A $3.5 million dollar mid-year budget cut to the state department of Tourism by the Jindal administration results in lay-offs and reduced hours at state parks and museums. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says no state parks will be closed due to the cut, but they will operate under reduced hours through the rest of the fiscal year. Dardenne says the cuts left him with no other alternative…

cut 8 (08) “of the solution”

He says next fiscal year’s budget will determine if there will be any more layoffs or state park closures.

One 16 year old is dead and another behind bars after a fatal shooting in Sabine Parish. It happened at an apartment complex just outside the Many city limits according to authorities. Sabine Parish Warden Joe Dewil says they believe the two got into some sort of argument, but exactly what led to the shooting is under investigation…:

cut 4 (09) “single gunshot wound”

The 16-year-old suspect is charged with second degree murder.

Sasol announces they’ve selected Louisiana-based construction contractors to begin work on its ethane cracker and derivatives project in Westlake. All contact information for each of the companies is listed online at sasolnorthamerica-dot-com. Spokesman Mike Hayes says these appointments reflect Sasol’s commitment to using Louisiana businesses on the project…

cut 11 (07) “from this project”

Hayes says construction of the complex will begin soon and they hope to launch commercial production in 2018.

The Louisiana Family Forum has announced that Lawrence and Varrie Player of Benton is Louisiana’s Longest Known Married couple for 2015. Executive Director Gene Mills says Mr. Player goes by the nickname “Hawk” because he’s been such a hard worker in the railroads, cotton and oil industries…

cut 14 (09) “will come your way”

The Players celebrated 80 years of marriage last month.

The Jindal administration’s $3.5 million dollar mid-year budget cut to the state department of Tourism means lay-offs and reduced hours at state parks and museums. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says the size of this cut is disproportionate than what other agencies are experiencing…

cut 7 (10) “fiscal year” 2X

Dardenne says they’ve had to close three state historic sites and layoff 106 employees.

Sasol announces they’ve selected Louisiana-based construction contractors to begin work on its ethane cracker and derivatives project in Westlake. Spokesman Mike Hayes says they are Cajun Constructors, James Industrial Constructors, ISC Constructors, LLC and MMR Constructors Inc and Turner Industries…

cut 10 (10) “that are out there”

Additional construction contractors will be announced as the project progresses.

Louisiana’s Longest Known Married couple for 2015 has been announced by the Louisiana Family Forum. Executive Director Gene Mills says Lawrence and Varrie Player of Benton celebrated 80 years of marriage last month. He says when they wed, he was 21 and she was 15…

cut 13 (09) “incredible legacy”

Mills says they will be honoring Louisiana’s Top 10 Longest Married couples during a special Valentine’s reception at the Governor’s Mansion on Thursday. He says the Players are unable to travel so they will be honored at their home in Benton with family and friends.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office says they are investigating KKK fliers that are being left in some neighborhoods in the area. Lt. Tommy Carnline says the fliers have a picture of a hooded man on them and say “You can sleep well tonight knowing the Klan is awake”…:
CUT 12 (09) “feel that way”
Carnline says even though the flier doesn’t contain any threats, they are asking the FBI to investigate because the literature is ending up in the driveways of minorities which could be considered a hate crime.

A 16-year-old is in jail and another dead after a shooting in Sabine Parish. Authorities say the teen suspect is charged with second degree murder for allegedly fatally shooting the victim in the head once. The motive is under investigation but cops believe the two had been arguing at the apartment complex outside of Many.

Kenner Police say a Mississippi woman is under arrest for allegedly driving drunk then backing into the police car that pulled her over two times. Lt. Brian McGregor…:
CUT 8 (09) “pending at this time”
He says 46 year-old Debra Lynn white was booked with DWI, reckless operation and aggravated flight from an officer.

Governor Bobby Jindal stole a line from the late comedian Richard Pryor when he was asked about a portrait that shows him with a different skin tone. The picture went viral on social media last week. When asked about it in Washington D.C. Jindal said “You mean I’m not white,” which Pryor said in the movie See No Evil, Hear No Evil. Jindal added the controversy surrounding the portrait is silly.

A church in Thibodaux was the target of a burglary last week, and The LaFourche Parish Sheriff’s Office is looking the person or persons responsible for stealing several pieces of electronic equipment and a jar of money from the Old Fountain Baptist Church…
CUT 11 (11) Q: ‘-7-4-3-3’
That’s LaFourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Spokesman Brennan Matherne.

Kenner Police say they’ve arrested a Mississippi woman who was allegedly driving drunk when she crashed into a cop car … twice. Lt. Brian McGregor says officers pulled over a pick-up on Williams Boulevard, driven by 46-year-old Debra Lynn White of Gulfport…:
CUT 6 (09) “Kenner police unit”
White was booked with DWI, reckless operation and aggravated flight from an officer.
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LSU officials are reporting rather unpleasant scenarios, as the threat of state budget cuts are approaching. An internal report details layoffs, hundreds of classes on the chopping block, and academic programs eliminated. The Jindal administration is considering big cuts to higher education for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

This Saturday you’ll have the opportunity to see a bulldog run at over 180 miles per hour…
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

Reports of KKK fliers showing up in several Central Louisiana neighborhoods have the FBI and the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office investigating their distribution. There’s a message that reads, “you can sleep well tonight knowing the Klan is awake.” The phone number listed connects with an unapologetic pre-recorded message…
CUT 14 (09) Q: “and movies”
That investigation continues.

This Saturday you’ll have the chance to see a bulldog race at over 180 miles per hour, as ARCA Racing Series driver and Lafayette native Buster Graham will debut the number 17 Louisiana Tech Bulldog Ford Fusion in the Lucas Oil 200 stock car race.
CUT 3 (08) “so proud of”
That’s Tech spokesman, Dave Guerin.
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A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for burglarizing a Thibodaux church. LaFourche Parish sheriff’s Office Spokesman Brennan Matherne says a person or persons broke into the Old Fountain Baptist Church on Hwy 308 last week…
CUT 10 (11) Q: ‘at the church’
Any tip(s) that leads to an arrest could mean up to a one thousand dollar reward.

There was one DWI driver police in Kenner had no trouble locating, as a Gulfport, Mississippi woman crashed into a cop car…twice…
CUT 8 (09) Q; “pending at this time”
That’s Kenner Police Lt. Brian McGregor , who says 46 year-old Debra Lynn white was booked with DWI, reckless operation and aggravated flight from an officer.

The Kenner Police Department arrest a Mississippi woman who was allegedly driving drunk when she crashed into a cop car two times…
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

Governor Bobby Jindal was asked today in Washington about a portrait that went viral last week, showing him a different skin tone. Stealing the line from the late Richard Pryor saying-quote-, “you mean I’m not white?” from the movie “See No Evil Hear no Evil,” jindal called this portrait controversy silly.
——————-
The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office and the FBI are investigating the appearance of KKK fliers in several Central Louisiana neighborhoods, showing a picture of a hooded man with a description that says, “you can sleep well tonight, knowing the Klan is awake.”
CUT 13 (11) Q: “we’re looking into it”
That’s Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office Spokesman Lt. Tommy Carnline.

This Saturday at Daytona, there will be a Louisiana Tech connection, as ARCA Racing Series driver and Lafayette native Buster Graham will debut the number 17 Louisiana Tech Bulldog Ford Fusion in the Lucas Oil 200 stock car race…
CUT 4 (11) Q: ‘intercollegiate athletics”
That’s Tech spokesman Dave Guerin.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office says they are investigating KKK fliers that are being left in some neighborhoods in the area. Lt. Tommy Carnline says the fliers have a picture of a hooded man on them and say “You can sleep well tonight knowing the Klan is awake”…:
CUT 12 (09) “feel that way”
Carnline says even though the flier doesn’t contain any threats, they are asking the FBI to investigate because the literature is ending up in the driveways of minorities which could be considered a hate crime.

This Saturday the ARCA Racing series driver and Lafayette native Buster Graham will debut the number 17 Louisiana Tech Bulldog Ford Fusion in the Lucas Oil 200 stock car race. Tech spokesman Dave Guerin aims to see the blue and red streaking around the track more this ARCA season…:
CUT 5 (08) “racing series event”
The race at Daytona International Speedway begins at 3pm Saturday.

The Kenner Police Department says they’ve arrested a Mississippi woman who was allegedly driving drunk when she crashed into a cop car two times. Lt. Brian McGregor says 46-year-old Debra Lynn White of Gulfport was pulled over for swerving and backed up into the Kenner Police unit. He says at that point the officer backed up to try to create some space between the two cars…:
CUT 7 (09) “of alcohol”
White was booked with DWI, reckless operation and aggravated flight from an officer.

Two southwest Louisiana artists took home trophies from last night’s 57th annial Grammy Awards. Westlake resident Jo-El Sonnier won the award for Best Regional Roots Music Album for his latest release The Legacy. Lake Charles native, Gill Landry, and his band Old Crow Medicine Show took home the Grammy for Best Folk Album.

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office announces a $1000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for burglarizing a Thibodaux church last week. Spokesperson Brennan Matherne says someone broke into the Old Fountain Baptist Church on Hwy 308…:
CUT 9 (10) “filing cabinets”
He says the thieves took several pieces of electronic equipment and a jar of money. If you know anything about this incident please contact authorities.

The former star of the reality TV series Sons of Guns is scheduled to appear in a Livingston Parish courtroom today. 49-year-old Will Hayden of Baton Rouge pleaded not guilty to the rape charges in Livingston Parish earlier this month. He is charged with aggravated rape and indecent behavior with a juvenile.

This Saturday you have the opportunity to see a bulldog run at over 180 miles per hour. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

Gas prices continue to rise. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is now $2.02 according to the American Automobile Association.

And here’s a look at commodity prices.

This Saturday you’ll have the chance to see a bulldog run at over 180 miles per hour. ARCA Racing Series driver and Lafayette native Buster Graham will debut the number 17 Louisiana Tech Bulldog Ford Fusion in the Lucas Oil 200 stock car race. Tech spokesman, Dave Guerin, says this started with a benefactor who wanted to increase the exposure of the university’s brand…:
CUT 3 (08) “so proud of”
The race, at Daytona International Speedway, is the first in ARCA racing season and can be seen on Fox Sports 1 beginning at 3PM Saturday.

A Texas judge is expected to officially name former San Antonio mayor Phil Hardberger and estate lawyer Art Bayern as overseers of a trust that benefits Tom Benson’s heirs, today. The struggle over this trust fund is part of the larger feud concerning future ownership of the Saints and Pelicans.

The Kenner Police Department says they’ve arrested a Mississippi woman who was allegedly driving drunk when she crashed into a cop car two times. Lt. Brian McGregor says officers pulled over a 2000 GMC pick-up truck, which was swerving on Williams Blvd in Kenner, driven by 64-year-old Lynn White of Gulfport…:
CUT 6 (09) “Kenner Police unit”
He says she then backed up and hit the cop car again. White was booked with DWI, reckless operation and aggravated flight from an officer.

There were no big winners in the big Powerball jackpot drawing Saturday night. The prize for Wednesday now grows to an estimated $450 million with a cash value at $304 million. Powerball tickets cost $2 each.

A Texas judge is expected today to officially appoint the ex-mayor of San Antonio, Phil Hardberger, along with an estate lawyer to oversee a trust fund that’s part of the Tom Benson family feud:
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

The School Board in Terrebonne Parish says they will consider a measure that would to ask the state remove their students from Common Core testing. Leaders there indicate they want parents and teachers to understand the education standards better before students be tested on them.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana has sent a letter to the St. Martinville Police Department regarding an apparent “no rap music with obscene lyrics” rule for the city’s parade on Sunday. Executive Director Marjorie Esman says singling about rap music could lead to racial profiling…:
CUT 14 (09) “in a legal way”
St. Martinville Police Chief Calder Hebert says they are looking out for kids and families along the route and just want every one to be safe. He adds they are not singling out any specific type of music.

A Louisiana artist has once again gotten the Grammy for the Best Regional Roots Music Album. Jo-El Sonnier picked up the honor this year and is his first Grammy. The Regional Roots category is 4 years old and a The Bayou State artist has won it every year. Sonnier has been a Cajun and country music performer for more than 50 years.