Authorities in Bastrop say two children died in a house fire and they believe their mother was getting her hair done away from the home at the time. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says criminal charges are anticipated if they find out the children were home alone…:
CUT 4 (12) “require supervision”
He says they believe a gas space heater could have started the fire.

It’s a bad flu season and the numbers prove it. Doctor Frank Welch, medical director for the state’s immunization program, says nearly an estimated 400-thousand people have come down with the flu during this season and it’s sent up to four-thousand people to the hospital…:
CUT 6 (11) “as well”
Welch says this year’s flu vaccine is not perfect but it’s still important to get a flu shot.

Louisiana State Police say they are looking for a 30 percent pay raise for many of its troopers. Col Mike Edmonson says the raise would apply to rank-and-file troopers under the rank of major. The Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget is scheduled to vote Friday on the increases Friday.

Officials in northwest Louisiana plan to meet with the EPA today over plans to conduct an open burn of the 15 million pounds of M6 propellant at Camp Minden. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

A sad story out of Bastrop as two young children who authorities believe were left home alone while their mother was getting her hair done, died in a house fire. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the blaze, which ignited Monday afternoon, was likely started by a gas space heater inside the wood-framed home…

cut 3 (10) “home alone”

He says criminal charges are anticipated if they confirm that there was nobody responsible for supervising the children when the fire started.

Louisiana”s newly selected Higher Education Commissioner, Joseph Rallo, is embarking on a statewide tour to introduce himself to communities and school leaders. Rallo says he wants all of the system presidents to be on the same page when it comes to dealing with issues facing higher ed…

cut 10 (04) “vitally important”

Rallo says he plans to engage with leaders who share the common goal of creating a stronger economy through higher education.

A federal judge has ordered former Saints safety, Darren Sharper, to be brought to New Orleans to face federal drug charges. This ruling puts the federal case ahead of the separate state rape charges Sharper faces in Arizona, California, and Louisiana. In December, Sharper, along with former St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s deputy Brandon Licciardi, was charged with three federal narcotics counts related to drugging women in order to sexually assault them.

This year’s New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival promises another stellar lineup including huge acts like Elton John, Keith Urban, JImmy Buffett, Ed Sheeran, and many many more. Festival Producer Quint Davis says says they strive to have something for everyone…

cut 15 (13) “like anything”

Other exciting names playing this year are Widespread Panic, Jerry Lee Lewis, Galactic and Pitbull. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival runs April 24th through May 3rd. Tickets are on sale now.

Applications are currently being accepted for Louisiana’s scholarship program, also known as the voucher program. Ann Duplessis, president of the Louisiana Federation for Children says not only are parents satisfied, but they are seeing results in the classroom as student proficiency on the LEAP and I-LEAP grew more than two percent from 2013 to 2014…

Cut 9 (10) “and support”

The deadline to apply is February 27th.

Officials in northwest Louisiana will meet with the EPA today to discuss plans to conduct an open burn of the 15 million pounds of M6 propellant at Camp Minden. Minden Representative Gene Reynolds says he’s looking from one thing from the EPA: data that an open burn is safe…

cut 6 (11) “of this stuff”

The EPA says they are working to assure the safety and effectiveness of onsite, controlled open-burning of the propellant.

KNOE-TV reports a stand off situation at the Frances Towers retirement community in Monroe has left at least one dead. Officials say the suspect began firing shots in his apartment early this morning and when the victim went to check on the suspect, he was shot. Authorities say the stand off has now ended. We’ll have more details in future newscasts.

The 2015 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is in its 46th year and the lineup once again includes huge acts. Michelle Southern reports.

cut 3 (32) “reporting”

Applications are once again being accepted for the state’s Louisiana Scholarship program, also known as the voucher program. Scott Carwile has the story…

cut 2 (31) “reporting”

The Louisiana Fire Marshal’s Office reports a fatal fire in Bastrop has claimed the lives of two siblings. They say two children, 4-year-old Ta’Shae Johnson and her 3-year-old brother Clifton, were left unattended in their home by their mother, Ciarria Johnson. Ciarria told authorities when she returned two hours later, the house was on fire. The bodies of the children were recovered inside the home. Criminal charges are expected to be filed against Ciarria Johnson.

Northwest Louisiana officials plan to meet with the EPA today over plans to conduct an open burn of the 15 million pounds of M6 propellant at Camp Minden. The concern among citizens is that the open burning of this propellant will pollute the air around the site. Minden Representative Gene Reynolds feels that another open test burn is unnecessary…

cut 5 (10) “burn out here”

Reynolds suggests an incinerator burn of the propellant.

Louisiana’s newly selected Higher Education Commissioner, Joseph Rallo, is touring the state to introduce himself to communities and school leaders. He says he’ll be working to develop partnerships which he says are vital to areas dealing with the budget. Rallo says higher ed is at the center of workforce development and the creation of new opportunities…

cut 12 (11) “all about”

He says he wants all of the system presidents to be be on the same page when it comes higher education issues.

Officials in northwest Louisiana plan to meet with the EPA today over plans to conduct an open burn of the 15 million pounds of M6 propellant at Camp Minden. Minden Representative Gene Reynolds is representing the community’s concern over the potential health effects of burning this propellant. He believes there is another solution…

cut 4 (12) “that are useful”

The EPA says they are working to assure the safety and effectiveness of onsite, controlled open-burning of the propellant.

Louisiana’s new Higher Education Commissioner is setting off on a statewide tour to introduce himself to communities and school leaders. Joseph Rallo says he plans to engage with leaders who share the common goal of creating a stronger economy through higher education. He wants to make sure the needs of all students are being met…

cut 11 (04) “and duplicative”

Rallo says he’ll also be working to develop partnerships which he says are vital to areas dealing with the budget.

Applications are now being accepted from low-income families who wish to have their child attend a private school of their choice through Louisiana’s scholarship program. Last year over 13-thousand families applied and nearly 74-hundred were awarded vouchers. Ann Duplessis, president of the Louisiana Federation for Children says the reviews from participating parents are very good…

cut 8 (06) “life changing”

February 27th is the deadline to apply.

It’s the 46th year for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and, once again, the lineup is stacked. Festival Producer Quint Davis says they have 500 acts taking the stage this year and 425 of them are from Louisiana…

cut 14 (10) “in every category”

Headliners include Elton John, Keith Urban, The Who, and Pitbull. Tickets go on sale today.

Louisiana’s scholarship program, also known as the voucher program, is now accepting applications from low-income families who wish to have their child attend a private school of their choice with the use of state dollars. Ann Duplessis, president of the Louisiana Federation for Children says the other major qualification is that the student is enrolled in a low-performing public school…

cut 7 (10) “a scholarship”

Families may apply at the department of education’s website or in person at the participating school of their choice through February 27th.

Louisiana’s newly selected Higher Education Commissioner is starting a statewide tour to introduce himself to communities and school leaders. Joseph Rallo says he wants all of the system presidents to be be on the same page when it comes to dealing with issues facing higher ed…

cut 10 (04) “vitally important”

Rallo will be in Natchitoches today, Shreveport tomorrow and Monroe on Thursday.

The 2015 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is in its 46th year and the lineup once again includes huge acts like Elton John, Lady Gaga along with Tony Bennett, Keith Urban, The Who, Ed Sheeran, Chicago, Steve Winwood and many many more. Festival Producer Quint Davis says they are very excited about this year’s performers which are big across the board…

cut 13 (10) “in every genre”

Jazzfest this year is April 24th to May 3rd and you can get the full schedule online a nojazzfest.com. Tickets are on sale starting today.

President Obama announces a plan to offer any American two years of community college for free to help train the US workforce. The program is expected to cost around $60 billion over 10 years, and Monty Sullivan who heads the Louisiana Community and Technical College System says that’s a lot of money but people shouldn’t look at it that way…:
CUT 4 (11) “grow the economy”
The President will promote the initiative in his State of the Union address on January 20th.

With the US Supreme Court rejecting a plea to consider striking down Louisiana’s ban on same-sex marriage, the Federal Appeals Court will rule on the issue in the near future. Then, how long would that take?
Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino:
CUT 13 (06) Q: ‘spring for sure’
He says this matter is far from being over.

The Baton Rouge Police Department is investigating an accidental fatal shooting that occurred as a man was adjusting his pants. Sgt. Mary Ann Godawa says officers responded to the scene and found the victim lying at the end of a driveway, suffering a gunshot wound to his chest. She says cops questioned witnesses and the suspect, 19-year-old Jawan Lloyd Billy…:
CUT 9 (11) “killed the victim”
Billy is charged with negligent homicide.

Impressive lineup for the 2015 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Headliners include Elton John, No Doubt, Widespread Panic, Jimmy Buffett, The Who and the final performance night headliner has yet to be announced. Jazzfest always happens the last weekend in April, and first weekend in May. You can see the full lineup online at nojazzfest.com.