It’s the best presidential polling news so far for Governor Bobby Jindal, as a New Hampshire survey has his favorability rating at 43 percent, which leads all Republican hopefuls. Tom Jensen with Public Policy Polling says Jindal has recently been excluded from their Republican presidential polls after consistently polling in last place, but that could change…
CUT 7 (10) Q: ‘where he is’

The overall coverage of rain this week has diminished somewhat across the state today, but some thunderstorm activity will linger through Saturday, but Sunday will have a significant drop in rain probability…
CUT 11 (06) Q: ‘dry out’
That’s Lance Escude (ES cue aid) from the National Weather Service.
—————————-
With oil prices about half of what they were a year ago, oilfied giant Schlumberger (Shlum Ber jhay) has plans for tens of thousands of layoffs in the near future. Louisiana is also to be affected, but not as severely, as most oil and gas jobs are offshore…
CUT 5 (08) “planning horizons”
That’s LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott.

The former Knight Oil Tools employee that authorities say was involved in a conspiracy to plant drugs on Brian Knight to have him arrested, has turned himself in. Authorities say Russell Manual, along with a state trooper and a Lafayette Sheriff’s deputy, who have both been arrested, were involved in the plot. An arrest warrant was issued for Manual earlier this week, and he eventually surrendered to the authorities.
cut 14 (05) “eventually booked”
That’s Captain John Babin, with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s office.

A new poll on the Republican presidential primary in New Hampshire says Governor Bobby Jindal has the best favorability rating among all the presidential hopefuls. Jeff Palermo reports…:

CUT 2 (24) “reporting”

The entire bottom half of the state is under a Flash Flood Watch until tomorrow evening. The National Weather Service says isolated scattered thunderstorms are possible across the area this afternoon and is expected to be the main threat of heavy rain over the next 36 hours. Many areas are already completely saturated according to meteorologists.

The former Knight Oil Tools employee that authorities say was involved in a conspiracy to plant drugs on another person has turned himself in. Captain John Babin, with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s office, says Russell Manual is the fourth person to be arrested as part of this investigation…:
CUT 12 (11) “intimidating witness”
Two cops and the CEO of Knigh Oil were also arrested this week.

Schlumberger, an oilfield services giant with locations throughout the state and the US, announces they plan to lay off about 11,000 more employees because of the oil price drop. Economist Dr. Loren Scott believes a majority of these layoffs will occur in states that depend on drilling on land…:
CUT 4 (10) “and Pennsylvania”
In January, Schlumberger announced they were reducing their workforce by 9,000 employees.

A new poll on the Republican presidential primary in New Hampshire says Governor Bobby Jindal is someone to keep an eye on after receiving the best favor-ability rating out of all the presidential hopefuls. Tom Jensen with Public Policy Polling says Jindal’s favor-ability rating was 43-percent. He says it really stuck out on this poll…:
CUT 6 (09) “him back in”
He says this is good news for Jindal.

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office has established a benefit fund for Corporal Burt Hazeltine who was shot multiple times Thursday by someone frustrated by school crossing traffic. They say all donations, which can be made on their Facebook page, will be given to the Hazeltine family as the deputy, a father of four, recovers at University Hospital. The alleged shooter, 58-year-old John Paul Devillier is being held on $1 million dollars bond.

The National Weather Service is keeping the south half of the state under a flash flood watch through Saturday afternoon. Meteorologist Lance Escude..:
CUT 10 (08) “definitely possible”
Four to six inches of rain fell during a two hour period Thursday afternoon in Alexandria and about 50 homes flooded and cops had to participate in about 50 water related rescues.

The Pelicans are headed to the west coast today where they will begin their best of seven series with Golden State. Game one is tomorrow and will be on ABC at 2:30pm. Fox Sports New Orleans announced today that they’ll televise games two through four and possibly more games if the series is extended beyond four games.

Four to six inches of rain fell during a two hour period Thursday afternoon in Alexandria, flooding about 50 homes. Police also say there were numerous car crashes and the fire department participated in about 50 water related rescues. Lance Escude, with the National Weather Service, says more rain is on the way…:
CUT 9 (10) “to redevelop”
He says the southern half of the state remains under a flash flood watch through Saturday afternoon.

The woman from Baton Rouge who has been missing all week was reportedly awarded more than $1 million dollars in a divorce settlement just weeks before she vanished. 54-year-old Taherah Ghassemi’s vehicle was found intentionally torched on Sunday and she hasn’t been heard from since Saturday. The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office is not commenting about whether the money or bitter marital dispute with her former husband could be connected to Ghassemi’s disappearance.

Oilfield services giant Schlumberger has announced plans to layoff approximately 11,000 additional employees due to the reduction in oil prices. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

Funeral Services have been set for R&B legend Percy Sledge who died of cancer in his Baton Rouge home this week. Visitation for the “When a Man Loves a Woman” singer will be Tuesday morning at Bethany in the Capitol City. Family members are having a private service on Monday.

A judge has set the bond for the man accused of firing several shots at a St. Charles Parish Deputy at $1 million dollars. 58-year-old John Paul Devillier of Gulfport is charges with attempted murder of a peace officer, three counts of battery and one count of violently resisting arrest. The victim, Corporal Burt Hazeltine is recovering from three gunshot wounds and authorities say he could be blind in one eye.

Oilfield services giant Schlumberger has announced plans to lay off about 11,000 additional employees due to the reduction in oil prices. LSU Economist Dr Loren Scott says oil companies are dealing with oil prices roughly half of what they were a year ago and they’re asking these service companies for a break in fees they charge…:
CUT 3 (06) “what’s going on”
Scott adds it’s becoming too expensive to drill on land rigs with current oil prices and many of those rigs are being shut down.

The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office says they have arrested what they believe is the final person associated with the scheme to plant drugs on someone’s vehicle then have them arrested. They say Russell Manual is booked with criminal conspiracy, possession of several drugs and intimidating a witness. Manual is a Knight Oils Tools employee and its CEO and two cops were among those also arrested in the scheme.

The number of Formosan subterranean termites are rising in Louisiana and homeowners should take precautions against them. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office believes 56-year-old John Paul Devillier’s shooting ambush of 36-year-old Cpl. Burt Hazeltine stemmed from Devillier being upset over traffic in a school zone. Sheriff Greg Champagne says Devillier has a violent past including getting fired from a TSA job in 2013 for conduct unbecoming…

cut 16 (08) “aggravated assault”

Devillier will be charged with attempted first degree murder.

Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson plans to amend the controversial religious freedom bill, but critics aren’t backing down. Opponents say the bill will lead to discrimination of gays, lesbians, and transgender individuals. However, Governor Bobby Jindal says he can’t see how someone can make the case that the state should intervene on someone’s personal religious beliefs…

cut 13 (12) “view of marriage”

IBM, which is opening a technology services center in Baton Rouge, has expressed strong opposition to the bill.

The Centers for Disease Control says many women aren’t taking enough time between birth and conception which could lead to problems for both mom and baby. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 1 (30) “reporting”

Oildfield services giant Schlumberger has announced plans to layoff approximately 11,000 additional employees due to the reduction in oil prices. This is on top of the company’s January announcement reducing their workforce by 9,000 employees. It is not known where the job cuts are coming from or how many Louisiana employees will be affected.

A St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s deputy continues to recover today in a hospital after getting shot three times. Scott Carwile has more…

cut 3 (30) “reporting”

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a cafeteria employee at Maplewood Elementary in Sulphur for allegedly hitting a student – her own son. Authorities say 32-year-old Kristy Lynn Miller is charged with cruelty to juveniles. Officers say video surveillance shows Miller striking the child in a violent manner several times. They say Miller informed detectives she hit the 6-year-old because he spilled liquid on the floor and broke a pencil. Miller has been placed on leave.

Although Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson says he plans to amend the controversial religious freedom bill, critics are not backing down. Some lawmakers criticized the original bill saying it was so broad in protecting any belief about marriage which could mean many things. But Governor Bobby Jindal says the measure is narrowly focused on making sure the state can not discriminate against businesses for their religious belief in traditional marriage…

cut 12 (11) “for their beliefs”

Opponents of the bill say its intent has always been to discriminate against the LGBT community.

The number of Formosan subterranean termites are rising in Louisiana and homeowners should take precautions against them. LSU AgCenter Entomologist Gregg Henderson says one way you can help prevent an infestation is to change the lighting around your home…

Cut 8 (09) “yellow lights”

May is the beginning of the swarm season for these Formosan termites.