The Jindal Administration has started letting lawmakers know that the last budget year ended with a deficit. The exact amount of money the state came up short in the fiscal year that ended June 30th is not being made known. Political pundit CB Forgotston believes this inability to properly balance the budget will continue with the next legislature..:
CUT 14 (10) “or both”
We’re expected to know the exact amount that was off in mid-October.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees said during an afternoon news conference that he’s “pretty confident” he will play in Sunday’s game against the Panthers in Carolina. Number 9, who sustained a bruise to his rotator cuff during the Bucs game, says this is just another hurdle that’s not that big of a deal. He was at practice today, but says he did not throw.

Hurricane Rita hit Louisiana 10 years ago tomorrow.. and Cameron Parish, which suffered the most, is still trying to get things back to normal. The seafood industry there was decimated as a result of the storm with docks and the only ice house being destroyed. Kevin Savoie, LSU AgCenter agent in Cameron Parish, says a big project is nearly complete that will hopefully revitalize the industry…:
CUT 7 (06) “processing facility”
He says a boost in the economy is just around the corner in southwest Louisiana and he hopes more people will move back to Cameron Parish.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says a 14-year-old student from Boyet Junior high is under arrest on felony battery charges after allegedly shoving a 67-year-old teacher to the ground. They say the altercation apparently started during a disagreement over an assignment and afterwards the juvenile left campus. Deputies found him a few blocks from the school and he was sent to jail.

Two relatives of Breaux Bridge actress and model Ali Landry were attacked and killed in Mexico. Jeff Palermo has more…:
CUT 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Today is the deadline for Louisiana residents to register to vote for the October 24th primary election. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says this is for people who have never registered or for those who need to update their information like their address, name or party affiliation. He says there are 600 races statewide and hopes people will participate in democracy.

Cameron Parish was the hardest hit from the devastating Hurricane Rita which happened 10 years ago tomorrow, and recovery remains slow. Kevin Savoie, LSU AgCenter agent in Cameron Parish, says one of the biggest issues is getting people to move back.
CUT 8 (06) “that number”
He is hopeful the LNG projects and the new seafood processing facility will help sustain Cameron Parish in the long run.

The Division of Administration has begun notifying legislative leaders that the state ended its most recent budget year, which ended Jun 30th, with a deficit. An exact amount is not being released. Political pundit CB Forgotston says he isn’t surprised there was a deficit, but is surprised the Jindal Administration took this long to release the information…:
CUT 12 (08) “intelligent votes”
The size of the deficit is expected to be announced to the Legislature’s joint budget committee in mid-October.

Pope Francis is in Washington DC today for his first full day in the United States. During a speech at the White House, Pope Francis spoke about protecting religious freedom. Doctor Tom Ryan, director of the Loyola Institute of Ministry, says even though President Obama was present for the speech, it was not directed at him or even conservatives for that matter…:
CUT 10 (07) “deep faith commitment”
Tomorrow, the US Senate and House will have a joint session to hear from Pope Francis as he’ll make his first-ever address to Congress.

Two members of actress and beauty queen Ali Landry of Breaux Bridge have reportedly been murdered after being kidnapped earlier this month in Mexico. The online publication Latin Times says Landry’s husband’s father and brother were being held for ransom and the money was delivered, but the pair was never released. Landry, who is also known as the Doritos girl, is married to director Alejandro Monteverde.

Louisiana Tech reports the highest enrollment it’s ever had for the 125-year history of the school. The headcount is at 12,414 students for the fall quarter, a 10-percent increase over last year. University spokesperson Dave Guerin says a strong student retention effort is helping to build a larger and stronger student body…:
CUT 5 (08) “they graduate”
He says a big key to the record enrollment is that 81-percent of first-time, full-time freshman in 2014 are back at Tech this year.

State Police say a DOTD vehicle and a Trooper patrol car were badly damaged when a suspected drunk driver drove through a barricade as cops were working another crash in Gonzales. They say the Trooper vehicle had its lights activated while DOTD was clearing the accident and that’s when 36-year-old Rickey Denny Jr. drove through the scene crashing into both unoccupied vehicles. Nobody was injured. Cops say Denny’s BAC registered nearly three times the legal limit.

Tomorrow marks the ten year anniversary of Hurricane Rita making landfall in Louisiana. Eric Gill takes a look at the hardest hit area from the storm, Cameron Parish…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

A Latin publication is reporting that the father-in-law and brother-in-law of Breaux Bridge native and former Miss USA Ali Landry, were kidnapped earlier this month and found dead this week in Tampico, Mexico. The report says the two were being held for ransom which was paid, but they were never returned to family members.

Chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party Karen Peterson and state Senate president John Alario were among the individuals at the White House this morning to greet Pope Francis. The religious leader of the Catholic Church urged those in attendance that it’s time to combat climate change. Dr. Tom Ryan, Director of the Loyola Institute of Ministry, says Pope Francis was not making a political statement, but instead reminding Americans we have one Earth we must protect…:
CUT 9 (04) “our very life”
Pope Francis also spoke about protecting religious freedom.

Saints Coach Sean Payton told the media today that quarterback Drew Brees is day-to-day as the team takes to the practice field in preparation for the game at Carolina. If Brees doesn’t play, back-up Verizon spokesman Luke McCown will fill in.

Tomorrow marks the ten year anniversary of Hurricane Rita making landfall in Louisiana. Cameron Parish was the hardest hit area from the storm with farmland and pastures inundated with saltwater and numerous homes flooded or washed away. Kevin Savoie, LSU AgCenter agent in Cameron Parish, says recovery has been slow over the past decade, but there are positive signs…:
CUT 6 (09) “tax base”
He says 10 years later, the biggest issue is getting people to move back to the Parish.

It’s the first day of fall and State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’ll see temps in the 80s over the next few days, but the cool air won’t last long…:
CUT 1 (09) “comes through”

Louisiana Tech says they’ve reached the university’s highest enrollment it’s ever had. Nearly 12000 students are enrolled in the fall quarter which is 10 percent higher than last year. Tech spokesman Dave Guerin says a big key to the record enrollment is that 81-percent of first-time, full-time freshman in 2014 are back at Tech this year…:
CUT 4 (06) “graduate them”
The school reported earlier this year that’s graduation rate went up four-percent to 54-percent, the second highest among all public universities.

Saints Coach Sean Payton told reporters on a teleconference this morning that Quarterback Drew Brees is day-to-day. Payton would not elaborate anymore on Brees’ injured rotator cuff. If Brees can’t play this Sunday against Carolina, Luke McCown would get the start. Payton said he won’t talk about hypothetical situations. Brees is talking this afternoon.

Today is the deadline to register to vote or make changes to your voter registration for the October 24th election. Emelie Gunn has more…
cut 2 (27) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

Louisiana Tech reports the highest enrollment it’s ever had for the 125-year history of the school. The headcount is at 12,414 students for the fall quarter, a 10-percent increase over last year. The previous record was just under 12-thousand in 2003. University spokesperson Dave Guerin says they are also seeing an increase in other key areas as well…
cut 3 (08) “…graduation rate”

Today is the first day of fall. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we can expect normal temperatures for the next three months and we’ll also get some relief to the dry conditions across the state with higher than average rainfall…
cut 7 (10) “…this winter”

Strange story out of Cameron Parish, a couple in their 30s were arrested after running on the beach naked and leaving a 20 month child alone on Holly Beach. Chuck Pierson of Carlyss found the the little girl. He says she was thirsty with mosquito bites on her body. He finds it incomprehensible that her parents were so far away with no clothes on…
cut 15 (07) “….my kids you know”

A state judge has ruled a constitutional amendment that bars certain convicted felons from running for an office in Louisiana is unconstitutional. Jeff Palermo asked former governor Edwin Edwards what this means for him…

cut 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Jennings Police Department has arrested a mother and her boyfriend after the woman’s one-year-old daughter suffered third degree burns to her lower body. They say the boyfriend, Japheal Griffin, became upset with the toddler after she soiled herself and placed her in a tub of hot water. The mother, Shelby Jones, claimed the child’s older sibling burned the girl, but later recanted her story. Griffin and Jones were booked on felony child cruelty charges.

The Cameron Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested 32-year-old Cody Bourgeois and 35-year-old Monique Bourgeois after their 1 year old child was discovered wandering Holly Beach alone, while they were jogging naked 4 miles away. Sheriff Ron Johnson says he’s not sure why the parents left the baby and started running with no clothes on but they believe drugs are involved…

cut 14 (06) “high on something”

The parents are charged with child desertion and obscenity.

If you want to vote in the upcoming gubernatorial election, today is the deadline to register. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says Louisiana is third in the country, at 85 percent, for the number of registered voters and hopes everyone will get out and cast their ballots…

cut 12 (10) “even voted”

Schedler says the easiest way to register or make changes to your registration is online at Geaux Vote dot com.

The Cameron Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the case of a 1-year-old who was found wandering Holly Beach alone, while her parents were jogging naked four miles away…

cut 3 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office says a senior citizen is under arrest after leading police on a high speed chase with speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. They say when officers responded to a call of shots fired, 76-year-old Billy Mercer fled the scene and the pursuit ensued. The chase was eventually called off due to hazardous speeds. Mercer eventually surrendered to authorities. He is charged with aggravated assault, reckless operation, and flight from an officer.

A 1997 constitutional amendment that prohibits convicted felons from running for public office in Louisiana until 15 years after their prison sentence is completed has been thrown out by a state judge. Former Governor and convicted felon Edwin Edwards agrees with the ruling, but says it’s unlikely he’ll seek public office in the state…

cut 6 (06) “Father Time”

Judge Wilson Fields’ ruling will be appealed.

Fall officially began at 3:22 this morning and hopefully we’ll start to feel cooler temperatures in Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says most Louisiana residents are probably glad fall is finally here, as this summer was the hottest we’ve experienced in two years. He says humidity was much higher than usual this summer and we saw dew points sky rocket…

cut 9 (10) “than normal”

He says we can expect normal temperatures for the next three months and higher than average rainfall.