Now that a federal ruling has been issued in Alabama clearing the way for Clerk of Court offices to begin distributing marriage licenses for same sex couples, what does it mean for Louisiana? Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino says the fact that the US Supreme Court has allowed same sex couples to get a marriage license in Alabama is likely a signal of the court’s intended resolution…

cut 8 (10) “same sex marriage”

The US Supreme court is currently considering four cases that will soon be argued.

Over a dozen Louisiana public school districts have passed resolutions asking the state not to enforce penalties for students who decide not take to the Common Core standardized tests. Louisiana School Boards Association executive director Scott Richard says they are pushing BESE to have a special meeting…

cut 14 (09) “school districts”

BESE President Chas Roemer, a supporter of Common Core, is not calling a special meeting, but “opt-outs” could be discussed at the board’s March 5th meeting.

A research study from LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans finds a psychedelic drug prevents the development of allergic asthma in mice. There are over 25 million people in the US known to have asthma. Lead researcher Dr. Charles Nichols says the next step in their research is to see if the drug has a positive effect on mice who already have asthma…

cut 5 (05) “their symptoms”

Nichols says testing on mice will continue and hopefully a clinical human trial will begin sometime in the future.

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot has reached a whopping $485 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says when the jackpot gets this high, many people pool their tickets together. She reminds players that in Louisiana only one person or legal entity can claim a prize…

cut 11 (11) “the funds”

Tonight’s jackpot is the third largest prize in the game’s history.

The LSU Tigers battled the top ranked team in the country last night, but came up a little short as Kentucky left Baton Rouge with a 71-69 victory. The Tigers had a chance to win in the final seconds and here’s the call on ESPN from Brad Nessler and Dick Vitale…

cut 30 (12) “to Baton Rouge”

LSU went on a 21-2 run in he second half to take the lead in the final minutes, but the Wildcats finished on an 11-3 run to win the game. Jarrell Martin had 21 points and 11 rebounds in a losing effort. Kentucky remains undefeated on the season at 24-0, while the Tigers fall to 17-7.

According to the NFL Network, Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is reportedly working out in New Orleans. A determination on whether he’ll play in 2015 is expected soon.

In Southland Conference basketball action last night, Incarnate Word got past Nicholls State 73-64. T.J. Carpenter lead the way for the Colonels with 20 points and Ja’Dante’ Frye and Sam McBeath each added 13. Nicholls falls to 4-7 in league play and will next host Southeastern Louisiana Saturday afternoon.

Speaking of Southeastern, they’ll be coming off a 83-58 win over Central Arkansas. Five Lions scored in double figures last night, with Devonte Upson’s 17 points leading the way. The Lions now have a 4-6 record in the Southland Conference.

In the ongoing Benson family legal feud, New Orleans Judge Kern Reese has ordered that Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson undergo an examination. Benson will face three exams performed by three different doctors in what is called a standard assessment. In a statement, Benson says he respects Judge Reese’s decision and looks forward to taking the test. The exams must be completed by March 15.

Over a dozen Louisiana public school districts have passed resolutions that ask the state not to enforce penalties for students who decide not take to the Common Core standardized tests. Louisiana School Boards Association executive director Scott Richard says as it stands now, school systems will receive a “zero” for every student who opts out…

cut 13 (09) “not to test”

Richard says if a school or school system has a large number of opt-outs, it will result in a lower school performance score or letter grade, as part of the state’s accountability system.

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot has reached a massive $485 million which is the third largest prize in the game’s history. Kimberly Chopin with the Louisiana Lottery says the odds of winning any prize on Powerball are one in 32, the odds of winning the jackpot are one in 175 million..

cut 10 (06) “smaller prizes”

The cash value of tonight’s jackpot is $327 million.

Research from LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans finds that a psychedelic drug prevents the development of allergic asthma in mice. Lead researcher Dr. Charles Nichols says currently asthma is treated with inhalers and steroids. He says the result of this research is a real breakthrough…

cut 4 (12) “in the mice”

He says the psychedelic drug, (R)-DOI, prevented the development of asthma in mice allergic to the condition. Although the drug is a psychedelic, the doses administered to the mice were lower than what would produce any type of behavioral effect.

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson says he’s looking forward to undergoing a mental evaluation as a soon as possible. Benson issued that statement after a judge ruled he must be examined by March 13th. Legal analyst Tim Meche says three medical experts will examine Benson and the results will help the judge determine if the 87-year-old is mentally competent to make sound business decisions…
cut 13 (09) “…someone else”
Benson also said today that he’s disappointed in the lawsuits by his relatives who are trying to prevent his wife from having future control of the professional franchises.

Halliburton announces plans to lay-off at least five-thousand of its workers as a result of falling oil prices. The Houston-based oil field services company the cuts will impact all areas of Halliburton’s operations.

A bill will once again be taken up by Louisiana lawmakers this legislative session that considers whether or not the use of medical marijuana should be authorized. The measure is by Baton Rouge Representative Dalton Honore, who says this is not an attempt to legalize marijuana for recreational use…
CUT 7 (11) “any of this”
He says his proposed law contains strict regulations on which doctors are allowed to prescribe the drug.

Caddo Parish authorities arrest 46-year-old Allen Wray of Bossier City after his estranged wife was critically injured when she fell from the bed of a truck he was driving….
cut 11 (09) “…reckless operation’
Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says Wray slammed his breaks several times and then gassed his truck, causing his the victim to fall.

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson released a statement today following the decision by New Orleans Judge Kern Reese that Benson must undergo 3 different exams to determine if he is legally competent in his move to disinherit his daughter and grandkids. In that statement, Benson says he has instructed his attorneys to spare no effort in defending his rights and his decisions. Legal analyst Tim Meche…
CUT 14 (09) Q: ‘lot more ugly’

The 2015 King of Houma’s Krewe of Mardi Gras is under arrest for allegedly violating the sex offender restriction that states offenders can’t wear masks…
CUT 3 (08) “age of 18″
That’s Terrebone Parish Sheriff’s Office Captain Dawn Foret, who says they suspect 34-year-old Glynn Matherne broke that law last year by riding in a parade and wearing a mask.
————————–
When the Louisiana legislative session begins in April, lawmakers will once again discuss whether or not to authorize the use of medical marijuana…
CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

The LaFourche Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Raceland man for his seventh DWI late last night on Highway 1 at a convenience store. Thirty year-old Jessi Joseph III was booked into the LaFourche Parish Detention Center with his first Louisiana DWI offense, to go with his six prior arrests on DUI in California.

When the legislative session begins in April, lawmakers will once again discuss whether or not to authorize the use of medical marijuana. Democrat Baton Rouge Representative Dalton Honore’s measure was defeated in the Senate last year, but Honore says he’s bringing it back up because the polls are on his side…
CUT 6 (05) “in favor of it”
There’s already a law on the books for the use of medical marijuana, which Honore says needs more clarification.

The 2015 King of the Krewe of Mardi Gras in Houma is under arrest for allegedly violating the sex offender restrictions that sex offendeers cannot wear masks, or ride in parades. Thirty-four-year-old Glynn Matherne has been a registered sex offender since 2003, and police say he should know the rules…
CUT 5 (06) “participate in″
That’s Captain Dawn Foret from the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office.
——————————————
In the Tom Benson family legal feud, New Orleans Judge Kern Reese has ordered that Saints and Pelicans owner to undergo an examination to see if he is mentally compete. Benson will face three exams performed by three different doctors in what is called a standard assessment…
cut 12 (07) “in New Orleans”
That’s Legal analyst Tim Meche.

In North Lousisiana, a domestic dispute between a husband and wife escalated to a bad fall that has put the wife in the hospital after she fell off the back of a pickup her husband was driving. Forty-six year-old Allen Wray instructed his wife she should get in the cab of the truck, and she refused…
CUT 10 (10) Q; ‘fall out of the truck’
That’s Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Cindy Chadwick, who says 48 year-old Sherri Wray is is critical condition.

More drama unfolding in the Tom Benson Family feud, as New Orleans Judge Kern Reese has ordered the Saints and Pelicans owner to undergo an examination. The standard assessment exams must be completed by March 15, and legal analyst Tim Meche says the judge will then review the results…
cut 13 (09) Q: “to someone else”
This decision comes on the heels of a Texas judge yesterday appointing two men to over see the family trust.

When state lawmakers meet again in April, there will be more discussion about the authorization of the use of medical marijuana. Last year’s measure from Democratic Baton Rouge Representative Dalton Honore was defeated, but he says he’s bringing it back because there’s a law of 24 years ago that needs clarification for dispensing it…
CUT 8 (07) Q: “medical marijuana”
———————————
The 2015 King of Houma’s Krewe of Mardi Gras was arrested for allegedly violating sex offender restrictions. Michelle Southern reports.
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office says a woman is in critical condition at a local hospital after they believe she fell out of the back of a truck her estranged husband was driving. 46-year-old Allen Wray and 48-year-old Sherri Wray were sitting on the back of a tailgate, when the husband told his wife to get in the cab. She refused; he drove off, causing her to fall. She’s in very critical condition.

****Corrected Caddo to Bossier in cut 9****

The 2015 King of Houma’s Krewe of Mardi Gras was arrested for allegedly violating sex offender restrictions. Michelle Southern reports.

CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

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When the legislative session begins in April, lawmakers will once again discuss whether or not to authorize the use of medical marijuana in Louisiana. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

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The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s office says the 2015 King of Houma’s Krewe of Mardi Gras is under arrest for allegedly violating the sex offender restriction that you can’t wear masks which they believe he did in last year’s parade. Captain Dawn Foret says 34-year-old Glynn Matherne has been a registered sex offender since 2003 and is not allowed to participate in certain Mardi Gras activities…:

CUT 3 (08)  “age of 18″

Foret says they received a complaint from someone who knew Matherne was a registered sex offender but had still been named King of the Krewe this year. She says they contacted Matherne where it was learned that he also rode in the parade last year and wore a mask…:(No word on whether or not Matherne will remain the king this year.)

CUT 4 (11)  “have to agree to”

The parade is set to roll Saturday night along the traditional route on the east side of Houma. Foret says every year when sex offenders come in to confirm their current address, they sign a document which indicates they know they are not allowed to do certain things like pass out candy for Halloween or ride in Mardi Gras parades and throw beads…:

CUT 5 (06)  “participate in”

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When the legislative session begins in April, lawmakers will once again discuss whether or not to authorize the use of medical marijuana in Louisiana. Democrat Baton Rouge Representative Dalton Honore’s measure was defeated in the Senate last year. Honore says he’s bringing it back up due to the results of recent polls on the issue…

CUT 6 (05)  “in favor of it”

State associations of sheriffs and district attorneys successfully blocked efforts to pass this legislation last year. Honore says their main concern is that this bill would legalize marijuana for recreational use and that’s the farthest thing from the truth…

CUT 7 (11)  “any of this”

Medical marijuana has been legal in Louisiana since 1991 for people with certain conditions. But rules for dispensaries were not set, so no prescriptions have been issued. Honore says he’s just trying to carry out the law that was passed 24 years ago. He says his proposed law contains strict regulations on what doctors are allowed to prescribe the drug…

CUT 8 (07)  “medical marijuana”

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The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office says a woman is in critical condition at a local hospital after they believe she fell out of the back of a truck her estranged husband was driving. Spokeswoman Cindy Chadwick says 46-year-old Allen Wray and 48-year-old Sherri Wray had gone to a location and were talking while sitting on the back of a truck’s tailgate…:

CUT 9 (10)  “according to Allen”

Chadwick says the suspect told investigators that when Sherri wouldn’t get into the cab of the truck, he started to drive away while she was still in the back…:

cut 10 (10)  “fall out of the truck”

Chadwick says Sherri was taken to University Health with very serious injuries and is listed in critical condition…:

cut 11 (09) “reckless operation”

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

In the ongoing Benson family legal feud, New Orleans Judge Kern Reese has ordered that Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson undergo an examination. Benson will face three exams performed by three different doctors in what is called a standard assessment. Legal analyst Tim Meche says this ruling is not in Benson’s favor…

cut 12 (07)  “in New Orleans”

This ruling comes on the heels of a Texas judge’s appointment of two men to oversee the Benson family trust. The standard assessment exams must be completed by March 15. Meche says the judge will then review the results and offer each side the opportunity to weigh in on what he should do…

cut 13 (09)  “to someone else”

He says Judge Reese’s ruling is evidence that Benson’s actions are going to subject to legal scrutiny. Meche says, because of these recent rulings, Tom Benson is learning it’s not going to be easy to disinherit his heirs…

cut 14 (09)  “lot more ugly”

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