The Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s office says Ronald Gasser has been indicted on one-count of second-degree murder in the apparent road rage shooting death of former NFL player Joe McKnight. Gasser was booked in early December on a charge of manslaughter. But Jefferson Parish District Attorney Paul Connick says since the arrest, additional evidence has been developed and it was presented to a grand jury. Gasser cooperated with authorities after the shooting.

The National Hurricane Center says they’ll issue storm surge watches and warnings for the first time ever the next time a tropical storm or hurricane approaches the U.S. coastline. Storm surge specialist Jamie Rhome…
cut 14 (08) “…handle that”
Rhome says this kind of information will convince coastal residents to evacuate if the conditions warrant.

A Lake Charles doctor has developed an F-D-A approved cream that can be used to alleviate pain. Doctor Craig Morton says the cream can be applied directly where the pain is located or where tissue is swollen. He adds that it can be used as needed…
cut 11 (09) “…the most”
Morton says the cream is available at the Center for Orthopedics in Lake Charles or at Aculeve.

And in New Iberia, the Cajun groundhog, known as Pierre C. Shadeaux did not see his shadow, which means spring will last six weeks longer this year. Daily Iberian publisher Christina Pierce says this is the 19th year they’ve celebrated Cajun Groundhog Day….
cut 5 (10) “…up close”
That’s right Pierre C Shadeaux is a nutria rat and if he did see his shadow, then Louisiana would experience a longer hot summer.

The National Hurricane Center will issue storm surge watches and warnings during the 2017 hurricane season, which will be a first. Storm Surge Specialist Jamie Rhome says the amount of water that a named storm can push into a coastal area can be as destructive and deadly as damaging winds..:
cut 12 (10) “appropriate action”
A storm surge watch will be issued when there’s the possibility of life-threatening rising water moving inland within 48 hours, for a warning 36 hours.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana filed Freedom of Information request today with its local U.S. Customs and Border Protection office to expose how Trump administration officials are interpreting and executing the president’s immigration ban. The filing today is part of a coordinated effort from 50 ACLU affiliates.

New Orleans Police say a mother of 5 young children was gunned down and killed this morning in a hail of bullets at an apartment complex. The 29-year-old victim has not been identified.

The Acadiana-version of Groundhog’s Day Punxsutawney Phil, Pierre C Shadeaux, did not see a shadow today which means a nice spring can be expected in Louisiana. The Cajun Groundhog event is put on by the Daily Iberian and Publisher Christina Pace says a nutria is far more appropriate here…:
CUT 4 (07) “our region”
Pierce says this is the 19th year the Daily Iberian has celebrated Cajun Groundhog Day.

LSU Head Coach Ed Orgeron has made some staff changes. Coach O says running backs coach Jabbar Juluke has been re-assigned to a position within the athletic department, and wide receiver coach Ameyune Craig has been released. Orgeron added he will start an immediate search to find replacements for the two former coaches.

Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome has laid out new policies for the Police Department that require officers to try to de-escalate situations before using physical or deadly force. The changes stem from the officer involved shooting of Alton Sterling. Broome says many of these methods are taught to police officers at the academy…:
CUT 7 (10) “accountability”

A Lake Charles doctor has created a new FDA-approved pain relief cream. Dr. Craig Morton has been treating patients at the Center for Orthopedics for years and says many of his patients have been using more than one pain relief cream. He says that’s why he teamed up with chemists to develop Aculeve…:
Cut 9 (12) “works the best”
He says the cream is available at his clinic or online at Aculeve.com.

It’s Cajun Groundhog Day in Acadiana, and things are done a little differently down south than in Punxsutawney. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

FEMA announced today that now a total of about $60 million dollars has been committed to schools in Louisiana damaged by the August flood.

Newly elected Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announces new policies aimed towards preventing unnecessary lethal force by police officers. Broome says this stems from last July’s officer involved shooting of Alton Sterling…:
Cut 6 (12) “when possible”
Broome says officers are also prohibited from shooting at a moving vehicle unless the vehicle or people inside pose an immediate threat to others.

Today is Groundhog Day, and that means something a little different in Acadiana. Daily Iberian Publisher Christina Pierce says unlike our neighbors in the north, we celebrate Cajun Groundhog Day with a nutria rat named Pierre C. Shadeaux…:
Cut 3 (08) “we’re sweating”
Today Pierre did not see his shadow, which means a nice spring is coming to Louisiana.

Louisiana received a top rating when it comes to highway safety laws by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. Emelie Gunn has more…:
CUT 25 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

On the first day lawmakers could file bills for the upcoming legislative session, Covington Representative Paul Hollis produced a measure that would take away penalties under the Affordable Care Act. He says you shouldn’t put a mandate on people to buy a product…:
Cut 26 (11) “one of them”
Hollis expects a great deal of support from the legislature when they convene in April.

One of the first bills filed for the 2017 regular legislative session seeks to undo penalties put in place by the Affordable Care Act. Covington Representative Paul Hollis says the proposal would no longer require Louisiana residents to pay a fine for not having health insurance…:
CUT 7 (09) “has done”
Hollis says the bill is a response to President Trump’s executive order that allows state departments to waive any provision of the Affordable Care Act “that would impose a fiscal burden on a state.”

State Police is advising that I-20 at mile post 49 in Webster Parish is temporarily closed as a result of road work. Troopers are diverting traffic north onto L-A 531 and then to U-S 80. The repair is expected to take at leaset three hours. Authorities are advising to use caution when traveling through the area and expect delays.

The White House has said that President Donald Trump intends to keep in place an executive order that protects L-G-B-T indiviudals from workplace discrimination in the federal government. Equality Louisiana president Baylor Boyd is cautiously optimistic that Mr. Trump will defend the gay and lesbian commmunity, but it’s hard to believe based on who the President chose to serve in his administration…
cut 14 (09) “….LGBTQ people”

A former employee for the Caddo Parish school board has been arrested as on an allegation that he stole at least 260-thousand dollars in public funds. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Cindy Chadwick…
cut 12 (09) “…school board”
Chadwick says 32-year-old Brandon Lewis used a business credit card to purchase 40-thousand dollars in VISA gift cards. He also allegedly used public money to buy car parts and building materials for his personal gain.

Changes could be coming to the Affordable Care Act in Louisiana under the Trump Administration. A Covington lawmaker wants to remove the mandate that you must have health insurance or you’ll be penalized. Representative Paul Hollis says that just takes money out of people’s pockets and he feels more states will follow suit…:
CUT 9 (10) “bolsters”
He’s filed a bill that would do just that for the upcoming session.

Louisiana is getting high marks for having laws on the books when it comes to highway safety. Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety President Jackie Gillan says while Louisiana has 9 out of 15 recommended traffic safety laws, they’d still like to see more laws that protect young people…:
Cut 6 (11) “go down”
She hopes the legislature will look at their suggestions in the upcoming session.

A gay rights activist group has responded to President Donald Trump’s statement that he will not remove President Obama’s executive order protecting the LGBTQ community from workplace discrimination within the federal government. But Equality Louisiana President Baylor Boyd says that won’t matter if Mr. Trump follows through on other promises…:
CUT 15 (12) “our community”
He says at this point they are cautiously optimistic the president will continue to protect LGBTW people from discrimination in the workplace.

The Internal Revenue Service says tax payers, business owners and others in parishes designated for FEMA Individual Assistance may qualify for federal tax relief. Officials announced the IRS is offering extended deadlines, waived penalties, expedited processing requests and more. Also a reminder that disaster assistance funds are not taxable income.

On the first day lawmakers could file bills for the upcoming legislative session, Covington Representative Paul Hollis produced a measure that would take away penalties under the Affordable Care Act. He says you shouldn’t put a mandate on people to buy a product…:
Cut 8 (11) “one of them”
Hollis expects a great deal of support from the legislature when they convene in April.

Louisiana receives a top rating for its highway safety laws by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. President Jackie Gillan says even though the state received a green rating, that doesn’t mean there isn’t work to be done…:
Cut 5 (07) “age 8”
She says Louisiana has 9 out of 15 recommended traffic safety laws.

Head Coach Ed Orgeron’s first recruiting class at LSU is ranked in the top 10. Jeff Palermo has thoughts from Coach “O”…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A former Caddo Parish School Board employee has been arrested after police say he misappropriated at least $260-thousand in public funds. Cindy Chadwick with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office says 32-year-old Brandon Lewis bought car parts using the School Board’s account..:
CUT 11 (06) “as well”
Lewis is charged with unauthorized use of an access card, felony theft, and forgery.

A recently filed bill would remove the penalties for not having health insurance for Louisiana residents. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The State Fire Marshal’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire in Baton Rouge that claimed the life of a 5 year old girl. They say they will be looking into whether the building was up to code. Tuesday night 5-year-old Treasure Garner perished in the blaze while in an upstairs bedroom watching TV.

Louisiana receives a top rating for its highway safety laws. That’s according to Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. President Jackie Gillan says Louisiana has 9 out of 15 recommended traffic safety laws, including a law that requires everyone in a vehicle to buckle up…:
cut 4 (11) “seat belt law”
Louisiana was one of only five states plus D.C. to earn the highest highway safety rating of green.

A former Caddo Parish School Board employee has been arrested after police say he misappropriated at least $260-thousand in public funds. Cindy Chadwick with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office says 32-year-old Brandon Lewis bought car parts using the School Board’s account…:
Cut 10 (07) “that money”
Lewis is charged with unauthorized use of an access card, felony theft, and forgery.