3:30 PM Newscast Feb 17

One month from today Louisiana is set to complete the first death row execution in 15 years and the first by nitrogen gas.  Jacquelyn Stern with the Jewish Federation of New Orleans was among Jewish leaders in front of Touro Synagogue today. She says while opinions of capital punishment vary among those gathered, they’re all united in the stance that lethal gas should not be used as a method anywhere in the United States.

Cut 8 (12) “…on our communities.”

The grandparents of one of the victims killed in the Bourbon Street terror attack were killed over the weekend by an alleged drunk driver. Gretna Deputy Police Chief Jason DiMarco says  33-year-old Stephan Juarez hit Hubert and Victoria Gauthreaux as they were trying to leave their parked vehicle. He says Juarez is facing a slew of charges, all of which when combined could land him in prison for the rest of his life.

Cut 13 (11)  “…no seatbelt.”

In response to the 300 permanent jobs that are being eliminated in Natchitoches Parish as International Paper shuts down their containerboard plant in Campti, The Louisiana Workforce Commission’s Rapid Response Team is setting up Mobile Workforce Centers this Thursday and Friday to provide resources to help workers transition to new opportunities. Workers will receive assistance with training grants, resume writing, career counseling, application submission, and work registration in Natchitoches at 716 Second Street and in Campti at 201 Edenborn Street from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Thursday and Friday. Information is available online at laworks.net.

Shreveport Senior Meteorologist Matt Hemmingway says another Arctic blast is set to hit Louisiana by Thursday, bringing below-freezing temperatures and possible winter precipitation and the cold front may linger for several days, but should warm up by the end of the week.

Cut 11 (10) “…closer to 60.”