5th District Congressman Vance McAllister has only 233 dollars in available campaign dollars for his re-election bid. That’s based on the last report McAllister filed with the Federal Elections Commission, August 2nd. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says that’s a disappointing grand total…

cut 12 (10) “or by fundraising”

McAllisters three Republican challengers have each raised over 200-thousand dollars.

Bankrate-dot-com reports Louisiana as the second-most expensive state for motorists. Spokesman Chris Kahn says Louisiana drivers pay the highest insurance rates in the nation. He says one thing you can do to reduce insurance rates is to have a good credit score. Kahn says many don’t realize insurance companies pull your credit report when setting your premium…

cut 8 (06) “may affect your problem”

He says Louisiana motorists pay an average of $1277 a year on insurance.

The New Orleans Police Department is investigating a shooting at the Westin Hotel on Canal Street Sunday that left one man dead and another injured. Officer Frank Robertson III says, after calling for backup, the SWAT team moved in and officers were able to make contact with someone inside the room…

cut 5 (05) “on the scene”

It appears the 20-year-old deceased individual shot his 24-year-old friend in the chest before turning the gun on himself.

The St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office says a man from New Iberia is under arrest for allegedly shooting at a car he was trying to pass while traveling on a roadway. Spokeswoman Major Ginny Higgins says the suspect is identified as a 30-year-old Jeroswaskie Collette. She says he was allegely driving erratically when he just opened fire on the other vehicle…

cut 10 (07) “no one was hurt”

Collette is charged with assault by drive by shooting.

The New Orleans Police Department says they’re investigating a shooting at a hotel on Canal Street Sunday that left one man dead and another injured. Officer Frank Robertson III says officers responded to reports of gunfire at the Westin around 6:30AM and once they encountered the armed man they retreated and called for back up. He says after hours of negotiation they finally got into the room…:

cut 4 (05) “right now”

It appears the 20-year-old deceased individual shot his 24-year-old friend in the chest before turning the gun on himself.

The St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office says a man from New Iberia is under arrest for allegedly shooting at a car he was trying to pass while traveling on a roadway. Spokeswoman Major Ginny Higgins says they got a call from a motorist that he was being tailgated by another vehicle on Highway 182…:

cut 9 (10) “at the vehicle”

Higgins says the suspect, 30-year-old Jeroswaskie Collette, is charged with assault by drive by shooting.

According to the finance firm Bankrate.com, Louisiana is the second-most expensive state for motorists. Spokesman Chris Kahn says Louisiana motorists pay an average of $1277 a year on insurance which is the highest in the nation. He says that’s the cost that really hurts our ranking in this report…:

cut 7 (09) “the national average”

The report found that drivers in Louisiana pay about $2,555 a year just on things dealing with their car.

A Baton Rouge gun dealer who stars in the Discovery Channel show “Sons of Guns” has been booked on charges of molestation of a juvenile and aggravated crimes against nature. 49-year-old William Hayden was released on bond Saturday. Hayden told TMZ the allegations come from an ex-girlfriend as retaliation for their break-up.

The New Orleans Police Department says they’re trying to figure out what lead up to a shooting at a hotel on Canal Street Sunday that left one man dead and another injured. Officer Frank Robertson III says officers responded to reports of gunfire at the Westin around 6:30 am…:

cut 3 (09) “at our officers”

The room was occupied by four men reportedly from the Lafayette area. Apparently the 20-year-old deceased individual shot his 24-year-old friend in the chest before turning the gun on himself.

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating two home invasions that occurred over the weekend in Houma. The first happened early Sunday morning at an apartment complex on Monarch Drive. The second occurred Sunday evening on Star Court. Both incidents involved two masked men forcing entry into the homes, holding the victims at gunpoint, and stealing items from the homes. It is unknown if the incidents are related.

A crop duster crash in Iberia Parish has claimed the life 60-year-old Kenneth Squires of Jeanerette. Lieutenant Jeremy Kelly, with the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, says a Bell 47 helicopter crashed near a cane field north of US 90 Sunday morning. Kelly says Squires was an experienced pilot…

cut 12 (11) “type of work”

The FAA is investigating the crash.

According to the finance firm Bankrate.com, Louisiana is the second-most expensive state for motorists. Spokesman Chris Kahn compiled the research for the study and found that drivers in Louisiana pay about $2,555 a year just on things dealing with their car…:

cut 6 (12) “in the country”

Kahn says they found that Louisiana motorists pay an average of $1277 a year on insurance which is the highest in the nation.

Now that schools are in session across the state, teachers are in classrooms with no idea what assessment test will be given this year. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 1 (32) “reporting”

Ponchatoula Police are investigating the death of a former LSU and UNO basketball player who was found in a friends swimming pool yesterday. Authorities do not suspect foul play in the death of 22-year-old Matt Derenbecker. An autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals confirms the state’s second West Nile virus death this year. The death occurred in the Capital Area Region 2 which consists of East and West Feliciana, East and West Baton Rouge, Pointe Coupee, Iberville, and Ascension Parishes. Medical Director for the Office of Public Health in central Louisiana, David Holcombe, says there are now 29 cases of West Nile in Louisiana…

cut 13 (07) “for the same period”

Not much is known about the latest victim other than it was a person over the age of 75.

Farmers across the state are beginning to harvest another rice crop. LSU AgCenter Rice Specialist, Dr. Johnny Saichuck, says last years crop produced a phenomenal statewide average of 7,500 pounds per acre. Saichuck says this year’s rain and cloud cover has really affected this year’s crop, but he’s not ready to give up on it…

cut 6 (08) “expect yieldwise”

He estimates this year’s rice crop to yield around 6,500 pounds per acre.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals confirms the state’s second West Nile virus death this year. Medical Director for the Office of Public Health in central Louisiana, David Holcombe, says to protect yourself from West Nile, you must protect yourself from mosquitoes…:
CUT 14 (09) “mosquito repellent”
The first death was in Caddo Parish and this latest death was reported in the Capital Area region 2 which is around the Felicianas and West and East Baton Rouge Parish.

Gas prices kept falling over the weekend. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular in Louisiana is now $3.26 which is down almost 20 cents from this time last month.

And somebody won the Powerball Saturday night according to the Louisiana Lottery. A ticket worth $90 million was sold in Colorado. The prize goes back down to $40 million for Wednesday.

A crop duster crash in Iberia Parish has claimed the life of the pilot Sunday according to the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s office. They say 60-year-old Kenneth Squires of Jeanerette was found in a cane field at the crash site north of US 90 yesterday morning. He was pronounced dead on the scene according to Lieutenant Jeremy Kelley says Squires was a long-time pilot…:
CUT 12 (11) “type of work”
The FAA is investigating the crash.

Farmers across the state are beginning to harvest another rice crop. There was a phenomenal crop last year yielding a statewide average of 7,500 pounds per acre. LSU AgCenter Rice Specialist, Dr. Johnny Saichuck (SAY-chuck), says that won’t happen this year as 2013 was a special one for farmers…:
CUT 5 (06) “on everything”
He estimates this year’s yield to come in at around 6,500 pounds per acre.

Now that schools are in session across the state, teachers are in classrooms with no idea what assessment test will be given this year. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan says most teachers are irritated about being in the middle of a political battle between BESE and the Department of Education and Governor Bobby Jindal over Common Core. He says these political forces need to make this year about teaching…:
CUT 8 (06) “on the backburner”
The two sides head to court this week.

There’s been another death from West Nile in Louisiana according to HDD. The first death was out of Caddo Parish and this latest claimed the life of someone over 75 in an area around the Baton Rouge and Feliciana Parishes. DHH Medical Director in Central Louisiana David Holcombe says the threat of West Nile sticks around until cooler weather arrives…:
CUT 15 (09) “very precipitously”
He urges Louisianians to take every precaution before that time.

Farmers across the state are beginning to harvest another rice crop after a record harvest last year. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 2 (28) “reporting”

Police in Ponchatoula are investigating the death of a former LSU and UNO basketball player who was found in a friends swimming pool on Sunday. They say foul play is not suspected and an autopsy is being performed to determine the exact cause of the death of Matt Derenbecker who was just 22 years old.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals confirms the state’s second West Nile virus death this year. The death occurred in the Capital Area Region 2 which consists of East and West Feliciana, East and West Baton Rouge, Pointe Coupee, Iberville and Ascension Parishes. Medical Director for the Office of Public Health in central Louisiana, David Holcombe, says there are now 29 cases of West Nile in Louisiana…:
CUT 13 (07) “for the same period”
The victim is over the age of 75.

The New Orleans Police Department says they are investigating a shooting and apparent suicide that took place where four Lafayette area men were staying at the Westin on Canal Street yesterday morning after a three hour standoff with authorities. The alleged 20-year-old shooter is said to have fired at his friend in the chest. After the hours of negotiations police believe the 20-year-old shot himself. The 24-year-old shooting victim was in stable condition. The men are not being identified at this time.

A crop duster crash in Iberia Parish has claimed the life of an experienced pilot. Lieutenant Jeremy Kelley, with the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s office, says a Bell 47 helicopter crashed near a cane field north of US 90 Sunday morning..:
CUT 10 (12) “coroner’s office”
The pilot has been identified as 60-year-old Kenneth Squires of Jeanerette.

Farmers across the state are beginning to harvest another rice crop. There was a phenomenal crop last year yielding a statewide average of 7,500 pounds per acre. LSU AgCenter Rice Specialist, Dr. Johnny Saichuck (SAY-chuck), says we shouldn’t expect those same numbers with this year’s crop…”
CUT 4 (09) “had last year”
He estimates this year’s yield to come in at around 6,500 pounds per acre.

Sunday was LSU media day and the first opportunity for reporters to speak with members of the Tigers second ranked recruiting class. True freshman Quarterback Brandon Harris is battling with sophomore Anthony Jennings for a starting spot and a decision on who will start the season opener is not expected anytime soon. Even Harris admits there’s not much separating himself with Jennings…:
CUT 16 (13) “don’t know”
Most of the hype with this freshmen class is center around running back Leonard Fournette. The former St Aug star has high expectations for his freshmen season..:
CUT 17 (07) “Heisman candidate”

Once again injured New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees did not practice on Sunday as the team got back to the field for its final few days of practice at The Greenbrier resort in West Virginia. He didn’t play either in the Saints pre-season win over the St. Louis Rams on Friday night. He’s still considered day-to-day after he injured his left oblique on August 2nd and he’s been out since. Coach Sea Payton says they’re remaining caution as they hope to avoid any lingering issues.

LSU sophomore cornerback Kavahra Holmes made it official on Twitter over the weekend that he’s decided to transfer to the Ragin’ Cajuns. The Breaux Bridge native was a 3-star prospect coming out of high school and played in only one game for the Tigers last season. He’ll probably have to sit out a season before being able to play in 2015.

Former LSU & UNO basketball player Matt Derenbecker was found dead in a swimming pool of a friends house in Pontchatoula on Sunday according to reports. Derenbecker played as a Tiger in 2011 and transferred to Dayton before coming back to Louisiana to play for UNO. He was just 22.

With school starting around the state, teachers are educating kids in the classroom with no idea what assessment test will be given this year. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan says educators are frustrated and angry about all of this…:
CUT 7 (06) “very political process”
He says he hopes the state will use this year to evaluate teachers on performance in the classroom instead of end-of-year student test scores. Meanwhile the arguments over Common Core standards begin tomorrow.

State Police say a man who was pulled over on I-20 near Bossier Parish is dead after a struggle with officers while they were attempting to take him in to custody. They say the driver is identified as 34-year-old Rayshune Henry of Dallas, Texas. During the stop the driver ignored instructions by officers and refused to exit the vehicle according to investigators. They say he was tazed then started having trouble breathing. EMS later found a plastic bag containing a white substance deep in Henry’s thought. He died the next morning.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals confirms the state’s second West Nile virus death this year. Eric Gill Reports…:
CUT 3 (34) “reporting”

The New Orleans Police Department says seven people were shot while they were sitting on a porch in the Lower 9th Ward last night. They say two people died and among those injured are a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old child who are in critical condition. Investigators indicated there are no description of suspects available but witnesses observed a late model dark colored vehicle, possibly a Honda Accord, fleeing the scene.