News for Friday 122112

By Dave Graichen

An LSU expert on the ancient Mayan culture says  the  world  is  not coming  to  an  end  today.  Heather McKillop, Professor of Latin American Studies, says the hype surrounding December 21st, 2012 says more about OUR culture than it does  ancient Maya. She says the fact that  some  are  actually  preparing for doomsday  is  testament  to western  culture's fascination  with  disasters.  She  says  there's nothing in  Mayan  folklore  that  predict  and end of the world, so there's no need to worry.

Gun  shops  across  the  state  report sales are  skyrocketing  amid renewed  calls  for stiffer gun controls.  A  number  of  businesses report the AR-15  style  semi-automatic  rifle is their best seller. Some are out of stock and have weapons on 6-month backorder.

State Police Col. Mike Edmonson announced yesterday afternoon travelers will be able to continue using  their Louisiana driver’s licenses to board airplanes. Edmonson says that’s because  the U.S. Department of Homeland Security postponed the deadline for complying with the federal Real ID Act of 2005. Had Homeland Security not agreed to defer its Jan. 15 deadline, Louisiana residents would have been required to use passports as identification for traveling and entering federal facilities because the state had not brought its driver’s licenses into compliance with the federal law. Edmonson says the extension is for 6 months.

Louisiana's health department is acknowledging that planned cuts in the state's Medicaid program will eliminate hospice care for all Medicaid recipients beginning in February. Hospice care aims to make dying people more comfortable, in many cases in their own homes, in their final months of life. In announcing reductions to hospice care funding last week, officials with Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration said hospice care at nursing homes would not be eliminated. But, apparently that was not true.  The Times-Picayune reports that Kathleen Meyers, a spokeswoman for the state health agency, confirmed there will be no reimbursement for hospice services at all beginning Feb. 1.

A busy holiday travel weekend is getting underway in Louisiana. AAA  spokesman Don Redman says about 93-million Americans - about 1 in 4 of  us - will travel 50 miles or more for the holiday.  Redman says about 5 & 1/2 million Americans will fly to their holiday  destinations; a 4% increase from last year. He says many will be  starting their road trip or heading for the airport  today.

Louisiana motorists can no longer claim an alternative fuels vehicle tax  credit  on  their flex-fuel vehicles. State Revenue  Department Executive Counsel  Tim  Barfield  says  the law that created the tax

credit  was  not intended to cover cars and  trucks  that  can  burn either gasoline or ethanol. Barfield says the alternative  fuel  vehicles  tax  credit  is still available to anyone who has bought an electric car, a hybrid or cars burning  compressed  natural  gas  or  biodiesel. He says if the two fuels your vehicle can burn are stored in  the  same tank, you're no longer eligible.

Louisiana retail merchants are optimistic for a big finish to the  holiday shopping season. Retail analyst Jim Rutledge says the shopping  season surged right after Thanksgiving, but has since slowed a bit. However, he says indicators lead them to believe they'll finish strong.

LSU punter Brad Wing has been suspended for the Chick-Fil-A Bowl and has likely seen his last days as an LSU Tiger according to some. The Athletic Department issued a statement confirming the suspension. Insiders say Wing failed multiple drug tests and other sources say Wing will enter the NFL draft.

GM is recalling 145-thousand Chevy Colorado and GMC  Canyon  pickups for  a  problem  that  can  cause  the  hood to fly open suddenly at highway speeds. The trucks were manufactured at the now-shuttered GM plant in Shreveport. Some of the pickups  may  not have the required secondary hood latch that would prevent the hood from flying open.

The state agency in charge of overseeing food safety in restaurants pledged Thursday to get its operations up to national standards by the end of 2013. One of the biggest takeaways from an Office of Public Health news conference Thursday was a commitment to address a significant inspection backlog by September. The agency also promised that Louisiana restaurants which handle raw meat or other easily contaminated foods will be subject to at least four surprise inspections per year. Thursday’s announcement comes just three weeks after a legislative audit report criticized the agency for not cracking down on unsanitary restaurants.

LSU's  FACES forensic lab will help Shreveport authorities  identify skeletal  human  remains  found  this  week  under  an Interstate 20 bridge. Dr. Mary Manhein's team will try to determine who the person

was  and  how  he  or  she  died. The Caddo Coroner says there's  no outward indication of foul play.

The  Tangipahoa  Parish  Sheriff's Office says it will give $2500 to the person with information  that  cracks  the  case of the November 14th  murder  of Mary Alvarez. The wife of a Hammond  plant  nursery owner was found  by  her husband, dying from a single gunshot to the head. Sheriff's spokeswoman  Dawn  Panepinto  ask anyone with useful information in the case to please contact their office.

A state judge has ruled that a  Denham  Springs  woman, who arranged Christmas  light  on  her roof in the shape of a hand  flipping  the middle finger, may put  the  display back up. The judge ruled Denham Springs Police were wrong to suggest  she  could  be  fined  if  she refused to take it down after neighbors complained. No word from the woman if she will put it back up or not. Word is, the reason she set up the display was because she was upset with some of her neighbors.

A 25-year-old Metairie woman is under arrest; accused of teaching  a 16-year-old how to be a prostitute on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Emilie  Cook,  also  known  as  Bunny,  is  charged with trafficking children for sexual purpose. She allegedly set  up  engagements  for herself and the girl for $500 each...with an undercover cop.

A Leesville  man  gets  a  five-year  federal  prison  sentence  for possessing   child   pornography.  36-year-old  Emerson  Austin  was arrested back in 2009,  after  officers  found the sexually explicit

materials in his home. After his sentence  is  complete, Austin will have to serve 10 years supervised release.

News for Wednesday 121912

By Dave Graichen

A state district judge has upheld most of Governor Jindal's education  reform law targeting teachers, but has ruled against part of the law  that addresses the authority of school boards. Baton Rouge Rep. Steve Carter sponsored the so-called Talent Act. He says Judge Michael  Caldwell ruled in favor of the most important parts of the new law. The judge upheld parts of the law relating to teacher tenure and pay based on performance, instead of seniority. He struck down parts  addressing powers of school boards and superintendents.

The Pineville PD believes 55 year old Carolyn Farr stole more than $25,000 from an elderly woman she was caring for. The investigation began back in October after a complaint was filed with police. As a result of their  investigation, Farr was charged with unauthorized use of an access card over $500, forgery and exploitation of the infirmed.

A special meeting of the Alexandria City Council will be held at 3 p.m. today in City Council chambers at city hall to swear in two newly-elected council members, Lee Rubin, at-large representative, and Jules Green, District 3 representative. Also on the agenda is recognition of outgoing council members Roosevelt L. Johnson and Jerry W. Jones Jr. The new council will then elect a president and vice president to serve in 2013. A reception with light refreshments will follow.

The Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's office arrests an 18-year-old Belle  Chasse High School student for threatening to shoot up the school and  kill a teacher. Sheriff's office spokesperson Eric Becnel says Leonard  Jourdan was arrested Monday and admitted to making the threats. The man was charged with terrorizing

Two elementary school  principals in Ponchatoula received threatening letters. Police chief Bry

Layrisson says the two letters were handwritten and due to the nature of  the text could be from the same person. The chief says the letters are  vague but do refer to the recent school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. Layrisson says the Ponchatoula P-D is working with the Louisiana State  Police crime lab, checking handwriting samples and D-N-A as well...

It's one of the most popular reality shows being talked about in Louisiana, but A&E's Duck Dynasty is making major waves throughout the  country. The reality series profiles the regular 'ole "redneck" Robertson  family, who became millionaires after creating a new efficient duck  call. Robertson's wife, Miss Kay, says she's always been madly in love  with her husband, but life is much better with him now that they're  rich. New episodes for the show begin airing next year.

It all started with two suspected shoplifters and it ended with 2 people dead. State police report a high-speed police chase results in two fatalities. State Police Trooper Jared Sandifer says Gonzales Police pursued two suspected  shoplifters from an outlet mall in Ascension Parish on Tuesday. Sandifer says the chase continued into Iberville Parish where the driver began  driving recklessly, eventually crashing the vehicle.  The two suspects were killed in the wreck.

Remote operated vehicles, seeking a possible oil leak from the shuttered  BP Macondo well, have found nothing. After four days of searching, no  evidence was found to link a surface sheen in the area to the well.  State Coastal Affairs director Garrett Graves says the ROV mission  results are unsatisfactory to him. The sheen could possibly be the result of natural seeps from the sea  floor. Graves says relief well drilling could have somehow caused a seep  as well. He says the state will keep pressure on the Coast Guard and BP to continue their search for the leak.

A 4-year-old boy has been stabbed to death and a 25-year-old DeRidder man, believed to be the child's uncle, has been arrested. Beaureard Parish Sheriff's Office spokesman Joe Toler said authorities received a call around 3:30 Tuesday afternoon about a child being stabbed in the chest at a residence west of DeRidder.  John W. Hatfield III, who was at the scene, was taken into custody without incident. Authorities are not saying what if any charges will be filed against the man.

News for Monday 121712

By Dave Graichen

Another major part of Governor Jindal's education reform package faces a  court challenge today. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve  Monaghan says ACT 1, which changes teacher tenure rules, is illegal  because it has many separate and distinct purposes. Monagahn says thestate's constitution says a law must have one single intent. Act I prohibits districts from using seniority as the primary factor in  teacher layoff decisions and compensation would be tied to student  achievement.

State Police is asking for the public's help in tracking down the  driver of a car they believe struck and killed a five year old autistic  child over the weekend in West Baton Rouge Parish. Authorities say for unknown reasons, the child wandered away from a  church Christmas party Saturday night onto a highway in Port Allen. An investigation revealed that the child traveled on foot  approximately two miles from the location of the Christmas Party and  was found just before 1am Sunday in the grass beyond the westbound  shoulder of Hwy 190. The child had been struck and killed. Police say, so far they have little to go on.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff's office announced Friday that an arrest  has been made in  the murder of Dorothy  Rosier whose remains  were  recently found after nearly three years. Lt. Tommy Carline says  61-year-old Paul Jackson of Alexandria was arrested Thursday night. Jackson is charged with 2nd degree murder and obstruction  of justice. Carnline says the investigation is still ongoing and no further  information as to cause of death or motive is available at this  time. Rosier and Jackson were family friends.

The Department of Health and Hospitals and the Department of Children  and Family Services receive the largest cuts in a midyear budget cutting  plan released by the Jindal administration. A total of 165-million dollars in cuts will occur as result of lower than expected revenues.

Louisiana elects not to create its own insurance exchange that's part  of the new federal health care law. It means the federal government  will control the marketplace where uninsured Louisiana residents can choose a health plan.  The exchanges will work much the same way some people use certain internet sites to purchase airplane tickets. There will be a website with a list various health plans.  Friday was the deadline for states to accept the Obama administration's  invitation to run their own health insurance market. Open enrollment  plans for the exchange plans start next October.

Gov. Bobby Jindal, chairman of the Republican Governor’s Association, says birth control should be sold over the counter in part because his party has “been stupid to let the Democrats demagogue the contraceptives issue.”  In an online article published by The Wall Street Journal,  the governor is quoted as saying  adults 18 and older should be allowed to buy contraceptives over the counter and that people who have religious or other objections to birth control should not be “forced by government health-care edicts to purchase it for others.”

The after-effects of Hurricane Isaac are still being felt in the citrus  groves of Plaquemines Parish. LSU AgCenter county agent Alan Vaughn says growers expect to be able to harvest only 10 percent of navels and only 20 percent of satsumas this year.

A federal judge has refused to let a Monroe doctor withdraw her guilty plea to a charge stemming from a plot to smuggle and illegally sell human growth hormones. Dr. Linda Bunch’s attorney said he plans to appeal Friday’s ruling by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Foote. Bunch claims her former attorneys pressured her into pleading guilty in December 2011 and failed to investigate evidence in her favor. Prosecutors argued she failed to give a valid reason for withdrawing her plea. Bunch, who is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 24, is one of three people charged in the case. An indictment accused them of  conspiring to import and distribute HGH from China that wasn’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

The Saints finally put it all together on Sunday and recorded an  impressive 41 to 0 victory over division rival Tampa Bay. Quarterback  Drew Brees led the way with 307 yards passing and four touchdowns.

News For Thursday 121312

By Dave Graichen

Louisiana College is still in hot water with SACS. Association officials announced yesterday the College will remain "on warning for a second straight year. Pamela Cravey, the SACS coordinator of communications and external affairs provided The Town Talk an email saying LC remained on warning because of shortcomings in several areas, Institutional effectiveness, in the area of educational programs, administrative support services, academic and student support services, general education competencies and faculty competence. The designation means LC remains an accredited institution but has been denied a reaffirmation of that accreditation.

We hate to hear of another Cenla institution going out of business. But, yesterday the owners of Carol Furniture, saying the time was right,  announced they were throwing in the towel after 70 years.  The store will have a closing sale in the first few months of 2013.

Central Louisiana Technical Community College will have to wait for its first permanent chancellor. The Louisiana Community and Technical College Board of Supervisors announced Wednesday that it has delayed making appointments for chancellors at CLTCC and Louisiana Delta Community College in Monroe. The board says it needs more time to evaluate all candidates. No date has been set yet for a future meeting on the matter.

State Police say operations at Camp Minden in Webster Parish resumed this week and 3 million pounds of improperly stored explosives  have now  been  moved  with about 3 million more to go. Spokesperson Matt Harris says the technicians took the weekend off because the process is very strenuous. Harris says the process  is being handled in a very safe and precise manner and reaching the halfway mark is a big milestone.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees didn't hold back when speaking to members  of the media about the overturning of the player's suspensions stemming  from Bountygate. At his weekly press conference, the Saints signal-  caller had some strong words to say about N-F-L commissioner Roger  Goodell's handling of the bounty investigation. On Tuesday, former N-F-L commissioner Paul Tagliabue ruled that Saints  players Will Smith and Jonathan Vilma should not be suspended for their  roles in an alleged bounty program. Brees says players are held to a  high standard and commissioner Goodell should be held to the same  accord. Goodell says despite the denials by the Saints,  it's clear a bounty system was in place for three seasons.

After a lengthy debate, the Public Service Commission approves a measure  that will reduce the cost of a phone call made by an inmate by 25-  percent. P-S-C Chairman Foster Campbell pushed to lower jailhouse phone rates, because calls made from  prisons are three to 30 times higher than consumer rates in Louisiana. The Louisiana Sheriff's Association opposed lowering the cost of  jailhouse calls because it will mean less money for sheriffs and it  could jeopardize public safety. Campbell says the new rule passed will  cut jail phone rates by 25-percent for calls made to family members,  clergy and those on an approved list.

The search to find a permanent replacement for Jim Letten as US Attorney  of Eastern District of Louisiana is well underway. Letten's last day in  office was Tuesday as he resigned in the wake of an online posting  scandal involving two of his prosecutors. U-S Senator Mary Landrieu is  confident they'll find a very good replacement. Landrieu says she'll spend the next few weeks talking with community and legal leaders about potential replacements. The first assistant U-S Attorney in eastern Virginia, Dana Boente  (Buh-wen-tay) is handling Letten's old job on an interim basis.

More good news coming down  the  pike as we get closer and closer to the Christmas holidays.  Another check  of gasoline prices statewide shows the average price of a gallon of regular  has  fallen  another penny  to $3.13.  Which only means some stations are selling it  for more and some for much less..as low as $2.97.  That $3.13 per gallon price is  the  same  as it was this time last year.  Indications are the price should keep falling.

As part of the Council for a Better Louisiana's 50th anniversary,  all four living former governors of Louisiana spoke at one table to  discuss decades of Louisiana politics. The event included Govs. Kathleen Blanco, Mike Foster, Edwin Edwards and Buddy Roemer. Blanco  said it was a privilege to all be together. Former governor  Edwards says it's a good thing he wasn't allowed to run again, because

 if he could....he'd win again.

Baton  Rouge  Police  say a would-be  carjacker  was  shot  by  his intended victim in the  24-hundred  block  of  North Acadian Thruway Tuesday night. Authorities say a 40-year-old man ran  out of gas and he was  waiting  for his friend to bring a can of gas, when  two  young males came up to the vehicle. Investigators say the two men showed a gun, a struggle  ensued  and  the  victim  shot  the  suspect in the stomach. Both suspects have been arrested.

LSU still has several thousand tickets available for the Chick-Fil-A  Bowl on New Year's Eve in Atlanta. Coach Les Miles expects a large  contingent of purple and gold fans to cheer on The Tigers and can't  see why fans wouldn't want to attend the game. LSU begins practicing today for the bowl game.

News for Tuesday 121112

By Dave Graichen

Authorities have positively identified the remains of a Pineville woman  who has been missing for nearly three years. Dorothy Rosier  went missing January 11th, 2010. Hunters discovered her remains in LaSalle Parish last month and Rapides Sheriff's Office Lt. Tommy Carnline says it took over two weeks to get positive identification. Carnline says they have classified Rosier's case as a homicide, but  they are not speculating on any suspects or cause of death. Rosier was 25-years-old and living with a family member when she went  missing.

Good economic development news for Jena. United Plant Services plans to  invest nearly $4-million to build  a  new  full-service  machine facility to provide welding, fabrication, and equipment overhaul and repair. It means an eventual 95 new jobs at high pay.

San Diego-based Sempra Energy said Monday it has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for permission to begin building natural gas liquefaction and export facilities at the company’s existing Cameron LNG terminal in Hackberry. Sempra said the permit request is an important milestone in the company’s effort to begin exporting liquefied natural gas. According to Sempra, the southwest Louisiana project would create nearly 3,000 construction jobs and about 130 full-time jobs when the facility begins operating.

The Rapides Parish School Board will use about $3.1 million to give all district employees a one-time salary increase. Any employee hired on or after Oct. 31 and employed through March 30 will receive $750 on Dec. 20. Employees must complete workshops set by the district next semester by March 30. The Board approved the increase with a 4-3 vote at a special meeting on Monday.

The Rapides Parish Police Jury adopted what Treasurer Tim Ware calls a "standstill budget" at its monthly meeting Monday. Ware said, while they don’t  project any big increases, but we don't see any big decreases, either.” General Fund revenue for 2013 is projected to be very close to the budget amount in this year’s budget.

The National  Weather  Service  has  confirmed that it was a tornado that hit Baker, in East Baton Rouge Parish,  yesterday  morning as a cold front made it way across the state. The EF-1 twister   caused   major  damage  to  a  fire  station  and  several businesses. Several  nearby  homes  had  moderate damage. No one was seriously hurt.

The man accused of driving drunk  on May 30th when he crashed into a car killing seven people has pleaded  guilty  to all seven counts of vehicular homicide. Brett Gerald appeared in court yesterday morning for the start of his trial, but chose to plead guilty to the charges.

Deputies in Sabine Parish say the body of a 23-year-old Natchitoches Parish man was recovered from the  Toledo  Bend Reservoir around noon Monday. Justin Wilson of Provencel was reported missing during Sunday night's storm. Authorities say Wilson was trying  to retrieve a boat that had become untied from the shore.

A St. Helena Parish man plead guilty to seven counts of vehicular  homicide Monday. Brett Gerald admitted he was drunk behind the wheel  when his Dodge pick-up slammed into a Mercury Grand Marquis, killing all  seven people inside that vehicle. Authorities say Gerald was celebrating his 30th birthday at a Zachary  restaurant prior to the deadly accident on May 30th in East Feliciana  Parish. The victims were heading home from church.

The  Associated  Press  says they've learned high  ranking  staffers within the Jindal administration  used  personal emails to discuss a media strategy for announcing Medicaid cuts. The report says the email exchanges took place over  the  summer and participants  included Jindal's top budget adviser, health secretary Bruce Greenstein and Jindal's communications staff. The AP says, though it may not have been the intention, using private emails gives the impression the governor and his staff had something to hide. 

Now the good news, the colder it gets...the  less  we're paying  at  the pump. Prices dropped  two  cents  over  night  to  a statewide average  of $3.14 for a gallon of regular. That's 12 cents less that a month ago.

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon reminds property insurance  policyholders not to let time run out on claiming a rebate of money  assessed on their 2008 homeowners insurance. He says we all have the  right to ask for the rebates, but only for a four-year period. The assessments were and are made to repay debt incurred to pay all of  LA Citizens Insurance's 2005 Katrina and Rita claims. Donelon says, in  2007, the Legislature agreed to refund property holders those annual  assessments.. He says more than $287-million in assessment refunds  from 2008 to 2012 remain unclaimed.

State health officials announce public-private partnerships to run three  LSU hospitals, in New Orleans, Lafayette and Houma. Department of Health  & Hospitals Secretary Bruce Greenstein says this will help fill budget  gaps at those facilities, and will preserve jobs. Greenstein says the agreement means planned layoffs at LSU hospitals  this month will NOT happen. He says Legislators and LSU officials must agree to the deal before it can proceed. LSU's budget has been stripped of over $300-million after Congress chopped Louisiana's Medicaid funding.

Divers have found  an  SUV  that drove off an I-10 off-ramp in Baton Rouge and crashed into a drainage  canal with over 20 feet of water. It happened around 1:30 yesterday afternoon near the  city's  Mall  of  Louisiana. Witness  say they saw a woman in an SUV miss a turn and plunge  into the canal. No one saw her get out before the vehicle submerged.

State Police are investigating a crash that has tragically taken the life of a Natchitoches Parish  Sheriff's deputy. They say Rick Issac Jr. was entering a slight curve  on  Hwy  1  when his police cruiser hydroplaned in the rain and slammed into several  trees. The man who is  survived by his pregnant wife, was pronounced dead  at  a  local hospital.

A Pitkin man convicted of manslaughter in the 2009 death of Kimberly Ann Stephens has received a 38-year prison sentence. Billie Jo Weldon was convicted in the slaying of Stephens, 27 of DeRidder, in September. The Calcasieu Parish Coroner's Office determined that Stephens died of head trauma. Her body was found in August 2009 near U.S. Highway 171 in the Pleasant Hill community.

News for Friday 120712

By Dave Graichen

Four Pineville men and two 16-year-old Alexandria boys are in jail on a long list of sex crime charges, including raping two girls -- one barely a teenager, the other a few years from becoming a teen. Prosecutors say the girls were raped and enticed into prostitution with the men and boys, including at least one relative.

Voters are asked to go to the polls one more time tomorrow, to decide  runoff elections left undecided in November. Secretary of State Tom  Schedler says south Louisiana must choose which of two seated congressmen--Charles Boustany or Jeff Landry--will represent the state's  new District Three. Even so, Schedler feels turnout for the runoff will  be low. Here in Alexandria, two city council seats will be decided.

Embattled  New  Orleans  area U.S. Attorney Jim Letten, the man  who successfully prosecuted former  Governor  Edwin Edwards, will resign his post. Letten has been in the crosshairs  since  it  became known that  two  of  his  top  prosecutors  were using fake names to  post inflammatory  online  comments  about  cases   they  were  currently prosecuting. Letten says he's served Louisiana's  eastern district a long time, and it's time to move on. Letten says he will retire from public service.

State education officials are preparing their appeal, after a judge  ruled last week the new private school vouchers program is  unconstitutional.  A week ago, state District Court Judge Tim Kelley ruled the "School  Choice Act" unconstitutional, for its use of public school funds to pay  private and parochial school tuitions. The suit was filed by two  teachers unions and the state School Boards association. State Supt. Of Education John White says  they're obstructing education progress.  Judge Kelley ruled the state Constitution clearly says the funding for  public education will be used only for public schools.

Highway deaths in Louisiana fell for the fourth consecutive time last year, and the decline in fatalities among drivers 18-24 ,according to state officials, is especially encouraging. A total of 676 people died in traffic crashes in 2011, a drop of 44 from 2010 and a reduction of about one-third since 2007, according to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. In addition, 72 people ages 18-24 died in crashes, a drop of 19 from the previous year and down from 134 who died in 2007.

The body  of an Assumption Parish man has been found in an Iberville Parish Canal.  The  Assumption  Parish  Sheriff's  office  says Tony Rodriguez was the victim of an armed robbery Tuesday night. They say he was found by fisherman this morning shot in the chest.

A federal report endorsing exports of liquefied natural gas gives developers of the proposed multibillion-dollar facilities the “green light” to move forward, an LSU energy expert said Thursday. So far, 22 liquefaction facilities have been proposed nationwide — six of them onshore or offshore in Louisiana. Only Cheniere Energy’s $5.6 billion Sabine Pass project in Cameron Parish has been approved to export to countries that don’t have a free-trade agreement with the United States. The proposed projects could export 28.7 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day, well over a third of current domestic production, according to the Department of Energy.

Four  young  children  from  Covington were dramatically rescued  as their  home went up in flames early  Thursday  morning.  State  Fire Marshal  Butch  Browning says the mother was able to escape with two children, then through  the  heroic  efforts  of  the Covington Fire Department,  the two children trapped inside the home  were  rescued but sustained  severe  burns  and  smoke  inhalation.  He  says  the decision  of  two  firefighters  to  jump  into a burning home saved lives. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Many offices will be holding Christmas Parties for their employees  over the next couple of weeks and there are a few steps you can  take to ensure things don't get too out of hand. Rene Amar with the National Federation of Independent Business says to avoid liability issues, employers should try to limit alcohol use. Amar says offices should ensure that their employees have alternate  transportation home such as a designated driver or a taxi. She says  sometimes work Christmas parties can create an environment that can  lead to sexual harassment claims. Amar says don't hang mistletoe at the party that may encourage  inappropriate behavior. She says employees should be reminded about harassment policies before the party. And oh yes.. Merry Chriatmas

After 22 wins in three seasons at Louisiana Tech, Sonny Dykes leaves Ruston  for  the  head  coaching  job at California. It was expected Dykes  would  leave  for a more high-profile  job  after  posting  a

nine-win season.

Hunters report fewer sightings of deer in Louisiana wilds this year, and State Wildlife & Fisheries agents say the invasion of feral pigs is partially to blame. The hogs  aggressively  compete with deer for foraged  food,  and  bucks  and  does  tend  to steer clear  of  the voracious animals, when they're around.

For the second time in less than a week, a black bear has been found shot to death. An adult female  black  bear  was illegally killed in Pointe Coupee Parish and found by a hunter. A  few days before that, a  dead  black bear was found in Avoyelles Parish.  Maria  Davidson, with the LDWF wildlife division says  a  $6000  reward  is being offered for any information that leads to the arrest of the person  responsible  for this latest bear death.

A Carencro strip club is closed, after a federal raid Wednesday. The club's owner, 54-year-old James Panos is charged  with maintaining a drug-involved  premises at Desperado's nightclub. Several  strippers and  customers were  arrested  on  drug  and  prostitution  charges, including a UL-Lafayette journalism professor. Agents say they found him in a private room with a dancer, engaged in sex for money.

LSU  hospital employees who were expecting to get laid off next month got some  good  news earlier this week. The LSU Health Care Services Division put on hold  most  of  the 15-hundred layoffs scheduled for January  21st.

A Lake Charles teen, accused of killing his aunt last year, has been ruled mentally fit to stand trial. 18-year-old Jeffrey Doise pleaded not  guilty  by  reason of insanity to 2nd degree murder. He was  17 when he allegedly  killed his aunt, Susan Doise, at her Lake Charles home - where he had  been  living. Two psychiatrists agreed Doise is competent to stand trial.

State Police will lift the voluntary evacuation order for the Webster  Parish town of Doyline at noon today. For the last seven days, crews  moved millions of pounds of improperly stored explosives on land leased by Explo at Camp Minden. LSP Sgt. James anderson says the threat of a  chain reaction explosion has been reduced. He says they are moving the explosive  product flats away from each other so that if it were to go off, it  would not cause a major explosion.

News for Wednesday 120512

By Dave Graichen

Former Alexandria Mayor Carroll E. Lanier passed away yesterday at the age of 86. Lanier was mayor  from 1977 to 1982.  Lanier also served as the city's commissioner of finance and utilities from 1969 to 1973 and as the executive director of the Alexandria Housing Authority from 1988 until his retirement in 2000. Visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. at Hixson Brothers in Alexandria, and from 8 a.m. until services at 1 p.m. in the Hixson Brothers chapel.

The Rapides Parish School Board Approved a new time line at its meeting yesterday in its search for a new School Superintendent . Under that time line, the Board would vote to appoint a replacement for former superintendent Gary Jones at a special meeting on April 9. and we could see a new top educator in place later that month. By the way, the board still has to advertising for applicants in January and February and conduct interviews in  March. On a side note, The School Board also approved entering into a new contract with MacPherson & Jacobson, a private firm hired by the Board in August to advertise for the position, accept applications and perform background checks.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission is providing assistance to workers  who lost their jobs when Hostess Brands ceased operations. L-W-C Rapid  Response Manager, Greg Anders,  Anders says they'll go over things like how to prepare a good resume  and how to conduct a proper interview. He says people who haven't had  to look for a job for many years may need to be refreshed on the  basics of re-entering the workforce. Anders says they'll also be answering questions about retirement and insurance. Hostess  Brands employees can find out more about their re-employment sessions by  visiting la-works-dot-net. Anders says they've also partnered with several  companies who are looking for employees with similar skills.  www.laworks.net

The voluntary evacuation in Doyline has been extended until Thursday  and possibly into Friday as the movement of millions of pounds of  explosive gun power continues at Camp Minden. State Police  spokesperson Lt. Julie Lewis says the weather has been a factor in  the delay and they are monitoring those conditions closely.  School in Doyline has been cancelled through at least Thursday  and the  December 8th voting precincts will be moved to a church about two miles south of town.

The University of Louisiana System announces Dr. Les Guice will be the  next president at Louisiana Tech. Guice will replace the retiring Dan  Reneau in July 2013. Guice has been a part of the Louisiana Tech family for nearly four  decades, not only as a student, but also as a faculty member and an administrator.

Louisiana's top school board backed nearly four dozen organizations Tuesday to offer courses to Louisiana's public school students through online classes and other nontraditional means, despite a judge's ruling that the program's planned financing is unconstitutional. Superintendent of Education John C. White recommended 45 course providers receive contracts to participate in the "Course Choice" program, scheduled to begin next year. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education backed the list in an 8-2 vote, with final authorization planned for today.

Most of the 1,500 state employee layoffs scheduled for Jan. 21 at LSU hospitals across south Louisiana have been put on hold. LSU officials said Tuesday they will not proceed with layoffs  as negotiations continue with private partners for operations of the seven hospitals under LSU’s Health Care Services Division, including those in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Lafayette.  A DHH official announced yesterday, since those discussions are ongoing and the partners have indicated a desire to maintain as many services as possible, the state will hold off the layoffs for now.

Despite concerns about adequate funding, a committee of Louisiana’s top school board Tuesday approved plans to overhaul the state’s often-criticized pre-kindergarten system. The plan was endorsed by a committee of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education without dissent.  Most of the full board sat in on the meeting, which means that final approval on today is all but certain. The plan that won approval is aimed at revamping what critics call a pre-K system that features uneven quality, standards and availability. The state will establish early learning performance guidelines for those from zero to age 3 and academic standards for 3- and 4-year-olds. Pre-K centers and schools will get letter grades, and state aid will be linked to how the centers perform.  Pilot projects are set for the 2013-14 school year. All the changes take effect for 2015-16.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation breaks ground on a major  widening and resurfacing project in St. Landry Parish. State D-O-T-D  spokesperson Jodi Conachen says the three-point-five million dollar project on La. Highway 93 is important to improve access to several  heavily travelled roads. Conachen says Highway 93 is a vital link for motorists to various  transportation facilities in south Louisiana. Construction could last up to two years.

Over one-in-five Louisiana young people, between ages 16 and 24, are not  in school and not holding down a job. That comes from the annual "Kids  Count" report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Casey's Laura Speer says  the poor U.S. economy is a contributing factor. The report finds that employment among youths is at its lowest level  since World War 2. In Louisiana, just 41% of people between 16 and 24  had jobs in 2011.

According to a new survey, about 1/3 of students in middle school are  using their phones or tablets to do their homework. Justina Nixon-  Saintil is the education director for The Verizon Foundation which commissioned the study. She says the main way students are using  these devices is to do research for school projects, she also says there are thousands of free applications  students can turn to in order to help them conquer things like math concepts or "virtually" dissect an animal. She says as a teacher, she sees her students using apps like this all the time. The study also found that the students who use  their smart phones for learning take a greater interest in the  subject.

A report from the Louisiana legislative auditor's office says the state  department of transportation has failed to collect millions of dollars  in toll money on Highway 1 Leeville Bridge in Lafourche Parish.   The auditor's report found that the department of transportation  allowed up to 300-thousand cars and trucks to use the toll bridge  without paying.  According to the audit the D-O-T-D  failed to send 40-thousand delinquency notices to violators. The state is still trying to recover that money. DOTD officials say the problem has been corrected and collections are now above 95%.

News for Monday 120312

By Dave Graichen

A Baton Rouge judge rules Governor Bobby Jindal's new statewide voucher  program in unconstitutional, because it illegally diverts money for  public schools to pay for students to attend private and parochial schools.  Judge Tim Kelley made the ruling after hearing three days of testimony. He heard oral arguments Friday, and ruled just a few hours later. Haynes says it's clear in the state Constitution that money placed in a fund for public schools can only be used for public education. The President of the  state's Board of Elementary and Secondary  Education, Penny Dastugue says an appeal of the ruling is a certainty.

Amid criticism and an ongoing investigation of New Orleans area U.S.  Attorney Jim Letten's office, there seems little doubt that President  Obama will replace him soon. "LAPolitics.com" publisher and columnist John Maginnis says Letten had enjoyed bipartisan support until recently, when two of his top assistants  admitted to  posting anonymous and highly opinionated online comments about cases  they were actively working.  Maginnis says Letten himself has performed terrifically in bringing  corrupt individuals to justice, but the actions of a few within his  office have tarnished his reputation

A High School teacher from Lake Charles becomes the new leader of the  state's largest National Guard Unit. Col Damian Waddell, who's been a  guardsman for 17 years, takes over command of the 256th Infantry  Combat Team.  Waddell is a teacher and a coach at Sam Houston High School in Lake  Charles as his civilian job. He says his first goal is to build up  the strength of the 2-5-6 which is headquartered in Lafayette.

It is now official, LSU will play Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on New Year's Eve in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. central time on 96.9 KZMZ. The game will also be telecast on ESPN.

If you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet, here  a good opportunity, staff from the Office of Public Health will administer flu and other vaccines from 1:30 to 3 p.m. this Wednesday at the Alexandria Museum of Art in downtown Alexandria. The office has a limited stock of flu vaccine, as well as some vaccines.  Out-of-pocket expense will be a maximum $10.

Louisiana health officials report 11 new cases of West Nile virus this week, with one additional West Nile-related death. That brings the total number of West Nile cases in Louisiana this year to 382, with a death toll of 17. Four new neuroinvasive disease cases were reported this week were in Bossier, Calcasieu, St. Helena and Winn parishes. Five West Nile fever cases were in Bossier, Cameron, Concordia, East Feliciana and Orleans parishes. Two asymptomatic cases were in Grant and Pointe Coupee parishes.

A 22-year-old Lafayette Parish mother and her 21-year-old boyfriend are  behind bars in connection with the death of a 3-year-old boy. Sheriff's  office spokesperson Captain Kip Judice says Landon Broussard was charged  with 1st-degree murder for physically beating the boy, while the mother,  Laura Smith, was charged with principal to first-degree murder. Judice says they found bruises on the little boy's body that were fresh  and also some that were healing.

The trial of a former Ouachita Parish school teacher, accused of making  bomb threats, begins today. 30-year-old David Reyna allegedly called in  bomb scares at three Monroe area private schools in September. Legal  analyst Tim Meche says, because Reyna confessed to the crime, his only

possible defense is to argue no ill intent. Court documents reveal that Reyna admitted to using illegal drugs and  suffers emotional problems like depression, insomnia and more.

The Louisiana Department of the Treasury is publishing lists of the names of people who are entitled to unclaimed property in the public notice section of certain newspapers. If you're on one of the lists, all you have to do to claim your money is contact the state Treasury Department and get the ball rolling. The names of unclaimed property owners are available at www.LATreasury.com. A claim can be filed on the same website.

UNO has received a 1.5 million dollar grant from NASA to make  improvements to the nation’s air traffic control system. Researchers at  UNO will be joined by colleagues from LSU and Southern to create a new  air traffic control system known as NextGen. Principal researcher Rong  Li  says the current system is strained to the limit and demand for air  space is expected to double by 2025. NextGen will give pilots more  control by getting better real-time information to them so they can make  better decisions.

Owners of a failed brine storage cavern say they are doing their best to comply with a state order to quickly resolve problems created by an eight-acre sinkhole in Assumption Parish. , Company spokesman Sonny Cranch said over the weekend, lawyers for Texas Brine Co. will review a $100,000 fine imposed Saturday by state Conservation Commissioner James Welsh, who said the company hasn't complied with his Nov. 12 order to speed work. Residents of 150 Bayou Corne-area homes evacuated in August, after the sinkhole formed. The still have not been allowed to return home.