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.

Sasol says it will delay a decision on whether or not it will make the final announced investment into the proposed gas-to-liquids plant in southwest Louisiana. LSU Center for Energy Studies Executive Director David Dismukes says this decision is reflective of the entire industry starting to re-evaluate its thinking..:
CUT 8 (08) “oil prices”
The company says they are working on a plan to conserve money in the wake of falling oil prices.

Slidell Police say a man is behind bars accused of breaking into someone’s home to rob it, but passing 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 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. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

Tonight’s Powerball drawing is up to $261 million dollars according to the American Automobile Association.

Sasol says it will delay a decision on whether or not it will make the final announced investment into the proposed gas-to-liquids plant in southwest Louisiana. The South African energy company says they’re holding off on the 14 billion dollar phase of the project due to tumbling oil prices. LSU Center for Energy Studies Executive Director David Dismukes says this was a massive project to begin with…:
CUT 6 (10) “little bit more questionable”
Sasol has already approved an $8.1 billion dollar ethane cracker in Westlake but right now says they are working to conserve as much money as possible in the wake of falling oil prices.

Police in Slidell have arrested a man for allegedly breaking into someone’s home to rob it, then passing out drunk on the couch. They say the homeowner woke up this morning and found 31-year-old Sharrod McCullum sound asleep in his living room. The suspect is booked with simple burglary and criminal damage to property.

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.

The State Fire Marshal’s office says a fire destroyed a home in Ouachita Parish this morning and two adult occupants were found dead inside. They say firefighters were dispatched to the Calhoun residence around 5am. The investigation into the cause of the blaze is an active one.

More and more women are buying guns and becoming involved with firearms according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation. They found gun shops saw a 74 percent increase in the number of female customers in 2013. Barret Kendrick, who is a firearms trainer in Covington, says three years ago he’d just see one or two females in a CCP class…:
CUT 8 (08) “during that time”
He says many of his female students come in scared of guns but end up really enjoying the training course and having fun.

Sasol announces they are going to delay a final investment decision on building a gas to liquids plant in the Lake Charles area. The South African energy giant cites the collapse in oil prices as the reason. But Sasol has already begun another project in Westlake which is an $8.1 billion dollar ethane cracker. The company says they are working on a plan to conserve money in the wake of falling oil prices.

Governor Bobby Jindal is not commenting on specifics right now regarding the looming budget cuts for higher education in Louisiana. The Governor was asked about the state’s difficult fiscal situation while in Lafayette for a groundbreaking of a new high-tech business. Jindal says they’ll do everything they can to mitigate the impact on higher education, but he’ll once again ask lawmakers to balance next year’s fiscal budget without raising taxes.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association’s annual convention is underway and the item at the top of mind is the current controversial split of the football playoffs. LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says he wants more time to dive into issues which created the new system and work with schools on a plan that will make it more equitable for teams to win a championship…:
CUT 15 (05) “trial on”
The vote will take place on Friday.

Although labor numbers for December show it was another record breaking month for Louisiana employment, the state’s unemployment rate rose to six-point-seven percent. Louisiana Workforce Commission director Curt Eysink, says they hope the number of people employed continues to go up, even though weak oil prices are leading to layoffs in the oil industry…

cut 12 (07) “this point”

Eysink says the higher unemployment rate is not because of layoffs, but because more people are looking for jobs.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association’s annual convention begins today and the main agenda item is the current split of the football playoffs. New LHSAA Executive Director, Eddie Bonine, believes since he’s new on the job, the best course of action is to stay with the split football playoffs for another year, so they can work on a better solution…

cut 14 (09) “thing right”

The LHSAA voted in 2013 to split the football playoffs, because of concerns private schools had certain advantages over public schools.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a house fire in Holden where one man died. Authorities say when firefighters entered the home, they found the body of a man on a couch in the living room, where they believe the fire started. An autopsy will be performed by the Livingston Parish Coroner to determine the cause of death and to identify the deceased.

The Boudin King Cake idea has gone completely viral as people demand to have one right away. Michelle Southern reports.

cut 1 (31) “reporting”

Studies show more and more women are buying guns and becoming more familiar with how to use them. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (32) “reporting”

The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office says a deputy has been fired following a domestic dispute. They say 30-year-old Gary Ellis Jr., a four year veteran of the department, had been drinking when he began arguing with his wife. It’s alleged that Ellis threw his wife to the ground several times. When officers arrived, it’s reported Ellis tried to grab a deputy’s weapon. Ellis is charged with domestic battery, battery of a police officer, and attempted disarming of a peace officer.

Labor numbers for December reveal another record breaking month for Louisiana employment. Louisiana Workforce Commission director Curt Eysink, says total nonfarm employment grew to 1,992,000, as private employers added 34-thousand jobs over the year. He says professional business services is one of the strongest sectors for job growth…

cut 10 (10) “other people”

Louisiana’s unemployment rate continues to go up, even though the number of people who are employed is also increasing.

Acadiana food critic Bob Carriker has come up with a “Boudin King Cake” that’s getting a lot of attention. The King Cake uses a bread that is savory, not sweet, stuffed with boudin, and topped with Steen’s syrup and cracklin. Carriker says his idea immediately went viral so he ran down to a local baker…

cut 5 (09) “just dramatic”

Carriker says he’s gotten messages from Alaska, New York, Washington and California from people who want one.

New employment numbers are out that show private employers in Louisiana added 34-thousand jobs during 2014, but the state’s unemployment rate also rose one-point-three percent to six-point-seven percent last year. Louisiana Workforce Commission director Curt Eysink says the higher unemployment rate is not because of layoffs, but because more people are looking for jobs…
cut 11 (09) “…find work”

A study from the National Shooting Sports Foundation has found that 74-percent of gun shops saw growth in female customers in 2013. Barret Kendrick is a firearms trainer in Covington and he’s noticed over the last couple of years that females are becoming less scared of guns and enjoying training courses…
cut 9 (05) “….sports industry”

The split high school football playoff system is up for discussion as the Louisiana High School Athletic Association begins its annual convention today. New LHSAA executive director, Eddie Bonine, says he’s asking schools to give him a year to come up with a proposal that would resolve the issues between public and private schools…
cut 13 (07) “….state again”

A Boudin King Cake made in Lafayette has gone viral. Acadiana food critic Bob Carriker reviews King Cakes and Boudin from all over the nation and decided to combine the two and share the idea on his Facebook page…
cut 4 (12) “….in minutes”
Carriker says the now famous King Cake uses a bread that’s savory, stuffed with boudin and topped with Steen’s cane syrup.