What kind of jail time might the man who drunkenly plowed into a crowd of revelers at the Endymion parade in New Orleans be facing? 25-year-old Neilson Rizzuto is charged with negligent vehicular injury, hit and run with serious injury, and reckless operation after cops say he crashed into a crowd sending 21 to the hospital…:
CUT 6 (10) “five year sentence”
That’s legal analyst Tim Meche who says Rizzuto could be looking at 5-10 years but it depends on how the prosecution stacks up the counts.

A 30-year-old Donaldsonville man is under arrest amid allegations he crashed into a house that then burst into flames while he was fleeing police. The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office says Brandon Payton drove off at a high rate of speeding during a traffic stop, and slammed into the residence that caught fire and is a total loss. Payton faces many charges including aggravated flight from an officer, stop signs and speeding, no headlights, aggravated damage to property.

Allergy season is in full swing a little early this year, and experts say because Louisiana had such a mild winter, there never really was a low pollen period. Dr. Kenneth Paris, head of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at LSU Health New Orleans, says warm winters typically mean pollen season will peak earlier, and last longer…:
Cut 9 (09) “when we don’t have rain”
He says there is excellent allergy medication available over the counter and the earlier you start treatment, the easier it will be to keep symptoms under control.

Today Governor John Bel Edwards is meeting with President Donald Trump to talk mostly about Louisiana’s recovery from natural disasters, and express the need to get more federal aid into the Bayou State.

Should State Police Col Mike Edmonson lose his job over the side trip four troopers are accused of taking on the taxpayers dime while on business? US Senator John Kennedy thinks so…:
Cut 16 (10) “not right”
But Edmonson says Kennedy doesn’t have all the facts and the LSP investigation and the Governor’s investigation into the incident need to play out…:
Cut 15 (05) “change those”

3rd Congressional District Congressman Clay Higgins is a member of a group charged with coming up with ways to keep terrorists from entering the US. He says the Homeland Security Task Force is going to explore every possible option to make our country safe…:
Cut 11 (08) “for it to stop”
Higgins says he wants to get a boots-on-the-ground perspective from the those directly involved in vetting the people who enter our country.

It’s been a warm February for the Bayou State and it could turn out to be the warmest on record since 1932. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 1 (26) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Volunteers from around the country are coming together to help Louisiana flood victims get back into their homes. Louisiana Launch volunteer Shanna Forrestall says a lot of families either aren’t getting what they need from insurance or they’re delays on getting help from FEMA….:
Cut 3 (10) “their houses”
She says the donations are going to families who need it the most, those with elderly, disabled and special needs members.

Could this be the warmest February on record in Louisiana? State Climatologist Barry Keim says, so far this month, we’re averaging eight degrees above normal and he attributes this to a lot of warm air moving in from the coast…:
Cut 8 (06) “and humid”
He says February’s average temperature is around 61 so far, and the record in 1932 is 61.2 degrees.

State Police say a 6-year-old died after her parents vehicle was hit from behind by a man suspected of being impaired and speeding in Ascension Parish. They say 29-year-old Kenneth Lewis didn’t slow down when he approached the Keatings SUV, and the impact caused both vehicles to travel into the median striking trees. 6-year-old Samantha Keating died at a hospital. 29-year-old Kenneth Lewis of Geismar’s charges include vehicular homicide.

The New Orleans Police Department says 25-year-old Neilson Rizzuto was three times the legal limit when he plowed into a crowd injuring 28 people who were watching the Endymion Parade. He faces multiple charges including first degree vehicular negligent injuring, hit and run driving and reckless driving.

US Senator John Kennedy is calling on the head of State Police to resign amid the investigations as result of four troopers charging the state overtime and hotel expenses on a personal side trip while traveling on business. Kennedy says he’s disgusted as a Louisiana taxpayer over what happened…:
Cut 14 (11) “get an award”
The governor’s office is investigating the incident.

A new study out of London finds stress may be linked to obesity. Dr. Amanda Staiano (Sty-AH-no) with LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center says over two-thirds of Louisiana adults and half of the children in our state are overweight or obese…:
Cut 6 (09) “citizens healthier”
The study found that individuals who had persistently high levels of the “stress hormone” cortisol over long periods of time weighed more.

Should State Police Col Mike Edmonson lose his job over the side trip four troopers are accused of taking on the taxpayers dime while on business? US Senator John Kennedy thinks so…:
Cut 16 (10) “not right”
But Edmonson says Kennedy doesn’t have all the facts and the LSP investigation and the Governor’s investigation into the incident need to play out…:
Cut 15 (05) “change those”

Some might say winter decided to skip over Louisiana this year and it turns out this February might be the warmest on record here. State Climatologist Barry Keim says although Louisiana has seen a few cold fronts the last few weeks…:
Cut 9 (06) “February”
He says February’s average temperature is around 61 so far, and the record in 1932 is 61.2 degrees.

The 25-year-old man who crashed into a crowed of people watching the Endymion Parade in New Orleans Saturday night was at least three times the legal limit, according to authorities. They say Neilson Rizzuto is charged with first-degree negligent vehicular injuring, hit-and-run driving causing serious injury and reckless operation of a vehicle. Police said Sunday that 28 people were hurt in the accident that sent 21 people to the hospital.

3rd Congressional US Representative Clay Higgins has been appointed to a task force to stop terrorists from entering the country. Halen Doughty has more..:
Cut 2 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

US Senator John Kennedy believes its time for the Commander of the State Police to go. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

This February could go down as the warmest on record for Louisiana. That’s according to State Climatologist Barry Keim who says the average temperature here this month is about 61 degrees and the current record set in 1932 is 61.2…:
Cut 7 (10) “1895″

3rd Congressional District US Representative Clay Higgins has been appointed to the Homeland Security Task Force, which seeks to close gaps in terrorist screenings and vetting procedures. Higgins says they want to hear what the people have to say about securing our borders.:
Cut 10 (12) “to stop it”
The panel will begin working in March and hopes to provide their final report later this year.

A new study out of London finds stress may be linked to obesity. Dr. Amanda Staiano (Sty-AH-no) with LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center says chronic stress can promote fat accumulation on the body. She says while it could be a physiological reason, it might also be because people change their behaviors when they’re stressed…:
Cut 4 (07) “obesity”
She says obesity is a serious issue in Louisiana and the more research they can do in this area, the better we can to help prevent it.

The man suspected of driving drunk when he allegedly plowed into a group of revelers at the Endymion parade in New Orleans Saturday night, which sent 21 people to the hospital, has had his bail set at $125,000. 25-year-old Neilson Ruzzuto of Paradis had a blood-alcohol content three times the legal limit, according to officials.

Colonel Mike Edmonson has no plans to resign even though U-S Senator John Kennedy is calling on the head of the L-S-P to step down as result of four troopers charging the state overtime and hotel expenses while taking a side trip to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Edmonson says Kennedy doesn’t know the details…:
Cut 13 (08) “those changes”
Kennedy is disappointed the legislative auditor is not being used for this investigation…:
Cut 17 (06) “find the truth”
The governor has auditors within the Division of Administration looking into the incident.

It’s been a warm February for the Bayou State and it could turn out to be the warmest on record since 1932. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 1 (26) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A two-vehicle crash in Ascension Parish over the weekend claimed the life of a 6-year-old girl, and the driver suspected to be at fault is facing charges including DWI and vehicular homicide. 29-year-old Kenneth Lewis of Geismar was impaired at the time of the crash according to State Police.

The Board of Regents did not move forward on plans to increase the credit hour requirement for TOPS students. Higher Ed Commissioner Joe Rallo supports a 30-hour requirement because it encourages students to finish their degrees in four years. But he says they had concerns about how the change would affect students.

Cut 13 (09) “higher education”

Currently TOPS students are only required to complete 24 credit hours a year.

On Sunday Governor John Bel Edwards will meet with US Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price to discuss Medicaid expansion. Governor’s Office spokesman Richard Carbo says Edwards wants to show federal officials how the ACA can benefit poor working class people.

Cut 8 (11) “Medicaid expansion”
The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission wants everyone to have a safe and happy Mardi Gras. Executive Director Katara Williams says, unfortunately, Mardi Gras revelers have a bad habit of getting behind the wheel when they’ve had too much to drink.

Cut 16 (09) “in Louisiana”

She encourages parade goers to designate a driver or make other arrangements.

The Shreveport Aquarium is letting the good times roll in a very different way this weekend, as they’ll attempt to break a Guinness World Record on Saturday. Aquarium spokesperson Jake Wood says they’re inviting people to help break the record for the longest wave line just before the Krewe of Gemini parade.

Cut (09) “a record”

More information is available at Shreveport-aquarium.com.

It’s shaping up to be a glorious Mardi Gras weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front is moving through which might bring in a quick shower tonight, but after that the next couple of days look superb…:
cut 25 (11) “upper 60s”
Keim says you may need an umbrella tonight and light jacket tomorrow.

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission wants to start a new carnival tradition of safe and sober driving. Executive Director Dr. Katara Williams reminds revelers to “Protect Your Beads.” She says Mardi Gras is a celebration of our culture, but we should be smart about it…:
CUT 26 (10) “designated driver”
She says the five day holiday period from today through Tuesday usually records more vehicle crashes with injuries or deaths than any other holiday in Louisiana.

On Sunday Governor John Bel Edwards will meet with US Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price to discuss Medicaid expansion. Governor’s Office spokesman Richard Carbo says Edwards wants to show federal officials how the ACA can benefit poor working class people…:
Cut 8 (11) “Medicaid expansion”
The meeting comes amid ongoing discussions at the nation’s capital about repealing the Affordable Care Act.

The state Board of Regents decided not to recommend to the legislature that the TOPS program be changed to require students to take 30 hours a semester instead of 24. The committee met today and deleted the change from other proposals they are making to the legislature that seek to make the program more sustainable for the future. Under the governor’s budget proposal for next fiscal year, TOPS is only funded at its current level: 70%.

Governor John Bel Edwards will on Sunday meet with US Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price to talk about Medicaid expansion. Governor’s office spokesman Richard Carbo says the governor wants to ensure that the people who finally have health coverage are able to keep their insurance…:
CUT 7 (06) “Mr. Price”
He says over 402,000 working people in Louisiana have gotten coverage since Medicaid expansion.

A Gallup report finds Louisiana has some of the most enthusiastic employees in the country. According to the survey, 36-percent of Bayou State workers are engaged. It also found people are more engaged when they are self employed. LSU Assistant Professor in the Rucks Department of Management Jeremy Beus (bus) says this makes sense for Louisiana where there are many small businesses.
cut 4 (05) “own freedom”
Alabama leads in engagement at 37-percent.

The Shreveport Aquarium is letting the good times roll in a very different way this weekend, as they’ll attempt to break a Guinness World Record. Aquarium spokesperson Jake Wood says they’re inviting people to help break the record for the longest wave line just before the Krewe of Gemini parade…:
Cut 9 (09) “a record”
To get more information about the record attempt and sign up to volunteer, visit ShreveportAquarium.com.

The big Mardi Gras weekend has arrived and cities and towns across the state will be celebrating carnival. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says Fat Tuesday is not just popular in New Orleans and Lafayette, central and north Louisiana party too…:
Cut 25 (10) “celebrations”