Applications are once again being accepted for the state’s Louisiana Scholarship program, also known as the voucher program. Scott Carwile has the story…

cut 2 (31) “reporting”

The Louisiana Fire Marshal’s Office reports a fatal fire in Bastrop has claimed the lives of two siblings. They say two children, 4-year-old Ta’Shae Johnson and her 3-year-old brother Clifton, were left unattended in their home by their mother, Ciarria Johnson. Ciarria told authorities when she returned two hours later, the house was on fire. The bodies of the children were recovered inside the home. Criminal charges are expected to be filed against Ciarria Johnson.

Northwest Louisiana officials plan to meet with the EPA today over plans to conduct an open burn of the 15 million pounds of M6 propellant at Camp Minden. The concern among citizens is that the open burning of this propellant will pollute the air around the site. Minden Representative Gene Reynolds feels that another open test burn is unnecessary…

cut 5 (10) “burn out here”

Reynolds suggests an incinerator burn of the propellant.

Louisiana’s newly selected Higher Education Commissioner, Joseph Rallo, is touring the state to introduce himself to communities and school leaders. He says he’ll be working to develop partnerships which he says are vital to areas dealing with the budget. Rallo says higher ed is at the center of workforce development and the creation of new opportunities…

cut 12 (11) “all about”

He says he wants all of the system presidents to be be on the same page when it comes higher education issues.

Officials in northwest Louisiana plan to meet with the EPA today over plans to conduct an open burn of the 15 million pounds of M6 propellant at Camp Minden. Minden Representative Gene Reynolds is representing the community’s concern over the potential health effects of burning this propellant. He believes there is another solution…

cut 4 (12) “that are useful”

The EPA says they are working to assure the safety and effectiveness of onsite, controlled open-burning of the propellant.

Louisiana’s new Higher Education Commissioner is setting off on a statewide tour to introduce himself to communities and school leaders. Joseph Rallo says he plans to engage with leaders who share the common goal of creating a stronger economy through higher education. He wants to make sure the needs of all students are being met…

cut 11 (04) “and duplicative”

Rallo says he’ll also be working to develop partnerships which he says are vital to areas dealing with the budget.

Applications are now being accepted from low-income families who wish to have their child attend a private school of their choice through Louisiana’s scholarship program. Last year over 13-thousand families applied and nearly 74-hundred were awarded vouchers. Ann Duplessis, president of the Louisiana Federation for Children says the reviews from participating parents are very good…

cut 8 (06) “life changing”

February 27th is the deadline to apply.

It’s the 46th year for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and, once again, the lineup is stacked. Festival Producer Quint Davis says they have 500 acts taking the stage this year and 425 of them are from Louisiana…

cut 14 (10) “in every category”

Headliners include Elton John, Keith Urban, The Who, and Pitbull. Tickets go on sale today.

Louisiana’s scholarship program, also known as the voucher program, is now accepting applications from low-income families who wish to have their child attend a private school of their choice with the use of state dollars. Ann Duplessis, president of the Louisiana Federation for Children says the other major qualification is that the student is enrolled in a low-performing public school…

cut 7 (10) “a scholarship”

Families may apply at the department of education’s website or in person at the participating school of their choice through February 27th.

Louisiana’s newly selected Higher Education Commissioner is starting a statewide tour to introduce himself to communities and school leaders. Joseph Rallo says he wants all of the system presidents to be be on the same page when it comes to dealing with issues facing higher ed…

cut 10 (04) “vitally important”

Rallo will be in Natchitoches today, Shreveport tomorrow and Monroe on Thursday.

The 2015 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is in its 46th year and the lineup once again includes huge acts like Elton John, Lady Gaga along with Tony Bennett, Keith Urban, The Who, Ed Sheeran, Chicago, Steve Winwood and many many more. Festival Producer Quint Davis says they are very excited about this year’s performers which are big across the board…

cut 13 (10) “in every genre”

Jazzfest this year is April 24th to May 3rd and you can get the full schedule online a nojazzfest.com. Tickets are on sale starting today.

President Obama announces a plan to offer any American two years of community college for free to help train the US workforce. The program is expected to cost around $60 billion over 10 years, and Monty Sullivan who heads the Louisiana Community and Technical College System says that’s a lot of money but people shouldn’t look at it that way…:
CUT 4 (11) “grow the economy”
The President will promote the initiative in his State of the Union address on January 20th.

With the US Supreme Court rejecting a plea to consider striking down Louisiana’s ban on same-sex marriage, the Federal Appeals Court will rule on the issue in the near future. Then, how long would that take?
Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino:
CUT 13 (06) Q: ‘spring for sure’
He says this matter is far from being over.

The Baton Rouge Police Department is investigating an accidental fatal shooting that occurred as a man was adjusting his pants. Sgt. Mary Ann Godawa says officers responded to the scene and found the victim lying at the end of a driveway, suffering a gunshot wound to his chest. She says cops questioned witnesses and the suspect, 19-year-old Jawan Lloyd Billy…:
CUT 9 (11) “killed the victim”
Billy is charged with negligent homicide.

Impressive lineup for the 2015 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Headliners include Elton John, No Doubt, Widespread Panic, Jimmy Buffett, The Who and the final performance night headliner has yet to be announced. Jazzfest always happens the last weekend in April, and first weekend in May. You can see the full lineup online at nojazzfest.com.

Republican US Senator and Louisiana gubernatorial candidate David Vitter says, if Obamacare is not going away, then the laws requiring compliance by the public, should also apply to EVERYONE in Washington, and that means…
CUT 8 (04) Q: “top appointees”
And now, there’s talk in Washington about raising gas taxes to fund highway construction needs, Vitter says we should get additional revenue from increased oil and gas production instead.

The US Supreme Court has rejected a plea to consider striking down Louisiana’s ban on same-sex marriage. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says this doesn’t mean the issue is dead…
cut 12 (07) “on the issue”
There has a been circuit court split on rulings with the issue, and Ciolino says he thinks the 5th Circuit will issue a ruling sometime this spring.

======================

President Obama is working on the details of a plan to offer two years of free community college education to any American to help train the US workforce…
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

The 2015 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival line-up has been announced, and it’s a “who’s who” of music; starting WITH The Who, along with Elton John, Tony Bennett, Jimmy Buffett, and Chicago. Performances take place April 24 through the 26; then April 30 through May 3rd.

President Obama is working on the details of a plan to offer two years of free community college education to any American to help train the US workforce. Dr. Monty Sullivan, the head of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, says it’s exciting…
CUT 3 (10) “very, very positive”

Republican US Senator David Vitter says he plans to be active in Washington, even though he’s running for governor this year. Vitter says one of his priorities is to pass a highway and transportation bill that would help improve traffic flow on major highways in the state…
CUT 6 (09) “that issue”
Vitter says he’ll also work to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
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The US Supreme Court has rejected a plea to consider striking down the Louisiana ban on same-sex marriages. A Federal Court of Appeals heard arguments last week on the issue, and Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino thinks the Supreme Court wants to let the 5th Circuit choose which way it thinks the issue should go…
cut 14 (08) “the following term”

Baton Rouge Police are investigating an accidental fatal shooting that occurred as a man was adjusting his pants. Sgt. Mary Ann Godawa says officers responded, and found the victim lying at the end of a driveway, suffering a gunshot wound to his chest. She says it’s a valuable lesson…:
CUT 11 (08) Q: ” homicide”
Besides that charge, 19-year-old Jawan Lloyd Billy was charged with possession of a stolen firearm.

One item in the President Obama’s State-of-the-Union address January 20th will be a plan to offer two years of free community college education to help train the US workforce. Dr. Monty Sullivan, the head of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, says this is a huge opportunity….
CUT 4 (11) Q: “grow the economy”
The price tag will be about 60 billion dollars over the next 10 years.

With the US Supreme Court rejecting a plea to consider striking down Louisiana’s ban on same-sex marriage, the Federal Appeals Court will rule on the issue in the near future. Then, how long would that take?
CUT 13 (06) Q: ‘spring for sure’
That’s Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino, who adds the issue is far from dead.
==============================
With the price of gas so low, there’s talk in Washington about raising the tax on gasoline to help fund highway construction. Senator David Vitter thinks we should use revenue from increased oil and gas production instead…
CUT 7 (04) Q: ‘highway system’
Right now, Vitter says he’s working with his Republican colleagues to repeal Obamacare

Baton Rouge Police are investigating an accidental shooting which left a man dead and another behind bars…
CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

The US Supreme Court has rejected a plea to consider striking down Louisiana’s ban on same-sex marriage. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says this doesn’t mean the issue is dead…:
CUT 12 (07) “on the issue”
Circuit Courts have ruled differently on this issue, creating a circuit split on the issue of same-sex marriage.

The Baton Rouge Police Department says a 19-year-old man is under arrest for allegedly accidentally shooting and killing his friend. Sgt. Mary Ann Godawa says the suspect, 19-year-old Jawan Billy, told cops he was near the victim in a garage apartment…:
CUT 10 (07) “handgun went off”
Billy is charged with negligent homicide and possession of a stolen firearm.

US Senator David Vitter says even though he is running for governor this year, he plans to remain busy in Washington D.C. Vitter says he wants to work to repeal the Affordable Care Act and if it doesn’t go away then the federal heath care laws should apply to everyone on The Hill. He says that includes The President…:
CUT 8 (04) “top appointees”
Vitter says raising taxes for highway construction needs is not necessary and additional revenue from increased oil and gas production needs to be used.

NCIS: New Orleans will be back again as the CBS prime time drama has been picked up for a second season. The series is not only set in New Orleans but it’s also filmed in The Big Easy.

Governor Bobby Jindal is traveling overseas today on an economic development mission that will include stops in the UK, Germany, and Switzerland. The governor will meet with corporate executives to cultivate more foreign-direct investment opportunities and increase trade between Louisiana and Europe.