16:45 Sportscast February 6th, 2015

The Pelicans are in Oklahoma City tonight. The Thunder’s Kevin Durant is expected to play tonight after missing the last two games because of a sprained big toe. But O-K-C beat New Orleans without Durant on Wednesday night. That’s because the Thunder’s Russell Westbrook scored 45 points. Tip-off tonight is at seven o’ clock.

 

Six LSU players have been invited to the NFL scouting combine which will take place later this month in Indianapolis. They are La’el Collins, Kenny Hilliard, Terrence Magee, Jalen Collins, Kwon Alexander and Danielle Hunter. Southeastern Louisiana quarterback Bryan Bennett has also been invited and so has U-L-M punter Justin Manton.

 

The college baseball season begins next week and LSU Coach Paul Mainieri says freshman left-handed pitcher Jake Latz will miss the opening weekend because of elbow soreness. Latz was battling for a spot in the Tigers weekend rotation.

 

Will Saints running back Mark Ingram be back next season? NFL Analyst Mike Detillier expects the Black and Gold to make a concerted effort to keep the former Heisman Trophy winner…

cut 19 (16) “…to get him”

Ingram is entering his fifth season in the NFL and recently said that he wants to be a Saint, calling it a first class organization.

 

In college basketball on Saturday…LSU will look to snap a two-game losing streak when they host Alabama at 5 PM. The Tigers NCAA Tournament hopes took a major hit with a loss to Auburn on Thursday.

 

Louisiana Tech is also looking to rebound from a loss as the Bulldogs visit Middle Tennessee. U-L-M can move into first place in the Sun Belt with a win at Georgia Southern. And U-L Lafayette hosts U-T Arlington.

The Pelicans are in Oklahoma City tonight. The Thunder’s Kevin Durant is expected to play tonight after missing the last two games because of a sprained big toe. But O-K-C beat New Orleans without Durant on Wednesday night. That’s because the Thunder’s Russell Westbrook scored 45 points. Tip-off tonight is at seven o’ clock.

 

Six LSU players have been invited to the NFL scouting combine which will take place later this month in Indianapolis. They are La’el Collins, Kenny Hilliard, Terrence Magee, Jalen Collins, Kwon Alexander and Danielle Hunter. Southeastern Louisiana quarterback Bryan Bennett has also been invited and so has U-L-M punter Justin Manton.

 

The college baseball season begins next week and LSU Coach Paul Mainieri says freshman left-handed pitcher Jake Latz will miss the opening weekend because of elbow soreness. Latz was battling for a spot in the Tigers weekend rotation. Also, infielder Greg Deichman will miss at least a month because of a stress fracture in his foot.

 

Will Saints running back Mark Ingram be back next season. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier expects the Black and Gold to make a concerted effort to keep the former Heisman Trophy winner…

cut 19 (16) “…to get him”

Ingram is entering his fifth season in the NFL and recently said that he wants to be a Saint, calling it a first class organization.

 

In college basketball on Saturday…LSU will look to snap a two-game losing streak when they host Alabama at 5 PM. The Tigers NCAA Tournament hopes took a major hit with a loss to Auburn on Thursday.

 

Louisiana Tech is also looking to rebound from a loss as the Bulldogs visit Middle Tennessee. U-L-M can move into first place in the Sun Belt with a win at Georgia Southern. And U-L Lafayette hosts U-T Arlington.

16:30 Newscast February 6th, 2015

Mardi Gras season gets to full strength this weekend and Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control agents will be hitting the streets to curb businesses from selling alcohol and tobacco to the underaged…
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”
The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a deadly house fire in Natalbany early this morning, reportedly cause from an electric space heater.  Four occupants were able to escape, but 39 year-old Yolanda Dyson was trapped inside, then later pronounced dead at the scene.  The home was not equipeed with smoke detectors.
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“Powerball-mania” continues to grow as Saturday’s jackpot rises to a whopping $380 million.  Louisiana Lottery Spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says this is the sixth largest jackpot in Powerball history, and that could increase even more based on ticket sales…
CUT 3 (11)  “of the draw”
The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Louisiana has climbed back to over $2.00 a gallon.  According to the American Automobile Association, the average price for a gallon of regular in the Bayou State is now up to $2.01….
CUT 9 (10)  “they go down”
That’s AAA fuel analyst Don Redman.

15:30 Newscast February 6th, 2015

The state faces a 103 million dollar revenue shortfall for this fiscal year, and Governor Bobby Jindal announced today $61 million dollars in cuts, and 43 million in stopgap funds to close the budget deficit. Commissioner of Adminstration Kristy Nichols says their mid-year cuts will not lead to significant lay-offs, or cuts to critical health services or higher ed, but cuts to public colleges and health care are on the table for next fiscal year….
cut 14 (10)  “legislative session”
There’s big money in the power ball drawing for tomorrow night, but even if you don’t win the projected $380 million dollars, you can still become a  millionaire…
CUT 5 (11)  Q: “last three years”
That’s Louisiana Lottery Spokesperson Kimberly Chopin.
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With numerous Mardi Gras parades all across the state stepping off this weekend, The Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control is telling bar owners and employees to help keep things safe, AND make sure not to sell to the underaged.
CUT 8 (11)  Q: ‘sell to them’
That’s ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert, who says they issued 69 citations last year.
Even though the price of gas is going back up, AAA says we are still paying more than a dollar a gallon less than we did at this time last year.  Right now, the state-wide average for a gallon of regular is $2.01.  And Fuel Analyst Don Redman says we could get as high as $2.75 a gallon for much of the remaining part of this year…
CUT 11 (07)  Q: ‘a gallon’

14:30 Newscast February 6th, 2015

There’s a 103-million dollar revenue shortfall for this fiscal year, and the Jindal administration is proposing 61-million dollars in cuts to various state agencies and using 43-million in stopgap funds.  Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols says the joint legislative committee on the budget will have the chance to approve the governor’s revised budget plan  February 20th….
cut 13 (09)  “FY-16”
Saturday’s Powerball Jackpot rises to a whopping $380 million, and that’s the 6th largest in history…
CUT 4 (12)  Q: “in 1995”
That’s Louisiana Lottery Spokesperson Kimberly Chopin.
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Louisiana gas prices are up again, with an average price reported at $2.01.  Even though the prices should continue to rise through the spring, AAA Fuel analyst Don Redmon says we should remain below $3.00 a gallon…
CUT 10 (11)  Q: “kind of prices”
With Mardi Gras season underway now, the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control wants to remind everyone to have a safe, fun Mardi Gras season.  A major part of that safety focus is ATC compliance checks of businesses along parade routes to make sure sales of alcohol and tobacco are not being made to minors…
CUT 7 (10)  Q: ‘purchase alcohol’
That’s ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert.

PM Newscall February 6th, 2015

Mardi Gras season kicks into full swing this weekend and Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control agents will hit the streets to curb businesses from selling alcohol and tobacco to underage persons.  Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

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According to the American Automobile Association, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Louisiana has climbed back to over $2.00 a gallon.  Eric Gill has more…

CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

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“Powerball-mania” continues to grow as Saturday’s jackpot rises to a whopping $380 million.  Louisiana Lottery Spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says this is the sixth largest jackpot in Powerball history.  She says the jackpot could increase even more based on ticket sales…

CUT 3 (11)  “of the draw”

She says the largest Powerball jackpot, $590 million, happened in May of 2013. Chopin says it’s been a while since Louisiana has had a jackpot winner and some “Mardi Gras Mojo” would definitely be appreciated…

CUT 4 (12)  “in 1995”

Saturday’s jackpot has a cash value of $256.8 million. Chopin says it only takes one ticket to win, so please play responsibly. She reminds players that you can become a “Powerball Millionaire” without hitting the jackpot…

CUT 5 (11)  “last three years”

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Mardi Gras season kicks into full swing this weekend with parades scheduled all across Louisiana and Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control agents will hit the streets to curb businesses from selling alcohol and tobacco to underage persons.  Commissioner Troy Hebert says his office understands that alcohol and Mardi Gras go hand-in-hand…

CUT 6 (1o)  “our mission”

Hebert says part of their mission is to ensure that everyone has a safe, fun Mardi Gras season.  He says agents will concentrate on keeping alcohol and tobacco products out of the hands of underage persons.  Hebert says during the Mardi Gras season, ATC really steps up their compliance checks of businesses along parade routes statewide…

CUT 7 (10)  “purchase alcohol”

Hebert says ATC issued 69 citations last Mardi Gras to businesses selling alcohol and tobacco to underage persons.  He says statistically they have seen a decrease in sales to minors and hopes that trend continues this year.  Hebert says it’s important that employees selling alcohol know how to quickly identify whether a person is underage…

CUT 8 (11)  “sell to them”

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The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Louisiana has climbed back to over $2.00 a gallon.  According to the American Automobile Association, the average price for a gallon of regular in the Bayou State is $2.01.  AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says it was expected that fuel prices would increase as we head into spring…

CUT 9 (10)  “they go down”

Redman says the price of gas has increased about 10-percent over the last two weeks.  He says you can expect to find the price at the pump continue to rise in the coming months.  But Redman says the US Department of Energy is forecasting that gas prices will remain below $3.00 a gallon…

cut 10 (11)  “kind of prices”

Redman says we’re paying more than a dollar a gallon less than we did just a year ago.  He says gas prices will probably average between $2.50 to $2.75 a gallon for much of 2015…

cut 11 (07) “a gallon”

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The Jindal administration proposes 61-million dollars in cuts to various state agencies and using 43-million dollars in stopgap funds to fill a 103-million dollar revenue shortfall for this fiscal year.  Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols says the cuts will eliminate certain state contracts, plus museums and state parks will be impacted…

cut 12 (11)  “this point”

Nichols says the joint legislative committee on the budget will have its opportunity to approve the governor’s revised budget plan at their meeting on February 20th….

cut 13 (09)  “FY-16”

Nichols says the mid-year cuts they propose will not lead to significant lay-offs in state government, critical health services for patients will be maintained and there are no cuts to higher ed. But she says significant cuts to public colleges and health care are on the table for next fiscal year….

cut 14 (10)  “legislative session”

 

 

13:30 Newscast February 6th, 2015

According to the American Automobile Association, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Louisiana has climbed back to over $2.00 a gallon. Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 2 (29) “reporting”
State Police have released more details in the shootout involving an off-duty Livingston Parish Deputy which left the other man dead. They say the deceased, Sidney Averett, was shot three times but the fatal wound — the coroner determined, was self-inflicted. LSP believes the off-duty deputy is the boyfriend of Averett’s estranged wife and the incident occurred when Averett broke into the home of the off-duty deputy.
The Jindal Administration proposes 61-million dollars in cuts to various state agencies and using 43 million dollars in stopgap funds to fill a 103 million dollar revenue shortfall for this fiscal year. Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols says the cuts will eliminate certain state contracts plus museums and state parks will be impacted…:
CUT 12 (11) “this point”
Nichols says the joint legislative committee on the budget will have its opportunity to approve the governor’s revised budget plan at their meeting on February 20th.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office say a 39-year-old Natalbany woman died in a house fire last night when she couldn’t escape the blaze. They say four other people got out through windows around 2am but the victim, Yolanda Dyson, was trapped. Investigators believe a space heater started the blaze at the Tangipahoa Parish  residence.

12:30 Newscast February 6th, 2015

The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Louisiana has climbed back to over $2.00 a gallon.  According to the American Automobile Association, the average price for a gallon of regular in the Bayou State is $2.01.  AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says it was expected that fuel prices would increase as we head into spring…:

CUT 9 (10) “they go down”

He says gas prices will probably average between $2.50 to $2.75 a gallon for much of 2015.

The Louisiana Lottery says the Powerball jackpot is now up to $380 million dollars for tomorrow night’s drawing. Spokeswoman Kimberly Chopin says it’s been a while since Louisiana has had a jackpot winner and some “Mardi Gras Mojo” would definitely be appreciated…:

CUT 4 (12) “in 1995”

Mardi Gras season kicks into full swing this weekend and Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control agents will hit the streets to curb businesses from selling alcohol and tobacco to underage persons.  Eric Gill reports…:

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

The Louisiana Department of Revenue says they’ve discovered several  attempts to file fraudulent income tax returns for the 2014 filing season through the Turbo Tax software. LDR has flagged over 2,000 so far.

11:40 Sportscast February 6th, 2015

Tough losses for LSU and Louisiana Tech on the hardwood last night. The Fighting Tigers began a three-game homestand by losing to one of the worst teams in the SEC. Auburn’s KT Harrell scored 28 points to lead the War Eagles to an 81-77 win over the Bayou Bengals.

 

UAB went on a 19-4 run in the second half to open up a close game and eventually win 80-60 over Louisiana tech. The Bulldogs scored just six points in the final 13 minutes and fall to 8-and-2 in Conference USA, a game back of first place Western Kentucky.

 

In the Sun Belt, ULM is a half game back of Georgia Southern after beating Arkansas Little Rock 77-61 for their third straight win. The Warhawks are at Georgia Southerntomorrow night. U-L Lafayette defeated Appalachian State 81 to 66. Hayward Register scored a career-high 20 points as he cashed in with six three-pointers.

 

LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri has announced that freshman infielder Greg Diechman will miss the next four to six weeks because of a stress fracture in his foot. Deichman has been working at second and third base during preseason workouts.

 

NFL analyst Mike Detillier says A big story to watch for the Saints this offseason will be whether the team restructures quarterback Drew Brees’ contract. Brees is set to make almost 19-million dollars in 2015. Detillier says the Saints could decide to add a year or two to his contract in order to free up some salary cap space for this season…

cut 18 (17) “…the field”

 

In the NBA tonight, the Pelicans are at the Thunder. New Orleans lost to Oklahoma City on Wednesday night in the Smoothie King Center.

11:30 Newscast February 6th, 2015

Mardi Gras season kicks into full swing this weekend with parades scheduled all across Louisiana. Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control agents will be on the the streets as usual to curb businesses from selling alcohol and tobacco to underage persons. ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert says his office understands that alcohol and Mardi Gras go hand-in-hand…
CUT 6 (10) “our mission”
He says statistically they have seen a decrease in sales to minors and hopes that trend continues this year.
As of today according to the American Automobile Association, gas prices are now above $2.00 again. AAA says the current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.01 and that’s up almost 15 cents from this time last week.
The state fire Marshal’s office believes a space heater is what caused a fire than claimed the life of one person in Tangipahoa Parish this morning. They say a 39-year-old woman perished in the blaze in the residence between Albany and Hammond around 2am. There were several others in the home who were able to escape through windows.
The Council for a Better Louisiana strongly objects to students opting out from taking the standardized assessments that’s tied to the Common Core education standards. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

10:30 Newscast February 6th, 2015

Even though some families are writing opt-out letters indicating their child won’t be taking the assessment test associated with Common Core, many are saying that is not a good idea. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says it only hurts the kids by not letting them take an exam that determines student progress…:
CUT 16 (10) “is performing”
But Common Core opponents say this is a new way they are seeking to upend the state’s use of the education standards.
“Powerball-mania” continues to grow with tomorrow’s worth an estimated $360 million. Louisiana Lottery Spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says this is the seventh largest jackpot in Powerball history and there’s a good chance it will go up today…:
CUT 3 (07) “a new jackpot”
Saturday’s jackpot has a cash value of $250.5 million.
The nation’s second largest health insurer is the latest to get hit by hackers and some Louisianians could be affected. At risk, the personal information of 80 million customers and employees of Anthem. 130,000 people in Louisiana have coverage under Amerigroup. That plan was breached and so was Unicare.
The City of Pineville is gearing up for their first Mardi Gras parade tonight. Scott Carwile reports…:
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”