It’s a winter wonderland along I-20 as a result of a winter storm that slammed the northern parishes. Kevin Davis, director of the governor’s office of homeland security and emergency preparedness, says numerous roads are closed despite the department of transportation’s best efforts…

cut 10 (10) “cleared”

Davis says if wintry precipitation has fallen in your area, stay home, if there’s no need to travel.

Although the wintry precipitation that’s impacted a large portion of the state is expected to end this morning, chilly temperatures will remain. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this is the first winter storm Louisiana has experienced this season and hopefully the last….

cut 15 (09) “can happen”

North Louisiana does remains under a Winter Storm Watch through tomorrow afternoon.

State Education Superintendent John White is concerned the governor will not provide funding for standardized tests tied to Common Core. A Jindal administration spokesperson says there are no plans to cut student testing, but all state agencies will face strategic reductions to contracts. White says if the state doesn’t provide dollars for student testing, it could lead to big problems…

cut 8 (10) “our state”

Jindal opposes the use of any test that’s tied to Common Core.

As he tries to woo voters who are looking for a change in state government leadership, State Representative and gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards calls himself the anti-Jindal candidate. He says it’s critically important to have the money necessary to deliver your message and he’s working on that…

cut 5 (10) “competitive campaign”

Edwards made the statement during an appearance on the Jim Engster Show.

The wintry precipitation that’s impacted a large portion of the state is expected to end this morning, but chilly temperatures will remain. State Climatologist Barry Keim says any freezing rain advisories that are still posted, will likely expire at 12:00 or earlier

cut 13 (09) “the forecast”

State Offices in 42 Parishes are closed today due to the winter weather conditions.

State Education Superintendent John White is concerned the governor will not provide funding for standardized tests tied to Common Core. The Jindal administration will present a proposed budget for next fiscal year on Friday. White says it’s a state law to give out a standardized test…

cut 7 (08) “in the budget”

A Jindal administration spokesperson says there are no plans to cut student testing, but all state agencies will face strategic reductions to contracts.

State Representative and gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards calls himself the anti-Jindal candidate as he tries to woo voters who are looking for a change in state government leadership. Edwards made the statement during an appearance on the Jim Engster Show. The Amite Democrat says the state doesn’t need a third Jindal term, which is what his opponents in the race are offering…

cut 4 (12) “we’ve been doing”

Edwards is the lone Democrat in this year’s governor’s race.

Winter weather conditions in north Louisiana is causing ice accumulation on roadways and hazardous driving conditions for motorists…
CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

No short-term solutions from lawmakers today to avoid massive cuts to higher ed, as they met at the higher education conference in Baton Rouge. Public colleges could receive a 400 million-dollar cut in state funding. as the state is facing a 1-point-six billion dollar deficit for the fiscal year that starts July first.
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The city of Pineville is ecstatic over the news that American Specialty Alloys has announced they plan to build a two-point-four billion dollar aluminum mill where the International Paper mill once operated. Pineville Mayor Clarence Fields says the project is expected to create nearly 15-hundred new jobs, and is very thankful…
CUT 3 (06) “surrounding communities”
He says there could be another two thousand construction jobs to build it.

Due to the recent rash of measles outbreaks, the Centers for Disease Control is recommending adults between the ages of 57 and 43 get a measles shot, even if they were already vaccinated. Dr. Frank Lopez, with LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Diseases, has the specifics on the CDC recommendation…
CUT 9 (10) “vaccinated appropriately”

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is closely monitoring the severe winter weather impacting several areas in Louisiana. DOTD is deploying salt and de-icing agents on roadways as needed, but there are still very hazard conditions out there, and State Trooper Michael Reichardt it could be around for a while…
CUT 8 (08) q: ‘prolonged event’
The State Department of Transportation has closed a portion of I-49 in Caddo Parish, so is I-220 in Bossier and Caddo Parish, along with several on and off ramps of I-20 in Ouachita Parish have been shut down.
cut 13 (05) “very, very careful”
That’s State Climatologist Barry Keim, who says there’s a decent chance of freezing rain from Southwest Louisiana over to East Feliciana Parish.

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Measles outbreaks across the country are grabbing headlines, the CDC is recommending adults between the ages of 57 and 43 get a measles shot. Dr. Frank Lopez, with LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Diseases, says the gap in coverage resulted in people either not being vaccinated against the measles or receiving a vaccination that isn’t as effective as the current vaccine…
CUT 11 (07) Q: “primary care provider”

A 13 year-old boy who was baby sitting for a Baton Rouge man out with his wife for their anniversary, is dead following the accidental discharging of a weapon in the home. Twenty-five year old Adonis Forbes returned to check on the kids, and then examined his gun that was malfunctioning. As he tried to fix it, the gun fired striking 13 year-old Murrain Hawkins in the abdomen. Hawkins died at a local hospital, Forbes was booked with negligent homicide.

Governor Bobby Jindal has declared a state of emergency as a result of winter weather that’s impacting Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Shreveport-Bossier is under a winter storm warning, a winter weather advisory is in effect for the Monroe area and Lake Charles, along with Alexandria, who are under a freezing rain advisory until noon tomorrow…
cut 12 (10) “warm up sufficiently”

In the meantime, State Police are reminding everyone in the North Louisiana about very hazardous driving conditions…
CUT 6 (10) Q: ‘of your house’
That’s State Tooper Michael Riechardt, who says you can check on road conditions by calling 511.
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Because of the recent problems with measles outbreaks, the CDC is recommending all adults that were born between 1957 and 1971 get a measles shot…
CUT 10 (11) Q: “become available”
That’s Dr. Frank Lopez, with LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Diseases Center.

The good economic news for Pineville is being celebrated all over Central Louisiana, as American Specialty Alloys has announced they plan to build a two-point-four billion dollar aluminum mill where the International Paper mill once operated. The next steps from Pineville Mayor Clarence Fields …
CUT 4 (07) Q: ‘we’re excited”
With good reason as the firm will employ an estimated 15 hundred workers, with about 2000 construction jobs.

The state department of transportation says ice accumulations are being reported along I-20 as a combination, freezing rain, sleet and even snow in some areas falls in the northern parishes. State Police Trooper Michael Reicharde says if you do need to drive, you should use extreme caution…..
cut 7 (11) “…for your safety”
I-49 in Caddo Parish is closed, so is I-220 and some on and off ramps of I-20 in Ouachita Parish.

Will residents living in central Louisiana and further south see any winter precipitation?…
cut 14 (07) “…big question”
That’s state climatologist Barry Keim.
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Central Louisiana leaders are celebrating the news that an aluminum alloy manufacture plans to build a mill that would employ nearly 15-hundred workers…
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

There were no short-term solutions from lawmakers today to avoid massive cuts to higher ed at the higher education conference in Baton Rouge. Public colleges could receive a 400 million-dollar cut in state funding. as the state is facing a 1-point-six billion dollar deficit for the fiscal year that starts July first.

Sleet and freezing rain are falling along the I-20 corridor. State Police are advising residents to drive with care when winter weather conditions are present…
cut 2 (29) “….reporting”

There is no flying in or out of Monroe Regional Airport today as all flights have been cancelled since mid-morning. The potential of freezing rain in southwest Louisiana has led McNeese State to cancel classes tonight and tomorrow. A freezing rain advisory stretches as far east as East Feliciana Parish.

The city of Pineville is ecstatic over the news that American Specialty Alloys has announced they plan to build a $2.4 billion aluminum mill where the International Paper mill once operated. Pineville Mayor Clarence Fields says the project is expected to create nearly 15-hundred new jobs…
cut 3 (06) “surrounding communities”
Fields says the average salary for those direct jobs is $70,000 and operations at the facility are expected to begin late next year.

If you’re between the ages of 43 and 57, the C-D-C recommends a measles shot. There’s a concern people born between 1957 and 1971 were not vaccinated properly. Doctor Frank Lopez, with LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Diseases, says you should discuss this with your doctor….
cut 11 (07) “….primary care provider”