KPLC Hot Topic

Election Day

   You may not have noticed... but there's an election this Saturday in Calcasieu.  There are no names on the ballot, but plenty of tax proposals. 

   The Calcasieu District Attorney has a new proposition, the Calcasieu Sheriff's Office has a renewal proposition, and the Calcasieu Police jury has two propositions... one is new and the other is a renewal with an increase.  The District Attorney's Office is asking for a three quarter millage property tax to fund a long term pay plan allowing for an annual 3% cost of living raise.  And do note... the District Attorney would not be receiving a raise with this proposition.  The Sheriff's Office is asking for a renewal of a 7.58 millage and promises to roll it back to 4.39, if it passes.  The Police Jury is asking voters to pass a new 1.5 mill property tax.  The money would be used to maintain and make renovations to the courthouse, move family court into a newly constructed building, and among other things, move the District Attorney's Office from its current location into the recently purchased Parish building.  

   Overall, will you vote for or against these tax propositions, come Saturday?

A Salute To Veterans

     It's Veterans Day.  So today in our "Hot Topic" we invite you to share with us your thoughts about the contributions our brave men and women of the armed services--past and present--make to our country. Giving the proper honor and respect to our military is important at any time, but this year it takes on an even greater meaning, in light of the tragedy that just recently touched so many lives at Fort Hood last week.  Therefore, we ask "How do you honor the men and women of the military who've made such huge sacrifices?" 

Crime And Punishment

     This morning our "Hot Topic" centers around the question..."How young is too young, when it comes to sentencing someone to life in prison?"  The Supreme Court this week is considering whether sentencing a juvenile to life in prison without parole is cruel and unusual punishment.  Their main concern is when the crime is less serious than homicide.  Lawyers for two teenagers serving life in prison presented their case to the justices Monday morning.  One of the teenagers raped an elderly woman when he was 13.  The other was convicted of armed robberies when he was 16 and 17 years old.  So, what do you think?  At what age is a suspect "too young" to be sentenced to life in prison?  Or do you think the gravity of their crimes warrant such a punishment, regardless of their age?

H1N1 vaccine availability

Very long lines have formed recently in California - and in other parts of the country - as people wait to receive the H1N1 vaccine. What do you think about the availability of the swine flu vaccine in our neck of the woods? Right now, only certain people who fit into several high risk groups have access to the vaccine at a handful of locations. We also want to know if you believe the CDC when it says that the vaccine is safe? Let us know your thoughts!

Mass Murder At Fort Hood

The mass murder at America's biggest military base is the "Hot Topic" this morning.  The shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas left a dozen dead and more than 30 wounded.  Authorities believe they know who started shooting.  But "why"... still remains a mystery.  The suspected gunman, Major Nidal Malik Hasan was at first reported to be dead.  But now the Army says Hasan is hospitalized.  What are your thoughts about this terrible tragedy that's happened to American soldiers at home?

Day Care Crackdown

     A couple of days ago, we brought you news about a Sulphur daycare center losing its license.  God's Little Blessings on Prater Road is one of 12 across the state that had its license revoked for what the Department of Social Services is calling "a serious threat to the safety of the children."  But the owner of God's Little Blessings in Sulphur, Natesha Clophus says she plans to appeal the decision.  In an interview with 7News, Clophus called the state's rules "too broad and unclear to comply with."  But a Department of Social Services spokesman said "All of these citations play into making sure that children are safe.  While something might seem not that serious, such as keeping attendance records.  That's actually very important that all the children are accounted for at the day care center."  But Clophus feels the citations that were issued against her daycare were trivial... and not really posing any kind of safety threat to the children. She says for example, she was cited for a problem with the blinds in the building.. and also because there were spider webs on the outdoor treehouse.   What do you think?  Has the state gone overboard in its criteria for revoking day care licenses?  Or do you agree with such stringent guidelines when it comes to the care of our children?

Interracial Marriage

     The Louisiana Justice of the Peace who refused to marry an interracial couple... has resigned.  Keith Bardwell garnered international attention, when he refused to marry the couple in Tangipahoa Parish.  The couple was married by another Justice of the Peace, and have since filed a federal lawsuit.  Governor Jindal spoke out tonight saying, "This was the right decision by Mr. Bardwell.  What he did was clearly wrong and this resignation was long overdue."  What do you think about Bardwell's decision to resign?  Do you think he should have?

Trial Number Three

     It's hard to believe... but Ricky Langley is back on trial again... for the third time in the case of the six year old boy he's accused of strangling and molesting in 1992.  Langley has already been tried and convicted twice for the murder of six year old Jeremy Guillory of Iowa.  He even confessed on tape to the murder.  But twice, he was granted new trials because the appeals court said he did not get a fair trial.  The first time, his conviction was overturned because of the way the jury foreman was picked.  The second time, it was overturned because the judge presiding over the case left the courtroom during closing arguments.  Now Langley is pleading not guilty by reason of insanity, and has given up his right to a trial by jury, meaning the judge will decide his fate.  Day two of the trial starts at 8:30 Tuesday morning.  What do you think about Ricky Langley being on trial for a third time?

Will You Vaccinate Your Child?

      As the number of swine flu cases continue to grow in Louisiana, some parents are still debating whether or not to get the shots for their young children and teens.  There are at least 25 confirmed cases of Swine Flu in the state of Louisiana.  One of the latest deaths related to the virus is right here in the Lake area.  The coroner's office confirmed Friday that the death of 14 year old Jonathon Fontenot of Moss Bluff was from complications from the H1N1 Virus.  But Dr. Terry Welke wants to stress that there is no cause for alarm.  He says this is not the typical outcome for someone with Swine flu, and in fact, in most cases, the people who have died were already experiencing unrelated health problems or pre-existing medical conditions.  We don't know if Jonathon had any pre-existing medical conditions that worsened his flu symptoms.  With this latest Swine Flu casualty in mind, do you intend to get your child vaccinated?

What To Do In Afghanistan

     There's mounting pressure on President Obama to make a decision soon, one way or another about sending in more troops to Afghanistan.  As part of his duty as Commander In Chief, the President greeted the bodies of 18 soldiers recently killed in Afghanistan, as they were flown home yesterday to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.  Duties such as this, no doubt, make it even tougher for the President to make a decision to commit more troops to the war torn region.  Among the 18 bodies that arrived early yesterday morning at Dover air force Base, were two Louisiana servicemen...  24 year old Sergeant Patrick Williamson of Broussard, Louisiana and 21 year old Private First Class Brian Bates of Gretna made their final journey home.  Should President Obama send more troops into Afghanistan?