The group of businessmen Blueprint Louisiana is recommending the next governor raise the gasoline tax, expand Medicaid and alter the TOPS program. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

In a letter today to US House GOP colleagues, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Jefferson said he’s officially running to become House Majority Leader. It was expected Scalise would look to move up after current Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said he wanted to replace House Speaker John Boehner, who announced his resignation last week.

The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office says they are trying to locate a man convicted on a manslaughter charges who was released from prison by mistake due to a computer glitch. 32-year-old Benjuiel Johnson was discharged on September 23rd from the Dixon Correctional Institute but the error was not noticed until Monday. Johnson pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2013. If you see this man please call 911.

The Louisiana ACLU is asking a school in Bossier City to immediately remove prayer boxes set throughout campus. They assert Airline High School is promoting Christianity and thus violating the US Constitution. The School Board will discuss the situation at their next meeting. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says it won’t serve the public well for Bossier Parish School officials to take this issue to court…:
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Governor Bobby Jindal says this is an example of the war on Christianity going too far.

The group Blueprint Louisiana, comprised of businessmen and executives, has released their recommendations for the next governor. They include expanding Medicaid, raising the gasoline tax and revamping TOPS so that it no longer covers the full cost of tuition. Chairman Dr. Phillip Rozeman says roads in Louisiana need about a billion dollars a year in improvements and a higher gasoline tax could help defer the cost…:
CUT 6 (09) “our roads”
He says working residents would benefit from Medicaid expansion and TOPS needs to be restructured to make it sustainable for the future.

The Denham Springs Police Department says a woman was stabbed to death in her front yard this morning allegedly by her boyfriend. They say 52-year-old Kent Scott and the victim were arguing when the fight moved outside and the suspect stabbed her multiple times. The woman died at an area hospital. Scott is still being processed and is expected to be charged with either first or second degree murder.

A recent Clarus Research Group poll on the Louisiana governor’s race reveals that 44-percent of voters view Republican David Vitter unfavorably. The poll was paid for by The Advocate and WWL-TV. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says, during Vitter’s years in public office, it appears the Senator has managed to alienate some voters…:
CUT 9 (09) “don’t like you”
The survey also shows that over 40-percent of voters could not give a favorability rating to any of the other three major candidates.

Southern University has launched a fund to help provide financial assistance for wide receiver Devon Gales, who suffered a neck injury in the loss to Georgia. A link to the fund can be found at gojagsports.com.

The American Civil Liberties Union is accusing the Bossier Parish School Board of violating the US Constitution by allowing the Fellowship of Student Athletes to set up prayer boxes at Airline High School in Bossier City. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says this does appear to go against the First Amendment’s Establishment of Religion Clause…:
CUT 3 (09) “particular Christianity”
The School Board says they plan to address the issue at their next meeting.

The Baton Rouge Police Department says nine siblings have been removed from their home after state authorities found little food and zero beds at the residence. The mother, 27-year-old Leticia Brothers was arrested on charges of child endangerment, cruelty to juveniles and criminal neglect of family. A report indicates investigators found that all nine children slept in one room together on the floor. Bond has not been set for Brothers and she remains in parish prison.

New Orleans based Glo Airlines announces it will soon be offering flights out of MSY. They say the public charter flights will include two daily, non-stop trips from New Orleans to Shreveport, Little Rock and Memphis and one on Saturdays and Sundays. Glo CEO Trey Fayard said they created the airline because more travel options are needed in the Gulf and Mid-South regions.

After months of wrangling, the US Department of Veterans Affairs announces it has awarded a lease for a permanent Veterans Clinic in Lake Charles. Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany has been applying pressure on the V-A to get this done…:
Cut 13 (04) “progress now”
He says the 24-thousand square foot building is expected to be ready for use by 2017 at a 4.5 acre site on Gerstner Memorial Parkway.

And According to ESPN, Saints Quarterback Drew Brees will be testing out his injured shoulder today for the first time since Friday.

Constant state funding cuts to higher education are concerning LSU President and Chancellor F. King Alexander. He feels if the trend keeps up, Louisiana will become the second state in the nation that doesn’t pay public colleges and universities. Dr. Alexander says there is no consistent source of cash to address the problem of the more than one billion dollars in deferred maintenance on campuses…:
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He says he hopes the matter will addressed by the next governor.

A fund has been set up by Southern University athletics and the Southern University System Foundation to help the family of injured Jaguars football player Devon Gales with medical expenses. Gales suffered a severe spinal injury in the third quarter of Saturday’s game at Georgia. You can find the link to the fund’s website at gojagsssports.com. Gales’ parents weren’t at the game, but they are with him at the hospital after being flown in on the University of Georgia’s dime.

The US Department of Veterans’ Affairs announces it has awarded a lease for a permanent Veterans Clinic in Lake Charles. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

ESPN’s Ed Werder is reporting that Saints quarterback Drew Brees will again test his injured rotator cuff today by throwing passes. This will be the first time Number 9 is giving his passing shoulder another try since Friday when the team determined he wasn’t ready to play against Carolina. The Saints take on the Cowboys in the Mercedes Benz Superdome this weekend.

LSU President F. King Alexander hopes the next governor reverses the trend of fewer state dollars going towards higher ed. Emelie Gunn has more…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”
Baton Rouge Police have arrested the mother of nine children found living in deplorable conditions. Authorities say the home had little furniture, no beds, and minimal food in the pantry and refrigerator. They say all nine children slept huddled together on the floor of the bedroom. 27-year-old Leticia Brothers is charged with criminal neglect of family and child endangerment, among other charges. The children were placed in the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services.

Authorities are still trying to determine why 39-year-old Carla Watford of Eunice may have shot and killed her two daughters before setting their house on fire then killing herself. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says investigators have learned the fire started near the master bedroom, and they also found a note believed to have been written by Watford…

cut 9 (05) “murder-suicide”

Browning says they recovered the weapon they believe was used in the murder suicide and also the chemical accelerant used to set the fire.

After months of back-and-fourth, the US Department of Veterans Affairs announces it has awarded a lease for a permanent Veterans Clinic in Lake Charles. Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany says it’s been a long journey to get this point. He says the 24-thousand square foot building is expected to be ready for use by 2017….

cut 15 (09) “getting started”

The permanent clinic will be located on Gerstner Memorial Parkway.

Authorities are still trying to figure out why a mother in Eunice may have shot and killed her two daughters before setting their house on fire then turning the gun on herself. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested three people in connection with a fatal shooting in Rayville. 53-year-old Mary Miles, 23-year-old Terrance Miles, and 25-year-old Robert Miles, all of Rayville, are charged with conspiracy to commit second degree murder in the death of 23-year-old Michael Bradley. The accused shooter, 29-year-old Larry Brown, Jr., reamins at large.

The US Department of Veterans Affairs announces it has awarded a lease for a permanent Veterans Clinic in Lake Charles. The clinic will be on a 4.5 acre site on Gerstner Memorial Parkway. Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany is glad to see progress, but more work is needed to ensure quality healthcare needs for veterans living in southwest Louisiana…

cut 14 (10) “our veterans”

Boustany expects the clinic to be ready for use by 2017.

Mayor Mitch Landrieu spoke out about violence In New Orleans after a 16-year-old was arrested accused of committing a series of armed robberies in the Uptown area. Landrieu says we must do everything we can to build a city of peace.

cut 12 (08) “remain safe”

Landrieu says he is dedicated to stopping this violent trend.

LSU President F. King Alexander remains concerned about the continuing decline in state funding for higher education. During a speech at the Baton Rouge Press Club, Alexander called for more state dollars to conduct research. He says it would be a wise investment for the state….

cut 5 (11) “other areas”

Alexander says if trends keep continuing, Louisiana will become the second state to not pay a penny on higher education by the year 2027.

After months of wrangling, the US Department of Veterans Affairs announces it has awarded a lease for a permanent Veterans Clinic in Lake Charles. Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany has been applying pressure on the V-A to get this done

cut 13 (04) “progress now”

The permanent Lake Charles veterans’ clinic will be on a 4.5 acre site on Gerstner Memorial Parkway. Construction is expected to be finished by 2017.

Authorities are perplexed as to why a mother in Eunice may have shot and killed her two daughters before setting their house on fire then turning the gun on herself. Eunice Police Chief Randy Fontenot said the family wants the public to know that 39-year-old Carla Watford was a good person, and what lead her to do this we may never know…

cut 8 (08) “in this community”

Watford’s deceased daughters are 16-year-old Julia Watford and 9-year-old Tayla Watford.

New Orleans Police say a 16-year-old is behind bars after wielding a shotgun while committing a series of armed robberies in the Uptown area. Mayor Mitch Landrieu says they continue to aggressively recruit more police officers and are investing thousands of dollars to advance protection for the people of New Orleans…

cut 11 (09) “behind bars”

Authorities found five smart phones, similar clothes described by victims, and a rifle inside a chair bag while searching the suspect’s home.