Obama: Our kids can't all aspire to be the next LeBron or Lil Wayne

New Orleans native Lil Wayne
From ABC News: President Barack Obama urged blacks to take greater responsibility for their lives and move away from reliance on government aid in a speech to the NAACP.
From The Telegraph: Youngsters should dream of being "scientists and engineers, doctors and teachers" rather than the next "LeBron James and Lil Wayne," he said, referring to the basketball star and rapper respectively.

Louisiana infant found dead in crib, covered with bites

Police say a Westwego infant's body was covered with appeared to be more than 100 small animal bites, perhaps some from rats, when she was found dead in her crib.
The Westwego couple has relocated, according to The Times-Picayune.
WRNO's Michael Castner interviewed the child's father.
An emotional Robby Hill said he believes his infant daughter was attacked after she died from natural causes.

Baton Rouge news follows up on 'Thuggin' It and Lovin' It' video controversy

Aymondlaw posted a video from a recent WBRZ news report on the "Thuggin' It and Lovin' It" DVD controversy in Baton Rouge.
WBRZ followed up with another report today on the matter, this time speaking with a man featured in the video.
The man claimed he was taken into custody and questioned.
WBRZ also reported that the FBI is aware of the DVD.

Jindal touring entire state

As WWL reports, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal is on the trail of his tour around all 64 parishes in the state. He made stops today in Kenner and Ponchatoula.

'Thuggin' it and Lovin' it' video investigated

WBRZ's Chris Nakamoto and WAFB's David Spunt both recently investigated a DVD called "Thuggin' It and Lovin' It" that purports to capture life on the streets of Baton Rouge.
The video shows people firing guns into the air and using profanity.
"It's sick. It's really sick," Baton Rouge Mayor "Kip" Holden told WAFB.
Prosecutors and Baton Rouge Police are investigating.
WBRZ reports the DVD, which sells for $18, has been flying off of store shelves.

Boustany calls Democrats' health plan 'prescription for pain'

Rep. Charles Boustany offered a commentary to CNN on health care.

Bill Gates hopes to fight hurricanes

From Nola.com: Microsoft founder Gates and a dozen other scientists and engineers have a patent pending for deploying such vessels, which they say would collect water through waves breaking over the walls of the tub.

Video shows New Orleans' 'second line' for Michael Jackson

In this Times-Picayune video, New Orleans hosts a "second line" parade to honor Michael Jackson.

Fox News show discusses Livingston Parish traffic stop death

Fox News, along with other national media outlets have picked up on the story of Adam Stogner, who died during a traffic stop in Livingston Parish.

Analyst questions New Orleans Police Chief Warren Riley

From ABC26 Political Analyst Jeff Crouere: Inquiring minds want to know what happened to New Orleans Police Chief Warren Riley.
As The Times-Picayune reports, a state audit blasted the NOPD evidence room, and noted police leaders may have broken state law.
Riley reportedly is in Australia.

Authorities arrest man who allegedly used stun gun to rape college students

As WWL reports, police arrested 37-year-old James Crockett Jr. in Huntsville, Alabama late Monday.
He allegedly used a stun gun to rape several students living near three separate colleges in Mississippi and Louisiana, according to the report.

Saints = Fantasy Gold

From ESPN.com's Tristan H. Cockcroft: The New Orleans Saints rack up fantasy points offensively - and allow plenty of 'em on defense.

DSS releases 'Most Wanted' poster for unpaid child support

From KATC: The Department of Social Services published its "Most Wanted," a list of non-custodial parents who have not paid child support in at least six months and who owe at least $10,000.

Audra Shay wins chair of Young Republicans despite accusations of racism on Facebook

As The Huffington Post reports, 38-year-old Audra Shay has won the post of chairman of the Young Republicans, despite accusations that she seemingly endorsed racism on Facebook.
The Daily Beast claims to have "obtained more troubling details about her online musings—despite clear attempts by Shay to scrub her social-networking pages clean."
Salon also tackles the subject with "The Young Republicans elect a real joker."
Shay is an Army veteran, mother and event planner from Louisiana who has been endorsed by her governor, Bobby Jindal, according to a previous post on The Daily Beast.

Dr. Regina Benjamin, an Xavier alum, to be named new surgeon general

From WWL: President Barack Obama will name Xavier University alum Dr. Regina Benjamin as the nation's new surgeon general, according to an administration source.
As CNN reports, she is a 52-year-old family practice doctor who has spent most of her career tending to the needs of poor patients in a Gulf Coast clinic in Alabama.

Restraining order filed against Grambling mayor

From The Associated Press: A temporary restraining order has been filed against Grambling Mayor Martha Andrus.
The restraining order, filed Friday, would bar Andrus from entering City Hall and acting as mayor.
As The Ruston Leader reports, the 69-year-old Andrus was arrested by Louisiana State Police and booked in Lincoln Parish for two counts of unauthorized use of a movable and two counts of malfeasance in office.
According to The Monroe News-Star, Gov. Bobby Jindal said elected officials are "not entitled" to their positions.
"I think people in elected positions have to be held to a higher standard, especially when it comes to alleged crimes that involve the office," Jindal responded to Andrus' refusal to resign.

Camera catches student cursing in classroom while fighting with another student

In the above video posted by 713wesley on YouTube, a student curses at another student prior to "a fight that almost happpened" in Bell City.
The YouTube user wrote, "wish the teacher didn't break it up..."
Other students are visible in the background during the incident and a female voice, apparently the teacher in charge of the class, is heard toward the end.
The classroom cursing video is similar to a video Louisiana Now discovered in April of students cursing, dancing and using racial slurs apparently while at a Baton Rouge school

At no point in the video, which is two minutes and 24 seconds, does it appear that students are working or being instructed.
A female voice at one point is heard saying, "F--- the Lakers, n----- I ought to punch you."
Later a girl is seen giving "the bird" and a boy is heard exclaiming "b----".
"That n---- is stupid," a girl is heard saying as the boy runs away.

Mannings work with young players at annual Nicholls camp

Eli, Archie, and Peyton Manning
From Houma Today: Peyton, Eli and Archie Manning are working with high-school football players at the 14th annual Manning Passing Academy held at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux.

'Running of the Bulls' held in New Orleans

The Running of the Bulls in New Orleans

From The Times-Picayune: Easily a thousand participants swarmed the French Quarter Saturday for the 3rd annual San Fermin in Nueva Orleans, or the Running of the Bulls in New Orleans. The event replicates and pays homage to the world famous Encierro of Pamplona, Spain.

HBO show 'True Blood' shoots in Clinton

Anna Paquin, one of the stars of "True Blood," has been filming the show in Clinton.
Parts of Louisiana are looking more like Hollywood lately, as WAFB reports. "True Blood," a new HBO show about vampires living in a fictional Louisiana town, has been shooting in Clinton.

WBRZ questions Louisiana State Police about Redflex e-mail concerning Livingston Parish

In the above video posted by We Saw That, WBRZ's Michael Marsh gets answers from Louisiana State Police about a commander's e-mail concerning Redflex and Livingston Parish.
According to Livingston Sheriff Willie Graves, the e-mail wasn't meant for the public to digest and understand.

'Tea party' rally held on steps of Louisiana's Capitol

The above video shows a montage of speeches from the Baton Rouge Tea Party, held on the Capitol steps on July 4.

Fox News: International air service back in New Orleans

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin was on the first international flight out of the city since Hurricane Katrina devastated the area in last August 2005. The news was the lead-in story for Fox News' "Across America" segment.

Jindal to visit all 64 Louisiana parishes

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said he will visit all 64 parishes in the state over a few months to talk about the economy and to hear from voters, as WDSU reports.

Jindal unconcerned about Palin resignation

From The Advocate: Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said he's not wondering what the resignation of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin means for the presidential aspirations of the many frequently named possible GOP candidates.

Prosecutors play video in Jefferson case

As The Washington Times reports, prosecutors played video recordings Tuesday morning that they say show former Rep. William J. Jefferson taking a $100,000 bribe from a Virginia businesswoman.

Essence Fest draws big crowd

Beyonce performs during a past Essence Festival.
As WWL reports, the crowds turned out for the Essence Festival in New Orleans over the weekend, but vendors say visitors were spending little.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin steps down, questions arise over 2012 presidential bid

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who was the 2008 running mate to GOP presidential candidate John McCain, may have her eyes set on a 2012 campaign. As reports roll in, like the one from The Washington Post, Palin will step down later this month from her governor seat. Palin's name has been mentioned along with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal as possible running mates for the 2012 campaign.

Stormy Daniels must move to Louisiana by Tuesday if she's running for Senate

As WWL reports, porn actress and possible politician Stormy Daniels
to qualify to run for U.S. Senate in Louisiana, she must live in the state at least a year before qualifying. That means the Florida resident needs to set up residency by Tuesday.
As The Advertiser and KATC report, the Baton Rouge native made a stop in Lafayette Thursday.

What would the administration look like if Brad Pitt were mayor of New Orleans?

The New Orleans Levee has an article that takes a look into the possibilities of actor Brad Pitt becoming mayor of the Crescent City.
George Clooney as Chief of Staff?

Nicholas Cage as Chief of Police?

How about John Goodman as Health Inspector?

Or how about Tulane graduate Jerry Springer as Sanitation Director?

And, of course, Angelina Jolie would be the first lady.

Twilight star's Louisiana flick to see daylight

From The Examiner's New Orleans Indie Movie Examiner: "It seemed that The Yellow Handkerchief, director Udayan Prasad's indie road flick set and shot throughout the Louisiana countryside, was dead in the water."
It appears that actress Kristen Stewart and her newfound stardom has finally made the indie film marketable.
Read more:
The Yellow Handkerchief at IMDB

Dow to close three Louisiana plants

As The Wall Street Journal reports, Dow Chemical Co. is shutting three Louisiana plants that make basic chemicals in an effort to cut costs and to focus on higher-margin products.
According to The Times-Picayune, Dow will shut down two units at its Hahnville complex, but the shutdown will result in fewer than 10 layoffs.
The company also announced the shutdown of units at its Plaquemine operation by the third quarter of 2011. The move will affect about 45 employees, some of whom might move into other positions.