Much of Louisiana is under an enhanced risk for severe weather tomorrow and the severe weather threat continues into Saturday for southeast Louisiana. National Weather Service Meteorologist Brad Bryant says they are anticipating a strong squall line…
cut 5 (11) “….the squall line”

State Supertinendent of Education John White who led sweeping changes with public schools since 2012 is leaving his post effective March 11th. White supported the growth of charter schools and led the effort to to place a bigger emphasis on standardized test scores in teacher evaluations. He battled with teacher unions, but Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says that comes with the job…
cut 8 (06) “…expect”
White has not said why he’s stepping down.

Senator John Kennedy applauds the President’s decision not to retaliate militarily against Iran after the country fired rockets at two US bases. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Did you see Saints Quarterback Drew Brees on last night’s episode of Undercover Boss on CBS. Brees who is a minority owner of the Walk On’s restaurant chain washed dishes in the kitchen. He had long hair and a beard. On social media, many were left crying over the appreciation Brees and Walk-on’s co-founder Brandon Landry showed to their employees.

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy says President Donald Trump saved lives by ordering the military to assassinate Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. Iran retaliated by firing missiles at Iraqi bases that house U-S troops. But since then there’s been no further military action and Louisiana Senator John Kennedy hopes that remains the case…
cut 10 (12) “…him”

The American Cancer Society says the cancer death rate between 2016 and 17 had its largest decline since 1930 when health officials began tracking cancer deaths. Director of the Stanley Scott Cancer Center at LSU Health New Orleans, Doctor Augusto Ochoa, credits the dedication to cancer research…
cut 14 (11) “…clinical research”
State Superintendent of Education John White has submitted his resignation letter, and Matt Doyle spoke with Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin about White’s legacy.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

To celebrate LSU’s successful football season, Raising Cane’s is offering its customers free coleslaw. That’s Coach Ed Orgeron’s favorite item at the fast-food chain.

And the governor’s office of homeland security and emergency preparedness wants residents to prepare now for the threat of severe weather starting late tomorrow afternoon and into Saturday.

State Superintendent of Education John White announces he is stepping down from the post he’s held since 2012. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says John White pushed for and oversaw significant changes in public schools…
Cut 7 (11) “…schools.”
The resignation is effective March 11.

The U-S House is expected to vote today on a measure that would limit the Trump administration’s military action against Iran. Louisiana Senator John Kennedy doubts it will find a lot of support in the Senate….
cut 11 (11) “….Soleimani”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says members of Congress have serious concerns about the administration’s decision to engage in hostilities against Iran and about a lack of strategy moving forward.

US Cancer deaths have declined since 1991 at about a rate of 1.5 percent annually, but recent data shows a sizable increase in that dip. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (29) “… I’m Kevin Barnhart”

State Superintendent of Education John White has submitted his resignation letter, and Matt Doyle spoke with Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin about White’s legacy.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Senator John Kennedy applauds the President’s decision not to retaliate militarily against Iran after the country fired rockets at two US bases in Iraq. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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US Cancer deaths have declined since 1991 at about a rate of 1.5 percent annually, but recent data shows a sizable increase in that dip.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “… I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness activates the crisis team as a powerful storm system is taking shape in the southern plains and is set to impact much of Louisiana Friday night and into Saturday. National Weather Service Shreveport meteorologist Brad Bryant says the forecast models have been in agreement for several days of a severe weather outbreak.

Cut 4 (07) “…going to happen.”

The enhanced severe weather threat will cover southeast Louisiana during the day on Saturday, including the city of New Orleans. Bryant expects at the very least, a strong squall line of thunderstorms to move through.

Cut 5 (11) “…the squall line.”

Bryant says it is important to make a severe weather plan now.

Cut 6 (06) “…the last second.”

The National Weather Service says the potential threat with this storm system includes damaging wind gusts and tornadoes, isolated large hail is possible and rainfall totals of one to two inches of rain.

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State Superintendent of Education John White announces he is stepping down from the post he’s held since 2012. White pushed for and oversaw some significant changes in Louisiana’s educational environment, and Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says he’ll be most known for…

Cut 7 (11) “…schools.”

The resignation is effective March 11.

White’s support for charter schools and a bigger emphasis on standardized test scores in teacher evaluations made him unpopular with teachers’ unions. Erwin says that comes with the job…

Cut 8 (06) “…expect.”

The Superintendent’s support for Common Core also drew the ire of many Louisiana parent organizations.

Louisiana still ranks poorly in most educational metrics, and the job will not be easy for whoever takes it next, but Erwin believes White build the kind of foundation future superintendents will rely on.

Cut 9 (09) “…progress”

In his resignation letter, White called his eight years the “greatest blessing and privilege of my career and Louisiana is a better educated state than any point of its history. Improved standardized test scores and a record high graduation rate is evidence.

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Louisiana’s Republican Congressional Delegation is supporting the President’s decision not to strike Iran after the country shot rocket at two US bases in Iraq following the assassination of an Iranian general. Senator John Kennedy says he’s glad we’re not looking at a full-scale war with Iran and hopes the Iranian pledge to halt further attacks holds up so that diplomacy can resume.

Cut 10 (12) “…him.”

12 to 20 rockets were fired at the two bases but resulted in no US or allied casualties.

The dramatic start to the year has prompted a House vote today that would limit the President’s ability to initiate further military action against Iran. Kennedy doubts it will last long in the Senate.

Cut 11 (11) “…Suleimani.”

The resolution was first introduced after Iranian General Qassem Suleimani was killed by a drone strike outside an airport in Iraq on January 3^rd.

The rising tensions have reversed a years-long trend in reducing the US military presence in the Middle East. Kennedy says whether or not the troops can come home is dependent on how Iran proceeds.

Cut 12 (08) “…East”

There are roughly 5,000 American troops stationed in Iraq right now.

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The US cancer death rate sees the biggest one-year decline in national cancer statistics dating back to 1930. That’s according to an American Cancer Socity report. Between 2016 and 2017, cancer deaths dropped by 2.2 percent.  Director of the Stanley Scott Cancer Center at LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Augusto Ochoa credits that drop in part to new treatments developed over the last decade or so.

Cut 13 (10) “…it takes time.”

Even patients diagnosed with cancer in late stages are living a few years, instead of months, because of advancements in treatments. Ochoa says the dedication to cancer research has played a big role in the dip.

Cut 14 (11) “…and clinical research”

Lung cancer accounts for about a quarter of all deaths and Ochoa credits the awareness of dangers connected to tobacco use for the decline as well.

Cut 15 (09) “…diagnose lung cancer.”

Cancer deaths have declined since 1991, but normally decrease at the rate of 1.5 percent. The overall cancer rate has fallen by nearly 30-percent since 1991.

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LSU fans are familiar with Clemson’s stars on offense, running back Travis Etienne and quarterback Trevor Lawerence. On defense, the defending national champs are led by Butkus Award Winner Isiah Simmons, who has 14 tackles for a loss. Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron says Simmons can do it all

Cut 16  (24)  …the field” 

Orgeron says winning the turnover battle will be a key on Monday…

Cut 17  (12) “best game” 

LSU is going after its fourth national championship. They’ve won all of them in New Orleans, including its 1958 title when the Tigers completed an undefeated season by beating Clemson in the Sugar Bowl. Orgeron says when New Orleans was awarded the 2020 national championship game, it was a goal to play in that game…

cut 18  (19) our best”   

The US will not bomb Iran in retaliation for a rocket attack on two US bases in Iraq last night, that according to the President, who says he and the Iranians appear ready to begin de-escalating tensions that hit a boiling point after the US assassination of an Iranian general. Congressman Garret Graves cautions that just because Iran says they’ll stop firing missiles, doesn’t mean the region will find peace…

Cut 8 (12) “…activities”

The President says the missile attack will trigger additional sanctions.

KingCakeSnob.com launches the fifth annual “Seal of Approval” ranking competition.  Spokesperson Andrew Alexander says the biggest criteria when rating king cakes is presentation, flavor, freshness, and uniqueness.

Cut 3 (06)  “… rise to the top.” 

The CFP Championship Game is expected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars for the southeast Louisiana region, and the money is already starting to pour in. It may only be Wednesday, but Chief Marketing Officer for New Orleans & Co. Mark Romig says fans are already in town.

Cut 9 (10) “…go into Monday.”

Louisiana Economic Development reports there was eight billion dollars in new capital investment in 2019 resulting in 12-thousand new jobs. L-E-D Secretary Don Pierson says  the big economic wins in 2019 include a new deal to keep CenturyLink’s headquarters in Monroe through 2025, a helicopter assembly plant located in Lafayette and in St. Tammany Parish, Medline announced it will build an 800-thousand square foot distribution center

Cut 14 (10) “…the state”

President Trump says the US will not retaliate militarily against Iran for last night’s rocket attack targeting two US bases in Iraq. Congressman Garret Graves says it likely is not a coincidence that the barrage did not kill a single person. He says Iran likely calibrated the attack so as to not provoke a response from the US.

Cut 7 (09) “activity.”

The President says the missile attack will result in new sanctions on Iran.

Louisiana Economic Development reports there was eight billion dollars in new capital investment in 2019 resulting in 12-thousand new jobs. L-E-D Secretary Don Pierson says they have been working to diversify the state’s economy with these new projects

Cut 12 (13) “…economy in.” 

Monday’s College Football Playoff National Championship Game is expected to be a financial winner for southeast Louisiana. LSU fans are expected to be the most prominent fan base in town, and Chief Marketing Officer for New Orleans & Company Mark Romig says they’ll show off why they are the best fans in the world.

Cut 10 (10) “…friends with them.”

Romig expects the economic impact from the national championship game to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

KingCakeSnob.com launches the fifth annual “Seal of Approval” ranking competition.  Spokesperson Andrew Alexander says the biggest criteria when rating king cakes is presentation, flavor, freshness, and uniqueness. He addsthere isn’t necessarily a pattern that is followed when it comes to the voters’ rankings of king cake.

Cut 4 (10) “…the winners circle.”

President Trump says the US will not retaliate militarily against Iran for last night’s rocket attack targeting two US bases in Iraq. Congressman Garret Graves sees a de-escalation of tensions in the region that hit a boiling point after the US killing of a top Iranian Commander

Cut 6 (11) “none”

The President says the missile attack will result in new sanctions on Iran.

Louisiana Economic Development reports there was eight billion dollars in new capital investment in 2019 resulting in 12-thousand new jobs. L-E-D Secretary Don Pierson says the big economic wins in 2019 include a new deal to keep CenturyLink’s headquarters in Monroe through 2025, a helicopter assembly plant locating in Lafayette and in St. Tammany Parish, Medline announced it will build an 800-thousand square foot distribution center

Cut 14 (10) “…the state”

After eight years as the state’s top education leader, John White informs the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education that he’s stepping down in March. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Monday’s College Football Playoff National Championship Game is expected to be a financial winner for southeast Louisiana. Chief Marketing Officer for New Orleans & Company Mark Romig says those that are still looking for overnight accommodations in the Big Easy may be in luck in finding a place to stay.

Cut 11 (08) “…national championship brings.”

Romig expects the economic impact from the national championship game to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

President Trump says there will be no military retaliation in response to an Iranian rocket attack on US bases in Iraq. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

State Superintendent of Education John White has announced he’s stepping down in March, after eight years as the state’s education leader. In his resignation letter, White says Louisiana is a better-educated state than any point in its history. He points to an all-time record high school graduation rate and improved standardized test scores.

Louisiana Economic Development says in 2019 there were over 80 projects wins resulting in eight billion dollars in capital investment and over 12-thousand new jobs. L-E-D Secretary Don Pierson says since the start of the Edwards administration, Louisiana has attracted more than 210 projects…
Cut 13 (12) “…is operating”
Pierson says a big economic development win was CenturyLink agreeing to keep its corporate headquarters in Monroe through 2025.

King Cake lovers can vote on their favorite brands and flavor varieties at the King-Cake-snob-dot-com website. Spokesperson Andrew Alexander says last year Manny Randazzo won for top overall King Cake while Caluda’s repeated as the best filled King Cake…
cut 5 (11) “…King cake
Voting runs through February 18th.