US Senator Bill Cassidy was in New Orleans this morning during a US House Natural Resources Committee field hearing to discuss how federal policies impact the oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico. Cassidy says federal policies leave over 63 million acres in the Gulf unavailable for oil and gas production…:
CUT 4 (07) “sources of oil”
He says federal regulations need to ease up so that oil and gas production in the Gulf can keep thriving.

Republican gubernatorial candidate David Vitter keeps trying to avoid questions about his cloudy past, but they keep coming. During a forum last night in which just he and Republican Jay Dardenne were present, each were asked if they’ve ever violated any state laws. Dardenne responded no, and Vitter called the question a “gotcha” inquiry which was specifically targeted at him. Vitter says he’s already addressed his past and said he doesn’t appreciate questions planted on behalf of opponents. The forum was hosted by the Alliance for Good Government.

All Sulphur Police and Fire Department Vehicles will soon display “In God We Trust” decals. Emelie Gunn has more on how the community is divided over this addition…:
CUT 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The American Automobile Association says the current statewide average for a gallon of regular gas is $2.05 and the US Department of Energy is forecasting the national average to hit $2 a gallon by December. AAA says historically, Louisiana’s price is about 20 cents cheaper than the national average so we could be looking at prices at about $1.80 before the end of the year.

In southwest Louisiana, the Sulphur Police and Fire Department will be applying “In God We Trust” decals to their vehicles. The community is funding the stickers, but there are still many people not happy about this. Police Chief Lewis Coats says he’s trying to bring some positive into a negative world…:
CUT 6 (06) “the units”
Coats says on the heels of the recent death of Trooper Steven Vincent who was killed in the line of duty near Lake Charles last month, the officers are eager to display the “In God We Trust” stickers on their units.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler feels voter apathy may partly explain why 46% of candidates who signed up for offices in the October 24th primary will run without opposition. He feels this uptick trend points to a public that just doesn’t care:
Cut 13 (09) “away from that”

The SEC Network will air a documentary tonight about the life of Bo Rein, LSU’s coach going into the 80s who died in a plane crash before ever coaching a game for the Tigers. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

Senator Bill Cassidy testified this morning during a US House Natural Resources Committee field hearing in New Orleans. The purpose of the hearing was to discuss how current federal policies impact oil and natural gas development in the Gulf of Mexico. Cassidy says policies need to be changed for offshore oil production to flourish…:
CUT 3 (09) “Gulf of Mexico”
Cassidy says it’s vital for the federal government to ease regulations so that oil and gas production in the Gulf can continue to grow.

LSU-Alexandria is reporting they’ve enrolled a record number of students this fall. 3,104 students are attending LSUA which is the largest enrollment in the history of the university. LSU President F King Alexander says this growth shows the university is working hard to meet the needs of central Louisiana.

A documentary will air on the SEC Network tonight about the life of Bo Rein who was named LSU’s head coach after the 1979 season, but died in a plane crash before he ever coached a game for the Tigers. LSU Senior Associate Sports Information Director Kent Lowe says many people don’t know Rein’s story and the excitement he brought to lead LSU into the 80s:
CUT 9 (11) “athletic department”
“The Bo You Don’t Know,” premiers at 8pm.

An annual study released today by The Violence Policy Center says Louisiana ranks number 4 in the nation in the rate of women who are murdered by men. The report indicates our state has ranked in the top 10 states for females murdered by males for the fifth year in a row.

The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is about $2.05 a gallon..so just how low will it go?
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

Republican David Vitter continues to be pressured about his past. During a gubernatorial debate last night hosted by the Alliance for Good Government, Vitter and the only other candidate present, Republican Jay Dardenne, were asked if they had ever violated Louisiana statue Title 14 — which refers to the entire criminal code. Dardenne said no. Vitter called it a “gotcha” question specifically targeted at him.

A recent study indicates people who drink diet sodas often compensate for the low calorie contend by eating unhealthier foods. The report out of the University of Illinois suggests switching to diet drinks in an effort to lose weight may not be the best approach. Dr. Anne Gilmore of LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center says, the study aside, we should be looking at all the calories we consume…:
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She says more research needs to be done to determine exactly why people who choose diet drinks consume more unhealthy food.

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office says the mother of a young child who she reported drowned in July has been charged with second degree murder. They say a grand jury returned the indictment on the charge against 30-year-old Clarissa Hector Of West Monroe. 59-year-old Russell Flowers was booked on the murder charges in July when Hector claimed Flowers told her to tell cops her child drowned or he would kill her and her other children according to the arrest affidavit.

Voter apathy could explain why 46% of candidates who signed up for offices in the October 24th primary will run unopposed, according to Secretary of State Tom Schedler. He says we must get people re-engaged on the Constitution and what this country is all about…

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Schedler says in the state legislature, 20 out of 39 senators and 39 out of 105 House members drew no opponents.

With the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline hovering just above $2.00 a gallon, many are wondering just how low it will go? American Automobile Association spokesperson Don Redman says if all goes smoothly, you can expect gas prices to steadily fall for the rest of the year…

cut 9 (08) “Christmas holidays”

He says prices haven’t been that low since early 2009.

A study out of the University of Illinois finds diet soda drinkers often eat more unhealthy foods, which counter acts their attempts to lose weight. Emelie Gunn has more…

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According to State Farm Insurance claims data, Louisiana drivers have among the lowest odds of a deer collision in the country. The study shows that the chances of a driver hitting a deer in Louisiana is 1 in 335, which ranks the state 41st nationally. It was also found that drivers are most likely to collide with a deer in the last three months of the year. West Virginia has the worst odds of a driver hitting a deer, 1 in 44.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler says 46% of candidates who signed up for offices in the October 24th primary will run unopposed. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 3 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office say four teenagers are arrested accused of kidnapping and raping an underage girl. Authorities say the girl was lured to a parked car, forced inside, and driven to an abandoned home where the rape occurred. 17-year-old Marlon Grady, 19-year-olds D’Kevin Cleveland and Montrell Davis, and a juvenile, whose name is being withheld, are charged with kidnapping and aggravated rape.

The US House Natural Resources Committee will hold a field hearing in New Orleans today to discuss how current federal policies impact oil and natural gas development in the Gulf. Utah Congressman Rob Bishop, says if the US wants to remain a world leader in energy production, we need to increase production on more than just state and private land…

cut 6 (11) “Coast shores”

The hearing will also touch on the crude oil export debate.

Just how low will will gas prices go? The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is hovering just above $2.00 a gallon and American Automobile Association spokesperson Don Redman says we could see prices near $1.80 by the end of the year. Redman says you’d have to go back to early 2009 to find gas prices that low…

cut 8 (08) “a gallon”

He says these low prices have caused demand to rise about three-percent from last year when prices were roughly $1.10 more per gallon.

The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is hovering just above $2.00 a gallon and that leaves many wondering just how low will it go? American Automobile Association spokesperson Don Redman says the US Department of Energy forecasts the national average to hit $2 a gallon by December…

cut 7 (10) “in Louisiana”

Redman says you’d have to go back to early 2009 to find gas prices below $1.80.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler feels voter apathy may partially explain why 46% of candidates who qualified for the October 24th primary will run unopposed. He thinks if more people were involved in the process and went out to vote, especially young people, there wouldn’t be such a waning interest in qualifying…

cut 14 (10) “for the future”

Schedler says the cost of running a successful campaign could be another reason potential challengers are turned off.

A field hearing of the The US House Natural Resources Committee will be held in New Orleans today discussing how current federal policies impact oil and natural gas development in the Gulf, including the ban on U.S. oil exports. Utah Congressman Rob Bishop says by not allowing exports, the development of the oil and gas industry is significantly harmed…

cut 5 (07) “will decrease” 2X

Senators Bill Cassidy and David Vitter are scheduled to attend the meeting, along with Congressman Garret Graves.

People who drink diet sodas tend to eat unhealthier, higher calorie food, according to a University of Illinois study. Dr. Anne Gilmore of LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center says diet soda drinkers often think they are cutting calories in one place, so it’s okay to splurge on another even though that’s not the case…

cut 11 (11) “they consume”

She says these results aren’t surprising.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler feels voter apathy may partly explain why 46% of candidates who signed up for offices in the October 24th primary will run without opposition. He says in 2007, 35% of qualified candidates didn’t have an opponent and in 2011 it was 39%. He feels this uptick points to a public that just doesn’t care:

cut 13 (09) “away from that”

Schedler says 20 out of 39 state senators drew no opponents.

The US House Natural Resources Committee will hold a field hearing in New Orleans today to discuss how current federal policies impact oil and natural gas development in the Gulf of Mexico. Committee chair, Utah Congressman Rob Bishop, says the hearing will focus on federal statutes which could cause a second moratorium in the Gulf…

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The hearing begins at 9AM.

A study out of Illinois finds people who drink diet sodas tend to eat unhealthier, higher calorie food, which negates their attempts to lose weight. The research found that many diet soda drinkers feel justified in eating more because they feel guilty about indulging in unhealthy food. Dr. Anne Gilmore of LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center says these results aren’t surprising…

cut 10 (09) “we’re doing”

Gilmore says diet soda drinkers often think they are cutting calories in one place, so it’s okay to splurge on another. She says overall, we need to look at all the calories that we consume.