A winter weather advisory is in effect until noon today for Catahoula and Concordia Parishes in eastern Louisiana. This advisory means light sleet and light freezing rain will cause travel difficulties, especially on bridges and overpasses. A wintry mix of precipitation, including sleet, is moving through central Louisiana this morning.

The first bill of what’s expected to be many items dealing with cell phone use while driving has been proposed for the 2015 legislative session. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (31) “reporting”

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals hears three cases today regarding same-sex marriage bans in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. In November, the 6th Circuit upheld same-sex marriage bans in four states which created a circuit split on the issue. Tulane Constitutional Law Professor Keith Werhan says the ultimate decision on same-sex marriage will come from the US Supreme Court, perhaps this year…

cut 6 (09) “resolve this issue”

The US Supreme Court will privately discuss same-sex marriage cases from several states today, including Louisiana.

A grand jury in Calcasieu Parish decided not to indict former LSU and NFL player, Brandon Winey, on a charge of attempted second degree murder. Authorities believe Winey arrived at a woman’s apartment while Tahj Jones was there and an argument between the two men lead to a fight where Winey shot Jones in the stomach. Winey’s attorney, Walt Sanchez, says Winey is very pleased the grand jury did not send down an indictment…

cut 12 (05) “his life”

Sanchez says he’s glad the grand jury agreed that the gun was fired in self defense.

Today the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear three cases regarding same-sex marriage bans in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. Jeff Palermo reports…

cut 1 (31) “reporting”

A Lafayette man is charged with vehicular homicide and third-offense DWI after a two-vehicle fatal crash last night. Lafayette Police say 43-year-old Miguel Reyes of Lafayette ignored a stop sign and collided with a vehicle driven by 50-year-old Jeanne Tatman. Tatman was pronounced dead at the scene. Reyes was treated for injuries at a local hospital and later booked into the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center.

Education Week’s annual report gives Louisiana’s public schools a grade of D-plus. Louisiana received a grade of D-Minus for K-through-12 Achievement, but received a grade of B-minus for its early-education programs. House Education Chairman, Steve Carter of Baton Rouge, says they could do even better with pre-K, if they had more dollars going towards it…

cut 15 (08) “these programs”

The state’s public education system is ranked 44th, up five spots from their previous report.

State Representative Tim Burns of Mandeville will introduce a bill in the upcoming legislative session restricting the use of cell phones to “hands-free” only on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. Burns says this is a reasonable request as eyes should remain on roadways…

cut 9 (10) “to their ear”

He says the number of fatal accidents involving vehicles plunging off the side of the bridge has gone from one every 5 years to three a year now.

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals hears three cases regarding same-sex marriage bans in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi today. Tulane Constitutional Law Professor Keith Werhan says supporters will argue that the state has to have a legitimate reason in denying two adults who want to marry, the right to do so. He says opponents will argue on the strength of state’s rights…

cut 5 (09) “their state”

In September, Federal Judge Martin Feldman upheld Louisiana’s ban on same-sex marriage, but the ruling was appealed to the 5th Circuit.

D-plus is the grade for Louisiana public schools from Education Week as part of their annual report. The state’s public education system is also ranked 44th. House Education Chairman, Steve Carter of Baton Rouge, says it’s encouraging to see Louisiana move up in the rankings, because historically the Bayou State has ranked 48th or 49th when it comes to public education…

cut 14 (06) “to accomplish”

He says a series of reforms passed in 2012 will lead to better grades in the future.

Representative Tim Burns of Mandeville is introducing a bill in the upcoming legislative session that would restrict the use of cell phones to “hands-free” only on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. He says people who drive the Causeway seem more prone to be on their phones while behind the wheel which is a major problem…

cut 8 (11) “electronic device”

The bill would require people who drive The Causeway to use wireless technology if they want to talk on the phone.

A Calcasieu Parish grand jury did not indict a former LSU and NFL player Brandon Winey on an attempted second degree murder charge. According to authorities, Tahj Jones was shot once in the stomach by Winey during an altercation in April of last year. Winey’s attorney, Walt Sanchez, says he’s glad the grand jury agreed that the gun was fired in self defense…:

cut 11 (07) “right result”

Winey played at LSU from 1998-2000 and spent two seasons playing for the Miami Dolphins.

Today the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals hears three cases regarding same-sex marriage bans in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. In September, Federal Judge Martin Feldman upheld Louisiana’s ban on same-sex marriage, but the ruling was appealed to the 5th Circuit. Tulane Constitutional Law Professor Keith Werhan says the 5th Circuit is one of the most conservative circuit courts in the nation…

cut 4 (06) “same-sex marriage”

In November, the 6th Circuit upheld same-sex marriage bans in four states.

A state lawmaker from Mandeville is introducing a bill in the upcoming legislative session that would restrict the use of cell phones to “hands-free” only on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. Representative Tim Burns says the number of fatal accidents involving vehicles plunging off the side of the bridge has gone from one every 5 years to three a year now…

cut 7 (09) “distracted driving”

Burns supports a statewide ban on hand held cell phone use while driving.

Louisiana’s public schools receive a grade of D-plus from Education Week as part of their annual report. The state’s public education system is also ranked 44th, up five spots from their previous report. House Education Chairman, Steve Carter of Baton Rouge, says a series of reforms passed in 2012, including one that allows educators who perform well to get paid more, will lead to a better grade in the future…

cut 13 (09) “good principal”

Carter says it’s encouraging to see Louisiana move up in the rankings.

A grand jury in Calcasieu Parish did not indict a former LSU and NFL player on an attempted second degree murder charge. According to authorities, Tahj Jones was shot by Brandon Winey during an altercation in April of last year. Walt Sanchez is the defense attorney for Winey. He says this case is far more complicated than was originally reported…

cut 10 (12) “appropriate resolution”

Sanchez says he’s glad the grand jury agreed that the gun was fired in self defense.

Louisiana public schools receive an overall grade of D-plus from Education Week’s annual report card. Scott Carwile has the story…
cut 3 (31) “…reporting”

The National Weather Service says there’s a slight chance we’ll see a light mix of wintry precipitation tomorrow morning for a portion of southeast Louisiana from Baton Rouge heading west along I-12 into St. Tammany and Washington Parishes. But any impacts on the roads should be minimal.

The freezing temperatures we saw this morning has strawberry farmers working to minimize the damage the weather could have on their crops. Eric Gill reports…:
cut 1 (30) “…reporting”

Governor Bobby Jindal, Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret will lead a Louisiana delegation to Europe for a ten-day economic development trip. Moret says says it’s an opportunity to meet with European companies who are considering investing in Louisiana…
CUT 8 (10) “in Europe”
The group leaves Sunday and will be back January 20th.

It was a very cold morning across Louisiana. Phil Grigsby, with the National Weather Service in New Orleans, says the same low temperature in Baton Rouge and Slidell tied a record set on this very date last year…
CUT 9 (09) “interesting thing”

The freezing temperatures we had has strawberry farmers working to minimize the damage on their crops here in the state. Regina Bracy, with the LSU AgCenter, says sub freezing temps can have disasterous effects on the strawberry harvest.
CUT 3 (09) “a few berries”
But Bracy adds that strawberry plants can take the cold, and she suspects that freezing weather will just delay the start of the Louisiana strawbery season.

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Governor Bobby Jindal is about to take off for Germany, Great Britain and Switizlerland, seeking foreign trade and investment. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret says all of the companies they’ll be meeting with are considering major projects in Louisiana…:
CUT 7 (08) Q: “services firms”
Jindal leaves on Sunday.

A Thibodaux man is under arrest after he told cops he stole a vehicle because his phone said it was OK. Thibodaux Police Spokesman David Melancon says, says after further questioning, 46-year-old Lionel Adams Jr of Thibodaux admitted that he knew the car was not his…:
CUT 15 (09) Q: “no one was injured”
The charges include theft of a motor vehicle, and DWI.

On his continued quest to bring more business to Louisiana, Governor Bobby Jindal announces he’s planned a trip to Europe seeking new foreign trade and investment. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret says they want to go global…:
CUT 6 (10) “in our state”

Alabama linebackers coach Kevin Steele and Oregon defensive coordinator Don Pellum are a couple of more names mentioned as possible candidates for the LSU Defensive Coordinator position, after Bob Shoop from Penn State has withdrawn.
cut 12 (09) “at the moment”
That’s Gannett LSU beat writer Glenn Guilbeau.

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With the coldest weather of the winter season last night, Louisiana Strawberry Farmers are assessing the potential damage it may have caused. But Regina Bracy, with the LSU AgCenter, says -even if the current plants have been damaged- strawberries will continue produce more blooms and fruit…
CUT 4 (11) Q: “ripe berries”

Thibodaux Police says a man is under arrest after cops say he stole a vehicle then told officers his phone made him do it. Spokesman David Melancon says shortly after they got the report of a stolen vehicle, they found it, along with 46-year-old Lionel Adams Jr of Thibodaux…:
cut 14 (11) “that was his vehicle”
The charges including motor vehicle theft and DWI.