The long-time leader of the LSU Alumni Association, Charlie Roberts, has resigned from his post as he faces a lawsuit from former employee, Kay Heath, who claims there was a financial arrangement to keep their sexual relationship secret. Roberts’ attorney Mary Olive Pierson says a main reason for Roberts’ resignation is Heath’s public statement saying she would drop the alumni association as a party to the suit if he resigned…

cut 10 (05) “dragged into this”

Pierson says the resignation should not be taken as an admission of guilt.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals issues a warning about two diseases for beach goers, for both the Gulf Coast and the Caribbean. State health officer Jimmy Guidry says says you should take precautions against vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacteria found in warm seawater, and if you’re traveling to the Caribbean, take steps to avoid mosquito bites, so you don’t get the chikungunya virus….

cut 12 (06) “….with these issues”

There are eight travel related cases of chikungunya confirmed in Louisiana.

A Slidell woman has been charged with medicaid fraud after she allegedly used her dead sister’s name to receive medical treatment at Slidell Memorial Hospital. Slidell Police detective Daniel Seuzeneu says a bizarre twist to this crime is that 26-year-old Diondre Jones was wearing a memorial T-shirt in honor of her deceased sister when a police officer caught up to her in the hospital parking lot….

CUT 4 (10) “as a memorial”

Seuzeneau says Diondre provided her sister’s name to hospital staff in an attempt to avoid having to pay any medical bills.

The former Chief Financial Officer at the Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Office faces theft and malfeasance charges after allegedly giving himself two unauthorized pay increases. A state audit revealed that 61-year-old George Tosspon of Jonesville received over 22-thousand dollars in excess wages from August 2009 to November 2013. Tosspon surrendered to investigators. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

A federal judge has approved a 48-million dollar class action settlement for Bayou Corne residents affected by a sinkhole that was discovered two years ago. The lawsuit was brought against Texas Brine which was operating a salt mine that is believed to have caused the sinkhole. One of the plaintiff’s attorneys, Larry Centola, says they are happy with the judge’s approval…

cut 7 (09) “the next chapter”

The settlement will compensate 269 residents who lived in the area. Centola says residents should begin to see some settlement money in December.

State district Judge Todd Hernandez has ruled that the lawsuit filed by a group of teachers and parents against Governor Bobby Jindal over Common Core can proceed. However, Hernandez will not allow the plaintiffs to question the governor under oath. This lawsuit alleges Governor Jindal overstepped his Constitutional authority when he suspended state contracts tied to Common Core. The next hearing is scheduled for Monday.

The former chief financial officer at the Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Office faces theft and malfeasance charges after he allegedly gave himself over 22-thousand dollars in excess wages. State Police Trooper Albert Paxton says last May, Sheriff James Kelley requested the LSP to look into accusations that 61-year-old George Tosspon of Jonesville stole public funds…

cut 15 (09) “everything done”

Tosspon faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

A Slidell woman has been charged with medicaid fraud after she allegedly used her dead sister’s name to receive medical treatment at Slidell Memorial Hospital. Slidell Police detective Daniel Seuzeneau says hospital officials became aware of 26-year-old Diondre Jones’ scam after her false name was entered into the computer…

cut 3 (07) “had been deceased”

Suzeneau says that Jones was wearing a memorial T-shirt in honor of her deceased sister when officers caught up to her in the parking lot.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue says the state will hold another tax amnesty period from October 15th through November 14th. Revenue Secretary Tim Barfield says there’s something new this year: the option that delinquent taxpayers can pay their debt through payments..:
cut 9 :08 sec. Q: “amount due”
But the tax payer will have all penalties waived and only have to pay 50% of the interest that is due.

For the first half of 2014, Louisiana has had a 9.3 percent increase in exports compared to the same period last year. According to the World TRade Center of New Orleans report, the Bayou State exports hit $32.1 billion dollars. That’s good enough for 6th out of the top ten exporting states.

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A Lafayette mother is facing serious charges in connection with the death of her 3 year-old toddler. It’s alleged that the mother had the child go 25 hours without food or fluids. Lafayette Police Corporal Paul Mouton says 27 year-old Sara Leblanc will be charged with negligent homicide. As for other charges, …:
cut 14 :11 sec. Q: “investigation”

 
New research provided to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries shows Louisiana Black Bear population is making great strides toward recovery. Large Carnivore Program Manager, Maria Davidson, says they believe there are at least 250 female bears…:
cut 6 :09 sec. “hear from them”
They’re hopeful to have the Louisiana Black Bear removed from the endangered species list.

Lafayette Police arrest a 27-year-old mother in connection with the death of her three-year-old child. Jeff Palermo has the story..

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

It’s been 2 years since the Bayou Corne sinkhole showed up in Assumption Parish, and now Federal Judge Jay Zainey has approved a $48.1 million dollars class action settlement which will compensate 269 residents. There were no objections to the settlement.

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The Coast Guard says they are investigating a multi-vessel collision that happened on the Mississippi River near Gretna last night, which caused some oil to be spilled into the water. Spokesman Jonathan Lally says one ship carrying grains lost power and control and crashed into another vessel and barge that was fueling up…:

cut 3 :08 sec. “into the river”

There were no injuries reported.
The state is about to kick off another tax amnesty period to begin in October on the 15th and last through November 14th. Department of Revenue Secretary Tim Barfield says it’s a good opportunity for Louisianians to get caught up on back taxes..:
cut 11 :10 sec. Q: “back taxes.”
The state collected $452 millions dollars last year in back taxes for the program last year.

Louisiana will hold another tax amnesty period this fall. Jeff Palermo has the details…:
CUT 1 (32) “reporting”

The Lake Charles Police Department says a 16-year-old Barbe High School student was hit by a car while she was crossing McNeese St around 7:20 this morning. The driver told cops she couldn’t see the pedestrian due to glare from the sun. The student is at a hospital with minor injuries.

A woman from Lafayette is facing negligent homicide charges in the death of her 3-year-old child. Lafayette Police Corporal Paul Mouton says 27-year-old Sara LeBlanc allegedly failed to check on her sick toddler the entire day she passed away and went to get fast food…:
CUT 13 (09) “negligent homicide”
Mouton says the investigation revealed the child went 25 hours without food or fluids.

New research provided to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries shows Louisiana Black Bear populations are making great strides toward recovery. Large Carnivore Program Manager, Maria Davidson, says scientists have observed female black bears breeding on a regular basis…:
CUT 8 (13) “for the bears”
The Ultimate Goal of the findings is to have the Black Bear removed from the endangered species list.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue says the state will hold another tax amnesty period from October 15th to November 14th. Revenue Secretary Tim Barfield says says the state held an amnesty program last year and Louisiana collected 452-million dollars in back taxes, but the goal this year is only 100-million…

cut 10 (09) “as much”

During the tax amnesty period all penalties will be waived and the taxpayer only owes 50-percent of the interest that’s due.

A Lafayette mother is facing charges in the death of her 3-year-old child. Lafayette Police Corporal Paul Mouton says 27-year-old Sara Leblanc told investigators the child was sick for a couple of days and their investigation revealed the child went 25 hours without food or fluids during her illness…

cut 12 (07) “dehydration”

Leblanc has been charged with negligent homicide.

The US Coast Guard is investigating a multi-vessel collision that happened on the Mississippi River near Gretna last night. Spokesman Jonathan Lally says a ship carrying grains lost power and control and crashed into another vessel and barge that was fueling up. He says about 588 gallons of marine grade fuel was spilled into the river and the Gretna water intake was shut off as a safety precaution…

cut 5 (12) “the sheen went”

Jefferson Parish officials say there is no concern for the water supply.

New research provided to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries shows Louisiana Black Bear populations are making great strides toward recovery. Large Carnivore Program Manager Maria Davidson says the future of the black bear is looking bright…

cut 7 (07) “a hundred years”

The hope is to have the Louisiana Black Bear removed from the endangered species list.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue says the state will hold another tax amnesty period from October 15th to November 14th. Revenue Secretary Tim Barfield says new to this amnesty program is the option that delinquent taxpayers can pay their debt owed to the state through payments…

cut 9 (08) “amount due”

He says the state held an amnesty program last year and collected 452-million dollars in back taxes.

The US Coast Guard says they are investigating a multi-vessel collision that happened on the Mississippi River near Gretna last night. Spokesman Jonathan Lally says a ship carrying grains lost power and control and crashed into another vessel and barge that was fueling up. The barge broke free causing some oil to be discharged into the water…

cut 4 (09) “that was spilled”

No injuries were reported in the incident.

A 27-year-old Lafayette woman has been arrested in connection with the death of her ill 3-year-old daughter. The Lafayette Police Department’s investigation determined Sara Leblanc’s daughter went over 24 hours without food or fluids before she died. Leblanc has been charged with negligent homicide in her daughter’s death.

New research provided to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries shows Louisiana Black Bear populations are making great strides toward recovery. Large Carnivore Program Manager, Maria Davidson, says they’ve learned there are at least 250 female bears in the state, which is a good number…

CUT 6 (09) “hear from them”

The hope is to have the Louisiana Black Bear removed from the endangered species list.

Another cold front has settled over Louisiana. Scott Carwile reports…

cut 1 (30) “reporting”

In one week candidates will begin qualifying for the November elections. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat doesn’t expect any surprise candidates to enter the US Senate race…

cut 10 (13) “before now”

He says Democratic incumbent Mary Landrieu will face two main Republican challengers, Bill Cassidy and Rob Maness.

The US Coast Guard is investigating a multi-vessel collision that happened last night on the Mississippi River near Gretna which caused some oil to be spilled into the water. Spokesman Jonathan Lally says a ship carrying grains lost power and control and crashed into another vessel and barge that was fueling up…

cut 3 (08) “into the river”

Lally says about 588 gallons of marine grade fuel was spilled into the river. No injuries were reported in the incident.

The New Orleans Police Department is still searching for the gunman who opened fire on a house in the Lower Ninth Ward that killed two and injured five, including two young children. 33-year-old Terrance McBride and 16-year-old Jasmine Anderson were killed in the shooting. Police Chief Ronal Serpas says McBride was a felon in possession of a firearm facing charges on that plus distribution of heroin. He says this case does not appear to be a gang member involved event…

cut 15 (05) “involved event”

The investigation is ongoing.

We’re just a week away from the start of the three-day qualifying period where candidates officially sign up to run in the November election. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the fifth district congressional race will have a large field as challengers see Vance McAllister as a vulnerable incumbent because he was caught kissing a married staffer…

cut 12 (10) “will race”

Pinsonat expects a large field of candidates in the sixth district congressional race, as well.

State Climatologist Barry Keim says northerly breezes have moved into Louisiana causing humidity levels to drop dramatically. He says we’ve been seeing this pattern set up this year over the eastern United States that’s causing the humidity to push down into the Gulf of Mexico…

cut 6 (06) “this time of year”

Keim says this blast of Canadian air isn’t dropping temperatures all that much, but it’s brought a noticeable drop in the humidity.

The recent death of actor-comedian Robin Williams has opened a discussion about suicide across the country. LSU Mental Health expert, Dr. Howard Osofsky, says, after a suicide, family and friends are often left wondering if they could have done something to prevent it. He says if you notice a loved one’s behavior drastically changing, you may want to seek help…

cut 8 (15) “get them treatment”

Osofsky says treatment does not mean one can definitely prevent suicide, but it can help.

The Coast Guard is investigating a multiple vessel collision on the Mississippi River near Gretna that occurred late Tuesday evening. They say the incident caused oil to spill into the river. A ship carrying grain lost power and struck a docked vessel, causing that vessel to leak oil. Jefferson Parish officials say there is no concern for the water supply. No injuries were reported in the incident.