Senator David Vitter Breaks His Silence

United State Senator David Vitter spoke publicly for the first time about his admitted ties to a Washington, D.C. prostitution ring during a 5:00pm news conference in Metairie. Senator Vitter and his wife both spoke to the media, saying they felt it was important to spend time last week with their kids. Vitter reiterated he is "completely responsible" for his part in what happened, but stated the stories about his connection to a madam in New Orleans are not true. He has been in seclusion since last Monday night, when he acknowledged his dealings with the escort service. He says he's returning to Washington, D.C. tomorrow for votes in the Senate. Please tell us what you thought of the speech in the comment section below.

Former First Lady 'Lady Bird' Johnson Dies

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Former first lady Lady Bird Johnson has died. A family spokeswoman says the widow of President Lyndon Johnson, who championed conservation and worked tenaciously for her husband's political career, died at her Austin, Texas, home of natural causes. She was 94. In March, Lady Bird Johnson listened from Texas by way of a conference call when President Bush signed legislation naming the Education Department headquarters building in Washington after her late husband. Mrs. Johnson died surrounded by friends and family. Former President Johnson died in 1973.

Virginia Tech Shootings

Officials now say there are total of 33 dead following Monday's shootings on the campus of Virginia Tech. Authorities say that number includes the gunman, who killed himself. It's the single deadliest shooting rampage in U.S. history. Virginia Tech President Charles Steger says two of the deaths were in a coed dormitory called West Ambler Johnston. The other 31 dead, including the suspect, were found in Norris Hall, an engineering building about a half-mile away.

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Remembering Eddie Robinson

RUSTON, La. (AP) - Legendary former Grambling State University football coach Eddie Robinson has died. He was 88.

Robinson died overnight at Lincoln General Hospital in Ruston, where family members say he was taken just yesterday having suffered for years from Alzheimer's.

Robinson was Grambling's coach from 1942 to 1997.

He became the first college coach to rack up 400 wins, completing his career with 408 wins, 165 losses and 15 ties. His teams had just eight losing seasons and won 17 Southwestern Athletic Conference titles and nine national black college championships.

Robinson sent more than 200 players to the NFL.

Now's your chance. Post your thoughts and condolences on the passing of the pioneering coach.

Who's Watching the Watchers?

I know, the title is so cliche. But I've got good reason for it:

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - Colorado State University hurricane forecaster William Gray is predicting above-average hurricane activity in the Atlantic during 2007. Click here for the full story.

It's just another item that came over the wires here in the 9 Newsroom, right? But this one always captures our attention in south Louisiana. Even a year after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita roared ashore, the thought of facing another storm just kind of makes you sick to your stomach, doesn't it?

Of course, here's what the hurricane experts were saying as the 2006 season began:

Colorado Springs, Colo. (AP) - Hurricane experts at Colorado State University say residents of the hurricane zone are likely to endure another above-average season this year, but it probably will not be as hyperactive as last year's hurricane season. Click here for the full story.

Thankfully, their predictions didn't pan out -- but these are the experts! It's been suggested that we should stop trying to predict an entire season's worth of storms and just focus on the day-to-day weather forecasts that tend to be much more accurate.

Or is it worth spending time trying to guess the weather a month, or two months, or six months down the line? Do you think they'll ever get it right?

Special Session to Become Feeding Frenzy?

Many legislators are expecting Christmas early when the special session opens December 8. Election years and budget surpluses have, in the past, combined for money-fueled re-election promises.

"I think it's certainly has to be the possibility of a feeding frenzy,” says Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL) President Barry Erwin. “You got $1.6 billion to divvy up for all kinds of different things. I'm sure the legislators are licking their lips.”

Governor Blanco has already outlined her wish list for the budget surplus: read the full story here.

Communities like Baton Rouge have certainly felt the brunt of increased population. Mayor-President Kip Holden is fully aware of the amount of extra cash down the street and he wants his share: “We have a drain on our basic infrastructure from increasing calls to police department and the fire department and EMS so any dollars directed to any of those areas will greatly be appreciated.”

Warden Burl Cain already sounded his alarm a couple of months ago when he called his prison a crisis in the wake of low pay for the guards.

Erwin tells WAFB 9 News there will be much more jockeying for position as the session approaches: “We need to put that money in a box that it is used for the real interests that the constitution requires. We have a surplus too and hopefully will do it in strategic ways these are real investments and not just try to make people happy.”

How should the legislature divvy up the expected surplus?

Library Board Struggles with Future Locations Decision

The East Baton Rouge Parish Library's Board of Control remains firmly in control of where a proposed new $71.8 million main library will be located and it's looking more and more like downtown Baton Rouge will be the spot. That's in conflict with parish residents who would like to see the main library remain right where it is now, on Goodwood at Independence Park.

Click here to read the whole story.

The library board may or may not make some decisions about buying downtown property for several months, but if there's a piece of downtown property suitable for their preferred plan they want to acquire it now in anticipation of construction beginning in the next year or two.

What are your thoughts on the location of the a new branch of the East Baton Rouge library?