We’re starting to see yet another drop in the price of gas. The statewide average is at $2.22 according to the American Automobile Association down three cents from last Monday. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says a forecast from the US Department of Energy indicates that the national averge won’t get above $2.50 a gallon for the entire year…:
CUT 7 (07) “a gallon”
Redman attributes the falling price at the pump on a very healthy supply.

Former New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper, who pleaded guilty last week to sexual assault charges in three states including Louisiana, will reportedly get 8 years in jail in Nevada. This is called a “global” plea deal to resolve the charges, including federal charges, and all sentences will run concurrently according to legal experts so the 39-year-old will only serve his time in one prison.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz has officially announced that he is running for the Republican presidential nomination, but Governor Bobby Jindal says he will wait until the legislative session ends in June before announcing whether he will enter the race. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Cruz, Rick Santorum and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul will all have some impact on a Jindal candidacy because of their similar politics:
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He says it’s smart for Jindal to wait until after the session to start a campaign.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office say the man who went on the crazed incident with a machete and wasp spray at the New Orleans airport died over the weekend. 63-year-old Richard White was shot by a deputy working to diffuse the situation.

Gas prices are once again starting to fall. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is is $2.22 which is down three cents from this time last week according to the American Automobile Association. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman…:
CUT 6 (09) “spring transition”
He says a forecast from the US Department of Energy indicates that the national averge won’t get above $2.50 a gallon for the entire year.

A son is in the hospital recovering from a gunshot wound after cops say he was shot by his father when there was no more orange juice in their Baton Rouge home. They say 58-year-old Eldrige Dukes got into a huge fight with his son when he discovered the orange juice was gone and began to chase him around the house with a gun and firing several times eventually striking the teen in the butt. Dukes is charged with attempted manslaughter and illegal use of a dangerous weapon. The son is going to be okay.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz has officially announced that he is running for the Republican presidential nomination. So, how does this effect Governor Bobby Jindal’s anticipated run? Eric Gill has more…:
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State Police say a crash in Sabine Parish has left one teen dead and another injured. Authorities say a truck driven by 16-year-old Kelby Pilcher of Florien crossed the center line and collided with a truck driven by 18-year-old Michael Fair of Many. Pilcher suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Fair was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries. This crash remains under investigation.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz has officially announced that he is running for the Republican presidential nomination. Cruz is the first major presidential hopeful to officially declare his intent to run. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says now that Cruz has entered, you can expect Governor Bobby Jindal to officially throw his hat into the ring soon…:
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Cruz formally launched his campaign at an event in Virginia this morning.

A Baton Rouge man is now facing attempted manslaughter charges after police say he shot his son during an argument over orange juice. Baton Rouge Police say 58-year-old Eldridge Dukes and his son 18-year-old Brentin Dukes began arguing over the fact there was no more orange juice. Cops say the dad then grabbed a gun then shot his son in his backside. He was charged with attempted manslaughter and illegal use of a dangerous weapon.

A Shreveport lawmaker feels the state legislature should look at different options in trying to shrink the state’s $1.6 billion budget deficit. Eric Gill reports…:
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State Police say a man from St. Bernard died in a crash around 2:30am. They say 37-year-old Wayne Melerine Jr ran off a road and struck a tree. Speed and impairment are not considered factors in the crash according to investigators, but Melerine was not wearing his seat belt.

Legislation is being sponsored this session by Parks Senator Fred Mills that looks at ways to change the process of public school teacher evaluations. Currently, teacher evaluations are determined by students’ standardized test results. Mills says the proposed law would not completely remove the use of test scores as a factor in deciding teacher effectiveness…

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Mills says he is speaking for this bill on behalf of constituents in his area who tell him that the value added assessment model is not a valid measurement tool.

State Police say a crash in Sabine Parish has left one teen dead and another injured. Authorities say a truck driven by 16-year-old Kelby Pilcher of Florien crossed the center line and collided with a truck driven by 18-year-old Michael Fair of Many. Pilcher suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Fair was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries. This crash remains under investigation.

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested an Ashland woman in the shooting death of her boyfriend. Authorities say 32-year-old Schwann Williams was charged with manslaughter after she admitted to deputies that she shot 32-year-old Michael Jerome Stewart during a dispute. Officials say even though it appears that Stewart allegedly attacked Williams, evidence gathered warranted a manslaughter charge against Williams.

The state Department of Transportation and Development is taking part in National Work Zone Awareness Week which runs through Friday. Michelle Southern reports…:

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Parks Senator Fred Mills is sponsoring legislation this session that looks at ways to change the way public school teachers are evaluated. Michelle Southern reports…:

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State Police say an Opelousas man is dead after a fatal accident in St. Landry Parish. They say 38-year-old Herbert Rideau was driving early Sunday morning when his truck ran off the road, traveled through a lot, and struck an unoccupied 18-wheeler. Rideau was not restrained and was pronounced dead at the scene. Toxicology tests are pending and the investigation is ongoing.

31-year-old Brandon Eirick of Baton Rouge is scheduled to be sentenced today for allegedly shooting up his girlfriend, 31-year old Leah Hutchinson, with a fatal injection of heroin in 2013. Eirick pleaded guilty to negligent homicide in this case. Legal analyst Tim Meche says since cases like this are not unusual, the sentencing judge will be able to use prior judgement to help determine Eirick’s sentence…

cut 6 (05) “guided by that”

Meche says Eirick faces up to 10 years in prison.

A Shreveport lawmaker feels the state legislature should look at not only generating revenue, but also tax incentives in trying to shrink the state’s $1.6 billion budget deficit. The film industry is the recipient of one of the state’s largest tax credits. Democratic Representative Patrick Williams says, while it’s good to have movies being made in Louisiana, lawmakers should consider restructuring this incentive…

cut 9 (06) “support it”

Williams says some of these incentives are not paying dividends back to the state.

State Senator Fred Mills is sponsoring legislation that attempts to change the way public school teachers are evaluated. Currently educator performance is determined by students’ standardized test results. He says this measure would take things back to the way they used to be when it comes to checking out how a teacher is doing…:

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Mills says his bill seeks to make a teacher’s job performance more accurately measured.

Sentencing is scheduled today for 31-year-old Brandon Eirick of Baton Rouge, who allegedly shot up his girlfriend, 31-year old Leah Hutchinson, with a fatal injection of heroin in 2013. Eirick was originally charged with second degree murder in this case, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of negligent homicide in October. Meche says this case is clearly a homicide case and not a murder…

cut 5 (03) “present, here”

Meche says Eirick faces up to 10 years in prison on the charge.

Shreveport Democratic Representative Patrick Williams feels the state legislature should look at different options in trying to shrink the state’s tremendous budget deficit. Williams says the state not only needs to generate additional revenue, but lawmakers should also take a look at tax incentives. He says some of these are not paying dividends back to the state…

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He says a hike on cigarette and alcohol taxes can raise funds for the state quickly.

This week is National Work Zone Awareness Week. State Department of Transportation and Development spokesman Rodney Mallett says since 2013 in Louisiana there’s been about 580 people who have lost their lives in work zones…

cut 11 (08) “lose their lives”

Mallett says this is about bringing attention to the fact that safety should be a top priority through road construction areas.

A Shreveport lawmaker feels the state legislature should look at different options in trying to shrink the state’s $1.6 billion budget deficit. Democratic Representative Patrick Williams says it’s clear that the state needs to generate additional revenue. The House Ways and Means Committee member says a hike on cigarette and alcohol taxes is one way the state can raise funds quickly…

cut 7 (04) “point in time”

The representative also feels that lawmakers should take a closer look at tax incentives offered by the state to shrink the budget gap.

Republican State Senator Fred Mills is sponsoring legislation this session that looks at ways to change the way public school teachers are evaluated. Currently educator effectiveness is determined by students’ standardized test results. Mills says his bill seeks to make a teacher’s job performance more accurately measured…

cut 13 (06) “quantitative measurement”

Mills says he is speaking for this bill on behalf of constituents in his area who tell him that the value added assessment model is not a valid measurement tool.

The state Department of Transportation and Development is taking part in National Work Zone Awareness Week which runs through Friday. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett says this is about bringing attention to the fact that safety should be a top priority through road construction areas.

cut 10 (11) “rules of the road”

Mallett says since 2013 in Louisiana there’s been about 580 people who have lost their lives in work zones. He says there are so many things inside vehicles these days that it’s more important than ever to put distractions aside when you’re behind the wheel.