News for Friday 053014

By Dave Graichen

Governor Bobby Jindal signed a couple of bills  into  law to support Veterans late Wednesday. One would increase information available to doctors  to  improve  health issues that service members often  deal with.  The  other would expand  residential  lease  protections  for military members and their families.

There's  a new law waiting to be signed by the governor  that  would allow state  lawmakers  to carry concealed weapons in areas that any other peace officer could.   That  would  include  several locations labeled as "gun free" zones. If it is signed, they would  be able to pack heat in public buildings , parades and polling places.

A vacation turned deadly for a 21 year old Pineville man. Authorities at Navarre beach Florida say Nathan Hughey drowned while swimming with his sister in rough waters. The sister was able to make it to shore safely. Hughey was a  graduate of Pineville High School and was a student at Louisiana Tech University at the time of his death. The accident happened yesterday.

The city of Alexandria’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Alexandria City Complex, 2021 Industrial Park Road (under the big red roof).

Citizens are encouraged to bring in Household chemicals, Automotive chemicals, Garden and pool chemicals, Pharmaceuticals and Household recyclables. Not welcome, Ammunition, tires, explosives, commercial waste and laboratory waste. Again the event is tomorrow 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Alexandria city complex.

Gov. Bobby Jindal is going to sign into law today a bill called "The  Right to Try" Act which would allow terminally ill patients to  access experimental medications that could save their life. The Goldwater Institute designed this measure and External Affairs Vice  President Victor Riches says  The Right to Try Act enables people with very little  time left to receive potentially life-saving medications that have  been deemed safe by the FDA but are years away from being approved for market.

Governor  Jindal has signed into law a bill that adds domestic abuse to the criteria  for  immediate divorce.  The new law waives the 180 day waiting period for  a divorce involving domestic abuse.  It also makes spousal support mandatory.

The legislature has given final  legislative  approval to a law that would  extend  the  drivers license renewal time to  every  6  years instead of 4.  Baton  Rouge  Senator  Dan Claitor says he decided to

draft this legislation after hearing so  many  complaints  about the wait time at the DMV. The  6  year  fee would be increased, but over time it would end up being the same amount of money.

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's office reports a high school teacher and track coach is under  arrest  for his alleged sexual involvement with a 16-year-old male student. They  say 37-year-old Derrick Nesby of  New  Orleans, the educator from UL Bourgeois  High  School,  was arrested and booked with felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile.

A  former  worker  at the Department of Children and Family Services faces up to 10 years  in  prison  for  using a state issued purchase card  for personal use.  34-year-old Delrice  Augustus  has  pleaded guilty  in  federal  court  to  the  crime.  State Inspector General Stephen  Street says Augustus defrauded  DCFS  out  of  as  much  as 200-thousand dollars. Augustus has admitted to using government purchase cards to buy home entertainment  electronics,  a  dishwater, and other personal items.

Former  New  Orleans  Mayor  Ray  Nagin  has been granted a delay in sentencing  by  U.S.  District  Court Judge Helen  Ginger  Berrigan. Nagin  was  scheduled  for  sentencing  June  11  on  20  counts  of corruption,  including bribery,  conspiracy,  money  laundering  and fraud.  The new date is July 2nd.

The House has given final passage  of a bill requiring women who are seeking  an  abortion  to  receive  a pamphlet  that  explains  the potential   psychological  effects  of  going   through   with   the

procedure. The bill passed 87-0.

The Catfish Institute is raising concerns about the mislabeling of  seafood products in restaurants.  They say studies by media and consumer  organizations find as much as 25 to 50 percent of seafood is mislabeled.  Institute spokesperson Jeff McCord says this happens frequently with  catfish.  Often Vietnamese catfish-type species are offered on menus as catfish. However,  it is against the law. Only an American  species of channel catfish may be labeled as catfish  for any marketing purposes, including menus. 

Governor Jindal has signed a measure that will allow hunters in the  state to use a sound suppressor on their guns for recreational hunting.  The legislation will go into effect August 1.  The bill's sponsor, Metairie Representative Cameron Henry says the use of silencers is better for the shooter's hearing and  mitigates noise complaints. 

News for Wednesday 052814

By Dave Graichen

Much  needed  rain  is  in the forecast this week across  Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry  Keim  says  it's  coming  at a good time, especially  in  southwest  Louisiana  which is experiencing  drought

conditions.  Keim says as of memorial day Lake  Charles  had  only seen a tenth of an inch of rain this month.

The House Appropriations  Committee  has  endorsed  a  $3.6  billion spending  plan  for  public schools.  The Minimum Foundation Program provides most of the money  that  funds  public schools.  The measure was approved without objection and now heads  to the House Education Committee.

The  state  Department of Education says 69-percent of public school students who  took the standardized test known as LEAP, achieved the basic or above  level,  which  is  the same percentage as last year. Superintendent of Education John White  says  27-percent of students performed at the mastery level in English   language  arts and 25-percent of students also achieved the mastery level for math which is a slight increase from last year.

For the second year in a row, the Louisiana Senate Finance Committee killed legislation that would require review and oversight of contracts that would privatize services provided by state government.

The Senate Finance Committee voted 7-3 Tuesday to reject House Bill 128 after deferring  a similar bill last year on a vote of 8-2. HB128 focused on the large contracts of more than $5 million that would, for example, replace the state workers running a prison or hospital with managers from a private company.  Bobby Jindal’s staff had lobbied against the legislation.

The Vermillion Parish Sheriff's office is working the site of a crop duster crash Tuesday morning south of  Gueydan.  Sheriff Mike Couvillon confirms that the pilot is deceased,  however  the  identity has not been  released.  Deputies have secured the scene and have  contacted the FAA and NTSB.

The Bossier Parish Sheriff's office says  a 7-year-old child drowned at  the  Cypress  Black  Bayou  Reservoir east of  Benton  memorial day.  They  say Dawton Smith  apparently  wandered  away  from family and friends and was later found in the water.

The taxi cab driver who was convicted of first degree murder last month  for the March 2010 death of 12-year-old Justin Bloxom of Stonewall will  be formally sentenced today.  A jury has already recommended that Brian  Horn be sentenced to die.

Legislation is heading to Governor Jindal's desk that would prohibit groups   associated   with   abortions   from   distributing  health information  at public schools.  The Senate gave  final  legislative

approval. The  legislation  is  aimed  at  Planned  Parenthood, which supports abortion  rights  for  women.  A co-sponsor of  the  bill,  Bogalusa Senator Ben Nevers, says the bill's purpose is to make sure children at public schools are not targeted by abortion organizations. Governor Jindal is expected to sign the measure into law.

A high-speed  early-morning  pursuit by police has resulted in  the  death  of a young teen-aged  driver  trying  to  get  away. Opelousas Police  attempted  to stop a stolen vehicle that was traveling the wrong way on Highway 190. The driver took off and eventually flipped the vehicle.   Fifteen  year-old Deontei Fuslier was pronounced dead at the scene. Three other teens in the vehicle we ejected and injured.

The  "Deedy Slaughter Bill" has received final legislative  approval in the  Senate  and now heads to Governor Jindal's desk.  Port Allen Senator  Rick  Ward's  legislation  will  prevent  recalled  elected

officials from running  in  the  special  election called to replace them during the same term.  The measure is  named  for  former  Port Allen mayor Deedy Slaughter, who was recalled last November but also ran in the April special election that was aimed at replacing her.

A  Senate  resolution to develop an official brand, certification or label to mark  products that come from Louisiana was approved by the House  Tuesday.   Legislators  requested  the  state  Department  of Economic  Development  to report back to House and Senate agriculture and commerce committees by February 1.

Authorities  in  East  Baton  Rouge  say  they  raided  a very large cockfighting operation involving seventy-five roosters.   EBR Animal Control  and Rescue Center Executive Director Hilton Cole says  they suspect it  was  someone at the fight who called in the complaint to the parish call center because they were upset about losing a bet in a fight.

It was all a mystery about the whereabouts of a woman from Loranger, who had been missing since 2009.  Until this this past weekend.  The remains  of  45  year-old Dena Fout were found in a wooded area near Hammond  by  several  boys  who  were  hunting.   Tangipahoa  Parish Sheriff's  Office  says  they  will  conduct  tests  to  attempt  to establish an estimate of the time and cause of death.

It appears state lawmakers  are getting out of a dispute between NFL players and Saints owner Tom  Benson  over  workman's comp.  Hammond Representative   Chris   Broadwater   is  pulling  the   bill   from consideration  for the legislative session.   The  bill,  which  was opposed  by  the NFL  Players  Association,  would  have  calculated workers compensation  for professional athletes based on recent, not future, earnings.  Broadwater  hopes  the  two  sides can come to an agreement on their own.

News for Friday 052314

By Dave Graichen

In the past, Governor Bobby  Jindal  was  an active supporter of the Common  Core  Education  curriculum.   But  not  anymore. In a statement sent out by Governor Bobby Jindal, he compares Common Core  to  centralized  planning in Russia.  Jindal says the feds are taking over the new academic  standards  for public schools and adds that education is best left to local control.   BESE  President Chas Roemer  says  Common  Core  is  not a federally run program  and  it provides  freedom to local educators  to  decide  on  how  and  what they'll teach  kids.   He says the  governor's statement is all about presidential politics.

Memorial Day weekend is the official kickoff to the summer travel  season and according to AAA between Thursday through Monday a  projected 36 million Americans will be hitting the road. American  Automobile Association spokesperson Don Redman says this is the most  people traveling for the Holiday weekend since the start of the recession.

The big Bayou Country Superfest in Baton Rouge kicks off tonight with  mega stars Reba Mcentire and George Strait hitting the stage in Tiger  Stadium.  The massive country music festival also features performances this weekend by Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line and Eric

Church. The Holiday  weekend festival now spans three days and has become a major economic boost for Baton Rouge.

Legislation that would allow domestic violence situations be grounds for  an immediate divorce has won final legislative approval.  New Orleans  Senator J.P. Morrell's bill now heads to the Governor's desk.   The bill would waive the waiting period for divorce where a spouse or  child has been abused by the other spouse and when a protective order or  injunction has been issued against the other spouse.  It passed 35 to nothing.

NOAA's  Climate  Prediction Center is predicting a 50 percent chance of a below-normal  Atlantic  Hurricane Season this year.  Their 2014 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook  calls for a 70 percent likelihood of   8  to 13 named storms, 3 to 6 hurricanes,  and  1  to  2  major hurricanes.

All  eyes  on  the  governor's desk for the signing of the Optometry bill that got final legislative  approval  Wednesday.  The bill that is  widely  opposed by the medical community passed  on  the  Senate Floor 25-12.

Legislation  that  would  mandate  the  LHSAA  to  use  third  party arbitration  when  settling player eligibility disputes has passed on the House floor.   The  Senate  bill is inspired by a 19-year-old

Episcopal student from a "hardship" situation who is too old to play football   his  senior  year. The measure narrowly advanced on a 54-38 vote  and has to go back to the Senate for amendment considerations.

A bill that would require homeowners’ insurance firms to disclose their annual losses and premiums by ZIP code won final legislative approval Thursday. The House voted 83-0 to go along with Senate changes to the House-passed bill, which was the final legislative step. The bill would require the state Department of Insurance to compile the data and post the totals online.

Well the LSU did it again, in game 2 of the SEC tournament . The tigers defeated Arkansas 7 to 2.  The Tigers will have the day off today and return to face the winner of Florida and Ole Miss on Saturday at noon in a single elimination game. An interesting stat: LSU has now outscored its opponents 74-7 over the past six games.

News for Wednesday 052114

By Dave Graichen

Word is construction to renovate the Rapides parish coliseum could begin this summer with construction to be completed in the later part of 2015. Alliance Design Group, headed up by Bill Tudor, is now in the review process with the state Fire Marshal’s Office and soon will submit plans to the city of Alexandria. Once permitting is finished, the Rapides Parish Police Jury can advertise for bids from contractors, a process that should take 30 to 45 days.

The Alexandria Police are investigating shooting at a the Monroe street Save-Most store yesterday afternoon at about 4:30. Police say one man was shot. His name and condition are unknown at this time. So far, there have been no arrests.

Flicking a cigarette  butt  out  of  your  car  window could get you slapped  with  a hefty fine and community service.   Governor  Bobby Jindal has signed  a  bill  into  law that labels cigarette butts as

litter and allows the fines.

New  Orleans  has lost its bid to host the 2018 Superbowl game.  The announcement was made today that Minneapolis will host the big game. At that meeting,  it  was  reported  that  Saints  owner  Tom Benson suffered  a fall from the podium, and was taken to the hospital.   A spokesman said Benson seems to be ok.

Lapolitics.com  reports the Jindal administration is on the verge of borrowing 56-million  dollars  from  the  state  treasury to pay for expenses  at  Louisiana’s  universities. Lapolitics reporter  Jeremy Alford  says  this is in addition to the 70-million  dollars  that's already been borrowed  to  pay  for  higher  ed, because contingency revenues have yet to materialize. The Jindal administration received a 30-million dollar loan from the state  treasury  in  April  and  then  another loan  for  40-million dollars.

The Louisiana Senate Tuesday approved legislation that would clarify how landowners could file “legacy lawsuits” seeking to clean up years-old environmental damage. Senators voted 27-12 to send Senate Bill 667 to Gov. Bobby Jindal for his signature turning it into law.

Schools  and  school districts across the  state  are  preparing  to receive the results from the "LEAP" and "iLEAP' tests.  "LEAP" tests are given to fourth  and  eighth  graders  and  factors in whether a

student  will  be  promoted or given remedial work.   "iLEAP"  tests assess student progress  in  grades  three,  five,  six,  and seven. The  Department  of Education will be releasing a report on

the numbers in the next few days.

The state House rejects legislation  that  would  have  allowed  the state  Department  of Education to survey high school students about their sexual behaviors.  The measure failed on a vote of 38 yeas and 55 nays. The bill's sponsor, Baton Rouge Representative Patricia  Smith, says the answers from these questionnaires could help experts develop programs  that  would  prevent  teenagers  from  engaging  in sexual behaviors.  But the House didn't see it that way and voted the legislation down.

The bill that would allow  raw  milk to be sold in Louisiana will be heard in a Senate committee today.  House Bill 1279, by Carencro Representative Stephen Ortego, passed  the  House on a 78-19 vote on May 7th.  Supporters say raw milk can be used to treat health  issues  such as asthma  and  osteoporosis.   40  states  allow  raw  milk  sales  to consumers.

Former Saints safety  Steve  Gleason  is  recovering from surgery to help him breathe as he continues his battle  with  the  degenerative brain  disease,  ALS.   Clare  Durrett  with  Team Gleason says  his recovery is going really well. Gleason tweeted after the operation. "I am persistent  like a banana tree.  Cut me down and I will be back before you know it"

A bill that would put curbs on the use of cellphones by motorists in school zones won final legislative approval Tuesday. The proposal, House Bill 370, bans the use of hand-held cellphones in schoolzones during posted hours if there are signs in each direction that spell out the prohibition.

If  you're  going to Baton Rouge  this  weekend  for  Bayou  Country Superfest your  hotel  might  have  a  shuttle to Tiger Stadium. The Capital Area Transit System is offering  service  from  several area and downtown hotels to Death Valley for just $10 round-trip  and  $5 one way.

News for Monday 051914

By Dave Graichen

Louisiana's longest serving agriculture commissioner, Bob Odom,  passed away Saturday at the age of 78. Governor Bobby Jindal issued a  statement ordering all flags at state buildings be flown half staff  for the man he called a champion for the Louisiana agriculture  community. Odom, a staunch Democrat, served as Agriculture Commissioner from  1980 to 2007 and some say he was one of Louisiana's most influential  elected officials.

Law enforcement agencies from around the state are participating in a  statewide "Click It or Ticket" campaign that kicks off today.  Louisiana  law says that everyone inside a vehicle is required to wear a seat belt.  State Police spokesman Sgt. Nick Manale says the message is simple , "Seat Belts, Save Lives".  The campaign runs through June 1st, which includes Memorial Day,  traditionally among the worst holidays for traffic deaths in Louisiana.

It's graduation season and Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive  Director Curt Eysink says there's more opportunity for graduates now  than ever before in The Bayou State. He says there is a really  healthy job market in a number of sectors throughout Louisiana.  Eysink says whether you have a degree from a technical or community  college, or a four year university -- you're in great shape here. He  says not only do we have overall growth in our labor  markets, but there are more than 60 billion dollars’ worth of projects coming to our state and most of those have yet to get started.  The state’s labor force is currently at a record high.

We're now two weeks away from the end of what some are calling one of  the most quiet legislative sessions we've had in Louisiana under  Governor Bobby Jindal's Administration. Jeremy Alford with

Lapolitics.com says by far the biggest issue left for lawmakers to  work out is the funding mechanism for public schools.

The Supreme Court could take its first look at police use of stun guns in a case involving the death of a Louisiana man who was shocked by police eight times after he had been handcuffed. The justices could say on Monday whether they will hear the case of Baron Pikes in the fall. They are being asked to review a lower court ruling that dismissed a civil rights lawsuit filed on behalf of Pikes’ young son against a former police officer in the central Louisiana town of Winnfield. The justices have previously rejected appeals from victims of stun gun use and from police in state and federal court cases.

Amnesty International says more than 540 people have died following police use of stun guns in the U.S. since 2001.

LSU’s main campus is going tobacco-free this fall.  The Louisiana Legislature approved a law last year requiring colleges and universities to develop their own “smoke-free” policies. That legislation, which serves as an addendum to the Louisiana Smoke-Free Air Act that prohibits smoking in some public places and workplaces, states that colleges also can go the extra step of excluding all tobacco. LSU already limits smoking to designated areas, but advocates have pushed to further make the campus free of any tobacco products.

The Saints held a rookie mini-camp this past weekend and it was an  opportunity for first round pick Brandin Cooks to get familiar with  his new team. The former Oregon State wide out says he's excited

about playing with Quarterback Drew Brees and for head coach Sean  Payton. Cooks says the adjustment hasn't been too bad, since the Saints  offense is similar to the one he played in college.  He's just  five-foot-ten, 189 pounds, but doesn't think his size will work against him in the NFL.

The NFL Owner's Meeting gets underway today in Atlanta and one of the  items on the agenda will be who gets to host Super Bowl 52 in 2018.  The  Big Easy is in the running along with Minneapolis and Indianapolis.  Greater New Orleans Foundation president Jay Cicero says they'll make  their final pitch before the vote tomorrow.  New Orleans last hosted the Super Bowl in 2013 and that injected 480  million dollars into the economy

A great weekend for the LSU tiger baseball team. In the crucial season-ending series at Auburn, LSU swept by scores of 10-0, 11-3 and 8-1.

News for Thursday 051514

By Dave Graichen

It's mid-May but believe it or not, Louisiana is experiencing yet  another cold front. State climatologist Barry Keim says the cool  weather blew through yesterday causing many of us in Sportsman's Paradise to break out the jackets a little over a month before  summer.  Keim says morning temperatures ranged from  the 40s across northern  parishes and 50s along the southern half of the state.  He says we  can expect daily minimum temperature records to fall all across the  state today and tomorrow.

The  House  has approved legislation the will lead to the closure of Huey P. Long  hospital  in  Pineville.  The move will force patients who use Huey P. Long to receive  medical  care at two nearby private hospitals  as  part of Governor Bobby Jindal's  privatization  plan. Marksville Representative Robert Johnson says the proposal will make it difficult for some to receive affordable health care. But Alexandria Representative  Lance  Harris says citizens will have plenty of options to obtain the health care they need.  The House voted 65-29 to shut down Huey P. Long.

A bill that would mandate sex education in public schools was killed Wednesday by the House Education Committee. The vote was three in favor and 10 opposed. State Rep. Patricia Smith, D-Baton Rouge, pleaded with the panel to approve her bill to help combat Louisiana’s high rate of teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.  Opponents questioned the need for the proposal.

Today is the final day for Louisianans to file their individual  state income tax returns for 2013. LA-Department of Revenue spokesman  Byron Henderson says the majority of taxpayers have already done  their state returns likely when they did their federal, but many  still have not. Henderson says if you need more time to prepare your Louisiana taxes,  you must at least file an extension by midnight tonight.

Legislation   that  requires  abortion  clinics  to  have  admitting privileges at  a hospital within 30 miles of their facility receives overwhelming support  in  the  state  Senate.   The  requirement  is

similar  to what Texas recently passed.  Supporters say it will make sure abortion  patients  receive proper care if something goes wrong during or after the procedure.   But pro-choice organizations say it closes  three  of  the states five abortion  clinics. the bill, now  heads back to the House floor for final legislative passage.

Governor Bobby Jindal's approval ratings are on the rise.  A poll by Southern  Media  and  Opinion Research shows the Governor's positive job performance rating  is at 48%.  Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says to appreciate that, you need  to  look  back to the Spring of 2013 when Jindal's approval rating was at an all-time low of 38-percent. However,  Jindal's  negative  rating  remains   slightly  above  his

positive  at  51%.   Jindal's  positive rating has not  exceeded  his negative rating since September 2012.

Lawmakers have decided to raise the retirement age for public school teachers and rank and file state  workers  who are hired on or after July 1st, 2015. Currently those state workers  can retire at the age of 60 with five years of service. The legislation  that now heads to Jindal's desk would move that to 62 starting next summer.

Optometrists  got  another  win  yesterday as a Senate panel agreed they should be allowed to perform certain surgeries.  HB 1065 has already cleared the House and now heads to the Senate floor.  Representative Rogers Pope says the bill does not require people to do anything and

they could still go anywhere they wanted to get eye treatment. In  opposition is Pamala Williams,  a  pediatric  ophthalmologist  in Baton  Rouge.   She  says 90% of people polled in Louisiana say they

have the eye care they need available to them. In spite of the opposition, the bill advanced 7-to-1.

With the beginning of hurricane season just around the corner, another  below average prediction has been released.  Accuweather.com predicts  10 named tropical storms, five hurricanes, and two major hurricanes for  the Atlantic Basin this year.  Senior Meteorologist Dan Kottlowski says however, you shouldn't let down your guard because of the low numbers. It is expected that the onset of El Nino will increase wind shear and  suppress the development of tropical activity this year.  

The state Senate tackled the politically charged issue of payday loans Wednesday night, spurning attempts to create databases and to limit borrowing. Debate on House Bill 766 triggered a flurry of amendments as legislators made one last effort to put limits on an industry that makes thousands of small loans each year in Louisiana.  Each effort died, although not quietly. On a 28-10 vote, the Senate returned HB766 to the House for concurrence on minor changes. The measure would force online lenders to play by the same rules as lenders with brick-and-mortar locations in Louisiana, making them subject to state regulations.

A 27-year old Eunice  man  has  been  charged with third offense DWI after crashing into the back of a school  bus  in  Allen Parish that injured  two  children and the bus driver.  Dustin McGowen  ran  his pickup truck into  the  rear  of  the  school  bus that was lawfully stopped to drop off children Tuesday.  The injured  were  taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

A Central Lafourche High School  student  is in custody after making threats to set off a bomb at the school Wednesday.   The  school was placed  on  lockdown for a short time.  The student has admitted  to sending emails about the threat, but detectives deemed the threat to not be credible.

News for Tuesday 051314

By Dave Graichen

Alexandria Police detectives are conducting a homicide investigation into the death of a 33-year-old Alexandria woman. The victim has been identified as Pamela Carnahan. Rapides Parish school officials had become concerned Friday when the mother of a child was not at the bus stop to pick up the child as she usually was.. They contacted relatives who checked the victim’s apartment at 4015 Lakeside Drive and located the body. Police have determined the death was a homicide, but the cause of death has not been released.

5th Congressional District Congressman Vance McAllister spoke yesterday  at  a  Chamber of Commerce event here in Alexandria. The congressman, who was joined by his wife, Kelly, and one of their five children, 3-year-old daughter Eva,  began  his  speech  by  apologizing for kissing a married staffer.  McAllister  also told the media that it's never been a secret that he was disliked by the  GOP. McAllister  says  he plans to finish his term, but will not run for re-election. However, the congressman said later he’s leaving his “options open.”

The state Senate rejected legislation Monday night that sought to raise the eligibility requirements for TOPS, Louisiana’s merit-based college tuition program. After a two-hour debate on the Senate floor, Senate Bill 520 was voted down after it was amended to convert  TOPS scholarships  to a student loan, forgiven if students keep their eligibility during their first year of college. Several senators spoke out against the proposal, noting the outcome would be that fewer students would qualify.

For a second time in as many weeks, the Jindal administration could be facing problems with its Medicaid financing plans. The latest issue came to light Monday after the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services fired a warning shot about the way states are pulling in federal dollars for health care programs. CMS outlined what states shouldn’t be doing and threatened to demand the repayment of dollars where warranted. In a nutshell, Louisiana did many of the things warned against by CMS, possibly foreshadowing another pricey unpinning of the state’s financial structures for health care programs. The state already is grappling with a rejection of hospital privatization plans that could put taxpayers on the hook for millions of dollars.

The state’s top school board, showing rare harmony, approved revisions in its $3.6 billion spending plan for public schools after its initial proposal was killed by the Louisiana Senate Education Committee. The vote was 9-1. The changes, including revisions designed to avoid automatic school aid hikes in future years, won support from several influential school groups, including the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents.

Bossier  City Police have identified the two women found dead Sunday morning.   24-year  old  Jacqueline  Darlenen Beadle and 26-year old Karyl  Ann Cox were found shot to death  in  their  home.   Beadle's mother found  the  bodies  after  going to the home having not heard from Jacqueline since Friday.  The investigation is on-going.

The  Beau Chene High School student killed in an automobile accident Monday morning  in St. Landry Parish has been identified.  17-year old Nonchalant Guillory  allegedly  lost  control  of  her vehicle in a curve  and  hit  the  side  of  a  school bus driven by 56-year  old Lawrence Robert.  Guillory was unrestrained  and  succumbed  to  her injuries in a local hospital.  Robert, who sustained minor injuries, was the only occupant of the school bus at the time of the crash.

An Angola inmate is a free man after spending 34 years in prison for a  crime he didn't commit. Attorney Caroline Milne (MIL-nee) of the  Innocence Project New Orleans says when Reginald Adams was found guilty  in the murder of Cathy Ulfers, detectives and prosecutors intentionally withheld evidence that showed Adams was innocent.

A  bill  that increases the penalty for throwing cigarette butts out of car windows has received final legislative approval.  The measure is by Marrero  Representative  Patrick  Connick.  It increases first

offense  fines  from $250 to $300 and keeps  the  community  service penalties in place.  The bill now awaits Governor Bobby Jindal's signature.

Legislation  by New Orleans  Representative  Helena  Moreno  banning anyone under the  age of 18 from using tanning beds has gotten final legislative approval.   Currently,  minors  ages  14  to  18 can use tanning  beds  with  written  permission  from  a  parent.  The bill received  unanimous  approval  from the House and now heads  to  the Governor's desk.

A  Senate  bill that would allow motorists  to  have  any  Louisiana university's  logo  put on their driver’s license passed in the House Transportation Committee.   New  Iberia  Senator  Fred  Mills passed legislation last year that allowed the phrase, "I'm a Cajun"  to  be put on driver’s license which was the idea behind this bill. That  same  committee  also  agreed  with  a  bill that would extend

driver’s license renewal from four years to six  years.   Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor says the renewal fee over 12 years would  remain the same, you would just have an extra two years before your drivers license expired. Both bills now head to the House floor.

State Troopers say it's a bad  idea  to  show up at a police station drunk.  But  that's what one man allegedly did  Saturday.  Spokesman Jared Sandifer says 31-year-old Patrick Ruffner of Gonzales drove to Troop A to fill out a hit and run accident report, but a trooper who pulled in at the same time spoke with the man and noticed alcohol on his breath. Ruffner  was  then taken into the Troop and charges with 1st offense DWI and suspended license.

LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva spoke at the Baton Rouge Press Club  on Monday to discuss a number of ways they hope to improve the fan  experience at Tiger Stadium. He says a top focus will be on traffic  and working with city and parish leaders to invest in making it  easier to get off campus as quickly as possible after games. Alleva says studies have shown LSU games have a huge economic impact  on Baton Rouge and surrounding areas and it's critical to keep making  improvements so that fans will want to come back.

News for Friday 050914

By Dave Graichen

Well today is day two of the three day AlexRiverFete. Activities start downtown at 4pm with the art walk, followed by live entertainment from 7 to 10 on the Dragon Stage. Saturday, it’s a full day, starting with the Dragon Boat Races and activities all day long. The 2^nd annual event will wrap up with live entertainment. If you are looking to travel, you may want to check out the 40th Annual Cochon de lait Festival in Mansura. It continues through Sunday.

It looks like some much needed rain is in store for most of Louisiana  heading into the weekend.   State Climatologist Barry Keim says after  three to four weeks of dry weather, the state is finally moving into a  wet pattern.  Keim says that there a chance of widespread thunderstorms across the

state dropping a potential of one to two inches of rain over the next  few days.  He adds that the rain is needed to avoid drought conditions.

For seven hours Thursday, the Louisiana House debated Common Core, school vouchers, art, private prisons, health care clinics and other planks in the $25 billion state operating budget.

House members made a few changes, took the generally unprecedented step of calling a cabinet secretary to the floor, then voted 65-34 in favor of House Bill 1, the spending plan for the fiscal year that starts in July. The state Senate now gets its chance to tackle the budget.

Common Core critics suffered their fourth major defeat of the session Thursday when a Senate committee crushed a bid to scrap the national academic standards in favor of new ones drafted by Louisiana parents and educators. The bill was the last of the sweeping anti-Common Core proposals awaiting action, and means that key bills to drop or revamp the standards and accompanying tests have now failed in three House and Senate committees.

Chief Executive magazine has ranked  Louisiana  the ninth best state for business.  Since 2010, the state has climbed  31  spots  in  the magazine's Best & Worst States for Business rankings.  Louisiana now places   among  the  top  10  states  nationally  in  four  national business-climate rankings.

Former  Vice-Presidential candidate  Sarah  Palin  has  endorsed  an underdog  candidate in the US Senate race.  Palin says Louisiana can elect a true  conservative  in  Air  Force  Colonel Rob Maness.  LSU Political  Science Professor Robert Hogan says  Palin's  endorsement will help Maness gain some much-needed name recognition. Palin calls Maness the true conservative in the race.

An independent survey on this year's US Senate race shows Senator Mary  Landrieu's popularity continues to fall. Southern Media and Opinion  Research conducted a survey last week of 600 likely voters and Pollster  Bernie Pinsonat says Landrieu's approval ratings have hit an all-time  low of 39-percent.  Landrieu has been a US Senator since 1996 and was recently appointed  to the Chair of the Senate Energy Committee.  Pinsonat says her seniority  and power mean little to Louisiana voters.

The bill requiring dogs to be restrained in the back of pickup trucks  on interstates goes another step into becoming law Thursday. HB1091 by  Kenner Rep. Tom Willmott got approval in the Senate Transportation  Committee. Willmott says the dog would need to be in a crate, a car carrier or

 wear some type of harness when in the back of a truck traveling  on an interstate. He says a dog that is free to roam in the back of a  truck that's going 70 miles per hour could fall out which is dangerous  for other motorists and of course the dog. The bill now heads to the Senate floor.

A 19 year-old Monroe man has been arrested after  he allegedly tried to  check  a  13  year old girl out of school that he had  exchanged sexual text messages  with.   Deedrich Bethley has been charged with attempted kidnapping.  Monroe Police  Sgt. Mark Johnson says Bethley showed up at the girl's school to pick  her  up and school officials got suspicious..

An arrest has been made in  the case of a 26-year-old Plaquemine man who was found shot dead, execution  style,  at  his  camp  off Grand River  Wednesday.  22-year-old Detrell Scott of Plaquemine has  been booked with  first  degree  murder  and armed robbery charges in the death  of Kyle Boudreaux.  The Iberville  Parish  Sheriff  says  the suspect  and  victim  knew  each  other.  Boudreaux's cell phone and wallet were stolen.

The big reopening of the historic Shreveport Municipal Auditorium opens  tonight with a concert. The Louisiana Hayride will return to the stage  along with other musical talents. Auditorium Spokesperson Sam Voisin the auditorium has re-opened after being closed for a year  due to a 5.3 million dollar renovation. The upgrades have placed the  building on the National Historic Landmark list.

LSU begins its final home SEC series tonight against Alabama. A couple  of weeks ago, the Crimson Tide were in first place in the SEC West, but  they've lost 6 of their last 7 conference games. Coach Paul Mainieri  says Alabama is still bringing a good baseball team into the Box.  The Tigers are coming off a series where they dropped two out of three  to Texas A-and-M.

Tonight is the second round in the NFL draft and it is expected several  LSU Tigers will be selected tonight. Draft Analyst Mike Detillier says  Jarvis Landry could be the first former Tiger picked tonight. Detiller says quarterback Zach Mettenberger, running back Jeremy Hill,  defensive tackle Ego Ferguson and offensive guard Trai Turner are other  possible selections tonight.  Detiller also believes Louisiana Tech defensive tackle Justin Ellis has  a good chance of being selected tonight.

News for Wednesday 050714

By Dave Graichen

The final piece in the Jindal administration’s plan to privatize LSU hospitals neared final legislative approval Tuesday. A state House committee voted 10-8 to close Pineville’s Huey P. Long Medical Center. Under a “cooperative endeavor agreement,” Christus’ St. Francis Cabrini and Rapides Regional Medical Center take over the care of the poor and uninsured in central Louisiana.

The closure of the nearly 75-year-old facility requires legislative approval. The Senate has already signed off by approving a resolution , now all that’s missing is full House concurrence.

Louisiana's latest attempt to avoid repaying hundreds of millions of dollars in Medicaid overpayments dating back to the mid-1990s has been rejected by a federal appeals court. At issue in a Tuesday ruling from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is $240 million in Medicaid money the state received for its charity hospitals from 1996 to 2006. According to the ruling, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said audits showed that nine public hospitals had received hundreds of millions of dollars in excess payments.

Louisiana's latest attempt to avoid repaying hundreds of millions of dollars in Medicaid overpayments dating back to the mid-1990s has been rejected by a federal appeals court. At issue in a Tuesday ruling from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is $240 million in Medicaid money the state received for its charity hospitals from 1996 to 2006. According to the ruling, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said audits showed that nine public hospitals had received hundreds of millions of dollars in excess payments.

The former Turner Street YMCA will reopen as the YWCA of Alexandria/Pineville.  The parties closed on the sale of facility Tuesday afternoon. YWCA of Alexandria/Pineville Executive Director Katie Vanderlick said the target date to reopen the facility is June 1. The YMCA of Central Louisiana closed Turner Street at the end of March, following a desperate attempt to raise enough funds to keep it operating and make needed repairs.

Starting today, the Presidential search committees for Northwestern  State University and Grambling State University will each meet on  their respective campuses. University of Louisiana System President  Sandra Woodley says  in these early stages, they want to create a profile of a  candidate the search firm can look to recruit when the interviewing  begins.

Tuesday,   Legislators  rejected  another  effort  to  increase  the qualification  standards  for  TOPS.  House Bill 1153 not only would have raised eligibility standards, but also changed the structure of

scholarship payments.  The House  Education  Committee shot down the legislation on a 9-to-4 vote.

State  Police  and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's office say they've made what they're  calling  the  biggest drug bust in the history of southwest Louisiana.  Twenty-four  individuals were arrested on drug related  charges  as  a  result  of the months  long  investigation, including the main supplier of cocaine  in  the  Lake  Charles area. Authorities say more arrests are likely.

The House Criminal Justice Committee shot down a bill that sought to restrict  the  use  of  drones on private property.  The panel heard from the journalism profession,  who  says  restricting where drones can fly will hurt their ability to cover news  events.  Senator  Dan  Claitor filed the bill because he doesn't want  people flying drones into  a  person's  backyard  and  taking  pictures  or stealing the property owner's wi-fi.  It failed on a 7-6 vote.

Some lively discussion Tuesday about the Senate bill that would permit lawmakers to  carry concealed weapons. It has cleared committee, but not without some  opposition.   The  bill's author, Franklin Senator Brett Allain, says he feels people in  the  legislature  should have the same personal protections as judges, coroners, justices  of  the peace and constables. The law would only apply to lawmakers who undergo special gun safety training and mental evaluations.

A Louisiana House committee rejected legislation Tuesday that would require all government entities to post on its website the minutes of public hearings. The Bill received only one vote on the House and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Sunday is Mother's Day and according to the National Retail Federation  we're going to spend a little less on Mom this year than we did in 2013.  NRF Spokesperson Kathy Grannis say people want to be a little more  conscious of spending this year. The NRF's 2014 Mother's Day Spending Survey shows that Americans will  spend an average of just under $163 on mom this year, six dollars less  than last year. 

More hot days, larger piles of debris from hurricane storm surge and the increased vulnerability of communities and industry along the Gulf Coast as sea level continues to rise are just a few of the impacts happening now in Louisiana due to climate change, according to a new federal report. Sea level rise also is expected to continue, which puts the roads, cities, airports, oil and gas facilities as well as ports at greater risk to flooding.

According  to an East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office arrest report,  a 23-year-old  man  admitted  to lying to his grandmother and stealing more than $100 thousand.  Gary  Michael  Gray, Jr.  has been charged with exploitation of the infirm.  He is being  held  in  East  Baton Rouge Prison on a $100 thousand bond.

A  Covington  Police  officer  who was involved in the arrest of two high school referees during a football game last October, has turned in his resignation.  Police Chief  Tim  Lentz  says Sergeant Stephen Short's retirement is effective immediately.  The  act of the arrest was  considered excessive and Short was demoted from  lieutenant  to sergeant and suspended for ten days.

Former LSU star and West Monroe High School standout Bradie James has  retired from the NFL. James signed a one-day contract with Dallas, so  he can retire as a member of the Cowboys. James played in Dallas from  2003 to 2011 and during a six-year span he led the team in tackles every season. His  retirement is not a surprise, since he didn't play last season. James  knew it was time to walk away from football.

News for Monday 050514

By Dave Graichen

A 6-mill tax to improve recreation and provide more financial stability for the Alexandria Zoo earned voter approval Saturday. Winning approval with 58.7 percent of the vote. Also on Saturday, Rapides Parish voters approved a 2.06-mill, 10-year tax continuation for Renaissance Home. 7 other Millage taxes were approved in the parish as well.

A decision by federal officials to reject Gov. Bobby Jindal’s financing plans for the privatization of six state-owned hospitals that care for the poor and uninsured threatens deals that already have been used to turn over hospital management and could create upheaval in the state’s operating budget. The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said the agreements don’t meet federal guidelines governing how Medicaid dollars can be spent. The rejections involved plans for LSU-run hospitals in New Orleans, Lafayette, Houma, Lake Charles, Shreveport and Monroe. The decision to reject the deals didn’t cover the agreement that allowed two Alexandria hospitals to take over services of Huey P. Long Medical Center in Pineville because that deal has not been fully completed.

If you had an opportunity outside of Louisiana, would you take it and  leave? According to a recent Gallup poll, 40% of residents in The  Bayou State say they would move out of the state if they could.  The Gallup report indicated that because of high poverty rates, some  people who live in Louisiana feel like they're stuck.  According to Gallup, Louisiana is above average when it comes to the percentage of residents who want to live in another state. The top  reasons for leaving was work or business related, then family/friends,  quality of life and cost of living.

According to the American Automobile Association, we should see some relief  at  the  gas pump in the near future. Refinery production is increasing and that  should  help the price of gas. AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says gas prices peaked in April of this year. The current statewide average  for  a  gallon  of  regular dropped 2 cents in 2 days and stands at $3.47.

A Baton Rouge senator has revised his bill that would revamp the way Louisiana legislators award Tulane University scholarships. The program that allows Louisiana legislators to pick who receives the valuable scholarships has been the subject of much-publicized reports that the recipients often have been people with political connections.  The Louisiana Senate could take up the bill as early as Monday.

A  12-year-old  boy  is in jail today after he allegedly fired three gunshots at a school bus  that  was  full  of children that attended Kenilworth Science and Technology Center in  Baton  Rouge. BRPD says the child had apparently gotten into a fight with another student on the bus then got off, walked into a residence to get a gun then shot and  struck  the  bus  three  times.  He  is booked on many  charges including 6 counts of attempted first degree murder.

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month urging drivers to be extra  cautious of motorcycles while traveling on roadways. Lt. Col. John  LeBlanc, executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission  says over the past 10 years, 83 people were killed in motorcycle crashes  in Louisiana. Last year the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducted  a study of motorcycle  accidents and found motorcyclists are 30 times  more likely than passenger car occupants to die in crash.

A state Senate bill could have a serious impact on high school  athletics.  Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor's measure would essentially  require groups like the Louisiana High School Athletic Association to  use third party arbitration to settle player eligibility disputes.  President Todd Guice believes in  the process that is in place and the cost of third party arbitration would be too great for the organization. Claitor's bill passed the Senate on a 21-to-17 vote and will be brought  up in a House committee today.

News for Thursday 050114

By Dave Graichen

The  Rapides  Parish Sheriff's office says the body of a white  male was discovered  around  6:30am  yesterday  morning  near  Airbase Road.  Lt. Tommy Carnline said they found the unresponsive  victim lying next to the road. The man has been identified  as  27 year old Leon Matthew Jeffers  of Alexandria, police said. Detectives say the cause of death has not been determined and an autopsy will be performed.

After  getting some tips about some suspicious  activity,  Louisiana State Police  have arrested a central Louisiana man on drug charges. The suspect - 49 year-old Stephen Holsomback - was allegedly selling drugs out of a Store- N- Lock business he owns in Alexandria. Authorities say they discovered over 10 pounds of marijuana, over 20 ounces of meth,  over  4 ounces of cocaine and over $4,000 in cash.  Holsomback was booked into  the Rapides Parish Detention Center.

 The second weekend of the 45th annual New Orleans Jazz Festival kicks  off today. There will be some big musical talents performing this week  like, Christina Aguilera, The Wailers, Chaka Khan, Trey Songz, and Bruce  Springsteen. Executive Producer of Jazz Fest Quint Davis says this is  one of the best weekend line ups they've ever had.

The state's largest ever seat belt campaign targeting pickup truck  drivers starts today. It's called "Buckle Up in your Truck." Lt. Col.  John LeBlanc, with the Highway Safety Commission says every year surveys  find pickup truck drivers have the lowest level of seat belt use of all  other vehicles.  LeBlanc says this campaign will increase police patrols and checkpoints  dedicated to checking for motorists wearing their seat belts, especially  in pickup trucks. He says they are optimistic that this push will help  save lives.

The  bill  that  would legalize medical marijuana failed in a Senate committee yesterday 6-2.  Several  people  spoke in favor of the bill by New Iberia Senator Fred Mills including  patients  who say this form of  therapy  is  the only thing out there that would help  alleviate their suffering. But Attorney General Buddy Caldwell feels this is a path toward allowing recreational use. He also says  they have a huge problem with the fact that this drug is illegal.

The  House  approved  a bill that would allow Louisianans  to  have their driver’s license renewed after 6 years instead of 4.  Under the bill, the fee for a driver’s license would grow from $28.50 to $42.75 to cover the extra years renewal.

A House Committee shot down a bill that would have prohibited drones from  flying  over  "critical  infrastructure"  in  Louisiana.   The legislation  is  by  Baton  Rouge  Senator  Bodi  White who says the measure  is  meant  to protect places that are crucial  to  national security. But opponents  argued  the  Senate backed bill would limit certain  organizations,  including  media,   from   monitoring   and

reporting on possible environmental disasters. The bill failed by  a 7-4 vote.

A bill that would authorize the City Council in New Orleans to put a new  hotel  occupancy  tax  on a future ballot passed out of a House Committee Wednesday.  Mayor Mitch  Landrieu wants the extra money to improve public safety in New Orleans. Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, who is against the tax, says   if  this  bill  goes forward, people who  visit  New Orleans would be paying the highest  taxes  in the nation to stay in their hotel.

A bill that would prohibit most public employees  from  paying union dues through a deduction on their paychecks failed to get passed the House Labor Committee.

Legislation  is  nearing final passage that would allow both  active and retired law enforcement  officers to carry concealed handguns in nearly every place open to the public.

The Senate Commerce Committee  gave  support  to  a  bill that would require  annual  inspections  of  elevators  to  make sure they  are operating  properly.   The bill, sponsored by Bogalusa  Senator  Ben Nevers, is supported by elevator manufacturers.

The  man  accused  of killing his roommate’s dog because  the  animal ripped up his furniture,  is  now in jail on animal cruelty charges. The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's  Office  says  twenty-three  year-old Shaun  Parsons  allegedly  killed the dog by putting an empty potato chip bag over the animal's head at the home in Greenwell Springs.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office have identified human remains that were  found  in  Hammond  earlier this month.  The remains were those of 31-year-old Jonathon Gordan of Loranger, who disappeared on New Year's Eve.  Gordan was an Iraq  War  veteran  and  bronze medal recipient.  The investigation of Gordan's disappearance and death is ongoing.