A major winter storm is expected to side swipe Louisiana bringing light snow and sleet to the state’s northern parishes. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Louisiana ranks in the top five for states with the overall highest gun death rates. According to the Violence Policy Center, the Bayou State ranks third and Government Affairs Director Kristen Rand says the majority of the types of gun deaths have evolved recently.

Cut 7 (08) “…homicides as well.”

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Tiger Rag Magazine has obtained a letter from the attorneys that represent Sharon Lewis, who was recently fired from her position as LSU’s associate athletic director of football recruiting and alumni relations, which requests the opportunity for Lewis to testify before the state, in the school’s ongoing Title IX investigation.

The letter was submitted to the Louisiana State Select Committee on Women and Children, which first asked Lewis to appear in April 2021. Tiger Rag editor Adam Hunsucker says that Lewis’ latest move could prompt LSU to settle her case, rather than risk exposing more dirty laundry. If not, other witnesses could be moved to share their stories.

Cut 11 (06)   “….and cooperate.”

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Meanwhile, the Tigers continue to await word on who will fill out their 2022 freshman class as National Signing Day rolls on…This morning, LSU received a commitment from cornerback Jaelyn Davis-Robinson. Brian Kelly did lose out on running back TreVonte Citizen to Miami. LSU targets, linebacker Harold Perkins, tight end Danny Lewis, wideout Caleb Douglas, and safety Jacoby Mathews, have yet to announce.

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It’s National Signing Day, the first for Brian Kelly as the head man at LSU. Glen West, editor of LSU Country for Sports Illustrated says a big part of Kelly’s recruiting has been identifying the types of players that fit his vision for what an LSU Tiger should be on the field and off.

Cut 18 (14) “…a positive way.”

Wednesday morning, Jaelyn Davis-Robinson announced his intent to sign with the Tigers. He becomes the second freshman cornerback to join the 2022 class.

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On the court, the Tigers lost for the fifth time in their last six games. Tuesday night, the Ole Miss Rebels walked out of the P-MAC with a 76-72 win. Darius Days had 21 points and 13 rebounds to lead LSU, but the Tigers were unable to overcome a 13-point halftime deficit.

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Meanwhile, the Pelicans ended their own-four game skid by knocking off the Pistons, 111-101. The Pels outscored Detroit 54-36 in the second half. Brandon Ingram led all scorers with 26 points.

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Former Miami Dolphins head coach, and current Saints coaching candidate Brian Flores has filed a lawsuit that alleges long-standing practices of racial discrimination and institutional racism within the NFL. During an appearance on “CBS This Morning”, Flores stated that his interview with the New York Giants, which he alleges came after they had already made the decision to hire Brian Daboll, who is white, is an example of the league’s ineffective approach to dealing with the issue.

Cut 21 (9) “…check a box.”

Flores’ attorneys are seeking class-action status for the lawsuit, citing very strong statistical and anecdotal evidence against the league.

Cut 22 (10) “…American society.”

For Flores, this is a dividing line for the future of the NFL.

Cut 23 (6) “…some real change.”

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Governor Edwards meets with the Legislative Black Caucus today to discuss what he knew about the death of Black motorist Ronald Greene, who died after a violent struggle with State Troopers. Republicans are calling for an investigation to see if the governor was involved in a cover-up. But Democratic state Senator Cleo Fields said on Talk Louisiana he’s willing to give Edwards the benefit of the doubt…

Cut 3 (07) “…real problem”

Edwards says he was made aware of Greene’s fatal arrest in May of 2019 the day after his death but didn’t see the videos of the arrest until October 2020. That’s when he called the actions of the officers in the video disturbing and unacceptable and should be investigated.

State Police initially told Greene’s family he died from injuries suffered in a car crash. But a reexamined autopsy rejected L-S-P’s claim. State Attorney General Jeff Landry says Speaker Clay Schexnayder can call on the House Criminal Justice Committee to investigate who tried to keep Greene’s family in the dark on how he died…

Cut 6 (10) “…cover-up”

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February is American Heart Month, and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute is sharing ways for people of all ages to maintain a healthy heart. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, and Dr. David Goff, Director of the Division of Cardiovascular Sciences at the NHLBI, says Louisiana is one of the states most at risk.

Cut 7 (11) “…high blood pressure.”

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If you’ve ever contemplated taking to the open road and becoming a truck driver, the Louisiana Workforce Commission has just the plan for you. It’s called the “Drive Your Future” program. LWC Secretary Ava Cates says it gives Louisianans a chance to be trained at no cost for their CDL.

Cut 10 (07) “…issues.”

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The federal government is sending Louisiana 111-million dollars to plug and restore abandoned oil and gas wells. Senator Bill Cassidy says the money will create jobs and make Louisiana a cleaner place to live…

Cut 15 (08) “…get it done.”

Governor Edwards meets with the Legislative Black Caucus today to discuss what he knew about the death of Black motorist Ronald Greene, who died after a violent struggle with State Troopers. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says it’s the Legislature’s responsibility to seek the truth about Edwards’ involvement in a possible cover-up of how Greene died. State Attorney General Jeff Landry supports a fact-finding mission by a legislative committee…

Cut 5 (11) “…that information”

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February is American Heart Month, and Dr. David Goff, of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, says that managing that stress is an important step we can all take in improving our vascular health.

Cut 9 (08) “…your overall health.”

Nearly 40 percent of Louisianans live with hypertension, 6th-highest in the US.

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If you’re contemplating a career change and want to become a truck driver the Louisiana Workforce Commission is providing free CDL training. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (34)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A woman’s body, stuffed into a plastic container, was found in an abandoned truck in Ascension Parish over the weekend. The sheriff’s office says someone came across the vehicle near Bayou Narcisse Road and found the body. Investigators believe the woman, who appears to be in her 20s died of an overdose and was most likely dumped out of fear. It remains under investigation.

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Republican House Speaker Clay Schexnayder is calling for an investigation to find out if Governor John Bel Edwards possibly participated in a cover-up of Ronald Greene’s death, a black motorist who died after he was beaten by State Troopers during a traffic stop in 2019. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says Republicans want to know if Edwards helped keep the details of Greene’s death quiet for political reasons. Alford says many legislators want to hear the governor’s side of the story…

Cut 5 (11) “…same as well.”

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The governor’s office released a statement that Edwards did not learn of the allegations surrounding Mr. Greene’s death until September of 2020, and that he had only been notified of the arrest and death of an unnamed individual in May of 2019. It goes on to state that the governor did not see, nor was he aware of, the video of the arrest until October of 2020.

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The Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus has called for a meeting with Governor Edwards to discuss the case and, according to Chairman-elect Vincent Pierre, “how to move forward in our mission of obtaining justice for the family of Mr. Greene.

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The State Fire Marshal’s Office said home fires have killed 15 people in the month of January. It’s the deadliest month the state has experienced in five years. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says 2018 was the last time the state had that many and average temperatures were below normal. Saturday afternoon firefighters responded to an RV fire in New Iberia.  Rodrigue says first responders located the body of a 50-year-old woman in the bedroom.

Cut 10 (12) “…every outlet.”

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Kayla Giles faces life in prison after a Rapides Parish Jury found her guilty in the murder of her estranged husband, Thomas Coutee Junior. Giles fatally shot Coutee in a Walmart parking lot in September of 2018 during a custody exchange. Giles’ attorney said he wouldn’t be surprised if the verdict was overturned on appeal because the prosecution was allowed to use other crimes as evidence. But Landry says prosecutors presented a strong case…

Cut 13 (05) “…for her life.”

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Republican House Speaker Clay Schexnayder is calling for an investigation to find out if Governor John Bel Ewards possibly participated in a cover-up of Ronald Greene’s death, a black motorist who died after he was beaten by State Troopers during a traffic stop in 2019. Greene’s death was in 2019, the same the governor was up for re-election. Alford says Edwards has faced numerous challenges during his time in office, but this one is unique for his administration…

Cut 4 (12) “…honor code.”

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Lawmakers will return to the state capitol on Tuesday to begin a three-week redistricting session to redraw the political boundaries for the state legislature, the U-S House, BESE, the Public Service Commission and Louisiana Supreme Court. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says there will be serious discussion over whether there should be a second minority-majority Congressional district…

Cut 14 (11) “…two out of those six.”

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When Joe Burrow received his Heisman trophy, he talked about poverty where he grew up in Ohio. Since then, the Joe Burrow Hunger Relief Fund has been able to help those in need. Cara Brook President of the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio says it’s making a huge difference.

Cut 10 (11) “…what they could.”

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Former LSU wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr is one of five Tigers who will be playing in Super Bowl 56. OBJ has been big for the Rams since joining them at midseason, and that continued in the playoffs. Beckham had nine receptions for 113 yards in the win over San Francisco. Now, Beckham has found a home with the Rams and is 60 minutes from realizing a dream come true.

Cut 6 (13) “…keep going.”

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