KPLC Hot Topic

Tiger's Crash

When was the last time a golfer hitting a tree created this much news? But Friday morning's accident just outside his home has Tiger Woods and his wife in an unwanted media spotlight. A spotlight made brighter by Woods' and his wife's refusal to talk to local sheriff's investigators. The rumor mill began spinning rapidly soon after the news broke Friday. It happened just two days after the National Enquirer reported, Tiger had an extra-marital affair. The reputed “other woman,” Rachel Uchitel, is denying having an affair with Woods.

Tiger Woods says he and his family "deserve some privacy" about Friday's car accident. And public relations experts are wishing him luck with that. One PR expert says the statement Woods put on his Web site leaves unanswered a lot of questions that affect the golfer's reputation.

Woods also dismissed reports that he and his wife, Elin, were involved in some sort of domestic dispute as "false, Malicious, and irresponsible." And goes on to say, " My Wife, Elin, acted courageously when she saw I was hurt and in trouble. She was the first person to help me. Any other assertion is absolutely false."

Sports Analyst  Stephen A. Smith says the Woods have handled the situation poorly, "they've elevated this to astronomical proportions because of the way they have handled. And in some ways I think they are getting what they deserve because of the way they handled it a lot more differently."

Skeptics say the Woods version of what happened does not add up. Mike Lupica, NY Daily News "He is acting like a guilty man. I think it's a preposterous version of things that somehow she took a driver or a hybrid club and turned it into the jaws of life to get him out of this car. "

What are your thoughts on the crash and the media coverage of it?

White House Security Breach

A "deeply concerned and embarrased" Secret Service acknowledges it failed to check whether a couple of party crashers who managed to slip into the White House uninvited were on the guest list. The Virginia couple who crashed Tuesday's state dinner met President Barack Obama in the receiving line. The agency's director says "appropriate measures have been taken to ensure this is not repeated." What do you think about this breach of security, and should the couple who crashed the party be prosecuted?

Black Friday

     It's the biggest shopping day of the year... the day after Thanksgiving.  But with the economy in such a downswing, we want to know will you be participating in 'Black Friday' shopping?  Retailers hope to make the bulk of their holiday sales, and so they hope to lure in customers with drastic discounts and early bird sales.  Will you be among the Black Friday shoppers?  And will you be spending more or less this holiday?

Fight Clubs

     Kids fighting kids... and putting the video on the web.  It's a growing trend.  7News discovered some shocking video of fights at a local high school.  All of this was caught on a cell phone camera by students, who then posted it to YOUTUBE for all the world to see.  And it wasn't just one video that we found.  In fact, on a YOUTUBE channel known simply as "LaGrange Fights," there are five fights caught on tape.  What's most surprising is that school officials didn't even know about the videos until KPLC brought them to their attention.  What is your reaction to this disturbing trend of students capturing school fights on tape, and posting them on the world wide web?

Is Les Miles On The Hot Seat?

It all went wrong for the Bayou Bengals Saturday afternoon. A team that had only lost to the top two teams in the country had a chance to take another big step towards a top bowl game. But then something funny happened on the way to New Year's Day. The Tigers were fighting with a feisty Ole Miss team, they were down in the 4th quarter but the Tigers were rallying. They seemingly had done enough to win the game; a long pass completion deep into Ole Miss terrority gave LSU a chance to run on the field goal unit for a chip-shot game-winner. But no! Instead of the special team fire drill, we saw LSU's offense still on the field, snapping the ball with just one second left so quarterback Jordan Jefferson could spike the ball stopping the clock that had already struck zero. The game was over, leaving the crowd, the players, and TV announcers all stunned. How could a major college program with national championship aspirations get it wrong? And couple that with last year's late season free-fall that saw the Tigers falling to a 7-5 regular season record with 5 conference losses, the question is being raised is Les Miles on the hot seat?

Saturday Showdown

     It's just a few hours 'til Democrats have to stand up, unanimously.  Saturday a crucial vote will be held in Washington on the health care reform plan.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid needs 60 senators to vote in favor of the plan in order for debate to begin on the bill.  That means every Democrat must vote in favor of it.  But will that happen?  It turns out Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu is one of just two Democrats who has not said how they will vote.  That means her vote tomorrow could be a "make or break" situation for healthcare reform... and a very important vote in her political career.  The vote itself is a procedural one.  Senate rules say it takes 60 votes to start debate on the reform plan.  No republicans will vote to start the debate.  So Democratic leaders need all 60 democrats and independents in line.  We're making today's vote and Senator Mary Landrieu's pivotal role in it, our "Hot Topic."   What do you think about Senator Landrieu's crucial role in this important vote?  And what do you think she'll do?

Crackdown On DWI

     It's hard to believe someone convicted of four DWI's, including one in which a woman was killed, plus two more DWI's still pending... would be free on the streets.  But in a new project, in which we're focusing in on repeat offenders, that's exactly what we found.  48 year old Thomas Swagart is no stranger to law enforcement.  He's been arrested a total of six times for DWI.  Troubles started for Swaggart back in 1985 when he got his first DWI in Sulphur.  Court records show he would plead guilty to careless operation.  Then 7 years later he was convicted of vehicular homicide in the death of Betsy Ennis of Sulphur.  He would serve some time in jail before being let back out on the streets.  And the drinking and driving continued with more violations.  District Attorney John DeRosier says part of the problem is a statute that recommends that judges reduce sentences for third and fourth time offenders to 30 to 45 days.  DeRosier and others are set to go before the state legislature to try and change that.  In the meantime, KPLC will be profiling more multiple offenders in a new DWI Crackdown page on kplctv.com.  What is your reaction to so many repeat DWI offenders being allowed on the streets?

Jefferson Saga: Part II

     You might want to call the new developments in the William Jefferson story "The Jefferson Saga:  Part Two."  Just on Monday, taxpayers got the news that they would continue to foot the bill for the convicted congressman's 50,000 dollar a year pension.  Well now comes word that it could be year before Jefferson goes to jail... if ever!  Jefferson was sentenced to 13 years in prison last week.  But Wednesday, a judge ruled he can remain free on bond while he appeals his conviction on bribery and racketeering charges.  The federal judge even went so far as to say, that the legal questions surrounding Jefferson's conviction are unsettled enough that an appeals court could decide to overturn the convictions.  What is your reaction to the judge's ruling allowing Jefferson to remain free while he appeals his conviction?  And what about the possibility of the convictions being overturned?

Still Cashing In

     Former Congressman William Jefferson may have lost his freedom, but he'll still keep collecting his government pension... and you'll be paying for it.  The pension goes to Jefferson, even though he's been sentenced to 13 years in prison.  Congress passed a law two years ago that was supposed to prohibit congressional convicts from cashing in.  But Jefferson committed his crimes before the law was passed in 2007.  And so that makes him exempt from the law. Jefferson was caught red-handed with 90 thousand dollars in cash, stashed in his freezer during an FBI sting, and was sentenced to 13 years in prison last week.  How do you feel about Jefferson being allowed to keep his pension?

Palin's Book

     She could challenge the President in 2012.  Today, former Vice-Presidential nominee Sarah Palin's autobiography hits store shelves.  It could be the first step towards a run for the White House.  "Going Rogue" is already sparking controversy.  Some are wondering whether her book is a stepping stone towards a presidential campaign.  While on The Oprah Winfree Show, she was asked if she had intentions for 2012.  Palin replied, "I'm concentrating on 2010 and making sure we have issues tackled as Americans, to make sure we're on the right road."   Do you think Sarah Palin's autobiography is her way of launching a political campaign?