The election is less than a month away and the Secretary of State is busy removing names from the ballot. Tom Schedler says for last year’s federal election, about five-percent of the candidates that qualified either withdrew or were disqualified and this year it’s up to eight-percent of the candidates who qualified. He says the Louisiana Ethics Administation has been a lot more agressive in making sure candidates are eligible to run…
cut 8 (08) “…of that”
Schedler says if a candidate is listed on the ballot but is not in the race come voting day, notices will be posted near the voting booths.

The search continues for a convicted killer who was released from prison on a technical glitch. Thirty-two-year-old Benjuiel Johnson of Plaquemine, was convicted on manslaughter and serving 40-years, but was released as a result of an error by the Louisiana Department of Corrections. If someone spots Johnson, they are urged to call 9-1-1.

A new airline will offer daily non-stop flights out of New Orleans to Shreveport. Emelie Gunn has more…
cut 3 (30) “….I’m Emelie Gunn”

For those waiting for cooler weather you’ll get your wish, a cold front will move through the state, dropping high temperatures into the mid and lower 80s starting tomorrow.

An independent poll on the Louisiana governor’s race reveals that 44-percent of voters view Republican David Vitter unfavorably. The poll was paid for by The Advocate and WWL-TV. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says, during Vitter’s years in public office, it appears the Senator has managed to alienate some voters…:
CUT 9 (09) “don’t like you”
The survey also shows that over 40-percent of voters could not give a favorability rating to any of the other three major candidates.

Blueprint Louisiana, which is a group of businessmen and executives, is calling on the next governor to expand Medicaid. Blueprint chairman, Doctor Phillip Rozeman, says the group doesn’t necessarily agree with the Affordable Care Act, but an expansion of Medicaid could save the state 165-million dollars over five years…
cut 7 (10) “…this state”
Rozeman says the group would also like to see an increase in the gasoline tax to pay for better roads.

The American Civil Liberties Union is accusing the Bossier Parish School Board of violating the US Constitution by allowing the Fellowship of Student Athletes to set up prayer boxes at Airline High School in Bossier City. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says this does appear to go against the First Amendment’s Establishment of Religion Clause…:
CUT 3 (09) “particular Christianity”
The School Board says they plan to address the issue at their next meeting.

The US Marshals office along with Louisiana authorities are looking for a convicted killer who was mistakenly released from prison. He’s 32-year-old Benjuiel Johnson and an error led to him being released on bond. He was serving time at the Dixon Correctional Center and Iberville Parish Sheriff Major Ronnie Hebert says they are not sure where Johnnson my have gone…
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Johnson was convicted on manslaughter for a fatal shooting in Plaquemine in 2010.

The group Blueprint Louisiana, comprised of businessmen, is recommending the next governor raise the gasoline tax, expand Medicaid and alter the TOPS program. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

According to ESPN, Saints quarterback Drew Brees had a successful throwing session today and it’s said that he will take practice reps starting tomorrow if nothing unexpected happens. Number 9 missed the Carolina game due to a rotator cuff injury. A return to practice could mean that Brees will be able to play Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys in the Mercedes Benz Superdome.

A recent media poll conducted on behalf of The Advocate and WWL-TV finds 44% of voters view US Senator David Vitter unfavorably in the governor’s race. The Clarus survey also shows that over 40-percent of voters could not say one way or the other on Republicans Scott Angelle and Jay Dardenne and Democrat John Bel Edwards. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this is a sign that people are not quite fully engaged with the election…:
cut 10 (08) “known candidates”
Cross believes this is a sign thought that Vitter is already alienating some voters.

The state Department of Ag and Forestry says two men are accused of animal cruelty for allegedly shooting and killing a calf while four men total are accused of stealing the animal for its meat. Austin Leonard, James Devillier, Kale David, and Dustin Vidrine were arrested after a cattleman found a dead calf on the spillway levee near Gonzales.

A recent Clarus Research Group poll on Louisiana’s governor’s race reveals that 44-percent of voters view Republican David Vitter unfavorably. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says, be that as it may, this doesn’t mean the US Senator couldn’t win he if made the runoff..:
CUT 11 (08) “two evils”
The Advocate/WWL-TV survey also shows that over 40-percent of voters could not even give a favorability rating to any of the other three major candidates.

The American Civil Liberties Union is accusing the Bossier Parish School Board of violating the US Constitution by allowing prayer boxes to set at Airline High School in Bossier City. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the nation’s highest court stands firm on prayer in school…:
CUT 5 (09) “the Constitution”
The School Board will discuss the situation at their next meeting Thursday.

Authorities in Iberville Parish are searching for a convicted murderer who was released from prison by mistake. 32-year-old Benjuiel Johnson pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2013. Major Ronnie Hebert, with the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office, says the Department of Corrections computer system did not list the manslaughter conviction and Johnson was released on bond due to a glitch..:
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The encourage anyone who may know where Johnson is to please call 911.

The Denham Springs Police Department says a woman was stabbed to death in her front yard this morning allegedly by her boyfriend. They say 52-year-old Kent Scott and the victim were arguing when the fight moved outside and the suspect stabbed her multiple times. The woman died at an area hospital. Scott is expected to be charged with either first or second degree murder.

Blue Print Louisiana, a group made up of businessmen, is recommending to the next governor that the TOPS scholarship program should be reformed so that the full tuition is not automatically included. Chairman Dr. Phillip Rozeman says this way it could be used more in the community and technical college system…:
CUT 8 (07) “our state”
The group would also like to see Medicaid expanded and a gas tax for transportation funding.

The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office is searching for a convicted killer who was released from prison due to a computer glitch. 32-year-old Benjuiel Johnson was serving 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in 2013. Major Ronnie Hebert says Johnson was sent to East Feliciana Parish to face some prior charges…:
cut 12 (09) “he was released”
If you see Johnson, you are asked to immediately call 9-1-1.

A recent Clarus Research Group poll on the Louisiana governor’s race reveals that 44-percent of voters view Republican David Vitter unfavorably. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 2 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

The Louisiana Department of Revenue says as of this Friday, taxpayers will no longer be able to choose the Louisiana MyRefund Prepaid Debit Card as an option to receive their state return. They say the reason is that JPMorgan chase is ending its line of business for prepaid debit card services.

The group of businessmen Blueprint Louisiana is recommending the next governor raise the gasoline tax, expand Medicaid and alter the TOPS program. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

In a letter today to US House GOP colleagues, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Jefferson said he’s officially running to become House Majority Leader. It was expected Scalise would look to move up after current Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said he wanted to replace House Speaker John Boehner, who announced his resignation last week.

The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office says they are trying to locate a man convicted on a manslaughter charges who was released from prison by mistake due to a computer glitch. 32-year-old Benjuiel Johnson was discharged on September 23rd from the Dixon Correctional Institute but the error was not noticed until Monday. Johnson pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2013. If you see this man please call 911.

The Louisiana ACLU is asking a school in Bossier City to immediately remove prayer boxes set throughout campus. They assert Airline High School is promoting Christianity and thus violating the US Constitution. The School Board will discuss the situation at their next meeting. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says it won’t serve the public well for Bossier Parish School officials to take this issue to court…:
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Governor Bobby Jindal says this is an example of the war on Christianity going too far.

The group Blueprint Louisiana, comprised of businessmen and executives, has released their recommendations for the next governor. They include expanding Medicaid, raising the gasoline tax and revamping TOPS so that it no longer covers the full cost of tuition. Chairman Dr. Phillip Rozeman says roads in Louisiana need about a billion dollars a year in improvements and a higher gasoline tax could help defer the cost…:
CUT 6 (09) “our roads”
He says working residents would benefit from Medicaid expansion and TOPS needs to be restructured to make it sustainable for the future.

The Denham Springs Police Department says a woman was stabbed to death in her front yard this morning allegedly by her boyfriend. They say 52-year-old Kent Scott and the victim were arguing when the fight moved outside and the suspect stabbed her multiple times. The woman died at an area hospital. Scott is still being processed and is expected to be charged with either first or second degree murder.

A recent Clarus Research Group poll on the Louisiana governor’s race reveals that 44-percent of voters view Republican David Vitter unfavorably. The poll was paid for by The Advocate and WWL-TV. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says, during Vitter’s years in public office, it appears the Senator has managed to alienate some voters…:
CUT 9 (09) “don’t like you”
The survey also shows that over 40-percent of voters could not give a favorability rating to any of the other three major candidates.

Southern University has launched a fund to help provide financial assistance for wide receiver Devon Gales, who suffered a neck injury in the loss to Georgia. A link to the fund can be found at gojagsports.com.