The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles has collected just over $2 million dollars in car insurance lapse fines since they sent out 1.2 million warning letters to drivers according to State Police Col Mike Edmonson. He says some of the letters are being sent out due to a glitch, but they are simply acting on information from insurance companies…:

cut 11 (09) “call us”

He said as of Wednesday, the agency was able to clear the driving records of about 30,000 people.

Louisiana’s public colleges will look to the new governor and legislature for a significant increase in state funding. Higher Education Commissioner Joe Rallo says the Board of Regents is requesting an additional 636-million dollars next fiscal year to help meet the state’s workforce demands. Rallo says if the state wants to grow its economy, higher ed needs to be funded at a higher level…

cut 14 (06) “potential jobs”

The state’s budget problems could make that request difficult to fulfill.

A “Video Voter Guide” from the AARP of Louisiana features the two candidates for governor discussing their views on policies which impact older voters. AARP Louisiana spokesman Andrew Muhl says voters over the age of 45 make up 56% of Louisiana’s registered voter population and their goal was to present as much information as possible to allow them to make an informed decision…

cut 8 (10) “expansion”

Muhl says AARP supports Medicaid expansion and programs which would allow people to stay in their homes as long as they want to.

Blue Bell ice cream lovers are in luck because the creamery is offering delivery services to homes and businesses. Spokesperson Joe Robertson says they will send you four half-gallons of ice cream for 129-dollars and ship it anywhere across the country for everyone missing Blue Bell…

cut 4 (08) “your door”

Robertson says they’ve actually been providing this service since 1982.

One of the men that was video taped by a private investigator from a firm working for the David Vitter campaign believes Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand was the target of the so-called spying incident. Attorney John Cummings says, he believes the P-I was trying to dig up dirt on Normand because the Sheriff’s Association was set to endorse Democrat John Bel Edwards in the gubernatorial runoff…:
cut 13 (10) “their endorsement”
A Vitter campaign spokesperson says there was a video taping episode also involving the Senator while me wtih private citizens in Lafayette earlier this week.

Several parishes and cities in south Louisiana have moved trick or treat to Friday because of the potential of stormy weather on Halloween. After several weeks of dry weather, it looks like Louisiana will have a second consecutive stormy weekend.

Recent results from the National Assessment of Education Progress exams shows Louisiana public school students rank from 43rd to 49th nationally in reading and math. But BESE President Chas Roemer says there are some positives…:
CUT 3 (09) “or state”
29-percent of eighth graders are considered proficient in reading and 18-percent in math.

Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo says public colleges and universities are seeking a 636-million dollar increase in state funding next year. That’s nearly doubled what they received this fiscal year. Rallo says the gubernatorial candidates say higher education will be a priority and he hopes whoever is elected will stick to that promise…
cut 15 (06) “…number one”
Rallo says an increase in state funding is needed to meet the state’s workforce demands.

Results from the National Assessment of Education Progress exams shows Louisiana public school students ranking from 43rd to 49th nationally in reading and math. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Eric Gill”

For the second time this week in Louisiana a student has been arrested amid allegations they made threatening statements about schools on social media. This time the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office 17-year-old Jada Perron allegedly posted on Snapchat that a shooting would happen at Breaux Bridge High School today. An investigation was immediately launched she was charged with terrorzing.

The Shreveport Police Department is looking for a man who shot and killed a woman in an incident which also injured two other females including a 15-year-old. Cpl. Breck Scott says 36-year-old Verdina Crichlow was killed when a suspect opened fire on the women in an apartment then fled. HE says they’re talking with one of the victims to determine what they know about the suspect…:
CUT 8 (06) “to justice”

State Police Col Mike Edmonson announces the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles collected just over $2 million dollars in fines since they sent out 1.2 million warning letters to drivers. He said that as of today, the agency was able to clear the driving records of about 30,000 people since the notices went out October 13th.

Due to thunderstorms expected this weekend, many parishes and communities across south Louisiana have decided to move trick-or-treat to Friday night instead of Halloween night Saturday.

One of the men present when someone working for the David Vitter campaign filmed Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand’s coffee group, feels that person intended to find out what the sheriff was talking about. Vitter has called the entire spying incident silly, but Attorney John Cummings, who was there when it happened, said the US Senator is strange himself..:
CUT 16 (06) “something sneaky”
A spokesman for the Vitter campaign claims a tracker that worked for a PAC that supports Edwards was taking pictures of Vitter during a private dinner in Lafayette earlier this week.

Results from the Nation’s Report Card, shows Louisiana public school students ranking from 43rd to 49th nationally in reading and math. BESE President Chas Roemer says while the report did include some noted improvements, educators must continue to demand better performance from students…:
CUT 5 (10) “this state”

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says a woman is under arrest amid allegations that she tried to kill her 2-year-old little boy. EBRSO spokeswoman Casey Hicks says the mother, 29-year-old Samantha Snell, admitted she was angry that her son got water out of the refrigerator which is when she hit him with a belt causing him to fall on the tile floor and hit his head…:
CUT 11 (06) “to juveniles”
She says Snell was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.

The presidential GOP hopefuls participate in a debate hosted by CNBC tonight and again Governor Bobby Jindal didn’t get invited to the main stage. Jindal’s campaign argued he should be included in the main debate, because recent poll numbers from Iowa, the first primary state, showed he was gaining support. The governor even threatened to skip the CNBC debate, but after thinking about it, changed his mind.

One of the men video taped by a private investigator from a firm working for the David Vitter campaign believes Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand was the intended target of the so-called spying incident. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Plans are changing all over the place as the National Weather Service expects almost the entire state to be covered in rain on Halloween night. Many communities are moving trick-or-treat to Friday from 6pm-8pm. East Baton Rouge Parish started the movement and trick-or-treat is on the evening of the 30th in areas including Lafourche, Livingston, Jackson, St. Francisville, Terrebonne Parish and more are expected.

The National Assessment of Education Progress exams results show Louisiana is still lagging the nation when it comes to proficiency in math and reading, but some areas have improved while others have declined. Fourth grade performance was up, but only about 30-percent were deemed proficient in the subject matter. BESE president Chas Roemer says most gains came from African-American and at-risk students…
CUT 4 (07) “a positive”
Roemer hopes the improvement among fourth graders is setting a foundation for the future.

Shreveport Police are looking for a gunman who fatally shot one woman multiple times and seriously injured two others including a 15-year-old. Cpl. Breck Scott says 36-year-old Verdina Crichlow was killed and the others suffered gunshot wounds when someone opened fire at their apartment. He says the suspect is still on the loose but detectives got a description of the man…:
CUT 7 (08) “unknown direction”
Scott says authorities have not determined a motive.

One of the men that was video taped by a private investigator from a firm working for the David Vitter campaign believes Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand was the target of the so-called spying incident. Attorney John Cummings says, he believes Normand was the target because the Sheriff’s Association was going to endorse Democrat John Bel Edwards in the gubernatorial runoff…:
cut 13 (10) “their endorsement”
Vitter has called the entire episode a “bizarre and silly incident”.

Results from the National Assessment of Education Progress exams shows Louisiana public schools students ranking from 43rd to 49th nationally in reading and math. Fourth graders finished 43rd nationall in reading while ranking 45th in math, an improvement in both subjects. Eith grade students ranked 48th in reading and 49th in math. Nationwide, average math scores were lower for both groups, while reading scores were steady for fourth graders adn dropped for eight graders.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says a 2-year-old little boy is in critical but guarded condition after his mother allegedly beat him. 29-year-old Samantha Snell is charged with attempted first degree murder and cruelty to juveniles. EBRSO spokeswoman Casey Hicks says deputies responded to the hospital and interviewed Snell…:
CUT 10 (09) “out of consciourness”
Hicks also said the child had trauma to his kidney and brain.

Due to the threat of severe weather, several parishes and municipalities throughout south Louisiana are moving trick or treat activities as storms are expected Saturday and Halloween night. So far unincorporated East Baton Rouge Parish and Livingston Parish has moved trick or treat to Friday from 6-8. Some communities in Southwest Louisiana are also changing to Friday and some even Thursday.

One of the men that was video taped by a private investigator from a firm working for the David Vitter campaign believes Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand was the target of the so called spying incident. Attorney John Cummings says, to him, the objective was to catch Normand on tape…:
CUT 12 (10) “not at me”
The man filming, Robert J. Frenzel, is charged with a count of misdemeanor criminal mischief in the incident which Vitter calls “bizarre and silly.”

A few parishes in Louisiana have decided to move trick-or-treat to another day as the National Weather Service forecasts thunderstorms moving in Saturday and Halloween night. Baton Rouge and unincorporated East Baton Rouge Parish has moved trick-or-treat to Friday from 6pm-8pm. Some communities in southwest Louisiana have even moved trick-or-treat to Thursday. More municipalities are expected to keep kids off the street Saturday night as well, but some have ordinances prohibiting a change.

Results from the “Nation’s Report Card” show Louisiana public school students rank from 43rd to 49th nationally in reading and math. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (27) “I’m Eric Gill”

The Coast Guard says they will hold a media briefing this afternoon regarding the search for a missing aircraft off the Gulf coast that is believed to have a man from north Louisiana on board. They say the plane went off radar around 12:30pm Monday after takeoff from Gulfport.

Recent results from the National Assessment of Education Progress exams shows Louisiana public school students rank from 43rd to 49th nationally in reading and math. Fourth graders finished 43rd nationally in reading and 45th in math. But BESE President Chas Roemer says there are some positives…:
CUT 3 (09) “or state”
29-percent of eighth graders are considered proficient in reading and 18-percent in math.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says a woman is under arrest amid allegations that she tried to kill her 2-year-old little boy. EBRSO spokeswoman Casey Hicks says a hospital called saying the toddler had been brought in by his mother, 29-year-old Samantha Snell, in critical condition and with multiple fractures:
CUT 9 (07) “trauma to it”
Snell is charged with cruelty to juveniles and attempted 1st degree murder.

The Shreveport Police Department has released the name of a woman who was shot and killed Tuesday evening in an incident which also injured two other females including a 15-year-old. Cpl Breck Scott says 36-year-old Verdina Crichlow was shot multiple times and later died. He says 43-year-old Tammy Harris and the teenager were also struck with multiple bullets after a suspect entered their apartment and opened fire…:
CUT 6 (10) “the hospital”
He says investigators are working to determine the identify and whereabouts of the person responsible for the deadly encounter.

State Police say a woman from Rayville died in a morning crash in Richland Parish. They say investigators believe a vehicle driven by 36-year-old Shameka Johnson crossed the center line in the opposing lane of travel and collided head-on with a Honda. They say Johnson sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Honda had moderate injuries.

Governor Bobby Jindal takes part in another GOP presidential debate tonight, but once again he will not be on the main stage. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says a woman is in jail accused of trying to kill her 2-year-old child. They say 29-year-old Samantha Snell brought her toddler to the hospital in critical condition with brain damage and several broken bones. She was charged Tuesday with attempted first-degree murder and second degree cruelty to juveniles.

Louisiana’s Alcohol and Tobacco Control Commissioner has suspended the liquor licenses of five French Quarter strip clubs after undercover agents found prostitution, illegal drug use, and lewd acts at the establishments. ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert says the suspensions are a result of “Operation Trick or Treat”…:
cut 7 (09) “or tolerated”
Three of the clubs are on historic Bourbon Street in New Orleans. The other two are just off Bourbon Street.

According to a report by InsuranceQuotes.com, Louisianians save an extra $548 on average when they bundle car and homeowner’s insurance from the same company. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon attributes this to State Farm, the largest insurance company in Louisiana…
cut 13 (08) “of things”
Louisiana’s bundle savings is the largest in the country.

Louisiana Alcohol and Tobacco Control suspends the liquor licenses of five French Quarter strip clubs after uncovering prostitution and drug use. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 2 (21) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Of the 144 Louisiana legislative seats up for grabs statewide this year, only 19 remain to be decided in the November 21st runoff election. Only four of 39 Senate seats are left to be decided while 15 of 105 House seats are still on the ballot. Every Senate incumbent who sought re-election was successful while only three state representatives failed to retain their seat. Five sitting House members are in runoff elections. Early voting begins November 7th.

An InsuranceQuotes-dot-com reports shows Louisiana has the largest savings for bundling home and auto insurance. The study found that, on average, Louisianians save $548 by bundling. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says this report is an indicator of how much we can get back by bundling insurance and doing some research…

cut 15 (07) “all coverages”

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Louisiana has America’s 2nd-highest homeowner’s and 5th highest car insurance.

The Department of Children and Family Services is starting a statewide campaign to recruit more, greatly needed foster parents. Foster Parent Sheri Soper has children of her own and currently fosters two others. She says it’s rewarding to watch the kids grow and develop while in her care and gets satisfaction knowing they’re living in a safe environment…

cut 6 (08) “something secure”

DCFS Secretary Suzy Sonnier says there is a critical need for foster homes, with over 300 children entering the system every month.