A volunteer group supporting Louisiana soldiers is trying to get Mardi Gras care packages to troops deployed this season. Mission Mardi Gras from Afghanistan coordinator Tawney Tallo says some people don’t realize how much it means to soldiers when they get special treats like this…:
Cut 5 (09) “closer to home”
Fill the box with Mardi Gras themed items such as hats, throws, costumes, beads, or Louisiana inspired foods. You can find shipping information on the Louisiana Heroes Project Facebook Page.

The Saints season ended in heart breaking fashion in Minnesota last night. A 61-yard touchdown pass on the final play of the game gave the Vikings an improbable 29-24 victory over New Orleans. Coach Sean Payton…:
Cut 16 (13) “bit of time”

The recent cold snaps in Louisiana will likely affect some insect reproduction this summer…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Sportsmen will be unable to renew their hunting and fishing licenses at retail stores for two months starting January 30th while LDWF transitions to a new system. Spokesperson Rene LeBreton says the changes will make things easier…:
Cut 11 (09) “down the road”
Hunting and fishing licenses will be back at retail stores by April.

The Louisiana Family Forum is celebrating the 2018 Longest Married Couple in the state. The reigning champions, Lawrence and Varrie Player will be celebrating their 83rd anniversary this year. Family Forum President Gene Mills..:
Cut 13 (11) “every year”
Visit lafamilyforum.org to make a submission before February 7th.

The Who Dat Nation is taking to Twitter and Facebook to express their heartbreak over New Orleans’ loss to the Vikings last night. The Saints held a 24-23 lead late, but a 61-yard pass from Case Keenum to Stefon Diggs as time expired gave Minnesota the 29-24 victory. One Saints fan on Twitter posted a video of him picking up his 65″ TV and tossing it from his balcony after the game. It’s been viewed almost a million times.

The Louisiana Heroes Project is asking for Mardi Gras boxes to be sent to deployed Louisiana troops…:
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

It’s been a colder than normal winter to say the least in Louisiana and it might affect the insect population this summer. LSU Entomology Professor Timothy Schowalter says some mosquitoes were more than likely killed in the last cold snap…:
Cut 8 (07) “in reproduction”

Saints fans are depressed today after an incredible ending to the game against the Vikings last night in which Minnesota won 29-24 after a 61-yard touchdown pass on the final play of the game. It appeared New Orleans had completed a successful comeback from a 17-0 halftime deficit to win 24-23. But that touchdown pass from Case Keenum to Stefon Diggs ripped the hearts out of the Who Dat nation.

The Louisiana Heroes Project is asking folks to send some Fat Tuesday love to our troops serving in locations throughout the world who can’t be home this Carnival season. Mission Mardi Gras from Afghanistan coordinator Tawney Tallo, says their goal is to make sure all service members deployed from Louisiana receive a Carnival package before February 13th…:
Cut 4 (08) “traditional parade”
Visit the Louisiana Heroes Project on Facebook for details.

Retail stores will not be selling hunting and fishing licenses for two months starting January 30th. Matt Doyle explains why…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A winter storm warning is in effect for 6 North Louisiana Parishes, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, Morehouse, Union and Webster through tomorrow evening. The National Weather Service says tonight there is a potential for freezing rain and possibly 2-3 inches of snow in those areas.

A two year old child choked and died while at the Early Learning Center at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in Gentily.  Seminary Spokesman Gary Meyers says the child was eating lunch when she chocked on food. Isabella Magee’s cause of death is under investigation.  The New Orleans Times Picayune says the school has been inspected at least twice last year due to reported health concerns when children were observed with bumps and scratches.

Louisiana will receive another round of freezing temperatures this weekend. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards announces the state will seek 600 million dollars in loans to pay for major highway projects.  One of those involves the very congested I-10/12 split in Baton Rouge.  He says drivers are tired of sitting in traffic and it’s time to address this problem…

Cut 11 (10) “in the state.”

The financing plans for this project and several others will need to be approved by state lawmakers and the bond commission.

The Legislative Women’s Caucus is investigating to see if it is necessary to overhaul sexual harassment policies for the legislature and state government employees.  Chairman and New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says the committee is investigating an online sexual harassment course that legislators are required to take to see if it’s enough to protect them and others they work with…

Cut 9 (08) “as well.”

Governor John Bel Edwards announced that the state is seeking funding for three major infrastructure projects. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Broussard and Lafayette Police say murders in their cities are possibly related.  Broussard Police say the body of 23-year-old Skyler Barry of Lake Arthur was found lying face down under a home undergoing renovations Friday.  Lafayette Police say earlier, they found the body of 28-year-old Justin Zeno of Lafayette lying beside a burning vehicle.  Police say both people sustained gunshot wounds.  Both departments are assisting one another in the investigation.

The Legislative Women’s Caucus is investigating to see if it is necessary to overhaul sexual harassment policies for the legislature and state government employees.  Chairman and New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says the current policies are antiquated and need to be changed. She hopes if persons are found guilty of sexual harassment allegations, they’ll be held accountable…

Cut 8 (08) “this manner.”

26-year-old Neilson Rizzoto was sentenced to five years in prison after plowing into a crowd of parade goers while intoxicated during last year’s Endymion parade in New Orleans.  He pled guilty to 11 felony counts of vehicular negligent injuring and 13 misdemeanor counts.  Legal Analyst Tim Meche says Rizzoto’s sentence is an example of the new criminal justice reform measures put in place…

Cut 16  (11)  “a third.”

Broussard and Lafayette Police say murders in their cities are possibly related.  Broussard Police say the body of 23-year-old Skyler Barry of Lake Arthur was found lying face down under a home undergoing renovations Friday.  Lafayette police say earlier, they found the body of 28-year-old Justin Zeno of Lafayette lying beside a burning vehicle.  Police say both people sustained gunshot wounds.  Both police departments are assisting one another in the investigation.

Louisiana is getting another round of freezing temperatures this weekend. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards announces the state will seek 600 million dollars in loans to pay for major highway projects.  If accepted, the bonds will finance a major expansion of I-10 in Baton Rouge, the I-10 Loyola interchange in Kenner, and construction of an interchange into Barksdale Airforce Base in Bossier City. Edwards says the state will use federal highway money to pay back the loans…

Cut 10 (09) “12 years.”

26-year-old Neilson Rizzoto was sentenced to five years in prison after plowing into a crowd of parade goers during a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans last year.  The crash injured 32 people and police said Rizzuto had a .232 blood alcohol level.  The court also is ordering him to attend AA and MADD meetings.  Legal analyst Tim Meche says Rizzoto should be thankful he gets another chance…

Cut 15 (12) “other people.”

Governor John Bel Edwards announced that the state is seeking funding for three major infrastructure projects. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana has ruled in favor of LSU, dismissing claims made by Teresa Buchanan in a lawsuit against the university. Buchanan filed the suit after she was fired for allegedly making inappropriate comments during classes.   The court ruled her comments were not protected by the First Amendment and that the university’s policies are constitutional, and received due process.

Another cold air mass is bringing Canadian air into Louisiana, dropping temperatures well below normal.  The freezing temps will remain through this weekend and into the work week.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says the brutal north winds will make it feel much colder than it actually is…

Cut 4  (10) “wind chill.” 

Entergy says peak demand of smaller utility operators are rivaling the 2014 cold snap.  They remind people to seal air leaks and adjust the thermostat to 68 degrees to help conserve energy.

The Legislative Women’s Caucus is investigating to see if it is necessary to overhaul sexual harassment policies for the legislature and state government employees.  Chairman and New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno finds it disturbing even though policies are in place, it’s hard to hold legislators accountable if they were accused of sexual harassment…

Cut 7 (11)  “the legislature.”

Louisiana leaders have announced four major projects aimed at getting traffic moving across the state. One of them connecting Barksdale Airforce Base in Bossier City to I-20 which Governor John Bel Edwards says will help the state avoid losing facility…:
Cut 12 (11) “into that base”
The state is seeking bonds and if accepted, also financed would be a major expansion of I-10 in Baton Rouge, and the I-10 Loyola interchange in Kenner.

Southeast Louisiana is under a freeze warnings or hard freeze watches through Sunday morning. Temperatures are slated to be in the 20s for at least 2 to 7 hours at night, which could cause significant damage to sensitive plants and freezing of pipes. Officials are urging residents to make frequent checks on the elderly to make sure their house is being heated properly.

Female lawmakers in Louisiana met today to discuss whether it’s necessary to overhaul sexual harassment policies for the legislature and state government employees. New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says if anyone is found guilty of sexual harassment, they need to be held accountable…:
Cut 8 (08) “this manner”
Testimony today included three female faculty from UL-Lafayette who say they face sexual harassment all the time at work and not much is ever done.

Saints wide receiver Brandon Coleman has been ruled out of Sunday’s divisional playoff battle with Vikings due to a neck injury. The game is a rematch of the season opener that New Orleans lost, but NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says there’s a new X-factor for the Saints this time around…:
Cut 14 (11) “running back situation”
The game kicks off at 3:40 Sunday on FOX.

Governor John Bel Edwards announced that the state is seeking funding for three major infrastructure projects. Matt Doyle has more…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Another round of frigid weather is settling over the state this weekend, and the last time this happened there were several fatal house fires. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning encourages you to check on older heating systems…:
CUT 6 (10) “the weekend”
A hard freeze is forecast for North Louisiana tomorrow, and light freeze down to the coast.

The man who crashed into a crowd of people at last year’s Endymion parade while driving drunk, will spend five years in prison and have to attend AA. 26-year-old Neilson Rizzoto was facing a 55 year sentence. Legal analyst Tim Meche says this sentence is an example of the new criminal justice reform measures put in place last year…:
Cut 16 (11) “a third”
The crash injured 32 people.

A police department in Ohio is trying to spread the word that they are not the Vermilion where a teacher was removed from a school board meeting this week for questioning the superintendent. Cops in Vermilion, Ohio say they have received angry and profane messages from people reacting to the controversial arrest of Deyshia Hargrave which actually happened in Vermilion Parish. The Ohio department said to please stop sending hate mail.