It looks like Baton Rouge is getting in “just in case” mode as it was mentioned that the LSU/USC game might be moved here due to widespread flooding in Columbia, South Carolina. USC Athletic Director Ray Tanner says the full intention is to play at Williams Brice Stadium Saturday, but a move to other cities is being considered. He says the field is fine, but there are other concerns..:
CUT 14 (11) “various counties”
They hope to make a decision in the next 24 hours.

The Department of Transportation is asking for the public’s input on the proposed I-49 Lafayette Connector project. DOTD spokesperson Diedra Druilhet says the proposed 5.5 mile stretch of highway would start at I-10 and run through Lafayette. She says public input is important:
CUT 7 (06) “get involved”
Information is available at geauxsouth49.com.

The Louisiana Congressional Delegation has sent a letter to the US Department of Homeland Security asking for a delay in the state’s compliance to the REAL ID act. Eric Gill reports…
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

The Attorney General’s Office says a third person has been arrested in connection with a Louisiana based national financial fraud scheme which resulted in the theft of more than $5 million dollars. They say 26-year-old Jessica Clements Batiste faces racketeering charges for her role in helping her then husband carry out the credit repair scam that defrauded hundreds of individuals and banks.

There is the possibility this Saturday’s LSU-South Carolina football game will be moved, maybe even to Baton Rouge. That’s because of the deadly flooding near the university. South Carolina athletics director Ray Tanner says it’s their hope to play in their stadium, but conversations are underway about holding it in another city…
cut 13 (09) “…as well”
Tanner says a definitive decision is expected in 24 to 36 hours.

State Police say a woman from Mississippi heading the wrong direction on I-55 in Hammond hit another vehicle head-on and died. Trooper Dustin Dwight says the crash happened in the overnight hours and investigators are trying to figure out why the victim was going the wrong way…
cut 16 (04) “…exactly why”
Dwight says impairment is not suspected.

The principal and a coach from Beau Chene High School in Arnaudville are facing criminal charges for how they disciplined a student at the school. Principal Anthony James was charged with simple battery and basketball coach Lorrenso Williams was booked on cruelty to a juvenile. St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson, Captain Clay Higgins…
cut 11 (12) “…beyond that”
Higgins says it was the mother of the student who contacted authorities.

Members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation have asked the US Department of Homeland Security for Louisiana to receieve an extension to comply with the REAL ID Act. Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany says an extension is needed so Louisiana residents don’t need a second form of ID to enter a federal office or fly domestically…
cut 5 (07) “….federal facilities’
Boustany says the state is moving closer to compliance.

Officials at the University of South Carolina say the LSU/USC game may not be played in Columbia this weekend. Emelie Gunn reports…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

State Police say a single vehicle crash in Assumption Parish has killed a Napoleonville woman. They say 63-year-old Thlema Rainey made a sharp right turn coming out of a left curve in the road when her car overturned and crashed into a ditch. She wasn’t buckled up and impairment is a suspected factor in the crash. She was pronounced dead on scene.

The state Department of Transportation begins taking public input today on the proposed I-49 Lafayette Connector project. The proposed 5.5 mile stretch of highway would start at I-10 and run through Lafayette. This is a critical piece of roadway needed to connect I-49 to New Orleans. DOTD spokesperson Diedra Druilhet says this is part of their $3 billion “Geaux South” program…:
CUT 6 (07) “grade facility”
The “Geaux South” program would convert approximately 160 miles of the US 90 corridor to I-49 South.

Louisiana State Police say a Mississippi woman was killed in a wrong-way collision during the overnight hours on I-55 in Hammond. Trooper Dustin Dwight says the victim was not buckled up and driving her Nissan Altima recklessly…:
cut 15 (07) “head on”
They aren’t releasing the victim’s name at this time. The driver of the other vehicle was wearing a seatbelt and sustained moderate injuries.

Officials at the University of South Carolina say it’s possible that the LSU/USC game will not be played in Columbia this weekend and a move to Baton Rouge is not out of the question. The area has been dealing with catastrophic flooding and record rainfall. USC AD Ray Tanner says they are not 100% sure that the game will be held at Williams Brice…:
CUT 12 (10) “we will play here”
Classes at USC have been canceled for the week.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office arrests the Principal and a coach at Beau Chene High School following an incident involving a juvenile student. Lt. Clay Higgins says their investigation began when the mother of the student contacted detectives…:
CUT 9 (07) “a principal”
Principal Anthony James is charged with simple battery and basketball coach Lorenso Williams is charged with cruelty to a juvenile.

The Louisiana Congressional Delegation has sent a letter to the US Department of Homeland Security asking for a delay in the state’s compliance to the REAL ID act. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

The Athletic Director at the University of South Carolina says they are not 100% certain that the game this weekend against LSU will be played at Williams Brice Stadium. Columbia has been dealing with widespread flooding and destruction and classes at USC have been cancelled for the remainder of this week. USC AD Ray Tanner also said today that it’s possible the game could be played in Baton Rouge Saturday.

The Louisiana Congressional Delegation has sent a letter to the US Department of Homeland Security asking for a delay in the state’s compliance to the REAL ID act. Louisiana is one of four states who are not in compliance with the new federal identification standards. Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany says the state needs more time to comply…:
CUT 3 (10) “deal with it”
The REAL ID act sets standards for state drivers’ licences to be acceptable for entry into federal buildings and institutions or for air travel.

The Thibodaux Police Department says five people are under arrest after a toddler and 17 dogs had to be removed from a home that was in deplorable conditions. Spokesman David Melancon says they got a report that one of the dogs was loose and trying to attack people. He says animal control initially responded…:
Cut 10 (10) “the conditions”
The suspects, including the parents of the child, range in age from 17 to 73 and face various counts of animal cruelty and child desertion charges.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office says the principal and a coach from Beau Chene High School have been arrested for an undisclosed incident involving a juvenile student. They say the suspects maintain that they were trying to discipline and control the student during an interview with the juvenile and his mother. Coach Lorenso Williams and Principal Anthony James were booked and released on $1000 bond.

A new NBC/Marist poll on the presidential race in Iowa shows Governor Bobby Jindal now has 6-percent of the vote. Eric Gill reports…:
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office says a second victim has died as a result of the triple shooting in LaPlace which had already claimed the life of one man. They say 18-year-old Sierra Gregoire of LaPlace succumbed to her injuries at an area hospital Monday afternoon. The third victim is in stable condition. Authorities are still looking for the suspect vehicle, a white extended cab pickup truck.

Baton Rouge-based G2 LNG says it plans to construct a facility in Cameron Parish that would export liquefied natural gas. The proposed plant is estimated to be $11 billion dollars and plans to employ 250 permanent workers. G2 LNG president, Thomas Hudson, says he’s glad they can announce a significant economic development project in Cameron Parish on the ten year anniversary of Hurricane Rita…:
Cut 15 (10) “this parish”
G2 LNG is chaired by former Governor Buddy Roemer who says the project still needs approval from federal agencies.

A memorial service for ULM quarterback Daniel Fitzwater is set for 11am tomorrow morning at Calvary Baptist in Shreveport. The 20-year-old suddenly passed away Saturday and according to the family the cause of death had not yet been determined. ULM learned of Fitzwater’s death just hours before the homecoming game against George Southern in Monroe.

A new NBC/Marist poll on the presidential race in Iowa shows Governor Bobby Jindal’s support has increased to 6-percent. That puts him in a tie for fifth place among Republican presidential hopefuls. Radio Iowa News Director Kay Henderson says it will be interesting to see if Jindal’s “boots on the ground” campaign strategy will succeed…

cut 9 (07) “pay off”

She says it appears that Jindal’s campaign efforts may be getting some traction.

Louisiana based G-2, L-N-G announces plans to build an 11-billion dollar facility in Cameron Parish that will export liquefied natural gas. Chairman and former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer says once completed, the plant will have 250 permanent workers and it will export LNG across the globe…

cut 14 (10) “China”

The company hopes to break ground in two years.

Louisiana volunteers are joining Red Cross response efforts in South Carolina as the East Coast state deals with severe flooding. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

In a statement, the Southeastern Conference says, as of now, LSU’s game Saturday at South Carolina will be played as scheduled, despite widespread flooding in the Columbia, South Carolina area. Kickoff is scheduled for 11AM at Williams-Brice Stadium. The SEC says they will continue to monitor the situation.