The State Department of Corrections confirms that serial killer Derrick Todd Lee has died. Spokeswoman Pam Laborde…:
CUT 1 (11) “area hospital”
Lee was 47. He was convicted in the murders of two women and suspected in the deaths of five other women and sentenced to death in 2004 and has been on death row at Angola since then. Lee was taken to the hospital due to a medical condition earlier this week. Officials could not confirm any additional details on the death of Lee other than to say that an autopsy would be performed to determine the exact cause of death. Multiple sources reported this week that Lee was suffering complications with a pace maker. Once again, serial killer Derrick Todd Lee has died.

Rain and the possibility of severe weather is expected today across Louisiana as a cold front moves across the state. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 2 (25) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Senate President John Alario says lawmakers are still evaluating the governor’s proposals for fixing Louisiana’s massive budget shortfall. An increase to the state’s sales tax is one suggestion. Alario appreciates that the governor has given lawmakers some options…:
cut 4 (09) “to take”

Our breaking news story at this hour: serial killer Derrick Todd Lee has died.

Legislation filed for the upcoming regular session would prohibit the use of drones from conducting surveillance of correctional facilities and public and private schools. Author of the measure, Lake Charles Representative Stephen Dwight, says drones are so common now that they just want to protect the people of Louisiana…

cut 9 (10) “drafted”

Dwight proposed the legislation after the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff requested a law to stop the use of drones from flying over his jail.

Rain and the possibility of severe weather is expected statewide today as a cold front moves across the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the threat of damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes will persist throughout the day. He says the front should move out of the state by Friday, leaving us with a nice, chilly weekend ahead…

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Up to a 100% chance of snow is expected late tonight in north Louisiana.

An officer involved shooting in St. Landry Parish, following a four-hour hostage standoff, has left a Scott man dead. St. Landry Sheriff’s officials say 40-year-old Timothy Albert was holding his girlfriend hostage inside a home outside of Port Barre. Albert was shot and killed by officers after he reportedly pointed a high-powered rifle at them as they entered the home. The woman was unharmed, as was the couple’s 3-year-old daughter who was removed from the home by police early in the situation.

An app developed in Lake Charles providing delivery from local restaurants is starting to launch in new areas throughout the state. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 3 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A proposed law will prohibit drones from flying over jails and public and private schools. Emelie Gunn has more on the legislation….

cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

As a result of the continuing decline in oil prices, National Oilwell Varco has announced they are closing the doors of their Houma facility. The shut down of the oilfield equipment manufacturer and supplier will leave 80 skilled workers without a job. The layoffs began Monday and will continue in phases until operations are completely shut down in mid-March.

Senate President John Alario says lawmakers are still evaluating Governor John Bel Edwards plans for fixing Louisiana’s massive budget shortfall which includes an increase to the state’s sales tax. He says lawmakers have an obligation to keep taxes as low as possible for taxpayers…

cut 6 (09) “or faction”

Alario appreciates that the governor has given lawmakers some options in dealing with the budget.

An app developed in Lake Charles, called “Waitr”, that provides delivery from local restaurants to customers is starting to expand into new areas throughout the state. CEO and founder of the app, Chris Meaux, says their company does all of the deliveries for the restaurants on their platform…

cut 14 (11) “with a smile”

Waitr is available in Lake Charles, Lafayette and Baton Rouge, with hopes of launching in New Orleans, Alexandria, Shreveport, and Monroe before the end of the year.

Senate President John Alario says legislators are still looking over Governor John Bel Edwards’ proposals for fixing Louisiana’s huge budget shortfall. He says it’s wait and see to determine if there is enough support for the governor’s proposed tax hikes, which will take a 2/3 vote. He says lawmakers must do their due diligence to see exactly where the state stands…

cut 5 (06) “financial footing ”

Alario says it’s refreshing that Governor Edwards is giving legislators the chance to come forward with better ideas to solve the budget problem.

New legislation for the upcoming regular session would ban the use of drones from conducting surveillance of correctional facilities and public and private schools. Bill author, Lake Charles Representative Stephen Dwight, says under this law the penalties would be pretty stiff….

cut 8 (08) “offense”

Dwight says he doesn’t anticipate any opposition to this legislation but is open to critiques and additions.

A cold front moves across Louisiana today bringing rain and the possibility of severe weather. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the risk of damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes will persist throughout the day. Keim says we will get some rain, but you shouldn’t expect a gullywasher…

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He says the front should move out of the state by Friday.

An app developed in Lake Charles that provides delivery from local restaurants to customers is starting to launch in new areas throughout the state. It’s called, “Waitr” (with no E), and for a $5 delivery fee, you can order what you want from participating restaurants who normally don’t bring food to your door. Chris Meaux is the CEO and founder of the app…

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Waitr is available in Lake Charles, Lafayette, and Baton Rouge.

Senate President John Alario says lawmakers are still evaluating the governor’s proposals for fixing Louisiana’s massive budget shortfall. An increase to the state’s sales tax is one suggestion that’s been put forward by Governor John Bel Edwards. Alario appreciates that the governor has given lawmakers some options…

cut 4 (09) “to take”

Alario says it’s wait and see to determine if there is enough support for the governor’s proposed tax hikes.

Rain and the possibility of severe weather is expected today across Louisiana as a cold front moves across the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the threat of severe weather is statewide. He says there’s probably no area that’s of any greater risk than any other…

cut 10 (06) “and tornadoes”

This cold front will also bring the possibility of snow in north Louisiana late tonight.

A bill filed for the upcoming regular session would prohibit the use of drones from conducting surveillance of correctional facilities and public and private schools. Lake Charles Representative Stephen Dwight proposed the legislation after the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff requested a law to stop the use of drones from flying over his jail…

cut 7 (10) “the children”

Dwight says the Sheriff wants to ensure inmates cannot plot with friends or family on the outside to escape or smuggle in contraband. He doesn’t anticipate any push back with this legislation.

A proposed law will prohibit drones from flying over jails and public and private schools. Emelie Gunn has more on the legislation….

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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 Rain and the possibility of severe weather is expected today across Louisiana as a cold front moves across the state. Jeff Palermo reports…

Cut 2 (25) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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An app developed in Lake Charles that provides delivery from local restaurants to customers is starting to launch in new areas throughout the state. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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 Senate President John Alario says lawmakers are still evaluating the governor’s proposals for fixing Louisiana’s massive budget shortfall. An increase to the state’s sales is one suggestion that’s been put forward by John Bel Edwards. Alario appreciates that the governor has given lawmakers some options…

cut 4  (09)  “to take”

 Alario says it’s wait and see to determine if there is enough support of the governor’s proposed tax hikes, which will take a 2/3 vote. He says lawmakers must do their due diligence to see exactly where the state stands.

Cut 5  (06)  “financial footing ”

 Alario says it’s refreshing that Governor Edwards is giving legislators the chance to come forward with better ideas to solve the budget problems.  He says lawmakers have an obligation to keep taxes as low as possible for taxpayers.

Cut 6 (09)  “or faction” 

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 A bill filed for the upcoming regular session would prohibit the use of drones from conducting surveillance of correctional facilities and public and private schools. Lake Charles Representative Stephen Dwight proposed the legislation after the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff requested a law to stop the use of drones from flying over his jail.

CUT 7 (10)  “the children”

 Dwight says the Sheriff wants to ensure inmates cannot plot with friends or family on the outside to escape or smuggle in contraband. He says under this law the penalties would be….

Cut 8  (08)  “offense”

Dwight says he doesn’t anticipate any push back with this legislation but is open to critiques and additions. He says drones are so common now that they just want to protect the people of Louisiana.

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Rain and the possibility of severe weather is expected today across Louisiana as a cold front moves across the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the threat of severe weather is statewide. He says there’s probably no area that’s of any greater risk than any other…

Cut 10 (06) “and tornadoes” 

Keim says the risk of damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes will persist throughout the day as the front moves across the state. He says this is typical winter weather for Louisiana. Keim says we will get some rain, but you shouldn’t expect a gullywasher…

cut 11 (04) “and-a-half”

He says the front should move out of the state by Friday. Keim says the front will leave us with a nice weekend ahead, but it will be chilly…  (Up to a 100% chance of snow is expected late tonight in north Lousiana.”

Cut 12 (10) “and plants”

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An app developed in Lake Charles that provides delivery from local restaurants to customers is starting to launch in new areas throughout the state. It’s called, “Waitr” (with no E), and for a $5 delivery fee, you can order what you want from participating restaurants who normally don’t bring food to your door. Chris Meaux is the CEO and founder of the app…:

Cut 13 (10)  “delivery”

Waitr is available in Lake Charles, Lafayette and Baton Rouge, and Meaux says they hope to be on board in New Orleans, Alexandria, Shreveport and Monroe before the end of the year. It’s also available in the Houston market. Meaux says their company does all of the deliveries for the restaurants on their platform…:

Cut 14 (11) “with a smile”

Meaux says since they launched last year in southwest Louisiana, tens of thousands of people have downloaded the app and almost all reviews are positive. He says you order and pay through the app, and you can also tip the driver through the app. Meaux says one of the most popular features is “group order” where several people can get in on a delivery or carryout..:

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The late West Monroe Football Coach Don Shows highlights the seven-member class that’s been elected into the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame. Shows is fourth on Louisiana’s all-time wins list and won eight state titles. West Monroe Representative and the former voice of the Rebels, Frank Hoffman says Shows built West Monroe into a football powerhouse

Cut 16  (14)  “there”

Shows also coached at Pineville and Jonesboro-Hodge. At West Monroe, Shows also helped develop Andrew Whitworth and Bradie James into NFL players, but Hoffman says the legendary coach didn’t need a lot of talented kids to win..

Cut 17 (16) “what it became”

Also in the Class of 2016 is former LSU star and Major Leaguer Todd Walker, who was a star baseball player at Airline High School in Bossier City. Walker was the Class 4A MVP in 1991 as he hit .525 with six home runs. Walker says it’s quite an honor to get in the High School Hall of Fame

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Walker is also a member of the LSU Hall of Fame, Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and College Baseball Hall of Fame. The former infielder in the majors says he’ll never forget his senior season at Airline High School, when they lost just one game…

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(Former Parkview Baptist Coach Kenny Guillot, Former St. Joseph’s volleyball coach Brenda LeBlanc, former Southwood girls basketball coach Steve McDowell, former Parkview baseball coach ML Woodruff and journalist Ron Brocato are also members of the 2016 class.)

Governor John Bel Edwards has offered several options to the state legislature to address the state’s budget crisis. House Majority Leader, Republican Lance Harris of Alexandria, says Republicans will work on their own plan to deal with the fiscal mess in the coming weeks. He says with regards to raising the sales tax by a cent, everything needs to be on the table and it’s too early to form an opinion on the issue…:
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Harris says he appreciates the governor being so candid about the budget numbers.

A 16-year-old boy walking along train tracks in Slidell Wednesday morning apparently didn’t hear an oncoming train that struck and killed him because he was wearing headphones. Slidell police say James Pulsifer was hit by a Norfolk freight train, and the conductor tried to stop and sounded the horn, to no avail.

The current, sharp drop in the price of oil is having an adverse effect on the state’s budget. The price of crude closed at $26.55 a barrel Wednesday, the lowest level since 2003. Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moeller says diminishing mineral revenues are doing a real number on the budget…:
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A New Orleans woman has been arrested in connection with the deadly shooting of her 3-year-old grandson, according to cops. 43-year-old Deonca Kennedy first told NOPD that the gun was under her pillow and went off hitting the child in the chest. She then refused to cooperate. Legal Analyst Tim Meche says cops should’ve done more testing before arresting this traumatized woman.
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Kennedy has been charged with negligent homicide and second degree cruelty to a juvenile.