We asked the four candidates for governor what steps they would take to prevent mass shootings like the one that happened July 23rd in Lafayette. Emelie Gunn has more..:
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The campaign of Governor Bobby Jindal says the Presidential hopeful will be in New Hampshire today participating in the Voters First Republican Forum. The event will feature 14 GOP presidential candidates and will be televised on C-SPAN from 6pm to 8pm.

Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany says he’ll lead an effort to rework the welfare laws in the US. There haven’t been any major changes to the country’s welfare system since 1996. Boustany feels in order for welfare recipients to find long lasting jobs, they need to have the ability to receive education and training…:
CUT 8 (10) “meaningful work”
Boustany has been asked by House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan to lead a welfare reform rewrite.

The Mercedes Benz Superdome turns 40 today. The home of the New Orleans Saints officially opened on August 3rd, 1975. General Manager Alan Freeman says upgrades to the Dome have kept the it a viable venue to host some of the world’s biggest events. He says they are constantly looking at ways to enhance the fan’s experience at the Dome…:
CUT 5 (08) “the Saints”

Lafayette Republican Congressman Charles Boustany will lead an effort to re-write the nation’s welfare laws..:
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State Police say two female pedestrians have been killed in Tangipahoa Parish and the driver of the vehicle which struck them is under arrest on counts of vehicular homicide. They say 32-year-old Charlotte Woods and 28-year-old Angel Simmons Gill were walking in the road when they were hit by a car driven by 26-year-old Katy Robertson. Robertson was arrested under suspicion of DWI booked into jail on two counts of vehicular homicide.

There’s a massive inventory of crude oil which gas experts say is driving down the price at the pump they predict could fall below $2 a gallon in October. GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Gregg Loskoski says this is good news for consumers when it comes to upcoming holiday shopping:
CUT 15 (12) “the bills”
He says currently the statewide average is about $2.39 for a gallon of regular gasoline.

In LRN’s ongoing Q&A with the four candidates for Governor, we asked about the recent Lafayette shooting and possible ways such a tragedy could be avoided. Republican Scott Angelle feels leaders should take a serious look at mental health laws and doesn’t want such a tragedy to negatively effect law abiding citizens…:
CUT 12 (08) “bear arms”

GasBuddy.com says Louisiana’s statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline will fall below $2 in October. Senior Petroleum Analyst Gregg Laskoski says the decline will accelerate after Labor Day…:
Cut 14 (12) “lower gas prices”
He says they’re also seeing strong production numbers from refineries, which is steadily keeping prices low.

The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office says an 8 month old baby as well as three adults died when the SUV they were traveling in ran off the road and overturned in New Iberia. They say a 7 year old boy was the only survivor in the weekend crash, but the driver, two other people and the baby died at hospitals. The victims’ names have not been released at this time and the cause of the crash is under investigation.

In Louisiana Radio Network’s latest Governor Q&A, the four candidates were asked about possible ways an incident like the deadly Lafayette movie theater shooting could be prevented. They all asert there is a need for improvement to mental health care access. Republican David Vitter…:
cut 11 (11) “Governor on”
We’ll have the remaining candidate responses throughout the morning.

Today is the 40th birthday of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Dome officially opened on August 3, 1975 after almost four years of construction. General Manager Alan Freeman says 40 years is a great run, but the facility still has a lot of life left. He says that’s why they decided to theme this anniversary year, “40 Strong”…:
cut 4 (06) “promising future”

Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany will spearhead an effort to re-write the nation’s welfare reform laws. The country’s welfare system hasn’t seen any major changes since 1996 and Boustany has been asked by House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan to lead a rewrite. Boustany says his desire is that welfare recipients find permanent work…
CUT 7 (09) “opportunity ladder”
He says the goal this time around is not only employment, but an opportunity to increase earning potential over time.

State Police say a Lake Charles man was arrested Sunday after crashing into a building while driving drunk. They say 26-year-old Justin Gillard slammed his truck into a business causing significant damage. Cops say the man later submitted to a breath test where the result indicated his blood alcohol level was over two and half times the legal limit. He faces many charges including DWI number 3.

The four candidates for governor say they want to improve access for mental health care as a way to prevent another mass shooting incident like the deadly Lafayette movie theater shooting. Democrat John Bel Edwards says you can’t put a price on mental healthcare and he’s been fighting for more access to it for years.
Cut 10 (11) “and theirs”
We’ll report on the remaining candidate responses throughout the morning.

The American Automobile Association says the current statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.39, down a nickle from this time last week.

The Mercedes-Benz Superdome celebrates its 40th birthday today. Eric Gill reports…

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Lafayette Republican Congressman Charles Boustany will lead an effort to re-write the nation’s welfare laws. Scott Carwile has more…

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Louisiana Radio Network asked the four candidates for governor about what steps they’ll take to prevent mass shootings like the one that happened earlier this month in Lafayette. Emelie Gunn has more..

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Today is the 40th birthday of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Dome officially opened on August 3, 1975 after almost four years of construction. General Manager Alan Freeman says 40 years is a great run, but the facility still has a lot of life left. He says that’s why they decided to theme this anniversary year, “40 Strong”…

cut 4  (06)  “promising future”

He says upgrades to the stadium has kept the Superdome a viable venue to host some of the world’s biggest events. Freeman says they are constantly looking at ways to enhance the fan’s experience at the Dome…

Cut 5  (08)  “the Saints”

The Saints are the Superdome’s primary tenant. Over the years, the Superdome has hosted seven Super Bowls, five Final Fours, and a WrestleMania, just to name a few. Freeman is confident all of these and more will return to the Dome…

Cut 6 (08)  “sporting events”

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Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany will spearhead an effort to re-write the nation’s welfare reform laws. The country’s welfare system hasn’t seen any major changes since 1996 and Boustany has been asked by House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan to lead a rewrite. Boustany says his desire is that welfare recipients find permanent work…

CUT 7 (09)  “opportunity ladder”

Boustany says in order for welfare recipients to find long lasting jobs, they need to have the ability to receive education and training…

Cut 8  (10)  “meaningful work” 

Boustany says when welfare was reformed in 1996, steps were taken to make sure recipients to find work. He says the goal this time around is not only employment, but an opportunity to increase earning potential over time for the tens of millions of people who are receiving government assistance

Cut 9 (09) “of it”

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The four candidates for governor say they want to improve access for mental health care as a way to prevent another mass shooting incident like the deadly Lafayette movie theater shooting. Democrat John Bel Edwards says you can’t put a price on mental healthcare and he’s been fighting for more access to it for years.

Cut 10 (11) “and theirs”

Republican David Vitter says the tragic event shows it’s necessary to focus on mental health issues and it’s part of his campaign platform.

cut 11 (11) “Governor on” 

Republican Scott Angelle says we must take a serious look at mental health laws in Louisiana and across the nation while enforcing laws to make sure there are proper background checks for those buying guns. He says he doesn’t want this despicable event to negatively effect lawful people.

cut 12 (08) “bear arms”

Republican Jay Dardenne says he wants to create the opportunity to identify which people should be able to purchase a gun. He says we have appropriate laws to keep weapons out of the hands of the mentally ill but we need to increase mental healthcare funding in the state.

Cut 13 (11)  “offenders”

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GasBuddy is predicting Louisiana’s statewide average for a gasoline will fall below $2 a gallon in October. GasBuddy Analyst Gregg Laskoski says the decline in prices will accelerate after the Labor Day Holiday.

Cut 14 (12) “lower gas prices”

Laskoski says currently the statewide average is about $2.39 for a gallon of regular gasoline. He says this is good news for consumers when it comes to upcoming holiday shopping.

Cut 15  (12)  “the bills”

Laskoski says February was the last time prices was under two dollars a gallon in Louisiana. He says they’re also seeing strong production numbers from refineries, which is steadily keeping prices low.

Cut 16  (12)  “95 percent”

Over 260 bills passed in this year’s legislative session become law today. Jeff Palermo looks at two of the new laws…

cut 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Union Parish jury has convicted former Spearsville Police Chief Steve Bodine on aggravated rape charges. Bodine was arrested in 2013 for allegedly raping a 4-year-old child. Officials say, during the three day trial, witnesses testified that Bodine had raped children ranging in age from 4- to 14-years-old over a 40 year period. Bodine’s conviction carries a manditory life sentnece.

Two daycare centers in Louisiana have had their licenses revoked by the state, one in Baton Rouge and the other in Bossier City at Storybook Daycare and Discovery Zone. Education Superintendent John White says Storybook was found to have an improper child/staff ratio and were not conducting employee background checks…

cut 15 (11) “condition”

He says most Louisiana child care providers do an excellent job caring for kids.

New research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and Columbia University shows older adults that stop driving are almost twice more likely to suffer from depression and almost 5 times more likely to enter a long term care facility than those who continue to drive. AAA Spokesperson Don Redman has some advice if you do have to take the keys from your parents…

cut 12 (10) “of things”

He says it’s important to help your parents remain mobile.

Three suspended LSU football players accused of going into a house without permission have seen their charges dropped. The East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s office says formal charges will not be pursued against Anthony Jennings, Dwayne Thomas and Maquedius Bain. The D-A’s office says the decision is based on the request of the victim not to file charges and inconsistent and contradictory statements provided. LSU says the players have been reinstated to the team.

A study finds older adults that stop driving have an increased risk of health problems. Emelie Gunn has more on why…

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More than 260 bills become law today in Louisiana. One new law makes it illegal to post or share nude images of people on the internet without their consent. Kenner Representative Julie Stokes, who authored the legislation, says “revenge porn” has destroyed lives…

cut 3 (07) “that they’re used”

Violators of the law could face up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Lake Charles Police announce that they have solved an aggravated rape case from October of 1999, where the victim was severely beaten and sexually assaulted while jogging at the Lake Charles Civic Center. Deputy Chief of Police, Mark Kraus, says 45 year-old Austin Mott is a registered sex offender who is currently serving time in Texas for an unrelated sex offense…

cut 8 (04) “he belongs”

He says advances in technology led to authorities getting a DNA match in the case.

Over 260 bills passed in this year’s legislative session become law today. One measure doubles fines for simple littering from $75 to $150 and up to $1000 for subsequent offenses. Susan Russell, Executive Director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful, says they support anything that increases the litter enforcement effort…

cut 5 (06) “in our state”

Improper disposal of items like furniture and appliances could end up costing offenders $10,000 under the new law.

State Superintendent of Education John White announces two daycare centers in Louisiana have had their licenses revoked – one in Bossier City and one in Baton Rouge at the Our Blessings Christian Daycare Learning Center; whose staff is accused of leaving a two-year-old child at a restaurant amusement venue and not telling the parents or the state…

cut 14 (11) “has a license”

White says the majority of child care providers do an excellent job taking care of kids.

Lake Charles Police announce that they have solved an aggravated rape case from October of 1999. Deputy Chief of Police, Mark Kraus, says the seven month investigation culminated in an arrest warrant for 45-year-old Austin Mott. Kraus says advances in technology led to them getting a DNA match from the physical evidence…

cut 7 (07) “against a child”

In the 1999 incident, the victim was severely beaten and sexually assaulted while jogging at the Lake Charles Civic Center.

A new study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and Columbia University finds older adults that stop driving are more likely to suffer from depression and nearly 5 times more likely to enter a long term care facility than those who remain behind the wheel. AAA Spokesperson Don Redman says this could lead to the elderly becoming less social and active….

cut 11 (09) “the community”

Redman says the results of the study are not all that surprising.

Three suspended LSU football players accused of a break-in have seen their charges dropped. The East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s office says they will not pursue formal charges against Anthony Jennings, Dwayne Thomas and Maquedius Bain. The D-A’s office says the decision is based on the request of the victim not to file charges and inconsistent and contradictory statements provided. LSU says the players have been reinstated to the team.

So called “revenge porn” is outlawed in Louisiana as of Saturday when over 260 new laws hit the books. Kenner Representative Julie Stokes says nobody should post private explicit pictures of people without their permission and this measure sends a powerful message…:
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Violators could face up to two years in prison.

A new report by AAA and Columbia University finds older adults who stop driving are almost two times more likely to suffer from depression than those who remain behind the wheel. They also found that non-driving elderly are nearly 5 times more likely to enter a long term care facility. Don Redman with AAA says this isn’t that surprising…:
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He says if you find your parents are no longer able to drive, it’s important you help them remain mobile.

State Superintendent of Education John White announces two daycare centers in the state have had their licenses revoked. He says while the majority of child care providers do an excellent job taking care of kids, there are a couple who refuse to follow the law…:
CUT 13 (10) “the state”
He says that incident was reported out of Baton Rouge and the other revoked license daycare is in Bossier City.