One of the hundreds of laws that went into effect for August doubles the fine for not being buckled up. Interim Director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Ken Trull says it’s now $50 for a first offense. He says they hope the new law will resonate with people who normally don’t wear a seat belt, because it’s very important…:
CUT 12 (08) “50%”

According to a UNO poll, 82% of Louisiana voters disapprove of US Senate candidate David Duke. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 2 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

About 48-thousand Louisiana residents will receive a check as a result of a $310 million settlement with the manufacturers of dynamic random access memory devices, or DRAM (dee-ram), for overcharging customers. Attorney General spokesperson Ruth Wisher says they are glad this money is coming back to people…:
CUT 15 (10) “Louisiana people”
Louisiana and many other states filed a lawsuit in 2007 to get back the money consumers lost.

There is a ribbon cutting ceremony taking place this morning for ULM’s new four-point-one million dollar end zone facility. It’s the first athletic facility in ULM history to be funded completely by private donations and it’s the first athletic facility to be built on campus since 1983. The facility contains a new locker room, new coaches offices and a Hall of Fame area.

A new report by WalletHub finds Louisiana has the worst public schools in the nation. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office says a 26-year-old man is behind bars accused of shooting and killing his father during an argument. They say a witness reported that 63-year-old Harold Short and the suspect, Joshua Resteivo, were fighting when a shotgun went off. Resteivo is charged with second degree murder.

Fines for not wearing a seat belt have doubled under a new law now in effect. A first offense now comes with a $50 citation, and it’s $75 for the second. The seat belt compliance rate in Louisiana is nearly 86%, which is just below the national average. Interim Director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Ken Trull hopes these increased fines will boost that rate, like it has in other states…:
cut 11 (08) “seat belt fines”
State law says all vehicle occupants must be buckled up.

About 48-thousand Louisiana residents will receive a check as a result of a $310 million settlement with the manufacturers of dynamic random access memory devices, or DRAM (dee-ram), for overcharging customers. Attorney General spokesperson Ruth Wisher says DRAM was used in electronic devices, like computers and gaming consoles, from 1998 to 2002…:
Cut 13 (08) “of DRAM”
Those payments averaged 56-dollars per scammed customer.

Under a new law, fines for not wearing a seat belt have doubled. Don Molino has more…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Don Molino”

Louisiana has the worst public schools in the nation. That’s according to a new report from the personal finance website WalletHub. Analyst Jill Gonzales says in addition to poor scores in math & reading, Louisiana had low marks in the number of discipline incidents…:
CUT 5 (07) “to it”
But the state department of education says Louisiana has come a long way and students have show tremendous growth.

Many voters say they aren’t going to push the button for former KKK leader David Duke in the US Senate race, according to a new survey out of the University of New Orleans. UNO pollster Ed Chervenak says 9 in 10 respondents in the 2nd and 3rd congressional districts disapproved of Duke. He says Duke’s most favorable rating came from the 5th district in the northeastern part of the state…:
Cut 8 (08) “senate primary”
Overall Duke came out with an 82% disapproval rating.

If you bought a computer, game console, printer or DVD player that used DRAM, you can expect a check in the mail. Attorney General Jeff Landry’s spokeswoman Ruth Wisher says it’s part of a $310 million dollar settlement with the manufacturer for overcharging customers…:
CUT 14 (09) “56 dollars”
Louisiana and many other states filed a lawsuit in 2007 to get back the money consumers lost.

Hundreds of new laws are now in effect including one that would double the fine for not wearing your seat belt. Interim Director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Ken Trull says the fine for a first offense has went from $25 to $50, and second offense citations from $50 to $75. He says this is not about money, it’s about driver safety…:
Cut 10 (09) “buckle up”
This new law applies to everyone in the vehicle, not just the driver.

Louisiana has the worst public schools in the country, according to a new report from the personal finance website WalletHub. Analyst Jill Gonzales says Louisiana ranked near the bottom in reading and math scores, ACT scores, and student safety. She says the state also ranked 45th in dropout rates…:
cut 4 (07) “the country”
In response to this report, the state department of education says public school students have made tremendous growth.

US Senate candidate and former-KKK leader David Duke has an 82% disapproval rating, according to a University of New Orleans poll of about 600 likely voters. UNO pollster Ed Chervenak says this survey indicates that there is a wholesale rejection of Duke’s candidacy by Louisiana voters…:
CUT 7 (09) “rating”
Chervenak says 9 in 10 respondents in the 2nd and 3rd congressional districts in south Louisiana disapproved of Duke.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says an Imperial Sugar Co. packaging plant is closing in September meaning 49 people will lose their jobs. State officials say they will help workers try to find new jobs.

Strippers at clubs in Louisiana will have to be at least 21 years old because of a law that takes effect today, and some dancers are considering legal action. John Geiger is a bouncer at the Crazy Horse Cabaret in Port Allen. He says they believe the law is unconstitutional..:
CUT 5 (08) “overturned”
Supporters believe this law will help to curb human trafficking.
Another law goes into effect today that requires municipalities to post signs 500 ft ahead of intersections with redlight cameras. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says it’s fine if a city wants to have red light cameras, but drivers have a right to know.
Cut 12 (09) “posting signs”
Carter says this gives drivers the ability to challenge the ticket if one is issued where no sign is posted.
The Louisiana Department of Revenue has issued a warning that scam artists are targeting some Louisiana taxpayers. LDR spokesperson Byron Henderson says these scammers try to convince people to reveal private financial information, which is called ‘phishing.’
CUT 7 (08) “of fraud”
Henderson says LDR will never call a taxpayer and ask for personal information.
A 5-year-old has died after a boating accident in Lafourche Parish. Adam Einck with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says 5-year-old Ethan Hancock and his father were frogging in the Intracoastal Waterway when they ran out of gas. He says the father tried paddling out, but two barges came too close to their mudboat, so they jumped into the water…:
CUT 9 (11) “tugboat”

Under a new law going into effect today, municipalities must post a sign within 500 feet of a red light camera. Michelle Southern reports…:
voicer 2 (30) I’m Michelle Southern”

US Senate candidate and former-KKK leader David Duke has an 82% disapproval rating, according to a University of New Orleans poll of about 600 likely voters. Duke entered the US Senate race on the final day of qualifing for the election. He’s one of 24 candidates in the race.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s office arrests a 45-year-old driving school instructor for stalking and having inapproprate contact with a 15-year-old femal student. Angel Owens of Sulphur faces several charges after she allegedly gave an iPhone to the victim and threatened violence if she told her parents. Detectives found over 12-thousand text messages on the phone, some of the messages included inappropriate sexual language.

The state Department of Revenue has put out a warning that scam artists are attempting to steal money or personal identification information from Louisiana taxpayers. L-D-R spokesperson Byron Henderson says one woman in East Baton Rouge parish received a phone call in which she was told she pre-qualified for a program that could help her resolve a tax lien…:
CUT 6 (11) “was fraudulent”
Henderson advises residents to never give personal information over the phone.

Over 400 new laws take effect in Louisiana today. One of the new laws calls on municipalities to post visible signs within 500 feet of red light camera intersections. New Orleans Senator Troy Brown says if those in support of the red light cameras truly have the best interest of drivers in mind – then they should have no problem with this law…:
cut 13 (09) “…budget”

Also going into effect today is the stripper age law, meaning girls under 21 can’t dance in an exotic club. John Geiger is a bouncer at a stripclub in Port Allen. Geiger says this means dancers under the age of 21 will have to perform other jobs in the establishment or go out of state, which could be more dangerous…:
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Geiger says strip clubs are considering legal action to get the law taken off the books.

A boating fatality in LaFourche Parish claimed the life of a 5 year old boy. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the child, Ethan Hancock of Houma, was frogging with his father when they both went into the Intracoastal Waterway after a barge came up from behind them. LDWF Spokesman Adam Einck says the child didn’t make it…:
CUT 10 (07) “that aspect”
Einck says they were both wearing life jackets.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue has put out a warning to taxpayers that there are scam artists who are attempting to steal their money and personal identification. LDR spokesperson Byron Henderson reminds residents they never ask for personal information over the phone, instead they will typically request some form of documentation….
cut 8 (09) “…to them”

A new law went into effect today regarding red light cameras that issue traffic tickets. It says a sign must be posted alerting motorists that ticket writing cameras are present at the intersection. The author of the legislation, New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says if a city or parish fails to comply, they can’t use photographic or video images collected by the camera to impose a fine on a citizen. He says the goal is to prevent people from running red lights, period…:
cut 14 (09) “…pay for a ticket”
It’s one of over 400 laws that went into effect today.

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s office says a West Monroe man is dead after falling off the roof of a home that’s under construction in the St. Luke Area. Deputies believe 54-year-old Donavan Labbe fell 18 to 20 feet to his death.

Strippers who dance in clubs in Louisiana will now have to be at least 21-years-old because of a new law that goes into effect today. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 1 (29) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

In Calcasieu Parish, a 45-year-old driving instructor is accused of stalking a 15-year-old, who was one of her students. Authorities say Angel Owens gave the victim an Iphone so they can communicate and told her not to tell her parents. Detectives say there were over 12-thousand text messages on that phone, some of the messages included sexual language.

Under a new law that went into effect today, municipalities must post a sign within 500 feet of a red light camera, if they want their traffic tickets to stick. Michelle Southern reports…:
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

More endorsements were handed out in the US Senate race. The Jefferson Parish Republican Executive Committee says its backing Republican Congressman Charles Boustany. While Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy says he has the support from former GOP governor Mike Foster.

Starting today, strip clubs in Louisiana can no longer have anyone under the age of 21 dancing. Many strip club owners are not happy with this new law. John Geiger works at a strip club in Port Allen and says the dancers are just trying to earn a living…
cut 4 (10) “…to do”
Geiger says it’s possible there could be legal action to get the law thrown out.

A-five-year-old boy from Houma has died in a tragic boating accident. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says Ethan Hancock and his father were frogging in the Intracoastal Waterway when they ran out of gas. They attempted to swim to shore, but two barges close-by sucked Ethan under the water. Einck says it’s best to always be prepared when on the water…
cut 11 (07) “…of power”
Ethan’s father was not injured in the incident.

Drivers will soon know where red light cameras are located under a law going into effect today requiring municipalities to post a sign within 500 feet of each light. New Orleans Sen. Troy Carter says if a city wants to have red light cameras, that’s fine, but motorists should be warned if one is up ahead…:
cut 12 (09) “posting signs”
Carter says if a city fails to comply with this law they will no longer be able to use red light camera evidence.

Also going into effect today is the stripper age law meaning girls under 21 can’t dance in an exotic club. John Geiger is a bouncer at the Crazy Horse club in Port Allen. Geiger says this means dancers under the age of 21 will have to perform other jobs in the clubs or go out of state, which could be more dangerous…:
CUT 3 (10) “dance there”

The Louisiana Department of Revenue has put out a warning that some Louisiana taxpayers are being targeted by scam artists. L-D-R spokesperson Byron Henderson says the scammer tries to convince people to reveal private financial information, which is called ‘phishing.’

CUT 7 (08) “of fraud”
Henderson just encourages people to be smart and if they feel something isn’t right to please let someone know.

A boating fatality in LaFourche Parish claimed the life of a 5 year old boy. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the child, Ethan Hancock, was frogging with his father when they both went into the Intracoastal Waterway after a barge came up from behind them. LDWF Spokesman Adam Einck says the child didn’t make it…:
CUT 10 (07) “that aspect”
Einck says they were both wearing life jackets.