State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says 60-percent of the Louisiana residents who purchased insurance through the marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act face a double-digit rate hike next year. Donelon says the rate increase is the result of a federal premium tax that’s been placed on the policies and the rates have been capped for the elderly and least healthy…

cut 5 (15) “national average”

Donelon says 101-thousand state residents have health care through the individual marketplace and they anticipate the average rate increase to be 12 to 13 percent.

The West Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office says two Zachary men suspected in the armed robbery of the Southern Belle Truck Stop have been arrested. 21-year-old Joshua Wells and 21-year-old Reginald Jackson each face one count of armed robbery. Both men were found in the East Baton Rouge Parish jail being held on unrelated charges.

The National Weather Service in Shreveport says a bad storm that blew through northwest Louisiana last night left thousands without power and claimed the life of one person. Senior Meterologist Jason Hansford says they saw 60-70 mile per hour winds which downed numerous trees and powerlines…

cut 6 (07) “without power”

Hansford says as of early this morning there were still over 50,000 people who did not have power. He says a 64-year-old woman died when a tree limb fell on top of her.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 41-year-old Lake Charles man after a homeowner discovered several firearms and power tools missing from his shop. Their investigation revealed that Shannon Primeaux pawned some of the power tools at a local pawn shop. Primeaux has been charged with simple burglary and theft. The homeowner says he allowed Primeaux to stay in his shed due to him being homeless.

A Monroe couple is charged with second degree cruelty to a juvenile after taking their 7-week-old son to the hospital. The Monroe Police Department believe the infant suffered repeated abuse. Assistant Police Chief Don Bartley says officers responded to a call from a local hospital in reference to an injured child…

cut 13 (06) “on the brain”

Medical tests showed various stages of healing in the infant’s brain, which indicated repeated abuse. 29-year-old James Hall, a teacher at Carroll High School, and his wife, 27-year-old Emily Rae Hall were booked into the Ouachita Correctional Facility each on $50,000 bond. The child’s condition has reportedly deteriorated and he has been placed on a ventilator.

In Shreveport, a large limb that fell during a strong storm yesterday has claimed the life of a 64-year-old woman. Neighbors report that Connie Wilson Johnson was walking when winds picked up and caused the limb to collapse on her. Wilson was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

State Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon says 60-percent of the Louisiana residents who purchased insurance through the marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act face a double-digit rate hike next year. Donelon says that’s based on paperwork filed by the federal government with the state’s insurance department…

cut 3 (11) “for the subsidy”

Donelon says 101-thousand Louisiana residents have health care through the individual marketplace and they anticipate the average rate increase to be about 12 to 13 percent.

State Police say a Houma woman extorted an undisclosed amount of money from illegal immigrants while working as a Spanish interpreter for the Terrebonne Parish Government. Trooper Evan Harrell says 45-year-old Trina Bourg used her position to extort money claiming to be able to get their court cases dropped. He says Bourg was booked into the St. Charles Parish Jail on federal wire fraud charges. Harrell says upon her release there, Bourg will be transported back to Terrebonne Parish…

cut 12 (10) “several other charges”

Harrell says this arrest comes from a joint investigation between Louisiana State Police and the US Department of Homeland Security.

A Monroe couple is charged with second degree cruelty to a juvenile after taking their 7-week-old son to the hospital. Doctors discovered the infant was suffering from bleeding on the brain and tests showed various stages of healing in the child’s brain, which indicated repeated abuse. 29-year-old James Hall, a teacher at Carroll High School, and his wife, 27-year-old Emily Rae Hall were booked into the Ouachita Correctional Facility each on $50,000 bond.

State Police say a Houma woman extorted an undisclosed amount of money from illegal immigrants while working as a Spanish interpreter for the Terrebonne Parish Government. Trooper Evan Harrell says 45-year-old Trina Bourg used her position to extort money claiming to be able to get their court cases dropped. Harrell says when the arrest was made, Bourg was turned over to federal agents…

cut 11 (08) “federal level”

He says upon her release from St. Charles Parish, Bourg will be transported back to Terrebonne Parish to face multiple state charges including extortion and malfeasance in office.

The New Orleans Saints report to training camp in Lewsburg, West Virginia today and the Black and Gold nation is already stocking up on their gear for the mega-hyped 2014 season. Michelle Southern has the story…

cut 1 (34) “reporting”

Following a discovery in Arkansas, Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain says the USDA is conducting trap surveys across the state to watch for Emerald Ash Borer, or EAB, beetles. He says when the pest gets into an ash tree, it generally kills the tree in three to five years. Strain says the beetle is often transported into an area through infested firewood. He says the EAB has a distinctive look…

cut 9 (12) “take a look”

He says the best way to prevent the pest is to not move firewood more than ten miles from where it was purchased. For more information about the beetle, go to the website www-dot-emeraldashborer-dot-info.

A 29-year-old teacher at Carroll High School is arrested along with his wife after doctors told cops their 7-week-old baby had been repeatedly abused. Monroe Assistant Police Chief Don Bartley says they got a call from a local hospital in reference to a baby who was bleeding on the brain and James Hall and his wife 27-year-old Emily Rae Hall had no explanation. He says the infant remains in the hospital in critical condition…:
CUT 15 (04) “in his condition”
The Monroe couple is charged with second degree cruelty to a juvenile and are in the Ouachita Correctional facility on $50,000 bond.

The man who is in jail accused in the New Orleans Bourbon Street shooting which claimed the life one and injured nine made a court appearance Wednesday. Twenty year-old Trung Le faces one count of first-degree murder, and 9 counts of attempted first-degree murder, but his attorney says there is video evidence he says will clear his client. The lawyer also says Le has an alibi. Meanwhile New Orleans police continue to search for a second shooter.

Following a discovery in Arkansas, Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain says the USDA is conducting trap surveys across the state to watch for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) beetles. He says when the pest gets into an ash tree, it generally kills the tree in three to five years. The EAB was first discovered in Michigan in 2002 and is now present in 24 states. Strain says the beetle is often transported into an area by infested firewood…:
CUT 8 (13) “unused firewood”
For more information on the EAB go to emeraldashborer.info.

The New Orleans Saints report to football camp in West Virginia today and the Black and Gold nation is already stocking up on their gear for the mega-hyped 2014 season. Lauren “FleurtyGirl” LeBlanc is the owner of a popular Saints fan shop in New Orleans. She says even though the Saints aren’t practicing in Metairie this year regulars are still coming in as they do every year looking for that one lucky shirt they will wear for the season…:
CUT 6 (10) “always lose”
The Saints begin pre-season play August 8th and the regular season begins less than a month later.

The big Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo is happening this weekend and it’ll be the biggest weekend of the year for the town. The Rodeo began in 1928 and is billed as the oldest fishing tournament in the nation. It kicks off today and runs through Saturday.

A man who is reportedly a teacher at Carroll High School and his wife are under arrested for allegedly repeatedly abusing their 7 week old infant. Monroe Assistant Police Chief Don Bartley says neither 29-year-old James Hall or his wife 27-year-old Emily Rae Hall could give an explanation as to why their baby was in the hospital with bleeding on the brain. He says doctors told cops the 7-week-old had been abused…:
CUT 14 (11) “in the brain”
The parents were booked on $50,000 bond.

The Baton Rouge vice-principal who is accused of exchanging explicit photos with an 8th grader over Facebook bonded out of jail Wednesday on a $20,000 bond. BRPD police say Edwin Chastang is charged with computer aided solicitation of a minor after he was caught sexting with the 15-year-old student over social media. The suspect is reportedly on paid suspension from Southeast Middle.

Following a discovery in Arkansas, Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain says the USDA is conducting trap surveys across the state to watch for Emerald Ash Borer beetles. Eric Gill has the story…:
CUT 2 (34) “reporting”

State Police say a Houma woman extorted an undisclosed amount of money from illegal immigrants while working as a Spanish interpreter for the Terrebonne Parish Government. Trooper Evan Harrell says 45-year-old Trina Bourg (Burg) used her position to extort money from these individuals claiming to be able to get their cases dropped. when the arrest was made, Bourg was turned over to federal agents…
CUT 11 (08) “federal level”
Harrell says Bourg will also face multiple state charges including extortion and malfeasance in office.

Gas prices are continuing their rapid decline. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $3.38 — down a penny from last night and almost a nickle from this time last week.

A Monroe couple is charged with second degree cruelty to a juvenile after taking their 7-week old son to the hospital. The Monroe Police Department believe the infant suffered repeated abuse. Assistant Police Chief Don Bartley says officers responded to a call from a local hospital in reference to an injured child…:
CUT 13 (06) “on the brain”
The parents, 29-year-old James Hall and his wife, 27-year-old Emily Rae Hall were booked into the Ouachita Correctional facility each on $50,000 bond. The News Star reports James is a teacher at Carroll High School.

The attorney for the man accused of being the first to open fire on Bourbon street in the shooting that killed a woman from Hammond and injured nine others, said Wednesday his client, Trung Le, is not the shooter and that he has an alibi. The lawyer said there is video evidence that proves his client is innocent.

Louisiana State Police announce the arrest of a Houma woman who allegedly scammed illegal immigrants out of money. Eric Gill reports…
CUT 3 (35) “reporting”

The New Orleans Saints report to football camp in West Virginia today and the Black and Gold nation is already stocking up on their gear for the mega-hyped 2014 season. Lauren “FleurtyGirl” LeBlanc is the owner of a popular Saints fan shop in New Orleans…:
CUT 4 (08) “what they’re coming in for”
The Saints begin pre-season play August 8th and the regular season begins less than a month later.

State Police say a Houma woman extorted an undisclosed amount of money from illegal immigrants while working as a Spanish interpreter for the Terrebonne Parish Government. Trooper Evan Harrell says 45-year-old Trina Bourg (Burg) faces federal and state charges…:
CUT 10 (16) “of the system”
The total amount of money Bourg supposedly extorted is unknown.

The Office of Conservation has reported that another hold has been placed on the work needed for the sinkhole in Assumption Parish. This is the second time in less than a month that a hold has been placed. According to the police jury’s website, crews have been forced to stop working due to increased levels of seismic activity in the sinkhole in Bayou Corne.

Following a discovery in Arkansas, Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain says the USDA is conducting trap surveys across the state to watch for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) beetles. Strain says the EAB is an invasive beetle that attacks and kills ash trees…
CUT 7 (15) “Reserve Program”
For more information on the EAB you can visit the site emeraldashborer.info.

The Louisiana Lottery says there were no big winners in the two major jackpots in the state last night. Louisiana Lotto now goes to an estimated $650,000 for Saturday. The recently hit Powerball prize will rise to an estimated $50 million dollars for its next drawing.

State Police detectives are investigating a shooting that involved a Calasieu Parish Sheriff’s deputy. LSP Sergeant James Anderson says the shooting happened last night as a sheriff’s deputy was attempting to perform a traffic stop on a 33-year-old woman from Sulphur, who was not cooperating…

cut 9 (12) “protect himself”

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s office says the driver, Evelyn Dargin, was taken to a local hospital and her condition is unknown. She faces numerous charges, including attempted first degree murder of a police officer.

A Spanish language interpreter, employed by the Terrebonne Parish Government, is in jail for allegedly taking money from some defendants, telling them she would use that money to bribe the US Immigration Services to get their cases dropped. 45-year-old Trina Bourg was arrested on federal and state charges.

Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany files legislation that would give south Louisiana veterans the option to receive health care from a non V-A provider. Boustany says the federal government should pay for the care..

cut 12 (10) “care available”

There is another bill that would authorize new VA clinics in Lafayette and Lake Charles. But Boustany says our veterans in those areas shouldn’t have to wait for the new clinics to open, so he wants to give them the option to receive care from a non VA provider.

Louisiana State Police has arrested a St. Maurice man on drug charges. Authorities say a search of 32-year-old Tony Martin’s residence turned up two firearms, methamphetamine with distribution paraphernalia, and marijuana. Martin was booked into the Winn Parish Detention Center on numerous charges including distribution of methamphetamine.

The LSU AgCenter has launched a statewide billboard campaign urging people to engage in a more healthy lifestyle. Diane Sasser, Director of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Education Program, says the first message that will be promoted is to eat more fruits and vegetables. She says they will also be spreading messages about doing more activities together as a family…

cut 7 (10) “thrive more”

Sasser says by displaying these simple suggestions in places that people will see easily and frequently, the hope is that they will absorb the information and start thinking about their own health habits. She says the campaign will run for about a year and a half.

It’s been widely reported that many South Louisiana veterans have found access problems and crowded conditions in several V-A clinics. Now, Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany has introduced legislation to allow vets to get their primary and mental care at NON-VA facilities, because the current situation-hes says-is unacceptable…:
cut 14 :10 sec. Q:”best care”
There’s another bill that would authorize new clinics in Lake Charles and Lafayette.

The man who is in jail for the Bourbon Street shooting in New Orleans that killed one and injured nine made a court appearance this morning. Twenty year-old Trung Le faces one count of first-degree murder, and 9 counts of attempted first-degree murder, but his attorney says there is video evidence he says will clear his client. ===============================
A school administrator in Baton Rouge is accused of sexting a former teen student. Michelle Southern has that…:

CUT V1 :33sec. Q: “reporting”
The LSU Ag Center has launched a statewide billboard campaign urging people to engage in a more healthy lifestyle. Diane Sasser is the AgCenter director of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Educational Program. She says the first message to be promoted is for people to eat more fruits and vegetables…:
cut 6 :10 sec. Q: “physical activity”
Sasser says this effort also includes banners and posters that will be displayed in schools, stores and parish extension offices.

A Lafayette Congressman files legislation that would give South Louisiana veterans the option to receive health care from a non V-A provider. Representative Charles Boustany says he filed the legislation because the Lafayette V-A clinic has crowded conditions and access problems and he says veterans living in Lake Charles also lack adequate health care…:
cut 13 :14 sec. Q: “basic care”
And he wants the feds to pay for that care.

A language interpreter from the Terrebonne Parish Office of the Public Defender is in jail for allegedly taking money from some defendents, telling them she would use that money to bribe the US Imigration Services to help them on their illegal immigrant charges. Trina Bourg was arrested on federal and state charges.
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An assistant principal at a Baton Rouge Middle School is facing charges in connection with the exchange of naked pictures with a 15 year-old former student. BRPD Sergeant L’Jean (el gene) McKneely says the mother contacted police about the crime and an official investigation was launched…:
cut 4 :09 sec. Q: when he was arrested”
The suspect is 42 year-old Edwin Chastang, and he is charged with indecent behavior with a juvenile and also computer aided solicitation of a minor. He’s been suspended with pay from the school.
State Police detectives are investigating a shooting that involved a Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s deputy. L-S-P Sergeant James Anderson says it took place last night as a sheriff’s deputy was attempting to perform a traffic stop in Lake Charles on a Sulphur woman , who reportedly did not cooperate.
CUT 9 :12 sec. “protect himself”
The suspect-33-year-old Evelyn Dargin- was taken to the hospital with non-disclosed injuries.
The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office syas they’ve received reports of 36 vehicles that were broken into in 2 subdivisions in Denham Springs. Detectives are reviewing surveillance video to see if they can discover the identity of the person or persons responsible.