09:30 Newscast September 23, 2015

A state judge has ruled a constitutional amendment that bars certain convicted felons from running for an office in Louisiana is unconstitutional. Jeff Palermo asked former governor Edwin Edwards what this means for him…

cut 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Jennings Police Department has arrested a mother and her boyfriend after the woman’s one-year-old daughter suffered third degree burns to her lower body. They say the boyfriend, Japheal Griffin, became upset with the toddler after she soiled herself and placed her in a tub of hot water. The mother, Shelby Jones, claimed the child’s older sibling burned the girl, but later recanted her story. Griffin and Jones were booked on felony child cruelty charges.

The Cameron Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested 32-year-old Cody Bourgeois and 35-year-old Monique Bourgeois after their 1 year old child was discovered wandering Holly Beach alone, while they were jogging naked 4 miles away. Sheriff Ron Johnson says he’s not sure why the parents left the baby and started running with no clothes on but they believe drugs are involved…

cut 14 (06) “high on something”

The parents are charged with child desertion and obscenity.

If you want to vote in the upcoming gubernatorial election, today is the deadline to register. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says Louisiana is third in the country, at 85 percent, for the number of registered voters and hopes everyone will get out and cast their ballots…

cut 12 (10) “even voted”

Schedler says the easiest way to register or make changes to your registration is online at Geaux Vote dot com.

08:30 Newscast September 23, 2015

The Cameron Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the case of a 1-year-old who was found wandering Holly Beach alone, while her parents were jogging naked four miles away…

cut 3 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office says a senior citizen is under arrest after leading police on a high speed chase with speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. They say when officers responded to a call of shots fired, 76-year-old Billy Mercer fled the scene and the pursuit ensued. The chase was eventually called off due to hazardous speeds. Mercer eventually surrendered to authorities. He is charged with aggravated assault, reckless operation, and flight from an officer.

A 1997 constitutional amendment that prohibits convicted felons from running for public office in Louisiana until 15 years after their prison sentence is completed has been thrown out by a state judge. Former Governor and convicted felon Edwin Edwards agrees with the ruling, but says it’s unlikely he’ll seek public office in the state…

cut 6 (06) “Father Time”

Judge Wilson Fields’ ruling will be appealed.

Fall officially began at 3:22 this morning and hopefully we’ll start to feel cooler temperatures in Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says most Louisiana residents are probably glad fall is finally here, as this summer was the hottest we’ve experienced in two years. He says humidity was much higher than usual this summer and we saw dew points sky rocket…

cut 9 (10) “than normal”

He says we can expect normal temperatures for the next three months and higher than average rainfall.

07:30 Newscast September 23, 2015

A state judge has declared a 1997 constitutional amendment that that bars certain convicted felons from running for an office in Louisiana as unconstitutional. This same amendment kept former Governor Edwin Edwards from qualifying for this year’s governor’s race. An election Edwards says he would have won, but is glad he couldn’t…

cut 5 (10) “practices”

This court case involves former state senator Derrick Shepherd, who spent 37 months in prison and is seeking a state House seat this fall.

Hopefully, we’ll start to feel cooler temperatures in Louisiana now that fall has officially started. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we will start seeing temperatures in the 80s over the next few days but that might not last too long…

cut 8 (09) “comes through ”

He says higher than average rainfall is expected over the next three months.

The deadline to register to vote for the upcoming gubernatorial election is today. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says if you use the Geaux Vote dot com website, you have more time to complete the process…

cut 11 (10) “state offices”

Schedler says we have more than 600 statewide elections coming up and hopes more people will get involved, as we only have a few weeks left.

The Cameron Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the case of a 1 year old child who was discovered wandering Holly Beach alone, while her parents were jogging naked 4 miles away. Sheriff Ron Johnson says when authorities responded, they noticed a Ford Explorer which had been left running a short distance from where the child was found…

cut 13 (09) “no clothes on”

The parents, 32-year-old Cody Bourgeois and 35-year-old Monique Bourgeois, are charged with child desertion and obscenity.

06:30 Newscast September 23, 2015

A state judge has thrown out a 1997 constitutional amendment that prohibits convicted felons from running for public office in Louisiana until 15 years after their prison sentence is completed. The case involves former state senator Derrick Shepherd, who spent 37 months in prison and is seeking a state House seat this fall. Former Governor and convicted felon Edwin Edwards agrees with the ruling…

cut 4 (07) “to vote on it”

Judge Wilson Fields agreed with Shepherd’s attorneys who said the language on the ballot in 1997 did not match-up with what the legislature passed.

Today is the deadline to register to vote for the upcoming gubernatorial election. Secretary of State Tom Schedler is reminding Louisiana residents to get engaged in all of the important elections that will take place on October 24th.

cut 10 (10) “the task”

Schedler says the easiest way to register or make changes to your registration is to go online at Geaux Vote dot com.

Today marks the first day of fall and hopefully that means we’ll start to feel cooler temperatures in Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we can expect normal temperatures for the next three months and we’ll also be getting some relief to the dry conditions across the state with higher than average rainfall.

cut 7 (10) “this winter”

Keim says Louisiana will be cooling down shortly with the arrival of cold fronts. He adds that most residents are probably glad fall is finally here, as this summer was the hottest we’ve experienced in two years.

17:30 Newscast Sept 22

The Council for a Better Louisiana has released its 2015 Election Agenda. Its recommendations on roads, education, and health care for the next governor and legislature. CABL President Barry Erwin hopes the next governor looks at raising the gas tax in an effort to increase investment in highway infrastructure…:
CUT 6 (08) “of the state”
CABL’s agenda also supports Medicaid expansion and a cap on TOPS.

The Jefferson Parish Republican Executive Committee has decided to endorse Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser for Lt. Governor over their own Jefferson Parish President John Young. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says this is a big win for Nungesser. He says it clearly shows that Young has issues with his fellow Republicans in his home parish…:
CUT 13 (07) “a runoff”
The group also endorses Republican David Vitter for governor but Dubos says it was only by one vote in a runoff with Jay Dardenne.

Pope Francis is on US soil for a six-day, three city visit. Tomorrow morning he’ll be welcomed to the United State during a ceremoney at the White House. State Senate President John Alario says he’s humbled to have received the invitation from President Obama…
cut 4 (05) “….we’re there”

Strange story out of Cameron Parish, a one-year-old was found alone on Holly Beach, while her parents were jogging naked four miles away. Michelle Southern reports…
voicer 3 (30) “I’m Michelle southern’

**16:30 Newscast, Correction** Sept 22, 2015

The Council for a Better Louisiana has released their 2015 Election Agenda. These are the group’s recommendations for the next governor and legislature. CABL President Barry Erwin says they support expanding Medicaid. He says this would afford the state more federal money to strengthen medical education and provide more health care for Louisiana citizens…:
CUT 8 (09) “other states”
He says they also would like to see the gas tax raised to help roads and they also feel the TOPS program should be restructured.

The four main candidates for governor were asked about the possibility of raising the minimum wage during a forum in Baton Rouge. Republican David Vitter was absent, but fellow GOP candidate Jay Dardenne doesn’t think increasing the minimum pay is the answer. Republican Scott Angelle agrees…:
CUT 11 (08) “program”
Democrat John Bel Edwards supports raising the wages of the state’s lowest paid workers.

The Jefferson Parish GOP endorses Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser for Lt. Governor over their own Jefferson Parish President John Young. In the governor’s race, the group endorses Republican David Vitter. However, Political analyst Clandy Dubos says this was not an overwhelming endorsement from Vitter’s home parish…:
cut 14 (09) “one vote”
He says the group’s selection of Nungesser over Young is a real slap at Young on his home turf.

So will Saints quarterback Dree Brees play against the Carolina Panthers? ESPN’s Ed Werder has learned that orthopedic surgeon and LSU alum Doctor James Andrews examined the MRI scans of Brees’ injured shoulder and confirmed the original diagnosis that the veteran QB has a bruised rotator cuff. That means there’s a chance number nine will play against the Panthers, but it depends on how well his shoulder responds to the treatments he’ll get this week.

15:30 Newscast, September 22nd, 2015

The Council for a Better Louisiana has released their 2015 Election Agenda which provides the group’s recommendations for roads, education, and health care to the next governor and legislature. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

Former state lawmaker Derrick Shepherd, a Democrat and convicted felon from Marrero, got a victory today in his fight to be able to run for public office again. The Jefferson Parish DA won a suit to keep Shepherd’s name off the ballot citing a 1997 constitutional amendment banning felons from running for office for 15 years. But a judge in Baton Rouge agreed with Shepherd’s argument that the legislature approved wording in the amendment which wasn’t on the ballot. An appeal of the ruling is planned.

The Jefferson Parish Republican Executive Committee has decided to endorse Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser for Lt. Governor over their own Jefferson Parish President John Young. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says this is a big win for Nungesser. He says it clearly shows that Young has issues with his fellow Republicans in his home parish…:
CUT 13 (07) “a runoff”
The group also endorses Republican David Vitter for governor but Dubos says it was only by one vote in a runoff with Jay Dardenne.

And if you’re not registered to vote yet in the October 24th primary, tomorrow is your last day to sign up. Residents can easily register to vote online at GeauxVote.com or in person at the local registrar of voter’s office or the OMV. Races in the election include many statewide and local offices.

 

14:30 Newscast, September 22nd, 2015

Pope Francis is headed to the US today and State Senate President John Alario says he got an invitation out of the blue to attend the welcoming event at the White House tomorrow morning. Alario feels the pope’s message of forgiveness has really resonated with Catholics…:
CUT 5 (07) “to hear him”
The ceremony is scheduled for 8:15 Wednesday morning.

The Jefferson Parish Republican Executive Committee has announced their endorsements for the October 24th primary election. In a surprise, the group backs former Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser in the Lt. Governor’s race over their own Jefferson Parish President John Young. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says this is not good news for Young…:
cut 12 (10) “for Nungesser”
In the governor’s race, the group endorses Republican David Vitter — but not by a huge margin.

Will he or won’t he play against the Carolina Panthers. Jeff Palermo has the latest on Drew Brees’ status for Sunday’s game…:
CUT 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office says a Lake Charles man is under arrest for allegedly breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s home and raping her. They say 37-year-old Joshua Duplechin broke a bedroom window of the residence then once inside, threatened the victim and raped her. He is charged with home invasion and second-degree rape with a $250,000 bond.

 

13:30 Newscast, September 22nd, 2015

Council for a Better Louisiana is our with their 2015 recommendations for the next governor and legislature on issues like healthcare, education and roads. CABL President Barry Erwin says they’d like to see a restructuring of the TOPS scholarship program to ensure its sustainability for the future. He says the cost of TOPS should not automatically grow with an increase in tuition…:
CUT 7 (09) “appropriate them”
They’d also like to see an increase in the gas tax to invest into Louisiana’s roads and they also support Medicaid expansion.

ESPN is reporting that they’ve spoken to orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews who said New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees does in fact have a bruised rotator cuff. The veteran QB said there is a “reasonable possibility” he will play this Sunday against the Panthers, but it just depends on how well he responds to treatment this week.

The issue of raising the minimum wage was brought up during a gubernatorial forum in Baton Rouge Monday. Democrat John Bel Edwards
says he supports giving Louisiana’s lowest paid workers more money. Republican Jay Dardenne disagrees. He says raising the minimum wage has proved to be counterproductive in many different ways…:
CUT 10 (10) “is education”
Republican Scott Angelle also says education is the key to higher paying jobs. Republican candidate David Vitter did not attend the forum.

New numbers from the Centers for Disease Control found in a state-by-state analysis that Louisiana had the fourth highest adult obesity rate in the nation in 2014. The numbers show that the obesity rate here is at almost 35%, up from 23 percent in 2000. Arkansas has the highest adult obesity rate at 36 percent, while Colorado has the lowest at 21 percent.

 

 

 

12:30 Newscast, September 22nd, 2015

Democrat John Bel Edwards has released a television ad that says he’s the only gubernatorial candidate who supports an increase in minimum wage. Edwards spoke about his support for raising the wages of the state’s lowest paid workers during a forum in Baton Rouge…:
CUT 9 (11) “to do it”
Republicans Jay Dardenne and Scott Angelle do not agree there should be an increase. GOP candidate David Vitter did not attend the forum.

State Senate President John Alario is elated that he was invited to be a guest welcoming Pope Francis at the White House tomorrow morning. He says the invitation from President Obama came out of the blue and he’s very humbled by the gesture…:
CUT 4 (05) “we’re there”
The ceremony is scheduled for 8:15 Wednesday morning on the South Lawn of the White House.

The Council for a Better Louisiana has released their 2015 Election Agenda. It provides the group’s recommendations for roads, education, and health care to the next governor and legislature. CABL President Barry Erwin hopes the next governor looks at raising the gas tax in an effort to increase investment in highway infrastructure…:
CUT 6 (08) “of the state”
The agenda also supports Medicaid expansion in Louisiana and the restructuring of TOPS.

It’s expected we’ll find out more about the injury to Saints quarterback Drew Bree’s shoulder tomorrow. ESPN is reporting Brees has a bruised rotator cuff, but there is no indication of a tear. The Saints play at Carolina Sunday.