Republican Senator Rick Ward of Port Allen is attempting to build awareness and public support for a new bridge crossing the Mississippi River with a TV ad that started airing last week.  Ward says The bridge doesn’t have a solidified location yet, but eh estimated cost is about $1 billion, and says they are looking into several avenues to get that funded.

Cut 15 (11) “…of that sort.”

Ward says the ads are running to let the public know they’ll have the opportunity to vote on the matter, possibly in 2019.

The cold temps predicted to be impacting Louisiana this week are significant and State Fire Marshal Butch Browning is remind people to stay warm in a safe manner.  Browning says the first priority to keep your family safe is to make sure your home has working smoke alarms.

Cut 6 (08) “…time and escape.”

71 percent of early education programs in the state were rated proficient, up five percent from last year according to the Louisiana Department of Education. Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Melanie Bronfin says its solid progress for programs vital to student’s pre-kindergarten educational preparation.

Cut 9 (07) “…their ratings.”

Bronfin says a lack of funding is holding the state’s ratings back, and financially hampering working class families. She says their numbers show that two thirds of kids come from single parent households, or households where both parents work, but only seven percent of kids qualify for childcare financial assistance.

Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says if the legislature stalls on a teacher pay raise, you could see a mass walk out by the end of the school year. A recent survey found 61 percent of educators would support a strike. Carter says L-F-T leadership is waiting to see the revenue forecast for next year, but some are ready to make an immediate statement.

Cut 7 (07) “…out today”

The average pay in 2015-1016 for a teacher in Louisiana was 49,900 dollars, over 1,700 dollars lower than the regional average. The national average is 58,000.

Cold weather has resulted in snow flurries being spotted in the northern portion of the Bayou State this morning.  National Weather Service Shreveport meteorologist Aaron Davis says the rapid drop in temperature surprised forecasters.

Cut 3 (06) “…turn into snow.”

The air temp at surface level was 34 this morning.

Republican Senator Rick Ward of Port Allen is attempting to build awareness and public support for a new bridge crossing the Mississippi River with a TV ad that started airing last week.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Hammond Magnet High has been searched and the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says the building is clear of any threats to students and faculty after the school was shut down for the second day in a row after authorities identified a potential safety threat. An increased law enforcement presence will be on hand as classes are set to resume tomorrow.

Light snow fell in the Shreveport this morning and southeast Louisiana is feeling the effects of a cold rain. State climatologist Barry Keim says dryer conditions are on the way, but so is cold air.
Cut 10 (08) “…over Louisiana’s weather.“
Freeze watches and warnings for the northern half of the state and into southwest Louisiana.

It’s possible we could see a statewide teacher strike or walk out if the state legislature fails to provide educators and support staff with a pay raise. That’s according to Louisiana Federation of Teachers president Larry Carter. The average salary for Louisiana teachers is below the Southern Regional Average. Carter says the issue of teacher pay is creating problems for some school systems….
cut 9 (10) “…compete”
Governor Edwards has said he’ll push for teachers to get at least a one-thousand dollar pay raise.

Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says over 54-thousand rural homes and businesses in north Louisiana will gain access to high-speed internet service as a result of a 22-million dollars in federal funding. Campbell says this is great news for businesses and students…
cut 5 (07) “…good for”
AT&T, CenturyLink and California-based ViaSat will provide the broadband service.

Republican Port Allen Senator Rick Ward is attempting to build awareness and public support for a new bridge crossing the Mississippi River with a TV ad that’s airing. Ward says the new bridge would help alleviate the congested roadway issues for Baton Rouge and outlying areas.
Cut 13 (09) “…the conversation forward.”
A new Mississippi River bridge in the Baton Rouge area would cost one-billion dollars and Ward says it will take voter approval to fund the project, possibly through tolls.

Louisiana Federation of Teachers president Larry Carter says a walk out or strike is possible if teachers do not see movement in the legislature to give teachers and school support workers a pay raise…
cut 8 (09) “….already”
The average teacher salary in Louisiana has fallen below the southern regional average. L-F-T also wants to see a 2.75 percent increase in funding for public education.

It’s the middle of November but winter weather is here. There have been reports of snow falling in the Shreveport area. State Climatologist Barry Keim says freeze watches and warnings are posted across the state for the overnight hours and into tomorrow morning. He says we are a couple of days away from a warm up…
cut 12 (08) “…bundle up Louisiana”

54-thousand rural homes and businesses in north Louisiana will have access to broadband internet as part of the fed’s Connect America program that’s providing 22 million dollars so three different internet providers can make it happen. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says high speed internet is a necessity…
Cut 4 (10) “…telephones.″

A TV ad is running in the Baton Rouge area calling for a new Mississippi River bridge that would help alleviate congestion. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward paid for the spot and says there will likely be a measure on a ballot in 2019 asking voters if they would be willing to fund it…
cut 15 (11) “…of that sort”
Where the bridge would be located has not been determined.

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers says a walk out or strike is possible this school year if the state legislature doesn’t fund a pay raise for teachers and school support workers. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “Im Matt Doyle”

It’s a dreary and blustery day across Louisiana with reports of snow falling in northwest Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says get ready for a couple of cold mornings…
cut 11 (11) “…I-10 I-12 corridor”

Republican Port Allen Senator Rick Ward is attempting to build awareness and public support for a new bridge crossing the Mississippi River with a TV ad that’s airing. Ward says the new bridge would help alleviate the congested roadway issues for Baton Rouge and outlying areas.
Cut 13 (09) “…the conversation forward.”
A new Mississippi River bridge in the Baton Rouge area would cost one-billion dollars and Ward says it will take voter approval to fund the project.

Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell will join A-T-and-T officials today to discuss plans to expand broadband serve in rural areas of North Louisiana thanks to 22-million dollars in federal funding. Campbell says once the high-speed internet service is established it’s up to the business owner or resident if they want to pay a 50 to 60-dollar monthly fee for the internet…
cut 6 (11) “….come up”

The National Weather Service in Shreveport is reporting snow is falling in northwest Louisiana. It’s expected to taper off soon and it will remain cold throughout the day. Temperatures will struggle to reach 40-degrees in north Louisiana and highs in south Louisiana will be in the low 40s.

Republican Senator Rick Ward of Port Allen is trying to build awareness and public support for a new Mississippi River bridge with a TV ad that’s airing in the Baton Rouge area. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

It’s possible we could see a statewide teacher strike or walk out if the state legislature fails to provide educators and support staff with a pay raise. That’s according to Louisiana Federation of Teachers president Larry Carter. The average salary for Louisiana teachers is below the Southern Regional Average. Carter says the issue of teacher pay is creating problems for some school systems….
cut 9 (10) “…compete”
Governor Edwards has said he’ll push for teachers to get a one-thousand dollar pay raise.

Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says over 54-thousand rural homes and businesses in north Louisiana will gain access to high-speed internet service as a result of a 22-million dollars in federal funding. Campbell says this is great news for businesses and students…
cut 5 (07) “…good for”

Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says if the legislature stalls on a teacher pay raise, you could see a mass walk out by the end of the school year. Carter says many teachers are waiting to see the revenue forecast for next fiscal year, but some are ready to make an immediate statement.
Cut 7 (07) “…out today”
A recent survey found 61 percent of educators would support a strike.

A West Baton Rouge lawmaker has paid for a television ad that seeks to build support for a new Mississippi River Bridge. The price tag for a new bridge in the Baton Rouge area is one-billion dollars and Republican Rick Ward says the ad is needed because it will take voter approval to fund it..
cut 14 (08) “….on our own”
Ward hopes they’ll have a funding proposal on the 2019 ballot.

We are seeing rain in southeast Louisaina and chilled temps across Louisiana this morning. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 3 (26) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Republican Senator Rick Ward of Port Allen is attempting to build awareness and public support for a new bridge crossing the Mississippi River with a TV ad that started airing last week.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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The Louisiana Federation of Teachers says some sort of job action is possible this school year if the state legislature doesn’t fund a pay raise for teachers and school support workers. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “Im Matt Doyle”  

After losing Dez Bryant to an Achilles injury, the Saints have signed veteran receiver Brandon Marshall. Payton says Marshall brings experience to the Black and Gold…

Cut 17 (15) “plans are”

The Saints lead the NFL in scoring at 37 points a game and they have scored on 66-percent of their possessions. But Payton sees where they can get better…

Cut 18 (20) “haven’t been good”

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Since LSU’s upset win over Georgia, the Tigers offense hasn’t looked good, failing to reach 360 total yards in their last three games. Coach Ed Orgeron believes they have lost their identity and the coaching staff is searching for a way to get the offense back on track…

Cut 19 (15)   “…it maybe.”

LSU is a huge favorite to beat Rice on Saturday as the Owls have just one win on the season. Could we see sophomore quarterback Myles Brennan. Orgeron says Brennan has been battling a minor injury which kept him from playing earlier, but the coach is pleased with his back-up Q-B’s development…

Cut 20 (16) “…healthier.”