Northeast Louisiana has seen a 44 percent drop in the violent crime rate since 2016. The Western District of the US Attorney’s Office credits that drop with a new policy that busts criminals for firearms offenses, before they end up using that gun to commit a violent crime. Attorney David Joseph says most of those targeted under the new policy are drug dealers.

Cut 6 (07) “…drug trade”

An attorney for the former LSU student charged with negligent homicide in the alleged hazing death of Maxwell Gruver has submitted new court filings that paint Gruver as a party animal who consumed alcohol and marijuana willingly on a daily basis.  Legal analyst Tim Meche says Matthew Naquin’s lead attorney John McLindon latest filings argue that Gruver is responsible for his own death.

Cut 9 (11) “…caused by himself.”

Superintendent of Education John White slammed the governor’s budget for failing to include additional funding for early childhood education. He praised the budget’s inclusion of a teacher pay raise, and increases in education spending elsewhere, but says the pending expiration of a federal grant means Louisiana needs has to fill the impending funding gap.

Cut 12 (10)   “…9800.”

A Rodessa man has been arrested and faces multiple charges for sex crimes involving children following an investigation by the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office.  47-year-old Darin Chandler is accused of committing the offenses upon children ages 5 and 6.   The total bond is set at a quarter million dollars.  Chandler is charged with one count of first degree rape, two counts of sexual battery, and two counts of indecent behavior with juveniles.

A Rapides grand jury has indicted three people for second-degree murder and other charges in the suspected murder case of a 25-year-old woman who suffered from cerebral palsy. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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New court filings in the suspected hazing death of an LSU student paints the deceased, Maxwell Gruver, as a party animal.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is unsure how he will vote on a congressional measure that seeks to block President Donald Trump’s national emergency over the southern border wall. The Democratic controlled U-S House of Representatives is expected to vote on the resolution today and Cassidy says he wants to read the legislation before he decides on how he’ll vote

Cut 3 (06) “…I see that.”

The national emergency frees up billions of dollars to enhance the southern border wall. Cassidy says he’s for improved border security, but is concerned about the precedent the president is setting by calling a national emergency

Cut 4 (07) “…would not like″

Democrats say the national emergency declaration is unconstitutional and unnecessary. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says there is no emergency at the border. Cassidy says the national emergency called by President Trump could pave the way for a future Democratic president like Elizabeth Warren, calling a national emergency so the federal government can confiscate assault rifles

Cut 5 (06)“…looking at”

_________________________________________________

Northeast Louisiana has seen a 44 percent drop in the violent crime rate since 2016. The Western District of the US Attorney’s Office credits that drop with a new policy that busts criminals for firearms offenses, before they end up using that gun to commit a violent crime. Attorney David Joseph says most of those targeted under the new policy are drug dealers.

Cut 6 (07) “…drug trade”

Joseph says people in the drug trade, even those who commit lower level offenses, and who possess guns are more likely to commit a violent crime.

Joseph says the policy is effective, but The effort was bolstered when the US Attorney General sent in some reinforcements to help enforcement.

Cut 7 (07) “…in office.”

Guns can be a touchy issue in Louisiana, particularity in the Northeast. But Joseph says he’s gotten full cooperation from agencies and locals in the area after he let them know that he’s no politician…

Cut 8 (10) “…the books.”

_______________________

An attorney for the former LSU student charged with negligent homicide in the alleged hazing death of Maxwell Gruver has submitted new court filings that paint Gruver as a party animal who consumed alcohol and marijuana willingly on a daily basis.  Legal analyst Tim Meche says Matthew Naquin’s lead attorney John McLindon latest filings argue that his client is not responsible for Gruver’s passing, but that blame falls on the deceased.

Cut 9 (11) “…caused by himself.”

The filings insist Gruver began using alcohol and smoking pot from the first day he set foot on the LSU campus.  Meche says a filing of this nature is likely admissible in this case.

Cut 10 (08)“…present a defense.”

Meche says Naquin’s lawyer is doing exactly what a defense lawyer is supposed to do in defending his client.

Cut 11 (12)   “…period of time.”

The trial is set for July.  The Gruver family has responded in a Facebook post saying “Let the victim shaming begin.  We will not back down. We will not be threatened.”

_______________________________

Superintendent of Education John White slammed the governor’s budget for failing to include additional funding for early childhood education. He praised the budget’s inclusion of a teacher pay raise, and increases in education spending elsewhere, but says the pending expiration of a federal grant means Louisiana needs has to fill the impending funding gap.

Cut 12 (10)   “…9800.”

He noted only seven percent of infants and toddlers and only 30 percent of three-year-olds who qualify for childcare programs have gained access.
Early childhood education has seen a rise in interest as a national movement has brought the issue into the limelight. White says he’s disappointed that despite the program’s popularity, it didn’t make the cut for increased funding in the state’s largest ever proposed budget.

Cut 13 (11) “…seen” 

White says childcare assistance has dropped to 15,000 enrollees today from a high of 40,000.

The Superintendent says expanding childcare assistance benefits the most vulnerable, working class families in the state.

Cut 14 (09)  “…their child” 

An attorney for the former LSU student on trial for the alleged hazing death of Maxwell Gruver has submitted new court filings that paint Gruver as a party animal who would consume alcohol and use marijuana willingly on a daily basis.  Legal analyst Tim Meche says the filings show Gruver began willingly and excessively using alcohol and smoking pot from the first day he set foot on the LSU campus.  Meche says a filing of this nature is likely admissible in this case.
Cut 10 (08)“…present a defense.”

Superintendent of Education John White slammed the governor’s budget for failing to include additional funding for early childhood education. Early childhood education has seen a rise in interest as a national movement has brought the issue into the limelight. White says he’s disappointed that despite the program’s popularity, it didn’t make the cut for increased funding in the state’s largest ever proposed budget.

Cut 13 (11) “…seen” 

A Rapides grand jury has indicted three people for second-degree murder and other charges in the suspected murder case of a 25-year-old woman who suffered from cerebral palsy. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Rodessa man has been arrested and faces multiple charges for sex crimes involving children following an investigation by the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office.  47-year-old Darin Chandler is accused of committing the offenses upon children ages 5 and 6.   The total bond is set at a quarter million dollars.

Superintendent of Education John White slammed the governor’s budget for failing to include additional funding for early childhood education. He praised the budget’s inclusion of a teacher pay raise, and increases in education spending elsewhere, but says the pending expiration of a federal grant means Louisiana needs has to fill the impending funding gap.
Cut 12 (10) “…9800.”
Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is unsure how he will vote on a congressional measure that seeks to block President Donald Trump’s national emergency over the southern border wall. Cassidy says the national emergency called by President Trump could pave the way for a future Democratic president like Elizabeth Warren, calling a national emergency so the federal government can confiscate assault rifles
Cut 5 (06)“…looking at”
_________________________________________

An attorney for the former LSU student on trial for the alleged hazing death of Maxwell Gruver has submitted new court filings that paint Gruver as a party animal who would consume alcohol and use marijuana willingly on a daily basis.  Legal analyst Tim Meche says Matthew Naquin’s lead attorney John McLindon latest filings argue that his client is not responsible for Gruver’s passing, but that blame falls on the deceased.

Cut 9 (11) “…caused by himself.”

Yahoo Sports reports LSU Basketball Coach Will Wade will be subpoenaed for a federal basketball corruption trial that will begin in April. Back in October, Wade’s name reportedly appeared in a transcript from a separate federal trial involving a man who was found guilty of multiple felony fraud charges.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is unsure how he will vote on a congressional measure that seeks to block President Donald Trump’s national emergency over the southern border wall. The national emergency frees up billions of dollars to enhance the southern border wall.  Cassidy says he’s for improved border security, but is concerned about the precedent the president is setting by calling a national emergency

Cut 4 (07) “…would not like″

The Raise the Age Act passed in 2016 goes into effect Friday, which means 17-year-olds will no longer be criminally charged as adults for non-violent offenses

Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights Policy Director Rachel Gassert says the system has been preparing for the change.

Cut 6 (09) “…achieve those goals.”

Online dating is alive and well in many parts of the country, but there is bad news for those looking for love in the bayou state.  According to research conducted by ATTSavings.com, of all of fifty states and Washington DC, Louisiana ranks last for online dating.  Website spokesperson Alec Sears says it’s not all bad news for the state.

Cut 10 (09) “…brought that down.”

Acadiana based Bayou Teche Brewing has a definitively Cajun concoction on their hands with the creation of a breakfast stout brewed with boudin, coffee, and maple syrup. Brewery founder Karlos Knott says like most good ideas, the plan started with a few drinks to get the team in the right frame of mind to think up their next great beer. The owner says they’ve been wanting to take on a breakfast stout, but do it with a bayou twist.

Cut 14 (10) “…came up.”

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is unsure how he will vote on a congressional measure that seeks to block President Donald Trump’s national emergency over the southern border wall. The Democratic controlled U-S House of Representatives is expected to vote on the resolution today and Cassidy says he wants to read the legislation before he decides on how he’ll vote

Cut 3 (06) “…I see that.”

The LSU hazing case related to the death of frat pledge Maxwell Gruver has seen a new court filing from the attorney of Matthew Naquin that paints Gruver as a party animal who willingly consumed alcohol and used marijuana on a daily basis.  It alleges Gruver showed up high to the ill-fated hazing ritual in September of 2017, where pledges would chug hard liquor if they answer questions incorrectly.  Gruver died following that event.

Online dating is alive and well in many parts of the country, but there is bad news for those looking for love in the bayou state.  According to research conducted by ATTSavings.com, of all of fifty states and Washington DC, Louisiana ranks last for online dating.  Website spokesperson Alec Sears says many factors came together to formulate the results.

Cut 11 (12) “…further extrapolations.”

Acadiana based Bayou Teche Brewing has a definitively Cajun concoction on their hands with the creation of a breakfast stout brewed with boudin, coffee, and maple syrup. Brewery founder Karlos Knott says they don’t just brew up a stout, toss some sausage into the bottle and call it a day either. The boudin is introduced early in the process, during mashing, when the grains that will become your drink get converted to sugar.

Cut 15 (11) “there.”

Louisiana is one of the few states that automatically tried 17-year-old suspects as adults, but that changes Friday.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Bonnet Carre Spillway opens tomorrow for the third time in four years to siphon water off the Mississippi River following an unprecedented wet winter. The decision to open the spillway was made when the river rose 11 feet, high enough to force levee inspections. Heavy rainfall in the Ohio River Valley has the Mississippi River above 15 and a half feet and rising toward the 17-foot height that levees are designed to handle.

Online dating is alive and well in many parts of the country, but there is bad news for those looking for love in the bayou state.  According to research conducted by ATTSavings.com, of all of fifty states and Washington DC, Louisiana ranks last for online dating.  Alec Sears of Att Savings.com says Louisiana’s violent crime rate, STD rates and gender rates put Louisiana in last place.

Acadiana based Bayou Teche Brewing has a Cajun concoction on their hands with the creation of a breakfast stout brewed with boudin, coffee, and maple syrup. Founder Karlos Knott says like most good ideas, the plan started with a few drinks to get the team in the right frame of mind to think up their next great beer. The owner says they’ve been wanting to take on a breakfast stout, but wanted do it with a bayou twist.

Cut 14 (10) “…came up.”

The Raise the Age Act passed in 2016 goes into effect Friday, which means 17-year-olds will no longer be criminally charged as adults for non-violent offenses

Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights Policy Director Rachel Gassert says the system has been preparing for the change.

Cut 6 (09) “…achieve those goals.”

Louisiana political leaders are keeping a close eye on the developing situation in Venezuela, as Houston based Citgo, the American subsidiary of the country’s state own oil company, is responsible for the direct and indirect employment of thousands of Louisiana workers. Senator Bill Cassidy says of particular concern is the government’s yearlong detainment of a dual national, Tomeu Vadell, from Lake Charles.

Cut 7 (10) “…Citgo”

Bayou Teche Brewing’s got some good news for fans of both Boudin and Beer. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

According to research conducted by ATT Savings.Com Louisiana ranks last for online dating in the country.

Website spokesperson Alec Sears says Louisiana is doing okay in median earnings and unemployment, and ranked highly for those that were open to online dating, but several factors bring Louisiana to last place.

Cut 12 (06) “…the gender ratio.”

Plenty of Fish is the most popular dating site in Louisana.

6:30 Newscast LRN Feb 26

The Raise the Age Act passed in 2016 goes into effect Friday, which means 17-year-olds will no longer be criminally charged as adults for non-violent offenses.  Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights says the act is a big win, as the juvenile justice program has a lower rate for recidivism.  And Policy Director Rachel Gassert says in most cases you are not considered an adult until you turn 18.

Cut 4 (08) “…a lot of sense.”

Online dating is alive and well in many parts of the country, but there is bad news for those looking for love in the bayou state.  According to research conducted by ATTSavings.com, of all of fifty states and Washington DC, Louisiana ranks last for online dating.  Website spokesperson Alec Sears says it’s not all bad news for the state.

Cut 10 (09) “…brought that down.”

Sears says many factors came together to formulate the results.

The condition of a Lake Charles dual national detained in Venezuela is being followed closely as that nation’s political crisis deepens. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

Governor John Bel Edwards unveiled his 30 billion dollar budget Friday, the largest in state history, and one that includes 10 million in increased spending in higher ed, 15 million more for TOPS, more healthcare funding, and the 1,000 dollar pay raise he’s touted for months. But LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says there’s just one problem, the state doesn’t quite have enough revenue recognized yet to pay for it all…

Cut 3 (11) “…produce.”

House Speaker Taylor Barras has blocked an increased revenue projection at the Revenue Estimating Conference that would fund those increases in spending.

Gas prices have been on a noticeable rise throughout the state recently.  In the last week, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has risen by seven cents.  AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the rising trend has been happening all throughout the month of February.

Cut 9 (10) “…$2.13 a gallon.”

The Fire Marshal is asking for the public’s help IDing a suspect in a January 15^th Jonesborough suspected arson case that’s gone unsolved despite video of the person of interest. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says a person wearing a light colored hoody and pants was seen leaving the scene just before a fire ignited in the kitchen of the home.

Cut 12 (10)   “…the fire.”

No one was injured in the incident.

A state of emergency has been declared in Morehouse Parish as back flood waters of Bayou Bartholomew are posing a risk to the area as more rain is being predicted in the region within the next week. The declaration led to the closure of all parish schools today due to rising waters on some roads. The risk has increased after Morehouse saw historic levels of rainfall in the last week that began posing a threat two days ago in Bayou Bartholomew.