President Bill Clinton is joins Senator Mary Landrieu in Baton Rouge today to rally support for her campaign. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 1 (32) “reporting”

The Pineville based utility company, Cleco, will be bought by an investment group for a reported $3.4 billion. The company will continue to operate under local management and they say there will be no change to utility rates or employment levels. The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2015.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says auto theft in Louisiana has dropped 48% since 2007 which beats the national average of 34% in the same time period. He credits the massive decline, in part, to public outreach and initiatives by law enforcement and improved technology that allows law enforcement to read license plates as vehicles drive down the street. Donelon says the license plate reader program has resulted in hundreds of apprehensions…

cut 9 (13) “by a thief”

He says they’ve also been able to bust car thieves by using bait cars.

Lake Charles Police report that a Sunday morning head-on collision between a pickup and a car has claimed the lives of two motorists. Authorities say the passenger in the car was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver of the car was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Authorities have not released the names of the victims. The driver of the pickup, 23-year-old Mark Kibodeaux of Sulphur, was arrested and booked for DWI.

President Bill Clinton is in Baton Rouge today to rally support for Senator Mary Landrieu’s re-election campaign. This is Clinton’s second visit to Louisiana on Landrieu’s behalf during this election. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says this is part of Landrieu’s last push leading up to election day on November 4th…

cut 6 (12) “to go vote”

Clinton’s visit comes the day before the early voting period for the November 4th election begins.

A new app will allow Chic-Fil-A customers in north Louisiana to pay for their food with their smart phone. David Benson, with Chic-Fil-A, says Chic-Fil-A wants to stay ahead of the curve…

cut 12 (12) “no credit card”

He says next year the company plans to roll out “mobile ordering.”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says auto theft in Louisiana has dropped 48% since 2007 which beats the national average of 34% in the same time period. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (30) “reporting”

An investment group will buy Cleco for a reported $3.4 billion. The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2015. The Pineville based utility company will continue to operate under local management and there will be no change to utility rates or employment levels.

President Bill Clinton joins Senator Mary Landrieu in Baton Rouge today to rally support for her campaign. Both parties are sending “big guns” to the state for this Senate race. Republicans sent former presidential candidate Senator John McCain to campaign with Congressman Bill Cassidy last week. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says both parties know what is potentially at stake in this election…

cut 5 (06) “the national level”

Clinton’s visit comes the day before the early voting period for the November 4th election begins.

Auto theft in Louisiana has dropped 48% since 2007, according to Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon. He credits the drop, in part, to improved technology that allows law enforcement to read license plates as vehicles drive down the street…

cut 8 (11) “is stolen”

Donelon says the license plate reader program has resulted in hundreds of apprehensions.

Customers at Chic-Fil-A locations in north Louisiana are now able to pay for orders with their phone. David Benson says it all starts with downloading the Chic-Fil-A app. Then, just load up whatever amount of money you wish on the app…

cut 11 (10) “financial institution”

He says you will simply hit the pay button, scan the account code, and the money is deducted from the account balance.

The LSU Tigers are back in the Top 25. The Bayou Bengals are ranked 24th in the AP poll, and 23rd in the coaches. LSU won easily on Saturday, 41-to-3 over the Kentucky Wildcats. LSU’s defense was outstanding on Saturday night, holding Kentucky to 217 total yards. Sophomore middle linebacker Kendell Beckwith led the way with nine tackles

cut 18 (08) “on Saturdays”

LSU hosts third ranked Ole Miss this Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:15PM.

President Bill Clinton is scheduled to join Senator Mary Landrieu in Baton Rouge today to rally support for her campaign. Clinton’s visit comes the day before the early voting period for the November 4th election begins. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says it’s good for Landrieu that Clinton is stumping for her considering his popularity among the Democratic base…

cut 4 (06) “not that popular”

Landrieu is in a tight re-election battle with Republican challengers Congressman Bill Cassidy and retired Air Force Colonel Rob Maness.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says auto theft in Louisiana has dropped 48% since 2007 which beats the national average of 34% in the same time period. Donelon credits the massive decline, in part, to public outreach and initiatives by law enforcement…

cut 7 (10) “rest of their lives”

Donelon says they’ve also been able to bust car thieves by using bait cars placed in high risk areas that are equipped with monitoring equipment and cameras.

Customers at Chic-Fil-A locations in north Louisiana don’t have to worry about bringing in cash or a credit card because now they’ll be able to pay with their phone. David Benson is the local operator for the restaurants in Monroe and West Monroe and he says it all starts with downloading the Chic-Fil-A app…

Cut 10 (11) “pay for your meal”

Benson says people are slowly but surely catching on and using this method of payment to get their sandwiches and nuggets. He says paying with your phone is more secure than using a credit card. Benson says next year the company plans to roll out “mobile ordering.”

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a domestic violence situation that turned into a murder-suicide late last week in Deville. Lt. Tommy Carnline says deputies responded to a 9-1-1 call of shots fired at an apartment complex:
CUT 12 (09) “rendering aid”
He says that was 39-year-old Theresa Johnson of Deville and she died Friday morning. They believe 36-year-old Terrel Laprarie Jr. shot Johnson then killed himself.

When it comes to Ebola in Louisiana local officials are urging residents not to panic but to remain aware. Dr Frank Welch says you aren’t concerned for “no reason” but you won’t just walk outside and catch Ebola. He says, on the other hand, this is a huge wakeup call for our health care system to keep their workers safe:
CUT 4 (12) “put into practice”

Bill Clinton will be visiting Louisiana on Monday to once again show is support for Senator Mary Landrieu and her campaign in November 4th Senate election. The stop in Baton Rouge takes place just one day before early voting begins on Tuesday. An afternoon rally will be held at the downtown Hilton hotel.

The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is now below three dollars at $2.99. Analysts believe a month from now we could be close to $2.85 which is the lowest price since 2010.

Monroe resident Alan Brockman says the community in Ouachita Parish continues to clean up today after the EF2 tornado ripped through last week. He says a major grass roots effort has been underway by citizens taking charge…:
CUT 10 (11) “to help everybody”
Damage assessments continue today by the federal government considering rendering financial aid to the region.

Clean up and federal damage assessments continue today as Ouachita Parish waits to find out if FEMA approves financial assistance following the local state disaster declaration. Meanwhile residents continue to come together after a tornado ripped through Monroe/West Monroe last week. Resident Alan Brockman says it’s amazing to see how many people came together to help clear debris:
CUT 9 (13) “and still are”
He says it’s a miracle that nobody was injured or killed and they are all counting their blessings.

Baton Rouge Police made a drug bust on I-12 where 48 Jesus Sacred Heart candles with meth mixed in the wax were found on a bus by a K-9 during a traffic stop on I-12. The candles weighed 72 pounds cops say and there were also four larger candles weighing 41 pounds all with meth inside the wax.

Are Americans overreacting about the Ebola threat? Local health officials are urging citizens to calm down. Eric Gill reports.
CUT 1 (28) “reporting”

The Department of Transportation was found to be 40% at fault in a 2011 crash in Addis that killed LSU football coach Les Miles’ sister in 2011 and the victims daughters were awarded a $2.5 million dollar settlement by a West Baton Rouge Parish jury. 54-year-old Ann Hope Browned lost her life in a crash at what the court felt was a dangerous intersection at Sugar Plantation Parkway and La. 1.

The state Department of Health and Hospitals says two new cases of West Nile were reported this week but there are no new deaths. They say there have been 130 reported cases of the virus in Louisiana this year with 6 of those resulting in death. One of the new cases was reported from Caddo Parish and one from East Baton Rouge Parish. Heath officials are urging Louisianians to continue to take steps to protect themselves from mosquitoes.

Meanwhile they are encouraging people to focus less on the Ebola scare. The state’s medical director, Dr. Frank Welch, says Louisiana is preparing intensively for the possibility of an Ebola patient entering the health care system here at any level…:
CUT 5 (08) “beforehand”
He says the main concern is to make sure health care workers are kept safe.

Entergy says they’ve gotten the number of people without power in Ouachita Parish down to about 500 as cleanup continues today. The Red Cross damage assessment team concluded its survey of destroyed infrastructure yesterday afternoon and found that 653 homes in some way were touched by the tornado and storm last week. They say 20 homes were destroyed and 99 had major damage. FEMA is continuing their survey of damage today.

The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested the father and step-mother of the 11-year-old boy who ran away from home in Plain Dealing on charges of child abuse, neglect, and drug charges. Lt. Bill Davis says the massive search for the boy began Tuesday evening and no one could find him…:
CUT 6 (09) “to the family”
Apparently the parents had allegedly been abusing the boy and he hadn’t been to school in two years which is why they were booked.

Are Americans overracting about the Ebola scare? State and local officials are asking citizens to remain calm. Dr. Frank Welch is the Medical Director for the state Department of Health and Hospitals and he says what this is is a huge wake up call for our health care system to keep their workers safe…:
CUT 4 (12) “put into practice”
He says Louisiana is well prepared to handle an Ebola patient should we get one.

The community around the hardest hit areas in Monroe/West Monroe by the EF2 tornado is making news because of the community response. Alan West Brockman is president of a property management company in Monroe and he says it was a major grass roots effort by citizens taking charge…:
CUT 10 (11) “to help everybody”

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a domestic violence situation that turned into a murder-suicide Thursday night in Deville. Lt. Tommy Carnline says the suspect in the murder of a woman, 36-year-old Terrel Joe Laprarie, was found dead with a self inflicted gunshot wound. He says investigators are trying to determine what exactly happened…:
CUT 14 (06) “unfortunate tragedy”
He says 39-year-old Theresa Ann Johnson of Devile was found with a gunshot wound to the right side of her face.

Terrebonne Parish cops have arrested two men for allegedly having sex with someone who is mentally handicapped. Fifty-three year old Cornelius Ellis and 66 year old Roland Shepard are both charged with sexual battery of the infirm. Captain Dawn Foret says the 18 year old victim came forward with the allegations and one of the men ended up confessing. Both suspects are from Gray, Louisiana and had bonds set at $250,000 dollars each.