A federal judge in Washington has ruled the US Government is liable for some of the Hurricane Katrina flooding. A 2005 lawsuit points the blame in the direction is of a now-closed Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, that has been blamed for flooding in St. Bernard Parish, and New Orleans’ lower ninth ward. It’s still not clear how much money the feds are on the hook for, but many observers speculate mediation will be involved. Judge Susan Braden has set a hearing for next Wednesday.
A bill that would require public school systems to promote the online homework assistance service which is offered through state and local libraries has passed the Senate. The bill’s author-Napoleonville Senator Troy Brown-says there is a disconnect between the state’s new curriculum standards and parents…
CUT 8 (10) “that shortcoming”
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Three people have been arrested by the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office in connection with the overdose death of 26-year-old Lance Gordon. Lt. Clay Higgins says Gordon became extremely ill after allegedly being injected with a drug cocktail prepared by 29-year-old Jessica Stelly. He says then, instead of calling 9-1-1, Stelly called a couple of associates…
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And that’s where he died. The three face serious charges.

The New Orleans Saints front office is pleased with how things went for the first round of the NFL draft. The first two choices were offensive lineman Andrus Peat from Stanford, and linebacker Stephone Anthony from Clemson, and Coach Sean Payton says he’s looking forward to adding more players…
CUT 14 (06) Q: ‘second round”

The full Senate has approved a measure that would require public school systems to promote the online homework assistance service to help parents who have been having a hard time helping with homework because of new standards. Napoleonville Senator Troy Brown says, under this proposal, schools would have to include information about the HomeworkLA.org program in their handbooks…:
CUT 7 (10) Q: ‘everyday’

New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton is very pleased with their first two picks of the NFL draft last night. The first was Stanford offensive lineman Andrus Peat. Payton says their second pick was linebacker Stephone Anthony from Clemson, who also was a first team All-SEC selection…
CUT 13 (06) Q: ‘either position’

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The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office reports that three people have been arrested in connection with the overdose death of 26-year-old Lance Gordon. Here’s Michelle Southern with more…
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

A Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Deputy has been fired following his arrest in Shreveport by Shreveport Police. Sixty year-old deputy Larry Harrell of Haughton was fired yesterday afternoon following his arrest on on solicitation of prostitution charges.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office reports that three people have been arrested in connection with the overdose death of 26-year-old Lance Gordon. Lt. Clay Higgins says they believe 29-year-old Jessica Stelly injected the victim with a drug cocktail when he became very sick. He says the woman didn’t get help but instead dropped him off with the assistance of two other men. He calls Gordon’s death a terrible loss of a young life and their hearts go out to his family…:
CUT 5 (08) “day in court”
Stelly is charged with second degree murder and obstruction of justice.

Authorities said the body of a boater who disappeared Monday has been found. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says it located 24-year-old Allen Fitzgerald of Prairieville. Fitzgerald went missing when his boat sank Monday night on Bayou Manchac. His boat was found Wednesday afternoon on the Amite River.

The full Senate has approved a measure that would require public school systems to promote the online homework assistance service which is offered through state and local libraries. Don Molino reports…:
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Former LSU offensive lineman La’el Collins did not get selected in the NFL Draft last night. Baton Rouge Police want to interview Collins about the shooting death of 29-year-old Brittney Mills. Although Collins is not considered a suspect in this case, the situation apparently raised enough concern that he was not drafted last night.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s office arrests three in connection with a tragic drug overdose death and cover up. Lt. Clay Higgins says a woman allegedly gave some sort of drug cock tail to a man who got extremely ill. He says instead of calling cops, 29-year-old Jessica Stelly brought 26-year-old Lance Gordon to his house with the help of two others who all face serious charges…:
CUT 4 (11) “of justice”

State Police Troop I had to deal with yet another high speed chase on I-10 when this morning a Texas man drove off in a stolen vehicle after being stopped east of Lake Charles. They say 32-year-old Alfred Wells led troopers on a 27 minute long pursuit and was seen throwing drugs from the vehicle. He was eventually stopped in Acadia Parish then booked into the Calcasieu Parish jail on many charges including possession of stolen things, possession of crack cocaine, reckless operation, aggravated flight from an officer.

It’s going to be a gorgeous weekend in Louisiana getting lots of folks out on the water and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announces tomorrow is Boating Education Lagniappe Day. LDWF spokesman Gabe Giffin says they will be hosting these boating education certificate events at 9 locations throughout the state…:
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Giffin says you can get more information online at wlf.louisiana/lagniappeday to find locations near you.

It’s going to be a beauty for the second weekend of the New Orleans Jazzfest which is underway. Headlining tonight is No Doubt and Chicago then tomorrow Elton John hits the big stage.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office reports that three people have been arrested in connection with the overdose death of 26-year-old Lance Gordon. Lt. Clay Higgins says Gordon became extremely ill after allegedly being injected with a drug cocktail prepared by 29-year-old Jessica Stelly. He says then, instead of calling 9-1-1, Stelly called a couple of associates…:
CUT 3 (09) “on his sofa”
He says Stelly faces charges of second degree murder and obstruction of justice. The other two are charged with negligent homicide and obstruction.

A former Thibodaux High School teacher has been sentenced to a year of probation after pleading guilty to two misdemeanor counts of prohibited sexual contact between an educator and a student. 25-year-old Celeste Bergeron of Thibodaux was accused of having sex with a student who was 17-years-old at the time. She will not be required to register as a sex offender since she pleaded guilty to misdemeanors.

The full Senate has approved a measure that would require public school systems to promote the online homework assistance service which is offered through state and local libraries. The bill is by Napoleonville Senator Troy Brown who says parents have been having a hard time helping out with homework because the new standards have made it so challenging. He says many people don’t know there is help available…:
CUT 6 (10) “dealing with”
The website is HomeworkLA.org. The bill now moves to the House for consideration.

The Saints had two picks in last night’s first round. With the number 13 pick, the Black & Gold selected offensive lineman Andrus Peat from Stanford. Peat was an A.P. second team All-American selection last season, as well as an Outland Trophy finalist. The Saints also picked up inside line backer Stephone Anthony from Clemson. Anthony was a first team All-ACC selection last year.

A legal analyst says former LSU football player La’el Collins is making the right decision in not rushing to speak to cops about a murder of a pregnant woman. Eric Gill reports…:
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The situation raised enough concern among teams that Collins was not selected in last night’s first round of the NFL Draft.

The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s office issued a release indicating they’ve fired a deputy who was arrested yesterday afternoon. Shreveport Police is handling the case of now former Deputy Larry Harrell of Haughton who is charged with solicitation of prostitution.

The Senate Education committee approves a bill that would prohibit the suspension or expulsion of a student between Kindergarten and third grade, unless the child posed a threat to the safety of the school. But Debra Schum, Executive Director of the Louisiana Association of Principals, says they can’t allow a single student to disrupt the education of others…:
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Senator Sharon Weston Broome, the bill’s author, says kids so young should not be pulled out of class and miss out on education. The legislation heads to the full Senate.

In response to the LSU higher ed cut protest rally yesterday at the Capitol, Senate finance Committee Chairman Jack Donahue says they are working towards a solution…:
CUT 13 (09) “solve that problem”
Students say they are very concerned about the future of LSU.

The Senate Education committee approves a bill to prohibit the suspension or expulsion of a student between Kindergarten and third grade, unless the child posed a threat to the safety of the school. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (30) “reporting”

The Saints picked up two players in last night’s first round of the NFL Draft. First, the Black & Gold selected offensive lineman Andrus Peat from Stanford. Peat was an A.P. second team All-American selection as well as an Outland Trophy finalist. They then picked up inside line backer Stephone Anthony from Clemson. Anthony was a first team All-ACC selection last year.

Hundreds of LSU students showed up on the steps of the state capitol yesterday to speak up about the proposed reduction in higher education funding. An 80-percent cut to higher education is possible because of a one-point-six billion dollar budget shortfall. Geaux-Vote President Valencia Richardson asks how can lawmakers gut the state’s colleges and universities…

cut 12 (11) “cheer”

Students carried signs that said “No Funds No Future” and “Jindal cuts like a knife.”

A Ouachita Parish Grand Jury has handed down an indictment of first degree murder to Robert Nelson in the killing of West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman’s 85-year-old sister, Shirley Cagle. Assistant DA Neal Johnson says 1st degree isn’t something you see often in Ouachita Parish…

cut 16 (09) “her own home”

Monroe Police say Nelson confessed to the murder of Cagle who was found in her burning home — but exact cause of death has not been released.

About five-hundred LSU students marched onto the steps of the state capitol urging lawmakers not to make significant cuts to higher education. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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A former Thibodaux High School teacher has been sentenced to a year of probation after pleading guilty to two misdemeanor counts of prohibited sexual contact between an educator and a student. 25-year-old Celeste Bergeron of Thibodaux was accused of having sex with a student who was 17-years-old at the time. She will not be required to register as a sex offender since she pleaded guilty to misdemeanors.

Legal analyst Tim Meche says former LSU football player La’el Collins is making the right choice in not rushing to speak to police about the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Brittney Mills. Baton Rouge Police say Collins, who is not considered a suspect, will be interviewed sometime after the NFL Draft. Meche says the public should let the facts of the case surface before jumping to any conclusions…

cut 6 (09) “proven guilty”

Police have yet to identify a suspect in this case.

Robert Nelson, the man accused of killing West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffmann’s 85-year-old sister, has been indicted on one count of first degree murder. Police believe Nelson was robbing the home of Shirley Cagle in a desperate attempt to support his drug habit, when the murder took place. Assistant DA Neal Johnson says the indictment for 1st degree murder carries the possibility of the death penalty…:

cut 15 (06) “before then”

Representative Hoffman released a statement regarding the tragic death saying his sister is in a wonderful place now.