INDReporter

Cajuns roll past LSU to close in on NCAA Super Regional

danmcdonald@cox.net (Dan McDonald) — Sat, 18 May 2013 21:11:39 GMT

Brianna Cherry's early homer and Jordan Wallace's right arm combined Saturday to put UL's softball team one win away from the NCAA Super Regionals.

Cajun softball successful in NCAA opener

danmcdonald@cox.net (Dan McDonald) — Sat, 18 May 2013 01:00:45 GMT

It wasn't easy, but UL's softball team made it through the first step in NCAA Tournament play Friday. Now they'll face LSU's Tigers in the biggest game of the season so far at noon Saturday in the NCAA Regional Tournament.

Ethics bd. green lights Tramel consulting

walterp@theind.com (Walter Pierce) — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:16:17 GMT

The Louisiana Board of Ethics has cleared former Director of Traffic and Transportation Tony Tramel to conduct private traffic-engineering consulting work, including with Lafayette Consolidated Government.

AUSA Walker honored for child protection work

lesliet@theind.com (IND Monthly Staff) — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:11:59 GMT

The longtime assistant U.S. attorney received the Child Protection Award at the annual National Missing Children’s Day commemoration held in Washington, D.C., this week.

Tough decisions ahead for LPSB

patrickf@theind.com (Patrick Flanagan) — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:08:29 GMT

Faced with a student population that threatens to outgrow existing facilities, a shrinking budget and no guarantee parish voters are ready to support new taxes following the last failed election in 2011, one option for relief for the Lafayette Parish School System could come in the form of two charter school organizations.

Saints' Payton settles tax credit lawsuit

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:46:55 GMT

The case is tied to the 2008 payment of $1.9 million by present and past members of the team to Louisiana Film Studios LLC. But the studio's chief, Wayne Read, never applied for the credits and never gave the money back.

Saints agree to terms with DL Aaitui

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:45:40 GMT

The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Aaitui is entering his third year as a pro out of UNLV.

Jindal's state salary provides main income in 2012

walterp@theind.com (Littice Bacon-Blood, Associated Press) — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:42:32 GMT

Gov. Bobby Jindal's latest financial disclosure report, released Thursday, shows his $127,592-a-year state salary provided the main source of income for him and his wife in 2012.

House backs ban on drivers using social media

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:41:33 GMT

A ban on posting to social media sites like Facebook and Twitter while driving appears likely to hit Louisiana's law books.

Toughened school safety bill wins final passage

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:40:48 GMT

Public schools, already required to have written crisis management plans, will now have to coordinate those plans with local law enforcement and emergency preparedness officials — and hold annual safety drills to rehearse them.

10 things to know today

afsimoneaux@earthlink.net (The Associated Press) — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:52:40 GMT

Here's your daily look at late-breaking national and international news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Friday, May 17, 2013:

Brothers arrested in Mother's Day parade shooting

lesliet@theind.com (Kevin McGill, Associated Press) — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:52:49 GMT

Two brothers with a history of drug arrests and suspected ties to a neighborhood gang each face 20 counts of attempted second-degree murder in a shooting spree that brought a sudden bloody end to a neighborhood Mother's Day parade.

Questions raised about House budget proposal

lesliet@theind.com (Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press) — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:46:01 GMT

Senators are expressing skepticism about some assumptions House lawmakers used to balance next year's budget.

AG: Grand jury planned in Medicaid contract case

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:16:22 GMT

Attorney General Buddy Caldwell asked a Baton Rouge judge to block access to records requested by a company whose $200 million Medicaid contract was canceled by Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration.

Senate panel approves bill to create national ID

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:14:45 GMT

Louisiana driver's licenses would be used to comply with federal law requiring each state to create a national identification card for air travel, including domestic flights, under a proposal inserted Wednesday into a House bill by the Senate Transportation Committee.

Local schools owed $30M because of court ruling

walterp@theind.com (Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press) — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:13:57 GMT

The state owes local school districts $30 million because the Louisiana Supreme Court threw out this year's public school funding formula, Superintendent of Education John White said Wednesday.

Tax break for gun manufacturers stalls in House

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:13:16 GMT

The proposal by St. Bernard Parish Rep. Ray Garofalo stalled on a 47-47 vote Wednesday. Garofalo, a Republican, can try again if he can pick up the six votes needed for passage.

State health department hires inspector general

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:12:25 GMT

The hiring of William Root, announced Wednesday, comes after Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration canceled a nearly $200 million Medicaid contract whose award is being investigated by state and federal officials.

State may alter some Road Home requirements

walterp@theind.com (Kevin McGill, Associated Press) — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:11:38 GMT

Louisiana residents faced with having to pay back hurricane aid money because they failed to meet certain government requirements could get a break under changes the state outlined Wednesday.

Appeals court dismisses greenhouse gases lawsuit

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:10:48 GMT

A federal appeals panel has upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by a group of Mississippi Gulf Coast residents and landowners who alleged that emissions by energy companies contributed to global warming, which intensified Hurricane Katrina, which, in turn, damaged their property.

LPSB OKs 'questionable questionnaire' after a few tweaks

patrickf@theind.com (Patrick Flanagan) — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:34:26 GMT

Lafayette Parish School Board member Greg Awbrey’s “Discipline Questionnaire” for teachers was unanimously approved during Wednesday’s meeting, with one major change: Awbrey won’t be the one receiving all responses as originally proposed.

La. Senate rejects equal pay bill for women

walterp@theind.com (Littice Bacon-Blood, Associated Press) — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:14:58 GMT

Because the ladies just need to pull themselves up by their boot straps.

Income forecasting panel boosts its estimates

walterp@theind.com (Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press) — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:20:13 GMT

Louisiana's income forecast has gotten brighter, giving lawmakers more money to spend in the budget.

Former Saints RB Chuck Muncie dead at 60

walterp@theind.com (Brett Martel, AP Sports Writer) — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:19:26 GMT

Muncie family spokesman Vintage Foster of AMF Media Group in San Ramon, Calif., said Muncie died at his Los Angeles-area home on Monday from heart failure.

Gulf of Mexico states fight feds over fisheries

walterp@theind.com (Janet McConnaughey, Associated Press) — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:18:24 GMT

Red snapper, one of the most popular fish in the Gulf of Mexico, are the biggest and most plentiful in years, but the red snapper season in federal waters keeps getting shorter.

Ex-BP engineer claims feds withheld evidence

walterp@theind.com (Michael Kunzelman, Associated Press) — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:16:50 GMT

A former BP engineer charged with deleting text messages about the company's response to its 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico urged a federal judge Tuesday to sanction Justice Department prosecutors for allegedly withholding evidence in the case, a claim the prosecutors deny.

House lawmakers shelve Citizens rate review bill

walterp@theind.com (Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press) — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:37:44 GMT

Lawmakers in the House rejected a proposal Tuesday that sought legislative review of large rate increases for customers of Louisiana's property insurer of last resort.

Greg Awbrey's 'questionable questionnaire'

patrickf@theind.com (Patrick Flanagan) — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:20:08 GMT

Lafayette Parish School Board member Greg Awbrey believes he is charged with the noble cause of saving our teachers from the evils of our school system — hence his continued push to distribute a self-authored “Discipline Questionnaire” to the teachers of LPSS that he wants returned directly to him.

Child porn nets deMahy 2 years in prison

patrickf@theind.com (Patrick Flanagan) — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:14:26 GMT

Philip deMahy Sr., a once respected New Iberia ad exec, was sentenced May 2 to spend the next two years (he faced up to 100 years) in a state penitentiary after state and federal investigators found dozens of images depicting children engaged in lewd sexual acts on his personal computer.

Landrieu picks up new challenger in Senate race

walterp@theind.com (Walter Pierce) — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:36:01 GMT

A retired Air Force colonel from Madisonville says he plans to run for the U.S. Senate next year, seeking to oust Democratic incumbent Mary Landrieu.

Chavis confident despite loss of starters

walterp@theind.com (Walter Pierce) — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:34:53 GMT

Despite the loss of seven starters to the NFL, LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis is sounding confident about the 2013 football season.

Dalai Lama visiting New Orleans

walterp@theind.com (Stacey Plaisance, Associated Press) — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:34:07 GMT

An entourage of Tibetan monks Tuesday will create an elaborate sand mandala to commemorate the Dalai Lama's visit.

Senate rejects attempt to kill La. Science Act

walterp@theind.com (Littice Bacon-Blood, Associated Press) — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:33:21 GMT

The Louisiana Senate overwhelmingly rejected an attempt Monday to repeal a 2008 law that permits public school science teachers to use material outside of the adopted textbook in the classroom — leeway critics say turns science into religion.

Senate backs limits on alternative fuel tax credit

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:32:38 GMT

The Louisiana Senate has agreed to rewrite the state's alternative fuel vehicle tax credit program, after concerns the law had been too broadly written and cost too much.

$25B budget debate shifts to Louisiana Senate

walterp@theind.com (Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press) — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:31:44 GMT

Action on crafting Louisiana's nearly $25 billion budget shifts to the Senate this week, after lawmakers in the House wrapped up work on a bipartisan compromise for how to pay for state programs and services next year.

Deadline to file La. taxes is Wednesday

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:30:35 GMT

The state Department of Revenue says filing can be made electronically and more information is available at the department's website.

DA won't prosecute 'Cop Watcher'

patrickf@theind.com (Patrick Flanagan) — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:42:09 GMT

Alex Lege, aka "The Cop Watcher," will not face prosecution for his arrest by the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office on the night of April 11, when he was booked on charges of interfering with a police investigation for video recording a deputy involved in a routine traffic stop.

Cajun baseball breaks out the big bats

danmcdonald@cox.net (Dan McDonald) — Tue, 14 May 2013 14:02:58 GMT

The Cajuns, just like the chicks, dig the long ball, and the result is a stunning turnaround and a legitimate chance to make some post-season noise.

Jindal parodied on YouTube

walterp@theind.com (Walter Pierce) — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:55:47 GMT

Watch it while you can, because although this Buddha & The Pests music video is presented as comprising public-use, fair domain and original images/footage, we can’t imagine it won’t be yanked off YouTube soon.

Chris Williams' quest for back pay ... to be continued

patrickf@theind.com (Patrick Flanagan) — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:44:38 GMT

Former Lafayette City-Parish Councilman Chris Williams will have to return to the drawing board before his wages lawsuit against the Lafayette Housing Authority can proceed, according to a Monday morning ruling by Judge Edward Broussard of the 15th Judicial District.

Audit: $42M in costs for LSU privatization

walterp@theind.com (Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press) — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:46:42 GMT

A new audit says Gov. Bobby Jindal's push to privatize all but one of the LSU-run hospitals across south Louisiana would cost the state $42 million for layoff costs.

Squabble over NOLA eatery goes to court

walterp@theind.com (Michael Kunzelman, Associated Press) — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:45:35 GMT

Brennan's, a New Orleans restaurant that famously invented the Bananas Foster dessert six decades ago, is more recently known for a long-running family clash over ownership of the French Quarter eatery.

Two including Lafayette woman appointed to marriage commission

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:44:28 GMT

The 29-member commission supports policies centered on marriage and families.

Proposed rules could affect pecan growers

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:33:51 GMT

LSU AgCenter Associate Vice Chancellor Rogers Leonard says the new rules likely will increase producers' costs for production.

2016 looms: Paul, Jindal visit early voting states

walterp@theind.com (Steve Peoples and Thomas Beaumont, Associated Press) — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:14:21 GMT

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, became the first potential 2016 presidential candidate this year to visit New Hampshire unofficially kicking off the state's presidential primary season roughly 2½ years before voting begins.

Cajun softball headed to Baton Rouge for NCAA opener

danmcdonald@cox.net (Dan McDonald) — Mon, 13 May 2013 04:10:18 GMT

The Ragin' Cajun softball team will begin its 23rd postseason journey in the past 24 years at a familiar location, headed to Baton Rouge for the NCAA Softball Championship regional round.

Records in LSU presidential search not released

lesliet@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Sun, 12 May 2013 15:04:20 GMT

Two Louisiana news organizations are asking a judge to punish LSU's Board of Supervisors for not releasing documents related the university's presidential search.

House backs $25 billion budget compromise

walterp@theind.com (Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press) — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:03:12 GMT

After days of closed-door negotiations, the Louisiana House backed a nearly $25 billion budget Friday that deeply diverges from spending plans recommended by Gov. Bobby Jindal.

Jindal travels to New Hampshire for GOP fundraiser

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Fri, 10 May 2013 21:57:06 GMT

The governor's office announced that Jindal, considered a potential 2016 White House contender, traveled to the important presidential primary state Friday to raise dollars for the New Hampshire Republican state Senate.

Saints sign rookie DT John Jenkins

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Fri, 10 May 2013 21:56:10 GMT

New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says the club has signed third-round draft pick John Jenkins to a four-year contract.

David Calhoun, ‘EB’ Brooks join Lafayette Central Park

lesliet@theind.com (Leslie Turk) — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:42:52 GMT

Duo serving as executive director and director of planning and design, respectively.

Lake Peigneur gets snubbed by Senate ... again

patrickf@theind.com (Patrick Flanagan) — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:22:54 GMT

Our state legislators have once again shown little concern for the plight of the thousands of people living near Lake Peigneur, siding once again with the interests of AGL Resources, an out-of-state company attempting to push forward expansion plans that some believe could lead to a sinkhole catastrophe similar to the one playing out at Bayou Corne — as if that wasn’t example enough.

Finley delivers keynote address to Southern Law grads

lesliet@theind.com (IND Monthly Staff) — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:20:13 GMT

Louisiana’s first female U.S. Attorney will tell 173 graduates earning law degrees “how important it is for them to remember service as they begin the next phase of their lives.”

Imagine Lafayette

walterp@theind.com (Walter Pierce) — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:57:02 GMT

The third and final round of public forums on the Lafayette Comprehensive Plan is upon us.

This week in graphics that say it all

walterp@theind.com (Walter Pierce) — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:26:26 GMT

Exactly what this one says we’ll leave up to you.

Bills to revamp early childhood education advance

walterp@theind.com (Littice Bacon-Blood, Associated Press) — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:03:39 GMT

Proposals to tie public funding to student performance and issue letter grades to Louisiana's public and private early childhood education programs are finding easy passage through the Legislature.

House to take up budget compromise Friday

walterp@theind.com (Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press) — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:02:52 GMT

After days of closed-door negotiations, Louisiana House leaders are supporting a $24.7 billion compromise budget, rather than the proposal submitted by Gov. Bobby Jindal.

Rare coins worth millions displayed in New Orleans

walterp@theind.com (Stacey Plaisance, Associated Press) — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:02:01 GMT

Coin enthusiasts are getting a glimpse of more than $100 million worth of rare money, including some of the crown jewels of money collecting at the National Money Show in New Orleans.

Saints sign Vaccaro and 3 other draft picks

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:01:09 GMT

New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says first-round pick Kenny Vaccaro and three other draft choices have signed four-year contracts on the eve of the first rookie camp practice.

Mathieu ready for Cardinals rookie camp

walterp@theind.com (John Marshall, AP Sports Writer) — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:00:05 GMT

Once one of college football's most dynamic players, Tyrann Mathieu found himself out of the game last season and his future in doubt after repeated problems with marijuana.

Reworked budget taking shape in La. House

walterp@theind.com (Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press) — Thu, 09 May 2013 22:51:39 GMT

The Louisiana House coalesced Thursday behind a rewritten, bipartisan budget compromise that dumps many financing plans sought by Gov. Bobby Jindal in favor of cuts to tax breaks and dollars expected from a tax amnesty program.

Saints rookies set to take part in first practices

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Thu, 09 May 2013 22:50:23 GMT

The New Orleans Saints' five draft picks can only hope that the elation they felt when they were drafted less than two weeks ago lasts through this weekend.

Reworked budget compromise taking shape in House

walterp@theind.com (Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press) — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:06:53 GMT

The Louisiana House is considering substantial tweaks to an alternative proposal to Gov. Bobby Jindal's budget for next year.

LSU fee bill advances, other tuition bills linger

walterp@theind.com (Littice Bacon-Blood, Associated Press) — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:06:10 GMT

Saying a majority of Louisiana's colleges and universities won't reach the graduation rates of the Southern regional average by 2016, the House Education Committee chairman angrily killed his own tuition increase bill on Wednesday.

La. levee plan concerns Mississippi leaders

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:05:19 GMT

Mississippi Republican Sen. Thad Cochran has proposed amendments to a federal water resources bill to protect coastal areas from flooding or storm surge threats that might result from a new flood control proposal for Louisiana.

Harson leaves easy $s uncollected

patrickf@theind.com (Patrick Flanagan) — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:40:00 GMT

Though the money is there for the taking, DA Mike Harson has apparently neglected another of his responsibilities: collecting bond forfeitures, funds that benefit not only his office but several other entities of the 15th Judicial District.

House committee approves fee increase bill for LSU

walterp@theind.com (Littice Bacon-Blood, Associated Press) — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:38:47 GMT

That fee could top out at $300 a year by the fall of 2017.

Council approves SafeLight violations ordinance

walterp@theind.com (Walter Pierce) — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:56:51 GMT

The City-Parish Council on Tuesday approved an introductory ordinance that, if approved as a final ordinance in two weeks, will allow the city-parish attorney to subcontract with lawyers to file suit agaisnt people who have unpaid citations issued through the SafeLight/SafeSpeed programs as well as outstanding parking tickets.

Revised Medicaid expansion proposed to House panel

walterp@theind.com (Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press) — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:25:57 GMT

The House Health and Welfare Committee already rejected a bill that would have expanded Louisiana's Medicaid program as allowed under the federal Affordable Care Act.

Senators back bill blocking federal gun regulation

walterp@theind.com (Littice Bacon-Blood, Associated Press) — Tue, 07 May 2013 20:16:01 GMT

It took a Senate panel less than five minutes to approve a bill prohibiting the enforcement of federal laws in Louisiana regarding ownership of semi-automatic weapons.

Jindal, White unfazed by SCOLA voucher ruling

walterp@theind.com (Walter Pierce) — Tue, 07 May 2013 19:51:42 GMT

In the wake of the Supreme Court of Louisiana ruling that the funding method for the state’s school voucher program is unconstitutional, the voucher program’s biggest boosters — Gov. Bobby Jindal and state Superintendent John White — released statements saying, in effect, the ruling will not retard the program’s progress.

Republicans clash over House budget compromise

walterp@theind.com (Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press) — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:48:20 GMT

House Republicans are at odds over a bipartisan budget proposal that contains $329 million in cuts to tax break programs that largely benefit businesses, a compromise that has GOP lawmakers clashing with their governor, state party and traditional allies.

Budget compromise taking shape, without Jindal

walterp@theind.com (Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press) — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:47:10 GMT

House lawmakers moved ahead Monday with the outlines of a bipartisan budget compromise while sidelining Gov. Bobby Jindal, who opposes the negotiation framework because it would raise new dollars for state spending.

House OKs shielding some guns from feds

walterp@theind.com (Littice Bacon-Blood, Associated Press) — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:33:54 GMT

The House backed a proposal Monday that would allow gun buyers and sellers to circumvent any federal firearms ban if the gun was manufactured in the state, though no manufacturer now exists in Louisiana.

Medicaid expansion bill headed for budget review

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:33:05 GMT

A proposal for Louisiana to tap into the federal health overhaul money available for expanding Medicaid has been steered to the Senate budget committee for review.

SCOLA: voucher funding unconstitutional

walterp@theind.com (Walter Pierce) — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:15:15 GMT

The Supreme Court of Louisiana ruled Tuesday that the way Gov. Bobby Jindal’s controversial school voucher program is funded is unconstitutional, backing a district court decision.

Alex Lege: 'The Cop Watcher'

patrickf@theind.com (Patrick Flanagan) — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:24:36 GMT

Is it a crime for citizens to photograph, video, or take notes of a police officer in the line of duty?

Food stamp audit finds overpayment, possible fraud

walterp@theind.com (Littice Bacon-Blood, Associated Press) — Mon, 06 May 2013 20:52:57 GMT

An audit of Louisiana's food stamp program for low-income families says weak oversight has allowed for duplicate benefits, overpayments and more than $1 million paid to ineligible residents, some of whom were in prison at the time.

Medicaid contractor sues Jindal administration

walterp@theind.com (Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press) — Mon, 06 May 2013 20:52:08 GMT

A Maryland-based company whose nearly $200 million Medicaid contract was canceled amid an ongoing federal investigation has sued Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration for terminating the deal.

Budget compromise taking shape, without Jindal

walterp@theind.com (Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press) — Mon, 06 May 2013 20:51:27 GMT

Gov. Bobby Jindal has blasted bipartisan House budget negotiations as a secretive, back-door attempt to raise taxes on Louisiana businesses and residents.

Audit: TOPS canceled for nearly half of recipients

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Mon, 06 May 2013 20:50:38 GMT

A state audit shows that more than 44 percent of the Louisiana students who received scholarships from the state's TOPS program over a seven-year period had their awards canceled for one reason or another.

Today in awesome: ESA’s Caffery wins fellowship

walterp@theind.com (IND Monthly Staff) — Mon, 06 May 2013 17:42:37 GMT

Episcopal School of Acadiana’s Dr. Joshua Caffery, chair of the school’s English Department, is headed to Washington, D.C., and the Library of Congress as the latest winner of the Alan Lomax Fellowship in Folklife Studies.

‘Favorably received’

walterp@theind.com (Walter Pierce) — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:49:41 GMT

A recently unveiled plan for the Davidson property near Girard Park may settle a long-running dispute and help LGMC meet its growth potential.

Sun Belt softball tourney available on free webcast

walterp@theind.com (Dan McDonald) — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:44:31 GMT

The tournament is Wednesday-Saturday in Troy, Ala., and all games except for the championship game will be available on live streaming video on the Sun Belt’s www.sunbeltsports.org website.

Sculptures, to mark evac points, arrive in NOLA

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:43:36 GMT

They are to be unloaded Monday and later installed at 17 pickup points for New Orleans residents who need transportation out of town when a hurricane evacuation is ordered.

Video poker interests get organized

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:42:25 GMT

Organization president Stan Guidroz said video poker operators want to be sure legislators don't raise taxes on them but not on riverboats and other casinos.

Manda meat products returning to shelves

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:40:59 GMT

The Baton Rouge meat packing company said in a news release that it expects distribution to be near normal within a few weeks.

Bomb threat copycats

patrickf@theind.com (Patrick Flanagan) — Fri, 03 May 2013 20:49:22 GMT

Two nearly identical bomb threats disrupted Lafayette Parish School System campuses this week; fortunately, no one was harmed in either incident, officials report.

Lawsuit over canceled Medicaid contract looms

walterp@theind.com (Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press) — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:55:28 GMT

Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration is facing a likely lawsuit from the Maryland-based company whose nearly $200 million Medicaid contract with the state was terminated.

Ex-BP executive seeks trial delay

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:54:35 GMT

David Rainey's trial is scheduled to start on Sept. 23. In a court filing Thursday, his attorneys asked U.S. District Judge Kurt Engelhardt to move the start of the trial to Oct. 14 for unspecified "personal scheduling reasons."

Attorney: LSU's Hill was heckled about his past

walterp@theind.com (Brett Martel, AP Sports Writer) — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:53:07 GMT

The attorney for LSU running back Jeremy Hill says a brief mobile phone video showing Hill punching another man does not show important events that precipitated the fight.

Session notes: red light cam bill stalls

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:52:24 GMT

A repeated attempt by Rep. Jeff Arnold to rework the laws involving automated traffic cameras has again stalled because of opposition from local government officials who rely on the penalty dollars for their budgets.

La. House members pass bills regulating salt mines

walterp@theind.com (Littice Bacon-Blood, Associated Press) — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:50:52 GMT

Two bills aimed at regulating salt dome operations were approved unanimously by the Louisiana House on Thursday, a day after some Bayou Corne residents were told an evacuation order will remain in place indefinitely due to the instability of a 15-acre sinkhole.

10 La programs for homeless get HUD grants

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:49:51 GMT

The money will continue work at programs in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Mandeville, New Orleans, and Shreveport.

House speaker changes course on budget negotiation

walterp@theind.com (Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press) — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:47:52 GMT

House Speaker Chuck Kleckley reversed course Thursday and threw his support to bipartisan budget negotiations in the House between Democratic leaders and a group of conservative Republicans.

Senate panel rejects election of education chief

walterp@theind.com (Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press) — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:25:24 GMT

A bid to make Louisiana's education superintendent an elected position failed to gain traction Wednesday in the state Senate, but only after showcasing the deep divide between state and local education leaders.

La. Science 'Education' Act survives

walterp@theind.com (Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press) — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:24:28 GMT

Because evolution is just a theory. Like gravity.

Jindal-backed voucher program grows by 3,000

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:02:44 GMT

Now more Louisiana children than ever will learn that it's Adam and Eve, not atoms and amino acids.

Judge dismisses Republicans' budget lawsuit

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Thu, 02 May 2013 16:58:55 GMT

Republican lawmakers seeking to stop the use of patchwork financing in next year's budget lost a legal battle Wednesday in their bid to keep the Legislature from plugging that money into operating expenses.

Session notes: term limits fail

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Thu, 02 May 2013 16:57:57 GMT

The bill would have applied to the lieutenant governor, attorney general, agriculture commissioner, insurance commissioner, secretary of state and treasurer.