A report from the state inspector general and legislative auditor finds former Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary David LaCerte mismanaged his department. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

In a bit of a strange twist, Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards is scheduled to attend a Republican legislative retreat today in Lafayette. GOP lawmakers are gathering to discuss plans to deal with the state’s budget crisis. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross finds this very interesting, but not surprising…:
CUT 8 (06) “the help is”

A woman is undergoing psychiatric evaluation today after police say she tried to jump off the Huey P Long Bridge Sunday, but got stuck head first in a support beam. Colonel John Fortunato says the deputies who responded, Jordan Burst and David Lowe, found the woman. He says Burst climbed over the railing to comfort the woman, while Lowe retrieved a toe strap from his unit…:
cut 12 (10) “within the hole”
Fortunato says the woman sustained minor injuries and was transported to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation.

A man who police say was killed in a major accident in Shreveport Sunday, may have had a medical emergency, resulting in the crash. Shreveport Police say a male driver of a 2015 Ford-F 250 left a roadway and drove through a row of pine trees before stopping. The victim was airlifted to University Health Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Former state Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary David Lacerte is being accused of mismanaging the agency. Legislative Auditor Darryl Purpera claims in the report that Lacrete used over $27,000 in federal funds, earmarked for a veterans cemetery, to buy an SUV for department use. Purpera claims LaCerte also paid $44,000 to some law school classmates for professional services without a contract or documentation of what they did…:
CUT 4 (07) “of public funds”
Lacerte’s attorney, Jarrett Ambeau, says this is nothing more than a political attack by Purpera and Inspector General Stephen Street because his client was pushing an agenda in favor of veterans:
CUT 6 (08) “for doing so”
The audit also found problems with hiring practices, and reporting of potential crimes under the previous administration.

Thibodaux police identify the two men who shot and injured each other during a parade Sunday as 20-year-old Ryan Harris, and 33-year-old Quincy Johnson, both of Napaleaonville. They are reported to be in stable condition.

A woman who was rescued by Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s deputies after jumping off the Huey P Long Bridge over the Mississippi River, is undergoing psychiatric care today. Colonel John Fortunato says they got a 911 call around 1pm Sunday, from someone saying they’d seen a female park and abandon her car on the bridge…:
CUT 11 (04) “Mississippi River”
Fortunato says the deputies who responded, Jordan Burst and David Lowe, found the woman stuck headfirst into a hole in a support beam and were able to tether down and save her.

The first electoral event in the 2016 presidential race happens today with the Iowa Caucus. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

Two Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s deputies assisted a woman who attempted suicide by jumping off the Huey P. Long Bridge over the Mississippi River. The incident was reported around 1pm Sunday and responding deputies located the 53-year-old woman stuck headfirst into a hold supporting a steel beam, the Sheriff’s Office said. Responding deputies were able to tether down to the woman who sustained only minor injuries.

A report from the state inspector general and legislative auditor finds former Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary David LaCerte mismanaged his department. LaCerte resigned unexpectedly in October during the investigation by Inspector General Stephen Street and Legislative Auditor Darryl Purpera. Street says they found improprieties at several Veterans homes across the state…:
CUT 3 (12) “from a patient”
LaCerte’s attorney says these allegations are false and part of a character assassination.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will finish closing the Bonnet Carre Spillway Monday. The structure was opened to divert water from the swollen Mississippi River into Lake Pontchartrain. The Corps is also expected to give a status update of the river later today.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he isn’t breaking a campaign promise by proposing to raise taxes to address Louisiana’s massive budget shortfall. Edwards says these revenue proposals are not what he wanted, but necessary…

cut 13 (10) “from me”

Edwards says, during his campaign, the state’s financial situation wasn’t as bad as it is now.

February is American Heart Month and health experts are promoting initiatives in an attempt to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes in the US. Tulane University School of Medicine Professor, Dr. Keith Ferdinand, says many heart disease deaths could be prevented through healthy living habits. He says it’s hard to change your lifestyle completely, but starting out with one modification can greatly improve your health…

cut 12 (09) “our challenge”

Ferdinand says the 5 healthy living habits they suggest are, staying active, using aspirin, monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol management, and don’t smoke.

Thibodaux Police say two men from Assumption Parish are hospitalized in stable condition following a shooting at a Mardi Gras Parade Sunday. They say the shooting occurred along the route of the Krewe of Shaka parade. Authorities say the two unidentified men were involved in an altercation that led to a shootout. Officials say one of the two was wearing body armor at the time of the shooting. No other injuries were reported. The investigation is ongoing.

Major changes are coming to the LHSAA after member principals voted to expand the select–nonselect championships to basketball, baseball and softball. LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says he would like to survey coaches and student-athletes to see what they think…

cut 18 (15) “about it”

The expanded split will start with the 2016-17 school year.

Governor John Bel Edwards says proposing to raise taxes to address Louisiana’s massive budget shortfall is not breaking a campaign promise. State Treasurer John Kennedy has said there is no need to raise taxes to balance the budget, but Edwards says Kennedy is trying to boost his US Senate campaign…

cut 15 (11) “instead”

Edwards says the state’s financial situation is worse than it was during his campaign.

The first electoral event in the 2016 presidential race happens today with the Iowa Caucuses. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley believes both the Republican and Democratic caucuses will be close. Stockley says this presidential race is proving to be very interesting….

cut 6 (07) “amount of time”

Many candidates who have won the Iowa Caucuses, went on to win their party’s presidential nomination.

DHH’s Own You Own Health Challenge to combat obesity is now underway. Here’s Emelie Gunn…

cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

State Police say impairment is suspected in a weekend head-on collision in Calcasieu Parish that claimed three lives. They say a car, driven by 22-year-old Alejandro Delgado of Sulphur, crossed the center line and collided with an SUV, driven by 26-year-old Michael Maddox, head-on. Delgado was pronounced dead at the scene. Maddox and his passenger, 27-year-old Amber Borel, both of Dry Creek, were transported to a local hospital where they later succumbed to their injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s not breaking a campaign promise by proposing higher taxes to solve the state’s budget crisis. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Thibodaux Police are investigating a shooting during a Mardi Gras parade that injured two men. They say the shooting happened during the Krewe of Shaka parade Sunday afternoon. Authorities say the men were involved in an altercation that led to a shootout between the two. Both men were transported to a local hospital where they are recovering. The identities of the men have not been released. No other injuries were reported.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals’ Own Your Own Health Challenge has begun. Director of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Rudy Macklin says the 2015 challenge was a success with 16-thousand participants, including many ethnic groups. He says the program allows you to chat and motivate people around the state…

cut 9 (10) “habit tips”

The challenge, which runs until April 25th, is designed to help Louisianans become more active and create a healthier lifestyle.

The presidential race kicks up a notch today with the Iowa Caucuses, the first electoral event in the 2016 presidential race. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley thinks it’s going to be a tight race in the Republican caucus between Donald Trump and Ted Cruz…

cut 4 (08) “of contests”

He thinks Hillary Clinton will pull out a close win in the Democratic caucus.

Governor John Bel Edwards disagrees with those who say he’s breaking a campaign promise by proposing to raise taxes to address Louisiana’s massive budget deficit. Edwards says during his campaign the state’s financial situation wasn’t as bad as it is now. He says next fiscal year’s 1.9 billion dollar shortfall does not have an additional dollar accounted for inflation or anything else…

cut 14 (10) “budget”

He says these proposals are not what he wanted, but they are necessary.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals’ Own Your Own Health Challenge is underway through April 25th. Director of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Rudy Macklin says one part of the challenge helps participants learn what questions to ask when visiting the doctor…

cut 8 (09) “obesity”

The other part is an online physical activity and nutrition challenge.

Today begins American Heart Month and health experts are promoting initiatives in an effort to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes in the US. Tulane University School of Medicine Professor, Dr. Keith Ferdinand, advises patients to know their ABC’s when talking to healthcare providers…

cut 11 (09) “trans fat”

Ferdinand says heart disease is the number one killer of Louisiana residents and many of the deaths could be prevented through healthy living habits.

The presidential election season kicks off today with the Iowa Caucuses. On the Democratic side, ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Hillary Clinton is in an unexpected dogfight with Bernie Sanders…

cut 5 (09) “her e-mails”

Stockley does predict Clinton will pull out a close victory in Iowa. He says the Republican caucus will be a tight race between Donald Trump and Ted Cruz.

Major changes are coming to the LHSAA after member principals voted to expand the select–nonselect championships to basketball, baseball and softball, starting with the 2016-17 school year. 40-percent of the schools are opposed to this move. But LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says a majority of the association is pleased with what happened

cut 16 (17) “more clarity”

Friday’s vote will create 12 champions in basketball, baseball and softball, seven on the nonselect side and five on the select side. Where these additional championship games will be played, still has to be sorted out.

Zachary High School quarterback Lindsey Scott has committed to play college football at LSU. The 2015 Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year picked the Tigers over the University of Maryland.

The LSU men’s basketball team nearly upset the number one ranked team in the country on Saturday, but they couldn’t hold a double-digit second half lead and ended up losing to Oklahoma 77-75. Tim Quarterman led the Tigers in scoring with 18 points as he was 5-for-5 from three point territory…

cut 19 (11) “make enough”

LSU’s Ben Simmons had 14 points, but only took one shot in the final 10 minutes of the game.

Five Louisiana Tech Bulldogs scored in double figures in their 78-70 win over UTEP. Jacobi Boykins matched a career high scoring 18 and Erik McCree threw in 14 more as Tech improves to 5-3 in Conference USA play. The Bulldogs look to make it four wins in a row when they face Rice on the road Thursday.

Elsewhere: Northwestern State pounded Southeastern Louisiana 91-76, Nicholls fell to Incarnate Word 68-61, UNO topped McNeese State 76-64, and Tulsa beat Tulane