Baton Rouge police have arrested 49 year old Eric Augustus on 1^st degree murder charges of his girlfriend Lovie Variste age 76. Augustus had been living with Variste at the time of her death. Police spokesman Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says Augustus was told to kill his girlfriend.

Cut 3 (09) “to kill”

Augustus is being held without a bond. Police say the victim died yesterday afternoon of blunt trauma to the head.

The first woman will be inducted into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction as 96-year-old Margie Jenkins will receive that honor tonight in  a ceremony hosted by the Louisiana Radio Network. Governor John Bel Edwards says the Jenkins Farm and Nursery in Amite has been a staple in Tangipahoa Parish since the 60’s….

Cut 6 (09)  “recognizing her”

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A 14-year-old girl from Jonesville faces a charge of terrorizing after she allegedly left a threatening note at Block High School in Catahoula Parish.  State Police Trooper Scott Moreau

Cut 9 (11) “last night.”

KNOE-TV reports the teenager left a note with a list of names and that something would happen during a scheduled assembly at 12:30. The school was evacuated when the note was found

Senator Dan Claitor’s bill that would make it a crime to generate wakes that damage property while driving a vehicle through flooded streets has passed through committee and is on its way to the Senate floor Claitor was questioned about whether the driver’s intent should matter, but the Senator says it’s just like reckless drivers behind the wheel of a car.

Cut 11 (08) “the road”

Louisiana State Penitentiary investigators arrested four Angola prison officers, as part of an effort to crack down against contraband smuggling and inappropriate behavior with inmates. DOC spokesman Ken Pastorick says it’s sad these employees ended up on the wrong side of the law…

Cut 9 (08)  “them fired.”

A fifth officer was fired after she became aggressive with investigators while being questioned and another was placed on administrative leave.

Senator Dan Claitor has presented a bill making it a crime to generate wakes that damage property while driving a car through a flooded area. He says drivers of jacked up trucks should take note…

Cut 10 (06) “people’s homes.”

Drivers could be assessed a 175 dollar fine and up to 30 days in jail for a first time offense.

Governor John Bel Edwards indicates he would likely sign legislation that prohibits an abortion after 15 weeks from the start of pregnancy. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Population growth in the city of New Orleans has slowed to a trickle according to a report citing new census data. According to the Advocate, more people moved out of New Orleans than moved in – a first since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. But the city’s population increased by 271 people in 2017 due to new births and immigration from other countries.

Louisiana State Penitentiary investigators arrested four female Angola prison officers, as part of an effort to crack down against drug smuggling and inappropriate behavior with inmates. Department of Corrections Spokesman Ken Pastorick says investigators discovered drugs and a large amount of cash in one employee’s vehicle, while another admitted to having sex with an inmate. He says the actions of the four female prison guards arrested do not represent the rest of the Department’s employees…

Cut 8 (09)  “at risk.”

Senator Dan Claitor’s bill that would make it a crime to generate wakes that damage property while driving a vehicle through flooded streets has passed through committee and is on its way to the Senate floor. Claitor was questioned about whether the driver’s intent should matter, but the Senator says it’s just like reckless drivers behind the wheel of a car.

Cut 11 (08) “the road”

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Governor John Bel Edwards says if a bill banning abortion after 15 weeks ends up on his desk he’ll likely sign it. Edwards made the comments during his monthly call-in radio show, “Ask the Governor”….

Cut 13 (08)  “my desk.”

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant just signed a 15-week abortion ban and a similar bill is waiting to be discussed in the Louisiana Senate. Meanwhile A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction against Mississippi’s 15-week ban, which means it can’t go into effect yet.

The Center for Reproductive Rights plans to lobby against the Louisiana Senate bill calling for a ban on abortions after 15 weeks. State legislative counsel Shivana Jorawar says

predicts legal challenges, if the governor signs a similar law…

Cut 16 (09) “deserve that”

A 14 year old female student was arrested yesterday in Jonesville and charged with terrorizing block high school. The Catahoula parish sheriff’s office partnered with state police to investigate and make the arrest. The investigation is continuing…the students name has not been released.

Now that the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans are no longer owned by the late Tom Benson, what will happen to the teams? Kelley Ray says they’re staying.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

The Trump administration billed Wednesday’s offshore oil lease sale in the Gulf of the Mexico as the biggest in U.S. history.  It resulted in 33 companies making 125-million dollars in bids on 148 offshore tracts. That’s a small increase from a lease sale in August. Tulane Energy Institute’s Eric Smith…

says Wednesday’s lease sale was a small step towards ramping up production in the Gulf of Mexico, but oil production is still way down from where it was four years ago.

Cut 6 (10) “serious drop.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says if a bill banning abortion after 15 weeks ends up on his desk he’ll likely sign it. Edwards made the comments during his monthly call-in radio show, “Ask the Governor”….

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant just signed a 15-week abortion ban and a similar bill is waiting to be discussed in the Louisiana Senate. Edwards says his pro-life stance results in him backing legislation that’s supported by conservatives and that same belief also has him backing issues supported by liberals…

Cut 14 (08) “pro life”

The Center for Reproductive Rights plans to lobby against the Senate bill calling for a ban on abortions after 15 weeks. State legislative counsel Shivana Jorawar says politicians shouldn’t be making important health decisions for women…

Cut 15 (06) “own health”

A bill that would penalize drivers who push wakes into people’s homes during a flood has advanced to the Senate floor. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Trump administration is touting the results of an oil and gas bid that sold what amounts to roughly one percent of the space on the Gulf of Mexico water bottom for natural resource exploitation. 33 companies made 124.8 million dollars in bids Wednesday on 148 offshore tracts. Tulane Energy Institute Associate Director Eric Smith It’s the first sale since 1983, he says the sale could be a boost to companies involved in offshore drilling.

Cut 5  (09)  “little bit”

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Governor John Bel Edwards says if a bill to ban abortion after 15 weeks ends up on his desk he’ll likely sign it. Edwards made the comments during his monthly call-in radio show, “Ask the Governor”….

Cut 13 (08)  “my desk.”

A team official says the Saints and Pelicans are committed to Louisiana and the city of New Orleans. Since Tom Benson’s death, there have been questions surrounding the fate of both teams in one of the smallest sports markets in the country. Saints and Pels President Dennis Lauscha says the late Tom Benson and now Gayle Benson have been pleased with the support fans have given both teams since owning the Saints starting in 1985 and the Pels in 2013…

Cut 18 (17)  “basketball court.”

Governor John Bel Edwards indicates he would likely sign legislation that prohibits an abortion after 15 weeks from the start of pregnancy. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Trump administration is touting the results of an oil and gas bid that sold what amounts to roughly one percent of the space on the Gulf of Mexico water bottom for natural resource exploitation. 33 companies made 124.8 million dollars in bids Wednesday on 148 offshore tracts. Tulane Energy Institute Associate Director Eric Smith says the results are promising start for a potential expansion of gulf drilling, but not the slam dunk it’s been billed as.

Cut 4  (05) “high bids” 

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Louisiana State Penitentiary investigators arrested four Angola prison officers, as they part of an effort to crack down against contraband smuggling and inappropriate behavior with inmates. Department of Corrections Spokesman Ken Pastorick…

Cut 7 (08)  “offender’s relatives.”

Senator Dan Claitor’s bill that would make it a crime to generate wakes that damage property while driving a vehicle through flooded streets has passed through committee and is on its way to the Senate floor. The Baton Rouge Republican says he was moved to write the bill, after hearing horror stories from his constituents about reckless drivers during the 2016 floods.

Cut 10 (08) “to save.”

The House Criminal Justice passed the Max Gruver Act without objection today which will make hazing a felony crime in Louisiana. Gruver died following an alleged hazing incident one month into his first semester at LSU. Parents Rae Ann and Steven Gruver both tearfully laid out their son’s final hours before the committee asking them to pass this law which may have saved their son.

Cut 3 (16) “fly high max”

Public visitation for departed Saints and Pelcians owner Tom Benson is underway. Archbishop of New Orleans Gregory Aymond says Benson worked hard to get where he was…

Cut 12 (11)   “he did”

Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon.

A site has been selected to relocate the residents of Isle de Jean Charles off of their island that’s vanishing because of coastal erosion. Matt Doyle has more..

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Mississippi River has recently crested along many local points within the last 24-36 hours. The river ultimately peaked at 43.78 feet in Baton Rouge. That will go down as the 9th highest crest on record dating back to records from the 1880’s. Heavy rainfall in February is responsible for the high waters.