News

Three men have been arrested in a counterfeit art scheme that stole about $400,000 from unsuspecting buyers world-wide who believed they were getting limited edition prints signed by British artist Damien Hirst.

Manhattan prosecutors on Monday announced the indictment of 52-year-old Vincent Lopreto, of New Orleans, 34-year-old Marco Saverino, of Cottonwood, Arizona and 50-year-old Paul Motta, of Sedona, Arizona on grand larceny and scheme to defraud charges.

Information on their lawyers wasn't immediately available.

Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Monday that he has signed into law a bill enacting a new 4.5-cent monthly tax on cellphones.

The dollars will pay for technology assistance and services for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Current law imposes a 5-cent monthly tax on landline phones, with the money deposited into the Telecommunications for the Deaf Fund. The bill will drop that rate to 4.5 cents a month but expand the tax to wireless services.

The tax change by Rep. Patricia Smith, a Baton Rouge Democrat, takes effect Oct. 1.

U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a Farmerville man pleaded guilty to possessing a sawed-off shotgun.

The Board of Supervisors approved a recommendation to appoint Dennis Epps as the permanent Chancellor of Louisiana Delta Community College.

Dennis Epps has been the acting chancellor at LDCC, and is now ready to take on the role as permanent chancellor.

"Dennis is the right fit for the college and the community it serves. He possesses the needed skill set to address existing challenges, maximize talents, and develop a vision to continue moving the college forward." said Louisiana Community and Technical College System President Monty Sullivan.

A man is jailed after shooting co-worker over a performance review.

Madison W. Goins, 65, of Richwood was arrested after allegedly shooting his son.

The police report states there was a verbal altercations between the two when the younger Goins tried to leave in his vehicle, but was blocked. He then challenged his father who allegedly retrieved a shot gun and shot the victim in the shoulder.

Dr. Lawson and Mrs. Sharon Swearingen have established an Endowed Professorship in Political Science at the University of Louisiana Monroe, funded by a $60,000 contribution.

The announcement of the Swearingens’ legacy was made Tuesday at the ULM Library, which was constructed under Swearingen’s tenure as university president from 1991 to 2001.

A Louisiana Congressman has been shot this morning in the Washington D.C. suburb of Alexandria, Virginia.  Congressman Steve Scalise was shot while at baseball practice for the annual Congressional Charity Baseball Game.  At least 5 others were shot including 2 police officers.

Scalise is the 3rd rankinghouse member and had a security detail with him. The gunman is in custody.

Scalise was playing 2nd base when he was shot. He is currently in stable condition.