Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell filed a lawsuit today against State Farm claiming the insurance company has created a culture of unsafe business practices when it comes to vehicle repairs. Assistant A-G Randy Ishee says there are multiple cases where State Farm has forced shops to use sub-standard parts to complete vehicle repairs…

cut 9 (11) “cut corners”

In a written statement, State Farm says the accusations in the lawsuit are not in line with its mission to serve the needs of their customers.

The Houma Police Department says a 71-year-old woman was brutally attacked by her son’s pit-bull mix last night. Chief Todd Duplantis says the woman was taken to the hospital with severe lacerations to her face, hands and arms. Duplantis says animal control took the attack male dog into custody and another female dog that was also inside the residence at the time…

cut 4 (05) “type mix”

He says the motive of the attack remains under investigation.

A Nike shoe designed for skateboarders and inspired by Louisiana mudbugs is generating some major buzz. It’s called the “Crawfish Shoe” and an employee at Rukus Board Shop in Baton Rouge worked with Nike to design the shoe. 19-year-old Hunter Hulin says people lined up outside the store a day before the shoe was released last Saturday and shelves were cleared throughout the state that day. Hulin says the shoe is red with maroon speckled suede to represent the crawfish…:

cut 7 (12) “is different”

The $105 Crawfish shoe will be available to the world on Saturday.

The Houma Police Department says a 71-year-old woman is in the hospital after being brutally attacked by her son’s pit-bull mix last night. Chief Todd Duplantis says cops responded to the woman’s residence around 8:30pm…

CUT 3 (12) “and arms”

Duplantis says animal control took the attack male dog into custody and another female dog that was also inside the residence at the time. He says, as of right now, the motive of the attack remains under investigation.

According to data published by “The New York Times”, Louisiana leads the nation in the percentage of residents born in-state. Numbers show that in 2012, 79 percent of Bayou State residents were born in Louisiana. Michigan came in at number two with 77 percent of residents born in state.

The new Nike “Crawfish Shoe” is generating some major buzz. 19-year-old Hunter Hulin, who works at Rukus Board Shop in Baton Rouge, worked with Nike to design the shoe. He says they started about a year ago…

cut 6 (13) “made it happen for us”

The $105 Crawfish Shoe will be available to the world Saturday

Louisiana’s private sector labor force grew to an all-time high in July. But, at the same time, the state’s unemployment rate rose to 5.4 percent. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Curt Eysink says that may be due word getting out that there are jobs in Louisiana…

cut 14 (08) “for work now”

Statistics show just over 2.1 million people employed across the state.

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office confirms the body found last week along the levee in Donaldsonville is that of 15-year-old Brandon Augusta. Chief Deputy Tony Bacala says the homicide investigation is now going full steam ahead. He asks anyone with information to please contact the Sheriff’s Office…

cut 12 (07) “say something”

Bacala says investigators are making progress in the case, but they are not at the point to make an arrest, right now.

The LSU AgCenter is conducting research to determine the extent of property damage done by feral hogs in Louisiana. Forestry economist Shaun Tanger says Louisiana has never done a study like this…

cut 5 (12) “1.5 billion”

Tanger says the animals cause major damage to agricultural crops because they can be used for wallows, for forage, and for protection.

Beginning today, United Airlines is offering nonstop flights from Lafayette to Denver, CO. The flight will be offered seven days a week departing at 4PM. Lafayette Regional Airport Director Michael Burrows says this direct flight is not only attractive to the oil and gas industry traveling to the northwest corridor, but also for recreational travelers looking to hit the Colorado slopes. Burrows says initially, the flight is proving to be quite popular…

cut 9 (11) “flight go on”

A fifty seat jet will transport passengers from Lafayette to Denver.

Judge Todd Hernandez, who heard arguments in the latest Common Core hearing on Monday, says he needs to sort through evidence before he makes a ruling on whether or not Governor Bobby Jindal overstepped his authority in halting tests associated with the education standards. Hernandez is hearing the case filed by parents and teachers who support Common Core.

Good job news came down this week. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Curt Eysink says just over 2.1 million people were employed in the state in July which is an all time high. That, he says, will help everyone economically and the future is looking even better…:
CUT 15 (12) “through 2022”
He says they’re seeing growth in all types of industries including construction, education, healthcare, trade, transportation and more.

The Lafayette Airport is excited about the new direct flight to Denver now being offered there. Airport Director Michael Burrows says this 4pm daily flight, which starts today, is attracting oil and gas industry travelers but also recreational travelers will take advantage of it as well…:
CUT 8 (07) “for ski season”
The United Airlines jet to Denver will seat 50.

The Houma Police Department says a 71-year-old woman is in the hospital following an apparent attack by a pit-bull mix dog that belonged to her son inside her residence. The say the victim suffered severe lacerations to her face, hands and arms. Animal Control was contacted and took custody of the attack male dog as well as another pit mix female that was in the house.

The LSU Ag Center is conducting research to determine the extent of damage done by feral hogs in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has that…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

Sadly, The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s office says the body that was found along the levee in Donaldsonville last week is that of 15-year-old Brandon Augusta. Chief Deputy Tony Bacala says now that the identification is positive, the homicide investigation is full steam ahead…:
CUT 11 (11) “make an arrest”
He is asking for the public’s help in this case.

The LSU Ag Center is conducting research to determine the extent of damage done by feral hogs in Louisiana. Forestry economist Shaun Tanger says they’ve been getting reports from farmers and landowners about property damage, but they want to get a better picture of the problem with a couple of detailed surveys…:
CUT 4 (13) “feral hog damage”
Tanger says the animals cause major damage to agricultural crops because they can be used for wallows, for forage and for protection.

Louisiana State Police say they will not file any charges against the woman accused of causing a wreck that killed two children in Prairieville. The children were among a group of five who were fishing near Bluff Road in June when they were run over by an SUV. LSP says the case is now in the hands of the DA who will decide whether or not it should be reviewed by a grand jury.

This morning in Lafayette police say a woman was struck and killed by a truck as she was walking along US 90. The highway southbound is closed for now at Verot School Road while the crash is investigated.

Louisiana’s private sector labor force grew to an all-time high in July with just over 2.1 million people employed statewide. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 3 (32) “reporting”

The job picture in Louisiana is looking nice. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says several industry sectors hit all-time employment records in July, but executive director Curt Eysink says the unemployment rate grew likely due to more people coming to Louisiana because they know jobs are here…:
CUT 14 (08) “for work now”
He says statistics show just over 2.1 million people employed across the state.

The LSU Ag Center is conducting research to determine the extent of damage done by feral hogs in Louisiana. Forestry economist Shaun Tanger says they’re sending out detailed surveys to farmers and landowners because the first step to reaching a resolution to the issue is to find out exactly how big it is…:
CUT 6 (10) “to fix that problem”
He says nationwide feral hogs are said to being causing more than $1.5 billion dollars in damage.

The judge who heard arguments in the latest Common Core hearing on Monday says he needs to sort through evidence before he makes a ruling on whether or not Governor Bobby Jindal went outside his authority in halting tests associated with the education standards. That was the argument from lawyers of parents and teachers who support Common Core.

Beginning today, United Airlines is offering nonstop flights from Lafayette to Denver, CO. Scott Carwile has more…:
CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office confirms the body that was found along the levee in Donaldsonville last week is that of 15-year-old Brandon Augusta. Chief Deputy Tony Bacala says they’ve been investigating this case as a homicide since they discovered the body…:
CUT 10 (10) “by the pathologist”
He says the case is very much under investigation but they don’t have enough evidence at this point to make an arrest.

Beginning today, United Airlines is offering nonstop flights from Lafayette to Denver, CO. The flight will be offered seven days a week departing at 4PM. Lafayette Regional Airport Director Michael Burrows says, in part, this flight is in response to oil and gas industry workers traveling to the northwest corridor…:
CUT 7 (04) “being direct”
He says so far the direct flight to Denver from Lafayette is poplular.

Louisiana’s private sector labor force grew to an all-time high in July. Statistics show just over 2.1 million people are employed across the state. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Curt Eysink says several industry sectors hit all-time employment records in July…:
CUT 13 (13) “number of sectors”
He says every part of the state will benefit from the employment growth.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office says they are still looking for the person or persons responsible for the death of a 7-year-old child who was shot while traveling in a car with his family. Spokeswoman Casey Hicks says two children in the back seat of the car were shot — one was grazed with a bullet and she’s expected to be okay…

cut 7 (05) “dead on the scene”

The deceased child is identified as Terrez Coleman.

A Shreveport woman faces a second-degree murder charge after allegedly stabbing a 40-year-old man during an argument. Shreveport Police Corporal Marcus Hines says the victim, Isaac McClain, had a verbal dispute with his live-in girlfriend. Hines says the girlfriend called her friend, 36-year-old Valerie Bass, to the residence and that’s when the homicide occurred…

cut 3 (09) “medical center”

Bass faces life in prison, if convicted.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office says a Denham Springs couple is under arrest after being found passed out in a vehicle with their two young children in the back seat. Col. John Fortunato says investigators were called to the parking lot of a closed restaurant in Metairie Sunday afternoon…

cut 9 (09) “vehicle”

When questioned, 41-year-old Michael Pierce and his 34-year-old wife, Melanie, each admitted to injecting heroin earlier in the day. Both were charged with child endangerment and several drug related charges.

Education Superintendent John White told the Baton Rouge Advocate the education department’s website was shut down today because the Jindal administration refused to make a payment. A spokesperson for the division of administration says that was not the case and called it a technical glitch. Jindal’s office and the Department of Education are involved in a legal battle over Common Core. The website was up and running again by midday. A statement from the education department said they are glad the bill was paid.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office says they are still looking for the person or persons responsible for the death of a 7-year-old child who was shot while traveling in a car with his family. Michelle Southern has that…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy has confirmed this afternoon the body that was found Thursday afternoon along the levee at Donaldsonville is that of 15 year-old Brandon Augusta. Authorities do suspect foul play, and anyone with information should call Crimestoppers.

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Education Superintendent John White told The Baton Rouge Advocate the education department’s website was down today because the Jindal administration refused to make a payment. A spokesperson for the division of administration says that was not the case and called it a technical glitch.
CUT 12 (10) “be doing”
That’s the Executive director of the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana, Keith Courville.

A couple from Denham Springs has been arrested following a report of them leaving their two small children in the back seat while they were passed out in their car parked in Metairie…:
cut 11 :06 sec. Q: “heroin addiction”
That’s Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office Colonel John Fortunato who says 41 year-old Michael Pierce and 34 year-old Melanie Pierce were arrested on drug charges and child endangerment.

A Denham Springs couple is under arrest after being found passed out in a vehicle with their two young children in the back seat in a Metairie parking lot. Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office Col. John Fortunato says they got the call around 2:30 yesterday afternoon and found 41-year-old Michael Pierce and 34-year-old Melanie Pierce…:
CUT 10 (07) “from the vehicle”
The children were 4 years and 11 months old. When the couple was questioned, the suspects both admitted to injecting heroin earlier in the day.

While this hurricane season has been very light so far, today many people are remembering the anniversary date of Hurricane Camille slamming into the Gulf Coast 45 years ago today. Camille was one of the most destructive storms in US history, killing an estimated 150 people.
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Some questions being raised about the Education Department’s website being down today because of what Superintendent John White calls a refusal on the part of the governor to pay the bill…:
cut 14 :10 sec. Q: “being paid”
That’s Keith Courville, the executive Director of the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana, who says he hopes that this was not based on the Common Core feud. The Jindal administration has said the missed payment was not on purpose.
A Shreveport man was stabbed to death yesterday morning following a confrontation with his live-in girlfriend. Forty year-old Isaac McClain was allegedly stabbed by a friend of his girlfriend, 36 year-old Valerie Bass at their residence…:
cut 5 :07 sec. Q: “life sentence”
That’s Shreveport Police Corporal Marcus Hines.