Two trucking companies involved in the fatal Florida interstate crash that killed five Marksville children are being sued…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is celebrating 50 years with a star-studded lineup.  Kevin Barnhart has the details.

Cut 2 (28) “Im Kevin Barnhart”  

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The family of one of the Marksville children who died in a fiery interstate calamity outside of Gainesville, Florida has hired an attorney to pursue damages against the two truckers and companies involved in the crash that killed five children. Attorney Joe Fried says his office is conducting its own investigation into the tragedy.

Cut 3 (10) “…discovered”

Eagles Express Lines and New Prime, have been named in the suit, along with their two drivers who died in the crash. Fried says they hope to recover damages for the family of 14-year-old Jeremiah Wright, against one, or all of the parties involved.

Cut 4 (10) “…the investigation″

Reports several days after the wreck noted one of the drivers had been cited several times for his driving, but Fried says it’s too early to confirm that information.

Fried says he’s interested in getting a close look at the history of the companies, and safety policies at both of the trucking corporations involved. He says hopefully if there are systemic safety issues at one or both of the companies, the suit can force the companies to address them.

Cut 5 (10) “…happen”

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The 50^th annual New Orleans Jazzfest has unveiled its lineup, and it features some of the biggest names in music. Festival producer Quint Davis says there are no shortage of acts to grab the attention of festival enthusiasts. Pop superstar Katy Perry will perform during the first weekend of the festival and a legendary act rumored is now confirmed….

Cut 6 (07) “…The Rolling Stones.”

While the clear cut headliner is The Rolling Stones, Davis explains the undercard isn’t too bad either.

Cut 7 (11) “…Trombone Shorty.”

Davis says the rest of the US tour for the Stones has been sold out for months, but says locals will get the first opportunity to buy tickets this week.

Cut 8 (13) “…for only Louisianians.”

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When asked which teams she’d like to welcome to Atlanta for the Super Bowl, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms says “Just anybody other than the Saints. If it can’t be the Falcons, then hey, as long as it’s not the Saints then I’m happy.” New Orleans Tourism and Marketing Corporation President Mark Romig says it’s all in good fun.

Cut 9 (11) “…Saints.″

Bottoms also added “I know there’s going to be a bounty on my head for saying that”, as she reportedly smiled.

And if the Saints power past the Rams for this Sunday’s NFC Championship clash, they’ll be taking that trip to Atlanta. Romig says it’s a wonderful city, and luckily for the Black and Gold Nation, easy to get to.

Cut 10 (09) “…bus services.”

Romig says the rivalry is an economically beneficial one for both cities, as fans travel back and forth, sometimes several times a year. He says if the Saints are not in the Super Bowl when New Orleans hosts again, he’d love to have Dirty Bird fans visit the Big Easy for the Big Game.

Cut 11 (10) “…New Orleans”

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Authorities have identified the 91-year-old man killed in a Union Parish house fire on Monday. Robert Jones of Marion and his two Labrador retrievers died in the blaze. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says they are still trying to determine the cause

Cut 12 (09)   “…wood burning stove.” 

Investigators believe the fire originated in the home’s living room and the victim was using a wood-burning stove to produce heat. Rodrigue has this advice for others who use a wood-burning fireplace or stove…

Cut 13 (09) “…combustible items.”

The blaze started around 3:15 Monday afternoon. Rodrigue says when State Fire Marshal investigators arrived, local firefighters were still extinguishing the fire

Cut 14 (12) “…92nd birthday.”

As the federal government shutdown continues, the focus of food stamp recipients can expect February benefits coming this week.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (27) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

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If you are looking forward to trying some great new Louisiana craft beers, the government shutdown is slowing down the release of those brews. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

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A Southeastern Louisiana communications professor says the 128 decibels measured in the dome during Sunday’s Saints win was nearly as loud as a thunder crack at it’s source. Fans watching the game on Fox got a little taste of that roar…

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Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser laid out the Office of Tourism’s goals for 2019 in a speech at the Baton Rouge Press Club. Nungesser says he wants to build on international tourism. Recently, international flights from Germany and London started offering service to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International airport and bringing in more out of country visitors could mean big bucks for Louisiana…

Cut 4 (12) “…traveled.” 

Nungesser is also looking at ways to bring in more dollars to help improve tourist destinations like state parks. He says there are around 15 public-private partnerships near completion, but before they can be finalized he needs the legislature’s help.

Cut 5 (09) “…do.”

And Nungesser says he wants to keep the relationship alive between New Orleans and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin Eve. The past three years the popular TV program featured the Big Easy on New Year’s Eve, with a television audience of 20-30 million viewers. He says the contract to have the show in NOLA has reached its end and he wants it renewed.

Cut 6 (11) “…year.”

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As the federal government shutdown continues, the focus of food stamp recipients turns to what they can expect as the SNAP program is federally funded. Department of Children and Family Services Deputy Assistant Secretary Sammy Guillory says February benefits are coming this week.

Cut 7 (09) “…100% federally funded.”

Guillory says there is uncertainty as to what happens with the program beyond February.

Cut 8 (09) “…anything about March.”

Guillory says it’s important for recipients to know these are not extra benefits and theses will be the only benefits they receive for February.

Cut 9 (11) “…these benefits accordingly.″

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The federal government shutdown is impacting the craft beer business in Louisiana as the industry is heavily regulated by the feds. President of the Louisiana Brewers Guild and Bayou Teche Brewing Karlos Knott says brewers are not able to get product labels approved during the shutdown, so some of the seasonal beers are being put on hold.

Cut 10 (09) “…back a bit.”

Knott says some of the new breweries that were hoping to have opened in the time since the shutdown, but now they are at a standstill.

Cut 11 (10) “…45 days delayed.”

Knott says the time in which a brewery only needed to release a few beers each year is in the past, so the shutdown is making it impossible for brewers to cater to the demand of consumers.

Cut 12 (10) “…shutdown is over.”

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Reports say that for at least one moment in Sunday’s Saints playoff win, the Dome rumbled as fans roared at a recorded 128 decibels. Southeastern Louisiana communications professor Joe Burns says it’s a remarkable feat, because exposure to any sound over 100-120 Db can be painful, and prolonged exposure can result in damage to your hearing.

Cut 13 (11) “…of loudness.”

The NFL Db record is held by Seattle for a 137 decibel outburst in 2017, but Burns says that number is questionable because even momentary exposure to 140 Db may result in deafness.

Decibels increase logarithmically, and to put 128 decibels in perspective, the average conversation is 60 decibels, and a chainsaw is about 110. Burns says an acquaintance of his runs sound for the Essence Fest, and their maximum sound level sits far below what Saints fans accomplished.

Cut 14 (11) “…that’s insane.”

The Rock School radio host says crowds certainly can impact games, as feeling that 128 decibels at field level, with a helmet on, would be disorienting.

Burns says it’s likely that reported 128 Db was only a momentary spike, and not a prolonged period that could result in hearing damage. Still, if you’re bringing your children to the Rams NFC Championship clash this Sunday, he has a suggestion….

Cut 15 (11) “….to you”

The World Health Organization recommends children not be exposed to any noise above 120 decibels.

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Sunday’s NFC Championship game between the Saints and Rams is a rematch of a November 4th game won by New Orleans 45-35. But since that game, Los Angeles has developed a two-headed run attack with Todd Gurley and recently signed CJ Anderson. Saints Coach Sean Payton is impressed with how the Rams ran the ball in their playoff win over Dallas…

Cut 16 (11)  “…defended the run.”

L-A rushed for 273 yards on Saturday in a 30-22 win over Dallas. The Rams defense held the Cowboys to 50 yards rushing. Coach Sean Payton says L-A has one of the game’s best defensive lines led by defensive tackle Aaron Donald…

 cut 17 (16)   “…tape here.” 

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LSU will look to remain unbeaten in SEC play tonight when the Tigers travel to Oxford to face the 18th ranked Ole Miss Rebels. Ole Miss moved up into the Top 25 in the latest poll by beating two ranked teams last week, Auburn and Mississippi State. Tigers Coach Will Wade says the Rebels have the best backcourt in the SEC, which is a major concern…

Cut 18 (17)   SEC games” 

Ole Miss is led by Breein Tyree, who is averaging almost 18 points a game. Terence Davis and Deveontae Shuler are also averaging double figures. Wade says it’s hard to slow down all three of them…

Cut 19 (20)   “…for us”