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…:
CUT 6 (08) “backlog”
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.

LSU President F. King Alexander is concerned about the continuing decline in state funding for higher education. Alexander says if trends keep continuing, Louisiana will become the second state to not pay a penny on higher education by the year 2027. Alexander hopes the trend reverses with the next governor…

cut 4 (10) “to ask”

Alexander made his comments during a speech at the Baton Rouge Press Club.

A 16-year-old is behind bars after wielding a shotgun while committing a series of armed robberies in the Uptown area, according to New Orleans Police. Mayor Mitch Landrieu spoke out about violence in the city and says he is dedicated to stopping this trend…

cut 10 (09) “higher priority”

Extra police patrolling the area arrested the teenager while riding a bike.

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. The mother is identified as 39-year-old Carla Watford and her two deceased daughters are 16-year-old Julia Watford and 9-year-old Tayla Watford. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning…:

cut 7 (08) “her own death”

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

A new Advocate/WWL-TV poll on the Louisiana governor’s race shows Republican David Vitter tied with Democrat John Bel Edwards at 24% in the primary. The survey, conducted by Clarus Research Group, shows Republicans Scott Angelle and Jay Dardenne with 15-percent and 14-percent respectively. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says Vitter had 38% in the spring polls…:
CUT 3 (10) “a runoff”

The LSU football team is 3-0, but Coach Les Miles knows there’s room for improvement. The Tigers are last in the Southeastern Conference in penalties, as they’ve been penalized 28 times for 258 yards. Miles says they are trying to do something about all of the yellow flags…
cut 30 (06) “…get it fixed”
In the victory over Syracuse, LSU was flagged 14 times for 120 yards.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue announces a 50th arrest has been made in a massive statewide crackdown on tax fraud. They say Joyce Gains, just like many of these other busted tax filing establishments, filed phony business losses for customers. LDR Criminal Investigators Director Barry Kelly encourages the public to be vigilant…:
CUT 14 (08) “are bound to”
He says the state has recovered over $400,000 in court-ordered restitution of fake refunds.

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. The mother is identified as 39-year-old Carla Watford and her two deceased daughters are 16-year-old Julia 9-year-old Tayla. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning…:
CUT 7 (08) “her own death”
He says this is still an ongoing investigation.

According to a Louisiana governor’s race media poll by the Advocate and WWL, Democrat John Bel Edwards and Republicans Scott Angelle and Jay Dardenne would defeat Republican David Vitter in a potential runoff. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says the survey shows Vitter would be an underdog in the runoff. He says this poll does bring up an interesting question…:
CUT 5 (08) “the runoff”
In the primary, the Clarus Research Group puts Edwards and Vitter in at 24%.

In continuing efforts to crackdown on crime in New Orleans, the police department announces the arrest of a 16-year-old they believe to be responsible for at least five armed robberies Uptown this month. Cops say they were actively patrolling the area to locate the suspect who tried to evade officers on his bike. Cops say they found a revolver on the teen then later at his home discovered five smart phones and a lever action rifle in a folding chair bag.

There are still questions looming as to why a mother in Eunice would have murdered her two daughters, then setting her house on fire before killing herself. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the mother is 39-year-old Carla Watford and her daughters are 9-year-old Layla and 16-year-old Julia. He says autpsies on the three are planned…:
CUT 8 (07) “cause of death”
He says there was a letter found in the rubble they believe was written by the mother.

A study by WalletHub puts Louisiana at number 4 in the nation for Hispanic assimilation. Manny Blanco, President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation, has high hopes for the future of the Hispanic community in Louisiana…:
Cut 11 (10) “our communities”
The study ranked states on Cultural & Civic, Education, and Economic assimilation.