Democratic US Senator Mary Landrieu gave a farewell speech on the Senate floor today as her third and final term is coming to a close. The Senator spoke about her achievements while serving as a US Senator, including helping Louisiana receive billions of dollars in federal aid to recover from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita…
cut 11 (09) “…having it”
Landrieu also touted her efforts when it came to promoting the oil and gas industry and adoption awareness.

Alexandria Representative and chairman of the state House Labor Committee, Herbet Dixon, is resigning. Dixon released a statement that said he’s stepping away from the legislature so that he can better manage his health situation, spend more time with his family and pursue other opportunities. House Speaker Chuck Kleckley has called a special election February 21st to fill his seat.

The National Hurricane Center will issue storm surge warnings during next year’s Hurricane Season. Storm surge is often cited as the greatest threat to life and property from a tropical cyclone. Storm Surge Specialist, Jamie Rhome, says this has been many years in the making…:
CUT 3 (10) “with wind”
He says the watches and warnings will highlight life threatening conditions.

State education Superintendent John White is concerned only 44 percent of public high school seniors fill out the paperwork required to receive federal financial aid to attend college or a technical training school. White says Louisiana students are missing out on millions of dollars in federal assistance…:
CUT 12 (10) “receive today”
White says high school seniors should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to see if they’re eligible for Pell grants and other types of aid.

Fourth District Representative John Fleming is saying he wants to succeed Senator David Vitter in the Senate if he wins the Governor’s race. In a written statement, Fleming says his focus IS on the 4th district, but he would be interested. Political analyst Elliot Stonecipher says it’s a little early to start speculating on who will fill Vitter’s Senate seat…
CUT 6 (09) “being a fact”

In a story first reported by LaPolitics.com, Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy may consider a run against Republican incumbent Buddy Caldwell in a race for Attorney General.
CUT 9 (13) “excel at”
That’s LaPolitics.com Editor Jeremy Alford.

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State Education Superintendent John White is reporting only 44-percent of public high school seniors are filling out paperwork to receive federal financial aid to attend college or a technical training school. He says this is leaving millions on the table, especially in certain income brackets…
CUT 14 (11) Q: “financial aid”
White says he’ll talk with schools about how to improve the application numbers.

Next year, there will be two warnings issued for storms from the National Hurricane Center for the upcoming hurricane season. Besides the wind warnings, they will also be issuing a separate storm surge warning, since surges do the most damage to life and property…
CUT 5 (08) Q: ” to do something”
That’s Storm Surge Specialist, Jamie Rhome.

In a story first reported by LaPolitics.com, Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy may consider a run against Republican incumbent Buddy Caldwell in a race for Attorney General. Editor Jeremy Alford says Caldwell could be in trouble…
CUT 11 (12) Q: “couple of years”
He says the wild-card in the race is former Republican congressman Jeff Landy, who has already announced he’s running.

If Senator David Vitter wins the governor’s race, 4th District Representative John Fleming says he would be interested in running for that seat in the Senate. Right now, Political analyst Elliot Stonecipher says there are too many things up in the air to make any kind of prediction about an appointment…
CUT 8 (09) Q: “gets made”
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The National Hurricane Center will begin issuing separate storm surge warnings with next year’s Atlantic Hurricane Season. Eric Gill reports…
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

The Department of Children and Family Services is giving the public a heads up about a phone scam to obtain credit card information. So far, callers in the Lafayette area have been told they can get a free Walmart rebate card at their food stamp office, once they process a payment for $1.95 to receive it. D-C-F-S says they never do offers like this.

So far, Republican Senator David Vitter is still the front-runner for the Louisiana governor’s race, and if he wins, there will be a replacement appointed by the governor to finish out his term. Political Analyst Elliott Stonecypher says-as we get deeper into the governor’s race – the entire picture will become more clear, however…
CUT 7 (08) Q: ‘his successor”

It’s being reported that Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy may consider a run against Republican incumbent Buddy Caldwell in a race for Attorney General. LApolitics.com editor Jeremy Alford says not only is Kennedy thinking about running, but he’s actively been seeking advice from donors…:
CUT 10 (10) Q: “right now”
Alford expects Kennedy will be reporting next year that he has $3.5 million dollars in the bank.

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State Superintendent of Education John White says about 44 percent of high school seniors are leaving millions of federal financial aid dollars on the table by not filling not the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form.
CUT 13 (11) Q: “FASA form”
He says if a household income is $40 thousand dollars or lower, there is about a 90% acceptance rate for aid.

For next year’s hurricane season, the National Hurrican Center will have separate storm surge warnings that will accompany wind speed warnings, since storm surge if often cited as the biggest threat to life and property…
CUT 4 (06) Q: “life-threatening conditions”
That’s Storm Surge Specialist Jamie Rhome, who says storm surge often strikes a different times and places than the heavier winds.

Louisiana is below the national average when it comes to percentage of public high school seniors who fill out paperwork to receive financial aid to attend college or a technical school. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 2 (31) “reporting”

Angola warden Burl Cain says he’s thinking about running for governor. He says the thought of running for governor first came up a year ago, when he performed well in a poll on the 2015 governor’s race. — but he’s not sure when he’d make a final decision.

If Senator David Vitter is elected governor next year, 4th District Representative John Fleming wants to succeed him in the Senate. In a written statement, Fleming says his focus is on his district, but he would be interested in running for the seat Vitter would vacate. Political analyst Elliot Stonecipher says it’s a little early to start speculating on would take Vitter’s place…:
CUT 6 (09) “being a fact”
Fleming has stated that he’s receiving a lot of encouragement to consider a Senate run in 2016.

In a story first reported by LaPolitics.com, Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy may consider a run against Republican incumbent Buddy Caldwell in a race for Attorney General. Editor Jeremy Alford says not only is Kennedy thinking about running for AG, but he’s actively been seeking advice from donors…:
CUT 9 (13) “excel at”

State education Superintendent John White is concerned only 44 percent of public high school seniors fill out the paperwork required to receive federal financial aid to attend college or a technical training school. White says Louisiana students are missing out on millions of dollars in federal assistance…:
CUT 12 (10) “receive today”
White says all high school seniors should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to see if they’re eligible for Pell grants and other types of aid.

Two students at the Ascension Parish Alternative School in Darrow have been arrested, in separate incidents, accused of battery on school officials. The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office says both incidents occurred during arguments over school policy. Both students are charged with battery of a teacher.

In a story first reported by LaPolitics.com, Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy may consider a run against Republican incumbent Buddy Caldwell in a race for Attorney General. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Kennedy ran for the AG’s office in 1991 and lost so this is a job he’s always wanted…:
CUT 9 (10) “attorney general”
Pinsonat says Kennedy wouldn’t have a problem raising money and he’s become very popular as state treasurer so his entering the AG’s race would narrow the field.

Speaking of 2015 elections, Angola warden Burl Cain says he’s thinking about running for governor. The 72-year-old says he’s run Louisiana State Penitentiary for 20 years and he’s humbled that people want him to run the state.

The National Hurricane Center will begin issuing separate storm surge warnings with next year’s Atlantic Hurricane Season. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

Deputies say two students from Ascension Parish Alternative School were arrested on Wednesday in separate incidents involving a battery on educators. They say a 16-year-old was arrested for allegedly kicking and punching an administrator and a 19-year-old, Tyrone Pitts, was arrested accused of beating up his teacher. They were both booked with battery of a teacher.

Southwest Louisiana got some good news yesterday as Venture Global LNG announces plans to build a $4 billion dollar processing complex and export terminal at Calcasieu Pass in Cameron Parish. Construction is expected to begin at the 203 acre site in the third quarter of 2016 is set to start operating by late 2019. LSU Economist Dr. Loren Scott says the economy in Louisiana is looking brighter than ever…:
CUT 9 (10) “off the charts amazing”
Officials say this facility will put Cameron Parish at the forefront of liquefied natural gas trade.

Alexandria State Representative Herbert Dixon has resigned his seat. The Democrat’s resignation is effective immediately. Dixon was first elected to the Louisiana House in 2007. Louisiana Speaker of the House, Chuck Kleckley, has set a special election date of February 21st to fill Dixon’s seat.