The search for a crashed Army helicopter from Hammond, Louisiana is over near Navarre Beach Florida. The incident claimed the lives of 11 soldiers including 4 from Hammond. Eglin Col. Monte Cannon says due to the Department of Defense’s 48-hour grieving period, the names of the deceased soldiers have not been released…:
CUT 10 (10) “tragic event”
They say the wreckage has been found.

Louisiana Tech is under somewhat of a microscope after a claim comes up accusing their Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity of racist chanting in 2010 — similar to the now-closed Oklahoma Chapter. Tech says there is no evidence of this. But Dr. Reginald Owens, head of Tech’s journalism program, says he wouldn’t be surprised if it did happen…:
CUT 3 (05) “time to time”
Tech says they are investigating the matter.

The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office says they are investigating a school bus crash and a driver that is suspected of being under the influence when the accident took place. They say no there were no major injuries of students on the bus. The driver, 50-year-old John Harvey Bernard, was issued a careless operation citation and is still under investigation pending results from a blood alcohol content test.

State Police say they are redeploying additional troopers to New Orleans to help keep the city safe. Col Mike Edmonson says the CVB raised $2.5 million to help pay the extra overtime for boots on the ground. Edmonson says this will not impact the forces across the rest of the state and it’s very important we protect the tourism industry in New Orleans…:
CUT 8 (05) “parts of Louisiana”
Edmonson says they developed a strategy with the CVB funds, based on the needs of the New Orleans PD and requests from business leaders.

Eglin Air Force Base officials say the wreckage of the Army helicopter that crashed Tuesday night over the Florida Panhandle, killing all eleven on board, has been found. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (27) “reporting”

Governor Bobby Jindal announces legislation will once again be brought up this session that would protect sexual assault victims and ensure that they are not charged by hospitals for medical services associated with assault claims. The Stand and Support Survivors Bill is sponsored by New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno.

There has been a report that the Louisiana Tech Chapter of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity sang a racist chant during a pledge event five years ago. The university says there is no evidence this took place but they are looking into it. Dr. Reginald Owens, head of journalism at Tech says the one good thing about the similar case in Oklahoma is that the race relations topic is being brought up…:
CUT 5 (06) “that we have”
He adds it wouldn’t surprise him if the incident which shuttered SAE in Oklahoma also happened at Tech.

Lt Governor hopeful Kip Holden is involved in a sex scandal as a four-year-old lawsuit has surfaced claiming the Baton Rouge mayor repeatedly sexually harassed a woman who was in Louisiana on business. Holden has quickly denied any such incident took place which political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says is a good call…:
CUT 14 (09) “type of defense”
The lawsuit does not name Holden as a defendant.

Eglin Air Force Base officials say the wreckage of the Army helicopter that crashed Tuesday night over the Florida Panhandle, killing all eleven on board, has been found. Eglin Col. Monte Cannon says the wreckage was located yesterday in about 25 feet of water…:
CUT 9 (08) “safety investigation”
Four Louisiana National Guard soldiers based out of Hammond were on the chopper and officials say two victims have been recovered. The remaining soldiers are believed to be located in the wreckage.

There’s been a buzz today surrounding Lt. Governor candidate and Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden as sexual harassment allegations surfaced from a five year old settled lawsuit out of Kansas City. The lawsuit does not name Holden but it’s targeted at the plaintiff’s former employer. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat…:
CUT 12 (05) “this allegation”
Holden has issued a statement denying the accusations.

With financial help from the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, State Police has deployed additional troopers to help out with the crime problem in The Big Easy. Col Mike says the state asked LSP to come up with a plan to use this extra $2.5 million from the CVB, but not take away from the rest of the state…:
CUT 7 (11) “not gonna happen”
He says it’s important to send a message to the world that New Orleans is a safe place to visit.

The inching up of gas prices continues. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular in Louisiana is now $2.27 up a penny from the day before according to AAA.

The search for a crashed Army helicopter from Hammond, Louisiana is over near Navarre Beach Florida. Eglin Airforce base Col. Monty Canon says the wreckage of the Blackhawk was found and they are not hopeful for survivors. They add the focus of the mission is now recovery focused. Four of those on board the helicopter were from the Louisiana National Guard unit in Hammond. The other seven were Marines from North Carolina.

State Police says they have redeployed additional troopers to patrol in New Orleans. The funds for the extra support and overtime expenses are being provided by The Big Easy’s business community and members of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau who have raised and dedicated $2.5 million dollars. Col Mike Edmonson…:
CUT 6 (08) “patrol presence”
Edmonson says they’ve been working to develop a stragedy with the CVB funds based on the needs of the New Orleans PD and requests made by community leaders.

Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden issued a statement today in response to sexual harassment claims made in a suit by a woman in Kansas City. Holden says he was never aware of the lawsuit made five years ago and points out he was never named a party or asked to be a witness. He adds when he was contacted by the company the woman worked for he assured them that nothing inappropriate took place.

An allegation has been made that members of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity at Louisiana Tech sang a racist song during a pledge event in 2010. A Louisiana Tech spokesperson says there has been no evidence of it and they have zero tolerance for that type of behavior. Dr. Reginald Owens, head of Tech’s journalism program, says race relations on the Ruston campus are good…:
CUT 4 (07) “to be done”
A Tech spokesman says the university is looking into the matter. Owens says he wouldn’t be surprised if the claim was true.

The investigation continues today in the Army helicopter crash that killed all 11 servicemen on board during a training mission Tuesday night in the Florida Panhandle. Scott Carwile has more…:
CUT 2 (32) “reporting”

We’re expected to know details about the investigation during a press conference slated for this morning.

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson files a lawsuit which tries to secure ownership of the sports franchisees from a trust fund his relatives control. The federal suit is aimed at a man who has blocked a previous effort by Benson to remove the teams from the trust. Legal analyst Tim Meche doesn’t give Benson much of a shot here, but the lawyers won’t mind
CUT 6 (06) “the runoff”
Meanwhile Benson’s heirs issued a release saying they’d like to see the sports teams flourish in an attempt to end rumors they want to re-locate them if they get control following the death of their father and grandfather.

An allegation has been made that members of the sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity at Louisiana Tech sang a racist song during a pledge event in 2010. A Tech spokesperson says there has been no evidence of it and they have zero tolerance for that type of behavior. But Dr. Reginald Owens, head Tech’s journalism program, says he wouldn’t be surprised if it did happen…:
CUT 3 (05) “time to time”

The investigation into the Army helicopter crash that killed all 11 servicemen on board, including four Louisiana National Guard soldiers, during a training mission Tuesday night in the Florida Panhandle continues today. Louisiana National Guard Major General Glenn Curtis says this was an experienced helicopter crew…

cut 10 (11) “the blackhawk”

The four National Guardsmen were part of the 1st of the 244th Assault Helicopter Battalion based in Hammond.

A State Police crackdown of insurance fraud throughout Louisiana has resulted in several arrests of people who have tried to abuse the system. LSP Spokesman Dustin Dwight says one arrest made was from someone who claimed to be in a crash when in fact they weren’t even inside the vehicle…

cut 9 (11) “those aspects”

He says insurance fraud is a problem that affects all citizens here who pay some of the highest premiums in the country.

The heirs to Tom Benson’s professional franchises say they would like to see the Saints and Pelicans flourish as world champions in New Orleans. Michelle Southern has the story…

cut 3 (28) “reporting”

The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Department has made an arrest in their first homicide of the year. 33-year-old Gary Walker has been arrested in the shooting death of 30-year-old Francois “Frank” Davis. Davis was found in a bedroom of a home with a single gunshot wound. Walker is charged with second-degree murder and criminal mischief.

The Army helicopter crash during a training mission Tuesday night in the Florida Panhandle that killed all 11 servicemen on board, including four Hammond based National Guard soldiers, remains under investigation. Louisiana National Guard Major General Glenn Curtis says National Guard units are hometown units and a tragedy like this reaches deep into the community…

cut 12 (06) “care of them”

He asks that everyone keep these servicemen and their families in your thoughts and prayers.

Two emaciated Shreveport pit bull terriers, that were removed from their home after a Facebook post created an outcry within the community, continue their recovery at Caddo Parish Animal Services. Director Everett Harris says the investigation is ongoing, but this appears to more of a case of financial struggle than one of animal cruelty…

cut 14 (11) “sad situation”

Harris says both dogs are comfortable, but did test positive for hookworms, whipworms, and heartworms.

State Police announce a crackdown of insurance fraud throughout Louisiana has netted several arrests. Michelle Southern reports.

cut 1 (30) “reporting”

The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Department has arrested two people they believe are responsible for a home invasion and shooting. Two victims inside the New Iberia residence were shot and required medical attention for their injuries. They say Michael Charles, Jr. and Jezereel Westley are charged each with two counts of attempted first degree murder and aggravated burglary in the incident. Charles is also charged with possession with the intent to distribute.

The investigation continues in the Army helicopter crash that killed all 11 servicemen on board, including four Louisiana National Guard soldiers based out of Hammond, during a training mission Tuesday night in the Florida Panhandle. Although the cause of he crash has not been determined, there are reports of foggy conditions when the accident occurred. Louisiana National Guard Major General Glenn Curtis says pilots are very conscious of weather conditions before they depart on a mission…

cut 11 (10) “a different story”

Curtis asks everyone to keep these servicemen and their families in your thoughts and prayers.

A federal lawsuit filed by Tom Benson attempts to secure the ownership shares of the Saints and Pelicans from a trust fund that his relatives currently have control over. Legal analyst Tim Meche says the terms of the trust require Benson to substitute the teams with assets of equal value…

cut 5 (10) “to do it”

Meche calls this a desperation move on Benson’s part.

A State Police crackdown of insurance fraud throughout Louisiana has resulted in several arrests of people who have tried to abuse the system. LSP Spokesman Dustin Dwight says some of the arrests are within the insurance industry of people who have abused their position to benefit themselves…

cut 8 (09) “area”

Dwight says they expect more arrests will be coming.

Two emaciated Shreveport pit bull terriers, that were removed from their home after a Facebook post, continue their recovery at Caddo Parish Animal Services. The post created an outcry within the community for the dogs to be removed and their owner charged. Director Everett Harris says they have a plan in place for the care of the two dogs…

cut 13 (09) “and whipworms”

He says the dogs’ owner could not afford to have the animals cared for by a veterinarian.