A US federal judge has ruled that reckless conduct by British Petroleum led to the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill. The ruling by Judge Carl Barbier could nearly quadruple the amount of civil penalties BP faces for polluting the Gulf of Mexico. We’ll have more on this story as more information becomes available.

Blue Cross and Louisiana Medicaid will no longer pay for early elective medically unnecessary deliveries of newborns before 39 weeks of gestation. Jeff Palermo reports…

cut 2 (27) “reports”

In a new poll, Republican Dr. Ralph Abraham has taken the lead in the 5th District Congressional race. Abraham comes in at 22-percent followed by incumbent Republican Vance McAllister with 20-percent and Democratic Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo with 15-percent. Duck Dynasty favorite Republican Zach Dasher polls at 7-percent of the vote and Pollster Darrell Glascock says he’s not surprised…

cut 12 (12) “the game, there”

The poll was conducted by the Glascock Group.

The National Weather Service says this summer will go down as the wettest on record for Lake Charles. Meteorologist Donald Jones says nearly 37 inches of rain fell June through August. He says an interesting note about this record is that surrounding areas did not approach a record summer rainfall…

Cut 15 (10) “of rain”

The old record was 33 inches in 1989.

The Louisiana State Police Retirement System Board of Trustees is holding a public meeting this afternoon to discuss concerns of political maneuvering which passed a law giving Col. Mike Edmonson a huge pension hike. State Treasurer John Kennedy believes the right thing to do is to file suit immediately…

cut 6 (11) “the same”

Edmonson says he will refuse the extra retirement money but Kennedy says that’s not enough, the law needs to be removed from the books.

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 the payment change will, for most deliveries, push delivery dates to at least 39 weeks…

cut 9 (07) “ready to be born”

Any births before 39 weeks that are deemed medically necessary will continue to be covered.

In a new poll by the Glascock Group, Republican Dr. Ralph Abraham has taken the lead in the 5th District Congressional race. Abraham comes in at 22-percent followed by incumbent Republican Vance McAllister with 20-percent. Pollster Darrell Glascock says McAllister has a hard core base of 20-percent. He says in a field this large, that means you shouldn’t write off the incumbent…

cut 11 (14) “were last week”

Glascock believes McAllister’s drop in the poll can be attributed to the addition of Clyde Holloway to the candidate field.

The National Weather Service says this summer will go down as the wettest on record for Lake Charles. N-W-S Meteorologist Donald Jones says it’s unusual to break a record for summer rainfall without the help of a tropical storm…

Cut 14 (10) “specific area”

He says nearly 37 inches of rain fell June through August.

In a new poll by the Glascock Group, Republican Dr. Ralph Abraham has taken the lead in the 5th District Congressional race. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 3 (30) “reporting”

The New Orleans Police Department says three people are arrested in connection with a hit-and-run accident involving a stolen ATV which struck and killed a woman. They say 29-year-old Darrin Smith was booked with manslaughter in the July 27th death of 37-year-old Daphne COla. Two others who allegedly left the scene are booked with accessory to manslaughter.

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 the pregnancy. DHH Secretary Kathy Kleibert says women need to realize convenience births are not good and the benefits to having your baby full term are important…:
CUT 8 (07) “and the babies”
But she says any births before 39 weeks that are deemed medically necessary will continue to be covered.

Louisiana State Police Retirement System Board of Trustees is holding a public meeting this afternoon to discuss concerns of possible political maneuvering which created a law giving Col. Mike Edmonson a big retirement boost. State Treasurer John Kennedy says the findings clearly state that the proposal is against the constitution and he doesn’t expect much debate today…:
CUT 5 (09) “bad policy”

The State Police Retirement System Board of Trustees is holding a meeting this afternoon to discuss a controversial law dealing with boosts in two troopers retirement…:
CUT 1 (28) “reporting”

Ray Nagin is apparently broke so US District Judge Ginger Berrigan signed off on approval for the former New Orleans Mayor to hire a public defender to handle his appeal. The judge says Nagin’s finances let him qualify for public legal representation. He reportedly has $23.65 in his bank account. A jury convicted Nagin on 20 counts in February and he’s scheduled to begin serving a ten year sentence on Monday.

In a new poll by the Glascock Group, Republican Dr. Ralph Abraham has taken the lead in the 5th District Congressional race. Abraham comes in at 22-percent followed by incumbent Republican Vance McAllister with 20-percent and Democratic Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo with 15-percent. Pollster Darrell Glascock says Abraham’s support appears to be district wide…:
CUT 10 (06) “candidates are”
Duck Dynasty favorite Republican Zach Dasher polls at 7-percent of the vote.

The National Weather Service says this summer will go down as the wettest on record for Lake Charles. The N-W-S Meteorologist Donald Jones says nearly 37 inches of rain fell during the months of June, July and August, breaking the old record of 33 inches in 1989…:
CUT 13 (12) “across the area”
He says another interesting note about this record is that surrounding areas did not approach a record summer rainfall.

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.