Over 60-thousand Louisiana residents who purchased insurance through the marketplace set up by the Affordable Care Act are facing a rate increase in the double digits. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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

The National Weather Service in Shreveport says a bad storm that blew through northwest Louisiana last night left thousands without power and claimed the life of one person. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 2 (33) “reporting”

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

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says 60-percent of the Louisiana residents who purchased insurance through the marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act face a double-digit rate hike next year. Donelon says that’s based on paperwork filed with the state’s insurance department

CUT 3 (11) “for the subsidy”

Donelon says 101-thousand Louisiana residents have health care through the individual marketplace and they anticipate the average rate increase to be about 12 to 13 percent

CUT 4 (11) “10-percent”

Donelon says the double-digit rate hike is the result of a federal premium tax that’s been placed on the policies and the rates have been capped for the elderly and least healthy….

CUT 5 (15) “national average”

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

The National Weather Service in Shreveport says a bad storm that blew through northwest Louisiana last night left thousands without power and claimed the life of one person. Senior Meteorologist Jason Hansford says they saw 60-70 mile per hour winds which downed numerous trees and power lines…:

CUT 6 (07) “without power”

Hansford says as of early this morning there were still over 50,000 people who did not have power. He says one woman even lost her life…:

CUT 7 (09) “yesterday evening”

Hansford says the victim was walking down a street during the height of the storms when the winds really started picking up…:

CUT 8 (12) “to her injuries”

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

A commitment is in place to produce more workers for the Gulf of Mexico oil and gas industry. Higher education leaders, state officials and representatives from the oil industry have formed a long-term public-private partnership to come up with solutions to meet with workforce needs. Louisiana Mid Continent Oil and Gas Association President Chris John

CUT 9 (12) “that’s workforce”

John says about 40-percent of the workforce that’s experienced in the Gulf of Mexico will retire in the next ten years. He says that’s a concern, especially since deep water exploration and production is expected to increase.

CUT 10 (09) “out in the Gulf”

John says this Memorandum of Understanding between the various entities will come together to form a curriculum so prospective gulf of mexico oil workers could be certified in two years….

cut 11 (09) ” well paying job“

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

Louisiana State Police say two women died in a crash just after midnight in Rapides Parish and they weren’t buckled up. Trooper Scott Moreau says they responded to the crash in Alexandria on La Hwy 1205 around 12:15am and learned a Honda was being driven by 31-year-old Heather McComic of Boyce…:

CUT 12 (10) “collided with a tree”

Moreau says after McComic ran off the road and crashed into a tree, she was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead…:

CUT 13 (08) “under investigation”

Moreau says the only passenger in the vehicle, 29-year-old Ashley Gallien of Pineville, was pronounced dead at the scene. He says neither woman was restrained at the time of the crash. Moreau says properly wearing your seatbelt will dramatically reduce your chance of being killed in a crash…:

cut 14 (10) “any other factor”

The New Orleans Saints report to training camp in West Virginia today and the Black and Gold nation is already stocking up on their gear for the mega-hyped 2014 season. Michelle Southern has that…:

CUT 1 (34) “reporting”

______________________________________

Following a discovery in Arkansas, Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain says the USDA is conducting trap surveys across the state to watch for Emerald Ash Borer beetles. Eric Gill has the story…

Cut 2 Audio (34) “reporting”
______________________________________

Louisiana State Police announce the arrest of a Houma woman who allegedly scammed illegal immigrants out of money. Eric Gill reports…

Cut 3 Audio   (35) “….reporting”
______________________________________

The New Orleans Saints report to football camp in West Virginia today and the Black and Gold nation is already stocking up on their gear for the mega-hyped 2014 season. Lauren “FleurtyGirl” LeBlanc is the owner of a popular Saints fan shop in New Orleans…:

Cut 4  (08)  “what they’re coming in for”

The Saints begin pre-season play August 8th and the regular season begins less than a month later. Many have said that this year’s team could be better than the Black and Gold Superbowl team on paper, but LeBlanc says Saints fans will load up on swag before ANY season…:

Cut 5  (09)  “no matter what”

LeBlanc says even though the Saints aren’t practicing in Metairie this year, it’s not stopping the merchandise from flying off the shelves. She says her regulars come in every year looking for the one shirt that’s going to be their lucky shirt for the season…:

Cut 6 (10)  “always lose”
______________________________________

Following a discovery in Arkansas, Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain says the USDA is conducting trap surveys across the state to watch for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) beetles. Strain says the EAB is an invasive beetle that attacks and kills ash trees…

CUT 7 (15)   “Reserve Program”

He says when the pest gets into an ash tree, it generally kills the tree in three to five years. The EAB was first discovered in Michigan in 2002 and is now present in 24 states. Strain says the beetle is often transported into an area by infested firewood…

CUT 8 (13)   “unused firewood”

He says the best way to prevent EAB, is to not move firewood. It is best to purchase firewood no more than ten miles from where it will be burned. And when traveling, you should burn the firewood where you purchased it and make sure you burn all of it. He says the EAB has a distinctive look…(For more information on the EAB go to emeraldashborer.info)

CUT 9 (12)  “take a look”
______________________________________

State Police say a Houma woman extorted an undisclosed amount of money from illegal immigrants while working as a Spanish interpreter for the Terrebonne Parish Government. Trooper Evan Harrell says 45-year-old Trina Bourg (Burg) faces federal and state charges….

cut 10 (16)  “of the system”

Harrell says Bourg used her position to extort money from these individuals claiming to be able to get their cases dropped. He says this arrest comes from a joint investigation between the State Police and the US Department of Homeland Security. Harrell says when the arrest was made, Bourg was turned over to federal agents…

cut 11 (08)  “federal level”

The total amount of money Bourg supposedly extorted is unknown. Harrell says Bourg was booked into the St. Charles Parish Jail on federal wire fraud charges. he says upon her release there, Bourg will be transported back to Terrebonne Parish…(Bourg will face multiple state charges including extortion and malfeasance in office.)

cut 12 (10)  “several other charges”
______________________________________

A Monroe couple is charged with second degree cruelty to a juvenile after taking their 7-week old son to the hospital. The Monroe Police Department believe the infant suffered repeated abuse. Assistant Police Chief Don Bartley says officers responded to a call from a local hospital in reference to an injured child…

Cut 13 (06)  “on the brain”

Doctors discovered the child was suffering from bleeding on the brain. Authorities interviewed the parents, 29-year-old James Hall and his wife, 27-year-old Emily Rae Hall. Bartley says neither could provide any explanation for the child’s injuries. He says doctors at the hospital told deputies the injuries 7-week-old suffered were due to abuse…

Cut 14 Audio  (11)  “in the brain”

He says medical tests showed various stages of healing in the child’s brain, which indicated repeated abuse. James and Emily were booked into the Ouachita Correctional facility each on $50,000 bond. Bartley says the infant remains in the hospital in critical condition…

Cut 15 Audio  (04)   “in his condition”
______________________________________

At Conference USA Media Day, Louisiana Tech Head Skip Holtz told reporters the Bulldogs will be better season this year, after going four and eight last season. Tech’s offense struggled last year, averaging just 19 points a game. But Holtz says they have more speed at the wide receiver position with the addition of former West Monroe star Paul Turner

Cut 16 Audio (18)    “as well”

Holtz expects improvement on the defensive side of football as well. He says defensive end Houston Bates, who is a transfer from Illinois is a nice addition

Cut 17 Audio (15) “football team”

______________________________________

In a poll of the league’s coaches and sports information directors, Southeastern Louisiana has been picked to win the Southland Conference. The Lions won the Southland last season as they were a perfect 7-and-0 in the league. S-L-U Head Coach Ron Roberts is a strong believer that his team can re-peat as Southland champs

Cut 18 (19) ”  basis”

Roberts says he likes the idea that they’ll have a bulls eye on their chest this season…

CUT 19 (20) “2014”

A school administrator in Baton Rouge is accused of sexting a former teen student. Michelle Southern has that…:

CUT 1 (33) “reporting”

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

The LSU Ag Center has launched a statewide billboard campaign urging people to engage in a more healthy lifestyle. Michelle Southern has that…:

CUT 2 (27) “reporting”

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

The Baton Rouge Police Department says an assistant principal of a middle school is accused of exchanging naked pictures with a 15-year-old former student. Corporal L’Jean McKneely says the victim’s mother contacted police after finding her daughter’s Facebook account…:

CUT 3 (07) “individual”

McKneely says 42-year-old Edwin Chastang, who works as an administrator at Southeast Middle in Baton Rouge, was named the suspect. He says the mother contacted police about the crime and an official investigation was launched…:

CUT 4 (09) “when he was arrested”

Chastang is charged with indecent behavior with a juvenile and computer aided solicitation of a minor. McNeely says the teen girl had her phone taken away so she would use her mother’s phone in the middle of the night to access Facebook…:(Chastang has reportedly been suspended from work with pay.)

CUT 5 (09) “inappropriate pictures”

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

The LSU Ag Center has launched a statewide billboard campaign urging people to engage in a more healthy lifestyle. Diane Sasser is the AgCenter director of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Educational Program. She says the first message that will be promoted is to eat more fruits and vegetables…:

CUT 6 (10) “physical activity”

Sasser says this effort also includes banners and posters that will be displayed in schools, stores and parish extension offices. She says the campaign will run for about a year and a half. Sasser says they will also be spreading messages about increasing activities together as a family…:

CUT 7 (10) “thrive more”

Sasser says by displaying these simple suggestions in places that people will see easily and frequently, the hope is that they will absorb the information and starting thinking about their own health habits…:

CUT 8 (08) “longer”

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

State Police detectives are investigating a shooting that involved a Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s deputy. L-S-P Sergeant James Anderson says the shooting happened last night as a sheriff’s deputy was attempting to perform a traffic stop in Lake Charles on a 33-year-old woman from Sulphur, who did not cooperate

CUT 9 (12) “protect himself”

After the initial stop, the driver, Eveyln Dargin, sped away from the arresting officer and after a short pursuit she struck a patrol unit. Anderson says she then started driving towards another deputy who ordered the vehicle to stop and that deputy fired his weapon.

CUT 10 (06) “the shooting”

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s office says Dargin was taken to a local hospital and her condition is unknown. She faces several charges, including attempted first degree murder of a police officer. Anderson says State Police is investigating the incident…

cut 11 (11) “as evidence“

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

Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany files legislation that would give  south Louisiana veterans the option to receive health care from a non V-A provider. Boustany says the federal government should pay for the care

CUT 12 (10) “finest care available”

Boustany says he filed the legislation because the Lafayette V-A clinic has admitted to crowded conditions and access problems for primary and mental care. He says veterans living in Lake Charles also lack adequate health care..

CUT 13 (14) “basic care”

There’s another bill that would authorize new V-A clinics in Lafayette and Lake Charles. But Boustany says our veterans in those areas shouldn’t have to wait for the new clinics to open, so he wants to give them the option to receive care from non V-A provider

cut 14 (10) “best care”

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

According to a new report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Louisiana ranks No. 47 in the nation for overall well-being of children. Michelle Southern has that…:

CUT 1 (35) “reporting”

_________________

A 40 year prison sentence has been given to a Bossier City man accused of killing his estranged wife and discarding her remains last November. Eric Gill has more…

Cut 2 Audio (33) “reporting”
________________

Governor Jindal’s legal counsel is confident they’ll prevail in a lawsuit that claims the Jindal adminitration overstepped its legal authority to halt the implementation of Common Core. Matthew Doyle has the story…

Cut 3 Audio   (35) “….reporting”
_________________

According to a new report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Louisiana ranks No. 47 in the nation for overall well-being of children. The report was published in the 25th edition of the Kids Count Data book and study co-author Laura Speer says they took into account economic status, education, health, family and community…:

Cut 4  (09)  “education domain”

Speer says Louisiana lags the nation in 4th and 8th grade reading and math scores and also has a poor graduation rate. She says they found that 28% of students don’t graduate on time compared to the national rate of 19%. Speer says the lowest ranking in their report is for family and community where Louisiana ranked 48th overall…:

Cut 5  (10)  “two parents working”

Speer says Louisiana’s best ranking was at No. 42 and that was in the health category with indicators including percentage of low-birth weight babies and percentage of children without health insurance. She says another factor hurting Louisiana’s score is the fact that we have one of the highest teen birth rates in the nation.

Cut 6 (12)  “their children”
_____________________

A 40 year prison sentence has been given to a Bossier City man accused of killing his estranged wife and discarding her remains last November. In a plea deal, Robert Bond plead guilty to manslaughter instead of going to trial on second-degree murder charges. Bossier Parish District Attorney Schuyler Marvin says his office is happy with the sentence…

CUT 7 (13)   “justice was served”

46-year-old Annie Bond’s charred remains were found in northern Webster Parish on November 18th. Mr. Bond received the maximum sentence for a manslaughter charge. Marvin says one of Robert and Annie’s sons, Alex, spoke at the sentencing hearing. He says the young man’s speech to the judge was touching…

CUT 8 (14)   “for him”

Robert Bond spoke at his sentencing hearing and asked the 60 or so family members in attendance to forgive him for what he’d done. Marvin says he and the family are glad this has come to a conclusion. He says he’s happy that this case was resolved so quickly and cannot praise the work of local law enforcement enough…

CUT 9 (13) “of the police”
____________________________

The governor’s office has responded to the latest legal action over the Common Core debate. A lawsuit filed yesterday claims Governor Bobby Jindal overstepped his authority when he canceled the testing contract for Common Core. Jindal’s legal counsel, Jimmy Faircloth, says the suit has no legal basis…

cut 10 (09)  “real legal basis”

A collection of concerned parents and teachers were behind this latest filing. The suit claims the governor does not have the constitutional authority to dictate education policy. But Faircloth says there is no question as to whether Jindal has the authority to influence policy in this case…

cut 11 (13)  “subject matters”

The lawsuit is seeking to reverse the Jindal administration’s decision to use the Division of Administration to cancel a vendor contract to supply Common Core testing. Faircloth says allegations the Jindal misused his authority are unfounded…

cut 12 (07)  “doing here”
____________________________

A federal judge has sentenced a Shreveport pastor to six-and-a-half years in prison for taking minors across state lines and having sex with them. 54-year-old Andrea (Andre) Lewis, pastor of Act on Faith Ministries, was found guilty of three federal sex crimes in May. US Attorney Stephanie Finley says Lewis used his status as pastor to coerce young female church members to have sex with him…

Cut 13 (05) “young women”

Evidence in the case showed Lewis transported at least three minors to and from Texas to have sex with them. The events happened between 1994 and 2000. Finley says the young girls were very brave in coming forward and sharing their stories…

Cut 14 Audio  (11)  “them sexually”

Lewis used church choir trips and other church related business to cover up the sexual abuse. He was also sentenced to three years supervised release and must register as a sex offender. Finley says Lewis violated not only his oath as a minister, but also the trust of parents and these young children…

Cut 15 Audio  (10)   “kept the secret” ___________________________________

At Sun Belt Media Day, Ragin Cajuns head coach Mark Hudspeth answered questions about being the preseason favorite to win the conference. Hudspeth says he’s already told his players be prepared to receive every team’s best effort

Cut 16 Audio (16)    “on the road”

The Cajuns begin their season August 30th against Southern. Hudspeth expects over 40-thousand fans for the season opener at Cajun Field

Cut 17 Audio (20) “to town”

______________________________

ULM’s season will get underway Thursday August 28th, with a home game against A-C-C member Wake Forecast. The Warhawks will also travel to three SEC schools, LSU, Kentucky and Texas A-and-M. Head Coach Todd Berry says the Sun Belt schedule will also be tough…

Cut 18 (15) ”  more ready”

The Warhawks are picked to finish fifth in the Sun Belt, but Berry says they can surprise some people if they can stay healthy…

CUT 19 (17) “be sidelined”

Authorities have made an arrest in last week’s UL-Lafayette bomb scare that caused the campus to shut down for a day. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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

A lawsuit was filed today seeking clarity over whether Governor Jindal has the legal authority to stop the implementation of the Common Core education standards. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (35) “reporting”

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

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s office says they’ve arrested a Golden Meadow Police officer in connection with a methamphetamine investigation. Spokesman Brennan Matherne says they began conducting this investigation in April 2014…:
CUT 3 (11) “for personal use”

Matherne says they learned 37-year-old Officer Ashley Pollard and his brother, 33-year-old Courtney Pollard were allegedly making meth for personal use. He says they also learned the cop’s girlfriend, Anna King, was buying products for the meth lab. Matherne says they brought in Officer Pollard for questioning Monday…:
CUT 4 (05) “stress disorder”

Matherene says investigators found the meth lab at Officer Pollard’s and King’s home during a search of the residence. He says Golden Medow Police Chief Reggie Pitre issued a statement indicating Pollard resigned from the department upon his arrest…:
CUT 5 (04) “in Pollard’s actions”

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

An LSU freshman football player is recovering in a hospital today after severely cutting his arm during an incident in the school’s weight room. Assistant editor of Tiger Rag magazine, Robert Stewart, says based on what they’ve been able to gather defensive tackle Trey Lealaimatafao (Lay-ah-lah-ee-mahta-fow), punched a window at the LSU football facility…

CUT 6 (08) “his arm”

The San Antonio native tweeted a picture of himself in a hospital bed with his left arm in a large cast. He also commented on twitter that this has been a learning experience and he’s thankful to be alive. Stewart says LSU has not said what led up this incident….
CUT 7 (10) “this window”

Initial reports said Trey may need to have his arm amputated. LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette says that’s not the case, but Stewart says it appears the six-foot, 300-pound defensive tackle has a long road of recovery ahead of him…
CUT 8 (07) “gonna have”

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

Officials say an arrest has been made in the case of the bomb threat last week at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette that closed the campus down an entire day. Louisiana State Police Troop I spokesman Brooks David says a multiple agency investigation lead to the arrest of 30-year-old Devin Haywood of Lafayette…:

CUT 9 (11) “in Lafayette”

Haywood is charged federally through the FBI with planting a hoax device and attempted armed robbery according to David…:

Cut 10 (11) “are possible”

David says they believe Haywood called KATC last Wednesday morning saying there was a bomb in a trash can at a park near the UL-Lafayette campus, then minutes later he went to try and rob the MidSouth bank…:

cut 11 (06) “for both“

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

A group of parents and teachers who support the Common Core education standards filed a lawsuit today against Governor Jindal. They claim the governor violated his legal authority by using executive orders and contract suspensions to keep schools from using Common Core. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger supports this legal action

cut 12 (12) “clarity there”

This pro Common Core lawsuit comes one day after a separate suit, which challenged whether BESE followed state law when it adopted the controversial education standards. Leger is hopeful the courts can make a ruling quickly on today’s lawsuit, so teachers can plan accordingly for the upcoming school year

cut 13 (13) “move forward”

Navis (Novice) Hill is a parent of a public school student and one of the plantiffs in the lawsuit filed today. Hill says Jindal is playing political games and because of that her fourth grader is preparing for a school year, not knowing what standardized test he’ll take

cut 14 (06) “racially discriminatory”

The lone democrat in the 2015 governor’s race discusses why Louisiana voters should support him next year. Eric Gill has more from John Bel Edwards’ appearance at the Baton Rouge Press Club…

CUT 1 (34) “reporting”

__________________________________________________________________________

A State Representative is concerned about the impact of illegal immigration on Louisiana. Matthew Doyle has more…

Cut 2 Audio (35) “reporting”
__________________________________________________________________________

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Donaldsonville man after finding his wife shot to death at their home. Eric Gill has the story…

Cut 3 Audio   (31) “….reporting”
__________________________________________________________________________

Amite Representative John Bel Edwards spoke to the Baton Rouge Press Club about why voters should support him for governor next year. Thus far, he is the only declared Democrat in the race. Edwards said he’s jumping into this race offering a different vision for Louisiana…

Cut 4  (10)  “Jindal administration”
__________________________________________________________________________

The gubernatorial primary will be held in October of next year. He feels the next governor needs to be able to build coalitions, try to develop a consensus, and compromise in order to move the state forward. Edwards feels the state needs a governor who will put Louisiana first…

Cut 5  (10)  “what I offer”
__________________________________________________________________________

He said Louisiana needs a proven, respected leader in the governor’s chair who will govern from the middle because that’s where you’ll find long-term solutions to the state’s problems. Edwards said Democrats, Republicans, and Independents need to be able to communicate with one another to come up with solutions to the problems the Bayou State faces…

Cut 6 (14)  “find common ground”
__________________________________________________________________________

The tens of thousands of unaccompanied children crossing over into neighboring Texas is raising concerns Louisiana may face an immigration problem of it’s own. Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges, a member of the House Committee on Criminal Justice, is calling on the state leadership to develop a plan of action for immigration in Louisiana. She says the crisis next door is spreading to states across the country…

CUT 7 (08) the United States” ____________________________________________________________________

With Texas shelters currently overflowing with the children, Hodges is concerned that Louisiana facilities may be used to house the immigrants. Hodges says she would like citizens to visit her facebook page and take a survey, to voice their concerns…
CUT 8 (9 seconds) “…pulse of the people”
__________________________________________________________________________The The tens of thousands of children crossing the border into the US are being driven, in large part, out of their Central American homes by escalating violence related to gang warfare and drugs. Hodges says she is concerned that the immigrants may be bringing that violence with them…
CUT 9 (12) “…teenage men”
/a>
__________________________________________________________________________

Common Core opponents file a lawsuit in an attempt to keep the state from adopting the controversial education standards. 17 state lawmakers are banding together under the name “The Concerned Citizens of Louisiana” to challenge the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education’s adoption of Common Core on procedural grounds. Lake Charles Representative Brett Geymann says BESE did not keep the public informed when they adopted Common Core in 2010…

cut 10 (09)  “of the process”
__________________________________________________________________________

Geymann says BESE was not compliant of the Administrative Procedure Act, which says state agencies must follow a specific process when passing policy …

cut 11 (10)  “of common core”
__________________________________________________________________________

Education Superintendent John White says BESE is not legally obliged to pass rules using Administrative Procedure. He says because of this, there’s no basis for the suit…

cut 12 (07)  “no validity”
__________________________________________________________________________

Governor Jindal has used executive authority to halt the use of Common Core in Louisiana. Jindal also claims BESE did not follow the law when adopting Common Core. White disagrees with Jindal’s assertion and the lawsuit claiming BESE didn’t follow state mandated procedures…

Cut 13 (11) “….administrative procedure act”
__________________________________________________________________________

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Donaldsonville man after finding his wife shot to death at their home. Police Chief Tony Bacala says deputies responded to the residence after receiving a call 10AM Monday morning…

Cut 14 Audio  (09)  “shot his wife”.
__________________________________________________________________________

When deputies arrived they found 27-year-old Shella Howard dead in her bathroom, having been shot several times. 31-year-old Jaris Howard was found shortly thereafter and arrested without incident. He says the couple’s six year old child was in the home at the time and heard the gunshots, but did not witness the incident. Bacala says Jaris Howard is facing multiple charges…
Cut 15 Audio  (15)   “convicted felon”

——————————————————————————–
__________________________________________________________________________

Former Tulane star Andy Cannizaro has been introduced as LSU’s new recruiting coordinator and hitting coach. Cannizaro was a standout shortstop for the Tulane Green Wave in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Cannizaro has worked as a scout for the New York Yankees since 2009 and the Mandeville native is pumped up to join the purple and gold

Cut 16 Audio (21)    “college baseball”

______________________________________________________

Cannizaro replaces Javi Sanchez, who left LSU earlier this month to pursue a business career. LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri is excited about Cannizaro joining his staff and he’s also thrilled with his 2015 recruiting class, which features some power arms and some very good everyday players…

Cut 17 Audio (19) “show thatl”

_______________________________________________________

LSU has also released its schedule for next season. It all starts with a three-game series against Kansas on February 13th.  Mainieri says his team will be challenged right away.

Cut 18 (18) ”  to the wire”

Republican US Senator David Vitter files legislation to stop the sudden rise in unaccompanied immigrant children crossing the US-Mexico border. Jeff Palermo has the story

CUT 1 (33) “reporting”

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

ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert is facing a federal racial discrimination lawsuit alleging he made working conditions unbearable for African-American Employees. Michelle Southern reports.

CUT 2 (33) “reporting”

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

The Monroe Police Dept. says they are looking for a man they believe is responsible for hitting another man over the head with a large stick during an argument over a cell phone. Assistant Police Chief Don Bartley says the victim was walking out of the laundry room at an apartment complex when he was approached by Christopher Robinson..:
CUT 3 (10) “in the head”

Bartley says investigators were able to talk to the victim, 48-year-old Jimmy Atwell, who told them Robinson was mad because because Atwell informed police the suspect had stolen his cell phone. He says a verbal encounter took place and that’s when Robinson allegedly hit Atwell with a 3 foot long stick…:
CUT 4 (09) “LSU in Shreveport”

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Robinson with bond set at $50,000. Barley says the case is under investigation…:
CUT 5 (11) “Crimestoppers”

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

Republican US Senator David Vitter files legislation that he says will stop the flow of illegal border crossings. Vitter’s measure would implement mandatory detention near the US-Mexico border and expedited deportation of unaccompanied minors from Central and South America.

CUT 6 (12) “stem the flow”

Between October and this past June, an estimated 57-thousand unaccompanied children were apprehended by Border Patrol. The Obama administration says that number could reach 90-thousand by the end of September. Vitter says law enforcement of immigration laws for decades has encouraged more immigrants to come here illegally
CUT 7 (09) “from there”

Vitter admits his legislation will have a difficult time getting a debate in the Senate, because Senate leader Harry Reid will not be in support of this legislation
CUT 8 (14) “effective enforcement”

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

State Police says they’ve made an arrest in the case of the cyclist who was found dead on the side of the road earlier this month in Lafayette Parish. Master Trooper Brooks David says on July 7th, 30-year-old Lon Lomas of Youngsville was struck from behind by a vehicle believed to have been driven by Fitzpatrick Doucette…:

CUT 9 (09) “hit and run crash”

David says the body of Lomas was found in a ditch on the side of the road around 7am the day of the incident and it wasn’t long before they heard from the Kaplan Police Department…:

Cut 10 (08) “after the crash”

David says Doucette’s vehicle sustained a significant amount of damage to the front and there was sufficient information obtained by investigators to issue an arrested warrant. He says the suspect faces many charges…:

cut 11 (08) “of a bicycle“

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

ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert is facing a federal racial discrimination lawsuit alleging he made working conditions unbearable for African-American Employees. J. Arthur Smith III is a Baton Rouge attorney who has filed the suit on behalf of Charles Gilmore, Daimian McDowell and Larry Hingle…:

cut 12 (10) “enforcement division”
Smith says Hebert was trying to force out his clients in every conceivable way. The ATC Commissioner says it’s an injustice to all races when people use the race card to hide laziness. But Smith says his clients have exemplary records and were stellar employees…:

cut 13 (08) “their race”

A hearing date has not been set. Smith says Hebert was adamant about making the work of his clients so miserable that they would either resign or have a complete meltdown…:

cut 14 (06) “racially discriminatory”

Hebert says it is not a secret that he inherited a troubled agency with problem employees, but he’s very proud of the way they’ve turned things around…:

cut 15 (09) “they gettin that”

The three day qualifying period for the November 4th election is now one month away. Michelle Southern reporting…:

CUT 1 (33) “reporting”
__________________________________________________________________________

A Shreveport researcher has a grant from the LSU System’s LIFT2 Program to help produce a potentially cancer preventing gum. Eric Gill has more…

Cut 2 Audio
__________________________________________________________________________

The stalemate over Common Core and what assessment tests should be used in public schools could lead to legal action soon. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 Audio (35) “….reporting”
__________________________________________________________________________

State Farm has announced the hurricane deductible for home owner policy holders will go up from 2 to 5 percent. Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon met with State Farm officials and requested that they allow policy holders in Louisiana the option to buy back down to the two percent deductible in their policy by paying a higher insurance premium…

Cut 4 (10) “in our state”
__________________________________________________________________________

He says State Farm allowed policy holders in Mississippi to buy back down to the two percent deductible and he wants the same option for policy holders in Louisiana. Donelon says a typical policy holder with a two percent hurricane deductible on a $150,000 home would pay $3,000 out of pocket before their insurance took effect…

Cut 5 (08) “kick in”
__________________________________________________________________________

He says higher hurricane deductibles became prevalent in every coastal state after Hurricane Katrina. State Farm says they are considering Donelon’s request. Donelon says the real solution of this problem is for Congress to enact a bill that creates “Named Storm Deductible Savings Accounts”…

Cut 6 (14) “taxes expense”
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The three day qualifying period for the November 4th election is now one month away. Thus far the US Senate race between the incumbent Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu and Republican Congressman Bill Cassidy has been an extremely close one according to most polls. LSU Political Science Professor Dr. Wayne Parent says it’s a toss up…:

CUT 7 (14) “strong cadidate”
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Parent says we are still a few weeks away before campaigning really starts to ramp up, but the ground work for both Landrieu and Cassidy’s platform has already been laid…:
CUT 8 (12) “doing quite well”
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In the race for the 6th Congressional District, Parent says even though a majority of its voters tend to vote Republican, former Governor Edwin Edwards will most certainly make the runoff…:
CUT 9 (12) “good publicity”
/a>
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A Shreveport researcher has received a grant to help produce a potentially cancer preventing gum. Dr. Cherie-Ann Nathan, with the LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport, was awarded a $50,000 grant from the LSU System’s LIFT2 Program. Nathan says she will use the funds to help produce a gum that contains curcumin…

cut 10 (08) “prevention of cancer”
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Curcumin is a food substance found in the spice turmeric that reportedly has cancer-preventing qualities. Nathan says curcumin is one of the top selling supplements on the market…

cut 11 (12) “anti-oxidant as well”
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One problem with curcumin is that it is not absorbed well in the stomach. Nathan hopes this gum will allow for direct absorption of the substance and help prevent head and neck cancers. She says, once the gum is manufactured, they will enroll 16 healthy volunteers for a clinical trial…

cut 12 (17) “to the capsule”
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We’re another day closer to the start of the school year and because of the dispute over Common Core a standardized test is not in place for the upcoming school year. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says a lawsuit needs to be filed, so the judicial system can determine who has constitutional authority over education policy…

Cut 13 (06) “….would be the courts”
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Erwin says BESE leaders believe they are the ones who should decide what kind of assessment test is used in public schools, but the Jindal administration believes they should be involved in that process. He says a lawsuit to settle this dispute could be filed by BESE…

Cut 14 Audio (12) “…..does have standing”.
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Meanwhile, good government group, the Public Affairs Research Council, has issued a commentary criticizing Governor Jindal for creating a “crisis in education.” PAR President Robert Travis Scott says Jindal’s actions call into question whether he’s a reliable leader…

Cut 15 Audio (15) “…educational outcomes”

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Scott says Jindal regularly criticizes the federal government for this type of executive over reach. He says court action could be avoided if the governor could demonstrate he has the skills to work with others

Cut 16 Audio (12) “of Louisiana

New research suggests that your stress is extremely contagious. Michelle Southern explains.
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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The state’s unemployment rate has inched upward for a second consecutive month. Jeff Palermo has the story

CUT 2 (27) “reporting”

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According to new research, stress can be passed on to another person as easily as the common cold. Michele Many, assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at the LSU School of Medicine says people tend to tune in to the moods and feelings of others…:
CUT 3 (05) “support each other”

Many says it’s collectively good for us to be empathetic because when we naturally know how another person is feeling, we can react better to them…:(Many says one of the things we can do to help the ripple is to manage our own stress well by getting good rest, eating well, and limiting caffeine and alcohol.)
CUT 4 (08) “to each other”

Many says you shouldn’t let yourself be dragged down by someone elses mood as it just spreads the stress. She says you should first focus on your own wellness, then pull people into that…:
CUT 5 (04) “into your calm”

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The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s office says two people from Raceland are under arrest for allegedly abusing four children all under the age of 13. Spokesman Brennan Matherne says juvenile detectives were called to investigate a complaint regarding physical and sexual abuse of the kids…:
CUT 6 (10) “aggravated rape”

Matherne says detectives could visibly see bruising on the child’s body and learned 30-year-old Christopher Gaudet had allegedly punched the child…:(Matherne says Triche was booked with four counts of cruelty to juveniles with force and violence. Gaudet is charged with
CUT 7 (10) “responded to”

Matherne says during questioning of all parties involved, detectives discovered a history of alleged physical abuse of four children by Gaudet and his 27-year-old girlfriend Brandy Triche. He says they learned Gaudet had also allegedly forced three of the children under the age of 13 to have sex with him: (No details released on victims.)
CUT 8 (13) “dollars bond”

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A slow moving weather system has flooded some roads and sandbags are needed in low-lying areas in south Louisiana. Kevin Davis, director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says three to five inches of rain in a short period of time is possible for locations in the southern half of the state.

CUT 9 (13) ”  flooding conditions”

Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal says they have several roads flooded. High water has also been reported in East Baton Rouge, Lafayette and St. Martin Parishes. Davis advises residents to avoid areas where the roadway is flooded

Cut 10 (07) “….on the roadway”

Flash flood watches  are in effect through the evening and the National Weather Service forecasts indicate the threat of flooding could extend into the weekend. Davis urges everyone to attention to your local forecast in case of of additional advisories or warnings…

cut 11 (03)“…little cautios”

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The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office says they’ve arrested 13 people during an operation targeting prostitution. Lt. Tommy Carnline says their detectives became suspicious illegal sexual activity was taking place at local hotels when they came across internet advertisements that offered “massages,” “quality time” and “anything you want”…

cut 12 (03) “…is it legal”

Twelve people were arrested and charged with soliciting prostitution. Carnline says the individuals arrested are from various parts of the state, including suburban New Orleans.

cut 13 (03) “…in my opinion”

Carnline says a 29-year-old woman from Bossier City was also arrested for prostitution during the sting operation. He says in one night, over 17-hundred dollars was paid and taken as evidence from those soliciting prostitution

cut 14 (03) “…we’ll vote”