The latest gubernatorial TV ad for Republican David Vitter features his wife Wendy, who says her husband has the courage and vision needed to turn around Louisiana. ULM Joshua Stockley wonders why the campaign decided to have Wendy Vitter talk about this issue…

cut 14 (10) “interesting”

Louisiana’s gubernatorial primary is October 24th.

The Jindal campaign is looking to change the current debate criteria so Governor Bobby Jindal will be included in the next Republican presidential debate. Current criteria requires a candidate average at least 2.5-percent in six different national polls to make a debate. Jindal Pollster Wes Anderson says the governor’s recent surge to six-percent support in Iowa should put him in the main debate…

cut 11 (10) “upcoming debate”

The next debate is October 28th.

A Gallup-Healthways report shows Louisiana ranks 47th in the country for financial wellbeing. Tulane Business Professor Mark Rosa says there are a lot of low income areas in the state and we don’t live in a high wage environment…

cut 8 (07) “it’s sad”

The report also found Louisiana comes in 49th for the ability for people to pay for health care.

An 11-year-old girl with Down Syndrome from the DeSoto Parish town of Stonewall is making international headlines after a video of her reaction to being accepted on the cheerleading squad spread like wildfire. Renee Parker is Lacey Parker’s mother. She says after weeks of practicing difficult cheers and routines, Lacey tried out just like everyone else and eagerly waited for the results while her sister was capturing the reaction on video…

cut 4 (09) “and screaming”

The video has more than 30 million views.

Members of Governor Bobby Jindal’s presidential campaign are looking to change the current debate criteria so Jindal will be included in the next Republican presidential debate on October 28th. The campaign argues that basing criteria on national polls is meaningless at this point in the race. Senior strategist Curt Anderson says national polls are predictive of nothing since there is no national primary…

cut 10 (06) “be voting”

Current Republican National Committee/CNBC criteria requires a candidate average at least 2.5-percent in six different national polls to make a debate.

Louisiana ranks number 47th in the country for financial wellbeing according to a report by Gallup-Healthways. Tulane Business Professor Mark Rosa says he didn’t expect the Bayou State to rank among the least financially secure states but there are reasons why we’re ranked so low…

cut 7 (09) “of that”

Louisiana also comes in at number 48 for residents having enough money for food.

Republican David Vitter’s latest TV commercial for governor features his wife Wendy, who says her husband has the courage and vision needed to turn around Louisiana. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says this is a significant moment in the campaign, because of Vitter’s past scandal involving prostitution…

cut 13 (11) “are united”

In the ad, Wendy Vitter also talked about how her husband was the one who authored a bill that led to term limits in the state legislature.

LSU star running back Leonard Fournette is on the cover of this week’s national Sports Illustrated magazine. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Republican David Vitter released a new statewide television ad today which features his wife Wendy talking about why her husband would be the best choice for governor of Louisiana. In the commercial, Wendy Vitter says she knows David Vitter better than anyone and he has the courage to stand up to Baton Rouge politicians.

The Humane Society is asking for donations to help take care of the more than 40 animals who were living in filthy conditions at a home in Washington Parish. A mother and daughter face numerous counts of animal cruelty charges. Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says they plan to go to court and present evidence against the two women of long-term, chronic neglect for all of these animals…:
CUT 5 (06) “everything shows”
He says all of the animals, 20 dogs, 20 cats a duck and a rabbit, are in dire need of veterinary care.

The state Department of Health and Hospital announces a new online platform is now available to Louisiana residents with information about how to use health information. DHH Secretary Kathy Kliebert says makemyhealth-dot-me shows people how to request copies of their medical records and use them…:
CUT 14 (08) “care options”
The campaign is called “Your Health in Your Hands.”

The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a mother and daughter accused of neglecting more than 40 animals at their home in Bogalusa. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

The Baton Rouge Police Department arrests a 17-year-old on charges of negligent homicide for allegedly shooting and killing his 15-year-old best friend by mistake. They say cops responded to a report of a shooting around 3:30 am and learned that Kevin Aguillard and the victim were playing with a gun when it discharged. 15-year-old Brian Banks was struck in the face and died at a local hospital.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette is on this week’s cover of Sports Illustrated magazine. The sophomore is helping to keep The Tigers undefeated averaging more than 200 yards per game. LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette says being on the cover of SI is a huge honor for Leonard and LSU…:
CUT 11 (11) “not very many”
LSU takes on Florida in a TOP 10 SEC matchup Saturday night in Tiger Stadium.

US Attorney Stephanie Finley announced today that the former Mamou Police Chief was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison and another former Mamou Police Chief and a former officer pleaded guilty for their roles in a series of incidents where they tazed inmates who were not resisting. The pleas and Gregory Dupis sentence are the result of a federal investigation into the illegal use of excessive force upon inmates at the jail.

Early voting began Saturday for the October 24th primary, and with booths closed Sunday, Secretary of State Tom Schedler says in the two days just over 60-thousand ballots were cast. He says East Baton Rouge Parish has the most early votes with 41 hundred and Jefferson Parish is next at 34-hundred. More women have voted than men…:
CUT 8 (10) “51-hundred”
He predicts overall turnout will be below 50-percent.

The Red Cross of Louisiana announces fans donated more than $40,000 for South Carolina relief efforts at the LSU game this past Saturday at Tiger Stadium. They say Tiger fans welcomed the displaced Gamecocks to Baton Rouge with open arms and were ready with their wallets, checks and stories to share. The Red Cross says the money in the donation canisters outside of the stadium will provide badly needed supplies to South Carolina residents recovering from flooding.

The most talked about college football player in the country right now is LSU running back Leonard Fournette and he’s even on the cover of Sports Illustrated this week. LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette says Coach Les Miles has asked team leaders to keep in mind that Leonard is at LSU to go to school and play football and doesn’t want too much on his plate…:
cut 10 (10) “one of these”
The Tigers face the Florida Gators in a Top 10 SEC matchup Saturday night in Death Valley.

According to the Associated Press, the cost of Governor Bobby Jindal’s security detail has more than doubled to over $3.1 million a year since he took office in 2008. State Police says the price increase for protective services for the governor isn’t chiefly driven by Jindal’s frequent travel. They say a sizable pay raise for state troopers accounted for much of an $830,000 increase in salary and benefits for the protective detail over the last year alone.

The Washington Parish Community is outraged today over the news about the mother and daughter who are accused of neglecting more than 40 animals at their home in Bogalusa for years. Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says they took in more than 40 dogs and cats, a duck and a rabbit from the property and the vet bills are skyrocketting…:
CUT 4 (09) “off the top”
Dorson says they’re seeking donations from the community.

The State Department of Health and Hospitals announces a new online tool available to Louisiana residents that could help improve overall well-being. Secretary Kathy Kleibert says makemyhealth-dot-me contains resources and information designed to help Louisianians become more engaged in their health and health care…:
cut 13 (11) “healthier outcomes”

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved the adoption of scoring levels which align with other states on the Common Core testing. Cut Scores determine a student’s skill level on the test as mastery, advanced, basic, approaching basic or unsatisfactory. State Superintendent of Education John White says cut scores allow them to release reports to schools and parents after announcing Monday Common Core test results that show just 22-40 percent of Louisiana students have “mastered” a certain skill they say is needed to move on to the next level.

LSU star running back Leonard Fournette is on the cover of this week’s national Sports Illustrated magazine. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

LSU star running back Leonard Fournette is on the cover of this week’s national Sports Illustrated magazine. The No. 6 Tigers remain undefeated on the year thanks to help from the sophomore who has averaged more than 200 yards per game and scored 12 of the team’s 22 touchdowns this season. LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette says Fournette is also a great guy and teammate off the field…:
CUT 9 (05) “he enjoys it”
LSU takes on No. 8 Florida this Saturday night in Tiger Stadium and it’s being hailed as one of the most anticipated matchups of the week.

The Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office says a year-long undercover drug operation nets 54 suspected criminals, and 8 suspects remaining at large. They say “Operation Who’s Next” is one of the largest undercover operations in the history of the department. Sheriff Lonnie Greco says they were able to seize massive amounts of heroin, prescription drugs, crack cocaine, meth and much more.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals has launched a statewide campaign to educate Louisiana patients and families on how to use available health information technology. DHH Secretary Kathy Kliebert says the campaign is called “Your Health in Your Hands”…:
cut 12 (08) “health care cost”
She says the website makemyhealth-dot-me contains information about how to request copies of medical records and how to use them to improve your health.

The High Court is hearing the case of a man who’s been imprisoned at Angola for a murder he committed when he was a teenager where his lawyers are arguing the man deserves a new sentencing. 51 years ago, Henry Montgomery shot and killed an East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Deputy when he was 17. The lawyers claim a 2012 ruling by the US Supreme Court banning life sentences for juveniles means their client should get parole..

The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a mother and daughter accused of neglecting more than 40 animals at their home in Bogalusa. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

Steve Spurrier announced today that he is resigning as the head coach of the South Carolina football team effective immediately meaning his last game came against LSU last Saturday in Tiger Stadium. USC lost to the Tigers 45-24 which was the fourth consecutive loss in league play for the Gamecocks. Spurrier is also the school’s all-time winningest coach.

Early voting for the October 24th primary began last Saturday and Secretary of State Tom Schedler reported just over 60,000 ballots have been casted through two days. He hopes early voting totals will pick up later in the week because there’s still a large contingent of people registered who remain undecided on the key races…:
CUT 7 (07) “statewide elections”
He anticipating an overall turnout below 50-percent for next Saturday’s election day.

The Baton Rouge Police Department is investigating the case of the shooting death of a 15-year-old which happened early this morning. Cops are not releasing much information on the incident, but The Advocate is reporting the victim was accidentally shot by his 17-year-old best friend.

Through two days of early voting, the Secretary of State’s office reports just over 60-thousand ballots have been casted. That’s seven-thousand fewer voters than during the same period last year for the Congressional election. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says he’s anticipating an overall turnout below 50-percent for the October 24th primary…:
CUT 6 (09) “hold true”
East Baton Rouge Parish has the most early votes after two days, as 41-hundred ballots have been casted.

The Times-Picayune endores Republican David Vitter for governor. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this is a big deal for Vitter’s campaign which is facing attacks from the three other candidates and supporting groups…:
Cut 14 (08) “David Vitter”
NOLA.com’s editorial staff says Vitter is committed, a resolute chief executive that has a desire to govern and lead on many fronts.

Authorities in Sabine Parish found the missing 6-year-old girl who was the subject of an AMBER Alert out of Texas, and the suspected abductor has been taken into custody. Lexi Johnson was found less than 24 hours after the alert was issued. Officials believe 40-year-old Harvey York Jr. of Zwolle took the child from Houston after getting into a fight with her mother. York was booked into the Sabine Parish Detention Center before being extradited back to Texas to face kidnapping charges.

The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a mother and daughter accused of neglecting more than 40 animals at their home in Bogalusa. Terri Turner and Frannie Fisher are charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty. Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says the Sheriff’s Office was aware of the poor condition of the animals…:
CUT 3 (08) “to the authorities”
He says they removed more than 20 dogs, 20 cats, a duck, and a rabbit from the property.

Lawyers of the Angola inmate who is serving life for murdering a sheriff’s deputy when he was a teenager in 1963 will argue before the US Supreme Court today. The feds did away with life sentences for teens in 2012. Legal analyst Tim Meche says if the courts rule in favor of Henry Montgomery, it will open the door for many inmates to seek parole…:
CUT 13 (10) “for relief”
The state department of corrections estimates there are about 300 inmates who were sentenced to life for crimes they committed as teenagers.

Anticipation is already building for Saturday night in Death Valley and the top 10 matchup between LSU and Florida. Cameron Papp with StubHub.com says the average ticket price for the game is currently nearly $250. He says this is a huge game, but they always see a lot of demand LSU tickets…:
Cut 6 (06) “pay a lot”

The Times-Picayune and NOLA.com endorses Republican David Vitter for governor. Jeff Palermo looks at what this means for Vitter’s campaign…:
Cut 3 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana State Police have released the identity of the man who was killed when his log truck was struck by a train in North Bossier Parish Monday. They say 70-year-old Phillip Rivers of Zwolle drove his 18-wheeler onto the tracks and the train hit the rig and pushed it nearly half a mile. Investigators say Rivers was not restrained, was ejected and died at the scene. The investigation is ongoing.