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Court records show a member of a white supremacist prison gang has pleaded guilty in Louisiana to a federal criminal charge stemming from the 2016 killing of a fellow alleged gang member.  The records unsealed on Tuesday indicate 38-year-old Jeremy Wade Jordan of Orange, Texas, pleaded guilty on March 2 to the first of two counts in his indictment. The first count in his Dec. 14 indictment charged Jordan with “violent crimes in aid of racketeering” in the murder of Clifton Hallmark of Shreveport.  A separate indictment, also unsealed Tuesday, charges seven other alleged members or associates of the prison-based Aryan Circle gang with being accessories after the fact in Hallmark’s slaying.  KLFY-TV has reported that Hallmark was fatally shot July 1, 2016, during an argument in Turkey Creek.

A SULPHUR CITY COUNCILMAN WANTS SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION ON MAPLEWOOD DRIVE.  COUNCILMAN STUART MOSS SAYS NOT ONLY HAS CONGESTION INCREASED, BUT SPEEDING HAS INCREASED AS WELL AND DRIVERS HAVE BEEN RUDE TO PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON THAT STREET.  MOSS SAYS HE WANTS A MEETING WITH MEMBERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT TO HELP EASE THE CONGESTION.  NO MEETING HAS YET BEEN SET BUT DON DUBERVILLE WITH THE D-O-T-D SAYS THEY HAVE MET WITH MAYOR CHRIS DUNCAN AND PUT UP ADDITIONAL SIGNAGE AND MESSAGE BOARDS ALONG L-A- 108, WHICH IS THE CITIES SERVICES HIGHWAY.

LSU Eunice has named Byron Starks as head coach of its men’s basketball program.  Starks, regarded as one of the top high school coaches in Louisiana, will lay the foundation for the start-up program that will begin play in the NJCAA for the upcoming 2018-2019 season.  KATC-TV reports the hire is pending approval of the LSU Board of Supervisors.  He comes to LSUE after a successful six-years at Lafayette Christian Academy.

Four people have been named as finalists to be Louisiana’s next higher education commissioner.  The Board of Regents announced the contenders Tuesday. The Board of Regents intends to name the new commissioner at its April 18 meeting.

Joseph Rallo, commissioner since January 2015, plans to retire from the position that pays him $364,000 a year.

AN ACADIANA VETERAN, SET TO BE HONORED IN WASHINGTON, D.C. TODAY, BOARDED A FLIGHT LAST NIGHT TO THE NATION’S CAPITOL.  THIS AFTER SEVERE WEATHER IN THE SOUTHEAST DELAYED HIS ORIGINAL FLIGHT OUT OF LAFAYETTE YESTERDAY.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.

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MCNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY IS HOSTING THE DAUGHTER OF FIDEL CASTRO NEXT WEDNESDAY.  ALINA FERNANDEZ WILL BE PRESENTING A READING FROM HER BOOK, “CASTRO’S DAUGHTER:  AN EXILE’S MEMOIR OF CUBA” AT THE TRITICO THEATRE NEXT WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT SEVEN.  IT’S PART OF THE 2018 BANNERS AT MCNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY SEASON.  FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM OR TICKETS, YOU CAN GO TO THE BANNERS WEBSITE AT BANNERS.ORG.

A CROWLEY MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED AFTER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY WAS FOUND ON HIS COMPUTER.  STATE POLICE DETECTIVES INITIATED AN INVESTIGATION INTO POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN ACADIA PARISH LAST NOVEMBER.  IT LED TO A SEARCH WARRANT FOR A COMPUTER BELONGING TO 42-YEAR-OLD DAMON BROUSSARD.  HE WAS BOOKED INTO THE ACADIA PARISH CORRECTIONAL CENTER ON 15 COUNTS OF PORNOGRAPHY INVOLVING JUVENILES.

Louisiana Secretary of State Tom Schedler has returned to the state capitol for the first time since a lawsuit alleged he sexually harassed one of his employees for a decade.  Schedler, Louisiana’s top elections official, appeared before the House Appropriations Committee for a budget hearing Tuesday. His attendance came less than a week after he publicly rejected calls to resign but said he won’t run for re-election next year. At a press conference last week, the Republican didn’t respond directly to the allegations but called the lawsuit “unfair.”

LAFAYETTE POLICE ARE SEARCHING FOR TWO BLACK MALE SUSPECTS IN CONNECTION WITH A HOME INVASION.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.

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A 13-YEAR-OLD SULPHUR GIRL, WHO WAS HIT BY A VEHICLE WHILE SHE WAS CROSSING THE STREET TO GET ON A BUS, IS BEGINNING TO IMPROVE.  ANGELA JONES TELLS KPLC TV THAT HER GRANDDAUGHTER, ALYSSA, HAS HAD TWO SURGERIES TO REPAIR HER LEGS, COLLARBONE AND SHOULDER AND ANOTHER SURGERY IS SCHEDULED SOON.  SHE SAYS ONCE ALYSSA DOES GET OUT OF THE HOSPITAL, IT WILL TAKE ANOTHER TWO TO THREE MONTHS FOR HER TO LEARN TO WALK AGAIN.  THE CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE AND THE SCHOOL BOARD ARE STILL INVESTIGATING THE ACCIDENT, WHICH HAPPENED LAST FRIDAY.

IT TOOK AUTHORITIES MORE THAN 24 HOURS TO FIND THE BODY OF A MAN, WHO DIED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE WRECK NEAR THE ST. LANDRY AND EVANGELINE PARISH LINE.  AT AROUND THREE A-M SATURDAY MORNING, STATE TROOPERS FOUND A 2007 CHEVY SILVERADO IN A DITCH OFF OF U-S 167, BUT THEY COULDN’T FIND THE DRIVER.  ON SUNDAY AT AROUND 9:30 A-M, THE BODY OF 24-YEAR-OLD WILLIAM MOREIN OF VILLE PLATTE WAS FOUND ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY.  AUTHORITIES DETERMINED HE WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AFTER HITTING A BRIDGE RAIL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED ON BEFORE CRASHING INTO THE DITCH.

The Louisiana Senate has decided that courts should postpone any slander lawsuits filed against people who allege they’ve been sexually assaulted.  Sen. J.P. Morrell, the New Orleans Democrat who sponsored the bill, says wealthy perpetrators of sexual misconduct often use defamation lawsuits to try to prevent rape victims from being able to move forward with assault claims.  His proposal would require the delay of a slander lawsuit until all investigations and proceedings involving the assault claim are resolved.   The Senate voted 29-8 Monday to send the bill to the House for debate.

POLICE ARE STILL INVESTIGATING THE ROBBERY OF THE TARGET STORE ON AMBASSADOR CAFFERY IN LAFAYETTE.  POLICE SAY THAT LATE SUNDAY NIGHT, A MAN WALKED INTO THE STORE, DEMANDED MONEY AND ESCAPED WITH AN UNDISCLOSED AMOUNT OF CASH.  NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THE STORE WAS EVACUATED AFTER THE ROBBERY.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION THAT CAN HELP POLICE CAPTURE THE ROBBER IS ASKED TO CALL LAFAYETTE CRIME STOPPERS AT 232-TIPS.

A LAGRANGE HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER, WHO WAS CHARGED A YEAR AGO WITH INAPPROPRIATELY TOUCHING A STUDENT, SAYS HE’S HAD TROUBLE FINDING A NEW JOB AND HAS BEEN EVICTED FROM HIS APARTMENT.  32-YEAR-OLD RAYMOND JOHNSON LEARNED RECENTLY THAT THE CALCASIEU PARISH DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE LAST MONTH REJECTED THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM.  JOHNSON SAYS NOW ALL HE WANTS IS ANOTHER JOB AND TO BE ABLE TO MOVE ON WITH HIS LIFE.  JOHNSON HOPES TO GET THE ARREST ERASED FROM HIS RECORD, BUT OFFICIALS AT THE D-A’S OFFICE SAY THAT, IF MORE EVIDENCE IS UNCOVERED, HE COULD BE CHARGED IN THE FUTURE.

A STATE JUDGE HAS RULED AGAINST AN ACADIA PARISH LANDOWNER WHO WANTED TO HALT CONSTRUCTION OF THE BAYOU BRIDGE PIPELINE UNTIL A FEDERAL LAWSUIT AGAINST THE PROJECT IS RESOLVED.  LAST YEAR, BAYOU BRIDGE PIPELINE L-L-C OBTAINED RIGHTS TO BUILD ON SIX ACRES OWNED BY HOPE ROSINSKI.  ON MAY FOURTH, ROSINSKI SENT AN EMAIL TO THE COMPANY PROHIBITING THEM FROM CONSTRUCTION ON HER PROPERTY BECAUSE OF JUDGE SHELLY DICK’S FEBRUARY 23^RD RULING THAT HALTED CONSTRUCTION UNTIL A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE U-S ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS IS RESOLVED.  ON MONDAY, JUDGE KRISTIAN EARLES GRANTED A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION IN FAVOR OF BAYOU BRIDGE WHICH PREVENTS ROSINSKI FROM INTERFERING IN THE CONSTRUCTION.

Louisiana’s corrections secretary says a proposal to cut the rate paid to sheriffs for housing state inmates in local jails would be a “disaster waiting to happen.”

Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc told the House Appropriations Committee on Monday that sheriffs would be unable to cover the costs of housing inmates at a reduced rate of $19.39 per day, a proposal floated to help close next year’s budget gap.

LeBlanc says sheriffs would likely refuse to take many of the inmates, forcing them back into state prisons, which he says don’t have the place to house them. He says the prisons would have to put prisoners on the floors on mattresses, which could threaten public safety.

ONE MAN WAS ARRESTED SATURDAY FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER AFTER RAMMING HIS TRUCK INTO ANOTHER OCCUPIED VEHICLE.  JEFF HORCHAK REPORTS.

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ONE PERSON IS DEAD AFTER A SHOOTING IN DEQUINCY YESTERDAY MORNING.  CALCASIEU PARISH SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES, RESPONDING TO A REPORT OF A SHOOTING SUNDAY MORNING AT FOUR A-M AT THE WOODLAKE PARK ESTATES RV PARK, FOUND 36-YEAR-OLD JASON HUTSON OF BUFFALO, KANSAS UNCONSCIOUS AND BLEEDING.  HE LATER DIED AFTER BEING TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL.  30-YEAR-OLD ANDREW TINER OF LAKE JACKSON, TEXAS WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED SECOND DEGREE BATTERY.

A 23-year-old correctional officer is facing criminal charges for allegedly trying to bring contraband into the prison.  WAFB-TV reports Keland Andre Simmons faces a charge of malfeasance in office and introduction of contraband into or upon the grounds of a state correctional facility.  The St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office says Simmons worked at the St. Martin Parish Correctional Center, where he was processed Friday. He was released Saturday after posting $20,000 bond.

Louisiana’s education department has divvied up a $1.5 million federal grant aimed at improving early childhood education to eight parishes.  The department says the grant will help pay for teachers at low-performing early childhood education centers with training aimed at helping improve classroom instruction and kindergarten readiness.  The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education backed the distribution of funds.  Calcasieu parish is one of the eight parishes receiving grant dollars.

THE LAFAYETTE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS CLOSED A TEN-YEAR-OLD COLD CASE.  IN DECEMBER OF 2008, A JOGGER FOUND A BODY ON LAJAUNIE ROAD, WHICH WAS LATER IDENTIFIED AS BONNIE RUPHARD (ROO perd) OF ILLINOIS.  ONE MONTH AGO, MILLARD HEBERT OF YOUNGSVILLE WAS ARRESTED ON AN UNRELATED JOB, BUT HE WAS SWABBED DURING THE BOOKING PROCESS AND HIS D-N-A WAS MATCHED TO THE RUPHARD CASE.  HE CONFESSED TO THE KILLING, ACCORDING TO DETECTIVE STEPHEN BAJAT (BAH JAH), AND HE NOW FACES SECOND DEGREE MURDER AND MULTIPLE DRUG CHARGES.

A 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL WAS STRUCK BY A CAR FRIDAY AS SHE CROSSED EAST BURTON STREET IN SULPHUR TO BOARD HER SCHOOL BUS.  THE GIRL WAS AIRLIFTED TO A LAFAYETTE HOSPITAL, WHERE SHE IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION.  ONE RESIDENT IN THAT AREA TELLS KPLC TV THAT SHE’S CONCERNED IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN BECAUSE, SHE SAYS, VEHICLES SPEED DOWN THAT STRETCH OF ROAD AND MANY DISREGARD THE SCHOOL BUSES.  AN INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING INTO THE INCIDENT AND THE CALCASIEU PARISH SCHOOL BOARD IS MAKING SURE THE BUS DRIVER FOLLOWED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.

THERE WAS AN OIL SPILL IN ACADIA PARISH, NEAR THE EVANGELINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.  A WOMAN WHO LIVES THERE TELLS KLFY TV THAT SHE AND HER FAMILY FOUND THE SPILL BECAUSE OF A STRONG SMELL.  SHE IS CONCERNED THAT IT COULD AFFECT AN AQUIFER THAT RUNS NEAR WHERE THE SPILL IS LOCATED.  SHE CONTACTED THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, AND AN EMPLOYEE FROM THE AGENCY WENT TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE YESTERDAY.

Louisiana’s launching a national search for a new superintendent to manage the state’s schools for deaf, blind and special education students.  The move comes after a report commissioned by the state education department found the schools needed leadership with more expertise.  The schools are combined into what is called the Special School District.  Beyond hiring a new leader, Superintendent of Education John White wants a management group to review the district’s organizational and financial structure.

NEXT MONTH, THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD IS EXPECTED TO CONSIDER EXPANDING THE NUMBER OF SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS.  A RESOURCE OFFICER IS A COMMISSIONED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO CARRIES A WEAPON.  CURRENTLY THERE IS AT LEAST ONE RESOURCE OFFICER IN EACH HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL IN THE PARISH, BUT NONE IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.  AT A SCHOOL BOARD WORKSHOP IN WEDNESDAY, LAFAYETTE PARISH SHERIFF MARK GARBER URGED THE BOARD TO PUT ARMED PROTECTION IN EACH SCHOOL MAKING THE SCHOOLS A HARD TARGET FOR THOSE WANTING TO COMMIT VIOLENCE.

SOME INMATES WHO WERE SENT TO PRISON BY FEDERAL JUDGE PATRICIA MINALDI IN LAKE CHARLES HAVE FILED PETITIONS TO HAVE THEIR CONVICTIONS AND SENTENCES THROWN OUT.  MINALDI HAS PUBLICLY ADMITTED SHE’S AN ALCOHOLIC AND HAS A BRAIN DISORDER RELATED TO ALCOHOLISM, WHICH LED TO HER BEING GRANTED A DISABILITY RETIREMENT IN AUGUST.  THR FOUR INMATES ARE CURRENTLY BEING HELD IN A FEDERAL PRISON IN BEAUMONT ON DRUG CONVICTIONS AND ARE SET TO BE RELEASED ANYWHERE BETWEEN 2023 AND 2031.  MINALDI HAS SAID THAT SHE DID NOT HOLD COURT WHILE INTOXICATED.

ONE PERSON HAS BEEN ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH SECOND DEGREE MURDER AFTER AN EARLY MORNING SHOOTING THURSDAY IN OPELOUSAS.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.

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A federal appeals court has lifted a judge’s order that temporarily halts construction of a crude oil pipeline in the Atchafalaya Basin.  A divided three-judge panel from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday granted Bayou Bridge Pipeline LLC’s request for an emergency stay that suspends the judge’s ruling while it appeals.  On Feb. 23, U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick sided with environmental groups and issued a preliminary injunction stopping all Bayou Bridge pipeline construction work in the Atchafalaya Basin until the groups’ lawsuit is resolved.

The appeals court panel’s majority opinion says the company is likely to succeed on the merits of its claim that Dick abused her discretion in granting the injunction.

THERE WILL BE HEAVIER SECURITY AT THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DE LOUISIANE IN LAFAYETTE.  THAT’S BECAUSE OF A SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED IN THE LAST HOUR OF LAST YEAR’S FESTIVAL.  DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF REGINALD THOMAS TELLS THE ADVOCATE THAT THERE WILL BE MORE OFFICERS WORKING THE FESTIVAL AND SECURITY CAMERAS ON EVERY CORNER WITH OFFICERS MONITORING THE FOOTAGE.  HE SAYS NIGHTLY EVENTS WILL END EARLIER THIS YEAR WITH PERFORMANCES ON STAGES ENDING AT TEN P-M ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS.

A LOUD BOOM CAUSED BY A DECOMPRESSION PROCESS AT WESTLAKE CHEMICAL HAPPENED SO QUICKLY, IT CAUGHT WORKERS BY SURPRISE.  THE DECOMP CAUSED A LOUD BOOM WHICH COULD BE HEARD ALL THE WAY TO SOUTHEAST TEXAS, ACCORDING TO JOE ANDREPONT OF WESTLAKE CHEMICAL.  HE TELLS KPLC TV IT’S CAUSED BY PRESSURE BUILDING UP IN A REACTOR TO THE POINT IT CAUSES SAFETY DISCS TO BREAK, RELEASING ETHYLENE GAS, AND BURNING OFF IN A SHORT FIRE.  HE SAYS THERE’S NO DANGER TO THE PUBLIC AND THEY’LL RESUME OPERATIONS AT THAT PART OF THE FACILITY TODAY.

A FORMER IOTA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COACH HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR STEALING CASH FROM THE SCHOOL.  SURVEILLANCE VIDEO SHOWED A MAN WALK INTO THE ATHLETIC COMPLEX ON MARCH SECOND AND STEAL MONEY.  POLICE IDENTIFIED THE MAN AS NEIL LEGE, WHO LEFT THE SCHOOL ABOUT TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO, ACCORDING TO POLICE CHIEF DAMON DAIGLE.  HE SAYS LEGE HAS TURNED HIMSELF IN AND HIS CASE IS NOW PENDING.

Louisiana’s debt load has continued its steady rise, hitting another record for how much the state owes for each resident and outpacing the national average.  That’s according to the latest debt report presented Thursday to the Bond Commission.

In 2017, Louisiana carried a debt load of $1,558 for every man, woman and child — an increase of $19 per person from a year prior and a 30 percent rise from a decade ago.  The report also shows Louisiana edging closer to its debt ceiling, a situation that will crimp financing for ongoing projects.

A MEMBER OF THE EVANGELINE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD WAS ARRESTED SATURDAY NIGHT ON DRUG CHARGES.  57-YEAR-OLD ELLIS GUILLORY SENIOR OF VILLE PLATTE WAS ARRESTED IN THE PARKING LOT OF A SULPHUR NIGHTCLUB.  HE WAS FOUND TO HAVE A PLASTIC BAG OF POT IN HIS POCKET AND ANOTHER PLASTIC BAG OF CRACK COCAINE IN HIS SOCK, AFTER BEING SEARCHED BY A DEPUTY.  HE FACES SEVERAL CHARGES INCLUDING POSSESSION WITH THE INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE CRACK COCAINE.

LAST NIGHT THE CALCASIEU PARISH SCHOOL BOARD AGREED TO SPEND FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS ON IMPROVEMENTS TO THINGS LIKE BUILDINGS, EQUIPMENT, AND VEHICLES.  THE DECISIONS ON SPECIFIC PROJECTS HAVE NOT YET BEEN MADE.  FIRST THEY WILL ASSESS THE NEEDS IN EACH DISTRICT.  THE MONEY IS ALREADY IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT’S GENERAL FUND.

FUNERAL SERVICES WILL TAKE PLACE TODAY FOR EVA FONTENOT, WHO DIED MONDAY AT THE AGE OF 90.  FONTENOT AND HER HUSBAND OWNED AND OPERATED HALLMARK JEWELERS IN THE NORTHGATE MALL FROM 1968 TO 2012.  SHE AND HER HUSBAND MET AT THE NUREMBERG TRIALS AFTER WORLD WAR TWO, WHERE SHE, A NATIVE GERMAN, WAS WORKING AS A TRANSLATOR.  THE FUNERAL SERVICE IS AT NOON TODAY AT THE MARTIN AND CASTILLE FUNERAL HOME IN LAFAYETTE AND HER BODY WILL BE INTERRED AT LAFAYETTE MEMORIAL PARK.

THE STATE SUPREME COURT HAS REVERSED A LOWER COURT RULING THAT HAD THREATENED STATE AID TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.  THE FIRST CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS RULED LAST YEAR THAT FUNDING FROM THE STATE TO CHARTER SCHOOLS WAS ILLEGAL BECAUSE THOSE SCHOOLS DID NOT MEET THE LEGAL DEFINITION OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL.  HOWEVER, IN AN 18 PAGE RULING, THE STATE SUPREME COURT SAID THE STATE LEGISLATURE HAS DETERMINED THAT CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE INDEPENDENT PUBLIC SCHOOLS.  STATE AID TO CHARTER SCHOOLS ACCOUNTS FOR ABOUT 90 PERCENT OF THE FUNDS THEY RECEIVE.

A MOTHER IN EUNICE IS SPEAKING OUT IN ANGER AND HEARTACHE AFTER DISCOVERING ANOTHER GRAVE WAS PLACED ON TOP OF HER INFANT SON’S BURIAL SITE.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.

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A PRISON MINISTRY IS HAVING A FUNDRAISING EVENT THIS SATURDAY IN WESTLAKE.  OPEN DOOR PRISON MINISTRY WILL HOST ITS NINTH ANNUAL CHILI-HOGS COMMUNITY EVENT AT PINEDEROSA PARK FROM NINE A-M TO ONE.  THERE WILL BE MOTORCYCLE RIDES, A CHILI COOKOFF, GAMES FOR KIDS, MUSIC, AND TESTIMONIES.  OPEN DOOR IS A RE-ENTRY INITIATIVE THAT HELPS FORMER PRISONERS REINTEGRATE BACK INTO SOCIETY WHEN RELEASED.

RAYNE POLICE ARRESTED FOUR MEN WHO INVADED A HOME ON EAST HENRY STREET TUESDAY MORNING.  THE POLICE RECEIVED A CALL ABOUT A SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE AND A POSSIBLE HOME INVASION AND, WHEN THEY ARRIVED, THEY NABBED ONE OF THE MEN, WHILE THE OTHER THREE FLED THROUGH A WINDOW.  THE OTHER THREE WERE EVENTUALLY CAPTURED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.  THE VEHICLE TURNED OUT TO BE STOLEN MARCH SIXTH IN ST. LANDRY PARISH AND A STOLEN FIREARM, THAT HAD BEEN USED IN A 2014 BURGLARY IN LAFAYETTE, WAS ALSO RECOVERED.

GOVERNER JOHN BEL EDWARDS HAS FORMALLY ASKED THE HOUSE SPEAKER AND SENATE PRESIDENT TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION ENDING THE REGULAR SESSION EARLY IN MID-MAY SO A SPECIAL SESSION CAN BE HELD ON RAISING TAXES.  THE STATE IS LOOKING AT HAVING TO MAKE NEARLY 700 MILLION DOLLARS IN CUTS TO BALANCE THE BUDGET.  THE LEGISLATURE CANNOT DEAL WITH TAXES DURING THIS REGULAR SESSION, WHICH IS WHY HE WANTS THE SPECIAL SESSION.  THE REQUEST FOR THE SPECIAL SESSION IS GETTING SOME PUSH BACK FROM REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS.

YESTERDAY WORK BEGAN TO TRANSFORM THE FORMER U-L HORSE FARM ON JOHNSTON STREET IN LAFAYETTE INTO MONCUS PARK.  E-B BROOKS, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF LAFAYETTE CENTRAL PARK INC., TELLS THE DAILY ADVERTISER ITS EXCITING AND SURREAL TO SEE THE DREAM OF A WORLD CLASS PARK COMING TO FRUITION.  THE FIRST PHASE, WHICH INVOLVES THE FRONT SIXTY ACRES OF THE PROPERTY, WILL INCLUDE A NEW TWO WAY BRIDGE OVER A COULEE, A PARKING LOT, WALKING TRAILS AND A POND.  BROOKS SAYS THE SATURDAY FARMER’S MARKET WILL CONTINUE BUT PLANS INCLUDE A NEW FARMER’S MARKET AS WELL AS A MINI GOLF COURSE.

A HIGH SPEED CHASE THAT BEGAN IN IOWA ENDED NEAR DUSON WHEN THE DRIVER OF THE SPEEDING VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A STATE TROOPER’S VEHICLE.  IOWA POLICE CHIEF KEITH VINCENT SAYS ONE OF HIS OFFICERS ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER THE VEHICLE DRIVEN BY 32-YEAR-OLD ASHLEY DEJEAN OF BREAUX BRIDGE, BUT SHE SPED AWAY.  STATE POLICE PUT DOWN A ROAD SPIKE TO STOP HER BEFORE SHE REACHED LAFAYETTE, BUT INSTEAD SHE VEERED TO THE RIGHT, STRUCK A STATE POLICE UNIT AND OVERTURNED HER VEHICLE ON ITS SIDE.  DEJEAN, WHO HAS A LONG CRIMINAL HISTORY, WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF MODERATE TO MINOR INJURIES.

A BREAUX BRIDGE MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR CHILD ABUSE.  DETECTIVES WITH THE ST. MARTIN PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE BEGAN AN INVESTIGATION AFTER REPORTS ON FEBRUARY 28TH OF ALLEGED CHILD ABUSE.  THE INVESTIGATION LED TO EVIDENCE OF INJURIES THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH CHILD ABUSE.  37-YEAR-OLD BEAU CLUSE SENIOR WAS BOOKED INTO THE ST. MARTIN PARISH CORRECTIONAL CENTER ON A CHARGE OF CRUELTY TO A JUVENILE AND HIS BOND WAS SET AT 750 THOUSAND DOLLARS.

Gov. John Bel Edwards outlined a broad legislative agenda to lawmakers that includes scaling back some business regulations, tweaking teacher evaluations and making new attempts at raising Louisiana’s minimum wage.  The governor spoke Monday to the House and Senate as they opened their annual regular legislative session.   More than 1,100 bills have been pre-filed for consideration.  Edwards steered clear on one major topic: Guns.

THERE WAS ONE STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICIAL WHO WAS NOTICEABLY ABSENT YESTERDAY DURING GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH.  SECRETARY OF STATE TOM SCHEDLER HAS STAYED OUT OF THE PUBLIC EYE EVER SINCE A FORMER EMPLOYEE FILED A LAWSUIT ACCUSING HIM OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT.  THE GOVERNOR AND OTHER PROMINENT OFFICIALS HAVE CALLED FOR SCHEDLER TO RESIGN.  INSURANCE COMMISSIONER JIM DONELAN SAID IN AN INTERVIEW FOLLOWING THE CEREMONY THAT SCHEDLER SKIPPED THE EVENT TO AVOID BEING ASKED IF HE WILL RESIGN.

LAST NIGHT THE LAFAYETTE POLICE DEPARTMENT HELD A COMMUNITY WALK THAT BEGAN AT THEIR PRECINCT ON MOSS STREET.  THIS IS THE DEPARTMENT’S FOURTH WALK AND THE FIRST FOR THIS YEAR.  POLICE CHIEF TOBY AGUILLARD SAYS THE PURPOSE OF THE WALK IS TO BUILD TRUST AND BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND POLICE.  HE SAYS THEY WILL DO SOME MORE WALKS OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS AND PICK IT UP AGAIN IN THE FALL.

VOTERS WILL DECIDE THE FATE OF THE WEST CALCASIEU CAMERON HOSPITAL IN SULPHUR.  A PROPERTY TAX THAT HELPS PAY FOR OPERATIONS AT THE HOSPITAL IS UP FOR RENEWAL ON APRIL 28^TH.  LAST NIGHT THE SULPHUR CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF RENEWING THE 6-POINT-9-5 MILL PROPERTY TAX FOR ANOTHER TEN YEARS.  THE PROPERTY TAX WILL BE ON THE APRIL 28^TH BALLOT IN SULPHUR, WESTLAKE, CARLYSS, HACKBERRY AND VINTON.

CRIME IS DOWN IN ACADIA PARISH COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.  THAT’S ACCORDING SHERIF K-P GIBSON, WHO RELEASED HIS ANNUAL REPORT.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.

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IT’S NOT THE NCAA TOURNAMENT, BUT THE U-L RAGIN’ CAJUNS MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM STILL HAS A CHANCE TO COMPETE IN THE POSTSEASON.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS THE DETAILS.

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A LAKE CHARLES ATTORNEY WAS FOUND NOT GUILTY OF RAPE AFTER A WEEK LONG TRIAL.  JONATHAN JOHNSON WAS ACCUSED OF DRUGGING AND RAPING A WOMAN AFTER A NIGHT OF DRINKING AT A WEDDING RECEPTION IN 2011.  JOHNSON ADMITTED HAVING RELATIONS WITH THE WOMAN BUT SAID THEY WERE CONSENSUAL.  HIS ATTORNEY JIM BOREN TELLS KPLC TV THE WOMAN WAS NOT CREDIBLE AND ALL THE WITNESSES TESTIFIED IN SUPPORT OF JOHNSON.

FREMIN’S FOOD AND FURNITURE IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE AFTER A FIRE THAT HAPPENED ON FRIDAY.  THE FURNITURE DEPARTMENT AND WAREHOUSE SUFFERED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE BUT THE FIRE DID NOT REACH THE GROCERY STORE.  THE FREMIN FAMILY POSTED ON FACEBOOK THAT THEY WILL STAY CLOSED UNTIL ALL POSSIBLE ISSUES ARE ADDRESSED AND THEY RECEIVE CLEARANCE FROM GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT EXPERTS.  THEY THANKED FIRST RESPONDERS FOR THEIR QUICK ACTION AS THERE WERE NO INJURIES.

Louisiana’s civil service agency is hoping to boost the perception of state workers.

The department has beefed up its social media presence and launched a rebranding effort. The agency also has released a new video showing how the services that state employees provide impact citizens’ daily lives.  State Civil Service Director Byron Decoteau says the effort is aimed at showcasing “the positive impacts our state employees bring to our communities.”

36 PEOPLE WERE GIVEN AWARDS FOR EXCELLENDCE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP.  THE AWARDS WERE GIVEN AWAY AT THE TENTH ANNUAL COMMUNITY BENEFIT LUNCHEON HELD AT THE PETROLEUM CLUB IN LAFAYETTE.  THE AWARDS WERE CREATED TO HONOR PEOPLE WHO ARE MAKING AN IMPACT BEYOND WHAT IS ORDINARY.  AMONG THOSE HONORED WERE CHARLES AND PATRICIA GREEN OF LAFAYETTE, THE OWNER OF HOME HEALTH CARE, ALVA JONES, AND PARKS POLICE SUPERINTENDENT OSCAR BENOIT.

A LAKE CHARLES MAN WAS ARRESTED ON A FOURTH OFFENSE D-W-I EARLY SATURDAY MORNING.  42-YEAR-OLD TRANDY J. NELSON WAS DRIVING DOWN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY 90 EAST OF LAKE CHARLES SHORTLY BEFORE FIVE SATURDAY MORNING WHEN A RESPONDING STATE TROOPER PULLED HIM OVER.  A SPOKESMAN WITH STATE POLICE TROOP D SAYS NELSON SHOWED SIGNS OF IMPAIRMENT AND HAD AN OPEN CAN OF BEER IN THE VEHICLE.  HE INITIALLY WAS COOPERATIVE BUT THEN BEGAN TO WALK AWAY AND, AFTER A BRIEF STRUGGLE, HE WAS ARRESTED.

THE OPELOUSAS POLICE DEPARTMENT IS ASKING THE PUBLIC’S HELP IN IDENTIFYING SUSPECTS WHO ROBBED TWO STORES IN OPELOUSAS.  ONE HAPPENED IN THE 400 BLOCK OF CRESSWELL LANE LAST TUESDAY, AND ON THURSDAY, ANOTHER STORE IN THE 700 BLOCK OF CRESSWELL LANE WAS ALSO ROBBED AT GUNPOINT.  ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON THE ROBBERIES OR WHO CAN HELP IDENTIFY THE SUSPECTS IS ASKED TO CALL THE OPELOUSAS POLICE DEPARTMENT.  ALL CALLS WILL REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL.

Only days removed from a contentious, unsuccessful special session, Louisiana’s lawmakers are returning for more, a monthslong stretch of debates in the regular legislative session.  The list of topics this time will be more varied than the prior session’s focus on finances.  But the state’s latest budget gap, estimated to sit at around $700 million, will remain at the center of discussions and likely in the forefront of many legislators’ thoughts.  The regular session begins today at noon.

Gov. John Bel Edwards speaks to the House and Senate an hour later to outline his agenda and offer an assessment of where things stand at the midpoint of his four-year term.

Taxes can’t be considered to help bail Louisiana out of its budget problems. Otherwise, topics allowed for debate are wide open.

LAFAYETTE CITY MARSHAL BRIAN POPE HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM JAIL.  HE WAS SENT THERE ON FEBRUARY 28^TH BY JUDGE JULES EDWARDS FOR FAILING TO COMPLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE AS PART OF HIS PROBATION FOR A CONTEMPT CHARGE.  POPE HAD ASKED THE THIRD CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEAL TO REVERSE EDWARD’S DECISION TO REVOKE HIS PROBATION.  THE APPEALS COURT PUT A STAY ON HIS JAIL SENTENCE WHILE THEY REVIEW THE CASE.

WORK ON THE I-TEN BRIDGE IN LAKE CHARLES THAT BEGAN LAST SATURDAY IS CAUSING CONGESTED TRAFFIC IN SULPHUR.  IT’S BEEN PARTICULARLY BAD AT THE INTERSECTION OF MAPLEWOOD DRIVE AND PRATER ROAD.  ONE RESIDENT, CHRISTINE FUSELIER, WHO WORKS AT A DAYCARE ON PRATER ROAD, TELLS KPLC TV THAT ON TUESDAY, IT TOOK HER AN HOUR AND FIFTY MINUTES TO GET HOME, WHILE ON WEDNESDAY, IT TOOK OVER TWO HOURS.  SULPHUR POLICE ARE URGING DRIVERS TO USE MAIN ROADS AND AVOID USING MAPLEWOOD DRIVE AS AN ALTERNATE ROUTE.

Louisiana’s attorney general has filed a lawsuit accusing the Vermillion Parish school board of stifling public debate at a meeting in January disrupted by the video-recorded arrest of a teacher being handcuffed on a hallway floor.  Attorney General Jeff Landry’s lawsuit accuses the Vermilion Parish School Board of violating the state’s Open Meetings Law at its meeting Jan. 8 in which a teacher criticized a district superintendent’s pay raise.  Teacher Deyshia Hargrave, whose arrest sparked outrage after the video spread online, called the suit good news for “anyone who speaks at public meetings.”  It asks a court to nullify the meeting’s voted pay raise for the superintendent.

GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS IS BACKING A PROPOSAL TO LOWER THE VALUE OF STUDENT TEST RESULTS IN A TEACHER’S EVALUATION.  UNDER A BILL BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE FRANK HOFFMAN OF WEST MONROE, THE TEST RESULTS WOULD GO FROM 35 PERCENT TO 15 PERCENT OF A TEACHER’S EVALUATION.  EDWARDS ALSO BACKS ANOTHER BILL BY HOFFMAN THAT WOULD EASE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A TEACHER TO ACHIEVE TENURE.  THE 2018 REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS ON MONDAY AT NOON.

THE DISCOVERY OF ASBESTOS HAS DELAYED THE DEMOLITION OF THE LAFAYETTE NATURAL SCIENCE MUSEUM AND PLANETARIUM.  HENDERSON CONSTRUCTION WAS SET TO BEGIN THE DEMOLITION IN DECEMBER, BUT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, UPON LEARNING OF IT, INFORMED THE CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT THAT A CERTIFICATE WAS NEEDED TO SHOW THE PREMISES WAS FREE OF ASBESTOS.  THAT’S WHEN THEY FOUND OUT THERE WAS ASBESTOS IN THE BUILDING.  IT’S RESULTED IN A DELAY OF SEVEN MONTHS TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT AND A 40 PERCENT INCREASE IN THE DEMOLITION CONTRACT.

THE MAYOR OF JENNINGS SAYS HE’S TIRED OF VANDALISM THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE CHRISTMAS AT FOUNDER’S PARK.  HE TELLS KPLC TV THE VANDALS HAVE TRIED TO STEAL BENCHES, AND THE LIGHTS AND ELECTRONICS HAVE BEEN DAMAGED.  HE SAYS POLICE WILL START PATROLLING THE AREA MORE OFTEN AND HE PLANS TO SET UP SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS.  GUINN SAYS THAT IF THE VANDALS ARE ADULTS, HE WANTS THEM TO SERVE PRISON TIME.

HAM RADIO OPERATORS FROM AROUND THE SOUTH WILL BE GATHERING IN RAYNE THIS WEEKEND FOR THE 58^TH ANNUAL HAMFEST.  IT’S BILLED AS THE LARGEST HAMFEST ON THE GULF COAST AND TAKES PLACE AT THE RAYNE CIVIC CENTER BEGINNING THIS AFTERNOON AT THREE AND CONTINUING TOMORROW MORNING AT EIGHT.  TOP MANUFACTURERS OF RADIO EQUIPMENT WILL BE ON HAND TO DISPLAY AND SELL THEIR WARES.  USED AND ANTIQUE GEAR WILL BE SOLD AND TRADED AT SWAP TABLES.

A BOIL ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR SOME RESIDENTS IN MAMOU.  IT’S DUE TO A BUSTED WATER LINE.  THE FOLLOWING STREETS ARE AFFECTED:  SECOND TO FOURTH STREETS AND MAIN TO HACKBERRY STREETS.  ANY QUESTIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO MAMOU CITY HALL.

THE LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD LAST NIGHT VOTED TO CANCEL A SCHEDULED WALKOUT BY STUDENTS AND STAFF ON MARCH 14^TH TO COMMEMORATE THE SHOOTING LAST MONTH AT A SCHOOL IN FLORIDA.  THERE WERE CONCERNS EXPRESSED AT THE MEETING THAT SOME STUDENTS MIGHT ACT OUT DURING THE WALKOUT, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE PEACEFUL.  THE DECISION WAS MADE TO HOLD A MOMENT OF SILENCE INSTEAD AND STUDENTS WILL BE ALLOWED TO WEAR BLUE FOR THE OCCASION.  CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER JOE CRAIG SAYS A DECISION WILL BE MADE TODAY ON WHAT TO DO IF SOME STUDENTS DO DECIDE TO WALK OUT ANYWAY.

A MAN, WHO FIRED SHOTS AT SULPHUR AND LAKE CHARLES POLICE OFFICERS DURING A STANDOFF IN JULY OF 2014, WAS FOUND GUILTY OF EIGHT COUNTS OF ATTEMPTED FIRST DEGREE MURDER OF A POLICE OFFICER.  AT A SUPER EIGHT HOTEL IN SULPHUR, 29-YEAR-OLD EL JERICO BARTIE FIRED AT LEAST 18 ROUNDS AT THE OFFICERS BEFORE SURRENDERING.  HE TOLD JUDGE RON WARE ON THE STAND THAT HE DIDN’T KNOW HE WAS FIRING AT OFFICERS, BUT THE JUDGE DIDN’T BELIEVE HIM AND PRONOUNCED THE GUILTY VERDICT WITH SENTENCING TO TAKE PLACE NEXT MONTH.  THE OFFICERS WERE ATTEMPTING TO APPREHEND BARTIE FOR A DRIVE BY SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED ON CLINE DRIVE IN LAKE CHARLES.

A ST. MARTINVILLE MURDER SUSPECT ENTERED A PLEA YESTERDAY.  JEFF HORCHAK HAS MORE.

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Louisiana lawmakers’ failure in the special session to help close a budget gap only four months away is raising red flags with a national credit rating agency.  S&P Global Ratings said Wednesday that continued uncertainty about Louisiana’s finances because of legislative gridlock “has emerged as a credit weakness.” The agency made no move to downgrade the state’s credit rating, but the update signals such a threat could exist.  Three major rating agencies downgraded Louisiana’s credit rating in 2016 and 2017, making it more expensive to borrow money for roadwork and construction projects.

A LAFAYETTE ART TEACHER HAS WON A NATIONAL AWARD.  THE NATIONAL ART EDUCATION ASSOCIATION NAMED SHELLY BREAUX THE WINNER OF THE 2018 SOUTHEASTERN REGION SECONDARY ART EDUCATOR AWARD.  BREAUX TEACHES ART AT THE DAVID THIBODEAUX STEM MAGNET ACADEMY.  BREAUX TELLS THE DAILY ADVERTISER THAT THE AWARD IS EXTRA SPECIAL BECAUSE THE WINNERS ARE CHOSEN BY ART EDUCATION PEERS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY.

THE LAKE CHARLES CITY COUNCIL REJECTED REZONING PROPERTY FOR A PROPOSED NEW BUSINESS.  HARVEY LOGAN WANTED TO BUILD A BARBER BEAUTY SHOP IN AN AREA ZONED FOR RESIDENTIAL.  ONE REASON COUNCIL MEMBERS WERE AGAINST IT WAS THE POTENTIAL FOR INCREASED TRAFFIC IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.  IT’S ALSO IN A FLOOD ZONE, SO IT WOULD HAVE TO BE ELEVATED, WHICH COULD CAUSE RUNOFF TO LEGION STREET, WHICH SAW FLOODING DURING TROPICAL STORM HARVEY LAST YEAR.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry and the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office are seeking the public’s help in finding whoever’s responsible for the recent deaths of a cow and three calves.  On March 3, agriculture inspectors received a complaint from a rancher in reference to cattle killed on the levee near Port Barre. The animals were found dead in the pasture portion of the levee. Inspectors say it appears the cattle were run over by a truck.  Anyone with information is urged to call St. Landry Parish Crimestoppers at 948-TIPS.

A federal appeals court has scheduled a hearing next week to review a judge’s order halting construction of a crude oil pipeline in the Atchafalaya Basin.  Bayou Bridge Pipeline LLC asked the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for an “emergency stay” that would lift the suspension of construction work while it appeals the judge’s ruling.  A three-member panel from the 5th Circuit is scheduled hear arguments on that request next Tuesday.  On Feb. 23, U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick sided with environmental groups and issued a preliminary injunction stopping all Bayou Bridge pipeline construction work in the Atchafalaya Basin until the groups’ lawsuit is resolved.

TWO MORE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SHOOTING OF A LAFAYETTE WOMAN ON MARCH FIRST.  24-YEAR-OLD MARISHA M. FELIX WAS FOUND DEAD OF GUNSHOT WOUNDS IN A CRASHED CAR ON MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR DRIVE.  CORPORAL KARL RATCLIFF OF THE LAFAYETTE POLICE DEPARTMENT SAYS TIMOTHY MELANCON AND STEVEN MAMOU ARE BEING CHARGED WITH ACCESSORY TO SECOND DEGREE MURDER.  LAST WEEK, POLICE ARRESTED 17-YEAR-OLD SHAWNTRELL SAMPY OF LAFAYETTE AND CHARGED HIM WITH SECOND DEGREE MURDER.

DELTA TECH IN LAKE CHARLES CANCELLED GRADUATION COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES THIS SPRING, UPSETTING SOME STUDENTS.  THE SCHOOL ALSO ANNOUNCED THEY WOULD NOT SEEK ACCREDITATION, MEANING THEY COULD NOT GET FEDERAL AID FOR STUDENTS AFTER JUNE 12^TH.  DELTA TECH HAD BEEN ACCREDITED BY THE ACCREDITING COUNCIL FOR INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS, BUT THE U-S SECRETARY OF EDUCATION WITHDREW RECOGNITION OF THAT ACCREDITING BODY BECAUSE  OF 21 VIOLATIONS OF REGULATIONS.  WHEN ASKED BY KPLC TV IF THE SCHOOL WAS CLOSING, THE C-E-O OF DELTA TECH JEFF EDWARDS SAID IN A WRITTEN REPLY THEY HAVE NOT MADE ANY DECISION TO CLOSE.

KAPLAN POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING REPORTS OF SHOTS FIRED ON TUESDAY NIGHT.  JEFF HORCHAK REPORTS.

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The U.S. Senate has confirmed a state court judge, Terry Doughty, to serve as a federal judge in Louisiana.  The Senate voted unanimously Tuesday to confirm Doughty as a district court judge for the Western District of Louisiana. President Donald Trump nominated him for the seat in August.  U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican, said in a statement Tuesday that Doughty is “highly qualified” and was confirmed with “strong bipartisan support.”

A JUDGE HAS DENIED BOND FOR THE MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING LAFAYETE POLICE CORPORAL MICHAEL MIDDLEBROOK LAST YEAR.  15^TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT JUDGE JULES EDWARDS SAYS THERE’S ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO DENY BOND TO IAN HOWARD, WHO IS CHARGED WITH FIRST DEGREE MURDER AND TWO COUNTS OF ATTEMPTED FIRST DEGREE MURDER.  DURING THE HEARING, A STATE POLICE INVESTIGATOR SAID HE FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF PREMEDITATION OR A MOTIVE FOR THE SHOOTING.  IT HAPPENED ON OCTOBER FIRST AT A MOSS STREET CONVENIENCE STORE.

A LAKE CHARLES ATTORNEY IS ON TRIAL THIS WEEK IN A 2011 RAPE CASE.  JONATHAN LANE JOHNSON IS ACCUSED OF DRUGGING A WOMAN AND RAPING HER.  THE CASE IS BEING PROSECUTED BY THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE AND A JUDGE FROM NEW ORLEANS IS PRESIDING OVER THE TRIAL.  JOHNSON’S DEFENSE ATTORNEY IS MAINTAINING HIS CLIENT’S INNOCENCE.

YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, A MOTORIST IN EUNICE NOTICED A TWO-YEAR-OLD CHILD PLAYING ON HIGHWAY 190.  SHE TURNED AROUND AND WAITED WITH THE CHILD UNTIL POLICE ARRIVED.  THEY FOUND THE PARENTS SLEEPING ABOUT FIFTY YARDS AWAY AND CALLED IN CHILD SERVICES TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION.  MAJOR EDDIE THIBODEAUX TELLS KLFY TV THAT THE HIGHWAY IS FOUR LANES AND THE SPEED LIMIT 65, SO THIS COULD HAVE HAD A VERY DIFFERENT ENDING.

After failing to raise any money in the just-ended special session, Louisiana’s lawmakers are supposed to move to the next step. They are charged with crafting a budget with the cuts required to eliminate a shortfall only four months away.

Gov. John Bel Edwards doesn’t believe the Legislature will agree to strip nearly $700 million in state financing from programs and services in the regular session that begins Monday.  Legislative leaders also question if the House and Senate will make such politically-charged decisions.