The Department of Health and Hospitals says Louisiana Medicaid will no longer pay for early elective medically unnecessary deliveries of newborns before 39 weeks of gestation. DHH Secretary Kathy Kleibert says Blue Cross is joining the state in the same effort. Kleibert says these early c-sections and inductions are called “convenience births”…:
CUT 7 (07) “this day and time”
Kleibert says the goal of this move is to get people to wait until the baby is ready to be born for the child’s heath and safety.

According to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, a man is under arrest for allegedly stealing more than $4000 from a scholarship fund that was set up to honor a Slidell woman who died in a car crash. 19-year-old Haley Howard went missing in March and after four day search her car was found in water off Lake Pontchartrain. 29-year-old Jonathan Holcomb helped friends set up the scholarship fund but organizers later learned $4,340 was removed from the account in June. Holcomb is charged with felony theft.

The Louisiana State Police Retirement System Board of Trustees is holding a public meeting this afternoon to discuss what they’ve discovered regarding the so called “Edmonson Act.” There was concern political maneuvering this past session allowed Col Mike Edmonson to get a massive pension hike. State Treasurer John Kennedy…:
CUT 4 (11) “is unconstitutional”
He says now the question is what the board plans to do about it and in Kennedy’s opinion a lawsuit should be filed to have the law removed from the books.

A federal judge in New Orleans has ruled Louisiana’s ban on same sex marriage is constitutional. In a 32-page ruling, Judge Martin Feldman says states have the right to define marriage. But John Dennison, chairman of Forum for Equality Foundation, says numerous judges around the country have ruled the other way on this issue…

cut 12 (11) “appeals court level”

In 2004, Louisiana voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills believes that amendment played a role in Feldman’s decision…

cut 14 (07) “define marriage”

Opponents of the ban say they will appeal the ruling to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Authorities say a 4-year-old child is in critical condition after being injured in a residential fire last night in the DeSoto Parish town of Mansfield. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says two adults and a 10 year old child were able to escape the home but they soon realized the toddler was still inside. He says a male relative went back inside to rescue the 4-year-old…

cut 4 (11) “child’s body”

The toddler was air lifted to University Hospital in Shreveport.

Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson has weighed in on what should be done with the ISIS terrorist group. During an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News, Robertson said there’s only two options..

cut 9 (10) “kill them”

The Islamist militant group is behind the beheading of two American journalists.

A federal judge in New Orleans has ruled Louisiana’s ban on same sex marriage is-in fact-constitutional. In a 32-page ruling, Judge Martin Feldman said STATES have the right to define marriage. Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills applauds the ruling..:
CUT 13 (09) Q: “meaning of marriage”
But John Dennison, chairman of Forum for Equality Foundation, says there will be an appeal.

President Obama has been chosing his words carefully in response to the beheading for two American journalists by ISIS terrorists. Duck Dynasty Patriarch Phil Robertson, though, is speaking his mind…

cut 9 (10) Q: ‘kill them”
Robertson made those comments on Fox News’ Hannity show.

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There is a federal investigation is underway into the death of a New Iberia man who was shot and killed in the back of a police car while he was handcuffed in March. The Iberia Parish Coroner ruled that 23-year-old Victor White III committed suicide while he was in police custody, but his parents are disputing that. State Police Captain Doug Cain explains what’s next…:
CUT 6 (10) “to the public”
He says they are just seeking out the truth.

State Police says a single vehicle crash on US Highway 61 south of I-10 this morning has claimed the life of a Gonzales man. Fifty-three year-old Bobby Garantine lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a tree, then the vehicle became partially submerged in water. Garantine was pronounced dead at a local hospital. He was not wearing a seatbelt.

In 2004, Louisiana voters overwhelming approved a constitutional ban on same sex marriages. Today Federal Judge Martin Feldman in New Orleans ruled that STATES have the right to define marriage, and upheld the ban. Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills believes that amendment played a role in that decision….

cut 14 (07) “define marriage”

Opponents of the ban say they will appeal the ruling and the Chairman of Forum For Equality Foundation John Dennison says…

cut 15 (10) “little farther”

Dennison believes they will be victorious when the case goes to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

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A federal investigation is underway into the death of a New Iberia man who was shot and killed while he was handcuffed in March. Michelle Southern more…:

CUT 1 (35) “reporting”

A thirteen year-old juvenile from Charenton (SHARE run tun) has been arrested on simple battery for physically assaulting two teachers at B.E. Boudreaux Middle School. Both teachers sought medical treatment at Franklin Hospital. That juvenile was also charged with crimnal damage to property.

Louisiana’s ban on same sex marriages is upheld in a ruling by a federal judge in New Orleans. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (28) “reporting”

The Natchitoches teen accused of fatally punching a student at Natchitoches Central High School was in court this morning for arraignment and a bond hearing. Sixteen year-old Timmy Robinson is charged with manslaughter connected to the death of 18 year-old Johnquaries Smith. Robinson is charged with one count of manslaughter.

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Authorities say a 4-year-old child is in critical condition after being injured in a house fire last night in Mansfield. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says they believe the blaze started in the living room of the home just after the family went to bed…:

CUT 3 (10) “was still in the home”

That toddler was airlifted to University Hospital in Shreveport.
With the beheading of two American journalists, President Obama says the US will not be intimidated by Islmic extremists, but stopped short on details on how to handle them. But Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson is being more specific on his wishes…

CUT 11 (11) Q: “either one”

Robertson made his comments with Sean Hannity on Fox News.

A federal judge in New Orleans has ruled Louisiana’s ban on same sex marriage is constitutional. In a 32-page ruling, Judge Martin Feldman says states have the right to define marriage. But John Dennison, chairman of Forum for Equality Foundation, says numerous judges around the country have ruled the other way on this issue…

cut 12 (11) “appeals court level”

Opponents of the ban say they will appeal.

A federal investigation is underway into the death of a New Iberia man who was shot and killed while he was handcuffed in March. State Police Cpt. Doug Cain says the role of the Department of Justice in this case is the same as theirs and that is to find out the truth…

cut 8 (07) “in Iberia”

The Iberia Parish Coroner ruled that 23-year-old Victor White III committed suicide while in custody but his parents are disputing that conclusion.

Authorities say a 4-year-old child is in critical condition after being injured in a residential fire last night in the town of Mansfield in DeSoto Parish. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says they believe the blaze started in the living room of the home just after the family went to bed. He says the toddler was air lifted to University Hospital in Shreveport…

cut 5 (08) “cause of this fire”

He says the home was a wood framed structure that was built in the 50′s and they don’t think there were any working smoke alarms in the home.

Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson has weighed in on what should be done with the ISIS terrorist group. The Islamist militant group is behind the beheading of two American journalists. During an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News, Robertson said there’s only two options..

cut 9 (10) “kill them”

President Obama says they will not be intimidated by Islamic State militants, but did not provide details on when or how to go after their terrorist operation in Syria.

A federal judge has upheld Louisiana’s ban on same-sex marriage. Opponents of the ban filed a federal lawsuit against the state in February arguing the ban violated portions of the US Constitution. In his ruling, US District Judge Martin Feldman stated that Louisiana has a “legitimate interest” in “addressing the meaning of marriage through the democratic process.” This makes Feldman the first federal judge to uphold a state’s ban on same-sex marriage. An appeal of the ruling is expected.

A federal investigation is underway into the death of a New Iberia man who was shot and killed while he was handcuffed in March. The Iberia Parish Coroner ruled that 23-year-old Victor White III committed suicide while in custody but his parents are disputing the conclusion. State Police Cpt. Doug Cain says the public should reserve judgement until the investigation is complete…

cut 7 (09) “we deal in facts”

He says the role of the Department of Justice in this case is the same as theirs and that is to find out the truth.

Authorities say a 4-year-old child is in critical condition after being injured in a residential fire last night in the DeSoto Parish town of Mansfield. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says two adults and a 10 year old child were able to escape the home but they soon realized the toddler was still inside. He says a male relative went back inside to rescue the 4-year-old…

cut 4 (11) “child’s body”

The toddler was air lifted to University Hospital in Shreveport.

Bond has been set for the Nathitoches teen accused of fatally punching 18-year-old Johnquaries Smith during an altercation at Natchitoches Central High School last month. 16-year-old Timmy Robinson will be tried as an adult on one count of manslaughter. Bond was set at 100-thousand dollars.

A federal investigation is underway into the death of a New Iberia man who was shot and killed while he was handcuffed in March. The Iberia Parish Coroner ruled that 23-year-old Victor White III committed suicide while in custody but his parents are disputing the conclusion. State Police Cpt. Doug Cain says LSP will submit findings to the feds this week…

cut 6 (10) “to the public”

US Attorney Stephanie Finley said a federal representative has reached out to the White family to assure them that the Department of Justice will examine evidence and take action where needed.

The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 13-year-old male after an altercation with two teachers at B.E. Boudreaux Middle School. Their investigation revealed the juvenile allegedly struck one teacher and pushed another. He was charged with two counts of simple battery and other charges. The juvenile was released to a guardian pending juvenile court action.

Authorities say a 4-year-old child is in critical condition after being injured in a residential fire last night in the DeSoto Parish town of Mansfield. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says they believe the blaze started in the living room of the home just after the family went to bed…

cut 3 (10) “was still in the home”

He says a male relative went back inside to rescue the 4-year-old. The toddler was air lifted to University Hospital in Shreveport.

A new review of judicial candidates qualifying for elections in Louisiana shows a vast majority of judges will be elected or re-elected without opposition this fall. Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch Executive Director Melissa Landry says judicial elections are critically important because judges make significant decisions that effect our lives on a daily basis…

cut 12 (10) “tremendously important”

Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch is a non-partisan legal watchdog organization.

A new review of judicial candidates qualifying for elections in Louisiana shows a vast majority of judges will be elected or re-elected without opposition this fall. Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch is a non-partisan legal watchdog organization and their review found that nearly two-thirds of the district judgeships in the state will be filled by candidates who face no opposition. Executive Director Melissa Landry says the lack of voter input in judicial elections is a big problem…

cut 11 (10) “dangerous thing”

The group analyzed candidate qualifying data from the Secretary of State’s office.

A federal judge told attorneys on both sides of the controversial abortion law they have until a September 30th hearing to give status updates. He temporarily blocked the measure which would require abortion doctors to have hospital admitting privileges. The law still went into effect Monday but the judge wants abortion doctors to have time to submit applications for admitting privileges before being penalized.

A Livingston Parish couple has been sentenced for leaving their 6-month-old daughter in a locked, unventilated vehicle for nearly an hour while they were under the influence of OxyContin. The father, 35-year-old Billy Arthur Henry, was sentenced to four years at hard labor. Lana Henry, the child’s mother, received a suspended seven year sentence. Walker Police Captain John Sharp is hopeful this case will work out for the couple’s children…

cut 15 (09) “children deserve”

Lana Henry has been placed on probation and any probation violation will send her directly to prison.

Louisiana State Police says a single vehicle accident early this morning in St. James Parish has claimed the life of a Gonzales man. Authorities say 53-year-old Bobby Garantine lost control of his vehicle on Highway 61 south of I-10. They say the vehicle crashed into a tree on the drivers side and became partially submerged in water. Investigators say Garantine was unrestrained at the time and was pronounced dead from his injuries at a local hospital.

A new review of judicial candidates qualifying for elections in Louisiana shows a vast majority of judges will be elected or re-elected without opposition this fall. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 3 (33) “reporting”

Governor Bobby Jindal says a Helsinki company’s US division is planning to build a $60 million plant in Louisiana to make sugar cane scraps into industrial sugars and biofuels. Jindal and Virdia Inc say the project will create 120 construction jobs and 81 full time jobs in Raceland.

State Police is looking into some apparent discrepancies in water quality reporting between what St. John the Baptist Parish had compared to what the Department of Health and Hospitals came up with. Sgt. Nick Manale says parish officials found a potentially dangerous amoeba in their water supply and DHH came up with differing findings than what the parish reported. He says everyone is being cooperative with the investigation…:
CUT 9 (07) “that are necessary”
He says their job is to determine if any criminal activity took place.

The DA’s office in Iberville Parish says they don’t think they will charge the accused killer of Baton Rouge TV personality Scott Rogers. The man is Mathew Hodgkinson and he could walk free and not be arrested for murder. Iberville Parish Assistant DA Tony Clayton says allegations of Rogers’ sexual abuse of minor children in England have caused him to reconsider plans to prosecute Hodgkinson who remains on life support. Police believe the comatose man shot Rogers then turned the gun on himself.