Louisiana once again ranks number one among southern states in the number of major business projects per capita according to Southern Business and Development magazine. This is the sixth year in a row the Bayou State has received this honor. State Economic Development Secretary Steven Grissom says this is a very important ranking for the state…:
CUT 9 (06) “development area”
Louisiana earned 105 points in the rankings, easily outdistancing second-place Kentucky with 63 points.

Lawmakers have voted against going back to the State Catpiol this month for a veto session. Governor Bobby Jindal didn’t sign nine bills which got legislative approval and also took out several items from this year’s state budget. The veto session was set for July 21st but a majority vote in the Senate cancelled it.

A recent Fox News poll on the Republican presidential field shows Governor Bobby Jindal polling at less than one-percent. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

State Police is reminding motorists to expect major delays on I-10 westbound from Baton Rouge to Lafayette this weekend as it’s being reduced to one lane for construction tonight through Monday morning. Motorists are encouraged to use US 190 as an alternate route.

A recent Fox News survey on the Republican presidential field shows Governor Bobby Jindal polling at less than one-percent. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this is obviously not good news for Jindal. He says the governor did not see a real boost in his numbers after his official announcement…:
CUT 3 (06) “at this moment”
But he says it’s a little early in this process to take too much stock into surveys like this.

Federal authorities announce a bust of a huge illegal computer hacking forum which resulted in the arrest of 70 alleged cyber-criminals including a man from Louisiana. 28-year-old Rory Stephen Guidry of Opelousas is charged with a count of computer fraud. Investigators say this exclusive group was the largest known English faction in the world which manufactured malicious computer software until the FBI got a court order to shut it down.

The National Weather Service says hazardous weather is forecast for south Louisiana due to the extreme heat. State climatologist Barry Keim says if we do get rain, it will come with severe thunderstorms…:
CUT 6 (07) “are”
He says high surface temperatures have the potential to produce limited but severe thunderstorms.

Expect more traffic delays on the I-10 corridor in Slidell this weekend…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Governor Bobby Jindal begins his “Believe Again Tour” today in Iowa. Scott Carwile has more…:
CUT 3 (29) “reporting”

Legislators cancelled a veto session which would have considered overriding Governor Bobby Jindal’s vetoes of bills passed in the last legislative session. The veto session was cancelled by state senators. It takes a majority vote of either chamber to scrap the session.

If you’re headed to the beach this weekend the Department of Transportation is letting vacationers know to expect delays in the Slidell area. An I-10 West lane is closing tonight through Monday afternoon and those heading I-10 East face morning and nighttime closures throughout the weekend. Drives are encouraged to take US 90 as an alternate route. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett…:
CUT 9 (10) “system”
Last weekend there were delays up to 13 miles in the Slidell area.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association announces it has finalized a four-year agreement with the officials association, which means high school sporting events will go on as scheduled this fall. LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says this is an agreement that needed to be done and he’s happy they were able to take the final step.
cut 13 (08) “of fall sports”

The chairman of the Republican Legislative Delegation is providing an avenue for residents to provide suggestions on how to improve Louisiana. Jeff Palermo reports…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana Tech will no longer charge a fee paid only by female students to fund the school’s Association of Women Students chapter. In an effort to get the fee removed, a male student filed a Title IX complaint with the US Department of Justice and the US Department of Education. School officials say they reviewed the fee and determined that its removal was the most suitable action.

State Department of Transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallett says there’s the potential for more traffic delays in the Slidell area as a result of lane closures on Interstate 10. Last weekend there were delays up to 13 miles in the Slidell area. Mallett says drivers should use U.S. 90 as an alternate route and they are taking steps to reduce the traffic nightmare…

cut 8 (12) “about it”

He says travelers heading on I-10 east in that area will face morning and nighttime lane closures throughout the weekend.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association has finalized a four-year agreement with the officials association, which means high school sporting events will go on as scheduled this fall. LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says the agreement also allows for the establishment of a sports officials sub-committee to discuss future negotiations for fee schedules and other items…

cut 15 (06) “and so forth”

The agreement gives raises for officials in seven sports, including football.

Governor Bobby Jindal announces his “Believe Again” presidential campaign will visit all 99 counties in Iowa. LSU Political Science professor Robert Hogan says the governor has more time on his hands, now that the legislative session is over. He says that gives Jindal more time to get his conservative message out to Iowa caucus goers…

cut 12 (09) “don’t know”

Other GOP candidates have also committed to visiting each Iowa county.

Alexandria Representative Lance Harris, chairman of the Republican Legislative Delegation, is starting an initiative called “Take Back Louisiana” seeking suggestions from residents on how to improve Louisiana. Harris says this is a true grassroots effort with no donations being accepted from anyone…

cut 6 (07) “the process”

He says the goal of this initiative is to correct the state’s structural issues.

The Union Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Spearsville woman for allegedly punching her seven-year-old son in the face. Authorities say the child told them he was playing and not listening to his mother, 28-year-old Ashley Smart, when she began beating him. The boy also stated that his mother drinks a lot and gets mean. Smart is charged with cruelty to a juvenile and ordered not to have any contact with the child. The boy is now in the custody of his father.

Drivers can expect more traffic delays on the I-10 corridor in Slidell this weekend. Emelie Gunn has more….

cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Republican Legislative Delegation chairman Representative Lance Harris of Alexandria is providing an avenue for residents to provide suggestions on how to improve Louisiana called “Take Back Louisiana.” Harris says the goal of this initiative is to correct the state’s structural issues, focusing on the budget, education, transportation, and state’s rights. Harris says tax reform is at the top of the list…

cut 5 (11) “operate on”

He is hopeful voter input through “Take Back Louisiana” will give legislators ideas on how to fix issues that boxed lawmakers in last session.

As part of his “Believe Again” presidential campaign, Governor Bobby Jindal announces he’ll visit all 99 counties in Iowa. LSU Political Science professor Robert Hogan says Jindal’s main goal is to create an intense following at the grassroots level…

cut 11 (05) “ads”

The tour means that Jindal will not spend much time in Louisiana.

The state Department of Transportation says there’s the potential for more traffic delays in the Slidell area as a result of lane closures on Interstate 10. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallett says travelers heading on I-10 east in that area will face morning and nighttime lane closures throughout the weekend…

cut 7 (11) “morning”

He says a lane on westbound I-10, near the Louisiana welcome center, will close at 6 tonight and reopen Monday afternoon.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association has finalized a four-year agreement with the officials association, keeping high school sporting events on schedule this fall. LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says he is happy that a multi-year deal was struck…

cut 14 (06) “until ’18-19″

The deal still needs approval by state principals during their January meeting.

Governor Bobby Jindal announces he’ll visit all 99 counties in Iowa as part of his “Believe Again” presidential campaign. Jindal started the tour last night in Waterloo. LSU Political Science professor Robert Hogan says many candidates use this strategy to get more name recognition.

cut 10 (07) “level”

Other GOP candidates have also committed to visiting each Iowa county.

The chairman of the Republican Legislative Delegation is providing an avenue for residents to provide suggestions on how to improve Louisiana. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says the effort is called “Take Back Louisiana.” Harris says this is an attempt to engage voters before the 2016 legislative session…

cut 4 (06) “in Louisiana”

Harris says the initial Facebook page is up now, with a website being launched at the end of the month.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association announces it has finalized a four-year agreement with the officials association, which means high school sporting events will go on as scheduled this fall. LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says this is an agreement that needed to be done and he’s happy they were able to take the final step.

cut 13 (08) “of fall sports”

The LHSAA says the agreement results in raises for officials in seven sports, including football. The deal still needs to be approved by state principals during their January meeting.

The state Department of Education reports that a record number of nearly 25,000 high school seniors earned a score of 18 or higher on the ACT, allowing grads to attend college without having to take remedial courses. Education Superintendent John White says the number of African American students earning college-going scores has increased by more than 2,000 since 2012…

cut 13 (07) “the state”

Louisiana’s average composite score has increased by .2 from last year and is now at 19.4.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association announces it has finalized a four-year agreement with the officials association, which means high school sporting events will go on as scheduled this fall. LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says this is an agreement that needed to be done and he’s happy they were able to take the final step…

cut 24 (08) “of fall sports”

This agreement prevents a threatened work stoppage by Louisiana High School Officials Association referees.

On a 4-2 vote, the Lake Charles City Council voted down a resolution requesting the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury remove the South’s Defenders Monument at the Calcasieu Courthouse. Opponents of Councilwoman Mary Morris’ measure say removing the monument will take away their heritage. But Morris says this monument represents the darkest time in African-American history…

cut 7 (05) “public property”

The resolution requested the monument be removed from the courthouse and placed in a museum.

Camping World, the nation’s number one retailer of RV’s, RV accessories, and RV-related services, has picked up the title sponsorship of the Independence Bowl. Independence Bowl Chairman Kyle McInnis says this agreement means the I-Bowl has a solid partner for several years…

cut 16 (11) “doesn’t happen”

McInnis says the sponsorship will last through the 2019 game.

The State Department of Education announces that a record number of high school seniors earned a score of 18 or higher on the ACT, allowing grads to attend college without having to take remedial courses. Superintendent of Education John White says nearly 25,000 students earned a college going score, and he expects more…
cut 12 (07) “single level”

SEC Media Days concludes today in Hoover Alabama, and it was LSU head coach Les Miles’ turn at the microphone to talk about his thoughts on the upcoming season, and answering questions about three suspended players, including Quarterback Anthony Jennings. Miles says he anticipates they all will return…:
cut 10 (10) “legal process”
==============================
Three people are under arrest in connection with the case of an accused murder suspect who escaped from the women’s prison in Avoyelles on July 11th. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office Lt. Tommy Carline says Melissa Hayes was discovered by members of the US Marshal’s Gulf Coast Fugitive Task Force in Marrero…:
CUT 5 (09) “by law enforcement”
Twenty-two-year-old Shemesha Bordley and 19-year-old Michael Jones, both of Alexandria, were each charged with 2 counts of accessory after the fact. Myra Hayes also faces obstruction charges on top of that.

The Lake Charles City Council voted down a measure requesting the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury remove the South’s Defenders Monument at the Calcasieu Parish Courthouse. Councilwoman Mary Morris says her measure was not looking to get rid of the confederate monument…
CUT 6 (07) “are stored”

A record number of Louisiana high school seniors have earned a score of 18 or higher on the ACT, which is a 35 percent increase over 2012. State Superintendent of Education John White says kudos go to teachers for intentional efforts of providing courses to get students ready for college…
CUt 14 (12) Q: “things”
He says smaller rural districts and African American students made some great gains.

A four-year agreement allowing high school athletic competitions to continue with referees and officials through the 2018-2019 school year, has been approved. The agreement between the Louisiana High School Athletic Association, and the School Officials Association implements raises for officials in the major school sports. ————————————————–
The company Camping World has picked up the title sponsorship of the Independence Bowl. Camping World is the nation’s number one retailer of RV’s, along with RV accessories, and Independence Bowl Chairman Kyle McInnis is very excited…
cut 15 (09) “great partnership”

AT SEC Media Days in Hoover, Alabama, LSU Coach Les Miles expressed plenty of optimism about the upcoming season, saying they want to start and finish strong. One reason he believes they will is running back Leonard Fournette…:
CUT 9 (13) “in the weight room”
As far as the suspended players, including quarterback Anthony Jennings, Miles expects them to return.