Federal money received as part of a nationwide disaster resiliency competition will be used to move Native Americans living in Isle de Jean (zhan) Charles in Terrebonne Parish to safer ground. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (27) “I’m Eric Gill”

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Pro-life groups are concerned about the views that new Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Rebekah Gee has on abortion. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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LSU ends with a top five recruiting class that’s loaded with in-state talent. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Federal money received as part of a nationwide disaster resiliency competition will be used to move Native Americans living in Isle de Jean (zhan) Charles in Terrebonne Parish to safer ground. The plan is to have the members of the Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw Indian tribe relocated by 2019. Chief Albert Naquin says they’re not sure where their new community will be…

cut 4  (06)  “down the road”

Only 320 acres of the island remain and experts believe it will be completely submerged in 50 years. Naquin says US Department of Housing and Urban Development officials toured the island earlier this week…

Cut 5  (11)  “the process”

Naquin says the state received $48 million to relocate the community. He says the Isle is a quiet, peaceful community. Naquin hopes they can keep some of those qualities in their new home…

Cut 6 (07)  “too noisy” 

______________________________________

Pro-life groups are concerned about the views that new Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Rebekah Gee has on abortion. Louisiana Right to Life claims Gee, a gynecologist, is pro-choice and has ties to Planned Parenthood. Gee says she is personally pro-choice, but when it comes to being the head of DHH, she’s pro-family…:

CUT 7 (08)  “after that”

Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Benjamin Clapper says Governor John Bel Edwards named a DHH secretary with stances incompatible with his own pro-life values. But Gee says she is committed to upholding the views of the governor in this role…:

Cut 8  (09)  “and will do so”

Louisiana Right to life says Gee was named as a plaintiff in a lawsuit backed by Planned Parenthood that dealt with stores making it easier to access the emergency contraceptive Plan B. Gee says one of the most important job’s she’s ever had was to lead an initiative aimed at combating prematurity because it’s the leading cause of infant mortality…:

Cut 9 (10)  “once they’re born”

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Governor John Bel Edwards tells teachers there are no plans to cut funding for public schools, despite the state’s difficult budget challenges. Louisiana currently allocates three-point-seven billion dollars for public schools and puts it into the minimum foundation program, which distributes money to school districts…:

Cut 10 (06) “the MFP”

But Edwards added that there likely won’t be growth in the funding next fiscal year…:

cut 11 (07) “for inflation”

Edwards spoke and answered questions from educators and staff at a listening tour sponsored by the Louisiana Association of Educators. He says the current budget deficit of $750 million dollars is the largest ever inherited by any governor in the history of our state, and this is the 8th straight year of shortfall…:

cut 12 (10) “difficult place”

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Heading into national signing day, LSU was on the verge of landing the number one recruiting class in the nation, but they fell short. Alabama once again wins the national recruiting title, but the Tigers’ class still ranks in the top five based on what the experts say. Coach Les Miles says he was more interested in signing players that can help the Tigers win in the fall…

Cut 13 (10)  “getting rankings”

LSU chances of landing the nation’s number one recruiting class took a hit, when the Tigers lost linebacker Erick Fowler to the Texas Longhorns. But Miles will not lose sleep over missing out on a four-star prospect…

Cut 14 (07) “coaching them”

Even though LSU missed on Fowler, they still signed a couple of four-star linebackers, Rahssan Thornton and Michael Divinity from John Ehret High School in Monroe. Miles says Divinity has the physical ability to play right away…

Cut 15  (14) “true freshman”

A new report LSU Institute for Public Health and Justice report suggests that Louisiana should increase the age for adult imprisonment. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (31)  “I’m Eric Gill”

================

A Melville mother and her two sons have been arrested in connection with the death of a 15-year-old Treyvon Edwards. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 2 (31)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

===================

A new report from LSU’s Institute for Public Health and Justice suggests that Louisiana should increase the age for adult imprisonment. The study recommends that 17-year-olds should be treated as juveniles instead of adults after they are arrested. Lead author, Professor Stephen Phillippi (Philip-ee), says this study did not look at heinous and very violent crimes committed by 17-year-olds…

CUT 3 (08)  “in Louisiana”

The report suggests raising the age for adult imprisonment in routine situations. The study was compiled at the request of the state legislature. Phillipi says several states have recently put 17-year-olds back in their juvenile system with good results…

CUT 4 (07)  “a little bit”

The report discovered that 17-year-olds sent to adult prison are more likely to to commit additional crimes when they are released. Phillippi says some states actually save money by making this change…

CUT 5 (10)  “into the adult”

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New York real estate heir Robert Durst pleads guilty to a weapons charge today in New Orleans federal court. Durst was arrested at a hotel on Canal Street in March 2015 when, during a search by the FBI fearing he was about to leave the country, a .38 caliber revolver was found which is illegal for a convicted felon to possess. Legal analyst Chick Foret says, under a plea bargain, Durst will be sentenced to 85 months in federal prison…:

CUT 6 (08) “California”

The judge said he would decide whether or not to accept the plea after receiving a pre-sentencing report. Foret says a seven year, one month sentence for the 72-year-old is a substantial one. He says Wednesday in court, Durst didn’t look so good…:

CUT 7 (08) “do that”

Foret says Durst had to make a deal today because his only defense was whether or not the search of the room was valid, but a judge ruled the evidence was admissible. The millionaire’s first wife vanished in 1982 and authorities believe he killed Susan Berman to keep her quiet about what she knew. Foret believes Durst is now looking for closure…:

CUT 8 (10) “Susan Berman”

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The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Melville woman and her two sons in connection with the shooting death of 15-year-old Treyvon Edwards. Capt. Clay Higgins says a 12-year-old has been charged with Negligent Homicide and it’s believed he and Edwards were playing with a gun and it went off accidentally killing Edwards.

CUT 9 (10)  “of justice”

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office charged 33-year-old Twanda Louray Washington with Obstruction of Justice and two counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Juvenile. Higgins says they suspect the mother and other son helped to cover up the crime scene. He says there are details of the case that might never be released…

cut 10 (09)  “the woods”

Higgins says the death is hitting hard in the close knit town of Melville. He says this was a tragic unfolding of events that went from bad to worse…

Cut 11 (11) “forever”

============================

LSU Football Coach Les Miles and his staff has brought in one of the best recruiting classes in the country. 24-7 sports and scout-dot-com rank it in the top five. Tiger Rag editor Cody Worshman says LSU is bringing in a bunch of blue chip prospects

cut 12 (10) “four star guys”

Worsham says the strength of this class is in the secondary as the Tigers signed five talented defensive backs…

cut 13 (09)  “next year”

Worsham says the 2016 class will also provide some quality depth on the defensive line…

cut 14 (10)  “first year”

Today is the final day to register to vote or change your party affiliation for Louisiana’s March 5th presidential preference primary. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

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The Tabasco plant on Avery Island cut the ribbon this week on a brand new Visitors Center. Michelle Southern speaks with McIlhenny (Mackle-Henny) CEO Tony Simmons…: (starts with cut)

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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A mother and her two sons have been arrested in connection with the death of a 14-year-old Port Barre student. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Today is the final day to register to vote or change your party affiliation for Louisiana’s March 5th presidential preference primary. The presidential election season kicked off Monday in Iowa. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says it’s important to make sure your party affiliation is correct for this election…

cut 4  (10)  “Republican side”

He says, in the closed presidential primary, Democrats will vote for Democrats and Republicans will vote for Republicans. Schedler says Independent voters will not be able to take part in the presidential primary, but in some areas of the state there will be other items on the ballot…

Cut 5  (11)  “all voters”

You can register to vote or change your party affiliation at your local registrar of voters office until 4:30 today or do it online at geauxvote-dot-com until midnight tonight. Schedler says casting your vote is the best way to express your opinion on how government should be run…

Cut 6 (08)  “that right” 

______________________________________

The Tabasco plant on Avery Island cut the ribbon this week on a brand new Visitors Center which also includes a restaurant with meals prepared with the world famous pepper sauce. Tabasco is produced by the McIlhenny (Mackle-Henny) Company of Louisiana, and President and CEO Tony Simmons says the new Tabasco Visitors Center tour features an interactive greenhouse…:

CUT 7 (10)  “pepper sauces”

The new “Tabasco Family of Flavors Restaurant 1868″ is open daily for lunch. Simmons says they spent about five and a half million dollars to upgrade the facilities. He says the tour also shows their barrel mash warehouse…:

Cut 8  (10)  “make Tabasco”

Simmons says his family has been on the island since 1818, then began creating Tabasco in 1865, so the new museum contains artifacts and history from their time there. He says they get in excess of about 100,000 people a year visiting Avery Island, and those of us who haven’t been since we were kids are in for a real treat with the new facilities…:

Cut 9 (08)  “come see us”

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Governor John Bel Edwards announces they will continue to have “an elevated presence” of state troopers patroling New Orleans historic French Quarter. State Police Superintendent, Colonel Mike Edmonson, says a sales tax approved by French Quarter residents last October provides the funding to keep more troopers in the Big Easy…

Cut 10 (07) “New Orleans”

Edmonson says they are also bringing in an additional 170 troopers for the big Mardi Gras festivities this weekend, but that won’t hurt their presence in other areas of the state…

cut 11 (05) “law enforcement”

 Edmonson says additional troopers in the tourist areas of the French Quarter have helped to lower criminal activity…

cut 12 (09) “state of Louisiana”

______________________________________

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office says they have found the murder weapon in the investigation into the stabbing death of Dylan Kyle Poche. The 18-year-old was killed Saturday at the Sibley Lake boat launch. Captain Tony Moran says they’ve arrested 18-year-old Andrew Jacob Wallace and after several days of searching detectives found a critical piece of evidence.

Cut 13 (10)  “for analysis”

NPSO says 18-year-old William Holman has been arrested for accessory after the fact to 2nd degree murder and disturbing the peace and 18-year-old Kristine Woodall is charged with aggravated  assault with an hammer and engaging in a fistic encounter.  Moran says Wallace was arrested shortly after the stabbing because he fled the scene in a vehicle and was followed by relatives of Poche….

Cut 14 (10) “the homicide”

Moran says Wallace is being held without bond. During a press conference, Sheriff Victor Jones said they believe a feud began last week and continued on social media until the two met at the boat landing. Moran says the investigation is ongoing…

Cut 15  (08) “contact us”

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It’s national signing day and the LSU Tigers are poised to have the number one recruiting class in the nation. One of the nation’s top defensive tackles is expected to sign with the Tigers and that’s Neville star Rashard Lawrence, who helped the Monroe school win back-to-back state championships. Neville head coach Mickey McCarty says he’s everything you want in a defensive lineman

Cut 16  (10)  “with us”

LSU is expected to sign five defensive linemen and three offensive linemen, including John Curtis standout Willie Allen. Patriots head coach Jt Curtis says the four-star prospect has the intangibles to be an outstanding offensive lineman in the SEC

Cut 17 (18) “look for”

The Tigers are also expected to sign a quarterback. Zachary QB Lindsey Scott committed to LSU over the weekend after originally giving a verbal pledge to Syracuse. He’s the Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year in 2015 and Zachary head coach David Brewerton says Scott’s five-foot-11 height hasn’t stopped him from making all the throws

Cut 18 (15) “all right”

State health officials, along with the EPA, are reviewing water quality concerns in the Tensas Parish town of St. Joseph. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (29)  “I’m Eric Gill”

================

The Cajun groundhog climbed out of his cottage in New Iberia today to tell us if we’ll see an early spring. Emelie Gunn has more on Pierre C. Shadeaux’s forecast…

CUT 2 (27)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

===================

Louisiana’s Cajun groundhog, Pierre C. Shadeaux, predicts an early and long spring this year. The young nutria came out of his Cajun cottage in New Iberia this morning in front of a crowd awaiting to find out his forecast. Publisher of the Daily Iberian Will Chapman led the ceremony and says since he didn’t see his shadow, we will have a longer spring and put off the extreme summer heat.

CUT 3 (09)  “temperatures”

Chapman says every February 2^nd Pierre C. Shadeaux makes his prediction at Bouligny Plaza. He says every year there is a great turnout for the event and the kids really look forward to seeing him come out of his Cajun cottage.

CUT 4 (10)  “welcome Pierre”

Pierre’s cousin, Punxsutawney Phil, made a similar prediction today in Pennsylvania calling for an early spring. Chapman says Pierre takes his job very seriously, as he has a lot of responsibility with predicting this forecast.

CUT 5 (11)  “no shadow”

============================

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, along with the EPA, are looking into water quality issues in the Tensas Parish town of St. Joseph. Residents have reported brown, murky water coming from their faucets. State Health Officer, Dr. Jimmy Guidry, says the system’s source water contains a level of iron that discolors the water…

CUT 6 (08) “quite expensive”

He says the iron in the water is not a health issue. Guidry adds that the St. Joseph Water System is an older system in need of maintenance and repair. The state legislature has approved funds to work on the system. Guidry says they’re doing everything they can at the state level to move this project on as quickly as possible…

CUT 7 (05) “address it”

He says the legislature would have to make water treatment a top priority before those funds are readily available. Guidry says it could be a while before the water is cleared up…

CUT 8 (10) “treatments occur”

============================

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the murder of a Melville teenager. Capt. Clay Higgins says 14-year-old Treyvon Goudeau was shot once and found dead in the woods on Friday. He says the case was originally identified as just a suspicious death but it has now turned into a homicide investigation.

CUT 9 (10)  “the field”

The coroner says Goudeau was shot once in the head. Higgins says detectives searched a Melville home this morning and interviewed a number of people but no arrests have been made at this point.

cut 10 (07)  “an arrest”

Goudeau was a student at Port Barre High School. Higgins says they can’t imagine why someone would murder this teenager. He says detectives have been working non-stop to find who is responsible…

Cut 11 (10) “a homicide”

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Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says he’s paying his executive staff nearly 400-thousand dollars less than what employees were paid under the previous administration. Dardenne says he’s decided against filling a couple of positions and will pay a few people less, because of the state’s budget problems

cut 12 (10) “to understand”

Dardenne’s annual salary is 237-thousand dollars, a 33-thousand dollar increase than his predecessor. Dardenne says that’s the salary the governor offered him and he accepted the challenge of solving Louisiana’s budget mess…

cut 13 (11)  “do that”

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Governor John Bel Edwards will answer questions tonight from public school teachers at a town hall style meeting at a Baton Rouge high school. Edwards is participating in an event sponsored by the Louisiana Association of Educators at Broadmoor High School. L-A-E President Debbie Meaux says the governor will discuss a variety of topics…

cut 14 (06)  “several others”

Meaux says they’re honored to have the new governor attend one of their events and hopes he gives insight on the fate of funding for K-12 education. She says they’ll make sure L-A-E members who cannot come are updated on what Edwards’ says….

cut 15 (10)  “access that”

A study out of LSU Health Shreveport finds more radiation is being overused in elderly women with breast cancer. Emelie Gunn has more on the discovery…

CUT 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

Commissioner of administration Jay Dardenne says to avoid deep budget cuts to government services, the state will need to raise revenue. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

______________________________________

LSU researchers are studying body shapes to try to get a better idea of what types of clothing sizes would best fit individual consumers, especially those losing weight. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

 A study out of LSU Health Shreveport finds radiation is being over used to treat elderly woman with breast cancer. Lead researcher Dr. Quyen (Quinn) Chu says woman 70 and older with stage 1 breast cancer shouldn’t be treated with radiation and should talk with doctors about taking another treatment route…

cut 4  (09)  “you need”

 Chu says their research shows that 2/3 of women in this category are still receiving radiation. He says radiation treatment can cause many different complications in patients.

Cut 5  (11)  “the heart”

 Chu hopes that by releasing this study, more doctors will start following what the guidelines call for. He says the reason radiation is still being used is likely because doctors are set in their ways of treating patients.

Cut 6 (11)  “come back” 

______________________________________

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says new revenues, possibly from an additional one-cent increase to the state sales tax, are needed to stave off big cuts to public colleges and health care services. Dardenne says they are being honest with the public when they say, just cutting the budget will not solve this fiscal year’s 750-million dollar shortfall

CUT 7 (11)  “raise some revenue”

Dardenne says they are proposing to use some one-time money, rainy day funds and there are some proposed budget cuts to help with the budget crisis for this fiscal year. But he says additional revenue is also needed to avoid big cuts…

Cut 8  (12)  “that money”

Governor John Bel Edwards will call a three-week long special session later this month and at that time, he’ll ask lawmakers to raise taxes. It’s unclear if the republican-controlled legislature is willing to go along with the governor’s revenue raising plans. Dardenne says they’ve been communicating with G-O-P legislators

Cut 9 (08)  “from happening”

______________________________________

The Attorney General’s Office has announced six more arrests of people involved in the Lafayette D.A. bribery scandal.  A-G Jeff Landry says the corrupt practices that were being dismissed in this office were ignored by the previous Attorney General, Buddy Caldwell. He says it’s disturbing that action wasn’t taken earlier.

Cut 10 (10) “our act”

Landry says it’s a collaborative effort to clean up corruption in the state in working with the federal authorities. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has already sentenced and convicted 5 others in connection with this case. He says the six people arrested here are some of the ones that have been prosecuted in the federal investigation and are now facing a variety of charges from the state.

cut 11 (08) “public bribery”

 Landry says none of those arrested are currently working in the D.A.’s office. He says the Attorney General’s Office is tired of public corruption.

cut 12 (07) “this state”

______________________________________

LSU researchers are studying body shapes to try to get a better idea of what types of clothing sizes would best fit individual consumers, especially those losing weight. Casey Stannard, an assistant professor at LSU Ag’s Department of Textiles, Apparel Design and Merchandising, says there are a lot of misconceptions in the industry about the human form in general…:

Cut 13 (10)  “design better”

They are looking for men and women who are losing weight to participate in this study and receive a 3D body scan with each 10 pounds of loss. Stannard says the hope is use this information to move towards a system where a consumer could get a body scan, and then purchase clothing based on the results…:

Cut 14 (08) “fit them”

Stannard says they are using body scanning technology to learn about ways better-fitting clothing could be developed. She says right now a lot of companies work off of an hour glass, ideal shape — and so few people in the population actually have that shape…:

Cut 15  (06) “win-win for everyone”

A report from the state inspector general and legislative auditor finds former Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary David LaCerte mismanaged his department. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (29)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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In a bit of a strange twist, Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards is scheduled to attend a Republican legislative retreat today in Lafayette. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 2 (28)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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A report from the state inspector general and legislative auditor finds former Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary David LaCerte mismanaged his department. LaCerte resigned unexpectedly in October during the investigation by Inspector General Stephen Street and Legislative Auditor Darryl Purpera. Street says they found improprieties at several Veterans homes across the state…

CUT 3 (12)  “from a patient”

The report also claims LaCerte used over $27,000 in federal funds, earmarked for a veterans cemetery, to purchase an SUV for department use. Purpera says LaCerte paid $44,000 to some law school classmates for professional services without  documentation of what they did…

CUT 4 (07)  “of public funds”

LaCerte’s attorney says these allegations are false and part of a character assassination. Street counters by saying current Veterans Affairs Secretary Joey Strickland and former interim Secretary Thomas Enright concur with the findings of this investigation…

CUT 5 (07)  “for itself, there”

The audit also found problems with hiring practices, and reporting of potential crimes under the previous administration.  Lacerte’s attorney, Jarrett Ambeau, says this is nothing more than a political attack by Purpera and Street because his client was pushing an agenda in favor of veterans:

CUT 6 (08) “for doing so”

Investigators say LaCerte’s military service record doesn’t match claims in his department biography. Ambeau says it’s easy to find facts that prove his client was not misrepresenting his service…:

CUT 7 (09) “is inaccurate”

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In a bit of a strange twist, Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards is scheduled to attend a Republican legislative retreat today in Lafayette. GOP lawmakers are gathering to discuss plans to deal with the state’s budget crisis. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross finds this very interesting, but not surprising…

CUT 8 (06) “the help is”

He feels Republicans will be very wary of Edwards’ proposals to deal with the budget deficit, particularly those involving raising taxes. Cross says, since the state legislature is Republican-controlled, the governor has no choice but to seek support from GOP members…

CUT 9 (07)  “very clearly”

He says some of the revenue committees are heavily stacked with Republican lawmakers, which will make Governor Edwards’ job much harder getting the legislation he wants passed. Cross says we’ll have to wait and see if Republicans are willing to work with the governor…

cut 10 (07)  “come out”

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A woman who was rescued by Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s deputies, after police say she jumped off the Huey P Long Bridge over the Mississippi River, is undergoing psychiatric care today. Colonel John Fortunato says they got a 911 call around 1pm Sunday from someone saying they’d seen a female park and abandon her car on the bridge…:

Cut 11 (04) “Mississippi River”

Fortunato says the deputies who responded, Jordan Burst and David Lowe, found the woman stuck headfirst into a hole in a support beam. He says Burst climbed over the railing to comfort the woman, while Lowe retrieved a toe strap from his unit…:

cut 12 (10) “within the hole”

Fortunato says the woman sustained minor injuries and was transported to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation. He says this was an extremely heroic effort on the parts of Deputies Burst and Lowe…:

cut 13 (05)  “over the water”

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The US Army Corps of Engineers is scheduled to close the remaining open bays of the Bonnet Carre Spillway today. The spillway was opened earlier this month to divert rising Mississippi River floodwaters from New Orleans. Spokesman Ricky Boyett says about 30 bays remained opened this morning…

cut 14 (07)  “flood event”

The Bonnet Carre has been operational for 22 days during this flood event. Boyette says the Corps began opening bays on January 10…

cut 15 (07)  “our peak”

Boyette says about 290 of the 350 bays of the Bonnet Carre were opened at the height of the operation. This is the 11th time the spillway has been in operation since its completion in 1931. Boyette says when they built the Bonnet Carre, they built it right…

cut 16 (10)  “original needles”

The deadline to enroll for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act is rapidly approaching. Jeff Palermo reports…

CUT 1 (29)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

================

Split playoffs that separate public and private schools are coming to the LHSAA in the sports of basketball, baseball and softball. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (29)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The deadline to enroll for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act is this Sunday. Healthcare-dot-gov CEO Kevin Counihan says over 200,000 Louisianians have already signed up for coverage through the federal insurance marketplace. He says it’s easy to sign up and you only need four pieces of information to get started…

CUT 3 (11)  “financial help”

He says there is still plenty of time to get coverage before Sunday night’s midnight deadline, but encourages people to not wait until the last minute. Counihan says financial assistance through healthcare-dot-gov can really help in making insurance more affordable…

CUT 4 (07)  “financial assistance”

He says 62-percent of Louisiana residents are able to find plans for $75 or less with financial assistance. Counihan says the penalty for choosing not to have health insurance has gone up this year…

CUT 5 (07)  “household income”

============================

The Mardi Gras parade season has arrived and law enforcement is putting more officers on the roads. It’s part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled over Campaign, which will last through Fat Tuesday. Executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, Lt. Col John Leblanc, says law enforcement is publicizing this increase in officers in the hopes that it will deter people from drunk driving…

CUT 6 (10) “impaired driving”

Mardi Gras celebrations often involve drinking alcohol. Leblanc says because of these celebratory traditions, they want to stress the alternatives to drunk driving…

CUT 7 (08) “enjoy yourself”

Last year, there were were nearly 600 fatal and injury crashes and 10 fatalities during the Mardi Gras holiday, and more than half of the deaths involved alcohol. Leblanc says law enforcement increases its presence on the roads during the times of the year when fatal crashes are most prevalent…

CUT 8 (07) “really needed”

============================

The LSU board of supervisors is taking steps that would pave the way for a statue of Pete Maravich to be erected on campus. An athletics policy currently blocks a statue of Pistol Pete, because he didn’t graduate. Former star LSU basketball player Collis Temple, who integrated the team, says the legacy of Maravich must be preserved…:

CUT 9 (08)  “cub scouts”

The policy would say instead of a degree, 100 credit hours would be required and Maravich would meet that. Board member and Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle says it’s terrible that they actually have to debate this issue about the best basketball player ever play at LSU…:

cut 10 (10)  “fix it”

Maravich is still the all-time leading NCAA Division I scorer with 3,667 points scored, an average of 44 points per game. The statue would be placed next to the building named after Maravich, known as the PMAC. Board member Stephen Perry says it’s time to do what should have been done a long time ago…:

Cut 11 (10) “earned this right”

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High school principals have voted for select and non-select playoffs in basketball, baseball and softball, just like what’s already in place for football. The vote occurred on the final day of the LHSAA convention. Many Principal Norman Booker says the split needed to be expanded, because private schools have an advantage in how they can enroll their students

cut 12 (08) “20 years”

The vote was 182-120 for the expanded split. Beekman Charter principal Roy McCoy says nothing good comes out of further dividing the LHSAA…

cut 13 (09)  “skirt the rules”

The split playoffs for basketball, baseball and softball will go into effect for the 2016-17 school year. LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says he’s heard from many who are against a further expansion of the split…

cut 14 (09)  “differently”

============================

Another candidate has entered the race for US Senate, but this one will run as an Independent. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

______________________________________

Skimming devices, which document credit card numbers, keep popping up on gasoline pumps throughout the state. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

______________________________________

Researchers from Tulane University have developed a non-addictive pain killer as an alternative to morphine. Emelie Gunn has more on the new drug…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

Ex-state legislator and former Alcohol and Tobacco Commissioner Troy Hebert announces he’s running for the US Senate. Hebert served as A-T-C commissioner for five years, until he resigned at the end of 2015. The former lawmaker from Jeanerette says he’s now ready to serve the state of Louisiana in Washington…

cut 4  (12)  “people are ready”

When Hebert was elected as a state representative in 1995, he was a democrat, but towards the end of his legislative career he was an Independent. Hebert plans to run for Senate as an Independent….

Cut 5  (09)  “politics that we have”

A television station reported earlier this week that Hebert is being investigated by the FBI for allegedly receiving sexual favors from a New Orleans woman who was having trouble with their liquor license. Hebert says those accusations are completely false…

Cut 6 (12)  “U.S. senator” 

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The Department of Transportation is alerting drivers of a single lane closure beginning today on eastbound I-10 in West Baton Rouge Parish just before the Mississippi River Bridge. DOTD Spokesperson Rodney Mallett says construction is necessary to maintain the integrity of our roadway. But he says they tried to schedule the road work during times with the least amount of traffic.

CUT 7 (07)  “at six”

Mallett says the left lane closure begins at the foot of the new bridge. He advises motorists to seek alternate routes to avoid backups on I-10.

Cut 8  (10)  “the bridge”

Mallett says the construction is to patch and pave the road starting at I-10 at LA 1. He says visit 511-LA-dot-org (511la.org) for current traffic updates.

Cut 9 (09)  “alternative route”

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Skimming devices, which document credit card numbers, are continuing to pop up on gasoline pumps throughout the state. Department of Ag & Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says their inspectors recently located three in Ascension Parish and two in Baton Rouge. He says since June 2015, a total of 25 skimming devices have been discovered in 12 Louisiana parishes…:

Cut 10 (04) “numbers”

Strain says that crooks are getting smarter and smarter with the skimming devices to make it easier to access consumer’s personal information…:

cut 11 (07) “to look for them”

Strain says they encourage people to constantly check their bank statements and file a report if they notice anything out of the ordinary. He says if you are using a card at a gas pump, run it as a credit, not a debit…:

cut 12 (10) “you can see them”

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Tulane University and Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System researchers say they have created a painkiller that’s just as strong as morphine but non-addictive. Lead Investigator Dr. James Zadina says tests performed on animals lead them to the conclusion that this could be a non-addictive alternative to morphine…

Cut 13 (11)  “liked it”

Zadina says they used compounds from the brain rather than from the opium plant to create the endomorphin drug. He says human clinical trials are set to begin within the next couple of years…

Cut 14 (11) “focus”

Zadina says this drug could help people in pain who lack adequate treatment without the threat of addiction or serious side-effects. He says in recent years, we’ve seen an increase in overdose deaths from opioid uses…

Cut 15  (06) “some extent”

Health officials say while the Zika virus is a threat, it’s not a cause for alarm in Louisiana, just yet. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (31)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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Authorities are wondering if the former Monroe TV personality known as “Mr Wonder” is involved in any child sexual abuse cases in California. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 2 (27)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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The Louisiana Supreme Court overturns a constitutional amendment that prohibits convicted felons from running for political office. In their ruling, the Court says what residents voted on in 1997 did not match what was enacted by the state legislature. Legal analyst Tim Meche says this was a very considered opinion by the justices…

CUT 3 (10)  “the right way”

Voters approved the amendment barring convicted felons from seeking office for 15 years after the end of their sentence. However, the ballot version omitted an exemption passed by the legislature for those only sentenced to probation. Meche says this is an example of inexcusable sloppiness in the state legislature…

CUT 4 (06)  “foul up occurred”

He believes lawmakers will likely bring this issue up to voters again, based on the Louisiana Supreme Court’s ruling. Meche says the Court’s message to the state legislature is very clear…

CUT 5 (07)  “the right way”

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Health officials say while the Zika virus is a threat, it’s not a cause for alarm in Louisiana, just yet. The relatively new mosquito-borne virus has been linked to birth defects in pregnant women. Dr. Joseph Bocchini, infectious disease expert at LSU Health Shreveport, says the Zika virus could lead to congenital infection in pregnant women…

CUT 6 (08) “and development”

The Zika virus has been associated with babies being born with underdeveloped brains and small skulls in Brazil. Bocchini says, as of now, there is no spread of the virus in the United States. There is one confirmed case of the Zika virus in Arkansas, but Bocchini says that should not raise concern…

CUT 7 (08) “is spreading”

Bocchini says it’s recommended that women who are pregnant, or planning to be pregnant, avoid travel to the Caribbean and South America where the virus is circulating. Bocchini says there will be a greater threat in Louisiana when the weather gets warmer and mosquitoes become more active…

CUT 8 (06) “or summer”

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The alleged child predator who was a popular Monroe television host in the 70s, claims he is not the “Mr. Wonder” that authorities have been looking for. The man identified as Frank Selas was arrested in San Diego for allegedly sexually abusing children during a Louisiana camping trip in 1979. Deputy US Marshal Steve Jurman, based in San Diego, says it’s mind blowing the access to kids this man had since 1985 in California…:

CUT 9 (08)  “cub scouts”

Jurman says the suspect also lists on his website that he is a former PTA president at an elementary school, youth soccer and basketball coach, and that he taught Sunday school. Jurman says it’s not uncommon for suspects to contest identity in an extradition hearing, but they have pictures where the two look exactly alike, and Selas also told cops he changed his name and social security number…:

cut 10 (06)  “identity goes”

An identity hearing is scheduled for February 11th, where the man’s attorneys are expected to argue their client is not the person named on the warrant. Jurman says, not only is this a big story in Louisiana, it’s also what a lot of people are talking about in California…:

Cut 11 (08) “off the radar”

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An 89-year-old New Orleans man who left high school to join the military and fight in World War II has finally received his high school diploma. Trace Senior Living Community Executive Director Richard Totorico says Michael Decker is a resident at his facility and was so surprised to finally graduate and receive a letterman’s jacket…

cut 12 (10) “as well”

Totorico says Decker thought he was going to a doctor’s appointment and was welcomed a group of people celebrating his accomplishment. He says Decker hasn’t taken his letterman’s jacket off since it was presented to him.

cut 13 (09)  “the trace”

Totorico says all the residents at the senior living community knew about the surprise and were so excited for Decker. He says Decker went into a war zone at 17 and missed out on a typical high school experience…

cut 14 (10)  “for him”

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Republican Retired Air Force Colonel Rob Maness officially announces his bid for Louisiana’s soon to be vacant US Senate seat. Jeff Palermo reports…

CUT 1 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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he state health department provides two different scenarios on what could happen if additional revenue is not found to fill the state’s 750-million dollar budget shortfall this year. Michelle Southern has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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The Monroe man who shot a Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Agent has been sentenced to life in prison. Emelie Gunn has more on the sentencing…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Republican Retired Air Force Colonel Rob Maness officially announces his bid for Louisiana’s soon to be vacant US Senate seat. Maness placed third in 2014′s US Senate primary election behind incumbent Mary Landrieu and eventual winner Bill Cassidy. He says he joined the field to answer a call by the people of the state…

cut 4  (12)  “for us again”

He joins four other Republicans who are seeking Senator David Vitter’s seat. Maness is a 32-year veteran of the Air Force who has never held political office. He says Washington, D.C. will never fix itself from the inside…

Cut 5  (10)  “from the outside”

He says what sets him apart from the other candidates in this race is that he is a military veteran and not a career politician. Maness says, in order to make true change in Washington, we’ve got to to alter the status quo and elect people who haven’t been part of the system…

Cut 6 (11)  “Mike Lee did” 

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The department of health and hospitals lays out two different scenarios on what would happen if its forced to take a 131-million dollar cut in state funding this fiscal year. Undersecretary Jeff Reynolds says under the first option, they would reduce spending by 119-million dollars to hospitals that are operated by both the state and a private company

CUT 7 (11)  “of the state”

Reynolds says under the second scenario they would eliminate funding for certain Medicaid programs, like hospice, long-term personal care and services that help those with developmental disabilities

Cut 8  (08)  “aging population”

Reynolds says these options are worst-case scenarios and the hope is that they will not be implemented, but they’ll have to wait and see what happens in next month’s special session…

Cut 9 (08)  “without a deficit”

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A Monroe man has been sentenced to life in prison after shooting a Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Agent. 29-year-old Luke Jarrod Hust was convicted of two counts of attempted first degree murder. LDWF Spokesperson Adam Einck says last May Hust shot Sgt. Scott Bullitt during a basic vehicle stop after suspecting drugs or alcohol…

Cut 10 (10) “that night” 

Einck says Hust has been a lifelong criminal and he doesn’t need to be on the streets. He says they’re very happy that the judge and the prosecutors were able to get Hust locked up for the maximum time possible.

cut 11 (08) innocent people”

Sgt. Bullitt hasn’t returned to duty and is still rehabbing. Ouachita Parish District Attorney Jerry Jones says Hust showed no remorse…

cut 12 (11) “wheelchair”

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Attorney General Jeff Landry says he’s taking over the appeal of a ruling that blocked Louisiana’s efforts to defund Planned Parenthood. The case is left over from the Jindal administration. Landry says the cancellation of Medicaid contracts for Planned Parenthood was put in place by DHH because of the appalling acts in which the organization was involved…:

Cut 13 (09)  “going to”

Planned Parenthood denies accusations put forth in videos by an anti-abortion group that show its system leaders illegally selling fetal tissue. A federal judge ordered Louisiana to continue funding the health services Planned Parenthood provides. Landry says the issue before the court now is whether or not DHH is allowed to cancel a contract…:

Cut 14 (10) “these types of contracts”

Landry says, as AG, he has the Constitutional authority to defend all legal issues in state government. He says it’s in the best interest of taxpayers to protect the integrity of our Medicaid program by pursuing this appeal…:

Cut 15  (08) “that we took”