The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals announced today that the state plans to stop billing sexual assault victims for exams and tests. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (28) “reporting”

Candidates in the 6th Congressional District race took part in a forum today at the Baton Rouge Press Club. Just down the road former President Bill Clinton rallied for Senator Mary Landrieu in the US-Senate race against Congressman Bill Cassidy and retired Air Force Col. Rob Maness. Early voting for the November 4th election begins tomorrow.

The Gonzales Police Department is investigating the case of a man from Mississippi who was found dead in his car in the Wal-Mart parking lot over the weekend. Spokesman Sgt. Stephen Nethken says 26-year-old Lucas Sanchez of Pascagoula was seen on surveillance video walking into the store in the early morning hours of Saturday…:
CUT 15 (12) “his vehicle”
Nethken says there were several aerosol cans found in Sanchez’s vehicle and they believe he died of an overdose.

Crews are cleaning up a major crude oil spill in Caddo Parish that leaked into Tete Bayou after the Mid-Valley pipeline ruptured. DEQ spokesman Greg Landley says once Sunoco Logistics, who operate the pipeline, noticed a drop in pressure, they went to work…:
CUT 10 (08) “to repair it”
It’s estimated that approximately 4,000 barrels of crude oil spilled.

The Department of Health and Hospitals says they plan to stop billing sexual assault victims for exams and tests. DHH spokeswoman Olivia Watkins says, under the plan, hospitals would be able to seek reimbursement for such expenses from the Crime Victim’s Reparation fund which receives fines associated with criminal cases…

cut 13 (11) “on a state level”

Watkins says they also plan to remove the requirement that survivors of sexual assault file a police report to qualify for that reimbursement.

The Gonzales Police Department says they are investigating the case of a man who was found dead in a vehicle in the Wal-Mart parking lot over the weekend. They believe 26-year-old Lucas Sanchez of Pascagoula, Mississippi went inside the store, purchased computer cleaner, and died from an overdose after huffing it inside his car. The man was discovered around 11:30 Saturday morning. Foul play is not suspected.

This week is National Teen Driver Safety Week and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is urging parents to set rules for teens before they hit the road. Lt. Col John LeBlanc says according to a recent survey, only one in four parents had talked seriously with their teens about what it means to be a safe driver. He says if more parents got involved, the crash rate for teens would not be so high…

cut 7 (12) “or the back”

He says nobody has more of an impact on children than their parents.

An investment group has agreed to buy Pineville based Cleco for a reported $3.4 billion. Cleco Power President Darren O’Lages thinks this transaction came in at a price their shareholders will be happy with…

cut 4 (11) “supportive of it”

He says, other than no longer being a publicly traded company, it will be business as usual for Cleco under the new ownership.

The Department of Health and Hospitals says they plan to stop billing sexual assault victims for exams and tests. DHH spokeswoman Olivia Watkins says they plan to work with the legislature to prohibit the cost of hospital visits by rape survivors to be charged to the victims for the care they receive….:
CUT 12 (06) “of that nature”
She says, under the plan, hospitals would be able to seek reimbursement for such expenses from the Crime Victim’s Reparation fund which gets fines a court fees of those convicted of violent crimes.

Cleanup crews are continuing to work a major crude oil spill in Caddo Parish that has killed dozens of fish and some reptiles. The oil leaked into Tete Bayou due to the rupture of a Mid-Valley pipeline . Greg Langley, with the Department of Environmental Quality says they have hundreds working…:
CUT 9 (09) “as well”
It’s estimated that approximately 4,000 barrels of crude oil spill into the Bayou.

This week is National Teen Driver Safety Week and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is urging parents to set rules for teens before they hit the road. Lt. Col John LeBlanc says the fatal crash rate for Louisiana drivers age 18-20 alone was nearly twice as high as the average crash rate of all drivers in the state…:
CUT 6 (12) “in the United States”
LeBlanc says parents should tell there teens the “5 to drive Rules” – No cell phones, no extra passengers, no speeding, not alcohol and EVERYONE must be buckled up.

Former President Bill Clinton is in Louisiana today to hold a rally for US Senator Mary Landrieu in Baton Rouge this afternoon. Clinton is just another national figure getting involved in this big election and political analyst Clancy Dubos says both Republicans and Democrats across the country know what’s at stake…:
CUT 5 (06) “the national level”
He says this will be good for Landrieu as Clinton is very popular with Democrats. US Senator John McCain was here last week to support Republican Congressman Bill Cassidy in the November 4th election. Early voting starts tomorrow.

The Department of Health and Hospitals says they plan to stop billing rape victims for exams and tests. Advocacy groups and lawmakers were critical of the fact that women who had been raped were getting big hospital bills after checking in to be treated for the assault. DHH says they now plan to seek reimbursement for such visits from the Crime Victim’s Reparation Board.

An investment group has agreed to buy Pineville based Cleco for a reported $3.4 billion. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 1 (27) “reporting”

The man who is accused in the murder and dismemberment of a Bourbon Street dancer in 2012 pleaded not guilty today. 42-year-old Terry Speaks of Gretna and 30-year-old Margaret Sanchez were indicted by a Jefferson Parish grand jury in August on second degree murder in the death of Jaren Lockhart. They suspects are due back in court November 17th.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals announced today that the state plans to stop billing sexual assault victims for exams and tests. DHH says they intend to streamline the funding source through the Crime Victim’s Reparation Board and through legislation the changes will prevent direct billing of charges to the victim by billing the Crime Victim’s Reparation Board directly.

Folks are buzzing about Former President Bill Clinton’s stop in Louisiana today to support US Senator Mary Landrieu in her bid to keep her spot in Congress. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says this is coming at a good time for the incumbent as early voting begins tomorrow and the fact that Clinton is so popular among Democrats:
CUT 4 (04) “not that popular”
Clinton is hosting a rally this afternoon in downtown Baton Rouge. Senator John McCain was recently here to support Republican challenger Bill Cassidy.

An investment group has agreed to buy Pineville based Cleco for a reported $3.4 billion. The utility company’s President Darren O’Lages says customers shouldn’t expect any change in their power bills or service as a result of the sale…:
CUT 3 (08) “service provider”

Customers at Chic-Fil-A locations in north Louisiana are now able to pay for their order with their mobile phone. Scott Carwile reports:
CUT 3 (31) “reporting”

President Bill Clinton is joins Senator Mary Landrieu in Baton Rouge today to rally support for her campaign. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 1 (32) “reporting”

The Pineville based utility company, Cleco, will be bought by an investment group for a reported $3.4 billion. The company will continue to operate under local management and they say there will be no change to utility rates or employment levels. The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2015.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says auto theft in Louisiana has dropped 48% since 2007 which beats the national average of 34% in the same time period. He credits the massive decline, in part, to public outreach and initiatives by law enforcement and improved technology that allows law enforcement to read license plates as vehicles drive down the street. Donelon says the license plate reader program has resulted in hundreds of apprehensions…

cut 9 (13) “by a thief”

He says they’ve also been able to bust car thieves by using bait cars.

Lake Charles Police report that a Sunday morning head-on collision between a pickup and a car has claimed the lives of two motorists. Authorities say the passenger in the car was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver of the car was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Authorities have not released the names of the victims. The driver of the pickup, 23-year-old Mark Kibodeaux of Sulphur, was arrested and booked for DWI.

President Bill Clinton is in Baton Rouge today to rally support for Senator Mary Landrieu’s re-election campaign. This is Clinton’s second visit to Louisiana on Landrieu’s behalf during this election. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says this is part of Landrieu’s last push leading up to election day on November 4th…

cut 6 (12) “to go vote”

Clinton’s visit comes the day before the early voting period for the November 4th election begins.

A new app will allow Chic-Fil-A customers in north Louisiana to pay for their food with their smart phone. David Benson, with Chic-Fil-A, says Chic-Fil-A wants to stay ahead of the curve…

cut 12 (12) “no credit card”

He says next year the company plans to roll out “mobile ordering.”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says auto theft in Louisiana has dropped 48% since 2007 which beats the national average of 34% in the same time period. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (30) “reporting”

An investment group will buy Cleco for a reported $3.4 billion. The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2015. The Pineville based utility company will continue to operate under local management and there will be no change to utility rates or employment levels.

President Bill Clinton joins Senator Mary Landrieu in Baton Rouge today to rally support for her campaign. Both parties are sending “big guns” to the state for this Senate race. Republicans sent former presidential candidate Senator John McCain to campaign with Congressman Bill Cassidy last week. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says both parties know what is potentially at stake in this election…

cut 5 (06) “the national level”

Clinton’s visit comes the day before the early voting period for the November 4th election begins.

Auto theft in Louisiana has dropped 48% since 2007, according to Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon. He credits the drop, in part, to improved technology that allows law enforcement to read license plates as vehicles drive down the street…

cut 8 (11) “is stolen”

Donelon says the license plate reader program has resulted in hundreds of apprehensions.

Customers at Chic-Fil-A locations in north Louisiana are now able to pay for orders with their phone. David Benson says it all starts with downloading the Chic-Fil-A app. Then, just load up whatever amount of money you wish on the app…

cut 11 (10) “financial institution”

He says you will simply hit the pay button, scan the account code, and the money is deducted from the account balance.

The LSU Tigers are back in the Top 25. The Bayou Bengals are ranked 24th in the AP poll, and 23rd in the coaches. LSU won easily on Saturday, 41-to-3 over the Kentucky Wildcats. LSU’s defense was outstanding on Saturday night, holding Kentucky to 217 total yards. Sophomore middle linebacker Kendell Beckwith led the way with nine tackles

cut 18 (08) “on Saturdays”

LSU hosts third ranked Ole Miss this Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:15PM.

President Bill Clinton is scheduled to join Senator Mary Landrieu in Baton Rouge today to rally support for her campaign. Clinton’s visit comes the day before the early voting period for the November 4th election begins. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says it’s good for Landrieu that Clinton is stumping for her considering his popularity among the Democratic base…

cut 4 (06) “not that popular”

Landrieu is in a tight re-election battle with Republican challengers Congressman Bill Cassidy and retired Air Force Colonel Rob Maness.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says auto theft in Louisiana has dropped 48% since 2007 which beats the national average of 34% in the same time period. Donelon credits the massive decline, in part, to public outreach and initiatives by law enforcement…

cut 7 (10) “rest of their lives”

Donelon says they’ve also been able to bust car thieves by using bait cars placed in high risk areas that are equipped with monitoring equipment and cameras.

Customers at Chic-Fil-A locations in north Louisiana don’t have to worry about bringing in cash or a credit card because now they’ll be able to pay with their phone. David Benson is the local operator for the restaurants in Monroe and West Monroe and he says it all starts with downloading the Chic-Fil-A app…

Cut 10 (11) “pay for your meal”

Benson says people are slowly but surely catching on and using this method of payment to get their sandwiches and nuggets. He says paying with your phone is more secure than using a credit card. Benson says next year the company plans to roll out “mobile ordering.”

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a domestic violence situation that turned into a murder-suicide late last week in Deville. Lt. Tommy Carnline says deputies responded to a 9-1-1 call of shots fired at an apartment complex:
CUT 12 (09) “rendering aid”
He says that was 39-year-old Theresa Johnson of Deville and she died Friday morning. They believe 36-year-old Terrel Laprarie Jr. shot Johnson then killed himself.

When it comes to Ebola in Louisiana local officials are urging residents not to panic but to remain aware. Dr Frank Welch says you aren’t concerned for “no reason” but you won’t just walk outside and catch Ebola. He says, on the other hand, this is a huge wakeup call for our health care system to keep their workers safe:
CUT 4 (12) “put into practice”

Bill Clinton will be visiting Louisiana on Monday to once again show is support for Senator Mary Landrieu and her campaign in November 4th Senate election. The stop in Baton Rouge takes place just one day before early voting begins on Tuesday. An afternoon rally will be held at the downtown Hilton hotel.

The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is now below three dollars at $2.99. Analysts believe a month from now we could be close to $2.85 which is the lowest price since 2010.

Monroe resident Alan Brockman says the community in Ouachita Parish continues to clean up today after the EF2 tornado ripped through last week. He says a major grass roots effort has been underway by citizens taking charge…:
CUT 10 (11) “to help everybody”
Damage assessments continue today by the federal government considering rendering financial aid to the region.