able to seek reimbursement for such expenses from a fund that gets money from fines paid by violent criminals.

This week is National Teen Driver Safety Week and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is urging parents to set rules for their kids before they get the keys. Lt. Col John LeBlanc says parents should tell there teens the “5 to drive Rules” – No cell phones, no extra passengers, no speeding, not alcohol and EVERYONE must be buckled up. He says nobody has more of an impact on our children than their parents…:
CUT 8 (04) “some lives”
LeBlanc says according to a recent survey, only one in four parents had talked seriously with their teens about what it means to be a safe driver.

According to location marketing firm Development Counselors International, the business climate in Louisiana is the 10th best in the nation. Additionally DCI said the Louisiana Economic Development agency is the nation’s second best.

An investment group has agreed to buy Pineville based Cleco for a reported $3.4 billion. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 1 (27) “reporting”

14:30 Newscast October 20th, 2014

The Department of Health and Hospitals says they plan to stop billing sexual assault victims for exams and tests. DHH spokeswoman Olivia Watkins says they intend to work with the legislature to prohibit the cost of hospital visits by rape survivors to be charged to the victims for the care they receive:
CUT 12 (06) “of that nature”
She says, under the plan, hospitals would be able to seek reimbursement for such expenses from a fund that gets money from fines paid by violent criminals.

This week is National Teen Driver Safety Week and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is urging parents to set rules for their kids before they get the keys. Lt. Col John LeBlanc says parents should tell there teens the “5 to drive Rules” – No cell phones, no extra passengers, no speeding, not alcohol and EVERYONE must be buckled up. He says nobody has more of an impact on our children than their parents…:
CUT 8 (04) “some lives”
LeBlanc says according to a recent survey, only one in four parents had talked seriously with their teens about what it means to be a safe driver.

According to location marketing firm Development Counselors International, the business climate in Louisiana is the 10th best in the nation. Additionally DCI said the Louisiana Economic Development agency is the nation’s second best.

An investment group has agreed to buy Pineville based Cleco for a reported $3.4 billion. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 1 (27) “reporting”

15:30 Newscast October 20th, 2014

The Department of Health and Hospitals says they plan to stop charging rape victims for care they receive at hospitals after an assault. DDH spokeswoman Olivia Watkins says they intend to work with the legislature to also do away with the provision that victims be sober in order to get money from the fund for hospital bills…:
CUT 14 (07) “we address”
The announcement comes after certain lawmakers were critical of the fact that women who had been raped were getting big hospital bills after checking in for tests and exams.

Two St. John Parish employees have been incited on two counts each of malfeasance in office and filing or maintaining false public records after a state police amoeba investigation & low chlorine levels. The accused are Kevin Branch and Danielle Roussel. DHH asked LSP to investigate after the state found no mandated chlorine residuals in the water system on August 12th but did find indications of the deadly amoeba. More on this as it develops.

An investment group has agreed to buy Pineville based Cleco for a reported $3.4 billion. Cleco Power has approximately 284,000 customers in Louisiana. President Darren O’Lages (O-lay-jes) says other than no longer being a publicly traded company, it will be business as usual under the new ownership…:
CUT 5 (11) “stay the same”
He says customers should not expect any change in utility rates or service as part of the sale.

Governor Bobby Jindal issued an executive order stating that state agencies and departments develop new policies and reporting mechanisms for certain individuals who travel to Ebola stricken countries as a result of educational or work related missions. Included in the order are public employees, students faculty and staff of higher education institutions who go to countries the CDC says have the threat of contracting the Ebola virus.

14:30 Newscast October 20th, 2014

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals announced today that the state plans to stop billing sexual assault victims for exams and tests. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (28) “reporting”

Candidates in the 6th Congressional District race took part in a forum today at the Baton Rouge Press Club. Just down the road former President Bill Clinton rallied for Senator Mary Landrieu in the US-Senate race against Congressman Bill Cassidy and retired Air Force Col. Rob Maness. Early voting for the November 4th election begins tomorrow.

The Gonzales Police Department is investigating the case of a man from Mississippi who was found dead in his car in the Wal-Mart parking lot over the weekend. Spokesman Sgt. Stephen Nethken says 26-year-old Lucas Sanchez of Pascagoula was seen on surveillance video walking into the store in the early morning hours of Saturday…:
CUT 15 (12) “his vehicle”
Nethken says there were several aerosol cans found in Sanchez’s vehicle and they believe he died of an overdose.

Crews are cleaning up a major crude oil spill in Caddo Parish that leaked into Tete Bayou after the Mid-Valley pipeline ruptured. DEQ spokesman Greg Landley says once Sunoco Logistics, who operate the pipeline, noticed a drop in pressure, they went to work…:
CUT 10 (08) “to repair it”
It’s estimated that approximately 4,000 barrels of crude oil spilled.

PM-Newscall October 20th, 2014

An investment group has agreed to buy Pineville based Cleco for a reported $3.4 billion. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 1 (27) “reporting”

===================

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals announced today that the state plans to stop billing sexual assault victims for exams and tests. Eric Gill reports…:

CUT 2 (28) “reporting”

===================

An investment group has agreed to buy Pineville based Cleco for a reported $3.4 billion. Cleco Power has approximately 284,000 customers in Louisiana. Cleco Power President Darren O’Lages (O-lay-jes) says customers should not expect any change in utility rates or service as part of the sale…

CUT 3 (08) “service provider”

He says there are no lay-offs or restructuring of employee salaries planned. The sale is expected to close in the second half of 2015. O’Lages thinks this transaction came in at a price their shareholders will be happy with…

CUT 4 (11)  “supportive of it”

He says this investment group is experienced and understands what it means to own utility companies and what it takes to make them successful. O’Lages says the Cleco brand, and everything it stands for, will remain the same. He says, other than no longer being a publicly traded company, it will be business as usual under the new ownership…

CUT 5 (11)  “stay the same”

====================

This week is National Teen Driver Safety Week and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is urging parents to set rules for teens before they hit the road. Lt. Col John LeBlanc says the fatal crash rate for Louisiana drivers age 18-20 alone was nearly twice as high as the average crash rate of all drivers in the state…:

CUT 6 (12)  “in the United States”

LeBlanc says according to a recent survey, only one in four parents had talked seriously with their teens about what it means to be a safe driver. He says if more parents got involved, the crash rate for teens would not be so high…:

CUT 7 (12) “or the back”

LeBlanc says parents should tell there teens the “5 to drive Rules” – No cell phones, no extra passengers, no speeding, not alcohol and EVERYONE must be buckled up. He says nobody has more of an impact on our children than their parents…:

CUT 8 (04) “some lives”

=====================

Cleanup crews are continuing to work a major crude oil spill in Caddo Parish that has killed dozens of fish and some reptiles. The oil leaked into Tete Bayou due to the rupture of a Mid-Valley pipeline . Greg Langley, with the Department of Environmental Quality says there are about 270 people on-site working the spill…

CUT 9 (09)  “as well”

Workers were able to stop the spill from reaching into Caddo Lake. Langley says once Sunoco Logistics, who operate the pipeline, noticed a drop in pressure, they went to work…

CUT 10 (08)  “to repair it”

It’s estimated that approximately 4,000 barrels of crude oil flowed into Tete Bayou before workers were able to shut the line down. Langley says crews have collected about 2,400 barrels so far, but there is still much to be done…

CUT 11 (11) “will be removed

=====================

The Department of Health and Hospitals says they plan to stop billing sexual assault victims for exams and tests. DHH spokeswoman Olivia Watkins says they intend to work with the legislature to craft bills for the 2014 session that would prohibit hospitals from charging rape survivors for the care they receive….:

CUT 12 (09) “rendering aid”

Advocacy groups and lawmakers were critical of the fact that women who had been raped were getting big hospital bills after checking in to be treated for the assault. Watkins says, under the plan, hospitals would be able to seek reimbursement for such expenses from the Crime Victim’s Reparation fund which receives fines associated with criminal cases…:

CUT  13 (11) “on a state level”

Watkins says they also plan to remove the requirement that survivors of sexual assault file a police report to qualify for that reimbursement. She also says they want to do away with the provision that victims be sober in order to get money from the fund for hospital bills…:

cut 14 (07) “we address”

=====================

The Gonzales Police Department is investigating the case of a man from Mississippi who was found dead in his car in the Wal-Mart parking lot over the weekend. Spokesman Sgt. Stephen Nethken says 26-year-old Lucas Sanchez of Pascagoula was seen on surveillance video walking into the store in the early morning hours of Saturday…:

cut 15 (12) “his vehicle”

Nethken says foul play is not suspected in this case and they believe Sanchez died of a drug overdose…:

cut 16 (13) “aerosol can”

 

 

13:30 Newscast October 20, 2014

The Department of Health and Hospitals says they plan to stop billing sexual assault victims for exams and tests. DHH spokeswoman Olivia Watkins says, under the plan, hospitals would be able to seek reimbursement for such expenses from the Crime Victim’s Reparation fund which receives fines associated with criminal cases…

cut 13 (11) “on a state level”

Watkins says they also plan to remove the requirement that survivors of sexual assault file a police report to qualify for that reimbursement.

The Gonzales Police Department says they are investigating the case of a man who was found dead in a vehicle in the Wal-Mart parking lot over the weekend. They believe 26-year-old Lucas Sanchez of Pascagoula, Mississippi went inside the store, purchased computer cleaner, and died from an overdose after huffing it inside his car. The man was discovered around 11:30 Saturday morning. Foul play is not suspected.

This week is National Teen Driver Safety Week and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is urging parents to set rules for teens before they hit the road. Lt. Col John LeBlanc says according to a recent survey, only one in four parents had talked seriously with their teens about what it means to be a safe driver. He says if more parents got involved, the crash rate for teens would not be so high…

cut 7 (12) “or the back”

He says nobody has more of an impact on children than their parents.

An investment group has agreed to buy Pineville based Cleco for a reported $3.4 billion. Cleco Power President Darren O’Lages thinks this transaction came in at a price their shareholders will be happy with…

cut 4 (11) “supportive of it”

He says, other than no longer being a publicly traded company, it will be business as usual for Cleco under the new ownership.

12:30 Newscast October 20th, 2014

The Department of Health and Hospitals says they plan to stop billing sexual assault victims for exams and tests. DHH spokeswoman Olivia Watkins says they plan to work with the legislature to prohibit the cost of hospital visits by rape survivors to be charged to the victims for the care they receive….:
CUT 12 (06) “of that nature”
She says, under the plan, hospitals would be able to seek reimbursement for such expenses from the Crime Victim’s Reparation fund which gets fines a court fees of those convicted of violent crimes.

Cleanup crews are continuing to work a major crude oil spill in Caddo Parish that has killed dozens of fish and some reptiles. The oil leaked into Tete Bayou due to the rupture of a Mid-Valley pipeline . Greg Langley, with the Department of Environmental Quality says they have hundreds working…:
CUT 9 (09) “as well”
It’s estimated that approximately 4,000 barrels of crude oil spill into the Bayou.

This week is National Teen Driver Safety Week and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is urging parents to set rules for teens before they hit the road. Lt. Col John LeBlanc says the fatal crash rate for Louisiana drivers age 18-20 alone was nearly twice as high as the average crash rate of all drivers in the state…:
CUT 6 (12) “in the United States”
LeBlanc says parents should tell there teens the “5 to drive Rules” – No cell phones, no extra passengers, no speeding, not alcohol and EVERYONE must be buckled up.