The United Health Foundation released its 25th annual America’s Health Rankings and once again Louisiana is 48th in the nation — the same rank we had last year. Dr. Catherine Palmier, Chief Medical Officer for the Foundation’s East Region, says Louisiana has a very high rate of preventable hospitalizations…:
CUT 6 (13) “good control”
Palmier says other factors keeping our rank near the bottom in the nation is the high rate of obesity at 33% of the population, physical inactivity which is 30% and smoking which at 23%.

With a check on gas prices, they keep dropping as the price of crude tumbles. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.46 down a penny from last night and over a dime less than this time last week.

State Education officials announce that Louisiana has been awarded a federal grant of up to $32 million over four years to provide new and improved pre-k classes for over 10,000 children. State Superintendent John White hopes this will help quell complaints of uneven quality and standards of early childhood education in Louisiana…:
CUT 4 (06) “got to change”
Louisiana is one of 13 states to receive this grant.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand has fired a deputy who allegedly cut a deal with a woman to have sex with him so she wouldn’t go to jail. Investigators say Deputy Brian Martin confessed to having sex with the woman after going to her home to investigate a report that some items had been stolen from her car. The cop found out that the woman reporting the theft had an outstanding warrant for her arrest and Sheriff’s Spokesman, Col. John Fortunato says that’s when Martin negotiated with the woman to avoid going to jail by having sex with him.

Law enforcement agencies in the state have begun testing body cameras for police officers. Michelle Southern has the story…

cut 1 (31) “reporting”

State Police say a 19-year-old Reserve man faces multiple charges for his role in a crash in Gonzales yesterday that killed a Dutchtown High School student. Dwight Perrilloux is charged with vehicular homicide, two counts of negligent injuring, and first offense DWI. 15-year-old Claire Carline was killed in the crash and two of her sisters are hospitalized with moderate injuries. Authorities believe Perrilloux was high on narcotics at the time of the crash.

Democratic Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden is officially throwing his hat in the ring in Louisiana’s Lieutenant Governor’s race. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Holden needs to earn statewide name recognition and will have to raise funds to the tune of one-million dollars…

cut 9 (09) “introduce him”

Holden is the first Democrat in the race. Republicans Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser, Jefferson Parish President John Young, and State Senator Elbert Guillory have previously announced their intent to run.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission reports The Bayou State now ranks second best in the nation for work-related injuries and illness. LWC spokesman Tom Guarisco says this is a great accomplishment for employers and workers in Louisiana…

cut 13 (10) “workplace injuries”

The incidence rate in 2014 improved to its best level in more than 12 years.

Democratic Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden is expected to officially throw his hat in the ring in Louisiana’s Lieutenant Governor’s race. Scott Carwile reports…

cut 2 (28) “reporting”

State education officials announce that Louisiana is one of 13 states to receive a federal grant of up to $32 million over four years to provide new and improved pre-k classes for over 10,000 children. Officials say the grant will offer classroom seats to over 4,500 4-year-olds and will allow nearly 6,000 children to attend classes run by college-educated teachers. They say the first recipients are six communities where there is a huge demand for 4-year-old seats.

US Senator David Vitter has drafted legislation that would prohibit the federal government from mandating states to adopt Common Core standards. Jeremy Alford with LaPolitics.com says Vitter is intent on staying at the forefront of policies that Louisianians care about and that combined with the very visible support of Congressman Bill Cassidy for Senate foreshadows a very intense race for Governor next year…

cut 12 (08) “Governor of Louisiana”

Vitter had previously supported the federal education standards.

Events throughout the state and in Ferguson, Missouri have gotten law enforcement agencies in Louisiana to begin testing body cameras for police officers. Police Foundation President Jim Bueerman says they expect the cameras to be on officers everywhere in the next 5 years…

cut 6 (11) “to the public”

The cameras cost about 295 dollars per officer and are positioned on the officers so they do not get in the way.

Recent events throughout the country have prompted law enforcement agencies in Louisiana to begin at least testing body cameras to be worn by officers. President of the Police Foundation, Jim Bueerman, says relationships between communities and police cannot be solved by technology. But he says the cameras will add a tremendous degree of viability and accountability…

cut 5 (13) “treat each other”

The cameras cost about 295 dollars per officer and are positioned on the officers so they do not get in the way.

State Police say a 20-year-old Iota woman was killed in a single vehicle accident yesterday in Acadia Parish. Authorities say a car, driven by Claire Lejeune, for unknown reasons ran off the right side of the road. They say Lejeune then overcorrected and her vehicle crossed both lanes and ran off the other side of the road striking a tree. Lejeune, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle. She was transported to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

New legislation drafted by US Senator David Vitter would prohibit the federal government from mandating states to adopt Common Core standards. Jeremy Alford with LaPolitics.com says Vitter explained he changed his position after meeting with parents and teachers in Louisiana who really do not like Common Core. He says that’s what makes this issue so politically charged…

cut 11 (13) “these standards”

Alford says Vitter is intent on staying at the forefront of policies that Louisianians care about leading to next year’s governor’s race.

The Bayou State is ranked second best in the nation for work-related injuries and illness according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission. LWC spokesman Tom Guarisco says workers compensation rates in Louisiana were reduced in 2014 by 5.1%…

cut 15 (08) “very historic”

He says there is another 2.5 percent reduction recommendation pending for 2015.

US Senator David Vitter has drafted legislation that would prohibit the federal government from mandating states to adopt Common Core standards. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 3 (31) “reporting”

State Police say a 19-year-old Reserve man has been arrested for his role in a crash in Gonzales yesterday that killed a Dutchtown High School student. 15-year-old Claire Carline was killed in the crash and two of her sisters are hospitalized with moderate injuries. Dwight Perrilloux is charged with vehicular homicide, two counts of negligent injuring, and first offense DWI. Authorities believe Perrilloux was high on narcotics at the time of the crash.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says The Bayou State is ranked second best in the nation for work-related injuries and illness. LWC spokesman Tom Guarisco says for a state that’s known for having big plants and industry, this ranking is a strong testament that companies are hammering the importance of safety on a daily basis…:

cut 14 (05) “do things safely”

Guarisco says workers compensation rates in Louisiana were reduced in 2014 by 5.1%.

Democratic Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden is expected to officially announce his candidacy in Louisiana’s Lieutenant Governor’s race. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it would be extremely difficult for any Democratic candidate to win a statewide office this year. But he says the election is a year away and that could be an advantage for Holden…

cut 8 (10) “into the runoff”

Holden is the first Democrat to enter the race. Republicans Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser, Jefferson Parish President John Young, and State Senator Elbert Guillory have already announced their intent to run.

US Senator David Vitter has drafted legislation that would prohibit the federal government from mandating states to adopt Common Core standards. Vitter had previously supported the federal education standards. Jeremy Alford with LaPolitics.com says Vitter now has to show that he’s serious about his current stance…

cut 10 (11) “his position”

Alford says Vitter explained he changed his position after meeting with parents and teachers in Louisiana who really do not like Common Core.

Events throughout the state and in Ferguson, Missouri have prompted law enforcement agencies in Louisiana to begin at least testing body cameras to be worn by officers. Jim Bueerman is the president of the Police Foundation. He says the foundation is a strong advocate for the cameras…

cut 4 (09) “and side arms”

The president is calling for body cameras to be used nation wide.

Democratic Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden is throwing his hat in the ring in Louisiana’s Lieutenant Governor’s race. Holden is expected to officially announce his intentions at a press conference scheduled for 10AM. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Holden has a real shot of making the runoff for the office despite the negative climate of the Democratic Party in Louisiana…

cut 7 (09) “look that good”

Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser, Jefferson Parish President John Young, and State Senator Elbert Guillory, all Republicans, have previously announced their intent to run.

The driver responsible for a head-on crash this morning in Ascension Parish that claimed the life of a 14-year-old Dutchtown High student is charged with vehicular homicide. State Police spokesman Jared Sandifer says they believe 19-year-old Dwight Perrilloux of Reserve was drunk when he was traveling in the wrong lane of traffic on La 74 near I-10 in Gonzales…:
CUT 12 (09) “was killed”
The crash claimed the life of freshman Claire Carline and injured her two sisters. Perrilloux is charged with DWI and vehicular homicide.

Governor Bobby Jindal today issued an executive order which directs hospitals to bill the state instead of victims for sexual assault medical treatment. Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault Executive Director Ebony Tucker says there is still a lot to do, but this order is a step in the right direction…:
CUT 14 (09) “at all”

A tragic story out of St. Landry Parish where a father died after running into a burning house to rescue his 10-year-old son. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

The Louisiana Workforce Commissioner says The Bayou State is ranked second best in the nation for work-related injuries and illness. The incidence rate in 2014 improved to its best level in more than 12 years. LWC praises employers and their workforce for doing the right things to keep Louisiana safer.

An executive order by Governor Bobby Jindal today is directing hospitals to bill the Crime Victims Reparation fund instead of victims for sexual assault medical treatment. Officials want to make sure they have the funds…
CUT 16 (12) Q: “traumatic experience”
That’s Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault Executive Director Ebony Tucker.

A teenage student from Dutchtown High School was killed and four other people were hurt in a head on crash this morning in Gonzales. State Police spokesman Jared Sandifer says for unknown reasons, a car was traveling in the wrong lane of traffic on La 74 near Interstate 10…:
cut 12 (09) “was killed”
The driver of the other car is 19 year-old Dwight Perrilloux III, and hes’ been charged with DWI, and vehicular homicide.

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A tragic story out of St. Landry Parish where a father died after running into a burning house to rescue his 10-year-old son. 42-year-old John Robertson Sr. of Grand Prairie suffered fatal injuries while saving his son, John Robertson Jr…
CUT 3 (09) “of his injuries”
That’s State Fire Marshal Butch Browning. The son is in stable condition.

It’s tough times for the New Orleans Saints these days, losing four of their last five games, including a sound throttling by Carolina on Sunday. Coach Sean Payton says he’s looking for players and coaches to step up; and step up now…
CUT 11 (08) Q: “to doing that”
One player that won’t be doing that is wide receiver Joe Morgan, who was waived today. Payton says there could be more movement in personnel and line-up changes.

With Senator Mary Landrieu on her way out and Bill Cassidy on his way in, he says he is excited because-with Republicans in control of Congress-they will finally be able to pass the Keystone XL pipeline legislation…:
CUT 9 (10) “Presidential veto”
Cassidy says the first thing they plan to tackle is the Affordable Care Act.

A Dutchtown High School student is dead and four others have been injured in a head-on collision in Ascension Parish this morning in Gonzales. Three sisters were on their way to school on Highway 74, as another car was traveling on the wrong side of the highway near I -10. The other driver and the other sisters are recovering at a local hospital…
CUT 13 (09) Q: ‘as well”
That’s Trooper Jared Sandifer. The victim is identified as 15 year-old Claire Carline.

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An executive order which directs hospitals to bill the Crime Victims Reparation fund instead of victims for sexual assault medical treatment, was issued today by Governor Bobby Jindal. Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault Executive Director Ebony Tucker says the victim notification period to law enforcement is now extended from 72 hours to 1 year…
CUT 15 (13) Q: “chooses to do”

A St. Landry Parish father is dead following his attempt to run back into a burning home to rescue his son. Forty-two year old John Robertson Sr. of Grand Prairie had fatal injuries, while his 10 year-old son is in stable condition in the hospital, having burns over 40 percent of his body…
CUT 5 (06) Q: “who’s hospitalized”
That’s State Fire Marshall Butch Browning.

Congressman Bill Cassidy is back in Washington getting ready for his new role on the Senate. He says he’s listened to the people of Louisiana and his plan is to come up with ways to create more jobs with better benefits and better job security…:
CUT 11 (08) Q: “to do that”
Cassidy has a meeting with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to discuss committee assignments.

It’s a tragic house fire story out of St. Landry Parish, where a father has been killed trying to trying to run back into the burning structure to rescue his son. Forty-two year old John Robertson Sr. of Grand Prairie had fatal injuries, while his 10 year-old son is in stable condition, having burns over 40 percent of his body…
CUT 4 (07) Q: ‘the same thing”
That’s State Fire Marshall Butch Browning.
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Governor Bobby Jindal today issued an executive order which directs hospitals to bill the Crime Victims Reparation fund instead of victims for sexual assault medical treatment…
CUT 2 (32) “reporting”

Some noise being made in the Who Dat nation, as Saints head coach Sean Payton is putting players on notice that they need to do their job, or find a new one. Even though the Saints are tied for first in the NFC South, their record of 5 andf 8, they’ve already reportedly waived wide receiver Joe Morgan.