Qualifying began today for this fall’s statewide elections and the four major gubernatorial candidates all qualified before 10AM. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

Two of four workers who were injured in an explosion and fire at a plant in Ascension Parish last week have been released from the hospital. Renewable Energy Group said the unnamed worker was discharged from the Baton Rouge General Regional Burn Unit fight nights after the explosion. Two other workers remain hospitalized with one in reported good condition and another in serious condition.

A 54-year-old man from Lake Providence died after his house caught on fire that was likely started by a cigarette in his bed. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says 54-year-old Kenneth Jefferson was trying to put the fire out and died from injuries he sustained. He says whenever there is a fire, one should notify everyone in the area and then escape to safety, not stay behind to put it out…:
CUT 5 (08) “trapped themselves”
Browning adds that you should never smoke in bed.

The Natchitoches Police Department has identified the high school student who was shot to death Monday evening outside a home in the city. They say 17-year-old DeMarcus Pye was found lying in a ditch shot two times. It’s reported that there was some type of fight the victim could have been involved in and cops say arrests may be forthcoming.

The official start to the campaign season got underway this morning as qualifying began in Baton Rouge. Republican Senator David Vitter was the first gubernatorial candidate to sign up. He says Louisiana is facing serious problems…:
CUT 6 (10) “ahead of us”
Vitter has by far the most money in his campaign warchest, but Republican Scott Angelle says this race is too important to place focus on money…:
CUT 7 (09) “enough money”
Democrat John Bel Edwards and Republican Jay Dardenne are also now officially in the race.

Governor Bobby Jindal is going to host a prayer rally on the steps of the state capitol on Monday at 11:30am to commemorate the statewide day of prayer for all law enforcement.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office says they’ve got two people in custody who are accused of shooting at police officers last week. Sheriff Newell Normand says the cop car was hit five times then the officers fired back 14 times but nobody was struck. He says the suspects, who were part of a large drug-dealing operation, admitted they knew they were shooting at the police…:
cut 14 (07) “cop killers”
21-year-old Malcolm Hall and 20-year-old Terrance Carter were charged in the incident.

LSU dropped two spots to No. 15 in the USA today Coaches’ Poll after Saturday’s severe weather canceled their game against McNeese State. But in the AP the Tigers remained at No. 14. The SEC has a record 10 teams ranked in the AP poll.

The Krewe of Endymion in New Orleans announces Pitbull and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith will be the performers at the krewe’s annual celebration in the Superdome the Saturday before Mardi Gras.

Qualifying for the fall elections got underway this morning at the Secretary of State’s Office in Baton Rouge and all four gubernatorial candidates signed up before 10am. The race for Attorney General will be a heated one. West Baton Rouge Parish prosecutor Marty Maley is trying to unseat AG Buddy Caldwell saying the incumbent doesn’t have court room experience…:
CUT 11 (11) “wanted a change”
Also running for AG is former congressman Jeff Landry.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office says a man in East Carroll Parish died in a house fire last night which was likely started because he was smoking in bed. Marshal Butch Browning says the victim is 54-year-old Kenneth Jefferson of Lake Providence and the girlfriend said they often smoked in bed:
CUT 4 (09) “place outside”
He adds you should never stay behind to try to put out a fire.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office announces the arrest of two suspects who are accused of trying to kill deputies who were on patrol last week in Marrero. Emlie Gunn reports…:
CUT 2 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office says they received a report of a bomb threat from school officials at Cecilia Jr. High this morning — but have since issued an all clear. They say both the Jr. High and the High School in Breaux Bridge were evacuated out of an abundance of caution and students were dismissed. Officials found no bomb in either school.

Qualifying began today for this fall’s statewide elections and the four major gubernatorial candidates all qualified before 10AM. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

The motoring public continues to enjoy falling prices at the pump. The American Automobile Association says the current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.11 down almost twenty five cents from the month before.

LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva said today that an announcement about refunds for the cancelled McNeese State game will be made this afternoon.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office announces the arrest of two suspects who are accused of trying to kill deputies who were on patrol last week in Marrero. Sheriff Newell Normand says, on September 2nd, the cops were investigating an area that officials described as high crime when they noticed a laser on the windshield…:
CUT 13 (10) “officers”
No one was struck. 21-year-old Malcolm Hall and 20-year-old Terrance Carter were charged in the incident. Normand called the suspects cop killers who admitted they knew they were shooting at the police.

Attorney General Buddy Caldwell was the first candidate to sign up for the fall elections at the start of qualifying this morning…:
CUT 10 (11) “proud of that”
West Baton Rouge Parish Prosecutor Marty Maley is trying to unseat Caldwell as is former congressman Jeff Landry from Iberia Parish. Both also Republicans.

The sign up period for the October 24th primary elections started today. Republican David Vitter was the first gubernatorial candidate to qualify then it was Republican Scott Angelle then Democrat John Bel Edwards. The lone Democrat in the race doesn’t think last year’s attitude among voters in the US Senate election is still around…:
CUT 8 (07) “those lines”
Republican Jay Dardenne says he will be there for the people of Louisiana…:
CUT 9 (09) “in the state”
The other major races coming up this fall are lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer and insurance commissioner.

Officials with Barksdale Air Force Base have identified the airman who died over the weekend at Muddy Bottoms in Webster parish. They say 24-year-old Dustin Reinhart was in an accident at the ATV Park and was killed. A 30-year-old female also died in a separate accident. The incidents are both under investigation.

Louisiana motorists are enjoying gas prices around two dollars a gallon, but there is a downside. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

In the USA Today coaches poll released today, LSU moved down two spots to number 15 after the season opener against McNeese State was cancelled. Ohio State holds steady in the top spot followed by #2 Alabama. LSU plays Mississippi State at 8:15pm Saturday night in Starkville.

Qualifying for the fall elections got underway this morning at the Secretary of State’s Office in Baton Rouge. The main races include governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer and insurance commissioner. Republican Senator David Vitter was the first gubernatorial candidate to qualify. He says Louisiana faces enormous challenges…:
CUT 6 (10) “ahead of us”
Republican Scott Angelle says he’s confident this campaign will be about issues and not about money…:
CUT 7 (09) “enough money”
The next candidates for governor to qualify were Democrat John Bel Edwards then Republican Jay Dardenne. The primary is October 24th, the runoff voting day is November 21st.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office says a house fire in East Carroll Parish has taken the life of a Lake Providence man. 54-year-old Kenneth Jefferson died en route to the hospital from injuries suffered while trying to put out the fire. Fire Marshal Butch Browning says they believe unsafe habits likely played a part in the blaze…:
CUT 3 (10) “caused this fire”
Browning says Jefferson’s girlfriend told them that they often smoked in bed.

The Shreveport Police Department has identified the suspect in the fatal officer involved shooting as 28-year-old Mohamed Ibrahim. The suspect was shot and killed by police officers after investigators say he got out of a vehicle following a pursuit and manhunt brandishing a gun. They also say he fired his weapon at officers earlier but he did not strike them. As per department policy, several cops are on paid administrative leave while the investigation is ongoing.

All four major candidates in the governor’s race have qualified. Republicans David Vitter, Scott Angelle and Jay Dardenne and Democrat John Bel Edwards. Attorney General Buddy Caldwell arrived first to the Secretary of state’s office this morning. Running for Lt. Governor, Republicans John Young, Elberty Guillory and Billy Nungesser have also officially signed up. Qualifying ends Thursday.

A study finds we might be seeing the end of an active hurricane period that we’ve been experiencing since the mid-1990s. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Department of Heath and Hospitals is working to get cucumbers linked to a multi-state Salmonella outbreak out of stores. The FDA has issued a recall of the cucumbers distributed by Andrew and Williamson Fresh Produce. State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry:
CUT 12 (09) “fevers”
There were three cases reported in Louisiana, but Guidry says they didn’t result in long-term health effects. 285 people reportedly contracted the Salmonella from the produce nationwide.

Some LSU fans are concerned that because there was no McNeese State game Saturday, the Tigers will be at a disadvantage in the new season opener. But Coach Les Miles says that will not be an excuse for how they perform against Mississippi State…:
CUT 17 (13) “hinder us”
He adds quarterback Brandon Harris prepared well for the Cowboys and expects that same level of preparation to continue this weekend.