The preliminary autopsy report on the LSU student who died at a fraternity has been released. East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark says a medical report found elevated levels of alcohol in Max Gruver’s system, and they discovered the pledge had some swelling in the brain and lungs…:
CUT 4 (09) “around death”
He says a detailed autopsy report should be complete in about 4 weeks. LSU is investigating the death as a possible hazing incident.

The principal wanted by Baton Rouge police after allegedly locking a 5-year-old in a closet has turned himself in to authorities. Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says 31-year-old Shafeeq Deen has been charged with cruelty to a juvenile and false imprisonment…:
Cut 12 (10) “additional charges”
He says other students at Laurel Oaks Charter School are coming forward claiming Deen punished them in similar ways.

Heading into the final stretch of the race for State Treasurer, Republican John Schroder has the most money in his war chest. A report released Thursday indicates the former state House member has $614,000 in his campaign account. Fellow GOP candidate Angele Davis reported $354,000 in the bank, while Republican Neil Riser had $145,000. The only Democrat, Derrick Edwards lagged but is expected to make the runoff for his party.

An Alexandria Police officer has been booked into the Rapides Parish detention center on malfeasance and drug charges. State Trooper Scott Moreau says 42-year-old Kenneth Thomas of Deville is accused of having sex with at least one woman while on duty, and distributing illegal drugs. He says State Police is leading the investigation since the suspect is a cop…:
Cut 10 (09) “your own”
Alexandria Police Chief Neal Bates says Officer Thomas has been placed on Administrative Leave.

East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark has released preliminary autopsy findings on the body of the 18-year-old LSU student who died in what the university had called a possible hazing incident at his fraternity. Clark says they did not find any internal or external signs of trauma on Maxwell Gruver:
CUT 3 (06) “the hospital”
His office will provide a comprehensive toxicology test which takes as long as four weeks to complete. LSU is investigating the tragic incident.

Republican House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says Governor Edwards wants to keep a temporary one-cent sales tax on the books, instead of reducing government spending….
cut 15 (09) “…cop out”
The extra penny on the sales tax is set to expire next summer. The governor’s office says they are seeking a bipartisan plan that does not raise revenue.

Fans on both sides of the aisle are excited about tomorrow’s SEC opener for LSU and Mississippi State in Starkville. Director of Tourism for the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, Jennifer Prather, says SEC Nation will broadcast live from their tailgating spot The Junction on Saturday morning…:
Cut 7 (10) “to Saturday”
Kick-off is at 6 PM.

The Baton Rouge principal accused of locking a 5-year-old student in a closet for punishment has turned himself in to authorities. 31-year-old Shafeeq Deen was booked on charges of cruelty to a juvenile and false imprisonment.

House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says get ready for threats from the governor because of the state’s budget situation. Michael Farrar has the story…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Michael Farrar”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state’s unemployment rate of five-point-two-percent is the lowest it’s been since August 2008. According to the August jobs report, the state has gained 24-thousand nonfarm jobs over the last year and added 34-hundred jobs in the last month.

An Alexandria Police officer has been booked into the Rapides Parish detention center on malfeasance and drug charges. State Trooper Scott Moreau says State Police received a tip last month regarding criminal activity involving 42-year-old Kenneth Thomas of Deville…
cut 9 (09) “….illegal drugs”
Alexandria Police Chief Neal Bates says Officer Thomas has been placed on Administrative Leave.

There’s a lot of excitement surrounding Saturday’s SEC opener for LSU and Mississippi State. Kick-off in Starkville is at 6 PM. Director of Tourism for the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, Jennifer Prather, says fans wearing Purple and Gold started arriving on Thursday….
cut 6 (10) “…with us”
Prather says they anticipate LSU and State fans will attend tonight’s Bulldog Bash in Starkville.

LSU System President F. King Alexander has suspended Greek events on campus after an 18-year-old student died from a possible hazing incident. Alexander says Max Gruver’s death didn’t need to happen….
cut 12 (09) “….period”
Authorities believe alcohol led to his death.

House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says get ready to hear scare tactics coming from the governor’s office. In a video posted to his Facebook page, the Republican from Metairie says he expects Governor Edwards to start threatening cuts to important programs like TOPS
Cut 13 (12) “in Louisiana”
The governor’s office says John Bel Edwards is working with the House Speaker to come up with a bipartisan plan that doesn’t raise new revenue.

Several Louisiana high school football teams are participating in “Touchdowns Against Cancer” which will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The campaign lets fans pledge a donation for every touchdown scored over the next three weeks. Ascension Episcopal in Lafayette is participating, head coach Matthew Desormeaux hopes more schools participate next year….
cut 9 (07) “…jumping on”

There might be more to crawfish than boiling them and eating the tail meat. LSU AgCenter researcher Subramaniam Sathivel is researching to see if an antioxidant in the crustacean could help with Alzheimer’s Disease or obesity related to stress and diabetes, if so this could be a big economic impact for the state….
cut 6 (08) “…a key”

An 18-year-old LSU freshman from Georgia has died in what university officials are calling a possible hazing incident at Phi Delta Theta Fraternity House. LSU System President F King Alexander says the death of Maxwell Gruver is tragic and untimely….
Cut 10 (10) “utmost seriousness”
Alexander also says police believe alcohol was involved. An autopsy will take place today on Gruver’s body.

Officials at Angola say an inmate convicted of second-degree murder in Caddo Parish in 2008 attempted to escape from the prison last night. Emmanuel Scott didn’t get very far as he was found on a roof in the prison’s Camp D area. The search for Scott began at seven PM when he was not accounted for during a count of inmates. Prison officials say he was located around 9:30 PM.

Starting with tonight’s games, several Louisiana high schools are particpating in “Touchdowns Against Cancer,” which benefits St. Judes. Michelle Southern reports..:
Voicer 2 (28) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Many crawfish lovers choose not to peel small mudbugs, but LSU AgCenter researcher Subramaniam (Sue-bruh-muniam) Sathivel (Sat-ee-vawl) says it’s possible undersized mud bugs can be turned into minced meat, to be used for crawfish patties or flavoring…
cut 4 (09) “….minced meat”

The East Baton Rouge coroner will conduct an autopsy on the body of Maxwell Gruver today. He’s an 18-year-old LSU student from Georgia who police suspect died as a result of a hazing incident. LSU System President F King Alexander says it’s believed alcohol is involved…
cut 11 (11) “…through investigation”
The incident involved the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.

Republican House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says Governor Edwards wants to keep a temporary one-cent sales tax on the books, instead of reducing government spending….
cut 15 (09) “…cop out”
The extra penny on the sales tax is set to expire next summer. The governor’s office says they are seeking a bipartisan plan that does not raise revenue.

LSU AgCenter researchers are looking into the benefits of crawfish, other than just a springtime treat. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Several Louisiana High school football teams are participating in a three-week campaign called “Touchdowns Against Cancer.” Ascension Episcopal Head Coach Matthew Desormeaux says many of their fans have pledged a donation for every T-D….
cut 7 (07) “…help them out”
For more information go to touchdowns-against-cancer-dot-com.

An autopsy is scheduled for today on the body of an LSU student who died from an apparent hazing incident involving the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Maxwell Gruver died Thursday at a Baton Rouge Hospital. LSU President F. King Alexander says police suspect alcohol was a factor.

House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says get ready to hear scare tactics coming from the governor’s office. In a video posted to his Facebook page, the Republican from Metairie says he expects Governor Edwards to start threatening cuts to important programs like TOPS
Cut 13 (12) “in Louisiana”
The governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Richard Carbo, says Henry is intent on continuing partisan gridlock in the House. Carbo says the governor is working with the House Speaker to come up with a bipartisan plan that doesn’t raise new revenue.

The LSU AgCenter is studying to see if crawfish can be used for more than its tail meat. Researcher Subramaniam (Sue-bruh-muniam) Sathivel (Sat-ee-vawl) says an antioxidant from the crustacean could help with Alzheimer’s disease….
cut 5 (11) “….beta-carotene”
Sthivel says this antioxidant could also help with obesity related to stress and diabetes.

Several Louisiana high school football teams are participating in “Touchdowns against Cancer.” It’s a three week campaign that allows fans to pledge a donation for every touchdown scored by their team and the proceeds go to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital. Ascension Episcopal Head Coach Michael Desormeaux says this gives them just another reason they ahve to score as many touchdowns as possible…
cut 8 (06) “…do over there”

LSU System President F. King Alexander has suspended Greek events on campus after an 18-year-old student died from a possible hazing incident. Alexander says Max Gruver of Roswell, Georgia’s life was cut short and it didn’t need to happen….
cut 12 (09) “….period”
Gruver was pronounced dead at a local hospital and authorities believe alcohol led to his death.

Governor Edwards has been meeting with business leaders discussing the looming fiscal cliff, the loss of one-billion dollars in temporary taxes. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says the governor should ask executives how the state can help their business grow, instead of what taxes they can afford…
cut 14 (08) “…more money”
A spokesperson for the governor says Edwards is trying to come up with a bipartisan plan that doesn’t raise new revenue.

State Police have arrested an Alexandria Police officer for allegedly having sex with at least one woman while on-duty and distributing illegal drugs. Forty-two-year-old Kenneth Thomas of Deville was booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center.

Several Louisiana high school football teams are participating in “Touchdowns Against Cancer” which will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The campaign lets fans pledge a donation for every touchdown scored over the next three weeks. Ascension Episcopal in Lafayette is participating, head coach Matthew Desormeaux hopes more schools participate next year….
cut 9 (07) “…jumping on”

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith says Fire Chief Steve Krentel has been cleared in the murder of his wife Nanette, who was found in burned home with a gunshot wound to the head in July.  Smith says Steve Krentel was their initial primary person of interest…

Cut 3 (09) “from the beginning”

Sheriff Smith says they worked this case as a homicide since day one and will continue to do so.

An arrest has been made in the murder of a St. Martin Parish woman who was eight months pregnant. Major Ginny Higgins says authorities arrested 32-year-old Toni Trimble Thomas and she is charged with one count of first degree murder and one count of first degree feticide….:

Cut 6 (06) “continuing”

The suspect’s brother was the boyfriend of the victim, 24-year-old Ashley Nicole Meche.

Louisiana Community and Technical College System president Monty Sullivan would like the state to have a scholarship program that would benefit adults who want to attend one of their two-year campuses….

            Cut 10 (10) “…of education”

Sullivan calls it a wise investment and can help a mother of two who makes eight dollars an hour receive the training that can lead to an 18-dollar an hour job.

In other education news..

Neville High School in Monroe has been named the most beautiful public high school in Louisiana by Architectural Digest. Dana Jefferson, Executive Director of the school’s Alumni Association, says the school has undergone many renovations to preserve the 86-year-old building…:

CUT 12 (06) “to come”

Jefferson says Neville is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and that’s something the students and staff are really proud of.

A woman whose body was found in the charred remains of her burned out home in Julywas the wife of Fire Chief Steve Krentel.  However, the St. Tammany Corner officially ruled Nanette Krentel’s death as a homicide by a gunshot wound.  Sheriff Randy Smith does not dispute the ruling, but is concerned about the timing of the announcement, because there’s more to determine in this case…

Cut 4  (11) “from the scene”

Sheriff Smith says that Fire Chief Krentel has been cleared in the murder investigation.

An arrest has been made in the murder of a St. Martin Parish woman who was eight months pregnant. Major Ginny Higgins says this is very unfortunate as the life of a baby and mother were lost.

Cut 8 (10) “very sad”

32-year-old Toni Trimble Thomas was charged with the stabbing death of Ashely Nicole Meche and her baby.

A young man is dead and LSU is investigating the circumstances at the Phi Delta Theta fraternity house.  East Baton Rouge Coroner Beau Clark says 18 year old Maxwell Gruver passed away at a hospital after he was transported there from campus. A school spokesperson says they are aware of the incident and will report more information when it becomes available.

TOPS for grown ups? The leader of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System likes the idea. Emelie Gunn has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”