News for Monday 021113

By Dave Graichen

The weather was not in the mood to cooperate yesterday for the Alexandria Mardi Gras parade. The parade was moved up to 10 in the morning to avoid the forecasted heavy rain and strong winds. But, the rain made it appearance shortly after the parade began. Many of the bands and dance groups decided against taking the chance, as did many fans. Organizers say the crowds were down significantly. Parades scheduled around the area today and fat Tuesday could suffer the same fate, since rain is in the forecast thru tomorrow.

Austin Dean, 21, of Pineville, has been charged with one count of second-degree murder, after an altercation over the weekend at a Lecompte bar that left an Alexandria man dead. Dean faces charges in the death of 19 year old Nicholas Griffin. It’s believe the incident grew out of a fight in the bar’s parking lot. Other details are forthcoming.

Governor Jindal's approval rating is below 50-percent. That's according  to a survey paid for by the Louisiana State Medical Society. The poll  of 600 Louisiana voters resulted in a 46-percent approval rating. The poll also shows voters disagree with the governor's refusal to  expand the Medicaid program in the state. The expansion of Medicaid is  part of the new federal health care law. 51-percent of the poll's

respondents say Louisiana should participate in the Medicaid expansion.

A Slidell lawmaker files legislation to ban a dangerous hallucinogenic  designer drug called "25-I", and others like it. Rep. Kevin Pearson says  25-I was linked to at least one death, and three persons made sick, at  last Fall's Voodoo Fest in New Orleans.  "25-I" is often sold in an eye dropper bottle, but is also frequently  put on blotter paper and sold as LSD to unsuspecting drug users.  Governor Jindal has issued a ban of the substance by executive order,  but Pearson says it needs to have the weight of state statute.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the decision of Farmers  Insurance to leave Louisiana shouldn't alarm the company's 23-thousand  customers in the Bayou State. Farmers announced they were pulling out  last week. Donelon says competitors are waiting in the wings to cover  those homes and businesses. Farmers will start sending non-renewal letters  this Spring, and Donelon has this advice to the company's customers, start shopping now..

Entergy says they figured out the cause of the infamous 34-minute power  outage during the Super Bowl. The utility company says it was a faulty  electrical relay device. CEO of Entergy New Orleans Charles Rice appeared  before the New Orleans City Council to provide more details.  Rice says the faulty device was removed and they are looking into  purchasing new equipment.

Jonesboro Mayor Leslie Thompson is facing three counts of malfeasance in  office. Jackson Parish Sheriff Andy Brown did not go into specifics. But  state legislative auditor Daryl Purpera says his office has not been  able to complete an audit on the town's books since 2007, because they  are so disorganized. Purpera says state law requires all towns to perform an annual audit on  their finances. Purpera says there's no evidence Mayor Thompson stole money, but he says  it's difficult to tell based on the town's financial record keeping.

Better pull up your pants in Grambling, because now you can be fined if  they sag. Police Chief Tommy Clark says they're tightening the dress  code in order to maintain the town's image of being clean and desirable.  He says saggy pants are already restricted in Grambling University's  handbook, but non-compliance caused the city to get involved.  Clark says the first offense is a maximum of a $150 fine, 15 days in  jail or 24 hours community service. He says second offense could be as  much as $250 and the third is no more than $500 and up to 60 days in  jail.

Senator Mary Landrieu is recommending New Orleans attorney Kenneth Allen  Polite Jr for the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana  position. Jim Letten stepped down from the post in December amid an  online scandal involving two of his top prosecutors.