All News

Senators reject new school funding formula

walterp@theind.com (Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press) — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:25:58 GMT

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Senators have killed a $3.5 billion public school funding proposal submitted to lawmakers by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The Senate Education Committee voted Tuesday to reject the formula, because of concerns about proposed changes to special education and gifted student payments to schools.

The formula submitted by BESE would have paid for public schools for the 2013-14 school year. Lawmakers can approve it or reject it, but cannot change it.

Without a new formula, schools will continue to be paid under the 2011-12 funding formula, which costs $30 million more than the funding currently included in the state budget.

Sen. Conrad Appel, chairman of the education committee, says he doesn't think BESE could get a reworked formula through the Legislature before the session ends June 6.

Deborah ‘Big Red’ Cotton: an appreciation

lesliet@theind.com (Kevin Allman) — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:11:20 GMT

[Editor’s Note: A Gambit contributor, Cotton was shot in the back at the annual Mother's Day second line celebration in New Orleans, with the bullet exiting her abdomen and resulting in extensive internal damage. A fund has been set up to support her while she recovers from her injuries. You can learn more about the fund and donate here.]

It is my belief that you don’t choose New Orleans — New Orleans chooses you. Those who have fallen for her, live with her, are sprung, lost and turned out in love with her, know exactly what I mean. Ain’t no amount of wind, water, gunfire, potholes, ‘ignant’ politics or doomsday predictions can pry your death grip from her. Come hell or high water, you stay — or return.

She makes you high from laughing too much and too long. She breaks your heart till you’re crying on the kitchen floor. She haunts you, melts you and is just a damn joy to live in.

I think she’s a cult.

— From the introduction of Notes From New Orleans (2007) by Deborah Cotton

Photo by Cheryl Gerber

Deborah Cotton at Kermit Ruffins’ Speakeasy in Treme last year, addressing a meeting of
New Orleans musicians.

Deborah Cotton, a tireless chronicler of the New Orleans brass band and second-line community and a Gambit contributor, was among the 19 people shot when a gunman opened fire on revelers at the Original Big 7 Social Aid & Pleasure Club’s annual Mother’s Day second line. She continues to recover at Interim LSU Public Hospital.

Cotton, 48, was raised in Texas and Oklahoma. She majored in African-American studies at San Francisco State University before moving to Los Angeles. After 15 years of visiting New Orleans, she moved to the city in 2005 shortly before Hurricane Katrina and the federal levee failures.

After an evacuation to Houston by cab (“Taking a cab from New Orleans to Houston is certainly an original, if not inexpensive way to escape Armageddon,” she wrote breezily), Cotton returned to her adopted city with a mission to chronicle some of New Orleans’ most important but underreported traditions: second lines, brass bands, social aid and pleasure clubs, Mardi Gras Indians and the rich culture of her new neighborhood, Treme. Cotton blogged, photographed and filmed the events, eventually publishing a 2007 book titled Notes From New Orleans. Its subtitle — “Spicy, colorful tales of politics, people, food, drink, men, music and life in post-breaches New Orleans” — summed it up.

As “Big Red Cotton,” she wrote about a variety of topics in post-Katrina New Orleans: the death of famed chef Austin Leslie; the eternal divide between native and non-native New Orleanians; the stories of the people of the 9th Ward; “The Welcome Arrival of Zoloft and the National Guard”; her search for the perfect “big black man named James” (“a tall black bear with a big belly who loves him a thick yella girl, the kind that would inspire Jill Scott to write a third album”); and her growing disillusionment with then-Mayor Ray Nagin.

“I’d love nothing more than to be wrong about Mayor Nagin’s ability to lead us out of darkness,” Cotton wrote. “But you know — especially the ladies — how you feel something deep inside that you don’t want to be true, so you say to yourself, ‘Maybe I’m wrong. … ’ But later on, when the shiznit hits the fan, you realize how foolish it was to doubt what your wisdom and intuition told you.”

Cotton eventually expanded “Notes From New Orleans” into a web feature on NOLA.com. In 2009, Cotton approached Gambit about becoming a contributor to the paper. Actually, we had been pursuing her for a while, fascinated by her commentaries on subjects ranging from Michelle Obama’s evolving fashion style (“The Gays Got to Her”) to Nagin’s public demeanor (“Signs Your Mayor Might Be a Psychopath”). And for the last four years, Cotton has written about second lines and brass bands for Gambit’s Blog of New Orleans, posting YouTube videos of parades, performances, street celebrations and whatever strikes her fancy. (Her archived work is here.)

Last September, as musicians and club owners organized at Kermit Ruffins’ Speakeasy bar in her Treme neighborhood to decide what to do about a citywide crackdown on music club permitting, Cotton emerged as a leader to come up with solutions. She also worked with brass bands and second-line groups on matters large and small.

“How the f—k do I do a parade without Big Red?” Dismas Johnson, the manager of the Original Big 7, told Gambit last week. “It’s not the same. How am I supposed to do a parade without Big Red? She’s always asking us how we pick clothes, how we pick the band.”

But the shadow of New Orleans violence was never far from Cotton’s mind. The deaths of Hot 8 Brass Band snare drummer Dinerral Shavers in 2006 and TBC Brass Band saxophonist Brandon Franklin in 2010 hit her hard — as did the murder of 2-year-old Ja’Shawn Powell, who was killed by his father in 2009. In 2011, when community organizer Rafael Delgadillo was shot, she helped publicize RAFApalooza, a benefit for him.

All this took a toll. Cotton wrote openly about her depression and grief, seeking solace from clergy, psychologists and antidepressants. She developed an ulcer and was hospitalized more than once. But she has never stopped writing about the city she loves. Earlier this year, she launched NewOrleansGoodGood.com, which she called “an online arts and entertainment magazine that introduces readers to those only-in-New Orleans people, traditions, events you always wanted to know about —and the mainstream media doesn’t cover.”

When violence erupted near a second line in 2010, and some were calling for the tradition to be shut down, Cotton wrote an essay for Gambit calling out the media, pointing out the good that social aid and pleasure clubs do in troubled neighborhoods — and noting pointedly that no one blames Mardi Gras krewes for trouble that breaks out along Uptown parade routes.

Writing on the website Humid City several days ago, the local blogger known as Liprap said, “New Orleans may not have been perfect, and it may have lashed out at her, but it has sustained her all these years. She’s believed in it for so long, worked so hard for it, that I couldn’t help but think that one of the greatest tributes to her toils was [New Orleans Police Chief] Ronal Serpas making the point that the second line was not to blame for the shootings — and most everyone agreeing with that assessment.”

The last words of Notes From New Orleans ring as true as they did when she wrote them six years ago:

Yes, New Orleans is raggedy, disorganized and unprofessional. But it’s also the most humble, fun-loving, humanistic community left in the United States. In June 2005, I left the urban warfare loop and let the rat race go on with one less rat.

I’ve chosen instead to grab a daiquiri on those rough days and revel in the grace of strangers in the city we all call home.

— Deborah Cotton’s book, Notes From New Orleans, can be ordered for $18 at Cafe Press. You can register for updates on her condition and find ways you can help on her website, New Orleans Good Good.

The New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic will be having a blood drive Wed. May 22. Learn about it and how you can help donate here. On Thu., May 23, a benefit for the victims will be held at Tipitina’s. Learn more about “The 19 Fund” here.

Kevin Allman is editor of Gambit.

ULL primate center pays $38K fine

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:43:03 GMT

NEW IBERIA, La. (AP) — The University of Louisiana-Lafayette's primate center has paid a $38,571 fine for the deaths of three rhesus monkeys in May 2011 and an injury last year to a chimpanzee.

The New Iberia Research Center says it reported both incidents as soon as it became aware of them.

The monkeys' bodies were decomposing when found in a metal chute between two cages. The center was fined for failing to check every animal daily. ULL officials say the center reassigned, disciplined and retrained workers and revised its procedures.

The chimp was recovering from anesthesia in April 2012 when it reached through a drain into an enclosure where other chimpanzees injured its hand and arm. ULL says the opening has been blocked.

The federal Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service ordered the fines in February. They were paid within a month.

Senate budget committee stalls Medicaid expansion

walterp@theind.com (Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press) — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:41:28 GMT

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — State senators rejected a proposal on Monday for Louisiana to offer government-subsidized health insurance to the working poor through the federal health overhaul law known as the Affordable Care Act.

The 7-3 vote by the Senate Finance Committee largely fell along party lines, with all but one Republican voting against tapping into the federal Medicaid dollars available for the health coverage.

Sen. Karen Carter Peterson's bill would have required the state health department to seek federal approval for a program using the Medicaid expansion dollars to provide private insurance coverage to adults making up to 138 percent of the poverty level — less than $32,000 for a family of four. The federal government would cover much of the cost.

A similar proposal is scheduled for a House vote Tuesday, but passage seems like a long-shot at best. Gov. Bobby Jindal and Republican Party leaders oppose the expansion, which was authorized under the health revamp championed by President Barack Obama.

Peterson, D-New Orleans, said the insurance expansion would improve health care for thousands of Louisiana citizens who work at low-wage jobs and can't afford the coverage on their own, while also providing an influx of dollars for health care providers.

"How in good conscience can we turn down 100 percent of anything that we know will tend to the needs of working class people?" said Peterson, leader of the Louisiana Democratic Party.

Rob Tasman, representing the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the bishops backed the proposal as consistent with church teachings that support the life and dignity of people and consider health care a basic right.

"Let's elevate the status of the poor today, the uninsured," Tasman said.

About one in five Louisiana residents are uninsured. Estimates are that as many as 400,000 uninsured people would be eligible for Medicaid under the insurance expansion.

Jindal says the increased insurance coverage would be too costly for Louisiana and could shift people from private insurance to government-funded health care. His health secretary, Kathy Kliebert, said Monday that the modified bill seeking to use the federal Medicaid money for private insurance doesn't change the administration's concerns.

"We do not see this as a worthwhile plan for the state of Louisiana," she told the Senate Finance Committee.

Kliebert, interim secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals, said the private insurance model is unworkable because of federal restrictions governing the Medicaid funding. She said the Affordable Care Act doesn't offer enough flexibility to tailor an insurance program to Louisiana's needs.

In response to criticism that the Jindal administration hasn't offered an alternative, Kliebert pointed to the privatization of the LSU-run hospitals that provide safety net care to the uninsured. She said the efforts will improve access and health services.

Sen. Fred Mills, R-Breaux Bridge, noted that only three deals have been signed for the 10 hospitals — and that questions have been raised about whether the financing is available to support the arrangements.

Mills sought to delay action on Peterson's bill while awaiting further details about the ongoing efforts to privatize the LSU hospitals. He couldn't get enough votes for such a delay, however. He was the lone Republican senator to vote against shelving Peterson's bill.

The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Office estimates the Medicaid expansion could save Louisiana as much as $510 million over 10 years, with the state receiving up to $15 billion in federal funding. The Jindal administration disputes the fiscal office analysis.

Proposals would limit cuts in Medicaid program

walterp@theind.com (Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press) — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:40:25 GMT

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Proposals that would make it more difficult to cut the rates paid to private hospitals and nursing homes for taking care of Medicaid patients are nearing final passage in the Louisiana Legislature.

Overwhelming support from lawmakers comes despite concerns the constitutional amendments would further limit budget areas available to cut when Louisiana has financial woes — and leave public colleges more vulnerable to slashing.

The House-approved proposals by House Speaker Chuck Kleckley, R-Lake Charles, received backing Monday from the Senate Finance Committee and move next to the Senate floor. They also would need support from voters in a statewide election to add the language to the Louisiana Constitution.

One measure would let hospitals pool their money and use those dollars to draw down federal Medicaid matching money. In exchange, cuts to hospital payments would be limited and would require two-thirds votes from lawmakers.

Rep. Walt Leger, D-New Orleans, said the proposal would help stabilize funding for hospitals that are currently being reimbursed about 60 cents on the dollar for services provided to Medicaid patients.

"We believe with this, they'll be able to get closer to 80 cents," Leger said.

Though critics have raised questions about whether patients would be charged a "bed tax" to draw down the federal match money, Sen. Sherri Buffington, R-Keithville, said the money would come from existing hospital dollars, not from new charges to patients.

The Louisiana Hospital Association has pushed the legislation as a way to bring in new dollars for the state Medicaid program and help offset cuts that have repeatedly hit hospitals since 2009. The association says hospitals will get a predictable funding stream that would help protect patient access.

The other proposal would set a floor on Medicaid patient reimbursements paid to nursing homes, pharmacies and institutions for the developmentally disabled based on next year's rates — and require the rates to increase annually with an inflation index.

Limits would be placed on how cuts could be made.

Jindal administration leaders, the left-leaning Louisiana Budget Project and the nonpartisan Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana all raised concerns that the bills would further limit flexibility in a budget where most money already is locked up through constitutional and statutory requirements for spending.

That has left higher education and health care as the two areas most vulnerable to slashing.

"It leaves education kind of out there by itself," acknowledged Sen. Jack Donahue, R-Mandeville, committee chairman and a supporter of the legislation.

Kathy Kliebert, interim secretary for the state Department of Health and Hospitals, said the changes would leave at-home and community-based services for the elderly and disabled more likely to take a hit when cuts need to be made in the Medicaid program.

"It leaves us limited places to go in terms of making rate reductions and other changes," she said.

Jan Moller, head of the Louisiana Budget Project, said, "You're essentially locking away large segments of the Medicaid budget."

Leger said the facilities whose rates would be protected generate dollars that are used to bring in the federal match money, so he said they should be afforded some level of protection.

"I think that's reasonable to expect when you ask for that kind of private investment into the Medicaid system," he said.

The Senate Finance Committee backed both measures with a 9-1 vote. Only Sen. Dan Claitor, R-Baton Rouge, opposed the bills.

Saints ready to practice with Payton again

walterp@theind.com (Brett Martel, AP Sports Writer) — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:39:26 GMT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Even as Sean Payton tried to make the best of his one-season bounty banishment from the NFL by spending time with his children, getting in shape and playing golf, he often compared his punishment to prison time.

He missed his work that much, his players say, adding that his return has infused Saints headquarters with a fresh intensity leading up to Tuesday's opening of voluntary offseason practices.

"You can sail a boat without a captain, but sometimes you don't know exactly where you're going," right tackle Zach Strief said on Monday, shortly before teeing off at a Saints Hall of Fame golf event.

The fiery head coach's return, Strief said, is "getting us back on the right path, and I think everything we've seen so far kind of proves that."

Payton's suspension ended in January, shortly after the regular season concluded with the Saints finishing 7-9 and out of the playoffs for the first time in four years. Upon his return, Payton quickly made changes to a defense that gave up an NFL worst-ever 7,042 yards last season, bringing in Rob Ryan as his new coordinator, which also meant changing alignments from a 4-3 (four lineman, three linebackers) to a 3-4.

When the voluntary weight and conditioning program began in April, players were greeted by Payton's new leaner, more muscular physique, as well as the crossfit regimen he used to get that way.

"He looks good," punter Thomas Morstead said. "The first time I saw him, I said, 'Hey, you look different.' And he said, 'Hey man, when you go to jail, you either work out every day or you play bingo — and I hate bingo.'

"Coach Payton lives the way he is," Morstead added. "He's got a brashness and aggressiveness and a confidence that rubs off on guys. So he comes back kind of yoked-up looking and he says, 'Hey, you guys can be yoked-up with me.'"

Crossfit training involves timed sets of both weightlifting and conditioning activities. A number of Saints players have divided themselves into teams and held crossfit competitions to ratchet up the intensity even more.

Payton, who also played at the golf outing on Monday, said the start of what are known as OTAs — and which are voluntary offseason practices without pads — will mark the beginning of a key transitional period for the defense, as coaches evaluate how players returning from last year's squad fit best in the new scheme.

Defensive captain Will Smith, for example, will begin work at outside linebacker, rather than the defensive end spot at which he has played his whole career.

"That's where we'll start him," Payton said, noting that outside linebackers often play pass-rushing roles in a 3-4 scheme. "We can play him right and left, but I think initially that right outside position would be very similar to what he's played for us in the past."

Payton said he envisions veteran Jonathan Vilma as one of the two middle linebackers in the new scheme.

"There's just got to be some flexibility when it comes to the transition," Payton said. "There'll be a few players that will learn more than one spot."

Smith said he'll have to get used to starting plays in an upright stance, whereas before he crouched down with a hand on the turf. But beyond that, he said learning the new position is "not that bad."

"I may have a couple (pass) coverage responsibilities, but for the most part I'm just rushing (the passer) and playing the run," Smith said.

For Smith, the bigger difference — and a welcome one — is heading into a season without any bounty accusations or possible suspensions hanging over his head, and having Payton back at team headquarters.

In 2012, Smith initially was issued a four-game suspension, and Vilma a full-season ban, for what the NFL said were their roles as leaders in a bounty program that rewarded big plays — including big and sometimes injury-causing hits — with improper cash bonuses. However, player suspensions were never served and ultimately thrown out on appeal.

"It's definitely a different year," Smith said. "Sean coming back brings a whole different element to the team. ... Nothing's been the same since he's been back. I think that's perfect for the group to move on, putting everything behind us and start a whole completely new year."

The OTAs, which are scheduled to be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, and open to media on Thursday, also mark the first time players acquired in 2012, such as starting guard Ben Grubbs, will have a chance to work with Payton on the gridiron.

"I was looking forward to getting a chance to play with coach Payton," Grubbs said. "He's one of the main reasons why I signed here."

Notes: The Saints on Monday waived defensive end Braylon Broughton. The 6-foot-6, 272-pound Broughton was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2012 out of TCU and spent last season on the practice squad.

Session notes: Judges set for raises

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:37:13 GMT

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A bid to give judges five years of annual pay raises easily received the backing Monday of the Senate's budget committee — after it was changed to require money for the salary hike to come from the annual judicial budget.

Supporters said the judges haven't had a raise since 2010. "It really is appropriate to do this," said Sen. Ed Murray, D-New Orleans.

The bill would give Supreme Court justices a 5.5 percent pay increase on July 1, with appeal court judges getting a 3.7 percent boost and district court judges receiving a 4 percent increase.

After that, every July from 2014 through 2017, all three sets of judges — along with city and parish court judges — would get a 2.1 percent annual bump in pay.

The raises would cost $2.5 million in the first year, then grow another $1.4 million in cost each year through the 2017-18 fiscal year.

The Finance Committee agreed without objection, sending the proposal (Senate Bill 188) to the full Senate for debate.

Also sent to the Senate floor with unanimous backing from the committee was a House-approved bill (House Bill 174) that would allow annual 4 percent pay raises for parish clerks of court for the next four years.

The raises would add about $300,000 in salary costs each year and would only be allowed if clerks complete an annual certification and maintain the certification.

___

The House backed another attempt to force a 10 percent cut on state agencies' spending on consulting and professional services contracts.

Rep. Jerome "Dee" Richard, I-Thibodaux, has tried a similar bill for several years, only to see the idea killed in the Senate. The House voted unanimously for this year's version of the proposal (House Bill 73), which would require the reduction in the 2013-14 budget year that begins July 1.

Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration opposes the measure as limiting agency decision-making.

___

In other legislative action:

—Inmates in parish jails will be able to do manual labor at churches and other religious buildings as part of their work duties, after the House gave final, unanimous passage to a bill (Senate Bill 8) by Sen. Rick Gallot, D-Ruston. It adds religious buildings to the list of places that criminal sheriffs can use inmate work crews. The measure heads to Gov. Bobby Jindal.

—Louisiana motorists will be able to get "I'm a Cajun" stamped on their driver's licenses for a $5 annual fee, under a proposal that received final passage from the House in a 74-9 vote. The bill (Senate Bill 201) by Sen. Fred Mills, R-Breaux Bridge, was designed to drum up money for the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana, to pay for scholarships. It moves next to the governor's desk.

—Existing limitations on funeral protests will be toughened after receiving final approval from the House. Under current law, a person can be charged with disturbing the peace if obstructing a funeral or memorial service. The change will extend that to include the funeral route and set a perimeter banning protesters within 500 feet of the funeral. The bill (Senate Bill 72) by Sen. Francis Thompson, D-Delhi, heads to the governor.

Casinos win $35.8M less in April than in March

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:34:00 GMT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Louisiana's state-regulated casinos all won less money in April than in March. The drop totals $35.8 million.

State police figures show most also won less than they did a year ago. The big exceptions were 8.7 percent one-year increases at both L'Auberge Lake Charles and the slots casino at the New Orleans Fair Grounds.

April winnings totaled $196.4 million, up $4.9 million from April 2012 — before the L'Auberge of Baton Rouge opened.

Harrah's New Orleans took in $25.8 million, 18.3 percent below March and 3.9 percent below April 2012.

Riverboat casinos won $137.9 million, down 14.5 percent from March but up 4.9 percent from a year earlier.

Slot-machine casinos at four race tracks won $32.7 million, down 16.7 percent from March and 1.5 percent from April 2012.

Judge tosses ex-BP executive's obstruction charge

walterp@theind.com (Michael Kunzelman, Associated Press) — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:32:46 GMT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed a charge that is the backbone of the case against a former BP executive accused of concealing information from Congress about the amount of oil spewing in 2010 from the company's blown-out well in the Gulf of Mexico.

Defense attorney Reid Weingarten called it a huge victory for David Rainey, who was BP's vice president of exploration for the Gulf.

The charge of obstructing Congress thrown out Monday by U.S. District Judge Kurt Engelhardt "was perhaps as much as 90 percent of the government's evidence," Weingarten said.

Rainey still faces one count of making false statements to law enforcement agents.

Engelhardt cited two reasons for dismissing the obstruction of Congress charge against Rainey. One is that the indictment failed to allege that Rainey knew of the pending congressional investigation he was charged with obstructing.

"Because it is an essential element of this crime that the defendant knew of this inquiry and investigation, the indictment must allege such knowledge. It does not," the judge wrote in his 44-page ruling. "Even construing the allegations strongly in the government's favor, it is simply impossible to ascertain from the indictment whether this essential element was presented to and found by the grand jury."

The judge also ruled that the obstruction count must be dismissed because it wasn't clear that it applied to subcommittee investigations like the one at the center of the indictment.

"Although subcommittees exist in both Houses of Congress, the statute does not contain the word 'subcommittee.' Thus, the defendant argues that the Court should not enlarge the statute to include subcommittees,'" Engelhardt wrote.

U.S. Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass, who led a House subcommittee's investigation of the oil spill, urged the Justice Department to appeal the judge's ruling.

"This was a congressional investigation, plain and simple, and this kind of narrow and off-the wall interpretation of how Congress investigates wrongdoing is deeply troubling," Markey said in a statement.

A Justice Department spokesman said prosecutors were reviewing the decision but declined to comment on it.

The indictment claims Rainey failed to disclose information about the estimated rate that oil was spewing from BP's blown-out Macondo well during a May 4, 2010, congressional briefing. It also claims Rainey responded to a letter from a subcommittee chairman, U.S. Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass

N.I. woman going to prison for scheming IRS

indbox@theind.com (IND Monthly Staff) — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:51:42 GMT

According to a press release from U.S. Attorney Stephanie Finley’s Office, Veta Thompson, 40, of New Iberia, was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to serve 26 months in prison with one year supervised release. Thompson also was ordered to pay $77,349 in restitution to the IRS.

Thompson, according to the release:

[C]ontacted the IRS on Jan. 15, 2008 and asked how overpayments were handled. From Jan. 15, 2008 until April 29, 2010, she submitted 386 payments to the IRS totaling $12,825,992.33. During the time she submitted the payments, she was aware of the fact that she had no tax liability and that no money was owed to her by the IRS. Thompson’s bank rejected her payments to the IRS because her account was closed or because of insufficient funds.

Prior to the IRS becoming aware that the payments were drawn from closed or insufficient fund accounts, the IRS issued nine refund checks totaling $77,349.09. They were mailed to her home and were used for gambling related expenses.

"[Thompson] fraudulently obtained money that she was not entitled to receive," says Finley in a prepared statement. "Her dishonest conduct has resulted in significant jail time. This office will continue to prosecute those who abuse and violate the tax laws."

10 things to know today

afsimoneaux@earthlink.net (The Associated Press) — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:48:27 GMT

Here's your daily look at late-breaking national and international news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Tuesday, May 21, 2013

1. OKLAHOMA TORNADO FLATTENS NEIGHBORHOODS, KILLS DOZENS
At least 20 of the 51 victims of the storm were children caught in an elementary school in the eye of the storm, with a death toll expected to rise.

2. AP PHOTOGRAPHER: 'ALL I COULD SEE WAS DESTRUCTION'
Sue Ogrocki photographed children being pulled from the wreckage of the school, "a heaping mound of rubble too big to be a home."

3. A RARE AND DEADLY COINCIDENCE
Monday's powerful storm followed roughly the same route as a killer twister that slammed the region in 1999.

4. EX-IRS CHIEF TO ANSWER CONGRESS ABOUT TEA PARTY TARGETING
Former commissioner Douglas Shulman is testifying before a Senate committee about what he knew about the singling out of conservative groups.

5. THE PATH THAT LED TO A $1.1 BILLION PAYDAY
David Karp dropped out of high school, then created Tumblr, which has been acquired by Yahoo in a blockbuster deal.

6. JODI ARIAS FACES HER JURY
She is the only witness in her defense as the Arizona jury decides whether to sentence her to death for stabbing and shooting her onetime boyfriend.

7. CLOSING THE CASE ON MISSING UTAH MOM
Officials said they believe Susan Powell's brother-in-law was "heavily involved" in getting rid of her body, but said they couldn't solve the 3 ½-year-old case.

8. CHINESE FISHING BOAT RELEASED BY NORTH KOREA
The boat with 16 fishermen aboard was seized for ransom two weeks ago, but was let go without money exchanging hands.

9. EX-DICTATOR'S GENOCIDE CONVICTION OVERTURNED
Guatemala's top court ordered a new trial for Efrain Rios Montt three days after he was convicted for his role in massacres of Mayans during the country's civil war.

10. FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE DOORS DIES AT 74
Keyboardist Ray Manzarek helped form the seminal '60s band after meeting then-poet Jim Morrison in California.

The short of it

amandab@theind.com (Amanda Bedgood) — Tue, 21 May 2013 03:40:59 GMT

Memorial Day has always felt like the cusp that lies between spring and summer. It’s the first time each year I feel truly that shorts are a must. And it’s one of those rare times in which it’s often better to go super casual. Casual, mind, never means you have to be lazy on the style front. We’ve got the proof with four outfits from local boutiques.

Over at Sky Blue, the cardi gets a revamp with this piece that’s perfectly paired with cutoff shorts (they have come back with a vengeance and shorter and more destroyed than ever). I love the new cutoffs. I hate the new cutoffs. This IND Styler never has been a big fan of shorts (particularly of the short variety) and while there’s a certain segment that rocks them without pause, the rest of us are left looking for an alternative. Found it at Vanessa V. by way of these shorts with the rolled cuff topped with a happy yellow top.

The ladies at Vanessa V. paired their springy lemon top with a contrasting green leather headband — one of those great pieces you can wear a couple of ways — for a look that’s casual, effortless, yet pulled together.

Maven Womenswear has perhaps the most unique black tank I’ve seen this season (and you know how I feel about black). While you’ll need to double the SPF to avoid some wild tan lines, the cut is worth it. Paired here with little tribal shorts, it would be great with funky equally-tribal sandals. Come night, it can go with a fitted little skirt and sexy wedges. If you want to stick with shorts a dressier pair in lace would be a great contrast as well.

At Hemline we spotted a spot on ensemble for Memorial or any weekend day — army green top and white shorts. While you know I love black, truth is that even the slightest of tans pops against stark white. I love it with this subdued green (pair with some copper or rose gold jewelry and reptile print flats) but the white would be equally lovely with a fresh pastel top and glossy little patent sandals.

Remembering Ricky Rees

lesliet@theind.com (Leslie Turk) — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:20:19 GMT

Lt. Ricky Rees of the Lafayette Police Department will be laid to rest at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Rees died tragically Saturday in a motorcycle accident on La. 3000 north of Interstate 10 in Iberville Parish. He was 45.

Photo courtesy Rees family

Lafayette Police Lt. Ricky Rees, with daughter Anna (who graduates from Teurlings Monday) and son Jacob, was a devoted father, public servant and friend. This photograph was taken the night before a tragic motorcycle accident claimed the life of the 23-year veteran of the Lafayette PD.

Ricky Rees loved life. And he loved his two children. He was a single dad who worked days so he could be with them after school and cook for them at night.

He loved his work and his friends, too many of them to count.

And he loved his motorcycle. For the past seven years he took three road trips a year, to North Carolina in the spring, Colorado in the summer and the Texas Hill Country over the Thanksgiving holiday. “After 27 years [of friendship], he and I were planning our retirement together,” says Greg Nelson, one of Rees’ closest friends since the two met at Lafayette High in the mid-1980s. Nelson took those same road trips year after year. “We were going to buy a place in Colorado and live there during the summers.”

Ricky loved to tell stories, recalls Nelson, a Houston high school teacher in Lafayette today mourning the loss of a man he describes as “the most giving and loving person” he knows. “The stories were the personal experiences he had," Nelson says. "He was charismatic; People were drawn to him.”

Nelson recalls Ricky's many small acts of kindness, like the random text messages wishing his friends (some of whom he might not have talked to in weeks or months) a happy Friday because he had a few extra minutes before his shift started. “He brought joy to a lot of people, and he didn’t know it," Nelson says. "He would literally do anything for anybody.”

Ricky simply thought that’s the way you should treat people you cared about. More important, his friends say, Ricky was a protector, a trait many believe led him to a career in law enforcement.

There’s the story of the STM freshman (Ricky also attended STM) who was being teased until Ricky stepped up to defend him — and the teasing stopped because Ricky made it clear the bully would also be messing with him (and nobody messed with Ricky).

Robin Hebert and Ricky Rees

There’s the single woman, whom he shared nothing more than a deep friendship with, who knew she wouldn't need a moving service when she bought her first home. Ricky was there offering to help. This is how The IND knows first-hand the kindness that was in the heart of Ricky Rees. That woman is Robin Hebert, our development director of special projects.

“He was the voice of reason for me and many others,” Hebert says. “He had strong morals and an undeniable faith in God. He was passionate about his career and his children, and when I spent time with him, I used to think how wonderful it would have been to have a father like him, a Mr. Mom — the best of both mom and dad in one.”

Recently promoted to lieutenant, Ricky was a 23-year veteran of the Lafayette Police Department. “As a traffic division supervisor, he often had the task of informing loved ones after a fatal crash,” Lafayette Consolidated Government Chief Administrative Officer Dee Stanley says. “He did so with compassion and grace.”

Ricky was driving his 2013 Harley-Davidson north on La. 3000 early Saturday afternoon when he entered a sharp right curve and, for reasons still unknown, traveled off the road and into a ditch. He and his 34-year-old passenger, Denise Benoit of Scott, were ejected from the vehicle, according to Louisiana State Police. Ricky died at the scene, and Benoit was treated at an area hospital for moderate injuries.

Ricky is survived by his daughter, 18-year-old Anna, and son, 17-year-old Jacob. He also is survived by his mother, Patricia Byrne Rees; his siblings: Grover Rees, Robert Rees, John Rees, Stephen Rees, Kathleen Rees Shires, Charles Rees, Tom Rees, Peggy Rees Crain, Dan Rees, Mary Rees and Jim Rees. He was preceded in death by his father, Grover Rees.

According to his brother Jim, Ricky was known to his siblings as “#12,” because he was the youngest of 12 children:

He was a great son, brother, father, and friend. He was passionate about helping others and loved to laugh.
His world revolved around his children, Anna and Jacob.
He liked cars, trucks, boats and motorcycles.
He served his country as a member of the 256th brigade, and the Lafayette Police Department for the past 23 years.
He will be missed and fondly remembered by all those who loved him. - Jim Rees, #11

Delhomme Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation is from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday with a rosary at 7; friends and family will share their memories after the rosary. Viewing is Wednesday from 7 a.m. until time of services at 10 a.m. followed by a police processional to Calvary Cemetery on the Breaux Bridge Highway.

This week in foresight: Don Bertrand

walterp@theind.com (Walter Pierce) — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:18:47 GMT

Here’s to thinking ahead: Traffic is coursing along the new(ish) stretch of Ambassador Caffery South from Verot School Road to U.S. 90, but development along that stretch of roadway is only beginning to materialize. What better time to ensure that Ambassador South within the city limits of Lafayette doesn’t become an eyesore like Johnston Street?

A resolution before the City-Parish Council on Tuesday sponsored by District 7 Councilman Don Bertrand, asks the Planning, Zoning and Codes Department to come up with a plan for a so-called “overlay district” that would lead to wide bike/pedestrian paths, landscaping and lighting — features that would require business locating along Ambassador South to build 55 feet or more from the roadway to make room for the aesthetic accommodations.

As The Advocate reports, there’s no money in the budget for such extravagances right now, but creating the overlay district — it would run from the Vermilion River Bridge to Bonin Road — will preserve the buffer along Ambassador South for future improvements. “You have to do it now,” Bertrand tells the daily.

Read more here. To read the resolution before the council, click here.

Acadiana 365’s Pick of the Day: Les Vues Film Series presents 'Makers'

wynceno@gmail.com (Wynce Nolley) — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:43:19 GMT

The Les Vues Cultural Film Series is back for a May screening of the documentary Makers: Women Who Make America, which chronicles the social progress women have made in asserting their rights for a complete and fair share of political power, economic opportunity and individual autonomy. Through unparalleled archival records and poignant interviews, Makers shines a light on where women are today in society with feminine trailblazers like Hillary Rodham Clinton, Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey as they share their own memories along with numerous other women who have challenged the status quo in industries from coal-mining to medicine. This month’s screening will be curated by Mary Farmer-Kaiser, Ph.D., professor of history at UL Lafayette.

The Les Vues Film Series will be held on Monday, May 20, starting at 6:30 p.m., at Vermilionville, located at 300 Fisher Road. Admission is free, but a suggested $5 donation is asked to maintain curating costs. For more information visit Vermilionville.org.

Audit: DOE skipped steps in monitoring charters

walterp@theind.com (Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press) — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:40:25 GMT

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A new audit says the state education department had gaps in its monitoring of the academic performance of Louisiana's charter schools.

The review, released Monday by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor's Office, looked at charter school monitoring activities during the 2011-12 budget year.

The audit says the Department of Education didn't verify that school-reported data used to calculate performance was reliable. It says the department couldn't prove that it comprehensively reviewed the legal obligations required of charter schools.

Auditors say the education department complied with requirements for monitoring the schools' financial performance.

In a written response, Superintendent of Education John White says the department uses the same data verification process for traditional public and charter schools. He says the department has updated its method for ensuring legal obligations are met.

Flood insurance info available on hotline

walterp@theind.com (The Associated Press) — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:38:36 GMT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The National Flood Insurance Program has set up a hotline to provide information to Louisiana residents.

Information on the flood program or requests for loss histories on properties can be obtained by calling 800-427-4661.

Policyholders with questions about their claims can speak with flood insurance program specialists at the same number.

New Orleans says gunfire won't end 'second lines'

walterp@theind.com (Chevel Johnson, Associated Press) — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:37:38 GMT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans officials and cultural advocates say the Mother's Day parade shootings that left 20 people injured won't spell the end of second-line parades, the local tradition that celebrates the city and its people.

Police this week arrested two brothers and charged them with 20 counts each of attempted second-degree murder. They're accused of firing into a second-line parade, scattering the crowd and wounding 19 with gunfire. One person was hurt fleeing the chaos.

In a second-line parade, watchers of a street procession of brass band musicians and elaborately clad marchers often join in, forming a "second line" of marchers.

Second-line parades have been around for generations as part of Mardi Gras and other holiday celebrations, and are perhaps best known as a feature of the city's famed jazz funerals.

Last weekend's Mother's Day march was sponsored by the Original Big 7 Social Aid and Pleasure Club, and president Edward Buckner said they will re-stage it June 1 through the same neighborhood in New Orleans' 7th Ward. They also plan to return next Mother's Day, he said.

Buckner said the kind of violence that happened May 12 can't be allowed to destroy such a unique tradition.

"These parades are for the people of New Orleans," he said at a rally held at the shooting site. "We won't let the streets beat us."

Fred Johnson, president of the Black Men of Labor Social Aid and Pleasure Club, said he fully supports the Big 7's plans.

"I would do the same thing," he said. "Organizers of the Boston Marathon said they plan to put on next year's marathon bigger and stronger. We can't succumb to these types of actions. We can't allow our freedoms in a city to get taken over by any kind of terrorist, local or otherwise."

Johnson rejected the notion of doing away with the parades.

"You can't hold the Big 7 hostage because of what someone else did," he said. "If a shooting happens at a carnival parade, no one is saying to end those. Let's be fair and square across the board. Eradicating a second line would be like me saying we won't have Rex on carnival. That's just not gonna happen. People come here from all over the world to embrace the city and the music played in the spirit of Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong."

Second-line parades have also been featured in major motion pictures. One such procession in the French Quarter shows up in early segments of the 1973 James Bond film "Live and Let Die."

"Second lines are an amazing part of our culture and we support them," Mayor Mitch Landrieu has said.

Bruce Raeburn, curator of the Hogan Jazz Archive at Tulane University, said any suggestion that second lines attract violence is invalid, as well.

"The reason occasional violence occurs is because of the crowd situation," Raeburn said. "The crowd usually serves as cover for those who want to do violence the same as with Mardi Gras or the Bayou Classic.

"It's the invaders to these events, the people who show up with guns, who use the second line as an opportunity to settle some scores. Those gunmen took out the hate they felt for society on the people at the second line. The second line is the victim here. Don't blame the victim."

In custody for last week's shooting are 24-year-old Shawn Scott and 19-year-old Akein Scott. Each is being held on $10 million bond. Five others were arrested as accessories to the alleged crimes for allegedly helping the suspects avoid capture.

Motives for the shootings have not been given, but police said the shootings were believed to be drug-related and that the Scott brothers are thought to be members of a gang called the Frenchmen and Derbigny Boys.

Whitney Bank announces closures

indbox@theind.com (The ABIZ staff) — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:22:14 GMT

Up to 45 branches of Hancock Back and Whitney Bank are slated for closure in the coming months, according to an announcement made Friday by Hancock Holding Co. President and CEO Carl J. Chaney.

The majority of the closures are expected to occur by Aug. 30, and will include branches in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

“These branch closures are part of the banks’ continuing proactive efforts to reposition market strategies, provide the financial services clients want in an efficient manner, and offer the convenient delivery channels clients prefer based on changing consumer habits and industry trends,” states a release issue Friday announcing the closures. “Many other institutions in the region and throughout the country are making similar changes.”

It is unclear whether the closures will include Whitney’s seven Lafayette branches. More information is expected in the coming weeks, according to Friday’s announcement.

Movin’ on up

amandab@theind.com (Amanda Bedgood) — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:45:13 GMT

Buying a graduation gift can be one tough task, depending on the grad in your life. Are they heading to college far far away? Sticking close to home? Are they a college grad headed for their first real job? Is this your dearest friend or your great niece you haven’t seen since she had those braces? Whoever they might be and whoever you might be to them, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s start with the gals. For a gift that’s a great price range and certainly usable whether it’s college graduation or high school, we found this cool Little Black Dress Jewelry Organizer at Tenzie & Co. Perfect for the compact space of dorm rooms or that first little apartment afforded with that first job (and entry level paycheck). And here’s where you get creative — fill it up. Try the $5 earring rack at Vanessa V. and put a cool pair of colorful statement earrings in each pouch.

If you’re looking for jewelry they can keep forever, we’ve got two options. Over at kiki we are in love with the DoDo collection. These charms are usually gold, but this black swallow of sparkling gems is part of a smaller rainbow collection we just love. DoDo charms are a collectible kind of thing that can be worn on bracelets or necklaces and each charm has a clever little meaning. This swallow — “come back to me.” How perfect a reminder for your beloved grad that the door will always be open no matter how far they travel.

Maven Menswear also has some lifelong gifts by way of the Spexton collection handcrafted here in the USA. The stainless steel and titanium rings come in an amazing assortment of subtle designs that would work for him and her in a way far more chic than a classic class ring.

For the music lover (and a more affordable price point) we found this wooden speaker at Red Arrow Workshop compatible with just about anything you could think of and with a lithium battery. Music on the go. Perfect for those impromptu parties … err … study sessions. Study sessions.

10 things to know today

afsimoneaux@earthlink.net (The Associated Press) — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:04:19 GMT

Here's your daily look at late-breaking national and international news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Monday, May 20, 2013:

1. OBAMA OFFERS STARK VIEW, AND ENCOURAGING WORDS, FOR BLACK GRADS
As an African-American man, he tells Morehouse's Class of '13, 'I might have been in prison. I might have been unemployed. I might not have been able to support a family. And that motivates me.'

2. SEVERE STORMS HIT PLAINS, UPPER MIDWEST
A tornado causes major damage at trailer park near Oklahoma City; a spotter says earth has been 'scoured.'

3. AT LEAST ONE SOMEONE IN FLORIDA MAY BE FEELING EXTRA SUNNY
The single winning ticket for the $590.5 million Powerball, sold in Zephyrhills, can be redeemed as soon as Monday morning.

4. TEA PARTY'S 'I TOLD YOU SO' MOMENT ARRIVES
Shouts of vindication could become a recruitment tool for those who fear an overreaching US government.

5.. HOW 2,000 FEET OF WRECKED TRACK IS WRECKING COMMUTES
The Connecticut collision knocks out Amtrak between New York and Boston, along with service for 30,000 Metro-North riders.

6. SYRIA REGIME'S ADVANCES IN BATTLE COMPLICATE PEACE-TALK PLANS
The US and Russia now face an even tougher task persuading Assad and opponents to sit down.

7. WHY THE PALESTINIANS STILL REJECT TEMPORARY BORDERS
The option has re-emerged but the fate of east Jerusalem remains a major sticking point.

8. SOUTH KOREA ANALYZING NORTH KOREA'S LAUNCH
Experts are looking into whether the projectiles fired over the weekend are short-range missiles or a new type of artillery.

9. TAYLOR SWIFT CLEANS UP AT BILLBOARD AWARDS
She won eight of 11 awards, including top artist and top Billboard 200 album for "Red."

10. PARKER, SPURS SCHOOL GRIZZLIES
San Antonio opens Western Conference finals with 105-83 win over Memphis.

Cajun softball once again NCAA regional champs

danmcdonald@cox.net (Dan McDonald) — Sun, 19 May 2013 22:31:54 GMT

BATON ROUGE – Once again, UL Lafayette's softball team leaned on Jordan Wallace's strong right arm Sunday in the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional.

And, once again, the Ragin' Cajuns are on their way to the NCAA Super Regional, their fourth such trip in six seasons.

Wallace made a first-inning lead stand up the rest of the way, stranding 10 LSU base runners in a four-hit 1-0 shutout win over the Tigers that propelled UL into the national round of 16.

And the sophomore did it with flair – while the standing-room-only crowd at Tiger Park was in an uproar – by working out of a bases-loaded, one-out situation in the top of the seventh. After a one-out walk, a bloop single and a bunt single, Wallace retired LSU's three and four hitters in the lineup for the clinching outs.

"We knew we'd gotten those hitters before," says Wallace, who threw 21 innings without giving up a run in the three regional wins. "Coach just told me to win this pitch, win each pitch, and that's all I was thinking about."

"She kept me calm," Cajun coach Michael Lotief said of Wallace in the postgame interview area. "Otherwise, I would have been all over the place. There's a lot of scenarios in that situation, and a lot of them aren't good."

LSU pinch hitter Alex Boulet – a product of nearby Notre Dame High in Crowley – grounded out to lead off the top of the seventh, but Wallace walked nine-hole hitter SImone Heyward and gave up a bloop single to left-center field by A. J. Andrews before Jacee Blades' perfect bunt died on the third-base line to load the bases and bring up freshman power-hitter Bianka Bell (.349, 12 HR, 48 RBI).

"At that point, it's just get them out any way you can," Wallace said afterward.

Bell went after the first pitch, a curve ball, and popped it up to Wallace for the second out. Wallace then fanned Allison Falcon swinging for the final out and set off the Cajuns' celebration.

"The freshman (Bell) took a good hack at it, so credit to her," Lotief says. "She (Jordan) challenged her with probably the pitch she was looking for."

The 117-pitch effort, coming on the heels of a 142-pitch 3-0 win over Northwestern State Friday and a 106-pitch 3-0 win over LSU on Saturday, sends the Cajuns (46-13) to Ann Arbor, Mich., for next week's Super Regional round. The No. 8 national seed Wolverines (LSU was the No. 9 national seed to set up that Super Regional matchup) beat Cal 3-1 on Sunday to take its own regional crown without a loss.

Dates and times for that Super Regional round will be announced on Monday. The Cajuns played in Super Regionals at UCLA in 2010 and Arizona State in 2012.

Ironically, the first of UL's five trips to the Women's College World Series came through Ann Arbor, exactly 20 years ago. UL won the Michigan regional in 1993 (before the Super Regionals were begun in 2005) to advance to its first trip to Oklahoma City.

With Sunday's win, UL is now 9-0 in its last nine games in Baton Rouge and 6-0 in its six games played at Tiger Park, all of them in NCAA Regional play. The Cajuns have allowed only one run in the six NCAA wins at Tiger Park.

The Cajuns, who are 28-2 in their last 30 games, scored in the first inning for the third straight regional game Sunday when Nerissa Myers led off with a double off the left-field wall. She moved to third on a fly ball to right by cousin Brianna Cherry, and scored when Sarah Draheim's ground ball went through the legs of Bell at shortstop for the 1-0 lead.

"At batting practice, coach told us to take our shots," Myers said afterward of the leadoff extra-base hit. "3-and-1, I thought what better pitch to sit on and take a shot."

Myers was off on contact on Draheim's ground ball and would have likely scored even with the error (Draheim was credited with an RBI), a run that put her into the No. 20 position by herself in the all-time NCAA career runs list. Myers, who led the country in runs scored last year, has scored 342 runs in her career.

Few in the park thought that would be the only run of the game, or that the Cajuns would get only one more hit, a slap single back to the box in the second inning by Leandra Maly. Otherwise, Tiger senior pitcher Rachele Fico was dominant for the second straight day, not allowing a Cajun past first base over the final five innings and retiring the last nine batters she faced.

In 13 innings against UL, Fico held one of the country's top hitting clubs to four hits. Two of those were homers that accounted for all the Cajun runs in Saturday's win.

"She's one of the bravest people I know," says LSU coach Beth Torina, whose team finished at 42-16. "For that kid to go out there and stay focused with what she's going through, with her dad fighting (her father is in the final stages of terminal brain cancer), I can't imagine what that takes."

But Wallace was equal to the task. The Tigers had many more opportunities than Wallace's Saturday win when she allowed only two runners to reach second base, but Wallace stranded runners in all but one inning and ended five of the seven innings with infield popups. Wallace, who had 10 strikeouts in Saturday's win over LSU and 11 against Northwestern on Friday, had only four on Sunday, but her outfielders only touched the ball four times in the finals win.

"We would have loved to score more than one run," says Myers, who scored five of UL's seven runs in the regional (the only two she didn't score were Saturday's two home runs). "Some days it's a pitcher's game and some days it's a hitter's game, but if we get it to 1-0 or 2-0, we have all the confidence in the world in Jordan."

"What that kid withstood today was phenomenal," Lotief says. "She's just a sophomore and last year she was our number two, and she went through her share of struggles. The crowd tried to intimidate her today and their hitters made adjustments to take her out of her comfort zone. And as the game went along she lost some velocity. But she's just a warrior."

Wallace threw 365 pitches in the three regional games, and has now allowed one run over her last 35 innings pitched. If the Cajuns had lost Sunday's games, the teams would have turned around and played the "if necessary" game, and Wallace would have likely started again if she'd had her choice.

"She'll tell you she could have gone back, but I don't know," Lotief says. "Our mindset coming in was to take care of it in the first game, and it was critical that we find a way to make that one run stand up. We knew that was our shot."

That shot held up, even though LSU had runners in scoring position in six of the seven innings including the last four.

"A lot of that is luck sometimes," Lotief says. "The game rewarded us today and we know that."

Cajuns roll past LSU to close in on NCAA Super Regional

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

BATON ROUGE – Brianna Cherry made an early statement for UL's softball team Saturday, and Jordan Wallace made that statement stand up.

Because of that tandem, the Ragin' Cajun softball team is in position to advance to its fourth NCAA Super Regional in the last six years.

Cherry unloaded a first-inning bomb, a two-run homer that nearly cleared the berm at LSU's Tiger Park, and Wallace checked host LSU on two ground-ball hits as the Cajuns took a 3-0 win over the Tigers in the winners' bracket final of the NCAA's Baton Rouge Regional.

The Cajuns (45-13) only need one win on Sunday to advance to the Super Regional round, while whichever team survives Saturday's two elimination games – the Tigers (41-15), Northwestern State or Central Connecticut State – will have to win twice over UL on the tournament's final day.

"I've been in this situation before, on both sides," says UL coach Michael Lotief. "I've been the unbeaten team and I've come through the loser's bracket. It's still going to be a war tomorrow."

His team was in a war on Saturday ... a pitching war between Wallace and LSU ace RacheleFico, both of whom threw two-hitters and combined for 17 strikeouts.

The difference in the game was that UL's two hits both went over Tiger Park's left-field wall, with Cherry's 13th homer of the season coming two minutes into the game and Sara Corbello's solo shot in the top of the seventh inning giving the Cajuns some insurance that Wallace didn't need.

"They can swing the bat," says LSU coach Beth Torina of the Cajuns. "We just have to make sure we get her (Fico) some offensive support."

That didn't happen. The Tigers' two hits were a bouncing double by A.J. Andrews that deflected off UL shortstop Nerissa Myers' glove and rolled into foul territory to lead off the fourth inning, and a two-out ground ball slap up the middle by Jacee Blades in the sixth. Wallace recorded an inning-ending strikeout in five of the seven innings, and the Tigers only put one ball in play – Blades' single – in the final two innings.

Fico (24-12) didn't allow a hit after Cherry's homer until Corbello's in the seventh, and at one point she retired 12 straight batters. UL's only other base-runners came on a two-out walk to Leandra Maly in the second inning and Cherry reaching on a hard-hit error on Tiger third baseman Tammy Wray in the third. Cherry was erased on a double play moments later.

"Fico threw well for us," says LSU shortstop and top hitter Bianka Bell (0-for-3). "We had to step up our offense and get her some runs and we didn't get her any."

Wallace (30-7) didn't have that problem. Myers drew a game-opening 3-1 walk off Fico, and Cherry lined an up-and-in fastball on the second pitch she saw for the 2-0 lead. The run scored by Myers was the 341st of her career, moving her into the NCAA's all-time top 20 list.

"I'm not going to lie, as soon as I hit it I knew it was out," Cherry says. "But when things happen like that, it's not about me. It's about us ... that's the reward for all the hard work we've all put in. But we know if we get ahead, we have to keep going and keep scoring throughout the game."

That didn't happen until two outs in the top of the seventh, when Corbello ended Fico's streak of 12 straight retired batters by taking a low-and-in pitch over the wall in left field for her seventh homer of the season.

"Getting ahead if what we strive for," says Wallace. "Doing that today was a big boost of confidence."

"It was awesome," Lotief says of the dugout when Cherry ripped her homer. "When you get in a game as closely contested as that one, a couple of pitches are going to decide it. We've got a lot of young kids, so that was big for them."

The win was UL's fourth straight over LSU, all of those coming in regional play

Wallace, who threw more than 140 pitches in the Cajuns' 3-0 regional-opening win over Northwestern State, threw 106 on Saturday. But Lotief didn't hesitate when asked about her for Sunday.

"The pitch count's something you think about," he says, "and some people think windmillers can throw an unlimited amount of pitches and that' just not true. But she's trained and she's worked so hard every day to prepare for a moment like this. She's a mentally tough kid. At some point she's going to hit a wall, but until then we're going to ride her."

Since the implementation of the Super Regional round in 2005, the Cajuns have never lost in a regional when going in as the unbeaten team.

"I'm ready for tomorrow," Wallace says. "This is what we prepare for. I definitely could pitch two (games) tomorrow."

Cajun softball successful in NCAA opener

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

BATON ROUGE – It wasn't a typical Jordan Wallace pitching performance for UL's softball team.

Friday afternoon also wasn't the Ragin' Cajuns' typical hitting effort.

But it was enough for the UL team to advance in the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional, and set up the matchup that everyone expected.

The second-seeded Cajuns posted solo runs in three different innings in taking a 3-0 victory over third-seeded Northwestern State in the regional opener, and will now face host LSU in Saturday's noon winners bracket contest. The regional-host Tigers took a 3-2 win over fourth seeded Central Connecticut State in Friday's nightcap.

The Cajuns (44-13) had only seven hits, all singles, as NSU pitcher Kylie Roos (17-5) kept the country's second-best slugging team in check.

"It's a postseason game," says Wallace, who struck out 11 in a one-hit performance. "It's going to be like a one-run game every time."

"We knew it was going to be hard-fought," says UL coach Michael Lotief. "Northwestern was prepared, but our kids were prepared, too."

The upstart Lady Demons (40-14), who got into the NCAA with a surprise win in the Southland Conference tournament, forced Wallace into a long day despite getting only Jordan Palmer's two-out single to left field for their only hit. Wallace walked six and had to throw 144 pitches as NSU batters continually forced long counts and fouled off pitch after pitch.

"Every team has a plan for every pitcher," Wallace says. "Their plan worked ... they took me to a lot of full counts. I had to figure out the strike zone ... that took a couple of innings, but that's what you expect in postseason."

Even with the 11 strikeouts and the lone hit, Wallace needed some help from the defense, and she got that herself in a pivotal fifth inning when UL led 2-0 and the Demons had tying runs in scoring position with one out after a pair of walks and a sacrifice bunt. Cali Burke laid a bunt down that Wallace quick-flipped to catcher Sarah Draheim, and Draheim expertly blocked the plate while tagging Palmer for the second out.

"The squeeze was a bang-bang play," says NSU coach Donald Pickett. "A two or three run deficit in this setting is bigger than where it normally is, and we had to try to get a run there."

Wallace got the third out on a ground ball, and the Cajuns provided her some insurance one inning later when Nerissa Myers led off the sixth with a single and scored her third run of the game on Shellie Landry's RBi single to left, her second hit of the game.

An NSU defensive lapse helped UL score a first-inning run, when right fielder Shenequia Abby misplayed Brianna Cherry's fly ball into a base hit after Myers' leadoff single. After a two-out walk to Landry, Sara Corbello drew a bases-loaded free pass for the 1-0 lead.

"To score first is every team's goal," says Wallace, who had nine of her strikeouts in the first four innings. "In the postseason that's even more important, so for us to get that first run was big."

The Cajuns added a run in the fourth and should have had more, with Draheim's RBI single plating Myers with two outs. Leandra Maly walked to lead off the inning and moved up on Natalie Fernandez' bouncing single up the middle, but Myers' ground ball up the middle was bobbled by Roos before she threw to third, and Maly easily beat the throw – except that third base umpire Larry Nagal called her out. Video later showed that the call is an early candidate for worst in this year's NCAA Tournament.

At the end it didn't matter, since other than the fifth inning Wallace allowed only one other runner to reach second base, that coming on Palmer's two-out single in the second after a one-out walk to NSU's Cheyenne DeLaGarza.

"She's good," Pickett says of Wallace, who had won 16 straight decisions before a 1-0 eight-inning loss to South Alabama in the Sun Belt Tournament. "She works the ball up and down, and that's the toughest to hit. She was able to come up high and then came down low with off-speed. She kept us off balance."

Wallace figures to take the circle in Saturday's noon contest against the host and No. 9 national seed Tigers, only 18 hours after finishing off her 29th win of the season.

"At this juncture, it's win or go home," Lotief says. "She (Wallace) has a tremendous will, she's a tremendous competitor. Who knows what's going to happen tomorrow, but I know that she'll fight.

"It's something she's been though. She got extended in the opening game of the Sun Belt tournament (an 8-7 extra-inning win over FIU) and came out the next day and had a masterful performance. She's feeling very confident, and this is the time of year that is the most important."

Acadiana 365’s Weekend Picks

wynceno@gmail.com (Wynce Nolley) — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:16:25 GMT

With UL's 2013 Spring Commencement this weekend, here are a few events happening around Lafayette that might help you entertain those many friends and family members in town for the big event.

18 VICTORIA

This weekend, Theatre 810 hosts the premiere of 18 Victoria, the latest work from local playwright Cody Daigle. Through a series of interwoven monologues, 18 Victoria follows the journey of Ben, Catherine and Stephen, three siblings struggling to mend their broken family after the untimely passing of their father. However, the trio soon find themselves facing a much larger problem as an asteroid the size of Texas hurtles toward Earth threatening to wipe out all life on the planet.

18 Victoria runs from Friday, May 16, through Saturday, May 18, at 7:30 p.m., at Theatre 810, located at 810 Jefferson St., in downtown Lafayette. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or online at 18victoria.eventbrite.com.

PACK & PADDLE GARAGE SALE

This Saturday morning, Pack & Paddle is holding its Outdoor Gear Garage Sale where Acadiana’s outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to come out and buy or sell new and used outdoor gear, like kayaks, backpacks, sleeping bags and more. Pack & Paddle will also be selling several lightly used demo kayaks Hobie, Wilderness Systems, Hurricane, Perception, Diablo and others. Pack & Paddle will also be offering huge deals on its regularly-priced clothing, shoes, camping gear, skiwear and kayaks.

The Outdoor Gear Garage Sale starts 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, at Pack & Paddle, located at 601 E. Pinhook Road. For more information call 337-232-5854 or visit packpaddle.com.

HIPPIE FEST

The Riveters Theatre Troupe is rolling out the tye-dye and flower power this Sunday for its Hippie Fest fundraiser at The Blue Moon Saloon. Proceeds from the event will go towards the Riveters’ upcoming production of HAIR: The American Tribal Love Rock Musical. There will be a raffle for door prizes, face painting, henna, a bake sale and free love for all. Live entertainment will be provided from local artists Blue Eyed Doll and Zig Zag Wanderers. In lieu of an admission, Hippie Fest asks for a minimum $10 donation.

Hippe Fest will be held on Sunday, May 19, from 5-10 p.m. at the Blue Moon Saloon, located at 215 East Convent St. For more information visit the Riveters website here.

Today in awesome: Bayou Teche Brewing

walterp@theind.com (IND Monthly Staff) — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:49:30 GMT

More accolades for our friends at the little brewery that could. Bayou Teche Brewing in Arnaudville has been named one of the 10 best micro breweries in these United States, joining such established micro brewers as Allagash in Portland, Maine, and the Brooklyn Brewing Company on AskMen.com’s rankings. (AskMen is a GQ-style website that reaches about 19 million readers per month.)

Here’s what AskMen had to say about Bayou Teche Biere:

Increasingly, beer is being brewed not just to be enjoyed in its own right, but also as a complement to the food in the region in which it is made. There is no better example than the Bayou Teche Brewing Company in Arnaudville, Louisiana. In its relatively short lifespan (it has been around since only 2009), it has created a small range of four beers that work perfectly with the food of Southern Louisiana.

See the whole list here.

Have Mercy, DTA!

walterp@theind.com (IND Monthly Staff) — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:38:34 GMT


	Photo by Gwen Aucoin

Somewhere in that nether realm between sodden Saturday nights and sacred Sunday mornings live the Mercy Brothers. Formed a couple of years ago by Mark Meaux, Kevin Sekhani and Garland Theriot, the band has been lighting up local stages with its righteous blend of honky tonk roots rock and gospel fervor. Never a dull moment with these boys, can we get an amen?

The band takes the stage Friday evening at Parc Sans Souci for the weekly Downtown Alive! free concert. Concession sales start at 5:30; the music cranks up at 6 and lasts until 8:30.

Ethics bd. green lights Tramel consulting

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


	Tony Tramel

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, through his newly formed company, Tony Tramel Consulting, LLC. The board did issue Tramel a caveat in its advisory opinion: his private consulting work cannot place him in a direct working relationship with the department he formerly headed.

Tramel retired at the end of March. He worked as a traffic engineer in the old city of Lafayette’s Public Works Department from 1977 to 1985 — before the Traffic and Transportation Department was created under LCG — and spent 13 years in the private and public sectors in various traffic-engineering jobs in Texas and Florida before returning to Lafayette in 1998 to serve as director of the newly created department.

Tramel formed the company in early February, according to the secretary of state’s office, and requested the advisory opinion (reproduced below) in early March.

AUSA Walker honored for child protection work

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

U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that the U.S. Justice Department has recognized Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker for his exemplary efforts to protect children. AUSA Walker received the Child Protection Award at the annual National Missing Children’s Day commemoration held in Washington, D.C., this week. The award recognizes the extraordinary efforts of citizens and law enforcement officers who have made a significant investigative or program contribution to protecting children from abuse or victimization.

AUSA Luke Walker (third from left) received the Child Protection Award from Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West, left, joined by Robert L. Listenbee, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention administrator, and Mary Lou Leary, acting assistant AG for the Office of Justice programs.

Walker is one of nine citizens and law enforcement officers from Louisiana, Illinois, North Carolina and Washington state to receive the award.

Walker serves as the Western District of Louisiana’s Project Safe Childhood coordinator. He was the lead prosecutor and a driving force behind Operation Delego, the largest child exploitation case ever prosecuted by the department. To date his efforts have resulted in 44 convictions of Operation Delego targets. The defendants included a teacher, police officer and a member of the military. The convictions resulted in sentences ranging from five years to life imprisonment and helped to successfully dismantle a network of individuals whose main objective was the production of hardcore child pornography involving children under the age of 12. Overseas child sex rings and commercial child pornography production rings were also dismantled as part of Operation Delego. As a result of Operation Delego, at least three child victims in the U.S. were identified.

Walker also carries a full caseload of other cases and teaches children and parents throughout the Western District about the dangers of online activity through Internet Safety presentations. During 2012, he provided more than 25 presentations and reached approximately 3,000 children and 500 adults.

Ronald Reagan proclaimed May 25, 1983, the first National Missing Children’s Day to remember Etan Patz, a 6-year-old boy who disappeared from a New York City street corner on May 25, 1979. Missing Children’s Day honors his memory and the memories of children still missing.

Project Safe Childhood is a U.S. Department of Justice nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

Louisiana jobless rate rises for fourth month

walterp@theind.com (Jeff Amy, Associated Press) — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:46:41 GMT

Louisiana's unemployment rate rose in April for the fourth straight month, as fewer people reported having work.

While the labor force was basically flat, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of people who said they had a job fell by nearly 5,000.

The jobless rate rose to 6.5 from 6.2 percent in March, though it remained below April 2012's 6.8 percent rate.

A separate survey of employer payrolls was more positive. Those numbers, also published by BLS, shows payrolls were flat from March, but continued to hover just below Louisiana's all-time high. About 16,000 more people had a job than in April 2012.

The number of unemployed Louisianans rose to 135,000 in April, up from 129,000 in March. About 142,000 people were unemployed in April 2012.

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 bond election in 2011, one option for relief for the Lafayette Parish School System could come in the form of two charter school organizations.

With state funding cuts and an increase in the required payments to the state, equalling a decrease of about $45 million for the 2014 fiscal year budget, Superintendent Dr. Pat Cooper says the school system has no other option but to dip into its fund balance. That, he says, will decrease the system’s existing reserves from a little less than $70 million to about $50 million.

“The short-term consideration is that our general fund balance can be considered a rainy day fund ... and it is raining,” Cooper writes in a statement issued recently to the school board, which has yet to approve the administration’s proposed budget. “The alternative is to make what I deem to be drastic cuts that will harm the students and teachers academically, exacerbate discipline problems, and make it even harder to retain teachers.”

Cooper also says the time is now for bringing another millage tax before parish voters. The last attempt came in 2011 with a $500 million bond proposal, which failed miserably when 69 percent of voters failed to support it.


	Photos by Robin May
	LPSS Superintendent Dr. Pat Cooper

Cooper, in his letter calling for the board’s support of the proposed budget, writes:

[I]t is inevitable in my mind that we will have to request from the citizens of Lafayette Parish additional tax revenues next year in order to not only survive another year of expected cuts, but to also provide funds to become an “A” district.

My recommendation and that of staff is to provide the standstill budget for this year utilizing a portion of the fund balance. Propose to the citizens a tax package this coming year to fund the programs and facilities we need. If the citizens do support additional tax dollars our fund balance will be replenished. If the citizens do not support additional funds, then we will have to make the catastrophic cuts next year instead of this year. I would rather give the citizens of Lafayette Parish a chance to weigh in before we make those cuts.


LPSB member Kermit Bouillion

School Board member Kermit Bouillion says he's against calling another bond election so soon after the last failed attempt.

"Here we are debating if we're going to ask voters for a tax, and I really don't think Cooper's going to have five [board] members support him on that," Bouillion tells The IND. "I told him I won't."

Two Type 1 charter schools, however, could be an alternative to Cooper's push for calling another tax vote, says Bouillion.

Those two organizations are Florida-based Charter Schools USA and Michigan-based National Heritage Academies. Both groups addressed the school board during Wednesday’s meeting, each detailing their programs and plans to open Type 1 charters in Lafayette, which would mean the construction of new facilities to be complete in time for the 2014-15 school year.

Charter USA’s plans include construction of three schools — two elementary schools and one high school — over the next three years, while Heritage Academies will start by building one new facility for K-8 at a location of the board’s choosing. Charter USA’s plans include an elementary school on the north side and south side, while the location of the high school has not yet been determined.

As Type 1 charters, the two groups would be under the school board’s oversight and would work in a partnership with the school system and its “Turnaround Plan.” Type 2 charters are under the jurisdiction of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, meaning local school boards have no say in their governance.

One aspect for the board to consider when a final decision is made centers on the per-pupil funding the school system receives each year from the state. By entering a partnership with a Type 1 charter, the school board will see a decrease in the system’s student population and therefore a diversion of those per-pupil funds distributed by the state.

Yet both groups' plans to build brand new schools, on their own dime, would make losing a portion of the state per-pupil funding worthwhile.

"[Charter USA] wants to build three new schools here, an elementary school on the north side, an elementary school on the south side and a high school, and it won't cost us one penny and we won't have to raise taxes," says Bouillion. "If we can't afford to build a school on the south side, what's the problem with letting someone else who says they can? Personally, right now, I feel if a charter wants to come into town and build a school in the Youngsville /Broussard area, I don't think I'd oppose that. I think it's something the board needs to have a serious talk about."

While the board has denied previous proposals from Type 1 charter groups, the administration, says Cooper, supports a partnership with a charter group, if it's the "right" one. And the two groups to make presentations Wednesday, says Cooper, are the "right" groups.

“We’ve actually been in search of finding some good charters to come here, so we’ve done our research and feel the two groups from [Wednesday] night are legit,” Cooper tells The IND. “I’m in favor because it will get us over this short-term hump we’re dealing with. It makes sense financially. We’re already faced with an increasing student population, and both these groups will be able to get new schools built within nine months or so — something that would take us more that 18 months to accomplish.”

The board’s vote determining the future of charter schools in Lafayette Parish is expected for July.

Click here and here for more on the two charter groups.

Saints' Payton settles tax credit lawsuit

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

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton has settled his lawsuit against a former Saints player who sold him nonexistent state movie tax credits from a defunct film studio.

Payton's attorney, Daniel Becnel Jr., described the settlement approved Thursday as "substantial."

"We were ready to go to trial," Becnel said. "We weren't out there with a tin cup in our hand. We got exactly what we wanted and demanded and they paid it."

He refused to give further details, saying the settlement amount was confidential.

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. Records show Payton paid Read $144,000.

Former Saints long snapper Kevin Houser, who is in the securities business, has been blamed for the sour deals.

Thomas Roberts, Houser's attorney, said the settlement ends the lawsuit in regards to Payton and his wife, Elizabeth, but notes other plaintiffs remain.

"We're always talking about settlements but I can't say one way or the other whether we'll reach one with regards to the remaining parties," he said.

If no settlement is reached, the case is set for trial on June 24.

Read has pleaded guilty to federal charges of interstate transportation of stolen funds and wire fraud and was sentenced to four years in prison.

A victims list presented in court listed 27 current and former players and coaches, and administrative personnel as credit buyers. Former defensive end Charles Grant gave Read the most money: $425,000, quarterback Drew Brees invested $100,000 and $80,000 by former Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey and former Saints quarterback Archie Manning. Houser bought $125,000 in credits.

The buyers thought that by purchasing the tax credits they would be getting a yield $1.33 of value for every dollar invested by reducing their overall state income tax bill, attorneys have said. A credit is taken directly off net taxes due.

Read is the only person to have faced criminal charges.

Saints agree to terms with DL Aaitui

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

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — The New Orleans Saints signed defensive tackle Isaako Aaitui to a two-year deal Thursday.

The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Aaitui is entering his third year as a pro out of UNLV. He was on the Miami Dolphins' practice squad for part of the 2011 season, then spent the 2012 preseason with Miami and the New York Jets.

Aaitui was two-year starter at UNLV, where as a senior in 2010 he played in 13 games, starting 12, and ranked second on the Rebels in tackles for losses with five.

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

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — 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.

Jindal's yearly report was filed with the state Board of Ethics by the May deadline that is required.

It doesn't show net worth.

The report shows the couple also received income from capital gains and dividends paid from nine different investment sources — but it doesn't offer specific amounts, instead providing the information in financial ranges.

For example, the report indicates that Jindal received between $5,000 and $24,999 in dividends and capital gains from a Fidelity mutual fund.

Besides his state salary, the total income Jindal and his wife, Supriya, could have received last year under the ranges reported to the ethics board was up to $105,000.

Jindal and his wife bought and sold investments. The couple also invested money in Louisiana START, a college savings program, for each of their three children.

Jindal, in his second term in office, doesn't list any liabilities over $10,000 and said he had no property exceeding $2,000 in value. He and his family live in the governor's mansion and don't own a separate home.

The governor reported that he has no investment holdings.

The couple both sat on non-profit advisory boards in 2012. Jindal was chair of the Southern Regional Education Board and a trustee of the Louisiana Southern Growth Policies Board.

Supriya Jindal was an advisory board member for a specialty magazine group called Parenting Magazine Mom's Congress, Tulane University's President's Council and the Special Olympics Gold Medal Commission.

She also was president of her own charitable foundation, the Supriya Jindal Foundation for Louisiana Children, which seeks to expand technology at state schools.

House backs ban on drivers using social media

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

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A ban on posting to social media sites like Facebook and Twitter while driving appears likely to hit Louisiana's law books.

Both the House and Senate have easily approved the idea.

The proposal has one more stop before reaching final passage after getting unanimous House backing Thursday. The bill by Livingston Sen. Dale Erdey returns to the Senate for approval of a minor change.

Rep. Karen St. Germain said the measure would close a loophole in the state law that already prohibits texting while driving. The bill would add accessing, reading and posting to social media sites to that ban.

If passed into law, violators would face fines up to $175 for a first offense and larger fines for subsequent violations.

Toughened school safety bill wins final passage

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

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — 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.

The bill rewriting Louisiana's school safety law received final passage Thursday with a unanimous Senate vote. It comes in response to the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

It will require classroom doors to remain locked during instructional time, as long as that's in compliance with fire safety standards.

School crisis management plans won't be subject to Louisiana's public records law.

The measure by Abbeville Rep. Bob Hensgens heads to Gov. Bobby Jindal, who is expected to sign the bill.

The Bayou gets chic

amandab@theind.com (Amanda Bedgood) — Fri, 17 May 2013 06:00:00 GMT

We all love those pieces of clothing that make life easier. You know, the top that never makes you feel fat. The one that works with more than one thing in the closet. That looks as good as it feels. We can dream. But, one Lafayette lady is tired of dreaming it. She did the thing. The result is a lovely shirt by Bayou Gauche.

The brand launched just last week by Nicole LeBlanc has been brewing for awhile. It’s what she describes as “the simple shirt with the perfect balance of sophistication and comfort. The well constructed shirt that could last through the seasons and passing trends. The shirt you could effortlessly put on and feel like a million bucks.”

Right now the shirt is on sale at Kiki in an icy blue and summery white and every detail is fine from the lovely navy label to the bit of seersucker lining.

The tops are sewn in New Orleans and if this first showing is any indication, there’s something utterly southern about the direction of the design. Something with a history, and yet, something fresh.

Interior issues new drilling rule on public land

lesliet@theind.com (Matthew Daly, Associated Press) — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:04:32 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration said Thursday it will require companies that drill for oil and natural gas on federal lands to publicly disclose chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing operations. The new "fracking" rule replaces a draft proposed last year that was withdrawn amid industry complaints that federal regulation could hinder an ongoing boom in natural gas production.

The new draft rule relies on an online database used by Colorado and 10 other states to track the chemicals used in fracking operations. FracFocus.org (http://fracfocus.org) is a website formed by industry and intergovernmental groups in 2011 that allows users to gather well-specific data on thousands of drilling sites.

The proposed rule also sets standards for proper construction of wells and disposal of wastewater.

Fracking involves pumping huge volumes of water, sand and chemicals underground to split open rocks to allow oil and gas to flow. Improved technology has allowed energy companies to gain access to huge stores of natural gas underneath states from Wyoming to New York, but has raised widespread concerns about alleged groundwater contamination and even earthquakes.

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell called the proposed rule a "common-sense update" that increases safety while also providing flexibility and improving coordination with states and Indian tribes.

Current regulations date back to 1982, when the Sony Walkman was considered cutting-edge, Jewell said.

"As we continue to offer millions of acres of America's public lands for oil and gas development, it is important that the public has full confidence that the right safety and environmental protections are in place," she said.

But environmental groups said the proposal was weaker than last year's plan and represents a nearly complete capitulation to industry, which had lobbied heavily against the earlier rule. Interior's Bureau of Land Management has held at least 11 meetings this year with industry groups as well as fracking opponents.

"Comparing today's rule governing fracking on public lands with the one proposed a year earlier, it is clear what happened: the Bureau of Land Management caved to the wealthy and powerful oil and gas industry and left the public to fend for itself," said Jessica Ennis, a spokeswoman for the environmental group Earthjustice.

The BLM appears to have settled for "shoddy protections peddled by the oil and gas industry," Ennis said.

Erik Milito, director of upstream and industry operations for the American Petroleum Institute, said the federal rule was unnecessary, since state rules and state-based tools, such as FracFocus, are already in place to ensure responsible drilling.

Changes made since last year "attempt to better acknowledge the state role," Milito said, but the Obama administration "has yet to answer the question why BLM is moving forward with these requirements in the first place."

The API and other industry groups urged the administration and Congress to take a close look at the proposed rule, which is subject to a 30-day comment period before being made final this summer.

Deputy Interior Secretary David Hayes defended the use of FracFocus, calling it a potentially valuable tool to make information on fracking operations available to the public.

"Let there be no doubt, what we are interested in is good public disclosures" of information on fracking and chemicals in drilling operations, Hayes said.

If the site does not work as well as officials hope, "we will look for another mechanism to make sure there is information available" to the public about chemicals used in fracking operations, Hayes said.

Besides Colorado, FracFocus is used by Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas and Utah. The site and its operators don't regulate fracking in any way, but rather provide a repository for relevant information.

Jewell, who took office last month, said she expects to be criticized by both industry and environmental groups. An industry claim that federal regulation is unnecessary "ignores that fracking is taking place on an estimated 90 percent" of wells drilled on federal and Indian lands, Jewell said. Domestic production from more than 92,000 oil and gas wells on public lands accounts for about 13 percent of the nation's natural gas production and 5 percent of U.S. oil production, the Interior Department said.

Similarly, environmental groups who say "fracking is dangerous and should be curtailed full-stop" ignore that "fracking has been done safely for decades," said Jewell, a former petroleum engineer who has worked on fracked wells.

The new rule will "help ensure that human health and security are protected," she said.

The proposal includes a provision allowing the BLM to defer to states and tribes that already have standards in place that meet or exceed those proposed by the federal rule.

Brothers arrested in Mother's Day parade shooting

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

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — 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.

The arrests by city police and U.S. marshals came less than four days after gunfire scattered the crowd and wounded 20 people — 19 hit by bullets and one while trying to flee.

Akein Scott, 19, was arrested without incident late Wednesday at an eastern New Orleans residence. His brother Shawn Scott, 24, was arrested Thursday morning as he tried to flee another residence in the city, police said.

Mayor Mitch Landrieu and police Chief Ronal Serpas hailed the police work as proof of officials' determination to end sporadic violence that mars the image of the tourism-dependent city.

"We will not let up," Landrieu said. "We are demanding that the shooting stop. And we will make sure that we do everything in our power, which I hope people now see is substantial, to make sure that we protect the citizens of New Orleans."

A magistrate judge set bond for Akein Scott at $10 million Thursday morning in the attempted murder case. Another judge ordered him held without bond pending a later hearing on an unrelated gun and weapon charge.

Shawn Scott's court appearances were not yet scheduled. His Thursday morning arrest was announced by Serpas, Landrieu and District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro at a news conference in the middle of the intersection where the shooting took place, off the beaten path for most tourists but less than two miles from the popular French Quarter. Surrounding the officials were dozens of uniformed officers and onlookers from the neighborhood.

Police said Akein Scott has been identified by an unnamed witness as the person seen on a surveillance video, appearing to fire into a crowd that immediately scatters as some fall. Shawn Scott's role in the shootings remained unclear Thursday afternoon.

Police have yet to outline a motive, other than to say it appears related to gang activity, which Landrieu called a major factor in New Orleans street violence.

"This small number of people in gangs and groups are responsible for the overwhelming number of murders and shootings in this city. They are in fact terrorizing our streets," Landrieu said.

Police said the Scotts are members of a gang called the Frenchmen and Derbigny Boys. Frenchmen and North Derbigny streets intersect a few blocks from the shooting site. Court records show Shawn Scott has a history of at least three drug arrests on one block of Frenchmen Street.

In addition to the brothers, police said they arrested four people who are accused of helping Akein Scott elude capture. Justin Alexander, 19; Brandy George, 28; Bionca Hickerson, 22; and Nekia Youngblood, 32, are charged with being accessories after the fact to attempted second-degree murder and obstruction of justice, according to a police news release.

At Thursday's court appearance, Akein Scott, shackled and in an orange jumpsuit, stood calmly and silently as his court-appointed attorney handled proceedings in the shooting case.

Prosecutors said a witness picked out a photo of Akein Scott from a lineup. An arrest affidavit said the unidentified witness told investigators that Akein Scott was the person seen in a surveillance video that police released to the public as they searched for him. The witness also said Akein Scott was carrying a silver and black semi-automatic handgun at the shooting scene, according to the affidavit.

Magistrate Judge Gerard Hansen set Akein Scott's bond at $10 million — $500,000 on each of the 20 counts in the Mother's Day shooting case.

Police had been searching for Akein Scott since identifying him as a suspect Monday from the video.

Courtney Moles, whose apartment overlooks the shooting site, said Thursday that she didn't feel her safety was in jeopardy while police searched the city.

"I didn't really think he would come back. It's more personal than that," she said. "He wasn't going to that second-line to make national news. He was probably settling some kind of score."

Edward Buckner, president of the Original Big 7 Social Aid and Pleasure Club, which sponsored Sunday's second-line parade, said he was ecstatic at the news of the arrests.

"That's the best thing that could ever have happened," he said.

Police publicized a $10,000 reward in the case, and investigators received tips after images from the surveillance camera were released.

Gun violence has flared at two other city celebrations this year. Five people were wounded in a drive-by shooting in January after a Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade, and four were wounded in a shooting after an argument in the French Quarter in the days leading up to Mardi Gras. Two teens were arrested in connection with the MLK Day shootings; three men were arrested and charged in the Mardi Gras shootings.

Mark Hertsgaard, a freelance writer who was shot in the leg Sunday, said in a phone interview from his home in San Francisco that he wouldn't let the violence turn him against the city.

"I love New Orleans, and I love anything that helps to heal New Orleans from this event, including bringing justice to the perpetrators," said Hertsgaard, who was stopping in the city on his way home assignment.

Hertsgaard said he still loves the people of New Orleans.

"Yes, there are pockets of idiots, and the other day one of them put a bullet in my leg," he said.

"But let's not let a few idiots tarnish the reputation of a great city that has great people in it."

Associated Press writers Chevel Johnson and Michael Kunzelman contributed to this report.

Questions raised about House budget proposal

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

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Senators are expressing skepticism about some assumptions House lawmakers used to balance next year's budget.

The Senate Finance Committee began combing through the House's $25 billion bipartisan budget Thursday, to decide what senators might want to change.

Sen. Greg Tarver, of Shreveport, questioned how the House decided to plug $200 million from a planned tax amnesty program into its budget. The program would allow delinquent taxpayers to pay their debts without or with lessened penalties and interest.

The Legislature's chief economist, Greg Albrecht, says he doesn't know where the House came up with its amnesty estimate for the budget. Albrecht says he wouldn't advise plugging any of it into next year's budget.

Other questions were raised about the estimates assumed in the House budget proposal for trimming tax break programs.