The house always wins: The Louisiana Lottery Corp.’s third-quarter transfer to the state’s treasury was $43.6 million, exceeding the state’s expectations by more than $10.5 million. From January to March, lottery revenue of $124.5 million resulted in a state contribution of $43.6 million, bringing total fiscal year-to-date transfers to $114 million. Thirty-five percent of the lottery’s proceeds are transferred to the state and dedicated for K-12 public education, with the first $500,000 going to fund programs that treat problem gambling. Lottery President Rose Hudson credits the rise in revenue to a record-shattering $656 million Mega Millions jackpot, solid Powerball sales and record scratch-off game sales.
As honest as gambling men can be: Authorities in Lake Charles say four men posing as business owners scammed several people out of more than $10,000 through a card game. The Calcasieu Parish sheriff says the men disguised themselves as business owners and contacted several small businesses about constructing a building in Lake Charles. The (Lake Charles) American Press reports the men scheduled meetings at several hotels and, under the pretense of waiting for other contractors, started “friendly” card games. “I’ve never heard of anything happening like this,” says Sheriff Tony Mancuso. “They never did get to bid on a project. They were not allowed to give or show any paperwork to bid on anything. That is essentially what makes it a crime.” All four suspects are in jail on felony charges of theft over $1,500.
Better get back to the bayou: No one was killed in a five-vehicle pileup near the Arkansas-Louisiana state line that involved two stars from the Swamp People reality TV show. Arkansas State Police say three people suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries in Monday’s crash. The Texarkana Gazette reports the two alligator hunters from Swamp People—Joe LaFont and Tommy Chauvin—were not injured in the crash, but T-shirts and other show merchandise spilled from their truck onto the highway. Police say maintenance work had reduced U.S. 71 to one lane, and a line of four cars had stopped for a flagman directing traffic. Authorities say a fifth driver did not stop and smashed into a tractor-trailer, causing the pileup.
Today’s poll question: Do you agree with the bill by Rep. Joe Harrison that, if approved, will eliminate tenure for all newly hired bus drivers?
