LSU President and Chancellor F King Alexander says, if the legislature doesn’t restore the massive cut to higher education that’s proposed in Governor Bobby Jindal’s budget, 2,000 classes will be cancelled and every LSU employee will have to be furloughed. Alexander says says there are numerous plans floating around that seek to prevent huge cuts to higher ed, but it’s unclear if any of them will receive the support of the legislature and the governor…

cut 8 (09) “revenue generation”

Alexander says the proposed budget provides LSU with 80-million dollars less in state funding than this fiscal year.

Today, a Terrebonne Parish grand jury will consider the case against a sheriff’s deputy who shot and killed 14-year-old Cameron Tillman last September. The Sheriff’s Department says Deputy Preston Norman fired in self-defense after Tillman appeared to be holding a gun. Legal analyst Tim Meche says the grand jury will hear evidence and testimony, possibly from Norman, himself…

cut 4 (05) “his weapon”

Relatives of others who were at the abandoned house with Tillman say he was not holding a weapon.

Robert Durst, the multi-millionaire New York real estate heir facing weapons and drug charges, was denied bond in a New Orleans court. Durst is also accused of killing Susan Berman 15 years ago in California. New Orleans criminal defense lawyer Chick Foret says says the New Orleans case will be first…

cut 11 (09) “gets to LA”

Durst’s attorney Dick DeGuerin says his client was arrested illegally on March 14th and it was orchestrated to coincide with the HBO documentary “The Jinx.”

A 30-year-old Baton Rouge heroin user will spend at least 6 years in prison on charges related to the death of his girlfriend from a fatal overdose. East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore says Brandon Eirick pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin…

cut 13 (10) “death of his girlfriend”

Moore says the evidence showed that Eirick purchased the heroin earlier in the day, and he and Leah Hitchinson shot each other up.

It looks like the price at the pump will continue to make our wallets happy. The American Automobile Association reports a gallon of regular on average statewide is $2.22. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says even the US Department of Energy predicts the national average won’t get above $2.50 for the entire year…:
CUT 7 (07) “a gallon”
Redman says the falling price at the pump can, in part, be attributed to a robust supply.

Governor Bobby Jindal says he won’t announce whether or not he’s running for president until after the 2015 legislative session which begins April 13th and ends June 11th. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross fully expects Jindal will throw his hat into the ring…:
CUT 5 (07) “after that”
Texas Senator Ted Cruz officially announced today he’ll seek the Republican presidential nomination.

Friends and family gathered in Hammond today to say farewell to a Louisiana National Guardsman who died in a helicopter crash in Florida. 37-year-old Chief Warrant Officer 4 George Wayne Griffin Jr of Delhi’s funeral started in Hammond and he will be buried in Lafayette with full military honors. Four Louisiana National Guardsmen died in the crash.

Former New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper has made a “global” plea deal with prosecutors in 4 states where he is accused of drugging and raping women and sentencing started today. He’ll reportedly serve 9 years behind bars. Legal analyst Doug Sunseri says this type of plea deal means Sharper has agreed to one punishment for all charges…:
CUT 13 (07) “four jurisdictions”
He says this is a good move on the part of Sharper who could get life on a conviction and it’s also smart on the victim side because rapes are hard to prove without a reasonable doubt.

Governor Bobby Jindal says he will wait until the legislative session ends in June before announcing whether he will enter the race for President…
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

The millionaire accused of killing a female friend in California 15 years ago will be staying put in Louisiana. Seventy-one year-old Robert Durst was in court today for a bond hearing on weapons charges, a week after he was discovered at a New Orleans hotel under a fake name, with a gun, passport and a large amount of cash. He had been sent to a prison’s mental health unit, as jail officials said he was a suicide risk.
————————————-
Former New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper, who entered a global plea deal to resolve sexual assault charges in four states including Louisiana, was sentenced today. Legal Analyst Doug Sunseri says this is likely a good move for Sharper, because if he were convicted on one of these crimes he could get life in prison…
cut 14 (08) “took the plea deal”
Sharper will get 8 years in jail in Nevada and he was sentenced to 9 in Arizona.

Gas prices are once again starting to fall. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.22 which is down three cents from this time last week, according to the American Automobile Association…
CUT 6 (09) “spring transition”
That’s AAA fuel analyst Don Redman with that forecast.

With Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz officially announcing he’s running for president, what does that mean for a potential Bobby Jindal campaign? Not much at the moment, since the governor says he will wait until after the legislative session in June for his decision. At that point, if he DOES decide to make a run….
CUT 5 (07) Q: “after that”
That’s UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross.

With numerous charges involving drugging and sexually assaulting women, former New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper has entered a global plea deal to resolve charges in Louisiana and three other states. Legal analyst Doug Sunseri says means he essentially has agreed to have one punishment for all charges…
CUT 13 (07) Q: ‘four jurisdictions’
Sunseri says, legally, it’s a good move for all parties involved.
============================
A father-son dispute over a breakfast beverage in the home turned into shooting scene in Baton Rouge. BRPD Corporal Don Copola says 58 year-old Eltridge Dukes was upset with his 18 year-old son Brentin over not enough orange juice in the fridge. As matters got more intense, the son broke a porcelain vase…
CUT 10 (11) Q: ‘in the buttocks”

So, what’s up with gasoline? Not the price, as the state-wide average for a gallon of regular is down 3 cents to $2.22 a gallon. AAA Fuel analyst Don Redman says with the winter to summer blend transition, there may be a slight hiccup, but not much…
CUT 8 (07) Q: ‘which is great”
And across the nation, as the Department of Energy forecasts the national average no higher than $2.50 a gallon.

It’s no secret that Governor Bobby Jindal is entertaining the thought of running for president, but now he says he will wait until the legislative session ends in June before announcing whether he will enter the race. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says that’s a good idea…
CUT 3 (09) “to Louisiana”
Texas Senator Ted Cruz is the first major presidential hopeful to officially declare his intent to run.

Baton Rouge Police say a man who allegedly shot his son over a dispute over lack of orange juice in the home, has been arrested. Fifty-eight year-old Eldridge Dukes reportedly chased 18 year-old Brentin Dukes outside the house with a gun, firing shots, and striking his son in the butoocks…
CUT 11 (07) Q: ‘of a weapon’
That’s BRPD Corporal Don Copola
==========================
Gas prices are once again starting to fall. Here’s Michelle Southern with more…:
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

The recent ISIS online hit list that are targeting military personnel, has 25 names on a list of 100 that are current and/or past personnel from Barksdale Air Force Base near Shreveport-Bossier. The threat was released by an ISIS hacjking division, and because of that source, the Pentagon is asking the those concerned to adjust their online settings for social media accounts.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz has officially announced that he is running for the Republican presidential nomination, but Governor Bobby Jindal says he will wait until the legislative session ends in June before announcing whether he will enter the race. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

The Terrbonne Parish Sheriff’s office says a woman from Ashland is charged with manslaughter after allegedly shooting and killing her live-in boyfriend. They say 32-year-old Schwann Williams told cops she was attacked by the victim, but evidence at the scene warranted the manslaughter charge.

Baton Rouge Police say a man is charged with attempted manslaugter chargesafter he allegedly shot his son during an argument over orange juice. Cpl. Don Coppola says officers were dispatched to a disturbance at the home of 58-year-old Eldridge Dukes…:
CUT 9 (11) “threatening injuries”
He says apparently the situation began over an argument about a lack of orange juice in the home.

Former New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper, who pleaded guilty last week to sexual assault charges in three states including Louisiana, will reportedly get a maximum 8 years in jail in Nevada. Legal analyst Doug Sunseri says it’s likely that the similar charges in other states, including Louisiana, will run concurrently and not consecutively…:
CUT 12 (11) “is concerned”
He says not going to trial is probably a good idea on Sharper’s part.

We’re starting to see yet another drop in the price of gas. The statewide average is at $2.22 according to the American Automobile Association down three cents from last Monday. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says a forecast from the US Department of Energy indicates that the national averge won’t get above $2.50 a gallon for the entire year…:
CUT 7 (07) “a gallon”
Redman attributes the falling price at the pump on a very healthy supply.

Former New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper, who pleaded guilty last week to sexual assault charges in three states including Louisiana, will reportedly get 8 years in jail in Nevada. This is called a “global” plea deal to resolve the charges, including federal charges, and all sentences will run concurrently according to legal experts so the 39-year-old will only serve his time in one prison.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz has officially announced that he is running for the Republican presidential nomination, but Governor Bobby Jindal says he will wait until the legislative session ends in June before announcing whether he will enter the race. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Cruz, Rick Santorum and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul will all have some impact on a Jindal candidacy because of their similar politics:
CUT 4 (08) “as the vice-president”
He says it’s smart for Jindal to wait until after the session to start a campaign.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office say the man who went on the crazed incident with a machete and wasp spray at the New Orleans airport died over the weekend. 63-year-old Richard White was shot by a deputy working to diffuse the situation.

Gas prices are once again starting to fall. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is is $2.22 which is down three cents from this time last week according to the American Automobile Association. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman…:
CUT 6 (09) “spring transition”
He says a forecast from the US Department of Energy indicates that the national averge won’t get above $2.50 a gallon for the entire year.

A son is in the hospital recovering from a gunshot wound after cops say he was shot by his father when there was no more orange juice in their Baton Rouge home. They say 58-year-old Eldrige Dukes got into a huge fight with his son when he discovered the orange juice was gone and began to chase him around the house with a gun and firing several times eventually striking the teen in the butt. Dukes is charged with attempted manslaughter and illegal use of a dangerous weapon. The son is going to be okay.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz has officially announced that he is running for the Republican presidential nomination. So, how does this effect Governor Bobby Jindal’s anticipated run? Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 1 (28) “reporting”

State Police say a crash in Sabine Parish has left one teen dead and another injured. Authorities say a truck driven by 16-year-old Kelby Pilcher of Florien crossed the center line and collided with a truck driven by 18-year-old Michael Fair of Many. Pilcher suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Fair was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries. This crash remains under investigation.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz has officially announced that he is running for the Republican presidential nomination. Cruz is the first major presidential hopeful to officially declare his intent to run. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says now that Cruz has entered, you can expect Governor Bobby Jindal to officially throw his hat into the ring soon…:
CUT 3 (06) “he actually announces”
Cruz formally launched his campaign at an event in Virginia this morning.

A Baton Rouge man is now facing attempted manslaughter charges after police say he shot his son during an argument over orange juice. Baton Rouge Police say 58-year-old Eldridge Dukes and his son 18-year-old Brentin Dukes began arguing over the fact there was no more orange juice. Cops say the dad then grabbed a gun then shot his son in his backside. He was charged with attempted manslaughter and illegal use of a dangerous weapon.

A Shreveport lawmaker feels the state legislature should look at different options in trying to shrink the state’s $1.6 billion budget deficit. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

State Police say a man from St. Bernard died in a crash around 2:30am. They say 37-year-old Wayne Melerine Jr ran off a road and struck a tree. Speed and impairment are not considered factors in the crash according to investigators, but Melerine was not wearing his seat belt.

Legislation is being sponsored this session by Parks Senator Fred Mills that looks at ways to change the process of public school teacher evaluations. Currently, teacher evaluations are determined by students’ standardized test results. Mills says the proposed law would not completely remove the use of test scores as a factor in deciding teacher effectiveness…

cut 15 (08) “measurement”

Mills says he is speaking for this bill on behalf of constituents in his area who tell him that the value added assessment model is not a valid measurement tool.

State Police say a crash in Sabine Parish has left one teen dead and another injured. Authorities say a truck driven by 16-year-old Kelby Pilcher of Florien crossed the center line and collided with a truck driven by 18-year-old Michael Fair of Many. Pilcher suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Fair was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries. This crash remains under investigation.

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested an Ashland woman in the shooting death of her boyfriend. Authorities say 32-year-old Schwann Williams was charged with manslaughter after she admitted to deputies that she shot 32-year-old Michael Jerome Stewart during a dispute. Officials say even though it appears that Stewart allegedly attacked Williams, evidence gathered warranted a manslaughter charge against Williams.

The state Department of Transportation and Development is taking part in National Work Zone Awareness Week which runs through Friday. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”