Sasol’s announcement of a delay in their final decision to invest in a proposed gas-to-liquids plant in southwest Louisiana has raised some concern in the business community. But George Swift, President of the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, says construction has already begun on Sasol’s $8 billion ethane cracker and that quells his concern…

cut 4 (07) “a later date”

The South African energy company cites falling oil prices as the reason for their announced delay.

The Onion, a satirical news website, recently wrote an article skewering Governor Bobby Jindal that’s getting national attention. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says a couple of things may have put Jindal in the cross hairs of The Onion…

cut 7 (11) “State University”

The fictitious article claimed that Jindal’s presidential campaign would last about two months before he pulled out of the race.

State Police announce that 150 additional troopers will be deployed to New Orleans for this year’s Mardi Gras season. Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson says the troopers will be working in the city through Fat Tuesday. Edmonson says that number is up from past years…

cut 10 (10) “we need to”

He says the detail will include a visible uniform security presence in the French Quarter and Central Business District as well as plain clothes officers. Edmonson says, looking forward, there will be an increased number of troopers in the city for events through May.

Sasol says they’re holding off on the 14 billion dollar gas to liquids plant phase due to tumbling oil prices. LSU Center for Energy Studies Executive Director David Dismukes says there are several announced industry sites still out there in Louisiana and the farther one is from completion, the more likely it is a similar delay will take place…

cut 7 (08) “locked in”

The South African energy giant says it’s working to conserve as much money as possible right now.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating an early morning fire in Ouachita Parish that has claimed the lives of two people. Fire Marshal Butch Browning says officials are still working to determine the exact cause of the fire. He stresses it’s a very active investigation and information is very limited at this time…

cut 14 (07) “in Louisiana”

The identities of the man and woman who perished in the fire have not been released.

Republican Congressman Steve Scalise has agreed to a meeting with two civil rights leaders in the aftermath of reports that Scalise spoke to a group of white supremacists in 2002. The pair want to ask Scalise to help advance civil and human rights issues, like the renewal of the Voting Rights Act. Political analyst Clancy Dubos thinks this is a good move for the Congressman…

cut 3 (12) “meeting with EURO”

Scalise has acknowledged it was a mistake to speak to the group and has apologized.

Slidell Police has arrested a man accused of breaking into someone’s home to rob it, but then passed out drunk on the couch. Detective Daniel Seuzeneau says the homeowner called police around 5:30 this morning and responding officers found 31-year-old Sharrod McCullum sound asleep in the living room…

cut 9 (08) “he was at”

McCullum faces one count of simple burglary and one count of criminal damage.

Republican Congressman Steve Scalise agrees to meet with two civil rights leaders in the aftermath of reports he spoke to a group of white supremacists in 2002…
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

Governor Bobby Jindal says his proposed budget cuts will be presented to lawmakers, along with a list of “options” to ease some of the slashing. With the state facing a 1.6 billion dollar shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year, the Jindal administration is considering cuts for colleges, and to health care services.
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The South African energy company Sasol says it is delaying the decision to invest in a proposed gas-to-liquids plant in the Lake Charles area. LSU Center for Energy Studies Executive Director David Dismukes says you can blame falling oil and natural gas prices…
CUT 8 (10) Q: ‘oil prices’
He says other announced projects in Louisiana could be delayed as well.

It was a surprising awakening this morning for one Slidell homeowner, as he discovered a strange man asleep on his couch. The owner didn’t waste any time, as he immediately called police…
CUT 11 (09) Q: ‘further incident”
That’s Slidell Police Detective Daniel Seuzeneau, who says 31 year-old Sharrod McCullum was arrested without incident.

A final decision from Sasol on whether or not it will invest in a proposed gas-to-liquids plant in southwest Louisiana has been delayed due to tumbling oil prices.  LSU Center for Energy Studies Executive Director David Dismukes says this decision is well thought out…
CUT 6 (10) “little bit more questionable”
If it’s approved, it would be the most expensive industrial project in Louisiana history.

A Slidell homeowner got a surprise this morning, as he found a strange man asleep on his couch. When police got there, they discovered 31 year-old Sharrod McCullum had forced his way inside, and he appeared to be intoxicated…
CUT (08) Q: ‘the neighborhood”
That’s Slidell Police Detective Daniel Seuzeneau, who says the suspect was arrested without incident.
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Republican Congressman Steve Scalise agrees to meet with two civil rights leaders in the aftermath of reports the House Majority Whip spoke to a group of white supremacists in 2002. They will likely ask Scalise to help advance civil and human rights issues, like the renewal of the Voting Rights Act. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says this meeting a good idea…
CUT 3 (12) “meeting with EURO”

The State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating an intense early morning fire in Ouachita Parish that has claimed the lives of an unidentified man and woman in Calhoun. Right now, they’re trying to just get some answers…
CUT 13 (07) Q: “at this point”
That’s State Fire Marshal Butch Browning.

Sasol announces they are delaying a final investment decision on building a gas to liquids plant in the Lake Charles area…
CUT 2 (32) “reporting”

Officials from Grambling will be meeting with the Louisiana State Board of Nursing next month to rule on the school’s undergraduate program. Grambling’s nursing program has not maintained an 80 percent pass rate for students taking their state exams exams. Grambling currently has about 200 students in the program.
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Republican House Majority Whip and Jefferson Parish Congressman Steve Scalise will be meeting with two civil rights leaders in the aftermath of him speaking to a group of white supremacists in 2002. Political analyst Clancy Dubos thinks the meeting next month with former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial, who’s the President of the National Urban League, and Wade Henderson, the President of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights could help him….
CUT 5 (07) Q: ‘a good thing’

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating an early morning fire in Ouachita Parish that has claimed the lives of two people in Calhoun…
CUT 12 (11) Q: “this mobile home”
That’s State Fire Marshal Butch Browning, who adds the fire was extremely intense.

Sasol says they’re holding off on the 14 billion dollar gas to liquids plant phase due to tumbling oil prices. The energy giant says it’s working to conserve as much money as possible right now. LSU Center for Energy Studies Executive Director David Dismukes says there are several announced industry sites still out there in Louisiana and the farther one is from completion, the more likely it is a similar delay will take place…:
CUT 7 (08) “locked in”
If Sasol would have green-lighted this GTL plant it would have been the most expensive project in Louisiana history coming to a total of $22 billion when combined with the cracker.

A blaze in Ouachita Parish this morning claimed the life of the two occupants according to the State Fire Marshal’s office. They say the father of one of the victims heard a loud noise and called firefighters but by the time they got there the Calhou mobile home was complteley enfulged in flames. The cause remains under investigation.

Republican Congressman Steve Scalise has agreed to a meeting with two civil rights leaders in the aftermath of reports that Scalise spoke to a group of white supremacists in 2002. The Congressman has acknowledged it was a mistake to speak to the group and has apologized. Political analyst Clancy Dubos feels Scalise has been sincere in his remarks since the news came out…:
CUT 4 (11) “in all forms”
The pair want to ask Scalise to help advance civil and human rights issues, like the renewal of the Voting Rights Act.

Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson has responded to a lawsuit filed by his daughter and two grandchildren. In a court filing, Benson says for years he attempted to groom Renee Benson and his two grandchildren to take over the professional franchises once he dies, but they never rose to the task. He adds the decision for his wife to take control of the teams following his death was a deliberate and reasoned decision.